"Hey, princess. Wake up."

I felt a few soft taps on my lap and a velvety brush against my cheek. Shifting in the seat, I let out a groan as my eyelids still felt heavy from my deep slumber.

"You're drooling."

My eyes instantly flew open and I touched my chin to check if it's true, but when I felt nothing wet, I turned to look at Taehyung and frowned at him.

"We are here, c'mon." He chuckled, warm brown eyes lit up in amusement as he offered me a hand to step out of the car.

Still quite dazed, I took his hand and quietly followed his lead. As we walked, I felt the morning light melted against my skin, and beneath my foot was the sound of crispy leaves.

I slowly opened my eyes, and welcoming my view was a picturesque canvas of nature that left me astounded. The autumn has taken its pirouette, donning the trees and trimmed bushes around us in a collage of scarlet and gold color.

"Taehyung, this place is so beautiful." I breathed out in awe, completely captivated by the vibrant nature surrounding us.

"We're in Gapyeong. Let's spend a few days here and heal our souls with nature, alright?" he said, his brown eyes admiring the blossoms of flaming foliage.

"So, we will be staying at this pension? Just the two of us?" I asked, motioning to the semi-attached pension before us in disbelief. It almost looked like Rapunzel's tower.

The landed property was tall, huge, and looked cozy with its wooden elements. One look from the outside, it cast a natural feel that brought instant comfort. I could already imagine myself wrapped with a warm blanket while munching on roasted sweet potatoes.

"I wish, baby girl. I wish..."

I looked at Taehyung with questioning eyes when his expression turned bored, his lips tugged into a forced smirk.

"Jinhee, yo!"

"Noona, you're here!"

"Our little bunny has finally arrived!"

It was as if similar to the scene of a flock of birds speeding down to the sight of food, Hoseok, Jungkook, and Jimin rushed towards my side and ushered me into the family pension.

At that second, I managed to catch the annoyance painted across Taehyung's face. He looked like he was so fed up as he watched me disappearing into the pension.

As I entered the pension, my jaw instantly dropped in surprise when I saw the decorations around the living room. There were heart-shaped balloons with a mixed color of pink and white, flower petals, and gold alphabet balloons attached on the wall saying...

'WE LOVE YOU, JINHEE'.

"Tadaaa!" The boys sang out cheerfully while whistling and popping confetti.

I cupped a hand over my mouth, my throat felt swollen to say anything. I hadn't even regained from the initial shock, so when I saw that one sweet phrase, my heart squeezed so hard that I couldn't help bursting into tears again.

"Ah, noona, don't cry..."

As tears blurred my vision, I couldn't see what was happening, but I knew I was engulfed in Jungkook's embrace. Then Jimin and Hoseok joined the hugs.

"Jinhee-ah, we are trying to make you happy. Why are you crying? Now I feel like crying too..." Hoseok sobbed jokingly, and I laughed at this.

"D-did you guys plan all this?" I sniffed, yet a happy smile formed on my face.

"Yeah, we heard from Taehyung what happened yesterday..." Jimin stepped forward and gently caressed my tears away, "so, we all wanted to be here for you."

"We're sorry for not telling you the truth, noona..." Jungkook said, his black eyes pooled with a hint of guilt. "We just don't want you to get hurt again with what happened in the past."

It took me a while to process everything as my mind was reeling. I had to admit it was still hard for me to swallow down the bitter pill. Silently, I was still doubting my existence there. I still had that itching second thought whenever I was reminded of the ugly truths.

But that was until I felt a familiar hand interlaced perfectly with mine. I turned to my side and saw Taehyung gazing at me. His deep brown eyes speaking to me, softly, intimately, and suddenly, my world was all a-light again.

Suddenly, I knew where I truly belonged.

"It's okay. I understand," I said, smiling warmly at the boys. "I know you guys were trying to protect me, so I'd like to thank you guys for that." I ruffled Jungkook's hair, and with that, his bunny smile lit up his face again.

I figured that it must have been hard for them to keep this secret away from me for the past months. As much as it hurts to learn of the truth, it's not easy to just reveal it out either, especially when they had witnessed how it crushed my heart to the core four years ago.

"Where's Namjoon, Jin and Yoongi oppa? I don't see them around." My eyes searched around for others, but they were nowhere in sight.

