[COMPLETE/JAE] I LOVE YOU MY FRIEND

I LOVE YOU MY FRIEND

CHAPTER 1

“Is this the place?” Lena asked herself. She was looking at an apartment style building. She slowly walked up to the security guard posted at the front of the building. She had already studied how to speak Japanese and was already very fluent. So she had no trouble communicating with the guard.

“Sorry . . . . But I can't let you into the building without the permission of the apartment owner,” the guard said to her politely.

Lena sighed. “What time do they usually arrive?” she asked the guard.

The man just shook his head. “They don't have any specific time . . . . They usually just come and go as they please.”

“Oh . . . . “ Lena moaned. She was going to be in a big trouble if she stayed any longer.

“I can just give the package . . . . if that is what you came here for,” the guard said with a smile.

Lena looked at the big box she was holding. It was supposed to be delivered personally to Jaejoong.

“I'm sorry . . . . But I was supposed to give this personally. I think I will just wait,” she said to the guard.

The man just nodded. “You can wait on the lobby if you want.”

Lena smiled at the man. “Thank you very much . . . . but can I just wait here near the door? I am afraid that I might suddenly miss them.”

“Sure . . . . But if you want I can tell them that you are waiting for them. So that even if you are waiting in the lobby . . . . You won't miss them . . . .” the man said again.

“Thank you very much . . . . You're very kind,” Lena said to the guard.

Lena patiently waited . . . . ten minutes passed . . . . thirty minutes . . . . . fifty minutes . . . . one hour . . . . two hours . . . Lena was already very tired . . . . She had been waiting for more than two hours. And she was already very worried because it was already evening. She knew that someone might already be looking for her.

Then as she was about to leave . . . . she suddenly heard a familiar voice. . . . A voice she could never forget . . . .

“I am really tired maybe we can just skip the meal part and just go straight to bed,” Jaejoong said with a laugh.

“But hyung . . . . I am really hungry . . . . We are all hungry,” Max protested.

Jaejoong laughed again. “Well I guess I have no choice . . . . I really wish just for once someone would cook for me . . . .”

“How about I cook for you then?” a female voice asked.

Jaejoong suddenly turned around to face the girl. . . . It was Lena.

“Lena? . . . . . Lena! ! !” Jaejoong exclaimed with joy. He hurriedly ran to where Lena was standing and he joyfully embraced her.

Lena's heart suddenly skipped a beat. It had been a very long time since Jaejoong had hugged her. It was bringing memories to her . . . . memories she had tried to forget.

The other DBSK boys were all curious as to who was the girl Jaejoong was hugging. The girl was about 5'8” tall, with a perfect flawless skin and perfect figure. She was extremely very beautiful. And somehow this made them very interested to know who she was.

They all could see that Jaejoong was very happy to see her. But he never mentioned anything about a friend of his coming to Japan.

“Jaejoong . . . . your friends are already staring . . . . Can you please stop it,” Lena said with a smile.

Jaejoong stared at Lena and then at his other friends. “Oh . . . . sorry,” he said with a smile too.

Micky immediately approached them. He was already dying to know who the girl was.

“Hello . . . . I'm Micky,” he greeted Lena with a sweet smile.

“Hi . . . I'm Lena Kim,” the girl replied.

“Hi . . . I'm Max.”

“I'm Xiah . . . . nice to meet you.”

“I'm U-Know . . . “

“It's really nice to meet all of you . . . .” Lena said happily. She didn't expect that the other DBSK boys were very friendly.

Jaejoong suddenly smiled . . . . then he immediately placed his arm around Lena's shoulders.

“So what brings you to Japan? How did you come here? Why are you here?” he continuously asked.

Lena stared at Jaejoong. She suddenly became confused on whether to tell him the truth or not.

“Lena?” Jaejoong said as if asking whether she was all right.

“I . . . . I brought you these. Your mother asked me to bring this to you,” she then handed him the big she had been carrying.

Jaejoong took the box from Lena and suddenly laughed. “Don't tell me you came all the way here just to give me this box?”

Lena laughed. “I certainly didn't come to Japan just to bring you that package. I'm here . . . I'm here because of . . . .Let's just say . . . . personal reasons. And when your mother learned that I was going here, she immediately packed that box. And she asked me to deliver it to you personally.”

Jaejoong was very touched with his mother's gesture. He stared at the box and started wondering what was inside.

“So Lena . . . . are you really going to cook for hyung? Because if you are . . . . do you think you can cook for me too? . . . Because frankly, I am starving,” Max said with a very sweet smile.

“Max . . . .” Jaejoong uttered in total disbelief.

Lena suddenly laughed again. “Oh . . . . Jaejoong . . . . I never thought your friends are this . . . . cute . . . . Okay, Max . . . . Don't worry, I'll cook . . . . for all of you.”

“Yes!” Max happily uttered.

While Micky, Xiah and U-Know just smiled.

“Well, come on. Let's go to our apartment,” Jaejoong said to Lena and the other DBSK members.

As soon as Lena entered the boys' apartment, she immediately asked where the kitchen was and headed straight to it.

While Lena cooked, the boys patiently waited in the living room . . . . chatting with one another.

“So hyung . . . . Who is she . . . . really?” Max asked curiously.

“She's my childhood friend. You know . . . . one of the two girls I have been talking to you about,” Jaejoong answered casually.

“You mean . . . . she's the best friend . . . you have been talking about?” Micky asked.

“Yes,” Jaejoong replied.

“Honestly, I'm quite surprised. Judging by the way you have described her . . . I always imagined her to be . . . how should I say this without being offensive? . . . . “ Micky said while trying to find the correct words to say.

“You imagined her to be what? . . . . Boyish right?” Jaejoong asked.

Micky just nodded. There was still something on his mind but he couldn't say it out.

Jaejoong laughed. “Well, she was boyish before . . . . But I don't know what happened. The last time I saw her . . . that was a year ago. She had totally changed. She suddenly became a girl all of a sudden.”

“She is very pretty, hyung,” Max commented.

“What? Lena . . . . pretty? You should get your eyes checked out Max.” Jaejoong said with a laugh.

“You mean you don't find her attractive?” Xiah asked still unable to believe.

“No . . . . not really,” Jaejoong replied.

The other DBSK boys just shook their heads in disbelief. They all thought that Lena was very beautiful. The first time they saw her in the lobby, she already caught their attention.

“Maybe the reason why he doesn't find her attractive is because he's already used to the thought of her being his buddy,” U-Know commented with a smile.

“You're right about that. Lena isn't just a buddy . . . . but my very best friend . . .. My sister and brother . . . . all rolled in one,” Jaejoong said with a smile.

“Brother? Hyung . . . . she's a girl. I've seen how you treat her. And frankly . . . . you're acting like she's a boy or something,” Max said.

“Well . . . . to me . . . . she is a boy. We've been treating each other like this for years . . . even when we were still small children. That's why I feel so comfortable with her . . . . You know, the same way I am comfortable with you guys,” Jaejoong tried to explain to his friends.

“Doesn't she get offended?” Micky suddenly asked.

“Offended? No . . . . she's too nice and understanding to get offended easily,” Jaejoong answered.

Micky laughed. “You're quite lucky. Imagine . . . . if I had a bestfriend like that . . . .”

“She would have already been your ex-girlfriend by now,” U-Know suddenly said.

Xiah , Jaejoong and Max suddenly burst out laughing with what U-Know said. While Micky suddenly blushed and just stayed quiet while the others laughed.

CHAPTER 2


Several minutes later . . . .

“Dinner is ready . . . . “ Lena announced.

The DBSK boys happily sat down and were all amazed with the different dishes that Lena had prepared.

“Wow! How did you cook all of this in such a short time?” Max asked still unable to believe the different dishes he was seeing.

Lena just smiled. She was very happy that the DBSK boys liked the foods she had prepared.

“Oh . . . . I didn't tell you guys . . . . But during the time I was just learning how to cook . . . . she was already an expert in the kitchen. So her cooking skills are way better than me,” Jaejoong said as a compliment for Lena.

“Really? Then she must be really good then,” Xiah said with a smile.

“Come on . . . . Let's all eat. I can hardly wait,” Max said.

The other DBSK boys laughed. Max was really over excited and was very eager to start eating.

As soon as the boys tasted Lena's cooking, they immediately showered her with praises.

“Lena . . . this is just . . . this is totally delicious,” Micky commented.

“Hyung, wasn't kidding when he said that you're better than him,” Max said while still trying to choose what dish to try next.

“The man you're going to marry is sure very lucky,” U-Know said with a smile.

Lena just smiled at U-Know. She didn't know how to respond to what he had said.

“How long are you staying in Japan?” Xiah suddenly asked.

“Why?” Lena asked quite confused.

“Because . . . . if you're going to stay long here in Japan . . . . then that means we will be able to invite you again. . . . and then maybe . . . . you can find it in your heart . . . . to cook for us again,” Xiah said with a very sweet smile.

Lena suddenly laughed. “Yeah . . . . sure. Don't worry . . . I'll cook for you guys again next time I come here.”

“Really?” So when are you coming here again?” Max asked with a grin.

Lena laughed again. “I don't know. But don't worry . . . I'll be coming here again. I will visit you guys whenever I am free.”

“That's great,” Xiah said with a smile.

“Hey . . . . Lena just shows up and you guys are already in love with her cooking? Don't you want me to cook for you guys anymore? You're all hurting my feelings,” Jaejoong said with a smile.

Lena stared at Jaejoong, then she smiled. She had been missing him for over a year now. The last time they were together, she was already planning to tell him everything. But then something happened . . . . and she wasn't able to confess.

Now as she looked at him, she knew this time . . . . she had to tell him . . . . everything. Her time was running out . . . . and there was no way for her to escape what had already been set for her.

Lena suddenly let out a long sigh. She didn't know how to tell him . . . . or if she should tell him. She was really confused on what to do.

Jaejoong noticed Lena as she silently stared at him. He knew that something was bothering her.

“What's wrong?” he asked Lena.

Lena who was still busy thinking was suddenly caught by surprise.

“Huh? Oh . . . . nothing . . . . I was just thinking of something,” she replied.

“These foods are amazing! I can eat all of these in just one sitting,” Max exclaimed.

The other DBSK boys laughed. Then all of a sudden . . . . they started to hear a ringing tone from a cell phone.

“Whose cell phone is ringing?” Micky asked.

“I think it's mine . . . . “ Lena said as she hurriedly went to her bag and took out her phone.

Jaejoong looked at Lena. He saw the worried look on her face as soon as her phone started ringing.

“Who do you think it is?” Micky asked Jaejoong.

“I have no idea . . . . “ Jaejoong answered while still staring at Lena.

“Hello . . . .” Lena said in Japanese.

“How many times do I have to tell you that you're not supposed to go out alone? You're new here in Japan . . . . and yet you have the courage to just go anywhere you please. What if something suddenly happened to you? What will I say to your father? And to my father?,” a male voice said with anger.

Lena was suddenly became very worried. All the DBSK boys noticed the sudden change in Lena's expression. They knew that something was wrong.

“Where are you?” the man asked again.

“I . . . I am with Jaejoong. I brought the package his mother sent,” she answered again in Japanese.

Jaejoong was very surprised. He didn't know that Lena knew how to speak Japanese.

“Just as I suspected . . . . I told you to wait for me. I told you I was going to bring you there tomorrow . . . .” the man said again.

“I am sorry . . . .” Lena said in a very low voice. It was as if she was already about to cry.

Jaejoong was suddenly curious as to who Lena was speaking to. He didn't like the fact that Lena was being upset because of the person on the phone.

“Just wait for me there . . . . I am already on the way . . . .” the man said again.

“Daichi . . . .” Lena softly uttered. She wanted to say something, but he had already closed his phone.

Lena felt like her world was really closing in on her. She stared at Jaejoong who had a curious look on his face. She knew he wanted to ask . . . . but she was still trying to decide whether to tell him or not, all the things he needed to know.

“Lena . . . .” Jaejoong uttered her name.

Lena tried to smile. “I'm sorry, but I have to go,” she said as she quickly grabbed her bag.

“Who was that on the phone?” Micky asked.

Lena looked at Micky. “Sorry . . . . but I have to go,” she said again so to avoid answering Micky's question.

The DBSK boys suddenly noticed Lena's reluctance to answer Micky's question. And they all saw the sadness in her eyes as she started to prepare to leave

As she was about to leave . . . .

“I'll walk you downstairs . . . .” Jaejoong said.

Lena just nodded. She was very sad. She wanted to be with him a little while longer. She had missed him for over a year. And now that he was finally near her . . . . it was as if she no longer wanted to be away from him.

“We're all coming too,” Max said with a smile.

Lena looked at the other DBSK members. She suddenly felt very sorry that she was going to leave already. She smiled at Max. “Thank you . . . .” she uttered.

The boys walked with Lena until they reached the front of the apartment building.

“Here we are. . . .” Micky said with a big smile.

“Thanks . . . “ she replied.

“It's the least thing we can do after you cooked a wonderful meal for us,” Max said with a smile as well.

“Don't worry . . . . Next time, I'll make sure I cook something more delicious and extra special,” Lena said.

“Really? That would be great. . . . I'll be waiting for that okay?” Max said as he smiled sweetly at Lena.

“When are you visiting me again?” Jaejoong suddenly asked with a soft look in his eyes. Somehow he also didn't want Lena to leave him all of a sudden.

“I don't know . . . . But I will try to visit you again. . . . if time permits . . . and if . . . .” she said, but then something suddenly attracted her attention.

Suddenly a silver Porsche Carrera GT stopped in front of the apartment building. The DBSK boys were immediately attracted to the car.

“Wow! I've never seen a car like that before,” Max said excitedly.

“It must be very expensive. I am wondering when I can ever own one like that,” Xiah said with a sigh.

“I wonder who it belongs to . . . .” Jaejoong said.

“It must be here to pick up someone. . . . .” U-Know said.

Then the owner of the car suddenly stepped out of the car. It was a young Japanese man, quite good-looking and about more than 25 years old, 6'0 tall, and obviously very rich with his custom-made suit.

The man walked straight up to where the DBSK boys and Lena were. Then he suddenly stopped right in front of them.

“Lena . . . .Let's go . . . . “ he said coldly as he stared at the DBSK boys. He was obviously angry.

“Daichi . . . .” Lena uttered.

“Let's go . . . .” the man said again. This time with a very firm hard tone.

Lena just looked at Jaejoong helplessly. “Goodbye . . . .maybe I can visit you again.” she said with sadness in her eyes.

Jaejoong wanted to ask her who the guy was. But he knew it wasn't the right time. So he just nodded as Lena said goodbye and she silently followed him into the car.

CHAPTER 3


“You're mad?” Lena asked.

“How can I not be mad . . . . I was worried about you . . . . Father was already asking about you, and I didn't know what to answer,” Daichi replied.

“Sorry . . . . “ she softly replied.

Daichi glanced at Lena. Somehow his anger disappeared the moment he saw the sadness in Lena's eyes.

“Did you talk with him?” he asked.

“Who? . . . . With Jaejoong? . . . . Yes . . . . but not so much,” she replied.

“I am sorry too . . . . I shouldn't have made an appearance like that. Now . . . .he must be wondering who I am,” Daichi said while his attention was on the road.

“Yes . . . I felt he wanted to ask about you . . . . But he is going to know about you sooner or later. So what is the use in hiding,” she said with a sad tone.

“Lena . . . . “ Daichi uttered. He slowly drove the car into the side of the road and stopped.

“Daichi?” she asked.

“Lena . . . . I know how much you love that guy. That's why I am giving you this chance to be with him. I understand . . . . how hard our situation is for you. I also know you're only doing this because of our grandparents. If they hadn't set us up in the first place . . . . then you can be happy and free to love any one you like. We still have two months before our formal engagement. So you still have time to set things right. . . . If you truly love him . . . . then try to fight for him. I am willing to help you. Just try to be careful . . . . My father is already keeping an eye on you. So you better follow all the things that I am telling you. We wouldn't want to be caught . . . . My father will surely hang me if he knew that I am helping you to get attached with another guy,” Daichi said with a sadness in his eyes.

“Daichi . . . . I understand and thank you,” she replied.

Daichi stared at Lena. He tried to hide the pain he was feeling with a smile. He loved Lena . . . . but he didn't want her to be married to him just because of an agreement between their grandparents. He wanted her to marry him because she loved him . . . . or the least would be . . . . because she wanted to be with him.

“But frankly I am afraid your help would just be wasted,” Lena suddenly said as she sadly looked out the car. She was somehow trying to hold back her tears. She didn't want Daichi to see the tears that were already forming in her eyes.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

Lena laughed bitterly. “We haven't seen each other for more than a year. And he didn't even notice the change in me. . . . Aside from that, he still treats me like a male friend. I even overheard him talking about me with his friends. I think he will always see me only as his bestfriend . . . . and nothing more.”

“If that is the case . . . . then it is his lost . . . not yours. Well, what do you plan to do now?” he asked with a serious expression on his face.

“I would still like to spend some time with him. . . . even if as a friend only. It is something that would make me happy. I still have two months right?” Lena asked.

Daichi nodded. “Yes . . . we still have two months. So you should use that time to be with him . . . . . and make him fall in love with you.”

“Fall in love with me? . . . . Looking at him today . . . . I don't think I can ever make him fall for me . . . . He doesn't even consider me as a woman . . . .” she replied with a hurt expression on her face.

“He's a fool . . . . “ Daichi uttered.

“Do you know whenever I am with him . . . . I feel so insecure . . . . insecure that he's way better looking than me . . . . So I always think that there is no way that he is going to be attracted to someone so plain like me,” Lena said hopelessly.

“Lena . . . . you're very beautiful. Please believe me,” Daichi said.

“Thanks . . . . you're always so understanding and very helpful I don't know what I would do without you. I don't even know if I can ever repay you for your kindness,” she said with a smile.

“The only thing I want is for you to be happy . . . . And I also want you to have the chance to be with the one you really love,” he replied.

“You're really extraordinary. I wish all men were as kind and as understanding as you,” Lena uttered.

“I'm not kind . . . . and I'm not certainly not understanding, Lena. The main reason why I'm doing this is because I know we are both stuck in this pre-arranged marriage. So I'm just giving you a chance to have what you really want. Because honestly . . . . once you get married with me . . . . I don't want you to regret anything . . . . And I certainly don't want you to live your life with me . . . . asking yourself the question 'what if' . . . I don't think I can take it if you're already my wife and you're still thinking about another man,” Daichi answered truthfully.

Lena was somehow touched with Daichi's honesty. He was truly a very remarkable man. If only she had met him first . . . . maybe . . . . maybe she could have fallen in love with him instead.

Lena sighed. Her life was very complicated. How she wished she could turn back time and just be her normal self again . . . . and be with Jaejoong once again.

Back in the DBSK boys' apartment . . . . .

“Hyung . . . . who was that guy who picked up Lena?” Max asked Jaejoong curiously.

“I have no idea,” Jaejoong replied.

“He's quite rich . . . . I wish I could drive a car like the one he was driving today,” Xiah said with a sigh.

“Yeah . . . . rich and snobbish. Did you guys see how he treated Lena? He was totally rude,” Micky commented.

“Do you guys think that he is Lena's boyfriend?” Max asked again.

“Boyfriend? Lena? Oh . . . . Don't make me laugh,” Jaejoong suddenly said with a laugh.

“What's wrong hyung? Lena's quite beautiful . . . . so it's not impossible for her to have a boyfriend,” Max said again.

“Yes . . . Lena is really beautiful. And believe me, judging on that guy's face after seeing Jaejoong . . . . I can definitely say that he wasn't happy,” Micky commented as well.

“Oh . . . . you guys stop it . . . .I can't even imagine Lena having a boyfriend. It's giving me goosebumps already,” Jaejoong said as a joke.

The other DBSK boys all shook their heads. Jaejoong was really fixed on regarding Lena as a male buddy. He wasn't even considering the fact she was a girl.

“Jaejoong . . . . Lena is still a girl. Be a little more considerate,” U-Know said.

“Hey . . . . I'm not insulting her or anything. But we have been buddies ever since we were still kids. And frankly, I can't help but treat her just like the way I used to do,” Jaejoong said.

“Do you think she will be able to visit us again?” Max asked.

“Why are you asking?” Xiah asked curiously.

“Because she promised that she will cook for us . . . . the next time she came to visit,” Max answered.

“Max . . . . you're totally unbelievable. You're still thinking about food?” U-Know said as he shook his head in total disbelief.

Xiah laughed out loud. “What is so unbelievable with that? That is the normal Max . . . . You should be surprised if he suddenly rejects food . . . . Now that is really unbelievable.”

The other DBSK boys laughed as well. They had suddenly forgotten all about Lena as soon as they started to chat about other things.

CHAPTER 4


As for Lena and Daichi . . . . .

They had already arrived at Daichi's ancestral house. It was a large mansion where his father and mother both lived. They were both very nervous. It was already late and Lena had no excuse on why she had left the house without anyone's knowledge.

“Don't worry . . . . I'll take care of everything. Just keep quiet okay?” Daichi said to Lena as he gently held her hand to give her support.

Lena nodded and smiled. “Thank you,” she uttered.

As soon as they both stepped out of the car, they already saw Daichi's father and mother who were already waiting for them on the steps of the stairs leading to the front of the house.

Lena looked at Daichi. She was suddenly became afraid of what the old man might say to them.

“Where have the two of you been?” the old man asked.

“We just went out for a stroll . . . .” Daichi answered casually.

“Stroll? . . . . A date? Is that it?” the man asked again.

“Yes,” Daichi replied. “There is nothing wrong if I take her out right?” he asked with a smile.

The old man smiled back. “Yes . . . . that is very good. You can go on dates as often as you like. The two of you will be formally engaged anyway . . . . So the two of you should already be used to one another by now. I want you to be good to one another . . . . understood?”

“Yes . . . . “ Daichi and Lena both answered.

Daichi's mother suddenly approached Lena. She quickly took Lena by the arm and ushered her into the house.

“Come on dear . . . . It's already cold and you might get sick. And what kind of clothes are you wearing? I told you to never wear jeans and t-shirts anymore,” the older woman said as she gently touched Lena's face.

“Look at your face . . . . You look pale, Lena . . . Daichi . . . What did you do to her? You didn't take good care of her . . . did you?” his mother asked Daichi with a glare.

“Mother . . .” Daichi uttered. He wanted to protest. . . but suddenly just decided to stay quiet.

“Daichi! How many times do I have to tell you that Lena is your future wife. You should learn how to take care of her. She's not like the other girls you used to go out with. Next time you take her out . . . make sure that she is well take care of . . . .understand?” Daichi's mother said.

Daichi looked at his mother helplessly, then just sighed. He knew that it was useless if he continued to argue with her.

“Yes, mother,” he uttered.

“Poor dear . . . . what did my careless son do to you?” the older woman lovinglycsaid to Lena. She was very concerned with her. She already loved Lena like her own daughter.

Lena somehow felt guilty. She looked at Daichi as if asking for help.

Daichi just shook his head. He was somehow telling Lena to just pretend and avoid talking at all.

“Come on, Lena. Have you eaten yet? I'll prepare something special for you,” Daichi's mother said.

“Thank you . . . . but I have already eaten. . . I mean . . . . we already ate,” Lena suddenly said. She didn't know how to hide the nervousness that she felt. She was afraid that Daichi's parents would find out that they weren't telling the truth.

“Oh . . . you've already eaten? Well . . . . I hope it was good,” the older woman said with a smile.

“Yes . . . . it was very delicious,” Lena said.

“Okay . . . . then. I guess you should rest then. Go to your room now . . . .” Daichi's mother said.

Lena just nodded her head and silently gave Daichi a glance. He was also looking at her as if saying that everything would be all right.

“Go ahead . . . .Lena. We need to talk with Daichi,” Daichi's father said as he saw that Lena was looking at his son.

Lena worriedly left Daichi alone with his parents. She was very concerned about what they were going to say to him.

Daichi together with his parents all went to the living room. He knew they were going to talk with him about something very important.

As soon as they were all sitting . . . . Daichi's father started to speak.

“Daichi . . . . the reason why we wanted to talk with you is because your mother is very concerned with your behavior towards Lena. We both know that you are against this arranged marriage between the two of you . . . .from the very beginning. . . But we just wanted to remind you that it is your grandfather's last wish that the two of you fulfill his pact with Lena's grandfather,”

“Father . . . .I just feel. . . . I just feel that it is very unfair for both of us to be suddenly placed into a relationship that neither of us want,” Daichi said with a cold voice.

“What more can you ask for in a girl? Lena is perfect for you. She is beautiful and very kind. She is well-educated and comes from a good family. . . . She's way better than all of the girls that you have brought home . . . .” Daichi's mother suddenly said.

“Mother . . . . she doesn't love me,” Daichi softly uttered with a hurt look on his face.

“Love? She can easily learn to love you once the two of you are already married . . . . That is why I am telling your father to set your engagement a month earlier as planned,” the older woman said.

Daichi was suddenly surprised. He didn't expect this kind of complication. He knew this sudden change in plans will certainly affect Lena's plan to be close with Jaejoong.

“Why are you suddenly rushing things?” Daichi suddenly asked his parents.

“Because frankly . . . . I am a little bit worried that you might suddenly get involved again with one of your ex-girlfriends. . . . or a new girl. I don't want anyone to interfere with my plans. I want Lena to be my daughter-in-law, and that is that . . .” Daichi's mother answered.

“Mother . . . you're always concerned with what you want . . . But have you even considered what Lena wants? She's a very nice girl . . . that's why I feel sorry for her. I know that she doesn't really want to marry me. But because of her family . . . she's forced to do so. Frankly, if it was some other girl, I would have just agreed to marry her . . . and after the marriage just set her aside. . . and continue with my former life. But I . . . I think I have already fallen in love with her . . . . That's why I want to be fair with her. I am not only thinking about myself. I am more focused on making her happy. . . . I want her to have what she really wants. And honestly I know . . . . her happiness is not with me,” Daichi said with a sad voice. He was hurting . . . . he loved Lena and yet she couldn't love him back.

“You're already in love with her? Well. . . . that is great! All you have to do now is make her fall in love with you then . . . . Don't worry about irrelevant things. Just concentrate on making her fall in love with you. That is what matters now,” Daichi's mother said happily.

“Mother . . . .” Daichi helplessly uttered. He felt like he was a puppet who had nothing to do but obey what his master wanted him to do.

“Your engagement has already been moved to next month. Aside from that I have also decided to let you take over the position I have in Avex Trax. And I'll also be making you the new CEO of our advertising company. So within the next few days you will be very busy,” Daichi's father suddenly announced.

