ava-chan's overactive imagination

Forbidden (Chapter 10)

2011-01-07T20:49:00.004-05:00

It's time for chapter 10 of Forbidden! I'd like to say thanks to those people who commented and really like this story of mine, it means a lot. :) so thank you!! It seems our little herione has had her ups and downs living with Detective Kim, and her first falling out with him has led to some surprising consequenses, no? XD We shall see what sort of shenanigens they get into as the story progresses, but for now, ONWARD TO CHAPTER 10!! *confetti*

Chapter 10

The next couple of days passed without much incident between Detective Kim and me. He had told me that the reason he hadn't answered his phone calls from me the past couple days were because he was working a big case that was relevant to the Charlie Park and Hong Kong incident. It turns out that Charlie Park was part of an even bigger drug trafficking scheme involving YJ Finance; Detective Kim had been swamped with paper and undercover work, but thanks to Detective Shin they managed to catch them in the nik of time before anymore drugs made it into the country. I didn't ask much more about it--I was just glad everything turned out alright and he was safe.

He had kept his promise to me and either called and texted me whenever he could, easing my mind throughout the days I was in school. He recently texted me that he was really busy working on a case involving one of their own in the Police Agency. Apparently, the YJ case files were stolen from the H.I.T.'s Police Chief's office and they were going crazy looking for them...it also didn't help that they had found out the Police Chief's room had been bugged.

Stop right there, I texted back, while I was in the middle of Math homework. Isn't this top secret? You shouldn't be telling me this at all, let alone through text message. He answered back almost immediately, and I smiled to myself as I read his answer, and rolled my eyes.

You're the one who said--in tears, need I remind you--to always text you with whatever it is I'm doing.

Yes I did, but not Top Secret information, Detective.

It took him a while to respond that time, which was good for me considering I got almost NOTHING accomplished in Math...I should yell at him for that if I ended up failing the class and make him feel guilty. But then again, I might get "grounded" for failing. I almost laughed out loud; what could he POSSIBLY do as punishment to me if I failed math? Or any subject for that matter? The man's been living alone for most of his adult life and just recently accquired a kid whom he now has to be in charge of. I doubt he'd be able to do anything drastic; I think he nearly wet himself when I broke down crying at him the other day.

He answered me back with a "Well, next time be more specific with your demands," which I followed up with a (I only realized this after I hit send GODDAMMIT!) flirty, "I have high demands Detective, I don't think you'd be able to handle them," and got back to my math homework, my stomach clenching uncomfortably with what I had just sent to him. Thankfully, he never responded back and I figured it was either because he was extremely caught off guard by my answer, or because he as really busy with work. I hoped--no PRAYED--it was the latter.

Ignoring the uncomfortable feeling of embarrassment in my stomach, I gritted my teeth and got to work on the rest of my homework, which consisted of Language, Chemistry, and Reading. I ended up spending most of my time at the kitchen table trying not to rip out my hair with such moutainous work that he been bestowed upon me by the oh-so-understanding teachers at Sook-Myung Girls' Academy. (Blech!) Thank God it was Friday and I could sleep in the next day!

After about 3 hours of Math and Reading (WHO THE HELL THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OK FOR ME TO READ HANGUL?! DEAR GOD!!) I thought I got another text message from Detective Kim while I was sitting on the couch, taking a break and watching a Korean anime on television. I ignored the buzz until it happened about 3 times simultaneously and I figured out it was an actual call. I quickly turned the tv on mute, checked the caller ID, and answered.

"Yes, Detective?" I said.

"How are you doing? Are you alright?" he answered. I blinked in surprise, but smiled. He really was trying to keep his promise. I lay back on the couch and let my legs dangle from one of the arms.

"I'm fine," I replied, "Just taking a break from my homework; I still have a lot to do. Jeez, teachers here really know how to pile on the workload. I mean yeah, I had a lot of homework in my old school, but nothing like this." He laughed and my insides swarmed with butterflies at the sound and I found myself smiling along with him. I felt my face grow hot and I smooshed my free hand against my cheek, trying to cool it down. Damn, ever since that night when I broke down and he held me in his arms, he's had that affect on me...not that I was complaining, it was just REALLY annoying for me cuz I was still trying to suppress it. He's my guardian for crying out loud!! He shouldn't make me feel this way!! DAMMIT!!

"Yeah, teachers here in Korea are a lot different than teachers in the West. Kids here are drilled to study hard in order to get into a good university since it's so competitive here, so they have to have a lot of homework and succeed no matter what," he explained. I huffed.

"That should be considered Child Abuse," I muttered. He chuckled at my response.

"Hey, I had to go through it too and I survived, I think you can too."

"Yeah, ok" I told him, rolling my eyes. "So what did you call me for, Detective? Or are you just worried about me ever since the other day when I yelled at you?"

"I am," he said seriously. My smile instantly faded and my face grew hotter and when I didn't reply he contined. "But we'll talk about that some other time. I'm just calling to tell you that I won't be home until late tonight--if at all; this case has really got me tied up. I actually hope I can go home, but I can't promise you that. I'll call you if I'm not able to make it."

"O-ok," I stuttered, trying to deal with the raging OMG! HE'S ACTUALLY WORRIED ABOUT ME! HE'S SO SWEET! fest in my head. That must have set off alarms in his head cuz--quite worried--if I was all right.

"Yes-yes!! I'm fine, just really.....tired," I lied, placing a hand on my forehead as if trying to calm the thoughts running through my head.

"Ok, well hurry and finish your homework and get some rest," he said, "And like I said, I'll try to be home tonight but I can't promise you anything."

"Ok, that's fine. Work hard!" I cheered. "Hwaiting!" He laughed and answered with a slightly embarrassed "Hwaiting" of his own and we hung up. I dangled my arm holding my cell phone over the seat of the leather couch, allowing it to fall from my slack grip. I sighed dramatically, puffing out my cheeks and rubbed my forehead as if still trying to calm my thoughts.

"AAARGH!! ENOUGH BRAIN!!" I screamed at the ceiling, completely frustrated at this point. I glared up at the heavens and pouted. "What the hell?" I questioned. "What the freakin hell? I hope You find this amusing, cuz I sure as hell don't. YOU ARE SO MEAN!!" I clutched fistfuls of hair and rolled on the couch until my spazzyness made me fall off. I just lay there staring between the legs of the coffee table, not moving.

"This blows," I muttered glaring into space. I lay there for another five minutes, wallowing in my anger, confusion, and irritability until finally getting up and finishing my homework. It took my mind off Detective Kim and my own feelings but it still wasn't pleasant.

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I woke up the next morning, groggy and tired but surprisingly in bed. That's funny...I don't remember falling asleep last night, let alone falling asleep in bed. The last thing I remember was finishing up my Chemistry homework. Maybe I sleptwalked to bed? No, that wasn't right. At least I hoped it wasn't. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to go shower but stopped when I smelled the unmistakable scent of coffee being made.

Wait. Coffee?!

I dashed to the kitchen not only to find a pot of hot coffee still in the coffee maker, but also my guardian standing watch over it, an empty cup on the counter by his side. When he heard me enter, he looked up and smiled at me which in turn made me feel super self-concious about my just-got-out-of-bed appearance. Great.

"Good Morning," he said to me in Korean. "You looked like you slept well."

"G-Good Morning," I answered surprised. Detective Kim then went back to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup while I watched him like I've never seen him before in my life.

"Wh...What're you doing here?" I ended up stuttering out slowly. He grinned at me as he took a sip of coffee. "I live here don't I?" he said, smiling. I fidgeted a bit and looked away and was quiet for a while before asking my next question.

"How did I get in bed?"

Detective Kim looked at me for a long time, his eyes warm and caring. His gaze made my stomach explode with butterflies, and I fidgeted even more and I scrated by bed-head hair trying to do SOMETHING at least to try and make the situation less awkward.

"I was wondering when you were going to ask me that," he finally answered, amusement in his voice. I looked up at him to find that he was still smilng kindly at me and had that cute smile on his face. I waited for the rest of his answer.

"I found you sleeping at the kitchen table when I got home around 3 in the morning," he said. "You fell asleep finishing your homework and you were sleeping on your Chemistry book. I didn't wanna wake you up, so I carried you to your room and placed you in bed."

My stomach seemed to sink to the deepest pits of Hell when he told me that. Not only could I NOT believe I fell asleep doing homework, I couldn't believe that I fell asleep AT THE KITCHEN TABLE AND HE HAD TO CARRY ME TO BED!! Was I snoring when he found me on the table?! WORSE!! DID I DROOL?! OMG!!!

"I have to admit, you were cute sleeping on the table like that," he continued and I looked at him in wide-eyed disbelief. "And you're quite light too; I had no problem carrying you to bed. And when I put you in bed, you mumbled in your sleep and turned on your side. It was very cute."

OH. MY. GOD.

"I'm going to shower," I stated and went back to my room with my face feeling like it was on fire. I grabbed my towel, and slammed the bathroom door and started my shower, having the steam and warmth of the water try and soothe me. Didn't work so well as my insides were still a raging inferno and my face felt like a volcano. I smooshed my hands against my face as the water carressed my body and I stared the the floor of the tub as the water flowed down the drain.

"I can't believe that happened," I muttered, blinking water from my eyes. "I can't believe that actually happened!! He....he...." I couldn't bring myself to say the rest of what was in my mind--it was just too embarrassing.

"Aaahh!! I can't believe that happened, it's so emabrrassing!!" I whined as I scrubbed myself furiously with soap and water. I told myself it was to wash off the feeling of humiliation. Didn't work so well. I had finished cleansing myself and wrapped my towel around my body and peeked out the bathroom door, checking to see if Detective Kim had gone to work, which would save me from even more suffering.

"I thought you drowned in there, you took so long," his voice called out to me. I flung the door open, letting the steam out and faced him in the hallway between his room and mine.

"What are you still doing here?! Don't you have work today?!" I screamed, holding the door open with one hand and clutching my towel around myself with the other. He was quiet for a moment, staring at me. And that's when I realized that I was staring at him and only in a towel. I slammed the bathroom door and leaned against it, my heart beating a million miles a minute, and my breathing labored.

"YOU SAW NOTHING!!" I screeched from behind the door. Detective Kim said nothing for a long time and I partially wondered if he was still there. I got my answer though, when he said something to me that made my heart skip a beat.

"Let's go out," he said from outside the bathroom. My brain seemed to malfunction for a moment, while I tried to process what he said. Go out? Like...OUT out? I mentally kicked myself. No, retard that's stupid--not to mention totally unprofessional. Unprofessional? What is this, a workplace? Oh...wait....come to think of it, this whole thing with me living here with him is basically like business. He takes care of me, and I pretty much stay out of his way....

The knock on the door made me snap back to reality and the worried tone of voice Detective Kim called out to me with, made me really listen to him.

"Kimi....are you alright?" he asked. I opened the door just a smidge and peeked out at him through the tiny opening.

".......Where are we going?" I asked, grateful for the door hiding my face so he wouldn't see me blushing. He smiled that cute (AND TOTALLY HAWT!) smile at me and said, "We're going out for breakfast. My team and I are going to surprise our Supervisor, and make him treat us for breakfast." I grinned.

"Wow....that's not completley childish in any way," I answered back sarcastically. Then a thought occured to me. "Wait....if you've already decided to bring me along with you....wouldn't that mean everyone's going to find out about me living with you? Even though no one's s'posed to except for Prosecutor Kim and Detective Cha? Wouldn't you get in trouble?"

He looked uncomfortable for a moment and hesitant. He looked away and down at the ground, as if in shame but quickly regained his composure and smiled once more at me.

"You're not one of the criminals I have to deal with everyday; the only thing you do is get up, go to school and then come back home. I hate having you be basically trapped here, so I'm taking out with my team and telling them everything. I may get in trouble sure, but it'll be worth it if I can give you a lot more freedom than you do now," he said. I stared at him, touched by his words. I looked down at the floor so he wouldn't see the tears of gratitude shine in my eyes.

"Thank you," I mumbled in Korean, in a voice that was barely above a whisper. He reached his hand into the bathroom and patted my head caringly.

"Get dressed, and then we'll get going," he told me, and then went into the living room and turned on the tv. I wiped my eyes and sniffed, my mood instantly better in that 3 minutes of bonding time and I smiled to myself and hummed SHINee's "Romantic" as I went back to my room and got dressed in a denim mini-skirt, black knee-high stockings, black Converse, a light pink long sleeved shirt, and a denim vest with attached white cotton sleeves and a hood. It was warm in comfortable in this winter weather.

I actually put makeup on today--something I rarely do, even in school. You can guess why I did it today. I put on some lip gloss, and light blush on my my cheeks, while a small amount of eyeliner and mascara darkened my lashes. I brushed out my hair and placed some small but cute, pink barettes in my hair to keep my bangs out of my face. I gave myself a once over in the mirror, and feeling satisfied I went out to meet my guardian who by now was flipping through the tv channels.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," I said as I came into the living room, feeling more than a little self-conscious. Detective Kim looked up at me and I swear he looked a tiny bit surprised at my appearance, but I couldn't tell for his facial expression switched instantly to something else I couldn't read.

"You look nice," he told me, getting up from the couch. "But it's a bit cold out, you might want a jacket." I nodded and went to get my coat from my room and then we finally went out the door.

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It was an awkward car ride to Detective Kim's Supervisor's house. When we got to the Police Agency, Lieutenant Cha looked like she was about to shit kittens when she saw Detective Kim bring me into the H.I.T. headquarters and tell her that he decided to bring me along. She then proceeded to drag him out and take him someplace so she could have a private word with him. I didn't need and explination to know that he was getting shit for it.

While he was being ripped on by Lietenant Cha, I got aquainted with the other Detectives whom I just realized I hadn't seen since the Hong Kong incident. I recognized Detective Jang right away and smiled warmly at him when he greeted me.

"I'm glad to see you're doing ok," I told him in Korean. "How is Hee-Jin?"

"She's doing fine, thank you," he answered, smiling. " I'll tell her you said hello."

Detective Nam then came up to me and greeted me kindly and so did Detective Shin, though he looked at me suspiciously and I fidgeted uncomfortably under his scrutiny.

"So," he said to me, "What brings you here with Detective Kim? You don't expect me to believe that you two are just friends with you being as young as you are. How old are you anyway? 16? 15?"

"I'm 17 sir," I answered, annoyance prickling up my spine. "I'll be 18 in a few weeks." Jeez, what a jerk, asking such upfront questions!!! I made a mental note to stay away from him.

"And as to why she and I came here together, I'll explain everything when we get Chief Cho," came the voice of Detective Kim as he and Lieutenant Cha came back from their "talk." I was more than a little relieved to see him, and when I looked at him he gave me a look that said that everything was all right and taken care of and I had nothing to worry about.

"Kim Il-Ju," stated Detective Shin suspiciously once again, and eyeing Detective Kim with as much scrutiny as he did me. "Don't tell me that you're in some kind of inappropriate relationship with her. You're a cop, for God's sake."

"WHAT?!" shouted Detective Kim, Lieutenant Cha and myself in unison, looking at Detective Shin like he had just lost his damn mind. I prayed that no one noticed me blushing like a fool.

"It's not like that at all!" explained my guardian to Detective Shin, annoyance brimming in his voice. "What kind of person do you take me for?! I told you I'll explain everything when we get Chief Cho, and I will! Don't make up stories and say nonsense like that! That's a serious accusation anyway!! What's wrong with you?!"

"Ok, ok," replied Mr. Sleaze-ball (yes, I'm using his nickname that I gave him way back when. It fits him perfectly). "Just checking." And he walked off with such an air of nonchalance that I wanted to kick him where the sun don't shine.

"Forget about it, let's just go," ordered Lieutenant Cha and she and the rest of the team followed her out of headquaters and into their grey police van. Mr. Sleaze-ball was driving, my guardian was in the passenger seat, Detective Nam and Jang were in the middle seat and I was in the rear with Lieutenant Cha (SAVE ME!! D: ). As he promised, Detective Kim explained everything about him and myself to his fellow detectives and every once in a while they would glance back at me and then go back to the story and listen intently to Detective Kim. I on the other hand, stared directly at the floor of the van, not looking at Lieutanant Cha because I could tell she just wanted to rip my guardian apart....and I didn't doubt for a second that she'd do the same to me as well if she wanted to. Or worse: send me back to Canada.

So you can imagine how awkward the car ride was for me. And it didn't get any better, because as soon as we got to Chief Cho's house (IT'S FREAKIN NIIICE!! OMG!!) Detective Kim proceeded to imitate Super Junior and greeted him with a "We are H.I.T. -handsign-" and I just about died of embarrassment FOR him. Everyone else just looked at him.

"You don't think that was funny?" he asked, majorly embarrassed, looking at all of us and stopping at me with a sheepish grin on his face. I shook my head, covered my face with my hand and walked away, trying not to laugh. He tried calling out to me, but I answered him with a dismissive, "I don't know you!" and ignored him. However, the next thing I knew, the team carried their Cheif into the van and drove off to God knows where. Yep...basically they kidnapped him. COPS. The COPS. KIDNAPPED. SOMEONE. Fuuuucked uuup!! But in a good way, I guess.

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We ended up going to an outdoor breakfast/park....thing and all of us sat at one of the patio/gazeebo type things and all had a good time, laughing and joking. Chief Cho asked me a lot of questions about my home life before I came to live with Detective Kim (who had explained to him why there was a kid here, and everything. Thankfully he didn't seem to mind--he even said he would have done the same thing had he been in Detective Kim's place). I answered him as best as I could, and was surprised to find that I wasn't getting annoyed or angry as opposed to when I usually did when asked about my pre-Korean home life. I guess it was because I was happy not having to hide the fact about why I decided to come here, and also having to come to live with Detective Kim. I was more than happy not having to have that burden on my shoulders anymore.

The mood was happy-go-lucky for a while, until Chief Cho pointed out that even though the team expected him to treat them all to a nice (and expensive) breakfast, he didn't bring his wallet.

"You dragged me out and threw me into the van," he stated and laughed maniacally while the others just stared at him. "You brought this on yourselves." I looked around at all the Detective's disheartened faces and covered my mouth with my hands, trying (and failing miserably ) to hide my own hysterical laughter.

"Ah, see! Even she's laughing at your stupidity!" exclaimed Chief Cho, patting my back in gratitude and joining in on my laughter. I then felt a small stick hit my chest, and looked up to see Detective Kim grinning at me.

"Yah," he said in Korean, smirking, "It's not polite to laugh at other people's misfortune."

"It's not your misfortune she's laughing at, it's your idiocy," retorted Chief Cho, making the both of us laugh even harder. Our laughing made everyone else laugh, and the mood was lightened once more as Detective Kim asked a waitress to come and take our orders and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast.

After a good time of laughing and joking, I got up from my spot and decided to wander around the grounds, and enjoy the scenery a bit. I stared up at the sky as small flocks of birds flew overhead, and kept my distance as I watched squirrels dig in the ground for their lost acorns and whatnot. I ended up walking far from the group of police officers and found myself at a small bridge over a little creek, where fallen leaves floated atop the waters and melting snow dripped from the icicles.

I stared into the creek, thinking of all that had happened in my life so far and how truly grateful I was that it had turned out in such as way that was for the better. I was happy that I was here, happy that I was doing well for myself, and most of all happy that I had a wonderful guardian like Detective Kim to protect me. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Detective Kim smiling at me and came to stand next to me on the bridge.

"You ok?" he asked me, mirroring my stance and leaning against the metal railing. I nodded and placed a lock of loose hair behind my ear.

"Just thinking," I answered. "Not really about anything in particular though. Just finally realizing how happy I am right now, as opposed to how I was before." I looked at him and he nodded and stared out into space.

"I'm glad," he said to me. "You deserve to be happy after everything that you went through--not only back in your home of Canada, but here too. You've been through a lot." I nodded and smiled.

"True. But I have you to protect me, so I don't think things like international kidnapping and all that jazz will be happening for a loooong time."

He laughed and pulled me into a one armed hug. I felt my face burn, and the icy wind stung my cheeks as the searing blush colored my face. DAMMIT, NOT NOW!! WHYYY?! As quickly as he had done it however, he let go and I was left in the cold aftermath again, with my heart beating wildly. Ugh...I REALLY needed to figure this crap out; it's driving me absolutely NUTS. >.<

"Come on, we're about to leave so let's get back to the van," he said walking back to the others. When he didn't hear me following him he turned back to me and grinned impishly. "Unless you want to stay here in the cold, I'd be more than happy to leave you here."

"Oh yeah right!! You wouldn't leave me here!! You'd be too worried about me!!" I yelled, catching up to him and playfully hitting his arm. We joked and laughed all the way back to the others, and somehow someway, our journey ended with me being slung over his shoulder like a wild animal when we actually made it to the other Detectives.

"She commited a crime and struck a police officer, I had no choice but to carry her like this and then I'm taking her in for questioning," he told them while they stared at us.

"PUT ME DOWN, YOU JERK I'M WEARING A SKIRT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! HAVE YOU NO SHAME!!?"

When we get home....he DIES. >:(

Forbidden (Chapter 9)

2010-07-11T00:18:00.019-04:00

Aigoo! It seems like this story was put in the back burner, no? Well, you all can thank good old College for that!! But, now that I'm off till September, this story (as well as my other ones on fanfiction) can be my top priority!! To those of you who have had a hell of a lot of patience with me, I thank you for being so patient and putting up with me. THANK YOU ALL! HAVE SOME COOKIES!! On to Chapter nine!!

Chapter 9

I tossed my book bag down next to the coffee table and flopped down on the couch not bothering to change out of my uniform. I had a rough day at my all-girls school, and I wanted nothing more than to just sit and do nothing for the rest of the day. Unfortunately for me, my teachers had decided to pile on the homework, which would more than likely take me hours to do, so it wasn't like I could lounge about for long.

Don't get me wrong--I hated going to an all-girls school--but after attending for a week, I had grown tolerant of the place. When I had learned that I had been sent there by my guardian when I had gotten home that first day, (I took the bus) I did not speak to him when he had called the house checking to see if I was there. Instead, I left the phone ringing, and when he finally arrived home and attempted to scold me, I shoved a piece of paper under his nose that read "I will not speak to you until further notice. Do not call my cell phone, nor the house; I will not answer. I am extremely pissed at you. ~Kimi" and then walked to my room where I listened to my iPod on full blast and ignored him for the rest of the night. (Though, seeing as how I didn't see him for the rest of the night, I assumed he had gone back to work, which was all right with me.)

I had not seen him since that incident that Monday afternoon when I had gotten home from my first day of school. He had kept his word and had not called me on my cell once since I handed him that paper, nor had he called the house. I had gotten over my anger at him some time ago, but my pride prevented me from being the first one to actually talk to him. I debated on whether or not I should pay him a surprise visit at the Police Agency when the phone rang and I leaped off the couch and practically dove for it.

