Han River.
Back when Do-Yoon was battling with Dae-Bak through text earlier.
Do-Yoon read the text from Dae-Bak.
[I'll give you exactly one hour. Think well since an intriguing gift will be given if you don't come back. And of course, Torey will never be back in your arms again if that happens... N.E.V.E.R. So make sure to keep that in mind. On a note, I don't wait. Because I don't have patience. I really don't. Hope you make a wise decision.]
Do-Yoon's fury gage insanely went up.
"Ha! Like I would be scared by such lame threat?!"
Do-Yoon texted back with his fury gage kept going up.
[That will never happen. Never! N.E.V.E.R! Remember! I'm going to bring Torey back! For sure! There are no parents who just abandon their child!]
[I can abandon you!]
'?!!!'
As Do-Yoon was about to explode with his fury gage fully loaded… Di-Ri-Ring! An alarm went off on his cellphone with an alert popping up.
[Code Name: Make Ban Ha-Ri Burst into Tears… D-Day 15]
That's right. In exactly 15 days from now, which was the 30th Christmas for Do-Yoon and Ha-Ri, was going to be the day that Do-Yoon initiates his revenge on Ha-Ri. He had been counting down the day from the day he started planning for the revenge.
'Right. The revenge…' Then, Do-Yoon realized something as he thought about the revenge.
"Wait… It all comes down to nothing if I don't have Torey! Darn!"
His head was about to explode.
"Can't lose this opportunity because of Dad when I've so when I've so anxiously waited for it! Watch! I'm going to get Torey back before I start the revenge! No matter what!"
Do-Yoon started insanely rolling his brain in every possible way but couldn't think of anything.
A moment later…
He suddenly stood up and shouted.
"I can do it! You can do it, Han Do-Yoon!"
Then he started heading somewhere with determination written all over him… looking as if he had thought of something. But to be honest, he had no plan at all. He was just walking… hoping to come up with something.
***
Same Moment.
Han River.
Back when Ha-Ri was embarrassed by the passerby couple making comments about her.
Ha-Ri said to the couple bowing down.
"Sorry."
Then she quickly lifted up her bike and was about to get on… but 'Ah! That's right!'
Ha-Ri quickly turned around and picked up the empty beer cans and put them in a plastic bag. Then she quickly got on her bike and sped up like the wind.
She stepped on the pedals as if she had a motor attached to her feet looking down with the hood of her hoodie over her head.
Then right when her embarrassment gage was about to explode keep rising up…
She lifted her head up as she felt chills on her back with her hair sticking up as if was getting staticky… then… gasp! A black object was standing in front of her eyes.
Being frightened as she got closer to the object… Ha-Ri pressed down the break.
Squeakkkk!!! As she stopped! Ha-Ri's eyes met with the black object's eyes… and it felt as if time had stopped feeling as if she was getting sucked into somewhere.
But that was just for a brief moment.
Suddenly, the time spell (?) started to break and Ha-Ri fell down to the ground with her bike… scattering the empty beer cans everywhere as it spilled out from the plastic bag.
And the black object suddenly fainted.
"Ah~ Ah~" As Ha-Ri tried to stand up, she felt pain on her hands and her knee. As she checked up on the wounds, it felt as if the pain increased by 10,000 times more. Putting the pain behind, Ha-Ri tried to stand up again but 'Huk!!!!!' This time, a man who she thought to be a black object was laying down on the ground in front of her.
'!!!!!!'
Ha-Ri was about to faint… then murmured.
"Huk… I sure didn't hit him…"
Ha-Ri stood up and walked up to him with her fear gage fully up. Then she tried to check if he's alive by poking at him with her fingers.
The man laying down was Do-Yoon, but Ha-Ri has no idea it was him.
Ha-Ri said in a very low shaky voice slightly poking at him.
"Ex… excuse me…. Hel…. Hello…?"
There was no response from Do-Yoon.
