Chapter Seven : The Meeting Of Hearts

   "Oh!" Suddenly Shin Young stopped on her track. Sam almost bumped into her.

   "Officer!"

   Sam looked up and saw the Officer Kang standing in front of them and quickly bowed.

   "Oh, hi!" Officer Kang smiled, bowing back.

   Sam would have walked away if Shin Young wanted to move, but the girl seemed to be rooted to the ground, looking at Officer Kang.

   "I'm Shin Young, Sam's friend," Shin Young went all the way in front of the man to introduced herself. Sam could only watched in amazement. The girl doesn't even bother to hide her feelings- just like Ari.

   "I'm Kang Jeong Woo, nice to meet you," the man smiled at Shin Young then looked back at her, "Thank you for coming down to the office, to give your work details Miss Samantha." He said glancing at her over Shin Young's head..

   "You're welcome," She smiled a little, "I guess it's my responsibility." She's still waiting for Shin Young to come back so that they could move on, and buy their grocery, but she was still staring up dreamily at Officer Kang.

   The man looked down at Shin Young and bowed a little, maybe becoming a little uncomfortable being stared like that.

   Shin Young then realized that she'd been staring, she smiled again, this time a little embarrassed. 

   She walked back to Sam- her cheeks pink with embarrassment. Sam smiled a little then she bowed at Officer Kang before she pushed her trolley continuing with their weekly grocery buy. Shin Young mumbled behind her, "I'm so embarrassed..He must think I'm a freak..!" 

   Sam smiled, "Don't worry too much about it.."

   "But he's such a good looking man...!"

   Sam smiled- pushing the trolley. Good looking? Only one good looking man in her mind right now. She had no time noticing other men.

   What in world is wrong with her???!!

   As the two girls walked away, he really had to restrain himself from calling out her name. 

   He still remembered, the first time he saw her- holding up the traffic at one of  the junction at Imun Dong, so that her friends and an old woman could safely walk to the other side. She might not see him through his darkened window but she had looked at him that day- and he felt his heart stopped.

   He could not stop staring at her, even after she'd walked away to the other side of the road, he was still staring- and it was only when other cars were honking behind him that he had no choice but to drive on. When he managed to take a U-turn, she was already no where to be seen. He even drove for hours around Seoul that fine Saturday, but to no avail. He went to that very street the day after, then on the Monday and Tuesday, every late afternoon, after work. 

   He just refused to believe that he might not see her again. Imagine his surprise when three days after, his assistant came in with some documents and when he looked at them, he saw her staring right back at him.

   Samantha Gilbert. And his heart stopped. He guessed that it might be fate. Fate brought her back to him. From then onwards, he'd been planning everything. He asked her to send in her work details after she found her part time job, as if it's a necessity when it's only an excuse for him to see her again and perhaps get to know her a little bit more. .

   He purposefully drove around her block, every day after work. It was strange- he felt like a stalker, but he just knew that he has fallen for the girl and he could not stop himself. 

   Then, a week later, he went on a meeting, only to come back, knowing that Sam had came to send in her work details. He was so frustrated because he had really wanted to see her, he almost slammed the door behind his gaping assistant.

   So, he took his chances. He drove to her block today, as it's Sunday, he have all the time in the world to wait for her- which she did, she came out with her friend, the Korean girl. 

   To his luck, Sam and her friend went shopping. Now, he knew where they shop, this will be the place he'd do his grocery buy from now on.

   He'd been planning to casually treat the girls to lunch but when he saw that the other girl seemed to take more interest in him, he changed his mind. He didn't think that it'd be wise for him to try to woe her when her friend is openly admiring him.

   The girl on his mind, on the other hand seemed not to be interested much in him. Her smile and her expression had only been that of a casual acquaintance. But he's not going to let that deter him. It's not everyday that he met a girl who could make his heart tingle and jumped to life, like this.

   It had been so long, but he think he's in love again. 

  When they arrived home, again, the Officer Kang was the topic of their conversation- all except Sam. They went on back and forth on who's more good looking the officer or certain singers and actors. They went back and forth with the winner also.
   Sam just dully went to her room, to reflect on her fate. It had been almost two weeks- and still, the man, the superstar, Kim Hyun Joong is wrecking havoc with her emotions. Star-struck? Well, she isn't so sure anymore now.
   Fortunately, she'd be starting work tomorrow. Hopefully that would take her mind off him. She's really praying that it would because it's beginning to have a toll on her. Not being able to sleep without thinking about him- she felt 'unhealthy'.

   So, he'd be meeting her tomorrow. Just thinking about it is making him so excited he couldn't stop smiling. He'd hired a PI to keep tabs on her. As soon as he was informed that she'd taken a tutoring job, he started planning his next move. He'd went to the Learning Centre, in the pretense of hiring a private tutor, he purposefully said, he wanted a foreign tutor.
   In just a month he'd have to be in Japan again. And these past two weeks, he and the boys had been busy with the final touch on their group's latest album. He was so stressed thinking about how she's doing and he missed her so much it hurts.
   He missed a girl, he didn't even know about that much, who probably didn't feel the same for him as he felt for her. But he could not think past the fact that their eyes had meet and the whole world stopped.
   The recording had been wrapped up- the boys had suggested they go celebrate at a club, which he declined, for the first time ever in all the 6 years they'd been together.
   "Hyung!" Kyu Jong was open mouthed, " come on! We'd been working like crazy!"
   "I said, I won't be coming with you..I didn't say that you can't go on your own.." he replied.
   "Hyung," Hyung Jun looked at him suspiciously, "what's going on? You're not telling us something."
   "Go," he said cooly, "I'm just tired. I will be going to Japan again soon. I need all my rest, go, I'll pay."
    So, although the boys were still suspicious, they didn't pursue the question. At least not for now especially when he's paying.
    And here he is now, in his room, looking at some snapshots of her and the details the PI had got about her.
    Samantha Gilbert. The girl who had stolen his heart- right before his very eyes.
   Tomorrow will be the start of a new life for him. He's done trying to make reasons for his feelings and emotions where she's concerned.
   That fateful Sunday, three weeks ago, his heart had met it's match. No use of denying it anymore.