"Yobuseyo?" I said into the receiver, somewhat breathlessly.

"So you're speaking to me again?" came the voice of my guardian, Detective Kim, on the other end. My heart seemed to inflate with joy at hearing his voice (granted it was dripping with sarcasm, but I really didn't care at the moment). "I thought you weren't going to talk to me until further notice," he continued in English.

"You're the one who called the house," I answered back, cheekily. "So what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call, Detective? Just wanted to check up on me?"

"Yes," he answered bluntly. "Make sure you do your homework." I suppressed a sigh. Of course.

"Oh, and one more thing," he continued, "try and contact some of the girls from the Hong Kong investigation; make sure they're doing ok. I'll see you later." He hung up. I put down the receiver and groaned. First time talking to him in a week, and the first thing he wants me to do is my homework. I looked to the coffee table where my book bag lay toppled on its side and weighted down with heavy books. The feeling of dread that came with having to do homework filled me to my very core.

"The faster I get it done, the faster I can do nothing," I muttered to myself as I raked my hand through my hair. I sighed, and went into my room to change out of my uniform and into something more comfortable to attempt to do homework in. I came back out wearing baggy grey sweatpants, socks, a fitted orange t-shirt, and my hair in a ponytail and sat down at the table and took out my books, papers, and pencil from my bag.

"Let's get down to business," I muttered to myself....then I finished with "to defeat....the Huns~." (Because everything is better with a Disney reference! :D) After some immense struggling with my Math, Language, and Chemistry homework, I finally finished everything I had to do......and it was only 11:30 pm!! (Oh joy...) I dropped my pencil and slammed my head into my Chemistry book when I saw what time it was. Dear God, I was exhausted; giving this much homework should be illegal.

I got up, stretched, and hobbled back to my room for the rest of the night planning to get the most out of my six and a half hours of sleep. But before I retired for the night, I decided to give Detective Kim a call. Don't ask me why, I just did. Unfortunately, he didn't pick up his cell phone, striking me as odd, since he always picks up no matter what. I tried a few more time, but each time it went directly to voice mail. I glanced at the clock, unease rattling my nerves. It was almost midnight, and I needed to get up soon and be prepared for my Chemistry quiz tomorrow, so I gave up trying to call him and went to sleep, praying that he was ok.

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I face-planted against my desk as the bell rang for lunch; God I was tired...and that stupid Chemistry quiz wasn't helping my mood. Nor was the fact that I couldn't get a hold of Detective Kim all morning, and I hadn't been able to since school started. I had been too preoccupied with worry to really focus on that quiz so I knew I had completely bombed it, but right now I could have cared less. I lifted my head up and rested it on my hand, my elbow propping me up as I stared out the window and my stomach rumbled, painfully reminding me of its emptiness. (I had slept a little through my alarm, so I didn't have time to make myself lunch, nor did I have money to buy myself some, fml.)

As I stared out the window, thoughts of Detective Kim entered my mind and it began to race with questions and concerns about his well-being. He had never NOT answered his phone before, and I found myself thinking up the most ridiculous (yet totally possible) situations in which he wouldn't be able to. The worst one was when I dreamt last night that he had somehow been killed by some crazy murderer, which I then woke up from in a cold sweat, shaken and scared and had ended up crying. Then, after I had calmed down a bit and drank a glass of water I managed to go back to sleep, though the dream was still fresh in my mind.

There were plenty of other scenarios like that in my head that had filtered in throughout the day, and I was concerning myself with one of them when a voice thankfully interrupted my mental breakdown. I turned my head and saw Hee-Jin standing in front of me, smiling at me with her dark straight hair down and framing her features and makeup slightly coloring her face.

"Annyeong," I said, bowing my head slightly and smiling. She did the same as she greeted me, and said in Korean, "Would you like to eat lunch together? I mean, since meeting in Hong Kong, we never really got a chance to talk, and now that we're in the same school and in the same Chemistry class...." her voice trailed off as she ended her sentence pathetically.

I stared at her before answering. Now, if I was to be brutally honest with her, I would have said no and been content with starving until I had returned home because--let's face it--Hee-Jin is not my favorite person in the world. From what I saw of her in Hong Kong, she's a downright spoiled, bitchy person and certainly not the type of girl I'd want to be friends with. But, because I'm a nice person and didn't want to hurt her feelings, I said the exact opposite.

"Sure, I'd love to," I answered also in Korean, wanting to kick myself in the face. (Curse my kindness!) "Oh good!" she sighed and took up a chair and sat in front of me at my desk and brought out two bento boxes and handed one to me. I looked at it for a while, and then back at her.

"Is this for me?" I asked. She nodded and smiled and opened her bento. Inside, there was rice, vegetables, fruit, and spicy calamari. She then picked up two pairs of chopsticks, handed me one, and then started eating. I hadn't touched the food she had given me and just stared at her while she ate and after about ten minutes she finally looked up and--chewing on calamari--asked me why I wasn't eating.

"It's ok for you to eat it; made it for you," she added while I continued to stare at her. I blinked once, said nothing, and quickly opened my bento and started eating. It was delicious. I glanced up at Hee-Jin as I ate and saw that she smiled once at me and continued eating her own lunch.

"So, um...Kimi," she said hesitantly after a while. I looked up from my food and saw that she was now at picking her own with her chopsticks and staring down at it. I waited. Finally she stated, "If you don't mind me asking....how-how did you end up in Korea?" Of course. I bit back my annoyance at having been asked a question I had avoided since coming to this country and tried to answer without barking.

"Personal reasons," I answered, carefully choosing my words. "It's a long story and I'd rather not get into it." She nodded and said nothing more about the subject and asked another question.

"Where are you staying if you don't mind me asking?"

She glanced up at me and her onyx eyes locked with my brown ones as I stared her down, causing her to blink in unease and go back to staring at her food and picking at it with her chopsticks. I gazed intently at her for a very long time before answering her slowly.

"Why are you asking me this?" As if it were nothing important, she shrugged and answered back, "I'm just curious is all. I mean...of all places, you ended up here and involved in international kidnapping and all...it's just...surprising."

"That's not it," I answered quickly, my voiced laced with annoyance. "You're lying, I know you are. Tell me the real reason why you're so curious about me." She scoffed a few times and pretended to look offended before finally answering me.

"Well....it's just....when you and the other girls were kidnapped again..." she stammered nervously, faulting under my harsh glare. "The girls' were wondering...and it got me curious too--I mean I'm not sure if it's true or not, but the girls did say there were some kinds of signs--"

"Spit it out, Hee-Jin!" I finally snapped at her, my temper getting the better of me.

"Are you and Detective Kim....y'know....together?" she finally blurted out, awkwardly. That did it; what little patience I had left completely vaporized as I sat, scowling at her though careful not to explode in front of her and cause a scene. Instead, I shoved the bento box she had given me for lunch back at her, got up and left the classroom seething with anger. It wasn't the fact that she had asked me such a question, that I was pissed; it was the fact that she actually thought I was incredibly stupid to fall for her 'let's be friends' act so she can coax me into spilling my living arrangements so she could go and report it to the rest of the girls.

I stormed to the girls bathroom, shoved open the door, and leaned against a sink and gazed at my reflection in the mirror.

"Tch...do I look like an idiot to her?" I sneered in Korean. (I had gotten into the habit of muttering to myself in Korean. I found it quite fun.) "Who does she think she is?" I growled as I wet my face with cold water as I tried to calm myself. After I had counted to ten, and was feeling a little better, I headed back to my Chemistry class to grab my belongings before I had to head to my next one: Language.

Hee-Jin was no longer at my desk when I arrived back, but instead with her own little clique of friends away from my desk. When I passed them to gather my belongings, some of them gave me dirty looks, which I ignored. I didn't care whether they thought I was a bitch or not, it was none of my business anyway; maybe they shouldn't have a two-faced snake as a friend.

I picked up my bag from the floor and went back outside into the hallway, taking my cell phone out in the process. I turned it around in my hands as I exited the school and went to a deserted area far from students' listening ears as they stood out and about in the frigid air, their faces rosy pink and their breaths crystallizing in the cold. They were talking and walking around as girls do, sharing the latest gossip and trying to keep warm with their hands shoved deep in their pockets and scarves wrapped around their necks.

I shivered as I opened my cell phone, cursing myself and wondering why the hell I had decided to go outside when I could have easily just stayed in the hallway and tried to make sure no one would hear me. (Again, that would have been waay too easy). I punched in Detective Kim's number and waited. No answer. My insides went as cold as the winter air around me--this was the second time he didn't answer in two days. I tried a couple more times, but each time the ringer would go on about five times then I would be directed to voicemail. I hung up my phone, and sighed in worry and frustration. All I wanted was to see if he was ok since I hadn't been in contact with him since yesterday and he still wasn't answering. What the hell was going on? The bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch hour and I reluctantly went back inside the school with the rest of the students to my Language class, worry eating away at my brain.

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

I wrenched open the apartment door and flung myself inside, glancing down at the floor hoping to see a pair of expensive looking shoes. Nothing. Not wanting to believe what my eyes were seeing, I kicked off my own shoes, and bolted to his room, hoping to see a sleeping Detective. Nothing. I growled in frustration and slammed his door...then kicked it. Repeatedly. WHERE THE HELL COULD HE BE?! I ran a hand through my hair, and stomped to my room where I threw my bag in my closet, and flopped down on my bed and stared at the ceiling.

I tried to reason with myself that this was to be expected from him--I mean, he DID have a rather intense job to do, but still...something inside my head screamed that something was wrong. I tried to push that feeling out of my head all day, but it kept slowly coming back and being repeated in my head. Something's wrong, something's wrong, something's wrong.

"Nothing's wrong!" I said harshly to myself. "He's just being a butt and not answering his phone; he might even have it on silent....but then again, a police officer always has to answer his or her phone, and putting it on silent would be a huuuge mistake." I sat upright in bed, deep in thought as to what might have happened to my guardian throughout the course of two days. The thought's that ran through my mind however, were so frightening that I almost made myself hyperventilate and have a heart attack so I abruptly stopped thinking and decided to preoccupy myself with homework.

"Something completely different to keep my mind busy," I reasoned. "Very, very, very, busy." I got out of bed and marched to my closet where I had flung my bag, and taking out my books, went to the kitchen table to commence my homework. I littered the kitchen table with my belongings, and got knee deep in my Language homework, which consisted of me having to translate some Engilsh texts into Hangul and Hangul into English. Neither of them were easy to do, and I nearly ripped out my hair trying to figure it out. Dammit, why couldn't I just get Rosetta Stone? That would have been SO much easier.

After about 2 hours of deciphering Hangul to English and vice versa, I started on my Math, which I considered a blessing from God after having to go through Language Hell for the past two hours. And I hate Math. I glanced at the clock to see how much time had passed.

6:00pm.

Alright...so doing homework was actually a GOOD idea. I stretched and went to my room to change into my PJs before really getting into my Math homework. As I changed, thoughts of my guardian came back to mind and I angrily pushed them away. I wasn't going to think about him for the rest of the night, no matter how worried I was. And no matter how much this uneasiness was eating away at me, I wasn't going to give into it. I'll just have to suck it up and wait for him to come home.

If he comes home, said a nagging voice in my head. I pulled my tank top over my head and stared at my reflection in my dresser mirror.

"He's coming home," I answered it fiercely and exited my room, planning on focusing so much on my Math homework that my head would explode. I sat back down and got straight to work, finishing at 11pm and feeling exhausted. I wanted to go straight to sleep, but something stopped me from doing so and--going against my better judgment--I went to my room, grabbed a blanket, and planted myself in front of the television and started to watch some stupid variety show. Apparently, my mind had decided to tell the rest of my body to stay up and wait til Detective Kim came home just to see if he was ok...whether the rest of my body wanted to or not.

I didn't move from my spot, until 3 in the morning when I finally heard the front door open and Detective Kim come striding home, as if he had another normal workday. When he had taken off his shoes and saw me sitting on the couch watching TV, he looked at me in surprise, while I glared at him from where I sat.

"Kimi," he said, walking into the house. "What are you doing up? It's 3 in the morning, you have school tomorrow. Go to bed." He then proceeded to get a glass and pour himself some water from the fridge. I on the other hand, didn't move and inch, and continued to gaze at my guardian like an angry hawk.

When Detective Kim saw that I hadn't moved from the couch, he put the glass down, looked me directly in the eye, and said "Didn't you hear me? I said go to sleep. It's late."

"Oh, I heard you," I answered, nonchalantly. "I'm just choosing not to listen, that's all."

".........What?" asked my guardian, almost rhetorically. "What did you just say to me?" I ignored his ominous tone and stood up from the couch, clutching a pillow to my chest as if for comfort and protection from his reaction to what I was about to say next.

"You heard me," I retorted, my temper rising as I grasped the fluffy pillow tighter in my hands. From what I could see of his face, his jaw was clenched in rage at my defiance and disrespect and had taken several swift steps towards me. But before he could even reach the final step to where I was standing, my temper got the better of me and I flung the pillow at him, which hit him square in the face and made him stop dead in his tracks.

The light from the television illuminated some of his features and I could see that he was most definitely glaring at me and took several more deliberate steps forward. It was then that I completely lost control of my anger and grabbed the remaining pillows from the couch and hurled them at him, as if shooting him with fluffy bullets.

"YAH!" he yelled at me, fed up at my behavior and catching one of the pillows and thrusting it to the ground. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!"

I stayed silent, glaring at him.

"Have you forgotten that I am your guardian now? I'm not one of your peers at school; I'm your elder and I deserve respect!" he scolded me. "You seem to have forgotten that I'm doing you a favor; I didn't have to open my home to you--I could still be living alone if I had chosen to!"

"Then stop acting like you're living alone, and start realizing that you do have someone who lives with you!!!" I hollered back, ignoring the angry tears that started to fill my eyes. "You're not alone in this house anymore--you have someone who shares the same living quarters as you do, and who depends on you: me!!"

He stared at me for a moment, registering my words.

"I tried calling you so many time today and yesterday, but you wouldn't answer you're stupid phone!" I continued screaming, the tears now flowing from my eyes and down my face. "I was worried sick about you!! I didn't know if you were alive or dead; if you would come home or not--and the worst part about it is, I can't go to the police station to see if you're ok, because nobody's supposed to know I'm living with you aside from Detective Cha and Prosecutor Kim!! So I was basically stuck here in the house all day worrying about you with nothing but my own horrid thoughts about what happened to you!!"

I hung my head and covered my face with my hands, sobbing. I was not only crying because I was angry--and I was livid--but I was also crying because I was relieved. I was relieved that he had made it back home alive and well. I was happy that he was here....with me. I don't know how long I stayed like that, or how long I was crying for. But the next thing I knew, I felt two powerful and strong arms wrap around my shaking body and hold me tightly. Securely. Safely. I was taken aback for a moment, then realized that Detective Kim was hugging me, and relaxed into his grasp, sniffling like a baby. He rested a hand on my head and stroked my hair and placed his chin on my scalp.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, "so sorry. I do forget that I'm not alone anymore, and that I have someone who depends on me. I've been alone for so long....I guess old habits die hard. I've never had someone waiting for me at home, or worrying about me. It's just something I'll have to adjust to."

I had stopped crying then, listening to his words and his heartbeat as I rested my head against his chest.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. "Do you forgive me?" I sniffed again, and looked up at him trying to look determined, but I knew I failed at it miserably.

"Only if you promise that you'll always answer your phone when I call and tell me where you are. If you can't answer your phone then text me; you look like you're tech savvy, texting should be easy for you. Ok?" I reasoned. He smiled at me, and I felt a blush creep across my already tearstained face.

"Ok." he said, "Now go to bed." He dislodged himself from me, making me feel cold and vulnerable for some reason. I had to suppress the urge to not go and attach myself to him once more; as if I didn't want him to let me go....as if I didn't want to let him go. Nonetheless, after he handed me a napkin and I wiped my face and nose, I bid him goodnight and went off to bed. But as I tucked myself into bed and snuggled into my covers, I couldn't shake the feeling of how much I wanted to be with him at this very second. How much I wanted to feel his arms around me again.

I felt another blush sear across my face, and I buried my head under my covers and turned on my side. I closed my eyes and started to count sheep, trying to relax my mind and drift off into sleep. Unfortunately, sheep were not the ones to permeate my dreams that night...on the contrary...it was Detective Kim who now managed to make me drift off into sleep.

Forbidden (Chapter 8)

2009-12-28T20:48:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! Man, it's been a while right? Sooo sorry for the long wait. My computer had some problems sooo....I couldn't do anything with it for a while. (-cough- more like MONTHS! -cough- ) anyway, about this story... IT'S AWESOME ISN'T IT?! So, I'd like to apologize even more, but I figured you guys have been waiting long enough waiting to see what happens to our heroine soooo....... HERE'S CHAPTER 8!! =D

Chapter 8

I woke up the next morning, in a king-sized bed, feeling very well rested and surprisingly wide awake. I ran a hand through my hair (ignoring the knots), and observed my surroundings. Wait..... this doesn't look like one of the many hotel rooms that I'm oh-so-comfortable in sleeping in.... I whipped my head left and right, trying to find something familiar, other than my suitcases. Nothing. I was about to shoot out of bed and call the cops, when memories of what happened to me so far flooded into my brain. The events replayed in my head until I got to the part concerning my current whereabouts.

That's right... I'm living with Mr. Sexy--no, wait...Detective Kim--now. I had almost forgotten. A small smile played across my face as I thought of the detective, and I felt my face grow slightly hot. Now, this guy was really hot and just drop-dead gorgeous, and for me to be living with him was just..... WOW! Bashfulness and giddiness surged through me and I felt my smile grow until it became a big stupid grin on my face. To counter such an idiotic facial expression, I grabbed one of my pillows, buried my face in it, and squealed. I then flopped down onto my back and stared at the ceiling, my arms spread away from my body.

I lay there thinking and enjoying the silence when I suddenly remembered that there was something important that I had to do today. I sat bolt upright in bed--totally grateful for the fact that there was no other bed above me to cause me searing head pain had I done that at Mi-Young's place and went out to the living room to look at the time. (I didn't have a clock in my new room yet) I yelped when I saw the clock and dashed back to my room, grabbed my towel, and went to shower. I was supposed to be at the Police Agency at 9am and it was already 8:15. Now, to some of you, that might seem like a LOT of time...but I really didn't know how long it would take me to get there, so by my standards... I was already late.

I finished my shower, raked a brush through my hair, dressed in jeans and a white turtleneck sweater, grabbed my purse and dashed out the door. I didn't even bother with breakfast, so I guess I was going to starve until I got back. I assumed that this whole thing wouldn't take more than a half hour or whatever, so the faster I got this over with, the faster I can come back and eat some food!

I dashed down the street and around a corner when I realized... I had no idea where I was going. Goddamn. I sifted through my purse only to find that I did not have my cell phone on me. Strike two. Oh, and I don't have a key for the house--it had been pretty unpredictable the past couple of days, so I wasn't really surprised that I didn't have one. But at a time like this... I sure as hell wish I did.

I huffed and moved my bangs out of my eyes. Well, this is just great. I slung my purse over my shoulder, and started walking. Where? I supposed I could asked for directions to the Police Agency--somebody has to know where it is. I continued to walk along the sidewalk, hoping that by just going straight, I might find the place. I was walking for about 10 minutes when I suddenly heard the screeching of tires, and I shot my head up to see what happened. Before I knew it, I was abruptly man-handled and dragged into the back seat of a van and two guys sat on either side of me, gripping me tightly by the arms. The expression on their faces were one of stone. I tried to shift in my seat, but the slightest movement made them grip my arms tighter, pinching my skin.

My heart started racing, as fear and panic started seeping through my veins. Granted, I should have been scared the minute I saw these guys, but I guess it was just a delayed reaction. Like really delayed. I tried to look at my ambushers but even the shifting of my eyes made them stare down at me, as if daring me to look them dead in they're eyes. And I can honestly say that wasn't a dare I was willing to take.

I did the only thing I could do and just sat in between the two brutes and waited, petrified, until we made it to our destination. I didn't know how long it took us to get to wherever it was they were taking me, but all too soon we had arrived and they dragged me out of the van and to a large cabin in a somewhat densely wooded area. Fallen leaves littered the ground and cracked under our feet as they practically pulled me toward the cabin where they shoved me inside the door. Inside, I saw a doctor, two more big guys, and a surgeon table standing ominously near the door. Before I could get a better look, I was shoved forward placed behind a makeshift curtain where some of the other girls from EGM were huddled in a corner and being watched by another of our kidnappers.

"Kimi!" cried Su-Jung and she held out her hand to steady me as I was flung towards them. I lost my footing, and ended up kneeling beside her and some other girls; I could see the fear in their eyes that was slowly seeping into me as well. Crap..... now, I realize this isn't good. I huddled closer to Su-Jung and she clung to me almost as tightly as my kidnappers had; I could feel her shaking as I glanced up at her face and saw tears glistening in her eyes.

"What's going on? Why are we here?" I managed to ask so low, that I prayed our captors couldn't hear me. She shook her head frantically, staring wide-eyed at me and giving me two answers: 'Don't ask questions' and 'I don't know.' We sat in silence for about 20 minutes, watching the doctor and some other guys go back and forth in our field of vision, carrying needles, and other surgical instruments to the table on the other side of us and I heard footsteps going away from us and another coming towards us as one of our captors came, dressed in all black and stared at all of us menacingly.

"Is that all of them?" he asked his companion in Korean, then looking at us once more.

"It should be," he answered, "Where did Jin-Ho go?"

"He went outside to move the van, because some idiot can't park," said the latter with a sneer.

The other nodded. "All right," the other guy said and stepped to where we were and we all huddled in a corner, whimpering--scared and petrified. We saw him grab a girl in a pink jacket, jeans, and pigtails and drag her on the other side of the curtain where the surgeon table, doctor, and the other guys were waiting. As she was being lugged away, we heard her scream in protest and beg him to let her go, but he wouldn't let up. We all sat in silence and listened, horrified, as we heard her being forced onto the surgeon table and her screams being muffled as they gagged her and her arms and feet banging on the table as they bound her to it.

The rest of us sat still, not daring to move. Some of the other girls started sniffling and whimpering and I glanced at Su-Jung and wasn't surprised that she too was crying. I was too petrified to cry let alone hear the muffled angry cries from outside. Wait, what? I strained my ears to listen more, trying to ignore the sobbing of the girls. Yup...those were voice I heard outside.

What's going on?" I heard one of them ask. It was quiet for a moment, then another answered, "It's the police." My fear immediately subsided as I saw our captors run from their posts of watching over us, and towards the door.

