2 months earlier...
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU."
The melodic yet classical song ended, leaving of smiles carven on each of their faces. She could no longer bear her feelings no more, which this day made her the most happiest girl alive. Her friends had planned a surprise birthday party and it was her first time enjoying this, minus the multiple parties that her family made. This time was different, she could finally celebrate with her friends instead, but why?
"Miyoung, this your first time celebrating with us right?" Yeri, the girl with long wavy dark brown hair and doll like face questioned her nineteen year old friend. Miyoung noded with a smile. She combed her hair behind her right ear, feeling a bit off with the question.
"I know right, it's weird. How come we never celebrate your birthday properly?" Jenni continued, they were more curious then ever, it made the birthday girl hesitant.
The answer was quite easy, her overprotective father never wanted her near strangers. But he was no typical father that dearly loves his daughter, he was more than that. He's the type to search information regarding the backgrounds his children's friends. Startting from their legal name, to their family's whereabouts. From their personalities, to their discipline records. He'll make sure there was nothing fishy about them.
"Oh come on, it's obviously because of her family. They're completely overprotective of her." The brunette man joked, he was the only male friend Miyoung had. The only one who was brave enough to face her family and knew what type of business they were handling with.
"Come to think of it, i've never seen your father before. Is he always busy?" Jenni asked.
"Didn't you know? He's busy in Japan, that's why he couldn't see her and her brother." Yeri mocked the girl beside her.
"You have a brother? Miyoung you have to introduce him to us." Jenni had her eyes glowing with stars.
"Hey, hey. If you two are just gonna talk about Miyoung's personal life, then i think we should just leave." Johnny stopped the two, he was irritated with their annoyance. He knew Miyoung wasn't the type to say no, and the two were obviously taking advantage of knowing more about her family than about Miyoung herself.
They stopped, Jenni gave off with an eyeroll. Ot wasn't like she didn't have a boyfriend but she knew Miyoung was one of the richest girls in college and she was just getting curious. Johnny made sure things ended quickly, he was greatly alerted with the situation and knew Miyoung was getting more uncomfortable.
"See you guys next week!" Yeri shouted while her arms waved at the two who were heading to the other end of the road. They waved goodbye as well, it was about time they parted since it was getting closer to midnight.
"Well, i'm glad that's over." Johnny sighed, he couldn't be more relived than ever. Just staying out from his bed makes him more annoyed.
"Thanks for earlier, but please don't hate them." Miyoung pulled her black leathered sling bag closer, her black boots made tapping sounds agaist the tar while they headed to Johnny's BMW. He looked at the girl who seemed a bit down, he sighed once more.
"Don't get me wrong, i'm okay with Yeri. But Jenni? She kinda crossed the line when she asked about Mark." Johnny tried to reassure the girl, he too knew that Jenni was with someone else and Miyoung's brother wasn't the type to be wasting time with girls like Jenni.
Miyoung stayed silent, she couldn't deny that Jenni did go overboard. She didn't like sharing things about her family to other people, it was enough that Johnny knew. She didn't want to get her family in trouble if someone leaked about their secret. Being related with one of the biggest mobsters in Korea was a big problem enough. It didn't seem to be the life in the movies, it was more terrifying. Just anyone could stab you from the back without knowing.
They both got into Johnny's car, the black 7 series sports car screeched against the tar rode as the older male quickly drove out from the parking lot. Johnny focused on his driving while the girl beside him stared blankly outside. He knew she wasn't much of the talkative type but this atmosphere he was facing was far than comfortable.
"Did your father called you?" Johnny innocently asked, he didn't want the younger to be deep in too much thought.
"He did. But it was just a short call." Her tone was sad, depressed with the feel that she couldn't spend more time with her old man just like the old days. The two siblings and their father's relationship grew rather distant, like a sudden storm that stayed causing Miyoung thought she was no longer her daddy's little girl. She couldn't even the remember the last time she hugged her father, maybe three or four years ago?
"Maybe Mark has plans for you, or Chan. You guys are kinda close, makes me kinda jealous."
Miyoung chuckled, it lead Johnny making a warm smile creeping on his face. He was glad at least the girl seemed a bit brighter than before.
"Oh please, what are you jealous about? Me fighting with Chan is the last thing you want, he's so annoying." She rolled her eyes. Just thinking about her personal bodyguard just makes her want to laugh, but she couldn't deny that he is a sweet guy from the inside.
"Kinda reminds me, are you still friends with that guy? The one in the same club as me." Johnny looked at her with question, he continued passing down the road which headed to Miyoung's residential area.
"You mean Jungwoo? Haven't heard of him since.."