"Ah, they went out to buy some ingredients at the Minimart," Hoseok explained, his hand directed towards the kitchen where some empty boxes were laying on the floor. They were probably just done with organizing the food supplies. "I think they'll be back in an hour or so. In the meantime, Jinhee-ah, let's explore this place!"

"Wait, there's something I'd like to ask," I said, making the boys who bounced with great enthusiasm paused and looked at me with rounded eyes.

"Ray told me something weird, something like you guys went to Jasper's apartment yesterday?"

Suddenly, there was an abrupt silence in the room. I noticed their eyes enlarged by an inch, then their failed attempts to keep their facial expression neutral.

"By any chance, did you guys meet up with my brother behind my back?" I continued querying with crossed arms.

This time, they exchanged looks with each other. By the minutes passed, Hoseok's ears had turned bright red, Jimin tried to make a blank face while averting his eyes everywhere else, Jungkook kept blinking his eyes hoping that it'd make him look innocent, while Taehyung was admiring the chandelier hung on the ceiling like it was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.

"Oh, there's blueberry cupcakes!" Jungkook was the first one to flee from the scene with his long legs.

"Jiminie, let's play table tennis with me!" Hoseok and Jimin darted in the opposite direction with arms draped around each other's shoulder.

And with that, it left Taehyung and me alone in the festive living room.

"Well?" I crossed my arms and perked a brow at Taehyung who was still playing dumb. He let out a sheepish smile, probably trying to distract me but I just looked at him with calm seriousness.

"Jinhee!"

I turned around and was surprised to see Chang Wook emerged from the other side of the tower. A knot of worries scudded across his expression as he was fast-approaching me. It took a moment for me to recognize him because he'd always dress up in business attire, so when he appeared in casual attire, I had to take a double look.

"I'm so glad that you're alright, I was worried sick about you!" He crushed me into a hug that knocked the wind out of me. Then he withdrew and examined my face carefully. "Wait, were you crying?"

"Hyung!" Taehyung suddenly cut in and pulled Chang Wook into an awkward, brotherly hug. "It's nice seeing you, you look great!"

It was such a strange sight, but it did not last long because Chang Wook shot him with a 'what the hell' look and recoiled away.

"Jinhee-ah, I'm sure your brother can enlighten you with your inquiry," Taehyung addressed courteously as he extended a graceful hand towards my brother.

Chang Wook who was glaring at Taehyung for interrupting our siblings' moment suddenly looked confused. "Huh? About what?"

"It's my cue to go, Jungkook is calling me." Taehyung smiled and quickly waved goodbye to both of us. I rolled my eyes. Obviously, I didn't hear anyone calling out his name.

Now, my gaze landed on the new suspect, my patience was running thin. "Oppa," I began with a sweet smile.

My brother's eyes brightened up, probably it had to do with me calling him oppa instead of 'Chang Wook-ssi'. "Yes, my dear sister, do you need anything? Take a rest, I will bring some–" he paused when I shook my head, still with a smile intact on my face.

"I just need to know..." I fixed his t-shirt collar and brushed off the air on his shoulder, asking him in the most calming tone. "Did you meet with Jasper yesterday?"

Upon hearing my particular inquiry, Chang Wook, who always had authentic feelings and reactions, suddenly stiffened up before me. I could have sworn I heard an involuntary gasp escape his mouth as he took a step back in panic.

There was a brief minute where he muttered something incoherent under his breath before he looked at me and sighed, his demeanor turned serious.

"Yes, I went to his place yesterday," Chang Wook finally confessed, tucking his hands in his pockets and looking straight at me. "As your biological brother, I need clarification from him regarding what's happened to you four years ago and why you suddenly became part of someone else's family."

For a long moment, I kept my silence as my heart plunged at hearing Chang Wook's words. But I tried to understand his perspective. I knew being an overprotective brother as he was, he had all the right to confront Jasper and demand for answers. After all, his beloved sister had gone missing not just for four days, but four years. I understand all that. I really did.

But I couldn't fathom why it hurt to learn about this. Was it because they'd invaded my perfect little bubble with the Kwon family—and now that it'd burst, the only thing left lingered was nothing but fear and loneliness? I looked up at my brother to say something, but strangely he looked back at me in panic.

