"It really doesn't hurt anymore?" She asks, tracing lightly around the outline of the healing scar in between his shoulder and chest.

Jungkook shook his head, still trying to recover his steady breathing from the passionate back-to-back love-making they just shared. It's been a long time coming, and it was beautiful. She was glowingly beautiful. Her very presence brings healing medicines for his broken self. 

With Lisa laying on top - covering half of his body with hers - he embraces the possibilities that this might work and it might last. Before, everything he does revolves around making her happy - fulfilling what he thought would be better for her. And now...now he wants it for himself too. 

Because the way she touched him made his existence required. Because her happiness is him, he can feel it in her every kiss. She is his shelter in any storm - the golden illumination of the sun, bringing his soul to life. 

I thought I've been fine on my own before...and now I wouldn't know how to live if she's not with me. 

"I love you. So much...more than anything in this world,"

She shifts her head to look up at his face. "Is this post-sex confession time?" Her big, round eyes reflect that of innocence and he can't help but sigh a laugh. 

"Yes...I'm trying to sweet-talk you -"

"That's what people do before sex...not after," She rolled her eyes.

"Apparently I'm so fucking hot that I didn't need to do it," He teased and felt her body froze. "I'm sorry. I know I'm not like most people, and I know I took a long time to get here -"

"Tell me bout it. I thought I was a sex-addict for always trying to seduce you before you finally made the move," 

He laughs again at her sarcasm. "I thought you wanted a gentleman. But yes...I didn't know a lot of things -"

"There wasn't anything specific except for you! Just you - however you are - it's because it's you. Stop assuming things," She showed her frustration with a slap that landed just above his wound. Jungkook winced slightly and she gasped. "I'm sorry!"

Fuck - she's so cute!!

He smiled and with the overwhelming love in his chest, he tightened his grip around her body. "It doesn't hurt. That was me begging for my girlfriend's pity," 

"Can I ask you something?"

"I hold no secrets anymore," He chuckled. "Of course you can, baby," 

"You mentioned that you learned how to fight when you were young..." He waits patiently, reeling in the soft touch of her index finger playing on his chest. "...was it on purpose...when I met you that night? I'm sorry - I just recalled on our first meet, when we had coffee -"

It's amazing how she remembered! "That's um...it's sort of my way of coping with what I did. Like...I felt like the biggest sinner...and I wanted to feel like I'm redeeming myself over the killings. It's just what I did after a job is done - I'd purposely get myself beaten so I won't feel like shit over what I had done. I just needed to feel something,"

"Does it work?"

"Only for a time...they never last long. Lisa -" He shifts a little so he can face her with all honesty, hoping that she can at least see a small hint of it. "The way my mind works back then...was different than how you know me. I kept to myself all the while cus I didn't have anyone to talk to. So I'm used to only hearing my own reasonings and I battle with it - for so long, I only had myself to talk to. I lived in complete darkness...until I met you,"

Her eyes are glistening but he caught the small smile.

"In my mind, the women I've known and met were people-pleasers. Eomma...she was constantly afraid of appa Kim. She spent her days making sure everything was right and good enough for him. But it never was. Still, she tried her best till the very end. Never fought back - not even once. You asked me before - on our first date, you asked about my 'girlfriends'. The women I slept with were those I met at bars, when I'm drinking off my guilt. There were many names that I used - none of them had ever called me by my own and none of them ever saw me again. They were simply pleasing me, the way they thought I'd prefer,"

"I never asked for more. I never thought I deserved more. But then you showed up. You turned my world upside down that night. You were so persistent and determined - I swear I've never met any girl as brave as you, who's willing to take the risk of putting a complete, bloody stranger in your car. I hope you'll never do that again too -"

"I sensed you couldn't hurt me," Her smile grew - cheekily even - that it hurts.

"But I could. I really could. I didn't lie when I said I was fine. It was the pain I'm used to - they couldn't hurt me more than how I let them. I bet it never crossed your mind that the person you helped was a professional hitman," He cocks an eyebrow to emphasize and she pouts. Jungkook felt his chest tightened at the thought of all the things that could've gone wrong to her that night - if it wasn't him in the car but someone else.

