Chapter 1

Y/n's POV

I walked slowly towards the huge unfamiliar grey building in front of me. The streets have changed completely. It's nothing like what it used to be. The house and it's massive garden that beared our footsteps have vanished to dust. The walls that heard our shouts, screams and laughter knocked to the ground and taken away. I swallowed as unexpected grief struck my chest. It is the right place unfortunately. I didn't believe it yesterday and thought I was in the wrong street. But my memories and the guidance of strangers I asked for directions have led me here again today.
I breathed as my heart shattered to pieces.

I felt like I've fallen into a different world and my memories were just from a dream.
The guard stood at the gate watched me with suspicion as he saw me here yesterday as well.
I mustered up my courage and walked up to him.

"Hi!"
I awkwardly greeted. He grew cautious I could tell.
"Yes?"
He nodded, clearly wanting to know why I had been hovering around here for the past one hour with my backpack.
"There used to be a big house...here."
I said hesitantly pointing behind him.
As I spoke he noticed my college hoodie. His tense face became a little relaxed. Maybe now he figured I'm not a threat.

"Do you know what happened to it?"
I waited for his reply anxiously, hoping he would give me some clue about where to look next.
"Oooh!"
His face lighted up gradually as if knew what I was talking about. I became hopeful by the look on his face.
"You must mean the old mansion. Ah, it's a sad story you know, the owner, Mr Kim died a few years ago. His son sold it and moved away."
I almost lost sense of my legs as my body gave in.
"Mr Kim died?"
"Yes, There are so many stories about his death. Some say he died of ill health, some say he was poisoned, some even say his son killed him. Who knows? It's all a bit of a mystery."
Now, he leaned forward and spoke in a very low tone as if it was his best kept secret.
"No...he wouldn't do that. His father was all he had."
I mumbled as my eyes filled with tears.

"Well, Who knows? how do you know about the mansion anyway? Did you know them?"
He questioned curiously straightening his posture.
"Uhm...Don't worry. Thanks anyway."
I bowed quickly and turned to walk away, but I stopped.
"But... do you know where his son may have moved to?"
I asked turning back again swiftly. I couldn't give up. He might know something.
"Mmm...not really. I mean they're rich. But I'm sure..."
Squinting his eyes, he tried hard to remember something.
I stood still, praying.

"Ah! I think he told my boss when he sold the mansion he was gonna move to America. They even have companies in America you know. They must be really rich."
He finished with his eyes widened.

America...?
I breathed losing the last bit of hope with my breath.
"Thank you."
I nodded forcing a smile on my face and walked away.

I was stood inside the phone box holding the receiver against my ear. Lost and hopeless, my body was almost numb. The phone kept ringing, I knew it will take some time for her to get to it. She was growing fragile day by day, the chemotherapy seemed to break her body more than the cancer itself.
I needed to know she had forgiven me before I could face her. I sold the ring she'd bought me for my eighteenth birthday couple of months ago and spent the money on this pointless quest which had now left me heartbroken.

"Hello."
My dearest mother's soothing voice forced the tears to roll off my cheeks uncontrollably.
"Mum..."
I whimpered clutching the gold necklace around my neck.
"Oh y/n ah! It's ok, just come back sweetheart."
She knew before I even said anything.
"Mum, I'm sorry."
I carried on with my head dropped.
"Honey, just come back home safe. It's ok. Just concentrate on your studies for now. Time will fix everything."
She comforted making me sob.
"Mumma, I'm sorry I sold the ring."
I quavered with regret wiping my tears.
"It's ok honey. I'll buy you another one."
She consoled as I whimpered holding the receiver.

The cold breeze sneaking in through the partly open window gently caressed my face while playing with my long black hair. I stared into the deep night through the window. It was cold but I liked gazing at the glittery sky filled with stars. I was mesmerised by the glistening silver moon almost growing full.

"it's nice to see you"
I whispered with a smile.
"It's been a while, how's he doing? I hope he's well. Tell him I am still here for him and my only wish is to see him happy".
A small transparent cloud swept across my friend while I spoke.
"Hah! Don't hide from me yet", I said with a worried face.
"Tell him I'll find him no matter how long it takes...and I miss him so much".
I uttered closing my eyes as tears escaped rolling down my cheeks.
It was one of many messages I send him every time I see my brightly shining friend in the sky. Because I hoped that he'll be somewhere out there too, looking at her.
"It's almost midnight. I should sleep; I've got my job interview tomorrow. Good night", I wished with a long deep sigh gazing at the moon for a moment before closing the window.

