#jinteopark

The slippers belonging to Wenhan have been occupied by Minseo as her feet dangle off of the edge of the entrance to the house, himself by her side. They were sharing an afternoon together as he held her hand. Minseo confesses that she was feeling a little heartbroken, and so did he. So they agreed to be by each other’s side for the time being. No one would truly understand how she felt other than him. On most things.

“Do you think I’d ever have that?” Minseo feels his hand draw something— a character of some sort. She follows it.

“Someone loves you as much as you love them?” Wenhan’s words come out as a statement rather than curiosity, he finishes the lines on her palm. “A partner. Loyalty.”

There was a drop of tear on his skin, herself just letting the sadness wash over her. She felt annoyed being like this again— refusing to face him. “Bird..?” A soft chuckle. A bitter one as she guesses what he had traced. “What is it— sparrow?”

His hand cups her face, their foreheads rest against each other. There was a gentle grin on Wenhan’s lips while he erases the traces of her tears. “Sparrow, my air calligraphy is shit.”

She kisses his cheek, leaning down on his shoulder for comfort. She prefers no one else when it comes to things like this. He continues on as he leans his cheek down her head.

“I think you’ll have it… it might not be how you imagined it…”

~

“Wear it, just incase,” he muses, preparing to leave. The bracelet was subtle, odd looking and didn’t look like it belonged in their time. “Don’t do anything stupid while you’re alone here.”

“Sure,” she looks at it, still having a hard time wrapping her thoughts of this jewelry she was told was like a beacon— Minseo’s form waits by the door as Chaz wears his shoes. He couldn’t help but notice as the awkward pause was there. She sighs. “I promise not to do anything stupid while I’m alone here.”

“Good.” He stands, another pause before he realizes another pair of slippers were there. It implied she won’t be alone for long. “I’ll visit you again when I can. After Liverpool, maybe? To check up on you.”

“You can just call.”

“You don’t answer sometimes. And aside from that, you don’t tell me the truth. I’d have to see it for myself now.”

He was right. Minseo’s been terrible at keeping in contact with anyone lately. She was thankful. Another pause, “well— don’t forget to eat.”

It seemed like she wanted to say something before she raises a hand to wave goodbye. He does the same thing, with a smile and all.

~

“Mm— noona, I think you should just stay here.” Neo’s voice pipes up, chuckling a bit as Minseo returns it. “You’re just meant for the city.”

“Maybe in the future—“ she responds, taking a sip of her drink. They walk side by side as others, “who knows, maybe Santa might answer your wish this year?”

His face lights up as there was a hint Minseo will return to Seoul. But there was also a different message she laced it with. “I look forward to it. After all, you’ll be here for my wedding, right?”

A soft hand on his back, she felt welcomed to invitation. She smiles gently, nodding at the exchange.

~

“You know— you don’t have to keep baking for me—“ she chuckles as Sangmi stacks bread in front of her “Give it to your other friends?”

“I already have— you take it.” She argues, and last stack of it was pushed to her side of the table as Minseo thanks her, placing them back in the tote bag. Her fingers tap the table as Sangmi tries to extend the conversation. “Hey— are you alright? We haven’t heard from you in a while.”

“Oh you know, here and there.” She answers— not that there was really anything to say. “Listen… thank you, for all of this, really.”

“It’s what friends are for.” Her voice was gentle, trying to lighten the mood. Minseo never really thought she was ever close to sangmi, she only became acquainted with her because of Woori. But this was beyond what she had expected of her. Minseo’s heart was already locked away by the time everything had happened, and surely, looking at Sangmi felt painful for some reason. “But I do hope you come back to Seoul soon! And, permanently. Maybe we can have another spa night—?”

There was a gentle smile, nodding in agreement as she felt welcomed. For a moment her eyes avert to her hands before nodding.

“I’d like that.”

~

“Jiejie, that’s a lot of eggs—“ Xian haggled them to prevent them from falling while Minseo held Juju in her arms. A quick visit to him before travelling, she couldn’t help but think how he’s been since the accident. 

