Mrs Jeon took a seat beside him, placing her small handbag on her lap as she took a deep breath. Jungkook fidgets in the seat, worried and anxious at the turn of events. How fucked up is this destiny?! He was happy – no, ecstatic! – when he heard Lisa's name and now...

He saw his mother's fingers on his hand and he looks up. His mother's post-teary eyes and pink nose and cheeks made him feel worse, but he needed to know.

"Lalisa Manoban. You knew her as well, didn't you?" He heard her small gasp, and he can't help but let out a chuckle, slightly shaking his head. Unbelievable! "Please mom...tell me the truth. I need to know,"

...

Your father was never quite the same man after the accident. It was a shock to him...but I know that he feels guilty. Everyone was looking at him like he's a killer...except for the victim's daughter. She was so soft...but so strong as well. She was calming your father when in fact – she should be the one who's supposed to receive it. Her mother – her only family just died and she had to selflessly hold onto him. She kept muttering 'it's not your fault – it's not your fault' to him...even when she couldn't speak a single Korean...that's what Hyun told us. He was in shock too – but he wasn't as badly traumatised as your father. We never blamed him as well – he was simply in panic and following your father's orders.

I couldn't help but feel at fault as well. I already felt the chest pain that evening. I should've just rest at the hotel but instead, I went to walk around the shopping mall to rid of the boredom. If I had just stayed put, it probably wouldn't have happened.

He brought her to see me that night...after she identified her mother. Can you imagine the things she had went through in one night? I couldn't imagine it...even if you give me a lifetime – I probably couldn't have done what she did. Not only did she had to accept her mother's unexpected death...she had to assure your dad that it wasn't his fault...and when she came with him to see me – the doctor mentioned that I was already in the waiting list in Korea, so they can't do anything much except to stabilise me.

They explained to her in their language – your father told me. We didn't know exactly what they were talking about – but after that, the doctor made a call to my doctor here – saying that they found a donor – perfect for me – same age as me, with a healthier heart. So they transferred me back immediately, along with the new heart. Your father saw her signing the papers...it broke his heart even more. Not only did he owed her her mother's life, she also gave her mother's heart.

That's why your dad stayed there while I was transported back here. He couldn't leave her. He didn't know much Thai, but he tried his best. He went to her house alone, not wanting anyone to accompany him. It's something that he has to do by himself...I think it makes him feel grounded...small even. Not a single cent could buy what she had given to both of us. Her love for her mother had no boundaries, yes – but her love towards a stranger...the kindness...the empathy she has for us when she has nothing and we have pretty much everything money can buy...it opened our eyes and made us feel so much poorer than her.

She never asked for anything in return. He wanted to pay for anything she wants, but she didn't want anything. I think at one point she grew tired of your father's constant visits – that man refused to give up! – so she agreed to come here. We knew she just wanted him to go back home and to me. She came once to visit me – I was still unconscious from the surgery – and your father said she had placed a hand on my chest...and she cried...she cried so hard – just sat there, with her hand on my heart. I felt so bad when he told me that. I owed my life to her and she doesn't have anyone.

When I woke up a few days after, your dad told me everything. He broke down again – and he kept saying he's a killer. The doctors had no choice but to put him on close watch – asking him to see a trauma therapist. But you know, he has his name and reputation to protect and at that point, no one knew about the accident. I asked one of the doctors to call Lalisa in, and she calmed him down again. So after that, we both decided to keep her safe here. She's the only person who could help him overcome the trauma. She's the only one who could assure him that it wasn't his fault. He listens to her. And I owe her.

Of course, we couldn't just move her into the house. She's very soft-spoken and polite, but she can be headstrong too when it comes to receiving help. She said we didn't owe her anything and that she doesn't deserve it but she does! She deserves more than just a house and money! She deserves a future. A future that her mother wanted for her. We needed to keep her close, so we enrolled her in the same university as you, since you're the same age. I fell more and more in love with her – she was always smiling and compliments my cooking. I would cook for her whenever your dad tells me that it's 'Lalisa Day'. And she's so pretty too! She just has this kind eyes and she always looks at me like I'm her mother – probably because I have her heart in me.

