Chapter Text

CHAPTER 1

Click, click, click.

The sound of the shutter from your camera went off along with the rest of the camera crew in the media pit. You were there along with a throng of media outlets waiting to hear the statement from one of the richest man in South Korea at the moment.

He was embroiled with scandals with the merger of two of the largest company in Korea at the moment. One of which involves him having a child out of wedlock with the youngest daughter of the other company.

You heard a commotion from to the left of the media pit and you looked up from your camera. He was walking around the corner and up the podium. You immediately focused your camera on him.

“He looks so tired,” you thought.

Kim Taehyung is one of the richest and was one of the most eligible bachelors in the country right now. He was eligible until rumours started circling around the internet that he was currently dating Sooyoung, who is the youngest daughter of his new business partner, who is the owner of one of the most successful Entertainment Company right now.

You knew this press conference was only for show and its whole purpose was to squash rumours.

“Good afternoon members of the press,” the host of the press conference said pulling you back to the now. “We shall start the press conference in the next ten minutes to allow time for you to take photos and submit your questions. Mr Kim will give his statement to the media and will answer your submitted questions and then we will have an open forum at the end for additional questions.”

“This should be interesting,” your colleague next to you muttered and you nodded your head. “Make sure you get the shots I need for my article.”

You turned your attention back to your camera hoping that it was enough to hide your face. You didn't want him to know that you were on this assignment and when your manager told you that one of the best news media outlets was requesting your photographic expertise and they were willing to pay you a huge sum for your photos, you couldn't pass up the opportunity to do so.

What you didn’t realise at the time, or was not told at the time that your subject would be your ex-fiance. It would have put you in a difficult and awkward position but you were not one to run away from a challenge.

How long has it been since you last saw him you thought? Five, six years maybe?

The press conference went on a little longer than anticipated and by the time you reached your apartment, it was already dark. You walked lazily into the lift of your apartment and as soon as the door shuts, you let out a loud sigh and closed your eyes. It has been a long day but your day was not even done.  You still have to edit the photos you took and send them over to the journalist.

The lift opened into your apartment as you stepped out, you saw a vase of your favourite flowers with a card amongst the flowers. You bent down to pick up the vase and proceeded to walk to the kitchen.

You opened the envelope and slid out the card that was in it.

“Welcome home,” was all it said and behind it was a photo of you pushing your suitcase coming out of the arrival hall.

“So he knows? Can’t be,” you said to yourself as you placed the card back into its envelope and left it on the kitchen counter.

After a quick shower, you went into your home office and started editing the photos that you took from the day.

“He has not changed,” you thought fondly. He smiled when he needed to and then his face turned serious. You gasp as that one particular photo where he was directly looking at your camera. It was like he knew you were amongst the camera crew that was in the media pit.

You leaned back against your chair and bury your face in your hands.

“He doesn’t know,” you said to yourself over and over again. “He doesn’t know that you are back, okay! Get a grip. He doesn’t know.”

It was only 2 weeks since you were back in South Korea after travelling overseas for six years. As a photojournalist, you were always on the move never staying in the same place for more than a year. You come back to visit your family often but never long enough to meet up with your friends. It was how you like it, anyways. It was quick. In and out of the country without ever being detected. Sometimes, even your siblings didn’t know you were back unless you wanted them to know.

You looked at the clock beside your computer and it was already 2 am and you decided to take a break from editing and got up to make something to eat in the kitchen.

Judging from the fully stock fridge, you figured that your mother had come by and made sure that you were eating. Each container of food had a little note with her handwriting. You smiled as you read one from one containing pasta.

“My darling daughter, please eat well and call me.”

Your mother has been slipping notes into your packed meals since you were in school. It was hard being the wife of one of the highest government dignitaries in the country. She was always busy with meetings and events. You and your siblings were often left in the care of the help. You knew that this was her way of showing that she love and care for you.

The light on your mobile lit up indicating that there was a message on your phone. You swiped it open to see a message from your brother asking if you have seen the evening news. Curious you head to your living room and switched the TV on and caught the tail end of the repeat of the evening news.

“Mr Kim and Miss Park have confirmed that they are to wed the next month. The couple is said to have a destination wedding in Italy and have invited….”

You switched the TV off mid-sentence and tried to fight back your tears.

SIX YEARS AGO - Incheon Departure Hall

He sat across from you his face sullen, your hands in his. You could see that he was trying so hard not to cry in front of you and his bodyguards.

“I have to do this Tae,” you muttered softly. “This is actually a dream of mine. To live independently from my family. Finally.”

He gripped your hands tighter this time bringing it to his lips and kissing the back of your hand.

“You know what this means right?” he asked in his deep voice.

“I know.”

“This doesn’t feel right,” he said again this time his tears was welling in his eyes.

“I know,” you whispered again. “But I have to do this Tae. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

His body shook with his silent cry. It pains your heart to see him like this. The man you love in shatters. He was not one to show his vulnerability and emotions. Taehyung has his mask on all the time. He was slowly becoming one of the most powerful men in South Korea and most of his rivals would have a field day if they even sense any weakness from him. Only with you, he allowed himself to be vulnerable.

Both of you have been high school sweethearts and went to the same University in Seoul.

When he got down on one knee one Spring evening, you thought that you would spend the rest of your lives together.

This was the dream that both of you always have until one day it came crashing down when you received an internship letter to work with the National Geographic to work under the guidance of Susan Goldberg who is the Editor in Chief and it was something that you couldn’t say no to.

When you told your family and Taehyung about the internship, there was a unanimous no from both parties. After reasoning with your parents, they finally agreed to let you go with the promise that you come back every year for your parents’ birthday.

