Chapter Seven

Mi Nyu left the house rather urgently this morning because of the state of the dormitory. She had used up all the food remaining in the refrigerator and pantries. She felt a bit embarrassed for doing so, even though there wasn't a lot of food in the first place. For breakfast she had improvised pretty well. But by the time she was done there wasn't enough to make a decent meal or lunch or dinner.

"They must have eaten out regularly?" The girl pondered. Must have. They were probably always so busy they didn't have the time or energy to not eat out or eat instant foods. Their diets must be horrible.

In an exceptional mood, Mi Nyu decided to walk to the bus station instead of taking her bike. And after I make sure they have enough food for awhile, I will go visit Mother Superior! She smiled to herself. Today's going to be a great day...Okay, let's see what we need to get accomplished today: first…groceries? Ah, I should clean up a bit while they're gone too? Why not? Let's get cleaning products.

The thought of that troublesome stain Mi Nyu found on the floor of the kitchen came to mind. She spent at least ten minutes trying to clean it off, but nothing affected it. She couldn't for the life of her figure out what it was but while she was down there she also saw how dirty the crooks and crevices of the kitchen were. And those things just crawled under her skin. If it can be cleaned, it should be cleaned.

Speaking of clean, the state of Go Mi Nam's room was just the opposite. It was ghastly. It looked like a war zone. It smelled like something died in there- which considering Mi Nam, something probably did. He'd always been rather messy, even when they were children. I don't think I've ever been so afraid to go back into a room. She shook at the thought of actually cleaning it.

Boarding the bus, she is greeted by the bus driver and a pleasantly quiet bus. It was basically empty, minus two teenage girls who were sitting at the very front. Mi Nyu decided to sit up at the front as well for convenience.

As the bus began to roll her eyes began to stray, leading her to two girls who had just started chatting with each other. One of them had a magazine in her hand. Normally Mi Nyu would have just stopped looking at the pair at this point, her curiosity being stomped out by her desire not to come off as rude, but there was something about that magazine cover. Squinting her eyes, she got quite a shock upon realizing just what was on it. It was a picture of her and Tae Kyung as they were leaving the airport, with a smaller smaller photo of their hug at the concert right beside it.

Around the bigger picture there were big bold print words that said: Hwang Tae Kyung's new mystery girl! His latest fling? + More.

Fling? Go Mi Nyu's face contorted. I guess its right for them to think that way…they don't know anything about our relationship yet. They probably just connected the fact that I'm the same girl from the earlier concert photo?

The girl pointed to something in the magazine and both her and her friend gasped. "I didn't know Tae Kyung-oppa had a girlfriend." Mi Nyu tried hard not to listen in on their conversation but she was already caught up.

She shifted her gaze down to try not to make it obvious she was listening. "Oh please. Girlfriend?" Mi Nyu watched as her friend shook the magazine in her hand, pointing towards something. "Sources say that A.N Jell's Hwang Tae Kyung has a new fling, who is reportedly related to one of the A.N Jell members. They also say it's the same girl he hugged at one of their concerts last year. It doesn't say they are dating. Hence the 'fling'."

"Why would he hug just any one like that, So Hee? Don't you remember how dramatic it was? I'm sure they just kept it hidden well. Oh, I bet she's Shin Woo-oppa's sister. No wait-" She took the magazine from her friend's hands. "Look at her! Even though her face is covered with glasses. She looks like Go Mi Nam!"

"Just because she looks like him doesn't mean they are related. Anyway, she doesn't look all that special to me. I mean look at how tacky she's dressed! My niece has sunglasses exactly like that and she's five."

"Tacky?" Mi Nyu lipped, looking down. She was dressed very causual today in a plain t-shirt and jeans, with a small cream purse. "I'm tacky?"

She felt all too tempted to shout "HEY! I'M RIGHT HERE!" but of course, they didn't know who she was and probably wouldn't believe in her if she told them.

