It was almost midnight and Kim Tae Min had not returned. I paced around in his study, pinching my finger nails and tapping my thighs.

I called his phone over and over but he did not pick up. I left the study and put on my shoes ready to leave the house in search for him.
I stared at the front door completely confused.

“Pree?!” Eun Ji called.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and walked towards me in a pair of flip flops and pyjamas.

“What are you doing here?” She asked.

If there was anyone who could help me, it was Lee Eun Ji.

I told her everything that had happened and she called Mr Park who informed us that Tae Min was in his father’s house.

At the sound of the word ‘father’, I felt relief but I saw fear in Eun Ji’s eyes. No. It was worse than fear. She quivered in cold sweat.

“Eun Ji what’s wrong?” I asked.

“He shouldn’t be there. Why did he go there?”

“What’s wrong Eun Ji? Who shouldn’t be where?”

“Brother Tae Min. He shouldn’t be in father’s house. He’ll get hurt again.” Eun Ji began to whimper.

“Again? What do you mean again?!” I asked but Eun Ji did not answer. Her words became hard to read between tears.

“Get dressed. We’re leaving.” I said. Bravery bloomed within me again.

“What?”

“We’re going to get your brother.” I said.

Eun Ji got dressed and after a call, we got into a taxi. In a few minutes we arrived at the mansion of Lee Jun Ho. Kim Tae Min’s stepfather.

The taxi stopped at a U-turn next to Lee Jun Ho’s mansion. I wanted to make sure we were not seen. I got out of the taxi and turned to Eun Ji, who sat still. The poor thing quaked in fear and I was about to find out why.

“Are you sure you want to stay here?” I asked.

“Yes, please. I’m sorry but father can’t know I brought you here.” She said.

“It’s alright. I’ll do my best to stay out of his sight. I’ll look for your brother and if I can’t find him, I’ll take you home.” I said.

I walked with my arms folded tightly. The summer blessed earth with heat but the air felt chilly that night.

I was a few steps from the huge gate at the Lee Jun Ho’s home when I halted my steps at the sight of a black limousine and five men.

Four of the men were arrayed in suits. They looked like body guards.

The fifth man was dressed in a jeorgori and baji which completed the male hanbok look. It was weird that he was so traditional in twenty first century. Still, the sight of a hanbok gave me joy.

The man in the traditional attire held a Gurkha Royal Courtesan cigar in his right hand and kept his balance with a walking stick on his left. His hair though black, shone grey at its ends. He looked like one in his fifties. I presumed he was Kim Tae Min’s step-father.

I moved closer and kept my presence hidden as I strutted quickly behind parked cars near Lee Jun Ho’s home. I got close enough until I could hear and see everything that transpired at the gate of the luxurious mansion.

I squinted at an object on the floor next to Lee Jun Ho. It was a human. He bowed and his head was between his knees.

Lee Jun Ho kicked the human and he screamed. He kicked the human’s abdomen repeatedly and planted bruises with his walking stick. The human screamed louder.

I looked around.

It seemed the neighbourhood feared Lee Jun Ho. No one did anything. All doors and windows remained shut. The courage within me turned to steel and anger boiled within my bones. I despised oppression.

Two of the men in suit took turns punching and kicking the human on the ground. He resisted for a while and struggled to stand. He threw a few punches in the air, but his balance failed him and soon he was on all fours. He grunted and cursed.

I knew that voice.

A cheetah’s heels could not compare to how fast my heart raced. Fear hugged me in its horrifying grip.

“No. It can’t be.” I muttered.

My denial became useless when I saw the human’s face clearly.

It was Kim Tae Min.

The valour I cherished disappeared in a flash and my lower limbs failed me. I lay my weight on one of the parked cars. Sorrow ate through my nerves and I became weak at the sight of the bruises on Kim Tae Min’s face.

“You bastard! You always deny my help but the minute that girl gets a threat letter, you come crawling like a spineless idiot!” Lee Jun Ho cursed in Korean.

“You got yourself into trouble with that gang. Get yourself out! Don’t drag that girl into your mess! Your life’s already useless as it is and you’ve got the guts to keep that girl in Korea with my money? My money?! You son of a…”

Lee Jun Ho continued his hateful speech while he threw slaps at Kim Tae Min.

