Inner storm

For the past one week, you've spend your days sharing reels of your fake relationship on social media, Jiho also gave his cooperation.

It was a bright Sunday afternoon. Jiho takes you out on the pretext of a date but drove down an unfamiliar road. He parked in front of a private hospital.

Apparently, the head doctor there is his best friend, who was left in shock when he sees Jiho with you.

Jiho introduced you to him as his wife. The doctor, Geum Seok, keeps staring at you with amusement reflecting brightly in his eyes.

Geum Seok takes you to his comfortable consulting room. He settled on the white chair while the two of sits on the comfortable mustard shade sofa.

Legs crossed, apple tablet in his hand, Geum Seok glanced at you over his glasses, "When did you realize you could feel miss Ari's touch?"

"On the night of the gala." Jiho answered, shooting you a quick glance, "She felt cold and it was the best feeling in the world. It was as if life was finally breathed into my soul once again. I miss the feeling of being alive."

His words brings tears to your eyes. You involuntarily bit your lip, struggling to keep the tears pent up.

"You said you could feel others touch when Ari touches you?" Seok inquires, typing something into his tab.

"Yes." Jiho nodded, "we have tried it, and as long as she's touching me, I am able to feel everything."

Jiho spoke with a newfound confidence and hope.

"Why do you think that is? Are you both connected by a past or perhaps something happened between the two of you?" Seok asked, eyes darting between the two of you.

Jiho remembered how he was struck by lightning in your stead, could that be the reason he can feel only your touch?

Geum Seok noticed him zoning out, "Am I right?"

Seok already knows about the incident fifteen years ago, he is intentionally pushing Jiho to admit the truth in your presence but Jiho wouldn't bite the bait.

If Ari will keep pretending not to remember, why should I bother talking about it? He thought to himself.

You cut the dreadful silence, "Doctor, do you think if we keep staying together now that we are married, can Jiho be completely cured?"

"Um…" Geum Seok brooded, "Maybe or maybe not, we will have to monitor his progress by having a consultation every weekend, will that be okay?"

"Yes, we will do just that." You responded in unison.

After getting more suggestions from Geum Seok, you step out of the room and headed outside while Jiho stayed back to have a private discussion with him.

Seok gets to his feet, strutted to the window and stationed himself there, staring at Jiho's car parked downstairs.

"Kang Ari, I can't still believe she is your wife. As a doctor, it is stupid of me to believe in fate but… What can I call what is happening between the two of you? You saved her fifteen years ago and now she's here to save you."

"I got this condition only because of her, because I saved her!" Jiho scowled.

Seok casted him a glance, "do you regret it? Saving Kang Ari all those years?"

"Yes." Jiho responded with no hesitation, "You know of all the hardships I went through because of this condition. How can I not regret my decision? And Kang Ari, she is acting like she doesn't remember."

Seok sighed, swiveling to face Jiho, "And what if she actually doesn't remember it? What then? There is a high chance her memories from that day could be erased. She doesn't look like someone who would disregard another's efforts, especially the fact you almost lost your life to save hers."

For a brief moment, Jiho also played with the idea in his head. He stands and approached Seok by the window. "Even if she doesn't remember, it doesn't matter to me."

You finally stepped out of the building and strutted to the parked car, opened the passenger's door but paused, you feel a strange feeling as if someone was watching you and so you turn around, lifting your head and there he was, Jiho, by the window, staring you down.

"Jiho, I really think you and Ari share a very peculiar relationship, don't let it slip away." Seok adviced.

"This relationship is nothing but a lie, a lie we must live in order for us to get what we want. Kang Ari is nothing to me but a necessary part of my journey. Once her use to me is done, it won't take me another second to let her go. And besides…"

he look away from the window, turning to face Geum Seok, "I have despised Kang Ari for fifteen years, even if she doesn't remember what happened that time, I don't think I will be able to forgive her."

"Gong Jiho, don't you think you are being a bit too harsh? Kang Ari is not necessarily at fault in all of this! Why do you hate her so much? I know it is not because of that incident, there must be something you are not telling me." Seok pried.