Chapter Six : A Whole New World

   Sam wanted to knock her head on the wall. It had been three days and she's still thinking about him. That man- Kim Hyun Joong.
   Her friends had been so excited after the meeting with the boys from SS501 that afternoon three days ago that, that night, they went on a marathon watch- on the group's songs and some of the dramas the group's leader, Kim Hyun Joong starred in.
   And she just couldn't believe- how on earth did she met him, not once but twice on the same day? It's impossible. Nevertheless, that's what happened. And she didn't know if she should tell her friends or not, because they would be out of their mind and they would interrogate her if they knew.
   The last thing she wanted right now is being asked about that man. Her friends knew her so well- that they'd noticed straight away that Kim Hyun Joong is affecting her.
   Dealing with that fact with herself is hard enough already, she didn't need any kind of pressures from her friends to add up to it.
   She had to do something to take her mind off him. As they'd be only starting their study in February and she can't be like this until then. Working will take her mind off him. She prayed it would.
   She actually had surfed the internet looking for part time jobs for two nights and she might have found a few job opportunities but she had to get a written permission to get a part time job first. As a foreign students they are allowed to do part time jobs after 6 months in Korea because normally foreign students have to learn Korean language first but she had already learnt Korean in it's written and spoken forms for three years so she'd go to the CIR(Center For International Relation) or they will go Sejongno Immigration Branch Office if necessary and asked if she could work part time earlier.
   Her friends just could not believed when she said she'd do part time jobs- because Sam will definitely get any scholarship easily, she's one of the highest achiever in their college. She took 4 of the coveted awards in during their graduation in December last year. It was unprecedented, never achieved before and majority doubt if it will ever happen again. In language- Sam is one of the best.  Her final GPA was 4.00. She was scary when it comes to studying.
   But when Sam was adamant, to look for part time jobs- they dully agreed. There's no point in arguing when Sam had made up her mind about something.
   It was easier walking the streets of Seoul having a native with them who knew the way. Shin Young was more than happy to take them around and tell name the name of the streets, the buses they need to  take to go somewhere.
   "Come on," as promised, Shin Young would take her to the CIR and Immigration Department. Her other friends will be waiting for them at home preparing for lunch.
   "What part time jobs will you do, Sam?" she asked.
   "Well..I haven't decided yet.." she'd been looking at some tutoring adds and a judo instructor add.
   She's fast becoming good friends with Shin Young who's also doing a part time job as an intern at one of the advertising Company in Seoul. She's so cheerful, like Ari- and Sam felt like they'd been friends for a very long time.
   After arriving at the CIR office, she told her inquiries and gave her the related documents to the fine lady at the front desk. The lady asked her to wait for a moment as she took the documents in. Sam and Shin Young sat, waiting room in front of the office and after a few minutes the lady returned and asked her to follow her.
   "I will take you to see Officer Kang, the officer in charge." the lady said.
   "I'll wait here," Shin Young smiled as she went in. Sam nodded.
   Shin Young just hoped that everything will be alright.
   "Good morning," she smiled and bowed down, the officer was a young man, impeccably dressed and serious looking.
   "Good morning," The man looked up and motioned her to sit down., "please sit down.."
   "Thank you," she smiled and sat down.
   "So, are you married?"
   Sam knew that this would be an interview, to see if she could qualify to work early, but she didn't expect to be asked that question.
   "No," she answered.
   "Hmm..You've only just come and is enrolling in Hankuk University..You wanted to work straight away?"
   "Yes," she nodded without hesitation, "I don't like doing nothing. My class will only start in February so.."
   "I see," he said, "your Korean is quiet fluent," he smiled.
   "Yes, I took Korean for my Foreign language class in the University for my degree," she said.
   "What kind of part time job will you be doing, then?"
   "I am thinking of maybe doing a tutoring or a part time instructor in one of the Judo Class near Imun Dong," she answered. This officer is quiet thorough.
   "Well," the officer nodded, seemed satisfied, "I don't see why you should not be permitted to work then," he signed a document, sealed it and hand it to her.
   "Welcome to Korea, Miss Samantha," he stood up extending an arm.
   She blinked, this is the first she's shaking hands with another person in Korean, it had only been a bow and an exchange of greetings.
   "Thank you Mr. Kang," Luckily she remembered what the front desk lady called him. Then they shook hands.
   Sam bowed down again before she walked out of the office, "thank you again."
   "So?" Shin Young stood up when she saw Sam.
   Sam nodded and Shin Young almost jumped in joy.
   "Miss Samantha,"
   They were about to exit the office when Mr. Kang, came out of his room, calling her.
   Both girls turned around in surprise.
   "Well, please do come here after you have decided on the part time job, because we want tor record it down, " he said.
   Sam nodded, "Oh, alright. I will," it's probably the regulation.
   "Wou! That's the Officer?" Shin Young asked her when they got outside.
   "Yes," Sam nodded.
   "He's so good looking!" Shin Young said dreamily. Sam looked at Shin Young then shook her head- no wonder she felt as if she'd known this girl for a long time- Shin Young's just like Ari.
   "What!" She even had that big eyed 'shock' face that Ari specialized in.
   Sam smiled and shook her head again.
   "But he is!" Shin Young said, "don't you think so? My heart seemed to stop just now..." She felt her heart as if to make sure that it's still beating.
   "No, I don't.."Sam shook her head honestly.
   "Are you out of your mind!?" Shin Young almost screamed, "Tall, well built, handsome! And he's so young but already had such steady job. The office you just went in is the office of one the superior officer in the CIR."
   Sam frowned, she didn't even notice all that. All she saw was a serious looking man, dressed nicely.
   Good looking? Handsome? A man who could made her heart stop? She could only think of one man ever to do that- Kim Hyun Joong.
   "Wait the minute," Shin Young blinked, "you couldn't still love your ex-fiance right?"
   And Shin Young is also so blunt just like Ari.
   "No," Sam smiled, funny, ever since coming here, she didn't even think about the man she had been together with for the last ten years or so, even once. She had never actually hated Matt because of what he had done to her, she hated him-and herself for what they had done to her family. For that- she might need a little more time to get over with.
   She had never loved Matt. Not as a woman at least. But she had never told a single soul about that. Not even her family.
   "So?" Shin Young couldn't believe that Sam could act so indifferent towards such a very good looking man.
   "He's dressed nicely.."That's all she could say. Shin Young went on, like Ari, to try to convince her all along their way home.
   And like Ari- Shin Young was bound to be defeated. Sam doesn't change her mind. She had never change her mind.
   When they arrived home, Shin Young went on to tell the others of the handsome man  CIR officer, and the went on to tell about Sam's apparent 'blindness' over lunch.
   "You know now, how I felt?" Ari said, faking a defeated sigh.
   "That never stops you from trying to reason every time you wanted Sam to agree on something.." Gina, who had always been the strictest one of them said.
   Ari shrugged, "I had to try.."
   "When Sam said no- then that's it.." Lisa, the more tolerant one amongts them said.
   "But, it's obvious that she's wrong!" Shin Young was still adamant.
   "I always felt like that too," Ari nodded.
   "Oh, my God!" Gina feigned a tragic look, "We have two Aris now!!"
   Ari and Shin Young looked at each other then the five girl's laughter exploded in their cosy dining room.
   Sam glanced towards the wall- where her friends had put up their SS501 memorabilia next to the group's picture.
   His eyes- even in the picture seemed to pierced through her soul. And her heart stopped. She quickly averted her eyes. The man is probably miles and miles away- doing what stars do, and she still felt like he's here with her. On the wall of their apartment and in her heart. She had never felt her heart stops for a man. Not before she met him.
   She's still convincing herself that she'd just star struck. The fact that the effects lasted longer than most star struck girls felt, was because this is her time being star struck. It should take some time to wear off, right?
   Coming to Korea. A new journey. A new experience. A whole new world.

