Sunday, 18 May 2008
12:28
Dream, live, laugh, and love.
Dream, she had long forgotten what it felt like to be able to dream of a day where the prince of her life would come and cherish her.
Live, she had long lost her wills to live on now that nothing was the matter.
Laugh, that wondrous feeling of being able to laugh out loud and expose your true inner self had long leaved the empty her.
Love, seriously, she wanted to experience the feeling of being loved…
It was an awfully cold night of mid winter and there, in the middle of a deserted street of a quiet city, stood a beautiful girl with long auburn hair that had been curled neatly and now, the icy wind was caressing it. Her eyes were covered by a dark pair of sunglasses, neglecting the fact that it was already passed midnight. Perhaps, she was trying to avoid someone. She was dressed professionally with a pure white outfit that was topped by a heavy, yet warm, outer coat that was also white. Her feet were adorned by a pair of creamy boots that appeared to be covering up to her knees. In her left hand was a branded brown purse that seemed to be filled with things while her right was dangling by her slender waist, freely.
Heaved out a heavy sigh, the young lady headed through the spotless glass door of a five-star hotel in front of her, with little hesitant. From there, she proceeded toward the desk that was busying greeting costumer after costumer. Patiently, she got in line and waited for her turn, and when it was her turn, she was greeted by a cheerful gentleman with a pair of lovable dimples on his cheeks.
“Welcome to Seoul International Hotel!” He said with enthusiasm. “May I help you?”
Emotionlessly, she removed her glasses and leaned closer to the gentleman. “Is ‘he’ here?”
With a simple nod, the man pushed a grey metal key toward her. “He’s in room 507 and good luck.”
“Thanks.” She mouthed the word as her hand engulfed the little, lifeless key.
And just like that, she disappeared into the crowd.
“Seoul International Hotel, a dead man was found!
On a chilly night of January, a dead body of a man who appeared to be in his 50s was found, lying breathless on top of a bloody bed that was assumed to be the last thing to get in contact with the victim. Kim Joonhyun, the victim’s name, is identified to be the head of the underground drug dealer who the police have failed to catch after he has legally won his trial regarding the very same matter, drug. His life was taken away by a merciless shot in the back of his head, which is assumed to be the main cause. There is no sight of struggling before the time of his death, yet there is nothing we can say now since the police are still in the middle of their investigation. More---.”
Not waiting for the reporter to finish his lines, the young lady from the other night lifted up her left arm tiredly and turned off the T.V.
“Another poor victim has failed to escape your gun, huh?” Teasingly, a strong, yet low voice reached her acute ears from behind.
“Shut up.” She grunted, obviously displeased with the guest’s uninvited presence.
“Don’t be so cold, we are lovers after all. Moreover, I---.”
“I said shut up!” Raised her voice a little, she stuffed a pair of pitch black headphones into her ears as the volume of her music layer had been turned to max.
Judged from her cold respond, he knew there was no way he could continue on teasing her like he was intending to, and therefore, reluctantly with a careless shrug, he took off his outer coat and resided at the empty spot on the creamy couch next to her.
“Ayumi, I have another job for you.” He stated. His dark pair of eyes was sparkling with evil deeds, as always.
“I don’t want to do it.” Blandly, with no interest whatsoever, she responded. “Enough is enough.”
“Lee Ayumi!” As impatient as he had always been, the guy screamed out her name bitterly. “Take off your headphones and listen to me for once!”
“I said I do not want to accept the job. Go and find someone who is more suitable.”
“Who is more suitable than you, the undercover serial killer of the underworld?” Smirked mockingly, he reached out and unplugged her headphones, but that was only after he had tossed a pile of papers onto her folded laps.
Yes, you had heard it right. The Lee Ayumi here was an undercover serial killer of the underworld, and legend had it that no one, no matter how skillful they were, could ever escape her gun. Truthfully, Ayumi had never dreamt of being such a cold blooded killer, but fate just had to be so unfair and pushed her into this hateful path, which she could never run away or ignore as if nothing had ever happened.
