Chapter 17 - Some words are better left unsaid

Kang Si An can't hear a word. He curses the restaurant owner for making such private rooms. A restaurant should be open spaces where people could listen to others easily. Did this girl tell them about the contract? Manager Jeong will kill him if she does.

The door suddenly opens. He falls forward straight into a hard ċhėst. He looks up and finds her brother glaring at him.

"Um..." He doesn't know what to say. Act casual. He steps back and shows the best photogenic smile.

"Since you love her 'so much', I hope that you 'do' your best to protect her." Her brother steps closer to him. "I don't care whether you are an actor or not, you better not hurt her. Else, I will find you and... " A dark smile. "Some words are better left unsaid."

Kang Si An gulps. Her brother is scary. "I will do my best."

Her brother pats his head. Hard.

"Brother, are you a mafia boss?" Kyuri glares at her brother. "Don't scare him away. He is my first boyfriend."

"He seems to have some guts." Her brother slaps his shoulder, trying to wipe away invisible dust and feeling the bone. "I wonder how it feels like to crush bones."

"Dad, brother is having another fit," Kyuri complains to her father who is showing a dark grin to Kang Si An. "God, I don't have anyone normal in my family."

Kang Si An agrees. There is no one normal in this family.

"I will do my best to take care of her." He is an actor. He can still pretend.

"Your best might not be enough." Her brother smirks at him. "You have to become better if you want to stick to her."

Damn! Is she the queen of this country? She doesn't have looks or talents. He has gone out with famous actresses who are worshipped by the nation for their beauties. Compared to them, she is... bȧrėly anything.

"It's a long drive back." Kyuri beams at her father. "Ah! The pickles. Grandma wanted you to have them."

"I have asked someone to bring them here." Kang Si An interjects. He doesn't want to keep those pickles or take her parents to his home.

"I dislike you less now," Her brother suddenly says.

"That's right." Kyuri claps her hands. "We should eat something tasty until we wait for the pickles."

Kang Si An sighs. It's bȧrėly been a day. He is already having lunch with his fake girlfriend's parents.

***

Phew!

My parents and brother have left. But, the problem is not gone. Kang Si An is still sitting beside me and eating the slice of cake like a kid. The nation's flower prince is eating like this. Who would think? Even celebrities are abnormal people.

He is not more abnormal than me. I lean back and think about my future. The notebook in my hands feels heavy. For some reasons, I don't have the courage to open it. The warning on the first page promises nothing good.

[Knowledge of the future comes with a price. A temporary fortune might bring in a bigger misfortune. Proceed only if you are prepared to pay the price.]

"I am done." I hear him say. He puts down the plate and holds my hand. "Ease up. Until the clock strikes 12, we can't let go of each other."

His hand feels warm. The same hand that killed me. I feel more depressed now.

"Do you always wear clothes like that?" He wrinkles his nose. "I will ask Manager Jeong to make you look right for the occasion."

I jerk off his hand and stand up. "Just send me the address. I will reach the place on time. Don't bother me."

***

Kang Si An looks at the store girl. "We still have to hold hands."

"Don't even think about it." She crosses her arms. "I abhor your touch."

She storms out of the room. He runs out to stop her. But, there is no one in the corridor. He looks to the left and the right. No sign of her. Strange! Did she disappear into thin air or she can walk fast?

Weird girl!

***

"Crap!" This is the third time already. Why is it happening so many times now? It's freezing here. The ground is covered with snow. Where is this godforsaken place?

I check my pockets. I have my wallet, my aunt's notebook, and my phone. As usual, my phone's signal is gone.

"Neigh!"

I turn around and find countless horses running toward me. I rub my eyes and look at them again. The men riding the horses are dressed up in furry coats and...

Are those swords in their hands?

Am I dreaming?

Shit.

They are coming toward me.

What should I do? Where should I run and hide? It is an open valley. The hell! I want to go back to my time.

More loud noises. More warriors with pointy swords on horses are running toward me from the other side My stomach feels heavy. Shit. This is either a battleground or a film suiting. Since I don't see any camera and I am well aware of my luck, my stupid brain finds rationality and pumps up enough in adrenaline my body to run.

I don't go toward the raging warriors on either side of me. I run straight, leaving the space for their fun time. I don't know whether they noticed me or not. I want to keep running until I can make it back in my time.