Thankfully, the bus driver had already arrived at her stop. She hurriedly got off before anymore temptations came over her and she did something she might regret.

The first thing she ran into was a street vendor who was selling fish sticks. Her stomach growled at the sight, "I shouldn't eat fish sticks." She passed by the vendor. "I should go eat a meal, something more filling." But damn, those fish sticks were alluring. Before she knew it her feet lead her back in front of the vendor.

"Sir, could I have some fish sticks please?"

"You sure can, miss." He reached down taking the fish fresh out of the fryer. "That'll be two dollars."

She reached into her purse, quickly taking out her wallet. Then, out of nowhere, a man cut in front of her- snatching her wallet right out of her hand.

"Huh?" Her eyes widened, glancing down to her empty hand. She cocked her head quickly to the crowd the burglar just dove into. "Wait….wait!" She began to run after thief. Unfortunately, he was like a road runner and she was a sloth. A mild fear went through her at the thought she might lose him to the crowds.

Just then, out of her peripheral vision Mi Nyu saw a girl with brown hair fly past her, towards the perpetrator. "HEY YOU!" The girl yelled, hurdling towards the man like a bullet. "Get back here with that wallet!" Mi Nyu was now in a race to catch the culprit with a track star.

The girl, who was clad in a maid outfit, finally caught up to the guy – and by a quite amazing feat. Go Mi Nyu watched in wonder as the stranger unhooked her purse strap and she lassoed him down. He almost fell down, but the girl kept him from doing so, the thief on his knees in front of her.

"Please don't kill me." He cried, fear in his voice. The purse strap seemed wrapped rather tightly around his upper body.

"Oh, I'm not going to kill you. But I am giving you five seconds to hand over that wallet."

The man reached out his hand as far as he could, towards the girl.

"Thank you. Now, take this as a lesson! If I see you in this part of Seoul again I will personally escort you to the police!" In a snap she let the man go, and he scrambled off in fear. "Once again, the day has been saved by Seoul's only crime fighting coffee house worker!" She exclaimed with a smile, getting mixed reactions from the crowd around her. After all she was in a maid costume. "Oh." Realizing the wallet was still in her hand, she ran up to Mi Nyu.

"I'm sorry. Here are your belongings, eonni-"

"Thank-" Mi Nyu stopped mid sentence upon actually looking at the stranger. The girl was her old school friend Ye Eun- Mi Nam's ex and Jeremy's cousin. Mi Nyu actually didn't piece together that Ye Eun was related to Jeremy a t first. When they were together and she talked about him she always referred to him as On Yu and not 'Jeremy'- and mentioned only a couple of times that he played the drums.

Mi Nyu couldn't recognize Ye Eun at first she because had changed her appearance. The things that did remain the same were her baby face and hazel-green eyes. Her normal long black hair had been dyed light brown and cut to her shoulders. "Cho Ye Eun?"

"Go Mi Nyu?" She grinned wide. "It's so nice to see you!" She hugged her.

Hugging her back, Mi Nyu noticing the strange looks she was recieiving from the public from personally knowing the girl.

"Ah, but YeEun-ah." Mi Nyu pulled away. "Do you always go fighting crime like this?"

Ye Eun was completely oblivious to how much of a scene she had just caused. "Oh. This?" Ye Eun looked down. "I work at a maid café. Aren't the outfits cute?"

Mi Nyu laughed. "It is rather cute. Are you on your break right now?"

"Yeah, lunch. I was just going to go out and get something simple like a salad but I ran into you, so you know. Ah! You know what? We should go eat lunch together! We can catch up! Sound good?"

"I don't know. I have to go finish some errands." Mi Nyu's stomach growled in defense.

"That's not what your body says! Let's go." Ye Eun grabbed Mi Nyu's hand.

ㄹ

"So, how have you been?"

Mi Nyu played around with her jjajangmyun. Her hunger had gone away again but she was still going to try to eat something, "Very well. You?"

