~*::
What I Did For Love ::*~
Ó
by v.a.l.
Part
1
June
17, 1999
My name is Mina Nam. I’m 19, still very young, but I am dying. Not right now
but my life is slowly fading away as I’m writing my story. At this moment
I’m sitting at ‘our’ spot. Mine and Eun Ji Won, the love of my life.
The sun is slowly beginning to set over the lake. I took a glance at my
reflection in the water. My outside looks have changed drastically within the
past few months, but the water reflected the true me. Inside I’m still the
same person.
I have done and given so much for love but never once, have I received it back
from Ji Won. There are times that I wanted to tell him everything that I’ve
done for him and make him love me back. But I can’t.
Love
is not selfish.
So I did what felt right. I keep giving Ji Won my love and I never asked for his
love in return. Even though I’ll leave this world pretty soon, my love for him
will still remain. My story begins when I first met Ji Won six years ago on this
one fateful day. It all started out…
Part
2
October 31, 1993
“You better come back here you good for nothing brat!”
I covered my ears with my palms. That was my stepmother calling me. Her voice
sounds murderous and I didn’t want to face her today. She had slapped and hit
me too much already. I’m afraid I can’t take it anymore so I hid in my
closet.
I
peeked through the crack in my closet and saw my stepmom with a really pissed
off look on her face. She was holding that stick that I’m always afraid of. I
winced thinking about how much it would hurt if she hits me with it again.
I’m just thirteen and whoever said 13 was an unlucky number, they were right.
My mom had died when I was just turning ten. Before she died she told me that I
was the most beautiful girl in the world and how proud she was to be my mother.
She said even though she’ll be gone, her love remains with me always.
Tears rolled down my cheeks. ‘If you love me mommy, how can you be so selfish
to leave me?’ So now when I had turn 13 my dad had married Mok Young A, who is
my stepmom today. She was a cold-hearted woman who tortured me all day. Any
self-esteem I had for myself was shattered and I was living a nightmare.
My closet door suddenly opened.
“There
you are you wicked girl!”
My
stepmom started cussing at me as she pulled me out and threw me onto the floor.
I began to tremble because I knew what was going to happen next.
*Whack whack whack.*
I cried out in pain but I knew that no one is going to hear my cries. I
desperately began to gasp for air. My heart was aching again. I couldn’t
breathe.
“Not again! Don’t you see how much you’re costing your father and me with
your heart problems? If it wasn’t for all these medical bills we wouldn’t be
so poor now!”
I had this heart condition where air would suddenly shut off and I couldn’t
breathe. The doctors are trying to save me by giving me a respirator and pills,
but they’re not sure how much longer I’ll be able to live. My dad (who was a
pathetic excuse for a man) came in.
He looked down at me with sorrowful eyes. He held my stepmom’s arm lightly and
said, “I think she had enough. You don’t want her to have another attack.
Calm down and let’s have dinner.”
“That’s why I’m hitting her!” she yelled. “She got detention and
stayed after school for an hour. She was supposed to be home to go buy food for
dinner and make it. Your daughter is so evil. She wants me to starve or
something!”
“I didn’t get detention. The teacher wanted to talk to me about—“
But I was cut off by the whack of my stepmom’s stick. I cried silently in pain
and turned away. I didn’t want to look at her.
My
dad said, “Well, dinner’s just going to be a little late today. Mina, say
sorry to your mom.”
Despite the pain, I managed to say, “Sorry mom. Please forgive me.”
My dad handed me some money. “Here. Go buy food to make mee-yuk-gook
tonight.” My stepmom’s temper simmered down a little as my dad lead her out
of my room.
I picked up the money and headed for the store. Mr. Choi, the owner of Choi Food
Market, shook his head as I walked in. He knew what kind of hell I was going
through. I finished my shopping and checked out.
“That’ll be $3.49.”
“What?” I asked. “Umm…Mr. Choi. That’s impossible. With all this stuff
it should be around $15.”
“I know Mina.” Mr. Choi gave me a sad smile. “The exact price is $14.32.
Why don’t you keep the change for yourself?”
I opened my mouth in shock. “Mr. Choi…I..I can’t do that,” I said as I
handed him 20.
He only took five. “No. Keep it. I know that stepmom of yours don’t give you
any money.”
I looked up at Mr. Choi with tears in my eyes. Here he was, just a friend
reaching out to me. I said thanks and headed for home.
Part
3
I
decided to take a shortcut home but as I passed the alley, a hand pulled me in.
I was knocked to the ground and a shadow hovered over me. I began to scream but
the same hand covered my mouth.
“Shut up or I’ll kill you!”
I shut my mouth instantly. I didn’t want to die yet. In the moon’s
reflection I got a good look of my attacker. It was a boy who looked a little
bit older than me. His face and clothes were dirty but he had really good
features so I could tell he was extremely good-looking. But this was not a time
to think about such things.
He held a table knife at my throat and said, “Give me all your money or I’ll
kill you.”
I
panicked but I knew what to do. I used the move I wanted to use on my stepmom
every time she pinned me down and hit me. I kicked him hard, right into his
family jewels. He gasped and fell to the floor, dropping the knife. I picked up
my groceries and ran.
I guess you can call me the dumbest person alive. I was afraid I had kicked the
boy too hard and permanently damaged him. Besides, since my life is hell
already, I didn’t want him to go through it too. So I turned back.
When I came back to the alley, the boy was still lying on the floor. He was
moaning softly. I lifted him up gently. “Are you okay?” I asked. He shook
his head no. “I’m sorry,” I said to him. I reached into my pocket and
pulled the money Mr. Choi gave me. “If you need money, then here. All I have
is ten dollars.”
I placed the money in his hand and walked away. He looked at me with this weird
expression that I couldn’t read. I picked up my groceries and this time I left
without turning back. I could tell the boy was watching me as I was walking
away…
Part 4
Ji
Won stared at the girl who had just walked away.
‘She
must be the nicest or dumbest person in this world,’ he thought.
He
began to stand up but had to use the wall for balance. That girl had kicked him
a little too hard. Ji Won had just run away from home again. He had run away so
many times that the alley was his second home. When he ran away he always stole
his parents’ money.
They were the richest people in all of Hawaii but they were also the most messed
up family. His dad would have a lot of women with him and would betray a friend
if it would bring him money.
His
mom, on the other hand, was an exact duplicate of his dad. She always had these
young men around her and spent money like crazy. His parents were divorced and
lived on opposite ends of Hawaii.
‘Bitch
and bastard,’ thought Ji Won.
When he ran away this time, he didn’t have the chance to steal any money from
his dad. So he had no choice but to rob somebody. When he saw the young girl
walking out of the store, she seemed to be the perfect target. But things
didn’t turn out as planned.
Ji Won kept wondering why the girl gave him the money even though he could have
killed her. Ji Won knew he couldn’t take the money because she was the first
person in his messed up life that was nice to him because she wanted to be, not
because she wanted something from him. He wanted to give the money back.
When
he gained some of his strength back, he began to chase her…
Part
5
When
I came home, I was greeted by the usual words. ‘Ugly wretch, wicked girl,
freeloader, etc.’ but luckily I made it through dinner fine. When dinner
ended, my parents went to sleep leaving me with the dishes. I cleaned the table
and washed the dishes.
I
also took out the trash and then suddenly I felt someone grab me from behind.
My attacker turned me around to face him. It was the same boy I met in
the alley. I began to panic.
“I
gave you all my money already! What more do you want from me?”
He
raised a finger to his lips and tried to shush me. I felt one of my attacks
coming on. I started to hyperventilate and couldn’t breathe. I was beginning
to black out.
Ji Won looked at the girl who looked like she was going to die.
“Oh
my God! Are you okay?”
This
time it was the girl’s turn to shake her head no. Then she collapsed in his
arms. Ji Won didn’t know what to do but he had to save her life. He began to
give her mouth to mouth.
“Come
on,” he whispered to her. “Breathe. Don’t die on me.”
After
a while she began coughing and opened her eyes.
I opened my eyes and saw a blurry object heading towards me. Then I felt
something soft pressing against my lips and I felt a gust of air. Then I
realized the boy was giving me air. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I
blushed and gently pushed him away.
“Thank
you for saving me. I’m okay now.”
The boy turned slightly red. “Uhh…you’re welcome. You kinda scared me
there.”
“Sorry about that. Well, what is it that you want from me?”
“Here.” He handed me back the same ten dollars I had given him. I looked up
at him.
“No,
it’s okay. Keep it. I think you need it or you wouldn’t have tried to rob
me.”
He
shook his head. “No. I just wanted to borrow it only. I don’t take charity.
Well, goodbye.”
Just as he walked away, I heard his stomach grumble. I bit my tongue so I
wouldn’t laugh. Since he didn’t take charity, I said, “Um, hey. I just
made some food and I don’t know if it’s good or not. I need a guinea pig
because I don’t want to serve it to my parents if it isn’t and besides, you
did save my life.
Ji Won looked at her. ‘Why is she being so nice to me?’ he thought. He knew
she was just saying that because she heard him say he doesn’t want charity. Ji
Won’s stomach was growling like crazy. He hasn’t eaten for 2 days already
and the mention of food was killing him.
“Uh,
okay. I guess I’ll be your guinea pig since I have nothing to do.”
He
studied her face as she smiled at him. ‘She’s pretty,’ he thought as he
smiled back.
Part
6
I let the boy wait outside as I got some of the leftover mee-yuk-gook for him.
He finished it in less than a minute. Then he leaned back and sighed. Out of
nowhere, he let out a burp. I had to giggle. He looked at me and smiled.
“Sorry
about that.”
“It’s okay.”
I hesitated before I asked him the next question. “Umm…so what’s your
name?” He glanced at me and then stared at the ground. I could tell he was
debating to tell me his real name or not. I didn’t want him to feel obligated
to telling me his name. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me if you
don’t want to.”
Ji Won looked at her surprised. “No! It isn’t that!” he yelled. She stared
back at him surprised too. Then he lowered his voice. “I’m sorry. Please
don’t misunderstand.”
She
nodded her head slowly and Ji Won can tell that she was confused. Ji Won felt
that he could trust her and he wanted her to be his friend.
“My name is Eun Ji Won and you are?”
“Nam Mi-Na, but call me Mina. It’s easier to remember.”
Then
she gave him the sweetest smile. Ji Won felt his heart beat a little faster when
she smiled at him. He blushed and looks away.
“So
uh, how old are you?”
“13,” she replied. “And you Ji Wonee?”
He smiled when she called him that. “I’m 15,” he said turning back to look
at her.
“15?” I asked in disbelief.
Ji Won nodded.
“Where
are your parents oppa? You’re too young to be living in the streets.”
He
shrugged his shoulders. “I can take care of myself.” I gave him a doubting
look because he was trying to pull that tough guy act on me. “It’s okay
though,” he told me. “I have a family. It’s just that things are bad at
home so I’m just getting away from it for a while.”
‘So
he ran away,’ I figured out.
I could tell that Ji Won was a good person. “Do you have a place to stay
tonight?” He shook his head. “How about staying in my room then,” I
offered.
Ji Won couldn’t believe his ears. He stared at Mina. ‘Did she just offer him
a place to stay?’
“Ji
Won?” Mina asked as she waved a hand in front of his face. “Are you okay?”
Ji Won shook his head and snapped out of it. She placed her hand on his knee.
“Oppa, I asked if you want to stay in my room for tonight?”
Ji
Won was so touched that he felt his heartache. No one had ever cared about him
so much but he didn’t want to feel as though he owed her. “No thanks.”
Mina looked at him with her big sad eyes. “Please oppa? I’m afraid of the
dark.” Ji Won smiled. He knew she was lying so he would say yes. For the first
time in his life, Ji Won felt warm inside because now he is wanted. He let out a
sigh.
“Aigo
Mina, okay. You talked me into it. But just for tonight though.”
She
giggled and nodded.
“Okay.”
Part
7
Silently, I led Ji Won into my room. My room was small and luckily, it was far
away from my parents so they can’t hear much. I let Ji Won have the bed while
I take the floor. ‘Damn,’ I thought. ‘Why does the floor have to be so
cold and hard?’
Ji Won stared down at Mina who was trying to sleep on the cold stone floor. He
picked her up easily and lifted her onto the bed.
“Oppa? What are you doing?” I whispered as my eyes grew wide.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
I nodded my head slowly.
“Good,” he said. “This bed is small but it’ll fit both of us.”
My eyes grew wider at what Ji Won had just said. But I had just told him that I
trust him. I couldn’t take my words back so I had no choice but to sleep with
him. We both got in my bed and slept side-by-side. I was so nervous, I
couldn’t sleep. Ji Won, on the other hand, had no problem. He fell asleep
instantly.
I turned my head over to look at him. His face was so innocent like an angel
when he was sleeping. Who would have thought he was such a devil when he’s
awake and moving?
An hour had passed and it was 3’ in the morning. I still couldn’t sleep.
Suddenly something weird happen. Ji Won turned his entire body around and did a
360, kicking me.
“Ow!”