With her fear gage about to explode, Ha-Ri tried to call him again.
Do-Yoon slowly began to gain conscious. As he slowly opened his eyes… a familiar face was looking down at him… 'Ban… Ban Ha-Ri?! Huk!' Then suddenly, like how a dead person just suddenly opened its eyes and sat up from a coffin, Do-Yoon sat up and shouted.
"Ban Ha-Ri?!"
"Ggyakkkk~!!!" Ha-Ri fainted screaming.
'?!!!'
As Do-Yoon stared down at Ha-Ri….
"Huk!"
Do-Yoon gasped in disbelief looking frightened as if he had seen a ghost.
'…'
Do-Yoon then carefully went up to Ha-Ri and studied her rubbing his eyes... it really was Ban Ha-Ri.
"Sick."
After just staring at her for a moment… something suddenly popped up in his head feeling exhilaratingly thrilled.
"Bingo!"
Then he said smirking… "Psh~ Such a sick timing."
.
.
.
A while later…
Ha-Ri was laying down on the bench sleeping with her bike standing beside.
Do-Yoon was studying Ha-Ri squatting down in front of her. As he kept staring at her, the ends of his lips kept going up.
Then suddenly, Do-Yoon snapped out. 'No! You can't be drawn to her like that! Never! You're now here to revenge. Wake up, Han Do-Yoon!'
As Do-Yoon turned his head away to break his mind off on Ha-Ri, the empty beer cans inside the plastic bag came into his eyes. Do-Yoon said smirking.
"That explains why she's sleeping so well."
Do-Yoon turned his head back… and as his eyes layed on Ha-Ri… Ha-Ri slowly woke up and their eyes met.
'…'
"Ah~~~~~" Ha-Ri stood up screaming.
Do-Yoon felt back down gasping.
Ha-Ri stutteringly said.
"Wh… Who are you?"
'Psh~ She sure doesn't even recognize me... as expected.'
Then Do-Yoon calmly asked.
"Don't… remember?"
'??? Remember? Remember what?' Ha-Ri was so clueless.
Do-Yoon said smirking.
"You hit me."
'???... I? You?' Ha-Ri questioned with her eyes pointing at herself with her finger then at Do-Yoon.
Do-Yoon nodded.
Ha-Ri thought for a moment… then remembered the accident!
"When did I hit you? You fell down to the ground before I bumped into you!"
"Are you saying I just randomly fainted?"
Ha-Ri nodded.
"Did you see it yourself? Me fainting?"
Ha-Ri tried to think back then replied looking away.
"Well… Don't remember seeing--"
"See! You are saying I've fainted when you didn't even see me fainting! Wa~"
"I didn't see it but you sure did fall down to the ground before I bumped into you, and by the time when I discovered you, you already have fainted— (!!!)"
Do-Yoon suddenly put his face up against Ha-Ri and said.
"SITE INSPECTION… Shall we?"
Ha-Ri's heart felt as if it had thudded down then it started beating insanely fast as if it had gone mad. She seemed hesitant for a moment… then stutteringly said.
"Fine. Let's do it then. The site inspection."
A Minute Later…
Ha-Ri and Do-Yoon arrived by the site.
Ha-Ri stared at the skid mark studying it squatting down.
'Ah~ Should have studied well when I worked on the cop drama last time… Have no clue what this all means~'
As if Do-Yoon had heard Ha-Ri's mind, Do-Yoon sarcastically asked.
"Do you know what it all means by looking?"
Ha-Ri's mind was suddenly about to explode. Then she just said whatever.
"… Well… seeing how it stopped here—(!!!)"
Do-Yoon suddenly grabbed Ha-Ri's arms and made her stand up. Then dragged her to the point where the skid mark ends.
'Huk… What is this man?'
"Well, you were coming towards this point on your bike…"
Then Do-Yoon turned around and took few steps to where he was coming from at the time. Once stopped at a point, Do-Yoon turned around and stared at Ha-Ri for few seconds.