I want her to always look at me that way. I might not be her actual mother, and I might not even come close to how her mother was with her – but I want her to love me. I want to feel her kind love – even if it's just a tiny bit from how sheloved her mother. We knew we couldn't keep her around forever. We're so scaredof when that day will come – when she realises that she didn't want to staywith us anymore. So one day, I brought up the idea to your dad. We wantednothing but the best for you and I couldn't think of anyone that would bebetter than Lalisa. Mind you, I've met my friends' daughters and their pretty –yes, but they're just not like her. 

So we decided that once you graduate, we were going to introduce you to her. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you this earlier, but we wanted to wait until you finished your studies. We were so excited – I already planned to introduce you that night...the night of my birthday. That's why I prepared it to be extra special. But she couldn't come – she said she had another dinner to attend to and it's very important. She apologised to me so many times and although I was a little disappointed, I couldn't be angry because she doesn't know about our plans.

I hope you can forgive us...and I hope you understand now why we asked you to do this for us. I hoped you can have it your heart to help us repay our debts to her. It wasn't just for us, it's for her too. She doesn't have anyone else in this world and I can't imagine how lonely it must be for her. We just want her to feel happy again – she deserves that much. Please, please understand...she didn't ask for any of these, it was us who wanted it. 

I was so upset that night...when you told me off. When you ran off to your girlfriend instead of listening to me. I was angry at you and I was angry with your girlfriend – whoever she is. I'm sorry. It was my fault that it came off as a surprise for me – I can understand that. I called her the next week...I was so sad that you refused to give her a chance – and I had to talk to her. She sounded different. It's just something in her voice that doesn't seem right. I thought hard about it after that...and I feel so bad, you know? I shouldn't have put it on both of you.

So I've decided to let it go. She deserves so much better, I realisedthat. She didn't deserve to have her life planned out like that. And shecertainly doesn't deserve someone who's not going to love her like how sheshould be loved. I realised that by forcing you to leave your girlfriend and bewith her, it will only make you despise her more. And that's not right. Shedoesn't deserve that. So you don't have to worry about it okay? I won't putthis on you anymore. You're free to go on with your girlfriend – I won't stopyou. 

But please, don't bring this issue up with your father again. He's more attached to Lalisa in a way, so he's more adamant about you and her. But I'll talk to him. Trust your father, please....he'll come around, just be patient. Don't trigger anything out of him right now, I beg you. She disappeared a few weeks ago and she posted us her keys and bank card. We're not sure what happened and what caused this. We don't know where she is and your dad's been trying to find her so he's a bit sensitive right now...so please, don't try to provoke him. I beg of you...she's not here to calm him down anymore and I wouldn't know what to do...

...

Jungkook stared out the window – to the blue sky and white clouds – still trying to digest everything his mother had said. He hadn't told her about Lisa being the girlfriend that he mentioned. She was so emotional at the hospital yesterday, he didn't want to make her feel worse than she already was. If he were to tell her, she might blame herself for what happened that night and the reason why Lisa disappeared. He doesn't want that. He understands now why she said what she said – the panic look on her face the moment he said 'my girlfriend'. She loves the girl so dearly that she wanted so much for it to happen.

It must've been hard for them, keeping all these secrets to themselves all these while. Jungkook cursed at himself for being so ignorant and never paying attention. Never once he questioned why his dad would call him up randomly every once a week or once a month – telling him he's in the area and asking if Jungkook's free to meet. He was so oblivious to their existence, taking them for granted. Lisa makes more time with them than their own kids! He made a promise to himself that he'd be a better son after this.

His mother is – after all – living with her mother's heart. He couldn't be thankful enough that they had crossed path with the girl. Although the way they met was far from ideal, he now understands why Lisa couldn't be mad at his father – and he's grateful for that. He understands that fate has its way – and although it could sometimes seems so twisted and cruel, those who deserves it will always be protected somehow. His biggest worry now is whether Lisa would come back with him. And whether she could accept the fact that he's the son of the man who caused her mother's death, and the woman that's carrying her mother's precious heart.