"Better." She sighed, taking a sip of her tea. "I still can't believe how popular Mi Nam has gotten. Every time I see him on TV or in a magazine all I can think about was how he was in high school. You still keep in touch, right?"

"The thing is, I sort of work for A.N Jell now." Mi Nyu finally took a bite. She would be seeing her brother just about everyday from now on.

"Really? What do you do?"

"I guess you could call me an assistant?"

"That's too cool! But I'm curious, how did you get the job? Not anyone can work for A.N Jell."

"Well Tae Kyung-" She shut her mouth. Of course Ye Eun didn't know about her and Tae Kyung's relationship. Would it be wrong to tell? Playing it safe, Mi Nyu shoved a whole bunch of jjajangmyun in her mouth, gazing back up to Ye Eun with a smile.

Ye Eun cocked her eyebrow. "After all these years it's still obvious when you're hiding something."

"Hiding? I'm not hiding anything." She picked up her cup, drinking all of what she had left in one gulp.

"Tae Kyung has changed a lot because of you. Both Jeremy and I know that. You don't have to be afraid of talking to me about him."

"I'm sorry. It's just…"

"It's not like I'm a reporter. Anyway, I want to know how you two got together!"

"That's a very long story."

"Doesn't matter! I want to hear it." Ye Eun's phone suddenly started to vibrate. "Oh- that's just my alarm for work. If I didn't set it I would lose track of time and return halfway through my next shift."

"You have to go?"

"I still have twenty minutes. Plus, I haven't seen you in years. They can wait." She giggled.

"Before we do that, could I ask you question? It's about my brother and Jeremy." Mi Nyu thought that asking Jeremy's own cousin could get to the root of their problem.

"Go ahead."

"Do you know why they dislike each other so much?"

"Not really." She blew out her cheeks. "It's so weird, because the trouble between them didn't seem to even exist until recently. A part of me wants to try to talk to your brother about it, but I'm probably the last person he wants to talk to." The relationship between Ye Eun and her brother had ended on a rather bitter note. Mi Nam was so torn up about it; he refused to date for a long time. Even Mi Nyu was curious as to why she did what she did, but like her brother, couldn't get in contact with Ye Eun after she left.

"Don't say that, Ye Eun. I'm sure that he'd be happy to see you. Matter of fact, next time your free you should come over for dinner."

"I can't deny your request especially when you ask me so earnestly. Those doe eyes of yours could make anybody give in."

ㄹ

A part of Tae Kyung regretted not taking the time to go out with his girlfriend today. But he needed some more time to think. Mi Nyu's birthday is next week. He sighed. "What should I do?" Should we go on a hot spring trip? I wonder what she would say to that. Maybe:"Hot springs? Hyung-nim, that sounds wonderful! I've never been to a hot spring before!"

Yes. He tapped his fingers together like he was on the verge of some great discovery.

Tae Kyung groaned however, not completely satisified. It didn't feel like it was enough.Maybe it should get saved for another day, when we both have free slots in our schedules?

Even though he dated more girls than he could count, he never stayed in the relationship long enough to know her birthday or never figured it out. It was the first birthday he'd be celebrating for any girlfriend and it had to be special. It had to be the best.

Wait. He smiled to himself. I've got the perfect plan. I'll take her out to dinner.

While Mi Nyu was still in Africa, Tae Kyung went out searching for the ultimate present. He didn't know the occasion; really, he just wanted something that would top anything and everything she ever gotten. He went through so many items; none of which really appealed to him. About a month ago, after Mi Nyu finally told him she was coming back, it came to him.

He bought a ring- and not just any ring. The ring. He went into his desk drawer, pulling out a box. "She's going to like this." He knew it. She better. It was the most expensive thing he ever bought for a woman. He wasn't the least bit concerned whether she was going to say yes or no. The way he figured it was yes/yes situation.

