Ga Eul sits on a chair next to the bed where Jin An lies delirious and his body sweats profusely. Hwan entered the room slowly. he holds Ga Eul's shoulder, who is the figure of the 'angel' as well as his partner.
"Thank you," Ga Eul said
"No problem. Just call if you need help" said Hwan who then walked out of the room. Even though there were many questions he wanted to ask, Hwan held himself back for a moment. Judging from Ga Eul's attitude, Jin An is someone who means a lot to her.
Ga Eul keep holding Jin An's hand and stroke his hair gently.
"do you know how hard for me all this time, just watching you from distace?" Ga Eul said
"this time i'll make sure the one who make you suffered pay everything" Ga Eul kiss Jin An's hand.
Jin An in his dream kept remembering his meetings with Ga Eul. At one point he came back to the edge of the lake and held Ga Eul's hand. Jin An moved his hand to reach Ga Eul's face. He stroked Ga Eul's cheek gently. Ga Eul held Jin An's hand and rubbed Jin An's hand. Jin An's fever has gone down though not completely.
"I'm sorry," Jin An said while his eyes still closed
After saying that Jin An then woke up. He looks around and realizes he is in his room, in his house. Jin An was confused, was everything happened in the cuddle room just a dream?
Jin An's father then arrives, carrying a tray containing a bowl of porridge and a glass of milk.
"Are you feeling better?" asked his father
Jin An just nodded slowly
"Eat this so you have more energy" Jin An's father walked out
"Father" called Jin An
"what date is it?" asked Jin An
"today is the 8th"
Jin An thought for a while and was sure that what happened in the cuddle room wasn't a dream.
"Father, how can I get home?" JinAn asked
"A man age around you escorted you home. He said he found you in the PC room, asleep with a high fever," said Jin An's father
Jin An was still confused, because the only person he met was the "angel". who is the man who brought him home? and how did he know where his house was.
Jin An then looked for his cell phone and found a message
"hello, we are cuddle room. thank you for using our service. we hope your fever has gone down. there is a little little gift for you. hope you like it"
below that message there's a link. Jin an immediately click the link.
Jin An covered his mouth as if he couldn't believe what he found. the link leads to a video exposing the reality of a fake scandal between Jin An, an actor at his agency and the actor's girlfriend. Jin An watched the video in detail without missing a thing.
a message returns
"do you agree to post this video?"
without hesitation Jin An pressed
"Yes"
another message came
"thank you, hope we can help you. be prepared because there will be more good things to come" the last message from cuddle room with heart emoticon and smile.
when Jin An wanted to reply suddenly all the messages were deleted automatically.
Jin An was completely amazed by how the cuddle room worked. but if possible Jin An wants to meet the "angel" again. somehow Jin An felt that Angel is Ga Eul, the one he had always been looking for.
After the video was released, all the insults stopped and many people apologized to Jin An in the internet comments. besides that, several videos of Jin An's training were circulated while still at his agency.
The sound of the phone ringing, Mother Jin An picked up the phone and smiled happily. he then called Jin An. Jin An was on the phone and said "really? really" as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Jin An hung up the phone
"what did they say?" said his mother
"They want me to audition!" Jin An said
He then hugged his mother happily.
Jin An stood in front of the mirror. he is ready to prove his talent. the audition went smooth and Jin An pass the audition. first thing that Jin An wants to do after his audition is visit his high school. Jin An walked through his high school. he want to spend his day to reminisence his past.
"I know you will make it" Mr Kim, Jin An music teacher said
"thank you" Jin An said
"oh, teacher, you like to take a picture right?" Jin An ask
"yes. I have all student pics including yours. why?"
"can I take a look, I want to find someone" Jin An said
Mr Kim open his locker and search some album
"here" Mr Kim give it to Jin An
"i'll leave you here. I have a meeting. you can put it back after look for it okay" Mr Kim leave Jin An alone at music class
Jin An flip the album one by one, he finally find Ga Eul pics. stand among her classmate. since she so small, she sit beside Mr Kim. She had a lovely smile, she looks so happy at the pic.
Jin An walked to the park by the lake behind the school. he sat on bench four when he and Ga Eul last met. Jin An then spoke
"I'm sorry. You must have been really sad back then. You were bullied and liked me who stupidly didn't know it"
Jin An spoke as if Ga Eul was beside him. Jin An take out his necklace where he put Ga Eul ring.