“Why all of a sudden decide on these kinds of things?” Daichi asked with a frown. He didn't like the idea that he will be very busy in the upcoming days. Because he knew he was supposed to help Lena with her plan about Jaejoong.

Daichi's father suddenly laughed. “Well . . . for one thing . . . the only reason why I am doing this is because I want you to be very acceptable in the eyes of Lena's family. I want them to see that the man their daughter is marrying has a very stable job and a good future,” the old man answered.

He suddenly thought that he needed to think of a way to help Lena. . . . He didn't want her to lose her chance to be with the only man she really loves.

Daichi didn't know what to say. He was thinking about what his parents' reactions will be once they found out about Lena and her secret love for Jaejoong. He suddenly tried to smile at his parents. He wanted to hide all the thoughts that were slowly starting to cloud his mind. He felt pity for Lena. He knew that it was already starting to become very impossible for her to break free from their engagement. He knew she would eventually end up being hurt. And somehow this thought was also hurting him as well.

CHAPTER 5


Two days later . . . .

Daichi was silently driving the car, while Lena was sitting beside him. He didn't know how to start the conversation with Lena. He was very worried that Lena will become very upset with the news that he was going to tell her regarding their engagement.

“Why are you very quiet?” Lena asked. She couldn't stand the silence anymore. So she decided to be the first one to talk.

“Lena . . . We need to talk . . . And frankly . . . I don't know how to start what I want to say,” Daichi answered.

Lena smiled sweetly at Daichi.“I am not used to seeing you very serious. So where are we going?” Lena asked.

“As I said before we need to talk . . . .privately,” Daichi replied.

Lena just looked out the car as Daichi continued to drive to their destination. She was suddenly surprised as Daichi finally pulled over the DBSK boys' apartment building.

“Why are we here?” Lena asked with total confusion.

“Just follow me . . . I will explain everything to you once we are inside,” Daichi replied again.

Lena followed Daichi into the building with mixed emotions. She was very confused and very scared as well. She didn't like the way Daichi was acting. He was too serious and he didn't even smile the whole time that they were together.

Daichi led Lena to a unit beside the DBSK boys' apartment. He immediately opened the door and asked Lena to come in.

Lena walked into the apartment. And was very surprised that the whole apartment had already been fully furnished with state of the art equipments and expensive furnishings.

“What is the meaning of this?” she asked Daichi with a confused look on her face.

“Do you like it?” he asked with a smile.

“Like what? This apartment?” she asked with total confusion.

“Yes . . . this apartment,” he answered with a smile again.

“I am totally confused already, Daichi. Why are we here?” she said with a frown.

Daichi laughed. “You're really very impatient with things . . . . Come on . . . sit first and I will explain everything. But just promise me that you will try to be calm once you hear what I am going to say,” he said with a soft voice.

Lena suddenly felt nervous as soon as she heard what Daichi said.

“What is it about? I mean . . . what are you going to tell me?” she continuously asked.

“Sit first,” Daichi said as he pointed to the open space on the couch beside him.

Lena hurriedly sat down on the couch, while facing him. “So?” she impatiently asked.

Daichi looked at Lena. He knew she would be devastated by what he was going to tell her. He didn't know how to start what he needed to say.

“Lena . . . my. . . . parents have already moved our engagement from two months from now . . . . to a month from now,” he started to say gently. He didn't want to shock her.

“What?” she asked with her eyes wide open with disbelief. “How . . . why?” she asked confusedly.

“They have already told me that they have moved our engagement to next month. I am sorry, but there is nothing we can do about it,” he said.

Lena looked at Daichi with a bitter smile. “I guess I should be expecting this . . . “ she uttered. “I guess I should just try to accept the fact that I can never be with Jaejoong.”

“I am sorry . . . . I know I promised you that I would help you to be close again with Jaejoong . . . . But suddenly this problem comes up,” Daichi said with a sad tone.

“It's okay. I should be thankful that you're helping me . . . . And it certainly isn't your fault. Thank you Daichi . . . for everything,” she said with a smile.

Daichi looked at Lena's sad face. His heart was aching as he watched her. Somehow he wanted to make her happy even if it meant that he was hurting himself in the process.

“So do you like the apartment?” he asked again. He wanted to make her happy again.

“What?” Lena asked confusedly.

“The apartment . . . . is yours,” he replied with a big smile.

“Mine? What do you mean?” she asked again.

Daichi smiled. “Since we will be engaged next month . . . . I have told my parents that I wanted to give you a little gift. And that gift is this apartment . . . . This is yours. You can use it anytime you like. And aside from that, I've already asked my parents permission. And even though my mother is very reluctant to let you go. She has already agreed to let you stay here for the mean time. So this means that you will be able to see Jaejoong almost everyday . . . . if you like.”

“Daichi . . . .” she uttered in total disbelief. She was suddenly very happy.

“Like what I had promised you . . . . I would help you to get close with him. Since our engagement will be in a month . . . I hope you will be able to finally tell him how you feel within that time. I really want you to be happy Lena. . . . That is why I am helping you,” he said as he tried to hide the pain he was feeling.

“Daichi . . . . I am not sure . . . if I can go on with our plan anymore,” she said softly.

“Why?” he asked.

“Jaejoong is still the same as before. And I think he still doesn't believe in love. . . . And afraid of what he had always said that he would never fall in love with a friend. So I am thinking . . . maybe it would be very impossible for me to make him fall in love with me,” she said with sadness in her voice.

“Please . . . . Lena . . . don't be discouraged so easily. Remember . . . I am here to help you . . .” Daichi said as he gently held her hand.

Lena looked at Daichi's hand gently holding her hand. How she wished that it was Jaejoong's hand.

Daichi stared at Lena's sad expression. He couldn't explain what he was feeling. How he wanted to take her into his arms and just comfort her until all the sadness she was feeling disappeared.

“You can start living here . . . . as soon as tomorrow. At least this way . . . . you can be closer with him without anyone being suspicious,” he said again.

“Daichi . . . . what if he doesn't like me in return?” she asked with a strange expression on her face.

“Then he is a fool . . . . “ he uttered with anger.

“I can't force him to like me the same way that I like him . . . . What if he really just cares for me as a friend? . . . . I don't think I can take it,” she confessed.

“You still have a month to make him fall in love with you. I hope you use that time wisely,” he uttered again.

Lena tried to smile, then just nodded. “Yes . . . thank you. . . . I don't know what I would do without you.” she said as she gently kissed him on the cheek.

Daichi's heart was pounding very fast as Lena softly kissed him on the cheek. At that moment, how he wished that he was Jaejoong and that he was the one in Lena's heart.

“We should be going back to the house. I told Mother that I would only be showing you this apartment. We wouldn't want her to be upset. She might suddenly decide to take back what she had said,” Daichi said as he slowly stood up.

Lena just nodded. They both knew that Daichi's mother had a strange temper. And even his father was careful not to stir his mother's moody nature.

Daichi and Lena hurriedly went out of the apartment unit. They were just about to leave . . . . When they came across the DBSK boys in the hallway. The boys have just arrived from a hectic schedule and were all very tired.

Lena somehow wanted to hide as soon as she saw Jaejoong. She didn't want to face him at that moment. She knew he would just notice the sadness in her eyes and he would keep on asking her what was wrong.

“Lena . . . .” Jaejoong uttered. He immediately stared at the man who was standing beside his friend.

“Jaejoong . . . . “ she uttered as well.

“What are you doing here?' Max asked Lena while he was staring at Daichi.

“Oh . . . . well. . . . I am going to be your new neighbor,” Lena answered as she tried to put on a smile.

“Neighbor? You're kidding right?' Jaejoong said with a laugh.

“Nope . . . .” she uttered again.

“She will be moving to the apartment unit next to yours. I hope all of you will be kind enough to take care of her and visit her every once in a while. Since she will be staying here alone,” Daichi suddenly said to Jaejoong.

Jaejoong stared at Daichi. He wanted to ask him who he was but was too embarrassed to do so.

“By the way . . . . I am Daichi Tanaka. I am Lena's . . . .” Daichi was starting to introduce himself when Lena suddenly interrupted him.

“He is my future husband . . . .” she said with a fake smile.

The DBSK boys all looked at Lena with shocked expressions on their faces, especially Jaejoong.

“Future husband? . . . . As in fiancee?” Jaejoong asked as he couldn't believe what Lena had said.

“Yes,” she replied sadly.

The DBSK boys immediately noticed the sadness on her face. They knew that something was wrong but they were too embarrassed to ask.

Even Daichi was surprised with what Lena had done. He couldn't understand her reason for telling Jaejoong the truth. He sighed. He was totally confused. How could she make him fall for her now . . . . now that she had revealed that truth, he kept on asking himself.

“So when are you moving?” Xiah asked Lena curiously.

“I think I'll be moving in tomorrow,” Lena answered.

“Tomorrow?” Xiah asked with disbelief.

“Boy . . .you are really in a rush to move in . . . .” Xiah replied again with a smile.

Lena laughed. “I'm not that in a rush . . . . really.”

“Lena . . . . we have to go,” Daichi reminded Lena while he was looking at his watch.

Lena looked at Daichi and then at the DBSK boys.

“Well . . . . we have to go . . . . Maybe we can chat again after I move in,” she said with a smile.

“Sure thing,” Jaejoong replied.

Jaejoong didn't know what he was feeling at that exact moment as he watched Lena and Daichi leave. He was happy because Lena was going to be near him once again just like old times. But he was also feeling jealous that he was no longer the one and only man in Lena's life.

CHAPTER 6


“Why did you tell him the truth?” Daichi asked Lena while his eyes was fixed on the road. He was already driving home. He still couldn't believe what she had done.

“I think it was the best for everyone . . . .” she replied as she looked at the lights outside the car. Her mind was in a total mess. She didn't know why she told Jaejoong about Daichi. Somehow she felt that it was already useless for her to hide the truth.

She was already teaching herself to accept the truth that she was going to end up with Daichi no matter what she did. She glanced at Daichi . . . . He was already a perfect husband for any girl. He could easily be considered as a good catch to some women. He was handsome, had a very stable job, rich, intelligent, with good family background, understanding and very loving. A lot of girls she knew were already saying that she was very lucky that she got him as a fiancee.

Lena sighed. “Should I be happy that I am going to marry Daichi?” she asked herself silently. Her mind was telling her that she should be happy . . . . but somehow her heart was telling her a different answer.

“Is it right that I am staying next to their apartment? What if someone found out and it cause some problems?” she asked herself again.

“What are you thinking?” Daichi asked. He knew that Lena was thinking of something. And he really wanted to interrupt her. He wanted to know the truth.

“I am thinking . . . . of me and you . . . . of Jaejoong and me . . . . and whether it is right that I am going to stay in the same building with Jaejoong,” she replied unconsciously. It was her trait to answer straight away when asked without thinking first. She was very surprised that Daichi had taken advantage of her being preoccupied with her thoughts.

Daichi smiled. “You can never be a liar. You're too honest and too direct with everything. What do you plan to do now . . . now that you already have told him about you and me? How are you supposed to make him fall for you now?”

Lena stared at Daichi. “I don't want to make him fall for me anymore. I know I can never do it. What I want now . . . . is to be at least honest with him. I want to tell him how I truly feel about him. That is the only thing I want now. . . . “ she replied sadly.

“Lena . . . . why?”

“Daichi . . . . I just want to be with him as a friend now . . . . I know . . . . friendship is the only thing that he can offer me . . . . and I guess I have to try to content myself with that,” she replied.

“So are you really sure with your decision? Does this mean that you are already accepting our engagement? Are you really ready to accept me as your husband to be? ” Daichi asked with his heart pounding very hard as he waited for her answer.

Lena stared out the car. “Yes . . . . I guess there is nothing more I can do. We are both stuck in this . . . . and I am already very tired of fighting against my family, especially my parents' wishes.”

Daichi felt that Lena was already surrendering. . . . She was already accepting their current situation. At that time . . . . he couldn't really decide whether he should be happy or sad. He only wanted her happiness . . . . and he didn't really care about his own feelings. He sighed heavily as he continued to drive.

All the way to home, both Lena and Daichi stayed silent. They were both preoccupied with their own thoughts regarding their pre-arranged marriage. Somehow they were both thinking that maybe . . . . maybe . . . . they were really destined to be together.

Back at the DBSK boys' apartment . . . . .

Jaejoong was silently looking at the TV. Even though he was looking at the screen of the TV, his mind was flying somewhere else. He was still thinking about Lena . . . . and Daichi. He still couldn't believe that his best friend already has a boyfriend . . . . or a fiancee, to be exact. Somehow he always imagined Lena to be his buddy . . . . but now . . . .the idea of her being someone else's girlfriend or wife is making him lose all his sanity.

Lena had always been his friend ever since they were still small children . . . . She and another friend, Yoora . . . . The three of them were all very close with one another. They were so close that everyone who knew them thought that Jaejoong was gay or something, because he was always with girls. But they didn't know that the two girls were more of boys than girls, both in character and in looks. Lena and Hye-Shin both loved to wear boys' clothings like jeans, shorts, shirts and they totally disliked wearing anything that suggested their true gender. They also loved doing things that only boys would do. There were also times that Jaejoong would make fun of them and joke about their future husbands . . . . . or if they will ever get one. And they would always answer that a husband is far from their minds.

Lena would always answer that she had no plan of marrying anyone except a very special someone. He would always ask who the guy was . . . . or if it was even a guy . . . . and she would end being silent and then he would end up trying to say sorry to her. . . .

Jaejoong suddenly smiled. . . . . That was the past . . . . Now . . . . Lena was already very different . . . . very different that he couldn't understand why he never noticed it before.

It was only now . . . . that he suddenly realized that his best friend had already transformed into a very beautiful and desirable woman . . . Jaejoong shook his head . . . . and slowly bent down his head and then cupped his face with his two hands. Different questions were running through his mind. But one particular question was repeating in his mind . . . . over and over again. It was already making his head hurt.

“Hyung . . . . are you all right?” Max asked with concern as he noticed Jaejoong.

Jaejoong raised his head and looked at Max. He saw that the other DBSK members were all looking at him, with concern in their eyes. He tried to smile . . . . He wanted to pretend that he was all right. He wanted to dismiss the thought and the strange feeling that was bothering him.

“Something is wrong . . . . right?” U-Know asked.

Jaejoong didn't know what to answer. He was very much confused and he didn't want the others to know what was really on his mind.

“Nothing . . .” he tried to deny it.

“Hyung . . . . we can all see that you are very much affected by what happened today . . . .” Xiah said with a smile.

“What happened today? I don't know what you mean . . . .” Jaejoong answered.

“We all saw the shock and the strange expression on your face after Lena introduced her fiancee to us,” Micky said. “You don't have to lie . . . .”

“What's really bothering you?” Xiah asked again.

Jaejoong looked at his friends. Then he suddenly decided that he needed to tell them or he would just lose his mind . . . . thinking about the answer to the question in his mind . . . .

“I . . . . I am just quite confused . . . . After Lena introduced that guy to us . . . . It was as if . . . . it was the only time that I suddenly saw Lena as a girl . . . . I know it's weird . . . . But I have been used to seeing her as my friend . . . . and as a boy . . . . And now . . . after she said that she had a fiancee . . . it totally took me by surprise . . . . I never imagined that she would have a boyfriend . . . . and most of all a husband . . . .” Jaejoong confessed.

“Hyung . . . .” Max uttered. They all felt that their friend was totally having a hard time accepting what he just learned.

“So you're unable to accept that your best friend is getting married . . . . is that it?” Micky asked with a smile.

“Frankly I . . . I don't know. . . . I am quite confused on why I am being like this . . . .” Jaejoong answered.

Micky suddenly laughed. “Is it because . . . . you're starting to fall for your best friend?”

Jaejoong looked at Micky with a horrified reaction on his face. “What? . . . . That is totally impossible. I can never fall in love with a friend . . . . especially not with her. It is like falling in love with my own sister . . . .” he replied with a forced smile.

The other DBSK members all looked at each other, as if asking one another if they actually believed what he said.

“Hyung . . . . but she's not your sister so there's nothing wrong if you suddenly realize that you like her more than a friend,” Max suddenly teased.

“Max . . . . Lena is just a sister to me . . . . I can never fall for her . . . . “ Jaejoong said again as to defend himself from Max's teasing.

“Lena is very beautiful . . . . Anyone could easily fall in love with her. So why is it very impossible for you to fall in love with her?” Xiah asked with a raised eyebrow. He couldn't believe what Jaejoong was saying.

“Because . . . because she's my best friend. And friends aren't supposed to be fallen in love with. In my casee, it's quite impossible because I'm already very familiar with her. She's like one of my sisters . . . . that being with her has no thrill or excitement at all. And being in love with soemone has to have that special feeling whenever you're with them . . . . You know what I am talking about right? And frankly . . . . I don't think I can ever get that kind of feeling from her,” Jaejoong tried to explain.

The other DBSK members somehow understood what their friend was trying to say.

“So you're really okay with her having a boyfriend and being engaged?” U-Know asked again.

“Well . . . . I don't think I have any right to say anything. If she's happy with him . . . . then I am going to support her on her decision,” Jaejoong answered with a heavy heart. He knew part of himself was lying. There was a big part of himself that wasn't happy that Lena already had a boyfriend.

“Well . . . . I still think that anyone can fall in love with Lena. And if I were in your position . . . . I would have fallen in love with her a long, long time ago,” Micky commented.

Xiah suddenly laughed out loud. “Now that is something very possible . . . . Jaejoong hasn't fallen in love yet . . . . So he's quite picky when it comes to girls. But on your case . . . . any girl who comes within 10 meters with you is already in danger.”

U-Know, Jaejoong and Max all laughed after they heard what Xiah had said.

As the other DBSK members all talked and laughed, Jaejoong was still troubled.

“Why am I feeling this way? Why am I being affected by the fact that Lena already has a boyfriend? Is it really possible that I like her more than a friend?” Jaejoong continued to ask himself.

“No . . . . she's just my friend . . . . She's like my sister . . . . I can never fall in love with her . . . .” he tried to tell himself over and over again . . . But as he was trying to convince himself of this . . . . his heart was somehow aching.

CHAPTER 7


The next day . . . . .

The DBSK boys were already finished with their scheduled activities for the day. It was already passed 7 o' clock in the evening, and they were already starving. They were walking to their apartment unit when Max suddenly remembered something.

“Hyung . . . . isn't Lena supposed to move in today?” Max asked Jaejoong.

Jaejoong stared at Max. He had totally forgotten about Lena. They were all very busy that he forgot that she was moving in that day.

“Yes . . . . I think so . . . . But why are you asking?” Jaejoong asked.

“Aren't we going to help her . . . . or just simply drop by to say hi?” Max asked again with a smile. The real reason why he wanted to go to Lena's apartment was because he was hoping that she already had cooked dinner. And that once they came to her place, she would eventually asked them to eat dinner with her.

“Yeah . . . . Let's drop by her place and help her out,” Micky said.

Jaejoong just nodded. His heart started to beat very fast as soon as his friends started to walk to Lena’s apartment.

Max rang the door bell. He was very excited to see Lena again.

Within minutes . . . . the door suddenly opened and the DBSK boys' mouths suddenly dropped open with shock.

Lena was the one who opened the door. She was wearing a very skimpy shorts and a sleeveless body hugging shirt. Her long black hair was also loose, which added more attraction to her already voluptuous figure. She was totally very sexy . . . . and the boys couldn't deny it.

At that moment . . . . Jaejoong wanted to cover all of his friends' eyes. He didn't want them to look at Lena with such desire in their eyes.

“Hello . . . .” Lena greeted them warmly.

Somehow all the DBSK boys snapped out of their trance. Then they all smiled at Lena.

“Hi . . . . so you have already moved in? We dropped by to ask if you needed any help,” Max said.

“Oh! . . . . That's so sweet . . . . But we've already finished unpacking my things . . . . Have you guys had dinner yet? We're about to eat . . . . Would you like to join us?” Lena said with a sweet smile.

“Yes . . . .sure,” Max immediately replied. He was very happy that his plan had actually worked.

The DBSK boys entered Lena's apartment. And just like she said, all the boxes in the living room were already empty.

“So who's helping you?” Jaejoong asked Lena.

Then a voice suddenly called out from one of the rooms.

“Lena . . . . . where do I put the new cookbooks you bought?”

Lena looked at the direction where the voice came from.

“Just put it near the computer . . . . Oh . . . . we have guests,” she shouted as well.

“Guests?”

Daichi suddenly came out of the room.

“Oh! It's you guys . . . . We're about to have dinner. Would you guys like to join us?” he asked with a smile.

“They've already said yes . . . .” Lena answered.

“Oh . . . . I'll just go and clean myself up first,” Daichi said as he immediately walked into a room.

Jaejoong's eyes followed Daichi as he entered another room. He had a feeling it was Lena's room. And somehow his heart started aching again.

“Come on . . . . Let's eat,” Lena said to the DBSK boys as she led them to the dining room.

Max's face suddenly lit up with delight as soon as he saw the different kinds of foods on the table.

“Are you guys having a feast?” Micky asked jokingly.

“How many people are helping you out exactly?” Xiah suddenly asked Lena.

“Huh? How many people? Daichi and I are the only ones here,” Lena answered with a confused reaction on her face.

“Really?” Max asked.

“Why do you ask?” Lena asked.

“Because the amount of food you prepared is good enough to feed more than twelve people,” Jaejoong answered.

“Oh. . . . you see . . . . Daichi isn't used to eating only one kind of food. He's accustomed to eating several different kinds of dishes every time he eats. So I prepared ten different dishes to satisfy his taste,” she explained.

“And do you think you can actually eat all of this?” Micky asked while staring at the table filled with dishes.

Lena laughed. “No . . . . of course not. I can always store the leftovers and eat it tomorrow.”

“Oh . . . .” Micky uttered.

“Come on . . . . Let's all eat . . . . Sit down,” Lena said with a smile.

The DBSK boys all sat down at the table, big enough for ten people.

After several minutes, Daichi finally appeared. He had already taken a quick shower and had already changed his clothes.

“Let's eat . . . .” he happily announced. He had immediately picked different kinds of foods and had started to eat.

The DBSK boys were feeling awkward at first. They felt a little bit uneasy being with Daichi.

“Why aren't you guys eating? Don't you like Lena's cooking?” Daichi asked as he noticed that the DBSK boys haven't started eating.

“Why? Don't you guys like the foods I prepared? What do you want? Just tell me . . . . I can always cook it for you,” Lena said with a smile.

“No . . . no . . . . the food is just fine . . . . It's just . . . . we feel a little bit uneasy . . . . Aren't we disturbing you guys?” U-Know asked.

“Disturbing? . . . . . Who? . . . . .Us?” Lena asked as she looked at Daichi. Then she suddenly smiled again.

Daichi stared at Lena and then at the DBSK boys. “You're not disturbing . . . . don't worry. There's nothing to disturb . . . . anyway,” he said with a laugh. “You guys should start eating . . . . or else . . . . Lena will start crying about how you don't like her cooking . . . .” he said again while he laughed.

“Hey . . . . I'm not going to cry . . . .” Lena said to Daichi.

The DBSK boys somehow finally felt at ease after hearing Daichi teased Lena. Max immediately picked out several different dishes. Micky and U-Know just watched with total amazement as Max happily gulped down the food he was eating. Xiah and Jaejoong just smiled and shook their heads after watching how fast Max ate his food and was serving another set.

Lena happily looked at the DBSK boys. She was very happy after seeing that they liked the different dishes she prepared.

“Lena . . . .” Daichi suddenly uttered.

“What?” she asked as she suddenly stopped eating and looked at Daichi.

“Do you think you can handle the arranging on your own now?” Daichi asked.

“Why?” she asked again.

“Well. . . . I have to go and meet up with some of my friends at a club,” Daichi answered honestly.

“Oh . . . . I see. . . . Well, don't worry. I can take care of the remaining work. Just go . . . . Don't worry about me . . . . So who are you going to meet? Anyone I know?” she asked with a smile.

“An old friend from the United States arrived this morning. He wants me and some other friends to have a drink with him at a club,” Daichi answered.

“Oh . . . . you're not bringing me along?' she suddenly asked.

Daichi suddenly smiled. “No . . . . I'm not bringing you along. I know you're quite tired already. And I know you'll just become uncomfortable once you see my friends.”

“Huh? Uncomfortable? Why? What do you mean?” Lena asked as if somewhat confused.

Daichi laughed. “The friends I am meeting are my friends during my wild days. . . . Frankly . . . . I don't want you to meet them today because they've already set up specific girls to be our dates.” Daichi answered honestly again.

Lena suddenly stopped eating and looked at Daichi. “Oh . . . . I see . . . . So you're going on a date . . . . . Well, good luck with your date.”

The DBSK boys were all shocked with what they heard. They couldn't believe that Daichi had told Lena that he was going on a date with another girl, as if it was nothing. But what shocked the boys the most was Lena's reaction. Somehow she didn't even care that her fiancee was going out with another woman.

Jaejoong looked at Daichi. He was already very angry with him. He didn't like the way Daichi was treating Lena.

“Why are you still going out with the other girls when you already have a fiancee? And how could you possibly just tell her that you're going out with another woman? Don't you think that's too unacceptable?” he asked irritatedly.

Daichi suddenly stared at Jaejoong. He could see the anger in his eyes. He suddenly smiled.

Lena suddenly became alarmed. She also saw the angry look on Jaejoong's face. Somehow she felt happy that he cared for her. But she saw knew it was only because she was his friend . . . . and nothing more.

“Jaejoong . . . .” Lena uttered.

Jaejoong stared at Lena. He saw the worried look in her eyes. Somehow this helped to calm his emotions down.

“Jaejoong . . . . There is still a lot of things you need to know about me and Daichi . . . .” Lena softly said.

“Like what?” Jaejoong asked.

“Like . . . . the fact that we are only together because our parents set us up . . . .” Lena weakly answered.

The DBSK boys were all shocked with what they heard. They couldn't believe that they would actually encounter someone who was in an arranged marriage set-up. It was already very uncommon for young people like them to actually accept such an arrangement.

Daichi saw the different reactions that the DBSK boys had. He suddenly felt that it was time for him to leave. He knew that Lena needed to talk with the DBSK boys alone. He immediately stood up and walked to where Lena was sitting.

“Well . . . . I need to go now . . . .Lena . . . . Remember to make sure that the doors are locked when you go to sleep okay? I won't be able to come by later tonight . . . . I think I will be out till morning . . . . So I won't be able to call you also . . . . “ Daichi said as he took Lena's hand and gently squeezed it.