I cried out but covered my mouth so my parents wouldn’t hear me. When he was
done, he had this happy look on his face.
At first I thought he was just playing with me but he really did do a 360 in his
sleep. Suddenly he reached over and held me tight. My entire body went tense and
rigid. I could feel Ji Won’s light breathing on my neck.
I
don’t know why but now that Ji Won was this close (practically laying on top
of me) made me feel better. It’s probably cause I’ve never been this close
to a person in a long time. Soon I began to fall asleep too…
Part
8
November
1, 1993
Ji Won opened his eyes and found himself laying partially on Mina’s body. He
blushed and slowly moved away from her. Then he just lay near her watching her
sleep.
Suddenly
it caught his eyes. The sleeves and pant legs of her pajamas were lifted up and
he got a good look at her arms and legs. Dark purple bruises cover her entire
body. There were several scars on her legs and arms too. Red lines run across
her legs and it made Ji Won wince because it looked so painful.
He didn’t want to disturb Mina but he was really curious. She turned over and
Ji Won lifted the back of her shirt. It was even worse than her legs. Ji Won
opened his mouth lightly in shock and touched her bare back delicately, fearing
that he might hurt her. Mina began to stir.
I rubbed my eyes and sat up. I saw Ji Won looking at me with this sad expression
on his face. “What’s wrong oppa?” I asked.
“Who
did this to you?”
Then
he lifted the sleeve of my shirt. I opened my mouth in shock. I tried to hide it
but I couldn’t believe he saw my bruises.
As I tried to answer him, I heard my stepmom’s footsteps heading towards my
room. “Oppa!” I yelled, turning back to Ji Won, who was rubbing my bruises.
“You have to get out of here! My mom is coming!”
Ji
Won looked at me surprised but I opened my window for him to climb out. “Climb
down this tree. Goodbye Ji Wonee,” I said to him with tears in my eyes.
Ji Won remained silent the whole time as he left her room. But he didn’t leave
though. He sat on the branch of her tree and looked through her window. He
couldn’t hear what Mina and her mom were talking about but he saw it.
He
saw Mina’s mom bring out a small wooden stick and whack Mina with it several
times. Ji Won couldn’t take it anymore. He busted back into Mina’s room.
Part
9
I
looked up at my stepmother in pain. “I’m sorry mom. I didn’t know we’re
supposed to have guests today.”
She glared at me with cold hatred in her eyes. “Mr. Eun, of the Eun Hotel
Empire all over Hawaii, is coming to visit us. Your father might get a promotion
if we make a good impression! You’re supposed to be awake half an hour ago to
prepare all of us tea! Now Mr. Eun is down there expecting tea! What am I
supposed to do now huh?”
My stepmom began to breathe rapidly as her anger increased. I saw her raise that
stick of hers again. I curled myself up hoping the pain would lessen but I know
it wouldn’t so I prepared myself for the strike…
Ji Won caught the stick just before it would hit Mina. Mina’s mother stared at
Ji Won in surprise. Mina opened her eyes and stared at Ji Won in shock. He
looked down at her.
“Mina,
are you okay?”
“Ji Won!” I screamed. “What are you doing here?”
Ji Won looked back at me. “I came to save you from this evil bitch.”
My stepmom twisted her face in hate. “I knew you were trouble all this time
Mina. How dare you bring this boy home? Wait until I tell your father about
this!” Ji Won grabbed my stepmom’s arm to stop her.
“You
do that and I’ll have you fired!”
I
stared at Ji Won dumbfounded. ‘What is he talking about?’
“What are you talking about you juvenile delinquent?!” snapped my stepmom.
“I mean,” said Ji Won glaring at her. “That you’re having tea with my
father right now and I’ll get you and your husband fired if you hit Mina one
more time.”
I
look at Ji Won surprised. ‘Ji Won is the heir of the Eun Hotel Empire? His
family is the richest in all of Hawaii!’
My stepmom looked at Ji Won doubtfully. “If you’re his son, then how come
you’re so filthy?”
Ji
Won gave her a smirk. “I know you want proof. How about all of us go down
there to talk to my dad?”
My
stepmom looked at him and thought, ‘This is the only way for real evidence. He
might get us a promotion.’ Then she said, “Come on then, boy. Let’s go.”
Part
10
All
three of us came downstairs together. Ji Won had to help me down because my legs
were too weak to support me. Ji Won helped me sit on the couch and he faced the
strange man before me. Mr. Eun glared at Ji Won.
“Hi dad,” said Ji Won.
“Where the hell have you been Ji Won?” shouted Mr. Eun.
My family just watched them yell at each other. Ji Won shrugged his shoulders.
“Around.” It made Mr. Eun really mad but he never hits Ji Won. He continued
yelling. Ji Won didn’t really listen and after a while he cut his dad off.
“Look
dad, shut up about it already and we’ll talk about it at home.”
‘Dang,’ I thought. ‘I could never talk to my parents like that.’
Mr.
Eun shuts up. “Okay son, we’ll talk about it at home.”
Then
Ji Won gestured his hand at my entire family. “The Nams were nice enough to
let me stay at their house. You owe them dad.”
Mr.
Eun nodded. “Fine. Joon and Young A, you two just got a raise.”
My stepmom got so excited. “Thank you Mr. Eun!”
“Come on Ji Won,” said Mr. Eun. “Let’s go home and have that talk.”
Ji
Won brushed his dad’s hand ff his shoulder. “Later dad. I’ll be home in an
hour.” His father glared at him. Ji Won glared back. “I said one hour.”
Mr.
Eun knew Ji Won was stubborn. So he agreed. “Fine then. One hour.”
After Mr. Eun left Ji Won talked to my parents. “Listen here,” he said as he
sat down next to me. “I can get you hired and fired just like that.” And he
snapped his fingers.
“We know, we know,” said my stepmom sweetly, pouring Ji Won some tea.
Ji Won didn’t drink it. “All I want is for you two to not touch Mina
anymore. If I see another bruise on her, you know the consequences.” Ji Won
held my hand the entire time he spoke with my parents. I felt a strange warmth
going through me and I knew that right then and there I was falling in love with
Eun Ji Won.
My dad remained quiet while my stepmother talked. “Of course Ji Won.”
Ji Won rolled his eyes. “Okay, and I’ll make sure you keep your promise.”
Then Ji Won turned to face me. “Come on, let’s go.”
“What?” I asked confused.
“Go to my house with me.”
“Go go!” said my stepmom pushing me towards Ji Won. “Have fun kids and
stay out as long as you like.” I knew my stepmom was really ticked off but she
was playing it off pretty well.
Part
11
Ji
Won continued holding my hand and never once did he let it go. The walk to his
house took us 15 minutes and I was enjoying every minute of it. When we reached
his house, Ji Won let out a sigh.
“Mina,” he said softly. “Just stay quiet and let me do the talking
okay?”
I
nodded my head and we entered his house. His house was huge! I felt as though
I’m a peasant walking through a castle. He even had a few maids and butlers
who attended us.
Ji
Won led me to his room. It was nice and clean but there were a lot of holes all
around his walls. I sat down on his bed as he went into the bathroom to take a
quick shower. When he was done, he came out and sat next to me, holding my hand.
I really am in love.
“Ji Won, how come your walls have a lot of holes?”
He shrugged his shoulders and I massaged it for him. As he relaxed, he answered
me. “Oh, it’s cause I fight with my parents a lot so I take it out on the
walls.” Judging by the holes, I can tell that he was really angry every time
he made one.
“Come
on,” he said. He lifted me up on his back and gave me a piggyback ride
downstairs. He smelled so good now that he’s clean and fresh.
His dad was waiting for him in the den. I waited outside while Ji Won came into
face his dad. Ji Won came in, uninterested in what his dad had to say. “What
is it dad?”
“Ji Won, son…this is getting to be very tiring. Every few weeks you would
run away, leaving me and your mother worrying about you.”
Ji Won smirked. “Sure you’re worried. That’s why you’re out with those
hoes and mom’s out with those morons. It’s because I’m your only son.
You’re just scared that when grandpa passes away he won’t put our family on
the will.”
His father got angry. “Well do you want it to end up on your uncle’s
side?” Ji Won gave his dad a look that showed he didn’t care. His dad
continued talking. “Since I managed to have a son and my brother have no kids,
I have the advantage. Son, listen to me. You know you’re my heir. All my
wealth will be pass down to you.”
Ji Won looked at his dad disgusted. “All you care about is money! You don’t
care about me!” he yelled as he stormed out of the den. Ji Won slammed the
door open and grabbed my hand.
“Come
on, let’s go.”
Part
12
I was
confused and didn’t know what had happened. Ji Won held my hand and took me to
the beach near his house. On the sand there were these 2 huge rocks. Ji Won led
me over there. He lifted me up and we sat side by side. We remained silent until
Ji Won took a deep breath of the ocean air.
“I love this place, don’t you?” he said to me smiling.
I
returned his smile and held onto his hand tighter. “Ji Won, what’s wrong?”
Ji Won avoided my eyes.
“Nothing.”
I
turned his chin to face me. “Come on, you know you can tell me.”
He
nodded.
“It’s my dad and this stupid feud he has with my uncle. They’re fighting
over who will get the larger part in my grandpa’s will.”
“Oh…” I said softly.
“Isn’t it stupid?” he asked laughing. “My grandpa’s not even dead
yet!”
I understood what was bothering him. So I didn’t say anything because I know
he doesn’t want me to worry about it. He threw a rock into the ocean and it
skipped three times.
“Perfect,”
he said.
“Why
is it perfect?” I asked.
“Age
ain’t nothing but a number right?” he asked me, changing the subject. I
thought about it for a while and nodded.
“Since I’m older than you by two years, that makes me your oppa,” Ji Won
said to me.
“Yup,” I answered, smiling.
Ji Won smiled back. “I love you….”
I felt my heart my heart filled with a bubble of love but then Ji Won continued
talking..”as a dongsang.” My bubble bursted. This was not what I had
expected him to say.
I stared at Ji Won with wide eyes. I knew it was pretty forward of me but I had
to ask. “Y…your….dongsang?” I managed to stutter out. Ji Won looked back
at me with his puppyish eyes and smiled. He nodded his head gently. Have I been
reading all his signs wrong?
“So what do you say?” he asked. “Want to be my dongsang?” Even though it
was breaking my heart, I had no choice but to agree. I nodded.
“Yes,
I want to be your dongsang oppa.”
“Good,” he said.
Ji Won nodded and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small silver knife. I
stared at him with wide eyes.
“Ji
Won, what are you going to do with that knife?”
He
asked, “Do you trust me Mina?”
I
nodded my head without hesitation. I trusted Ji Won with my whole heart. He
smiled at me. “Good. Lower the back of your shirt.” Ji Won pulled the back
of my shirt down. Then he used that knife to cut me.
“Ow!”
I screamed in pain but he continued anyways. He carved a small ‘E’ onto my
shoulder blade. My back was bleeding and he bandaged it for me.
Then he handed the knife to me. “Here. Engrave your initial ‘M’ too cuz I
don’t want to use the same last name as your mom.” My hand trembled as I
held the knife. I didn’t want to hurt Ji Won.
“Go
ahead. Don’t worry, I can stand the pain.”
I
engraved an ‘M’ onto Ji Won’s back. I was surprised because he didn’t
let a tear drop or cry out in pain. I bandaged him and he acted as if nothing
had happen. When it was over, he held me close.
I held onto Ji Won tightly as if he was going to leave me. I know he only thinks
of me as his little dongsang but it feels nice holding him like this.
As Ji Won held onto Mina, his smiling face instantly turned sad. He wanted to
say ‘Mina, I love you as a girlfriend’ so she would be his forever but he
couldn’t. He wasn’t the type to admit his feelings.
So he
figured the scarring was not an engravement of his brotherly love to Mina, but
his promised symbol as a soulmate to her forever…
Part
13
Years
had pass and I’m still with Ji Won. I didn’t think it was possible but I
grew more and more in love with Ji Won everyday. We would do a lot of stuff
together and we never had any fights. We argue, but it never came to the point
where we would get really mad at each other and he usually let me have it my
way.
Kang Sung Hoon was Ji Won’s other friend and he hangs out with us a lot too.
Sung Hoon is a little older than me and is really nice. He has this really cute
smile that when he smiles, you can’t help but smile back. I called him ‘bang
geul ee.’ His family life also isn’t good. His dad is a drunk and his mom
had passed away when he was young. So usually it was the three of us together.
My home life is a lot better thanks to Ji Won. My stepmom didn’t dare to touch
me anymore and it’s still the same between me and my dad. We don’t talk
much. Ji Won’s parents like me a lot too. It’s because when they tell Ji Won
to do something and he wouldn’t do it. They would come to me. I’m kind of
like their pawn. Life was heaven for me until it completely shattered on day.
It started out with good news but who would have known it would end up in
tragedy?
June 15, 1996
My stepmom and dad came home one day from visiting the Euns. “Guess what?”
my stepmom told me excitedly.
“What?” I asked calmly.
“The Euns are planning a wedding for you and Ji Won!”