"Get the drugs out first!" yelled one guy.

"B-but the cops are here," answered the doctor cowardly. My insides boiled with anger. If you didn't want to get caught, then why are you here?!

"There's only four of them. Get the drugs out NOW!" ordered the first guy. Not even half a second later, I saw the doctor just jet and the other guys yell "RUN!" and they all started shooting out of there like bats out of Hell. Seconds later, the police came in and quickly pursued them. Detective Kim was the one who spotted us as two of his fellow detectives chased after the felons.

He rushed over to all of us, helping each one of us up and checking to see if we were OK and we weren't hurt. I was the last he helped up, and when he offered his hand and pulled me to my feet, he gripped my arms tightly, gently squeezing them as I looked up at his face. He looked at me dead in the eyes, and I couldn't read his expression.

"Are you OK?" he asked me. He sounded urgent, so I nodded hurriedly in response but said nothing. He squeezed my arms again, then directed his attention to the other girls. They all were still shaking and their faces were still red and tear-stained, but other than that they said they were fine. Detective Kim then beckoned us all to where his fellow detective--Detective Jang--was, freeing the girl on the surgeons table. When I saw him, my eyes widened and I looked from him, to my super-secret guardian. I opened my mouth to ask how the hell they managed to save him from the Triad in Hong Kong, but he beat me with a question of his own, which he asked to his fellow detective.

"Is she all right? She's not hurt is she?" he inquired. The girl sat upright on the surgeon table, too shaken up to speak, so Detective Jang spoke for her.

"She's fine," he answered, "a few scrapes, but nothing too serious." He looked at Detective Kim and added in a final tone, "Now, let's get these girl out of here and back to their families." My stomach pinched, at the sound of those words, seeing as how my "family" was standing right next to me. He wasn't showing me any affection--like putting a protective arm around me--but I wished like hell he was, cuz I was still totally freaked!

My guardian nodded once and ushered us single file to the awaiting police van outside. I saw the other detectives come back with the other crooks and my mind refreshed back to the bar when I was looking for a job. The sleaze-ball looking guy--whom I believed was Mr. Shin (or...I should call him Detective Shin now) came with one suspect in hand and thrust him into an awaiting police car and another--the big, stupid looking one whom I remembered was Detective Nam--came sauntering over with two more suspects.

I was lead into the van with the other girls as we waited to be brought to either the police station or to our families. My guess was the police station--it seemed like the logical choice. Besides, some of the girls' parents might already be there waiting for them. That thought left me with the lingering question as to what I was going to do once we got there. Like I said, my guardian was literally RIGHT OUTSIDE (and was now harassing the suspects). I suppressed a sigh. I suppose I could wait till his shift was over.... and be bored out of my mind while I was at it. But really, what other choice did I have? I'll answer that--none. I dug my fingers in my hair in frustration.

"Are you OK, Kimi?" asked Su-Jung who was sitting on the other side of the van next to the window.

"I'm fine," I answered, not looking at her. "I just have a headache is all." Lie. I'm mentally preparing myself for the infinite hours of boredom to befall my way. Ooh, jooy. I continued to stare at the floor of the police van until the opening of the door made me look up to see--you guessed it--my super-secret guardian.

He looked at all of us and said clearly in Korean, "We're going to take you to the station where your parents await your arrivals. There, they will take you home; I'm sure they'll be more than relieved to see you all well and safe." The girls nodded, and smiled at him--excited about being able to go home and forget all this ever happened. Before he closed the door though, he took one long look at me. I stared back, though I couldn't read his expression. His eyes were fierce as if he was trying to communicate with me telepathically (good luck with that). Eventually, the mini staring contest got to be too much for me, and I looked away, trying to hide a blush that I felt searing across my cheeks.

When the door finally closed behind me, I thought it safe to look up again. Unfortunately, that was also when the girls thought it was OK to start telling me that my face was red and giggling.

"Giggling should be illegal," I muttered, quoting a line from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (the book not the movie). The girls along with Su-Jung all made comments about my blushing and how cute Detective Kim was. That got my insides all fired up with jealousy. Wait, why should I be jealous? I'm friggen LIVING with the guy!! But still.... they didn't know that. Nor did they NEED to. Besides... it's not like they have a chance of having him. Not that they should even be THINKING of having a chance. I mean, he's like what? 23? Yeah, too old for them.

We finally started heading to the Station (the girls still talking about the incident before) and just like Detective Kim promised, the girls' parents were all waiting for their daughters. Each girl ran to their families with tears in their eyes, while I lagged behind and ducked into the women's bathroom and out of sight. They didn't need to know that I didn't have family here (anymore), and I didn't want them to feel sorry for me. I waited in the bathroom for at least 20 minutes before finally coming out only to find Detective Cha outside waiting for me.

"Il-Ju is looking for you," she said to me in Korean. She sounded cross.

"Il-Ju?" I asked also in Korean, confused. "Who is that?"

"Wow.... you're living with him, and you don't even know his name?" she responded, smirking. "Just follow me," and she started walking away while I ran to try and keep up with her. Then it clicked.

"D-Detective Kim's first name is Il-Ju?" I asked in Korean, jogging behind her as we rounded a corner. She didn't slow down nor did she look at me when she answered, "Yes. His full name is Kim Il-Ju; I'm surprised he didn't tell you when you're living with him. Nobody else knows about that right?"

"A-anniyo," I answered, still jogging. Man, this lady walks fast...this is the most exercise I've ever gotten. "Just you...him...and Prosecutor Kim," I wheezed out as we rounded another corner and down a hallway and entered a door with the sign "H.I.T." above it. There was a giant sign that said "Homicide Investigation Team" and an office space with a large desk in the center and 5 computers. Four on about each corner of the desk, and one at the head of it. Detective Cha led me into the office and beckoned me inside.

"Il-Ju will be here in a moment. Have a seat," she said, and left to God knows where. I quietly sat down in the nearest office chair, placed my purse on the table, and tried to make myself comfortable--which was hard considering that I had NOTHING TO DO. I found a stapler in front of me and grabbed it, and after digging around a bit I retrieved a small pad of post-its in one of the drawers. Let the joy commence!

I tore off bits of Post-its and started doing some Origami (yes, I have Origami skillz) and managed to make a small crane, frog, and more frogs. Frogs are the only things I really know how to make. And cranes. Cranes and frogs. Yup. Anyway, after my 10th frog, and 4th crane, I took the stapler and some more post-its and drew eyes on them and stuck them onto the stapler so it looked like it had eyes.

"Raaawr! I am the Stapler Monster! I have come to eat your pathetic frogs!!" I said, moving the stapler around all menacing like. "Not if we can help it!! Cranes! Attack!" And thus the EPIC BATTLE of the cranes versus the Stapler Monster ensued! The cranes dive-bombed the Stapler Monster without any sign of letting up! But wait! The Stapler Monster can fly?!

"MWAHAHAHAHA!!! Fools!! Oh.... wait.... you can fly too?! GODDAMN!!" said the Stapler Monster as the cranes continued their assault. "Noooo!!!"

"Having fun?" said a voice behind me, and I jumped and turned and dropped everything. Detective Kim was standing in the entrance-way, watching me be an idiot. He didn't look happy or angry... just... eh. I quickly stood up and tried to make it look like I wasn't acting like a child approximately 5 seconds ago.

"Uhm....h-how long were you standing there?" I stammered in English, pushing the Origami and Stapler Monster aside behind my back. He smirked (omg, another blush! dammit!!) and came striding into the room, picked up the Stapler Monster, stared at it for a while, then finally answered back in English, "Long enough to see that this guy was losing the battle." I laughed nervously but said nothing. My insides were in a raging inferno of embarrassment.

We stood in silence for a minute while I awkwardly fidgeted waiting desperately for him to say something. When he didn't, I was about to open my mouth to say something, but at just that moment he decided to speak.

"Do you have your things in order?" he asked me. My heart sank into my stomach and I felt myself begin to shake and my body turn cold.

"Y-yes....why?" I stuttered out, "You're not sending me back home are you? I told you that I'm not going back to Canada!!" He raised his hands as if he was surrendering and stared at me.

"Calm down," he said, "I'm not sending you anywhere. I'm just taking you home. And here," he added as he stooped to open his drawer next to his computer and pulled out some papers and handed them to me. "I printed out these applications for schools around Seoul--don't think just because you're living with a cop, you're going to get away with not getting an education. When we get home, I want you to fill those out. I'll have to come back here soon, so I can't stay with you while you do that."

I stared at him. Really? Do I look like I need a babysitter to fill out papers? Please. I sifted through the applications--there were only about four or five, and they all seemed to be in English. Good, I wouldn't have to struggle with it. I looked up at him.

"Ok, so you're taking me home and then coming back here," I repeated to him, "sounds ok to me. But do you mind if we make a pit stop first? I didn't have breakfast, and I'm starving."

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We stopped by McDonalds (HOLY CRAP, MICKEY D'S?! WHY DID I NOT NOTICE THIS BEFORE?!) and I got a chicken selects meal and then Detective Kim drove me home. He said I could eat in his car, just to be sure not to make a complete mess. While I ate I asked him a couple of questions, one that was burning in my mind all day.

"Detective," I started, feeling a little weird addressing him with that title even though we were living together. "How did you manage to get Detective Jang back from the Triad in Hong Kong?" I looked up from munching on a strip of chicken to see that Detective Kim was staring intently on the road, his face held in a dark scowl. It was a long time before he actually started to speak, though when he did, it was as if his words were laced with acid; he sounded so venemous.

"Those idiot police in Hong Kong..." he spat, his eyes narrowing dangerously. I started to get really nervous--maybe I shouldn't have asked. But before I could say anything, he continued on with what he was saying.

"After I had taken you girls to the Korean Consul, I met up with Detective Cha, Prosecutor Kim, and Sung Dong-Joon--the head of the Consul--and a Hong Kong policeman. We told him that Charlie Park must be arrested but he said that he couldn't arrest him because there wasn't any evidence nor proof of his crime. But Detective Cha said that she had been locked up, and that there was a shootout between her and him in the parking lot of the building where she was being held captive."

I listened intently. This was pretty deep stuff; I couldn't believe it. I waited for him to say more, totally forgetting about my chicken strips...and my meal in general.

"When the policeman heard that, he said that since Charlie Park is a UK citizen and a respected businessman, they need to be careful. I was losing my patience; if he was such a respected businessman why would he kidnap others? The police said that was only what we assumed, and that they needed more proof before they did anything. I lost my temper then. Detective Jang was still missing and Charlie Park was still at large and they weren't going to to anything about it?! I already felt awful for allowing them to capture him--I couldn't take another slap in the face. So I told him off. Then he got me even more riled up--I said some things--and then stormed out."

I stayed quiet, waiting for more.

"The other two followed me, which I wasn't at all surprised about," he continued. "I also wasn't surprised when they started lecturing me about where it was that we were and how we needed to be careful. Then I blew up at them too, taking all my anger and regret out on them. I threatened to quit if we didn't get Detective Jang back safely. Detective Cha seemed to agree with me that we should do whatever it takes to get Detective Jang back alive, and when she said that the Triad had the upper hand since they had guns, I went into the glove compartment of the car I rented and pulled out a manilla envelope, weighted down with 3 guns."

"Are you crazy?!" I hollered. "If you had gotten caught, you would've been thrown in jail!! What's wrong with you?!"

"Well, we didn't did we?" he shot back at me, with a smirk. I stayed quiet for a moment, then mumbled out, ".....I guess not....continue!" I was getting into the story now. So not only is Mr. Sexy drop dead hot.....he's a total BADASS!!! I'M LIVING WITH A HOT BADASS!! GO ME!! =D

"So anyway, I had thought up a plan the night before--"

"You mean when we were at the hotel?" I interuppted.

"Yes, then," he answered me. I nodded, and he continued.

"So, that night--when you were at the Consulate--Detective Cha, Prosecutor Kim, and I staked out Charlie Park, and managed to corner him in his van and made him tell us where Detective Jang was. We were going to exchange him for our comrade. So... in the dead of night--with Charlie Park held at gunpoint by myself--we managed to force him to tell us where Detective Jang was being held captive and Prosecutor Kim drove us to the location. Since I was holding Charlie Park at gunpoint, there was basically nothing the scumbag could do but let Detective Jang go. And there you have it," he finished. "But don't repeat a word of this to anyone, understand?" he added sternly.

Yeah, who on Earth am I going to tell? I nodded anyway, just to make him feel reassured. When we finally made it home, he immediately ordered me to fill out the applications (oh joy...) and left without another word. I groaned. Now I'm stuck here....BORED. Luckily, I had brought the rest of my meal, so I decided to munch on that while filling out the apps. I finished them in about 2 hours (taking long breaks in between) and then began to try and find something to do. I took a nap.

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Detective Kim didn't return that night. Nor did he return the next day--not that I was worried, he's a big boy. But I took the liberty of mailing the applications myself, and then I decided to just wander. I'm not going to be stuck in the house all day just because I'm paranoid of people kidnapping me. Come on people, I'm no pussy.

While wandering, I managed to buy myself a digital clock for my room, and some toiletries, and other essentials (like SuJu posters....yeah, yeah, shaddup) to liven up my room. I then bought myself some ice cream, and some instant noodles and decided to head home and decorate. As soon as I locked the door and kicked off my shoes, I was in my room slapping posters on the wall, putting up some really nice curtains I bought, some colorful rugs and some stuffed animals, a bright comforter that I stuffed in my closet, and then I stood back to admire my handy work. Perfect. Now to go watch TV until my brain fries.

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Almost a week passed and Detective Kim dropped by every once in a while, but then always returned to go right back to work. I was used to it, but then I started to feel lonely. Yeah, being in a house by yourself is cool, but after a few days.... IT'S SO BORING!! So I was quite surprised to find Detective Kim home on Saturday and using the shower when I accidentally walked in on him. The glass door of the shower wasn't completely fogged over with steam so..... let's just say that I saw more than I bargained for that day before both of us screamed in shock, and I bolted out the door.

My face was burning, and I had slapped my hand over my mouth (reflex) and started fanning myself in a poor attempt to ebb the blush searing across my face. FAIL. I went into my room and waited until it was safe enough for me to use the shower. After I had finished and dressed in black jeans and my purple hoodie, I joined Detective Kim for breakfast.

"Good Morning," I said warmly, trying to ignore the wake-up call from earlier. He said nothing, and looked at me for a long time--almost glaring at me. I cracked.

"OK, I'm sorry I walked in on you, I didn't know you were even home; you've been gone forEVER!! I-I didn't even see anything! I swear!! It was too foggy anyway for me to get a good look," I blabbered. He raised a questioning eyebrow and I slapped my hands to my mouth, in complete shock and disbelief of what had just vomited out of my mouth.

"I didn't mean that," I finally answered, praying that he'd understand. "Really....I swear I didn't--"

"You have a letter," he said, cutting me off and handing me an envelope from the table. I looked at it curiously, and finally opened it. It was an acceptance letter; I was to start school on Monday and I was to get my uniform sometime before then. Ugh....great. Uniform.

"What is it?" he asked. I looked at it, shrugged, and answered "Just an acceptance letter to one of the schools you made me apply too." I wasn't ecstatic about it--I don't know anything about these schools, so my way of thinking was 'if they want you, just go for it.' I handed him the letter so he could read it, while I made myself some toast.

"I'll get your uniform for you, today," he told me, as I sat down and began eating. "I'm hoping to be done early anyway." I looked at him while munching on my breakfast, smiled and nodded in thanks. "Why aren't you at work, today?" I asked in between bites of toast.

"I asked for the day off," he replied. When I asked why, he answered "To spend time with you and show you around Seoul. You're living with me and we haven't actually spent time with one another to get to know each other." He smiled at me, which made me blush and look away and devour the rest of my toast.

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Monday morning came and I showered and dressed into my new school uniform (it was actually pretty cute), and Detective Kim drove me to school. I waved goodbye and turned to look at my surroundings and drink in my new school. There were girls sitting on the outside benches and talking, girls standing in their own little circles and talking, girls talking to some teachers...... wait..... there are girls EVERYWHERE.

I whipped my head around and actually did a mini circle in my place. More girls. No.... there has to be at least ONE guy here. I scanned the area....nope. ALL. GIRLS. THIS CANNOT BE!! I dug my cell phone out of my pocket, punched in Detective Kim's cell number, and waited for him to answer. He answered on the 3rd ring.

"Yes, Kimi?"

"WHAT KIND OF SCHOOL DID YOU SEND ME TO?!" I hollered. There was a pause.

"Sookmyung Girls' High School," he finally answered calmly. My insides shriveled and vaporized.

"YOU SENT ME TO AN ALL GIRLS SCHOOL?!" I'm going to KILL him!!

Forbidden (Chapter 7)

2009-07-12T20:30:00.004-04:00

Hey all! WHAT AN INTERESTING TURN OF EVENTS TO HAVE HAPPENED IN OUR LITTLE HEROINE'S LIFE!! Before we begin, I feel I must say that this chapter will be, in the beginning, a continuation of where chapter 6 left off, and then it goes off into ANOTHER twist! YAY TWISTS!! So enjoy chapter 7 my people!! Now, in this chapter, Kimi doesn't call Mr. Sexy "Mr. Sexy" anymore. She calls him Detective Kim. But then that changes too. He goes through 3 name changes with her. lol

Chapter 7

I sat on the bed next to Su-Jung, still confused and slightly scared, barely hearing the harsh words Hee-Jin shouted to her father. She had once again threatened to get up and leave, and had actually made a couple steps towards the door, when her father had grabbed her wrist and actually handcuffed her to the bed railing. (W.T.F.) As soon as he had done that, she turned her head slowly in his direction and stared at him with a mixture of hatred and disbelief. She grinned sadistically.

"Did you just handcuff me? HUH?!" she shrieked. Her twisted smile vanished and was replaced with a scowl as she glared at her father. He looked at her sadly, then walked out of the room while the rest of the girls shouted protests at him and we were left alone with Detective Kim. He didn't seem too happy that Detective Jang had just handcuffed his daughter, nor that he was now stuck here, technically babysitting a bunch of teenage girls. He took one look at us and was about to follow Detective Jang when one of the girls called out to him.

"How did you get here? Don't tell me he 'kidnapped' you too," she said in Korean. We all waited for him to answer, all of us holding our breath. I, for one, really wanted answers, cuz I've been doing some serious thinking since I got here. For one thing, the van disappeared 3 days ago... another, if the van disappeared only three days ago, how is it that Detective Jang (as well as some other officers--I'm positive Detective Kim and Jang are not alone) knew our whereabouts in the first place...and finally, who the hell are the Triad, and why the hell are there fucking Korean cops in Hong Kong in the first place?!

"The least you could do is explain everything to us," I spoke up in English, tired of waiting for Detective Kim's answer. I then continued in Korean, "How did you get here? Are there more of you? Why is Detective Jang in this shady place in the first place? How did he know Hee-Jin was even in Hong Kong--"

"I ran away from home, and joined the talent agency," said Hee-Jin, cutting off my string of questions. She looked at me and answered, "My mother and father divorced because he was always getting sued and we were getting sick of it. We couldn't take it anymore; we just wanted to live happily. So, after everything with my father was said and done, and he and my mother split, my mother took custody of me. However, we were very much in debt so my mother had to work night and day to try and cover it; she was never home, and I never got to see her. I wanted to help her so badly, because neither of us were sleeping through the night; we were both sick with worry. So, I joined EGM hoping that I'll be able to shoot a portfolio and make it big as a model so I can help my mother."

I nodded. "So he came looking for you, and after poking around a bit he figured out where you were," I said still speaking Korean (albeit, slowly), "makes sense." I looked at her and stated, "But that doesn't explain why he's in this--" I gestured around the small living quarters--"place."

"Apparently, when Lieutenant Cha came to investigate where Detective Jang disappeared to, she went to his hotel room and was ambushed," answered Detective Kim in his native tongue.

"Who's Lieutenant Cha?" asked Su-Jung.

"She is our supervisor at the H.I.T. office," he told her.

"What's H.I.T?" inquired Hee-Jin. "I've never heard of it before."

"You wouldn't," he said. We all sat quiet, slightly offended/taken aback by his...arrogance? Nah, more like assholeness. Then he continued by saying, "It's fairly new. Myself, Detective Shin, Detective Nam, Lieutenant Cha, Prosecutor Kim, and Detective Jang are all a part of it. When Detective Jang got word of his daughter's disappearance, he didn't show up at work for a couple of days..." He paused and moodily looked at the floor. I guess he and Detective Jang don't get along so well....

"When he did find out, all he did was leave a message on Lieutenant Cha's cell phone and we didn't hear from him since then, until Lieutenant Cha took it upon herself to figure out where he went. She didn't tell us where she was going, which is against our policy, and this is how this whole mess got started," he finished. We were all quiet.

"Well you just answered my question if there are more of you in Hong Kong," I said in English. He nodded and answered me in Korean (I guess so everybody could understand).

"The entire H.I.T. team is here," he said.

"But what does H.I.T. actually stand for--" started Su-Jung, but I cut her off.

"Wait, I have one more question!" I exclaimed in my language, making the others jump. I apologized to Su-Jung afterwards and said in Korean, "Who is the Triad and where is the rest of your team?"

"Prosecutor Kim went with the consulate to see a Mr. Charlie Park. Later, I went with the consulate to meet Detective Jang and possibly find Lieutenant Cha. It was there that we were followed and chased by 3 men, and that's how I ended up here. Detective Jang thinks that those men, who were chasing us, are Triad members and are involved in international kidnapping," said the Detective in Korean.

"So...they already knew Detective Jang was here?" asked one of the girls. "How did they find--"

"Does he have evidence to prove that they're involved in international kidnapping?!" cried Hee-Jin, now already shaking with anger. "Does he have proof?! IS KIDNAPPING US GOING TO GIVE HIM THE PROOF HE WANTS?!"

I stayed silent a sinking feeling in my chest. He might not have evidence of international kidnapping...but what about the drugs? Should I tell the Detective that I found some in some breast implants? And that two girls that are here might possibly have those exact same implants in their bodies? I bit my lip.

"He doesn't," said Detective Kim, looking at me. I looked back but quickly looked away...it was too hard not to blush. "He's just going on intuition; nothing is based on solid evidence," he continued.

We all sat quiet, absorbing all of this information. Detective Kim then looked at his watch, excused himself, and went to see Detective Jang outside. From my seat I examined the position of the shadows in the wall...it was getting close to sunset. None of the girls said anything. I think we were all just mentally exhausted from all the information Detective Kim just gave us. However, we were all pulled out of our daze when we heard yelling coming from outside, and it wasn't long before Detecitve Kim came back holding a brown paper bag. He ripped its contents out and in his hand was a gun. He stared at it in disbelief for a while before Detective Jang followed two steps behind him then punched him in the face, and he fell to the ground! (this is just a never-ending day of 'wtf' moments)

Detective Jang then took the gun, searched for something else near Detective Kim's feet then stood up and yelled at him, "If you don't want to help, then don't bug me!" Us girls who were cowering on the bed whimpered. Detective Kim stood up, glaring at the other cop and wiping blood from his mouth. (why does he always bleed?!)

