Chapter 18

"So, you did it?", asked Zen.

"I didn't do anything. I just filed a complaint against the manager and the company he is working.", replied Jumin.

"But we can't do much since he said he just passed the photos, the manager didn't do direct damage to Ha Eun. We can still go for the invasion of privacy and defamation. But you did hit him first, Zen. They can use that against you.", explained Jaehee.

"They dare?!", Zen asked angrily.

Yoosung and Ha Eun couldn't see Zen, Jaehee and Jumin because they stood near the door, out of their field of sight, but they can certainly hear their conversation.

"They sounded really scary.", said Yoosung.

"It's okay let the adults talk.", answered Ha Eun.

The two 'youngsters' focused their eyes on the television. Yoosung, Jumin and Jaehee dropped by at night after Jumin's finished with work and Yoosung finished his shift. Seven had left in the evening, mostly because Vanderwood bombarded him with messages. But not before making sure Zen is less agitated than before.

After his encounter with Echo Girl's ex-manager and almost breaking hospital property, Zen didn't explain to Ha Eun and Seven directly. Instead he called Jumin and demanded him to stay on the phone. Making it like a conference.

It turns out that Echo Girl's ex-manager was demoted from the manager job and was forced to work as a production staff. Harbouring grudge with Zen, he decided to have Zen learn his lesson. At first the manager spreads false rumours in the fan-café, not knowing that Zen does have a girlfriend. But when the manager was working backstage on one of Zen's show, the manager sneaked in to take Zen's private photos and spread it, but instead struck gold. The manager found Ha Eun's photos instead. Seeing jealous replies from one particular fan, the manager decides to wash up and let the fan did what she wanted. Not knowing that this could end with either Zen or Ha Eun's life in line.

After hearing the confession from the manager, Zen had delivered a hard punch to the manager to the surprise of the security guards. And now, Zen wanted Jumin to utilise all his legal power towards the manager and also the girl attacker.

'Several days ago, the entertainment industry was shocked by the attack incident happening in XX movie premiere. Since then, the investigation has been closed to public and media. But we have obtained insider information, that the alleged perpetrator was the fan of Musical Actor Zen and the victim was the actor's girlfriend.'

*Click*

The television was turned off.

"Stop it. Why are you watching this.", grumbled Zen with the remote in his hand.

Under Zen's angry eyes, the two 'youngster' just kept quiet. The adults have finished their talking, apparently.

"Oh the wonderful smell of the flower has filled the room already.", said Jumin.

"Yes, it's a nice bouquet, Jumin. Thank you.", said Ha Eun.

"It wasn't me. It was given by Mr. A, the head of your new workplace. We met at a party."

"Oh, you know him, of course."

"Yes, and after he knew that we were both acquainted, he conveys wonderful words about you."

"Really, wow, I'm flattered."

"You should be. I know you are someone passionate with your job."

Jaehee was stricken with surprise, Mr. Han Jumin complimenting someone, and he didn't say about the base of monetary gain. How magical.

---

Several days later, Ha Eun is finally released from the hospital. Again, Jumin lend Driver Kim for Ha Eun. Zen had decided that both of them should have stayed in Jumin's penthouse first rather than returning to Zen's apartment.

"Hey. No walking! I'll carry you to the door! God, why did that nurse won't let me borrow the wheelchair until we reached home. It's not like Jumin will mind.", grunted Zen.

"Oppa! If you don't let me walk, I swear to God I will do a high kick to your face!"

"But...."

"No buts, because you don't have any other choice."

Zen's crazy paranoid mind actually did the thinking. Walking requires minimal movement, but a high kick is too much of a movement field and too much straining. Walking is better for the wound.

"Okay, you can walk.", Zen said slowly.

Driver Kim just giggled at the two while taking out Ha Eun's stuff from the back trunk.

"I didn't just gave birth, I didn't have a 6-inch surgical incision along my abdomen and I am 100% sure they are not as fragile as what you think I am right now.", complained Ha Eun.

No words can persuade Zen.

Ha Eun still doesn't do much work around the apartment. Zen cooks, Zen washes her hair, Zen did all the tidying and unpacking, and basically Zen did everything. Ha Eun just sits beautifully on living room sofa bundled inside a blanket. They end the night with cuddling while watching wildlife documentaries. Zen never really paid attention to these things before, but Ha Eun's eyes were sparkling. Well, he can watch her instead, right?

Until Zen can feel her head leaning on his arm. She fell asleep.

Zen smiled and caressed her face before planting a soft kiss on the top of her head. He lifted her off the sofa, trying not to fold and scrunch the wound too much and placed her on the main bedroom. He wanted to leave but Ha Eun's hand caught his shirt.

"Come to bed, it's late.", she said sleepily.

"Did you pretend to sleep so I'll carry you to bed? You can just ask.", said Zen.

Ha Eun gave a small laugh and patted the side of the bed next to her.

"I'll sleep next door okay.", said Zen.

"Eh? Why?"

"I.... I wouldn't be able to hold back. I mean, I can but there's just a small voice inside my head that doubts it. I'll go sleep next door. Don't worry, I'll keep the door open, you can just call."

