Memories

Chapter 6

It was summer. And like every student in the university, it was lively. They either had their final exams or the others enjoyed themselves in their varsity sports club. 

A canteen where they would enjoy a healthy lunch.

“Ahjussi… I said no beans,” a female business student whined. 

And for the popular alphas and omegas out there, adorned by everyone. The betas were often neglected in society. But some betas with good family reputation were able to find the love of their life. 

Simple. Yet the thought of a happy ending like ever after was there. 

Han Na-ri was a popular female dominant omega. She was a model for luxury brands' clothing and jewellery and admired her down-to-earth personality. She was cheerful and always shared those sweet smiles that any alpha desired to marry her. 

She was one of a kind, and she never dated anyone. 

She was soon to meet her future fiancée her parents had arranged for her. And she looked forward to sharing the news with his best friend, Lee Tae-sung. 

“Hey, Tae-sung, over here,” Han Na-ri waved from the far end of the table in their favorite cafe getaway. 

Tae-sung was a popular soccer player. He waved his right hand back at Han Na-ri. His alluring smile made a lot of ladies cry. They have been best friends, and he has been in love with Han Na-ri since high school. He supported her through thick and thin. But there was one thing that Han Na-ri didn’t know. 

Tae-sung sat casually and asked, “Have you been waiting too long?”

“No. I just... got here,” Han Na-ri said and smiled, adding, “I got us our favorite matcha frappe latte.”

“Thanks,” said Tae-sung as he grinned. “So what’s this exciting news you’re about to tell me?”

The server interrupted their conversation as she served their ordered drinks. 

"Thank you," Han Na-ri said and sipped her drink first. “Right,” she said. “Can’t you believe it? We’re done with college.” Tae-sung chuckled as he took a sip of his matcha and said, “Yep. No more late-night studies, and no more distressing assignments.” They both said in chorus. 

As they laughed. 

Then a moment of silence filled their space. 

Han Na-ri felt excited and looked nervous about how to break the good news to Tae-sung. She sounded hesitant. “Tae-sung ssi, you know how happy I am to have you, right?” Her tone was sweet, and she curled a kind smile on her rosy lips. “And you know, how much I cherish this friendship of ours, that I don’t want it to end even after we part ways.” 

Tae-sung scoffed candidly and said, “What are you talking about? Of course, even though we’ll have our future priorities, we’ll still keep in touch.” 

“I know,” Han Na-ri said and took the courage to say it. “That’s why I need your favor.” Tae-sung looked at her. He wondered what it could be. He said, “Whatever it is, as long as I can help you. I'm your best friend, remember?” He smiled. His lips touched the tip of the straw. 

“Do you think you can find out about Lee Joon-Ho?” Han Na-ri blushed. But Tae-sung's eyes widened in disbelief. Did I hear right? He gulped and asked, “What do you want to know about Lee Joon-Ho?” His right hand tightened under the table. He felt uneasy. Rather…jealous. 

“Well, he’s going to be my fiancé soon. And I am to meet him this weekend,” she smiled back and gave off a fresh strawberry scent of her pheromone. 

And that crumbled Tae-sung's selfish ego. He wanted to slam the table. His chest and neck tightened as he clenched his fist out of spite. 

Is that why Father has given all his attention to my brother lately? Because he’s a dominant alpha and I am an alpha with nothing but a son’s mistress.

Yet he still needed to show his good side to Han Na-ri, who couldn’t stop smiling. With his bittersweet smile, he said, “Sure, I’ll see what I can do,” with his throbbing heart. 

The things he prepared to surprise Han Na-ri on graduation day had shattered like a broken frame. 

He planned to tell her what he felt about her for a long time, but it turned into disappointment. His inferiority complex toward his half-brother’s success became his cage. Lee Joon-Ho, who was 2 years older than him, at 25, accomplished so many fruitful years in his life. Yet he, who often got suspended from school, couldn’t reach the top equal to his brother. 

So he kept causing them problems. In his mind, it was the only way he could see his father, sullen attention. That was enough for Lee Tae-sung. But, even now, Han Na-ri had already fallen in love with his half-brother in such a short time. Compared to his 10 years of loyalty, patience, and love toward her, will soon come to an end. 

Han Na-ri had never shown any love interest toward him. Only friendship. And that made him even worse. More envious. 

Three weeks later. And one week before the official engagement party between Lee Joon-Ho and Han Na-ri, Lee Tae-sung went into hiding. But he sent a text to Han Na-ri containing a document attached about Lee Joon-Ho. He didn’t even attend his graduation. Han Na-ri was worried about his sudden disappearance. He didn’t even answer her text messages and phone calls. 

He shut himself off to everyone. 

Meanwhile, Lee Joon-Ho and Han Na-ri had a steamy night together in his villa. They both agreed to mark each other before their official engagement. Though they've used contraceptives, it didn’t stop them from biting as a symbol of their marking.

The afternoon looked blissful as they held hands, strolling in the backyard garden. Yet Lee Joon-Ho noticed that Han Na-ri looked perturbed about something. 

“You seemed down,” Joon-Ho said, adding, “Did something happen?” 

“I’m worried about my best friend,” she said, adding, “He has never done this before. He wouldn’t reply to my messages and wouldn't return my calls. I've been thinking if I’ve done something wrong that he didn’t like.” 

