A Fairytale

~ Beast ~ 

For the first time in my life, I realized that I was wrong about so many things. It was unfortunate that I never cared about Boyoung's part of the struggle. Earlier she had tried to make me understand, but I never doubted that she might be hiding something.

Lying on the bed next to her, I regretted everything I had said and done to her. She was merely trying to live up to her father's expectations because she always felt indebted to him. It was true, that if it were not for Mr. Park, she would not have lived. Not only did he accept her mother, but he loved Boyoung like his daughter. 

She was asleep on my arm that night but I couldn't sleep. I couldn't believe that I had been so harsh on her without knowing all about her.

"Oppa," she mumbled in her sleep and I quickly patted her head to put her back to sleep. 

She slept peacefully for a little longer before she opened her eyes. I was guilty of the things I had done so I looked away. 

"Why aren't you sleeping?" she asked in her sweet voice. 

"Umm, I wanted to make sure you were okay..." I said without looking at her. 

She put her little hand on my face and turned it towards her. She looked sad but calm. 

"I am fine as long as I'm with you," she said smiling faintly. 

"Huh," I sighed swallowing a lump in my throat. "I'm sorry, I really am,"

"It's okay! Stop saying that," she said squeezing me in a hug. 

I patted her head as she sunk her face into my chest.

"Since when did you know that Mr. Park wasn't your father?" I asked because I wanted to understand her pain. 

"On my eighteenth birthday, I overheard him talking to my mother in front of her picture," she said. 

"Hmm, does he know that you know?" I asked. 

"No," she said. 

She popped her head up and looked at me. I smiled at her and caressed her face. 

"You love him a lot, don't you?" I asked. 

"I do," she nodded. "Not just because of what he did for me, but because he has been the best father," 

"We will go and talk to him, I'm sure he will forgive me," I said. 

"He will forgive us," she said nodding. 

Her silky locks of hair were falling on her face. I tucked them at the back of her ear and kissed her on the forehead. 

"I will never let anything hurt you now," I assured. 

"I know," she said placing a kiss on my arm. "But why do you hate your mother so much?" she asked.

Even the mention of that woman made me feel agitated. But I had to keep my impulses under control because I couldn't hurt Boyoung again.

"She's not fit to be called my mother!" I said taking a deep breath.

"But what did she do?" 

I didn't want to tell her but she was looking right into my eyes. She was hopeful that just like she had opened up about her past, I would not keep any secrets either. Even if I wanted to ignore her question I was compelled to answer. But I had never said that to anyone before so my lips quivered. 

"Oppa, you can trust me," she said holding my face. 

For the first time, I felt that I could share my deepest secrets with someone without the fear of judgment.

"She..." I gulped in. "She is responsible for my father's death"

"What?" Boyoung was shocked. 

"Yes,"   I said as my heart started racing. "She...,"  

"Oppa,"  Boyoung saw the tear which was rolling down my eye. "It's okay if you're not ready to tell," 

"No... I think you should know," I said. My eyes were welling up because I had been hiding the pain all along in my heart. But I needed to let it out.

"What happened?" she asked earnestly. 

I pulled her closer to me and gathered some courage to speak.

"She always loved someone else, but she had to marry my father for her family's sake," I spoke. "A few months after I was born, she ran away with the man she loved, and married him," 

"That must have been so hard on you,"  Boyoung said wiping my tear. 

"It was, I wanted to have her by my side," I said. "I wanted to see her but she never came to meet for years," 

"Then?" 

"One day, she came to my school..." I said with my voice breaking. "I was very happy and I went with her, but..." 

"But?" Boyoung asked panicking. 

"When I went to her home, she gave me something to eat and..." I broke into tears. "the next thing I remembered was being in captivity," 

"She... got you kidnapped?" Boyoung was in disbelief. 

I got up and sat on the bed. I couldn't breathe as the wounds of my past pained me once again. 

"Yes," I said panting. 

"Oppa," Boyoung sat next to me and pulled me into a hug. "But why would she do that?" 

"For greed," I said gritting my teeth. "Her second husband wanted the rare blue roses that my father grew," 

"Blue roses?" Boyoung asked with her eyes wide. 

"Yes, the pollens of blue roses were secretly being used for making expensive illegal drugs, when my father got to know about it, he disagreed to sell his rose plants to anyone," 

"So, they kidnapped you to demand the blue rose plants in return?"

