Chapter 17: Where Do We Go From Here

[Sierra’s POV]

“I need to go,” I whispered as I pulled away from Han Kyung.

“Can we meet tomorrow?” he asked.

I nodded silently. I wasn’t in the position or mind to argue with him anymore. He had succeeded in breaking down the wall I had built to keep him out. If it wasn’t for Jae Wook, I’d have never met up with him again. I should have just stayed away.

My driver’s eyes widened when he saw Han Kyung walking me to the car. He’d not seen Han Kyung in a long time. Naturally, he was surprised.

“Call me when you get home,” he said as he leaned down, against the car door.

“Araso,” I replied, and he smiled and shut the door.

All the way home… his kiss replayed in my mind. I had sworn that I would not let him win me back, no matter what. So much was at stake if we were reunited. Now that I had failed, I didn’t know what to do. I was lost, and the responsibility I bore on my own now weighed on me mercilessly.

Music: TVXQ - Kissしたまま、さよなら

I kept my emotions inside throughout the car ride, not wanting to alarm my driver. I rushed out of the car as soon as it stopped and quickly let myself into the house. As soon as the door shut behind me, my tears started falling freely. I slumped to the ground, and sobbed. I’ve put myself in such a huge mess now. I have Jae Wook on one arm and Han Kyung holding on to my other. How would I explain the whole situation to Jae Wook? I have no more strength to push Han Kyung away, and yet I felt incredibly guilty towards Jae Wook, even if we’ve been together for less than a week.

“Sierra?” I heard a voice coming from the top of the stairs.

I looked up and through my blurry vision I could see Sang Hoon oppa running down the stairs.

“Oppa…” I sobbed, as he came to kneel down beside me.

“Kwaench’ana?” he asked me as he checked me, thinking I had hurt myself or something.

My brothers had this habit. Whenever I cried, they’d always this it’s because I was physically injured. Perhaps it was because I was such a klutz during my childhood, but now that I’m almost an adult, it seemed a little silly for them to still be checking me like that.

“Oppa…” I cried out and put my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder.

“Sierra… odi ap’a? You have to tell me, or I can’t help you,” he said as he stroked my back.

“I don’t know what to do…” I sobbed.

“Do what?” he asked gently, still stroking me.

“Han Kyung,” I said.

“Why? Is he bothering you again?”

“I think… I think we’re back together,” I said.

“You think?” he said incredulously. “What do you mean you think?”

“I don’t know…” I started crying again.

“What’s wrong?” I heard Yong Min oppa’s voice.

“That Han Kyung’s at it again,” Sang Hoon oppa said.

“Again?”

“Bring her into the drawing room,” Yong Min oppa said as he walked towards the room and flipped on the lights.

“Come on,” Sang Hoon oppa said as he helped me to my feet.

Sang Hoon oppa sat me on the couch, then sat beside me. Yong Min oppa sat in an armchair.

“What happened Sierra?” Yong Min oppa asked, and I started to tell him the whole story.

Both my brothers knew how Han Kyung’s father had threatened me, and both had supported me when I decided to break up with him. Now that I had unwittingly got into contact with Han Kyung again, I wasn’t sure how my brothers would react.

“First of all,” Sang Hoon oppa said, “who do you love?”

“Me and Han Kyung,” I sighed. “We’ve been through so much together. It’s hard to push him out of my life.”

“But haven’t you been doing it for the past year?” Yong Min oppa said.

“I have, but only by pretending that he and I didn’t have a past. I made myself believe that we had nothing to do with each other, that we weren’t connected in any way.”

“And where does this new guy, Jae Wook, stand?” Yong Min oppa asked.

“I’m beginning to think that I should never have dragged him into this,” I said. “It was my mistake for trying to start a relationship with him.”

“He had a part in it too,” Sang Hoon oppa said. “Unless you were the one who seduced him,” he laughed, and I smacked him on the arm.