Chapter Five : Shown The Way

       "Boys, do you mind if we have some company downstairs..?" Uncle Oh came by their table smiling apologetically, "apparently my wife had a bit of trouble just now and some girls lend her their help..she'd brought them here for lunch as a way to say thanks, I am so sorry, I hope you boys don't mind..?"

   "Uncle Oh, " He smiled, "don't be like that..We are fine..Really..Don't worry..I hope Aunt Oh is fine..?"

   "Oh, yes..She's fine..Thank you boys..."

   They had been coming to this particular restaurant since they began their career in 2005 and had been coming here whenever they can. As they hadn't been living with each other for almost a year now- this place is like their meeting getaway.

   Earlier in their career, when they had just debuted, not many people recognized them and they could eat here without attracting too much attention.

   The owners, a pair of 50 year-olds husband and wife, liked them so much that when they came later on, after they gained much popularity, they'd closed their business for a few hours to give the boys their private time and space.

   After 6 years, their relationship with The Oh's had been like children with their parents. They closed their restaurant without asking for extra charge and they'd get more food but most of all, they received a lot of warmth from the pair.

   They could hear some girls talking and laughing downstairs. 

   Hyung Jun who'd been sitting facing directly down on the table the girls settled down below, raised an eyebrow, "those are very attractive girls.."

   And all turned to have a look after Hyung Jun's comment. All- except one.

   Hyun Joong had been looking pretty strange since they met him today. They thought that he'd finally caught the jet-lagged, although he'd never experienced one before, they thought the numerous journeys back and forth to  Japan, had finally caught up to him.

   "Hyung.." Kyu Jong called him ,"there are some pretty girls downstairs,"

   Hyun Joong smiled and nodded. But didn't turn. It was so out of characters- the boys looked at Hyun Joong frowning. 

   "Something is wrong.." Jung Min said looking at him suspiciously.

   "Did you, by any chance met a girl in Japan?" Young Saeng eyed him sharply.

   He smiled- he had no intention of lying nor reciting everything to his friends right now. He's still in a bit of daze. Because right now-  he's still thinking about the girl he met in a taxi a few hours ago. He's now seriously considering going to that street where she was dropped off and take a tour around. He might met her by chance. It's scaring him- he'd never reacted like this over a girl before.

   The boys continued to question him, teased him, coaxed him, trying everything they can to force him spill what's he's thinking. But he merely shrugged and smiled. He still didn't know what he will do regarding this matter. 

   Then the sound of the piano been played silenced them.

   As soon as he heard the voice, he turned around- surely he's not mistaken, he knew this voice. He'd been hearing this voice time and time all afternoon, in his head.

   His heart stopped when he saw her, she's playing the piano and singing. If he had any doubts about how beautiful her voice was- it's gone now. She really does have one of the most distinctive voice he'd ever heard. And he saw his friends staring at the sight of her, pouring her heart out on the piano, with mesmerized eyes- he felt himself getting uneasy, irritated even. Now- he won't lie by saying he's not jealous because he is. He's jealous because his friends were looking at the girl he's very interested in. There- it's out. Whether he liked it or not- he's taken too much interest in that girl to take it lightly. He's even jealous of his friends over her. That's already a pretty strong sign.

   "Wou!" Hyung Jun shook his head, "she's going to make it big if she's going into the entertainment business..That is one powerful performance," 

   Then, they clapped their hands together as they widen the window facing the girls.

   The girls turned around almost in unison towards them- they fell silent for a moment then they jumped on their feet, with the same squeel of delighs their fans always made- all except one. The girl behind the piano.

   And when Hyun Joong spoke and asked the girls whether they wanted their autographs, the boys turned to him in surprised. He'd been ignoring the girls up until now. Perhaps the good music had jolted him on to his feet.