Jeajoong's heart was feeling pain as he silently watched the scene before him.

“It's okay . . . . Enjoy your date . . . “ she said with a smile.

“Thanks. . . . If you suddenly have any problem . . . . Don't hesitate to call me okay?” Daichi said sweetly.

“Okay . . . . don't worry. Jaejoong is just next door so I can easily go to him if I need help with something . . . . “ she answered.

“I know . . . . Oh! Before I forget . . .” Daichi suddenly left the dining room and after a few minutes returned holding an envelope. He immediately gave it to Lena.

Lena, on the other hand, looked at the envelope with curiosity. “What's this?” she asked.

“Open it,” Daichi replied with a smile.

Lena curiously looked into the envelope. Inside it, she found a credit card and a large amount of money. She suddenly looked at Daichi with a confused expression on her face.

“What is the meaning of this? You know I have my own money,” she asked again with irritation as she placed the money and the credit on the table.

The DBSK boys' eyes suddenly widened as soon as they saw the large amount of money that was set on the table. They all estimated that it would amount to at least more than a million yen.

“First of all . . . . I know how you hate it when I give you money to buy things . . . . So I wouldn't even dare to give you those . . . .” Daichi answered with a worried look on his face.

“Really? Then who sent these?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Mother . . . . sent those. She said to tell you that if you get bored and don't have anything to do . . . . You can go shopping . . . and buy whatever you want. The card has no limit, so you can basically buy anything if you want . . . . even a sports car if you want,” Daichi said with a light laugh.

“A sports car? As if I would want one . . . . .” Lena said with a pout.

Daichi laughed again. “You're really very different with all the girls I have been with. If the other girls I had before received that kind of amount and that card, they would all be dancing with joy by now.”

“Well . . . . I am not one of your girls before . . . . so I can certainly be different if I want to,” Lena replied.

Daichi laughed again. “Sometimes I wonder how I will be able to handle you once you become my wife. You're too opinionated about everything. I think I am going to have a headache almost everyday . . . . “

“That's easy . . . . Then don't marry me. . . .” Lena said with a smile.

“What? My mother would totally disown me if I didn't marry you,” Daichi replied with a laugh.

'Well. . . . as if my parents wouldn't disown me too if I didn't marry you. We're stuck in the same boat remember?” she said sadly.

The DBSK boys suddenly sympathized with Lena. They all could see that she wasn't happy with her situation and was just being forced.

“I have to go Lena . . . .” Daichi said again after looking at his watch.

Lena stared at Daichi and just nodded. “Okay . . . . Take care . . . . Be careful while you're driving.”

“Yes . . . . don't worry . . . . You be careful here as well okay . . . .” Daichi said sweetly again.

“Yes . . . .” she answered.

“Bye . . . .” Daichi then lovingly kissed Lena on her forehead.

Jaejoong's heart suddenly pounded wildly as soon as he saw Daichi kiss Lena. Even if it was only on her forehead. . . . he was still aching badly . . . .

CHAPTER 8


Lena and the DBSK boys all silently ate after Daichi left. Somehow Xiah, U-Know, Micky and Max felt the tension between Lena and Jaejoong. They could easily tell that something was wrong.

Lena looked at Jaejoong. She knew that he was angry with her. And somehow this made her very uneasy. She couldn't stand the fact that he was being upset with her.

“Jaejoong . . . . what's wrong? I know you're mad . . . . Are you angry with me?” she asked as she looked straight at him.

“I'm not mad . . . .” Jaejoong answered coldly.

Lena smiled bitterly. “We've been friends for a very long time. I already know how you act when you're mad or you're upset . . . . And frankly, right at this minute . . . . I know you're angry . . . . Are you angry with me?” she asked again.

Jaejoong finally lifted his eyes to meet Lena's stare.

“I still can't believe that you would actually agree to something so ridiculous like an arranged marriage . . . . Whatever happened to the girl who I knew? What happened to the girl who said that she would only marry someone who she loves? . . . What happened to my friend who always stood up for her decisions and principles? . . . .What happened to the feisty Lena that I know?” Jaejoong continuously asked as he stared straight back at Lena.

Suddenly Lena felt she have never felt so small in her entire life. Jaejoong was right. The old Lena would never have agreed to marry someone who she didn't love. Somehow Lena wanted to defend herself against Jaejoong's pre-judgement. But she knew he was right and she couldn't do anything about it. She felt totally helpless.

“I know . . . . I maybe a big disappoint to you . . . . But frankly I have tried going against my parents' wishes for as long as I could. They even gave me the choice to break off the engagement . . . . provided I presented a guy to them that I was going to marry instead. And how could I possibly do that? Aside from you . . . . I don't know any other man. . . . . “ Lena tried to explain. But somehow as she was trying to explain her side to him . . . . she didn't notice that tears were already falling from her eyes.

“Lena . . . .” Jaejoong uttered.

“Do you think I actually like to marry someone I don't love? I can't do anything about it, Jaejoong. . . . . I have tried to rebel and I have even tried to run away . . . . but all of it was just useless. You know how rich my parents are. They just used their influence and everybody was already afraid to help me. Do you know the reason why I had been away for the passed year was because that was the time I was rebelling against my parents. I ran away . . . . and I even tried to live alone for more than a month . . . Do you have any idea how hard it was for me?. . But during those time . . . . the only thing on my mind was . . . . I wanted to prove to my parents that I can live alone and that I wanted to make them realize that I had no intention of being married to a man I barely even knew. . . . . “ she continued to say as tears also continued to stream down her face.

Jaejoong immediately saw Lena's tears. This somehow made his heart suddenly turn soft. He couldn't stand seeing a girl cry . . . . especially if it was Lena. He had never seen her cry ever since they were small. She had been a very strong and brave girl. And seeing her cry now . . . . was making him crazy with concern.

Jaejoong suddenly stood up and went to where Lena was sitting. He knelt down in front of her and looked straight into her eyes. “I'm sorry . . . . Please don't cry,” he said as he immediately wiped Lena's tears with his hand.

Lena tried to smile. How she missed Jaejoong's sweetness. She had been missing him badly for the passed year. How she wanted to tell him that he was the main reason why she didn't want to marry Daichi. . . . And that he was the man she loved . . . .

Jaejoong couldn't help himself . . . . he suddenly touched Lena's face lovingly. The other DBSK members saw what he had done, and were somehow taken by surprise. They had never seen him become so physically tender with anyone.

“Please . . . . stop crying. . . . I didn't mean to make you cry . . . . I am sorry. . . .” Jaejoong said softly.

Lena didn't know what to say to Jaejoong. Somehow right at that moment, she felt what she needed the most was someone she could lean on. She suddenly embraced Jaejoong. She didn't care about anything else anymore. She only had a month to be with him. It was the only time she had left. She might as well . . . .set aside all her inhibitions and just let out her true feelings.

Jaejoong was shocked at first . . . . but then he knew he liked the feel of her body next to his. He gently hugged Lena back. He didn't care about what his friends might say. All he could think about was that he wanted her in his arms . . . . .

Xiah, Max, Micky and U-Know quietly left after seeing Jaejoong embracing Lena. They knew that the two needed some time alone.

As soon as the other DBSK members left, Jaejoong immediately asked Lena if they could go and talk at the living room. Lena nodded and just followed him.

They both sat on the sofa next to each other. Lena felt so happy being so near Jaejoong once again. It has been a very long time since the last time that they had been together.

Lena gently laid down her head on Jaejoong's shoulder. She used to lay down her head on his shoulder whenever she was sad or she had any problems. And he would patiently and carefully listen to everything that she wanted to talk about. How she wished that she could stay beside him forever . . . . . even if only as a friend.

Jaejoong was very quiet as Lena's head laid down on his shoulder. He suddenly remembered all the times that they spent together. It was only then he suddenly realized that he had missed her badly.

Jaejoong couldn't explain what he was feeling right at that exact moment. But all he could think about was that he wanted to be true to himself.

He gently took Lena's hand and carefully held it between his two hands. Her hand was so cold that he gently squeezed it and started to rub it.

“How I missed this . . . .” Lena uttered.

Jaejoong looked at Lena. His heart had suddenly pounded after she said those words. He then held her hand tighter. He somehow felt like he wanted to hold her forever.

“What do you plan to do now Lena? Are you really going to marry him?” Jaejoong tried to ask.

Lena laughed lightly. “Frankly . . . . I don't know . . . . Daichi is a very nice guy and all but . . . . the fact is . . . . I don't think I can ever fall in love with him,” she answered.

“Why?” Jaejoong asked.

Lena suddenly paused for a moment . . . . She then thought that maybe this is the right time for her to tell him about her true feelings.

“Jaejoong . . . .” Lena uttered.

“Uhm . . . . .” he uttered.

“I'm already in love with someone,” Lena summed up all her courage and was finally able to say.

“What? With whom?” Jaejoong asked with a trembling voice. He was very surprised to hear that Lena was already in love. He never imagined that he would actually hear her say those words. And after hearing those words . . . . different emotions started creeping up inside his heart.

“Someone I know,” she simply replied.

“Does he know . . . . I mean about you having feelings for him?” he asked again.

“No . . . . “ she answered.

“Why not?” he asked again.

“Because . . . . because I don't know want him to know,” she replied again.

“Do I know him?” Jaejoong curiously asked.

“No comment,” she replied with a laugh.

Jaejoong suddenly smiled and then lightly laughed as well. “No comments? What kind of an answer is that? Are you an artist as well?”

Lena laughed again. “Still my answer is . . . .no comment,” she said with a smile.

“Fine . . . . if you really want to keep it a secret. I won't ask anymore,” Jaejoong said with a smile. But deep down inside, he was somehow hurting. His best friend had really changed, he suddenly thought.

“You never kept any secrets from me . . . . But now . . . . You have really changed Lena . . . .And I don't know why . . . . But somehow I am hurting . . . .” Jaejoong said in his mind as he continued to squeeze Lena's hand.

Len felt like she was in heaven while Jaejoong held her hand. She didn't tell him the truth because she was afraid that he would suddenly changed. And that was the last thing that she would want to happen. She needed him now . . . . even if only as a friend.

“Do my sisters know about your arranged marriage?” Jaejoong asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“They knew? But why didn't they tell me?” Jaejoong asked in total disbelief.

“Because I asked them not to tell you . . . . .” Lena answered.

“But why?” he asked again.

“I didn't want to bother you with my problems. I know once you learned about my current situation . . . . you would certainly be affected . . . . So I just asked them to keep it as a secret from you,” Lena answered.

“You're my best friend, Lena. I will always be affected if something bad happens to you . . . .or when you're experiencing problems,” he said again.

“I know . . . . and thank you . . . . for being so caring,” she uttered.

“Is there anyway I can help?” he suddenly asked.

Lena smiled bitterly. “No . . . . I'm sorry . . . . But no one can help me now,” she replied.

“How about the guy you're in love with? Does he know that you're in love with him?” Jaejoong finally asked the question that was constantly echoing in his mind.

“No . . . . he has no idea,” she replied.

“Really? I mean . . . . he really has no idea that you have feelings for him?” Jaejoong asked curiously.

“He has no idea . . . . because he only sees me as a friend,” Lena answered.

Then suddenly another question popped into Jaejoong's mind.

“I thought you said that I am the only guy friend that you have . . . . then who is this guy that you're in love with?” he suddenly asked.

Lena was shocked. Jaejoong was finally figuring things out on his own.

“No comment,” she replied again.

Jaejoong stayed silent. He was feeling very jealous just thinking about Lena with another guy.

“Could it be that the guy she's in love with is me?” Jaejoong asked himself. Somehow this thought made his heart skip a beat. He couldn't understand why . . . . but deep down inside he wsa hoping that he was the one Lena was pertaining to.

CHAPTER 9


The next day . . . .

The DBSK boys had already finished their activities and decided to go home early. They were happily chatting along the hallway to their apartment unit when Daichi suddenly came running pass them straight to Lena's apartment.

“Hey isn't that Daichi?” Max suddenly asked.

“Yes . . . . Something's wrong with Lena,” Jaejoong suddenly said as he immediately followed Daichi. His heart started to pound so hard.

The DBSK boys all ran after Daichi. They knew that something was wrong, and they were all very concerned.

Daichi had just opened the door and immediately went inside with the DBSK boys right behind him.

Inside the apartment, they found Lena crawled up on the sofa. She was crying and was obviously in so much pain.

“Lena . . . .” all the boys uttered.

Lena continued to cry. She was clutching her abdomen.

“Jaejoong . . . . can you please carry her to her room. I'll prepare her medicine,” Daichi said to Jaejoong.

Jaejoong just nodded. Gently he carried Lena in his arms and went straight into her room. While he was carrying her, different things were running through his head. Jaejoong was thinking that she felt so light in his arms. He also felt like he didn't want to let her go. And it was as if she was born to be in his arms forever. He couldn't imagine having a girl in his arms would make him feel this way. He sighed heavily . . . . feeling her body next to his was bringing him a certain sensation that he never felt before.

“Snap out of it . . . . Jaejoong! She's Lena. . . . . She's your bestfriend . . . .” he kept on reminding himself.

U-Know, Max, Micky and Xiah were all confused on what was happening. They all pitied Lena as she kept on crying and groaning in pain. Somehow the boys' hearts wsre all aching as well as they heard her cry.

Jaejoong gently laid down Lena on her bed. And after a few minutes, Daichi entered the room with Lena's medicine and a glass of water. Jaejoong quietly walked to where the other DBSK boys were standing. They were standing near the door to Lena's room.

Jaejoong was feeling very weak. He suddenly leaned against the wall. Somehow his heart was aching as he watched Daichi carefully helped Lena drink her medicine, then Daichi gently caressed Lena's hair, over and over again until she finally fell asleep.

Jaejoong used to do this to make her fall asleep. And seeing Daichi doing it, was making him jealous. He didn't want to feel such an emotion . . . . but he couldn't stop himself.

After Lena had fallen asleep, Daichi lovingly kissed her on the forehead and arranged her bed. Then he slowly left the room together with the DBSK boys.

The boys all went straight to the living room. Then Daichi brought out wines glasses and a bottle of red wine from a cabinet. And he gave each of the DBSK boys a glass filled with wine. Then they all sat at the sofa facing each other.

“Drink up . . . . Thanks for the help. And sorry if you guys got worried . . . . She's always like that whenever her period starts . . . . Jaejoong already knows about it right?” Daichi said to Jaejoong.

Jaejoong just nodded. Ever since they were young, he had been used to Lena's monthly wailing whenever her period starts. She always cries all day long on the first day of her period because of dysmenorrhea. And the following days she would just lay down in bed . . . . sick.

“Her period came early this month . . . .If my secretary hadn't mentioned about her medicine, I wouldn't have called her. And after calling her for almost five times without any answer. That was when I started to worry. So I came here as fast as I could,” Daichi said, then he suddenly laughed. “Isn't it weird that we're talking about a girl's monthly period?” he asked again with a laugh. Then he took a sip of the wine he was holding.

Jaejoong looked at Daichi. “How do you know about her monthly sickness?” he asked. “You're already that familiar with her?” he asked again.

Daichi laughed. “I have been with her for more than a year . . . .that's why,” then he drunk all the remaining wine in his glass. “Honestly . . . . the very first time that they told me about my marriage with Lena. I was really mad as hell. The first time we met each . . . . I was really cruel with her and she was totally hostile as well. We were like cats and dogs put together.”

“Really? You don't like her? Seems very different with the way I see things,” Jaejoong said sarcastically.

Daichi laughed. He didn't think that Jaejoong would be so ironic with him.

The other DBSK boys just watched and listened as they all could feel the tension building between Daichi and their friend.

“Like I said before . . . . the very first time I met her . . . . I was cruel with her. I didn't like her then. And she didn't like me either. During that time I had a girlfriend who had been with me for almost more than a year. I really loved that girl . . . . and she was the reason why I was so hard with Lena. I couldn't accept the fact that I was going to marry someone I don't like. But my parents were very persuasive and they wouldn't take no for an answer. So they made sure that I wouldn't end with that girl,” Daichi suddenly smiled bitterly as he remembered what happened. He took the bottle of wine and poured himself another glass.

“What happened?” Micky asked curiously.

“My parents bought off my girlfriend . . . . with money. How much? I don't know and frankly . . . . I don't care anymore. After I learned that the reason why she just disappeared was because she accepted the money that my parents gave her . . . . it was only then that I realized that all women are the same. They are all easily persuaded with money and material things. That was when I accepted our pre-arranged marriage. At first, I just wanted to play around with her. But after I got to know her, everything suddenly changed,” Daichi narrated.

“What changed?” Max asked.

“After I got to know her . . . . I suddenly realized that she was very different with all the girls I've been with. And after being with her for more than a year . . . . we have suddenly became friends. Now I don't mind if I am going to be married with her anymore. . . . I already consider it as my luck to have her as my future wife. I think any man would be delighted to have a beautiful, caring and loving wife like her . . . .” Daichi said as he looked straight at Jaejoong. He was somehow waiting for any reaction from him.

Jaejoong just stared at the glass that he was holding. He then gulped down all the wine in the glass. He was somehow upset with the things that he was hearing.

“So you're really going to marry Lena . . . . even if you're not in love with her?” Micky asked with disbelief.

Daichi laughed. “Who said I'm not in love with her? . . . . Honestly . . . . I have already fallen in love with her . . . . I just don't know if she had already noticed it.” he said with a serious expression on his face.

The DBSK boys especially Jaejoong were all quiet. They had all expected that Daichi had feelings for Lena. They all could see it with the way he was taking care of her.

“So that is the reason why you're already agreeing to your marriage with Lena? You're really in love with her?” Jaejoong asked as if really trying to make sure what he had heard was correct.

“I wouldn't marry someone I don't like . . . . But the sad part is she's already in love with another man . . . . and that is the reason why she's still trying to find ways to break off the engagement with me,” Daichi said sadly as he also stared at the glass he was holding.

“She's in love with whom?” Xiah asked. “Do you know the guy?”

Daichi suddenly laughed out loud. “Know him?” he asked in return. (I am looking at him now!) He said in his mind.

“So you already know that she's in love with someone else and you're still determined to marry her?' Jaejoong asked again with a cold expression on his face.

Daichi didn't know how to answer Jaejoong's question.”Yes. . . . I am not going to let her go unless . . . . it is to the man who she is in love with. Only then . . . . maybe I can reconsider to set her free . . . .”

“Have you ever thought about her feelings? She's in love with someone else and you're still going to marry her? Isn't that a little bit too unfair to both of you?” Max asked with a raised eyebrow.

Daichi looked straight at Max and the other DBSK boys. “Do you know that Lena ran away for more than a month because she really wanted her parents to break off the engagement?”

“She told me . . . .” Jaejoong replied.

“After she ran away . . . . both our parents used all their contacts and resources to find her. She was able to hide for more than a month . . . . And during the time that she was away . . . . I really thought that her parents were going to give in . . . . but I was wrong. The moment they found her . . . . they immediately sent her to live with us . . . with me. I am not really that inconsiderate with her feelings or her right to love freely . . . . But frankly, she has no choice . . . . And I am already doing everything I can do to help her. But the man she is in love with . . . . also doesn't love her. So what am I supposed to do?” Daichi asked as he looked at Jaejoong. Somehow he wanted to ask him straight if he had feelings for Lena. Somehow if he knew the truth . . . . he thought that maybe things would be made easier for all of them.

Jaejoong stared back at Daichi. “What do you mean? The man she likes doesn't like her too?” he asked.

Daichi smiled bitterly. “Yes . . . . Love is really cruel, isn't it? I love her . . . . she loves another man . . . . but the other guy doesn't even love her back . . . .”

The DBSK boys were all starting to get very confused. They didn't know if it was the effect of the wine they were drinking or Daichi was just really divulging everything to them. They also pitied Lena's situation. They couldn't imagine how they would feel if they were in her situation.

“Maybe I can talk with her parents . . . .” Jaejoong uttered.

“Don't bother . . . . You know her parents . . . . They are rich and powerful. They always have a way with dealing with things . . . . And the arrangement with us has already been fixed. The only way to break off the engagement now is . . . . if another man asked for her hand in marriage. And frankly . . . with the way both are parents are guarding her . . . . she has no time to meet other men,” Daichi said.

“So what do you want me to do? Just sit around and just watch my bestfriend suffer?” Jaejoong asked angrily. He had already lost his calmness.

“I'm sorry . . . . But unless you are willing to go against her parents then I suggest don't try to interfere. . . . “ Daichi said again.

Jaejoong stared at Daichi. He didn't know what he was feeling right at that exact moment. He wanted to help Lena. He didn't want her to marry Daichi. But somehow he was confused on what to do.
He suddenly stood up and took the bottle of wine placed on the table near Daichi.

Then he poured himself another shot.

“Hyung . . . . .” Max exclaimed with concern.

Jaejoong just drank all the wine he had just poured into his glass. Then he suddenly walked out the door. He didn't want to talk with Daichi anymore. He didn't want to see him anymore. Somehow just thinking of him being with Lena was hurting him in a way he can't understand.

Jaejoong went straight to their apartment . . . . and straight into his room. He suddenly locked the room. He wanted to be alone . . . . He wanted to think . . . he needed to sort out his feelings and everything that was running through his mind.

He suddenly sighed. “Why am I feeling this way? What is wrong with me?” he asked himself as he looked out the window. “Could it be . . . . I like Lena more than a friend?” he asked himself again.

Jaejoong just stared out the window . . . . very confused, as rain started to fall . . . . one by one.

CHAPTER 10


Lena slowly opened her eyes . . . . she was feeling a bit dizzy. She tried to get up but she was feeling very weak. She tried to think about what had happened the night before. All she could remember was that Daichi and the DBSK boys had all witnessed her crying. She cupped her face with total embarrassment. She didn't know what to say to the DBSK boys once she was faced with them again.

The pain in her abdomen had lessened. Compared with what she was feeling yesterday . . . . the pain today was much more tolerable. Lena stared at the ceiling . . . . she wondered what would happen next. . . . Now that she was so close to Jaejoong.

“You're awake . . . .” Daichi said with a smile.

Lena looked at the direction where the voice came from. Daichi was already standing near the door.

“Are you feeling better? Would you like me to prepare breakfast now?” he asked sweetly as he approached her.

Lena smiled back at Daichi. “Thanks . . . . but I don't think I can eat . . . I feel so weak,” she answered.

“Then the more reason why you should eat . . . . Come on . . . I've ordered some delicious foods for you to eat,” he said as he gently helped her to get up.

“Daichi . . . .” she slowly uttered. She didn't want to get out of bed.

“Come on . . . . Get up,” Daichi said with a sweet smile. “I have a surprise for you. I know you'll love it.”

Lena curiously stared at Daichi's face. “What?”

“I won't tell . . . . You've got to see it for yourself. So you better hurry up,” he replied.

“Fine . . . I'm going to take a shower first to freshen up . . . .I'll just join in the dining room in a few minutes okay?” Lena said as she went straight to the bathroom.

“Be careful in the shower okay? You might slip or something,” Daichi reminded Lena.

“Okay . . .” Lena uttered as she closed the door.

Daichi immediately left Lena's room after she went to the bathroom. Then he headed straight into the dining room.

In the dining room, the DBSK boys were already sitting and waiting at the table.

“Where's Lena?” Xiah asked.

“She's taking a shower,” Daichi replied.

“Oh . . . .” Xiah uttered.

“So where's Jaejoong?” Daichi asked as he looked around searching for him.

“He's still in the kitchen . . . . cooking,” U-Know answered.

Daichi smiled. “He's really fond of cooking, isn't he?”

“He's really good at cooking actually . . . . “ Max said proudly.

“Yes, I know. Lena had already told me so much about him,” Daichi said.

Suddenly Jaejoong entered the room with a large bowl of home-made soup. The aroma of the soup immediately filled the room. It suddenly made all the boys hungry.

“Hyung . . . that smells so delicious,” Max uttered.

“Sorry . . . .I only made enough for Lena,” Jaejoong said.

“Oh . . . . That's unfair,” Max said.

Jaejooong suddenly laughed. “Why would you want to eat this? You're not sick . . . “

“But it smells so nice . . . .” Max answered.

Micky suddenly laughed as well. “Any food that smells good to Max . . . he will surely eat. So don't be surprised anymore,” he said.

The other DBSK boys all laughed as well. And as they were laughing, Lena entered the room.

“What are you guys doing here? Don't you have any work today?” she asked curiously.

The DBSK boys all looked at Lena. She was pale and looked very weak.

“Why did you wake her up?” Jaejoong asked Daichi.

“Well. . . . we're all going to have breakfast . . .” Daichi answered.

“I was planning to bring her breakfast in her room . . . so she doesn't have to get out of bed. She's still very weak,” Jaejoong said.

“I'm okay, Jaejoong. We can all have breakfast . . . here. . . . together,” Lena said with a smile as she sat down on one of the empty chairs beside Daichi.

Jaejoong stared at Lena, and just tried to brush away the irritation that he was feeling towards Daichi.

Lena smiled sweetly at Jaejoong. “Is that soup for me?” she asked.

Jaejoong just nodded and carefully placed the bowl in front of her. He then sat down beside her. He wanted to make sure that she ate all the soup that he had prepared for her.

Xiah, U-Know, Micky and Max suddenly felt an awkward feeling after seeing Lena between Daichi and Jaejoong. They knew their friend had a special feeling for Lena, but he was just too afraid and shy to admit it.

“I really missed this soup . . .You used to cook it for me whenever I got sick,” Lena said as she happily stared at the bowl of soup in front of her. She was remembering the times when she and Jaejoong were still young. Whenever Jaejoong learned she was sick, he would immediately go to her house and ask permission from her parents to take care for her. And after that he would always cook his very special home-made soup, and he would always make sure that she would eat all of it.

Lena was already very eager to taste Jaejoong's soup. She hurriedly scooped out a spoonful when . . . .

“Be careful . . . the soup is still hot,” Jaejoong said as he took the spoon from Lena's hand.

Jaejoong had already faced Lena and was already making the soup loose its warmness by constantly stirring it.

“You're still the same . . . You're always so careless. . . “ Jaejoong commented.

Lena laughed. “Really? I haven't changed at all? Are you sure?”

Jaejoong stared at Lena. Then he smiled. “I know you have changed . . . .I have already noticed it . . . . But I just don't want to say anything,” he said as he scooped out a spoonful of the soup and carefully brought it to Lena's mouth.

Lena just opened her mouth automatically as Jaejoong made her sip the soup from the spoon. She looked at Jaejoong with love in her eyes. She had truly missed him. How she wished that they could go back to the days that they were still young and there was nothing between them.