Jiho is obviously holding back, his eyes reflects the secret he's buried deep inside him. What could it be? Why does he hate Ari so much?

Exhaling sharply, Jiho said, "This conversation ends here. I will see you next week." With those words, he headed for the door.

Geum Seok yelled after him, "Erase that hate from your heart, give her a chance!"

Jiho didn't even bother to turn back and went on his heels, closing the door behind him.

You enter the car, thinking back on what the doctor said, "A special relationship between me and Jiho? Could it be because he saved me when I attempted suicide that is why I can cure him? Is that even possible?"

Your thoughts were disrupted when Jiho jerks open the driver's door and enters the car with a frown. He starts the engine, stomping on the accelerator and the car goes off in full speed.

Your mouth hangs open as you watch him speed through the busy highway.

"Gong Jiho, I tried killing myself once so I am not exactly excited about experiencing another close to death moment, at least not yet so please, slow down." You pleaded, panicking by the minute.

Jiho cuts you dead, gaze fixed on the road.

Talking is of no essence so it's better to keep shut. You zipped your mouth through the entire twenty minutes drive. Jiho parks into the garage, didn't even ask you how you were feeling and jumped out of the car, slamming his door as he storms off into the house.

What is wrong with him?

You go after him, "Gong Jiho? GONG JIHO???"

He halts with frustration, circling around to face you, "What!?"

"You…"

Before you could finish your sentence, a familiar voice teased, "Trouble in paradise?"

You both sharply turn only to see Gong Joon coming out from the kitchen, a half-eaten apple in his hand. "I have been waiting for the two of you but it seems you are rather having a fight."

You tense, looking the other way with embarrassment.

Joon's lips curved into a devilish grin, "Hm, it really doesn't matter anyway."

"How did you get into MY house?" Jiho growled.

Joon only chuckled, "Through the front door, where else?"

Jiho's face turns red with rage, "You know that's not what I meant."

"Ah… you are wondering why I am here." Joon was clearly enjoying this awkward moment. He strides further into the room, hunkering down on the couch, "The maid let me in."

He tossed the half-eaten apple on the center table as he crosses his legs, "I heard you want to come back to the company. Why do I feel this is not your plan but someone else's?" He said pointedly to you.

"Whatever I do, it is none of your business, so how about you get out of my house before I throw you out?" Jiho warned.

Joon tuts pitifully as he gets to his feet, "You've always been short tempered though it has been long since I last saw you fight anyone. This means Ari must be a bad influence on you."

"I am his wife, I can influence him in anyway." You sneered.

Joon laughed, "His wife? Do you think posting fake stories on the internet will make me believe your relationship is real? Come on Ari, I am not that stupid."

You grit your teeth, folding your fists as you listen to him.

He continues, "I know that the two of you are hiding something and I promise you that I will expose you before everyone, even before you dream of taking MY position."

You chuckle in disbelief, a contented smirk appearing on your face, "Ah, so that is why you are here! Are you already getting scared of losing? How sad!"

"Ari!!!" Joon barked, coming at you in strides.

All of a sudden, Jiho steps in front of you, forcing Joon to pause abruptly in his tracks.

Jiho's eyes literally blaze like a wildfire, with rage spreading all over his heart. He speaks with the lust for death laced deep into his tone,

"Don't you dare." He lifted his finger in Joon's face, "she is MY wife and this is MY house and I am calling the cops if you don't leave."

Seeing how furious and ready-to-kill expression Jiho is wearing. Joon had no choice but to yield.

He gave a nervous chuckle, "fine, I will leave but I will return, with evidence to ruin you both."

He quickly stagger out of the house.

You sharply tuned to Jiho with an aplogetic gaze, "I am sorry Gong Jiho. Because of me, your brother is doing all this…"

"Doesn't matter." Jiho dismissed the conversation, storming off to his bedroom and, leaves you in shock.

You hiss, "That rude little bra …"