"He should have wished you today, i saw him getting his stuff. It's his final year, you know?"
"I know..but it wasn't him who told me. Why are you asking this? It's not like i'm into him or anything." She faced him, looking rather irritated with the older bringing up the topic she didn't intend to discuss with.
"Don't lie to yourself, you clearly liked him back in freshman year." He smirked.
"That was a long time ago, Johnny. We're just friends and nothing will change that." She sulked, it wasn't much of a big deal but she was still hurt that she couldn't deny her feelings for Jo Jungwoo. A senior she used to have a close relationship with, but it was all within the shadows. No one knew they texted each other, except of course Johnny would've known. Every little secret about Miyoung is as if as his own. Every white lie could easily be seen by him, it sometimes scares Miyoung but she trusted the man like her own brother.
Johnny pulled up by the nine foot tall black gate, the lights of the mansion were clearly on. Miyoung pulled off her seatbelt and left from the vehicle as she should.
"Thanks for today, bro."
"Sure thing, birthday girl. Get some sleep, you'll need it." She once again rolled her eyes with a light laugh, waving off goodbye to her dear friend who already drove to the distance.
"It was about time you got back." The husky toned voice mocked her as she opened the gate, making her jump to surprise. The taller male who had light brown hair looked at her from head to toe, judging her appearance like no tomorrow.
"Glad you don't reak of alcohol."
"If i did, you're the first to slit my throat. Mr.Chan." She back fired him with her own words. It was the same old routine again, bickering like the usual. Chan wasn't much older than Miyoung, but he was offered the job since her father wanted someone to keep a close eye on her. More likely to give her a friend who could understand her but Chan was more irritating than the girl expected.
"You're becoming more of a father than my actual dad." She rolled her eyes as she walks on the steps towards the house, passing through the garden where a few henchmen greeted her with a light bow. Chan followed her, his silence made Miyoung taught.
'Weird. He would've replied right away..' It was quite unusual indeed. Usually, Chan would have said something to make them start off a fight. The silent treatment was only around after an argument and it was supposed to be Miyoung the one giving the 'treatment', not him.
A couple of steps and she got to the front door where Chan helped to open for her.
Empty.
The living room was empty as usual. There was no one there to wait for her, to welcome her back home. Of course, everyone is busy with their own things, it's not like her family could relax anyways. With her father out from the country and her brother taking over their father's work to who knows what, she knew she had to be independent.
But for her, it seemed the word is out from her dictionary. Miyoung was most likely to be spoiled by her family, the only girl in the house got everyone's attention. That was what every outsiders' perspective of her and boy, they were wrong.
She remembered how her brother and her had to live without their father since young. The old man was always busy and never attend most of their ceremonies. It was always their bodyguards who watched them grow.
"Did Uncle Minho tagged along the trip?"
"Yeah. He went a bit later than the others. He left a present for you and Mark told me to keep an eye on you."
"A present?" She quickly rushed up the wooden staircase, leaving the older dead in his tracks. She was more than excited to know what the gift was for her. Uncle Minho wasn't biologically her family but he was no stranger. He took care of the girl more than 12 years and it made her feel he was family. Same goes to Mark, the two siblings adored that man like their own father.
Miyoung opened her bedroom door, seeing a huge box with other pretty presents surrounding it on her king sized bed. She squealed seeing them, they were too pretty to be opened she thought.
Chan chuckled seeing the younger got excited for once. He liked seeing how innocent she looked, it reminded him how they used to be back then. Some things just never change.
"They're all from the group. Some of your father's friends had also given you things but we put them in your wardrobe. Also.." Chan stops in his words. Miyoung looks at him confused, her pupils dilate when Chan lifts up his right hand holding to a small package. It wasn't wrapped like the other gifts, rather in a courier bag that definitely sends a shiver down her spine.
"You weren't supposed to get that!" She snatched the bag from him, she checked the sender's address. It was correct, it was from the one she expected the most but it didn't excite her much.
"Didn't I told you. Not to give out your address to guys?!"
"He's just a friend!" She shouted back at him. Chan was always been strict with her, she couldn't give her phone number to guys nor have a study session even though it might be in a group! He wanted to make sure she was under the radar and he trusted no one to be close to her. Miyoung always thought Chan was like a puppy, just following orders from the others no matter what. But he'd never listen to her, no matter what Miyoung does it always look like she's the one who's wrong.
"So it is a he! Stop talking to him, or else i'll tell your father about this." Chan threatened her.
"Why bring him all of a sudden?" She angered while hugging the bag to her body.
"Because i know Mark wouldn't scare you. In case anything bad happens, i'll alert your father no matter how much you beg."
"Okay, fine! Now just leave, will ya?!"