"Yes, because my father was a professional and the only one who had them,"

"What happened after that?" 

"My father...tried to contact the police and then..." I couldn't gather the courage to speak up about what happened after that. "the kidnappers killed him," I said breaking down.

Boyoung immediately tightened her grip around me and patted me on the back. 

"I'm so sorry," she said sobbing. "You'll be fine Oppa," 

I held her urgently and cried. I had never shared any of those details with anyone. Even when the police had rescued me and wanted me to help them track the kidnappers, I kept quiet. I was in disbelief at first, that my mother had tricked me into getting kidnapped and her second husband had killed my father and left me chained in the woods to die. Slowly when I realized that I must tell the police, it was too late.

"Did she ever come to see you after that? before today?" Boyoung asked. 

 "Never," I said 

Boyoung held me in her arms and I cried as much as I could. I had finally let out my past in the open in front of her. I had no more secrets to hide from her. I felt relieved after a long time. 

"We'll be fine Oppa," she said taking my face in her hands. "Everything will be fine now," she leaned and placed a kiss on my forehead. 

I let my tears fall and hugged her tight. 

"I love you," I sobbed. 

"I love you too," she replied softly. 

~ Beauty ~ 

I finally understood why he was so obsessive about his blue roses. Life had been very tough with him indeed. He faced a lot at such a young age that I couldn't even imagine how he had lived with all the harsh memories. I was happy that he wasn't alone anymore. I was there with him and I would never let anything happen to him again.

Like a jigsaw puzzle, our problems looked complicated at first, but with time all the pieces started falling into place. The only piece which was missing was my father. He wasn't keeping well. He had forgiven us but he was still burdened by guilt. His closest friend had betrayed him and he was still in disbelief.

While he slowly recovered, I started getting more focused on my job. My designs were about to feature in the fashion week which was happening in Paris. I had been working day and night to get things done. Had it not been for my loving husband, I would have never taken care of myself. 

"Boyoung!" He called out to me one night while I was walking across the room in worry. 

I was nervous because we were about to leave for Paris the next day. All the preparations were done but I was still worried that I had missed anything. 

"Honey," he said and stopped me. "Calm down,"

"Huh, How can I calm down? It's the Paris fashion week!" I said panting. I couldn't breathe from all the anxiety. 

"Come with me," he said insisting that I follow him. 

"What now!" I folded my arms and disagreed to go with him. 

"Ya!" he kept his hand on my back and bent to pull me up in his arms. 

"What are you doing?" I chuckled and hit him on the shoulder. "Put me down!"

He smiled at me and carried me downstairs. I kept asking him what he was trying to do but he didn't tell me. After he took me out of the castle door, I guessed where he was taking me. 

"Are you taking me on a blue rose garden date again?" I asked smirking at him. 

"You know me so well," he giggled. 

After our first date in the garden when the ferry lights fell on us, he got the lights permanently fixed in the garden. It made me nostalgic when we reached the garden. 

"Reminds me of our first kiss," I said and walked among the roses. 

"Well, we pretended it wasn't a kiss for us," he shrugged. 

"Nonsense! It was the most beautiful night of my life," I said. 

"Mine too," he replied and I wrapped my hand around his neck. 

"Why did you bring me here again?" I asked. 

"I wanted to show you something," he said. 

"What?" 

He took my hands off his neck and held them in his hands. 

"Come," he said as took me to a spot in the garden. I was confused but I followed him. 

He stopped and knelt near one of the plants. 

"Have a look," he said. 

I squatted next to him and noticed that he was pointing to a blue rose that was freshly bloomed.

"It's beautiful," I said and smiled at him.

"It's the one you were growing," he said.

I was surprised. I had watered it in the morning and I had only seen the bud.

"Are you serious?" I looked at the rose again and couldn't believe that it was blooming so well.

"Yes, it bloomed this afternoon when you were in the office... so I transferred it to my garden, where it belongs..." he said as he stood up.

"See? I did it!" I said as I got up and hugged him in excitement.

"Yes, you did it..." he chuckled and held me warmly in his embrace.

I lifted my head and watched his twinkling eyes.

"So our deal is done?" I smirked at him.

"Hmm, but I'm not letting you go anywhere now," he rested his temple on my forehead and got closer.