“But you did send him the engagement invitation, right?” Joon-Ho asked as he clasped on Han Na-ri’s hand. 

She looked at him with a smile and said, “Yes. I hope he’s coming.” 

“Then, that’s all it matters,” he said. He felt a bit envious. “He’ll come, so don’t worry.” He smiled. “He might be sulking. Since you’re getting married before he could.” 

Han Na-ri chuckled. 

“Why are you laughing?” He said and acted naively. “Hahaha,” she laughed, adding, “You know what? I couldn’t believe your poker face could make me laugh like this.” She giggled. 

Lee Joon-Ho smirked at her and said, "Is that so?" 

"Yeah," she said. "I couldn't stop myself from falling in love with you over and over again, Joon-Ho nim." Her lips curved into a warm smile. Joon-Ho held her face and said, "And I can't stop falling in love with you either." 

The love in their eyes was like a fairy tale as they kissed. And the roses around them danced in harmony.  

They spend the rest of the day cuddling and making love in his serene villa. 

The day of the engagement party. 

The house of Chairman Lee Gwan-Ho was glamorous. Splendid music played as the venue became enthusiastic. He invited the well-known chaebols.  Han Na-ri’s parents invited their relatives and guests. To witness their future son-in-law and daughter’s official engagement. 

They cheered and congratulated the couple, who looked very happy. The Moissanite engagement ring looked stunning on her left ring finger. They roamed around to greet other guests and exchanged conversation with them.

Until Lee Tae-sung showed up. 

He was standing at a distance with the guests strolling around in front of Han Na-ri and Lee Joon-Ho. His broken heart let him bid Han Na-ri a sad smile. 

“Tae-sung?” Han Na-ri mumbled. Lee Joon-Ho looked to where she stared. It was his half-brother, Lee Tae-sung. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he looked surprised. He asked, “How do you know my half-brother?” 

Han Na-ri’s eyes grew wider as she looked at Joon-Ho. She said, “He’s your half-brother?” 

“Yes, he is,” Joon-Ho said. He furrowed his brow at Lee Tae-sung, who looked drained. 

Han Na-ri glanced back at Tae-sung and said, “He’s my best friend.” Her tone sounded bewildered and placid. Joon-Ho couldn't believe it. She added, “I didn’t know he was your half-brother. He never said anything to me about his family.”

“Han Na-ri,” Joon-Ho said in a consoling tone. 

“Whenever I asked Tae-sung about his family, he always changed the subject. As if he didn’t want to share anything,” she said, staring at Tae-sung with a doleful gaze.  

“Go,” Joon-Ho said. “Huh?” Her eyes grew in shock 

He smiled at her like he understood where his half-brother was coming from. 

“Go ahead, and talk to him,” Joon-Ho smiled. “I’ll go and talk to Dad and his friends.” 

Han Na-ri felt comforted by Joon-Ho’s understanding. She bobbed her head. She went to Tae-sung, who waited for her at the open veranda. 

The night sky was serene. The touch of the cold wind felt calming on Tae-sung's skin. 

As the gust of wind blew the strands of his hair. It was restful, but not his torn heart.

“Tae-sung,” Han Na-ri said in a soft tone. She approached him. Tae-sung smiled at her. Yet his eyes seemed sleepless. She leaned against the balustrade and asked, “Why didn’t you answer my texts and calls? Did something happen?” She looked disheartened. 

Silence filled their hearts for a moment. Then she looked at Tae-sung's tired face. “I didn’t know that you and Joon-Ho are half brothers.” 

It took a while for Tae-sung to reply. He was holding himself from breaking down in front of her. He looked far ahead and tightened his jaw. Han Na-ri gave him time to say something as she fidgeted with her fingers against her silk skirt. She somehow felt nervous as she stared at the veranda's slate floors.

“Are you mad? That I didn’t tell you about my family?” Tae-sung clasped his hands as his arms rested on the banister.

“You have reasons why you couldn’t tell me,” Han Na-ri’s tone was melancholic. “I understand where you're coming from. But Tae-sung,” She looked at him. They locked eyes. 

Tae-sung's unrequited love. While Han Na-ri’s hopeful gaze. She said, “Soon, we’ll not be best friends anymore,” her eyes were always kind in Tae-sung's presence. She added, “We’ll be in-laws. So I hope it doesn’t rip us apart. Our friendship.” 

Tae-sung just... smiled and said, “You should go back. He must be looking for you.” He sensed Lee Joon-Ho's pheromone, who was waiting at a distance. 

“Then, let’s go together and greet your father,” Han Na-ri said. Her naivety made Tae-sung so obsessed with her. But now, she was no longer within his grasp. He said, “I already did. I’ll stay here for a bit,” and grinned wistfully. “Now go. Don’t let your fiancé wait for too long.” 

That feeling he didn't want to let go of. His longtime best friend. His savior. His first love. 

The feelings he hid for 10 years for Na-ri were now just... a fleeting memory. 

Han Na-ri beamed with a smile, “Okay. I’ll talk to you later.” As she walked away. Away from his sight. But Tae-sung didn’t want to end it… with Han Na-ri. 

However, two months later, before Lee Joon-Ho and Han Na-ri's wedding, she left the country out of the blue. 

No calls.

No text.

No emails.

Not even her parents know where she went. 

She just... gone missing.

Until she came back in a cold casket.