Xian must’ve caught on as he sees her looking at his hand. “It’s fine, how many times do I have to tell you that?”

She doesn’t respond and looks away before letting the cat go, inviting himself to sit on his chair and the younger one couldn’t help but immediately set up a small plate for her so they can eat the tiramisu she brought. The two don’t exchange as much words as she does with his older brother, as it seemed they were better at exchanging actions. He’s grown so much, it felt strange she actually meets up with him on his own. The first slice lands on her plate, before he serves himself. 

“I still can’t believe it has eggs--”

“We’re not talking about this--” 

~

“Here’s the recent files you asked for, also— heads up that your father’s pretty much still searching for you in Japan. I wouldn’t go there if I were you.” A lunch break with Matteo was always quick, but she opted to let Hyejung join as well. After all, they became her unofficial bodyguards. “Woori’s schedules won’t be late until the recording later tonight so Hyejung will accompany you.”

“Mm—“ half way through her chewing, Hyejung presents a child’s pill case and hands it to Minseo. She looks at her odd as they chuckle. “Figured you might get discouraged if Pororo is staring in to your soul.”

“Thoughtful.” She rolls her eyes before she too, eats. As a matter of fact, she was eating well compared before. The two notice. “Thank you. Both of you.”

“You’re eating well today.” Hyejung muses to the older one as Matteo just grins. “Someone visited?”

She only sighs, finishing the food quietly.

~

“Honestly… I don’t know— but if he’s ready, I’m ready!” Woori excitedly announces as she cuddled next to her. The two were sharing each other’s hopes for the next few years. “You’ll be my Maid of Honor, right?”

To be honest, Minseo hasn’t thought that far. She knows what she’s getting into, so whatever the outcome it would be too dangerous for her to know. She held her hand softly. Smiling at the thought of seeing her in a wedding dress, of who she could proudly call her sister. “Of course. I’d be honored, my dear.”

The girls talked about everything that night. From how their lives would be in the future, to how much have changed since they were little. They shared a laugh or two about decisions they’ve made, and we’re able to heal a little from what was lost.

“Hey…” she pipes up suddenly, Woori’s doe eyes look up to her. “Thank you, for caring.”

The younger one’s smile fades, knowing what she meant. But she just smiles again and sighs, nodding and accepting it.

~

From time to time, Minseo looks at people’s messages on how she’s doing before heading out. To remind herself that it’s not so bad. She wishes they always had a good day, hoping that whatever they are going through would somehow be easier if it won’t go by quickly.

“Your aunts and uncles are pestering me as always.” She speaks, her reflection on the glass being shown as she cleans up Jinwoo’s cubicle. There were many things left behind like toys and snacks. “I see that they are also spoiling you here, huh?” She chuckles, she was diligent in ensuring he had more space for the next few visitors. Minseo began to tell about her day with her friends whom Jinwoo had also liked.

“Watch over them for me, okay? You know how much they love you...” She speaks, putting him back and closes the glass door. Her palm on it before she goes off. “And me… so be their angel. Dont work too hard though, I dont want you getting tired, alright?” There was a soft gust of wind outside. "Looks like Uncle Wenhan's having a pretty tough week too. Get to him first, I'm sure he will appreciate a blessing or two."

She enters her car, sighing for a moment as she drives back to the countryside. The city becomes a small picture behind her, she smiles softly to herself, thinking how lucky she was despite everything else that had happened.

~

29

“You’re almost 30, this should’ve been the right time to take the company,” Yohan muses, finishing the final steps of her false identifications in a document. From IDs to passport just in case things go awry, everything was prepared. “You’re really ready to leave everything behind if things don’t go as planned?”

“They’ll be fine without me.” She responds, taking another pill. There was a soft chuckle heard on his end. “They did it once, they can do it again.”

“Again?” His words were laced with curiosity. His hands expertly presses buttons here and there. In an instant, her identity changes on paper.

“Trust me, this wasn’t the first time.”