"Are you crazy?!" he yelled. "A Korean cop shoots people in Hong Kong...do you know what that means?!"

Detective Jang then went on to say that as a cop he protects the victim, and as a father he has a right to protect his daughter. Then Hee-Jin had to put in her two cents and be all pms-y and yell at him, and then he said something about her being only a high school junior (so what? I am too...big whoop!) and she corrected him and told him she's a high school senior (WHAT?! NO WAY!).Then she went on to say how much he embarrassed her when his arrest was in the news, and how she envied kids who didn't have fathers. After that I didn't listen anymore; I didn't want to.

I couldn't help but feel anger towards her. Couldn't she see that she has a father who loves her? He flew all the way to Hong Kong for her!! And here she is yelling at him and telling him she hates him, and here I am, wanting so much to yell at her and tell her that at least she HAS a father who cares, unlike mine who's a non-stop abusive beast!! And at least her mother manages the household to some extent. Mine just sits on her ass all day and drinks till she passes out or throws up.

I wanted so badly to tell her these things, but I held my tongue. I didn't want to cause more drama, though angry tears threatened to fall from my eyes and I wiped them away hurriedly. Now is definitely not the time to cry. Though, Hee-Jin did when she finished her little emo speech, and Detective Jang stood stunned. He didn't say a word as he took out the key for the handcuffs out of his pocket but let his hand stay by his side. It was Detective Kim who took the key from him and un-cuffed her and she drew back her hand and went to a corner and turned her back on her father as he went outside. Detective Kim followed him.

Once they were gone, Hee-Jin turned to us. "Lift me up," she ordered.

"What are you doing?" asked the girls, all gathering around her, Su-Jung included. I stayed out of it...I didn't really want to mingle at the moment. I was too busy thinking about whether or not I should tell Detective Kim about the drugs and annoyance with Hee-Jin and her dysfunctional family issues. I watched the girls and Hee-Jin go to the opposite wall and saw her pry off some netting from a window and climb out. She said she was going to phone the people from the agency and didn't care whether or not her dad found out. God, she pisses me off!! I ran a hand through my hair, and a cold thought went through my mind sending shivers all down my body.

If Hee-Jin tells the guys where we are, they'll most likely come with guns...and guns make noise. Meaning that it will disturb the people around here and they'll call the police and we'll be taken downtown, we'll all be fingerprinted or whatever, the girls will be sent back to Korea and--although I have a Visa, Green Card, passport etc--I am still legally a minor and as of now, I have NO current residence in Korea. I might have to get sent back home. The words of Mi-Young's father rang in my head.

"Don't come here if you fail..."

Technically, I didn't fail but I suppose this counts as near close to failing. Or just completely passed 'failing' down to 'how the hell did I end up in this mess?' I'm thinking the second option. Either way, I can't go back to Mi-Young's place, and I will sooner than later drop DEAD before going back home. I clawed my fingers into my hair trying to think, but no bright idea came into my head. Fifteen minutes passed and Hee-Jin came back, much to the delight of the other girls. Unfortunately, her father and Detective Kim came in at that exact moment and Detective Jang was none too happy. Actually, he was more panicked than happy. Hee-jin explained everything when he asked her where she had been and he got even more panicked.

"We've got to get out of here," he told us and attempted to drag Hee-Jin out the door, but she stayed put and sat in a chair and told him that we're not going anywhere.

Tch. To hell with her, I'm out! I don't want any part of this anymore; I've had enough excitement in my lifetime, I'm done. Why can't I just be a normal kid, who just goes to school and has a loving family?

Because that would be waaay to boring! I thought. Hee-Jin and her father started arguing again, but this time, instead of it continuing back and forth, Detective Jang knelt in front of his daughter and actually begged her to follow his directions. We all sat, stunned at Detective Jang's actions as he begged his daughter (who started crying again). Then there was knock near the window sill and everybody stood shocked still, waiting.

"Are you sure, they're Triad?" asked Detective Kim. He looked scared and he was pale...well...paler than usual. As an answer, his fellow Detective took out whatever it was he was searching before when he punched Detective Kim in the face and handed it to him. He told him that they were keys to a boat out back and that he should take it and us to safety.

"Is anyone in there?" asked a voice outside and I recognized it to be Chen's. My mood quickly brighted, but was snuffed out when we heard gunshots. We screamed and coward behind the detectives, and Detective Kim ushered us out the door and onto the waiting boat. I sat next to Su-Jung and we clung to each other petrified. Detective Kim went to go get Hee-Jin who had stayed behind clinging to her father, but after a couple seconds he managed to drag her to the waiting boat and they both climbed in. We heard more gunshots and we screamed and clung to each other and ducked our heads as Detective Kim stared at the scene, waiting for Detective Jang to come on board.

He called his name in warning, but the other Detective refused to come on board, saying that whatever happens to him it is of the utmost importance that Detective Kim gets us back to Korea safely. More gunshots were fired but Detective Kim didn't move. It took a verbal assault from Detective Jang to actually make him move us out of the line of fire and into open waters. The rest of us didn't look back, except for Hee-Jin who was in hysterics, though we all found it very hard not to. Su-Jung was crying onto my shoulder and I hugged her, but said nothing as I looked behind me at Detective Kim. He looked like he was fighting back the urge to turn the boat around and help Detective Jang.

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It was nighttime now, and Detective Kim managed to book us all a room in a small hotel (*dirty thoughts*). Though I'm pretty sure none of us will be getting much sleep tonight, partially because of all the events that have happened and also because Hee-Jin was still crying...and everybody was still crying. In fact, the only people who weren't crying were me and Detective Kim. He wasn't crying because I think he needed to be a manly-man and not show weakness in times of immense peril and danger (or something), and I wasn't crying because I guess there's something wrong with me. I didn't feel the need to cry. Truthfully, I was getting a little sick of the water works... but I was also worried about Detective Jang and a whole lot of other things. Right now, those things pretty much outweighed the crying.

Detective Kim took time to try and comfort Hee-Jin who was sitting on a chair...but she kinda ruined it because she went back to being emo and started crying again. This time I couldn't blame her. She had every right to be emo now. I watched from my seat on the bed with the other girls, as Detective Kim stood up and slowly walked out. Instead of sitting with the others, like a good cry-pillow, I stood up and followed him out of the room, down the hall and out the hotel door. I thought he was leaving us, so I ran the last couple of steps but he was only standing near the entrance. He was brooding.

I watched as he paced slowly back and forth across the entryway, seeming to become more anguished with every step he took. He constantly shook his head back and forth and seemed to be fighting with himself. I steeled myself and stepped out from the shadows onto where he was standing. He seemed to have heard my footsteps because he turned sharply and looked at me and I stared in shock. He had tears in his eyes.

Now, I've never seen a grown man cry before, and I honestly never expected to. Like most people, I thought a grown man crying was an EXTREME sign of weakness, and mamby-pansy and junk.... but when I saw the tears in Detective Kim's eyes, and how in pain he looked, those feeling pretty much went out the window. Although he and Detective Jang have their differences, I could see now that he really cares for him, and right now he'd do anything to get him back safely.

"What are you doing out of the room?" he asked me in English. I blinked, realizing I was still staring at him and tucked some hair behind my ear, stalling for time.

"Um....I was...uh...." I stammered like an idiot and looked anywhere else but at him. I fixed my gaze at the nothingness in front of me and added timidly, "Do you think Detective Jang will be all right?" He didn't say anything. I glanced at him and asked another question, "Are you angry?" I don't know why I asked it, but he did seem angry.

"Yes," he told me, "But not about Detective Jang getting us into this mess. I'm more angry at myself."

"Why?"

He sighed and said,"I've always followed "The Book" when it comes to police work and not doing anything by intuition or instincts. It's what's made me keep my job and how I was also promoted through the ranks. I wanted to go by the book on this investigation, but now I don't think that will help us much here. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I want to be a little more like Detective Jang; I envy his character... when before I used to look down upon it. I don't know how to explain it..."

"What rank are you anyway?" I asked, raising a questionable eyebrow.

"Lieutenant," he answered quickly. I thought about this for a second before asking again.

"Why are you on the H.I.T. team when there's already Lieutenant Cha?" He looked at me, then up at the night sky and gave another exasperated sigh, his breath crystallizing in the frigid air. I totally forgot it was winter and I just realized that I'm only wearing socks, jeans, a turtleneck, and a white zip-up sweater. I. am. freezing.

"That's not important right now," he told me, as I stood beside him with my arms wrapped around myself, shivering. Yup...I'm an idiot. "What's important now is that I get you girls back to Korea safely...and I get Detective Jang back from the Triad." He looked at his watch. "It's getting late," he said, looking at me, "you should get some rest. You've had a long day." I nodded and was about to go back inside when I felt weight around my shoulders. I looked down at myself and found Detective Kim's black leather jacket around my body. I stared at him.

"Go inside before you catch a cold," he ordered me.

"Aren't you coming inside?" I asked.

"I'll be in shortly. You just go inside and get some sleep."

I nodded, said a timid "thank you" for the jacket, and went inside, but not before stealing a glance at how his grey turtleneck fit him perfectly!! (omg....did I mention TEH HOTNESS?!!) When I got back into the room, to my surprise, all the girls including Hee-Jin had managed to cram themselves onto the one and only bed in the corner (which was fairly big) and were all sleeping. There was no pull-out bed, but there were a couple of long couches and I immediately lay in one and went straight to sleep, breathing in the scent of Detective Kim's cologne that had lingered on his jacket.

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I woke up the next morning with quite a stiff neck, not being very well rested. I sat up and saw that I still had Detective Kim's jacket, which I had used as a blanket. I blinked groggily at it, as I ran a hand through my hair, and found out that it was filled with knots and tangles, so I came to the conclusion that I must look like crap. Oh joy...

I looked around the room and saw that the girls were still sleeping but Detective Kim was nowhere in sight. At first I thought he was just going to the bathroom or something, but then my mind got the better of me, and I thought that he had actually left us last night to go and get Detective Jang by himself. With that completely possible (and technically rational...I mean, he's a guy, guys do that...) thought in my head, I shot out of my makeshift bed, still holding on to that leather jacket, and ripped open the door....only to find Detective Kim staring at me surprised.

"Good Morning," he said. I could smell the mint of his toothpaste, as his breath washed over me. I waved, not wanting to open my mouth because I had stinky morning breath. I looked down and saw that I was still holding his jacket, and thrust it to him. He smiled and took it as I pulled a Siwon and thanked him for it with elaborate hand gestures and such. In return, he handed me a toothbrush in a little plastic package, and some toothpaste and told me the directions to the bathroom. I nodded then went straight to cleanse my mouth of the stinky germs.

When I arrived back in the room all the girls were awake, and Detective Kim was nowhere in sight...again. Instead of obeying the annoying voice inside my head to go and find him, I decided to sit with the girls and wait for him to come back. Hopefully he brought food cuz I was starving. Unfortunately, he didn't because when he came back, he told us to get ready quickly because the Hong Kong police were coming. He had told them everything that had happened, and they were coming to get us and take us to the Korean Consulate (but I'm hungry!! I want food!!)

The rest of the girls freshened up, while I waited outside the room, since I was already dressed, with Detective Kim. I didn't speak to him, nor did he speak to me...which I was quite fine with seeing as how I was too hungry to talk. I think the last thing I ate was a bag of chips....yesterday. (soo hungry!!) Half an hour later, we were ushered outside to an awaiting police van and car. Detective Kim beckoned us towards the van and told us to sit and we would be taken to the consulate. I sat in between Su-Jung and Hee-Jin. I stretched my already stiff neck (bad idea) but I didn't see where Detective Kim walked off to. Sooner than I realized, we were off to the Consulate, where we were told we will be questioned later and we were brought to another nearby hotel. There we finally ate and around 2 in the afternoon, we were finally questioned by the Hong Kong police.

One by one the girls were asked their current residence and citizenship, and I grew even more nervous as they came closer to me; but I had no choice but to answer.

"My name is Kimimela Holmes, I am 17 years old, I am originally from Toronto, Canada, I am a Canadian citizen, though I do have a Visa and passport," I told them. Obviously, this shocked almost everyone but right now, I didn't really care. They then asked me what I was doing in Hong Kong and I told them that I came here for a job with EGM working as a stagehand. They kept asking me a string of questions, and when they finally got to the reason why I was part of the kidnapping...that was when I hesitated. Hee-Jin had already explained about the implants...but she didn't know about the drugs...I guess I would have to explain then. So I did. Not to my surprise, everyone was stunned.

The police asked me if I knew which of the girls who had implants, and I said no. They asked the other girls if they had implants and they said no, but I saw a couple of them shift uncomfortably in their seats. They were lying. After a few more hours of non-stop questioning, we were returned back to the hotel, where we waited until nightfall. We hadn't seen Detective Kim since this morning, and I was kind of worried about what has happened to him along with Detective Jang. It was about 11:30 at night when Mr. Sung Dong-Joon--the head of the Korean Consul--came and asked for Hee-Jin. She practically flew to him.

I didn't know what time Hee-Jin came back because by the time I went to sleep, it was 2 in the morning, and when I was lightly shaken awake by one of the Hong Kong police at 7am the next morning, Hee-Jin was already asleep in one of the pull-out couch beds. The police man told me to get up and get ready and to meet him outside; there were several people who wanted to speak to me. I nodded, still half-asleep, but followed his orders nonetheless, and by the time I was fully awake, I was shaking with nerves.

I was led to a room where Detective Kim, a woman whom I assumed was Lieutenant Cha (she had short hair and was wearing a track suit), and a man I assumed was either one of the other two male Detectives that Dectective Kim talked about. Though he didn't quite look like a detective. He wore a beige trench coat, and dark-wash jeans. The room they were sitting in was an interrogation room...and I was the one that was going to be interrogated. The police man opened the door for me and I went and sat in the sole chair behind the only desk and waited.

"Is your name Kimimela Holmes?" asked Lieutenant Cha in Korean. I jumped...I wasn't expecting that. I was still a little groggy.

"Yes," I answered also in Korean.

"Are you a citizen of Canada?" asked Detective Kim in English.

"Yes."

"Do you have a Visa and passport?" asked the other guy also in English.

"Yes."

"Where are they?" said Lieutenant Cha. I thought for a moment...and then my heart sank into my stomach.

"I left them in a drawer of the hotel I was staying at before I was brought here," I answered. They all sighed and bowed their heads at my stupidness. Why am I such an idiot? Detective Kim looked at me and asked, "Do you have family in Korea?"

"No. My family is in Canada, but I will kill myself if you send me back there," I answered menacingly, looking him dead in the eye. I was prepared for this question; no way was I going back home. "Please don't send me back home, I can get by on my own once we're back in Korea. I've done it before; I have money, I can get a job, get an apartment--"

"What about school? You're just going to quit school?" asked Detective Kim. I hesitated. Lieutenant Cha asked me what grade I was and I said I was a junior in high school. They all looked at each other, then excused themselves and went outside, but not before telling me that I will have to tell them the name of the hotel and the room number where I stayed so they can search for my passport, Visa, and--I just realized--my wallet. It felt like forever, but they came back and spoke to me again. Well, Detective Kim was the only one who came inside.

"When is your birthday?" he asked me.

"I'll be turning 18 next month," I answered. He nodded. "My colleagues and I have talked it over and we feel that you going back to Canada is the best--"

"No! I'm not going back there!!"

"Why not?!"

"Would you want to go back to a broken home with your abusive father and drunk mother who do nothing but beat you and drink until they pass out while you clean up their vomit all over the carpet?!" I shrieked, my voice choking inside my throat. I stared at him through eyes that were gleaming with tears. I brought my knees up to my chest and buried my face in my arms and just cried. Detective Kim was silent for a long time. When he finally spoke he told me a suggestion rather than a question.

"We could send you to a foster home--"

"I'm not going to a foster home either! I wouldn't be Kimi there, I'd be just another kid with problems, living with other kids with problems who talk about nothing but their own problems all day!!" I shouted, my voice muffled slightly. I looked up at him with my tear-stained face and added, "I don't want to be another kid with problems. I just want a normal life; that's why I came to Korea in the first place. I don't want to be put in a foster home, I sure as hell don't want to go back to Canada.....I just want a life. A normal one." Detective Kim stared at me for a long time, then nodded and excused himself and went back outside, while I went back into my little ball.

It felt like another 3 or 4 hours before Detective Kim came back. I was still in my little ball of securedness nodding off to sleep, when I felt his hand on my shoulder and I looked up. He sat down in front of me with his hands folded on the table and looked me in the eyes. Somehow the air felt ominous, and I waited with bated breath.

"I talked it over with the consulate as well as my colleagues," he said. "Lieutenant Cha is too busy with her own work--she only sees the suspect and not everyone around her--so she's definitely out, Prosecutor Kim is too busy worrying about Lieutenant Cha, Detective Shin is as corrupt as a crook, Detective Jang has his own issues to sort out at the moment, and Detective Nam is an idiot."

I stared. "That's a pretty harsh thing to say about your fellow workers....especially Detective Nam. Wasn't he just here?" I asked.

"That was Prosecutor Kim, but that's not the point," he told me.

"Then what is the point, Ajusshi?" I asked, giving the Korean term for "mister." He gave me a look that said 'don't be a smart-ass, I'm doing you a favor.'

"You don't want to live in a foster home, and you don't want to go back to Canada," he said. I nodded. "My colleagues and I feel that you do still need to have proper guardianship, and an education...both would be in your best interest." And? I already knew that. I waited for him to continue. "So...I talked with my colleagues....and we've agreed that you will come and live with me."

I stared at him for a long time before finally speaking.

"......What?" I said. I was going to live with the epitome of sexiness? Holy shit....

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I left Hong Kong with the other girls and the Korean detectives in the afternoon. The Hong Kong police had retrieved my bag and passport and Visa, so I had no problem boarding. Detective Kim told me to keep my living quarters a secret to the other girls, which I had no problem doing because, really....I had a hard time believing it myself.

When we finally landed on Korean soil, Hee-Jin and the other girls were sent home, while the other detectives went to the Police Agency. Detective Kim--my new guardian--would meet them shortly after he had taken me to his house. As he drove home, neither of us said a word. I'm guessing because we were both trying to mentally get used to our new company. He lived in an apartment on the 6th floor of a building which I thought looked pretty damn awesome considering where I've been living.

He opened the door and allowed me to step inside. I looked around in awe...it was a pretty spacious apartment and had all the essentials a house needs and then some. It looked pretty sweet! He led me to my room (apparently he had a second room) and placed my bags on the floor and gave me a tour of the house. I stand corrected....his apartment is AWESOME! When the tour was concluded, he led me back to the living room/kitchen.

"I have to get back to the agency, but this is pretty much it," he said. "Tomorrow morning come by the agency at 9 with the other girls. We'll figure out where to send you to school later, but for now just get some rest." I nodded as he put on his shoes and headed for the door but he stopped and turned to me.

"I hope you enjoy your stay....and...uh...welcome to your new home?" he said, awkwardly (and rather cheesily). I nodded and put on a smile and waved goodbye. When he closed the door, I lay down on the couch in front of the big screen tv (holy crap~!!) and stared up at the ceiling....a giant grin unconsciously spreading over my face.

I am living with Mr. Sexy.....holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!!! :DDD *big grin of doom!!*

Forbidden (Chapter 6)

2009-06-26T22:57:00.007-04:00

Yaaay! Thanks so much for the comments guys!! Truthfully, I HATED! that chapter while writing the middle part, but I grew to like it towards the end. Now...in THIS chapter, Kimi OFFICIALLY meets Mr. Sexy!!! (as well as the other ones....but they're not that important) YAAAY!!! *dance* and then after that the story can REALLY begin!! >:3

Chapter 6

It had been a couple of days since the outdoor photo shoot, and the disappearance of the van full of girls. Two days had gone by. No van; no girls. I was starting to get really worried. Where the hell could they have gone? What the hell could have happened to them? WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?! I tried to go on with my work as usual, (or rather...as Ken ordered me too) but I couldn't shake off the never ending growth of worry and anxiety.

Ever since the van had vanished, Chen and his guys had been gone the past two days searching for them, meaning I hadn't seen him at all since....meaning I was getting a little depressed. -sad face- I mean, sure, I barely knew Chen, but it's not a crime to miss him is it? Even a little bit? I knew he was doing his best to try and find the others, but seriously, it wouldn't kill him to come and check on the others (*cough-mainly me-cough*) to see if they hadn't vanished either. I mean....he does work here too.

To try and keep my mind off of the situation, I threw myself more into my work, having decided that keeping busy would make me worry less. That worked up until a certain point, and then I found myself working while worrying at the same time and I ended up making mistakes. One day, I almost knocked down a lamp and had I not caught it in the nick of time, it would have seriously injured one of the models. That got me in big trouble, because I got a huge lecture from Ken and he made me feel awful and just plain *blah* so I decided to try and not act worried while on the job. (Easier said than done.)

It was now nearing the third day of the incident, and still. no. van. I was taking a break sitting in one of the chairs far from the stage, having been on my feet for most of the day and contently munching on some chips I had brought with me from the hotel. I was watching the others getting photos taken when all of a sudden, Chen burst in through the doors and rushed to Ken to whisper something in his ear. I assumed it was about the missing girls and/or the van (hopefully both) because I saw Ken look alarmed. Then his expression changed into 3 other ones at once so I couldn't tell what he was thinking. He nodded and whispered something else to Chen and he inclined his head once and left as abruptly as he came.

Curiosity boiled inside of me, but I knew better than to go ahead and ask up front. So, even though it pained me to do it....I sat quietly and continued to eat my snack...until I was summoned by some of the other girls to give advice on how their hair and make-up looked. Not that I minded that sort of thing, but seriously....they're models! They're make-up will obviously look flawless!! I sighed, and went towards them all clustered in a corner of the studio and they started chattering away at me while I told them my opinion (almost all consisting of "it's nice," "you look great!" and "your hair is fine, really.").

After that, I busied myself with work and didn't really have time to do anything else. It was nearing 12 in the afternoon and even though I had just eaten some chips...I WAS STARVING! Chips can only last so long. Ken told us to pack up for the day and go home (more like our hotels) to relax and enjoy the day and weather. The way he said it though made me look at a him weirdly. His tone was on the brink of anxious and sadistically amused at the same time. I quirked an eyebrow as he turned his back to me and began to gather his things.