"You know? When I received your first letter, I was so excited. I was waiting for your second letter. When I received my second letter, I hoped that the 1st date of the month would come quickly. I still kept all the letters and things neatly. when i had a problem back then, i had a fever. and i had a dream, i've dreamed aboout you. i don't know why. i even asked the angel to dress like you. maybe it because at the last day we are take care of each other. I remember your scent , your warm hug and shoulder became an important moment in my life"
Jin An take a deep breath
"I wish I can meet you again someday. I want to make sure this time how special you for me"
at another place,
"Wow this sounds really cringe. I got goosebumps" said Hwan
"Shut up. How did I know he would say that," said Ga Eul
"Why are you guys so complicated? I can't understand your thinking. if you like each other why not just confess and see where it goes " Hwan said
"because...Never mind, stop this. The important thing is that our task is finished. And I have helped him," said Ga Eul
"Okay, Angel," said Hwan
Hwan then uninstalls the remote software he planted on Jin An's phone, almost like a spying tool, but it's simpler and just in case.
Ga Eul opened the laptop and started working.
"Are you going to write a new novel?" he asked
"Of course. They just keep pushing me and making me work like a machine" Ga Eul complains
Ga Eul is a novelist. She has written various novels, but lately she has focused more on psychological and healing themed books. unexpectedly the novel boomed and gave a positive effect on readers. many readers derive strength and positive energy from her novels.
"We're like charity workers" Hwan said
"We should celebrate" said Hwan
"celebrate what?" Ga Eul asked
"Celebrating our success in reducing the suicide rate," said Hwan
Ga Eul glares at Hwan
"What date is it now?" Ga Eul asked
"I don't know" Hwan looked away from Ga Eul's gaze and stand up, Hwan walk out from the room.
Ga Eul then looks at the date, and sure enough today is an important day for both of them. Ga Eul stands up and hugs Hwan's body from behind. Hwan's slender and tall body suddenly shook. Ga Eul knows Hwan is crying. they said nothing for several minutes.
2 hours later, in a food tent
Hwan poured soju into his glass. Ga Eul just looks at Hwan with sad eyes. Hwan already drank 2 bottles of soju alone. even though they want to drink a little but Ga Eul realizes that it will be difficult for them to go home if they are both drunk. Hwan continues to drink until his cheeks turn red and he's drunk. Ga Eul finally stopped him from drinking on the fourth bottle.
"Let's go home" said Ga Eul
"I don't want to carry a corpse," said Ga Eul
Hwan then laughs and hiccups.
Ga Eul orders a taxi and helps Hwan walk out of the tent shop. Hwan's large body leans fully against Ga Eul's small body.
"Why are you so heavy and big?" Gaeul grumbled
"hahahaha" Hwan just laughed like crazy.
the taxi driver helps Ga Eul get Hwan into the taxi. Ga Eul then sat beside the driver while Hwan fell asleep in the backseat.
Arriving in front of Hwan's apartment, Ga Eul immediately felt tired thinking about how to bring Hwan to his apartment on the 5th floor. Luckily, the apartment security guard was ready to help. otherwise maybe Ga Eul's body will be smashed to pieces.
Ga Eul then looked at Hwan who was lying on the bed. Hwan's long legs hang down at the edge of the bed. Ga Eul then tries to raise Hwan's body to a comfortable position.
"Ga Eul, is that you?" Hwan asked with his eyes closed
"Yes, it's me," answered Ga Eul
"Ga Eul... am I that untrusted?" Hwan asked, tears starting to fall even though his eyes were still closed
"Am I a bad person?" he asked
Ga Eul just silent, she could not answer anything. she put Hwan's body in comfortable position. she sit at big chair near Hwan's bed. her mind drifted back to the past. on this date 2 years ago.
2 years ago in a hospital
"let go!" one girl said
"what's the use anymore? I've lost the most valuable thing in my life" said the girl half screaming.
Ga Eul's body shook and was nervous to see her hysterical sister.
"I want to die, let go of me!" Ga Eun scream
Ga Eul's older sister, Ga Eun is a figure skater. She picked up an injury during a match that caused a tear in her knee and ligaments. the injury was so severe that doctors decided that Ga Eun would never be able to wear her skates shoes and do skating again. Ga Eun kept screaming even though Mom and Dad and the doctors had tried to comfort her.
That night Ga Eul accompanies Ga Eun who is sleeping. Hwan, who is Ga Eun's boyfriend, brings food and flowers. he entered slowly so Ga Eun would not wake up. Hwan smiles at Ga Eul and hands him a box of sushi.
"Eat this" whispered Hwan
Ga Eul then goes out to eat
Hwan sat down and held Ga Eun's hand. Hwan stroked Ga Eun's hair gently. Hwan is sad to see Ga Eun's condition and it is possible that Ga Eun will become very sensitive in the future.
Ga Eun then woke up.
"hey, did you wake up because of me?" he asked
"No, I'm just thirsty," said Ga Eun
"oh ok I'll get a drink" said Hwan
Hwan then looked for a drink but it seemed to run out.