A hum to respond, he was able to finish the last of her documents, placing everything neatly in an envelope. He placed the passport on top for to take a look at, as she exchanged a lump sum of money in a different envelope. It was thick and he had trusted her as this wasn’t the first time she had asked such favor. The only difference is that it was for her. Yohan jokes of how the name was boyish, suggesting a much gentler sounding name.

“Pleasure doing business with you, as always.” He tips his head while she reads her new identity. “Until then, ‘Seojin’. I look forward to seeing you again.”

~

“You are not ready!!” His voice echoes throughout the hall, herself being stubborn as ever. “You can barely walk and you expect yourself to go off to carry out your plan?! What’s this? A suicide mission??”

Punch him.

“Matteo, I asked you to carry out everything if I failed.” She retorts calmly but her anger is already filled to the brim. “I told you to protect me.”

“I can’t do it properly if you constantly put yourself in danger when I’m not around.” He argues, also angered at the situation. “At least let your senses heal first and we can carry it from there.”

“I have to move as quickly as I can—“

“You barely got it together—“

“Don’t speak to me that way!” Her voice rises. It was an out burst that catches Hyejung’s attention, she comes into view to witness it all. “I’m still your boss—“

“Then act like one!!” His voice was stern, also raising at the peak of his anger. “You think this is easy for me?! I’ve known you my entire life—! This isn’t you—!!”

This person is a threat. Hurt him.

There was a pause. Her face softens. She felt sorry. Having Hyejung near by prevented her from lashing out completely. Before she walks away from it all.

~

Before she can even place a pill on her mouth, the doorstep opens.

“Are you sure you wanna do that?” Hyejung’s by her side soon enough, their hands touch and she couldn’t feel the warmth. “You were in the brink of an overdose, and I hate to agree with him, but he’s right.”

She might hurt you.

Minseo’s annoyance rises once again, closing the cap of the pills and hands it over. She was quiet, the two share a comfortable silence before she tosses the pill on her hand to the ground.

“We’re here for you—“

“Stop saying that—“ she huffs out, “I get it— I’m not mentally stable to be doing anything right now. Can we just move on?”

“No, because you wouldn’t.” Hyejung frowns. She understands this difficult period and was trying her best not to trigger anything further. “It’s hard I’m sure. But there’s no reason to be this destructive.”

“This is me. This has always been me.” Destructive. Full of deceit and pain. Every time she chased love, it ends up being taken away from her. Minseo finally accepted that she can never have love like the rest. It wasn’t for her.

Have your defenses up.

~

“Since when did you smoke again?” Cash’s voice echoes between the loud music he played, opting to lay his head on her lap. His eyes were bewildered but the blunt was on his mouth. “You’re a ‘pop-a-pill’ kind of girl as far as I remember.”

“I dont-- and correct,” she responds, her line of sight in the ceiling as her hand fluff his hair. The smoke alone was already making her feel things. “Be careful smoking that around here. Aren’t you worried?” 

“About?~” He chuckles, tugging her chin down to look at him. The face of someone who’s mourning faces her, too. “Try it once.”

“No--”

“Once.” He bugs. He gets up, invading her personal space once more as the little roll is on her face. She shakes her head no again. He decides to push his luck one more time.

“What do you have to lose, little miss perfect?”

Her head tilts, she wasn’t new to things like this. But the habits she came to know were learned because of her surroundings. Of course things were more of a grander scale or she was impressing someone she needed to get a hold of. All of that changed when she was able to find the love of her life. But now it’s gone again, she couldn’t help but feel reckless. What do you have to lose? Her hand reaches for it, and she smokes after a long decade of avoiding them. Cash’s amusement of Minseo actually taking it all in made him laugh. She still had it in her, being able to hold it in her lungs well enough to blow it out of his face. And then came another round. It didn’t take long before the effects began. On top of the alcohol previously, and other drugs that was on her system already… the combination was not the best.

What?…. To lose…. what do you have to lose…?

“Cash... I feel sick...” She whispers, while the younger one observes. He held her hand gently. “I wanna go home.” She rises, despite his protests.

There was a chuckle as she was being tugged back to the couch. She started hallucinating about little things. She was looking at her hand, but it looked like a child’s. Her head feels lighter, and it looks like she’s in a brink of passing out.