"What are you doing?" I chuckled.

He brought his mouth closer to mine and softly placed his lips on mine. I smiled against the kiss and responded meekly. His arms were holding me around the waist while I was resting my hands on his nape.

It was magical and nostalgic. I was madly in love with my husband.

He suddenly broke the kiss and picked me up in his arms.

"Ya! What now?" I asked laughing.

"This is going to be the best night of your life again," he winked.

My jaws dropped and I hit him playfully while he laughed and carried me to our room.

~ 

Being in Paris for the fashion week was like a second honeymoon for Beauty and the Beast. This time both were there willingly. They were happy, excited, and cheerful. Before the day of their turn, they had to attend some other fashion shows and events. 

Boyoung was sitting in front of her dressing table in her hotel room. She was getting ready to attend a fashion show. She was so nervous that she couldn't get her makeup right. 

"Honey," Inguk, who was sitting on the dressing table watched her in awe. "you don't need to try so hard to look good!" he remarked. 

"What do you mean?" Boyoung asked objectionably. 

"I mean you are already beautiful," he said. 

"You just say that because you love me," Boyoung smirked and continued applying her mascara. 

"Huh, I'm serious!" Inguk frowned. "Do you call me handsome just because you love me?" 

"Umm," Boyoung narrowed her eyes and started thinking. 

"Ya!" Inguk gritted his teeth. "Don't you think I'm handsome for real?" 

"I don't know, maybe I find you handsome just because I love you," Boyoung teased him. 

"You!!!" he bit his lip and jumped off the dressing table. 

"Why are you getting upset, I find you handsome anyway," she shrugged. 

"But you're not accepting that I AM handsome!" he whined. 

"I am getting late, I need to go..." Boyoung stood up dodging his statements.

Inguk was stunned as she went to wear her sandals ignoring him.

"For your kind information, women are crazy over my looks!" he said and folded his arms. 

"Hmm, good for you..." Boyoung shrugged and teased him even more. 

"Wha-" Inguk wanted to argue more but they heard the doorbell. 

It was Boyoung's secretary who had come to pick her up for the event. 

"Okay I got to go now bye!" she hugged Inguk quickly and pecked him on the lips. 

"All the best," he said kissing her on the temple. 

"Love you, bye.." she said.

"Love you too..." Inguk waved.

~ Beauty ~ 

There's no explanation as to why I was so nervous just to attend another fashion show. I was afraid of what would happen when it was our turn the next day. I had dressed up in a black off-shoulder one-piece. My team was there with me but I still felt vulnerable and alone. 

I was given a separate place to sit with other fashion designers who were participating in the fashion week. They were all foreigners so I was hesitant to communicate. But they greeted me well and included me in their talks often. I felt a little better but that lasted only until the show started. 

Actually, there is a reason why I was so nervous. Years ago, it was the same place that made me quit modeling. My country had always been generous and kind to me. But when it was my first time to walk on the ramp of the Paris fashion week, I was reminded that I wasn't fit to be a model. 

I took a deep breath and wrung my hands as I recalled the bitterness I faced years ago in the rehearsals of our fashion show. I was very excited that day because I was supposed to be the show-stopper. But someone from the committee saw me in the rehearsal. I was later informed that I couldn't participate because of my 'short height'. I lost my confidence and quit modeling.

As a tear rolled down my eye I quickly wiped it off and focused on the present. I had to analyze the show well and prepare for mine.

"It was a great show!" said one of my fellow fashion designers as the show ended. Her name was Kelly. 

"Yes, I loved it..." I replied. 

"Oh, do you have any plans after this?" she asked. 

"Not really, why?"

"Come with us, we will go to our hotel first and then attend a Polo match!" she offered. 

"Sure, why not!" I agreed. I was happy that I had made a few friends among all the fashion designers.

I told my team to return. I took the car with the other ladies, we were all staying in the same hotel. When we got down to the entrance of the hotel, the first thing I saw was Jae Sung waiting in front of his car outside. I gestured for him not to bother about me. But suddenly my friends stopped near the entrance.

"Oh my God!" exclaimed Kelly. "Look at that!" 

I crossed my brows and looked in that direction, but the other ladies were blocking my way. 

"He's damn hot!" they said as I struggled to watch. 