'???' Ha-Ri just puzzlingly stared.
Do-Yoon raised his eyebrow… then started walking towards Ha-Ri and said.
"I was walking like this…"
As he got to the point where Ha-Ri was standing… he stopped right in front of Ha-Ri looking into her eyes as if he were to pierce her eyes with fire.
Ha-Ri burned up in flames with her embarrassment gage insanely going up.
Do-Yoon continued.
"Our eyes met like this…"
Then he wrapped his arm around Ha-Ri's waist bending her down like the stereotypical scene where the boy wraps around the waist of the girl bending her down in romantic movies… and said.
"You fell down with your bike…"
'?!!!'
Do-Yoon just stared into Ha-Ri's eyes as if he were to pierce it through.
Ha-Ri's soul had already slipped out. She didn't know what was what and felt as if she was being sucked into something. Her body itself felt as if it wasn't hers.
Do-Yoon smirked then said pulling her back up.
"And I fainted… Well, something like that."
'What just happened now?' Ha-Ri snapped out and tried to bring back her soul getting her mind straight.
Do-Yoon went on.
"Well, looks as if I'm the one who's facing a loss here but I'll just go by it and let it go."
Seemed as if Ha-Ri had fallen into a strange plot, but since he had said he will just let go of it…
"Okay. Thank--"
"But!"
'But?' Ha-Ri stared with her eyes widened.
"Hide me for one day."
'What is that man saying right now? Have I misheard it?' Ha-Ri thought… then puzzlingly asked
"Huh?"
"Hide me for one day. For not reporting you to the police."
"Why?"
"Do you have such incompetent linguistic skills? What I mean is that for forgiving you for what you've--"
"No… I mean why do you have to be hidden? Are you… a suspect?"
Do-Yoon laughed in ridiculousness and asked.
"Me? A Suspect? You don't know who (pause… then…) Never mind. Anyway! It's because I'm at a danger--"
"Just go to the police station."
'???' It sure wasn't what Do-Yoon expected to hear from Ha-Ri.
"Well, I didn't hit you for sure but if you insist that I did then I'll just go to the police station and do the report compensating you for the hospital bills and all. So, let's just call the police. Now."
As Ha-Ri took out her cellphone and tried to turn it on, Do-Yoon snatched it away from her and said.
"You shouldn't be doing that."
'???' Ha-Ri puzzlingly stared at Do-Yoon.
"Top Star Ban Ha-Ri, hits a man with her bike being drunk at night at Han River! I assume you don't want that being a headline on the prime-time news."
"Huk. You recognized who I was from the beginning? That's right. Now that I look back, it seems like you have called my name before I fainted. You… aren't my fan… are you? It's very rare for people to recognize me when I'm not on set."
"Fan my as*."
"Never mind if you aren't. Anyway! It will all come out when we get to the police station. That I haven't done anything wrong. And by worst case scenario, even if it doesn't get determined who is wrong due to lack of evidence, it's not like I will be sentenced with--"
"Think I will meekly go to the police station?"
'Did a dog just bark? What is he saying?'
"I so~ can make you a hit and run suspect. And I so~ can be a patient in critical condition all of sudden due to the accident."
"Guess you don't know what hit and run means--"
"You should know well since you've worked on so many dramas and movies. That all accidents and incidents can be falsely made by the empowered. That doing so is piece of cake especially when there's no evidence to oppose to it. And I highly doubt that you would have had a black box on your bike."
"And why are you the empowered here?"
"First, I am competent enough to make a false report... Second, you are a public figure... like someone who lives off on reputation although I am aware that you aren't quite that popular."
'Ah~ Who is this guy?' Ha-Ri speechlessly stared at Do-Yoon.
.
.
.
A moment later…
Street.
Ha-Ri was ploddingly walking rolling her bike by her side and Do-Yoon was following her in a bit of distance.