Daichi tried to avoid looking at Lena and Jaejoong. It was hurting him to see Lena with another man. But he knew he had to endure it . . . . he loved her and he wanted her to be happy.

Jaejoong continued to spoon-feed Lena. While the DBSK boys were already noticing the sweetness of Jaejoong towards Lena and Daichi's cold reaction. They all felt that they were certainly something going on between Jaejoong, Lena and Daichi . . . but they were just too embarrassed to say anything.

Max suddenly thought that the atmosphere was already getting very tense, and that he needed to do something.

"Hey hyung . . . . can you spoon feed me too? How come you're only taking care of Lena? We're all hungry too . . . ." Max said with a broad smile.

Jaejoong and Lena both stared at Xiah. Then they both laughed.

"Why would you want to be spoon-fed too? You're not sick," Jaejoong asked with a laugh.

"Because she gets to eat your special soup. So that is why I am asking you to feed me too," Max answered.

Lena laughed. "Jaejoong you should have made enough soup for everybody."

"But I only made enough to feed you," Jaejoong answered.

"Then go and make some more . . ." Lena said with a smile.

Daichi suddenly stood up. "Lena, I'm sorry but I have to go. My secretary will be here any minute now. She'll be accompanying you until tomorrow,” Daichi suddenly said as he stood up.

“Secretary? And you're going already? You haven't even had breakfast yet . . . .” Lena said.

Daichi smiled. “Don't worry about me. I can just buy something on the way to the office.”

“What about your secretary? Why is she staying with me?” Lena asked again.

“You're weak. I can't let you stay here alone when you're like that. And I have a meeting this morning, then later in the afternoon, and another in the evening. I won't be able to check-up on you every few minutes. So I've decided to just let my secretary take care of you while I'm busy.”

Lena laughed. “What did your secretary say? Didn't she refuse or something? She's your secretary . . . for heaven's sake Daichi . . . not a baby-sitter.”

Daichi smiled. “Lena . . . I can't go through with my meetings peacefully when I know that you're left here all alone . . .Even if I go to those meetings . . . .I will just end up having it stopped every few minutes just to call you.”

“You're really so sweet, Daichi. But just take your secretary with you. I can take care of myself,” Lena said.

Daichi suddenly frowned. “Fine . . . . If you don't want my secretary with you . . . . then I won't go to my meetings. I will just have all of them cancelled.”

“Daichi . . . you're being stubborn,” Lena uttered.

“You're the one being stubborn. What if something happens to you while you're left here all alone? Besides . . . . if my mother found out that I left you when you're in a state like that . . . . I would never hear the end of it. She will surely make a full blown sermon out of it,” Daichi said as he shook his head while thinking of his mother nagging him. The thought suddenly sent shivers to his spine.

Lena suddenly laughed out loud. “Okay . . . . now I understand. You're being afraid of your mother again?” she asked while still laughing.

Daichi looked at Lena with a embarrassed look on his face. “Hey! Stop laughing. That's not fair. Who wouldn't be afraid of my mother especially when she's very upset. You should try listening to her unending nagging when she's angry. Oh! Just thinking of it makes me want to run and hide.”

Lena laughed again. “I know . . . I know . . . sorry . . . I was just teasing you. But frankly . . . I can take care of myself. I don't want your secretary to stay with me. If anything goes wrong, I will call you immediately.”

Daichi just shook his head. He knew that he couldn't easily convince Lena to have his secretary stay with her.

Jaejoong looked at Lena then at Daichi. Suddenly an idea came to his mind.

“I don't have anything to do today . . . I will gladly take care of Lena . . . if that is okay with you,” Jaejoong suddenly said. His heart was somehow beating very fast while waiting for Daichi's answer. Jaejoong knew that there was a big possibility that he might object since he is a guy. And he can't possibly let another man take care of his future wife.

Daichi stared at Jaejoong . . . . then he fixed his eyes on Lena.

“Are you sure you don't have anything to do anything to do today?” Daichi asked Jaejoong.

“Yes . . . we don't have any scheduled activities for today,” Jaejoong answered.

Daichi smiled. “Fine . . . I'll just call my secretary and tell her to go straight to the office instead.”

“So it's okay with you that I stay with her all day?” Jaejoong asked as if surprised. He didn't expect that Daichi would agree so easily to having another man take care of Lena.

“Yes . . . I know the two of you are very close . . . So there's no problem with that. And at least, I can put my mind at rest . . . while I'm at my meetings. . . . since you will be taking care of her,” Daichi answered.

“Can we stay here too?” We also don't have anything to do today?” Max asked suddenly.

Everyone suddenly turned their attention on Max.

“Sure . . . all of you guys can stay here as long as you like,” Daichi replied.

“So there's no problem with you . . . if Lena stays with five handsome men . . . . all alone . . . for one whole day?” Xiah asked teasingly.

“Handsome? Oh Xiah! You're too much . . . .” Lena said while laughing.

“I don't see any problem with that. Don't worry. . . . I'm not the jealous type of guy and I'm certainly not a narrow-minded one,” Daichi said with a smile.

Suddenly Daichi's phone started to ring. He immediately answered it . . . and after several minutes.

“So I'll be going now . . . . Thank you for staying with her while I'm gone,” Daichi said to the DBSK boys.

“Sure . . . It's nothing,” Micky answered.

“She's my best friend . . . So I'll be more than willing to take care of her,” Jaejoong said.

Daichi gave Lena a quick glance. Then he suddenly smiled. “Before I forget . . . Jaejoong can I ask one tiny favor?” he asked.

“What is it?” Jaejoong asked.

“Do you think you can stay with her tonight . . . maybe until tomorrow morning?” Daichi asked.

Jaejoong's eyes widened with shock . . . The other DBSK boys' were all shocked as well.

“Daichi!” Lena uttered with an angry tone.

“What I can't let you sleep in the apartment all alone. I don't think I will be able to come here after my last meeting . . . . since I know it will be very late. So I think it would be better if he stayed over for the night. At least, if something happened, he would be here,” Daichi answered.

Lena frowned. She knew that the reasoning that Daichi gave her was just part of the whole reason why he wanted Jaejoong to stay with her.

On the other hand, Jaejoong was very upset . . . . because he was thinking that Daichi didn't really care about Lena that much.

“What a jerk! How could he possibly let another man stay in an apartment alone with his future wife . . . even if the guy is her best friend. If I were him . . . . I would never allow it,” Jaejoong thought to himself as he looked at Daichi.

Daichi looked at Jaejoong. “So is it okay with you? Can you stay here tonight . . . . with her?” Daichi asked Jaejoong.

Jaejoong just nodded. He was afraid that if he opened his mouth . . . . he might end up saying something bad.

“Well . . . that's good. Thank you . . . . So I'll be going now,” Daichi said. Then he slowly walked up to where Lena was sitting and gently kissed her on the forehead. “Bye,” he said.

“Bye . . . and have your breakfast before you go to your first meeting okay?” Lena said.

“Yes . . . don't worry. . . . Bye everyone . . . .” Daichi said as he hurriedly left the apartment.

As soon as Daichi left, Xiah, Micky, Max and U-Know all sighed with relief. They all felt very awkward dealing with Daichi. They were somehow very uncomfortable whenever he was around.

“So let's eat breakfast already,” Max said with a smile.

The other DBSK boys laughed.

“Yes, you can all start having breakfast now. I know all of you are already hungry,” Lena said with a smile.

While Micky, Max, U-Know and Xiah were happily having their breakfast . . . Lena and Jaejoong were both thinking of what will happen next . . . . Both of them were thinking what will happen once they were already alone with each other.

CHAPTER 11

After having breakfast, Lena and the DBSK boys all decided to watch a movie. An hour passed . . . . . Jaejoong couldn't stand Lena's silence anymore.

“Why don't you go back to your room and rest?” Jaejoong asked Lena. She was quietly sitting right next to him on the sofa.

“I'm fine . . . . Besides I won't be able to go back to sleep anyway. If I go back to bed, I'll just end up passing my time looking at the ceiling,” Lena answered while staring blankly at the wide screen tv.

“Well . . . . you're just passing your time staring at the tv screen already. Are you understanding what we are watching?” Jaejoong asked again. He had been observing her for the past hour.

Lena looked at Jaejoong, then she suddenly smiled. “Frankly . . . . no. I'm thinking about something else.”

“Would you like to talk about it?” Jaejoong asked softly.

Lena stared straight into Jaejoong's eyes. She saw the concern he was feeling for her . . . . and somehow this warmed her heart. She really needed someone to talk to. But she was thinking that he wasn't really the right person to talk to.

“No, thanks . . . . It's nothing.”

Lena felt so lonely. She needed someone to talk to about what she was feeling and everything that was running through her mind. And she was also very tired . . . . tired of trying to cope up with everything that was happening around her.

Suddenly she decided to lean on Jaejoong's shoulder . . . . and then she closed her eyes.

Jaejoong's whole body stiffened as Lena's head laid down on his shoulder.

“Lena . . . .” he uttered.

“Remember . . . . when we were young, I would always sit next to you and I would always lay down my head on your shoulder . . . then I would always fall asleep?” she asked while she kept her eyes closed.

Jaejoong smiled as he remembered their times together. “Yes . . . and I would always end up looking after you while you slept like a baby.”

“Jaejoong . . . . I wish we didn't have to grow up . . . . I wish we didn't have to grow apart . . .” Lena said then she suddenly stopped talking.

“Lena. . . .” Jaejoong uttered her name again. He didn't know what to say.

“I wish we were still young . . . everything was so simple back then . . . no complications . . . no limitations . . . . no Daichi to think about . . . .” she said with sadness in her voice.

Jaejoong's heart suddenly pounded the moment he heard her say those words. He also wished that they could go back to the times that they were very close with each other.

The other DBSK boys looked at each other, then at Jaejoong and Lena. They heard what Lena had said and they instantly knew that they needed to give Lena and Jaejoong some time alone with each other.

“I just remembered I need to call somebody,” Xiah suddenly said.

“And I also need to go online today,” Max said.

Lena suddenly opened her eyes. She then looked at the other DBSK boys and then she smiled.

“You're all very sweet . . . . but you guys don't have to leave,” she said as she closed her eyes again. “I know you just want to give Jaejoong and me some time alone.”

“We can leave . . . if you guys want some privacy,” Max said with a smile.

“It's okay . . .There's nothing important we need to talk about anyway,” Lena answered.

Jaejoong's facial expression hardened.

“Yes . . . there is,” Jaejoong said.

Lena immediately opened her eyes and lifted her head . . . then she looked at Jaejoong.

“What do we need to talk about?” she asked curiously.

“Have you really decided to marry that guy?” Jaejoong asked seriously. “He obviously has a different way of taking care of his future wife . . . . Imagine . . . asking another guy to stay in her fiancee's apartment for a whole day and night.”

“But there's nothing wrong with that . . . . You're my best friend and Daichi knows that. So he doesn't really mind,” she said with a smile.

“Yes . . . . we're best friends. But we're adults now . . . Everything's different now,” Jaejoong uttered.

Lena laughed. “Different? How? I know you . . . . Jaejoong. Yes, we're already adults. But nothing's changed. You still treat me like I'm one of the boys. So even if we stay locked up together in a room . . . . nothing's going to happen between us.”

Jaejoong felt that there was a huge lump in his throat. He suddenly couldn't understand what he was feeling. He didn't know what to say and his mind had totally gone blank.

“Why am I feeling this way?” he kept on asking himself. “What's wrong with me? She's just my best friend . . . .”


“Jaejoong . . .” she uttered his name.

Jaejoong looked at Lena. “Are you really accepting your fate with him? Aren't you even going to try and ask your parents to change their minds,” he asked softly. The questions were still running through his mind.

“Jaejoong . . . .I've tried every means to persuade my parents . . . . I've tried reasoning with them . . . I've tried begging them . . . . I've tried rebelling against them . . . . I've even tried running away from them . . . . But it always ended with the same result . . . . Nothing!” Lena answered.

She then looked at Jaejoong's reaction, and bitterly smiled.

“How many times do we have to discuss this? Do you really think that I just accepted this arrangement without any fight? . . . . I fought with my parents, Jaejoong . . . . more than a dozen times . . . All of which ended violently . . . . “ she then laughed. “Well . . . . more likely I was the one being violent. I think I broke more than a dozen priceless figurines in our house . . . . excluding the dozens of plates I broke one time during my tantrum . . . and excluding the dozens of wine glasses I broke on another tantrum episode. You do remember my bad temper right?” she asked with a laugh.

Jaejoong stared at Lena. How he pitied her.

“Yes . . . . I remember you have such a bad temper . . . that whenever you have one, everyone just avoids you,” he then laughed lightly. “Even the boys in our neighborhood are afraid of you.”

Lena laughed as well. She then shook her head in agreement.

“Yes . . . . even the boys are afraid of me . . . . Only you have the guts to approach me when I am in a bad mood.”

The other DBSK boys just quietly listened as Lena and Jaejoong talked. They all pitied Lena. They knew being in an arranged marriage was a very hard situation.

“I remember whenever you're having a bad day . . . your mother would call me and Yoora to come to your house so that we could calm you down,” Jaejoong said as he remembered everything like it was only yesterday.

“Yoora? She'll be here next week,” Lena said.

“Really?” Jaejoong asked. “Why?” he asked curiously.

Lena looked at Jaejoong. “Should I tell him?” she asked herself.

“Lena . . . .” Jaejoong uttered as he noticed that she was thinking of something.

Lena tried to smile. “She'll be here on a vacation. . . . But to be exact . . . . she'll be here for the engagement party and the wedding as well.”

“Engagement? . . . . Wedding?” Jaejoong asked with total shock.

The other DBSK boys saw their hyung's reaction after he heard the word “wedding.” The reaction on his face already gave the boys the proof that they were searching for. Now they could easily say he had feelings for her.

“When is the engagement?” Max asked.

“And when is the wedding?” Xiah asked again.

“The engagement will be next month . . . and the wedding? . . . “ she suddenly stopped and started to think. “I think the wedding will follow immediately after the engagement. I'm calculating, I'll be engaged and married in a matter of two months . . . So Yoora will be here so I can enjoy my remaining days . . . .” Lena answered.

“Remaining days? Sounds like you're dying and not getting married,” Micky commented.

Lena laughed with sadness in her eyes. “You're quite right, Micky. It does sound like I'm dying . . . . But the truth is . . . I am already dying inside . . . Getting married with someone I don't love is like committing suicide . . . . So yeah . . . you could say I am dying . . . So I guess, by the time I get married with Daichi . . . I will be considering myself dead . . . .”

“Dying . . . dead? Why are you saying such horrible words? If you don't want to marry him . . . then don't. Don't just give in and spend your whole life regretting everything,” Jaejoong said angrily.

“We're leaving . . . the two of you need to talk,” U-Know said to Lena and Jaejoong.

Xiah, Micky, Max and U-Know immediately left Lena's apartment. They knew the two needed some time alone to sort out their personal feelings.

CHAPTER 12


Lena looked at Jaejoong. . . . .

“I've missed you Jaejoong . . . .” she uttered.

As he heard those words, he immediately glanced at her.

Lena smiled. “We haven't seen each other for more than a year . . . . are we going to end up fighting now?”

“We have never fought . . . . even once . . . .” he uttered.

“Yes . . . it's because you've always been very patient with me,” she said as she laid down her head again on his shoulder.

“I need a friend now Jaejoong . . . please,” she suddenly said.

Jaejoong felt his heart was very heavy.

“I'm always your friend . . . I will always be your friend,” he said softly.

“Friend . . . .” Lena uttered. (“But I want you more than a friend . . . . I love you. I have loved you for years now . . . . Can't you see it? Can't you feel it?”) she asked in her mind.

“I'm concerned with you Lena. That's why I'm being emotional,” Jaejoong said.

“I know . . . . and thank you for your concern,” she replied.

“Lena . . . . about the guy that you like . . . who is he?” Jaejoong started to ask. His heart was pounding.

“He . . . he is just an illusion . . . someone I can never have . . . someone who will never love me in return,” she answered sadly.

“How did the two of you meet?” he asked again.

Lena smiled. “I met him when I was still young.”

Jaejoong's heart suddenly ached. “Don't tell me, he's one of the boys in our neighborhood.”

(“Should I tell him the truth? What if he suddenly withdraws from me?”) she asked herself.

“Lena . . . he's a boy from our place?” Jaejoong asked again. He wanted to make sure.

“Uhmm . . . . yes.”

Jaejoong felt his heart suddenly break into two pieces. He suddenly closed his eyes. He didn't know why but somehow he wanted to cry. He was feeling very weak.

“I've finally fallen in love, Jaejoong. When we were still young, we would talk about falling in love right?” she then laughed. “You always said that the one you would fall in love with would be someone very special. Have you found her? Have you fallen in love Jaejoong?”

Jaejoong didn't know what to answer. Different questions and different emotions were making him very confused.

“No . . . I haven't,” he answered.

“Why?” she asked.

Lena closed her eyes. She knew her tears were about to fall. She was hurting deep inside. She knew it was very impossible. But she was hoping that he would say yes and say that he was in love with her. She wanted to sob. But she still tried to control herself. She bit her lower lip as she tried to stop herself from crying.

“I still haven't found the right girl, I guess. That's why I haven't fallen in love yet. I always imagined that the moment I see that special girl . . . . I would instantly know . . . . at that exact moment . . . that she is the one for me,” he answered.

(“Why? Why can't you fall in love with me?”) she asked in her mind again.

Lena tried to hold herself back from crying. She needed to know . . . . she wanted to know what was on his mind.

“Jaejoong . . . you always said that you would never fall in love with a friend . . . . why?” she asked softly.

Jaejoong smiled. “You've asked me that question a million times already . . . Aren't you tired?”

“No . . . . I just wanted to know if maybe . . . . your view had changed,” she answered.

“I don't think my opinion about falling in love with a friend will ever change. For me, a friend will always be a friend. If I fall in love with a friend. . . . it's like falling in love with one of my sisters. It's not right . . . .” he said.

“So you still haven't changed your mind . . . . “ she softly uttered.

“Why are you asking me these things again?” he asked.

“Nothing . . . .”

“Does Daichi know that you're in love with another guy?” Jaejoong asked.

“Yes . . . .”

“And he doesn't mind? He's still going to marry you even though you're in love with someone else?” he asked as if surprised.

“I never lied to him . . . I told him everything . . . . So I guess he already accepted it,” she answered.

“He's really something . . . . If I were him . . . I wouldn't be able to go through with it,” he uttered.

“Yes . . . the two of you are really different,” she said sadly. (“What a sad fate we have . . . I love you but you don't love me . . . . Daichi loves me but I don't love him . . . . If I could only teach my heart who to love . . . . I would have done it a long time ago . . .”) she said in her mind.

“Daichi seems to be a nice guy after all . . . . But are you sure you're going to be happy with him?” he asked with a heavy heart.

“Do you have to ask that? Do you think a person could ever be happy with someone he or she doesn't love?” she replied.

“So you're saying that you know that you won't be happy with him?” he asked.

“The only person I can only be happy with is the one I am in love with . . . . “ she answered.

“Can you tell me who he is?” Jaejoong asked.

“Maybe someday . . . . you'll know . . . . But as of now . . . . I'm sorry . . . But I can't tell you who he is.”

Jaejoong opened his eyes. He stared blankly at the TV screen in front of them. He then gently reached out for Lena's hand.

Lena opened her eyes as well. She looked at her hand as Jaejoong gently clasped it with his hand. Her heart was beating very fast. If she could only stay close to him forever. She was willing to trade everything that she had for a chance to be with him.

Lena sighed. “Jaejoong . . . . what will you do if a friend suddenly confesses her love to you?”

Jaejoong's heart suddenly skipped a beat. “What?' What are you saying?”

“Let's say a friend . . . tells you that she's in love with you . . . . What would you do?” she asked again.

“I . . . I don't know. But I would surely become uncomfortable with her . . . . I would feel a little uneasy dealing with her, that's for sure . . . .” he answered.

“Just as I thought . . . . So you would basically be avoiding her after she confesses right?” she asked with sadness in her voice.

“I don't know how to interact with her after she tells me her feelings . . . . Frankly I never imagined a girl would ever do that. It is very degrading to a girl if she confesses to a guy first. For me . . . it is a little bit awkward. So yes . . . I think I would just avoid her after she confesses,” Jaejoong answered.

Lena sighed. She was right. She had already guessed what Jaejoong's reaction will be once he knew she treated him more than a friend. Now she knew . . . . she shouldn't tell him. . . . She could never tell him the truth. . . . .

Lena's tears started to fall one by one . . . . She wanted to tell him her true feelings . . . but she didn't want to lose him as a friend.

CHAPTER 13


It was already after lunch when Xiah, Micky, U-Know and Max decided to return to Lena's apartment. They knew they had already given enough time for Jaejoong and Lena to talk. They were already very curious as to what had happened to the two. They wanted to know if something romantic had occurred. They were already noticing the special feelings that their hyung had for his friend. And they had also observed the special care that Lena was giving Jaejoong.

“Do you think it is wise that we disturb them?” Xiah asked the other DBSK boys while they were waiting outside Lena's apartment.

“Well. . . . it's already lunch time, hyung. I'm hungry. We should disturb . . . if we all plan to eat,” Max answered.

“What do you think they are doing right now?” Micky asked with a mischievous grin.

“Hey . . . hyung is not like you,” Max protested.

Micky's eyes suddenly widened with shock. “And what do you mean by that?”

“Nothing . . .” Max answered with a big grin.

Micky just shook his head and continuously rang the door bell.

“That's weird! Why haven't they opened the door yet?” U-Know asked with a worried look on his face.

“Maybe . . . that only means . . . . we shouldn't disturb them,” Micky said again with a malicious grin.

Max suddenly decided to lean on the door while waiting. He was already hungry and his hunger was making him very weak. As soon as he leaned on the door, it suddenly opened.

“Hey! The door’s open,” Max exclaimed.

“Maybe Jaejoong didn’t close it after we left,” Xiah said.

“Well . . . let’s see what those two are up to,” Micky uttered as he entered Lena’s apartment.

“Maybe they are already finished cooking lunch,” Max said as he thought of the different dishes he was expecting to see.

The four DBSK boys quietly entered Lena’s apartment. Once they entered the living room . . . . they were shocked with what they saw.

“What’s this?” Micky asked.

Lena and Jaejoong were still on the couch . . . . sleeping. Jaejoong was sleeping while in a sitting position and Lena was lying her head on his lap . . . sleeping soundly as well.

Micky laughed. “Is this the romantic scene we were all expecting to see?”

Xiah smiled. “Maybe . . . they both got tired of talking . . . so they just decided to sleep.”

“Let’s go to the kitchen . . . . Let’s see if they already cooked lunch,” Max uttered while still hoping to see food.

U-Know just shook his head. “Should we wake them up?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Xiah replied.

“Let’s just leave them alone,” Micky answered.

“Yes. . . wake them up. . . I am starving already,” Max exclaimed.

Jaejoong suddenly opened his eyes after hearing Max’s voice.

“Huh? You guys are back?” he asked while still trying to control himself from yawning.

“It’s already lunch time hyung,” Max announced.

“Lunch time already? Sorry . . . . I haven’t cooked yet,” Jaejoong said.

He was about to get up . . . . when he remembered that Lena was sleeping on his lap. He suddenly looked at her. After seeing that she was still asleep, he gently caressed her hair.

“Can one of you help me? I need to get up. But be careful . . . I don’t want to wake her up,” Jaejoong said to the other DBSK boys.

Micky immediately took Lena in his arms. “Should I bring her to her room?” he asked while still carrying her.

“Yes . . .” Jaejoong replied.

Jaejoong immediately led Micky to Lena’s room.

While Micky was carrying Lena, he couldn’t avoid but look at Lena’s beautiful face. She was like an angel sleeping in his arms.

U-Know suddenly nudged Micky. Jaejoong was already looking at Micky with a weird expression on his face.

Jaejoong arranged Lena’s bed as Micky gently placed her down. After making sure that Lena was still sleeping soundly and comfortably, Jaejoong and the other DBSK boys finally left her room.

Jaejoong went straight to the kitchen and hurriedly cooked. He didn’t want Lena to wake up and still find him cooking. He knew that she would surely help him, and he didn’t want her to get tired.

He finished cooking lunch in just fifteen minutes. He knew that the other DBSK boys were already hungry. So he hurriedly set the table.

They were already eating when Max suddenly remembered something.

“Aren’t we going to wake Lena up? Isn’t she supposed to have lunch with us?” Max asked the others.

“Just let her sleep . . . I’ll take care of her when she wakes up,” Jaejoong answered.

“You’re really very sweet with her,” Micky commented.

Jaejoong stared at Micky. “I’ve always been this way with her.”

“So you mean . . . you have special feelings for her?” Micky asked.

Jaejoong laughed. ”Don’t be silly, we’re just friends.”

“Everything starts at friendship . . . .” Micky uttered.

“Hyung . . . . there’s nothing wrong with falling in love with a friend . . . . especially when it’s someone like Lena,” Max added.

“She’s nice and pretty . . . what more can a guy ask for?” Xiah said with a smile.

“And she seems to have special feelings for you as well,” U-Know said seriously.

Jaejoong stared at his friends. “We’re just friends . . . . nothing more, nothing less. And besides, you’re all forgetting that she’s about to be engaged and married. . .”

“That’s why we’re already reminding you of what we are seeing. We don’t want you to regret . . . in the end,” Micky said.

“What you are seeing?” Jaejoong asked as if unable to believe what he heard. “Okay, tell me what are you guys seeing?” he asked again with a grin.

“That you like her more than a friend . . . but you’re just too stubborn to admit it,” U-Know answered.

Jaejoong suddenly glanced at U-Know. Then slowly he lowered his head. He started to contemplate on what U-Know had said. A part of him knew that what his friend was saying was true.

“I can’t fall in love with her. What will her parents say? What will my parents and sisters say when they find out about it? I know they won’t approve of it. She’s a part of my family . . . I can’t fall for her. And the only reason why I care about her is because of our friendship,” Jaejoong said as he stared at the uneaten food in front of him.

“Are you sure?” Micky asked again.

“I don’t have any special feelings for her. In fact, I don’t feel anything for her. Isn’t a guy supposed to feel a special feeling for a girl on the very first time they meet? I have been with her for years now and I already know everything about her . . . that she’s like an open book. There’s no thrill and no special feelings between us. Honestly . . . I can never fall in love with her . . . . she’s just like my sister.” Jaejoong said. He was very confused on what his true feelings were.

“But I am not your sister . . . .” a voice suddenly said.

The DBSK boys were all surprised. They immediately looked at the direction where the voice came from.

