After the three days trip with my loved ones, I couldn't stop smiling to myself. Even now as I leisurely sipping on my hot mocha latte, my mind unconsciously rewound to the sentimental moment of watching a cinematic film with everyone in the living room.

The moment was filled with endless laughter as we watched the projector rolled out the footage of my past life. The haunted house. Yoongi and Kumamon. The night in the clinic where everyone looked exhausted and wounded. The Masquerade Ball. The cockroach prank. The Big Bang's concert. BigHit's audition trip. The BigHit's anniversary. Ice skating, and lastly, the Lotte World night.

Every moment was so beautiful that I teared up a little as I watched the credit—Golden Closet Film, Director JK. Editor JK. Director of Photography JK—rolled up at the end.

During midnight when all the elders were asleep, we all stayed up and talked as if there were no tomorrow. I just smiled and listened to all of them quietly as they reminisced on graduation day, all their birthdays that I'd missed, and their training and debut days. I also learned Suzy worked as a physician in her parents' hospital, while Soojung worked as a fashion designer in her mother's company.

"Some guys tried to snatch my purse when I was walking in the parking basement one night," Soojung suddenly told her tale in her company, making every eye look at her in surprise, "But the weird thing was, a mysterious guy appeared and beat the guys up, and the next thing I knew, they were all tied up and the security came to my rescue."

As though a similar thing happened to her, Suzy slapped Soojung's thighs urgently. "Was he wearing a hoodie over a white cap?"

"OMG. Yes!" A few voices agreed, including the boys. Now everyone was piqued with interest.

"I was exhausted during the night shift and almost fainted, but someone managed to catch me. Until today, I'm still not sure who did that," Suzy said.

"I was trying to eat mochi ice cream but it almost slipped and fell on the ground. It's so weird when I blinked, the mochi was already in my mouth," Jimin said seriously, but it seemed like none of them believed him.

"I almost got hit by the barbell in the gym. But when I opened my eyes, it was already safely placed in its position." Jungkook hummed in wonder.

"It's Kai," I said.

When I looked up, everyone was already looking at me with a frown. I took a deep breath, knowing that I owed them an explanation. Also, knowing very well the said mysterious man would not utter a word about this no matter how many times I convinced him to.

"I hope you guys can stop hating him... Four years ago, I was the one who made Kai promise to me that he will protect my loved ones." I let out a soft smile and looked at all of them sincerely. "Before the explosion, he wanted to rescue me so badly, but I stopped him and reminded him of his promise. Being the man he is, he didn't have much choice but to oblige."

From inside of the pension, I could see a figure through the white curtains. The warm night light cast a shadow on his guarded stance, his hand pressing into his earpiece.

"Kai is a good man. I hope you guys can forgive him..."

It was as if he heard his name being called, through the gap of the curtains, he looked over at me, serious at first, but slowly, his gaze turned into warm ones.

And he smiled.

There he is, the mysterious knight in shining armor.

"Jinhee, you don't have to do this, you know..."

Jasper's voice snapped me out of my dreamland. We were in Incheon Airport, waiting to see off my ex-boyfriend. Seeing how I had emptied my coffee cup, I was sure Ray Carlton was taking his sweet time with his airport fashion.

"I feel like I need to, oppa." I shook my head and smiled at him. "Besides, it might be the last time that we see each other. So, it's better to end it on a good note."

"Jasper." A familiar voice called behind Jasper.

I could see Ray, wearing a black turtleneck and black shades. They talked for a while and when he noticed me there, his eyes rounded in surprise.

"M-Mia..." He rubbed his neck almost awkwardly and removed his shades. "I didn't know you were going to be here... Look, I'm-"

Slap!

Both men in front of me looked awestruck for a moment. Jasper blinked a few times and tilted his head, as if questioning which part of this meant 'end on a good note'. While Ray looked hurt as he forced out a smirk.

"I deserve that," he admitted and hung his head low, his grey eyes swirling with guilt that I almost pitied him again. "I'll accept your anger, Mia. I know how much you hate me right now–"

"I don't hate you, Ray," I said, reaching out and gently caressed his left cheek that I'd slapped. For a second, Ray flinched and looked dumbfounded with my sudden change of character.

"I don't regret meeting you, either. Never that," I continued and smiled a little. "You've been a good boyfriend towards me, always loving and protecting me. I wanted to thank you for that."

While holding onto my hand that was cupping his face, Ray just listened to me quietly and nodded. I think he knew what I was trying to do.

"For a long time, I felt something was missing inside me. I wasn't sure what it was, and I didn't know where to find it. But I guess the upper power always has a plan of its own, and it led me here, to where I truly belong."

