ڭڠڜڸځڜSacred Gardensځڝ, A romance. Options

[crystalis]

Hello,
New to the fanfiction section and new to the site...well here's my fic...let me know what you think 2

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CODE

[IMG]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/crystaa/sacredgarden.gif[/IMG]

credits to ..cow..</div>
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Our Lead Man

Pics of Shin Hyesung (click to enlarge):



Hyesung with Group ShinHwa:

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Fanfic OST

Same Thoughts - Shin HyeSung (Link1)
Same Thoughts - Shin HyeSung (Link2)

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ڭڠڜڸځڜPrologueځڝڸځڝ

Once upon a time there was a princess who lived on the top of a grassy hill in a beautiful castle. She lived with her father, the King, and her mother, the Queen. Since she was their only child and because she was so beautiful, and could sing and dance so well, both their Majesties loved their daughter very much. They gave her everything she’d ever wanted.

One day, the princess was walking along the river down from her grassy hill when she saw the spectacular field of wildflowers. The sight affected her so strongly, without waiting for her servants to bring the coach around, she went straight home.

Eyes sparkling, and walking as fast as she could without looking unladylike, she found her parents, and asked them for a garden. Seeing their daughter so full of laughter, their Majesties agreed immediately.

And so, the princess received a magnificent garden…and with it, her parents also gifted her with a garden boy.

Everyday the princess would visit her garden, smelling the roses and sitting by the fountain. And everyday the garden boy would pretend to be trimming the cotoneasters while watching the princess; for the princess was indeed very pretty in her white summer gowns, long hair bound in a bun revealing her slender white neck, and her lips rosy from the berries she ate. Her angelic voice rang through the warm summer air. The garden boy made sure that the fountain seat was clean, and only the most beautiful and fragrant flowers graced the princess’s garden.

But the princess never glanced at the garden boy. It wasn’t because the princess was rude or arrogant or mean to her servants…she simply saw them as ‘servants’. It just never occurred to her to treat them any other way, because the beautiful princess was raised that way.

And so for a long time, the princess took her joyful tours of her garden, and everyday the garden boy made sure that there were no puddles to dirty her pretty dresses, and no overhanging branches to claw at her hair.

The garden boy spent every waking moment growing splendors that would bring light to any gloominess; ignoring the eyes and voices of the many girls who came to the castle to get his attention. For the garden boy was indeed not unattractive, and though he seldom spoke, his voice was soft, strong, gentle and vibrant, all at the same time.

And so this continued……

Until one day…on the princess’s sixteenth birthday, she twisted her ankle while getting of the wooden swing under the poplar. No servants were nearby, as she loved to visit her garden by herself.

The garden boy heard her cry and ran to see what happened. He saw what happened and his heart nearly broke seeing his beautiful princess crying on the ground. He quickly soothed some peppermint from a nearby plant on to her ankle. And then…. he offered her a piggyback ride.

Wide eyed, the princess rode on the garden boy’s back and they made their way to the main castle. For the first time, as a grown teen, the princess felt the warmth of another human being. Indeed her parents gave her everything she had ever wanted…but only now did she realize what she needed.

And from that day forth, the princess never ignored the garden boy again. Soon they became friends in the garden that they kept secret from everyone else. Beside the daisies and the petunias, they laughed and they shared stories.

As time passed, many suitors came to court the beautiful princess, and girls giggled about the handsome young man that worked in the gardens. However, the princess continued to visit her garden and the garden boy continued to work in the garden that was close to both their hearts; where they let no one else intrude.

It was in here that friends became something deeper…something more dear…and something both of them knew could never be mentioned out of their sanctuary.

After some time, an evil magician arrived at the grassy green hills of the princess’s castle. He disguised himself as a friendly merchant and paid the King and his family a visit. His sweet words charmed the Queen and Princess, and his slick, persuasive personality enchanted the King into entering business deal.

The evil magician brought wonders that the Royal family had never seen before, and the curious princess visited her garden less and less. The garden boy was sad, and he had heard evil things about the merchant. He tried his best to show the true side of the sweet talking merchant to the family.

The evil magician, seeing what the garden boy was trying to do, knew that he had to get rid of him before his planned to take over the castle was ruined.

And so he arranged to frame him and have the garden boy ‘steal’ the Queen’s favorite diamond necklace. That way, he was sure, the boy will be sent off as a criminal.

The day the Queen sent her guards to look for her necklace came all to soon. The necklace was found in the possession of a very poor and confused garden boy.

The garden boy protested, but who was going to believe him? The people called him many names and none of them nice. He turned to the only thing important thing to him, the princess. “You believe don’t you?” He asked her. The princess looked at the diamond necklace still in his bag, and all she could do was turn her head away and cry.

And thus, the garden boy was a garden boy no more. The boy wandered from the front of the gates where he was beaten and thrown out to the docks. There he met a genie, where he was granted one wish, “Genie, I wish to be a rich prince, where I will be poor no more.”

The prince knew the evil magician was behind the whole thing, and he hated him. But the person he hated the most in the world was also the one he loved more than his own life.
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To be continued....



©2005 crystalis

This post has been edited by crystalis: Nov 10 2006, 05:32 AM

[crystalis]

ڭڠڜڸځڜChapter 1 ځڝڸځڝ

“Good Morning , Sir.”

Shin Hyesung, the only grandson of multi-billionaire Shin Jonghyuk, took the coffee mug from his secretary, “Thank you Jay. So what’s our schedule like today?”

Jay pulled out a crisp piece of paper, and rambled on about the day’s schedule, mostly small things where all he had to do was walk around and look important. “So, sir, you are almost officially finished today around noon, except for the meeting you have at midnight with Mr. Ha about holding the world wide Rock-Paper-Scissors Convention at our Southeastern resort.” She finished.

Hyesung winced. As strange as it may seem, the annual Rock-Paper Scissors Convention was one of the most prestigious and expensive clubs in the world. Mr. Ha, a retired business tycoon, was the C.E.O. of the club where every year, rich, old people gathered to have rock-paper-scissors competition. The club was also one of the most profitable…that is if he could convince Mr. Ha to bring his gang of rich bored people to spend their annual meeting at his resort. Mr. Ha was well-known and trusted, so that anywhere he chose to patronize met almost immediately with success, not to mention the amount of money the members of the club were willing to spend. The man was also extremely picky and a bit eccentric, notably the time of day the man like to do his business deals.

Today the two of them were suppose to finalize the deal…if he could satisfy Mr. Ha with the entertainment his company was supposed to provide for the club members. Luckily he had singer, Park Shinae, probably the most beautiful woman Mr. Ha will lay eyes on, as the main event.

A hardworking young man, Hyesung rarely went out of his ways to charm the opposite gender. The majority seemed infatuated enough just by looking at him. Tall, and broad-shouldered, Hyesung walked with a confidence that impressed his presence to everyone. Layered swept back hair and mysterious eyes that graced his chiseled face is enough to mesmerized anyone. So a few words and some small promises to Park Shinae, she was his. Hyesung smiled, so basically he had nothing to worry about.


~~~
Around one, Hyesung returned to his office after lunch with one of his restaurant managers. He planned to check up on some paper work before heading off to the gym, since he seemed to be free the rest of the day until his meeting with Mr. Ha.

He was about to leave when Jay called after him. “Mr. Shin, I’m not sure whether to bother you with this, but I got the strangest call today.” Hyesung nodded for her to continue. “Someone named Kim Taewoo called today and inquired about your wife.”

“But I don’t have a wi-“

“That’s what I thought too, sir, that’s why I was hesitant of informing you about the call. But, I think it would be to your disadvantage if the media found out about this.”
Hyesung frowned, “Did he leave a number or the name of my suppose wife?”

“He didn’t, but he did leave the address of you suppose wife.” Jay picked up one of the stickies on her desk. "Here's the address."

“That’s a suburb, about an hour drive outside Seoul isn’t it?” Jay nodded. “Maybe, I’ll pay a visit to my wife.” Hyesung grinned, he could almost see the shock on the con’s face.

“Have fun, sir,” Jay wished him with a dead-pan expression.



~~~
An hour later, Hyesung’s Mercedes pulled up in front of a run down cottage. He looked at the clock in his car, it was now 3:30pm. He noticed a very nice Lexus next to his car and wondered why it was in front a poverty area like this.

“Bet you didn’t expect me to visit.” Hyesung was about to get out of a car when a frying pan flew out of the cottage door followed by loud swearing. A man, following by a flying flower pot burst through the opened cottage, jumped into the Lexus and pulled away. The man looked familiar, where had he seen him before?