I sat down because my knees gave out. This news hit me with total surprise but I
was so happy to hear it because I’m so in love with Ji Won. “Really?” I
asked excitedly. “How did this happened?”
“Mr. Eun wanted Ji Won to get married and he figured you’re the girl he
should marry.”
“What did Ji Won say?” I had to ask. I didn’t want him to be forced into
this.
“Of course he agreed,” she answered.
My breathing increased so I took out my respirator. After I calmed down, my
stepmom took me into her room and told me all about the arrangements.
Meanwhile back at the Eun mansion…
“Just because you’re making this wedding for me and Mina doesn’t mean I
owe you anything!” Ji Won yelled angrily at his dad.
Mr. Eun grabbed Ji Won by the collar of his shirt. “Ji Won! You listen to me.
Once you and Mina get married, your grandpa will give you all of his businesses.
Sharing part of it with your dad isn’t asking for much is it?”
Ji
Won pushed his dad away. He began to laugh. “The only two people grandpa will
give the businesses to is me or uncle. He won’t give it to you because
you’ll spend it all on those whores! I bet all your money is gone now.”
It was true. Mr. Eun was in serious debt and he needed Ji Won to get married
because Ji Won’s grandpa was going to give Ji Won his inheritance once he gets
married. Ji Won had just turned 18 and his dad had planned the marriage months
ahead. His dad got on his knees.
“Please
son. Please do it for me.”
Ji Won rolled his eyes. “You’re so pathetic dad.” He sighed. Living with
Mina taught him compassion and sympathy for people. “I’ll see what I can do
dad.”
He
went into his room. Just then his cellular phone rang. He picked it up, thinking
it was Mina. Using his sexy voice, he whispered, “Hi Mina.”
A weird high-pitched giggle came from the other end of the line.
“Ooh…”said the voice. “Hi to you too sexy.”
Ji Won rolled his eyes. “Oh shut up Sung Hoon.”
Using his real voice, Sung Hoon began to laugh out loud. “Gross hyung!
That’s how you talk to Mina? Ew! It gives me the chills!”
“Hey Sung Hoon,” said Ji Won seriously. “Is everything set and ready to
go?”
“Yeah hyung,” said Sung Hoon.
“Good,” said Ji Won, smiling. “Meet me at the docks tonight. From there we
can sail to the mainland airport and get away from Hawaii to start a new life in
Korea.”
“Yeah,” said Sung Hoon. “But did you tell Mina about it?”
“No,” answered Ji Won, sighing. “I’m afraid she won’t leave her
family. I’m planning to just kidnap her and take her along. It’s easier that
way and no hassle.”
“Right,” said Sung Hoon. “At least the three of us will still be
together.”
“Yeah,” said Ji Won. “Meet you in an hour. Get everything ready. I got our
money too.”
“Okay,” replied Sung Hoon.
“Bye.” Ji Won clicked off his phone. Ji Won’s dad didn’t know it but his
grandpa had given him $10 million in advance, along with hotel ownerships in
Korea and Hawaii as his wedding gift. He planned to leave his dad $5 million and
live off the rest with Mina and Sung Hoon.
He
smiled thinking about how he would get away from everything and just be with the
one he loved the most, Mina.
Part
14
Back
at home I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. I know I was still young to be
thinking about marriage but I know Ji Won is the only guy for me. I held my
teddy bear close as thoughts of Ji Won drifted me to sleep.
It was midnight now. Ji Won snuck out of his house quietly without making a
noise. He carried his backpack full of money on his back. He planned to go to
Mina’s house to grab her and leave. Then it would be just him, Mina, and Sung
Hoon leaving together. He was almost to Mina’s house when he realized that he
was being followed.
It was his uncle’s men. They came to get rid of him. Ji Won was smart. He knew
the streets too well. He made it through the alley and those men end up losing
him. But when Ji Won reached Mina’s house, about 10 men had surrounded her
house.
They
all saw him approaching. Ji Won began to run as they chased him. He made it to
the dock. He saw Sung Hoon on the boat.
“Hyung! Hurry! The boat is leaving!”
Ji Won threw his bag onto the boat first and made a high jump. He landed safely
onto the boat. His uncle’s men couldn’t chase him anymore. Ji Won and Sung
Hoon started cheering until Ji Won realized what was missing. Mina. He had left
her. Ji Won fell to his knees.
“What’s wrong?” asked Sung Hoon.
“Mina! We left her! We have to go back!” yelled Ji Won.
Sung Hoon opened his mouth in shock because he just realized it too. Then he
shook his head sadly. “We can’t. If we go back, we’ll just get killed and
we’ll be putting Mina’s life in danger too.”
Ji
Won moved away from Sung Hoon, knowing that the darkness will cover his face.
And for the first time in his life, Ji Won cried.
Part
15
I
woke up the next morning with this strange feeling inside me. I don’t know why
but I find it disturbing. Then I remembered that Ji Won and I are going to get
married soon, it subsided.
When
I went downstairs, my stepmom was holding that wooden stick I haven’t seen in
years. I began to panic. She whacked me with it. I fell down surprised.
“Where’s Ji Won?” she screamed at me.
I was so confused and surprised I didn’t know what she was talking about. She
kept hitting me and telling me to answer her. But how can I answer when I
don’t even know myself? Then something unusual happened. My dad grabbed the
stick away from my stepmom.
“Stop hitting her! Can’t you tell that she can’t think straight through
all that pain?”
My stepmom was shocked and she kept her mouth shut because my dad never did that
to her before. “Mina,” my dad said to me, holding my hand. “Ji Won ran
away from home again. He’s no longer in Hawaii and the wedding’s
canceled.”
“He left?” I asked blankly.
My dad nodded his head sadly. “How can he leave me?” I asked standing up. My
stepmom’s next words hit me hard and cold like ice.
“He probably left because he didn’t want to marry you.”
I sunk to my knees and fell to the floor. I began to sob to myself. My parents
left the room, leaving me alone. ‘How can you leave me, Ji Won? Were all those
promises of taking care of me lies?’
I
loved Ji Won so much. All I ever wanted is to be with him, even if he did only
consider me as a dongsang. I needed to know why he left. Being with him all this
time, I knew where he went.
I’ll
search all of Korea if I had to…
One year later…
During this year, my life of hell had return. I managed to save up enough money
for a ticket to Korea and money to spend. I had to work odd hours so my stepmom
wouldn’t find out or she’ll take the money from me. I also had to sell some
of Ji Won’s gifts to me.
He
was a really generous oppa who would buy me a lot of expensive clothes, jewelry,
perfume, and just about anything that I wanted. I figured he wouldn’t mind
because they’re just material possessions. They were a big help because I
managed to trade them in for a lot of money.
July 24, 1997
I finally had enough money to leave. It took me a while to go because I knew
chances are low of finding Ji Won right away. I needed extra money for my search
and I had to pay double for a fake I.D. You could say that I have almost
everything planned out. I got a pretty good amount so I planned on leaving
today.
It’s been a little over a year since Ji Won left me with no reason or
explanation. I’ve gotten so much thinner because I couldn’t eat or sleep and
I miss him so much. The problem I still had facing me were my parents. I know
they were not going to let me leave.
I was
only 17. Damn. Still a minor. This year had been total hell for me and I can’t
stand another year of it. I had to leave and I had a plan. I was going to fake
my death.
It was all so perfect. My family had to go out to a luau with Mr. Eun. He still
keeps in touch with us. I guess it’s because he thinks I might know where Ji
Won is. Truth is, I have no idea except I know Ji Won’s somewhere in Korea.
I planned to fake a drowning. Because of my heart failure, it helped me close
off my air circulation for up to 4 minutes. This time I am using it to let my
family think that I have drowned and the tides drifted my body to sea so I will
never be found…
But before I go I had to say goodbye to my father. I hugged him hard. He looked
at me surprised.
“What was that for?” he asked.
I shook my head. “It wasn’t for anything dad. I did it because I love
you.”
My dad had tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry Mina. I’m so worthless as your
father.”
“No you’re not but you have to do what’s right dad. Don’t let anyone
stop you and stop putting yourself down.”
He nodded his head. I hugged him for the last time.
“I’m
going for a swim okay?”
He
nodded his head and watched me head toward the ocean. The plan went perfect. I
stayed underwater for a while and swam myself to the other side of the beach
where they couldn’t see me.
All
my belongings were there. I got on the dock and sailed to the mainland airport
leaving Hawaii forever…
Part
16
[Seoul,
Korea]
July 26, 1997
Ji Won traced the ‘M’ scar on his back. ‘Damn,’ he thought. ‘I miss
Mina so much.’ He sent out one of his men to retrieve news about her and if
they could, get her here to him in Korea.
Ji
Won had it all. Money and power. The only thing that was missing was Mina. So
much had happened to Ji Won as he remembered back.
Ji Won and Sung Hoon made it to Seoul, Korea. With Ji Won’s leadership skills
and Sung Hoon’s smooth talking, they end up getting a lot of businesses and
putting others of out business. Money was not enough for Ji Won. He needed power
so he created Sechs Kies, where he was the leader and Sung Hoon was his 2nd-in
command.
He
and Sung Hoon managed to eliminate the group Quiksilver on their own and gained
the respect and loyalty of the two members Kim Jae Duc and Lee Jae Jin.
Along
the way, they found Ko Ji Yong and Jang Su Won wandering the streets. Ji Yong
proved to be a genius and Su Won was handy in finding information.
Ji Won knew they were enough. They had hundreds of men under them but Sechskies
were the main leaders with Ji Won as the head. They committed a lot of crimes
but no evidence was ever found to convict them.
Just then there was a knock on his door, interrupting his thoughts.
“Come in,” said Ji Won.
Jang Su Won came in. “I have news for you, boss,” he said.
“Well what is it? What did you find out about Mina?” Ji Won asked.
Sun Won looked down and hesitated to reply. “I’m afraid it’s bad news.”
Those words made Ji Won panic. “Jang Su Won, you answer me now!” yelled Ji
Won with rage.
Ji Won’s yell scared Su Won so he blurted it out. “Mina Nam is dead. She
drowned while she was swimming in the ocean. Her body has not been found and is
still missing.”
Ji Won fell back in his seat in shock. ‘Mina’s dead? No, anyone but Mina,’
he thought. Su Won knew it was a good time to leave so he left Ji Won in his
office.
“Mina!”
Ji
Won screamed out of his window in pain. His cries echoed throughout the city of
Seoul.
Part
17
I
finally made it to Chejudo, Korea. I didn’t know where to look for Ji Won so
anywhere was fine. I was never a lucky person. I couldn’t find any signs of Ji
Won there so I traveled to Inchun City.
My
search for Ji Won continued for another year. During that time I had traveled to
many cities like Guam, Pusan, etc. It must have been a gift from God because one
day my search was over…
November 21, 1998
I had just finish my overtime shift at the Nam Hotel. It was pretty ironic
because my whole family spent their lives working for hotels and here is the
biggest one in all of Seoul with our family name. I went into the worker’s
lounge to take a break and pour myself some tea. I sat down and read the
headlines.
‘Sechskies are to open a conference broadcasting live on Channel 6 today’
I rolled my eyes. Not them again. They were the notorious mafia lead by Matthew
Eun. I shuddered. I can’t believe the leader has the same last name as my
beloved Ji Won.
Actually
6kies was composed of 6 leaders. They committed a lot of crimes and were always
challenging the authorities. They had a lot of power and no one could take their
pictures without their consent but a lot of people know what they look like. I
didn’t care. I was too busy looking for Ji Won to notice them.
A worker with me named So Kyung Hee came in. “Hey,” she said, patting me
lightly on the knee. “On break?” I took a sip and nodded. “Me too,” she
said smiling.
I
smiled back at her. Kyung Hee was actually one of the nicest people at the
hotel. Most of them were cold and just worried about how much tips they can get.
Kyung Hee picked up the TV remote and turned to Channel 6. “Hey Mina,
there’s supposed to be showing 6kies today. Wonder what they look like.”
I
nodded and watched with her. When the clock struck 9, I felt my heart had
stopped and it was not from my heart failure either. I stared at the face that
was giving a cocky smile to the camera. Ji Won. Slowly the camera pulled out
revealing the other 5 members.
I recognized Sung Hoon. He and Ji Won looked completely different but I still
recognized them. Ji Won had his hair dyed completely blonde while Sung Hoon’s
was streaked. Kyung Hee and I watched them in silence as they began to talk. Ji
Won and the others introduced themselves. Then the camera showed directly at Ji
Won.
To most people he would look like an evil gang leader but in my eyes he was a
beautiful angel. If it was ever possible, Ji Won was even finer than before.
“Mina, are you okay?” asked Kyung Hee, as she waved a hand in front of my
face.
“Huh?” I asked looking at her. “Oh, I’m fine. Just listening to what
they have to say.”
I pointed to Ji Won on the screen. “Who is he?”
“That’s Matthew Eun,” she answered me.
I stared at Ji Won some more. He had changed his name and so did Sung Hoon. No
wonder I couldn’t find them.
