Friends will not protect you forever. Once in a while, they are the ones who stab you from behind. *** Qeiza was cleansing her face from her make-up. Her cell phone had been ringing. She ignored it. She was lazy to move from the mirror just to get back there again. “Who’s that?” Qeiza grumbled. Her device was continuously singing. It forced her to get up. Qeiza glanced at the wall clock. It was almost midnight. Her memory immediately drifted to Abbas. 'Wanna borrow some money again?' Qeiza thought. She reached her phone reluctantly. Her forehead furrowed. It’s not Abbas’ name that popped up on the screen. Qeiza lowered her hands. Her bones felt like being powerless instantly. “What else now?” Qeiza was really frustrated facing Ansel’s attitudes. He never had the term of give up in his life. Being annoyed because her female routine was disrupted, Qeiza threw her phone onto the bed. She certainly had muted the ringtone. Just let Ansel call her as he pleased. Later, he would get b

It was almost eleven at night. Chin Hwa had just arrived home. He turned his head to the left and to the right, stretching his stiff neck muscles. He slammed himself onto the matrass. He spread his hands like a flying bird. He let his feet dangle on the edge of the bed. “Anin!” His memory about Qeiza made him sit up back. He took his cell phone out of the pocket. With his wide smile, he called her number. The call wasn’t connecting. Every time he redialled, he could only hear the operator’s voice. It’s not usual for Qeiza to ignore his call. All of sudden Chin Hwa felt restless. He took off his sweaty clothes and changed them. Because the weather was getting colder, he wore a thicker jacket. Meanwhile, in the basement, Qeiza was still struggling to untie the rope on her hands. Her eyes occasionally watched two of Aleta’s men. They were getting closer. “Step away!” The round-faced man chased away Adnan who was standing there, putting up his body to protect Qeiza. Instead of obeyi

“Oppa ….” Qeiza whispered while opening her eyes. She was upset when she could not find Dae Hyun by her side. “You’re awake, dear,” said Alina. “Thank goodness!” “Aunty, why are you here?” As long as she remembered, before she lost her consciousness, she was with Dae Hyun. “It’s not the point, dear,” said Alina. “How are you feeling?” Qeiza felt all over her body sore. Her bones were like crushed, hard to move. “Thank goodness you’re awake, Qei,” said Ansel. He had just come into the room. Qeiza was getting surprised. Why her ex-husband and ex-mother-in-law accompanied her. Where was Dae Hyun? Ansel moved aside when the doctor and nurse wanted to check Qeiza. He gave them the space to do their jobs. “You just need to take a rest, Miss,” said the doctor. “Within two days, you may go home.” “But, Doc—” “It’s for your sake, Qei,” interrupted Ansel. “Don’t argue!” The doctor and the nurse left the room after writing a prescription for Qeiza. Qeiza tried to sit up. She didn’t wa

People will forget a thousand of your kindness just because of one mistake you do. Thus, keep doing good. *** Dae Hyun stood up on the top of the stairs, looking downstairs. He was keeping his eyes on Qeiza and the spouse talking in the living room. He wanted to listen to their conversation, but he was too far away. He just could guess from the facial expressions of those two guests. They looked disappointed. After they went away, Dae Hyun came closer to Qeiza. “So, you refused their request?” asked Dae Hyun. He sat on the opposite of Qeiza. Qeiza nodded. “But, I’ll escort them to the airport,” she said. “You don’t mind, do you?” “When’s?” “Tonight.” “Then, I’ll go with you.” “No need, Oppa,” said Qeiza. “I’ll be alright.” “This is Paris, Ae, It’s not too safe for women.” Dae Hyun stood up. “If you don’t allow me to go with you, it’ll be better for you to cancel your intention.” Dae Hyun stared seriously at Qeiza. He was really not willing to let her go to the airport with n

Standing by the fence to the balcony, Qeiza could see a small swimming pool followed the contour of the balcony. “Wow!” Qeiza was blown away. She had ever said that she wanted to see a swimming pool when she stood on the balcony of her bedroom. She did not think Dae Hyun would memorize that all and made it came true. A garden of cactus also pampered her eyes. “You can jump down freely from here,” teased Dae Hyun while looking down. “I think I should try to do it one day.” Qeiza also looked down. “Ouch!” Qeiza screamed. Dae Hyun tapped her head. “Why do you like tapping my head so much?” Qeiza grumbled, caressing the imprint of Dae Hyun’s tap. “You seemed to need an alarm.” Dae Hyun smiled in amusement when he looked at Qeiza’s pouting face. “It’s better for you to take a rest right now,” said Dae Hyun. “I’m going to take a bath. My body’s feeling sticky.” Qeiza waved her hands. She kicked him out to immediately leave her. He always teased her. “If you need something, just ca