But when I finally got a view of him, I was shocked. It was him, my husband. But I nearly forgot all about that. He was dressed in a slim-fit grey suit. His sleek hair made him look like a prince from Disney movies. 

"Who is he!" Kelly swooned on him.

My heart started beating faster with every step that he took toward his car as he walked out. He shook hands with the manager on his way and bowed to him. His confidence was strangely attractive. His smile gave me butterflies the same way it did the first time I saw him. I was surprised to find myself drooling over his broad shoulders and the way his waist moved when he walked. 

He opened a button of his coat and let it open, exposing his sculpted physique on which the white shirt fit so well that the buttons could have popped open any moment. He put his hand in the pockets of his trousers as he came outside. He looked towards me and frowned. 

That's when I was brought back to reality and I slowly kept my finger on my lip and gestured for him to keep quiet. He was confused at first but he smirked and got into the car. 

"Oh My God! I think he looked at me!" said another girl, Emma. 

"I am sure he did," I said hiding a chuckle. 

"Is he from Japan?" asked Kelly.

"Or China, or Korea!" said Emma. "Do you know him Boyoung?" she asked me. 

Of course, I knew him well enough to know what was inside the slim-fit shirt, but I was enjoying the show. 

"Me? No... I have no idea," I said. 

"But isn't he so hot!" Kelly said getting excited. 

"Umm, maybe..." I chuckled. 

"Okay, we are getting late for the Polo match! Let's go to our rooms and get ready" Emma instructed. 

I agreed and went to the room. As soon as I got in, I saw that I was getting a call on my phone. Of course, it had to be from that handsome hunk those girls were drooling at. 

"Hello?" I said giggling. 

"What was that? Why did you gesture to keep quiet?" he asked. 

"I was just having some fun with my new friends," I said. 

"New friends?" he asked

"Yes, they are a bunch of talented fashion designers," 

"I see, so what's your plan now?" he asked. 

"I am going to watch a Polo match with them." 

"Polo match? I am going there too," 

"You are? What a coincidence," I said. 

"Yes, it is arranged by the manager of this hotel and he invited me," 

"And you were about to go alone?" I felt offended. 

"No honey, I thought I'd pick you up but then I saw you near the car," 

"It's okay... let's meet at the Polo match... and pretend that we don't know each other okay?" I instructed. 

"Huh, whatever you wish my love, bye..." 

Polo matches have been the core of fashion for women. I had to put my best outfit on. I picked a black velvet full-sleeve top that exposed a bit of my belly. I matched it with a short box pleat skirt which had black and white stripes. I wore a black round hat and sunglasses. To finish the look, I carried a red handbag and matched it with red heels. 

"You look ravishing!" said Kelly when we met at the entrance. 

I was glad to hear the compliment but every lady looked gorgeous to me. We soon left for the match since we were already late. I had never been to such a match before and I honestly knew nothing about the game. I had just heard of it and I wanted to see one. 

We were seated at a fairly relevant distance from where I could clearly see the ground. But my eyes were searching for someone else. 

"What happened Boyoung?" asked Emma. 

"Nothing, I'm just looking for my husband," I said unknowingly. 

"Oh, you are married? and your husband is here too?" she asked. 

"Umm, yes, he said he was going to come but... I don't see him," I said. 

"Ladies! Look the game is starting," said Kelly. 

 As soon as my eyes fell on the ground I spotted him. He wasn't in the audience, he was one of the players. I had to struggle a lot to keep my reaction normal so that the others didn't suspect me. 

He was on the blue team so he wore a blue polo shirt. His pants were white with knee-high brown boots. He had a blue cap on while he was holding a long-handled wooden mallet. It wasn't difficult for him to spot me in the crowd. He smiled at me as he could see my surprised face. 

"Woah! It is him, the man from the hotel!" shouted Kelly. 

"Good lord, he looks fine!" remarked Emma. 

"So he plays polo too," I mumbled but the other ladies heard me. 

"Isn't that sexy?" asked Emma. 

"Yes, it is..." I said with my eyes glued on him. 

He started playing and it was the first time I was witnessing an intense match. I had no idea he could ride a horse so well. His competitive face, while he hit the ball with his mallet, was a delight to watch.

"He's good," gasped Kelly. I could see that all the ladies were in awe. 