She apologizes as he holds on to her, and the tears come. 

~

19

Screams fill her room as the house staff listen to it. There was no warning, there was no stopping it. They’ll just let her emotions out considering she never once lashed out publicly — understanding that it’s not her place to do it in front of others. Her room was trashed, glass shards sprawls danger on the floor. She hurts herself from gripping her hair in an action to pull them out. Her throat dry from the endless shrieks she let out. She didn’t even remember why she was angry. All she knew is that it had already built up for this week that she needs to make room for more. 

So she lets it out.

“20 minutes, ma’am.” She hears, continuing to let out her rage. It was a timer, before her father comes in the house.

She calms down at how close the time was. Minseo regains composure, as if nothing happened just now. The staff took this chance to begin cleaning up as she huffs out her breaths.

“10 minutes.” A car was heard pull up in their home, followed by the garage being felt open beneath her feet. She wipes her tears, before being handed a pill. It controlled her to be calm— worked right away like always. There was a staff that fixed her hair, made her look presentable, and ensured there were no traces of the “ugliness” she labeled her self when she was like this.

Step on it, it’s your punishment.

They send her off, leaving her room pristine and clean. Her footsteps try to make sense of which direction to go. Her father enters the home with his guards as they greet the heiress when she walks past. Minseo is standing in front of her father with a mute expression.

Jungnam takes a deep breath, suspicious to his daughter as his eyes bore to hers. “I spoke to the university directors about your status. You’re going there for business.” Her files were handed, defeated inside as she looks over that her designated route of her studies will be business. “You got in on your own, which is great. That’s not a problem when the school interviews you.”

She can only bow before his father sees that there were little droplets of blood trailing from her foot. Jungnam sighs heavily, knowing there was something she destroyed— whatever it was, it seemed like a frequent occurrence.

“Clean it up, whatever it is.” He was stern. “I didn’t raise you to be filthy.”

“Yes, papa.”

Weakling.

~

09

There was a hot breeze that entered the family home. Jungnam sat by his mother’s side as she drank tea.

“I read Minseo’s file from the child psychologist,” it tensed him up because he knew what was in it too. “You’re being too harsh on her. That’s not gonna be good for her in the future.”

“Mother, I’m not being harsh. I’m preparing her for this. All of it— just as much as I have been with Hyeseo.” He mentions, the scene below catches their eyes. He stands up to watch but the matriarch at the moment remains calm. “I treat them fairly just in case either one takes the company off of me.”

“That’s because you like Hyeseo,” she muses. Minseo comes into view with their family house staff in distress. Jungnam furrows his brows at what he was seeing. “You treat Minseo like a spare tire, she goes off discovering things on her own because she’s not given the same chances as Hyeseo. It doesn’t seem fair, no?”

They bring out the dead rabbit to discard, while someone tends to the young heiress’ wound. Her hand was cut from the branch. Her father watches, wondering why she isn’t crying like most children would’ve. Her grandmother stands up and turns around to leave the premises with the intent to comfort the child.

~ 

Asking a favor to someone who had already betrayed her trust was something Minseo never usually does. But aside from Wenhan, he was the only person who she could call for help knowing the exact location of her stay. The rest of her options would just get them too close. This time around, he knew second chances don’t come by often. They made a deal. It was already the third day he was in the farm when training began.

“Has anyone visited you yet?” He asks, stretching his arms to prepare their fight. Matteo was always ready, but he has never fought Minseo this way. He looks around to ensure that no one will see them, because the last thing he wanted was a civilian witnessing their fight.

“Wenhan... Woori.... Neo will visit me soon too,” he just watches him in interest. She, too, looks around. “Do you remember him?”

“Bird guy?” He mentions, Minseo nodding in response. He sighs at the fact that she’s not stretching. “I know you know how to fight but don’t get cocky. That’s not good, you know.” 

She gets to position, he didn’t even budge. This was the starting line.

Lesson One: Aim for success the first time. Never think that there will always be a second chance. 