   All four girls ran up the stairs and lined up to have their autographs on anything they have with writable surface.

   "Why is she down there?"

   "Oh, Sam's not into boy-bands.."Ari answered, automatically, then bit her lip, she should never be so blunt, "sorry," she bowed down, biting her lip as both Lisa and Gina gave her their elbows.

   "What she meant was- our friend's favourite band is Boohwal." It was true. Sam might love Korean language and Korean cuisine, she might also admired Korean fashion and styles but she only have one Korean band in mind- Boohwal, a pop/rock band. She watched Korean movies and dramas but only because they made her to. The only thing she really watched were the Korean reality documentaries and talk shows.

   So, that's why she didn't recognized him. Her taste is more old school- a real band. That's a change- a young girl like her usually go for the young, good looking, manufactured pop star band like theirs. He's getting more and more attracted to her.

   "Your friend is a very good singer," Hyung Jun said, "you girls are pretty as well..Are you models, singers..or actresses..?" It could be a very cliche pick up line, but he's really 90% asking and not picking up the girls with the question just now.

   "No," Shin Young smiled broadly- cheeks pink with delight, "we're students..At Hankuk University."

   "Oh," the boys nodded.

   "Pretty girls with brains," Young Saeng said, as the girls gathered back downstairs, comparing autographed memorabilia. 

   "and talent," Kyu Jong nodded towards the girl who didn't come up with the others.    

   So, her name is Sam and she's studying at Hankuk University. Hyun Joong smiled definitely know what he wanted to do from now on. He'd meet the girl who shook his world- twice in a day. That alone is a testament to something.

   

   

   

   

   

Chapter Four : Some Friends, A Dare and Some Fated Encounters

   "I didn't know you could play that well.." After a very long silence Lisa finally broke the silence.

  "And I didn't know you could sing so well.." Gina shook her head in amazement.

  They had dared Sam to play the piano because they always heard her say that she play and she had played once but they never heard her sing and play. 

  "You should become a singer," Ari said, "seriously, that's a singer's voice you have Sam..And we didn't even know.."

   "She could sing that well, and you didn't know??" Shin Young was open mouthed, her new friends are amazing and a little weird- in a good way.

   "She never sang before..Not to us at least," Gina was looking at Sam questioningly.

   " I never sing to other people before, " Sam answered honestly, "I think I can sing but- surely, not that good.." she's really surprised to see the reaction from the girls.

   "Oh yes you are," Lisa nodded.

   "And I wonder, what else you had been hiding from us all these while.."Gina frowned- Sam had always been so sure of what path she would take in her life, that she ignored living her life to the full before. It's not surprising that she had a talent like that but didn't know about it. Sam is just opening up- and she's discovering things about herself probably for the first time in her life.

   Sam blinked as she looked at her friends, "Well, now you know..."she smiled and stood up, she really didn't think she was that good at singing but she had to take her friends' opinion for it.

   Then she heard some claps. They came from the upper section of the restaurant. Sam looked up- then she saw him.

   She froze-is she imagining things- surely not? She must be going out of her mind, she's seeing the man everywhere!?

   Then she heard her friends' screams of delights.

   "SS501!!"

   The five men were smiling down at them- they obviously had been there all these time and they had seen and heard everything.

   Sam paled when her friends screamed- so, that's where she saw him in- the posters of her friends in their college room. He'd also been starring in some of the most hottest Korean-soap, her friends had made her watched over and over again. 

   But, he looked so much different in real life- she didn't recognized him. She knew he was someone known, she thought he's at least a popular actor, but this?? He's one of the 'gods' in the K-Wave era. 

   "How about you girls come up here and we'll sign for autograph, for the great music just now," he even sounded different now.

   And as her friends screamed and ran upstairs. She stood down on the chair- because her head was suddenly spinning. And she- will never ask for an autograph. Not from the man who'd suddenly turned her world upside down today.

   She'd thought that she'd never meet that man again. That was what she had been telling herself as she dragged her feet to the apartment her friends were staying.

   Her feet had never felt that heavy but her heart was heavier. Somehow, the thought of not seeing him again was weighing her down. And then she recalled back all the event that had happened- after they part ways, leading back to this moment. 

   She blocked him out of her mind as she stood in front of the apartment, then she knocked. The door opened to some very loud screams.

   "Horrayyyyy!" Her friends were all blowing horns,  and confetti was flying up everywhere- as her friends ushered her inside, hugging her tightly, "welcome to Korea!!"

   She smiled and laughed a bit, "You guys were only trying to ask for my forgiveness right?" she said jokingly.

   Her friends had come up with a funny way to 'encourage' her out of her 'shell'. 

   Her friends had been so excited because her family had gave her permission to study abroad with them, and they were all busy planning on things they thought would spark a 'change' in Sam's life.

   Sam's life is too predictable, she needed something to inspire her- that was how they come up with a dare.

   "We will go first..And you will follow- alone," Lisa suggested.

   "Or we go embark on a quest around Seoul and try everything- the clothes and the food..?" Ari came up with another suggestion.

   "How about for one day- you agree to do everything we asked you to do?" Undoubtedly, Gina was the most adventurous of them.

    A few months ago, she'd have give them a shrug and said, "I am not interested," but right now, the dare sounded good to her.

   She might need this- a change, for a start.

   "I will agree to everything as long as I can tolerate it- how about that?"

   "Yes!!" Her friends clapped excitedly, then as the other guests in the cafe turned curious eyes at them, they closed their mouth and smiled at each other then giggled  together.

   And that was why she flew alone. It was the first part of the dare.

   "Hey, we always knew you would have no problem finding this apartment." Lisa smiled.

   "Yes, the hardest part is after this.."Gina smiled menacingly, "we go on a quest and you will do everything we ask you to,"

   "within my toleration zone," Sam added. Then she noticed a tall and pretty Korean girl smiling, watching them.

   "Opps! Sorry!" Ari smiled, "Sam, this is Shin Young, she's studying at the same university as us. "

   Sam smiled as they shook hands.