I puffed strands of hair out of my eyes (I love my new hairstyle! omg!) and went to my little corner and gathered my own belongings. I slung my purse over my shoulder and turned to head out the door, but was greeted by the sight of several girls calling my name and waving me over to them and smiling. I huffed and marched towards them, not really in the mood to do anything with a group of people; all I really wanted to do was go back to my hotel room, take a long, hot shower and relax and try to calm myself from the disturbing situation of the missing van and my friends. Plus, I really had to use the restroom and I didn't want to stand around talking when my bladder felt like it was going to explode.

Nonetheless, I hitched a smile on my face and managed quite the friendly "hello" and "what's up" at them--all the while thinking, Get the fuck outta my way, I gotta pee!!!

"We were wondering if you'd like to come and have lunch with us and hang out," said one of them. She wore a dark brown, tight knitted sweater, a white vest and mini skirt with a small golden chain belt around her waist, nude colored stockings, and white high-heeled boots. Her hair was in a bun and small wisps of it were framing her face and light make-up decorated her features.

When she had said her piece the other girls behind her started chittering away and asked me to join them. I smiled apologetically and answered, "Thank you for the offer guys, and I'd really like to but....I'm just really tired today, and I kinda just want to go back to my hotel room." I didn't tell them I was still majorly worried (and I needed to pee!!) because I'm pretty sure that one of the girls I almost caused to have a concussion was in the pack...and I sort of didn't want to start a fight with her or something.

"Aww, come on. Please? It'll be fun. Please join us?" they pleaded. I smiled again and politely refused. They started up once more, but I held up my hands and this time firmly told them no, and that I was really, really tired and I really, really, didn't want to do much of anything. They eventually accepted that (though with lots of pouting and puppy dog eyes) and allowed me to go on my way. I apologized again and told them that maybe next time if I wasn't so tired we could hang out. They offered up tomorrow, and I accepted.

"We're holding you to that promise," said another one of the girls, smirking. I grinned and waved goodbye as I practically ran out the studio, finally able to look for the bathroom. I speed-walked through the hallway, past some doors, finally found the restrooms and shoved the Women's door open. SWEET RELIEF!!! After I finished my business, I washed my hands and fixed up my hair (I'm obsessed with it!) and headed out. I went back the way I came, only this time a bit more slowly and observed my surroundings.

I walked a little ways and found a door slightly ajar. I stopped in front of it and stared at it, trying to get a glimpse of what was inside without looking nosy. I moved my head to the left and right and squinted, trying to get a good view. I failed.

"Screw it," I muttered and went to peer inside. I opened the door a little wider and had to stifle a gasp. There was all this medical equipment; from a surgery table and scalpers to small towels for soaking up blood. Basically it looked like a hospital's O.R. I stepped inside--curiosity exploding in my brain--and looked around the room.

Why would they need all this stuff?

I poked around the room and saw that the surgeon's table hadn't been used recently, but there were some towels stained with blood around the floor. I gingerly kicked those aside and explored a bit more, every step I took sending shivers of wonder--and more surprisingly fear--down my spine. I walked over to the surgeon's table, just to take a peek, and saw that there was a small square-like tin bowl in the center. I scrutinized it for a second, then peeked at what was in it.

I peered inside the bowl and found a pair of Silicon breast implants.

Breast implants? Why would they...? That's when I saw them...I actually had to do a double-take, but they were there. Inside each implant there were two small packets in plastic bags. Drugs. They looked like crack...but they were more of a crystalline-type substance. Each one just sitting in there. I suddenly remembered what Chen whispered to Ken on the day the second van disappeared.

"5 and 2..."

Five girls must have disappeared....and two must have had breast implants. The same ones that I was looking at right now with small drug packets inside. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach...like I was going to vomit. I hurriedly took a few steps back from the surgeon's table and leaned up against the opposite wall, trying to calm myself. I was suddenly very afraid....and disgusted. I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths, trying to shake my sick feeling. Who exactly are these people that I'm working for?

"HEY!"

I shot my eyes open and looked at the entrance to see some guys in black suits standing in the doorway, looking more than a little pissed off that I was in here.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING IN HERE?!" The guy in the middle yelled at me, and he and the others started coming towards me, the intent in their eyes one of malice.

I was consumed by terror, and I instinctively started to back away until they were far enough away from the door so that I could make a clean get away, and I bolted out of there, my sneakers making little squeaking noises down the hall. (Looks like I won't be meeting the girls tomorrow). One guy tried to grab my purse, but I slipped my arm through the straps, leaving him holding it and continued to run. I didn't care about my purse; my cell phone was in my pocket anyway and I had left my wallet in a drawer in my hotel room. (Good thing I left it there today, cuz I was cursing myself before)

I ran out the studio and into the busy streets of Hong Kong, for once grateful that it was always wicked crowded. I ran into the busy streets filled with people, pushing and shoving them out of the way. I weaved in and out of street vendors and carts but I could still hear my pursuers following me and yelling at me to come back and not to run.

Yeah, right! Fuck that...

I jumped over a--rather small--fallen street cart, nearly tripped over a little boy(much to the dismay of his mother), and pushed myself to run even faster, frantically searching for any place where I could hide behind. My legs and chest burned and I was gasping for air, but I dared not rest, even though it felt as if my whole body was on fire. (I really need to do some more exercise) I looked to my right, and finally found a street vendor with a display that I hid behind, careful to conceal most of my body. I peered around the little stand, and quickly ducked behind as the guys ran past my hiding spot.

"Oh crap...oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap," I muttered. I looked up and saw a man staring down at me, obviously wondering what the hell I was doing hiding behind this display. He was wearing a grey hat, though I could see some of his grey hair, khaki pants, sneakers, and a grey and white buttoned-down striped shirt. Attempting to bring humor into my scary situation (I must be out of my damn mind!) I put on a nervous smile and waved. He just stared. (Yay for looking like a psychopath!) That's when my cell phone rang and I dug it out of my pocket and checked the caller-ID. It was one of the girls who tried to get me to hang out with them today. I figured, maybe they could help me so I answered.

"Yobuseyo?"

"I just called to make sure you were all right, and if you need anything," she said. "I'm sorry we tried to make you come with us, even though you were so tired..."

"Anniyo...it's fine. Um..listen...I actually need your help--" but I couldn't tell her anymore, because the guys who were chasing me came running back and I had to shut my phone. I took out the battery out just in case she called back and I really didn't want to blow my cover.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit...." I muttered in Korean. "Watch your mouth," said the guy beside me...also in Korean. I looked up in surprise. Wasting no time, he looked to where my pursuers were headed, then kneeled beside me and took out his wallet and police badge. A police man?! All right! I'm saved!!

"My name is Detective Jang of the National Police Agency in Korea. You are being chased by the Triad who are involved in International kidnapping. If you listen to me, I can help you escape them," he said staring directly into my eyes. I looked at him for about a half of a second and agreed to let him help me, and the next thing I knew he grabbed my arm in a surprisingly firm grip and we were off running again this time being chased.

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I don't know how long we ran for, or where the hell we ended up, but I knew a couple miles and some weaving in and out of places later, we lost our chasers and I ended up on a little boat headed somewhere near the docks of Hong Kong. Detective Jang didn't ask me any questions, just sat quietly beside me as I sat, stone-faced and terrified. We stepped off the boat and Detective Jang paid the man, and he led me to a small little.....thing. It was like a small makeshift apartment type thing. Except the front door was like...the doors of a jail cell. He unlocked the door (it was padlocked! wtf?!) and led me inside...where I was splashed with a bucket of cold water from somewhere above me.

"OH WHAT THE FUCK?!" I screeched and looked up to see Hee-Jin, towering over me, the empty bucket in her hand. She and I stared at each other, stunned. She was standing on top of a rather large bed where four other girls sat, staring at me as I stared at them.

"Su-Jung?!" I exclaimed as I saw my friend. She shrieked and hopped off the bed towards me and gave me a hug, and started to weep. I looked at Detective Jang who was sitting in a chair beside the bed, next to a small closet on his cell phone. I took a better look around the room, and it was like a rather musty looking hotel room. (Who knew?) I stared at the other girls, none of whom were saying anything.

"What's going on?!" I asked. "You all were here the whole time?! What happened?!" Hee-Jin was the one who spoke up...and she looked pissed. "He took us!" she shouted at Detective Jang and pointed and accusing finger at him. "He took us from the parking lot, claiming that he's protecting us from kidnappers!! They didn't kidnap us; we chose to come here!! What? Now you think you can come back into my life and act like my protector?! I can't believe you would do this, Appa--interfere in my life when you haven't even been there for MOST OF IT!"

"A-Appa?" I stuttered looking from Hee-Jin to Detective Jang (Su-Jung was still weeping over my shoulder). "He's your dad?!"

"Ye! My stupid, alcoholic, father who's been sued multiple times and jailed and left me and my mother neck deep in debt!!" she shrieked, completely livid. One of the girls spoke up, finally, and said to me, "Sorry she splashed you with the water. That was supposed to be for her dad. We didn't know he would take you too."

"But I wasn't--he didn't--I was being chased!" I stuttered. Su-Jung finally released her hold on me and wiped her eyes. "What?!" she said. "I was!" I said, "By these guys that worked at the agency--"

"Bullshit!" cried Hee-Jin. "You worked there and why would they chase you!? He probably told you some cock and bull story to get you to come with him!!" She glared at her father who , by now, had shut his cell phone and had put his hat back on.

"Where are you going? Let us out of here!" shouted Hee-Jin. Her father ignored her, but I could see that it pained him to have her here like this. "I called the consulate, I am to meet with the representative, Sung Dong-Joon and Detective Kim at 3:30. I'll be back," he said. I looked at my watch...it was about 2:45, but I didn't know how long it took us to get here. He took one look last look at us, and left, securely padlocking us in.

"YA! WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?! LET US OUT!!" shrieked Hee-Jin as her father left. She stood on top of the bed for a moment, her feelings of anger so intense, I swear I could actually see it ooze out of her. Then she threw the bucket on the floor, growled, and sat down glaring at the floor. None of us said a word. I felt a mixture of emotions and I didn't trust myself to speak just yet, so I stayed quiet, but after a while, I started talking to the girls who were all as scared and confused as I was.

We waited for about an hour or two, when Detective Jang finally came back and this time got splashed with a fresh bucket of cold water.

"Lets us out," Hee-Jin demanded again. He ignored her and went to get a towel and wiped his face and another man followed close behind him, looking slightly displeased. My eyes widened and I gasped and my heart went a million miles per second.

"MR. SEXY?!!" I shrieked in surprise in English. He looked at me. He was wearing a close-fitted grey turtleneck, black slacks, shoes, and a leather jacket (OMG, TEH HOTNESS!). His hair, was once again sculpted marvelously with gel, but his turtleneck was slightly damp from sweat around the neck area, and I assumed he and Detective Jang had been chased as well. Mr. Sexy eyed me for a minute (I blushed....red) as if he didn't quite hear what I had just blurted out.

"What did you just call me?" he asked me....in English!

"Oh shit..." was my answer, and I quickly slapped my hand to my mouth and turned away.

"This is Detective Kim Il-Ju. He's now part of this little...operation," said Detective Jang. Oh great...Mr. Sexy is now Detective Kim Il-Ju and he speaks English!!! AND I JUST EMBARRASSED MYSELF IN FRONT OF HIM!!! FML!!!

Forbidden (Chapter 5)

2009-06-12T08:00:00.012-04:00

Thank you my lovely commenters!! I am very glad you are liking the story!! NOW LET'S GET TO THE GOOD PART SHALL WE?! (though....the REALLY good part(s) come laaaterrr.....)

ps- because of the Goddamn Macs at my school, some of this chapter had to be rewritten from my memory....which is really bad, so i ended up rewriting the entire scene with Mi-Young and Kimi at the airport. -dies- all i have to say is....FUCK YOU MACS!! -sticks up middle fingers-

pps- In episode....i think 6 of H.I.T. the three guys who pick up Kimi, are really in the drama, they just don't have names....so, i'mma make them up. but i don't feel like making up names for all 3 of them, so i'm just gonna make up a name for one of them. cuz i'm a lazy ass like that.

ppps- this chapter was a BITCH to write, so I apologize if it gets boring at some points. On most of it my brain was, like running on empty, so I just typed whatever came into my head so I'm sorry if I put you to sleep. ^^;;

Chapter 5

I had been meeting Mr. Park and Su-Jung frequently to discuss more about the job and Hong Kong in general. During the time we took to prepare everything we needed, I noticed Mi-Young's family had been treating me somewhat different. No...I shouldn't say that; they had been treating me with the same love and respect as they had when I'd first shown up on their doorstep with my many bags and saying in broken Korean, "Thank you for inviting me into your home!" but I couldn't help but notice that the air between her family and I had changed.

For one thing, whenever they spoke to me it wasn't in the same way they had been talking to me before I had told them what was going on. It seemed like they were now treading on eggshells and always choosing their words carefully around me. Another would be the fact that they don't question my whereabouts anymore as they did before. Like this one time I planned to go meet with Su-Jung and Mr. Park in one of our many meetings about Hong Kong, and I had stayed out a little past curfew (about 15 minutes). I walked inside, apologizing for my tardiness and was expecting an "OMG, WHERE WERE YOU! WE WERE SO WORRIED!!" but what I got was an "At least you're home," from Mi-Young's father and an added, "Safely" from her mother.

So, yeah. I was feeling pretty down and ostracized. Just a little bit. (Note the sarcasm.) In order for me to not think about how differently I was treated now, I kept telling myself that the reason for their actions was because they were mentally preparing themselves for when I left them permanently for Hong Kong. At least....I hope they were....

Finally--after weeks and weeks of planning and preparing--the day came when I had to leave South Korea for Hong Kong. Mr. Park had gotten me a plane ticket for 10am Tuesday morning. Mi-Young had persuaded her parents to let her go to school late so she would be able to say good-bye and wish me luck, as her parents were willing to drive me to the airport. I was flying alone (again) and once I reached the Hong Kong International airport, I was to meet three representatives from the agency who would take me to the studio. There, I would meet Mr. Park, informing me on what to do and where I will be able to find a place to stay for the duration of my employment.

I have to say, driving with Mi-Young's family to the airport was very.....awkward. For one thing, her father didn't even say two words to me, and her mother attempted to try and make conversation with me, but it always failed one way or another. She would ask me questions that can be answered with one word and then we wouldn't speak for another 10 or 15 minutes. Mi-Young wasn't any well off either. She was very quiet on the car-ride and just stared out the window and didn't look at me. Well that just made me feel even more like a big pile of dog shit for my actions!! So, to pass the remainder of the very awkward car-ride, I dug out my iPod from my carry-on bag, stuck the earbuds in my ear, and pressed play. But even the sounds of my newly downloaded Super Junior mp3s did not make the empty feeling in my chest go away. (Damn you Super Junior! You're supposed to make everything better!! -uber sad face!-)

We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare, so I checked in my bag and went through the standard airport procedure (really annoying) and then hung out at my gate for a bit with Mi-Young and her family. They were still really quiet. So quiet, I couldn't stand it, so I told them I was going to go for a walk around the airport. It was, like, 9 so I had boatloads of time to kill....even if it was only an hour. I seriously wasn't expecting company, but Mi-Young decided to walk with me, and although I was hesitant at first because she seemed to be taking my leaving the hardest, I eventually let her keep me company.

We walked around and got some Airport!Starbucks (because every airport has a Starbucks) and then to a small Airport!convenience store and bought some gum. (What else is there to buy at an airport?) We walked around for a while, neither of us saying anything. I didn't say anything because I didn't know what to say, and I'm guessing Mi-Young didn't say anything because she was still pretty hurt by my leaving....and my lying to her. (Well, that makes me feel even more like dog shit!)

We walked around for another 10 minutes not saying anything to each other. We were about to turn around and go back to the gate when Mi-Young finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you," she said, not looking at me. I stopped sipping my Frappuccino, and stared at her for a long time. When she still refused to look at me, I opened my mouth to say something, but she suddenly cut me off.

"I'm also sorry about what my father said to you. If it were my decision, I would without question welcome you back home if things didn't work out for you in Hong Kong! You know I would!" she then looked up at me, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. I watched her, not knowing what to say. Then she started to cry, bringing me out of my momentary stupor, and I pulled her into a tight hug.

"Don't worry! It's not your fault, don't beat yourself up over it. And--God forbid--if I do fail, I know--had it been your decision--you would totally let me come back," I said as I hugged her. She cried even harder after I said that, which made me feel really awkward because I thought I was trying to make her feel better. Turns out my words had zero effect, though I continued to do everything in my power to try and make her feel better. I promised I would send her emails everyday, and call and let her know how I would be doing so she wouldn't have to worry too much about me. I released her and wiped tears from her eyes.

"Don't cry, I'll be fine. I promise," I told her, smiling, "I promise." I dug inside my pocket and handed some napkins to her so she could wipe her face, and she blew her nose. I made a joke about the sound her nose makes, and that made her laugh. God, it was good to see her perfect smile again!! Then out of nowhere she pulled me into a big hug!

"I'm going to miss you soo much!" she wailed. She hugged me tighter, as I awkwardly patted her back. I would have embraced her too....but she was sort of crushing me.

"Mi-Young...." I choked, "...you're crushing my lungs."

She immediately let go and I smiled at her. "I'll be all right," I repeated, "I swear."

"You'd better be. If not, I'll come get you and drag you back here," she threatened, grinning. I laughed and checked my watch; it was about 9:30 so we decided to head back to my gate, though we thought it would be fun to skip the rest of the way. That is...until airport security stopped us and told us to walk.

We made it back to the gate just as my plane was boarding. I gathered my carry-on bag and looked at my best friend and her family, and thanked them for everything they had done for me until now. I hugged Mi-Young's mother and father and told them that I would be safe and I will do my best with everything. I hugged my friend one last time and was surprised when she wiped tears from my eyes.

"Don't cry," she said, though I could already see tears welling up in her eyes again and her nose started to turn red. "I have absolute faith in you. Fighting!"

"Fighting!" I said and we hugged again. When the last boarding call came, I showed my ticket to the lady at the desk where she validated it. As I went through the tunnel I took one last look back at them all and waved.

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I arrived in Hong Kong, a really long 5 hours later, feeling extremely tired, groggy, and just *dead*. I descended the plane, went to the bathroom to wash my face and freshen up to the best of my ability, then proceeded to gather my belongings from customs. Once that was all cleared out of the way, I checked my passport and was about to sit down and rest for a while, when I saw 3 guys holding up a sign with my name on it. I raised a questionable eyebrow, but I went up to them anyway....ever so cautiously. They all looked like they were in their early 20's-ish; one was bald, the other had a buzz cut, and one was really cute with wavy hair cut neatly so it rested on his neck, and a very fine looking face. The all wore black suits....

"Um...excuse me," I said, timidly. They looked at me, then the cute one said in English, "Are you Kimi Holmes?" I nodded. He smiled, making my stomach perform loop-de-loops, and introduced himself and his colleagues to me and we bowed respectfully in greeting.

"Our employer, Mr. Park sent us. We are to bring you back to the studio where you can begin your work, and there you will be able to chat with him about housing accommodations," he continued and smiled again. He was no Mr. Sexy (God, that man's hot!) but he was cute so I smiled back and said thanks. They helped me with my bags, and I followed them out to their Studio Van, as they called it. I was expecting it to be shiny and black, but it was gray and boring. I climbed in and sat between the bald guy and the guy with the buzz cut (I forgot their names). The cute one, Chen, was driving.

We drove around the city, Chen occasionally making small talk with me, and I answered trying not to sound nervous. The other two just sat on either side of me, staring out the window and not saying anything at all and that kinda made me nervous anyway, so....either way, I still tried to sound like myself while Chen spoke to me.

We drove for about and hour and a half or so, when we finally made it to the studio, someplace near the docks; I heard steamboats and foghorns everywhere....and it smelled strongly of fish. Chen parked the car in the parking lot and they led me to the studio, already buzzing with the flashing of cameras and really bright, blinding, umbrella lights, and stage settings and whatnot. I looked around at the girls getting their pictures taken. They all wore expensive looking clothes and their hair was all done elaborately and they had makeup on, and they just looked AMAZING!

I supressed a sigh, and looked down at my jeans, sneakers, dark purple hoodie, and my bag. Glad I was working in the background, where no camera would ever capture me. I looked up and couldn't help but admire the girls....and also feel a tad bit jealous. Or maybe that was just the jetlag talking. Anyway, as the girls posed and the photographer shot, Chen and the other two guys told me to wait in the studio while they went to get Mr. Park. I nodded and continued my observing of the models and my surroundings, trying to take everything in. While in the middle of shooting one of the models, a girl came up to me and I recognized her as Su-Jung. When we saw each other we hugged and started talking.

"What are you doing in Hong Kong? I thought you were still in Korea," I said in Korean, glad to see a face I recognized.

"Oh no, I came back to shoot more of my portfolio! My plane left a few days before yours," she answered. "But hey, you made it! You're going to love working here, everyone's so nice. Come! I'll introduce you!" She took my arm and led me to a corner of the studio where a whole bunch of girls were clustered, either hanging out or waiting for their turn to be photographed.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Kimi," Su-Jung introduced me. She spoke in Korean, so I assumed most of them were from Korea. "She'll be working here from now on. She'll be helping the photographers with the equipment."

"Anyunghaseyo," I said sheepishly, bowing. They smiled and gave little bows in return and Su-Jung started ticking off their names. I got Hae-won, a girl with long hair wearing skinny jeans, gold metalic flats, an off-the-shoulder long-sleeved shirt and a black tank over it, Eun-Jung, another girl with long hair wearing a mini-skirt, heels, and a beaded halter, and some others whom I don't remember their names (bad, I know...) and finally to a girl named Hee-Jin. She had short hair cut to her ears, thigh length stockings and black heels, shorts, and a black and white shirt.

"It's such a shame you'd be working with the equipment," said Hae-won, "you have such a nice face!"

"And I like your hair," added Eun-Jung. My hair was in a ponytail, as usual, so I don't know what there was to like about it.....maybe she was just being nice. As for Hae-won...I think she needs glasses. She's prettier than I am!! But the others nodded in agreement anyway at what the two of them said. Uh-oh....

"Oh! Um...thank you, but....really, I'd much rather work behind the scenes. I'm not one for the spotlight, y'know? I tend to keep to myself..." I explained, feeling more than a little embarassed. They "aww"d and started telling me awhole bunch of other nice things, but I cut them off and told them I was quite happy with the job I had gotten and had no intention of changing it no matter what they told me. Su-Jung backed me up on my statement, then led me away.