"There's a whole different world happening around you...but you didn't know it. I was in that world and I didn't like what I saw. Lives can be bought and taken over so easily. And you'd read it on the news as if it's just another day, not knowing that it happened right under your nose. No...I didn't like it at all. And the thought of someone else - another hitman or another pervert - being in that car with you is just..." He sighed, shaking his head. "...I can't. I can't and I don't wanna imagine it -"

"Hey...it's okay. I'm safe now...because it was you,"

Jungkook nods slowly, staring at her as if he's hypnotized by her assurance. "You were so beautiful when I first saw you...I honestly thought I was imagining it! There I was, broken and bruised...and you came to help with all your perfection. I wanted to kiss you that night,"

"I would've slapped you," They both laughed. 

"That's exactly what I thought! Now..." He took a deep breath. "I promised you...no more secrets. So I have to tell you," She frowned when he bit his lips - feeling nervous all of a sudden. "I kinda stalked you a little to find out who you were,"

Jungkook held his grip tighter around her waist - just in case she tries to pull herself away, but she didn't. Instead, she snuggled in his neck closer. 

"I kinda figured it out. I had one month to think about you, you know," She chuckled. "But thank you...for saying it out loud,"

In this moment, he felt as if all his 'life-long' plans had stopped. It's no longer hiding himself in the comfort and quiet of his house here in Jeju. The cafe - as happy as he is with it - had turned into a single dot in his mind. Mrs Kim's appearance back in his life had turned more into a compliment rather than a focus. It's as if his soul has stopped its search for what felt like forever. 

It's the simplest thing for him now - with her eyes and her voice. It's her touch and her sexy confidence to take what no other could ever dream. Lisa had painted him into life. She's been keeping him shielded and protecting him from brutality. He had hurt her several times, yet here she is - still in his arms, kissing him and loving him as if he's her only hope. 

I'll never trade her for no other. I will die a thousand deaths, just for her. 

...

Lisa taps her fingers resting on her thighs while staring out at the open sky. A lot of things are running in her mind, but they can be concluded into a box of 'my future'. It's really unexpected how quickly she grew to enjoy being in Jeju. Yes, she could definitely picture herself staying there for longer than just a week from now on. 

The cafe had started growing its customers. The evenings are more peaceful and quiet so Jungkook decided to cut their operation hours to an hour earlier. They had spent the last 2 remaining days on walks and bike rides by the beach and she felt so calm that she almost forgot that it's time to go back.

Leo would love it there...he'd have all those grass and plants to play around with. Maybe I should get another cat so he'd have friends to play with when I bring him here? 

Lisa begins memorizing what she needs to pack when she gets back home as it seems to calm her down a little. Definitely more clothes...Leo and his stuff...her camera - definitely! She should ask her friends to visit - they'd have a good time there! 

Mom and dad should take a trip too - although I might have to book an extra room with them so they won't make a fuss about me sleeping with Jungkook! Aish...nights without Jungkook would be depressing...

She turns to face the seat behind, where Mrs Kim is sitting calmly and patiently. Then she saw Jungkook's hand coming from behind her, placing a cup of hot chocolate on his mother's tray table. He takes such good care of his mother...no one could've known that it's the same guy who had ruthlessly made his living by killing others.

The idea seems more and more absurd to her - even if it is indeed, a fact. Jungkook was a paid assassin. Was...not anymore. Not since he's met her. Well, the guy at the warehouse is a different story because they're criminals - but other than that, he vowed that there was none. And she chose to believe him.

It was just not something she can see. Not in his character, in the way he treats Soobin or the customers - the guy doesn't even get angry! It's probably because no one's angered him yet - but the point is, that he isn't that heartless, monstrous killer he thought he was. She knew that from the very first night she heard his confession.

The problem now is...will her father thinks the same? It came out as a shock to her that her father had spoken to Jungkook more in the last 7 days than he did with her, to a point that he invited Jungkook to the family's home the same time Lisa is coming back. And now she's nervous about what entails upon this request.

Dad knows about Jungkook's past - will he ask him to stay away? Is he going to give an ultimatum now? He's been close with Jungkook - he probably likes him as a person...but dad's a man of justice, can he accept Jungkook as the love of her life? Will he find him being a good enough man to take care of me?

She wasn't sure what's going to happen and it scares her. And the fact that Jungkook seemed so calm and unbothered by it scares her even more because what if her father does, in fact, ask him to stay away and he agrees? Jungkook - as she understands so well by experience at this point - has always been looking out for what he thinks is best for her, so what if he agrees that it'll be better if he's out of the picture?