Shrugging, Hyesung got out of his car and cautiously approached the cottage, completely aware of the frying pan and broken flower pot on the ground. He knocked on the now closed door when he noted that no doorbell was available.

“I told you to get the heck out of here!!! So pick up your nice shiny arse and kick it yourself.” A female voice ranted, followed by another long string of colorful words.

Amused, Hyesung knock again. This time, he heard angry footsteps approach the door. And before he could blink, the door was whipped open in front of his face, the gust of wind blinding him momentarily. “What do you…..” The female’s voice trailed off.

Hyesung opened his eyes to see…….. “Lee Minae.” His voice was harsh, and cold.

“Hyesung,” It was but a breathless squeak. Lee Minae couldn’t believe it….seven long years….she thought she would never see him again. Yet, here was Shin Hyesung, in all his desirable magnificence, standing like a Greek god, in her front door. The teenage prettiness he possessed when he was younger had been molded to handsomeness through the years. She licked her lips, a swirl of excitement, sadness, confusion, pain and longing bombarded her.

“I was wondering who was the con-artist crazy enough to claim she was my wife.” The comment came aloofly, as Hyesung confidently strode by Minae and into the cottage; like it hasn’t been seven years since he had last seen her. He casually settled into a worn orange couch, and crossed his long, lithe legs. “Go ahead, I’m waiting for an explanation, a very GOOD explanation.” Hyesung look contemptuously at the woman who had betrayed and nearly landed him in jail nearly seven years ago.

Minae shook herself out of her daze and closed the door. She looked over at Hyesung seated on the couch. Suddenly, the room seemed so much smaller, his presence nearly suffocating her. He was here, tormenting her memory — that arrogant tilt of the head; and those dark, dark eyes, swept by eyelashes so thick and long that they were wasted on a man. But nothing was wasted on Shin Hyesung- easily the most desirable man in all the planet.

At that moment, those dark eyes seem to pierce her- full of accusation and anger. “I’m sorry,” was all she could manage. His dark eyes darkened even more, both of them knew that they weren’t talking about her claiming to be his wife.

“A little late now, don’t you think?” He brushed aside her apology, “A reason for claiming to be my wife, Lee Minae.” She didn’t answer. “A reason,” he prompted impatiently.

“I had to.” Minae stated finally.

To be continued...
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©2005 crystalis

[crystalis]

ڭڠڜڸځڜChapter 2 ځڝڸځڝ

“A little late now, don’t you think?” Hyesung brushed aside her apology, “A reason for claiming to be my wife, Lee Minae.” She didn’t answer. “A reason,” he prompted impatiently.

“I had to.” Minae stated finally. Hyesung’s emotionless eyes, urged her to continue. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth to explain…

But at the that precise moment, Hyesung’s cell phone chose to ring. Hyesung swore under his breath and looked at the caller id. It was Youngjae, his project manager for the Rock-Paper-Scissors Convention, and Youngjae only called when there was something he ‘absolutely’ could not deal with himself. “Excuse me.” Hyesung got up in one smooth movement, and without hesitation, he walked past Minae and out the cottage door.

Minae let out the breath and tears alike that she hadn’t realized she was holding. She rubbed hard at her eyes, frustrating at the involuntary tears that kept falling. She had never thought that after seven years, she would meet with the only man she had ever possibly been in love with. Minae knew, if she’d ever meet Shin Hyesung again, she would be able to take the contempt, accusation, betrayal or even hate. And indeed, she was able to hold under those emotions…but she was never prepared…not in her wildest nightmares…prepared for the cold, absolute indifference that she read in Hyesung’s eyes. She’d rather he hit her, call her names…anything…to show that she was somehow… at least… a part of his memories.

Lost in her thought, Minae jumped when the door to the cottage opened suddenly, swinging on its hinges, and thudding violently against the peeling wall.


~~~
He had just got off the phone with Youngjae…and he had a big, BIG problem. Park Shinae, the singer who was supposed to entertain multi-billionaire bigshot, Mr. Ha, at the Rock-Paper-Scissors Convention, broke her leg parachuting. What was the woman doing jumping off planes anyway?! So he had no bait on a fishing trip, so to speak; and Mr. Ha was just waiting to be reeled in at midnight. He had to work fast…especially since he was out of town…all because of a Lee Minae…again…

Hyesung closed his phone, just as the Lexus from before pulled up to the cottage and the familiar guy jumped out. Just WHERE had he seen him before? Reaching the cottage, the guy swung open the door.

Hyesung walked up to the cottage after the violent demonstration, and was about to enter, when something stopped him. It seemed that Minae was screaming at the familiar guy…

“I told you I’m going to pay you! You B@stard!” Minae screamed. “Get out!! What do you want from me, Choi Dongwook?”

Hyesung’s face froze.

Choi Dongwook.

A name he would remember till the day he died.


~~~
“Didn’t I say that my husband will pay you when he…he…he comes back from his business trip?”

“Your husband?” Dongwook smirked. “Oh! How stupid of me.” He tapped his head mocklingly, “You mean Shin Hyesung, the little twerp that I shipped off to jail? He should thank me, you know? If it wasn’t for me, he would never had met his long lost granddad, and would’ve stayed your little garden boy forever. Without me, he wouldn’t be enjoying his spoiled little life today.”

Hyesung’s fist clenched, but curiosity stopped him from flinging open the door and beating Choi Dongwook’s face in. What was the @ss doing with Lee Minae?

“Guess what, Minnie?” Dongwook was saying. “I called Mr. Shin Hyesung’s office this morning…and it looks like you’re alone on the holy matrimony end.”

“Wh…what are you talking about? H..he’s my husband.” Minae was shaking by now.

“I know you don’t have any money Minnie.”

“I’ll…I’ll get another job…and pay you…anything…”

Dongwook walked closer and closer towards Minae until her back was to a wall, and she had nowhere to escape. He placed his forehead on the wall beside her head, so that he was breathing into her ears. “Come on, Minnie, how are you going to buy back your family mansion from me with those waitressing jobs and club performances, huh? Ten…twenty years? The rest of your life?” Dongwook fiddled with her hair, “You know my offer is the only way. You’re pretty, you’re young, and I want you, Lee Minae. So what do you say to becoming my mistress? I treat my mistresses well.” Minae squeezed her eyes shut, not answering. “Why? You think Shin Hyesung is going to come and save you, or are you praying god will lend a hand?” He laughed an ugly laugh.

Eyes shut, Minae was indeed praying. Her ploy of holding off Dongwook by claiming that Hyesung is her husband was a disaster. There was no way she could come up with the large amount of money in such short time…not that she had friends to borrow from, even if she had the time. But she couldn’t lose the mansion, it was EVERYTHING to her, her only latch on to her family…and Hyesung. And in the face of losing everything, there was nothing else to lose…

“Yes.”

Dongwook stopped laughing, “Yes?”

“Yes!” Minae screamed, as if trying to drown out the horror of what she was about to do.

“Well, well.” Choi Dongwook grinned, ready for the first taste of his prey.

“Take your hands off my wife!”


To be continued...
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©2005 crystalis

post the rest later :lol:

[cocoa_butter]

hey i read this one on fanatical fiction....y havent u been posting?

post more

[dynomite925]

aish, you stopped! the story is sooo good!! update more please!!! i can see this is a old story, but come on! THIS STORY IS SOO GOOD, YOU CANT STOP THERE!!...update soon!

[crystalis]

Thanks for reading

ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ
*۩۞ڨۼ_Chapter 3 ؤۼ۞۩*
ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ

“Take your hands off my wife!”

Dongwook paused, his lips a hairsbreadth away from Minae’s.

“Choi. Dongwook. Move.” This was spoken, unlike the first command, slowly and precisely. Hyesung bit off each word as if afraid some frightening inner anger may escape.

Donwook turned around and was met by Hyesung’s hard eyes. He frowned, a familiar face that couldn’t quite place, “Have we met before?”

"The pathetic ‘little twerp’ you sent to jail seven years ago. Too bad I didn’t make it there.” Hyesung buffed his nails on the outer collar of his jacket, and nonchalantly resumed his former position on the orange couch.

“S-Shin Hyesung?” Dongwook stuttered slightly, eyes wide.

Hyesung ignored him, “Minnie, dear, get me some juice would you? I’m parched.”

“Huh?” Minae looked at Hyesung in a dazed. Why was he helping her? The look in his eyes before…Minae shuttered at the memory…he couldn’t care less if she jumped off the edge of the world…he’d probably wish her good luck. “I…”

“Juice, dear.” Hyesung clucked impatiently, shooing her with his hands. “Now…” Hyesung turned his attention back to Dongwook, “Where were we?”