Zen disappeared through the door and not long after that, Ha Eun can hear her phone vibrates. She reached to the bedside table and picked it up.

It was Zen.

"Oppa?"

"Babe. It's like the first night you stayed at my place, remember. There's just a wall between us. And just like that day. My patience is running out too.", Zen said with a giggle.

Ha Eun just smiled and listened, her hand on the wall. She felt like Zen's warmth can just seep through the wall.

"And just like that day, I wanted to tell you that I am still bewitched at you because the magic will never end. And I had become a better person because of you and I will become an even better person because of you. Can you believe it in a few months we have been together for one year? And we have never been apart before. I will keep my words to you till the end of time. I will always be there for you. And lastly, I love you."

"I love you too."

---

The morning starts more rushed than usual, especially Zen. He had already washed and dressed in the early morning, while Ha Eun was still in her pyjamas drinking her morning milk. Zen rushed here and there from the room to the kitchen. Ha Eun just sat there and watch as Zen paced back and forth while buttoning his shirt.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes."

"Be careful, okay."

"I will."

"You sure you don't want me to take you?"

"No and besides you can't."

"Call me if anything happens."

"Nothing will happen."

"Tell Seven to drive carefully okay."

"I will."

"I'll pick you up at lunch right."

"Yes."

"Be careful, babe."

"Yes and now go. The car is waiting for you!"

Zen straightens his shirt and did a final check on his hair before grabbing his bag. He kissed Ha Eun a long time, he won't stop if Ha Eun didn't push him away.

"Go!"

After several days, they moved back in to Zen's apartment. Ha Eun has regained mostly her usual activities, even though Zen still worries a lot. That day, Zen has an interview in the afternoon, but his agent need to talk to him first to run him on information that Zen can and can't disclose. And he still needs to style his hair at the hairdresser and all. So he left early.

Ha Eun intended to drop by the lab to meet her partner. The lab is in the final phase of construction so it's not running yet, but Ha Eun had scheduled a meeting with the person in charge of the branch. Seven offered to drive her to work, because overly-worrying Zen, of course and Seven was nothing but happy to accept the task.

And the pick-up arrived exactly on schedule.

Ha Eun exits the apartment building to Seven that had waited by his car, his flashy sports car.

"Woohoo, smart look.", said Seven.

Ha Eun looked down at the garb she was wearing that day. Yes, she hasn't been able to dress freely at her old workplace and it actually feels nice to dress nicer sometime.

"Thank you.", she replied.

Seven opened the door for her, but not before saying what his apartment gate interface used to say.

"Pretty lady don't need password."

That phrase always brings an amused smile to Ha Eun's face. The first thing that Ha Eun did after Seven seats himself on the driver's seat was to jab in a toast to Seven's mouth.

"Oi, what's this...", asks Seven with a full mouth.

"Breakfast. You must've only had PhD Pepper or Honey Buddha Chips right?"

Seven continues munching the toast as he drives the car.

---

"Today in our studio, we are having a very special guest. He has been missing for quite a while and I'm sure all of you should've been missing his long silver hair right? Yes, please welcome Musical Actor Zen!"

Zen enters to the studio at the cue of the female announcer. The studio was quickly filled with cheers of Zen's fangirl, he waved at them as he walked to the female announcer and give a bow to her.

"Oh my, you look so handsome in person."

"Thank you."

Zen's fans had carried different kinds of banners 'Zen, we missed you' 'Zen, I love you' and many others. Zen can breathe in relief at least no one carries a hate banner.

"So, your new movie, it hit the theatres last week and it is still going strong. I know that everyone here already watched it, but could you give us a short description of the story?"

"Well, it's a beautiful movie about love through time. That if we are destined to someone, we will always return to them. It's a very heart-warming love story. "

"3 couples of actors and actresses were casted to play different ages."

"Yes, all the sunbae-nim are very amazing."

"But everyone seems to be praising your performance in the movie. You did appear the longest alongside your partner."

"It's something I should do, everyone did their best and I should not let them down by performing poorly."

The question about the movie continues on for several time. Zen's agent had already said it, they will talk about other things first before asking the main issue.

"So, Zen-ssi, at the movie premiere there was a very horrifying incident that shocked the nation."

"Yes, a stabbing incident.", answered Zen.

"This investigation has been highly protected and closed to almost everyone but there are rumours circulating. That the victim of the incident was your girlfriend. Do you have a say on this?"

Zen took a deep breath before looking at the announcer.

"Yes, she is my girlfriend."

The entire studio bursts into murmurs, whispers and gasps among fans. The announcer also peeked to check on the audience.

"This is a big news Zen."

"Yes, and I know that this show is streamed worldwide too, right? So I am confirming that the girl is my girlfriend. We have been together for a long time. The stabbing was supposed to be intended for me, but she stopped it and took it for me instead."

"Wow, this will be in the headlines. And the perpetrator, was it someone you know? Or jealous fans?"

"I choose not to disclose the identity or hint on it, let it be the authorities' responsibility.", said Zen.

Zen then moved his position and gazed at the camera.

