"There's something I want to tell you". They both said at the same time.
"You go first". They said together again. They laughed at the situation.
Taner decided to speak first. "Thanks for today, I really enjoyed myself and had a lot of fun, I made you something please accept it even though it's not expensive, I made it myself". She gave the bag to him.
He opened it and to his surprise, it was some painted pictures of him and the both of them. He smiled, nobody will actually believe it was a seven year old that painted these cause it looked so real and was perfect and very professional.
"Do you like it?" she asked nervously.
"Yes, I love it, thanks Taner". He said rubbing her hair.
"Did you paint it yourself?" he asked her to be sure.
"Yes, my momma and daddy said I inherited painting from my uncle, momma said he was a protégé, do you know what it means?" she asked looking at him cutely.
"Your uncle is very talented, protégé means someone who is very smart and can do things easily like you painting this picture at your age". He explained calmly.
"Oh! That means I'm a protégé, right?"
"Yes you are". He smiled.
"My Xiao nèr is so smart". He praised, rubbing her hair.
"Hey….you are going to mess up my hair. By the way what did you want to say?" she pouted.
Jiseok cleared his throat. His phone vibrated again, he knew it was now or never. He looked into her eyes and said coldly, "I'm leaving for New York".
Upon hearing this, Taner looked at him, "When will you come back?"
"I don't know if I'll ever come back but I want you to know I really enjoyed our short time together and I am happy I got to be your friend for a short while". He got up, hugged her tightly and kissed her on the cheek before leaving. He didn't wait for her to respond and didn't turn back. He was scared if he looked at her, he won't leave again but hide.
He entered the car and cried for the first time after a very long time. As the car drove pass her he could see the pain in her eyes, she was still in shock. He wanted to run out and hug her but he couldn't, he could only stare at her until they were out of sight.
Taner collapsed on the cold snow and started crying. She stared at the bracelet and teddy bear and her tears intensified. She laid down on the snow and cried until she was covered with snow, then she fainted.
____Present time______
Jiseok woke up early in the morning at 1 a.m. due to a nightmare. He still has nightmare of seeing his mom dying in front of him. He sluggishly checked his jug besides his bed for water but there was none. Dragging his feet to the kitchen, he was surprised to see the lights on. He quickly took his bat that was nearby to hit the intruder, only to open the door and see his brother and uncle eating chocolate.
"Hey….you two what are you doing this early?"
"Hmmmm …..where you planning to hit your uncle with a bat?" the uncle stammered hiding the chocolate, trying to change the subject.
"Yea.. .. What are you doing here?" Jimmy said cleaning his mouth guiltily.
"I don't have time for you babies, no wonder you are still single". He drank his two glasses of water and left coldly not caring about their shenanigans.
"Hey…..how can you talk to your uncle who raised you for years like this? Hey…..I'm still talking". Su woo bin was foaming with anger while Jiho couldn't stop laughing.
"Uncle just forget it, bro was just messing with you, here have some chocolate to calm you down". Jiho teased.
"I don't want again, look how fat you are I wonder why people even listen to your songs". Su woo bin left the kitchen after mercilessly saying that.
"Hey why are you transferring your insult to me! I'm not fat! And my songs are the best!" Jiho shouted after him. He looked at his body making sure there is no fat.
The next day, Taner went home to change so she could go job hunting. She was surprised by the scene she witnessed.
The landlord was outside with some goons and was foaming with rage. They wanted to break inside the house before they see her.
"Sir what the heck is going on here?" Taner asked rushing immediately to the entrance blocking them with her body. She glared fiercely at the landlord and the goons standing in a battle formation.
"I'm assuming you don't have the rent yet". The landlord said. Taner was confused because she remembered her dad gave money to Mr. Feng to always pay their rent.
"Sir, haven't you been paid already? Haven't Mr. Feng paid you already, why are you asking for another payment?" she asked confusedly.
Hearing what she just said, the landlord became more enraged, he yelled loudly, "How many times will I tell your family! I don't know any MR FENG!! How dare you block me!! You hold me rent of five million for one year and yet you still have the audacity to question me! I will show you what I can do!!" He turned to the goons and ordered the men to put a chain and lock the door so no one can enter and left. Taner chased after him trying to persuade him but he refused to listen.
"Sir! Sir! Please I'm begging you! Please give me one week and I'll repay the rent we owe! Please I beg you!" she cried chasing after the man.
"My dad and mom have been hospital that's why they couldn't pay!! Sir please give me a little more time, at least a month".
"I really sympathize with you and your family Taner, but I also have my own family I need to take care of, I've tried enough already for you guys". The landlord entered his car with the goons and drove off. She chased his car and continued begging until she fell on the road crying as she watched the car leave.
Unknown to her a black Honda Accord was parked across the street watching the whole scene unfold.
"Are you sure she's the person?" A man with black glasses asked.