“What do you want?” Dongwook demanded, putting all his bluffing skills to work. He was intimidated…who wouldn’t be. In his world of con and money, who hadn’t heard of Shin Hyesung, the long lost grandson of Shin Jonghyuk. Shin Jonghyuk had the political power, and relative wealth, but it was Shin Hyesung who had put them to good use, and nurtured the all powerful Shin empire. Hyesung worked on relations…and he would do his utmost to make sure his customers were satisfied, and as a result collected a lot of favors from lots of powerful people. A word from Shin Hyesung could very well ruin his life. He laughed bitterly to himself. Who would have thought that so many years later their two roles would be so reversed.

Seven years ago, he had framed the theft of a mother-of-pearl tiara on the Lee family’s garden boy because he could see their daughter was close to him- which did not work out for his plan. He wanted to marry the Lee’s daughter, Lee Minae, and inherit what he could not con…who would have thought the girl was even more stubborn after he got rid the garden boy, Shin Hyesung.

God really does have a wacked sense of humor.

Hyesung stared callously at Dongwook, and Dongwook suddenly felt an incredible urge to explain himself, “It’s none of your business. Minae owns me money, and she wants to buy that miserable mansion of hers from me. So yeah…back off…I know you’re not her husband.” He sounded immature, even to his own ears.

“Does it matter whether I’m her husband or not, Choi Dongwook? I haven’t forgot what you did to me Dongwook. Do you know how I suffered after I ran from the police? No friends, no family, no food, no home…just a convict in a hole in our stinking city. How I wished you dead everyday? Luckily for me, and for you to, because I would’ve came gave you what you deserved, my granddad pulled me out of the stinking hole and jail. So what did you say wasn’t me business?” Hyesung raised an eyebrow, and sat back.

Dongwook gulped, this wasn’t the helpless pretty boy he threw out so very long ago. “S-she owns me money…I have a right….” He trailed off.

“Alright, Dongwook, let me make easy for you. You know my friend the Police Chief?” Dongwook didn’t answer. Hyesung continued cheerfully, “I must introduce the two of you some day. I wonder how he’ll find your past and present activities? Now enough small talk, let’s get down to business. I’ll pay what Minae owns you, I’ll buy that mansion, and you can move that little car of yours and be on your way.” Hyesung pulled out his check book, “So who should I make this check out to?” He smiled at Dongwook just a little too widely.

“Aaah…no need. We’re old friends…what’s a mansion or two between us, right?” Dongwook decided to take the safer course out of this…money wouldn’t do much for him if he had to go to court…and if unfortunate enough, jail. “I’ll bring the deeds over in a few days.” With that Choi Dongwook was out the door.

Hyesung rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. He watched Dongwook scramble into his car through the room window. He had just let go the man he had dreamed of killing everyday for nearly a year. “Fate, how she likes to play with us.” He mumbled to himself.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Minae appeared from behind the kitchen wall, where she had been hiding during the conversation between the two men. She stared at Hyesung’s profile. He seemed so tired compared to moments before. Two beams of sunlight soften his face and hair…making him appear so very vulnerable and sad. She wanted to go hug him and stroke his hair…like she used to.

Perhaps sensing her eyes, Hyesung looked up…”Minae,” he whispered. And for flicker to quick to mark, she thought she saw and heard longing in his voice. But then it was gone, and he was confident and commanding again. Silence surrounded them, Minae avoiding his eyes, afraid of what she’d find in them.

“Why?” Minae asked finally.

Hyesung smirked, “I don’t do anything for free.” He got up swiftly and cornered her. Déjà vu of what happened with Dongwook.

So that was it, he wanted something from her- just as Dongwook had Minae closed her eyes, and she wanted to cry. He was so close, and she wanted so much for him to hold her; these past years had been so exceedingly lonely. At the same time she was very afraid of what this very different, and powerful Hyesung would do to her; she was no longer the Lady mistress and he the garden boy. “W-what do you want me from me?”

“What are you willingly to give me?” Hyesung’s hot breath burned her neck, his hand on her chin.

Minae opened her eyes. “You heard my argument with Dongwook. I have no assets, no money, no family, no friends- there’s only me. I offer you the same as I had offered Dongwook.” Minae squared her shoulders and felt Hyesung’s tighten, “Take it or leave it.” She bit her lip, half afraid he wouldn’t accept and she would lose everything that was good in her life; half afraid he would accept because it meant his intentions were no different than that of Dongwook. She hated herself for not minding being sold to Hyesung- because that’s what it was…a business deal. After seven years, she didn’t think she could bear to be away from him…just as she couldn’t leave her mansion and the memories of her family in Dongwook’s hands.

“I accept.” Minae didn’t know if she wanted to cry for joy or sorrow. Hyesung moved his face closer and closer to her’s- Minae closed her eyes again…

Suddenly, the heat of his body left her, so quickly it was nearly painful. When she looked up, he was standing by the couch, his back facing her.

“I need a singer come dancer at one of our company’s hotels. And if I remember correctly, you were better than good at both- so you’re it. Audition’s at midnight today. I’ll pick you up at ten tonight.”

He moved towards the door and Minae followed, a little confused. Hyesung opened the door and turned to face her, his face and eyes hard and unreadable. “Is your life so cheap that you offer it so easily to just anyone?”

Minae paused in her step to show him out the door. It hurt, that comment, and she knew it was meant to hurt- there was no question what he thought of her. Hyesung turned to leave when she didn’t answer him. Minae reached out and caught his sleeve, accidentally brushing her fingertips on his palm. “Thank you for everything. I’ll be ready tonight. I won’t disappoint you.” And with that she went back into the house.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Minae watched Hyesung’s car drive away into the sunset.

'Just like in the movies', flittered randomly across her thoughts.

“It wasn’t easy. And it wasn’t just anyone, Shin Hyesung.” And tears began to fall.
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To be continued....

ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ
*۩۞ڨۼ_Chapter ؤۼ۞4۩*
ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ

Minae checked herself in the mirror. Two delicate strings, knotted at the back of her long, slender white neck, held up the light lavender one piece. Cleverly folded translucent fabric edged her curves and created the illusion of free-flowing weightlessness at the same time. Minae’s hair was piled stylishly on top of her head, small curls framed her fine-featured face, and down the open back of her dress. Her face was too white from the lack of sunlight at the factory she worked part-time at, and shadows hung under her eyes from all those restless nights.

“Nothing, a little make-up magic won’t fix,” Minae muttered as she picked up her blush. Nearly two decades of practicing the best application of cosmetics produced healthy glowing cheeks and fresh eyes. Looking at her own reflection, she couldn’t help but smile sadly. This dress, the only remembrance of what her life was like once upon a time; and ironically, her way of building a new life as she dressed up and sang on weekends at the local pub.

Inspecting her waistline, Minae held up the loose folds to tighten her dress, and skillfully sewed it up into a complicated lavender rose- looks like she lost some weight again. Giving herself one last ‘glance over’ in the mirror, she looked at the roman numerated clock on her wall- it was now ten to ten. She pulled on sweat pants under her dress, since she could hardly wear stockings with the slender silver heels she had in her backpack. Picking up her grey secondhand winter ski jacket, and her elaborately beaded lavender handbag, Minae headed out the door.

Outside, Minae clutched the old, clashing jacket around herself; it had been a near forty minutes since she came outside. She was glad she decided to pull on the sweats, she could always just take them off later when she performed.

The chilliness foretold the arrival of fall, as did the dry rustling of the yellow leaves on the poplars lining the streets- a season of dying. At night, the main street became a one-way to accommodate the traffic of the large fuel tanks that passed the area, and the only way through to her cottage was from the back country road behind the cottage. So, despite the cold, she didn’t dare go inside, afraid she would miss Hyesung’s arrival.

“Off to work, Dearie?”

Minae bowed and smiled at the speaker in the passing truck, “Yes, Mrs. Lee.” Mrs. Lee was a widow who lived in the neat little house down the road. She was also near 75-years old , operates a successful pickling business, and made deliveries in her own pick-up truck.

“Need to borrow my truck, dear? I’m near done with it.”

“It’s alright, Mrs Lee, my ride is coming soon.”

“ Is it that darn husband of yours, who’s never home? What’s he doing letting his wife catch a cold waiting for him?”