I guess we'll just have to see. She'd make him the happiest man alive if she does!

...

"How's your father?" Jul asked once he started driving out from the airport. 

"He's...under medication and nurse care at home," Jungkook shifts in his seat, reminded by the image of his father before he left the house for his flight to Osaka - the old man sleeping soundly but breathing heavily on the bed. "Thanks hyung...for...you know,"

"Hey, you don't need to thank me. It's my job. Mr Jeon had asked me to look out for her when he first brought her to Seoul. He called me back once he made sure she's settled in so I stopped checking on her. I'm sorry...I was late,"

"What do you mean?"

"After so long, he suddenly called me to check on her again. He said he saw her running out from a dinner...but I was on the other side of town when he called. I couldn't get to her apartment soon enough to find out. I wasn't sure but um...I thought I saw you there going up the building. So I couldn't go up...you'd recognise me and you'd know -"

"She's my girlfriend. It was a misunderstanding...she misunderstood and I was late as well. I'm sorry to bother you - it wouldn't have happened if everything was clear,"

"Lalisa is your girlfriend? Does Mr Jeon know?"

"Now he does,"

"That's great...I think! Your parents, they care about her a lot. Especially your father. He'd been so worried, I could tell,"

Yeah...everyone's been so worried...but never mind that! Now he'll get to see her again and brings her back home.

...

Jul parked at the side of the street between rows of housing areas and shop lots. The neighbourhood seems packed - unlike theirs in Seoul. Does she live in one of these houses? 

"I've been following her for the past one week. She'll meet someone at that cafe in the morning...around nine. On Tuesday she went to a bank, I think she's setting up an account. She's renting a room a couple of streets away. I think she got a job here -"

She got a job? What job? And setting up an account...does that mean she plans to live here permanently?! Jungkook felt his heart beat racing. He's been so anxious at the prospect of seeing her again after missing her for about three months now that he couldn't even sleep on his flight here! But now...the anxiety has switched to the worrying kind. 

Jul nudged on his arm and points to the front. Jungkook looked around the pavements and caught her immediately. She looks beautiful...as always. How he missed that face! He felt like jumping out from the car and running to her. He'd pull her in his arms and tells her how much he misses her. He'd explained everything right there and then, and tells her about his parents. 

But the thoughts stopped when a slightly older-looking man came up and approached her. She's smiling...brightly even, to the man. 

"That's the man she's been seeing for the past couple of days," Jul's words sounded loud like thunder and Jungkook felt a piercing pain in his chest. 

She's...she's moved on? She's moving here for good...setting up accounts and getting a job...starting a new life here with this man? She didn't even say goodbye to him - didn't let him explain...and she's...she's moved on? 

But she's his! She is his girlfriend - the love of his life! How could this happen?? He was counting on that fate - how the fuck could this happen?!

"Do you know who that man is?"

"I haven't done a background check on him yet since I've been following Lalisa around. But I know where he lives. It's nearby. I did get the chance to check on the house, apparently he's living alone -"

"So he's single?"

Jul could probably tell where Jungkook is going by asking that as he turns to face the younger. "Jungkook-ssi...I know what you must think...but you shouldn't give up. I don't think Lalisa has anything personal with that man,"

Jungkook kept his gaze on Lisa. The man opened the door to a cafe for her and she walked in. She took a seat beside the glass window while the guy went further in. She stares out...her eyes look calm and her shoulders seem relaxed. Wonder what she's thinking about...do you think about me? Is there any room for me in your mind or heart now, or have I disappeared the moment you decided to leave?

After a minute, the man came back with two cups of drinks. He ordered for her. He knew what she'd want then. He saw her smiling down to the cup, then at the man. That warm smile used to belong to me. She used to belong to me -

"Hyung, can you send me back to the airport?" 

...