“Choi Siwon.” She muttered between her gritted teeth while her fierce gaze was fixed onto the guy who had just thrown the papers at her. “You f*cking bastard.”
“Why, thanks.” Siwon said breezily, showing off his attractive pair of dimples as his evil smile was visible under the dim light of her apartment.---Under the colorful light of a decent nightclub, a young man who was bearing the face of sadness sat silently as he was using his index finger to twirl the icy cold cubes of ice in his glass of expensive wine. His eyes were darting around the massive dance floor, trying to search for that familiar face he had encountered three days ago, a face that was familiar to his, a face that was clouded with sadness and…pain. His hair was neatly combed, yet it had somewhat been ruined since the rage wind of winter had been playing with it on his way here. He was dressed in a black suit that made him look so charming, comparing to those low class and lustful guys out there.
He had been sitting there for hours, but sadly, she was no where in sight. And finally, as the clock struck nine, he stood up, straightened his suit, took out his wallet and placed a one hundred dollar bill onto the smooth surface of the counter he was sitting at.
“Keep the change.” He demanded; a gentle smile was spreading across his handsome face. Soon, he turned around and was about to leave when something familiar caught his attention.
“Let’s go of me!” A girl, the one who had caused him to miss her crazy the past three days to be precise, screamed out under her drunken state.
“Not so fast. We didn’t even get to do anything fun.” A guy in his early 20s spoke up seductively while his arms were snaking around her waist.
“Bastard!” She insulted once one of his hand traveled down the outline of her right thigh. “Let me go!”
“Aww, don’t be so cocky.” The guy cooed, continued to harass her without a care of the world around them. Then, bam, he felt an intensive heat came in contact with his left cheek, and soon, he lost his balance and felt onto the dirty dance floor while the girl had been pulled away by that gentleman who had been waiting for a chance to meet her. “Sh*t!”
“Are you OK?” Our gentleman asked, looking into her watery pair of eyes tenderly.
Drunk and exhausted, the girl nodded with a slight smile. “Of course! Who would have the ability to hurt me? I am Lee Ayumi after all!”
Ayumi, Lee Ayumi was the name of this beautiful lady, he thought, delighted at the fact that he had finally found out her name, regardless the situation they were in that the moment.
Now that he had confirmed that she was alright, the man turned his head sharply toward the emotionless figure on the floor. “You should be glad that I am not in the mood of putting you in prison for months,” he paused, chuckling a bit at how an inspector like him could talk in such a strange manner, “now if you value you free lifestyle, I would suggest for you to leave and never show up in front of me again. Am I clear?”
Nodded hastily, the wounded man raced out of the club with little thoughts.
“Kim Kibum, we have a new case.” As soon as the pervert was out of sight, our hero found himself being surrounded by his friends.
“Not again.” Closed his eyes tiredly, Kibum let out a heavy sigh while Ayumi had long fallen asleep in his protective pair of arms.
Kim Kibum, inspector Kim to be precise, was ranked to be one of the most dangerous men in the police force for his sharp deductive skill and his astonished way of capturing criminals, as well as solving cases. Even though he appeared as if he was a fearful man, Kibum, in fact, possessed a very gentle and warm heart. ---Time had flown by so fast that it had been three weeks since Ayumi last resided in a small apartment that was originally owned by Kibum. Everyday, she would wake up and find hot dishes of food waiting for her on the round table in the kitchen together with a small note he had written in a rush to update her with what was going on in his busy life. But strangely, today, instead of finding the food on the table, she found Kibum himself sitting on one of the chairs with piles of colorful paper next to him. It seemed like he was doing something, yet she could not really tell for she was standing too far away from him.
“What are you doing?” She asked, full of curiosity.
“Nothing much, just folding paper cranes.” He shrugged, greeting her with a warm smile like the other days of the past.
“Oh.” She nodded then sank down into an empty chair next to him.