“He’s…” Minae blushed. As soon as she had blabbed to Dongwook about her ‘rich’ husband, it seemed that he had been asking around, and in a such a small population…rumors spread like wild fire. Instinctively, trying to save face and her home, she had no choice but to follow along with her lie; but making up more lies to hide her fallacy got harder each time, especially to the kind Mrs. Lee. “He’s…,” Minae started again.

“He’s right here,” A deep, vibrant voice spoke charmingly into her ear. That and the sudden warmth at her back made her jump. She had been so absorbed in answering Mrs. Lee that she hadn’t noticed his arrival. Minae made an instinct move to pull away from his grasp, but his arm held her back. “Nice to meet you, I am Minnie’s husband, Shin Hyesung.” He bowed slightly. “And you must be Mrs. Lee. Minnie’s told me so much about you.”

Minae stared at him in confusion and surprise. She didn’t recall telling him about Mrs. Lee…so, how did he know? In fact, she didn’t remember having any type of normal conversation at all.

“….isn’t that right, Minne?”

“Huh?”

“I was saying that the reason we keep a cottage in the country is, in fact, because of Mrs. Lee’s pickled radishes. No one does them quite like you in the city, Mrs. Lee. God’s honest truth.”

Minae nodded mutely, still unable to grasp the situation.

“Oh dear, what a lovely young man. You two look so lovely together. I’ll leave you two younglings to your date then. Next time I see Minae, I’ll be sure to give her some of those radishes.” With that Mrs. Lee drove away.

Mrs. Lee’s truck was soon out of sight, as was the warmth embracing Minae. “Get in the car, we’re late.” It was like a sudden ice age, all warmth was gone from his voice. Inspecting Minae’s over-sized ski jacket that went to mid-thigh, and her clashing purse, Hyesung didn’t say a word, turned around, and entered the driver’s side, without bothering to check if she followed.

For a second, Minae didn’t move, confused and wishing that his actions didn’t hurt her so much. He saved her from embarrassment, but didn’t care enough to ask if she was cold, or as if she waited long…and that near look of doubt when he looked over her attire…
The slam of his car door awoke her from her stupor, and she quickly scrambled into the passenger seat.

Swiftly, and silently, Hyesung shifted gears and pulled out into the main road towards the highway.
For forty-five minutes, neither said a word in the almost tearful silence. Then…

“I really hope I am not making a mistake, hiring you that is.”

Minae didn’t know what to say, so instead, “Why did you help me out back there?”

At this, Hyesung laughed harshly, “Why? Did you think I was like you? Did you think I would humiliate you, like you humiliated me, oh so long ago?”

Minae winced, and reached out towards Hyesung on impulse, but he brushed her hand away. “Hyesung…I didn’t know…I thought…” Her voice was trembling.

“You thought, you thought! You thought I was the poor garden boy, desperate enough to steal that tiara?”


Or so Minae wished Hyesung would lash out, instead, he shrugged and said in a more bantering tone, “Besides, we were running late, explaining why you are pretending to be married would take next to no time, wouldn’t you say?” When Minae did not answer to his sarcasm, he sighed and continued, “I want to make this clear- I seldom hold grudges, it’s a bad move in today’s business world. The past is gone, done with, can’t be changed. I talk about it, maybe reminiscent when I’m bored, but I don’t believe in holding on to it. You decide to make an investment, like I’m making in your performing arts, you stick with it. One way or another, the present and the future is all that matters.”

And Minae could believe him; the way he let someone like Dongwook off the hook, and the way he was willing to ‘invest’ in her now, despite their past. She wanted to laugh, if only she didn’t find it so sad; here she was, staking her life to clutch on to the mansion, and her, no, their memories…and here was Hyesung, telling her that they meant nothing to him. If that wasn’t a joke on her, she didn’t know what was.

“Do you understand me? Minae?”

Minae took her eyes away from the passing street lights, “Yes, perfectly.” She had decided, she had burdened Hyesung enough, in the past and presently, she wasn’t going to trouble him with her feelings and uneasy memories. She returned to the passing poles of light; uncannily, reminded of how quickly the brightness in a person’s life can pass and wink out in memory lane.

Though Hyesung seems to have forgiven, or rather forgotten her wrongs, she hadn’t done either. She may be only a small time business investment to him, but she was determined to be a worthwhile one- just so she could sleep better at night, if nothing else.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“We’re here.” Hyesung pulled the car up to the entrance of Sacred Gardens Resort and Hotel.

Small stars of light twinkled under the cover of vines and leaves growing on the grand arch that accentuated the entrance- giving the visitor the illusion that he was indeed entering an enchanted and secret place. The place felt strangely familiar to Minae, and she couldn’t help but stare in wonder. From either side of the intricately carved doors of the building, two valets dressed in forest green emerged, and bowing, opened the doors of the car.

“Soomin.” Hyesung nodded at the short valet and threw him the keys.

“How are you, sir?”

“Short on time, what else is new?”

Soomin chuckled politely, “Very good, sir. Enjoy your night.”

Hyesung grabbed Minae’s forearm and dragged her towards the grand doors. If either of the valets noticed ‘less than new’ winter jacket, or Hyesung dragging her like a mop, they hid it very well.

“Maybe he does it all the time…”

“What was that?” Hyesung asked distractedly as they passed double doors that said ‘Authorized Personnel Only”.

“It’s nothing.”

After much dragging, on Hyesung’s part, much stumbling to keep up, on Minae’s part, and much staring, on the staff’s, they arrived at, what appeared to be, a large dressing room containing a slightly feminine man in his thirties. “Youngjae, I got us our performer.” Hyesung pointed at Minae, “Lee Minae, Youngjae. Youngjae, Minae. That’s a wrap on introductions. Now, let’s get to work.” He looked at Minae’s attire, “Youngjae, find her something suitable. There’s no time to get security to open up the boutique, so just grab something of Shinae’s.”

Youngjae nodded thoughtfully, “She is quite a bit shorter than Shinae…I’ll see what I can do?” He didn’t sound too sure.

“Could I just wear this ?” Shinae asked confusedly, as she first took off her sweats, then her worn, but warm jacket, to reveal her lavender evening dress. “Maybe a little touch up on the make up and hair, but I think this dress should be fine…they let me wear it at the club I sing at…”

Lace on the dress outlined her curves flawlessly, and flowed back to reveal her delicate neck and back- giving a glowing effect. The lavender complimented her ivory white skin to perfection. Ending at mid-thigh, it revealed Minae’s well formed legs and delicate feet- which were soon to be clad in the silver heels she was pulling from her bag.

“This is what you….’wear’ at the club you sing at?”

Minae looked up into Hyesung’s disapproving face, “Yes…is something wrong?”

“I think you look ‘absolutely’ gorgeous, Miss Lee. Absolutely gorgeous. Their sons eyes will be glued to you like bees to honey, dear.” Youngjae said adoringly.

“Than-“

“Completely inappropriate.” Hyesung interrupted coldly.

“Why? I think it’s beaut-“

“I said, inappropriate, Youngjae. So do something about it.” Hyesung turned towards the exit. “I am going to work some last details before the guests’ arrival. I expect you know what to do, Youngjae.” With that, Hyesung was out the door.

Youngjae gave Minae a shrug, “You heard what the man said.” He started searching the clothing racks.

Minae didn’t know how to react because the look of disapproval on Hyesung’s face was definitely real…and by the way he acted…disgusted with her as well. She was determined to become a worthwhile investment…so what went wrong?

Both of them jumped at the knock on the door.

“Come in!” Youngjae yelled.

A young lady in hotel uniform entered, “Mr. Shin told me to inform you that the special guests are spotted coming up the entrance, so please ready by then.”

“What are we going to do?!! These dresses are obviously too long!” Youngjae started pulling his hair.

“Thank you.” Minae told the informer.

The young lady tore her eyes from Youngjae’s demonstration, nodded, and left.

“What are we going to do?! What, what, what?!”


___________________________
To Be Continued....

This post has been edited by crystalis: Sep 4 2006, 08:57 PM

[dynomite925]

hey i found the other forum fanfic..you stopped at 14..why?! it's soooooooo good, i check it all the time just to see if u updated. you're really talented!

[PervertBurger]

hey i found the other forum fanfic..you stopped at 14..why?! it's soooooooo good, i check it all the time just to see if u updated. you're really talented!

you love her huh hahaha

nice creative way to use arabic

[Dark Angel]

dnt stop!!!! hyesung's getting jealous!

[s2hurt]

oh dammm, why did you have to stop, now i have to go 2 bed thinking about the story and waiting until your next post. soooo many sleepless night because of you. lol

[Jagger]

I'm just curious but why is there Arabic writing?

