Chapter 15

"So I... I had my panic attack in the doorway, luckily my best friend Carl was with me. If he weren't there, I would probably not have been here."

She took in a long breath.

"So, after the week of my world crashing around me, Luke married my best friend from high school Cassandra."

Hoseok squeezed her hand.

"I am so sorry that happened to you, Aya. I can't believe that someone can do that to another person."

She smiled at him. "I found out, that he and Cassandra planned this whole ordeal. That broke me... I loved this man with all my being." A tear rolled down her cheek.

Hoseok saw, he leaned forward and wiped it away. The motion shocked Aya, her cheek was still tingling where are fingers were.

"So did this lead to your second attack?"

"I think it contributed, due to after I met you, I felt I can trust again, and that scared me, so I had the nightmare of what happened to me but I think I am ready to move on, Hoseok."

Hoseok gave her a reassuring smile.

"I am happy to hear that, Aya." He squeezed her hand again. "I will never hurt you."

"Do you promise, Hoseok?"

Before Hoseok could answer her there was a flash of a camera.

They both blinked, Hoseok's heart was beating fast. He can't get caught now, he couldn't see where the flash came from.

He saw the look in Aya's face it was full of confusion. "Why don't we get out of here?"

She nodded at him. "We can go to the flea market, or if you'd like we can go to the sanctuary?"

He didn't care where they are going, as long as they are out of here fast.

"The sanctuary sounds like a great idea."

He placed money on the table, kept their hands interlocked and disappeared through the cafe as quick as possible.

Once outside he moved them to the busier sidewalk.

"Uhm, Hoseok is something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong, why do you ask?"

"You are moving a bit to fast and the sanctuary is in the opposite direction."

He stopped, Aya had to sidestep or she would have collided with his back.

"I am sorry, I forgot to ask you directions." He let out a nervous laugh.

"It is okay, Carl can't wait to meet you. He will be thrilled if we stop by."

"Your friend, Carl is your boss too?"

She nodded. "Yes, he gave me a job after the Luke incident."

They turned around, going in the right direction.

"Did you really quit your job at the restaurant?"

"Yes, I did. The owner only took advantage of me because of the situation I am in. So I think in the long run it was better to leave."

"You really are a strong woman."

Aya blushed. "I never thought of me being strong."

"Well you are, and I am glad Luke gave up his chance so that I could meet you instead."

Aya looked down at her feet. "I... I"

Hoseok stopped walking, he tugged her arm so that she faces him, he enveloped her in a tight hug, placing his chin on her head.

"Never doubt yourself, you aren't beaten. You have fought for yourself, blood, sweat and tears. Don't let the world define you."