   "Hello," Both girls bowed, shook hands and smiled at each other.

   "This apartment was put up on the add by Shin Young.. Apparently, she'd been staying with some seniors, who had graduated and moved out, so.." Ari spread her arms around the cosy apartment.

    "So what do you think?" 

   " You guys scored a 'home run' here..!" Sam smiled, "for a 50 000 won a month- this is very decent..."

   She was told by her friends that they had found an apartment which will cost them 50 000 won per person monthly and that they won't have to pay for any deposit as they will share it a local. She thought that it would be just a small apartment but this is far better than what she'd envisioned.

   "So, how was your journey..?" Lisa asked, excitedly, as they sat down on the sofa.

   Sam almost choked on the water she'd been drinking as the image of that man flashed in front of her. She had to get that out of her system.

   "It was good..I slept for almost 4 hours of the whole journey....." She smiled, averting her eyes, not wanting her friends to notice anything wrong.

   The flight was supposed to flew at 11.35 last night but because it was delayed for three hours due the heavy rain, it was only at half past two that they finally flew out and arrived at half past seven. And that was why she probably met that man- if only her flight wasn't delayed, they would never have crossed path. And she wouldn't have this problem right now- thinking of a man, to a certain extent which brought her out of her comfort level.

   "Nothing interesting?" Gina frowned.

   "The flight was delayed..That's all," she put her glass down and stood up, "so, where's my room?"

   "Oh, yes!" Ari stood up and took her hands, "We'll be room mates.." She took Sam to the room just next to the kitchen. When the door was opened- low and behold, all she Sam could see is pink. The wall-paper, the curtain, the rug on the floor.

   "You got to be kidding me!"

   "What??" She pretended to be offended, " I love pink..It's my middle name.."

   Like they didn't know. Sam smiled and walked inside. There were two single beds and she knew which one  was hers- one is pink and the other one is black.

   She looked at Ari then her other friends who were looking so innocent like they didn't know what she's thinking, "black..? Really?" she raised an eyebrow. She's told her friends to buy her a bed sheet and they told her, "alright. We will buy you one that suits you best!"

   And they bought her a black one.

   She smiled after she'd done pretending to care, then, "thanks.." and they all laughed.

   "I'm sorry..I have been meaning to ask but I was afraid you might get offended..But I can't help it anymore," Shin Young suddenly spoke.

   They turned to her, curious as to what her question will be,

   "You guys had been talking in Korean since we met..And your Korean is quiet fluent.." Shin Young had been amazed, "How do you do that?"

   Then they laughed, "we took Korean Class, and as we're room mates, we talked in Korean in our room.." Ari answered Shin Young's question.

   "We'd been talking in Korean amongst each other for three years.."Gina nodded to the amazed Shin Young. 

   "Whenever we see each other, automatically we switched to Korean language," Lisa added.

   They laughed as they recited to Shin Young their University years. The four inseparables- that's what people called them. They're always together and they were known throughout campus for being the English 'people' who could speak Korean Like real Koreans.

   It was the era of the Korean-Wave, K-Pop- people all over the world were swept off their feet by singers, actors and actresses from Korean and a lot of people took the Korean influence in their everyday fashion style- they, took Korean Language Class. 

   After some time of laughing together, teasing each other and reminiscence, Ari looked at her watch and said, "it's almost noon.." 

   "It's time for the next part of the dare,"

   "I was waiting for you to make a move," Sam said, bravely, for today, she will try her very best to show to her friends that she is willing to take risks. Calculated risks- that is. 

   So the four, plus one, new friends, got ready and in just few minutes they were out of the door. A group of five young, excited and attractive girls- heading out to the streets of soul in search of some adventures- to finish the dare, to uplift a friend's calm, predictable life.

   They were on a road about to cross to the other side, where Shin Young said hosts some of the best eatery in town, when suddenly vegetables and fruits rolled on the ground.

   They looked around and saw a middle aged lady trying to pick up everything and putting them inside her basket.

   Automatically the five girls picked up what they can and put them into the lady's basket.

   "Oh, thank you, this is very nice of you.." the lady smiled in gratitude as they continued to pick everything up.

   "It's no bother, madam," Shin Young smiled.

   Then just then, the traffic light changed to give way to the cars. As Sam was nearest to that part of traffic, she had to do something.

   Instinctively, she stood up and put her hand up to the car about to move forward, she glanced back at her friends and the old lady and they were just picking up the last ones, then as they quickly crossed to the other side, she bowed down to the car- who's strangely not honking up at them for the delay. 

   She smiled, bowed down again then ran quickly to follow her friends.

   "Thank you so much," The lady smiled again, this time looking so apologetic, "I am so sorry for troubling you just now," she said.

   "It's alright madam," Gina smiled, "where are you going? Let us help you with this basket,"

   "Yes, we are not in a hurry," Ari nodded.

   "Are you sure..?"

   "Yes!" Lisa answered brightly, "we are just touring around a bit.."

   "Well, " the lady smiled, "if you girls don't mind, I would like to invite you to my restaurant..Just a few blocks from here...I'll treat you to lunch.."

   "You have a restaurant?" Ari almost jumped in joy, "Yes!"

   "Alright, no problem," Shin Young smiled.

   "Here, let me carry the basket," Gina offered. The lady smiled as she gave the basket to Gina, "you girls, are so kind,"

   "By the way, I am Sam," Sam was the first to introduce herself, as she bowed down.

   The other girls just realized that they haven't introduced themselves properly, then they bowed and introduced themselves one by one. The lady also introduced herself as Madam Oh, who told her to call her 'aunt'.

   So they followed Aunt Oh to her restaurant. A very warm, impressively designed-not modernized, the only thing modern there, was a piano at the corner of the restaurant, which Aunt Oh said, especially for costumers who feel like playing, as for the rest , it was a very traditional- two sectioned restaurant. They had been surprised as to why such restaurant was empty when they came but they were very happy to have found such a place. Even Shin Young who'd been living in Imun-Dong for two years, didn't know about this place. They had been having fun, with the exceptional food, teasing each other, debating on the global issues then Gina dared her to the piano, which she dully agreed.

