CHAPTER 10

SERENA'S POV:

Watching my husband and son play with our dog on the beach brings such a feeling of peace over me, that I want to memorize every detail of this moment. The sound of the waves crashing on the beach, my son's laughter, my husband's smile… But as perfect as this picture is, there is still someone missing.

My precious daughter… Where are you? Why are you not here with us?

For the past 15 years I have had to live without my daughter. Not knowing where she is or how she is living…Or if she is even still alive. But I would know, wouldn't I? Wouldn't I feel it if she was no longer living?

My life with my ex-husband had been a nightmare. I have never known such an evil person in my whole life. He got close to me and married me just so he could get to my father. My father was brutally tortured and murdered by him. He would have killed me too if I hadn't escaped. Being the daughter of an Ambassador, I had been brought up to escape and survive by my parents and our bodyguards but this escape had cost me dearly because Su-Jeong still has our daughter.

I know that he moved her to South Korea. I have tried to get her back and all my attempts at contacting her have been in vain. The rare occasions that he let me speak to her were brief and made it clear that she didn't wish to speak to me. It breaks my heart! Who knows what he has told her about me. She was 9 years old the last time I saw her for god's sake! The past 7 years I haven't heard anything about either of them no matter how hard I search. Su-Jeong is very good at hiding and whoever had formed the plot against my father is also trying very hard to keep Su-Jeong from being found.

I smile at my husband as he plops down on the sand beside me with a huge grin on his face. I love my husband and our 10 year old son so much. They are both so understanding and want her to be a part of our lives as much as I do. Is it wrong to be so happy but still need more? Our family isn't complete without Saia.

(^_^)

SAIA'S POV:

Staring at the hand clasped between my own, my mind is racing a million miles a second. That's it? He isn't disappointed in me? Glancing nervously at Ji-Hoo, I can still see a small smile on his face. His reaction to my relationship with Kang Woo isn't what I expected. His quiet understanding never fails to amaze me and I feel a huge weight fall off my shoulders. This is Ji-Hoo after all. A man I had come to know pretty well over the last few weeks. Someone I had come to trust and care for. Even though there is no hope of there being more between us I can still call him a friend, right? I had accepted him as a friend before I knew that he was THAT Ji-Hoo. He's right. It shouldn't change anything. I am just going to have to try and keep my heart from being involved any more than it already is.

His hand really is fascinating though. Clean, well manicured, and strong. Just like him. His long, lean fingers are well suited for his line of work as a doctor and for playing all of those instruments. I am surprised at how tan he is though. When did he have time to spend outside anyways? I am so lost in my thoughts that I fail to notice we are at the hospital again. Ji-Hoo squeezes my hand and I look up at him in surprise. He is looking at me curiously and realizing where we are, I quickly release his hand. I try to hide my burning face as I move to get out of his car. Real smooth, girl. I inwardly groan to myself.

Limping towards the entrance, my feet are suddenly lifted off the ground.

"W-what are you doing?!" I gasp.

"I'm carrying you."

"I can walk!"

He raises an eyebrow at me and I recognize that look. He isn't going to put me down. Honestly though, should I be complaining? I should just enjoy being cradled in his arms again. At least I am lucid this time. With my arms around his neck I bury my face in his shoulder, trying to imprint this moment in my mind and not wanting it to end. The nurses offer him a wheelchair as we enter the hospital but he shakes his head and continues to carry me towards the elevator.

He smells so good and I can feel his heart thundering against his ribcage. I can't stop a soft sigh of contentment from leaving my lips. This feels so right. It feels like I belong in his arms. Just for this one moment, I selfishly want to believe that I belong to this amazing man and that he belongs to me. Letting my eyes drift shut as Ji-Hoo leans back against the elevator's railing, I can feel his breath on my temple.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

"Mmmhmm." I am in heaven, actually. I feel him smile against my temple as he nuzzles my hair and I shiver in response.

The spell is broken as the elevator announces its arrival to my floor and Ji-Hoo continues to carry me to my room. All the nurses are whispering and pointing at us. I can feel the blush on my cheeks as I bury my face deeper into his shoulder. Don't they have anything better to do? He suddenly stops and his grip on me tightens. Curious, I look up at him. His jaw is clenched and his eyes are narrowed with rage at something in front of him. As I follow his gaze, my heart sinks at seeing Kang Woo.

"Nurse Lee?" Ji-Hoo's voice is surprisingly calm compared to the deadly look in his eyes as he calls the Head Nurse over to him.

"Yes, Dr. Yoon?"

"Dr. Kim isn't allowed anywhere near Miss Caelum. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Dr. Yoon."

Returning my face to Ji-Hoo's shoulder, relief washes over me. It isn't enough that Kang Woo has hurt me once before. He seems determined to remind me of my place. All of my happy thoughts from just moments before are swept away by the crashing reality of our lives. Ji-Hoo is F4 and I am an unemployed ballerina. It's foolish of me to daydream of something that will only break my heart. As Ji-Hoo continues down the hallway, I look over his shoulder at Kang Woo. The disdain in his eyes as he watches us chills me to the bone and I look away. Nurse Lee follows us into my room but Ji-Hoo stops her.

"Can you give us a minute?"

"Of course. Let me know when you need me to start the IV again."

Sitting down on the bed, he doesn't loosen his hold on me and I look up at him. The expression on his face is unreadable as his eyes meet mine. I can't tell if he is still angry or not but I shouldn't be in his arms anymore. Moving to get off of him, he stops me. The hand that had been carrying my legs reaches up to touch my face while his other arm is still firmly wrapped around my torso. His thumb brushes my lips and I feel them part in surprise. His chocolate eyes are the darkest I have ever seen them as my pulse speeds up. I can feel myself start to panic as his face comes closer to mine. This can't happen. It will only make things harder! Placing my palms flat on his chest, I stop his descent towards me and there is a flash of pain in his eyes.

"Still running? Do you still love him?"

Blinking in surprise I can't help but love his bluntness. At least he gets straight to the point and doesn't mince words. Knowing that I owe him the same, I shake my head.

"Ani… I'm scared." I mutter, biting my bottom lip nervously. His eyes are soft and gentle as he watches me, quietly urging me to continue. "I'm afraid you will break my heart. I've never felt this way before. If you hurt me, I don't think I can handle it." I finally admit. I feel him take a deep breath as his mouth continues towards mine.

"I won't." and then I feel his lips capture mine in a sweet kiss that I can feel down into the depths of my soul. I shiver as his lips capture my top lip between his and my heart stutters in my chest. With one last soft nip, he pulls away and leans his forehead against mine. His thumb continues to brush my cheek as he stares into my eyes. It feels like I am drowning in his warm, chocolaty gaze. It's his bright smile that drives the realization home. It's official. I have lost my heart to Yoon Ji-Hoo.

A/N: I'm sorry for such a large delay in Chapters. After revising the older chapters, I got a little burnt out. I am glad to finally start bringing Serena into the picture. Saia's mom will play a bigger role later but I wanted to show that she isn't a bad person. As always, thank you for reading. ^_^