Lena was standing near the door of the dining room. They were all surprised to see her crying.

“Lena . . . .” Jaejoong uttered.

“I’m not your sister . . . Jaejoong . . . And there’s nothing wrong with falling in love with a friend . . . I should know because . . . because I’ve already fallen in love . . . . with you . . . I have loved you for ten years now, Jaejoong . . .” Lena said as tears rolled down her eyes.

Jaejoong was shocked. His mind went totally blank.

“I love you Jaejoong. I have loved you for a very long time now . . . . And you’re the main reason why I don’t want to accept Daichi. I was waiting for you, Jaejoong. But now . . . after hearing you say those words. I guess I have to return to reality now,” she said as she tried to control herself.

“Thank you . . . now . . . . I know what I really mean to you. I guess . . . it’s time for me to stop dreaming and waiting for you to love me. I’m sorry . . . but I just couldn’t stop myself. I fell in love with you . . . without even realizing it.”

Lena smiled bitterly. “So now I guess . . .you’ll be avoiding me now? But I’m glad I’ve finally told you the truth. I am happy . . . that I was finally able to say what I truly feel. So after confessing my love to you . . . . I guess this is also where our friendship ends. I’m sorry, Jaejoong,” Lena said as she quickly turned and left . . . while tears streamed down her face.

Jaejoong’s heart was beating very fast. He was very confused on what to do. And what he was really feeling.

“Hyung . . . aren’t you going to talk with her?” Max asked Jaejoong.

“Jaejoong . . . .” U-Know uttered.

“Hyung . . . . “ Max uttered again.

Jaejoong wanted to talk with Lena. But he didn’t know what to say or how to start their conversation. Now . . . . that he knew what Lena really feels for him, he was somehow unable to decide whether he could continue their friendship or not. His mind was going in different directions that he couldn’t think straight. He just continued to stare blankly at the table.

The other DBSK boys were all silent as they watched their friend. They knew he was very shocked and confused. But they had already guessed that Lena had special feelings for Jaejoong the very first time they saw her. They saw how Lena looked at Jaejoong . . . how she cared for him. It was very obvious and impossible not to notice.

It seems Jaejoong was the only one who couldn’t see . . . or more exactly, didn’t want to see . . . that Lena was in love with him. He was trying to deny everything, even his own feelings.

Micky worriedly looked at Jaejoong, then at the door where Lena had just left. He then suddenly stood up and left the dining room. He went straight to Lena’s room . . . . but she wasn’t there. He also checked the other room, but she wasn’t there either. Micky searched Lena’s apartment . . . . but she was nowhere to be found.

He then went to the dining room.

“If you’re not worried about her . . . then fine. Just make sure that you’re prepared if something bad suddenly happens to her,” Micky said to Jaejoong while looking straight at him.

Jaejoong suddenly lifted his gaze at Micky. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“Lena’s left the apartment,” Micky answered.

“Hyung . . . it’s raining outside. She’s already weak . . . she might get worse,” Max said with concern.

“We should look for her,” Xiah said.

“Jaejoong . . . . pull yourself together. Can you please try to set aside everything that you have heard . . . We need to find Lena,” U-Know said as he gently tapped Jaejoong’s shoulder.

Jaejoong looked at his friends. His mind was kind of blurry. He didn’t know what to say or think.

“She might already be shivering in the rain right now. Let’s try to find her quickly,” Micky said.

As Micky said those words . . . Lena’s image suddenly appeared in Jaejoong’s mind. He pictured her all soaked in the rain. . . . shivering . . . . walking aimlessly while crying.

The thought of Lena being in such a pitiful condition made Jaejoong very worried. He hurriedly stood up and immediately ran out of the apartment. The only thing in his mind at that moment . . . . . was that he needed to find her fast.

CHAPTER 14


Jaejoong hurriedly ran out of the apartment building. He didn't know why but his heart was beating very fast.

The rain was pouring very hard. And within seconds, after he went out of the building, he was already soaking wet.

He looked in different directions . . . he was hoping to see Lena. Jaejoong turned left and right . . . he didn't know where to go.

"Lena . . . where are you?" he uttered.

The rain continued to pour as Jaejoong continued to search for Lena.

Some people on the streets were already looking at Jaejoong. They knew who he was and they were all wondering what he was doing out in the rain.

But Jaejoong didn't care . . . . He wasn't concerned about himself . . . all he cared about was Lena. He knew right at that moment . . . she was already soaked in the rain as well. And he also knew that he needed to find her fast before something bad happens to her.

Jaejoong was already getting crazy with worry. He wanted to call out Lena's name. But he knew he couldn't do it. He was already attracting too much attention being out in the rain. He knew if he called out for her . . . he would surely make a bigger scene.

"Lena . . . ." he uttered as again as he continued to search for her.

He had already been searching for more than fifteen minutes. But he still couldn't find her.

"Where could she be?" he asked himself.

He couldn't understand why but he suddenly remembered the park where they both used to go when they were young.

His heart suddenly pounded. He immediately remembered that there was a park near their apartment building.

Jaejoong hurriedly ran in the opposite direction towards the park.

"Lena . . . please be there. Wait for me . . . please," Jaejoong uttered as he ran as if his whole life depended on it.

In the park . . . .

Lena was sitting on a bench. She was crying . . . but somehow the rain was hiding her tears. She stared blankly at the open space before her. She was already cold and soaked in the rain . . . but she didn't care.

The coldness of the rain was somehow numbing her heart. . . . She needed it . . . She was in so much pain. She was already wishing that she would die right at that moment.

Lena remembered the words that Jaejoong had said. She smiled bitterly. She said to herself that she would never expect him to fall in love with her. But hearing him say those words out loud were like pins stuck in her heart.

She started to cry uncontrollably. Her mind was already crowded with so many questions and so many regrets.

"I should have never fallen in love with you, Jaejoong . . . . then maybe everything would have been much more simple," she uttered as tears continued to fall.

Jaejoong was already out of breath . . . but he still kept on running. As soon as he arrived at the park, he immediately tried to look for her.

He was already going insane.

"Lena . . . ." he started to call her name.

He no longer cared about whether he was going to make a scene or not. He needed to find her . . . he wanted to find her.

"Lena . . . ." he called out again.

He continued to walk with a fast pace . . . . he turned his head left and right . . . . hoping to see her.

Then his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

A few meters away from him . . . . a familiar figure was sitting on a bench . . . It was Lena.

He could tell that she was still crying. She was sobbing uncontrollably . . . . and somehow seeing her in such a pitiful state was breaking Jaejoong's heart into pieces.

Slowly . . . . Jaejoong walked up to Lena.

"Lena . . . . " he softly uttered.

Surprised . . . . Lena looked up. She never expected to see him. He was standing right in front of her. He was already very wet. . . . the same way that she was. It was obvious that he had been out in the rain for a long time as well.

"Go away!" she uttered as she hurriedly stood up. She was about to walk away . . . when Jaejoong suddenly grabbed her arm.

"Let's talk . . .please . . . " Jaejoong said.

Lena stared back at Jaejoong. She tried hard to control her feelings. "Talk? We don't have anything to talk about . . . ."

"Yes . . . we do. . . . We need to talk . . . . about us," he replied.

"I don't want to talk with you . . . In fact, I never want to see you again," she said coldly.

Jaejoong tightened his grip on Lena's arm. He was determined to talk with her. He knew they needed to sort out her problem.

Jaejoong sighed heavily." Lena, please . . . . Listen to me . . . ."

"No!" she shouted.

Jaejoong's heart was aching. He could see that Lena was in so much pain. He wanted to comfort her . . . and he wanted to make her feel what he was feeling.

"Lena . . . ."

He suddenly pulled her into his arms. . . . then he embraced her tightly. Lena tried to break free from his embrace . . . . but he just held her tighter.

"Please . . . . let me hold you . . . ." Jaejoong begged.

Lena's heart somehow stopped the moment she heard him say those words. During the entire time that they knew each other . . . she had never. . . ever heard him beg anyone . . . for anything.

She closed her eyes . . . .and slowly eased her entire body. . . . Slowly . . . . she rested her head on Jaejoong's chest. . . . and slowly she returned her embrace.

"I'm sorry . . . if I've hurt you. . . But I'm quite confused on what I am feeling right now. I don't know if what I'm feeling for you is because of our friendship or. . . . because of love . . . I'm sorry . . . Please give me more time to discover my true feelings for you . . . . " Jaejoong uttered as he held Lena in his arms.

"But time is something . . . . I am already running out of Jaejoong . . . You don't have to be kind to me and tell me sweet things just to avoid hurting my feelings. I know . . . . you can never fall in love with me . . . . because if you were able to . . . . you would have fallen in love with me . . . a long time ago . . ." she softly said as the rain drops covered her tears.

Lena's tears were falling continuously. She knew that he was just being kind to her . . . She knew there was no way that he could ever love her back.

"Lena . . . ."

"Can you just hold me? Please . . . . You don't have to say anything . . . . You don't have to lie . . . . Just hold me . . . . I want to cherish this moment. Because I know I may never have the chance to hold you . . . and to be close to you like this again . . . . Even for a short time . . . . I want to experience what it feels like to have the man that I really love hold me," she said with a trembling voice.

Jaejoong tightened his embrace. He knew that Lena was crying again. He could feel her trying to control her sobbing.

Jaejoong gently caressed Lena's hair . . . and slowly he kissed her forehead.

He felt like his mind and heart were going to explode any moment. He was very confused. . . . confused on what he was really feeling for Lena . . . . and confused on what to do next.

Jaejoong closed his eyes as he embraced Lena. He felt like he wanted to hold her in his arms . . . . forever. It was as if . . . she was made to fit in his arms perfectly. But he still didn't know if what he was feeling was good enough as a reason to say that he loved her.

His heart was pounding . . . and aching. He had never fallen in love . . . so he had no idea of what love really was.

Lena knew and felt Jaejoong's confusion . . . Suddenly . . . .

"I love you, Jaejoong. . . . I love you, my friend . . . ." she softly uttered.

It was her last chance to say what she really felt about him. . . . and it was also her way of saying goodbye.

CHAPTER 15


The rain continued to pour as Jaejoong and Lena quietly held each other.

Suddenly . . . Lena started to shiver. Jaejoong immediately released her from his embrace and worriedly looked at her.

“I think it's time we head back to the apartment,” he uttered.

Lena smiled. “I'm fine . . . . Don't worry.”

“You might get sick if we stay out in the rain any longer. You're already shivering. . . . Come on . . . .” Jaejoong said as he held out his hand to her.

Lena looked at the hand in front of her . . . . He heart was beating very fast. . . . Slowly she reached out and held on to it . . . .

Jaejoong smiled as soon as he held Lena's hand.

“Come on . . . . Let's hurry . . . .” he said as he gently pulled her.

Jaejoong and Lena started to ran back to the apartment . . . . while holding each other's hand. Somehow right at that moment . . . . their hearts were beating as one.

They had already arrived at the apartment building when Jaejoong suddenly remembered something.

“Do you still remember the time when we were little . . . . we went out to play in the park . . . . but suddenly it rained . . .?” Jaejoong asked.

“And then we ended up running back to your house, even if the rain was pouring hard . . . and then we both ended up being scolded by your mother because we were both drenched in the rain . . . .” Lena continued to tell what happened as if it was only yesterday.

Jaejoong nodded happily. “I could still remember my mother's face when she saw us . . . .” he said with a smile.

Lena smiled as well. “Your mother was very nice . . . . she immediately helped me to change my clothes . . . .”

“Yes . . . . my mother loved you like you were her daughter . . . .” Jaejoong uttered. “I remember I asked her why she took care of you first . . . . before she took care of me . . . .Do you know what she answered?”

“What?” Lena asked curiously.

“She said you were a part of our family . . . and since she knows that you're very fragile . . . That's why she took care of you first,” Jaejoong answered.

Lena smiled again. “ Jaejoong . . . .” she slowly uttered.

“Why?” he asked.

“Thank you . . . .” she uttered.

“Thank you for what?” he asked again.

“For . . . . everything . . . For searching for me, even if it was raining. . . . For trying to understand . . . . For not being mad . . . . For being my friend . . . . “ she said as she looked straight at his eyes.

Jaejoong smiled sweetly. Then he gently caressed Lena's face . . . .”I can never get mad with you . . . . . And you don't have to say thank you for anything.”

Lena felt the warmth of Jaejoong's hand as he caressed her face. She couldn't stop herself. . . . but her heart was somehow rejoicing. Everything was almost perfect . . . . The only thing missing was for her to see love in Jaejoong's eyes.

Lena smiled bitterly as she suddenly turned away from Jaejoong. She was day dreaming again. She knew she had to teach herself to finally accept the truth.

Sadness suddenly filled her heart . . . . She knew she will never have the chance to see love in his eyes.

“Let's go . . . . I . . . . I'm already cold,” Lena suddenly said. She just made up an excuse so she could break away from Jaejoong.

Jaejoong looked at Lena. Her sudden change had somehow made him very confused. He somehow understood what was happening to her and why she was acting in such a way. But he still couldn't stop himself from being confused and disturbed.

They silently went to Lena's apartment. It was as if their special moment in the rain had never happened.

Jaejoong suddenly felt the coldness and it was hurting him just seeing Lena being distant with him.

The moment they stepped into the apartment. . . . .

“Hyung . . . .”

“Lena . . . . “

Xiah, Micky, Max and U-Know hurriedly went up to Jaejoong and Lena.

“You're both very wet . . .” Xiah said with concern.

“I'll get some towels . . .” Micky said as he hurriedly searched for towels in the bathroom.

After a few minutes, he returned with two towels in hand. He immediately gave one of the towels to Jaejoong, and then he gently wrapped the other towel over Lena. He was very concerned with her.

Jaejoong was looking at Micky and Lena. And somehow he couldn't stop himself from feeling jealous. He didn't want Micky beside Lena. . . . . He felt he didn't want to see Lena beside any other man except him.

He was already going mad. He couldn't understand why he was feeling that way. He didn't want to become jealous just because of Micky. . . . He was his friend. . . . And he knew he had no right to be jealous. He wasn't Lena's boyfriend or fiancee . . .

“I have no right to be jealous . . .” Jaejoong kept on telling himself.

Jaejoong sighed heavily. “I'm going back to our apartment to change my clothes . . . . Can you guys stay here with Lena?”

“Sure . . . . hyung . . . .” Max answered.

Jaejoong hurriedly left Lena's apartment. He was feeling very guilty because of the fact that he was jealous with Micky.

He entered his room . . . . with his mind all messed up. He laid down on his bed. Somehow he felt so tired. His whole body was wet . . . . but he didn't care.

He closed his eyes. His mind and his heart were all running in different directions. His mind was being rational while his heart was being emotional.

“Aaaaahhhhh!!!” he shouted to let out his frustrations.

“If you're feeling something for her, then you should try to be true to yourself . . . .admit it . . . . and let her know . . . . “ a voice suddenly said.

Jaejoong suddenly opened his eyes and sat on his bed.

U-Know was leaning on the door of his room and was looking at him, with a serious expression on his face.

Jaejoong suddenly cupped his face with his hands. He was totally confused.

“What are you talking about?” he then asked U-Know.

“Still trying to deny . . . . I see . . . .” U-Know uttered with a smile.

“Denying . . . . what?” Jaejoong asked again.

“You're denying that Lena means more than a friend to you . . . .” U-Know said.

“I . . . . I'm still . . . . undecided about that,” Jaejoong slowly uttered.

U-Know suddenly approached Jaejoong. And then he sat down beside him on the bed.

“She's a nice girl . . . . And we can all see that she's not happy with her pre-arranged marriage with Daichi. Frankly, I sympathize with her. If I were put in that kind of situation . . . . I wouldn't know what to do . . . .” U-Know said.

Jaejoong sighed heavily again. “I know . . . and I can feel her sadness . . . and somehow it's hurting me seeing her in such a pitiful situation.”

U-Know looked straight at his friend. “Tell me . . . . what's wrong? . . . .Why can't you let out your true feelings? I know that something is preventing you from being true to yourself . . . .”

“I'm confused . . . .” Jaejoong uttered.

“I know you're confused . . . . but aside from your so-called confusion . . . . I know something else is bothering you . . . .” U-Kmow said.

Jaejoong stared at his friend. U-Know was right . . . .something else was holding him back.

Jaejoong smiled bitterly. “Frankly . . . aside from being a singer . . . . there is nothing else I can be proud of . . . Lena comes from a very wealthy family, while I come from an ordinary one . . . . She's an only child . . . So she's basically going to inherit all her parents' businesses later on . . . . While I don't have anything to expect from my parents . . . . She finished her studies abroad, while I haven't even finished high school. She's lived her whole life in a pampered and secured environment . . . while I have already experienced a lot of hardships . . . .” he suddenly smiled again as he was thinking of Lena. “You have seen Daichi . . . compared with him . . . . I am nothing.”

U-Know shook his head. He was right. . . . His friend was really hiding other reasons for controlling his emotions for Lena. “Jaejoong . . . .love isn't based on the things you have in your life like money, wealth, educational attainment or social status . . . . love just happens . . . . Most of the time . . . . you just fall in love without even knowing it. You say you can't fall in love with her because she's your best friend. But frankly . . . . looking at now . . . . I can say that you're already in love with her. You're just denying it.”

Jaejoong tried to laugh. But his heart was already aching. “There was a time when my mother talked with me seriously regarding my relationship with Lena. I was already fifteen then . . . . I arrived in our house with Lena. We were both very wet because we ran home even if it was raining. That time . . . . no one was home except us. Lena was already shivering and coughing. So I was very worried. I didn't know what to do. I got some of my own clothes and asked her to change her clothes. She immediately went to my room to change. But almost fifteen minutes passed, and she didn't come out of the room. I started to worry. I knocked on the door continuously . . . while asking her if she was all right. But she didn't reply. I forced the door open . . . and I found her unconscious and naked on the floor. At first, I was shocked. I was confused on what to do. But I knew I had to help her first. I immediately carried her to my bed . . . then I put on the dry clothes that I gave her. While I was putting on her clothes . . . . my fingers were trembling . . . . my whole body was trembling. I had already finished putting on her clothes and was already arranging the bed when my mother arrived,” Jaejoong stopped talking.

“And?” U-Know asked.

“When she entered the room . . . . she was shocked to see Lena's wet clothes on the floor of my room. But then she also realized that Lena was unconscious . . . She immediately took care of her . . . But after making sure that she was all right . . . . It was then she asked me to step out of the room . . . and it was then she talked to me,” Jaejoong said.

“What did you talk about?” U-Know asked curiously.

Jaejoong tried to smile. He remembered everything like it was only yesterday.

“At first . . . . she asked me what really happened. And I told her everything . . . from . . . us getting wet because of the rain up to the point when I also told her that I carried Lena to my bed and I also put on the clothes she was wearing. She said that I should have called for help . . . And I shouldn't have carried her mainly because of the reason that she was bare.”

“What?” U-Know asked as if surprised. “So your mother expected you to just leave her like that?”

Jaejoong shook his head as if very confused. “It was then my mother told me to never tell anyone about what had happened and what I had done. She said that she knew that I only wanted to help. . . but Lena came from a very distinguished and wealthy family. If anyone else knew that I had actually seen her naked and had actually carried her while she was without clothes . . . . It would surely make a big issue in her family and in mine . . . .Lena's family might actually demand that I take responsibility for what happened and they might ask me to marry her . . . .” Jaejoong somehow smiled. Somehow he thought that marrying Lena wasn't such a bad idea. He then thought about what might have happened if he and Lena actually ended up being married during that time.

“How can they do that? How can they ask you to marry her when you were only fifteen?” U-Know asked again.

“I also asked my mother how Lena's family can ask me to marry her . . . when we were only fifteen . . . . But then she answered that they could arrange our marriage . . . . just like a pre-arranged marriage . . . so that we could get married when we reached the legal age,” Jaejoong answered.

“Well . . . . frankly . . . . it doesn't sound that bad to me. I think she would have been much happier if she ended being in a pre-arranged marriage with you . . . .” U-Know said with a smile.

“Well . . . . my mother . . . she had other thoughts in mind . . . . It was then she told me that she loved Lena like her own daughter . . . but she doesn't really think that she is fitted to be my wife,” Jaejoong stopped talking. Somehow what he had said caused his heart to ache.

“She said that Lena came from a rich family. She had lived her life surrounded by luxury . . . . My mother said that I can never give or provide the things that Lena has been used to. We were just an ordinary family . . . . She also said that even though she loved Lena like her own daughter . . . . She can never accept her as a daughter-in-law. She can never fit into our kind of living . . . . It would be a cruel punishment for Lena to be married to someone who can't give her the things that she is used to . . . ." Jaejoong said sadly.

"Sorry . . . . but don't you think that's a little unfair?" U-Know asked.

Jaejoong smiled bitterly. "Yes . . . . I know . . . . but it was what mother said . . . . and she also made it clear to me the true reason why she didn't her to end up with me . . . ."

"And that is?" U-Know asked.

"First, her family will surely object to me having a relationship with her because of my state of living, and the fact that I am adopted. My mother said that Lena's family will surely find many faults in me that will surely hurt me. And aside from that she deserved someone who can give her the luxury that she is used to . . . . I will never be able to do that . . . . And frankly, she is right . . . .Even at my state of living right now . . . . I still can't compare with Daichi . . . . I can never give her what Daichi can . . . ." Jaejoong uttered sadly.

"That's nonsense . . . ." U-Know said angrily.

Jaejoong looked at his friend. He tried to smile . . . . but somehow his heart wasn't allowing him to even put on a fake smile.

"My mother wanted her to have the best things in life . . . . and I also want that for her . . . ." Jaejoong uttered.

"Even if it means . . . . that both of you will end up being miserable all your lives?" U-Know asked seriously.

Jaejoong cupped his face again with his hands. He was really confused . . . . and tired. His mind . . . . and especially his heart was very tired of . . . . everything.

CHAPTER 16


“Hyung . . . . hyung . . . .” Max called out.

Jaejoong and U-Know were both startled as Max hurriedly entered the room.

“Hyung . . . . “ Max said again.

“What's wrong?” Jaejoong asked worriedly.

“Hyung . . . . hurry! Lena has a fever,” Max answered.

Jaejoong hurriedly stood up and ran out of the room. He went straight to Lena's apartment.

In Lena's room . . . . he found Micky sitting beside Lena's bed.

“Hyung . . . .” Micky uttered as he saw Jaejoong enter Lena's room.

Jaejoong immediately went up to Lena. He then gently touched her cheek and then forehead. She really had a fever . . . . and this made him very worried.

Lena slowly opened her eyes . . . . and then she tried to smile. "Don't worry . . . . it's just a little fever . . . . it will go away in a few hours . . . ." she gently said to Jaejoong as she saw the concern written all over his face.

Micky silently left the room. He knew Lena and Jaejoong needed some time alone.

Jaejoong sat down on Lena's bed . . . . Then he looked at her.

Lena smiled. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.

"You're still the same . . . you always end up being sick whenever you get wet in the rain," Jaejoong uttered.

Lena uttered lightly. "I always end up getting wet in the rain . . . . whenever I'm with you . . . haven't you noticed?"

Jaejoong nodded. "You're right. Maybe . . . . I'm such a bad luck for you . . ."

"Bad luck? No . . . more like a good luck . . . You're my best friend remember?" she said sweetly.

Hearing her say those words, Jaejoong's heart suddenly jumped with joy.

Jaejoong suddenly held Lena's hand.

"Sorry . . . ." he uttered.

"For what?" she asked.

"For everything . . ." he answered.

"For everything? Like what?" she asked again.

Jaejoong just shook his head. "I just want to say sorry . . ."

"Silly . . ." she uttered.

"I was supposed to take care of you . . . But look at you now . . ." Jaejoong said sadly.

"I've already taken a medicine . . . I'll be all right in a few hours. Don't worry about me. It was all my fault. I was the one who foolishly ran out into the rain," she said as she tried to comfort Jaejoong.

Jaejoong looked at Lena again. How he wanted to hold her.

"You need to rest . . ." he softly said to Lena.

Lena just nodded and then she closed her eyes. Within minutes, she somehow had already fallen asleep.

Jaejoong looked at Lena as she slept. He gently arranged a lock of Lena's hair that had fallen out of place. She was like an angel . . . he thought.

"Somehow how I wish you didn't have to marry Daichi . . . There are a lot of things I am really sorry for . . . I'm sorry if I am still unable to decide what I am really feeling for you. And I'm also very sorry for not being able to protect you . . . and take care of you. I'm sorry . . .if I can't love you back. We live in such different worlds that I don't think we can ever fit in each other's lives. You're like a princess who deserves a prince charming . . . who will take you to a beautiful home and provide all the things that you need . . . While I am just a pauper . . . who have nothing to be proud of . . . and who have nothing to give you . . . Yes, I am famous now and have already saved some money which I can be proud of. But I know it isn't enough. I can never match up with Daichi. I can never give you the things that he can . . . I'm sorry, Lena. But I don't think we can ever work out as lovers. Maybe you are really destined to be with Daichi. . . . I admit . . . somehow it hurts me to see you with another man. But maybe it's the best. I just want you to know that I will always be by your side . . . as a friend . . ." Jaejoong softly said as he stared at Lena.

He then gently kissed her on the forehead. . . and quietly closed the door and left the room.

As soon as Jaejoong left the room . . . . Lena slowly opened her eyes. . . . Her eyes were already filled with tears, as she stared at the door.

She tried to control her emotions. She wanted to cry out. The pain she was feeling was too much to bear.

"Am I really just a friend to you, Jaejoong? Am I really destined to be with Daichi? I don't need any material things to be happy . . . I am even willing to trade all the things I have now . . . just for the chance to be with you. I want to be able to experience being with you, not as a friend . . . but as a lover. I want to experience joy and pain in your arms. Why can't you love me . . . Jaejoong? I want you . . . I love you. Can't you see? Can't you feel it? I don't want anyone else . . . I can never be happy with anyone else except you. But I guess there is nothing I can do but respect you decision. Don't worry, I won't bother you anymore. I know I'm just making you confused. I love you Jaejoong. So from now now on, I will teach myself to forget you, and to let you go. Goodbye, Jaejoong. I love you . . . ." Lena said as her tears continued to fall. How she wished that she would just die at that moment. The pain she was feeling was just too much for her.

She had loved Jaejoong for a very long time that she didn't know if she could ever learn to forget him. He had been with her for years now. He was everything to her . . . her love and her life. Somehow just thinking that she will no longer be able to see him makes her heart ache . . . And just thinking that she will have to let him go was like a punishment asking her not to breathe.