I will scratch his eyeballs out if he does - that's for sure! There's no way I'm gonna let him leave me again after what we've been through!! There's just no way - no fucking way I'm gonna sit back and let him decide - not again!!

Her thoughts had her unconsciously biting her lips and forming a fist. Tears started pooling in her eyes at the prospect of losing him again, and she takes another deep breath to calm herself down. The sky is so blue and pretty...how I wish it could last!

...

Their house is big and homey. He remembers walking past the two living rooms with big and plush sofas, flower vases around and on the coffee tables looked as if they're freshly cut and placed, and framed pictures hanged on the walls. It looked just as how he pictured a family-house should feel like. 

The man in front of him is still silent - drinking his tea while fixing his eyes on his daughter's hand in Jungkook's own. He knew this is coming...he's probably processing the fact that they're now in front of him, that's all. Yeah...that's probably all...

Jungkook wasn't sure why he suddenly felt nervous. He was confident enough when they left the house in Jeju and all the way here. He even threw a laugh or two before he left his mother with Mrs Manoban in the dining room earlier, but somehow now, the air had shifted. 

Is it because he's sitting here, in a confined space of Marco's office with the serious shades of brown in its serious-looking furniture? Or is it the fact that Marco had switched his mannerisms from the friendly, welcoming host to a moody, inspecting officer? He's still figuring that part out.

"So...this thing between you two...it's really serious?" 

Why is he asking this? All this while...does it not look serious enough for him to be asking this?? I risked jail-time and my life for his daughter - was it not serious enough?? I've been updating him on my whereabouts, asking him how his daughter's been, calling him every damn day to tell him what and how Lisa is doing in Jeju - are those not enough?

He felt Lisa's trembling fingers and he wasn't sure why it upsets him, so he answered a firm 'yes'. Marco shifts his eyes to his daughter.

"Lili?" 

"Yes, daddy," Her voice is small, and she's looking down as if she's scared of the man. Who can blame her - of course she's scared! Damn it - I should've known better - is he gonna break us up?? Does she feel that way -

"The reason I'm asking is that...well, I know you two have very strong feelings for each other, but I have plans for my daughter," From the corner of his eyes, Jungkook noticed Lisa looking up. "You're supposed to further your studies in Canada, remember?"

"Daddy, I don't wanna go! Not anymore -" Her words are stopped when Marco held a hand up. 

Okay...this is not how I imagined this trip would be! I thought he asked me to come visit to get to know the family...why else would he ask me to bring eomma??

"Jungkook-ssi, I'd like to hear from you. What is your plan involving my daughter now that you know she'll be going off?"

Jungkook saw the hint of smirk on Marco's face. Oh...is this what he meant when he said 'be clear to her' in that phone call 3 days ago? I thought he only wanted me to show how much I love her but okay -

"Sir, I would like to marry your daughter," He didn't know where this bravery came from, but it's essentially and desperately needed. He's been thinking of ways on how and when to propose to her, but none of them involved muttering out in front of her father. 

The trembling stopped and he felt Lisa's eyes now on him. Taking a deep breath, he firmed the grip on her hand. This is it...it's do or die...

"I would like to marry your daughter..." He emphasized again. "...if she finds me worthy enough. If you - and hopefully, her - can give me some time, I'll do whatever it takes to give her the wedding she wants. Then I'll go to Canada - or wherever you want her to go - as her husband, and I'll take good care of her,"

Marco lifts a hand and rests it on his chin - his eyes never leaving Jungkook's, gauging the younger's sincerity. "How much time?"

"If she agrees, I just need another 4 months. Just after winter ends. My cafe is running well, and I've already started investing in properties. I can marry her tomorrow if she wants me to, but I would like to ensure my businesses are handled well if I were to leave it here,"

"And if I can't give you 3 months?"

Jungkook sighed a smile. "I'm still gonna marry her one day. And by now, you should know that I'll find my way to still go to Canada and be with her. I just won't be her husband...and I'm not sure you'd be happy with that arrangement, sir. Regardless of who I used to be and the person you thought you knew, your opinions and blessings do matter to me. I hope you'll give me that time to prove just how serious I am," 

Marco's jaw tensed as he leaned forward to think about it. Jungkook took the moment to turn to his girlfriend - finding that a tear had fallen down her left cheek. Is that good...or bad - he can't tell!

...