"That's the girl I was telling you about back in Korea," she whispered when we were out of earshot of the girls. "Hee-Jin. She's the girl that doesn't like to talk about her parents."

Oh yeah...that girl; the one with the divorced parents and alcoholic dad who left her and her mother knee-deep in debt. I nodded and told her I remembered, but didn't want to pursue the subject as it was none of my business in the first place. She agreed and was about to introduce me to more people (omfg! there's MORE?!) when Chen and.....his people, I guess.....came back with Mr. Park. When he saw me, he shook my hand and smiled.

"Glad to see you made it in one piece," he said in English. "I trust you had a nice flight?"

"Yes. It was long, but enjoyable," I answered, also smiling.

"I'm glad. You must be exhausted, so I will discuss with you your hours and pay in my office, then Chen will drive you to a small hotel where you will be able to stay. It's cheap, but very nice, so I hope you will enjoy it there."

"Oh! Thank you, Mr. Park," I said, smiling. He nodded and gestured me to follow him to his office while Chen and the other two guys kinda chilled in the background. It took about 10-15 minutes for Mr. Park and I to discuss my hours and pay, which was good considering I was really getting tired and cranky because of my long-ass flight. By the 10 minute mark, I couldn't really care less about the words that were coming out of his mouth, and I just nodded my head, not hearing a thing. He must've noticed, because he cut the meeting short, and led me to where Chen and his dudes were, and the next thing I knew I was in Chen's car driving to this hotel that Mr. Park told them to take me to.

I checked in, they helped me drag my bags to my room, and told me that they'll pick me up at 9am tomorrow morning and to be ready. I nodded, thanked them and proceeded to place my bags haphazardly near my bed and then I just collapsed and went into a deep, deep, really welcoming sleep.

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Overall, my first day on the job went quite well and I started to get the hang of things by the second week. I had managed to stay well into the sidelines but every now and then I would stand and admire the girls getting their photos taken and gawk at how beautiful they looked. That happened one day while I was supposed to be moving some of the props into the back room. Hee-Jin was getting photographed today, wearing an elegant flowing red dress, the bright lights eluminating her and made her look almost angelic. I frowned and looked at my own attire, consisting of my denim mini skirt, black leggings with lace trim, sneakers, and orange hoodie. My hair, as usual, was placed in a ponytail. How boring.

I admired and envied Hee-Jin as I watched her pose one after another. I stood there, watching and was knocked out of my trance when Su-Jung stood next to me and said, "Ya~h, she looks beautiful doesn't she?"

"Huh?!" I stammered, just now noticing her. She grinned. "You've been staring at Hee-Jin for quite some time; you almost look envious."

"Me?! Psh. I'm not jealous," I stammered. She continued to grin, while I continued to get defensive. When she got tired of teasing me, both of us stared at Hee-Jin for another minute each not saying anything. "She really does look pretty; makes me feel plain," I ended up saying out loud. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Su-Jung nod and grin slyly. Then out of nowhere, she grabbed my arm and dragged me through the studio calling some of the other girls to follow her. Which they did. Oh crap...

"Hey! Where are we going?! Where are you taking me?! What are you going to do to me?" I yelled as she placed me in a chair and called some more people and the girls clustered around me.

"You'll see," replied Su-Jung. She called the hairdresser, and makeup artist and started barking orders at the other girls who started to look more and more excited and began helping too. They took out my ponytail and just told me to relax and not freak. That's when the scissors came out.

"Hey! Are you gonna cut my hair!! No way!!" I shrieked starting to panic and squirm in the chair. The girls pinned me down and assured me that everything's going be fine and they're only going cut my hair a little bit. 'A little bit?!' I haven't had a haircut since...ever!! I squirmed more in the chair trying to escape, but they held on and Su-Jung told me fiercely, "Kimi, if you keep moving, we're gonna cut your ear off!!!" That made me shut up and sit still. All right....fine. I'll give in. They win. I sat down and finally began to relax and tried not to cringe with each snip of hair that was cut.

I don't know how long they had me sit in that chair or what it was they were putting on my face or how well it was all going to come out. All I knew was that when that whole ordeal was over, I could not WAIT to get out of there and I immediately tried to escape, but they nailed me down in the chair again and spun me around to the mirror. I almost didn't recognize myself.

They had cut and layered my hair; it was now shoulder length, and they had put mascara and eyeliner on me. Light blush colored my cheeks and pink lipstick and gloss shined on my lips. I blinked and tousled my hair a bit and shook it out. It always managed to come back to somewhat of the same position. Su-Jung came up beside me and placed her face against mine smiling cheekily.

"See? You can look beautiful too," she told me. I smiled and said nothing. Then one of the girls said something and the others started squealing and then the next thing I knew I was being dragged onto the stage while Su-Jung asked Ken to take some snapshots of me. I started to decline, telling him that if he did, I would quit right then and there.

"Nonsense!" he said, grinning. "I'll just take a few shapshots of you, you look great! Did you girls do this?" They nodded and snickered at me while I stood awkwardly on stage, messing with my now cut hair. Ken started telling me how to pose and I did the best I could do, and he ended up taking probably 4 or 10.....or 20 (omfg!) photos.

"Are we done yet?" I asked, starting to feel even more awkward. "One more," said Su-Jung as Ken snapped the last photo. Then it was strictly business as Ken started telling the girls to get ready for the outdoor photoshoot that was scheduled for today. I quickly got off stage, more than a little relieved and started gathering equipment to be hauled to the photoshoot. Ken explained that we will be taking two vans, and I was to ride with the other equipment people and some girls in one, and the other models in another. I nodded and packed some things and a tripod and a whole lot of other photo-stuffs and went with the others to the parking lot.

Chen was driving again, making me feel quite happy and I found myself fluffing up my newly cut hair, and hoping that he will notice. He did and that made my heart flutter like thousands of hummingbirds high on crack, coffee, and opium (um...wow). He opened the door for me and helped me put the photography equipment in the trunk.

"You look nice. New haircut?" he asked. I blushed and nodded.

"Yeah....the girls ambushed me and got the hairdresser in on it and then Ken took some pictures of me. It was really embarassing."

"Aah...well, I'm sure the photos will look lovely." He winked at me and got in the drivers seat, leaving me gawking and blushing like an idiot. GODDAMN!! I got a hold of myself and smacked my face somewhat, mentally scolding myself for allowing this guy to make me feel this way. WHAT THE HELL?! I growled loudly, causing him to look out the window at me.

"Everything all right?" he asked, grinning.

"Yes! Yes, yes! Everything's ok, I'm just...uh...umm...err...." I stuttered like an idiot as he continued to grin at me. I fidgeted a bit and finally said, "Uh....I'm...uh...I"m just gonna go and see if there's anything else that needs to be taken to the photoshoot....kthanxbye!" I was about to run back to the studio, but the other workers had already brought everything and placed them into the van. I froze then turned back to Chen, who had a raised eyebrow and a smirk on his face.

"Yeah, I'm going in the van now," I stated and climbed in, digging my iPod out of my pocket. As the other workers sat beside me, and the other models in the seats behind us, I placed the earbuds in my ears and blasted Epik High (it was the first song that was up) as Chen drove off to the location while I thought to myself how much of a big RETARD I acted. DEAR GOD, WHY MUST I ACT LIKE A HUGE IDIOT IN FRONT OF HIM?! I NEED TO DIE!

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We got to the location just fine, and I helped the workers unload the stuff as the models got ready. Chen helped me with some and, in my haste to unpack everything, I accidentally brushed his hand as he and I both tried to get the tripod.

"Sorry! I-I didn't mean that," I stuttered, blushing. I put a lock of hair behind my ear, grabbed some other belongings, and dashed away from the van and Chen towards the other equipment people and started setting up. I could feel his eyes watching me, but I ignored that fact and tried to focus on my work....however hard that would be.

It was a bright day so that would make the shoot go by smoothly, I guessed, as I finished setting up everything and took my place beside the rest of the workers and out of sight. As everyone was setting up, I couldn't help but notice that only one van (mine) made it to the photo shoot. I looked around hoping to see it, thinking that maybe the driver took an alternative route or something....no van. I started to get anxious; Su-Jung was in that van, as well as the other girls and Hee-Jin. I darted over to Ken who was setting up his camera.

"Ken...the other van isn't here," I said nervously. He looked at me, alarm flashing across his face, and then at the surroundings, probably hoping that it would come any minute.

"Shit," he muttered and called Chen and his goons to come over and they started speaking in hushed voices in Chinese. The three of them then walked away from us and I saw Chen take out his cell phone and dial a number. I turned to Ken wondering what was going on.

"Don't worry about it," he told me. "Just do your job and we'll shoot the other girls for now. I'm sure they just persuaded the driver to take them someplace fun, like for a day off. They're still young, you know." He tried to reassure me, but I saw beads of sweat form on his brow and he stared intently at Chen and the others talking in the distance. Something wasn't right. Doing this meant everything to these girls...why would they just "persuade" the driver to take them somewhere else?

Chen came back to us and he started up with the Chinese again while Ken listened intently. He then presumed to ask a couple questions to which Chen answered "5" and "2." The photographer swore loudly, making me jump. In a low whisper Ken gave them orders and stared at them directly in each of their eyes and all three nodded, their expressions deadly serious. I heard a squealing of tires, and I turned to see three black cars come screeching to a halt and Chen and his cronies climbing in each one and speeding off into the distance.

I turned back to Ken to try and ask some more questions, but he told me to shut up and do my job. More pissed than offended, I did what I was told and went back to my little area with the other workers whom Ken had just called to gather around him, no doubt he was going to fill them in on what just happened. I stayed where I was watching the photo-shoot commence, trying to reassure myself that my friends will be found eventually safe and sound. But there was a nagging voice inside my head that was telling me otherwise.

Forbidden (Chapter 4)

2009-05-27T13:08:00.046-04:00

Here's more "Forbidden!" I'm so glad you guys are liking this story! it warms my heart!! I now have a new moderator, Kelly Lim, who has agreed to help me edit my chapters because I cannot spell for shit. (Though I blame most of what is misspelled on the Mac computers that i'm FORCED to use at school cuz that's all we have mostly. there's only like 1 or 2 pc labs....most are all macs. they need to die.)

ps- i got the information about the talent agency (modeling agency/whatever) from episode 5 of H.I.T. so no, i did not make that up. :3

Chapter 4

I met Su-Jung the next day at the park at 4:30. To excuse myself from "work" at 4, I told Mi-Young that I had a bad stomachache and thought it best not to go. "Really? You were fine in school today," she said, concerned. She was all dressed and ready to go. I, still in my school uniform (it was Monday), lay on my bed and clutched my stomach and grimaced, "I think it was something I ate at lunch today. It's not sitting right."

"All right," she said. "I'll tell the boss--"

"No," I sad sharply. "If he does ask, then just tell him I have a stomachache and I thought it best not to come in today. That's if he asks though. If he doesn't then just don't say anything ok?" She looked at me, wondering why I was acting so strange, but nodded and said she won't say anything.

Then she left for work, leaving me totally alone. I waited ten minutes and looked out the window and saw her climb into a cab and leave. I quickly changed into jeans, a black sweater, and ankle-high zip up high heeled boots. I ran a hand through my hair...then just threw it up into a ponytail, grabbed my purse and jacket out of the closet, house keys, money, and headed out the door, immensely grateful that Mi-Young's parents were both out working and wouldn't be home until really late. I hailed a cab, gave the driver the address to the park, and made it with 10 minutes to spare.

I paid the driver and got out and searched for Su-Jung. I found her sitting at one of the benches under a bare tree. She smiled and waved when she saw me and I quickly ran to her. This time she was wearing much more sensible clothing for winter, consisting of jeans, sneakers, a cream-colored turtleneck-sweater, gloves, and a black thigh-length trench coat. Her hair was down and fluttered in the breeze, and her cheeks and nose were a rosy pink from the cold.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long," I said in Korean, once I reached her (I was getting better at it. Yay me!). She shook her head. "No, I just got here myself." We stood making small talk for a while, then the two of us headed to a nearby cafe.

"I hope you don't mind," said Su-Jung as we took our seats at a table near the window. "I called the manager and told him to meet us here."
"Oh no, I don't mind at all," I answered smiling. A waiter came and asked for our order. Su-Jung ordered ginseng tea while I ordered hot chocolate. The waiter bowed and left the two of us to continue making some small talk....however awkward and somewhat difficult that would be.

"So, Kimi," started Su-Jung, "Where were you living before you came to Korea? Judging from your slight accent, you don't sound like you're from around here....as well as your name."

I stared at her, for some reason annoyance slithering within me. Did she really have to say it like that? To me, she sounded haughty and stuck up, or maybe it was just me getting annoyed because I've been trying my hardest to lose my accent and it irked me that she noticed. Let's go with the second part.

"Um...well, I actually came here from Canada not that long ago," I said, playing with my silverware. I glanced up at her and saw her nod and open her mouth to ask another question.

"What made you decide to move to Korea? Did you move with your parents?"

I felt my stomach tie itself in knots. I had hoped she wasn't going to ask the tough questions but....

I steeled myself and looked at her and replied, "No...I decided to move by myself--"

"But you don't look older than 17--"

"It was my choice!" I barked. She stared at me, looking somewhat scared. Well, she's the one who stared asking me the hard questions...shouldn't she get yelled at? I sighed in frustration and continued to play with my silverware and was relieved when the waiter came back and gave us our drinks.

"Look," I said, "I'm sorry for yelling....I'm just not all too comfortable talking about my personal life--I mean...with my family and all--so I'd appreciate it if we don't get into that." I looked at her, expecting her to continue asking me questions, but she didn't. Instead she nodded and took a sip of her tea.

"I understand," she told me. "There's a girl at the agency who doesn't really like to talk about her family either. Though from what I've heard, her father and mother divorced, leaving them neck deep in debt and her mother's never home to see her."

Wow...and I thought I had it rough. I suppose I should count my blessings then....I took a sip of my hot chocolate and nearly seared my tongue off. I dropped my beverage on the table and clutched at my mouth. HOT!! HOT!! HOT!! REALLY HOT!!! OMG!! Su-Jung stared at me with amusement twinkling in her eyes.

"Careful," she told me after I had swallowed my boiling lava of hot chocolate, "It's hot." I rolled my eyes at her and glared. "Just wait 'til you drink your tea," I threatened. She continued to smile at me but said nothing when her cell phone rang. She sifted through her purse and, after checking the caller-ID answered with a perfect smile and a warm "Yobosaeyo!" I assumed the Manager was calling. She stayed on the phone for about 3 minuted, hung up, looked at her watch and said to me, "The Manager will be coming shortly and he apologizes for being late. He hopes you understand."

"Oh, that's not a problem," I reassured her. "I have plenty of time to spare; he doesn't need to rush." She and I smiled at each other and continued making small talk (and avoiding the subject of families in general). Ten minutes later the Manager came, and she and I stood up and bowed to him in welcome. He took up a seat and sat down at the table and introduced himself. His introduced himself as Charlie Park (omg, yay! A name that doesn't sound uber foreign and I can actually pronounce without being hesitant of the pronunciation!!) and that he owned a talent agency called EGM Talent Agency where they taught young girls basically the things they need to learn to make it big in either the modeling agency or other things. But they mostly focused on Modeling. Mr. Park wore an all black suit, with a white tie, and a Rolex watch on his wrist. He looked to be about in his mid 30s and had short hair.

Mr. Park looked at me after Su-Jung had introduced me to him and said in completely perfect English, with a smile, (ANOTHER POINT! YAY! I CAN SPEAK MY LANGUAGE!) "So! You are interested in honing your beauty to become a model, are you?"

I blinked and answered sheepishly,"Huh? Oh....no no. I'm not much for modeling. I figured I could, y'know....help the staff carry around equipment and things. I'm one of those people who like to work in the background rather than be in the spotlight...."

"Why not? You already have the face for it! You might as well try it. Who knows, you might even like it," he encouraged. I looked at Su-Jung.

"Don't worry," she said in Korean. "You don't have to if you don't want to. Do what you're comfortable with." I smiled and addressed Mr. Park.

"Thank you for the compliment, Sir, but...I think I'd much rather stick to what I'm good at: which is staying in the background." Mr. Park nodded and said, "All right. If you're sure....well, for your work, of course I will pay you, you know that right?" I nodded.

"May I ask how much?" I inquired. He took a napkin from the table and a pen out of his blazer breast pocket and wrote down an amount and handed it to me. I looked at it and nearly choked on my hot chocolate. It was a lot!!!

"But wait," I said, looking up at him. "This is Hong Kong Dollars isn't it?" He nodded. "How much would that be in Won?" I asked. He took back the napkin, calculated, and handed it back to me again. I looked at him. "This is still a lot," I said. I asked if I could use his pen and he handed it to me and I converted the amount to Canadian Dollars. It was about the average pay for an equipment manager!! I stared at the napkin and its many calculations, pondering.

"Are you interested?" asked Mr. Park. I looked up at him and said with confidence, "Yes, Sir. I'd like the job."

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I came home feeling both a ecstatic and very, very sad. I had taken the position in Hong Kong, meaning I would get money and be able to live.....on the other hand, I would have to move out of Korea and go to China. Which meant, possibly another language for me to learn (omgwtfbbq?!)....but Mr. Park said basically everyone in Hong Kong speaks English, so I should be able to get by. But there is also that little problem with telling Mi-Young's parents that I'm going to China....and the fact that I had been lying to them for the past couple of days so they wouldn't worry. Ooh man, I am in trouble!

I went to Mi-Young's room and placed my purse onto my bed and threw myself into the cushiony-softness, and buried my face into my pillow. How was I going to tell them? I looked at my clock and saw that it was 6:30....Mi-Young didn't get home until 9 and her parents didn't get home until and hour later. That gave me 2 and a half hours to think of something until Mi-Young gets home and 3 and a half until her parents get home. I started thinking of the best possible way to break the news to them without having them go all nuclear-war on me. (Not that I thought they would but, I....I HATE lying to people who have been nice to me!!)

I must have thought for those 2 and a half hours because I heard the slamming of a car door and I knew Mi-Young was home by the way she jubilantly exclaimed, "I'm home!" and ran upstairs. Thankfully, I had changed into my pajamas a long time ago, and was snuggled into bed. When she entered, looking slightly tired, I waved at her and smiled.

"How's your stomach feeling?" she asked me. I shrugged. "A little better I guess. Did the Boss ask you anything?" I asked. She shook her head.

"No, which was weird. But the others did. I told them you had a stomachache and they wished you will get better and hope to see you tomorrow."

My stomach clenched. Right, the others didn't know I got laid off because I didn't tell them. Christ. I took a deep breath and decided to just tell her what came to mind...cuz I hadn't thought of anything during that time of her absence. (Aren't I just soo smart?!)

"Um, listen, Mi-Young?" I started. She had changed into her own pajamas and was (once again) on the computer. She looked at me as if expecting me to start vomiting right then and there.

"Are you ok? Do you want anything?" she asked. I shook my head and said, "Actually....there's something I need to tell you." I glanced at her and saw her expression change from one of concern to absolute panic.

"OMG, you're not pregnant are you?!" she shrieked and sat down next to me and put her arm around me and started comforting me in a mixture of Korean and English.

"No, no, no! I'm not pregnant!! Jeez, calm down will you?" I reassured her. Then I changed my tone of voice and told her flat out that I had lost my job at the restaurant and had spent all of yesterday trying to look for another one and that I had found one already. She stared at me for a long time.

"I didn't want you to worry about me, so...that's why I didn't tell you I had been laid off," I said, looking at her pleadingly, hoping she would understand. "You and your family have done so much for me already, I didn't want to be a burden for you all."

"Who says you would?! I would have helped you in a heartbeat!!" she yelled at me. I cringed. "I would have gladly helped you! But no, you didn't want my help! Obviously, asking for help would be too much of a hassle for you!"

"That's not what I meant!" She huffed in response and looked out the window. We were silent for 5 minutes and she finally said, "Where's this new job of yours?" I bit my lip, stalling for time. "Where?!" she prompted relentlessly.

"Hong Kong," I said and braced myself for another yelling spree. To my surprise it didn't come. Instead she looked at the clock and told me that her parents had called her to let her know that they will be coming home sooner than they usually do and that I will have to tell them on my own. I asked when they will be coming and she said in 10 minutes. Crap.

Ten minutes later they entered the house to find myself and Mi-Young sitting on the couch. We greeted them both and asked them to sit down and that I had something important to tell them. I then launched into the story of how I had been laid off from my job, and how I had found a new one and blah, blah, blah, basically repeated everything I had said to Mi-Young to them. They looked at me and I saw that her mother held a look that I thought might be understanding while her father looked kind of....disappointed.

"Are you angry with me?" I asked. "I know I shouldn't have gone behind your backs and lied to you but I didn't want you to worry about me. I mean, you've done so much for me already...I just couldn't." I felt like crying. Her parents nodded as if they understood my reasoning and then her father looked at me.

"Where is this new job of yours?" he asked in Korean. I answered Hong Kong and they both stared at me. Her father nodded solemnly and said, "Very well. Good luck in Hong Kong." He then stood up and looked at me and added, "But don't come to us when you fail. You said you didn't tell us you got fired because you didn't want to be a burden to us. Always having to worry about you would be a burden don't you think? So, good luck in Hong Kong, don't do anything stupid, and don't come to us if you fail." I sensed Mi-Young and her mother look at the head of the family, alarmed.

"I will allow you to stay here until you are ready to go to Hong Kong, but after that you are on your own. Do you understand?" I nodded and he left to go to sleep. I saw her mother try and speak to him as he passed her to go up the stairs but he ignored her. Mi-Young on the other hand, rushed behind him and, with tears in her eyes, pleaded with him to reconsider opening his home for me if I do fail. He ignored her too.

I was left alone in the living room gathering my thoughts. It could have been worse, I reasoned. He could have thrown me out of the house right then and there in my pj's. I went to bed that night no longer feeling excited about my new job....but now feeling empty, like I had felt on the day I first arrived to Korea.