Lena cried . . . she needed to cry. She had to teach herself to accept everything . . . even if it was very painful.

Dawn came . . . .

Lena quietly entered the living room. She smiled as she saw the DBSK boys soundly sleeping on different parts of the room.

She quickly returned to her room and after a few minutes returned with five blankets in hand. Slowly . . . she started to place the blankets on the sleeping boys . . . one by one.

Max, Micky and U-Know were all sitting and sleeping on the long sofa. While Xiah was resting his head on a table near the window.

Lastly, Lena slowly walked up to where Jaejoong was. He was sitting near another window in the room. She then noticed the wine glass that was near him.

"Have you been drinking Jaejoong?" she asked him in her mind.

She again arranged the blanket that she had placed on him.

"Take care of yourself . . . Jaejoong . . ." she softly uttered as she gently kissed him on the cheek.

Lena stared at him for the very last time. She wanted to memorize his face and keep it locked up in her mind and in her heart.

She then pulled out a letter from her pocket and gently placed it near Jaejoong.

Slowly . . . her tears started to fall . . . one by one.

"Goodbye . . . ." she uttered once again.

Lena slowly turned away. She then picked up her bag near the door of her room and quietly walked out of the apartment.

While standing outside the apartment building, Lena stared at it once again. She tried to smile and slowly wiped her tears away.

"This is the best for both of us . . . ." she tried to tell herself as she slowly walked away.

An hour passed . . . .

Daichi had just arrived in his home, and was still resting in his room. When the door suddenly opened . . . . and Lena slowly entered.

"Lena . . . what are you doing here this early?" he asked worriedly.

Lena walked up to Daichi . . . . and as soon as she was near him . . . she embraced him.

Daichi was taken by surprise by what Lena did. He instantly knew that something was wrong. He gently touched her head, and he returned her embrace.

"What's wrong?" he softly asked.

Lena just leaned her head on Daichi's chest.

"Just hold me . . . . please . . . ." she uttered.

"Lena . . . ." he uttered.

"Let's get married . . . as soon as possible. I don't want to wait anymore. If possible . . . I want to be married by next week," Lena said with a trembling voice.

Daichi's heart started to beat very fast. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"What happened Lena?" he asked again.

"Let's get married . . . as soon as possible . . . please . . .Don't ask why . . . " she uttered once again.

Daichi's heart started to ache. He knew she was just forcing herself to be with him. He slowly closed his eyes . . . and started to pretend. He wanted to pretend that Lena loved him. He embraced her tightly . . . and his tears started to fall.

CHAPTER 17




Jaejoong suddenly opened his eyes. It was as if he heard someone whisper his name. He slowly looked around. The other DBSk boys were still asleep. Then he noticed the small enevelope on the table near him.

"What's this?" he asked himself.

He picked up the envelope and saw that it had his name written on it. He immediately recognized the handwriting . . . it belonged to Lena.

With trembling hands, he quickly opened the letter. Somehow he didn't want to read it because he was afraid of what he might find out. But then he knew that he needed to know . . . even if it was going to hurt him.

Jaejoong,

First of all, I would like to apologize. I'm sorry for keeping secrets from you, for making you confused on whether you like me more than a friend or not, and for disturbing your life and bringing you so much trouble.

I know you're just being kind to me. I know you don't love me . . . and you will never will. Frankly I have always told myself that there is no way you will ever fall in love with me. Somehow I thought I had already gotten used to it and that I had already accepted it as the truth.

But yesterday, you made me realize something . . . And that is I can no longer be your friend. I am already having hope that there is a chance that you will also fall in love with me . . . And i know it's just a delusion. That is why I suddenly decided I must try to stop myself before I end up hurting both of us.

I love you, Jaejoong. I love you with all my heart. I don't think I can pretend anymore. I can't pretend that I just like you as a friend. And somehow even if I try I don't think I can ever accept the fact that I am just your best friend. There is always a part of me which always hopes and dreams that you will eventually learn to love me more than just a friend.

I know and I understand that you can't offer me anything except friendship. And frankly, I am grateful that you didn't push me away after you learned my true feelings for you. But I have to be honest to myself.

I can no longer accept our friendship. I want something more . . . . something I know you can never give. So I guess this is the main reason why we have to say goodbye to each other.

Somehow I think if I can still remain friends with you. I will end up hurting myself more and I will just make you more confused. I don't want to cause you any trouble. So before I end up doing something foolish. I have to say goodbye to both of us.

Thank you for all the happy memories . . . . Thank you for being my best friend. I will never forget all the things you have taught me. And I will always cherish the happy and sad memories we shared. I will always be thankful that I had the chance of meeting someone like you.

Thank you for everything, Jaejoong. I will never forget you. Just always remember that I will always care for you . . . and pray for your success in life. I will always pray for you to achieve everything you dream of.

Good luck, my friend. I don't think we will ever meet each other again.

I have left a gift for you in my room. I have been wanting to give it to you for a very long time now. But I somehow can't find the right time and I always lack the courage to do so.

I know you will like my gift. I hope you will take care of it, the same way I have taken care of it for the past ten years.

It is my way of saying . . . thank you for being my friend . . . I love you and I will always have a special place for you in my heart . . . . and lastly . . . goodbye.

Take care of yourself, Jaejoong. I will always remember you.

Your best friend,
Lena

Jaejoong's whole body was somehow trembling. He couldn't explain the emotion he was feeling. With heavy footsteps, he slowly entered Lena's room. He immediately noticed the gift Lena said in her letter. It was laid down on her bed.

Jaejoong slowly walked up to Lena's bed. Somehow he already had an idea what Lena's gift was. But he needed to be sure first. He carefully tore the wrapping.

And as soon as he finished opening Lena's gift, his tears started to fall. He was right. Lena had given him the painting she had loved ever since they were young.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ten years ago . . . .

Lena and Jaejoong were happily strolling the stores in their hometown.

"Jaejoong, how about we go to the park later huh?" she asked with a sweet smile.

Jaejoong smiled as well. "Sure, but let's first look at the newly-opened store near the flower shop."

"There's a new store? What kind of store is it?" she asked curiously.

Jaejoong just shook his head. " No idea. That's why we should take a look."

"Okay. I hope they sell new and interesting things. There are already too many stores that sells food items, medicine, books, clothes and house ornaments in our town. I want something interesting to look at," Lena said cheerfully.

Jaejoong stared at his friend. "Come on . . .Let's go."

Both of them excitedly went to where the new store was located.

The moment they saw what the new store was selling, they were both delighted. It was certainly something new. The store was selling paintings.

Immediately, something caught Lena's attention.

"Jaejoong, look! Isn't that beautiful?" Lena asked as she pointed at a painting displayed at the front of the store.

Jaejoong looked at the painting. It was a painting of a little girl and a little boy sitting next to each other.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she asked again. Her eyes were gleaming with wonder as she stared at the painting.

Jaejoong smiled. "What's so beautiful about it? You can't even see their faces. Haven't you noticed only their backs are shown?" he asked with a laugh.

"Well, that's the reason why I love it. Can't you even imagine it?" she asked.

"What?" he asked curiously.

"Well, I can easily imagine that we are those two kids on the painting. we're always together . . . doing things together . . ."

Jaejoong laughed. "You're imagining things again, Lena."

"Well . . . I love it . . . and I want it," she said seriously.

Jaejoong looked at his friend. He seldom heard Lena say that she wanted something in particular.

"But Lena I think it is quite expensive," Jaejoong said worriedly.

He knew that Lena might get upset if she didn't get what she wanted.

"I don't care . . . I want it," she said again with determination in her voice.

A few days later . . . .

Jaejoong went to Lena's house to pick her up. They were supposed to go to the park that day.

"Jaejoong . . . come on. Let's go to my room first. I want to show you something," Lena said with a bright smile on her lips.

Jaejoong followed her to her room. He was very curious as to why Lena was very happy.

The moment he entered Lena's room, he immediately knew the reason why she was oveflowing with joy.

Hanging in the center of her room was the painting they had seen at the new store a few days ago.

"So you really bought it?" Jaejoong asked, still unable to believe what he was seeing.

"Yes . . . . I asked my father to buy it for me," she answered.

Jaejoong looked at Lena. He could see that she was very happy.

"Now . . . we have something special to share with each other," Lena uttered.

"What do you mean?" Jaejoong asked curiously.

Lena smiled. "This painting will symbolize our friendship. It will always be a reminder that we will always be together."

Jaejoong's heart pounded. He then looked at the painting. Somehow at that moment, he also thought that it was the most beautiful painting he had ever seen.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Hyung . . . ." Max said as he gently tapped Jaejoong's shoulder.

Jaejoong stared at the painting again.

“She's . . . gone . . . . “ he slowly uttered.

“What? Who's gone?” Max asked again.

Jaejoong felt his heart was going to explode. He wanted to cry out. Lena had been a part of his life for a very long time now. And it was only at that moment . . . . he then realized that he could never live without her.

“Lena . . . Lena . . . I'm sorry,” he uttered as he finally cried uncontrollably.

CHAPTER 18


Five days passed . . . .

The DBSK boys were waiting for the start of their photo shoot. They were supposed to do a photo shoot for three different magazines.

Jaejoong was staring blankly at the open space before him and sitting quietly in a corner. While the other DBSk boys just sat in another corner of the studio. They had been watching Jaejoong for more than fifteen minutes. And they knew exactly what was on his mind.

"Lena . . . .hasn't really returned to her apartment?" Max asked the other DBSK boys.

"Nope . . . . already checked again this morning before we left for the studio," Micky answered.

"Hmmm . . . . hyung seems very affected," Max commented.

"Frankly, it's his fault anyway. If he really cared for her, then he should have told her the truth. He made Lena think that she means nothing to him," Micky said.

"You don't know Jaejoong's reasons for not letting out his feelings," U-Know suddenly said.

"Reasons? What kind of reasons? If I were him, I would have already told Lena that she means more than a friend to me . . . and I would have already taken her away from Daichi," Micky said.

U-Know just shook his head. "We can't judge Jaejoong's actions. That's all I can say."

"Have you ever wondered what happened to Lena?" Xiah suddenly asked the other DBSK boys.

"Maybe she had gone back to Daichi . . . . and married him," Micky said with irritation.

"Why are you so annoyed anyway?" U-Know asked Micky.

"Because I don't understand the reason why Jaejoong is letting Lena marry Daichi when he knows that she doesn't love him . . . . and that he's the one she loves. I find it all . . . so annoying. And to top it all, he's just there, sitting and acting as if nothing ever happened. Who knows? Lena could have already married Daichi as soon as she left the apartment a few days ago. And if she really did marry him, what happens next? The moment that he learns that she's married, he cries again? I find it so unacceptable," Micky answered.

Xiah, Max and U-Know looked at each other. They knew what Micky had said was right . And they somehow sided with him on that topic.

Suddenly two girls entered the studio.

“The photo shoot will start in about fifteen minutes,” one of the girls said to the boys.

“Okay, thank you,” U-Know said to the girls.

Jaejoong immediately joined the other DBSK boys as soon as he heard the photo shoot was going to start in a few minutes.

The girls started to arrange the additional props that were being brought in the studio. Several men walked in and started to prepare for the photo shoot.

“So do you guys have any idea why Daichi suddenly replaces our head photographer with his girlfriend? Don't you think it's a little unfair?” one of the men asked the other crew members.

The DBSK boys suddenly looked at the direction of the man who was talking. They immediately became interested in what the personnel in the studio were talking about. They wanted to know if the Daichi the personnel were talking about was also the same Daichi they knew.

“Hey! Don't talk like that. Frankly, Lena is a more accomplished and well-trained photographer than the one we have now. She studied in France and Germany and she already had several exhibits in both countries,” one of the girls suddenly said as she heard what one of the men said.

Jaejoong immediately became interested as well as soon as he heard Lena's name suddenly mentioned.

“Really! Sorry, I didn't know,” the man replied.

“Yes, you should be sorry. And besides she's very nice. Even though she's Daichi's fiancee and she's very rich. She's still down to earth and very friendly,” the other girl said.

“Not only friendly . . . . but also very beautiful,” one of the other male personnel said.

Both the girls laughed. “Don't even dream that she'll notice you. She's already Daichi's girlfriend. And they're supposed to do their engagement party on Sunday. That's three days from now,” one of the girl's said.

“I am already imagining the engagement party will surely be very grand. Daichi and Lena are from both very wealthy families,” the other girl said.

“We are all invited right?” another one of the male personnel asked.

“Of course, we are all invited. I also heard that Daichi's father will also be inviting all the artists of Avex Trax. Aside from that all the personnel from all their businesses will be invited as well,” the first girl answered.

“Lena is really lucky that she's going to get engaged with Daichi. He's not only handsome but very rich as well,” another male personnel said.

“Hey! Lena is rich too. I heard her family owns a lot of businesses in Korea and here in Japan too,” one of the girls said.

One of the male personnel shook his head as if unable to believe. “So they are both wealthy . . . . So do you think their marriage is a kind of business-related? How? What do you mean?” another man asked.

“Like they are getting married because their business have to merged or something like that,” the first man answered.

“No . . . . they're not getting married because of their businesses. But because their grandfather made an agreement to have them marry each other once they reach the legal age . . . . like a pre-arranged marriage between close friends . . . . something like that,” one of the girls said.

“Really . . . I don't think I can ever get married just because my parents or my grandparents tells me to,” another man among the crew said.

“Well . . . . we can all see that Daichi doesn't mind at all. He obviously likes her very much. We have all seen how he takes care of her. And the way his changed is mostly because of her,” one of the men said.

All the male personnel nodded their heads in agreement.

“I can still remember Daichi would have at least two different girls coming to his office every week. But now he's totally changed. He's now very focused and loyal to Lena . . . the way I see it,” another man commented.

“Well, they both fit each other perfectly . . . not only in wealth but also in looks,” another male personnel added.

“But have you guys ever noticed that there are times that Lena seems kind of sad?” one fo the girls suddenly asked.

“Sad? Why should she be sad? She's getting married to a handsome and rich man?” one of the male personnel asked.

“Well, you're all forgetting that she's in a pre-arranged marriage. So there's a big possibility that she's not in love with Daichi. And she's only getting married with him because of the agreement between their grandparents,” one of the girls said again.

“Oh! That's so sad . . . . if that were true. Hey! I remember there was this instance two days that I entered Daichi's office. I heard Daichi say to Lena that he will help her forget him. Maybe it is true that she's in love with someone else,” the other girl said.

The male crew members laughed. “You girls are just too much. You were eavesdropping on their conversation.”

“Hey! I wasn't eavesdropping. I just accidentally heard them when I came into Daichi's office to bring him some papers he was supposed to sign,” one of the girls defended herself.

“We better stop talking or we'll all end up in trouble if Daichi hears us,” one of male personnel said.

Every one in the studio started to hurry their movement. They wanted everything to be in place when Daichi arrives.

After several minutes, the DBSK boys finally confirmed that the Daichi the personnel in the studio were talking about was also the same Daichi they knew.

Daichi had entered the studio with a wide smile on his face.

“Hello! Nice to meet you guys again,” he greeted the DBSK boys, as he approached them.

“Hello . . . . So are you by any chance connected with the magazines were going to do a photo shoot with?' Max asked Daichi curiously.

Daichi lightly laughed. “Sorry . . . . I haven't introduced myself properly. I'm the owner and the editor-in-chief of the three magazines you're all going to be featured in.”

Xiah, Micky, Max and U-Know were all impressed. They didn't expect that Daichi was such an accomplished man in his field of work.

“Daichi . . . . everybody . . . . let's start,” a girl's voice suddenly said.

Everybody in the studio looked at where the voice came from. Lena had suddenly entered the studio. She was busy looking at different pictures so she didn't notice the DBSK boys. She walked straight to where Daichi was while still busy browsing at the different pictures she had.

“So who are the special stars that we're featuring? Why is it you wouldn't even tell me who they are?” Lena asked Daichi. Her attention was focused on him that she still didn't see the DBSK boys.

Daichi smiled. “You know them very well.”

“Who?” she asked.

Daichi looked at the direction of the DBSK boys. Lena slowly followed the direction he was looking at, and she was suddenly shocked.

As soon as she saw Jaejoong, she suddenly turned and was about to walk away but Daichi had already grabbed her arm. Daichi then slowly pulled her close to him. He then softly whispered something.

“You're a professional. You should learn when to separate your personal feelings with work.”

“Daichi . . . you planned this?” Lena uttered as she looked straight into his eyes.

Daichi smiled. “ This is work. I have no other motives.”

“You're lying . . . I can tell,” she said.

“How?” he asked.

“I can tell by your eyes . . . .” she answered.

Daichi suddenly laughed.

“Really? I never imagined I had such expressive eyes. Are my eyes expressive enough to let you see how much I love you?” he asked.

Lena looked at Daichi with confusion in her eyes. Somehow she couldn't understand why he was saying such things.

“Daichi . . . .” she uttered his name in front of everybody in the studio.

Daichi smiled at Lena and then he suddenly embraced her.

"You've got to learn how to deal with Jaejoong without being affected. Sooner or later, even if you try to avoid him, your paths will surely cross one another. So you better start learning now how to control your emotions. Just pretend that you don't know him and do what you're supposed to do," he softly whispered into Lena's ear.

Lena knew what Daichi had said was right. She suddenly drew in a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

"Okay, I'll do this. But please help me," she suddenly said as she looked straight into Daichi's eyes.

Daichi smiled and then nodded. "Don't worry. I'll always be by your side to help you," he uttered.

As Lena slowly walked up to the DBSK boys, her heart was pounding continuously. Somehow she didn't know what to say and what to do.

"Good morning! Let's start," she said as she tried to put on a smile.

Jaejoong stared at Lena. His heart was bating wildly as well. He wanted to talk to her. But he already knew judging by the way she was avoiding to look at him. She no longer wanted any connection with him. His heart suddenly ached. How he wanted to see Lena smile at him again.

As the photo shoot started, Daichi silently watched as Lena tried to avoid any contact with Jaejoong.

"I'm sorry, Lena. But I've got to do this. I have to make you face him again. So that you may realize what your heart really wants. I love you . . . That is why I don't want to be unfair and selfish. I don't want to take advantage of your situation. I want you to have one more chance to be with him. So that you may have the chance to really figure out whether you're supposed to be with me . . . or with him. Listen to your heart, Lena. I want you to be happy . . . That is all I want," he said in his mind as he continued to sadly stare at Lena.

CHAPTER 19


The photoshoot for the day was almost half finished when Daichi suddenly announced that it was time for a break. All the crew members cheered after hearing Daichi.

The DBSK boys followed the crew members to a room in the studio where a table full of different delicious foods were waiting.

As soon as Mas saw the different foods on the table, he immediately gasped with delight.

"My stomach is already growling," Max uttered.

The other DBSK boys laughed after hearing what Max said.

"Come on . . . let's eat," one of the male crew members said to the DBSK boys.

The DBSK boys selected some foods and started to eat. They were already eating when they noticed that Lena and Daichi were nowhere in sight.

"Where's Lena and Daichi? Aren't they going to eat?" Max asked the studio personnel that were eating near them.

"Maybe they have a separate set of food to eat, or maybe they went out," the male personnel answered.

"Oh! I would just be in total heaven if I had a fiancee like Daichi. Lena is such a lucky girl. Imagine having a handsome, rich and successful husband is any girl's dream," one of the female members said.

Jaejoong tried to ignore the things he was hearing. Somehow he couldn't deny the fact that he was hurting. While Lena was doing the photo shoot, she was avoiding him intentionally. And somehow this was bringing him pain that it was making him crazy. He stared at the food he was supposed to eat. He had eaten only a small portion, but he felt like he was already full. He felt like he had no appetite to eat anything. He sighed havily while staring at his food.

U-Know looked at Jaejoong. He had already noticed that Jaejoong wasn't eating.

"What's wrong? Aren't you hungry? You should eat. We still have a lot of work to do," U-Know reminded Jaejoong.

Jaejoong sighed again. "I'm not hungry."

U-Know looked at Xiah, Micky and Max. They were already staring at Jaejoong as well.

"Hyung . . . . you should eat," Max said with concern.

"If you really miss her, then you should try to talk to her . . . . and sort things out. And for everyone's sake! Just be true to yourself already," Micky commented in Korean. He didn't want the studio personnel near them to understand what he was saying.

Jaejoong suddenly stared at Micky. He saw the serious expression on his friend's face.

"Just forget about everything . . . and let your emotions out," Micky said again in Korean.

U-Know lightly tapped Jaejoong's shoulder. "In a few days, it will be too late. So if you really like her, then you should tell her now. All of us can see that yu care about her more than a friend. You must find the courage to tell her now or you may never have the chance to tell her again. And then you will end up regretting it all of your life," he also spoke in korean.

Jaejoong suddenly felt a sharp pain suddenly cross his heart. Somehow he didn't want to lose Lena. But he was still confused whether he liked her more than a friend or not.

"I'm still confused. She's my best friend for so many years now . . . What if I just don't want to lose her as a friend? What if I'm just mistaking our friendship for something more serious? What if . . ." he also answered in korean. He suddenly stopped talking as soon as he saw Lena enter the room with Daichi.

"Enough with the what if . . . you're wasting precious time. If I were you, better tell her now or forever regret it," Micky said in korean as he also looked at Lena's direction.

Lena immediately noticed Jaejoong staring at her, as soon as she entered the room. Suddenly she felt very uneasy and conscious of her every move. She tried to aboid looking at his direction. She was afraid that he might see in her eyes the loneliness she was feeling. And she was afraid that he might feel that she was missing him badly.

Daichi glanced at Lena. He had already noticed the tensed expression on her face after they entered the room He knew it was because of Jaejoong. Then his heart suddenly ached. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and drew in a deep breath.

"I can do this . . . I don't feel anything . . ." he constantly repeated in his mind.

Then Daichi opened his eyes again and tried to put on a smile.

"Come on . . .Let's eat. I'm hungry," he sweetly said to Lena.

Lena silently followed Daichi to where the table with food was. Then they started to pick out some foods. Afterwards they sat near the DBSK boys.

"So do you guys like the foods I ordered?" Daichi asked the DBSK boys.

"Yes, it's quite delicious," Max replied.

"That's good. Anyway I've requested some female models to join you guys for the next set of pictures for one of the magazines I handle. I think they will be arriving in a few minutes. I hope that it's okay with you," Daichi said.

"Female models? That's good!" Micky said with a mischievous look on his face.

"There will be five female models. Each one of you will be paired up with a certain model," Daichi continued to explain to the DBSK boys.

Lena was very silent as Daichi continued to talk with the DBSK boys. She could feel Jaejoong's gaze on her. And it was making her very uneasy.

Daichi looked at Lena. He could easily tell that she wasn't herself.

"Lena . . . are you okay?" he softly asked.

Lena just nodded. She didn't want to say anything. She just pretended to be busy with the food she was eating.

Xiah, Micky, Max, U-Know and Daichi continued to talk to one another while Jaejoong and Lena just stayed quiet.

After eating, everyone immediately resumed their work.

The female models that Daichi had mentioned had also arrived. And as soon as they arrived, Daichi immediately paired each one of them with one of the DBSK members.

All the models were excited to work with the DBSK boys. They were all very sweet and trying to attract the boys' attention.

"Hi! I'm Miki . . . ." the female model introduced herself to Jaejoong.

Lena immediately felt jealous of the female model that Jaejoong was paired with. Somehow she felt like she wanted to just walk out of the studio and never come back.

Daichi looked at Lena.He could easily tell that she was jealous. He suddenly smiled secretly. His plan was working. He wanted to provoke both Lena and Jaejoong to the point that they would both finally admit and straigthen out their true feelings for one another.

His plan was to make Lena jealous of the model paired with Jaejoong, and to also make Jaejoong jealous of him. He had already instructed all the models that ha had hired that day to actually be extra sweet to all of the DBSK boys, especially Jaejoong.

"Lena . . . . let's start the photo shoot," Daichi said as he suddenly hugged her from behind.

Daichi could see that Jaejoong's gaze suddenly focused on them. Daichi tightened his embrace. He wanted to make Jaejoong mad with jealousy.

"Are you tired?" Daichi asked Lena sweetly.

"No . . . . I thought you said we should start with the photo shoot already," Lena said with a light laugh. "How can I start if you're holding me?"

Daichi laughed. "Sorry . . . I couldn't stop myself."

"Okay guys . . . let's start," Lena announced as soon as Daichi released her from his embrace.

Everything went smoothly until it was time for Jaejoong and his partner. Lena felt very nervous. She didn't know what to do. But she knew she had to finish her job.

"Jaejoong . . . Miki . . . please stand next to each other. Then Jaejoong put your hand on Miki's waist," Lena tried to instruct Jaejoong and Miki.

Jaejoong was reluctant to follow Lena. He didn't want to be so close to Miki.

Lena sighed. She wanted to finish everything as soon as possible. Being with Jaejoong and seeing him with another girl was already driving her mad with jealousy and hurt. She then walked up to Jaejoong. She then gently touched Jaejoong's hand. She was about to place it on Miki's waist when Jaejoong suddenly held her hand in return.

Lena stared at Jaejoong. Her heart started beating wildly.

At that exact moment, as Jaejoong held Lena's hand, it was as if the world had suddenly stopped. Both of them stared into each other's eyes. It was as if they could see through each other's souls. They could feel and hear the sounds of their hearts beating as one.

"Jaejoong . . ." Lena softly uttered.

Jaejoong stared at Lena. He had finally decided to reveal his true feelings. . . . when . . . .

"Lena . . . ." a voice angrily called out.

Everyone suddenly turned their heads to where the voice came from.

"Mother!" Daichi and Lena both uttered with horror.

The older woman immediately went straight to Lena and Jaejoong. She then grabbed Lena's hand out of Jaejoong's hand.

"Lena . . . let's go home," Daichi's mother said as she gently pulled Lena away from Jaejoong.

Jaejoong felt his world had just come crashing down. As he watched Lena being pulled away, he felt so helpless. He wanted to ran after her. He wanted to ran away with her to a far away place so no one could ever take her away from him ever again. But then he knew it wasn't possible. She didn't belong to him. She could never belong to him . . . not in this lifetime.

"Lena . . . ." he uttered as she slowly disappeared from his sight.

CHAPTER 20


"Mother . . . wait," Daichi called out as he tried to stop his mother from pulling Lena out of the studio.

Daichi's mother angrily faced Daichi.

"I knew something was going on. But I never expected this . . . I never imagine that you would allow another man to be around Lena. I am very disappointed, Daichi. Lena is your fiancee. Doesn't that mean anything to you?" the older woman asked as she furiously glared at her son.