I bit down on my lower lip and pinched my thighs until they turned red. My heart sunk at the scene before me but what hurt me the most was my knowledge of the situation. The girl Lee Jun Ho referred to was me. In hateful summary, I was the reason Tae Min was ridiculed. I hated myself for it.

I did my best to conjure up courage, but after a brief contemplation on Lee Jun Ho’s status and Tae Min’s vulnerability, I took a few steps backwards and turned. I counted three hesitant steps and after an outpour of tears, I ran.

Eun Ji was fast asleep and I remained in Tae Min’s study anxious about his return like a worried wife.

I hated myself for taking off when he was in trouble and comforting him was the only thing I could do.

I heard the front door open and I decided to wait. It was best to let him be for a while or so I thought until I heard glasses break.

My limbs shook. I ran to the origin of the dreadful sound and opened a door to one of the rooms. I almost dropped at the sight before me.

Next to an empty oval-shaped mirror frame, glass was shattered on the tile floor in pieces and next to it a broken flower vase had its content displaced with tulips partly buried in its ruins.

Kim Tae Min stared at me, eyes wide open and pupils dilated. A white substance decorated his nostrils and his upper lips. The white powder settled on a dressing table in a short line next to a pack of cigarettes and an old ash tray. His face was bruised and blood dripped from cuts on his hands.

My heart ached more and I placed my hand over my mouth in an attempt to stop painful tears. I squeezed on the satin night dress I wore.

So this was Kim Tae Min, the twenty four year old epitome of fashion and music in the Kpop industry. The idol who had a smile fans always recognized. In a few months I had seen his pain by a fraction and the thought of the travails he must have gone through since his debut at the age of sixteen, sent a sting across my chest.

“Pree…I…” He stuttered in guilt.

I took in a deep breath and like one gone mad I grabbed him by an arm and led him to the large living room in the house.

I took a flash drive from one of my handbags and turned on the TV in the room. I sat next to Tae Min and with tools I found in a medical kit, I applied first aid to his bruises.

Kim Tae Min and I stared at the TV and watched a slideshow of photographs I had taken. The pictures were captured moments of the time Tae Min and I had spent in Korea.

In the midst of smiles and beautiful scenery, songs from Tae Min’s favourite playlist echoed in the sitting room. It was the only way I could get his mind off the tragedy in our midst.

“He’s been that way since my mother died.” He said.

“Who?”

“Lee Jun Ho, my stepfather. He married my mom when I was ten. My mom was the founder of the Percy Stone gaming company and the YooJin agency until she fell sick when I turned fourteen. She was an American. She was the prettiest blonde with beautiful green eyes.” Tae Min continued.

I was not sure what to do. I was not sure if Tae Min’s sudden confession was an aftermath of the cocaine he sniffed. I was unsure of quite a number of things but I decided to be the ears Kim Tae Min could pour his heart to. It had been a role sealed by fate since the first time we met at the Banpo Bridge and I was satisfied with it.

Tae Min told his story and I was grateful for that. The details came with sadness but I paid close attention.

Kim Tae Min’s mother was adopted by politicians for the sake of societal approval. Hurt by the fact that she was just a tool in a political game, Judy Stone, Tae Min’s mother left America for South Korea.

She was encouraged to leave by her first love, Kim Min Hyuk whom she met in college, while in America.

The couple moved to Seoul and Min Hyuk helped Judy start up the billion-dollar worth company, Percy Stone as well as the YooJin agency. He was Kim Tae Min’s biological father but he died in a car accident the day Tae Min was born.

Due to loneliness, Judy Stone was swayed by the money grubber Lee Jun Ho, whom she married. Lee Jun Ho’s true colours came to light after Judy was diagnosed with cancer.

She noticed this and in desperation to protect her son, Judy wrote a will to have all she owned given to Tae Min when he turned eighteen. Lee Jun Ho knew of Judy’s plan and by the power of financial influence, he got rid of a good number of lawyers associated with the will. The few lawyers left, fled Korea and others kept their lips shut.