Her form lunges towards Matteo, who dodges it expertly. He really showed his training, much more than what Minseo could do. Her fist aims to his face multiple times, but he avoids them equally. She tries relentlessly, only to fail every time. His foot extends to kick her side and it caught her off guard to fall on the ground. She clutches her side as the pain subsides, their eyes meet as she gets up.

“You keep aiming for my face,” he walks to her, her guard is up. “If you keep going there, the person you’re against with will plan out their next move much faster than yours.” 

She lunges again, her fist aiming for his face still. She was angry already and he can feel it. Matteo takes this chance to dodge and grab her wrist down. His elbow meets her face. She must’ve been in shock as her cheek warms. A frustrated cry was heard as she lunges once more. Though this time he grabs Matteo, using her knee to kick him on his chest, hard. The blow causes the wind to be knocked out of him and falls over.

Lesson Two: Always have your guard up. Even if you think it’s over. Trust comes both ways.

He heaves a breath as he tastes blood on his mouth. Minseo comes closer. She wasn’t expecting his foot to slide under her -- She trips over, himself grabs her by the neck. He wasn’t shy on using pressure, pressing her harder to the ground. As an escape, her foot locks against his for distraction just enough to get him off her. It cuts off the circulation briefly that it limps him down with a grunt. She couldn’t deny the fact that he was stronger. So she takes this time to play dirty. 

Minseo stomps her foot between his legs and it stuns him. She puts him in a choke hold before he throws her over him and regains his balance. He smirks, and she just chuckles. At this point, the exchange was already riling up their patience. 

Lesson Three: There are no rules. Do whatever it takes to survive.

“You bitch.” He takes a switchblade out and the aura shifts. This time, the upper hand shifts to him. “Find a way out. And do it quick.” He instructs, as he lunges with the knife, her body rolling to avoid it. She pushes herself up and finds a weapon to protect herself with. There was nothing so she was looking for another way. Matteo takes this chance to aim the knife to her stomach, and they fight to take the knife away. She manages to stop it from getting too close to her eye but in exchange, she was placed in a choke hold. Matteo knew she can fight but knowing that her motives have changed now, she pushes it out of her. Minseo throws him over and drags him up. It earned Matteo an uppercut and he was sure that the force dislocated his bite. She tries to grab the weapon but his arm raises-- though she uses his actions to twist back his arm but Matteo passes the knife to the other hand and places her in another choke. This time, the knife was pressed on her neck.  “You have a knife collection, and you never manage to train yourself to use them?” 

The taunt gets to her, using her elbow to push him off of her. The weapon was thrown out from his hand and she chases after it. She grabs it at the same time Matteo grabs her ankle and without second thought, she stabs his hand as the knife pierces through her own tendon. Whatever it takes to survive. . . The two scream in pain but it hurt even more when he takes it out. Her blood seeps through, she remains on the ground as Matteo grabs a fistful of her hair, blood running down her face from his hand. He forces her to take a blow of the switchblade’s handle to the face then a kick on her stomach before he lets go. The pain on her ankle increases. His eyes glint the violence she’d seen before.

“Do you really think you can take on your father’s men without the incentive to kill?” A kick on her stomach makes her spit out blood and falls on her stomach. He flips her over, his hand imitating a gun on her forehead. “You would’ve been dead by now.” 

~ 

“This is Matteo, I assigned him for you.” Jungnam introduces him to the girls, the sisters confused because he looked younger than he was. Matteo bows, eyeing the two carefully. “He’s my head guard.”

“A child--?” Hyeseo taunts, chuckling at the thought. His first thought was how timid the younger one was. Their stance showed that: Minseo was closed off while Hyeseo was bringing confidence. But they knew that if someone is assigned a head guard to their father, they were the strongest out of all the tests the family guards get. “I’m kidding. Nice to meet you.” 

“Very well. Hyeseo, you’re due to a meeting with me and the Han Clan. Matteo, you can familiarize the house.” They leave with a note that he needs to keep his head up. 

It was awkward. But she breaks the ice. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope your time here is long.” 