I pressed the home button on my phone to check the time. It glowed, displaying a picture of me and my mum taken on my birthday earlier this year when I turned twenty one. She bought me another ring like she promised. It's something we both had in common, keeping promises. That's the reason I'm here again, in this buzzing city with a glimpse of hope.

"Use it wisely."
My mother said with a smile when she put it on my finger that day.

Chemotherapy helped for a while. She was all clear for at least a year. But it relapsed earlier this year just after my birthday. More aggressive this time. It's like she held on for me until I finished college and ready to stand on my own foot. Then suddenly she was gone, leaving me on my own forever.

"I'm sorry mumma. I sold the ring again."
I stroked her face on the screen with the tip of my forefinger. The screen light dimmed and turned black.

I sighed disappointed in myself. I couldn't be there anymore. I missed her too much. So I sold the ring and came back to this familiar city Seoul, which I visited three years ago to find something I lost.
But this time, to find a job, so I hoped she would count this as a wise decision.
Well, at least that's what I said to myself. I wouldn't be surprised with my self if I end up in front of that building again asking about the old mansion and it's big luscious green garden.
Maybe I'll find a job first before I begin again.

I slowly snuggled into the duvet ready to battle another lonely night clasping the half broken gold heart on my necklace that read. "TAE".

My stomach growled at the same time.
"Aishh!"
I sat up again. I should really get something to eat. I sighed looking at the clock. I hoped at least a corner store would be open at this time. Lazily I rolled off the bed and grabbed my oversized white hoodie from the stool beside my small single bed. I threw it on over my pyjamas and grabbed the keys to head out.

Author's PoV

The streets were eerily quiet. The cat curled up on the rubbish bin was disturbed by metallic clicking sound of a gun and leaped across the street sensing the danger coming.
A tall dark figure in a hooded jacket appeared stepping onto the reflection of the moon in a puddle of water in front of him. He wore a face mask only exposing his sinister eyes. They gleamed with revenge focusing ahead. His walk was majestic, as if he ruled the streets. The way he openly flaunted his gun showed there's no one daring to question him. He moved calmly, undisturbed yet carefully with utmost attention to his surroundings, Like a lion preparing to hunt down its prey, he advanced.
Slowly, he disappeared into the dark narrow street.

Y/n walked quickly with her pot of instant noodles and her black shrivelled leather purse, another gift from her mother.
Without a job, it wouldn't be wise to spend much on food. She held the pot against her chest as she walked. The air around her felt somewhat colder than she anticipated, but also eerie since it was unbelievably quiet.
She turned into a narrow street which is a shortcut to the street where her flat was located. She knew it wasn't wise to take this route at this time of night, but her stomach was eating itself and she had to dig into that pot of noodles as soon as possible.

Her short quick strides came to a drastic stop as she noticed a man tiredly jogging towards her. It seemed like he was drunk, his footing quite heavy on the ground. He kept turning to look behind him. He looked ahead again. A faint cry came from him as he ran towards her.
"He...lp..."
His weak voice called.
Puzzled, she stared at him.
"Are you... ok?"
She called cautiously staying where she was, in case she had to run away from him.
"Nooo...help...please...call the..."
The man called a little louder glancing behind him again as he got closer.
But, In a split second, he jolted and his body was forced forward like he'd been hit by some invisible force. He dropped to the ground on his knees, just a few steps away from y/n.
"Haah!"
She gasped, frozen. Her warm hands under the cuff of the hoodie sleeves suddenly grew cold.
The man slowly face planted onto the ground.
"Hey...? Are you...ok?"
She cautiously took a step forward but her feet paused as she noticed a dark halo of blood forming around his head. He lay lifeless, face down on the ground.
A single bullet had pierced through the centre of the back of his head.

It's not just the blood that made her freeze but also the tall menacing shadow casting over the dead body and her quivering form.
A metallic click made her teeth titter.

Hesitantly, she moved her eyes up.
The masked man stood holding the gun at her. The nozzle pointed straight to the centre of her forehead. Startled, she dropped everything in her hands. He lowered it slowly while glaring at her.  Pulling down his black fabric mask, he revealed his perfectly sculpted face. A sign of disgust loomed on his face as he dropped his eyes on the dead man in front of him. His flawlessly handsome face registered quite strongly into her brain as she slowly retreated. Although she wished it hadn't.

Suddenly, his eyes flicked back to her and she froze again like he had put a spell on her just with his blood thirsty eyes.

"Run, before I change my mind."
He commanded with a voice that's seductively smooth yet gravely deep.
Shuddering, she stumbled back couple of steps while trying to gain control of her body. With a swift turn she ran for her life.
He stood still watching her disappear.