Kyung Hee caught me staring so she smiled at me. “The leader is cute huh?”
I blushed. “Yeah.”
“Too bad in real life he’s such a jerk.”
“He is not!” I yelled at her.
Kyung Hee scooted her seat back in shock. I apologized right away. “Sorry
Kyung Hee, I didn’t mean to yell at you.”
She
had a confused look on her face but she said, “Uh, it’s okay Mina.”
I
pulled a finger to my lips. “Shh…let’s listen to what they have to
say…”
Ji Won began talking.
“This
is Sechkies speaking to all you losers out there watching us. We just want to
say that we’re open to hire new ‘employees’. We usually travel around to
our many hotels but you’ll find us if you have the right connections. Also a
word to the police of Korea. Why are you picking on us?“ Ji Won asked
sarcastically. “We’re good, law-abiding citizens.”
Ji
Won folded his hands together and gave a little bow. Then all of the Sechskies
leaders started laughing.
“Oh my gosh! Look at him!” yelled Kyung Hee and pointed to Sung Hoon on the
T.V. screen. “Look at that stupid smile and that perverted laugh. Kekeke…”
Kyung
Hee made a poor impression of Sung Hoon’s laugh and it made me laugh.
‘Geez’, I thought. ‘Sung Hoon would kill her if he knew she made fun of
his trademark smile’.
The show ended a little too soon for me but Ji Won did say he was visiting many
hotels and mine is the biggest one. He has to come here. I went back to work and
waited for him to come.
Part
18
Ji
Won entered the main doors of the Nam Hotel and headed towards the lobby. He let
out a sigh. Being in a hotel brought back to him a lot of memories. He
remembered how he would take Mina to the hotels to trash it or slide down the
long stairway banisters.
But
those carefree days are over. His only love had died and he no longer has the
heart to love anyone else.
Eversince the news of Mina’s death, Ji Won began to develop a passion for
anything he thinks is related to her. Things like her hairbrush, the same type
of lipgloss she uses, her little respirator, etc. There are times when he had to
give her mouth-to-mouth if the respirator wasn’t around.
Ji
Won smiled remembering that she had told him that he was her first kiss. Mina
never went out with any guys so it made him really happy but he also found it
very strange. He didn’t want to give her any ideas about dating other guys so
he never asked.
Ji Won had changed his name to Matthew. It’s to symbolize that Ji Won died
with Mina and Matthew replaced him. He chose the name Matthew because of
Mina’s initial ‘M’ and if anyone asks, the ‘M’ stands for Matthew.
Sung Hoon wanted to change his name to Ricky but Ji Won wouldn’t let him. Ji
Won only allowed him to change it if it had the letter ‘M’ so Sung Hoon
ended up changing it to Mickey instead.
“Hey hyung! Over here!” shouted Sung Hoon.
Ji Won looked over at his five friends. He walked over to them and was surprised
at what he saw. “What the hell is this?” he asked angrily. Every single one
of them had a girl in each arm. “What do you guys think you’re doing?” he
asked as he strode over to them.
“Come on hyung,” said Jae Duc. “Lighten up.”
“Yeah,” said Jae Jin. “We worked hard all day and now let’s have a
little fun.”
Ji Won rolled his eyes and then he saw two girls wrap their arms around him. He
smiled. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Alright!”
they all shouted. They like it when Ji Won is in a good mood.
From where I was standing, I felt as though someone had stabbed me with a knife.
Ji Won looked so happy with those 2 girls sitting on both sides of his lap. I
stared at my reflection in the hotel mirror.
Big,
glassy eyes, pale skin, and waist-length black hair. I looked kind of like a
ghost. Not much to look at, I thought sighing sadly.
Then
I felt a tap on my shoulder and I slowly turned around.
Part
19
“What
are you looking at?” asked Kyung Hee.
Whew. I let out a sigh of relief. “They’re here,” I whispered to her.
“Who?” she asked, looking over my shoulder.
“SechsKies.”
“Oh. So you want to go serve them?” I shook my head ‘no’ quickly. Kyung
Hee laughed. “Okay. Don’t get so worked up, Mina. I’ll do it.” She took
a waitress pad and headed over to their table. I remained in the corner watching
them.
“Hi, my name is Kyung Hee and I’ll be your waitress today. May I take your
order?”
All the SechsKies members looked up to the pretty, young girl who just
approached them. Instantly Sung Hoon made the 2 girls on his lap move. He looked
up at Kyung Hee, giving her his best smile.
“I
don’t know what I want for dinner, but you want to be my dessert?” The other
5 Kies members laughed while Kyung Hee rolled her eyes.
“That’s
so cute. Must have took you all day to think up that one huh?”
“Ooh,” shouted Ji Yong. “This one has a mouth.”
Sung Hoon just smiled. “Feisty. I like it.”
Then he pinched Kyung Hee’s side playfully. She moved away, glaring. “Hey
don’t touch me!”
“Come on babe. Go out with me. I’ll show you a good time.”
“Hell no!” Kyung Hee shouted back in his face.
Then Ji Won stood up. “Don’t talk to my friend like that,” he said in a
low threatening voice. “Or else I’ll have you fired.” Ji Won’s glare
made Kyung Hee move back a little bit but she answered back anyways.
“You
can’t fire me! I quit!”
She handed Jae Jin her apron and pad and stomped over to me in the dark corner.
“Stupid, lousy jerks,” she whispered to me.
“I
know,” I whispered back, patting her shoulder. Suddenly, I caught Ji Won
staring at me. I didn’t know what to say or do so I just left.
Part
20
Ji
Won stared at the girl who was talking to Kyung Hee. ‘She looks like Mina,’
he thought. ‘But can’t be.’
“Hyung,” said Sung Hoon. “What are you looking at?”
“Her,” said Ji Won, pointing in Kyung Hee’s and Mina’s direction.
“You like my waitress too?” asked Sung Hoon, pouting.
“No,” said Ji Won, shaking his head. “Her friend. Doesn’t she look like
Mina?”
Sung Hoon glanced at the person Ji Won was pointing to and watched her walk
away. “No...” said Sung Hoon slowly. “That girl’s hair is much longer
and Mina has a nicer body. That chick looks like a stick.”
Ji Won cocked an eyebrow at Sung Hoon. “How do you know Mina have a nice
body?”
Sung
Hoon’s eyes widened. “I dunno… just guessing. Ji Yong’s calling me.
I’ll go see what he wants,” Sung Hoon said quickly and ran over to Ji Yong
right away. Ji Won began to chase the girl who just left.
I heard some footsteps following behind me. I quickly turned a corner and
entered my room.
Ji Won ran after her as fast as he could. He saw the girl turn a corner and he
continued chasing her. He saw a figure up ahead and he grabbed her by the
shoulder. When the girl turned around, she had a surprised expression on her
face.
“What do you want?”
Ji Won looked at the strange girl. She looked nothing like Mina. “Wrong
person.” The girl walked way. Ji Won sighed. ‘Maybe it’s cause I miss Mina
so much that I’m beginning to see her.’ He began to walk back to the lobby,
disappointedly.
From my hotel room, I was watching Ji Won with the little hole in the door. I
saw him pat a girl and then walk away with his head bowed down. I went over and
sat down on my bed. I let out a sigh. Ji Won doesn’t miss me. He has too many
girls with him already. He probably forgot who I am by now.
Tears fell down my face and I didn’t even realize it. I quickly wiped them
away. I wanted to tell myself that I hate Ji Won but I couldn’t because then
I’d just be lying. There was only one thing left for me to do.
I stood in front of my bathroom mirror. I can’t be with Ji Won as Mina, but I
wanted to be by his side to watch over him. I thought about it for a while and
remembered they were recruiting new members for Black Kies.
I
looked at myself. Hmm…if my hair is short and put into a cap, I wear
sunglasses more, darken my skin with make-up, and lower my voice…I can pass
for a guy.
So I did it. Within an hour, I had transformed myself into a guy. I checked
myself over. As a guy, I didn’t look too bad. I smoothed out my new short hair
and tucked it into a cap. Guys wear earrings too so I didn’t have to worry
about my earring holes.
I
wore a couple of T-shirts under my flannel and 2 pairs of boxers under my baggy
jeans so I would fill out more and wouldn’t look so scrawny. I checked my
make-up, making sure I was well-covered. I put my sunglasses on.
‘Perfect’,
I thought. Now all I have to do is have to pass the test to join the gang.
Part
21
Ji Won walked down the aisle looking at the 5 new candidates. He nodded his head
as he studied them.
“Pretty
good,” he said to them. “Alright,” he clapped his hands for attention.
“All of you know how it’s done. Jae Jin and Jae Duc will jump each of you
in. If you’re still standing after 5 minutes, then welcome to SechsKies.”
Only 2 of the 5 guys lasted when Jae Jin and Jae Duc were done beating them up.
“Okay,” said Sung Hoon. The two newest members to join is—“
“Wait!”
shouted a voice, interrupting Sung Hoon. Everyone looked over to see who it was.
Ji Won stared at the young boy who was walking towards them. ‘What the hell?
Damn! This kid looks like Mina!’ he thought. ‘I must be losing it. How come
I keep seeing her today?’
Sung
Hoon looked at the new boy curiously. “Yes? What do you want little man?”
I looked at Sung Hoon. ‘Gosh, he developed an attitude’, I thought. I took a
deep breath. This is it. “I want to join SechsKies.”
A guy
I recognized as Jang Su Won busted out laughing. He placed his hand on top of my
head. “You? How old are you boy? 15? 16? And how tall are you now? 5’?”
I moved his hand for him. “No. I’m 18 and I’m not 5’, I’m 5’3.”
That remark made all the other members laugh, except Ji Won. I looked at him
curiously and realized he was checking me out.
‘Oh
no’, I thought. ‘Please don’t recognize me’.
Ji Won held up his hand for the others to stop laughing. “Hey, if he wants a
chance, then we’ll give it to him.”
Then
he turned to face me. I felt my heart thumping loud and prayed he couldn’t
hear it. He placed his hand on my shoulder. Dang, he smells good, I thought as I
tried to suppress a smile.
“Look kid,” said Ji Won to me. “You have to be jumped in to join. These 2
guys (pointing to Jae Jin and Jae Duc) will kick the crap out of you for 5
minutes. If you’re still standing, you’re in.”
I nodded my head. I knew I had to last because I’m doing it all for Ji Won. I
stood there as Jae Duc and Jae Jin began to hit me. Jae Jin threw the first
punch and it gave me instant pain. He’s even stronger than my stepmom, I
thought. Jae Duc kicked me and I was knocked to the ground but I kept pulling
myself up.
Ji Won looked at the helpless boy who was struggling to stand up. He doesn’t
understand why but when he looks at the boy, images of Mina replaced him. Right
now in his eyes, it looked like it was Mina being beaten up by Jae Jin and Jae
Duc. He couldn’t help it.
“Stay
down!” he yelled to the boy. Everyone stared at Ji Won. Both Jae Jin and Jae
Duc stopped hitting the boy because they were surprised that Ji Won was being
nice out of nowhere.
I heard Ji Won yelling for me to stay down. My ears listened but my legs
wouldn’t. I refused to stay down. No matter how many times they hit me or how
hard, I managed to get up. Finally 5 minutes was over and I was still standing.
“Am
I in?” I asked in a weak voice. I saw Ji Won staring at me with a surprised
expression.
“Yes,
you’re in.” he said patting my shoulder. I smiled and fainted into his arms.
Ji Won held the boy, surprised. He realized the boy had fainted. Usually he
would have let go if someone fainted on him, but this time he held on tight.
The other 5 Kies members looked and the 2 new recruits looked at Ji Won with
queeried eyes. “Uh, hyung,” said Sung Hoon, as he patted Ji Won on the
shoulder.
“What?”
asked Ji Won, as he continued holding the boy.
“What should we do about the new recruits?”
“Give them instructions and show them to their rooms. We’ll have a meeting
tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
They all left but once in a while, they all would glance back looking at Ji Won,
who was carrying the boy in the other direction.
Part
22
Slowly I began to regain my consciousness and I woke up. I looked around and
realized I was in the biggest room in the Nam Hotel. The Presidential Suite.
“What
am I doing in here?” I asked myself. Then suddenly the chair in front of me
spun around. Ji Won was sitting in it. I stared at him with wide eyes. I started
to panic because I was all alone with him in the room.
Ji Won gave me a sideways glance. “You okay?” he asked. I nodded my head. Ji
Won got up out of his seat and walked towards me. He sat down on the bed next to
me and looked at me straight in the eyes. “So what’s your name?” he asked.
“Mi-“
I began but instantly cut myself off. ‘Stupid, I thought to myself. You almost
said your real name!’ I saw Ji Won’s eyes grow wide.
“What did you say your name was?”
“Min-Sung,” I answered him quickly.
“Oh,” he said and backed away from me.
Ji Won stood up and walked towards the window, looking outside. He knew the new
recruit was a boy but somewhere inside him wished Min Sung would say his name
was Mina. He let out a sigh.