"Mother, you've got it all wrong. The man you saw was Jaejoong. He's Lena's bestfriend since childhood. Nothing is going on. Please believe me," Daichi tried to explain to his mother.

"Are you trying to convince me that nothing is going between that guy and Lena?" the old woman asked Daichi as she stared back at Lena who was silently looking at them.

"Yes, mother. Don't be unreasonable. Don't take Lena, please. We still have a photo shoot to take care of," Daichi said again.

The old woman stared at her son for a few minutes as if trying to decide whether to believe him or not. Then she suddenly shook her head.

"Sorry . . . but my intuition tells me that there is certainly a secret that both of you are sharing. Find yourself another photographer. Lena's never going to set foot in this studio again," Daichi's mother answered.

"Mother . . ." Daichi uttered.

"Lena . . . we're going home! And Daichi, when you get home . . . I believe you have a lot of explaining to do. Not only to me but also to your father," the old woman said as a warning.

Lena suddenly felt pity for Daichi. Somehow he was like a small child being scolded by his mother. And she could see the hurt look in his eyes.

Lena suddenly tried to break free from the old woman's hand, and then she went up to Daichi's side.

"Mother, please . . . Daichi didn't do anything wrong. You don't have to be so harsh on him," Lena said firmly she looked at the old woman.

Daichi's mother was shocked with what Lena had said. Then she suddenly smiled.

"Well . . . at least, I can see that Lena cares for you, Daichi. But it still doesn't change anything. We're still going home Lena. And you're no longer working here," the older woman said again.

Lena stared at Daichi, as if asking for help. But they both knew that there was nothing they could do to change the older woman's mind.

"Lena . . . let's go," the older woman said as she gently pulled Lena by the hand again.

"Daichi . . ." Lena uttered. She was scared to be alone with Daichi's mother. She was afraid of what she was going to say once they were home.

"Just go home with mother, for now. I'll go home immediately as soon as I finish everything here," Daichi said to reassure Lena that she won't be alone for a very long time.

Lena just nodded.

Daichi's mother then left the studio together with Lena.

As soon as Lena and his mother left, Daichi immediately returned to the studio where the DBSK boys were waiting.

"Sorry everybody . . . but let's just pack up for now. We'll continue with the photo shoot tomorrow," Daichi announced.

"Where's Lena?" one of the female crew asked.

"She went home with my mother," Daichi replied.

"Sorry if I am going to ask . . . . but why was your mother so angry when she saw Jaejoong holding Lena's hand? Don't tell me that she's thinking . . . something is going on between Lena and Jaejoong," another female crew member asked.

Daichi tried to smile. "I'm sorry about that. But you know my mother is too protective of Lena. She's so determined to have her as a daughter-in-law, that she doesn't even want Lena to work or be around other guys. She's too afraid that Lena might suddenly change her mind, and dump me for another man."

"Lena would never do such a thing. She's too nice," one of the male crew members remarked.

Daichi lightly laughed. "Frankly I believe my mother already loves Lena so much that if she were to choose . . . she would definitely trade me with her."

Some of the other crew members laughed with what Daichi said.

"Lena is quite lucky. Imagine having your mother-in-law love you that much. I wish I wouold find a mother-in-law like that," one of the female crew members said.

Daichi then looked at the DBSK boys. "I'm sorry for the sudden change of plans. I'll have a new photographer by tomorrow. So we can continue with the photo shoot. I hope you guys aren't upset."

"It's okay, we understand. But . . . honestly, I'm a little bit worried about Lena. Is she going to be okay?" Micky asked with concern.

Daichi nodded. " Yes, don't worry. My mother would never hurt her. But I am still trying to finish everything here as fast as I could, so I can immediately follow her home. I've already talked with your manager and I've explained about the sudden delay in your work today. And I've also arranged for a driver to take you guys home to your apartment. He's already waiting outside the studio. So . . . let's just see each other again tomorrow okay? I really need to go."

"Okay, see you tomorrow then," U-Know said.

The DBSK boys just watched as Daichi hurriedly left the studio. They all knew that something was definitely wrong, and that he was just lying to cover it up.

As for Jaejoong, he felt very guilty. He knew that what happened was all because of him. He didn't want any trouble. He just wanted to finally be true to himself. He suddenly drew in a deep breath. His heart was beating very fast . . . and it was aching.

He finally thought that there was really no way that he and Lena could ever be more than friends. There were so many differences and obstacles in their way. And both of them weren't strong enough to overcome them.

All of the studio personnel had already left, leaving the DBSK boys alone in the studio.

"Hyung, are you all right?" Max asked with concern after noticing that Jaejoong was staring blankly at a wall.

Jaejoong somehow snapped out of what he was thinking. He then stared at Max, and tried to put on a smile.

"Of course, I'm all right. Why shouldn't I be?" he asked.

"I always thought that you were the most honest and most straight-forward person in our group. But now . . . I'm already having second thoughts. I think 'Denial King' would be a perfect title for you," Micky said seriously.

Jaejoong lightly laughed. "Denial king? Me? Why?"

"Because you're always denying everything . . . everything that has something to do with Lena. Maybe it hasn't registered in your mind yet. So let me make it clear to you . . .Lena is already getting engaged on Sunday. Maybe you would like to clear everything up with her before she gets engaged to another man. Frankly, I don't want to see you regretting in the end," Micky answered seriously.

Jaejoong smiled bitterly. "Don't you guys think that it is already too late ? Like what you said she's already getting engaged."

"Engaged is different from being married," Xiah suddenly said.

"He's right, hyung. An engagement is different from marriage. An engagement can still be canceled," Max commented.

Jaejoong looked at his friends. He could see that all of them were very much concerned with him.

"Thanks, but I think it is better if i just stay away. I don't want to cause any trouble to anyone," Jaejoong said weakly.

"Stay away? Oh! You're really unbelievable. The girl that you like is getting engaged, and you already know that she's not happy. And you're still not going to do anything about it. I'm already telling you . . . You're going to regret it!" Micky said as he shook his head in dismay.

Jaejoong smiled bitterly again. "Honestly, I'm afraid of the consequences that may arise once I tell her my true feelings. And aside from that, I am still a little bit confused myself regarding about what I'm feeling for her. What if . . . I'm just mistaking my feelings as love, and then it suddenly turns out that it's not . . . what then? I think I'll just make Lena more confused and hurt. And I'll be ruining her engagement with Daichi."

"Oh man! Are you even human? I can't believe the things that you are saying! You're starting with the ‘what if’ again? I think I'm starting to have a headache because of you," Micky said as he tapped his forehead as if unable to believe what he was hearing.

"Hyung . . . Sunday is just a few days away. Don't you think it's about time that you finally figure out what your heart really wants. We can all see that Lena and you are both suffering. Can't you find the courage to finally admit the truth? We're all concerned about you. We know you're very much affected with what is happening," Xiah said with concern.

Jaejoong tried to put on a fake smile. "Thank you for being concerned. But frankly I am very much confused. I don't know what I should do."

U-Know gently shook his head, as if in total disbelief. "Jaejoong, we can only advise you what to do. But the final decision is still up to you. I just hope that you know what you are doing. And I do hope that it won't be too late, when the time comes and you finally decide to fight for your love."

Jaejoong stared back at U-Know. He knew what he was trying to say. But he was still very much confused and scared. He was also hoping and praying that he was making the right decision in controlling and denying his emotions.

CHAPTER 21


Lena and Daichi's mother arrived at the mansion without saying a word to each other. Lena felt scared and very embarrassed. Somehow she was scared that the old woman would say something to her parents regarding what the old woman saw that day.

As soon as they entered the house, Daichi's mother immediately faced Lena.

"I don't care about what I saw today. And I don't even want to know who that man was. So let's just forget about it and let's all pretend it never happened. Do you understand me?" the old woman asked Lena.

Lena was taken by surprise. She didn't know what to say so she just nodded her head.

"Good! Go to your room now and rest. I'll just call you when dinner is ready," the old woman said.

"Yes," Lena softly uttered as she slowly walked up to her room.

As soon as Lena entered her room, she started to cry uncontrollably. She had been trying to hold beack her tears, even when she was still in the studio. But now she was all alone. There was no one who could possibly see her tears. She was free to let out her emotions.

"Jaejoong . . ." she softly uttered as her tears continued to flow.

An hour later . . . .

Daichi hurriedly parked his car and afterwards immediately entered their home.

Daichi's father was already waiting in the living room. And after he saw Daichi walked in, a gloomy and serious expression immediately registered on his face.

"Daichi . . ." the old man called out.

"Father . . ." Daichi uttered.

The old man sighed. "Let's talk. I believe there are important things we need to discuss."

Daichi slowly walked up to where his father was. And then he sat down on a seat facing the old man.

"Father . . ." Daichi said. He was trying to find the correct words to say so he could explain what his mother saw at the studio.

"You don't have to say anything. You don't have to explain. All you have to do is listen," the old man said again.

"Listen? To what?" Daichi asked curiously.

The old man sighed again. "You have to listen to everything that I am going to say . . . Your mother has already talked with Lena's parents. Your engagement on Sunday will still continue as planned. But . . . as for your wedding . . . your mother and Lena's parents have decided to set the wedding two week from now."

"What?" Daichi suddenly asked. He was very surprised with the sudden change of plans. He thought that their wedding will take place at least a month after the engagement.

"I know it is quite a shock. But everything has been set. Your mother already worked out everything as soon as she arrived home. And she already told me about that guy who she saw holding Lena's hand. Frankly she was very much afraid that Lena might suddenly ran away with that man," then the old man laughed. "She's so afraid that she even set up a personal driver and bodyguard for Lena."

"What?" Daichi asked as if surprised.

"I've tried talking to her. But she wouldn't listen. I should also tell you that Lena's parents have already forbidden Lena to go out of the house until Sunday . . . after your engagement," the old man said again.

"She's forbidden to go out? But why? She didn't do anything wrong. Did mother tell Lena's parents about what happened in the studio?" Daichi asked.

"As far as I know, she didn't tell them. She's afraid that once they knew that Lena was somehow involved with another man, they would immediately cancel the engagement," Daichi's father answered.

Daichi shook his head in disbelief. His mother was totally unbelievable.

"So you mean . . . Lena is to locked up in this house until Sunday? Isn't that too cruel?" Daichi asked his father.

"Well she can go out provided that she brings her driver and bodyguard along," the old man answered.

"Does she know about . . . her being forbidden to go out alone?" Daichi asked.

"Yes, your mother already told her . . . Daichi . . ." the old man uttered.

"Yes, Father?"

"Frankly I'm having second thoughts about your marriage with Lena. Somehow after learning that she's close with another man. I'm starting to thin that maybe this arranged marriage between you two is a bad idea. Lena is a very ncie girl, and I do like her to be your future wife. But . . . like what you said before, she doesn't love you. I'm starying to think that even if the two of you end up marrying each other. Both of you won't be happy. And that is what I am afraid of . . ." the old man said seriously.

"Father . . ." Daichi uttered.

"What are you two talking about?" a voice suddenly asked.

Daichi and the old man looked at the direction where the voice came from. And then they saw Daichi's mothr staring back at them.

"Daichi . . . I will never accept another girl as your wife. So the two fo you can stop talking about ending the wedding," the old woman announced.

Daichi stared back at his father. The old man just shook his head and looked away. They both knew that they could never win an argument with Daichi's mother. She was more forceful and ruthless when dealing with things compared with his father.

Daichi sighed. "I'm going to my room now. I'm tired and I want to rest already."

"Fine, then rest! I just hope I've already made my point clear to both of you . . ." the old woman said coldly.

"Mother . . ." Daichi uttered. He wanted to say something but then he suddenly decided to just stay silent.

Daichi slowly stood up and quietly went up to his room. He was already about to enter his room when he suddenly decided to check up on Lena first. He then slowly went to her room and lightly knocked on the door.

After a few minutes, Lena opened the door.

"Daichi . . ." she uttered with sadness in her eyes.

"How are you?" Daichi asked.

"I'm fine, I guess," she replied.

"Can I come in?" Daichi asked.

Lena just nodded and slowly left the door open. Then she went straight to the balcony of her room.

Daichi entered Lena's room and then he closed the door. He then followed her to the balcony.

Daichi found Lena staring out the balcony. She was obviously thinking about something. And he already had an idea what it was. He quietly walked up to her, and then he gently embraced her from behind.

"What are you thinking about?" Daichi asked.

Lena sighed. "About what happened. Frankly I can't decide whether it was good or bad."

"Good or bad? What do you mean?" Daichi asked.

Lena lightly laughed. Then she touched Daichi's hand as he was embracing her.

"Good . . . because now I have more reason and someone preventing me from seeing him. And bad . . . because even if I try to pretend . . . I just realized today how much I still love him and miss him. I'm sorry, Daichi. I know I shouldn't be saying these things to you. I know that I'm already hurting you by telling you the things on my mind and in my heart," Lena said as she gently squeezed Daichi's hand.

Daichi held Lena tighter. "It's okay. Honestly I'll be more hurt if you didn't tell me the things you're thinking about. I'm quite thankful that you're very honest with me about everything.

"Daichi, are you really sure that you want to marry me? I mean . . . you know I love Jaejoong. Doesn't that bother you? You're marrying a girl who is in love with another man," Lena asked seriously.

Daichi's heart suddenly stopped beating for a few seconds. Lena had asked something that he was afraid to answer.

He slowly released Lena from his embrace. And then he turned her around to face him.

"Look at me," he uttered.

Lena slowly lifted her gaze, and then she looked straight into his eyes.

"Before I met you, I was angry with the world. I thought all women were the same. I thought all women could be bought by money, and that they would easily exchange the love they had for material wealth. But after I met you . . . everything changed. You showed me that not all women are the same. And you made me admire your courage in fighting for your love. And I think that is why I fell in love with you . . . I loved you because you showed me your strenghts and weaknesses. And even though you're in love with Jaejoong, I would gladly accept it. That is how much I love you," Daichi said with so much emotion in his eyes.

Lena was touched with what Daichi had said. She slowly embraced him and she gently laid down her head on his chest.

"I wish I had met you first . . . How I wish I could give my heart to you. You're such a wonderful man, and any girl would be so lucky to have you. There are times that I think I don't deserve you. And that maybe you would be better off with another woman," Lena softly said.

"Lena, don't say such things!" Daichi said.

"But you do deserve someone better . . . someone who will love you truly. Someone who will love you . . . only you. I don't know of I will ever learn how to forget Jaejoong. And I just think that it's so unfair to you . . . that while I'm with you . . . my heart is with another man," she softly uttered.

Daichi slowly shook his head. "I don't care if your heart is with Jaejoong. I don't care about how long it takes for you to forget him . . . or the fact that you may never forget him. What matters to me . . . is having you near me . . . holding you like this . . .talking to you like this. I admit I feel pain whenever we talk about him. But I don't care, I would gladly accept that pain just as long as you're near me."

"Daichi . . ." Lena uttered. She was totally feeling pain and pity for Daichi. How she wanted to be able to return his love for her. But she knew that it was impossible. She pitied Daichi so much that her heart was breaking into pieces. How she wished that her heart could be separated into two. She wanted to give him a part of her so that she could somehow repay his kindness and return his love for her.

"Lena, we'll get through this. I promise I will help you until the very end," Daichi lovingly uttered.

Lena slowly closed her eyes. She didn't want to think anymore. She was already too tired. How she wished that everything was just a dream. And that she would suddenly wake up as the careless teenager that she was before . . . no worries . . . no arranged marriages . . . just the simple life.

Slowly . . .her tears started to fall. She knew there was no way she could turn back time. She had to face the fact that she was going to be engaged in a few days and then married in two weeks time.

Her heart was screaming out Jaejoong's name. She missed him . . . she loved him . . . she wanted to be with him.

"How I miss you Jaejoong . . . Do I even cross your mind? Are you thinking of me too? Do you miss me . . . even half of how much I miss you? I love you Jaejoong . . . I guess I will never have the chance to hear you say those words to me. Goodbye, Jaejoong. Now I know that we weren't meant to be more than friends." Lena thought as she silently cried in Daichi's arms.

CHAPTER 22


The next day . . .

The DBSK boys were already waiting in the studio. All of them were still hoping that somehow Lena would still be the one who would do the photo shoot with them.

But as soon as the studio personnel and the new photographer arrived, all their hopes suddenly disappeared.

"So Lena isn't really coming is she?" Max asked the other DBSK boys.

Micky just shook his head as if to answer no. While Xiah just shrugged his shoulders.

"She's not coming. So I suggest we just concentrate on our work," Jaejoong coldly uttered.

Xiah, Micky, U-Know and Max all stared at Jaejoong. He was trying to make himself look like he was busy, by reading a magazine.

"You're acting like you're not affected huh?" Micky asked sarcastically.

Jaejoong lifted his eyes and stared at Micky. "I'm just being realistic."

"Realistic? I don't think so. I think the right words would be 'pathetic' and 'idiotic'. That would be more suitable for you," Micky said angrily.

"Micky!" U-Know uttered as if to caution him.

"Hyung . . . don't fight," Max said with concern.

"Who said we're fighting? I'm just being honest with the things I want to say . . . Unlike a person we all know who keeps his emotions all locked up inside," Micky said as he looked at Jaejoong's direction.

Jaejoong continued to pretend that he was reading. He didn't know what to say. He knew that Micky was right. He was really pathetic and an idiot. And to top it all, he was a coward.

Micky was about to say something when someone suddenly walked into the studio.

"Hello! Excuse me, but do you know where Daichi is?" a girl suddenly asked in Japanese as she entered the studio.

The DBSK boys all looked at the girl's direction. Jaejoong was suddenly surprised to see who was standing in front of him.

"Yoora . . ." Jaejoong suddenly uttered.

The other DBSK boys heard what Jaejoong said. They turned their heads to look at him, then they looked at the girl again. She was also beautiful and almost the same height as Lena. But unlike Lena, she was more daring in the way she dressed up herself.

"Jaejoong!" the girl happily exclaimed as soon as she saw him. Then she immediately approached him. Afterwards she embraced him.

"Yoora, what are you doing here?" Jaejoong asked.

The girl looked at Jaejoong with a weird expression on her face. "Frankly I just came straight from the airport and Daichi's driver said that Daichi instructed him to bring me here. SO I was expecting to see him or Lena here," she answered.

"So you also know Daichi. I guess I was really the only one who was left in the dark regarding Lena's engagement with Daichi," Jaejoong said with a hurt look on his face.

Yoora worriedly looked at her friend. "I'm sorry, Jaejoong. But Lena made me promise not to tell you. She said that she would be the one to tell you when the right time comes. She was worried that you would somehow get upset."

"Upset?" Jaejoong asked, then he smiled bitterly. He then looked away to hide the sadness and pain in his eyes.

"Yoora . . ." Daichi suddenly called out.

Yoora suddenly turned to see Daichi approaching her.

"Daichi . . . where's Lena?" she asked.

"She'll be here in a few minutes. Don't worry," Daichi answered.

"Oh!" Yoora uttered.

"Hello boys! You've all met the new photographer right? Your photo shoot will start in a few minutes," Daichi said.

U-Know nodded his head. "Yes, we've met him. So Lena is still coming here?"

Daichi smiled. "Yes, I've managed to make my mother change her mind. But Lena won't be doing the photo shoot anymore. She has a lot of things to do starting tomorrow. So she won't have time to continue with the shoot."

"She has a lot of things to do? Like what?" Yoora asked curiously.

Daichi turned his attention to Yoora. "Our engagement is on Sunday right? As for the wedding, it has been moved to two weeks from now."

"What?" Yoora exclaimed. "You're really moving fast. Two weeks? That's too short! How could a girl possibly prepare for a wedding in such a short time?"

"It's my mother's idea, as usual. Anyway, she's the one trying to arrange everything in time for the wedding. She's even hired additional wedding coordinators to speed up the arrangements," Daichi said.

"Being very rich really helps in solving a lot of things . . ." Yoora said as a joke.

Daichi smiled bitterly. "Not everything is solved by money . . ."

Yoora immediately noticed the sadness in Daichi's eyes. She knew why Daichi was sad. She knew everything, and she felt pity for both Daichi and Lena.

She wanted to change the topic so she just turned to face the DBSK boys.

"So before I forget, I haven't introduced myself to you guys yet. I'm Yoora Mun. Maybe you've heard of me? I'm Lena and Jaejoong's bestfriend."

Xiah smiled. "Yes, we know who you are. Well by name only since Jaejoong often talks about you and Lena. By the way, I'm Xiah."

"I'm Micky."

"I'm Max."

"Hello, I'm U-Know."

"I see, it is really nice meeting all of you. Well Jaejoong, you've been a very bad boy. You haven't even contacted me for a few months now," Yoora said to her friend.

"Sorry, I was kind of busy," Jaejoong uttered.

Yoora laughed. "I know, being a DBSK member must be really be very tiring since you're all very popular. Frankly, you look a little bit pale Jaejoong. Is everything all right?" she asked with concern.

Jaejoong tried to smile. "Of course, I'm fine. I'm just kind of tired I guess."

Yoora looked at Jaejoong more seriously. She knew that something was wrong with her friend. But she just decided to keep quiet about her observation.

"Yoora!" a girl's voice suddenly exclaimed with joy.

Everyone turned to see Lena smiling as she entered the studio.

"Lena!" Yoora exclaimed as well.

The two girls immediately approached each other, then they hugged each other tightly.

"I missed you Lena," Yoora uttered.

"I missed you too Yoora," Lena replied with a smile.

"So you're getting married in two weeks and you didn't even tell me. I hope everything's fine," Yoora said with a hidden meaning.

Lena lightly laughed. "DO I look like I'm okay?"

Yoora laughed as well. "Honestly . . .no! In fact, both you and Jaejoong don't look well at all."

"Is that so?" Lena softly uttered.

Yoora suddenly smiled as she thought of a very naughty idea in her head. She released Lena from her embrace, then she gently pulled her to where Jaejoong was.

"I'm so happy that I have my two best friends with me now . . . just like old times," Yoora said as she gently pulled Lena and Jaejoong closer to one another.

Jaejoong then looked at Lena. as she stood right next beside him. His heart was beating wildly. How he wanted to talk with her, but he was lacking the courage to do so.

As for Lena, she was trying to avoid looking at Jaejoong. She was afraid of the emotions that might suddenly appear in her heart once she looked at him again.

"Hey! Why are you guys so quiet? Did you guys have a fight? What's wrong? Why are you guys avoiding each other?" Yoora asked curiously. She was unaware of the fact that Jaejoong already knew about Lena's feelings for him.

Jaejoong looked at Lena again. "Nothing's wrong."

"You're such a bad liar, Jaejoong. You can never get away with lying," Yoora said as she looked at her friend.

Jaejoong lowered his head. He was very embarrassed. Yoora was right. He wasn't a good liar. Anyone could easily tell that he was lying.

Lena couldn't stop herself. She quickly glanced at Jaejoong. She knew he was feeling very uncomfortable with their currrent situation. She suddenly pitied him. She didn't want him to feel that way.

Daichi noticed that the atmosphere in the studio had suddenly become tensed. He then suddenly decided to interfere.

"Hey, how about we start the photo shoot now so we can finish early today? Then after we finish the photo shoot, we can all go to the private club that I rented. I'm having a small party tonight," Daichi suddenly announced to everyone in the studio.

"Club? Party? Are we also invited?" Micky asked with a grin.

"Of course, and don't you guys dare say no to me. I've already talked with your manager. And he has already agreed to let you guys go to my party. Since it is a private party, and in a private club . . . so that means no reporters," Daichi said with a smile.

"Party? Club? That would be fun!" Yoora said with joy.

Lena stared at Yoora. How she wished that she was just like her. . . . Free to do whatever she wanted . . . Free to love whomever she wanted.

"Yoora, while we're finishing our work here, why don't you and Lena go out for a while. So that the two of you can talk," Daichi said.

Yoora was starting to get very confused. She could sense that there was something going on . . . something that she didn't know.

She stared at Daichi for a few minutes, then at Lena, then lastly at Jaejoong. She suddenly sighed and just shook her head in dismay.

"Yes, Lena and I really need to talk. We will be out for a while okay. Just call us when you guys are finished," Yoora said to Daichi.

Daichi just nodded his head.

"Bye guys! See you later," Yoora said to the DBSK boys.

"Bye . . ." the boys replied.

"Bye . . . ." Lena uttered to Daichi and the others as she and Yoora walked out of the studio.

Jaejoong just silently watched as his two best friends left the studio. He already knew what the two will eventually talk about. And suddenly his heart started to ache again. He wanted to talk with Lena again. How he missed her. He wanted to have her back in his life again.

CHAPTER 23



"So what happened?' Yoora asked Lena.

They were already sitting in the back of Daichi's car.

Lena slowly looked at her friend. She didn't know how to start what she was supposed to say.

"Yoora . . . Jaejoong already knows that I love him," Lena uttered softly.

"What? How?" Yoora asked with her eyes wide with shock.

"I told him . . . It just happened," Lena answered.

"So what did he say? Did he say that he likes you too? Is that the reason why the two of you are acting weird around each other?" Yoora asked continuously.

Lena shook her head and tried to smile. "No, he didn't say that he likes me too. In fact, he's quite confused on what he is really feeling for me. I guess he really just likes me as a friend and nothing more," she said sadly.

"That's absurd! How could he possibly not like you in return? Is he gay or what? Even before . . .I can clearly see that he likes you too. So why is he trying to deny it?" Yoora said with a raised voice.

"Yoora, please calm down. It's all right. We can't make him love me back in return. I have already learned how to accept the fact that he will never be mine. Maybe I am really destined to be Daichi's wife. There's nothing more we can do. Let's just leave Jaejoong alone. I have already caused too much trouble for him. YOu don't need to confront him or whatsoever. So please don't try to ask him about what happened between us. Let's just leave everything behind," Lena said with sadness in her voice.

Yoora glanced at her friend. "What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me that you're finally giving up on him?"

Lena smiled at Yoora. "I don't have any choice. He doesn't like me. So I guess I have to accept Daichi now. There's no sense in trying to fight with my parents anymore. I don't have any reason to hold on anymore."

"Lena, you've been in love with Jaejoong for years now. Why are you suddenly trying to forget everything? I can't believe that you would actually give up so easily," Yoora said seriously.

"I'm tired, Yoora. I'm already very, very tired. I don't want to hold on to false hope anymore. Jaejoong will never love me back . . . and that is that. We can never be more than friends," Lena said weakly.