"oh what to do? it seems there is no drink here" said Hwan
Hwan then hesitated a bit
"Please get it outside, near the nurse's desk there seems to be water," said Ga Eun
"But.." Hwan hesitated to leave Ga Eun
"Honey, help me, I'm really thirsty," said Ga Eun pitifully
"Okay, ill go fast. just stay okay" said Hwan
while taking a drink Hwan met Ga Eul.
"Thanks for the sushi. Why did you leave?" Ga Eul asked
"Ga eun said she was thirsty, and there was no drink in the room," said Hwan
Ga Eul then nodded
"Let's hurry back to the room," said Hwan
they walked quickly towards Ga Eun's ward.
Ga Eul opens the door and sees a shadow. everything happens fast, Ga Eul's legs can't move, Hwan runs towards the window as fast as he can while screaming
"Don't!"
Ga Eul seemed to sink and suffocate. The scene she witnessed before her eyes, the only older sister she had, jumped out of the window without being able to prevent her.
Hwan can't reach Ga Eun's hand who chooses to end her life by jumping from the window. Hwan runs outside and bumps into Ga Eul's frozen body. Hwan then shook Ga Eul's body and told them to go downstairs and save Ga Eun. Ga Eul finally make up her mind and runs with Hwan. a crowd gathers around Ga Eun's body which is lying on the ground covered in blood.
"No!!!" Hwan pushed his way through the crowd and hugged Ga Eun's body in his arms, Ga Eul could only sit weakly looking at her sister's eyes which were already empty. Her mom and dad came and cried hysterically when they saw her eldest daughter's body was in a tragic condition.
that day half of Hwan's body was filled with blood from Ga Eun. they all sat in front of the operating room, hoping for a miracle. The doctor came out and said something, made Ga Eul's mother cry uncontrollably. Ga Eul mother then walk towards Ga Eul.
"Why you leave her alone? you knew that your sister in an unstable condition. WHY???" her mother shaking Ga Eul's body while screaming
"I'm sorry mom. mom, i'm sorry" Ga Eul beg to her mom
"NO. i know you always envying your sister all this time. you must be happy to see she suffered like that, right?" Ga Eul's mom seems lost her sanity
"honey, don't say something like that to Ga Eul. it's not her fault" Ga Eul's dad hold her mother
"not her fault?. if she not leave her alone this won't be happened. oh my precious daughter Ga Eun" Ga Eul's mom said
"WHY!!!! WHY IT MUST HAPPENED TO GA EUN?" Ga Eul's mom hit her several time, but Ga Eul's just stay still, accepted all her mom anger.
Hwan who stand there can't do anything. he, himself still in shock and can't think clearly. Hwan legs fell frozen and he only look while Ga Eul's mom hit Ga Eul.
"if i can choose i rather choose you to die, not Ga Eun!" Ga Eul's mom yelling
next day
Ga Eul sits in the cemetery area alone. while Hwan is locked up by his parents in his home because Hwan is out of control.
"aaaargh....." Hwan screamed in frustration.
"Let me go!" shouted Hwan
"I will not let you step outside before your senses return" said Hwan's father
"How can I stay sane when the person I love is killing herselfes in front of my eyes!" Hwan said
"Hold it, back to your sense, she will never back" said Hwan's father
Hwan try to get out from his room but his father grab his hand and shake his body while talking. but Hwan ear feel deaf, he can't hear anything that his father said. he just want to go to Ga Eun's funeral. His father is so strong that he can't fight back. Hwan screams out of his frustration. his father, who is a doctor, seems can't handle Hwan anymore. he take a syringe that he prepared for emergency and inject a sedative forcefully to Hwan.
"Let me... see it... one last time.. I.. ple.. ase.." Hwan's body feel weak and then faints
Hwan's father hugs his only son and kiss his hair. he did that not because he doesn't love Hwan, but as a doctor and psychiatrist he understands very well that Hwan is in an unstable condition. it will be bad if he goes like this.
Ga Eul sits weakly in the funeral home. Her father was busy welcoming guests while her mother did not stop crying while beating her chest, lamenting the death of her beloved eldest daughter.
---
"Ga Eul...why did Ga Eun leave me like this?"
that's what Hwan said when Ga Eul visited him 3 days after her sister died. Hwan's body looks weak and his face is pale. There are marks on Hwan's wrists, like ties. Ga Eul holds Hwan's hand. Hwan is Ga Eul best friend at the first place, she can't let Hwan become like this. Ga Eul tries to help Hwan get up little by little to this day. but every anniversary of Ga Eun's death, Hwan gets drunk and dazed. as if he wanted to go with Ga Eun. therefore Ga Eul is always on guard beside him.
Back to now, Hwan lie down in the bed, weak, sad and pitiful. even 2 years passed, the pain is still stored in Ga Eul's mind. she will carry this pain all her life. every time she saw Hwan like this the pain multiplied. guilt and fear mixed together. even before everything happened, Hwan has a special place in Ga Eul's heart. She wants to protect Hwan.