It was still so early in the morning that the sun had yet even shown itself in the grayish sky above. The gentle breeze of early spring was squeezing itself through the small, wide-open window in the kitchen, playing with his newly washed hair.
“Yumi ah, did you know that one’s life is the same as a paper crane’s?” Kibum whispered, giving the newly made crane a final touch before setting it next to the ones he had made previously.
“…How?” Too indulged into watching the young man in front of her making those delicate paper cranes, it took her quiet a while before catching up to what she was being asked.
“My mom has said that humans are made to be pampered, so are paper cranes---.”
“It’s not true.”
“How?” Kibum’s eyes were growing wide from the suddenness of her outburst.
“…It’s not true…we are made to pay the sins of our previous lives and not to be pampered.”
“But---.”
Kibum seemed as if he was about to say something, yet his phone went off and interrupted the almost-going-to-be conversation between him and his lovable roommate.
“Excuse me.” He flashed another beautiful of his while struggling to free himself from all the paper cranes that had somehow ended up on top of his laps and the dustless floor below.
Kibum then walked out of the kitchen, leaving Ayumi alone with thoughts going through her mind. And subconsciously, she reached out and picked up a blue paper crane from the table, there, she brought it to the wide opened window and let the wind carry it to wherever it was heading with wishes that this job of hers would come to an end soon, for she could no longer bear the thought of killing such a kind and warmhearted man.
“Ayumi, I am going out for a while!” Kibum announced, walking through the kitchen with a white coat around him. “I will not be back for dinner----.” His voice trailed off there as he had disappeared through the back door of their apartment.
What should she do now?
Should she leave the house as well?
Or should she go after and kill him once and for all?
She didn’t know, didn’t want to know anymore. She was greatly confused at how he had given her so much warmth in these past three weeks, not to mention the fact that he had never questioned anything regarding her background but let her stay---no, he didn’t let her stay but begged her to. There had been times where she had attempted to kill him, yet she stopped before anything could happen.
Why? Why did she feel so weak in front of him?
Perhaps she had accidentally fallen for him.
No! It was impossible for a girl like her to fall in love. It was just impossible…and even if she did, what good would it do if Kibum just loved her as a little sister--no, he had no feelings for her, he was just sympathizing her and she knew that it was a fact, an undeniable one.
+Ring….Ring+
“Hello?”
“What the hell do you think you are doing? Are you trying to test my patient?”
From that harsh tone of voice, she could tell immediately that it was none other than Choi Siwon, her dammed boss.
“No.”
“Then why haven’t you killed that f*cking bastard already? It has been three damn weeks!”
“…”
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t tell me that he has found out about our plan?” There was a hint of panic in his voice.
“No, of course not! It’s just that the right time has yet come…”
“Whatever, but I do hope that you finish this damn bastard already, for he keeps on poking his nose into my business.”
“Give me one more week.”
“Ok, but this is the last time, understood?”
“Yes.”
With that, she heard him hang up from the other line. And unexpectedly, she felt droplets of tear trailing down her crimson cheeks, damping it mercilessly as the tears were making their ways to the cold floor below. What was this feeling? She asked herself silently; eyes never leaved that pile of colorful paper cranes Kibum had folded earlier.
Yes, what was it that she was feeling? Had her heart wavered because of him?
Perhaps she had, for her heart ached every time the thought of killing him with her own hands haunted her mind, she would shed an endless pool of tear…but…she shouldn’t be thinking about this now, not when the designated date was coming, at an incredible fast rate to be precise, and on that day, whether she liked it or not, she, Ayumi Lee, would have to take away his life.
“Kim Kibum…I am sorry.” She whispered; turning her back against the paper cranes on the table and freed her cold self from all the warmth and love the house, as well as the owner, was giving her the past weeks. “I have gotten no choice…”
This was it; her final decision…the decision of taking away his life so that her life would return to the way it was before she met him and being pampered with love. Heartless as it might sound, Ayumi still couldn’t shield her bleeding heart away from him and the affections that were growing stronger each day within her.