"J-Jinhee, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to hurt you," he said, holding onto my arms apologetically. My vision suddenly turned blurry, and only then I realized I was tearing up again. "I should've asked you first before doing anything stupid. I'm so sorry. But if you're worried about Jasper, I didn't hurt him at all. I can–"

"Oppa, I'm fine..." I said softly, stopping him from rambling on. Then I mustered up a smile and dropped my head a little. "I just wish that I was invited too. I missed Jasper a lot..."

My voice broke at my last word. It had been three months since I last saw Jasper. I didn't know why my heart would always swell with emotion at the thought of Jasper. Maybe because he's been a really kind and loving brother to me. I also knew Chang Wook wouldn't hurt him. Knowing Jasper, he'd try to discuss matters eloquently and deter any argument from happening. That's Kwon Jasper, a man that I truly respect and proud of.

Okay, maybe I just feel homesick.

"Did someone say she missed me?"

I froze in my spot, my heartbeat rushed beyond me as I heard that familiar voice. It can't be... With a heavy feeling in my stomach, I slowly turned around to the source of the voice. And there, I saw Jasper breezed out from the other tower, a trace of amusement painted across his face as he approached me.

My tongue-tied into ten thousand knots when I saw my mom and dad also trailed along behind Jasper. Their expression alight with such warmth and longing when they saw me, and I knew this was where my guilt trip would begin.

"Hey, lil sis. God, I miss you," Jasper whispered as he gently pulled me in and buried me deep into his chest.

"Oppa, Mom, Dad... I'm so sorry about Mia... Please forgive me..." I shook my head and squeezed my eyes shut the entire time. I couldn't think of anything. I just found myself apologizing endlessly as tears gushed out and soaked my cheeks.

At that moment, I just felt like running away and hid somewhere else because I still didn't dare to face them. But I guessed Jasper knew me well enough, and that's why he was quick to secure me in his embrace.

"Hey, hey. Shush... I understand how you feel, but it's not your fault, alright? Please, I don't wanna see you hurting like this, lil sis. It breaks my heart..." Jasper's voice trembled emotionally as he kissed the top of my head. "We promised that we'll help you through everything, remember? No matter what happens, we'll stay with you."

There was a moment of silence as it took a whole of me to recover from my tearful breakdown. I slowly pulled away from the hug and looked up, and there, I saw the Kwon family flashed me heart-warming smiles. I was momentarily stunned, because of the way they looked at me, it was as though they were still treating me like their own daughter.

"Aigoo, my daughter is such a crybaby." My mom smiled sweetly at me and ruffled my head. "Have you had breakfast? Do you want pancakes?"

I looked around and everyone was smiling happily at me. Then I looked at my mom again and nodded quietly. I still felt guilty, of course. But then, at the same time, it reminded me of the old days back in New York where everything just seemed perfect—a blissful kind of contentment.

"Unnie, let me help you out too," said a soft voice that I truly recognized. I turned around and was surprised to see my mother and father appeared in the room too.

"Eomma, appa..." I greeted my biological parents despite feeling lost by the situation. My father was still sick, so Chang Wook aided him towards me. Unnie? Does that mean they've met each other before I arrived?

"How are you, my dear?" Mother asked kindly as she wiped away the leftover tears on my cheeks. I closed my eyes and held her hand, shuddering against her warmth. "Oh my... Your eyes are so red. Son, did you make your little sister cry again?"

Chang Wook looked startled for a moment. His eyes widened in a funny way that I couldn't help laughing a little.

"Eomma, I'm fine. Chang Wook oppa didn't do anything wrong..." I said, covering up for my brother who's rubbing his neck in a guilty stance now. Mother was probably reprimanding him for mentioning the Kwon family like an outsider a moment ago.

"I just want you to know that we'll respect any decision that you'd make. If you feel comfortable with the Kwon family around, you can stay at their house. If you feel like spending the time with our family, we'll always welcome you," Mother muttered softly as she continued caressing my cheeks, so tender, that I was overwhelmed with emotions again.

I instantly embraced her, and she patted my back, gently consoling me. "I love you, eomma..."

"I love you too, my daughter..." she whispered, and I could feel my mother smiled so wide against my cheek.

Back then, I thought I was standing at a crossroads and had to make a choice. But who'd have thought, in the sudden twist of fate, the end of the roads had miraculously connected, and now I was blessed with two beautiful families by my side.

