(41)

Third Person's POV

❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌

"Ricardo! I'm sorry! I'll get it fixed as soon as possible!" She apologised at the landlord. Ricardo is a middle aged man, who's half Peruvian and half French.

"Good! I want to see a door by next week! Or else you're out!" Ricardo stated. She groaned in annoyance as he left. That money sucking bastard, Ricardo!

"Great going, Chae Hyungwon" She muttered. But she guessed it was kind of her fault. She was the one who didn't open the door. She huffed, squatting down, before getting to work. Andre's things that she placed in a box, at the lobby was gone, meaning Andre had come to pick it up, also meaning he's gone out of her life.

She started thinking of Hyungwon and she groaned. That man frustrated her to death! Ever since they first met, until now her emotions around was a roller coaster, not to mention her hormones as well! Her life was never peace, growing up, but when she met Hyungwon, she loved herself around him, everything was sunshine and rainbows. But after he dumped her, everything just took a toll down a dark stormy road. She loves him. So much! He loved a dead person for a century, for god's sake. She wants that, to be loved by someone so much, she admits. But, will it be the same with her?

She bit down on her lip as her chin trembled and she started crying. She started to wail like a child. She wouldn't mind getting hurt again if it meant that Hyungwon will love her. But at the same time, if he did hurt her again, she doesn't know how she will get better from that. She went through hell just trying to get over him, but truth be told, she never stopped thinking about him, even for a day. She cried at how much of a mess she was at the moment. She just really needed someone at the moment, to comfort her and tell her everything's okay.

"All that money, wasted on therapy!" She cried in her hands, still holding onto that screwdriver. She cried for a whole minute, before hearing a throat clear. She moved away her hands and she started crying harder. Hyungwon started panicking, seeing her wailing like a child. She might just be imagining things because she needed someone badly. But why him of all people?

"Is that really Hyungwon? Or have I gone crazy?" She look at him once again, which he just chuckled looking at how cute she is.

"S**t!" She cupped her eyes once again. She has gone crazy, she thought to herself.

"No. No. No. It's really me!" Hyungwon stepped closer and touched her shoulders.

"Oh my god! Don't look at me! I have snot on my face!" She ran inside to grab tissues and Hyungwon followed her. She blew her nose and threw away the tissue, washing her hands.

"Why were you crying?" He asked, cupping her face and inspecting her face, sobs still racking her body.

"I uh... I... I can't fix a goddamn door! It's just a stupid door!" She said, pointing once towards the door, through sobs and she started to cry once again. She knows that wasn't the issue.

"It's okay. Come here" He wrapped his arms around her, comfortingly and she instantly melted into his arms. She hugged him back, crying in his chest.

"I'll fix the door. I broke it, so it's my responsibility"

~~~~~~~~~~

Valarie opened her eyes and she realised that the sky was orange from the sunset. She glanced at the time and see it was nearly reaching 6. As she moved to get up, she noticed an arm under her pillow. She tilt her head to look back and see Hyungwon sleeping. She smiled at that. She turned to face him and she snuggled closer. Hyungwon that was flat on his back, turned to his side and wrap his other arm around her. He had a small smile and his eyes fluttered open. She smiled back, before she closed her eyes and went to back to snooze. He leans in and place a soft kiss on her forehead. She smiled feeling his kiss, before the both of them fell asleep once again.

~~~~~~~~~

"Valarie! I'm glad you can make it!" Emmy hugged her as soon as the door was opened.

"My family misses you! Come in!" Emmy stated. Emmy's eyes shifted to look behind Valarie, seeing a man coming towards them. Emmy look at Valarie, questioningly.

"Uhm... this is my friend from Korea, his name is Hyungwon" Valarie introduced. Emmy to Hyungwon.

"Bonjour" Emmy greeted, smiling at him.

"Bonjour" He replied, smiling back.

"I hope I'm not intruding" Hyungwon implied.

"Not at all. The more the merrier. Come in" Emmy stated, as she made way for the both of them to come in.

"Oh my, Valarie! I miss you so much!" Emmy's mother instantly went to tackle her in a hug, kissing both her cheeks repeatedly. Valarie hugged her back just as tight.

"Go and see Paul. He's in the kitchen" Emmy's mother stated, which she immediately went, leaving Hyungwon to be greeted by Emmy's mother.

"Paul!" Valarie called, excitedly. Most of Emmy's relatives were in the kitchen cooking.

"Valarie!" All of them went to greet her with hugs and kisses. Many questions were thrown her way, including questions about Andre, but she didn't get to answer most of them, because they asked too fast.

"Okay! Enough! We can talk later at the table. Go back to cooking!" Paul ordered, his voice booming, making Valarie laugh.

"How are you, my darling?" Paul went to pull her into a hug, before grabbing her hand and kissing the top of it.

"I'm great. I brought a friend with me"

"Who is it?" Paul asked.

"My friend from Korea. I brought him along to taste your delicious cooking"

"Ah, you've come to the right place. I'll let my wife entertain you first. The cooking is almost done" Paul said, tapping her chin lightly with his finger.

"Okay" She left him to go back to his cooking.

"The kitchen's way too crowded. All our relatives are in there cooking" Rosalie, Emmy's mother explained to Hyungwon.

"I hope your stomach is really empty, because the food is going to be too much!" She added, making Hyungwon chuckle slightly. They are very expressive with their hands, that he can tell. Valarie sat next to him and they intertwined their hands together.