“There’s
a meeting tomorrow. Be there okay?”
I looked at Ji Won with his back facing me. It had only been 2 years but I felt
as though I couldn’t read what was going on in his mind anymore. I let out a
sigh myself. “Ji Won, where do we meet later tomorrow?”
The call of his real name made Ji Won suddenly look up. He ran over to where Min
Sung was sitting and grabbed him by his shoulders. “How do you know my real
Korean name? No one knows me by that. Everyone calls me Matthew.”
Oh no, I thought. I had completely forgotten that Ji Won had changed his name to
Matthew but I thought fast. “I didn’t know your name as Ji Won. All I said
was, ‘Gee, wanna go out later tomorrow?’”
I
felt Ji Won’s grip on me loosen. He had bought the story. When he was looking,
I let out a sigh of relief.
‘I’m losing it,’ thought Ji Won. “We’ll meet in the main dining room
tomorrow,” Ji Won told Min Sung. He nodded his head and left. Ji Won walked
out to the balcony and looked up at the sky.
“I
love you Mina, that’s why it hurts so much that you’re not here.”
But
the real Mina had left before she could have heard those words.
Part
23
Meanwhile back in the hotel lobby…
After Sung Hoon and the others gave the new recruits instructions and about the
meeting, they all went back to their rooms.
“You
think there’s something wrong with Matthew hyung?” asked Jae Jin.
“Yeah,”
said Jae Duc. “Did you see the way he held the new guy?”
They
began to shudder.
“No, it’s nothing,” answered Sung Hoon.
“You think maybe Matthew is gay?” asked Ji Yong.
“You’re the one who looks gay,” said Jae Duc, jokingly.
“Shut up!” yelled Ji Yong as he punched Jae Duc lightly.
The others began to laugh. Then Su Won said, “Could be though. I never saw him
‘be’ with a girl before.”
Sung
Hoon lets out a sigh. “Okay, I’ll tell you guys the real deal. But don’t
let this get back to Matthew okay?” They all nodded and leaned forward to hear
the story.
“It was like 5 years ago when Matthew hyung met this girl named Nam
Mina….”
“She a babe?” asked Jae Duc, interrupting.
Sung Hoon gave him a look. “Yes, Duckie, she’s a babe.”
“Oh, okay,” said Jae Duc. “Continue.”
“Anyways, Matthew knew her before he met me. It turns out that she was the
first person who ever really cared about him and Matthew fell in love with her.
But you know how hyung is. He could never tell anyone exactly what’ s on his
mind or how he feels. Instead of saying he wants Mina to be his girlfriend, he
said he wants her to be his dongsang—“
“That’s stupid!” yelled Jae Duc, interrupting Sung Hoon. “Why did he say
that for? She’s a babe!”
“Sh..!” yelled Jae Jin, Ji Yong, and Su Won at Jae Duc.
Sung Hoon continued. “Well, Matthew ended up having this blood ceremony with
her. They scarred each other’s back with their initial. It looks like a blood
tie but later on I found out it was his symbol of promised love-“
“Ow..that must have hurt,” said Jae Duc, as he hugged himself. Jae Jin
smacked him on the head for interrupting again.
“I think they knew each other for a year before they met me. At first I
thought Mina was cute, but then by the way Matthew acts, I can tell she was off
limits. See, Mina had this heart condition where air would suddenly be closed
off and she couldn’t breathe. The only way to get air in was by this
respirator—“
“The one hyung always carry?” asked Jae Duc.
“Yes Duckie,” said Sung Hoon, rolling his eyes. “Anyways, it was either
that or mouth to mouth. Once when Matthew went collecting shells for Mina, I was
walking along the shores with her. One of her attacks came on. I freaked out of
course, but I knew what to do. I laid her down and I was about to give her CPR
but then Matthew ran the speed of light and knocked me into the ocean and he
gave her CPR.”
The
others started laughing.
“Dang, ain’t he a Romeo?” said Jae Duc, laughing.
Sung Hoon smiled. “It’s cause he loves Mina and didn’t want any other guy
touching he. I mean, during school, if any guy talks about wanting to date her,
Matthew made sure he didn’t. Oh yeah, Matthew hyung hasn’t always been
Matthew. His real name is Ji Won. The ‘M’ scar on his back stands for Mina,
not Matthew.”
The
others opened their mouths in shock. They never knew Ji Won had been this much
in love before.
“How romantic,” whispered Jae Duc.
“Shut up hyung,” said Ji Yong. “Quit interrupting!”
“Okay, okay,” said Jae Duc, blocking himself from Jae Jin’s hand.
Sung Hoon began talking.
“If
there are no more interruptions, then I’ll continue.” He paused for a second
and then continued. “The day before Matthew and I made it to Korea, he and
Mina were supposed to get married. Matthew didn’t like his dad and there was
this feud in their family on who gets the grandpa’s inheritance. Matthew got
it, of course, and he took it all and left Hawaii. He took me and he was
planning on taking Mina too. When he went to her house though, his uncle’s men
were guarding the place and he couldn’t take her. He ended up leaving Hawaii
without saying goodbye to Mina.”
All
of them remained silent.
Then Su Won spoke. “Last year hyung sent me out to get some news on Nam Mina.
She had died drowning.”
Sung Hoon nodded. “Yeah but Matthew and I think she committed suicide. He
think it’s because Mina can’t handle living with her stepmom, who always
abuse her. If you ask me, I think Mina committed suicide because Matthew left
her without any reason. I think hyung thinks that too but he won’t say it. I
think he blames himself for her death and since then he hasn’t been the same.
He used to be nicer and not this touchy. Also that’s why he’s never been
with another girl. I mean, we see him flirt with other girls but none of us
actually see him ‘be’ with another girl right?”
The others nodded in agreement. Sung Hoon continued. “About this new boy
today. I think Matthew is losing it. He probably thinks when he sees the boy he
is see—“
Sung
Hoon stopped talking as he looked up. He finished his sentence with a “—See
you later!” and he ran off.
Part
24
The
others looked up surprised. Jae Jin smacked Jae Duc on his head.
“What?”
asked Jae Duc. “I didn’t interrupt!”
“It’s
not Duckie’s fault,” said Ji Yong. “Look.” Ji Yong pointed to where Sung
Hoon ran off too.
“Aigo,” said Jae Jin. “It’s that same waitress babe.”
“See?” said Jae Duc. “It’s cause of a girl, not me. You hit me by
mistake.”
“No, it’s not a mistake. I still wanna smack your head cause it makes this
cool hollow sound,” replied Jae Jin as he smacked Jae Duc on his head again.
“So, wanna go out sometime?” Sung Hoon asked Kyung Hee, leaning near her.
She rolled her eyes at him.
She answered flatly, “No” and began to leave.
Sung Hoon held onto her arm. “Come on babe. X-mas is next month and don’t be
a scrooge.”
Then suddenly, Kyung Hee gave him a seductive smile. “I guess. How about we go
out on November 31st then?”
Sung Hoon gave her a sexy smile back. “It’s a date then,” he answered,
letting her go. The other 4 walked up to him.
“How’d it go Mickey?” asked Su Won.
“Hey, hey, what can I say?” answered Sung Hoon cockily. “I’m the man!”
Jae Jin gave him a high-five.
“Alright!” yelled Jae Duc. “When you 2 going out?”
“November 31st,” answered Sung Hoon.
“Uh, Mickey,” said Ji Yong.
“Sup Ji Yong?” said Sung Hoon.
“November doesn’t have a 31st.”
“What?” asked Sung Hoon, surprised. He looked at the calendar. November
ended on the 30th. He looked around but Kyung Hee had already left. He started
cursing while the others tried to hold back their laughter.
November 23, 1998
“This meeting of SechsKies is now in session,” announced Ji Won to the main
members of the group, along with the new recruits. His voice got their attention
and they quickly focused their attention on Ji Won.
Ji
Won looked to see if Min Sung was there. He was. Ji Won gave a little smile to
him. He didn’t know why but when he looks at Min Sung his mind would replace
Min Sung’s face with Mina’s.
“So any new business?” he asked the members.
“Yes,” answered Jae Jin. “The Black Dragons have killed some of our
members and took away some of our businesses.”
“Damn it!” yelled Ji Won as he pounded his fist on the table. “We’ll
just have to see that this Black Dragon matter will be solved. Mickey you, Ji
Yong, Su Won, and the 2 new recruits deal with the businesses. Jae Jin, Jae Duc,
and Min Sung will come with me.” Everyone looked at Ji Won strangely.
Sung Hoon began to speak. “Uh, hyung. You want to take Min Sung along?”
Ji Won glared at him. “Yeah. Anyone here have any objections?” No one
answered. “Meeting adjourned,” announced Ji Won and everyone went to work.
Part
25
I followed the Black Kies to a dark alley. I was surprised Ji Won wanted to take
me along, considering I was one of the weakest members. I thought I would get to
work with the White Kies in businesses.
“Hey kid,” said Jae Duc to me.
“What is it?”
He handed me a gun. “Use this to protect yourself.”
My eyes widened as I held the cold metal. ‘Please don’t let me use it’, I
prayed silently.
Ji Won walked over to Min Sung. “Okay, the coleaders of Black Dragons are
meeting around here. You’ll recognize them by the dragon tattoos on their
arms. If you see them, just shoot them as they come out.”
“But Matthew hyung, I—“ but my words were cut off the sound of gunshots.
POW
“Get down!” yelled Ji Won as he covered me. Then he started firing. I
covered my ears and watched Ji Won in disbelief. He had shot 4 people and killed
3. Ji Won stood up smiling.
I
couldn’t believe it. I was in love with a cold-blooded killer. Jae Jin and Jae
Duc killed some other members and Ji Won told them to kill every single Black
Dragon member.
One Black Dragon member lay hurt on the ground. Ji Won pulled him up by the
collar of his shirt and pointed a gun to his head. “Tell me who’s your
leader punk or else I’ll blow your brains out.”
The young boy was whimpering. I felt sorry for him. “Please don’t kill me.
My leader is Eun Tae Won.”
“Who
the hell is that?” asked Ji Won angrily. “What the hell does he have against
me?”
“He’s
the godson of Mr. Eun, who’s one of the heirs of the Eun Hotel Empire and he
came to get the inheritance back from you.”
I listened to what the boy was saying. I never knew that Ji Won’s uncle had a
godson. From what I had heard, Ji Won’s uncle had passed away 2 months ago and
he had an heir. ‘The heir is the leader of Black Dragon’, I figured out.
“That bastard,” said Ji Won. “He’s dead and he still has someone after
me.” When Ji Won wasn’t looking, the Black Dragon boy had pulled out a
knife, ready to stab Ji Won.
I
didn’t have time to think so I reacted instantly. I shot the boy. He fell back
in pain but managed to get up and run away.
Ji Won looked at me surprised. He gave me a smile. “Good job, Min Sung,” he
said walking over to me and patted me on the back. I was appalled at what I had
done. I couldn’t answer him so I just handed him back the gun.
Just then Jae Jin and Jae Duc came back to us. “Got them all hyung,” said
Jae Jin smiling as he did fancy handwork with his gun.
“Good,” said Ji Won. “Min Sung here just saved my life. I knew it was a
good idea to bring him along.”
“Really?” asked Jae Duc. “Nice work kid.” Then he punched me lightly on
the shoulder.
When we made it back to the hotel, I ran into my room using my respirator and
swallowed a pill. Afterwards, I took a shower. I felt so dirty because what I
had done. I knew this was going to be only one of the many dirty work I would
have to do to stay with Ji Won.
Part
26
A few months later…
During this time, since I saved Ji Won’s life, he began to trust me more and
confided in me with everything. I was like his new best friend. SechsKies
continued traveling to many places and recruited new members.
More
war between SechsKies and Black Dragons broke out. Many businesses were shut
down and more members were killed from both sides. All the blood shed and
fighting was getting to me but I held on. All the members of SechsKies accepted
me but sometimes I overhear them whisper that I’m gay. I didn’t care as long
as I had Ji Won.
April 30, 1999
Finally, after many days of hard work, SechsKies finally got a day of rest. The
leaders always hang out together but Ji Won always included me. We were at this
fancy restaurant and were all having a good time. Jae Duc was telling us funny
jokes. He stopped in the middle of a joke as he saw the Black Dragon leaders
enter the restaurant.
Tension was felt by everyone. The Black Dragons sat down across from us. Ji Won
and Tae Won were giving each other glares.
Underneath
the tables, we pulled out our guns. I knew the Black Dragons were doing the
same. We didn’t know which side fired the first shot but before we knew it,
bullets were flying everywhere.
Ji Won covered me as we ran out of the restaurant safely. We met up with the
other 5 Kies in a dark alley. The Black Dragons were still chasing us.
“Damn it hyung! What should we do?” asked Jae Jin.
“Kill them all!” shouted Ji Won.
“There are too many,” Ji Yong shouted back. “Let’s just hide out in this
motel.” We all ran and hid in this cheap motel’s restaurant. The Black
Dragons lost us and continued searching.