He put the ring back into his drawer, taking out his phone. Mi Nyu was number one under his speed dial.

"Hello?"

"Your birthday, it's soon, isn't it?" Playing it off like he didn't remember was apart of the act.

"Yes!" She sounded overjoyed that he remembered.

"Where are you right now?"

"I ran into a friend and we were hungry so-"

"You didn't even start the shopping did you?"

"Oh that? Well, no. But, I'm going to right now! I'm in front of the supermarket!"

"Don't start now. I'll be there in ten minutes. Tell me where you are."

After telling her location, Tae Kyung snapped his phone shut with a smile.

The man put on his jacket, sunglasses and shoes quickly leaving his room. "This is going to be a fun."

He flew down the hallway and the stairs, stopping when he heard a sound coming from the bathroom. He snuck around to see Mi Nam standing in front of the bathroom mirror. What he is up to this time? Tae Kyung watched with amusement as Mi Nam sprayed on imaginary cologne and fixed his imaginary tie. Don't tell me he's…playing "date"?

"Okay. Go Mi Nam." He looked at himself, determined. "That last one failed supremely. Let's try again." He slapped himself on his cheeks before taking a toy ring out his pocket.

He held the ring out in front of himself as if he was proposing. "He Yi, I love you. From the moment I meet you I knew you were my destined one. Will you marry me?" His voice cracked at the end.

Tae Kyung wanted to just die of laughter; but somehow he contained himself- slapping his hand over his mouth. Oh god. Please tell me he's not serious about this?

Mi Nam chuckled nervously, amazed at himself. "That was even worst than the last time! And what's with your voice cracking? We're not going through puberty anymore."

He stopped, getting serious again. "Think short and simple." He smiled to himself. "Yoo He Yi, you are an angel on earth...oh my god, I hate this sentimental bullcrap." Go Mi Nam rolled his eyes. Somehow He Yi managed to stay with him minus his lack of 'sensitivity'. "He Yi, let's go get married, okay?"

Tae Kyung, who was still watching him from the door frame, finally decided to make himself known. "You're really going to do it?"

Mi Nam glanced back to see Tae Kyung and almost pissed himself. "What?" He burned with embarrassment, not able to believe he left the door open.

It figures that this little twerp would want to propose the same day as me. Tae Kyung folded his arms over his chest. He would've kept laughing at Go Mi Nam if it wasn't so sad how in love he was with her.

"She's going to take me out on my birthday." Tae Kyung shook his head, an action Mi Nam didn't see as he continued. "I feel like it's a good opportunity."

"Did you ever think-" He stopped himself. Tae Kyung wanted to argue with how bad of an idea it was, but he was feeling rather generous.

"I hope it goes well for your sake." He didn't believe that Yoo He Yi was as heartless as to reject him on his birthday. Then again this is Yoo He Yi. She's done some low things. Would she really stop for Mi Nam?

"The rule is this: you find a dress, any dress, that you like and a pair of shoes that match and I will get them both for you."

Mi Nyu gazed around the shop. Never had she seen so many clothes in such a small shop. Her eyes were drawn to the very back of the store where section for dresses just so happened to be. Obviously the biggest section of the store, it was right beside the fancy looking set of dressing rooms. "Really?" Mi Nyu tried to hold her excitement in.

"Yes, really."

"Any dress?" She asked again. This had to be the best botique in the district. She knew many celebrities shopped here and that made her feel overwhelmed.

"Are you deaf? I just said any dress."

Her eyes drifted back to the back of the store where there was a black and gold dress screaming her name. Never had she seen a dress so beautiful crafted. It was drool worthy.

"The dresses are expensive though, hyung-nim. I can't let you spend that much on me." Mi Nyu whispered, shifting her feet and looking to the side.

Tae Kyung just laughed. "Do you think I care about how much it costs? It's your early birthday present. I'm trying to spoil you, so stop talking back and pick out a dress." He grabbed her hand, dragging her to the back of the store.

