I laughed, "What are you speaking? Did you forget my name already?"

"Stop this Jee, I know it very well. I knew it from the very start. I was waiting when you will trust me enough to share," he said seriously.

"If you knew it why did you let Suho merge with Dad's company?"

"I don't care about the company, I give shit about it. I am just there because I don't know anything else. I thought when you'll know, you'll disclose your identity to me. But you didn't... Honestly if I hadn't known you personally, I would have admired Jerry. But right now..." He looked straight into my eyes, "You should be ashamed of yourself, coward!"

"I am not a coward Minho! Don't call me that!" I protested and stood up from the bed, not meeting his gaze.

"Why? It hits home?" He scoffed, turning me back to face him by my bicep.

"Do you love anyone?" He asked unanticipated.

I thought for a while and looked nowhere in particular.

"Tell me Jee, do you love someone?"

I nodded, not looking at his face.

"Does they love you?"

I gulped and shook my head in defiance. He sighed and pushed my head to his chest. It felt warm. It felt... Family.

I wrapped my hands weakly around him, "I love him but I don't know what he feels. Now I am going to marry Suho-"

"You can stop this," he mumbled, caressing my hair.

"Just unveil yourself. They'll fucking know that they were trusting trash. I'll help you prove it."

"How would you," I asked.

"Who do you think publishes your books?"

The question took me by perplexion. I parted from the hug and watched him smile warmly, my expressions were all frozen by shock.

"You think a publishing company would just approach you without any entry or form filling?" He gave me a freaking adorable smile, his dimples were decorating his cheeks. He was so proud.

"Wh- what? How?"

"I happened to read your diary and I knew you had that potential. So, I invested my savings in bringing up a production house. The Min Productions, and I approached you anonymously and I nowhere regret it. Look how far my little Jerry has come," he messed with my hair.

I chuckled, my lips stretching widest over my face. Was he always this cute? Oh my Olaf, you just touched my heart.

"So, how about telling them? We can stop this!" He insisted and my smile dropped.

I shook my head, "I cannot. No one should know that I am Jerry."

"Why?" He gave me a confounded expression.

"Is there any other way? You are from the publishing! Just tell them that you had no contract with him. Just mail it to them!"

"That's the point. The thing that Suho will be having an interview isn't out. The publishing cannot intervene. But it can help you if you are bold enough to come out," he was looking at me with hopes twinkling in his eyes.

My eyes were fixed at the floor, "No. I cannot. They'll make me stop write. I'll die that way. Not at all. And it's not just about the Jerry Jarvis interview. Suho is really talented and own their trust, they would still tie me to him."

"Fucking coward," he grunted, "Do whatever you think is correct!" He plunged out of the room with a speed, leaving me all befuddled again. Now, even guilty for breaking his aspirations.

•••

We were sitting on the dining table, having our breakfast. My father spreading the orange marmalade on his toasted bread and my mother having her tea elegantly. Minho though, was not with us. I mean he was at the office. Lolz.

I sipped onto the black tea. What the fuck, this tastes like shit! I hated it and it burnt my throat leaving behind a bitter taste but I managed to sequester my emotions.

The entrance opened with a loud bang and I looked at Mi Hi at the entrance panting. I felt lightening cackle through my veins and I stared at her without blinking. Why was she here? No. She shouldn't be here. Cool entry though.

She looked around and took large outrageous steps towards us. I could feel my mother's electric gaze upon me and that was enough to dry up the blood in my veins.

Mi Hi banged on the dining table loudly as ever. The crockery that was enjoying their placid passiveness were instigated to jump due the vibration.

"What kind of attitude is that, my lady?" My mother cocked a brow at her while the latter scoffed. No Mi, are you fucking out of your damned mind?

"Hah? My attitude?" She glanced into the elder's eyes showing her determination, "Look at your self Mrs Park. Marrying your daughter without her consent in twenty first century? You sure got some guts."

I gulped in apprehension. "M- Mi," I stuttered, slightly touching her hand that was still jammed on the glass table.

Her head turned back, her eyes snapping into mine. She held my hand tightly, I could feel the heat that the bang generated on her soft hands. Almost like a rose on fire.

"That's enough Jee. You don't have to do this. You are capable enough. You don't have to do this!" She said softly looking straight towards me. I couldn't process straight, I could feel my dad's deathly stare. He was still eating his breakfast, unbothered.

"What are you doing Mi?" I whispered as light as a feather. She kneeled down infront of me, her hands on my knees and eyes as if shooting courage. I bit my bottom lip, it was making me weak.

"I know Jee. I know you're scared. But look at yourself, you were the best student of our college. You are better than anyone. You are you. Don't let your identity crumble like that. You have a life and you have the right to live it," she said.

I could feel my hands tremble, I could not look towards her hence I don't know what her face was like. If it was portraying anguish or it was sympathetic. If it was friendly or it was emotional. I don't know because my mother's imparted attributes held me against whatever she was saying.

"What are you speaking about young miss? She is not forced. What do you think we are? Uneducated people? We know the best for our precious daughter," my mother responded sternly.

Mi Hi got up once again, turning to her. "Did you ask for her consent. Did you ask if she wanted to marry Suho?" Her nostrils flared in anger.

"What's the big deal? I can ask her just now. I know my daughter. Tell me, Jee, do you have any problem in marrying Mr Suho?"

My heart was beating nervously as if stone skipping over the water, just unpredictable when it would drown. My father was now looking at me from over his specs, Mi Hi was giving me hopeful glances while my mother was so confident in me.

Yes.. Yes.. Yes.. Yes.. Yes.. Yes..

"N-No," I stuttered.

"Jee! Why don't you understand? This is not sacrifice? This is self slaughter!" She insisted. I know. I know it Mi, but I am helpless. I cannot go against them for no matter how much I deny, I am and will always be a coward.

"Jee, guide your unethical friend her way out. I hope I made it clear," my mom said and my fists clenched inadvertently and I nodded softly.

"No!" Mi protested, "I am not going anywhere without you. I know you are an idiot, girl! But I am not. I can see through these selfish people."

Don't make it worse Mi. You can be in troubled waters for this. I looked up finally to meet her eyes and her face was all painted in care and that took me off gaurd. So much pain and fond care. I do not deserve this.

"Don't give me those starry eyes. Understand your worth goddamit. You are more than the hier of this tired company. Wait, they don't even take you as their heir. You are just their asset. Marrying you off for their personal enrichment-"

"Leave," I mumbled as I realised the way my so called parents were glaring at her. They hold the power to destroy her.

"Jee, don't," she insisted.

"Please leave Mi. This is not the right time."

She let out a shuddering breath, a tear rolling down her cheeks at a lightening speed. Her jaw clenched as she took me by my collar by a great force. I couldn't really look into her eyes.

"How would I ever be able to forgive myself to befriend a coward like you and entrusting parts of myself in you that you never deserved?" She said through gritted teeth and pushed me slightly and left with the same speed with which she barged in leaving me behind. I am sorry Mi. I am sorry for being a coward.

"Have your breakfast," my mom said as if nothing happened. I nodded mutely and sat back at the table. By this time, I knew, Mi hated me. She hated me for ruining myself.

•••