"Yah Kim Namjoon! How can you break the door handle? This can't be the surprise that you meant, right?"

"I didn't mean to! Give me a break, babe."

Suddenly, it sounded like there was a commotion at the entrance. All of us turned around to find out what had happened. And as though they could sense the dramatic scene had ended, the four boys who managed to slip away reappeared into the room again with wide grins across their faces.

"I bet they'll faint once they see her."

"I bet they'll cry their hearts out."

The boys whispered to each other with amusing looks, while I stood there, couldn't pinpoint what they were talking about. I think I heard Namjoon's voice, and then, there were unfamiliar sweet voices. Their footsteps were nearing as they talked along the hallway.

"Aw, somehow I missed seeing you guys bickering back and forth like this. Might as well get a room tonight, Soojung-ah."

"What? You can't be serious. After all these years, I still can't believe–"

When they'd reached the end of the living room, it was as though they saw something horrifying in front of them, they stopped talking and became paralyzed for a moment.

"Oh my God."

"Jinhee-yah..."

They called me, and I looked at them, nonplussed. Their features looked bewildered to find my presence there as they subconsciously dropped the groceries bags onto the floor and covered their mouths.

"T-Taehyung, what-how?" The girl who's wearing a baby blue knitted sweater with beautiful long hair stared at the boys with a confusing gaze.

"It's a long story... But we finally found her."

"Is she r-really our J-Jinhee?" The other girl with short brown hair was already in tears as she looked at me in appall.

"Yes, our one and only." Taehyung smiled down at me and slightly brought me forward so that the girls could stare at me for as long as they wanted.

"Oh my God..."

"I can't believe this..."

Then they pulled me into a hug and cried their hearts out. I let a moment pass so that they could take their time to process my presence there. Even though they disappeared from the far depths of my memories, I still found the need to return their hugs because just like others, they seemed to be heartbroken over my disappearance too.

"This is Soojung and Suzy, your best friends during high school," Taehyung said to me, probably he noticed my questioning eyes. I looked back at the girls in slight surprise as I didn't expect I'd have any friends in my past life. They once existed in the hole within my heart?

"Wait," Soojung paused with furrowed brows. "Why are you explaining things to her? I mean, of course, she'd recognize us. We are her best friends."

"Yeah, Tae. Jinhee is not that forgetful," Suzy chuckled a little as she pulled away from the hug and looked at me.

For a moment, their eyes shone in anticipation, as though waiting for me to support their statement. But I only looked around the circle and spoke through my eyes with the boys. So, who'd like to do the honor this time?

Namjoon seemed to understand me wordlessly, so he took a step forward towards the girls. "Um, girls. There's something you'd know about Jinhee..."

The girls turned their attention towards the leader with brows squished together, looking curious more than ever. "What that we didn't know?"

Namjoon huffed a sigh before he finally let the cat out of the bag. "Jinhee has amnesia. So, she doesn't remember anything about us."

There was a long moment of silence where the girls looked utterly shocked by the news. Their eyes widened as they slowly looked at me in disbelief.

"Oppa, is it true?" Suzy asked Jin for confirmation. With reluctance in his eyes, Jin slowly nodded and sighed.

Suzy touched the base of her neck and walked over to the red sofa to support her weight. Suddenly, she looked so vulnerable, so Jin quickly came to her side to comfort her.

"Is this the reason why you didn't tell me about her? Because she doesn't remember us at all?" Soojung said in a broken voice, her eyes watered again as she looked at Namjoon with a pained look.

"Soojung-ah, I know how much you love her... I just don't want you to get hurt again," Namjoon embraced her in and reassured her. "But as her best friend, you deserve to know everything. So I decided to tell you and hope that we can help her to remember during this trip."

At that moment, it was such a strange sight to see Jin and Namjoon being so close to other girls. But I couldn't help smiling while looking at the couples. They seemed like they'd gone through a lot as great affection tinted genuinely in their eyes.

"Breakfast is ready, kids. Let's not cry on an empty stomach," My mom chimed in as she brought two plates of pancakes in her hand, beaming us a meaningful smile. My mother followed behind her as she brought more food to the table.

The boys cheered loudly, as though they'd just won an award and scurried to the backyard of the pension. Before I knew, everyone gathered around the table, talking, offering more food and drinks, and laughing as they reminisced about the good time. The weather was good too. With the magnificent view of the green mountain in the backdrop, somehow the moment with my loved ones felt so surreal, it's like a beautiful fairytale that I wished it would never end.