   And the rest- was history.

   It had only been no more than a few hours, when she'd been so certain that she would never meet him again. And here they are. In this moment.

   Meeting for the second time- in one day.

   

   

   

   

Chapter Three : Collision of Fire and Ice

  

   He walked, head bowed down- adjusting his cap. He regretted not telling his former boss, now business partner and close friend that he's coming home earlier than originally planned but he's already here and all he hoped right now is get off this airport as quick as possible without being recognized.  

   But just as the exit was within sight, he saw from the corner of his eyes some girls beginning to gather and were following him. He had split seconds to make a decision- either he pretended he didn't noticed them and pretended not to be the man they thought he was, or he could make a run for it. 

   Then, before he could decide- his feet had began to run, well, subconsciously, he might be reliving back the memory of his last same situation, that time he stood his ground and the situation got so out of control, they had to bring the police to the airport. He was trapped for almost two hours amidst the screaming and crying fans.

   It was all over the news that same evening. A superstar causing riot and commotion at the airport. What's more upsetting for him was the fact that a couple of his fans had fainted had to be rushed to the hospital. Luckily they were not badly injured. So he's running away.

   He hated to have to run away from the fans who had been loyally supporting him all these years but he knew that he will have better times to meet them other than now. A better place in a better and controlled situation. He'd rather have his fans wrote him off than have them hospitalized because of him. At least if they're well, he could win them again with his songs.

   He saw a taxi pulled in front of him and someone had just went in- it's now or never. He could hear the noises behind him just a few metres away.

   Just as the door's about to be closed, he dashed and went into the taxi.

   "Go! Please, go, sir!" He closed the door as the screaming crowd burst out into the open, "sir! Please!!"

   And the clearly surprised taxi-driver stepped on the gas, just as the crowd saw him inside the taxi. 

   He looked back at the dejected looking crowd as the taxi speed away and let out a huge sigh of relief. Then he noticed the other person in the passenger seat.

   It was a girl. Hair as black as the night. Tanned skin.

   She was looking up at him in disbelief and- dismay? He'd seen a lot of expression on a girl's face before, but he hadn't seen much dismayed look- well, except for his grandmother perhaps, but not on any other girl's. 

   She didn't know him? 

   "Hello," He flashed his award winning smile at her, surely she's just faking this dismayed expression on her face.

   She understood him quiet well, she had been taking Korean Language Class for 3 years with her friends at the University-that's why they are doing their masters here in the first place. He does look strikingly familiar- and judging from the crowd he'd just ran away from- he's probably an actor or a singer.

   She froze in shock when he stepped inside the taxi behind her. Then immediately she noticed everything about him just as he stepped inside the taxi behind her. Tall, lean, fair skinned, very-very good looking and he has a very nice fresh smell. That's what dismayed her even more- the fact that she took his presence in full detail. She had never done that before. 

   She'd met a lot of good looking men before- none made her feel this peculiar. And she didn't like it - not one bit.

   "Sir, could you take me to this address please?" she ignored him completely and hand the address of the rental house her friends were staying to the taxi-driver.

   "Ah, this is in Imun-Dong," The middle-aged kind looking taxi-driver smiled and nodded, "Sure, I can take you there miss. I think it will be alright by you- Mr..?"

   He blinked, he's just taking in the fact the girl had ignored him, and now it seemed that the taxi-driver doesn't recognized him too?

   "No. It's fine by me," He nodded, slightly surprised at the turn of event. He ran away from a crowd of people screaming his name and here he is, sitting with two people who were not paying him much attention. He should be thankful and yet- he's a bit unhappy. 

   Fame had clearly went up his head- and this God's message that he's still very much a human. He smiled to himself a little. He'd been a little too cocky.

   Well, at least, he could relax in this taxi- even with this strange girl. Her voice sounded deeper than most girls, and there' s something about her that's not really 'usual'. He just couldn't put his finger on it. And as a result, he kept glancing at her, time and time again.

   She frowned- then she braced herself silently as she turned to look at him straight in the eyes- and even with such preparation she could still feel her breath got caught in her throat. 

   Nevertheless, she braved on, "Yes?" She asked in her most coolest voice, "what is it, Mr?"

   It was very hard to address people in Korean when you don't know their name, or job or when you're not sure whether to address them by their age and that they're not even your acquaintances- so she left the 'Mister' part in English.

   He froze- her eyes were as black as her hair. And her voice- the unmistakable perfectly English pronounced word in the end. So that was it! She is not Korean. That's what so strange about her.

   "Nothing... Sorry, I didn't mean to stare," he smiled, "you're not from around here, are you?" the question was actually out before he even realized it. Their eyes met and held each other for what seemed like eternity. His eyes were so deep, they seemed to pierce deep into her soul.

   'Oh, my God!' Her head screamed down at her heart which was beating madly, pounding on her chest- for the first time ever. She felt as if she'd been struck by thunder and lightning.

    'Surely not! It can't be!' she told herself silently, trying to calm her nerves down. No man had ever had this much effect on her before. She had always thought that she's one of the 'cold' ones when it comes to feelings and emotions. The only times when she'd ever felt her emotion really coming to life, was when it concerned her family. She had never had any problem when it comes to boys and men- not until now.

   'He's a star..I am merely star-struck', she continued talking to herself in silence, looking away from the man, 'Like everybody else, I do get star-struck syndrome. I am just human..' she repeatedly inhaled and exhaled in her effort to settle herself down.

   It had been a few minutes since she turned away but he was still looking at her in daze. Still willing her to turn and look at him with those pair of black eyes.

   'Damn!' He said to himself as he's jolted back to reality. Time stops during a stare? That only happens in movies. But, what had just happened then- really seemed close to it. Time had seemed to stop as he looked at her. It was as if, he'd been drowning in her eyes.