"But-" They stopped in front of the myriad of dresses.

"Go. Pick. A. Dress." He pointed towards them. "Now."

"Okay."

She went straight for the gold and black dress- not even giving the others a chance. "Even the material feels like silk." She mumbled to herself, running her hand over the material.

"You like these kinds of dresses?" He looked at it thoroughly. It was a fancy baby doll dress. It was cute, so he couldn't complain about her tastes. "It's nice. You want it?"

"Umm…" She glanced at the price tag and almost went into shock. $575 dollars? That's insane. There's no way I could even ask him to get this for me. I wouldn't even get this for me.

"It's a yes or no question."

"No."

Tae Kyung knew she was lying. Anybody with eyes could see that. "Fine. There are about fifty other ones to choose from. You'll find something you like. Either that or we'll go somewhere else."

Go Mi Nyu moved over to the clearance section, feet heavy with guilt. Usually, that was where she got her clothes. She wasn't big on spending so much money on clothes. Mi Nyu went into another shock while browsing the clearance- all the dresses there were at least three sizes too small. At first she thought it was her imagination, but after going around the rack a couple of times- .

"The clearance section? Really?" Tae Kyung finally intervened. "Stop being difficult."

"But-"

"No more buts, woman." He walked back over to the dress she had been ogling and took it off the rack. "Try on the dress." Tae Kyung shoved it into her hand.

"Okay." She trudged into a the closest dressing room.

"Now, to find a pair of shoes to match." Tae Kyung went over to the shoe section, glancing around. There were rows upon rows of shoes. He sighed. "What is it with women and shoes?" He had quite a few pairs himself but looking at all those almost gave him a migraine.

"Sir, could I help you with something?" A saleslady came up beside him.

"My girlfriend is in the dressing room trying on one of your dresses. I need a pair of shoes that match. Find me something."

"May I ask the color of the dress?"

"Gold and black."

"What size does she wear?" She asked as she bent down to the row closest to the floor.

"I have no idea. Just give me a pair." For Tae Kyung, nothing worked quite like trial and error.

"Okay. These shoes should go perfect with the dress. If you need a different size just tell me." She picked up a pair of shiny black pumps and handed them to him.

"Thank you." He took them back over to the dressing room to give to Mi Nyu, realizing then he didn't know what room she went in "Mi Nyu. Where are you?"

"The last one!" She threw her hand up so he could see.

Moving down to the last dressing room, he pushes the shoes gently under the door. "Try these on too."

A muffled "okay" is the last thing Tae Kyung hears for a straight five minutes. What could be taking her so long. It's just a dress.

Tapping his foot he impatiently asked, "Are you done yet?"

Finally, Mi Nyu cracked open the door. As she peaked around the door she said, "I'm not sure about this dress anymore. It's a little tight fitting."

"You were practically drooling over it. At least let me see how it looks."

She slowly came out, heels clicking with each step.

Tae Kyung tipped his sunglasses down. When did Go Mi Nyu get curves? It's like that dress was made for her body.

She stood a bit awkwardly. "It looks bad doesn't it? I'll go change."

"No wait-that looks wonderful. It's just…I've never seen you dressed so.." He couldn't find a word. "Like this. What are you talking about its tight fitting?" Especially with those shoes, his girlfriend looked- well, hot.

"My chest is sort of...very emphasized." And that it was. But they weren't popping out- they were just more noticeable than usual. "And when things like this happen, people look it instead of how nice the dress is. That's why I don't usually buy dresses like this…Um, hyung-nim?"

"Yes?" Thankfully his wearing sunglasses made it so she couldn't see where his eyes were going.

"Don't you agree?"

"About what?"

"Dresses like this."

The saleslady that just helped Tae Kyung with the shoes walked by. "Ma'am, you look great in that dress!"

"See? I think you should get that dress." He nodded in agreement. "We'll take it."