He wasn't letting anyone have it their way. His game was unlike others, he was more aggressive and merciless. He was the Beast, after all, he couldn't let anyone stand against him. And still, he worked well with his team, that's what made him stand out. 

I didn't know the rules of Polo and I honestly had no time to focus on that. He was distracting me in every possible way. He had started sweating and I could see the wet marks of it on his shirt. His face was already drenched. I could tell that he was furious as well as focused. 

The crowd clapped for him every time he scored a point. I couldn't help but get mesmerized by him. Not just the fact that he was playing the sport so well, but also how alluring he looked while doing that made me crave for him. Just how well he was riding the horse alone was enough for me to have indecent thoughts in the middle of a decent game.

He was panting hard and glancing at me in between when they were about to win. I couldn't help but imagine how good it would feel to take his unnecessary clothes off and be under his weight on our bed. It was definitely glorious to see him play the sport but it would feel so much better to have him inside of me. 

I bit my lip nervously and tucked my hair behind my ear. It was the worst time to get aroused. Thankfully, the game ended soon and his team won. I got distracted but it didn't stop my craving. 

I went with my friends to the open bar and ordered some wine. Kelly wasn't there for a while but she came rushing toward us after some time. 

"Ladies! Guess what, I know someone from the committee and they will let us meet the players!" she said. 

Everyone was excited. I was rather nervous to face him again because it would test my patience. But I went with them to meet the players. 

He was looking right at me when we went there. All the girls were interested in shaking hands with him which he did gracefully, but I was trying to ignore him. He still looked strikingly attractive. 

"You were so good today!" said Kelly who had become his fan. 

"Thank you," he said glancing at me. 

"You look very pretty," he said cleverly and looked at all the ladies. "All of you," 

"Thanks," they said chuckling. 

"You seem very quiet, didn't you enjoy the game?" he suddenly started talking to me. 

"Umm, yes... I did," I stammered and looked away. 

"It seems your friend doesn't like me much," he told Emma. 

"Oh, she is already taken, she is married..." Emma chuckled. 

I rolled my eyes and tried not to smile. 

"Ah, I envy her husband," he smirked. 

 "Excuse me, I am getting a call," I said and quickly got out of the situation. He was making me blush beyond my control. 

I went to another area where there weren't many people around. It was fun to act as if we didn't know each other. Especially the reaction of the other ladies who were clueless that he was my husband. I would have felt possessive of him on a usual day but I felt rather adventure that time.

"Excuse me," I heard his voice and turned around.

"Oppa! What are you doing here?" I asked in a low voice.

"I know you're married but I'm helplessly attracted to you, Madam," he said wittily, still in character.

He was surely enjoying the fun of pretending to be strangers.

"Are you?" I said stepping closer to him. "I think I'm attracted to you too," I said.

"So? What should we do?" He asked in a husky voice.

"Umm, how about we go and have some Ramyeon?" I tried not to laugh.

"Ramyeon? But we're in Paris," he shrugged.

"Ah! You're unbelievable, that's not what I meant," I said rolling my eyes.

"You'd be pretty flustered if I played along," he smirked.

I already blushed at the mere thought of him playing along.

"How would you play along then?" I pursed my lips.

He leaned closer to me and whispered in my ears

"My room is 502, in the same hotel as yours," he said.

I chuckled and took a deep breath.

"Surprisingly, I have the same room," I whispered.

"Good then, see you tonight," he said.

"The hotel isn't far, do we need to wait?"  I gasped.

The next thing I remembered was us sneaking out of there and rushing back to the hotel.

As soon as he pushed me into the room, I held his face in my hands and pulled him into a kiss. He shut the door behind us and grabbed me by the waist. After that, I couldn't remember what we did to get ourselves out of our clothes. There was an urgency in our actions, desperate to have each other. But still, I felt as if time had stopped right at that moment. 

Among our careless and thirsty moves, I could only remember how it felt to touch him and be touched by him. His skin was soft, sweaty, and warm. He groaned every time I pulled his hair. His arousal felt hard and hungry against my belly. 

When he pressed me against the bed, I dug my nails into his bare back making him moan breathlessly. My hip was grinding against his stiffness without my control.

His weight on me felt like the most rewarding thing in the world. His mouth, devouring every part of my body made me feel privileged. He intervened his fingers with mine and kept me in his control. 