[crystalis]

dynomite925- really? which one?
PervertBurger- haha...I doubt it...I NEVER update....
S2hurt- got your pm
Jagger- I always get this question...lolz Words are just words after all...it depends on how we want to see it...it's very pretty don't you think?
Dark Angel- thank you for supporting!

ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ
*۩۞ڨۼ_Chapter ؤۼ۞5۩*
ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ

“What are we going to do?! What, what, what?!” Youngjae pulled distractedly at the dresses hanging on the rack beside him. “Here, try this on.” He threw a light golden beige strapless dress to Minae. “There’s a dressing room behind those mirrors,” he added when Minae didn’t move. “Try this one on too.” He threw another another dress, this one happening to be a light pink.

While Youngjae continued muttering to himself, “It’s all fine if he thinks it’s inappropriate, but he could at least tell us what he wants…what’s wrong with him today…usually very good a giving orders…hmmm…maybe his cat died….but that can’t be it…he doesn’t have a cat…or wait…does he?”, Minae walked behind the reflective sheets of glass that he had pointed at.

She entered a softly lighted dressing room, and began to undress. She didn’t really understand Hyesung's attitude either- she couldn’t understand why her dress was inappropriate.

It wasn’t like she was wearing rags- at least it had been more than decent at the local club where the rich and retired often frequented.

Perhaps his customer is from the younger generation, and her outfit wasn’t trendy enough?

It was possible- she did buy the dress about four years ago.

Or maybe it wasn’t to his taste?

She realized guiltily that she had no idea what his ‘taste’ was- in fact, she had no idea what his favorite food or favorite colour was either. Then it hit her, seven years ago, she dressed as she wanted to and simply assumed Hyesung liked it. She gave him gifts, and simply assumed he liked those too. She went to all the places she wanted to, did all the things she wanted; it never occurred to her to ask Hyesung, who was always at her side and who always knew what she was thinking, where he wanted to go, and what he wanted to do. She had no ideas about his dreams, his aspirations or his ambitions. She had treated him like some favorite, prized toy, and never realized it- how could she have been so careless.

Being the rich and protected daughter that she was, Minae had never had the chance to learned what it was to be careful. Most people would break an expensive china plate, and learn never to set it to close to the table’s edge to prevent it from falling again. In Minae’s case, her parents made sure if she did break something, the broken object was simply replaced with prettier, shinier, and even more expensive chinaware. When you’re careless, you’re bound to break something, and for Minae, the accident was no china cup or plate...she had broken Hyesung’s love and trust. This time, Minae realized, the broken feelings were irreplaceable.

“Miss Lee~ Are you finished yet? I hate to rush you, but we are~ in a hurry.”

Minae jumped from her reverie at Youngjae’s voice. “Umm…almost done.” She quickly pulled off the half unstrung dress, and pulled on the beige one she was supposed to try. When she was done, Minae stared at the hopeless mess that she was. “I don’t think it’s going to work out!” She shouted out to Youngjae.

“Miss, will you ~please~ open the door and let me see. Perhaps I can do something about it.”

“Alright,” Minae replied reluctantly.

“Ah…ahem…hmm.”

“Exactly what I thought,” Minae said in despair.

“No…not at all…why don’t you try the pink one on?” Youngjae encouraged.

So Minae went back into the room and pulled on the pink one- the result? Exactly the same. She opened the door, and wasn’t surprised by Youngjae’s expression at all. “Not good, huh?”

“Well, Miss Park was rather tall, not that you’re short….and she was rather well endowed, not that you’re flat exactly…and…”

“Youngjae, it’s alright, I understand.”

“Miss Lee, that’s…oh no, what are we going to do? We can’t even cut this cloth without it looking like rags!” Youngjae looked like he was going to break down.

A knock came at the door, and the same young lady in hotel uniform popped in and stared at Youngjae tearing his hair out, “Umm…”

“Yes?” Minae asked her.

“Ah…Mr. Shin said that you will be on in about fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you.”

The girl nodded and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Minae called. The girl turned to her and looked at her in question. “Do you think you could get me one of those skirts you’re wearing?”

“Just do as she says.” Youngjae told the girl, seeming to have finally composed himself. “And be quick about it!” The girl nodded and scrambled out the door. He turned to Minae, “I assume you have a plan Miss Lee?”

“Just call me Minae, Youngjae.”

“But…”

“You look like you’re going to bite off your tongue everyone time you say ‘Lee’.” That shut him up.

Minae didn’t know how the girl did it, but she returned with the skirt in 4 minutes flat. “Thank you-“ Minae looked at the panting girl’s name tag, “Tae Hee.”

“No problem, I’ll get back to work now.”

Minae grabbed scissors, the royal blue tablecloth with the hotel’s logo embroidered in gold, the skirt and walked towards the dressing room, “I’ll be right back.” Youngjae gave her weird look, but didn’t say anything.

About five minutes later, Minae stepped out of the dressing room. Youngjae whistled, “Very nice, Miss… err… Minae. A little daring but definitely very, very nice and very trendy.”

At super speed, Minae had cut the front of the simple ankle length black skirt in a half oval, so that the front was at mid-thigh, but the back was slimmed into a train. Being of a coarser material, the loose threads looked rather stylish and on purpose. For a top, she had pulled the end with the hotel emblem over one side, and left the other shoulder bare, with the front ends of the cloth tucked in front; as a result she had something resembling a one strap halter, where her waves of gathered cloth drifted lightly over her bare back.

“What we need now is some jewelry.” Minae was about to pull her necklace from her bag, when Youngjae turned around with an intricately shaped rose pendant on a thin silver necklace in his hands. Minae’s fist tightened around the necklace still inside her bag. She looked at Youngjae in near horror.

“Where…where did you get that?” she asked, her voice shaking.

Youngjae looked at her in concern, “Are you alright?”

“Just tell me where you got it.”

“Well, it’s Miss Park’s. If I remember correctly, it was awhile back when Mr. Shin told me to get it wrapped up as Miss Park’s birthday gift. I’m sure she won’t mind if we borrow it- besides I think this suits you perfectly.”

“Oh, I see.” Was Minae’s strangled answer. She forced herself to relax her fist from around her necklace, and pulled her hand out her purse, the shape of a rose imprinted on her palm.

“Let me put this on for you.”

Minae nodded mutely as Youngjae clasped the necklace to her neck.

“They’re ready for you, “ came a muffled male voice through the door.

“Tell Mr. Shin that we’ll be right there!” Youngjae shouted back.

Blindly, Minae followed Youngjae out the elegantly decorated hallway, and into a small, tastefully lit, lounge with a raised platform. Dimly, she was aware of Hyesung talking to two elderly, and richly dressed gentlemen, and two younger, equally well-dressed, versions of the former. She guessed that the two younger men were grandsons to the two elderly gentlemen, respectively.

As if sensing their presence, Hyesung turned around. At the sight of her, Minae thought Hyesung’s eyes widened slightly, but the look of surprise was quickly replaced by that same disapproving frown, which was just as quickly replaced with a professional smile when he turned back to his guests. It was all-in-all a very fascinating process to Minae, but she couldn’t help but feel very small at his frown.

In less time than she liked, she and Youngjae arrived at the platform in front of Hyesung’s table. Minae felt the men’s interested gaze on her, but she was used to it, it was like that at the local club too. If you wanted to become an entertainer, you had to get used to being the item of attention and interest very quickly, or it’s all over.

“Gentlemen, this is Miss Minae Lee, and she will be providing the entertainment tonight. She is a new, but fresh addition to our hotel’s staff. I thought that with such a unique convention being held called for something new and unique.” Hyesung paused as his guests agreed among themselves, and nodded at Youngjae to start off the performance.

“Please welcome Sacred Garden’s very own Miss Minae Lee!” Youngjae announced enthusiastically into the mic.

It was then that Minae realized that she had been so preoccupied with everything that had been happening, she hadn’t exactly planned what she was going to sing or perform. Looking at the array of instruments, her eyes landed on the landed on the simple wooden xylophone, and she began to play as she sang the song born so long ago in a garden and saw Hyesung’s eyes light up with recognition. Her voice drifted softly, but steadily and strongly into the near empty room:

It’s been awhile
And I wondered how you are
I’ve often dreamed that gray clouds fall
I’ve always wondered, needed to know
Why I love those grey skies so

But now I know
Oh, yes I do
That you’re the reason my skies aren’t blue
It all began on the on that day so grey.
It all began with your embrace.