"Is this your first time here in France?" Emmy asked, as she placed a tray of drinks on the table.

"It's my second time" Hyungwon replied.

"How are you liking it here so far?" Rosalie asked.

"It's great. I really do enjoy it here"

"You'll love it here more after you taste papa's cooking. It's delicious" Emmy stated, saying delicious in French.

"She's right. You won't regret it" Valarie affirmed.

"Is that Valarie De'Casper I hear?" They heard a man's voice, cutting into their conversation.

"Oh my god, Remy" Valarie smiled nervously towards him. Remy is Emmy's flirtatious brother. She don't mind the flirting, but the last time she brought Andre here, they instantly became enemies. Remy stepped towards her to hug her. She slowly stand up from her seat and she was instantly engulfed in a bone crushing hug.

"How have you been?" She asked.

"I'm good. But I miss you terribly" Remy kissed the top of her hand. Hyungwon just smiled softly at Remy.

"Is that your friend?" Remy asked, gesturing to Hyungwon.

"Yes, he's from Korea" Hyungwon stand up to offer his hand to shake. Remy grabbed hit outstretched hand and give it a firm grip handshake. Hyungwon was a little confused, but he didn't think too much of it. Remy went to sit on the other side of Valarie.

"I'm glad you're not with that no good guy. He just ticks me off with his presence" Remy stated, talking about Andre.

"Remy, don't be so rude" Rosalie said, in French. Valarie caught a little of what she said.

"I'm just saying, Mama. She's better off" Remy implied.

"Here comes the food!" Paul announced as he entered the dining room, with all the other relatives, carrying the food. Instantly, the delicious scent of the food wafts throughout the room, making everyone's mouth water.

"Let's eat!" Paul announced once again, which everyone didn't hesitate to begin eating.

~~~~~~~~~~

"I cook and my wife makes the desserts. It's always like this every time" Paul said. Emmy's relatives were dancing to classical French music and some of them were singing. Their family is always this loud, Valarie remembered.

"Merci beaucoup. The food is really amazing" Hyungwon commented.

"So, tell us more about yourself" Remy asked. Here comes the interrogation people. Valarie look at Hyungwon that turn tense for a moment.

"I'm 25. I work as an advisor, for the Korean political council"

"At a young age you're already an advisor? That doesn't make any sense" Remy stated, in a dissing tone.

"In Korea, it's different" Hyungwon said. He glanced for a moment towards Valarie and their eyes met.

"What about your parents?" Paul asked.

"They are members of the council. But they decided to retire early" Valarie just kept silent, listening to their conversation in amusement. It's quite rare to see Hyungwon being questioned, but he answers it smoothly and Remy can't stop provoking Hyungwon. Remy was making it awkward and uncomfortable for them.

"Any siblings?" Remy asked.

"No. Just me"

"How's your relationship with your mother?" Rosalie asked. Hyungwon fall silent for a brief moment, all their eyes were on him. Valarie sipped on the wine a little, looking at him as well.

"It's great. We're close"

"How did she react to you being with Valarie?" Paul asked, adding to Rosalie's question.

"Paul, Rosalie. I really love how you guys are looking out for me. You guys are like my own parents. But trust in me, that I'm doing okay"

"Whatever it is, I don't trust this guy with you" Remy remarked.

"You don't trust any guy with me, Remy" Valarie retorted.

"I love her. I really do. As much as you love and care for her, I'll try to treat her the same way, I promise" Hyungwon said. Valarie felt her heart skipped a beat at that. He sounded so sincere, he had a straight face on, his eyes held a strong emotion, looking at them. They all just look in silence. Valarie was already considered to be a part of their family. The few months they knew each other, instantly bonded them into a family.

"And I love him too" Valarie added, holding his hand which Hyungwon gladly held back.

"If he makes you happy, then, we're happy for you too" Paul said, reaching out for Valarie's hand and she grabbed it, before Paul patted the top of her hand.

"Welcome to the family" Rosalie smiled at Hyungwon, which Paul followed suit. Rosalie went to hug Hyungwon, kissing both his cheeks, making Valarie to smile brightly at him. Remy just give a forced smile, before walking away. Hyungwon smiled back, then his eyes darted to the people that was dancing in the living room space.

"Go and enjoy" Paul said to Hyungwon, which he nodded back as reply. He watched as Rosalie and Paul left them both alone.

"Shall we dance?" Hyungwon asked. Valarie nodded and Hyungwon got up and led her to the area where the relatives were dancing. Valarie and Hyungwon got into a dancing position and they slowly move with the music.

"It's been awhile since I have been interrogated like that" Hyungwon started, Valarie look up at him, smiling softly.

"You know, it's not as bad as I thought. It was worse with Andre. Remy and him almost got into a fight. Should've seen the red light there. But I was naive" Valarie stated. Hyungwon stared down at her, before he spoke up.

"I'm serious about this, you know? About you" Hyungwon look deep into her eyes and she blushed at his words. She look away, but Hyungwon pulled her closer, until there was no space between them. His lips softly brushed her temple.

"I love you, Valarie" He said, softly. It felt so surreal. Those words meant so much to her. So much.

"Thank you for bringing me to see your family. I'm honored" He whispered, her eyes teared up slightly. His words felt so intense at the moment, it meant everything to her.

"I love you too, Hyungwon" She replied, smiling brightly, as they continued to dance.

xxxxxxxxxx

A/N: Another two chaps and I'm finished with this book! I'll update as soon as possible!