There was a pause before Minseo smiles for the first time in front of him and bows. The next thing on his mind was how sweet her smile was. He too, couldn’t help but return it. 

“You look like my age...?”

“Close, but not quite, Miss Choi.”

~ 

She wakes up in pain, Matteo by her side. Her injuries were already bandaged as she tries to get up. 

“Don’t, you’ll burst the stitches on your leg.” He mentions casually, her eyes switching to the bandaged foot. She swallows her agitated words. “I’ll stay here until you can walk on your own.” 

“Thank you.” She realizes that his hand was bandaged, but the lack of blood between the cloth was confusing her. “I’ll be better.”

“You’re already better,” he mentions, rummaging through his bag. “You just need to control where you exhort it. You’re all over the place.”

“Are you okay?” He shakes his head ‘yes’ hiding his own bandage so she wouldn’t look. 

Matteo places a bottle of pills on the side table. She knew what it was so there was no need to look. “Your father’s not doing much. You don’t need to move as fast.” 

“He’s always up to something. I need to be ready.” They both knew that. “I’m doing it for Jinwoo, not for me. Remember that.”

He couldn’t say a word, so he leaves the room. He bows to her briefly, just like all those times.

~

She looks at the empty bottle of medication. That was her second one this week. She was taking her medicines more than what was prescribed. She’s grown dependent on them even though she wanted to stop. It was a craving she couldn’t seem to let go of. It made her more susceptible to making hesitant decisions than before. Minseo knew it. She had tried her best to fight back yet every time, there was always a reason to do it again.

Matteo enters the room and breaks her silence, only there to do his daily check up on her. His reflection bows respectfully at the foot of her door as she watches with the refection from her mirror. He notices the bottle too.

“It’s empty.” He states, walking closer to her. She was like a statue. “You’ve been taking too much.”

“Carisoprodol,” she speaks. Muscle relaxants. They weren’t in her original medication pile before. Now they seem to somehow managed to be included in every medicine she had taken. “It makes sense why I’m always so tired— the hallucinations... lack of appetite, loss of coordination... this thing can kill me in many ways and you knew I was taking too much.” His form stops, realizing Minseo was staying still because he saw the knife on her lap. It was ready to be used. “Matteo, I’m not as nice as I look.”

He doesn’t say anything, just watching her every move. He’s been the one to check and ensure she’s taking those drugs for healing but never to the point where it made her dependent. The idea was that she would take them long enough that it would harm her mind where it would hurt her status as a mother and have Jinwoo under Jungnam’s care. After the advice of the board, they thought Minseo was no longer fit to be the one to take the company after the incident. 

“I’ll double how much papa is giving—”

“You know I never accepted them like that.” He interrupts her quickly. Because it was the truth. He looks off, knowing a fight won’t be good in the house now. “You’re in danger and I did what I can.”

“Exactly,” she chuckles bitterly. The grip on the butterfly knife becomes stronger. “You knew that from the start so you tried to protect me from him and lied. But I understood why you had to do it— he’s a scary man, you know.” She turns to finally face him, her form standing up to meet his eyes. The knife was held behind her back as the glint in her eyes becomes more unpleasant. “I just didn’t realize I was poisoning myself, though. He succeeded.”

He watches her carefully but he didn’t fear her. If there was anyone in this house that can fight her well, it was him. “The plan was to lose your place in the company, and take the kid to his care.” he confesses. He knew way long before Minseo even got out of the hospital. Even though they’ve grown to learn each other, it was fear that had brought their decisions. She steps closer and it made his guard more alert. “Trust me, I can help you with this.”

“Trust is earned... but I’ll accept it.” she states, using the point of the knife to gently tilt his head down to meet her. “I’m so sorry you’re caught up to this... I know you’re a good man.”

~

The night was cold. Xian looks over with his binoculars to the hangar doors where Jungnam would exit. The place was opposite of a building and they were incognito with in the shadows as there was someone next to him setting up a sniper. He couldn’t bear use his own hands to kill someone he called ‘uncle’ before. Minseo’s form climbs up not to far from where they can run if needed. She was agitated.

