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Jung Yong HwaPAK!!! “HOW DARE YOU KISS OUR SISTER?!”, Mi Young Noona shouted in rage after hitting me hard across the face. “I–I–I—” “THIS IS THE THANKS WE GET AFTER EVERYTHING WE’VE DONE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?! YOU DISRESPECT US?!”, Nich Khun Hyungnim roared, shaking with anger. “I–I–I—” “YOU’RE NOT HER HUSBAND, YONG HWA-YAH!”, Yu Ri Noona screamed angrily. “I–I–I—” “YOU’RE NOT EVEN HER BOYFRIEND!”, Yoo Na Noona screeched, glaring at me. “I–I–I—” “UNLESS THERE’S SOMETHING YOU’RE NOT TELLING US AFTER EVERY CHANCE WE'VE GIVEN YOU TO CONFESS?!”, Chang Sun Hyung yelled accusingly. “I–I–I—” “SO?! IS THERE SOMETHING BETWEEN YOU TWO?!”, Seung Gi Hyung snapped at me. “I–I–I—” “YOU ACT AS THOUGH YOU OWN HER!!! YOU TOUCH HER AND KISS HER ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME YOU LIKE!”, Min Hyuk bellowed accusingly. “I–I–I—” “WHAT?! YOU’RE WHAT?!”, Hyun’s brother and brothers-in-law snarled at me as they gathered around me. “I love her!”, I burst out as four fists came flying towards me. “AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”, I screamed in terror, trying to shield myself. After a few seconds, I was baffled when no fists came so I looked around. It was dark and so quiet that all I could hear was the rush of blood through my ears and the intense pumping of my heart. I released a sigh of relief when I realized it was all just a dream. “Calm down, Yong Hwa-yah.. It was just a dream.. Calm down.. Remember that you get to keep Cherisse for a while.. You should be happy..”, I whispered in the dark. Wait a minute! Did I scream when I was dreaming? Did THEY hear me?! – Did you forget WHERE you’re sleeping? – Oh, thank God this room is soundproofed! – Yeah, no one can hear your girly screams! – Yah! I DO NOT scream like a girl! Cham! “But why would I have a dream like that..?”, I murmured confused as to what brought about the dream in the first place. I haven’t kissed her yet— – What do you mean you haven’t kissed her yet?! What about the time when you were all video-chatting?! – That was an ACCIDENT! I didn’t mean to do that! And besides, nobody saw that so I’m not feeling guilty about it.. – Are you sure? – Yes! “Then, why do I feel like there’s something escaping me right now..? Did I do something last night?! What?! When?! When I passed out?! Aishhh! I don’t know anymore!”, I hissed frustratedly as I got up from bed and decided to get a glass of water to calm me down because everything that happened today has been a blur to me. As I opened the door of the studio, I found Hyun carrying a crying Cherisse, trying to soothe and get her back to sleep. “Hyun, what happened?”, I asked as I immediately ran to her side. Cherisse was slumped on Hyun’s shoulder, arms around her neck, eyes closed, whimpering. “Oppa! Did we wake you—” “No! Of course not.. I had a ni—I need a drink of water.. What about you? Was I the one who woke her up—” With my girly screams? – Yah! Aishhh! “No, no.. I had a bad dream and I accidentally woke her up—” She had one, too? What about? “Waaaahhhhhhh—” “I’m sorry, ma chérie.. Please go back to sleep.. I promise I’ll be quiet..”, Hyun whispered to Cherisse, bobbing her up and down. “Waaaahhhhhhh—” “Here, give her to me..”, I instructed and she nodded. Hyun gave me the whimpering Cherisse and when she did, her arm immediately clamped around my neck, the problem was her other arm wouldn’t let go of Hyun’s neck so Hyun and I ended up face to face, a hair’s width between my lips and her forehead. “Oh!”, Hyun exclaimed in surprise. Huh?! Why is this so familiar?! “Cherisse, let go of Mommy..”, I berated trying not to move and at the same time thanking God, and my Mother, who always insisted that I brush my teeth before I go to bed. Cherisse only looked at me, opening just one eye as her head lolled forward, groggy with sleep but still irritable as a sob escaped her mouth. “Shhh.. It’s okay, baby..”, Hyun pacified as she backed-up a step, trying to get Cherisse’s grip on her loose. “Owww.. She’s holding my hair right near the scalp, Oppa..”, she mumbled through gritted teeth. “Okay, don’t move, Hyun.. Just take her back..”, I suggested as I handed her Cherisse right back. We were almost successful, but when I tried to take a step back, my shirt almost choked me because apparently Cherisse was holding on it for dear life. All I could do was take a step back closer to them. “Cherisse!”, this time it was Hyun who scolded her which she promptly ignored as she slumped on Hyun’s shoulder, still whimpering irately. I took a hold of Cherisse’s hand and started prying her fingers off my shirt one by one when she started crying again, looking up at me. “Waaaahhhhhhh—” “Okay, okay, I’ll leave it alone..”, I amended as she adjusted her hold on my shirt more firmly. I ended up behind them to the right as Cherisse’s left hand held my shirt while Hyun was in front of me, blocking more than half of my body. Cherisse, on the other hand, just went back to leaning on Hyun’s shoulder, peering up at me with sad eyes. “I–I’m sorry, Hyun..”, I apologized after realizing how close I was to her. “For what, Oppa? I—” “Waaaaaaahhhhhhh!”, Cherisse cried as if in frustration as she tried her best to go back to sleep, but was having a hard time. “Okay, okay, we’ll be quiet—” “Waaaahhhhhhhh..”, she cried again as Hyun and I clamped our mouth shut. Afraid to talk anymore, I took a hold of Hyun’s arms and started swaying her from side to side. If Hyun’s family sees us now, they’d probably think I’m back-hugging her.. – Yeah, this is probably one of the reasons why you’re having nightmares about them beating you up! – Aishhh! Cham! After a few minutes, I felt Cherisse’s hold on my shirt loosen. She was just looking in the distance with sad eyes as if she was giving up and letting go of something she loved. I didn’t know where and why this reasoning came to me, but it did. I spotted my guitar so I picked it up and sat down at the edge of the bed, then tapped the space beside me to signal Hyun to sit down. Cherisse was just quiet, this time looking up at me with such a heartbreaking sadness, it’s almost hurting me physically. I strummed my guitar, hoping I’d cheer her up or, at least, let her get back to sleep so she’ll get some rest. As I sang, Hyun eventually joined in, harmonizing with me as if she was a pro.  You with the sad eyes

Don't be discouraged, oh I realize

It's hard to take courage

In a world full of people

You can lose sight of it all

The darkness inside you

Can make you feel so small

Show me a smile then

Don't be unhappy

Can't remember when

I last saw you laughing

This world makes you crazy

And you've taken all you can bear

Just, call me up

'Cause I will always be there