I thought I could see the diamonds in that rain drop,
I thought I could hear the greatest song of rainfall.
But it turned out sunshine wasn’t meant for
That day so grey

It’s been awhile
And I wondered where you are
But still I dream ‘bout those grey rainfalls
And still I wondered, needed to know
Why I love those grey skies so

Because I didn’t see no diamonds in that rain drop
Because I didn’t hear no song in that rainfall.
It turned out sunshine wasn’t meant for
That day so grey

And still I sit
And still I sit
In that grey, grey Garden,
Dreaming of your embrace.
On that day so grey.

After several more traditional songs, Youngjae told her the guests were requesting her presence. She slowly approached the table.

“Miss Lee, mind if I call you Minae?” One of the younger man in a perfectly tailored pin-striped suit asked.

“No, not at all.” Minae lowered her voice to match her sensuous and more matured appearance. She glanced quickly at Hyesung to see whether she should be speaking, but all she caught was that quick frown, which was once again wiped away by his professional smile.

“Bring the lady a chair.” The other young man in a more casual blue dress shirt and pants motioned one of the passing waiters.

“No, it’s al—,” Minae began.

“We wouldn’t want you to tire your beautiful self out, now do we?” He flashed her a smile, and Minae found herself smiling back. When the waiter arrived with the chair, he got up and pulled the chair for her. When she sat down, he took her hand and introduced himself, “I am Kim Minwoo, it’s a pleasure to meet you. This is my grandfather.”

“Hello Mr. Kim,” Minae bowed respectfully, and smiles were exchanged.

“This is Mr. Ha, the head of the all- famous Rock-Paper-Scissors Associates Club.”Minae bowed again at the other distinguished gentleman, and was also returned with a smile.

“And I am Ha Jinwoo,” the young man in the pin-striped suit introduced himself. “Let me get you a dr-.”

“Gentlemen,” Hyesung interrupted, nodding an apology. “Miss Lee is too polite to say say so, but I believe she has a family emergency. Don’t you Miss Lee?” Minae nodded quickly when she felt Hyesung’s tight grip on her arm. “I’m sure you’ll all forgive her for leaving us early.” The four men nodded understandingly. “You should go before you miss your ride, and don’t catch a cold,” Hyesung urged firmly and draped his coat over her shoulders when Minae did not move. It may have sound like concern if his teeth wasn’t clenched so tightly together.

Confused at what Hyesung was angry at, Minae strode quickly towards the exit. What was wrong with Hyesung? Seven years ago she never took the time to figure him out, seven years later, she didn’t think she could even if she tried.

----------------------------------------------

To be continued

I'm not much of an artist....but here's some 10min sketches of what her outfit should look like
well...maybe with a bit more flow, the hair not as tight...okay...it's not really what I imagined...but that's the extent of my skills lolz
The feet got cut off lolz



This post has been edited by crystalis: Sep 4 2006, 09:07 PM

[crystalis]

ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ
*۩۞ڨۼ_Chapter ؤۼ۞6۩*
ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ

Minae sighed. Nearly an hour ago, after being, practically, forced out of the room, she had returned to the dressing room- entirely clueless on her supposed 'family emergency'- she didn't even have any family left...well, almost no family, no family she could turn to anyways...

That thought drained any trace of adrenaline she had left from her performance. She rubbed her neck tiredly, making contact with the necklace adorning her neck. She had forgotten about this in her confusion. Frowning, Minae undid the clasped, and stared at the perfectly formed rose pendant winking in the soft glow of the beige lamp.

Shaking, Minae fumbled for her purse. When she pulled her hand out, an exact replicate of the necklace was revealed, except it was an inverted image of the rose pendant in her other hand. She placed the two pieces togther, and with an audible click, as the invisible forces pulled at each other, the two pendants made a perfect circle. The two roses formed a ring around two tiny diamond figures in the middle...giving the impression of two lovers secluded in a garden. There was no mistake about it...this necklace...there was only one like it in the world...

After all, she was the one that had it made.

Minae lightly stroked the diamond figures...the price of one of the diamonds could have brought half a well-off house...but it never occured for her to sell it...at any price. For the second time tonight, Minae wanted to laugh.

What a joke this was...

Something so priceless to her was given away so easily by someone else...

And so she laughed, a bitter laugh, but a laugh nevertheless...

Footsteps stopped her silent laugh. She shoved her necklace back in her bag, and looked up just as the door opened.

"Ummm...hey, Minae. Sorry for making you wait, but the boss wouldn't let me off." It was Youngjae. "He told me to set you up in the employee's lodge."

"Oh...umm...where's Hyes...umm...Mr. Shin?"

"I think he was saying goodbye to the guests...if you want anything you can just ask me...or I can set up an appointment for you with him." Younjae said, trying to be helpful.

"Oh..." Minae suddenly got up. "Where did you say he was heading?"

"I didn't....." But Minae was already out the door.

Minae walked quickly towards the lounge...hoping to catch Hyesung...she had a sudden urge to ask about the necklace...a sudden need to talk to him...she felt that this was perhaps her last chance of confronting him.

Breathing loudly, she pushed open the lounge doors.....

"Hyesu..."

It was empty.

Exhausted mentally and physically...Minae collapsed on one of designer couches. Her stomach gave a growl and she realized she hadn't had anyting to eat since Hyesung showed up at her door. Hands in her face, Minae blanked her mind, staring at nothing tiredly.

"Minae?"

She turned in shock at the soft rendation of name. "Hye..Hyesung?" In the doorway was Hyesung, his perfectly positioned tie loosened, and his perfectly geled hair was a little ruffled from the hand he was running through it- for a moment, she was reminded of the garden boy she used to know.

He came back... It was all Minae could think about.

"What are you doing here?" Hyesung asked, an unreadable expression on his face. He headed towards a small table and picked up his briefcase. "I thought I told Youngjae to set you up with the other employess."

So it wasn't for her...

"There was something I wanted to ask you." Suddenly unsure of the situation, "But, if you're busy...I could..."

"Well, since you are here...might as well get it over with." He said distractedly, stacking papers into his briefcase.

Minae unclenched her hands, and revealed the half rose pendant. "This necklace..."

Hyesung turned around, and when he saw the necklace, something registered in his eyes, but he just shrugged, and all he said was, "Oh, that. Shinae saw it lying around in my apartment and thought it was pretty, so I gave it to her. What about it?" He went back to stacking paper.

"Oh...it..it's nothing...," Minae hesitated, and then smiling brightly, too brightly perhaps, "I just thought I'd give it back...tell her I borrowed it and I said thanks."

"You could have just gave it to Youngjae," Hyesung said, sounding a bit annoyed. Not quite meeting her eye, he stepped closer and grabbed at the necklace.

For a second Minae didn't let go, and they stared at each other, feeling each others breath on their skin. Remembering her promise to herself that she wouldn't bother him with her feelings anymore....she let go first.

"Haha...it's getting late...sorry about that...I really shouldn't bother....I know you're busy...you know? I..." Minae breathed deeply and started again, "I'll let Younjae know if I need anything from now on. No need to worry...if you're worried..that is..." She turned quickly, feeling the tears in her eyes, and blindly bumped into a table on her way to the door. Minae clawed at the lose hair getting in her face, and stumbled awkwardly on her heels...she still hadn't changed out of her outfit yet. "Haha...so clumsy..." She could hear her voice shake a little.

"Wait, Minae..."

She didn't dare turn, and she was afraid to speak, so she just waited, with her back to him. Minae felt him draw closer, and a jacket was wrapped around her shoulders. Surprised, Minae looked up to see Hyesung's profile, he was staring straight ahead at the exit, not looking at her. "Hyesung?"

"I don't know about the club you sang at before, but you don't need to flaunt yourself in my hotel. And if you catch a cold, who will sing for the convention?"

Something inside Minae shattered. "Yes, Mr. Shin...I'll be more careful from now on." She bowed her head respectfully at the exiting Hyesung, as an employee would to her employer.

~~

Choi DongWook pressed the elevator button to the top floor, the CEO's office. In his hands were the deeds to the Lee's mansion.

The doors of the lift opened to reveal white walls, and white marble, the only adornment being the irregular pots of lillies on white tables, A single desk with a secretary typing on a computer sat in the middle of this whiteness. He headed up to the desk, "I'm here to see Mr. Shin."

"Mr. Choi?" She asked, smiling professionally.

DongWook nodded.

"Here's your package, and a letter." Looking at his confused face, she added, "He just told me to give these to you...he's in a meeting right now. Mr. Shin said you'll understand once you open it. He also said that you will have something for him and that he trusts that you will know what to do?"

Relunctantly, he handed the deeds to her, no one wanted the Shin Hyesung as an enemy.