“I don’t believe this!” said Ji Won furiously. “I, Matthew Eun, of
SechsKies have to hide down here in this cockroach motel like I’m a dog or
something!”
“Calm down,” I said to him gently, patting his back. “It’s not so
bad.”
“Yeah hyung,” said Sung Hoon. “It’s only for one night. Besides, we’ll
make them pay for this.”
All of us looked around. There was only one bed. I could tell none of us wanted
the floor because it was disgusting and reeked of something. “I ain’t taking
the floor!” all of us shouted in unison.
“There’s only one bed though,” said Su Won.
“Look on the bright side,” said Jae Duc as he laid out the sheets on the
bed. “At least it’s king size.”
I nodded my head. “It’ll be tight but we’ll all have to try and fit in.”
Soon it was Jae Jin, Jae Duc, Ji Won, me, Sung Hoon, Ji Yong, and Su Won lying
down side by side uncomfortably on the bed. We were laying down one by one and
the others looked at me strangely as I ran to be the next person who lie near Ji
Won.
Soon everyone fell asleep except me. I made sure everyone was asleep before I
made my move. I bent over to kiss Ji Won lightly on the lips. Then I laid my
head down on his chest to hear his heart beat. I sighed contentedly.
Then suddenly I felt Ji Won’s leg twitch. Oh no. I knew what he was about to
do. His 360. I placed my entire body on top of his because I didn’t want to
get kicked.
As Ji
Won did his 360, he kicked everyone except me off the bed. As always when Ji Won
was done, he had a huge smile on his face. Then he held onto me tightly. I was
overwhelmed with happiness.
The others must have been exhausted because none of them woke up except Jae Duc.
He opened his eyes sleepily and said, “Huh?”
“You’re
dreaming,” I whispered to him. He nodded his head and went back to sleep. Soon
I drifted off to sleep too.
Part
27
Next Morning…
May 1, 1999
Ji Won began to stir. He woke up finding Min Sung holding onto him tightly. Ji
Won widened his eyes and gently unraveled Min Sung’s arms and legs off of him.
The
guys already called Min Sung gay and he didn’t want them to think he’s gay
too. He sat up and saw 5 of the SechsKies leaders lying on the floor.
Then Sung Hoon began to wake up. He sat up and looked around. “Gross! How the
hell did I end up down here?” Ji Won shrugged his shoulders.
Then
Jae Duc woke up. “Damn, my butt hurts. It feels like someone kicked it last
night.” Then one by one everyone
woke up.
“P.U.!,”
yelled Jae Jin. “This floor stinks!” Everyone started laughing.
“Sorry you guys,” said Ji Won laughing. “I must have done a 360 and kicked
you all off.”
“How come you didn’t fall off Min Sung?” asked Ji Yong.
Uh, oh, I thought. “I did,” I answered him. “But I got back up and went to
sleep on the bed again.”
“Really?” asked Su Won. “I didn’t even know. I just went right on
sleeping.”
Ji Won began to study Min Sung. It was weird but somehow Ji Won had a feeling
that Min Sung knew he does a 360 in his sleep. ‘But that’s impossible,’ he
thought to himself. ‘Only Mina knows that and why didn’t Min Sung say
anything about me kicking him?’ Ji Won didn’t know what was going on with
Min Sung but he knew he had to find out.
We all got up and ready to leave the room. The coast seemed clear so we walked
out unarmed. Big mistake. There was an ambush waiting for us.
“Disperse!”
yelled Ji Won and we all ran our separate ways.
Black
Dragons chased after each one of us. I lost the Black Dragon member that was
chasing me but I didn’t want to go back the hotel room without Ji Won so I
turned back to get him.
When I found Ji Won, he was backed up against the wall by a Black Dragon. It was
the leader, Tae Won. He was telling Ji Won to bow down and beg for mercy but Ji
Won ended up spitting in his face. Tae Won got angry and pulled the knife back
to stab Ji Won in his throat.
I ran
as fast as I could and knocked Tae Won down. He dropped the knife and fell to
the floor with me. As he fell, he used the handled of the knife to knock Ji Won
unconscious. Tae Won got up glaring at me.
“Do you know whom you’re messing with?” he asked me angrily.
I glared at him back unflinching. “I’ll make you pay for hurting Ji Won.”
“Oh you must be the gay SechsKies member I’ve heard so much about,” said
Tae Won laughing. “You’re afraid your faggot leader would die leaving you
alone?”
That made me really angry. I didn’t care that he called me gay but calling Ji
Won a faggot ticked me off. Since he was distracted, I grabbed the hand he was
holding the sword with, and made him stab himself. He cried out in shock and
pain. He pulled knife out of him.
Tae
Won pushed me away and cuts me in the knee with his knife. I fell down and saw
him raise the knife above my head. I was going to die.
Then suddenly a voice screamed out, “Gang Rape!”
It made Tae Won run off. I looked over to see who it was. It was Kyung Hee
screaming for the cops. I saw her looking at me sighing and walked away.
“Kyung Hee!” I screamed for her.
Kyung Hee looked at me strangely as she approached me. “Do I know you?”
I nodded my head and motioned for her to come near me. When she did, I whispered
in her ear, “It’s me, Mina.”
“Mina? But you’re a guy!” she yelled back at me.
“Look at me closely.”
When she did, her eyes widened as she grabbed a hold of me. “Mina, it is
you!” I turned her back to face me. “Please help me bring Ji Won back to the
hotel.” Kyung Hee made a face of disgust.
“What are you doing with the SechsKies leader and why are you dressed like a
guy?”
“I’ll explain later,” I told her. We both put Ji Won’s arms around us as
we carried him back. Along the way we found Sung Hoon unconscious on the ground,
bleeding. I set Ji Won down gently and lifted Sung Hoon up.
“Sung
Hoon!” I said, shaking him. He was hurt badly. “Kyung Hee, please do me a
favor. You carry Sung Hoon while I carry Ji Won.”
Kyung Hee looked at me reluctantly but then nodded. I lifted Ji Won onto my back
and carried him back to the Nam Hotel. My leg was still bleeding from the cut
and I was limping.
“Mina,
can you carry him?” Kyung Hee asked me, concerned.
“I’ll
be fine,” I answered her as we made it back.
Part
28
I took Ji Won back to his room while Kyung Hee took Sung Hoon back to his. I
washed Ji Won’s cuts and nursed his wounds. When he was bandaged, I sat down
on the chair next to his bed.
Then suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. One of my attacks is coming on and I
didn’t have my respirator with me. My heart was aching so painfully that I was
gasping in pain. But then I remembered Ji Won had a respirator. I searched his
pockets and sure enough, there it was. I started pumping it quickly and air
entered my lungs.
My vision cleared and I began to breathe easier. Then I put it back into his
pocket. My touch made Ji Won stir. He began to wake up. He looked at me.
“Min Sung?” he asked weakly.
I nodded my head. “Yes, it’s me hyung.”
Ji Won lifted himself up. “Where am I?”
“We’re back at our hotel.”
“Oh,” Ji Won said as he looked at my leg. “What happened to your knee?”
I looked down at it. It was bleeding through my pants. “It’s nothing hyung.
I’ll be okay in a few days.”
“Did Tae Won do this to you?”
I nodded my head.
Ji Won pounded his fist on his desk. “Damn him! I’ll get him back.”
“It’s okay hyung,” I said calming him down.
“By the way,” he asked me suddenly, “how did you end up finding me?
Weren’t you supposed to come back here by yourself?”
His question hit me by surprise. I answered him truthfully. “I came back to
look for you because I was worried you might be in danger.” I saw Ji Won look
at me awkwardly and inched himself away from me. ‘He thinks I’m gay’, I
thought.
“Uh, thanks for coming back to save me then,” Ji Won said to Min Sung
awkwardly. Min Sung nodded and left his room. Ji Won lets out a sigh. He loved
Min Sung as a friend and definitely nothing more. He didn’t want Min Sung to
have any thoughts.
Instinctively Ji Won reached into his pocket to check to see if his respirator
was still there. It was but it was different. Ji Won stared at it with wide
eyes. His once filled respirator was now only half full with air.
Someone
had been using it.
Part
29
Later that evening Ji Won posted a note on my door telling me to meet him. It
was 8 p.m. and I knocked the door to his room.
“Come
in,” said Ji Won. I entered his room, not knowing what he was going to say.
“Follow me,” he ordered. He left the room and I followed him.
He took me to the beach that was near our hotel. Then he walked over to a spot
where there were two rocks side by side. I caught my breath. This looks exactly
like our spot in Hawaii, I thought.
“Come
here and sit next to me, Min Sung,” said Ji Won to me, patting the rock next
to him. I sat down near him and closed my eyes as I breathed in the salty sea
air.
Ji Won began to study Min Sung. ‘He looks like Mina in a way,’ he thought.
‘Could he be Mina in another form?’ Ji Won didn’t believe in reincarnation
but Min Sung was too much like Mina for him. He wanted to see if somehow Min
Sung was Mina so he had to test him.
“Min
Sung, you want to hear a story?”
“Sure,” said Min Sung eagerly.
Ji Won smiled as he told his story. “There once was this rich boy who came
from a messed up family. He had no friends at all. Then one day he met this
little girl who became his friend. She was really nice to him, unlike his
family, so he began to adopt her as his dongsang.” Ji Won paused right there
to see Min Sung’s reaction.
My smile faded when Ji Won began his story. He was talking about our life in
Hawaii. Then I figured out he was testing me. ‘The respirator’, I thought.
‘I must have drained it when I was using it so now he suspects me’. I
steadied myself and tried my best to give no reaction.
Ji Won stared at Min Sung, who appeared to have no reaction to the story.
“Well what do you think?” Ji Won asked him.
“That’s
a cute story, hyung,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
Ji
Won continued. “Do you know why he took extra care of his dongsang?” Min
Sung shook his head no. “It’s because she has this heart problem and needed
this respirator to breathe.” He took out the respirator from his pocket and
showed it to Min Sung. Again, no reaction.
“Poor girl,” said Min Sung.
“Yes, poor girl,” said Ji Won sadly. “She died a few years later.”
I looked at Ji Won sadly. I knew Ji Won felt bad because of my death but since
I’m no one special to him, it wouldn’t matter if he knew the truth that Mina
was still alive and with him right now. Then Ji Won took out a stone and handed
me one. I rubbed the white marble stone for a while.
“Throw
it,” he told me. I shook my head no. To me it was like a present so I didn’t
throw it but just kept it in my pocket. Ji Won threw his into the ocean. It
skipped 3 times.
“Perfect,” he said.
“Why is it perfect?” I asked him.
This time I wished he would tell me the significance of the 3-skip. “When the
stone skips 3 times, it means 3 words. I love you.” I looked at Ji Won in an
overwhelming joy. Did Ji Won love me? He had thrown the rock and it skipped 3
times many times before.
“So
did the rich boy ever really loved his dongsang?” I asked Ji Won.
Ji
Won looked at me. “Of course he does. He has a lot of brotherly love for
her.”
“Oh,”
I whispered softly. My heart began to ache.
As Ji Won continued staring at the ocean, I began to walk home with a heavy
heart. Ji Won began to shake his head. ‘Mina’s dead already so why am I
denying that I love her?’ he thought to himself as he stared out to the ocean.
“Actually,
Min Sung, the rich boy loved his dongsang the first day he met her but he’s
such a weak person. He never could admit his feelings for her and just waited
for her to say that she loves him first.”
Ji Won turned around and saw that Min Sung had left. ‘Oh well,’ he thought
as he headed back to the hotel.
Part
30
*Since some of you wanted to hear more about Sung Hoon and Kyung Hee, this
chapter is a little side story.
Sung Hoon woke up aching. He realized he was back at the Nam Hotel and in his
room. “How did I make it back here?” he asked himself. Then he realized he
was wearing nothing but his boxers. His bathroom door suddenly opened and out
came Kyung Hee. “Hey!” he shouted as he pulled a blanket over to cover
himself.
Kyung Hee rolled her eyes. “It’s too late for that. I’ve seen it all
already,” she told him as she yanked the blanket away.
Sung Hoon crossed his arms over his chest. “So you took advantage of me in my
weak state?”
“So what if I did?” she snapped at him.
“That means you have to marry me and support me while I give birth to your
child.” Kyung Hee couldn’t help but laugh.
Sung Hoon smiled at her. ‘I guess he isn’t so bad,’ she thought. “You
know,” said Sung Hoon quietly. “You didn’t have to diss me like that when
you said you’ll go out with me.” Kyung Hee looked at him.
“I had to! You were such an arrogant jerk and you wouldn’t leave me
alone.”
“Maybe it’s because I like you too much to leave you alone,” he replied
back.
Kyung Hee blushed a little and decided to change the subject. “Give me your
arm,” she said to him. Sung Hoon’s right arm was bleeding and Kyung Hee
began to wash the cut.
“Ow!” he yelled in pain, pulling his arm back. “That hurts.”
“Does it?” Kyung Hee asked him, concerned. “I’m sorry.”