-You can close your eyes to things you do not wish to see, but you can’t shield your heart from things you do not wish to feel…----Days, once again, had passed by with no reluctance whatsoever and as day after day flew by within a blink of an eye; Ayumi felt her heart begin to shatter into pieces of wilted rose pedals. There was only one day left before that ‘day’ came, one day of guilt and regrets, that’s it.
“Yumi ah,” sweetly, Kibum’s voice echoed throughout the house while he was knocking upon the door to her room, “Are you ready?”
“Just a minute!” Hastily, Ayumi added the final finishing touch to her hair that had been curled neatly and was now bouncing gently against her back every time she took a step closer to the door that Kibum was waiting behind. “Sorry for the long wait…” She muttered shyly; hands were hiding behind her back while eyes staring blankly at her own feet.
Speaking of being shy, this was probably the first time in her life that Ayumi had experienced the feeling, which appeared to be a wonder to her, especially it was Kibum who had made her feel that way.
“It’s okay.” Kibum, indeed, was trying to mask away the deep shades that were invading his puffy cheeks by playing it cool and calm. “Now, shall we go?” And like any gentleman would do, he bowed down in front of her, offering his right hand for her to grab on.
“Yes…” Nodded slightly, Ayumi placed her small hand in his masculine one.
Upon her hand was in his, Kibum straightened himself and grinned widely. “You look beautiful tonight, my lady.”
“You too, Mr. Kim Kibum.” Not wanting to ruin the mood, despiting the sadness she was bearing, Ayumi returned a complishment that her heart had always wanted to yell out, literally.
Today was the day, Kibum thought while stealing small glances as the close yet distant lady next to him.
Today was the day, the day that Kibum had waited for so long…a day when he would have to gather all of his courage and propose to her. But little did he know that things tended to slip out of control time after time, especially at a crucial time like this…
---It was getting dark outside as the sun was retreating behind the horizon afar, but the darkness didn’t come that fast for the lovely colors of the freshly bloomed flowers could still be seen by the eyes of the beholders. And in a restaurant nearby sat the loveliest couple of all, a couple who came from two different worlds…the two worlds that should never collide…
“Yumi ah, this might appear to be a strange question but…really, what do you think about me?” After a taking few sips from his glass of red wine, Kibum adjusted his voice before blurting out the question. “I mean…well…I have been wondering what I am to you…well…you know…”
Chuckled a little, Ayumi put down the fork in her right hand and knife in her left; she then picked up a white napkin and cleaned the corners of her lips. “You are my…everything…” She whispered, blinking back the tears that were threatening to fall from her dulling eyes, for the thought of killing him flashed in her mind.
“Your everything?” He repeated doubtingly, yet the hint of happiness still lingered.
“Yes…my everything…” She paused, stared straight at his sparkling eyes. “But…but…”
“But what?” Kibum urged, wagered to hear what else she had to say.
“No…never mind.” Quickly, Ayumi shook her head and motioned for Kibum to continue on eating.
Silent then fell upon their table as one continued to eat dejectedly while the remaining one trying to block her own droplets of bitter tear from becoming visible to her companion. And just when Kibum was ready to start the real question he had been waiting to ask, her phone went off.
“Excuse me.” A heavy frown was clouding her face right after she had taken a small peek at the caller ID.
Clumsily, she made her way into the empty restroom, there; she flipped her phone open and answered the call that was putting on hold for quiet awhile.
“Hell---.”
“What the hell are you think you are doing? Do you think this is the time for you to pretend to be all lovey-dovey with him? For God’s sake, finish him off already!”
Choi Siwon, Choi Siwon, he was being unbearable once again what that quick temper of his.
“I still have one more day.”
“One more day you said?” His voice was filled with mockery and frustration. “Are you falling in love with that bastard?”
“Don’t address him as a bastard!”
“Too bad because I already had and moreover, you do not have to worry about finishing him off anymore for I have chosen another person to do the job---.”
“What the hell are you babbling about?”