“What—“ he keeps an eye out as Minseo looks on. He smirks and teases the other. “You changed your mind?”

“Something’s wrong,” she blurts out. Frustrated, she grabs the binoculars and looks for herself. Her father should’ve been out any minute now. The hangar’s door split, prompting the two to lay down. “Don’t shoot—“

“What—“ a group of men come out and her father was in the middle. He was supposed to be alone. No witnesses. No evidence. Leading them was Matteo, who she didn’t think was gonna be there at all. She was confused— Xian’s voice breaks the air “target sighted— take aim.”

“No—! Not yet—“ Out of panic, Minseo grabs the weapon away, and the scuffle attracts the men down below. Shots were immediately fired as the guards take cover for her father. He was seen whisked away in the vehicle as it drives off. The hitman was shot dead, in front of the two, prompting them to take out their own weapons for protection. Xian with a gun, Minseo with her knives. They quickly try to leave the building but there must’ve been ten guards that stop them from doing so.

A physical fight ensues in between attempted fires— the two held up well: with Xian managing to take down three in their paths, each with one bullet. Minseo takes down two at a time with the knives being thrown straight to their chests. She picks up a gun to take down the rest— amidst the adrenaline, a shot was fired but she missed— hitting Xian’s hand in the process instead. His pained scream from the injury catches her attention, but Matteo comes in the room. She was about to get attacked by the last standing entourage before Matteo fired a shot at each of them.

“Are you insane?!” He reprimanded, looking at the bodies on the floor. Despite the pain, youngest one was surprised of what he just did, thinking he was an enemy. His hand points to his body on the floor. “You’re a danger to yourself! And why the fuck is Xian here?!”

“You want to tell me why the entourage is here??” She questions, going over Xian’s form as she checks his injuries. Matteo in the meantime stages the scene so the two wont have traces there. Fortunately— the injury only grazes Xian’s hand but he was still bleeding profusely. She wraps it with one of the dead man’s handkerchief. They try their best to get their minds focused at this time. “Oh shit... okay— you’ll be okay— I’m so sorry... Matteo!! He was supposed to be alone!!”

“And I thought you’d be alone too.” He shakes his head, pulling up Xian in his arms. The younger one huffs in pain in the meantime. “Your father heightened security because he thinks someone is out in business to get him.”

Oh, the irony.

“I can walk you know—“ Xian nudges his chest, and was put up on his feet and was given a different gun. Matteo’s eyes gave a stern instruction that he needs to leave as soon as possible. The men go off in two different directions and Minseo didn’t know who to go to. “It’s okay—“ Xian’s voice sounds upset and understanding at the same time. She felt extremely sorry.

With a nod, she pushes him to his car gently and watches him struggle for a bit. She instructs him to give her a message when he made it home. “And if I dont?” He jokes, his good hand waves her off before she can answer. “Go, jiejie —” For a moment there she just wanted him to move over the passenger seat so she can drive. She hesitates once again before her name was called.

The radio in Matteo’s vehicle asks for his status, without missing a beat, he lies through his teeth and says that it’s an unknown assailant. They look at each other, knowing well she can’t stop now.

Minseo’s life had always been sheltered. Full of “dont” and “not” because if something must be done, her security and public affairs must always be on a clean slate. Since the incident, she feels caged once again as if she’s reliving her childhood days. She knows it’s for her own good, but she didn’t like that feeling at all. Being watched and stopped from everything she wanted to do.

It was lonely. Incredibly lonely.

Her eyes meet a familiar figure by the door, once again sighing at his form. Matteo was a family guard, serving the family since she was in her early 20s. They needed someone to guard her father’s international affairs? He was there. Every private meetings where it’s high risk? He was by the family’s side. Jungnam thought that it’ll be good for someone next to Minseo at this time— And though they’re close to age, she hasn’t been able to click with him because Matteo swears on an oath to protect anyone he’s been assigned to. They’ve known each other for awhile, and yet the only link they have is acquaintance. She treats him as a friend like all of the house staff but he believes they shouldn’t get too close. He’s seen the ugliest side of their family, but his job bounded him never to judge whoever he meets and never get attached.