Being at his mercy always gave me a strange pleasure. His face was dripping wet with sweat when he panted and looked into my eyes with his nose brushing against mine. 

"Do you think I am handsome now, baby?" he managed to smirk even when he struggled to breathe.

"Yes," I replied submitting myself to him. "Always," 

I held his face and kissed him but he gently held my arms and pinned them above my head. I nervously anticipated his next move while gasping. 

"I feel so weak when you hold me down," I said struggling to control my nerves when I felt him near my core. 

He didn't say anything and moved inside. He was warm and sensational. 

"Boyoung," he said almost crying from the rush. "I'm addicted to you," 

"Me too," I replied squeezing my eyes shut and breathing heavily as he began thrusting. 

I freed my hands from his grip and held him tight. It's tough to explain how badly my toes curled, and how I clenched his hair with all my might.

I couldn't forget how aroused he made me feel that day. Be it him walking out of the hotel like a movie star, or playing polo like a professional, it was surprising how everything he did made me weak on my knees for him as if I was a lustful monster.

"Deeper," I whispered in his ear without a bit of hesitation. 

He seemed to like it, I could tell by how he heeded my request. I wasn't the only one at fault for always being sexually attracted to him. He was simply too good at it. 

Unlike other times, that day, we ended very calmly. We weren't tired or exhausted. I rolled peacefully in his arm and dug my face into his chest. He was panting but he smiled at me caressing my face gently.

"Are you happy?" he asked with his eyes twinkling. 

"Yes, are you?"

"Yes," he smiled. 

Things were going pretty well for me. I was confident that my show would be good the next day. Our theme was the colors of nature. I had taken inspiration from the ocean, the sky, flowers, grass, and everything that showcased nature's beauty. I was particularly excited about the show-stopper dress which took me weeks to design. It was a yellow shimmering ball gown, inspired by the royal dresses that princesses wore. The color was fresh like a sunflower.

But even when I was confident about my designs, I had a fear that something was about to go wrong. And it did. My lead model got into a minor accident on her way to the show. It left me in panic and distress. 

"Boyoung," I heard a voice approach me when I was sitting hopelessly. 

"Oppa?" I said as I looked up at him. He had come backstage when someone informed him about the mishap. 

"Don't worry okay," he was concerned for me.

"I don't know what to do, she was the only model I could trust with that dress," I said panicking. 

"Relax, Boyoung... there is someone who can do it better," he said cupping my face. 

"Who?" I asked. 

"You," he said confidently. 

"Me?" I started shivering. 

I couldn't even imagine walking on the same stage from where I was disqualified once because of my height. 

"Yes, you are the only one who can carry that dress well," he said

"Oppa, I told you what happened in Paris last time, I cannot do it..." I said breathing heavily. 

"Boyoung," he said holding my face. "Never let others tell you, what you can or cannot do," 

I had tears in my eyes and no words to say. 

"Show it to them, what they missed last time," he said.

I was completely frozen while he instructed my team to quickly alter the dress to fit me. I didn't know if I was ready for it. I simply followed whatever he told me.

We didn't have much time left so everything happened faster than I had imagined. I slipped into the dress comfortably but my mind was blank. I was simply watching the show progress from backstage while holding on to the only man who could keep me calm. 

"Oppa, I feel like running away," I said shivering. 

"Honey," he said. " It isn't a big deal when we are in it together," he smiled. 

He assured me that he would go with me to the stage. He wore a blue tuxedo which my team gave him. I was calmer because he was going with me but I was still anxious. There were so many people sitting outside. Even my new friends Kelly and Emma were there. I was afraid I'd make a fool of myself. But very soon, the show-stopper's entry was announced. 

"Now get ready to have a fairytale ending, please welcome, the designer herself, wearing her show-stopper dress,"

My feet felt heavy and I couldn't move, but the moment he held my hand, I got some confidence. 

"Come," he said and took me to the stage. 

The crowd started mumbling and I saw the cameras flashing in front of us. 

"What is he doing with her on stage?" I could hear Kelly and Emma talking in the audience. 

The ramp was ahead of me but I was only doubting if I was good enough. 

"Boyoung," he said while I turned to look at him. 

He knelt and took my hand in his. I was stunned when he kissed me on the hand and everyone clapped. 

"Oppa," I said in a low voice. 

He stood up and kept his hand on my head. 