Lee Jun Ho bought the loyalty of members of the board in Judy’s company. Shortly after Judy Stone’s death, Lee Jun Ho was appointed CEO of Percy Stone and its affiliates. He tried to keep Tae Min out of the business, by signing him with the YooJin Agency.

Tears were held back behind my eyelids. I did not want them to fall for Kim Tae Min’s sake but I felt pity for him and it overwhelmed me. Still he did his best to smile while he spoke.

“Every penny I earn goes to Lee Jun Ho. It’s his way of being cautious. If I have no money, I have no power and if I have no power, I won’t be able to fight him. So I decided to save up when I made my debut while pretending to lack interest in Percy Stone. I did my best but depression got the best of me. I turned to drugs and always found myself bankrupt. Lee Jun Ho knows about my debts and the gang but honestly its music to his ears. Since he can’t kill me with his hands, the gang’s a sweet deal to him.” Kim Tae Min laughed.

“The only person who’s helped me is Mr Park. He was loyal to my mother and I. He was our butler but eventually became my manager. He’s my eyes and ears at the Percy Stone Company. Lee Jun Ho thinks Mr Park is on his side but he’s such a fool. Mr Park would never give Lee Jun Ho my entire earnings. He’s saved some over the years and we almost have enough to fight back. Mr Park has also built connections with a few of mother’s friends and lawyers who are willing to help me.”

“Lee Eun Ji, though my step sister, has always been by my side too. She even got beat up by her father severally for standing up for me. And now there’s you. You’ve been the reason for my smile these past few months and with you around I haven’t turned to narcotics like I used to. You’re my distraction and as much as I’d like to let you go, I can’t. I’m a selfish bastard. I have amazing people willing to help me but look at me…I’m a total mess. Lee Jun Ho was right. Mother would be so disappointed at me. I’m useless!” Tae Min’s eyes held anger while he spoke.

I tightened my grip on his hands and led him to his study. I turned on the stereo and put my arms around him.

“How about a dance?” I asked.

“Now?”

“Yes.”

Without an argument Tae Min and I began to take short steps to the left and right while caressed in a hug.

“Your mother loved you and that I’m sure. If she was here, she won’t care about your flaws. She’ll want her son to be happy and so do I. So be selfish. Let me be your distraction for as long as you want. Let Mr Park and Eun Ji be by your side for as long as they need to. Don’t push us away. Being with you is our choice. Not because, you’re useless but because we care about you.” I said.

I stood still and so did he. I placed my hands on his cheeks and forced a smile.

“If there’s any selfish person here, it’s me. I know staying here costs you more and it hurts my family’s pride as well. I’m supposed to be engaged to Rajesh Singh by now but I threw it all away because I’m that selfish. I know my actions have their consequences but I choose to do them because I want to. I’m not by your side because you want me to be, I’m here because I want to be. It’s my choice. I’m here for one selfish reason and that’s to see you smile without a mask on remember? So let me be your distraction. As long as it makes you happy, I’m okay with it. You’ll get through this. I’ll help you get through it. It’s okay because you can lean on me.” I said brewing confidence while scared of the new feeling I had that seemed more than a crush.

I buried my head in Tae Min’s chest and we moved again. His chin sat on my hair and I felt tear drops pat my scalp. I let the tears pour on the strands of black on my head, knowing I was more than just a fan. I was Kim Tae Min’s selfish distraction and he was mine.

Word Count ; 2495

AUTHOR'S NOTE;

Dear Readers,

Thank you for checking out 'Dear Kim'. I've been truly blessed by your beautiful comments and your reactions have been priceless.

Well 'Dear Kim' has reached the bridge of '15,000 - 20,000' words. This doesn't mean it'll stop here. Expect more drama-filled chapters soon.

For now;

1) How has reading this story been for you so far?

2) What characters would you like to see in upcoming chapters? 

3) Who's your favorite character so far and why? 

4) If you could choose any place to be from the sights mentioned in this book, where would that be?

5) After reading this book to this point, what's your new wish with regards to the scenes that have unfolded?

Let me know what you think in the comments. Feel free to tag other readers and start up conversations.

From a writer's grateful heart. I thank you.

-Love, Chiddy (지 디) ❤