a disastrous encounter

"So? What you do you say, my handsome ex-fiancé?" You asked, raising your brow to a dangerous height.

Joon gulped, "No I… I am sorry."

"Ah, so you know the word sorry? I am impressed." You pull away the knife, carefully handing it to the maid.

You turn to the family, bowed and, took your stuff and went on your way.

The two families were left bereft of words.

You knew how your actions would negatively affect the families but why should you care about the people who don't give a shit about your health?

All they want is my shares. I hate my mother but those company shares she left for me is something I must appreciate her for.

The first place you stopped at was the tteokbokki shop. You ate two bowls and also had five bottles of soju.

I was never allowed to drink anything other than imported wine.

You drink till you could not feel your feet. On your way to your car, legs shuffling clumsily, you bump into two muscular men.

"Sorry." You bowed, stumbling away to give them space to pass.

"Wait a minute. I know this face." One of them said, leaning to get a closer look, "You are that girl right? That rich girl, um…"

The other one also leaned - clearly trying to recognize your face.

"Ah, Kang Ari, first daughter of the Kang family." He notified.

I have forgotten how popular my family is. If this people make a scene and people catch it on camera, father will rip me to shreds.

"You've got the wrong person." You said, tried to walk past them but they block your way,

"Come on, what's the hurry? Let's go to the club and have fun."

"Have fun?" You scoffed, lifting your eyes to look at their ugly looking faces, "Do I look like someone who have 'fun' with men like you?"

"Men like us?" They scoffed in unison.

"These little rich brats think they can say whatever they want without having to worry. I will take pleasure in knocking your ass off." The man threatened.

You laugh, "If I was afraid of men like you, I wouldn't be drunk and alone on this empty street. So bring on your worse."

"You bitch!" The second man growled, fiercely grabbing your hand.

You yank your hand away, landing a hard slap across his cheek. "Lay another hand on me and I will destroy your pathetic life."

"How dare you!" The first man snarled, pulling out a pocket knife hidden under his shirt. He starts swinging the knife at you. "When I'm done ruining your face, your confidence and sharp tongue will die with you."

"I have already died once you fucking asshole." You talked back.

"This time it will be a permanent one." He said, swinging the knife.

He is one second from cutting your face when suddenly, a tall man appear from behind, sends a flying kick at your attacker. He rolled like a ball on the street, the knife slipping out of his hand.

"Are you okay?" A deep voice greeted your ear. You look up meeting the most beautiful eyes.

You recognize him instantly, eyes snapping open, "Gong Jiho?"

"I will kill you." The second man barked, picks up the knife from the ground and as Jiho swiveled to face him. The man plunged the knife right into Jiho's shoulder.

You shriek in alarm.

Jiho did not even flinch. He battered his attacker to the ground with a single punch. The two men got to their feet and dashed off in fear.

You watch, mouth hanging open, "How did you do that?"

He ignore you, yanking the knife out of his shoulder. Warm blood drips to the ground. Jiho did not react, is he immune to pain or what?

"I will take you to the hospital." You offered.

"No, thank you." He declined.

"But…" you tried to make another offer but he's already started walking away, that is when you noticed another slash on his back.

He is hurt but he doesn't react. They say he is crazy, but even if he is crazy, can he not feel pain?

You notice a small stone next to your feet. You pick it up and throw it at Jiho - it landed on his back, dropping with a sound.

Jiho kept walking without reacting even for the briefest of seconds.

He doesn't feel anything!

The idea of Jiho not feeling anything scared you to shits. You dash after him, sharply blocking his path.

"You can't feel anything, can you?"

Your question made him stop on his tracks, "What makes you think that?"

"I just threw a stone at you. You didn't feel it."

He chuckle slightly, "I felt it, I didn't care to look back."

"How come you are not feeling this, then?" You signal at the ground. He followed the movement. You've been squeezing your heel on his foot for almost a minute and he didn't react.

Jiho knew you've caught him red handed, still, he keeps his composure, "What do you want?"

Joon's comment about how he will become the CEO even without your help gets stuck in your head. All night you've been thinking of ways you can stop him from making his dream come true, and now, the perfect idea ruminated in your head.

Your eyes glowed with anticipation as you set them on Jiho's handsome face. "Marry me."

Jiho always wears a poker face. He is hard to read but this time, his eyes snapped open - clearly shocked.

"What?" He asked.

You shrug, "You've always led a quiet boring life, it must be because of this secret. Does your family know that you don't feel anything? You don't even feel it when things or people touch you, so how have you survived all this while? If you remain like this, you won't be able to live a normal life but if you trust me and marry me, I will make you the CEO of Moon Bay and then I will be free. It's a win-win."

He tilts his head with the look of confusion all over his face, "Make me the CEO? I don't want it."

"It's not that you don't want it. As the bastard son of the Gong family, you know that you will never be allowed that position. But I own sixty percent of Moon Bay's shares, I cannot take on the company myself but if I marry from the Gong family, my shares will be transferred to my husband and he will become the CEO and I will be free from my family. You must dream to be successful, to step out of your brother's shadow. To not be the bastard child but Gong Jiho, the CEO of Moon Bay and MY husband!"

Your words hits the right nerve, it puts Jiho into the world of daydreaming. He imagined himself as the CEO and even flirted with the idea but marrying his once soon-to-be sister-in-law is not worth it to him.

He cast you a blank stare, "Do you think learning about my secret will make me do as you say? You can do whatever you want, go and tell whomever you want about my condition but I will not marry you. I will not be a part of your stupid revenge." He turned to leave but faces you again,

"Joon was right about one thing. You might have changed your style and manners but you are still obsessed with him cause even after calling off your engagement, you are still trying to marry me so you can hurt him, and that makes you a low person, even lower than him."

His words stung - hurtful.

You flinch, blinking back the tears threatening to escape.

"Call me whatever you want but I will not stop until I bring Gong Joon to his knees. I know you hate your brother, he has always done everything in his power to keep you away from your right as the son and also a member of the family. If you marry me, you will live in your name not as the bastard son. You can pretend not to care, and maybe you don't. How can a man who can't feel anything physically be able to comprehend my pain? But the offer still stands, tomorrow is the company gala and during the event, Gong Joon will be announced as the future CEO because of me, but if you choose to marry me, you will take his place."

"I don't even understand how you can think like this? Marry the woman my brother was with? That is impossible." He stared into your eyes, "I will never marry you!"

You chuckle in disbelief, nodding vigorously, "If you don't take this chance, you will forever remain in the shadows, but I know that you are not a saint, you also have dreams and ambitions. I do not care if you can't feel anything, I am not asking for your love or affection, I just need you to pretend to be my husband."

"I am anything but a liar." He said.

You scoff, "Fine, think it through before tomorrow night."

You leave before you could hear his answer. One more rejection from Jiho would make you break into tears.

Perhaps they are right, perhaps I am merely deluding myself into thinking I have changed. Perhaps, I am just the same foolish and naive girl.

Jiho watched Ari's retreating figure till she disappeared into her car and drove off.

He sighed, "Dreams are not for a man like me.

If anyone learns of my secret, I might not even get the privilege of living in the shadows. So whatever happens, I will not marry Kang Ari."