DongWook didn't open the package until he was back in his car. His eyes widened, inside one envelope was checks enough to buy the Lee's mansion- and in the other was a note, basically saying that it was a 'pleasure to do business' with him, professionally typed with letterheads and everything.

Rumors were right...Shin Hyesung was a very scary person...business was business to him...and nothing made the man stray from this belief...not even seven years of deep hatred.


--------------------------------
To Be Continued

ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ
*۩۞ڨۼ_Chapter 7 ؤۼ۞۩*
ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ

"Hey, Boss?"

"What is it Youngjae? You sound worried." Hyesung asked without needing to look at who was speaking to him. He put the last flourish on his signature, and pulled another file from the in-box on his polished black marble desk.

"Ermm...it's about Minae?"

Hyesung's head shot up quickly, "Is she okay?!"

"Err...she's fine..." Youngjae watched as blood flooded into Hyesung's white knuckles that were gripping tightly to a stainless ballpoint pen. Unsure of how to continue at his boss's strange reaction, he just stood and looked on questioningly.

Hyesung noticed Youngjae's look. Clearing his throat, Hyesung fixed his already perfect tie, and asked more calmly, "Well, what is it about Miss Lee then?"

"Well, it doesn't exactly concern Minae directly or personally..." He paused as Hyesung got up from his seat and turned to look out the office window. After a moment, he continued, "It's actually about the progams and invitations for the Rock-paper-scissors Convention."

"What about it? I thought they're off to be printed in the next week or so. Is there a problem?"

"Actually, since you, well, took a personal interest in the organising and entertainment of the event, no one really wants to do anything unless the 'CEO Shin' says to. You know, you can blame that on your fabulous personality."

"Want to get fired Mr. Youngjae?'

"See, that's what I'm talking about," Youngjae pointed out, and proceeded to pick invisible lint from the sleeves of his black blazer, not at all threatened. He walked over to one of the black leather chairs, and sat down with legs crossed. "Well, what are you going to do about it?"

"About what?" Hyesung snapped, rather annoyed as Youngjae picked up the crystal block with his name engraved on it, and was idly tossing it from hand to hand.

"About the entertainment program, of course! Did you think I'm superman...I'm human too...who am I to stand to the big, scary CEO Shin?" Sarcasm dripped heavily, and at this point, Youngjae was trying to balance the crystal block with his forehead. "Or did you just want me to ask Minae about what she's got lined up for the event?" The block had managed to migrate to his left foot, precariously balanced on his shiny Classy dress shoes.

"Minae?" Hyesung muttered absently to himself.

"Yeah, Minae...you know that pretty girl you hired to sing?" A rainbow flashed on the walls, as Youngjae tossed the crystal to his right foot.

"Give me that!" Hyesung growled as he grabbed the name tag and slammed on the table behind him; out of reach and out of sight.

"Okay, okay," Youngjae got up, raising both hands as a sign of surrender. "I'll just go ask Minae...no need to get all worked up. Chet." Flicking his hair, Youngjae picked up the files he had came in with, and swerved towards the door, raising a hand in farewell.

"Wait."

"Miss me already?" Youngjae turned around happily.

A look of long suffering occupied Hyesung's face.

"Just leave those files."

"But, I have to talk to Min-"

"I'll have a talk with Miss Lee."

"You're~ the boss," Youngjae trilled with one raised eyebrow.

Hyesung watched as Youngjae closed the door behind him. He wasn't quite sure why he had stopped Youngjae and insisted on asking Minae about the program plan. He opened another file of documents, but his eyes were blank and the stainless pen laid lifeless in his hands.

"I want the Convention to be perfect, that's why," he finally decided.

~~

Minae glanced at her watch, it read ten after nine- another hour before the hotel cafe opened for lunch.

True to her words, Lee Minae had forwarded all her needs to Youngjae. It had been a week since she had asked Hyesung about the necklace. The only contact she had from him was a note from his secretary telling her that in return for her services, Mr. Shin had taken care of her family's mansion as promised. She had no idea how he had done it, nor did Youngjae when she asked. But judging from Dongwook's reaction to Hyesung's reputation, he'd probably handed the deeds over willingly. There was also an employment contract stating that the mansion would be her's as long as she stayed employed for as long as the Shin Corporation so desired, or until she paid off the mansion's amount. She had signed with no hesitation.

She had seen him of course, it was inevitable that the employee would see the employer around. Minae was amazed by how confidently Hyesung was able to refer to each of his workers by name. And she knew for a fact that this was not the only hotel, or business, he owned- where he stored all those names and faces was testimony for the complexity of the human mind. With his impressive aura, everyone, herself included, was drawn to him; and so she watched him, but he never noticed how one of the hotel cleaners studied his every move.

Minae picked up the dust pan and swept up the pile of waste from the shining granite floors. Finishing that, she washed her hands and poured herself a glass of water.

Sitting down on one of the bar stools, Minae took a sip of the cool spring water, and felt it cut through the parch in her throat.. Youngjae had set her up in a single room in the employee's lodge. On even nights of the week, she worked as a singer at the various private lounges available to the weathly customers of the resort. Feeling directionless, and being friendless, she had asked Youngjae if there were any other job openings at the hotel- extra money never hurt anybody. And so now, seven days a week, she was one of the maids that would clean the various rooms, toilets and facilities of the huge building. The job wasn't the best, but she had to say, the salary were more than decent, and the other maids were friendly.

What was bad though was Im Jaesuk.

"Well, well, if it isn't the cold and beautiful Miss Lee Minae," a male voice mocking her interrupted her thoughts.

Speak of the devil, and he'll bring himself to you.

Standing in the entrance to the cafe was Im Jaesuk, both the nightmare, and everything a girl could dream of- at least that's how he thought of himself. The man was perfectly groomed from the tip of his stylishing fluffed auburn hair to the bottoms of his black dress shoes, and ends of his long white fingers. Not to mention, he was tall.

But Hyesung's taller, Minae smirked to herself for no reason.

Pretending not to hear, Minae got up and headed to the employee's lounge, which wasn't far from this particular part of the building. She'd rather not confront him.

Ever since she had arrived, she had less than pleasant experiences with the man. From Tae Hee, the same girl that had gotten her the black skirt at the performance, she had gathered that Im Jaesuk wasn't the average manager in-charge of the ins and outs of the maids of Sacred Gardens- he was introduced. The guy's father was a businessman, with adequate assets to be tagged 'wealthy', but the important thing is, as Tae Hee put it, 'his family are good friends of Mr.Shin'. Wanting to tame down his youngest son, Mr. Im had Jaesuk working for the 'model son of Korea', Shin Hyesung.

However, what the father didn't know, the son didn't tell. In this environment, where endless streams of people pass by every single minute of the day, Im Jaesuk found his entertainmnet in women. The tall, the short, the old, the young, the poor, the rich were all at his disposal, whether it was through his relative wealth, his charms, his looks, human greed and dreams- he happily took it all in.

And so, it was only natural that he would target Minae as the next target; a young beautiful girl with no money, no friends and no apparent family.

What he didn't realize was that there was nothing he could catch her on. She knew what it was to be wealthy and felt no great urge in that direction, she had no greed for his money. And her dreams? Many of them ended long ago...and those that still exist...even she couldn't touch them...so deep were they buried, she wasn't sure if they still lived. His looks and charms? Minae unconciously gripped the rose pendant in her apron pocket.

Hearing his lazy stride following her, Minae quickened her steps.

Soon she arrived at the hallway of her assigned room.

"Did you think you could get away with what you did?" Minae felt a hand roughly grab at her right hand. Im Jaesuk jerked and spun her around to face him.

And oh yeah, the present reason she didn't want to confront him? She'd forgot to mention how she accidentally poured hot red wine on him.

With the momentum of the turn, he easily pinned her to the wall. "Did you think it was funny?"

And not only did she pour the red wine, she poured it down there, and laughed her head off when he let out a shriek, a high shriek.

Unconciously, Minae felt her gaze travel downwards, and blushed furiously when she realized what she was doing.

"Because it wasn't, it hurt like hel.l." He grabbed the collar of her white blouse, and leaned in closer. "Well?" he hissed into her ears. Anyone passing by would have mistaken them for a passionate set of lovers.

"Well what?" Minae asked, embarrassed with situation she was in.

"Well, are you going to have that dinner with me?" He asked sweetly, revealing his pearly whites.

Minae frowned.

"It's the least you could do, for nearly obliterating the future line of Im's from the face of the planet."

"I-"

"Miss Lee and Mr. Im, I would appreciate it if you went somewhere more private. This section is still open to public access."