“Seriously...?” she walks around to the kitchen, his figure following soon after. “You don’t have to follow me around you know... I’ll be indoors today.”

“After what happened, do you think its good for you to be alone?” He speaks, stopping at the foot of the door and watches Minseo from a distance. He needed to make sure she wasn’t going to hurt herself when a knife was in her hand— which she knew he was assuming so she shows an apple nearby with the intent of cutting it. Clearly, She was annoyed. “Just wanted to ensure safety...”

Minseo was notorious to always runaway and over all a trouble from her security team. Matteo didn’t trust that at all knowing he’s dealt with her troublesome antics. She was smart for her own good to the point that everything Matteo was doing was “for her own good.”

“Look— I don’t need you here—“

“With all do respect, Ma’am, you know your father hired me, not you. So unless he tells me to go, I’m staying here whether you like it or not.” His voice was stern, it was like bidding a child a warning. “Besides, now, I’m here for Jinwoo.”

Minseo’s hand gripped the knife, and she tries to remain calm. She can’t do anything because he was right. Before she wanted to escalate the situation with her words, her son’s form runs through the kitchen and that made her tense.

“Mommy, I’ll be outside!” Jinwoo’s little footsteps run through to their lawn, the two watching his figure out from the glass doors of the home. Minseo looks at Matteo with an exhausted stare and just leaves to where her child was but he didn’t follow this time.

Her presence had always been a priority and he’s known that she was always ostracized with in the family. When they met, he was surprised at how kind she was despite how her family have treated her. But things have changed and he tries to understand that. His form goes closer to the apples she attempted to cut and did it himself.

~

There was never a time when Minseo wasn’t kept busy by something. There was always something and she liked that only because she wouldn’t have to worry about what to do. Now that everything was dull. She had no idea that her life before was full of carefully assigned and punctual events she always honored.

Matteo’s hands come into view with the apples and it startled her.

“Ma’am, it’s just me,” a gentle hand presents the slices of apples in front of her. He notices her stance and clears his throat. “You might hate people standing behind you for awhile... it’s the trauma.”

“How many times do I have to tell you to just call me Minseo?” Her eyes didn’t leave Jinwoo’s form playing, eyes dead set on his surroundings.

“Right.” He stands near by, a stance to guard. “Minseo...”

“Can you just please act like my friend, Teo?” It was a peace offering. More so on her liking than Matteo’s duties, anyway. The name rings many memories between their bond years ago “I know you don’t like getting close to your job but we’ve known each other for long. If not, at least don’t act like a stranger to me.”

He rolls his eyes and starts to loosen up his defenses but remained alert. It’s not like he didn’t know how Minseo had been brought up. It was sad, really. He sits next to her as Minseo brings the plate of fruit between them. For once that week, she felt relaxed and knew that this will only last for a little while.

There’s many things missing and blotches of memories recovered these past couple of weeks. But one thing that hasn’t changed is Minseo’s want for company.

And that was something she always appreciated with anyone to fill.

~

“And you’re sure that the reports are accurate?” Jungnam’s words exchanged with Matteo, looking at him strongly. “I’m sure it is, considering I’ve trusted your word in many occasion.”

“Unfortunately for you, sir, yes,” he responds respectfully, the lie passing through his teeth. Jungnam chuckles, which made him sigh. “Your daughter has been better. It appears that it’s because she’s good at finding something to do anywhere she goes. Her friends seem to have a good-eye on her, so I don’t think sheltering her would do you any good anymore. Unless you eliminate all her friends. I believe she’s still fit to have custody of Jinwoo.”

“Very well.” Her father could only nod at that statement. His hand reaches a white envelope containing nearby, as a sign that the talk was over. “I still need you to keep watch, just incase.” He hands it to Matteo who accepts it with both hands. He stands and bows, leaving without saying another word.

He just looks at the money in the envelope while in his car, feeling guilt run through his veins. He tosses it in a bag, like the rest of the bribery money he received from Jungnam.