Forbidden (Chapter 3)

2009-05-25T21:05:00.023-04:00

Thanks for the comments guys!! They seriously keep me motivated to keep writing. If it weren't for you all, I think this thing would have probably been stopped at the prologue.....or maybe even just not written at all. THANKS AGAIN YOU GUYS! I'M SO GLAD YOU LIKE THIS LITTLE BRAIN-SPAZZ FROM ME! -wipes tears of happiness from eyes-

ps- The email in the previous chapter could not have been written without the help from my e-friend MissAcidMuffinUkki!! Thanks so much!!

pss- The fight scene in this chapter was not made up by me. It actually happened in episode four of H.I.T. =D And the descriptions of the people are really how they looked in that episode. =DD

Chapter 3

I couldn't sleep last night. I kept tossing and turning, the memory of the evening before still burning in the recesses of my mind. I had lost my job. Not because I wasn't a good worker--Boss said I was one of the hardest workers--but because the rent of the property had increased by at least 250,000 Won and he needed to "cut back" some. And I guess since I was the not-so-needed extra hand at work, I was the one that had to be let go. (Of course, he didn't tell me that last part, but I knew that was the reason for him to lay me off). Anger flared inside me along with worry for not being able to find another job to pay my (also not-so-needed/practically non-existant) rent in order for me to stay here. (Not that Mi-Young's parents will kick me out anyway, but it was for my own sanctity). In total, I think I was only able to get at least 4 hours of sleep when I was finally able to calm down some and drift off, by counting sheep backwards. (That really works, I was surprised). I woke up feeling extremely groggy and was surprised to see Mi-Young fully dressed in just a pair of jeans and a white shirt, reading a book sitting on the computer seat. (Omg, the Apocalypse has officially commenced! She's not on the Internet!)

She took one look at me and said, "You look like Hell."

"I feel like Hell," I answered trying to rub sleep out of my eyes. "I couldn't sleep that well last night," I added, trying (and failing epically) to stiffle a yawn.

"Aww....why not?" she asked. I shrugged and tried to run my hand through my hair. It was a big matted mess so I ended up giving myself somewhat excrutiating pain and quickly withdrew my hand from my head. "Bad dream, I suppose," I lied. I couldn't tell her I had been laid off (or fired; however you want to see it. Personally I see no difference, it all comes down to the same thing: I. AM . JOBLESS!). If I did, she would be really worried and take off her time from work to try and find me a new one, and I seriously didn't want that. I didn't want to be a nuisance and a constant worry for her. I'd find a new job on my own....there's gotta be something out there.

"Are you feeling homesick? Extreme homesickness could make a person not sleep well," said Mi-Young. "Maybe you should go visit your family!" She smiled at me.

"No," I said a little too sharply. She stared at me and I answered in a softer tone, "I mean...not yet. Money's kinda tight right now, y'know? Maybe when I've worked some more at the restaurant and saved up, I'll go and see them. Just....not now." She seemed to buy that because she nodded and said, "Ooh, yeah. Well, hopefully you'll get to go visit soon. And you have to bring me with you!" I smiled and said that of course she would come with me, because she'd have to meet all my friends. I yawned again and flopped back down onto my bed.

"So why aren't you on the computer? I would have figured you'd be on trying to buy the concert tickets," I said.

"I'm getting them today," she said going back to her book. "I'm meeting up with some friends and we're going to go buy them together. You wanna come?" she asked, looking at me. I sighed.

"Nah. I think I'm just gonna chill here for today. Walk around for a bit and do nothing, y'know? I'd much rather enjoy my day off." I resisted flourishing "day off" with air quotes.

"Lucky whore," she teased, smiling. "Hey, don't be using words I taught you against me, now! I know a hell of a lot more terms than you; I can totally pwn you," I retaliated, smirking. She rolled her eyes and I yawned again. "What time are you leaving?" I asked. She looked at her watch.

"Oh, crap. I was supposed to be gone by now," she said hurriedly and grabbed her purse and house keys. "I'll see you later!" she smiled and squealed at me and added, 'I can't believe we're going to the concert!" and left me alone in the room staring at the bed above me. I couldn't help but feel relieved that she was gone; it gave me time to think about my current situation and how I was planning on fixing it.

"I believe this calls for some drastic action," I muttered to myself. "TO THE WANTED ADS!" I sat bolt upright in bed and knocked my head against Mi-Young's bed and flopped back down in pain with many exclamations of "JESUS CHRIST!" and "HOLY SHIT!" and a number of other profanities as well as some Korean.

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

I had taken a shower, dressed in jeans, a dark brown fitted sweater, and high heeled boots which I had tucked my jeans into, and eaten breakfast, all in about 10 minutes. (Which is surprisingly fast since I was known for spending a much longer amount of time in the shower than what was thought as inhumanly possible). I told Mi-Young's parents that I was going out for a bit and I'll be back in a couple of hours, grabbed my purse, and within a few seconds outside, I was armed with the newspaper Wanted Ads (that I can some-what decipher....little words here and there), a red pen, and some money for food.

I took a deep breath and started walking in the direction of a park Mi-Young and I often go to just to hang out sometimes. There, I started sifting through the ads to see what it was I was actually capable of doing. I picked up words like "chef" (no), "zoo animal caretaker" (hell no!), and a lot of other things I was seriously not capable of doing. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. DAMMIT THERE'S NOTHING!

I folded the paper over in annoyance and looked at the people wandering around the park. Oh, these people...wandering around with not a care in the world (ok, well...they do but...you know what I mean) and just going about their business. I HATE THEM! THEY HAVE JOBS!! I clawed my fingers into my hair again, and stared at the ground, thinking. (More like going "my life...is fucked up.") I did that for about 10 seconds, then got up and decided to just walk around the city and maybe even look into stores with "Help Wanted" signs posted.

I looked at street vendors selling their goods and food and contemplated doing that, but that fell in the line of "chef" and I couldn't cook to save my life. If I had done that job I most likely accidentally poison my customers...then I'd be wanted for murder. And I am jailbait. So, no thanks. I checked my watch. It was still pretty early for lunch so I decided to go into a department store and browse around. It was run by a really nice lady, of middle age (she looked like she was 26, omg. But knowing how the aging process works around here, I'm guessing she was actually 30-40 years of age. What the hell...) and asked if I needed help finding anything. I told her I was just looking, but asked if she had any job openings available (I said this in almost perfect Korean. Yes, I am good!). "Hmm...I'm not hiring as of right now, but I'll be happy to give you an application," she told me, smiling. My heart sank, but an application was better than nothing. And right now....I needed something.

"Oh yes, please. That'd be great," I answered. She nodded and beckoned me to follow her to her front desk where she dug in a drawer and pulled out a one-sheet application and handed it to me.

"You can fill this out at home and hand it to me whenever you like," she said. She smiled at me and asked "Is there anything else you need?"

"Oh, no. Thank you, this is enough," I said bowing to her. 'Thank you very much, have a nice day!"

"You too!" she called after me as I left the shop, feeling good about myself. One job application acquired...a hundred more to go. But I wasn't about to let that dampen my good mood. THIS APPLICATION HELD THE PROMISE OF A JOB! HELL YEAH!! I stuffed the application in my purse and went to prowl some more potential job sites.

I walked around for hours, and so far I had gotten two more applications, both also at department stores, though neither was hiring at the moment. Curses. I checked my watch; though I didn't really need to since it was past mid-day and the sun was starting to set. Oh, and I had completely missed lunch. Well....more like I had forgotten to buy some lunch because I was so busy and pre-occupied. I dug in my purse for my cell phone to check if I had any missed calls. I had 15. All from Mi-Young's parents at home. Oh shit....I'm in so much trouble.

I hurriedly called home and her mother answered on the first ring.

"Yobuseyo?" she said. (For those of you wondering, that's how Koreans say "hello" on the phone.)

"Anyunghaseyo, Unni," I answered, sounding really guilty. She must have been worried sick about me. I heard her say with relief and answer me in heavily accented English. She was self-conscious about her accent so she didn't like to speak the language much. Which is good for me, because I was really trying to practice my Korean.

"Kimi! Where have you been? My husband and I have been worried sick about you!"

"I apologize," I said. "I lost track of time. I was taking in the sites and just kind of...lost it. I should have been paying more attention to the time, I'm sorry." My stomach clenched with guilt at having to lie to her, but I also didn't want her to find out that I had lost my job. The family had enough on their plates without me adding my problems. "Did Mi-Young go to work yet?" I asked.

"Yes, she left a while ago. She left her cell phone here, so she couldn't call you to figure out where you were. You had us all worried, you know!"

"I'm sorry," I apologized again. "I'll be home really soon, ok? I promise."

"Ok, be careful. Call to let us know where you are and when you're coming home."

"I will. Again, I'm sorry."

"It's ok. Just be careful, and call to tell us where you are and when you're coming home."

"Dae," I said and told her goodbye and hung up. Now I felt really bad and promised myself that I would stop by one more place and then go straight home.

"Straight home," I muttered to myself. I walked around for a couple more hours, trying to find a place that would give me a job along the lines of waitressing (which is what I was good at, anyway.) By sunset, I had stumbled upon this little bar and figured "why not?"

Ok, I know running a bar isn't exactly waitressing, but seriously, it's better than nothing. I walked in and bowed in greeting to the man at the stove (and the customers who all gave me a little nod in return), whom I assumed was the owner (I hoped). He greeted me with a hearty "welcome" and a small smile and a bow. I smiled back and came up to him asking if he had some job openings available. He opened his mouth to say something but the abrupt halt of the karaoke music made him hold his tongue and look up. That was when I took a really good look at the occupants.

One man was sitting next to a woman with short hair and a white zip-up sweatshirt. She had on a black turtleneck underneath and black pants; running shoes covered her feet and she looked positively exhausted. The man sitting next to her also wore a black turtleneck, but he wore a light tan blazer over his and black trousers. He wore expensive looking shoes and an expensive looking watch on his wrist. I assumed this man was their boss. I looked at the others.

One man, who I could tell was somewhat shorter than the rest, had on a tight (omg, ew!) green short-sleeved shirt (in this weather!? it's fucking freezing!) and acid-washed jeans. He was really...muscular, but he didn't look rather smart. I guess you could say he was the "all brawn and no brain" type looking kind of guy. (Think of Crabbe and Goyle from "Harry Potter") He also wore running shoes and was staring at the man at the karaoke machine.

This guy was wearing a black jacket and dark jeans and running shoes (what is it with these people and running shoes?!).....and he kinda looked like a sleaze-ball. I looked at the final person sitting down and I had to stifle a gasp. OMG, HE WAS SO HOT! He wore a dark orange turtleneck, a dark denim jacket, khaki pants, and nice, fancy shoes. (Also expensive looking, omg) He had a chiseled face, short hair sculpted perfectly with gel, and really hot looking (*cough-more like INCREDIBLE SEXY!-cough*) lips. Omg, I almost died from the hotness overload! I quickly looked at the floor and pressed my palm to my face, trying to cool my heated cheeks from my involuntary blush o' doom. CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!

The sleaze-ball looking guy looked really pissed about something (I managed to look up and witness what was going on without having a massive heart attack) and sat down next to Mr. Sexy (yes....I named him) and took a bottle of Soju and poured into a shot cup and drained it. One of the workers came up to Stove Man (the owner who I just named as of now) and asked in hushed tones, "What do we do now? He looks like he's gonna blow."

Stove Man answered calmly though I could tell he was on edge too, "If anything happens....remove the hot pot." I was proud of myself that I understood that much, but then I started to get confused and scared as the customers started getting into this really heated argument about something, and apparently the woman was at the center of it. Then suddenly, it turned into a fistfight! I placed my hands to my mouth, as I witnessed Mr. Sleaze-ball grab Mr. Sexy by the collar of his jacket and punch him in the face!

Stove Man told Mr. Purple Sweater (the worker who looked uneasy beforehand) to take away the hot pot and he and Mr. Purple Sweater and Mr. Multi-Colored Striped Sweater went to take some things out of harms way before anyone got hurt. Then Mr. Sexy started yelling at Expressionless Woman (the only female there...besides me) and then at Mr. Sleaze-ball. Apparently he had pinched a nerve because Mr. Sleaze-ball (whom Mr. Sexy called "Shin." I'm guessing that's his name) tried to land another blow but Mr. Sexy blocked him (YAY!). Then it really got bad because the two of them started fighting again and Mr. Shin knocked Mr. Sexy to the floor and Expressionless Woman started to say something but I couldn't hear her. I was too scared to listen properly anymore. I looked at the dumb looking guy and saw that he was steadily drinking Soju and looked pissed. Um....maybe I should leave?

I saw Stove Man gesture to Mr. Purple Sweater and he came over to me and told me everything was going to be ok and stood in front of me. I hadn't realized I had backed against the wall and was staring at the scene, shaking from head to foot. Then Mr. Tight Green Shirt (the dumb looking guy) suddenly stood up and flipped over the tables!! Not just the one he was sitting at, but all of them! Wtf?! He then started yelling at everyone and that kinda made everyone cool down but the atmosphere was still pretty tense. Then after Mr. Tight Green Shirt blew off some steam, he took his jacket and left the bar. The others exchanged glances, Mr. Shin said something to Mr. Sexy (whose lip was not bleeding. OH NO!! -sad face-) and also left. Then one by one the other three left, but not before The Boss apologized for his colleagues' behavior to Stove Man. Stove Man said not to worry about it.

Mr. Purple Sweater stepped from in front of me and bowed, saying he was sorry I had to see that. I nodded still some-what shaky and said it was no problem...in a really really weak voice. Stove Man came and told Mr. Purple Sweater to go help Mr. Multi-Colored Striped sweater clean up and he will join them later. I stood rooted to my spot, still shaking and wide-eyed. Stove Man came to me and said (and I surprisingly understood it), "About you looking for a job, I do have an opening, but as you can see, this place gets pretty violent and I don't think this is any place for a young girl like yourself to work. You would most likely get hurt."

I nodded. I knew he was right; and after what I just witnessed I kind of didn't want to work here anyway. Finally able to bring some control over my shaking body, I bowed and thanked Stove Man for his help....and then got the fuck out of there. I walked a little ways away from the bar, then dug into my purse and brought out my cell phone. It was already dark outside and I really needed to call home. I punched in the number and waited for someone to answer. Mi-Young's mother did again.

"Unni! It's me," I said. "I'm on my way home now, I'm just going to get something to eat then I'll come straight home, ok?"

"All right. Come home soon," she said and we hung up. I put my phone back into my purse and found a nearby street vendor and got something to eat. I sat at a small table and brought out the want ads from my purse and was able to make out some words in the small light of the vendor. A few minutes later a girl about my age came and asked if anyone was sitting next to me. I told her no and she graciously took the seat. As I ate, I circled potential jobs I could be able to do and crossed out ones that I had no interest in doing.

"Are you looking for a job?" asked the girl beside me after about 10 minutes. I looked up at her. She was very pretty with hair tied back in a low ponytail and light make-up. She wore a black (or dark blue, I couldn't tell) hoodie and a denim mini skirt and knee-high boots. (Wasn't she cold?! Again, it's FREEZING! IT'S WINTER!!)

"Yes," I answered. "I just lost my old one. It kinda sucks." She nodded and said, "Well, the company I work for is always looking for new people, if you're interested."

I looked at her. "What kind of company do you work for?" I asked.

"It's a modeling agency. I'm one of the models." She was a model? No wonder she was so pretty!! -uber sad face- I smiled and said politely, "I'm not really much of a model....hell, I don't even think I'm that good looking to begin with."

"You don't necessarily have to be a model. There are other things too. If you don't want to be a model, then you can help the staff carry the equipment."

"How much does it pay?"

"I'm not sure....I can ask the manager for you. Here, I'll even give you his card." She dug in her purse and brought out a business card and a piece of paper and wrote down her name and phone number and handed them both to me. "He's in the country right now, so it should be no problem for you to set up a meeting with him. This is my name and cell phone number so you can tell him I sent you."

I looked at the business card and saw that the manager's primary office was in Hong Kong and I gaped at her. "He works in Hong Kong?!" I exclaimed, flabbergasted. If I took this job, that means I'll have to move again....

I considered my options. I had checked around practically almost all (well...y'know, not really, but a lot of places) around Seoul and nobody was hiring. I checked at the bar, and was scared shitless due a a bar fight that broke out. I was seriously in need of a job and right now, this one really sounded promising, and like she said, I didn't have to be a model. I looked at the piece of paper with her name and number on it.

"So your name is Lee Su-Jung," I said, looking at her. She nodded. "And you are?" she asked.

"Kimi Holmes. Is there any possible way you could meet me at the park tomorrow around 4:30? I'd like to talk to you more about this job and possibly getting an interview."

Forbidden (Chapter 2)

2009-05-22T22:36:00.024-04:00

I'm spitting up chapters like a baby spits up baby food!! =D Now in the previous chapter, i have to say that i DID have to watch part of episode one again cuz i forgot the setting of the arrest and all, but i hope you guys liked it anyway. it really make me wish there was a section on fanfiction.net where i could post this.....-sigh- oh well! i like it here anyway! ON TO CHAPTER TWO!

Chapter 2

It had been three weeks since the news of Buffalo's arrest made headlines, but for the past couple days that was all anyone could ever talk about. Well....everyone that is except for my friend Mi-Young. She was still on about that Super Junior concert that would happen that she was dead set on going. But today I was awoken early, not by her screaming for joy at finally finding out the date, but by my buzzing alarm clock. I swear I was going to turn that thing into small, little, faulty, plastic parts one day. I rolled over and hit the snooze button, returning it back to silence so I could get at least another 5 minutes of sleep. Unfortunately that didn't last long, because I heard Mi-Young shift on her bed, and yawn. I lay still, waiting for her to either lie back down and go to sleep, or move and to straight to the computer again.

My second guess was correct. Great. I closed my eyes as she descended down the ladder and managed to peak through my eyelashes and see her turning on her Mac (Satanic computers bent on destroying the world with their fucking TARDNESS!) and plant her non-existent butt (since everyone says Asians don't have any. Lucky them....) on the leather seat in front of it. I immediately closed my eyes and placed the pillow over my head and braced myself for another squeal-fest.

5...4...3...2...

"HO MY GOOOOOOOOOOD!!!"

And it starts.... Y'know I'm starting to think that The Internet is the most horrible thing that has been bestowed upon the youth of Korea, because of people like Mi-Young who wake up at GODAWFUL hours of the morning just to see if tickets to a fucking concert are out yet!! God!! I heard about this boot-camp parents send their kids who are like Internet-addicts. Maybe I should persuade Mi-Young's parents to ship her off there.

"Kimi! Kimi! Wake up!!" she squeaked at me. "Wake up, wake up, wake up!! Wake u~up!!!!" She threw a small cushion at me. Which I caught. And threw back. And it hit her in the face.

"No," I said. "You. Shush. Me. Sleep. Do not. Say. A word."

"But--"

"NYAH! Nothing. Got it?" She bit her lip and opened her mouth to start to say something again but I stopped her with a fierce look. "Not. A. Word. I will find out the date of the concert later, when I'm fully awake. Ok?" She nodded and picked up a pencil and paper and looked at me, expectantly.

"No, you can't even write it down." She pouted. I glared at said "Go. Shower. I will meet you downstairs for breakfast in 20 minutes and then you can tell me when the friggen concert is, ok?" I was about to go all Mad-Hatter on her ass if she didn't leave me to 5 minutes of rest right now. Fortunately for both her and me she left to go take a shower and I got my five extra minutes. Unfortunately cuz Life's a fucking BITCH like that, I couldn't even sleep my extra five minutes so.......I instead went to the now vacant computer and decided to check my email which I haven't done in.......well, ever.

I typed in the URL to Yahoo, and typed in my username and password and was greeted with the Yahoo homepage telling me that I had 45 brand new messages!! Yay!! Cuh-rap. I thought about just deleting them all and signing out, but part of me wanted to know if Ali had sent me anything in the half-a-year that I had "mysteriously vanished." So, against my better judgement (*cough- more like my obnoxious curiousity-cough*) I clicked the little rectangle with the envelope icon that said "You have 45 new mail messages!" and prepared myself.

Fortunately, only one or two emails were from Ali just saying the occasional "hey, what's up?' and some juicy information from my old school, A.Y. Jackson Secondary School. (And by "juicy" I mean DRAMA! There's always drama there.) I remember this one time, I think a couple years ago or something there was this kid in my chemistry class named Henry--wicked good at violin and dancing and stuff--he tried out for this audition thing in Ontario and actually got in (not really drama but good enough news to cause a stir in the community). Turns out he's doing pretty well for himself because he got chosen to be in this band called Super Junior M, and since Mi-Young has, like, anything Super Junior related, she made me listen to their CD and watch their "U" video (which she favorited on Youtube when it first came out in '08.......at least 20 times), I saw him jammin' out on his violin and dancing at the same time. Kid's good. Of course, when I told Mi-Young that he went to school with me and was in my Chemistry class she flipped and wanted me to promise her that I will get her his autograph. Humoring myself more than her, I told her I'll try my best and see if he actually remembers me first before I could get his autograph.

Anyway, back to the email thing. I clicked on the most recent email from Ali that she sent me (about 2 months ago) and began reading. It read as follows:

KIIIMIIII!!!
Why did you leeeeeave me?! DDD: I miss you!
And for your grandparents? Wtf? But I guess its okay. I still love you I swear! But school is ssoooooo boring without you. I mean I still have Duckie, but still. WHO WILL I TALK TO ME ABOUT CUTE ASAIN BOYS AND ANIME? Whaaa, Im so deprived naaaaao.
BUT ANYWAY! Whats up with you? Why did you leave? Are you having fun in...OHIO? Are there cute boys in OHIO? You better get some form of messanger so we can still talk missy!
But still. YOU HAD BETTER STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY AND A VIRGIN TILL YOU GET BACK! No getting raped in those mean streets of OHIO. Unless he's cute. Or if you rape him. Then its okay :D
BYE BYE KIMI-CHAN I LUFF YOU!
ps: you had better message me back, you, or imma sick henry on you. fosho.

I snorted. Ohio? That's be best my parents could come up with to cover up my running away? Guess they really didn't care since they came up with that lie and didn't even bother to call the cops. Oh well, that's good for me, I guess. I don't have to worry about being tailed. I focused on the rest of the email. I laughed. Typical Ali. That's pretty much how her brain operated; always with cute asian guys, sex, and anime. Not that that was a bad thing. She amuses me greatly with that mind of hers.

I decided to answer her back with a message saying that I'm fine and I'm doing good in Ohio. (Blech.) It was only one or two small paragraphs, compared to her bigass one, but while I was writing it, I was struggling not to say too much about my current location or get too much into detail about why I suddenly just upped and left. I didn't want her to go into a massive best-friend-i'mma-call-the-bomb-squad-because-you-fucking-ran-away-and-left-without-so-much-as-a-goodbye-you-inconsiderate-bitch frenzy. Maybe when I get enough money I'll go back and visit and tell her the whole story. I just hope I won't get too much hate when I do.

After 15 minutes of waiting, Mi-Young finally came out of the shower, dressed in darkwash jeans, a yellow ribbon belt thing around her waist, a green (like bright) zippered-up collared sweatshirt with white stripes. Once again her hair was down, and light makeup colored her face.

"Aha!" she said when she saw me at the computer. "You were checking the date for the concert! I knew it!" I grinned and reclined in the chair.

"No, Missy. I was just checking my e-mail. I wanted to see if my friend sent anything."