“Not funny…” I said.

“Mian…” Sang Hoon oppa smiled sheepishly.

“But I allowed him to invest his emotions on me,” I said.

“He was very willing to make that investment,” Yong Min oppa said. “So you needn’t feel guilty.”

“He’s taken so many hits for me,” I said.

“Han Kyung had him beat up?” Sang Hoon oppa asked.

“Twice,” I said.

“Oh my… you’re definitely indebted to him then,” Sang Hoon oppa laughed.

“How do you plan to explain yourself to Jae Wook?” Yong Min oppa asked.

“I don’t know…” I groaned and covered my face with my hands.

“You do plan to tell him, right?” Sang Hoon oppa asked.

“I don’t know…” I groaned again.

“You said you were back with Han Kyung, so don’t tell me you’re still going to stay with Jae Wook?” Yong Min oppa said.

“How can I tell him? After all he’s been through for me and after he’d sworn to protect me. How do I tell him?”

“He thinks he can protect you?” Sang Hoon oppa scoffed.

“Sierra… you have to make a decision. You can’t string them both along,” Yong Min oppa said.

“Wrong… she’s stringing one along. Han Kyung will have that poor kid bumped out of the scene entirely,” Sang Hoon oppa said.

“Don’t remind me…” I winced.

“Did he finally get his father’s blessing?” Sang Hoon oppa asked me.

“No… and that’s the problem.”

“Then why is he even bothering?” Sang Hoon oppa exclaimed. “Is he trying to get us killed too?”

“He said he’d get through to his father,” I said.

“Like hell he will,” Sang Hoon oppa said. “You’re not getting back with that Han Kyung. He’s gonna drag us all down to the pits with him.”

“But how do I get rid of him?” I asked. “I told him it wouldn’t work out, but he just wouldn’t listen.”

“Geez… what did you do to him, little sis?” Sang Hoon oppa asked. “You’ve totally possessed the guy.”

“I didn’t do anything. We just dated!” I said.

“Stop it, the two of you. We’ll need a plan,” Yong Min oppa said. “You’ll have to be firm, Sierra. I know you still like him, but he’s going to ruin our family if you stay together.”

“I know…” I said.

“Pretend nothing happened for now,” Yong Min oppa said.

“With whom? Han Kyung or Jae Wook?” I asked

“You’ll have to let Jae Wook go. He’s in danger as long as he stays by your side,” Yong Min oppa said.

“How am I going to tell him?” I asked.

“You just need to show him,” Sang Hoon oppa said, grimly.

[Jae Wook’s POV]

I woke up this morning and my body ached all over. Damn those thugs… they really got me good this time.

“Hyung…” Jae Joong called as he came into the room. “Feeling better?”

“Worse…” I coughed.

“Can you get to school?”

“Yea… I’ll be fine. Just some aches and bruises.”

“I need to go now,” Jae Joong said as he shrugged on his blazer. “Breakfast is on the table. I’ve put aside omma’s share. Just eat yours and leave it in the sink.”

“Araso… omma,” I smiled.

“Bye…” he said and left the house in a hurry.

I stood up slowly and went to the bathroom to wash my face. I checked out the bruise on my face, and smiled at the recollection of last night. I knew for certain that I was in for a bumpy ride, but I promised Sierra we’d stick together.

Sierra had some powers alright. She looks like a strong girl, but she still needs my protection, and I plan to do what I promised; protect her. The connection we shared yesterday was undeniable. I’d never felt the need to be with anyone before. I actually felt that I needed to be with her, I had to be with her. My life won’t be right without her.

I got ready for school and arrived just in time before the first bell. As I walked in, a car pulled up in front of the gate. It was a familiar black car. I jumped back when I saw Han Kyung step out of it. He smirked at me, and extended his hand to help the other passenger out.

It was Sierra.

Music: Tim - 내 안의 전쟁 (The War In My Mind)