"That's nonsense! I have been your friend for years now. And I already know both of you so well like the back of my hand. And I can tell even when we were still young that both of you like each other more than just friends. The two of you are just in denial," Yoora said as she stared seriously at Lena. She was very upset. The moment she came to Japan she was already expecting that Lena and Jaejoong had already straightened out their feeling for one another. She never expected that her best friends had grown much farther apart.

"Yoora . . ." Lena uttered.

"Lena, are you really giving up? DOn't you love him anymore? Are you in love with Daichi now? I'm so sad for you Lena. I don't want to see you end up living your whole life in sadness. I know Jaejoong is the only man who you can love. And I think if you do end up marrying Daichi, you'll just be suffering . . . not only you but Daichi and Jaejoong as well," Yoora said as she touched Lena's hand.

"Yoora, he doesn't love me. What more do you expect me to do? I already confessed to him. Frankly, just thinking about it . . . makes me feel so small. I feel so degraded just thinking that I am a girl and yet I was the first one to confess my love. It is so unacceptable," Lena said sadly.

Yoora smiled. "Good thing I am here now. Don't worry. I will help you. I'm going to make that dumb Jaejoong figure out everything and I'm going to make sure that he's going to confess to you."

"What are you planning to do Yoora? Please just leave things alone. You don't have to do anything. I think I've already accepted the fact that Jaejoong can never be mine," Lena said sadly again.

"No! I'm going to make Jaejoong suffer. I'm going to make sure that before the day ends, he's going to end up crazy with jealousy," Yoora said with determination in her voice.

"Yoora . . . please stop it. I don't want to cause any trouble to Jaejoong," Lena pleaded.

"You're not going to cause him any problem . . . but I am," Yoora said with a devilish grin.

"Yoora . . ."

"Don't try to stop me. And just follow everything that I am going to say. I'll make him regret everything," Yoora said again.

"Yoora, I'm already getting engaged on Sunday. There's nothing more we can do. Let's just leave things as it is," Lena said again as she tried to plead with her friend.

"You're just getting engaged . . . not married. It's not too late for me to interfere. I think I can still do something. Let's just see how he's going to handle the things that I am going to do," Yoora said with a smile.

"There's nothing more you can do. You can't possibly force him to love me. I am already tired of hoping and dreaming that he will eventually fall in love with me. My heart is already very tired. I don't think I can take it anymore . . . if he refuses me one more time," Lena said as she suddenly stared out of the car.

Yoora shook her head. She wasn't going to let her best friend end up being miserable. She was determined to do everything that would eventually make Jaejoong realize his true feelings for Lena. She knew that Jaejoong had feelings for her friend, but he was just trying to hide it.

"Stupid Jaejoong . . .now I am going to make sure that you're going to get what you deserve," Yoora said in her mind as she stared at Lena's sad face.

The photo shoot finally ended after hours of waiting. Yoora was already very anxious to start the things that she had planned.

After the photo shoot, the DBSK boys together with Daichi, Yoora and Lena all went to the club. Yoora's mind immediately started to think of ways to make Jaejoong jealous.

The DBSK boys all sat in one table together with Lena, Yoora and Daichi. The club was almost half full. And most of the girls in the club were all staring at the DBSK boys as soon as they entered the club.

Yoora smiled. "So let's party!" she said as she stared at Lena and Jaejoong.

Daichi looked at Yoora. He was already sensing that she was planning to do something. And even though his heart was aching just thinking that he was going to lose Lena, he had no intention to stop Yoora from whatever she was planning. He also wanted Lena to be happy. And he knew that Jaejoong was the only man who could possibly make Lena happy.

Yoora looked at Jaejoong. She was very upset with him.

"You're quite stupid, Jaejoong. You don't even know what's good for you. Before this night ends, I'm going to make sure that you'll be dying of jealousy. I'm going to make you regret everything. You'll be going crazy with the things I'll be doing with Lena. Stupid . . . . Stupid Jaejoong!" Yoora said in her mind as she stared at Jaejoong.

Daichi ordered several bottles of wines. He somehow knew that both he and Jaejoong will be drinking a lot. He was already sensing that he would be needing a lot of liquor to drown out the pain that he was going to feel.

As soon as the bottles of wines arrived, Yoora immediately took out one bottle of wine and poured on two wine glasses.

"Hey! Slow down . . . Two glasses? Are you trying to get yourself drunk already?" Lena said to Yoora.

"No . . . this one is for me and this is for you," Yoora answered as she gave one of the wine glasses to Lena.

Lena looked at Yoora with a weird expression on her face. She was somehow confused on why Yoora was acting very strange.

"Drink up!" Yoora said as she drank all the wine in her glass in one gulp.

Lena smiled. She had missed Yoora's craziness. They had been friends for years and she was already used to Yoora's impulsive and unpredictable nature.

After Lena saw that Yoora had already finished her drink, she immediately followed her example. She also drank all the wine in her glass in one straight gulp.

The DBSK boys were immediately alarmed with the way the two girls were drinking.

After the two wine glasses were empty, Yoora hurriedly filled them up with wine again.

"Drink . . ." Yoora said to Lena as she glanced at Jaejoong's reaction.

Lena smiled again, then lightly laughed.

The two girls both drank the contents of their glasses in one shot. Afterwards, Yoora filled them up again for the third time.

"Hey! That's enough!" Micky said to Yoora.

Yoora immediately stared at Micky. She was expecting Jaejoong to be the one to stop them. She then glanced at Jaejoong. He was looking at a different direction, as if he didn't care. This made Yoora more mad.

"Drink up Lena . . ." Yoora told Lena with a cold voice.

Lena was already affected by the wine she had taken. She quickly followed Yoora, and without any question or protest, she again drank the wine before her.

"Daichi, aren't you going to stop them?" Micky asked worriedly.

Daichi just shook his head. "No! Let them have their fun. That's why we're all here . . . to have some fun."

"But drinking too much isn't fun," Max commented.

"Oh! You guys are too straight," Yoora exclaimed.

She then took the bottle wine, and poured on the wine glasses for the fourth time.

"Cheers!" Yoora exclaimed with joy.

Lena laughed. She could tell that she was already drunk. But she didn't care. She was having fun. She was somehow forgetting all her problems. And this was what she needed the most . . . to be able to forget.

Lena was about to drink her glass of wine, when someone suddenly snatched it from her. She then stared at the person who was holding her glass. It was . . . Micky.

"Hey! That's mine," Lena said with a laugh.

Micky suddenly drank all the wine in Lena's glass in one shot as well.

Xiah, Max and U-Know all looked at Micky, then at Jaejoong. A strange feeling was somehow in the air and everyone was feeling it.

Jaejoong was already staring at Micky as well. Somehow he couldn't explain his emotion.

"Am I jealous of Micky?" he was silently asking himself.

Yoora smiled devilishly. She suddenly thought of a new way to make Jaejoong suffer. She then grabbed Lena's hand and gently pulled her on to the dance floor.

"Let's dance!" Yoora said to Lena.

Lena just nodded. She was already out of control as well. The three glasses of wine she had drank had already made her lose all her sense of reasoning.

As the two girls entered the dance floor, the eyes of every male in the club suddenly focused on them.

Yoora and Lena were both wearing sexy dresses which showed their full figure. And as they danced, they somehow aroused all the males' interests.

Jaejoong just watched as Lena and Yoora danced. Somehow he could feel a very hot, tingling sensation rushing all over his body. He felt like he wanted to drag Lena out of the club and just lock her up. So that no other man can ever set their eyes on her again.

He suddenly let out a long sigh. He then looked at everyone in the club again. Everyone was really focused on Yoora and Lena. And somehow this made him very jealous.

CHAPTER 24



Yoora had already noticed that everyone was focused on her and Lena. This was what she wanted. She wanted to attract everyone's attention, especially all the men in the club.

She had also observed that the wine that Lena had drank was already taking effect. It was also a part of her plan to make Lena drunk, so she would loosen up. She wanted Lena to lose her shy and reserve nature. She wanted her to be wild so that Jaejoong will see her fooling around with some of the men in the club. She wanted to make Jaejoong die of jealousy.

Yoora smiled devilishly. While Lena was dancing, she then started to pull some of the men in the club on to the dance floor. Within minutes, Several men were already dancing with her and Lena.

Daichi just watched as the two girls danced. He felt like he wanted to stop Lena, but he didn't dare interfere. He knew that Yoora was doing something to make Jaejoong jealous.

"Daichi, aren't you going to stop Lena? She's already drunk . . ." Micky said with concern.

Daichi just looked at Micky with a calm expression on his face. He wanted to make the others belive that he wasn't affected by what he was seeing.

"Why should I? Let them have their fun," Daichi answered.

"Totally unbelievable!" Micky uttered as he shook his head in dismay. He was getting very frustrated and angry with both Jaejoong and Daichi.

Jaejoong just silently watched while Lena and Yoora danced with several men on the dance floor. His heart was beating wildly and somehow he felt like there was a huge lump in his throat. He felt like someone was choking him.

Jaejoong's mind was also starting to get blurry. Somehow he couldn't stand seeing Lena with other men. It was just too much for him.

Xiah, Micky, Max and U-Know just watched helplessly as Jaejoong poured himself a glass of wine, one after the other.

Jaejoong had already drank five glasses of wine, when Micky grabbed the last glass of wine that he was about to drink.

"What are you trying to do? If you're planning to get drunk . . . do it some other time. Take care of Lena first. She's already out of control," Micky said to Jaejoong with a serious expression on his face.

Jaejoong somehow snapped out of his cloudy state of mind and worriedly looked at Lena.

She was still dancing with at least four men. And judging by the way she was dancing, Jaejoong could easily tell that she wasn't herself anymore.

Jaejoong wanted to stop Lena, but he still tried to control himself. He then looked at Daichi.

Daichi had already left the DBSK boys, and was already busy drinking with some of his friends at another table.

"He doesn't even care that Lena is dancing with other men," Jaejoong thought as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Are you really just going to watch her degrade herself like that?" Micky asked Jaejoong with sarcasm in his voice.

Jaejoong stared at Micky. Then he slowly lowered his head and stared at the bottle of wine in front of him.

"I don't have any right to stop her. If there is someone who should stop her . . . it is Daichi . . . not me," Jaejoong answered weakly.

"Well, he's not doing anything. And you're not doing anything as well. Both of you are just pretending that you don't care. I can't believe you guys!" Micky said as he suddenly stood up. "If you're not going to do anything . . . then I will."

Micky went straight on to the dance floor. Then he took Lena's hand and dragged her out of the club.

"Lena . . ." Yoora called out as soon as she noticed Lena being pulled away by Micky.

"Micky," Lena uttered. "What are you doing?"

"Let's go out for a while. You need some fresh air," Micky answered.

Daichi saw everything that happened. And he was very much surprised by what Micky had done.

Xiah, U-Know and Max were very surprised as well. They didn't expect Micky would actually interfere in Jaejoong and Lena's problem.

As for Jaejoong, he felt like his heart was being torn into pieces. He was hurting so bad that he couldn't think straight anymore. He was already very jealous of Micky. He knew that there was a big possibility that Micky liked Lena. He saw the special way he looked at her during the first time they met, and the time that he carried Lena into her room.

"Do you know if Micky likes Lena?" Jaejoong suddenly asked the other remaining DBSK boys.

Xiah, Max and U-Know looked at each other, then shook their heads.

"No. . . we don't know anything, hyung," MAx replied.

"That's impossible. Micky would never . . . do such a thing . . ." Xiah said.

"He's just helping Jaejoong. You don't need to put any meaning to his actions," U-Know tried to explain.

Jaejoong shook his head and then he smiled bitterly. "No, he likes her. And frankly . . . I envy him, because he is more braver and more honest with himself . . . unlike me."

"Hyung, what are you saying?" Max uttered as if he was very confused.

"Don't say such things . . . Micky would never try to take Lena from you. You're his friend . . . and he would never do that to you," Xiah said with a serious tone in his voice.

Jaejoong laughed. "But the funny thing is . . . Lena doesn't belong to me. So he wouldn't be taking her away from me . . . but he would be taking her away from Daichi."

"Hyung, please don't say that," Max uttered.

Jaejoong then took another glass of wine and drank all its content in one shot.

U-Know, Max and Xiah just stared at their friend. All of them could feel his misery, but there was nothing that they could do to help him.

Outside the club . . .

Micky and Lena were sitting on a bench at the parking area of the club.

"How are you feeling?" Micky worriedly asked Lena.

"Dizzy . . . dizzy . . . and dizzy," Lena answered with a laugh. She was already very drunk and not herself.

"Just rest first, then maybe after a few minutes we can return inside," Micky said.

Lena looked at Micky. "Thank you . . . for being kind to me. But you don't have to do this. Just go inside. I can take care of myself. I think I need some time alone."

"I can't leave you alone here. You're drunk. What if something happens to you?" Micky said.

Lena smiled. "Yes, I'm drunk and a little wild on the side. But I am still in the right state of mind. So don't worry."

"Are you sure?" Micky asked.

"Yes, don't worry. See . . ." Lena said as she suddenly stood up and started to walk in a straight line.

Micky shook his head. Lena was already walking ina zigzag manner.

"You're drunk," Micky uttered.

"No, I'm not," Lena said. Then as she was walking she suddenly tripped on a small stone.

Micky immediately helped Lena to stand up.

"Is this what you call 'not drunk'?" Micky asked teasingly. He was holding Lena in his arms. He was trying to support her so she wouldn't trip or fall anymore.

Lena laughed again. Then suddenly she felt very dizzy again.

"Micky, my head hurts and why is everything spinning?" Lena uttered.

"Lena . . . you really need to rest," Micky said with concern.

"Rest? Hmmm . . ." Lena uttered. She was already embracing Micky because of her drunkenness.

Then after a few minutes, Lena had already passed out.

"Lena . . . Lena . . ." Micky said worriedly as he tried to wake her up. He had already carried her into his arms.

"Lena . . ." a voice suddenly called out.

Micky looked at the direction where the voice came from.

A few meters away from him were Daichi and Jaejoong slowly approaching them.

"You won't be able to wake her up so easily especially when she's drunk," Daichi said calmly.

"So you guys finally cleared up your minds," Micky suddenly said.

"Cleared up? What do you mean?" Daichi asked curiously.

"You're both here . . . So it only means that you have both finally decided to be honest with your feelings," Micky answered.

Daichi smiled. "I was the one who asked Jaejoong to come with me."

Micky smiled with a hidden meaning." I should have figured that out. I already know that he couldn't come her on his own."

Daichi, Jaejoong and Micky were all looking at Lena as she unconsciously slept in Micky's arms.

Jaejoong's heart was aching. He couldn't stop himself from feeling that way. Seeing Micky so close to Lena was making him crazy with jealousy.

Daichi suddenly took out two sets of keys from his pocket. Then he handed the keys to Jaejoong.

"What's this?" Jaejoong asked curiously.

"The first set of keys is for my car. Then the second set is for Lena's apartment. can you please bring her to her apartment so she can rest? I can't leave the club yet. I have so many friends waiting for me. I can't leave them," Daichi said to Jaejoong.

"So you're saying that your friends are more important to you than Lena?" Jaejoong asked angrily.

Daichi stared at Jaejoong. "I'm not the one she needs. Let's just stop pretending . . . She's already hurting so much, Jaejoong. She needs . . . you."

Jaejoong suddenly looked at Lena. His heart had suddenly skipped a beat. Somehow his heart was stronger than his mind at that exact moment. He carefully took Lena from Micky and he carried her up to Daichi's car.

Daichi and Micky helped Jaejoong to safely put Lena in the car.

"Take good care of her . . ." Daichi said to Jaejoong as his heart was breaking into pieces.

Jaejoong just nodded. His heart was pounding very hard.

Micky and Daichi just silently watched as Jaejoong carefully drove out of the parking lot.

"I love you Lena . . .I hope you finally find the love you have long been searching for," Daichi thought as he slowly turned away to hide his tears from Micky.

CHAPTER 25



Jaejoong was already driving back to their apartment building. Every few minutes he would turn to his side to check on Lena who was still unconscious on the seat next to him.

"Why did you have to to drink so much? You know you have a low tolerance for anything alcoholic. You're really a very stubborn girl." Jaejoong uttered as he tried to focus his attention on the road.

A few minutes later, Jaejoong was already parking in front of their apartment building.

"Thank you very much for your help . . ." Jaejoong said to the security guard as he closed the door of Lena's apartment.

The old security guard was the one who helped Jaejoong to open Lena's apartment.

Jaejoong quickly returned to Lena's side as soon as he closed the door. She was lying unconscious on the sofa.

"Silly girl . . . look at you now," Jaejoong uttered as he carefully carried Lena into his arms again. Then he went straight to her room. And then he carefully laid her down on her bed.

"Jaejoong . . ." Lena softly mumbled. She was still uncommon.

Jaejoong's heart suddenly skipped a beat as soon as he heard her say his name.

A few minutes after arranging Lena on her bed, Only then that Jaejoong noticed that Lena was sweating profusely. The dress she was wearing was already wet with sweat. And her face was starting to get very pale.

"Lena . . ." Jaejoong uttered with concern. He then quickly went out of the room to get a small bowl of lukewarm water. Then he searched Lena's cabinet for a small towel and a set of new clothes.

After gathering all the things that he needed, Jaejoong started to gently wipe Lena's face with the wet towel.

"Jaejoong . . ." Lena uttered again.

"Lena . . .you need to change your clothes . . .please wake up . . ." Jaejoong said softly.

Lena slowly opened her eyes. She was still feeling very dizzy. As soon as she saw Jaejoong sitting on the side of her bed, her heart started to beat very fast again.

"Jaejoong . . . what . . . what are you doing here? And where am I?" Lena asked as if confused. Her mind was still spinning because of the wine that she drank.

"You're in your apartment. I brought you here," Jaejoong answered.

"Oh . . . my head hurts . . ." Lena complained.

Jaejoong gently touched Lena's head, then her face with concern.

"You shouldn't have drank so much wine. You know Yoora is a heavy drinker. You can never compete with her. Does your head hurt so much? DO you want me to buy you a medicine?" Jaejoong said with concern.

Lena looked at Jaejoong. She still couldn't believe what she was seeing. She couldn't believe that Jaejoong was beside her . . . so very close to her.

"Jaejoong . . ." Lena said with love in her eyes.

Jaejoong looked straight into Lena's eyes. And at that exact moment, they were both able to see through each other's hearts. Their eyes couldn't lie . . . and their hearts couldn't hide their true feelings anymore.

He slowly lowered his head and he gently kissed Lena's waiting lips. While they were kissing, Lena couldn't believe what was happening. It was like a dream . . . a dream that she didn't want to wake up from.

Jaejoong's kiss was very sweet and gentle at first. He also felt like he was in a trance. Kissing Lena was making him feel different emotions all rolled in one. He had never kissed a girl before. But now as he kissed her, he felt like Lena was really made for him . . . she was perfect for him.

Lena slowly placed her arms around Jaejoong's neck. Then she started to lovingly caress his neck.

Jaejoong's whole body trembled as their kiss suddenly became more exploring and daring. He was totally losing all his self-control.

Lena suddenly moaned as soon as she felt Jaejoong's hand exploring her body. And within minutes, he had totally removed all her clothing. She didn't stop him from what he was doing. She loved him and she wanted to make love to him as well. She wanted to experience making love with the only man she had been dreaming of for the past ten years.

Jaejoong was already out of control. He wasn't thinking about anything else except the fact that he wanted to have Lena. He wanted to make love to her. He wanted to make her feel how much he loved her. He wasn't thinking about what his parents would say or what Lena's parents would say anymore . . . He didn't care anymore. All he cared about at that moment . . . was his longing for her . . . and his love for her.

"I love you Lena . . ." Jaejoong slowly uttered as he started to make love to her.

Lena couldn't believe what she just heard. It was like the most wonderful and magical words she could hear in her lifetime.

"I love you too Jaejoong . . ." Lena uttered as well.

And with those words finally said out loud, their hearts and souls were finally filled with unexplainable joy. And their search for each other's love were finally sealed with their bodies becoming as one.

The next morning . . . .

Lena slowly opened her eyes. She could still remember everything that happened the night before. She smiled and then looked at the other side of her bed. She was expecting to see Jaejoong still sleeping beside her.

But . . . Jaejoong wasn't beside her. Lena suddenly got up and looked around the room.

"Jaejoong . . . Jaejoong . . ." Lena called out.

She then wrapped her naked body wih the bed sheet. And then she went straight to the kitchen. Her heart was pounding very hard. Somehow she couldn't understand it. But she was feeling very nervous.

"Maybe he's in the kitchen . . . cooking," she said to herself.

But as soon as she entered the kitchen and she saw that it was empty, her heart suddenly ached.

"Jaejoong . . . Jaejoong, where are you?" Lena called out again.

And as if insane, Lena started to search around the whole apartment again. While searching, she kept on calling his name.

Then finally she went back to her room. She wanted to make sure that she wasn't dreaming . . . that Jaejoong was really with her the night before.

She slowly approached her bed. And after seeing the stain on her bed, her whole body suddenly became weak. She slowly fell down on the floor . . . sobbing. She couldn't explain the pain she was feeling.

"You said you loved me . . . then how come you just left me without even a goodbye?" she asked out loud.

Lena felt like her whole world had suddenly collapsed. She felt so hurt that she wanted to die at that moment.

"You said you loved me Jaejoong . . . was it just a lie?" she asked out loud again.

Lena started to sob uncontrollably. Then she started to cry out loud. The pain she was feeling was too much. She needed to cry out loud, or else she would go insane.

Lena cried as her whole body trembled. Different thoughts and different emotions were running through her mind and through her heart. She had given all her love to Jaejoong . . .and she had given herself to him as well. But it seems it wasn't enough for him . . . to make him stay. She felt so useless, degraded, pitiful and undeserving to be loved. She wanted to die . . . She wanted to erase the pain she was feeling.

Lena's whole apartment was suddenly filled with her pitiful cries. Anyone who would hear her cry would surely shed tears with her as well.

"Jaejoong . . . Jaejoong . . . why? Why?" Lena uttered between sobs.

Minutes passed . . .

"Lena . . ." a voice suddenly called out.

Lena slowly raised her eyes to see Yoora staring at her with eyes wide with shock.

"Yoora . . . Yoora . . ." Lena uttered as she cried uncontrollably again.

Yoora's heart was breaking into pieces as she stared at her best friend.

Lena was sitting on the floor of her room, clutching the thin sheet that was covering her naked body. Her eyes were already swollen because of her crying, and her beautiful face was filled with so much grief and pain.

Lena's whole body was trembling as she cried out loud. She wailed and moaned to the point that Yoora thought her heart was going to explode with so much pity and sympathy that she felt for her friend.

"Lena . . ." Yoora uttered as she hurriedly went to her side.

"Yoora . . .I want to die . . . I want to die, Yoora. . .It hurts too much. I don't think I can take it. I don't want to live anymore," Lena said as she continued to cry.

"What happened? Where's Jaejoong?" Yoora asked as she embraced Lena.

"He . . . he just left me . . . without a single word. He didn't even say goodbye. He said he loved me . . . and then we made loved. But when I woke up, he was gone. I loved him . . . I gave him everything. . . I even gave myself to him. But he just left me . . . He just threw me away after using me. What am I supposed to do now? I already gave myself to him . . .I feel so lost Yoora. Please help me! I don't know what to do. The pain is driving me crazy. I don't think I can handle this. I want to die . . . I want to die . . ." Lena said with tears flowing down her face.

Yoora's heart was suddenly filled with anger. She never imagined that Jaejoong could do such a despicable act. Jaejoong had been their friend for years and he had been a very kind and loving friend to both her and Lena.

But now . . . he had suddenly changed . . . for the worst. Yoora felt that she could never forgive Jaejoong for hurting Lena. She then suddenly felt the urge to get even with him. She wanted to make him suffer the same way Lena was suffering at that moment.

Lena moaned in pain. Her mind was totally getting blurry. Yoora hugged her tighter. She wanted to comfort Lena, and she wanted to make her feel the love and sympathy she had for her.

"Jaejoong . . .I loved you . . . Why did you leave me? You said you loved me . . . But why did you leave me? Why? Why?" Lena asked out loud.

Yoora knew that Lena was already getting very emotional and hysterical. She was already getting very worried with Lena.

"Lena . . . please . . . stop crying. It's going to be okay. I'll help you. We'll fix everything. We'll solve things out. Just calm yourself please, Lena. . ." Yoora said to Lean as she gently cupped Lena's face with her two hands.

"Yoora . . .I want to die . . . I don't want to live anymore. If I can't be with him . . . then I don't want to be with anyone else . . .I . . . I . . . I . . ." then Lena suddenly passed out.

An hour later . . .

"Are you sure you're staying here?" Daichi asked Yoora.

Yoora just nodded. "I can take care of myself. Just make sure you take good care of Lena. She's been through a lot . . ."

Daichi nodded. "Don't worry. I've always taken good care of her."

"I know, you're a good man Daichi. I just wish Lena could have met you earlier. Then maybe . . . everything would have been better if she fell in love with you first," Yoora uttered.

Daichi smiled bitterly. "There's nothing we can do now. She's already madly in love with Jaejoong. And I don't think I can ever take his place in her heart."

Yoora sadly stared at Daichi. "Daichi . . . Lena and Jaejoong already . . . they . . ." Somehow Yoora couldn't find the right words to tell Daichi that Lena had already given herself to Jaejoong.

"I already know what you're going to say. I know something already happened between them last night," Daichi weakly uttered.

"And . . . it is still okay with you? Are you still going to accept Lena? Are you still going through with the engagement and the wedding . . . even though she's already slept with another man?" Yoora asked.

Daichi just nodded.

"I'm speechless . . ." Yoora uttered.

"I love Lena with all my heart and soul. I don't care if she has already with Jaejoong. I don't even care if she doesn't sleep with me at all. I love her. And as long as she needs me, I will always be by her side," Daichi said.

"Thank you . . . Thank you for loving Lena so much. She is like my very own sister. And I love her with all my heart as well. I'm glad that you're the man beside her in her times of despair," Yoora said.

Daichi tried to smile. "I'll be going now. Take care of yourself. I still need to go to the hospital to check up on Lena."

"Yes . . .Take care of yourself and Lena too. I'll visit her later," Yoora said.

Daichi nodded his head. Then he slowly got into his car and before starting the car, he bade goodbye to Yoora.

Yoora bade goodbye as well, as Daichi slowly drove away.

As soon as Daichi left, Yoora's expression suddenly changed. Her sweet and beautiful face suddenly became full of anger.

"Jaejoong . . . you're going to pay for what you have done to Lena. I'm going to make sure that you're going to regret what you have done to her," she said in her mind as she hurriedly went back into Lena and Jaejoong's apartment building.