"Go now, they are waiting..." he said. 

"But you said you will come with me," I said panicking. 

"Boyoung," he said smiling. "You are the one who made this possible, I will stand behind you and support you... but the stage is always yours," 

I couldn't hold my tears. I smiled at him and finally took to the ramp.

With every step that I took, I got my confidence back. It was his confidence in me that made me realize that I am no less than others. Ever since I met him, he not only made me fall for him but also taught me how to love myself for what I am. As I stood at the edge and looked at people's positive reactions, I felt the harsh memories of the past vanish. 

My models finally joined me as we put an end to the show. We all stood on the stage with me in the middle. The anchor applauded us and gave me the mic to say any final words. 

"Thanks to my team and all the lovely models, for working so hard,," I couldn't frame my sentences because I was so emotional. "I just want to say this to everyone... beauty is something that comes from within, don't let society decide who you are," 

Everyone related to that and cheered for what I said. I was happy that I could express what I wanted to say.

"I want to call the person who always supported me and didn't feel bad to stand behind his wife," I said with my eyes welling up, "my husband," I turned around.

He was still standing at one corner of the stage and smiling at me. He walked in front and the models moved back to make way for him. 

"He is her husband?" I heard my friends shout in shock. 

Both of us looked at them and chuckled. He held my hand and spun me around in a swift move of ball dance. He wrapped his arm around my waist and planted a gentle kiss on my lips.

"What are you doing?" I smiled feeling shy. It was completely unnecessary to do that! 

"Making it a perfect fairytale," he grinned.  

He was right. We were in a fairytale, where he was the Beast for the world but for me, he was my prince charming. 

~ 

Life had never been better for beauty and the beast. They were having the best times of their life once they returned from Paris. But having a peaceful life wasn't their cup of tea. If fate was kind to them, they would create their own problems to deal with. 

"I just don't understand what is wrong with her?" exclaimed Inguk as he walked across his study. 

His best friends and advisors - Soohyun, Jae Sung, and Latte, were present with him. They appeared to be thinking hard but couldn't get to a conclusion. 

"Did you ask her why she's angry at you?" Soohyun asked. 

"No," Inguk replied. "She gets annoyed no matter what I say," 

"Hmm, that's too bad..." said Jae Sung while Latte approved in his language. 

Meanwhile, Boyoung and Dohyun were having their own session at Dohyun's home.

"That's too bad Eonnie," she said. "Why are you getting so annoyed at him? What did he do?" she asked. 

"I don't know, it's not just him Dohyun-ah..." Boyoung replied. "Everything makes me annoyed... this WORLD makes me annoyed!" 

"Really? What about chocolates?" Dohyun asked. 

"Ah, no they're fine..." Boyoung nodded. 

However, the men were still thinking hard.

"Does she get annoyed at everything?" Soohyun asked. 

"Yes, she doesn't like anything I do for her... except for chocolates," Inguk replied. 

"Sir, there's the only one thing this could mean," Jae Sung said confidently. 

"What?" Inguk asked.

Jaesung and Soohyun exchanged glances before stating the 'obvious' 

"She is on her period," they said together. 

"Ahh, I don't think so," Inguk frowned. 

The ladies were having a discussion of their own.

"Eonnie, you're probably on your period?" asked Dohyun.

"No," Boyoung rolled her eyes. "I am not," she said. 

"You're not? Since when?" Dohyun suspected. 

"I don't know, I need to check my calendar," Boyoung replied. 

"When did you have it last time?" Dohyun asked.

"Umm, probably a few weeks before I went to Paris," she replied. 

"Eonnie! You know what this could mean right?" Dohyun smiled sheepishly. 

Boyoung had not given it a thought earlier but she suddenly realized that she could be pregnant. 

"Oh My God...  what should I do, I don't know, I'm panicking," she shuddered. 

"Relax, Relax!" said Dohyun and made Boyoung sit. "Let's take a test at home first and then go to a doctor, okay?" 

"Okay, I'm very nervous," she said feeling emotional. 

"Relax, I'll call Soohyun Oppa and ask about the hospital," Dohyung said and called Soohyun. 

"Hello?" Soohyun answered her call while Inguk and Jae listened actively. "Okay, alright, you can go there it's the best hospital," he said. 

"What is it?" asked Inguk as soon as Soohyun cut the call. 