"Ooh. Did she? Or he? Whatever?"

"Yeah, she did. Just the normal, 'hey, how are you?' Nothing else, really. The rest was all spam so I deleted it."

"Did you tell your friend you moved to Korea? I'm sure she'd want to know that. That's a big move from Canada," she said. I hesitated slightly, but managed to pull my composure quickly.

"Yeah," I said. "She knows I'm here. I told her a while ago that I was moving here, so it's all good. She was surprised at first, but she managed to accept it, no matter how hard it was for both of us." I kept my mouth shut about the "I" being "my parents" and the "here" being "Ohio." Mi-Young nodded and said, "Well that's good! At least she's not too worried," she looked at me and grinned, "I mean it's not like you're starving or anything. We treat you well here, don't we?"

I smiled. "No, you're totally depriving me of food and locking me in a basement," I said sarcastically. We laughed. "So any plans for today?" I asked after a few minutes.

"Hm....well, it's the weekend and we don't have work til 4..." said Mi-Young. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "...and it's 8am. What are we gonna do for another 8 hours?" We thought in silence.

"Wanna go see a movie?" I suggested. "What's playing?" she asked. "Well, I saw this commercial a couple days ago about this movie that looked interesting. It's about this guy, who meets this girl who's a time traveller or something....it looked interesting. Apparently the guy is like a really big Chinese pop-singer; they kept emphasizing it in the commercial." I grinned.

"You mean 'Secret?'" my friend asked. "That's the one," I answered, snapping my fingers and pointing at her. Yup, I pulled a 'Fonz.' (If you haven't seen "Happy Days" then you are seriously deprived).

"I suppose we could see that," she said shrugging. My face fell. "We don't have to if you don't want to," I added, "it was just a suggesstion. I'm sure we could find something else." I hated feeling like I was imposing my idea on her....I hate that feeling of imposing on anyone in general, really. That's why I offered to pay rent while I stay here.

"Oh no, I want to see it. It looks good!" replied Mi-Young, looking at me and smiled. I looked at her insecurely, but nodded in the end as we agreed to see the movie. "Now you should go take a shower, and I'll check to see what time the movie starts," she added and booted me out of the computer seat. I grinned and huffed as if I was reluctant to go shower, but I grabbed my bath things anyway and went to cleanse myself.

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The movie was good, it succeeded our expectations and then some. Though there were some parts that I didn't particularly understand even with Mi-Young whispering translations in my ear since I could barely read the Korean subtitles. (YAY FOR ILLITERACY!) After the movie was over we still had plenty of time to kill (it was about 11/12-ish when we got out) so we decided to go have lunch at a small street vendor. We then walked around the city for a bit, wasting time, and when the time for work arrived, we actually made it early. (Much to the surprise of our boss and co-workers. YEAH, SUCKAS!)

Our busy shift came earlier than usual today, starting at around 4:10 instead of 5, so we were running around as usual taking orders as fast as we could, and graciously accepting tips that came our way. As the night wore on, though, it seemed like it just kept getting busier and busier by the second and we ended up staying open 5 minutes past closing time, and we had to shoo away late comers looking for a meal, apologizing endlessly.

Thankfully the night finally ended and we were all cleaning up when the last customers left, thanking us for the delicious meal and telling us to have a good night. They told Sam-sik, who was their waiter that his tip was on the table. He thanked them, smiling, and told them to have a wonderful evening. But as soon as they were out of the restaurant and heading home, I heard him mutter how he wishes they get food poisoning for making us close late having to wait for them to get the fuck out.

"Language, Oppa," I teased him in Korean as he went back to washing tables, and I washed windows. He rolled his eyes at me but said nothing and continued to scrub the table so ferociously that I seriously thought he was going to break it in half.

"They deserve friggen food poisoning for keeping us," he said darkly to the table he ws cleaning. Everyone laughed but the fun quickly died down when our boss came into view and called me.

"Boss....is something wrong?" inquired Jin. Our boss looked around cheerfully and said, "Why are you all so serious? No one's died, I just need to talk to Kimi," he looked at me before adding, "When you're done come see me in my office," and left once again. Curious, I finished my chore quickly and headed to the Boss's office.

Five minutes later I stepped out of the Boss's office feeling numb and suddenly drained. The others had all finished their chores and were waiting for me to tell them news of what had just happened, but I ignored them all.

"Mi-Young," I said, in a cheerful voice, "are you finished yet? I'm tired and I kind of want to go home." She nodded and said that she was finished and told the others goodbye and that we will see them tomorrow. I bowed to them and left along with her.

"So what did the boss what?" she asked me in the cab ride home. I was spacing so I didn't really hear her and she had to shake me to get my attention.

"I'm sorry, what?" I said, snapping out of my daze. She smiled and looked at me as wondering if I was ok for a second. "I asked what the boss wanted to talk to you about," she repeated.

"Oh that," I said, returning her smile. I shrugged. "Oh, nothing much. Just that I've been working so hard he decided to give me a day off, that's all."

"Really? That's great! I heard he rarely decides to give workers a day off. Good for you!"

"Yeah....good for me," I said quietly and stared out the window. I reached my hand into the pocket of my trousers and clutched a small little envelope the boss had given me. That small little envelope......is my last paycheck.

Forbidden (Chapter 1)

2009-05-22T11:37:00.012-04:00

Well, well! Seems like my little fanfic here has gotten some good hits and i'm very honored to have them!! Seeing as how most of you liked the prologue, HERE'S CHAPTER ONE FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE! =DD

ps- due to my habit of drinking large amounts of coffee, i feel i must warn you that as the storyline progresses, it will get more and more.........graphic. :D THAT SAID, ENJOY!!!

pss- sorry if i made any mistakes on the Romanization of the Korean language...that shit's pretty damn hard to Romanize. So Kelly, if i have HORRIBLE SPELLING! deal. with. it. I tried my best. xD

Chapter 1

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

The earsplitting sound of my roommate shrieking at the top of her lungs woke me up, and made me sit bolt upright in bed, knocking my head against the bed above me. That's right, I sleep in a bunk bed, my bed's on the bottom, my roommate's on the top. Anyway, my head exploded with pain and I grabbed at it, trying to dumb it down a bit.....though I'm pretty sure that it was me who was now slightly dumbed down. With watery eyes, I glared at my roommate, Mi-Young, who was sitting at the computer screen, a really big grin on her face.

"YA!" I yelled, using the Korean word for "hey" which was about the easiest thing for me to pick up since I started living in Seoul for about 6 months now. ""Why are you screaming so early in the morning?! Why are you even up at--" I checked the clock on my night table "--7 in the morning?!" I screamed all this in English, since I'm still not that familiar with the language yet. But that's good considering Mi-Young could speak my language too.

"Byanae, Unni," she said looking at me. In case your wondering "Unni" is a term used by women and girls to address another woman who is older than her. I'm about 5 months older than Mi-Young so she calls me that....and "Byanae" means "I'm sorry."

She continued to look at me, the smile slowly coming back to her beautiful face. Like all Koreans she was pale, with almond-shaped eyes the color of onyx, and she had sleek shoulder-length hair which was now held in place in a bun in the back of her head. She wore a two piece polyester-trying-to-pass-as-silk light pink pajama, and Hello Kitty slippers on her feet. Why Hello Kitty? My only explanation would be because Koreans like cute things. Anyway, back on topic.

I rubbed my head continuing to glare at her.

"All right, so you're sorry, but that doesn't explain why you were screaming in the first place!" I scolded her. Her smile widened to show me her perfect white teeth. Damn you Koreans and your perfectness!!

She started to get excited again and waving her arms close to her body and bouncing in her seat. Dear Lord, something better be important for her to act like this.....I braced myself for the explosion of happiness.

"SUPER JUNIOR'S HAVING A CONCERT NEXT MONTH!!!" she screamed at me, completely giddy. (Super Junior is a really, really, really, REALLY, big boy band here in Korea, where any girl between the ages of 13 and up, have wild fantasies about getting impregnated with the baby of a member of their choice and having a really romantic relationship with if them if they ever got a chance to meet them. There are 13 members, and millions of girls are in love with each one. You do the math. That's a lot of fucking babies.)

I looked at her, not saying anything. That news really did pique my interest, and yes, I admit that I was slowly turning into one of these Pod-Girls that completely worship Super Junior; I even had my top two faves!! (Kim Kibum and Choi Siwon, omg, they're HOT!) HOWEVER, since I had been living here in Korea and started my job, I had made it clear to my co-workers, and Mi-Young, since she works with me, that I do not faun all over boy bands. I didn't even to that with NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. (Though there's somethin' about these asians that make me want to.)

That being said, Mi-Young stared at me, hoping to get a reaction out of me, and her smile slowly died.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" she asked. I got out of bed and straighted my pj's which were also made of polyester-trying-to-pass-as-silk material, but instead of being pink, mine were dark blue, with poka-dots; and my top was a tank-top.

"Mi-Young ssi," I said, " I told you before, I like Super Junior, they're music is interesting.......but I don't drool all over them like you do." I smirked and added, "Though this concert seems like fun. Are you planning on going?"

"OMG, ARE YOU INSANE FOR ASKING ME THAT QUESTION?! OF COURSE I'M PLANNING ON GOING!!!! AND YOU'RE COMING WITH ME!!!"

"Fine, fine. When is it?"

She looked at the computer screen. "Uhh.....it doesn't say. It just says 'next month, date to be determined.' Crap. BUT WHEN THE DATE COMES OUT, I'M TOTALLY BUYING TICKETS!!!" She squealed. "I'M SO EXCITED!!!" She then proceeded to stand up and actually do the dance movements to SJ's new song "Sorry Sorry" (which is REALLY catchy) and sing. I seriously had to restrain myself from jumping in and dancing with her. Ugh. Fine...I'll admit it. I fucking LOVE Super Junior!!! Happy!?

"Yeah, while you do that....I'm gonna get ready for breakfast," I said and grabbed my giant fluffy towel from one of my many bags and headed for Mi-Young's bathroom. As soon as I was outside in the hallway, I could smell her mother's cooking and my mouth watered. Did I mention that I'm living with Mi-Young and her parents and that it's a HUGE deal for them to have invited me to their home so I tried to be on my best behavior as often as I possibly could? Which is like.......everyday?! Yeah, well, that's true. I started living with her a couple months back when I was struggling with my first job (it SUCKED!!) and I was on break in a nearby cafe. She sat next to me and we started talking, and I told her how I was living in a cheap hotel since I just moved here, and blah, blah, blah, and we started becoming good friends. She said she was working at a restaurant that payed a damn better amount than what I was making at the time, and she persuaded the manager to give me a job. I later met her parents after a couple of weeks, and they agreed to let me stay; though I insisted on paying rent, even though they said I didn't have to.

Anyway, after I finished my shower and changed into a denim mini-skirt, black leggings, and a purple hoodie, I went downstairs to enjoy a delicious Korean breakfast. (Seriously, it's delicious. You should try it sometime.)

"Anyunghaseyo, Unni," I greeted Mi-Young's mother. She greeted me in return with a smile and started to set the table for breakfast. Seeing her bustling around, made me feel bad (guilty conscience for imposing on them, even though they said I could, I suppose) and in my best Korean, I asked if she needed any help.

"Aniyo, I'm fine. You just sit down and get ready for breakfast," she said. ("Aniyo" means "no") I kept insisting on helping, however, until she gently took me by the hand and led me to my seat at the table and sat me down. I guess she really doesn't want my help. But I feel bad!! But, not wanting to disobey her and seem rude, I sat down and played with my silverware. The bustling of feet coming down the stairs made me look up just in time to see Mi-Young practically flying down the steps. She was wearing the same clothes as I was, except her leggings and hoodie were white. Her hair fell straight down and she wore a little bit of pink lip-gloss and blush. I had my hair in ponytail and no matter how I looked at her, Mi-Young always manages to make me feel self-conscious about my appearance. Curse you Mi-Young and your beauty!!!!

"Mom! Mom! Mom!!" she called as she skidded to a halt at the kitchen table. Her mother looked up, her expression wary. Whenever Mi-Young acted like this....she wanted something.

"Dae?" responded her mother. "Dae" means "yes" in Korean. Mi-Young put on her best cute-face and posed her best cute-pose and asked, "Umma (Mom/Mommy), Super Junior is having a concert next month, and I was wondering if Kimi and I can go." She said all this in Korean so I didn't really catch much of that, except for my name so that made me look up.

"When next month?"

"The website didn't say--"

"Then no." Mi-Young's face fell like she had just been told Kim Heechul (her fave SJ member) was getting married (God for-bid, what-ever shall we do?) .

"Wha-?! But Mo~om!!! I have to go!!! It's really really really important!!!" she pouted. "Please, please, please, please, please!!"

"Unless I know the date, then no."

"Ammuni!!" She was starting to throw a tantrum, kinda like one of those tantrums that Han Ji-Eun throws in the drama "Full House." She continued to beg her mother, until she finally caved and said (this part I know) that she will have to think about it with her father. Mi-Young stopped immediately to consider this, her face wary. Her father was a really tough man, and if he said "no" then it's NO! She gave her mother a long look but ultimately complied to her request and sat down next to me for breakfast.

"What are you? Four?" I whispered to her in English. "No offense, but that was majorly embarrassing for me to witness."

"It was embarrassing for me too, but if it gets Mom to get me to go to that concert, then it was worth it."

After her mother had finished setting up the table and her father had come down to eat with us, we all enjoyed our meal.

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Since Mi-Young and I didn't have anything to do all day until 4 when we had to go to work, we decided to do a bit of window shopping to pass time, but once 4 started to come around (much too soon for my taste) we bolted it back home and changed into our uniforms which consisted of a clean white-collared shirt, black trousers, black shoes, and a halter-top vest....thing. We quickly threw up our hair in buns and told her parents good-bye and that we'll see them soon. By the time we made it to work at the restaurant, we had 10 minutes to spare, and our boss was not. happy. And I got the most shit from him, since I was "here under special circumstances and should be more considerate of others if i do not wish to lose my job" as he said. (Well....from what Mi-Young translated for me. I need to do some more studying...)

Anyway, the busy shift hadn't even started yet (that usually starts at 5-ish) so we filled our time by serving other customers. Before too long the busy shift really got started and we were up to our elbows in orders and running around like chickens with our heads cut off. By the time we were able to close up for the night I was so beat, I wanted nothing more than to just lay down on the floor and pass out. But the floor's disgusting, and we still had to clean up.

I was busy sweeping the floor and Mi-Young was cleaning the windows when our co-worker Park Chang-Su beckoned for us to come over by his table so we can read the newspaper that he had gotten. (Well, Mi-Young can read it and she can tell me what it says. God, according to Korean standards, I'm fucking retarded!!) The table was crowded with our other co-workers all gathered around Chang-so, each looking over his shoulder.

"What?! The notorious gangster/ drug ring Mob Boss, Buffalo, got arrested last night?!" exclaimed another co-worker of mine Han Sam-Sik. He grabbed the newspaper from the table and passed it around to everyone. Mi-Young and I were the last to get it, and my friend eagerly took it to see what it read and skimmed the page.

" 'Last night notorious mob-boss, Buffalo, was arrested by police on the waters of the Han-Gang river after being chased out of his illegal casino by police. Buffalo, as most know, was in charge of a drug ring with ties with Southeast Asia. Lieutenant Cha Soo-Kyung of the Violent Crimes Division along with her team carried out the arrest but it was Prosecutor Kim Jae-Yoon, who was taken hostage by Buffalo, who was really responsible for it. He courageously jumped out of the boat he was being held captive in, and dragged Buffalo along with him.' "

"Ehh? So it was the Prosecutor who "arrested" him? Wow, some police we have," stated Jin. (She another female co-worker of ours. We don't know her last name, since she wouldn't tell us, so we just call her Jin).

"Yeah, well, I wanna know what it was he was doing in the Casino in the first place," piped Sam-Sik.

"He could have been in the wrong place at the wrong time," stated Mi-Young.

"Yeah, but still, that's pretty fishy....I mean, he's a Prosecutor, why would he feel the need to go to a Casino? And an illegal one nonetheless," I chipped in my two cents, in the best Korean I could spit out.

"All right, all right, all right, that's enough out of you rascals," stated our boss as he took the newspaper and rolled it up. "It's late, you all did a good job today, so go home and get some rest." He lightly bopped each of us on our heads as we filed out of the restaurant. "Good night and see you all tomorrow!"

"Good night!!" we called as we each headed our own ways. As I took a cab home with Mi-Young, I listened to her talk about the Super Junior concert she was certain she and I were going to go to and tried to keep my eyes open until we made it home, but sleep overcame me and I ended up leaning against her shoulder the rest of the way. The last thought I had before I completely zonked out was whether or not I should check my e-mail to see if Ali was worried about me. I should probably do that soon.

Forbidden (Prologue)

2009-05-21T20:13:00.006-04:00

Hello and welcome to my new blog! I just created this account cuz i got bored with my other one, and to just vent my ideas and creativeness. :3 so right now i'm starting this little story i came up with while watching my all time FAVORITE korean drama of all time (as of yet) H.I.T.!! the story focuses on one of the detetives, Detective Kim Il-Ju and my very own made-up (NOT MARY SUE!) character. It's setting is in episode 6 where the detectives all go to Hong Kong to find some girls who have gone missing after they went to go try and become aspiring models.

I had this story in my head ever since i finished watching the series a couple years ago. (i highly recommend it, it's soooo good! i stayed up till 2am finishing it! omg, it's awesome!) so, anyway, i hope you all enjoy my little fanfic! here's the prologue!

ps- Detective Kim Il-Ju looks like this: http://www.hancinema.net/voir_une_photo.php?table=individus&id_objet=2087&id=35803&copyright (played by Korean Actor Jeong Dong-Jin. teh hotness omg.)

Prologue

I sat on the plane, staring out the window at the clouds rolling by, listening to the Korean pop music eminating from the Airline headphones on one of the music stations. I don't remember the name of the band, or the song, I just knew that it was music, it sounded good, and I liked it. It didn't matter that I didn't understand a word of it; as long as it's music. I glanced at the woman beside me who was listening to a Korean Drama with her headphones staring at the giant screen in front of us, she was crying so I guessed the drama was good. Apparently a Korean Drama isn't good unless you can reduce the viewer to tears in the process. I didn't really get all that, but the dramas seem to be doing all right by their standards.

Oh, and if you're wondering why everything I just mentioned has something to do with Korea, that's because I'm on KoreanAir on my way to Korea. I managed to scrape up enough money from my job back home to buy myself a plane ticket. Why Korea you ask? Because it's far away. Far away from all the shit that happened in my life. Far away from my abusive father, my drunk mother, and that run-down shack we called a home. I didn't tell them where I was going; like they would care anyway. I just packed up my things one day and left, and didn't tell anyone; not even my best friend Ali. I'd imagine she'd be pretty freakin pissed when she found out I won't be in school tomorrow. And well, I told my boss that I was quitting, but other than him, that's about it. No one else knew where I was or where I was going, and that was just fine with me. I'm used to being alone.

I continued to stare out the window and daydream about what it was that I was planning to do once I actually got into the country. I guess I really hadn't thought of that....oops. Oh well, that's the whole point about this adventure isn't it? Starting anew with a new life, where no one knows you and finally making a name for yourself. I suppose I could get a job.....where? I don't know.....I'd have to ask around. I smiled as I imagined myself asking in severely broken Korean where I would be able to find a job, and the natives staring at me as if I had two heads with my little English to Korean book in my hand. I surpressed a giggle.

The "ding!" of the pilot about to make an announcement flooded the airplane, breaking me out of my trance.
"Good Afternoon, passengers, this is your Captain speaking, we will be ariving at the Seoul National Airport in a little over 10 minutes. We thank you for riding KoreanAir with us and we hope you have a wonderful stay in Korea," said the voice over the intercom. It then proceeded to say the same thing...only this time in Korean.

I got excited. I was finally going to rid myself of the pain and suffering I had endured for 17 years back home in Toronto, Canada. I wouldn't have to be called "girl" or "filth" by my father or have to clean up sick from when my mother would get home late at night plastered and vomit all over the carpet. I wouldn't have to go through any of that anymore; I'd be free to just be myself for once and not be a prisoner.

The plane finally landed at the airport and I waited patiently to grab my carry-on out of the compartment above me, after the lady that was sitting next to me got hers. I put of over my shoulder and milled out with the other passengers into the airport. I went through the usual customs and showed them my passport after I had grabbed the rest of my bags, which were now, like, my life.

I handed my passport to this really cute looking Korean guy behind the counter. He looked at my picture, and then back at me and smirked. I couldn't help but look down at myself. I didn't know what he was smirking at, I mean....I'm not really that good looking to begin with. I was wearing a pair of low-cut hip-hugger jeans, black flats, and a black hoodie. My hair, sleek and jet black, was up in a loose bun though some strands managed to escape and frame my face somewhat. My eyes were normally a dark brown, but i decided to wear blue colored contacts, and my skin was the was the color of....well Pocahontas's skin in the Disney movie version of "Pochahontas." Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that part of my family is Native American (including my mother).....how some of us ended up in Canada? No clue. I also had some pretty nice curves, that I'm quite proud of, since I'm talking about myself.

Anyway, the really cute Korean guy at the counter looked at me and smirked, and i couldn't help but blush. Damn, he was cute. I shifted my gaze to the left and to the right. Yep, more cute guys and one really pretty girl. If all the guys in Korea look like this, then I must be in heaven!
He handed me back my passport that he had stamped and looked me fully this time and smiled. No, I thought, you really shouldn't smile like that, it makes you look even MORE hot!

Psh. Like he heard me.

"Welcome to Seoul, Ms. Kimimela Holmes," he said. Great, the reason he was smirking was because of my legal name, "Kimimela." It's Native for "butterfly" but ever since i was born everyone has called me "Kimi."

"It's Kimi," I said, taking my passport from him and putting it into the pocket of my carry-on bag.

"I apologize, Kimi" he answered, still smirking. I glanced at him, said nothing, and walked away, though I could feel his eyes watching me, though I hoped he wasn't staring at my butt. I mean, I do have a nice butt, I just don't like other people staring at it, y'know? I went through a whole lot of other procedures, and changed my currency into Won, before I could actually step out of the friggen airport.

Once out, I took a deep breath and exhaled, smiling and flagged down a cab. The Cab Man got out, bowed and said "hello" in Korean, to which I bowed back and repeated and he helped me put my things in the trunk. I got into the back seat, took out my hand-dandy English-Korean book
thingie and managed to tell him to take me to a nearby hotel and before I knew it, I was off.

I stared out the window and smiled happily as the scenery whipped by.

My name is Kimmela Holmes, and I'm starting my new life. (But first I have to apply for Korean citizenship. Haha!)