"So, now everyone should've known what my girlfriend looks like, right? I know a lot of people took out their phones when my girlfriend was lying in the pool of her own blood. Please remember this, she is the most important person in my life. So, when you see her in the streets, noticed her in the market, don't hate her, don't be mean to her. Please be kind and show her love just as you had showed your love for me."

---

Zen arrived at the lab earlier from lunch time. Since the lab is still closed, there is only one guard at the front and luckily, the guard recognized him and Zen said that Ha Eun was his girlfriend, the guard let him in, with the price of a signature and photo of course.

There was a bouquet of roses in Zen's hand as he walked following the directions that the guard had told him. The building was big and spacious and very modern looking. Glass roofs that provide bountiful light.

Zen looked from across the hall at one of the glass walled meeting rooms. Ha Eun was talking with a man while she write down things on the glass board. Ha Eun in work mode was totally sexy in Zen's eyes. He placed the bouquet on the chair near one of the rooms and went to hide.

Ha Eun must be busy discussing that she hasn't seen what Zen said in the interview or checked the news that is currently on fire, not knowing that she is now famous.

"The only way we can do it is to try it on any possible species to find the DNA that evoke the development.", explain Ha Eun.

Her phone on the table begin to vibrate. She looked at the clock, it's almost lunch time. It must be Zen. She placed the marker down and went to her phone.

"I'm sorry but it's already lunchtime. I have another appointment, is it okay if we stop here?", asked Ha Eun.

"Sure. Mr A didn't want us to rush things anyway.", the man replied.

Ha Eun took her bag and went to exit the room. A text message from Zen.

"I'm here already."

Zen should be waiting outside at the lobby, if the guards won't let him in. Ha Eun forgot to tell the guard to let Zen in. But her eyes caught a bouquet of roses on one of the chairs.

Rose as red as Zen's eyes.

She picked it up and found a note on it.

'To my princess, not a single flower in the world can match your beauty."

Ha Eun giggled at the note, such cringe worthy note can only be written by one man.

"Ha Eun-ssi! Oh, roses, weird. Well, I just want to ask for your phone number. It's easier than email, since we are now in the same city.", Ha Eun's partner asked.

"Oh, my phone number?"

"You should ask Zen about it...."

Zen's voice was suddenly heard from Ha Eun's back.

"Oh Oppa! You sent the roses?", asked Ha Eun.

"Of course."

Ha Eun's partner also looked surprised at the sudden appearance of Zen with his towering height.

"Oh, are you Zen, the actor. Ah, and you are dating Ha Eun-ssi?"

"Yes!", answered Zen happily.

"Wow, no wonder my girlfriend has been gloomy these past weeks. You are a very lucky man. I wish you both well."

Zen was clearly emitting his most intimidating aura to the man, so Ha Eun didn't get the chance to give him her number. But once they exited the building, Ha Eun pinches Zen's arm as hard as she can that Zen screams in pain.

"That's my partner!"

---

Couple of months later Zen brought Ha Eun out for an early morning date in the weekend. He said that Ha Eun was so busy, she missed the premiere of Zen's other new movie.

"Are you seriously renting the whole cinema?", asked Ha Eun.

"No, I borrowed it. Operational hours are later, so it's empty. So, I borrowed it."

"How? Basically?"

"I just asked. I know the owner from before."

The cinema staffs were busy preparing, some are still cleaning and the other are behind the cashier, and everyone is busy with their own job. Zen and Ha Eun just walked casually into an empty studio.

"Just wait here, I'll go upstairs to turn on the movie."

Ha Eun nodded and sat at the front row while Zen exited the studio. Having the whole studio for herself is quite an experience, the silence and all.

Suddenly the lights when off, signalling the movie is starting. Ha Eun focuses her eyes on the screen.

"Babe~ Look here!" "Put the camera down! We're at the beach, why are you still shooting?" "I want to take beautiful pictures of you, of course!" "Take that!" "Hey, stop splashing! You'll damage the camera!"

It's not a movie, it's a video that Zen had recorded on of their date to the beach. Did he made a mistake?

The video keeps on playing different footages of Ha Eun that Zen had recorded. Pictures of her that he had taken, she never realized that Zen took so many pictures of her all this time. Her eyes were so glued to the screen, watching the video like a time machine that replayed all the moments she had spent with Zen. The video ended with a recording of Zen talking into the camera. The background was their apartment, she didn't know when he took it.

"Babe, remember that you once asked me what would happen if either of us had taken one wrong turn, would we still meet each other? Will we end up here? I have the answer for you now. Yes, we will. No matter what happens, I will find you. Because we are each other's mirrors and our paths. You are my life and my traces. From now on to the end of my life, you are mine and I am yours. You are always a blessing and my source of happiness. Our hearts are connected. For you are my life. I love you forever."

Through the tears that welled up in her eyes and blurred her vision, Ha Eun didn't realize Zen was standing next to her. He was smiling his charming smile as usual.

"Oppa, what is that?", Ha Eun asks between her sniffles.

Suddenly, Zen knelt down on one knee and placed a box on his hand.

"My love, will you marry me?"