“I said that I have f*cking chosen another person to kill him--oh, they should have done it by now---.”
Not waiting for Siwon to complete his damn line, Ayumi snapped her phone shut and raced back to where Kibum was but all she found were shattered pieces of glass and a small, heart-shaped box lying helplessly on the ground as the guests were screaming in horror.
Taking small, trembling steps toward the box, she leveled herself down and picked it up and much to her surprise, the well wrapped box was addressed to her and the sender was the one and only Kim Kibum. Painfully, Ayumi decided to unwrap it…but little did she know that this action would change her life…forever…
“Ayumi dear, will you marry me?
I know that is too sudden of me, but I have no choice but to do so before everything is too late. To tell you the truth, I have long found out about you and your background and as an inspector I am, the only choice I had back then was to turn you in, but instead of doing so, I decided to keep you by my side and I glad I did because…you are indeed the one I have been waiting for all my life. I love you…love you so much that I am willing to let you take my life with your own hands…”
Upon her eyes caught the few last words and the diamond ring that had her name carved on it, Ayumi couldn’t help but cried out loud in pain. So, he knew, she thought, and yet he didn’t say anything but kept on pampering her with love and warmth…
What should she do now that his sincere proposal had touched her greatly and that his life was on a line? Should she save him or should she just pretend like nothing had ever happened and continued to live the way she used to before she met him?
She was in great confusion, but soon, her final decision was clear: she would save him even though it meant she have to use her life to exchange for it…---Calm and collected, Kibum stood firmly in front of Choi Siwon, neglecting all the guns that were pointing at his direction. Kibum was as good looking as ever though his face was stained with blood from an opened wound on his forehead while both of his hands were being tied behind his back, and the white suit he had on was now a dirty one with dirt and mud as decorations.
“So, you are Kim Kibum…” Siwon stated, rubbing his chin mockingly. “You have got the looks, eh?” He added, only after Siwon had had enough time to investigate Kibum from head to toes. “No wonder why our Yumi was having a hard time finishing you off, but don’t worry, you will surely die with me being the one to kill you.”
Followed Siwon’s statement was a chain of eerie laughter of mocker.
“Do what you want to do with me and get it over with.” With little fear, none to be precise, Kibum spat out his thought bitterly.
“What’s up with the hurry, your little girlfriend isn’t here yet?” Siwon smirked; his face clearly showed the evil scheme he was planning.
“What are you planning to do to Ayumi? She has nothing to do with this! Just kill me and be done with---.” Unable to finish up his sentence, Kibum found a bar of cold metal come in contact with his stomach, causing him to wince in indescribable pain.
“Why? Are you falling for her already?” A smile was tugging at the corners of Siwon’s sexy lips while his dimples were showing under the dim light of the abandoned factory. “I would love to kill you and be done with it, but that would be too plain…” he paused and heaved out a heavy sigh, “Besides, I would like to see how Ayumi will react, watching me, her ex, torturing you!”
Judging from his tone, there was no doubt that this guy was dead serious with what he had just spoken, which then sent chills down Kibum’s spine for he was praying for Ayumi’s safety.
“Oh, there goes the little girlfriend.” Almost as if he had just won a lottery, Siwon announced happily while Ayumi’s heavy footsteps were echoing through out the place.
Swiftly, Siwon jumped down from the black of woods he was standing on and greeted Ayumi with a disgusting smile. “My little angel, you are finally here.”
“Release him this instant.” Ignored the fake greeting Siwon just gave, she demanded him to free Kibum.
“Why should I?” Quiet taken back by her words, Siwon crossed both of his hands in front of his chest. “He’s my number one enemy to begin with and now---.”
“Shut up wit your crap and release him, now!” Raised her voice in dismay, Ayumi took out her gun and pointed it directly at Siwon.
“Hold up!” Siwon exclaimed. “You are betraying me for him? Well, if that is what you want then I have no choice but…” His voice reached a sudden stop there as he too, suddenly pulled out his gun and pointed it toward Ayumi, threatening to pull the trigger if any move was made.