Ray closed his eyes and exhaled, trying his best to listen to every word coming from me, even if it slowly killed him inside.

"I decided to let Kwon Mia go because I have finally found me, my real self here, Ray." I looked at him with a meaningful gaze and smiled. "And maybe, it's time for you to let her go too."

Upon hearing those words, I watched how his grey eyes turned glassy. For a moment, he buried his face in my small hand. His shoulder shook with emotion, so I pulled him closer and embraced him.

"You are a blessing to me, Mia." His voice cracked with emotion, and I felt my heart lurched at hearing such sincerity from him. "Please take care of yourself here. I'll always love you."

We slowly parted from the hug and Ray kissed me one last time on the cheek before he walked away to the departure gate.

It was all silence on the drive back home. Probably Jasper was trying to give me some space to process the whole thing. But I also noticed he kept turning his head to check on me.

"Oppa, I'm fine." I chuckled and finally faced him.

"I've got to say that's very kind of you, lil sis. I'm not sure if he even deserves a good closure like that." Jasper shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"Everyone makes mistakes, oppa," I said, staring out at the window and sighed. "Despite everything that he'd done, he was still there when I was feeling lost two years ago. I was so imperfect, but he still loved me. Maybe that's why I just couldn't bring myself to hate him."

"I guess you are right," Jasper chuckled, as though he remembered something funny about Ray, "he's still a good friend of mine."

"He said I was a blessing to him..." I whispered to myself in wonder.

"You are a blessing to everyone, Jinhee. . ." Jasper glanced at me with a kind smile. "Which is why initially I had the intention to kidnap you to our villa and have a good dinner. But then, I know Chang Wook will kill me for sure."

I laughed when Jasper dramatically rounded his eyes in fear and made a right turn to Yongsan Tower to drop me off.

"Alright, we are here. Send my regards to your parents, Jinhee."

"Thanks for the ride, oppa," I said, hugging him and stepping out of the car as he dropped me off at the lobby entrance. "Say hi to mom and dad for me. Tell them I'll surely come and visit next week!"

Jasper nodded happily and waved me goodbye. I could see he waited until I was gone from his sight and only then he drove off.

I hummed pleasantly as I wondered what my mother would be making for dinner. Excitement filled inside me as I walked towards the mailbox hall and collected all the letters before taking the elevator. I flipped through the letters to see if there were any letters for me. Most of them were for Chang Wook.

And surprisingly, there was one for me.

Pulling my brows together, I frowned as I stared at the letter that looked rather hideous with my name written on it in red bold color. It didn't even have any specific address.

How'd it end up here then? 

Curious, I quickly tore open the letter and noticed how all the words were written in red color as well. A sick feeling gripped my stomach.

Dear Jinhee,

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

Yours truly,
Ki Joon

"O-Our last memory? Ki Joon?"

The specific name exploded in my mind like a hand grenade and sent me reeling into a state of panic. I shut my eyes as the familiar pain struck again, this time reverberated even stronger in my being as an infectious wave of formless nostalgia suddenly swept in. I watched how the carousel of past memories flashed past like a theater scene in the dark canvas of my mind. There were my parents, my childhood, the boys, my best friends...

And the night how Ki Joon managed to escape from the abandoned factory.

By the time the intense memories were done replaying, I clutched onto my chest as I felt my breath shortening by every second.

I remembered everything now.

"Eomma! Eomma!" I shouted in pain as I dragged myself to my apartment when I literally felt myself lose power with every nerve in my body. I quickly punched in the passcode and pushed open the door using my shoulder.

"Eomma-"

"Welcome back, princess." A dark, rough voice greeted me.

A sudden cold chill instantly enveloped my body. I truly recognized that voice that was covered with much malice and evil. With a huge glut in my throat, I slowly looked up and met his soul-shrinking, abyss-black eyes.

He put a hand on top of his chest, faking an emotion. "Aw, I know, sweetheart. I missed you too," he cooed and grinned widely. Crazily.

I wanted to move and lunge at the psycho. But I couldn't. Because his other hand was...

Holding me captive at gunpoint.

A U T H O R ' S N O T E

hello my readers,
I hope everyone is doing well.
I'm sorry for the long wait, almost a year, I guess? I tried to find some time to write, and only now I could finish this chapter as I just started working from home.

Anyway, I'll try to write as much as I can. There are only five chapters left. Might as well just finishes it off, right?

Tap the star and leave a feedback.
Thank you for reading
🌹

Much love,
ℓynie

»»———— ♡ ————««

T E A S E R

❝I have kept my promise to you four years ago.
And now, it's time for you to keep yours.❞