Do-Yoon secretly laughed as Ha-Ri kept turning around suspiciously staring at him.
Then… as it seemed Ha-Ri's hand and knee were hurting… Do-Yoon recalled her wounds that he saw while moving her to the bench when she had fainted. 'Ah… right…'
As Do-Yoon started thinking whether he should go up to her to take over the bike and give her a piggyback ride… Ha-Ri suddenly stopped and turned around.
'!!!' Do-Yoon nearly ran into her by not having to have seen her stop because he was too caught up by his thoughts.
"My! You scared me there!"
Ha-Ri said squinting trying to read Do-Yoon.
"You really aren't a suspect, fugitive, con artist… (shaking her head) Anyway, you really aren't someone who I must not hide, right?"
'Ah~ Who does she think I am?' Do-Yoon was about to get upset at her for thinking him to be such bad person but… the breaking news alert on the jumbotron behind Ha-Ri came into Do-Yoon's eyes.
With a subtitle that says [Torey CEO, Han Do-Yoon, Had Been Kidnapped], Kang's photo that Do-Yoon had sent to Dae-Bak as a threat was displayed with Kang's face blurred out and the reporter was reporting on the news.
'Huk.' Do-Yoon got chills on his back.
As Do-Yoon suddenly became silent, Ha-Ri was about to turn around following his gaze but Do-Yoon quickly held Ha-Ri's arms and said.
"No. I'm not. Never…"
"Then, fine."
'But… wait…' Ha-Ri suddenly was about to explode thinking back and asked.
"You know, I've noticed it from early on but…"
'Has she noticed who I am?' Do-Yoon gulped with his eyes shaking.
Ha-Ri went on.
"Your words have been quite short… but we aren't quite close enough not to speak in honorific, are we?"
'Ah, that.' Do-Yoon was relieved that she hasn't noticed who he is but didn't know what to say so he just said whatever.
"… Because we are same age. I don't speak in honorific to people who are same age as me."
Ha-Ri suspiciously studied Do-Yoon… then said.
"Knowing how old I am and all… you aren't…"
Gulp. 'Has she really noticed who I am now?' Do-Yoon got nervous again.
"My fan, are you?"
Ha~ Sighing out of relief again inside… Do-Yoon shook his head then took away her bike and started heading his way.
Ha-Ri shouted running after him.
"If it is because you're embarrassed for being my fan, don't worry! I won't tell anyone!"
.
.
.
Convenience Store.
Do-Yoon was picking out things to eat and Ha-Ri was studying him doing so. Then she asked.
"Anyway… have we met before?"
'???' Do-Yoon suddenly smirked and said putting his face up against Ha-Ri.
"Why? Did something just pop up in your mind?"
Ha-Ri suddenly froze for a moment… then said slowly pulling herself away.
"You… just seemed a bit familiar since early on…"
Do-Yoon chuckled then said as he started picking out the food again.
"A lot more people probably know who I am than you think. And it's possible that you actually do know me…"
Ha-Ri turned around pouting… then murmured.
"Is he really a famous person?"
Then as the employee by the counter came into Ha-Ri's eyes, Ha-Ri went up to the counter and whispered to the employee.
"Do you know who he is by any chance?"
The employee studied Do-Yoon for a moment, then turned to Ha-Ri and shook his head.
"Famous my a--"
Boom! Do-Yoon put down the food that he had selected on the counter.
Ae-Hem! Ha-Ri looked away clearing her throat… then as she saw a popular YouTuber PaPa Tae-Yang's video playing on an iPad, which the employee was watching…
"Uh~ It's PaPa Tae-Yang. I'm a huge fan of him."
'Huk.' Do-Yoon said to Ha-Ri giving her the ridiculous glare.
"What a ridiculous taste you have there? Why do you like a Grandpa?"
The employee said ringing up the food.
"That Grandpa is actually hotter than most idols these days."
Do-Yoon pouted.