She leaned over to blow on his cut. Sung Hoon stared at her the entire time. He
felt warm and shy being around her. He never felt this way for a girl before.
She was nice to him and not dissing him like she usually does. He really liked
that feeling. Kyung Hee gently placed his arm into a cast.
“There,” she said. “All better.”
“You know,” said Sung Hoon softly. “Everyone says kisses make boo-boos
feel better and go away.”
When Kyung Hee was nursing Sung Hoon, she developed a liking for him and his
nice body was a good addition. “Really?” she asked skeptically. “I don’t
believe you.”
“Why don’t you test it out then?” he challenged her smiling.
“Maybe I will,” she said, flirting back. “Where does it hurt?”
Sung Hoon pointed to his knee. Kyung Hee kissed it. Then he pointed to his hand.
She kissed it too. Slowly he pointed to his forehead, which she also kissed. He
worked his way down to his nose. Kyung Hee couldn’t help but laugh as she
kissed his nose lightly. Sung Hoon’s nose was broken.
Then he pointed to his lips. Kyung Hee was about to kiss it lightly but then
Sung Hoon held onto her tightly to deepen the kiss. Kyung Hee felt drawn to him
so she didn’t push him away. He turned her over so she lie down on his bed,
with him on top of her.
His
hand went under the back of her shirt and he stopped there. Kyung Hee continued
kissing him and ran her fingers through his hair. Since she wasn’t stopping
him, he was about to continue when…
*knock knock*
‘I’m going to kill that person,’ thought Sung Hoon as he broke off the
kiss. “Yeah? What is it?” he yelled.
“Matthew wants all of us to go down to the dining room for a meeting,” said
Ji Yong.
“Okay, I’ll be there in 5 minutes!” Sung Hoon yelled back. When he heard
footsteps of Ji Yong leaving, he kissed Kyung Hee once more. “Sorry honey, I
have to go but I’ll be right back.” Kyung Hee nodded and helped him into his
clothes.
Part
31
“Order SechsKies!” yelled Ji Won.
“Ooh, ooh,” said Jae Duc. “I want some kimbab!”
Ji Won glared at him. Jae Duc shuts up. “Now I want to talk to all of you
about Min Sung. He’s only been here for a few months but he had saved my life
twice and not to mention, Sung Hoon’s.” Sung Hoon slapped Min Sung on the
back and smiled.
“Now,” continued Ji Won. “What do you want Min Sung? A car, money, women?
Tell us and it’s yours.”
“Yeah,” said Sung Hoon. “Just name it buddy and it’s yours.”
I thought about it for a while. The only thing I wanted was Ji Won but I
couldn’t say that. Since he was suspecting me so much there was only one thing
I should ask for. “I want a woman,” I told them. They all opened their
mouths in shock.
“Alright Min Sung, you dog!” yelled Sung Hoon, breaking the silence. “At
least you’re proving to us that you’re a man now!”
“Okay,” said Ji Won slowly. “Who’s the girl?”
“So Kyung Hee,” I announced.
I saw Sung Hoon’s smiling face turn mad.
“Who do you want?” Sung Hoon asked me in disbelief.
I repeated myself. “So Kyung Hee.”
Sung Hoon grabbed me by the collar of my shirt. “Out of all the girls you
could have picked, why her?” he yelled at me. I knew Sung Hoon liked Kyung Hee
but Kyung Hee was the only person that could help me.
“I
happen to like her too,” I answered him. “Besides, you all said I can have
anything I want, and I want Kyung Hee.”
“He’s right,” said Ji Won softly. “We can’t go back on our words.”
Ji Won clapped his hands for attention. “So Kyung Hee now belongs to Ahn Min
Sung. Anyone from SechsKies who touches her, the penalty is death.”
Su Won and Ji Yong had to hold Sung Hoon back from attacking me. “I thought
you were my friend!” he yelled as they took him away. I sighed and headed for
my room.
Ji Won looked at Min Sung as he was walking away. “Min Sung.”
“Yes hyung?”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“Yes hyung. I’ve never been more sure in my life.” Then Min Sung left.
When I made it back into my room, Kyung Hee was in there waiting for me. “What
the hell is going on?” she asked me. I knew it was time to tell her my story.
When I finished, she was bawling like a baby. I handed her a tissue.
“Th..that is s..so..romantic,” Kyung Hee said, sobbing.
I patted her head as she leaned on me. “No, it’s not.”
“So you’re not going to tell Ji Won who you really are?”
I shook my head. “It wouldn’t matter anyways.”
“How do you know? If he knows you’re still alive, who knows? He might fall
in love with you.”
“Maybe,” I began slowly. “But then he’d love me out of pity and not out
of love. I don’t want that.”
“Oh.” Kyung Hee stared at the floor. “I wonder if Mickey really likes
me.”
“What?!” I asked in surprise.
She looked at me sheepishly. “Oh, I forgot to tell you that Mickey and I are
beginning to fall for each other.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t have a chance to. Besides, it just happened.”
“I’m sorry Kyung Hee.”
“It’s okay,” she said as she hugged me. “We’ll just have to put our
little romance on hold for a while. You’re more important.”
“No, I’ll go tell—“
My words were cut off by my lack of air. This time my attack was worser than it
ever had been before. Kyung Hee stared at me frightened.
“Mina!
What’s happening?”
“C..can’t
breathe…” I managed to say. She lifted me up.
“Come on, I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Don’t let the others see me,” I said to her before I collapsed into total
darkness.
Part
32
Slowly
I began to open my eyes. I closed them instantly because the light reflecting me
was so bright. ‘Am I on the other side?’ I wondered. I managed to squint my
eyes open.
I
found myself strapped to a pulse racer machine and an IV fluid was hooked up to
me. I started to look around my room. I was in a hospital and I saw that my door
was open slightly ajar. Then I heard 2 voices talking and I began to eavesdrop.
“It’s a miracle that she’s still alive,” said the doctor.
“Is she going to be okay?” Kyung Hee asked him.
“Well, according to these test results, her heart will expire any time now. We
need to get her a heart transplant soon because she’s past overdue for 2 years
already. I made some calls and there is a matching donor for her in England.”
“I’ll have to talk to her about it.”
“Please do,” said the doctor. “It’s her only hope of living.”
Kyung Hee slowly entered my room. She stared at me with wide eyes. “You heard
everything Mina?”
I
nodded my head weakly and took the air respirator off my mouth. “You can tell
him to forget about it. I’m not going to England for a couple of months to get
surgery.”
Kyung Hee ran over and shook me. “Mina, are you crazy? You have to or you’ll
die.”
“No,” I told her stubbornly. “It was so hard for me to find Ji Won and I
won’t let go of him just like that.”
Kyung Hee began to cry. “I don’t want you to die though.”
I looked at her sadly. “You’re a good friend Kyung Hee. I know you’ll be
the perfect girl for Sung Hoon.” I yanked the IV tube off my arm. “Come on.
Let’s go home.”
A little over a month later….
My heart condition began to grow worse. My attacks became more frequently and
undetected. It would happen during odd times like when I’m showering or having
dinner with the SechsKies guys. Luckily Kyung Hee was always there by my side to
cover for me.
Sung
Hoon hated me. I can tell by the way he acts. He probably thinks that Kyung Hee
really likes Ahn Min Sung (that’s me). What he doesn’t know is Kyung Hee
truly does love him and it breaks her heart seeing him go out with other girls.
I think he’s doing that to make her jealous.
As for Ji Won, he began to grow distant towards me. He wouldn’t talk to me
much and he’s been depressed about something lately. I wish I could know what
was bothering him because it hurts me to see him sad like that.
Secrets
are definitely hard to keep. Especially ones that you have to cover everyday. I
should have known that my disguise and heart attacks would be exposed soon but
it just came to me unexpectedly…
Part
33
June 15, 1999
Ji Won was in his depressed state again. There was this empty void inside him
that he couldn’t erase. It was a recurring pain that never seemed to end. He
felt lonely.
Whenever
he sees Min Sung and Kyung Hee together, it disturbs him. He could’t figure
out what it was but he kept finding something wrong with the picture. Then a
knock came on his door.
“Come
in,” he said, without bothering to see who it was.
I entered Ji Won’s room holding a tray of food. Now these days since he was in
his isolated stage, he didn’t eat much anymore. I was beginning to worry. I
didn’t have much time left with him so I wanted to take care of him the best I
could with the time I still had left.
“Hyung?
Are you hungry? I brought you some food.”
Ji Won turned around to see who it was. It was Min Sung. “Just put it down.”
Min Sung placed it down before Ji Won. Ramyun, mee-yuk-gook, rice, and curry.
‘How does he know I like these food?’ Ji Won thought. “Take it away I
don’t want it.”
“But hyung, you haven’t eaten for days. Please eat a little bit.”
“I said take it away!” Ji Won yelled, his anger exploding. He knocked over
the tray of food. It ended up spilling all over Min Sung. Ji Won and Min Sung
stared at each other. Neither of them knew what to say. Min Sung leaned over to
clean up the spilled food and then left.
Ji
Won fell back in his chair. He ran his hands through his hair frustrated. Min
Sung was too much like Mina that it was driving him crazy. Ji Won knew he was
out of line though, so he began to walk to Min Sung’s room to apologize.
’What a mess’, I thought as I stripped out of my clothes. I soaked myself
into a hot water bath, hoping it could wash away all my troubles. When I was
done with my bath, I wrapped myself up in a towel and got out of the tub. Then I
heard my room door open and then close.
‘Must
be Kyung Hee’, I thought as I began to put my clothes on.
Ji Won entered Min Sung’s room, not knowing what to say. He wasn’t good at
apologizing. He looked around and didn’t see Min Sung anywhere. Then he heard
the sound of water draining. He figured Min Sung must be in the bathroom.
Ji
Won opened the door slightly and saw Min Sung’s bare back. He shuts the door
quietly and began to leave. He planned to apologize later but then his mind
began to sort out what he had just seen. Min Sung’s back had an ‘E’ on it.
Ji Won breaks the open the door to the bathroom.
I was buttoning up my long sleeve shirt when my door suddenly opened. I stared
at Ji Won in shock but then remembered I wasn’t completely dressed yet. I
buttoned up the remaining buttons and then faced him.
“Hyung!”
I said surprised. “What are you doing here?” I caught Ji Won looking down at
my shirt. I had buttoned it all wrong and a great deal of my body was showing.
Oh hell, I thought. “Hyung, I can explain-“ I began to tell him but I never
had a chance to.
Ji Won stared at Min Sung’s exposed body. Without thinking, he ripped open Min
Sung’s shirt finding that Min Sung was indeed a woman. Min Sung stood still,
stunned at what Ji Won had just did. He turned Min Sung’s back to him. There
it was. His ‘E.’
“M...Mina?”
he asked uncertainly, afraid to hope.
I didn’t know what I was more embarrassed from. Letting Ji Won expose me or
being caught. In all my life I had never been angry at Ji Won but I didn’t
know why I reacted impulsively. As I held my shirt together, I slapped Ji Won
across the face hard with my other hand. His head snapped to the side. He held
his cheeks as he turned to face me.
“How
could you do this to me Ji Won?” I asked him screaming. “Get out! Get
out!” I started to push him out the door.
Ji Won was in shock. Mina, he thought. He grabbed her arms as she pushed him
out. “Mina, don’t! Is it really you?”
I glared at him. As if he knew, Ji Won took off his jacket and puts it around my
shoulders. I zipped it up, covering myself. “Yes Ji Won, it is me Mina.”
“But I thought you were dead.”
“I didn’t die. I faked my death.”
“Why?”
“So I could go to Korea.”
“You came all the way from Hawaii to find me? Why didn’t you just tell me
who you are?”
Ji Won looked at Mina, who had tears coming out of her eyes. He was about to
brush them off for her but then Mina pushed his hand away.
“That’s
the only way I could do to be with you. Join SechsKies.” Ji Won stared at Mina
as she continued talking. “After you left me all alone in Hawaii, my life
became so miserable. Not because of my stepmom, but because of you. I finally
found a way to leave Hawaii to find you. I was so happy when I thought about how
I could see you again. I thought—“
Ji Won began to feel a rush of mixed emotions. Mina’s words made him sad but
seeing her alive in front of him, made him want to hold onto her and never let
her go. He paused to let her continue.
"—I
thought that we could be together like we were….oppa and dongsang in Hawaii.
But obviously, I was wrong. You had all those girls around you that you’ve
completely forgotten about me.”
Ji Won felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. Each one of Mina’s words
stabbed him like a knife. “Mina, you don’t understand. I—“ Mina didn’t
wait for his explanation and ran. Ji Won chased after her.
“Mina!” he yelled as he chased her out of the hotel.
“Hyung,” said Su Won as he saw Ji Won ran by him. Ji Won pushed him out of
the way.
Kyung Hee ran up to the 5 Kies. “What happened?”
Su Won shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Ji Won was chasing Min Sung
and kept screaming Mina.”
Kyung Hee stumbled back and Sung Hoon caught her. ‘Oh no, poor Mina,’ she
thought. She turned around to see Sung Hoon looking at her sadly. Kyung Hee
moved close to him and held onto him tight. Neither one of them lets go.