Taehyung, on the other hand, proved harder to convince. Both of you fought constantly before you move to the States. He used to always getting what he wanted. You knew the reason why he picked fights with you before you left.

“If you leave, then it will be all over for us,” he said in one of your heated arguments.

“I can’t fucking believe you will use that against me Tae. That is a low blow.”

“I need you beside me. Call me selfish but you are my everything Y/N. I can give you anything you want.”

“You can’t give me this valuable experience Tae. This is something that I have to do for myself and it’s not like you can’t visit me in the States. You own three private jets.”

“It’s different! I won’t be able to see you every day! Not especially if you are on assignments. You will be going to dangerous countries, babe! Your family may be happy to let you go but I am not going to let the love of my life walk into a war zone.”

You sigh loudly, “Well I guess, you do what you need to do and I will do what I need to do.”

“Please don’t go Y/N. I beg of you. My heart is breaking,” he begged again at the departure hall.

You lifted his chin so you could look at him in the eyes which were now red. You kissed him gently on his lips, his hands cupping your face. Your forehead touching his, you breathed him in. It was the hardest thing that you have ever done.

“I have to go,” you said your voice breaking. “I love you, so much, but I have to go, Tae. Please let me go.”

His sobs were now louder and his whole body was shaking now. Sejin, one of his bodyguards took a worried step closer. Taehyung held out his hand signalling for him to stay back and that he was alright.

You let go of his hands and stood up. Taehyung pulled you into his embrace and after a few seconds, you pulled away.

“I’m sorry,” you said as you held his hand out and placed your engagement ring on his palm and slowly walked away.

As you walked out the private departure room, you looked up to Sejin and said “Please take care of him for me Sejin. I know he is like a brother to you.”

Sejin nodded his head and you walked out of the room.

**********

That was the last time you saw Taehyung. Sure, you have read about him and his success in the news from time to time and would think about him and his well being while on assignments but you have not seen him in person for a long time.

The sound of your phone ringing woke you up from sleep. You lazily looked at your phone to see who was calling.

It was your mother.

“Hello,” you said your voice hoarse.

“Hi Y/N. Did you just wake up? It’s noon! What are you still doing sleeping? Half of the day is gone,” you heard her rambling on as you got up from the sofa.  You didn’t realise you fell asleep on the sofa after watching the news last night.

“Mum, I had to work late last night,” you said.

“Work? I thought that the contract has ended? Are you still working for NG?”

“No, mum. This is for a different matter,” you replied to her not wanting to know what your current assignment is. “Why are you calling me?”

“Yes, well, I was just calling to see if you can meet me for dinner tonight?”

“I don’t know,” you hesitated. “I still have a lot to do.”

“What sort of daughter refuses to see her mother after living overseas for six years?” she started complaining to you.

“Alright. Alright,” you said. “Text me the place and time and I will meet you there.”

“That’s good to hear. Now please also wear something nice,” she said again and hung up on you.

You put your phone down on the table in front of you and you let out a groan. You knew what your mother was up to. She has been doing this to you since your break up. Every time you come home for a visit, she would try to match you with one of her friend’s son.

“You need to settle down now and give me grandchildren,” was her constant nagging and mantra to you.

“I don’t need a man to settle down and have kids with mum.”

“Please don’t say such things. Of course, you need to get married and have kids and you are not getting any younger, Y/N. Are you waiting for me to die before you give me grandchildren?”

“Mum! You have grandchildren! You have four!” you protested.

“Not from you,” was her reply.

Your phone buzzed again and you read the text from your mother. She even included a photo of “her guest for tonight”. You groaned louder. You knew that if you wiggled your way out of it, you wouldn’t hear the end of it from your mother.

You arrived at a fancy restaurant and let the host know that you had a reservation under your family name and he proceeded to tell you that your guest has arrived and is waiting for you.

Your mother’s guest was not bad looking your thought.  He was the son of a shipping magnate. He was tall, had broad shoulders and the face of a model. He introduced himself as Jin and was an absolute gentleman all night. He was genuinely curious and was asking you about your experiences during your tenure with the National Geographic. You lost track of time until your waiter had to tell both of you if you wanted to order anything else because the kitchen is about to close.

“I am so sorry for talking all night,” you apologised to Jin as he walked you to your car.

“This was nice,” he said smiling at you. “I am hoping that we could go out again? This time, somewhere less fancy? I prefer somewhere more casual and less...stuffy.”

You laughed at his comment and nodded your head. “I’d like that,” you said and proceeded to give him your business card that had your contact details on them.

“I will see you soon,” he said closing your car door.

As you pulled out of the parking lot, your mother called you.

“I am angry at you mum,” you said as soon as you picked up.

“But you had a nice night right?” she said.

“Yes,” you admitted.

“So are you going to see him again?”

“I don’t know. Let me think about it.”

“Y/N why are you being so difficult? Jin is a nice boy from a nice family and is still single.  Hard to find them these days. He is handsome as well.”

“Mum, I am going to hang up now. I will see you at brunch tomorrow.”

You heard her sigh over the line. “Ok. Your brothers will be home too.”

“Great,” you said sarcastically.

“They are just looking out for you Y/N.”

“Bye!” you said as you hang up the phone.

It was one thing to have to face your mother the next morning but now you have to face your brothers too and that made you anxious.

The lift to your apartment opened up and waiting for you was a vase of your favourite flower with another card again.

You pushed the vase to the side and opened the card.

“Hope you had fun,” the card said and a photo of you mid laughter with your date tonight.

“Shit,” you said loudly. “He has someone following me now? How did he even get into the apartment?”

You groaned and shoved the envelope into the bin. “You are being creepy, Tae,” you said loudly. “Just face me like a normal person you coward.”