Chapter Text
It has been 3 months approximately since I’ve moved to Seoul. I never expected it to happen but my grandfather insisted I come live here with him after my parents died in a car crash in Los Angeles. I was 17 then but I’m 18 now. My birthday passed last month. I celebrated all on my own as my grandfather spent most of his time miserably drunk. I have other relatives but no one cares for me. My mother's side of the family disowned her the day she decided to elope with my dad. If only they’d seen how happy they were together. How happy we were together.
“Yah! Are you still not going to get me my beer?” The banging on the thin screen door startled me. It was all that separated me from my grandfather's abuse.
“You can't drink anymore, grandpa! You have cancer, remember?” I tried to reason.
“You stupid bitch. Don’t try to teach me what to do! You worthless piece of space, go get me my beer!” He kicked the door this time and it rattled dangerously.
“Grandpa-"
“Don’t grandpa me. I have no grandchildren, at least not from that whore my son called his wife! That bastard left me! Left his own father here to rot while he enjoyed his life in America with that bitch and you. I raised him with my own two hands. My hands!” He raised his fists and banged against the door again. I had heard this all before. Sometimes I wondered why he wanted me to move to Korea. Then again, it was so obvious. My parents had left a good inheritance for me which wouldn’t be available to me until I was 18. Now that I had access to it, he wanted the money…
I heard him begin coughing and I knew he was having another fit. He would cough, then throw up, then curse me some more, before trudging off to bed. I waited silently inside, hearing him throwing things to the floor, continuing his fit until I finally heard his bedroom door shut as the old man retired to his own misery for the night. Minutes ticked by until I finally moved. I grabbed my phone, slid on my shoes and jacket, and checked for my keys before heading out.
I lived in a ghetto neighborhood. There were more people like my grandpa than I could count. I ran through the streets quickly until I passed the rail road and got to the nicer area in town. The streets were cleaner and safer. There were more streetlights lighting up the pathways. Finally allowing myself some rest, I pulled out my phone and put my headphones on. I pressed play and automatically, “You Are" began to play.
I hummed along to the chorus, silently looking up at the sky wondering if it was as beautiful as Jaebum said it was. “There is not a cloud…”
“Liar. It’s going to rain soon.” I said jokingly as Youngjae finished the chorus.
I had been too occupied on the phone to notice the car heading my way. It was too late when I saw the headlights. For a moment I was blinded and frozen in terror. Then it swerved, the car missing me by inches.
As if on cue to my misfortune, it began to rain. I had dropped to my knees, the fear taking any last bit of strength I had out of me. My phone had slipped from my hand, disconnected from my headphones and lay broken on the pavement but somehow still alive. Music played softly, somewhat muffled by the rain.
“What the hell is wrong with you, lady?!” An angry voice said to me from behind. “If you wanted to commit suicide, go jump into the Han river, why jump in front of my car?!”
“That’s enough!” A voice said from behind him. I knew that voice… I heard it all the time.
“Sir-"
“She’s hurt. Can’t you see that?” The good gentleman said, then started walking towards me. “Are you alright?”
I nodded, still facing away from him. It had started to rain harder.
“Do you need help standing up?” I could see in his shadows, hesitating, not sure if he should touch me.
“Jaebum hyung, is she okay?” Another voice calls out and my eyes go wide.
“I’m not sure...Ma'm, are you alright?” He asks me again.
“I...yes.” I found my voice and slowly began to stand up. Strong arms reached out to steady me and I turned slowly to come face to face with his benevolent face. Even in the dim light I could make out the familiar moles below his left eyebrow against the paleness of his skin.
“Hyung… look.” The man standing behind Jabeum was Youngjae. He picked up my discarded phone which was still playing music. “Listen. This is our song.”
We all listened silently as “If You Do's" chorus mixed with the sound of the rain splattering against the concrete. Jaebum looked at me again, this time with an angry expression.
“Are you a fan?”
“I…yes I am.”
“Are you a saesang fan?” He asked, his tone somewhat harsh.
“No, of course not.”
“Then how do you explain the fact that you jumped out in front of our car? Do you even realize how dangerous that is!” Youngjae said from behind.
“I…I swear. I didn’t do it intentionally.”
“Of course you did. Jaebum-ssi, I deal with these kinds of fans all the time. They stalk famous men like you and try to get your attention by pulling stunts like this!” The driver says angrily.
“No! I swear! I had no idea!”
“Then answer Youngjae. Why did you jump out in front of our car?” Jaebum asked.
“I didn’t jump out anywhere. It was an accident. Please believe me!” I didn’t understand what was happening. Nothing was going right…
“Of course you jumped out. I was driving. I saw.” The man said, crossing his arms.
“You saw what?” Another voice said as the door to the front, passenger side of the car opened.
“Mark…” I whispered.
“Mark-ssi this girl-“
“Did nothing. Stop accusing her of jumping out in front of us when you’re the one who made the turn without looking.” He looked the driver straight in the eye
“Wh-what are you talking about?!” The driver challenged Mark.
“You’ve been driving recklessly all night, which is why I couldn’t sleep the entire time while sitting up front. I saw what you did. Before you realized it, you almost hit the girl.”
“That is preposterous! I am being blamed unjustly!”
“Are you? Shall we check the dashcam then? It's been recording, since our schedule hasn’t finished yet.” Mark was walking back towards the car as the driver looked on with a horrified expression.
“Wait! Please Mark-ssi! I admit it was my mistake. Don’t check the dashcam and don’t take this up with my boss! I apologize! I swear I’ll do a better job next time!”
“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her. She's the one you almost killed.” Mark finally looked at me. Our eyes met for a brief second before I quickly looked away, somehow embarrassed of the situation.
“Yes, of course. Aga-ssi. I’m sorry. Please forgive this man!” He bowed a full ninety degree angle and I saw Jaebum shake his head. Youngjae gave me a concerned look as I told the man it was okay and that he didn’t have to apologize. With that he bowed again and quickly climbed back into the car. Mark gave me one last look before disappearing too.
“Hyung, we should go…” Youngjae said. I noticed him shivering as he got soaked in the rain and I thought it was so thoughtful of him to come out and help his hyung.
“Yes… but first. You.” Jaebum said, grabbing my attention. “Even if this was an accident, I find it peculiar that you are here. Are you sure you weren’t waiting for us?”
“No. I was just out for a walk. I never even dreamt that I’d run into any of you like this, oppa.”
“Oppa? Hmmph. So I’m older than you.” He surprised me by placing a hand on my head, making me look up. “Good. Now listen. It’s late out and there are many bad men who would love to take advantage of a pretty young bird like you. Now, go home little bird. I hope the next time we meet, it will be a pleasant one.” He ruffled my hair, smiled and walked away. Youngjae gave me a half smile before climbing into the car. They left me there, heart racing as I got drenched in the rain.
Just as the car rolled by, the window rolled down and I saw a pair of eyes peek out. Unmistakably kind brown eyes that could only belong to one man.
The moment was too quick and it was gone. I gathered myself, slowly making my way home. I wondered, how was I going to explain to Grandpa that my phone was gone?
Turns out, the next day I didn’t have to worry about it.