Part
34
June 16, 1999
It was 3 a.m. and Ji Won had lost Mina. As he chased her down the streets he
lost track of where she ran off to. “Mina!” he continued shouting. His cries
echoed throughout the streets. A lot of people heard him yelling. So did the
Black Dragons.
Tae Won silently crept behind Ji Won. Ji Won was all alone. Tae Won gave an evil
smile. He had a plan. He and his sidekick began to set up a trap for Ji Won,
which they knew he would fall for.
“Mina!”
I
covered my ears. I didn’t want to hear Ji Won’s voice. I was so confused.
All I ever wanted was to be with Ji Won but now it’s all complicated. I leaned
back against the alley wall. I needed time to think.
Ji Won ran through the alleys as he continued searching for Mina. Then he ran
into Tae Won. Out of the darkness, Tae Won stepped out. “Looking for
someone?” he asked.
“Yeah,” said Ji Won, glaring at him. “I’m looking for Min Sung.”
“The punk that stabbed me?” Tae Won asked furiously.
“Yeah.”
“I got him.”
“You do?” Ji Won asked surprised. “Hand him over!”
“There he is,” said Tae Won, pointing to a figure up ahead. From the back it
did look like Min Sung but little did Ji Won know that it was all a setup.
“Mina?” Ji Won whispered as he approached the person. It was a Black Dragon
member. He grabbed a hold of Ji Won around the neck and began shooting Ji Won
continually in the stomach.
I looked out from where I was hiding when I heard gunshots. “Ji Won!” I
screamed as I ran out from where I hid. My scream threw the Black Dragon member
off guard. Seeing his chance, Ji Won grabbed the gun from him and shot him in
the head. He fell to the floor dead. Tae Won started to run away but Ji Won
aimed a shot directly at his heart. Tae Won fell down dead too.
Ji Won looked at me and then collapsed to the cold ground. He wasn’t able to
hold on any longer. Rain began to pour.
“Ji
Won!” I screamed, shaking him.
He
was still breathing but barely. I lifted Ji Won up on my back and carried him to
a nearby hospital. The rain drenched us and it grew hard for me to carry him
because of the weight. However, I managed to make it. They rushed him into the
emergency room.
Four
hours later, the doctor came out.
“How is he?” I asked as I ran up to him.
“He was shot 4 times in the stomach region. As you know, a person needs at
least one kidney to survive but both of his are destroyed. Unless we can find a
donor, he’ll have to die.”
“Give him mine,” I told the doctor right away.
“Are you sure?” I nodded my head. “Because of your heart condition, if we
have this operation that means you can die instantly during the transfer.”
I nodded my head again. “I understand. Please let’s have the operation
now.”
They tested me and luckily I was compatible with Ji Won. Six hours later the
surgery was completed. It’s a miracle that I’m still alive. I knew not for
long though.
I woke up finding myself in a hospital bed with Ji Won on a bed next to me. He
was still in a coma. I got out of bed and went near him. I stroked his hair
gently as I bent down to kiss him.
“I
love you Ji Won,” I whispered to him. Then I left the room, going to the last
place I wanted to be.
Part
35
Ji Won began to wake up. He looked around and realized he was in a hospital
room. Slowly his door began to open and the rest of SechsKies entered his room.
“Hyung?”
asked Sung Hoon. “Are you okay?”
Ji
Won nodded his head weakly as he pulled himself up. “I’m okay now.”
Jae Jin walked over to his bedside. “We’re so sorry Matthew hyung. We
didn’t know what happened until this morning. We got revenge for you though
when we wiped out the entire Black Dragon hideout.”
“It’s okay,” he told them softly as they all bowed down.
Then a knock came to his door. The doctor came in. “Oh good, you’re
awake,” he said.
Ji Won looked at him. “Thanks for saving me Doc.”
“No need to thank me. Your girlfriend is the one who saved your life.”
Ji Won began to panic. “What did she do?”
“She could have gotten a chance to go to England to get a heart transplant but
she decided to stay to give you her kidney instead.”
“The girl…where is she?” he asked frantically.
The doctor looked around the room. “She was supposed to be in here—“ Ji
Won got out of bed and ran out of the room, leaving everyone staring after him.
“Hyung!”
all the 5 Kies shouted but Ji Won had already left. He ran searching for Mina.
He knew where she went.
Part
36
June 17, 1999
’Please let Ji Won be okay’, I prayed to myself silently. Hopefully my
prayers will be answered. So is this the end? My heart never changed because it
was still the same one I loved Ji Won with. I couldn’t bear the thought of
trading it with someone else. I was so confused. Had I finished what I had
really come for? What will happen to my love for Ji Won? I didn’t know these
answers.
I felt weaker and my pen fell from my fingers. I stopped my story right there.
Truth is, I didn’t know how to end it so I might as well leave it unfinished.
I took off my cap and clothes. I was wearing a long white flowing dress
underneath. It was the kind I always wanted to wear when I thought I was going
to marry Ji Won.
My hair had grown out a little bit. It grazed my chin. I started to put on some
light make up and combed my hair. I don’t know why I’m getting dressed up
for but I knew I wanted to die looking like Nam Mina, and not Ahn Min Sung. I
looked at my reflection again. ‘At least I look like a girl now’, I thought
with a little laugh.
When I was done, I leaned against the hard rock and wrapped my arms around it,
pretending it was Ji Won. Then I heard a voice yelling out my name. “Mina!”
I recognized the voice. Ji Won. I smiled, knowing at least he’ll be the last
person I’ll see before I go.
Ji Won looked around the beach and saw a figure in a white dress. ‘Mina,’ he
thought as he ran towards her. It was Mina. He lifted her into his arms and onto
his lap as he sat down on the rocks. “Mina,” he whispered to her and kissed
her on the neck and face. Tears began to fall down his face.
All of my energy seemed to have been drained as I forced myself to open my eyes.
My face felt wet but it wasn’t from my tears and it wasn’t raining either.
My vision was kind of blurred and I couldn’t see Ji Won too well. I reached up
to touch his face. It was wet. “Ji Won,” I whispered to him. “Please
don’t cry. You’re scaring me. I’ve never seen you cry before.”
Ji Won looked down at Mina, through his tear-filled eyes. “I’m so sorry
Mina.”
“Don’t
say you’re sorry,” she whispered back to him. “You’ve done nothing
wrong.”
Ji
Won shook his head. “I’m so sorry. You’ve done so much for me and I
haven’t even realized it. I haven’t done anything for you except put you
through a lot of pain.”
I reached up wipe away Ji Won’s tears. “I didn’t expect anything back from
you oppa. But I want to know why did you leave me in Hawaii? I could have called
the wedding off if you didn’t want to marry me.” I felt Ji Won’s grip on
me tighten.
“I didn’t mean to leave you Mina,” answered Ji Won, his voice shaking.
“I couldn’t take my dad anymore. My grandpa had given me his inheritance and
I planned on taking you and Sung Hoon with me. I didn’t tell you about it
because I was afraid you wouldn’t leave your family for me. When I came to
your house to get you, my uncle’s men were there waiting for me and chased me
to the docks. I escaped but I wanted to go back but couldn’t. I could have put
your life in danger. This isn’t the first time I’ve cried Mina. I cried when
I knew I was going to be separated from you.”
Despite the pain, I managed to smile. Ji Won didn’t want to leave me, I
thought. “Look Ji Wonee, I’m wearing the dress I always wanted to wear if we
had gotten married.”
Ji
Won looked at me. “You’re beautiful Mina,” he said to me. “If everything
would have gone as planned, we could have been married here in Korea.”
One thing was still bothering me. I think I managed to hold onto my life this
long because of this question. “Ji Wonee, do you love me? I mean romantically,
and not as your dongsang.”
Ji Won looked down at Mina. She was beautiful. His heart ached when he saw how
pale she was. He realized she never did know that he had loved her all along.
“Yes, Mina,” he told her. “I loved you since the first day we met. I loved
you then and I had never stopped loving you.” He bent down to kiss her.
My heart was deepened to a warm bliss. Ji Won said he loved me, I told myself as
I felt him kiss me. Then a cold realization washed over me but I didn’t really
care. I always thought that I was hurt when I didn’t receive Ji Won’s love.
Instead, I found out my pain came from when I didn’t give Ji Won enough love.
I haven’t told Ji Won I loved him yet.
“Ji Won,” I said to him as he looked down at me. “Thank you for making my
dream come true by saying that you love me. I know you’re lying and just
saying it to repay me but you didn’t have to. I did it all because I—I—“
I was losing my voice. Not now, please, I prayed as tears fell down my face. I
need to tell him before I go. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the white
marble stone Ji Won had given to me when I was Min Sung. I pointed towards the
ocean to make Ji Won look. I threw the stone with all my remaining strength. It
skipped 3 times.
‘Perfect,’
I thought as I closed my eyes for the last time.
As Ji Won listened to what Mina was saying, he was stunned still. He couldn’t
believe his ears. She thought he was saying he loved her as payment of what she
had done for him. More tears fell down his face as he shook his head. Then when
Mina pointed out to the ocean, Ji Won saw her throw the stone he had given her.
It
skipped 3 times. I love you.
Ji
Won smiled, knowing that Mina loved him too. He had known that she had loved him
all along but she never told it to him either. “Mina, you don’t understand.
I do love you!” he shouted. Then Ji Won looked down at her. She had passed on.
“Mina?”
He
shook her gently. Her body was still and completely lifeless. “Mina!” he
screamed in pain. He held onto her tightly, burying his face into her neck. He
was crying so loudly and painfully that both their bodies shook.
Sung Hoon and the others finally made it to where Ji Won and Mina was. They
circled Ji Won, who was bent over holding someone they couldn’t see.
“Hyung,”
said Sung Hoon as he put his hand on Ji Won’s shoulder. “Are you okay?
Where’s Min Sung?”
Ji
Won lifted his head up and Sung Hoon saw who Ji Won was holding. He fell back
into the sand shocked.
“M…Mina?”
he asked in disbelief.
“Mina?” the others repeated.
“Min Sung is Mina?” asked Ji Yong.
Ji Won nodded his head. “She dressed up as a guy to join SechsKies to be with
me.”
“You’re right, Mickey. Mina did love Matthew hyung,” said Jae Duc quietly.
Sung Hoon got up and hugged both Ji Won’s and Mina’s bodies tightly.
“Why?” he asked crying. Everyone remained silent. Ji Won shook his head. He
moved away from Sung Hoon and turned to face all of them.
“SechsKies
is my family. You guys are all like my brothers. Please be my witness as I make
this promise to Mina.” They nodded their heads sadly and listened.
“Mina,” Ji Won began. “When you were alive, I was never able to tell you
that I loved you. Now that you’re gone, you don’t believe I love you. Even
though I never showed you the kind of love you wanted me to, it doesn’t mean I
didn’t love you with all I have.” Ji Won paused and yanked off the ring
around his necklace. “With SechsKies here as my witnesses, I, Eun Ji Won, take
Nam Mina as my wife ‘til eternity. I have nothing to give you Mina except my
heart, which belonged to you from the first day we met.”
He kissed her lips as he slipped on the ring. The others watched him in silence.
They were surprised when because of all the time Ji Won had been their leader,
he had never used his real name Ji Won before. They knew he was serious. When it
was over, Ji Won lifted Mina up into his arms as he stood up.
“As
your leader, I have a final announcement to make. I am quitting SechsKies.”
“What?” they all asked in disbelief.
“Hyung,” said Su Won. “Please reconsider.”
Ji Won shook his head. “This is the second time Mina left me. I really can’t
go on as your leader. The person I loved the most is taken away from me too soon
and she died not knowing that I truly do love her.”
The others understood what Ji Won meant. Jae Jin walked up to Ji Won. “What do
you plan to do then Matthew?”
“I don’t know,” he answered. I’ll be somewhere where I’ll always be
with Mina and constantly remind her that I love her. And as for SechsKies, with
all the money and businesses we have, I don’t see any reason why we have to
commit any more crimes. We each have enough money to spend for the rest of our
lives already.”
They all nodded.
Ji Won placed a hand on Sung Hoon’s shoulder. “Sung Hoon,” said Ji Won.
“Yes hyung?” asked Sung Hoon. “If you do love Kyung Hee, tell her before
it’s too late.”
Sung Hoon nodded. “I will.”
Ji Won looked at his 5 brothers for the last time. “This final meeting of
SechsKies is now adjourned. I wish you all the best and hope you do find your
true love because I have. Good bye.”
Ji Won picked up Mina’s book and scribbled something into it. When he was
done, he placed it down back on the rock. Then Ji Won lifted Mina’s body up
into his arms as he walked away.
“Hyung!” shouted Sung Hoon. “Where are you going?”
Ji Won continued walking and didn’t answer him. The 5 Kies watched their
leader walk towards the sunset carrying his bride and disappeared. They picked
up the book to see what Ji Won had written. The last entry of Mina’s story
was,
“True love never has an ending.”