PaPa Tae-Yang, his real name is Han Tae-Yang (70s). He is Dae-Bak's father… meaning he is Do-Yoon's Grandpa. He is currently a vlogger on YouTube with a nickname called 'PaPa Tae-Yang'. Not long after Do-Yoon's sister, Hwan-Hee, had been born, he quit his wedding hall business and went on a voyage around the world. And ever since then, he became a camera-mania, which led him to be a YouTuber. He listens to Hip-Hop, and he is a 'hip' Grandpa who knows how to go to clubs at times.
The employee said as he finished ringing up.
"The total comes out to $78!"
'…'
Do-Yoon said as Ha-Ri just blankly stared at him.
"What aren't you paying?"
Then he took the food and went to the table.
Ha-Ri just stared at him out of ridiculousness for a moment… then paid.
Once finished processing payment, Ha-Ri went to the table and complained.
"How can you eat $80 worth of food at a convenience store?"
Do-Yoon said munching on food.
"$78."
"You know, I actually couldn't think of it because everything was so puzzling earlier… but if I really had hit you… then how can you be so fine without even a scratch on your hand?"
"Really doesn't recognize."
"Huh?"
"The employee over there. He really doesn't know who you are."
Bam! Ha-Ri felt as if she had been hammered down by a 1-ton hammer.
Do-Yoon smirked… then he searched for something in the pile of things that he had bought. There they are! What he found were a band aid and an ointment. Back when he was picking out food, he had picked band aid and ointment as well.
Suddenly, Do-Yoon kneeled down and said putting the ointment on Ha-Ri's knee.
"Knew you aren't so popular… but you are a top star. Shouldn't people be recognizing you if you are a top star?"
'Think I've said this about hundred times already… but this man… what is he really?' Thought Ha-Ri. With her soul having to have slip out again, she couldn't think nor move.
Do-Yoon put the band aid on her knee, then said as he put the ointment on her hand.
"It's a bit embarrassing if you look at me like that as if you have so~ fallen into me."
'….' Ae-hem! Ha-Ri cleared her throat rolling her eyes… with her face burning… then said.
"I know."
"You looked at me like that knowing--"
"Top star like but not top star like… being so is quite uncomfortable. Feeling as if I'm wearing someone else's clothes…"
'What's that? Those eyes that are pulling out pity from me…' Do-Yoon thought as he stared into her eyes. But he soon told himself to snap out of it. 'No! You are now here to revenge on Ban Ha-Ri. Shouldn't be pitying her!'
.
.
After done eating…
Ha-Ri was cleaning up the mess Do-Yoon had made inside the store.
And Do-Yoon was secretly staring at Ha-Ri through the glass wall from outside acting like he was looking into the bike.
In the PaPa Tae-Yang video that the employee was watching, PaPa Tae-Yang said with a subtitle picking up the trash scattered around up at the mountain while he was on a hike.
"Let's be a responsible person who picks up after one's own trash!"
Do-Yoon thought staring at Ha-Ri.
'Right, Ban Ha-Ri. Seems like things are going to get a lot bigger than I had planned… but since it all happened because of the mess you've made… you be responsible for it!'
Do-Yoon felt guilty for what he was about to do. But just went on by justifying it as a part being a way for Ha-Ri to pay for what she had done.
Do-Yoon called Dae-Bak.
Dae-Bak said answering the phone.
[How was it? Do you like the gift?]
Do-Yoon replied staring at Ha-Ri.
"How could I. But I've actually got to prepare a much more intriguing gift than that because of it."
As his eyes met with Ha-Ri's, Do-Yoon smiled.
'Huk.' Ha-Ri was ridiculed by the smile. She just threw a light awkward smile then said turning around.
"Uh~ Need sweets!"
She then started to pick out chocolates and snacks insanely.
Do-Yoon said to Dae-Bak heroically staring at Ha-Ri.
"Are you ready for the gift?"