CHAPTER 9

SU-JEONG POV:

Stupid bitch! She had almost fucked up everything! Luckily she hadn't died. I still need her alive. I have waited too long and come too far to lose her now. Keeping up on her progress hasn't been easy. Yoon Ji-Hoo and Song Woo Bin have made it difficult for me to get anywhere near her. It was a mistake asking my old army friends to get rid of them. They must have gotten rusty over the years. I will probably have to get rid of them myself.

I don't like killing men, though. They don't scream as well as women do. And the blood of a woman…their fear makes their blood flow faster... it really is beautiful…

For 10 years I have practiced, prepared, and waited. Finally, I am going to have my revenge. I am not going to let anyone ruin this...but I have to wait just a little longer. Until she is better, I have to keep practicing. I want that moment to be perfect. My daughter will be the tool of my revenge.

My newest practice subject isn't as pretty as my wife or daughter. I love how she screams though. Excitement ripples through my body as I begin to strip the flesh from her body. Hopefully this one will stay conscious longer than the others…

(^_^)

SAIA'S POV:

I watch through blurry eyes as Ji-Hoo prepares the shot of morphine for me. His face is as cool and calm as ever. Did I imagine him kissing my head? The pain must be making me delusional. He has my jacket off and my sleeve rolled up as I sit sideways in the passenger seat of his car. The pain is so bad I don't even feel the needle as he injects the clear fluid into my arm.

Why has he come? Why does he keep showing up? Have I not been through enough?

"It may take a minute for it to take effect but it should last till we get you back to the hospital."

"Ani, I'm not going back."

His eyes narrow at me. "…Why?"

"I can't go back there…I won't." Squeezing my eyes shut, I try not to remember the things Kang Woo said to me. I have been such a fool towards Ji-Hoo. The only way to try and preserve what little of my pride I have left is to put as much distance between myself and him as I can. Opening my eyes, I look directly into his.

"You shouldn't have come."

It surprises me to see him actually flinch at my words. He looks like I just slapped him in the face but I need him to stop being so kind. "I am grateful for everything you have done for me but I can take care of myself from now on."

"You are not well enough to take care of yourself yet." He says softly, his calm exterior back in place.

"Says who? You? You don't even know me so stop acting like you know what I can or can't do. There is no way I am going back to that hospital."

"…Just because you know who my family is, doesn't mean that anything changes." His voice is quiet and he is watching me closely. So Kang Woo told him what happened.

"…"

"Is it me you are trying to run from or is it Kim Kang Woo?"

"Is there a difference?" I grumble and look away. I know my comment is unfair. Ji-Hoo is nothing like Kang Woo but my embarrassment and hurt are making me unreasonable.

He sighs in exasperation and brushes my bangs away from my eyes. My body trembles at his touch as he cups my chin with his hand and forces me to look at him. His eyes are gentle and weakening my resolve.

"Of course there is a difference…And you know it." Afraid he will see the affect he is having on me, I try to look away but he won't let me.

"You scared me, Saia."

"…Huh?"

"I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find you. Things with your father have gotten…complicated. I'm still taking you back. I want you safe. If anything were to happen to you…" His expression is unreadable and my eyes feel like they are about to pop out of their sockets. He was worried about me? The hole in my heart starts to feel a little less empty as he nudges me to sit forward in the seat so he can fasten my seatbelt and close the door.

(^_^)

JI-HOO'S POV:

She's quiet…

I don't mind the silence. It isn't uncomfortable but I feel the need to say something. Anything…to reassure myself that she really is next to me in my car and that she is okay. Damn that Kang Woo... I know that I am partially to blame as well but whatever that little prick said to her caused all of her defenses to go back up. He had intentionally sought her out as if he knows her…And that bothers me.

"Do you know him?"

My question makes her uneasy and from the corner of my eye, I see her gaze fall nervously to her hands. I pull over to the side of the street and stop the car so that I can cover her twisting hands with one of my own. My heart leaps with excitement as she takes my hand in both of hers. She swallows hard as she slowly nods at my question. She opens her mouth to speak but her voice is lifeless and she grips my hand tightly. When she finishes telling me about her past with him I can see the uncertainty in her eyes as she looks at me. She's afraid. Afraid that I will judge her for something that isn't even her fault. The bastard used her and betrayed her but she blames herself for it.

"Why do you blame yourself? He's the fool. Not you." She is surprised by my question and gives me a curious look.

"I let my guard down. I trusted someone that I shouldn't have. I made a foolish decision."

God, this woman is something else! I can't hide the small smile that escapes my lips as I shake my head. She is always trying to be the strong one and trying to make no mistakes.

"It isn't your fault."I tell her looking directly into her eyes. I squeeze her hand and turn my attention back to driving. Her grip loosens but I continue to hang on to her while I drive. Even though her trust in me is shaken, she is still here…still holding my hand…and I am not going to let go.