"I don't know, Dohyun was asking about Lifepoint hospital, if it's good or not," he replied. 

"Hospital? Is she okay? Is Boyoung okay?" asked Inguk panicking. 

"Yes, she said everyone's okay.." Soohyun said.

"Sir, I just searched for the hospital on the map, and I have some bad news," Jae Sung interrupted. 

"What is it?" Inguk and Soohyun asked getting closer to Jae. 

"There is a law firm next to the hospital," Jae said. 

"WHAT!" Inguk and Soohyun shouted.

"What does it mean?" Inguk asked. 

"Probably, she is going to threaten to divorce you," Jae suggested. 

"Divorce? That's too far-fetched!" Soohyun shook his head. 

"I'm sorry Sir, I was just guessing," Jae said. 

"What if Jae is right? What if I have done something wrong and she hates me now?" Inguk wrung his hands in terror. 

"Maybe she just wants to test you, you need to be strong and tell her that you are not going to let her go !" Jae advised. 

"Yeah I think Jae is right, you need to win her back or something," Soohyun said. 

"Okay, let her come back home, I'll do my best," Inguk nodded. 

~ Beast ~ 

I was moving all around my room worrying why Boyoung would want to divorce me. She had been getting angry at me repeatedly for the last few days. But she wasn't telling me what I did wrong.

I was only thinking about one thing and that was to tell her that no matter what I did,  I was going to correct it and we can sort it out. There was no way I was agreeing on a divorce if that's what she was planning. She had to be out of her mind for overreacting so much and thinking about giving me a divorce. 

"Oppa!" she entered the room looking bright and beautiful. 

"Boyoung," I went to her panicking. 

"I have to tell you something," she said smiling continuously. 

That was the first time I had seen her so happy after so long. Was she really that happy to divorce me? 

"I have something to tell you too," I said stammering. 

"Okay, how about we say it together?" she said sounding very excited but I was equally afraid of it. 

"Okay," I said and we counted to three. 

"One"

"Two"

"Three"

"I am pregnant,"  she said.

"I don't want to divorce you,"  I said.

That didn't sound like what I expected her to say. It took me a while to process it. 

"Pregnant?" I shouted. 

"Divorce?" she asked. 

"Why would you go to the law firm if you were pregnant?" I frowned.

"I went to the hospital!" she said. 

"Wait... you're serious?" I said finally beginning to realize what it all meant. 

"Yes, I'm expecting... that's why I was having the mood swings," she shrugged. 

I got goosebumps just imagining that it was the truth. 

"What does it mean," I asked catching a breath. My head was spinning and I couldn't control what I felt. I didn't know how to react.

"Relax... you're just panicking, it happens..." she said and made me sit on the bed. 

"Okay," I took a deep breath.

"You should be happy and excited, you're going to be a father," she said with the sweetest smile in the world. 

"Would I be a good one?" I wondered. 

"You would," she said holding my face. "I trust you," 

"But, I've never known a real family,"

"Oppa," she said holding my hand. "We have both come from broken families, but it's time to be a family to someone else," she said. 

I smiled and hugged her tight. She always knew the right thing to say.

"Thank you," was all I could say. 

*********** 

Sneak Peek :

"This is me and Appa when we went to the Amusement park," Boyoung said while she was sitting next to Inguk and showing him old pictures on her cellphone.

"You look cute," he chuckled.

"Umm, and this is me with Uncle Gwan," Boyoung said feeling angry at him and Shi Woo.

"Boyoung! Get that picture away," Inguk suddenly started panicking.

"Oppa! Are you okay?" She immediately held him.

"Just put it away, his face is scary," Inguk panted and held his head.

Boyoung put her phone away and wondered what it meant. At the same time, she saw a news flash on the television.

"AER group's Chairman, the Beast is an actual threat to society. Sources reveal his Emotional dysregulation syndrome and traumatic past,"

~

A/N: Annyeong? Do you all remember me? 🤣 Sorry, we are meeting after a century! Hope everyone is fine 😅

Sorry for any silly mistakes! I cannot tell how much I struggled to write this with my stupid office schedule! 😭

Just 2 chapters left! Let me know your thoughts... it has been so long that I need a lot of comments to get me charged up to write the next 2 fast! Please ❤️

Love you, and see you in the next chapter! (Hopefully not after another century)