Meanwhile, a signal was given to his followers for they had started to beat Kibum with metal bars, mercilessly.
“If you value your little boyfriend’s life then I suggest you put your gun down and surrender.”
“I…”
“Ayumi, don’t do it! They will kill you!” Even though he was physically injured, Kibum still had enough energy to shout out his warning.
“Kibum…” Her eyes were getting watery and her body had somehow ended up shaking uncontrollably. Using this as an advantage, Siwon did a back kick and took control of Ayumi as her gun was no longer in her hand.
“While, I thought you were better than that…” He sighed disappointedly before pressing the gun even harder against the back of her skull.
“Please…Siwon…please let him go…I will do anything…”
“Anything?”
“Yes…anything…”
“Pathetic…” Siwon spat. “I thought my father taught you better than this.”
“Please…I beg you…” She paused, gasping for the air that was now dominated by the disgusting scent of blood. “I will use my life to exchange for his----.”
“No! Ayumi---ugh…” Once again, Kibum’s speech was cut short by a heavy blow in the stomach.
“Siwon…I beg you…” Diverting her blurring vision from the helpless Kibum to the arrogant expression Siwon was wearing, Ayumi breathed heavily from the pain she was enduring.
“Beg me?”
Ayumi nodded; eyes closed from exhaustion and hopelessness.
“But sadly, there is no such thing as letting go in my dictionary…” With that, Siwon shoved Ayumi aside and walked up to Kibum who was now covered in blood. “Hmmm…I think it’s time to finish you once and for all…but please, do not blame me for this is what you get for going against us.”
Gently, Siwon bent down to lift Kibum face up while using his other to press the gun against the side of Kibum’s skull. Slowly, his rough fingers increasing the force he was applying on the trigger, but before anything could happen, sirens and footsteps could be heard from afar.
“Sh*t.” Siwon cursed, kicking Kibum.
Speaking of Ayumi, seeing how things were turning, she quickly stood up and pulled the trigger of her gun, which then landed upon Siwon’s left shoulder, making him lose his balance and stumbled backward.
Kibum then, used the chance to break the thin rope and free his hands. Once it was done, Kibum dashed toward Ayumi, temporary forgetting the wounds his body was suffering from. And as soon as he was there, Kibum grabbed onto Ayumi’s hand and sprinted for the door, hoping that he still had enough time to escape before the polices pour in and capture her, as well as the gang. But little did they know that…the road to freedom was only meant for Kibum and not Ayumi…
B-am!
“Ayumi!” Kibum shouted out franticly as she slowly fell down on her knees.
You had gotten it right, it was Siwon who had used the last ounce of his strength to pull the trigger and the heartless bullet had pierced through Ayumi’s aching heart, and now, she was trembling within Kibum’s protective pair of arms.
“Ayumi…please don’t---.” Silenced him with her slender finger, Ayumi moved her hand upward and caressed his face, for the very first time.
“Kibum…I am sorry---…I…didn’t mean---…to lie to you…”
“If you are sorry then don’t give up your life so easily. You should live on…with me…” Swallowing back his tears, Kibum brushed strands of lose hair off of her pale face.
“I…can’t…” She was beginning to choke on her own blood as she struggled to take out the ring from earlier. “…I don’t…deserve…you…I…”
“Ayumi, don’t say that!” Kibum shouted out, keeping her from giving him the ring. “You surely deserve me…I need you…I love you…”
“Kibum…I---…love---uggghhh…” There, her body went limp, signaling that her last breath had just been used up.
“No…you can’t…you haven’t said that you love me…Ayumi…you can’t go yet…”
Suddenly, aside from his tears and the faint footsteps of polices, a tiny paper crane that was delivered by the fresh wind landed upon Ayumi’s right palm. And magically, it was the very one she had freed from the window of Kibum’s apartment a week before.---
T H E E N D...---
Kiwi Loves Turkey
Dream, live, laugh, and love.