   He glanced back at her, a small, petite frame- so different from the girls he's been with. He can't really say that she's that pretty but there's something about her that is so appealing he couldn't seem to stop staring.

   'What am I doing?' He straightened himself, 'I am probably jet-lagged..I haven't met girl who ignored me, in a very long time.' He said to himself, 'that is why I seem to be interested in this girl.'

   "You have not answered me," that was the second time he talked before he realized it, it seemed that even his mind wasn't functioning perfectly as well. And he could almost kicked himself for it, it should be better if he just kept quiet.

   "What?" she frowned, blinking up at him, she's having a hard time focusing but she would not let him see it. She must act cool. She must!

   "I asked, you're not from around here, are you?"

   She looked away, she's not going to make the same mistake of looking at him longer than a few seconds, "No." was her simple answer.

   And for some reason- the answer wasn't enough. The fact that she seemed to ignore him still- was also not settling properly with him. He didn't like both her answer and her attitude towards him. And he- Kim Hyun Joong never had to bother about a girl like this before.

   The situation inside the taxi seemed to intensified by the minutes. As she continued to do her best to ignore him and he's willing for her to acknowledged him.

   But both of them had managed to keep quiet until she reached her destination a taxi-stand just in front of the  housing apartments she'd be staying with her friends.

   She scrambled out, and the kind taxi-driver fetched her bags from the bonnet. She was about to pay when the man opened the window and peered out.

   "I will pay for her,"

   She looked at him in surprised, "no," she said, "I will pay for myself."

   " I said I will pay." he raised an eyebrow, looking at her as if he's angry at her or something, "This is your taxi..I jumped in..And I want to thank you."

   " No," She shook her head, she's already standing out, she's not that intimated by him from this distance, "This is a public transport. It is not mine, so no need to thank me. I will pay for myself. Thank you," and she gave to the- then openly confused taxi-driver, her taxi fare.

   "Thank you very much," She bowed down to the taxi-driver, "Bye."

  She bowed down a little to the man inside the taxi without looking at him and walked away. She walked calmly and slowly, when all she wanted to do then was run.

   "Now, where to, sir?" the taxi-driver asked him, making him realized that he'd been staring at her back without blinking.

   'What am I doing?' Again he asked himself that question.

   He gave his address then he looked back outside the window. His heart fell- she had disappeared. 

  As the taxi speed away, he find himself, thinking about her black eyes and the 'torn' feelings he had when he saw her walked away. He felt his hands clenching. He might never meet her again after this- his heart sank even more.

   What is this? What had just happened?

   It felt as if he'd just been involved in a collision. 

    

   

   

Chapter Two : The Loveless Ring

   Her bags were packed, her passport in hands and she was standing there staring at the ring she'd put back inside the ring box a few months ago. It was on the table- opened, a thick gold ring with a diamond the size of a pea. As it had not been her decision to broke off the engagement, by law everything given to her on the engagement day, was hers to keep. She could even ask for money 'compensation'- if she wanted to. That is the tradition, the custom. She smiled bitterly- money 'compensation', for the pain and shame her family had been put through? No money or compensation could ever make up for that.
   Ever since she could remember- Matthew Abraham had always been in her life. His parents had practically chosen her as the wife-candidate for their one and only son since from birth. Matt's mother, who's a nurse was the one assisting Sam's birth. Their family had been very close, as they're living in the same village where everybody knows everybody. And Matt's mother fell in love with Sam at first sight.
   They grew up together and had been almost inseparable, as his parents did everything they could to throw them together as much as possible. School activities, village activities- as his family was one of the influential family in the village not to mention the richest, they could have their own way pretty much in everything. The whole village had been treating her as the soon-to-be daughter in law of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham long before she and Matthew were engaged.
   Perhaps, Matt too had been so into the thoughts of them, being soul mates, that he too acted like he loved her ever since secondary school. He even picked fights with boys who took interest in her, not knowing about Matt and her. He really had made it very clear since then that, he too had his life planned out- and she will be a part of it.
   Come to think of it- everything between them had been pretty planned out, too plain, too straight-forward. There was no surprise, no 'butterflies in the stomach' like what her friends would say they felt when they fell in love, no mysteries. Everything between them was all there- laid out, they're to be together like what his parents had been saying since they could remember, and what her parents had agreed to before they both entered the University when his parents suggested engagement.
   Yes, Matt had all the package of the perfect guy- he's handsome, he's active in sports, he's rich and he attended University, he had to repeat one semester which resulted in them graduating the same year- but he's smart enough to be accepted to one of the prestigious University in the country though. He had always been gossiped with a lot of girls ever since Secondary school, but he always told her, she is the one for him. Perhaps because then, he's still living with his parents thus they could keep him under their control.
   Then they both attended different Universities. And he started to change. His calls get fewer and fewer and finally during their last semester, he stopped calling altogether. She knew that something was wrong by then. But it was not until he came back, that she knew for sure- he came back with another woman in tow.
   Their small village exploded with the news. People had been expecting The Abraham estate's heir to wed the first daughter of the Clement. People began to speculate. Something is wrong with the Clement's daughter, that is why the Abraham's son had had a change of heart.
   The course of the story had always been the same, when an engagement is broken, it will always be the girl's problem. If the girl broke the engagement, they said, "she's been unfaithful. She found someone else." and if the it's the boy who broke the engagement, they said ,"there's something wrong with the girl, that's why."
   Now, she's one of them- the jilted ones, the girl who had something wrong, and she had brought her family's name into the mud. Her proud father, who had worked as an honest postal worker all his life. Her kind mother who had been the village's green finger goddess, her kind grandmother who had helped many people with her wisdom, her fun-loving sister and her wise brother who looked up to her so much- she felt that she had dragged them all down with her.
   It took the Abrahams two weeks to come and broke the engagement in tears. Sam had listened without even flinching, no emotion what so ever even when Mrs. Abraham hugged her and asked for her forgiveness over and and over again. She had felt nothing.
   It was only after the Abrahams went home, and she saw her parents', her grandmother's and her siblings' pale and dejected expressions that the waves of guilt engulfed her. It was the first of her many cries.
   She still had not said why she cried and she doubt if people, even her family really knew the real reason why.
   She did not cry because she'd been jilted. She didn't actually felt anything when she heard that Matt had brought another woman home. She did not felt any pain for his betrayal, she didn't feel anything. And the truth be told- she'd never felt anything even when she knew he's seeing any other girls and it was not because she's that confident of herself that he will come back to her- but because she actually did not have deep feelings for him. She had thought that it was not important. This feeling called 'love' is not important- what's important was she's in control of her feelings. What's important is she ends up with a man her family could be proud of. She had thought that, that's all that matters.
   She had never loved Matt. She only want a stable relationship, an uncomplicated life, a man her family could lean onto. How wrong had she been.
   Because of her callousness, her family had to bear the consequences, the shame of having a jilted daughter.
   She had only thought of her feelings and she didn't think of how her family would suffer, if anything goes wrong. Her confidence in her having complete control of her feelings resulted in the shame she put her family through in the end.
   That was why she cried so much. She hated herself. She felt guilty and she couldn't forgive herself.
   Yes, she was heart broken but not over Matt but over her family's pain. They suffered, because of her. And it was then, that she began to hate herself and Matt. They were both responsible for this. She had no doubt that Matt too had been in the same situation as she'd been, just going along with the flow, no real feelings or emotion attached. But just as she was guilty of letting things go as far as they got without thinking it over, until they both ended up hurting the people she loved most, so was he. And thus- she hated them both.
   That is why she needed to go away. She never hated anybody, and now she not only hate another human being but she also hate herself. She had to sort things out.
   She took the ring and frown, "this worth a couple of thousands.." and she wore it around her neck.
   She's ready to go to Korea.