Minae looked up to meet Hyesung's so very expressionless and indifferent eyes.

______________________________
To be continued....

...sorry, this chapter is a little choppie XD

[PervertBurger]

So talent.. and I have given every child one banner

[Dark Angel]

wotever u do...let hyesung and the girl get together lol

[lizzy2OO6]

i LOVE your story so far ^^ please post more soon

[crystalis]

ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ
*۩۞ڨۼ_Chapter 8 ؤۼ۞۩*
ڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝڭڠڜڸځڝ

Minae looked up to meet Hyesung's so very expressionless and indifferent eyes.

Shocked speechless by his sudden appearance, Minae felt a hard flush make it's way up her neck, and she made to move out of Jaesuk's grasp.

But, Jaesuk had no such intentions. Body still pinning Minae to the wall, he snaked his arm around her neck and ran his fingers idly through her hair. Casually, "Aww...well, Mr. Boss, you just had to break the fun didn't you?"

Hyesung's only response was to give him a hard stare.

"Well I'll see you later, Minae." Finally disengaging himself from the distressed Minae, he ran a finger down her right cheek before executing a mocking bow in Hyesung's direction, "And you too, sir. Have fun with her, I don't mind." Then he was off.

"Hyesung, I-"

"Miss Lee, if you would be so kind to take the time from your busy personal life, I would like to see you in the west Lillies Lounge about the music program."

"I- yes, sir." Minae bowed her head, her mind blanking at his cold tone.

"And please change before you come." With that, Hyesung walked past her, nodding to the random staff.

Minae looked down to see part of her blouse gaping open where it had ripped when Jaesuk had tugged at her shirt. Shaking, Minae pulled the two ends together and bent down to pick up her ID badge that had fallen when she was yanked around. Aware of the stares her slight commotion that she had caused, she quickly entered her room.

Blindly, Minae jerked open her draws to look for something to wear.

She knew she had no right, but resentment burned through her. Did all those years they had spent together mean absolutely nothing to him...why did Hyesung insist on judging her so quickly? Did he really forget who she was, and believed that she was so easy with men? Who the hel.l was Im Jaesuk to do that to her anyways? Why did Hyesung just assumed that she was being held willingly?

And it hurt.

It truly did.

It hurt to know that her first friend, her best friend, the first man she had learned to love thought of her that way.

But then....

What had she ever done for him....but hurt him? And her anger slowly drained away...and she'd probably hurt him again....hurt his reputation for giving Jaesuk an opportunity to take a jab at him. Resentmen and anger on her part wasn't going to do either her or Hyesung any good anyways...especially since Hyesung made it clear that their's was a business relationship.

Sighing sadly, Minae turned to shuffle through her draw...to find that she really had nothing to shuffle through. She hadn't had time to collect her clothes yet...the only thing she had was the ripped uniform that she washed and dry everynight, her lavender dress....and it probably wasn't a good idea to wear them in front of Hyesung; then there was her baggy sweats, and the black tube dress adorned with a beaded silver flower that Youngjae had got for her to perform in. She opted for the sweats, since the dress seemed a little fancy for a meeting.

Not wanting to make Hyesung wait too long, she got dressed quickly, and tied her hair in a loose pony tail as her bun had came loose from Jaesuk's fingers.

~~

"Hey, Jaemin, pour me a cup of something."

"Sure, I'll just be a sec."

Hyesung made his way to a table in the corner, and sat in one of lily-shaped couches. He absently stroked a petals of one of the orange tigers- suddenly his fingers tightened into a fist and flowers fell crumpled on the polished surface of the table.

"Bad day?" Hyesung looked up to see Jaemin, a generously featured man in his mid-twenties, place a tall glass of golden liquid on to the table. He wasn't extraordinary good-looking, but his skills at the bar was more than enough to make him very attractive to the female population.

Instead of answering him, Hyesung took the cup and drained half it's contents. Jaemin raised an eyebrow, and made himself comfortable in the seat opposite Hyesung. "First you kill your beloved flowers, and then you swallow half a cup of scotch that could burn holes in leather. So what's up with you?"

Still ignoring him, Hyesung motioned on of the waiters over. "Get some new flowers." The waiter bowed, clearing the table of corpses.

Jaemin threw his hands in the air, "I don't know why I bother. Youngjae said you were acting strange this morning...and me, being the nice guy that I am, thought maybe I'll help out my boss slash friend...but my friend, who doesn't even consider me a friend...wh-"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"-doesn't even listen to me, and now he wants a part of my great wisdom."

"I could always ask someone else?"

"Fine, I'm all ears."

"Do you ever shut up?"

"Well, no... So what were you going to ask me?"

"I already did."

"When did you ever ask-" Hyesung nodded. "Oh, I see." Hyesung just grinned at him."You're a bas.tard you know that? Hmph...I'm not playing with you anymore...go and...err...play with that I'm-so-cold-and-arrogant-so-don't-come-near-me-mask, see if you'll ever find another great friend like me."

As soon as Jaemin left, a frown replaced Hyesung's grin, and he drained the rest of the cup.

"Mr. Shin?" Hyesung shivered involuntarily at the familiar voice. Turning his head, he saw Minae walking nervously towards him in worn sweats. Her hair was swept back into a hasty ponytail, tendrils that escaped the grasp of the elastic gracing her neck. The sunlight from skylight on the atrium roof glowingly caressed her slightly flushed face. Hyesung cleared his throat, "Have a seat, Miss Lee."

~~

Seeing Hyesung stare at her, "I'm going to take the bus down to collect my things this weekend...I didn't think I was umm...staying here when...you...ah...brought me here." Minae explained, gesturing apologetically at her outfit.

"It's alright. Have a seat please." Hyesung repeated himself. Flushing, Minae quickly sat in the same seat previously occupied by Jaemin.

"So, what did you have in mind for the Rock-Paper-Scissors Convention?"

"Oh, I thought Youngjae said he was going to discuss with me..."

"I told him I'll ask you personally, I want everything to go smoothly for the convention. Is there a problem with discussing this with me?"

"No, I jus-'

"Here's your drink, Miss Lee." Jaemin interrupted, staring accusingly at Hyesung, managing to induce some guilt in Hyesung for not offereing Minae a drink. "Mind if I call you Minae." Minae shook her head. "I'm officially your fan now, great performance last night. See you later." He winked at her, and glared at Hyesung before returning to his post.

" I was thinking..." Minae paused, looking for some napkins to wipe the slight spill from her drink. She started to reach for the napkin dispenser to her right...

"Here," Hyesung said, reaching for the same dispenser. For a second everything stopped, and Hyesung's hands brushed against Minae's fingers, sending shocks up her arm.

"I got it," Minae said, withdrawing her hand quickly, and studiously wiped up the spill.

"So, what were you saying?"

"I was just thinking that we should have some songs for......"

And it went on for a near hour, with the two of them deciding what songs to perform at the convention, and when the songs should come in.

"And we need one more song during the evening course."

"I was going to sing the song I performed for Mr.Ha and his son last time, audience always likes to boast that they've heard this or that before...you know what I'm talking about right, that song we used to always sing-"

"No." Hyesung's cold voice cut through her sentence.

Minae looked at him, slightly stunned; the meeting had been going so smoothly, and nearly, she had forgotten the previous incidents. "Wh-why not?"

"It's inappropriate. Here just sing this song." Hyesung commanded, and scribbled down a name on the page.
"We're all done."

Still unsure what had happened, Minae got up to leave. "It was nice working with you, sir. I think I'll get back to work now...is there anything else?"

"Yes." Minae waited. "Stay clear of Im Jaesuk."

"I-"

"Yes, he's rich, but his family would never consider an average girl like you, and he knows that. So stay away for your own good.- don't eat more than you can stomach."

"I don't plan on fooling some rich guy into marriage, sir. I don't plan on getting married, sir. Not now, not ever, sir. Have a good night, sir." Minae said through gritted teeth. Bowing politely, she headed to the exit....hating the resentment that was once again sweeping through her.

~~

Hyesung watched Minae disappear through the doorway."Get me another drink, Jaemin. Now."

______________________-
To be continued..

This post has been edited by crystalis: Nov 10 2006, 05:34 AM

[lizzy2OO6]

dayam why is hyesung being such a bastard?? he needs to learn tsk tsk

[Kachimono]

aww stop at the good part ..Post more.. i looking forward to this

[Mun-Mun]

NOOOOO!!! YOU STOPPPPPED!!! IT WAS SO GOOD TOO!!
damn it. you HADDDD to stop at like the best part =[