● ● ●

It was near midnight as I found myself sitting on the wooden swing in front of the pension and marveled upon the night sky in silent awe. The night lamp around the premises provided my surroundings with a warm ambiance. I wrapped my knitted cardigan closer as I took in the freshly calm air with that hint of an earthly aroma.

"Hey."

I looked up, and my face instantly broke into a smile as I recognized my boyfriend.

"Hey," I said. He passed me a mug of hot chocolate, and I thanked him.

I shifted over so that he could sit beside me, and in the silence of the night, the wooden swing squeaked a little as it bore the weight of the two of us. I looked at Taehyung and saw him opening up a canned drink in his hand, producing a hissing sound.

"Tae, why do you have Red Bull with you?" I asked, looking at him in wonder. Taehyung took the first sip, a secretive smirk slowly spread across his lips.

"Because tonight..." he said in a slow manner, deep brown eyes gleamed with hidden meaning, "...will be the night that we..."

"Tae, stop." I slapped his arm, causing him to burst out in laughter. I could feel my cheeks burned up as I knew what he truly meant.

"I thought that is what you wanted this morning," he drawled out, still teasing me with his smile.

"Not when my families are here," I said, tilting my head to the pension. "Besides, your room is in another tower."

"That's not a problem, babe." He chuckled and whispered in my ear, "Just say the word, and I'd do whatever it takes to sneak into your room tonight."

"Not. Gonna. Happen," I enunciated with a firm look, and with that, Taehyung finally nodded in defeat.

There was a tranquil silence as we both leisurely sipped on our drinks. The whisking winds fluttered the autumn leaves in slow grace, and I could feel Taehyung's warmth as he moved closer and circled his arms around me.

"I finally get to spend some time with you. I'm so upset when everyone keeps taking you away from me," he said, and I laughed as I could hear a pout in his voice.

It was the truth because the girls kept bombarding me with questions. Then there were my Kwon family and Kim family who tried to untangle some unresolved matters. Lastly, the boys who wouldn't stop dragging me everywhere they go that I had to check if my limbs were still attached.

"Aw, do you miss me that much?"

"So much I can kiss you all night." He bent down and kissed my cheeks multiple times.

"Taehyung, stop! They'll hear us." I whisper-yelled at him.

When we both peeked behind and saw someone turned on their light, Taehyung quickly ducked down and made me lay down on the swing. Now he was on top of me. I couldn't seem to think about anything as his dark eyes lingered on mine, hypnotizing every sense in my being.

Oh Lord, help.

"Hold on for a few minutes. I don't want this to end just yet." His dark hair fell in waves across his forehead as he leaned closer, and I was sure he could hear the crazy thrums of my heart.

"How was your day, princess?"

I was caught off guard by his sudden inquiry. Taehyung's face softened into a gentle smile, and I let out a chuckle as the situation seemed too hilarious to me because we were whispering to each other in such a strange position.

"It was a beautiful day," I said genuinely, nonetheless. "I never thought I'd experience something like this."

"This?" His eyes traveled down to our position playfully, and I slapped his chest again, causing Taehyung to have a hard time to bite back a laugh.

"Thank you for everything that you've done for me, Tae. There were many times you can just give up on me, but you didn't," I said, caressing his cheek affectionately.

At that moment, his expressive face changed and became almost somber. His scintillating eyes settled on me authentically. "How can I give up when you're the only one for me, Jinhee? There's no one else. It's only you who makes sense."

He gently wrapped his hand around mine and kissed it. "And we all know fate is always on our side, so for the last time, please save the effort of running away from me, got it? You're forever mine."

"Got it," I nodded obediently with eyes crinkled in happiness.

"I'm forever yours."

A u t h o r ' s  N o t e

A long chapter filled with sweet moments from all the characters in ELS. Soojung and Suzy finally made their appearance. There will be more best friends' moments, don't worry. Also, intimate moments had to wait 🤪

Thoughts on this chapter?

I have a surprise for next chapter as well. I could say, it's a BIG one. So stay tuned!

Thank you for reading, lovelies
🌹

Much love,
ℓynie

»»————  ♡  ————««

T E A S E R

"Once you've remembered our last memory,
I will find you, my love."