Chapter One : Learning To Fly..

   "If this is her decision, then we will give her our full support.."

   Mother and father nodded in silence, hearing grandmother's solemn voice.

   Her sister turned to look at her, "are you sure?" 

   She had never been away from her family for more than a month and the only time she'd been away was because she enrolled in the University and had to stay in a dormitory. But the University is barely an hour away from their home and she would drop by every two days or so.

   "Yes," she nodded. It was her final decision. 

   Doing her master's degree in Korea was never in her initial plan but certain things had happened that changed the whole course of her life.

   "At least she's still in Asia..." Grandmother smiled at her. The poor soul, she had been so simple. Unlike her volatile and expressive younger sister, Nic, Sam had always been the quiet and obedient one. She had always had clear vision of what her life would be ever since she was very young. She agreed to everything her parents told her to do, she listened to whatever the grown-ups told her- in fact she couldn't even remember this child ever said 'no' even once.

   Everybody had believed that life would be very easy on her. A girl with such grace, such simple nature, maturity beyond her years- surely she won't experience any downfall in her life. But then as it turned out- life has a mind of its own. The simple life of Sam, encountered a major  turbulence within the course of just two months. And the saddest part was- all of them had played a part in making her life that way. 
   If only they had not been that trusting of other people. If only they had been protecting her a little bit more. If only.... 

   Sam, the quiet and mature one of the Clement sisters- she had gone through so much because of their wrong decision. Who could blame her if she wants to get away from everything now? Who could blame her with that decision, when the situation she is right now was their fault? 
   Perhaps, this is what she needs. A time on her own. A time of her own. She had always been the one to listen. Perhaps it is not their turn to do so.

   Grandmother took her hands slowly and held them up, "listen to your heart..Do whatever you want, whatever you need to do- with our blessings."

   Sam could see the tears in her grandmother's eyes and her heart broke again- for the hundreds of times within these past few months. She looked at her father, and her mother, who's by now openly crying, she looked at her sister then her brother who was clenching and unclenching his fists- holding back emotions.

   "Don't worry you guys."She said, as a couple of tears fell down her cheeks, the sadness, the hurt she felt for letting her family get through this kind of pain was becoming overwhelming again.    
   She had cried so much these past few months, something she had never done before. She felt like she had let her family down, so much so that she felt like dying every time she saw the pain in their eyes. It was so painful that she really thought she had, just had to go away, anywhere, for some time but just couldn't bring herself to say anything to her family.

   God seemed to answer her silent plea, when she heard from her best friends who had been planning to do their masters at the prestigious Hankuk University when they're in their final year. As soon as they heard what had happened, they immediately met her, consoled her and offered her to come along. They had always begged her to come, but her plan was very clear from day one. Her life is here, as her family had planned. She would settle down, have a quiet but successful career and build a family. But that was two months ago. Now- everything had changed. 

   So, she said yes, without thinking it over, because now she had a reason to go. She's going away to further her study- thus she won't have to hurt her family even more than they're already hurting by saying it was she who wanted to go away. 
   She had never been apart from them. They had been and will always be her pillar of strength, but for the time being she needed time to come to terms to what she had done. She needed to figure things on her own. She knew that she desperately needed time to forgive herself. And she just didn't think that she could do that here, facing her family everyday. Be reminded of her guilt everyday. 
   She knew that they probably know the real reason why she wanted to go, but it's easier when she said with her mouth, that she wanted to go study abroad. 
   And her family, who understands her so well, is willing to let her go. Perhaps some time away from everything will heal the wound.

   "I will take care of myself. You all know me- I am strong-willed!" She smiled through her tears.

   And as the closely-knitted family hugged each other, they cried together in acceptance then laughed through the tears as they silently uttered prayers for a better future. 

   It is time for Samantha to go and experience the world. It is time for them to let her do things she wants. It is time for them to let her make the decisions for her own life.
   As sad and painful as it will to be apart from her, they know, that she will do well on her own.
   Their beloved Samantha- they are finally giving her wings to fly. And she will finally be learning how to fly.