Paul POV

"Ho-seok, you're truly as charming as everyone says!" Sam's mother gushed. "I feel so foolish, letting such a wonderful young man evade my attention all these years!"

"Likewise!" Sam's father added. "Thank you for being so patient and understanding."

I briefly bowed to Sam's parents as our families sat around a low table in one of Nashimi Hana's private rooms.

Calm and collected, Sam sat tall while she neatly enjoyed her latest bite of the fresh sashimi.

"Your daughter is just as lovely!" My mother chimed.

"Thank you eomeonim. Please, let me pour you another cup of sake." Sam offered, doing just that before she performed the same gesture for my father.

"Beautiful and elegant." He complimented her. "I can see how my son fell so hard."

The table boisterously laughing together, I struggled to keep a smile on my face.

"Samantha, I heard AHS Group has been scouting you for quite some time now." Father said. "What's keeping you from accepting our offer? You're quite impressive from what I've read."

"AHS Group is an amazing law firm. I've always wanted to accept the offers but I was worried about Ho-seok." She responded. "He is a hard worker and the successor of AHS. I didn't want to make him uncomfortable given our history."

He smirked. "Well it'd be inappropriate for you to intern anywhere else, now. Don't you think?"

"Father." I pleaded, but Sam welcomed his passive warning happily.

"Of course, abeonim." She bowed. "I'll work hard to make this family proud."

I nearly glared at the fox while our parents praised her and pressed on with this terrible lunch.

"This is a match made in heaven!" Sam's mother enthused. "I know Samantha and Ho-seok are still in school but since they are both studying law in Boston, is there really a need to delay the wedding?"

Sipping on my glass of water, I choked hearing such an outlandish question as my father replied on my behalf.

"That in itself is why there is no reason to rush anything. The kids should enjoy the last years of their youth before getting to work as Senior Partners at AHS Group. Not to mention, it hasn't been long since your daughter's previous engagement ended."

Sam's head finally fell, her parents faces pale and clouded with embarrassment as my father both humbled and tested them.

"I'd like to take my son's feelings into consideration, given how public your daughter's previous arrangement was." He continued. "The two may need some time to mend their differences, just like some time may be needed to protect his reputation as the heir of AHS."

The room tense, Sam's mother grew speechless before her daughter set down her chopsticks and did the unexpected.

Resting her hands on her knees, she deeply bowed to my family.

"Abeonim, I wholeheartedly apologize for the pain I've caused Ho-seok. As his caring father, I understand your concerns and I'm well aware how foolish I'd be to ask you and eomeonim here with out something to offer as reassurance of my commitment to your son."

Father this time set his chopsticks down, granting Sam permission to lift her head.

"Ho-seok's often told me of your desire to break into the entertainment industry. As you know, my father's company, LYT Entertainment, is well established in Canada and North America and we are expanding into South Korea. Additionally, following the end of my previous arrangement I was granted shares at Kang Entertainment as settlement.

"Should we proceed with this marriage, I promise to transfer 50% of my shares from both Kang Entertainment and LYT to Ho-seok. Furthermore, my father has agreed to strike an exclusive deal with AHS Group, formally making your firm LYT's legal representative. That representation does not stop at protecting our company. It includes developing contracts for our artists and serving as their independent legal representatives as well."

Father's lips curled, though he was careful about showing too much enthusiasm.

"Your legal team has been around since the very beginning." Father replied. "Bringing AHS in, you understand what that means for them. Correct?"

Sam nodded. "Yes, sir. AHS is only staffed with recruited talent. We understand they'll need to be let go if both families agree to this arrangement."

"A woman of business, and well spoken." Father smirked. He then grabbed the cast iron kettle and gestured for the group to allow him to distribute sake around the table. "I'll leave my son in your care then, Samantha. Welcome to the family."

My stomach turned, we lifted our small sake cups to celebrate father's approval and this official arrangement from hell...

"Ho-seok." Her faint voice called for me. "Ho-seok? Baby, are you okay?"

My vision initially blurred, the shot of sake in front of me became clearer as Makayla pulled me back to the present.

"Sorry about that." I anxiously uttered. "I spaced out for a bit."

Her eyebrows furrowed, I took the shot and stood up from the table now that she had returned from the restroom.

"You ready to go?" I asked. "I already took care of the bill."

Despite my suspicious behavior, she nodded and watched me slip on my bomber jacket before we walked out of our favorite neighborhood sushi spot hand in hand.

"So you gonna tell me where we're heading next?" I asked.

She giggled. "Nope! It's a surprise! Just let me guide you for once, yeah?"

Placing a smile on my face, I agreed to her request as we walked along the sidewalk on this crisp Sunday evening.

It had been two days since the "family introduction" between mine and Sam's parents, and to say they had been challenging would be an understatement.

Kayla got home late on Friday, and was so exhausted I couldn't bring myself to tell her about the lunch. Who am I kidding? I was terrified to tell her, and I couldn't gain the courage to tell her when we woke up either.

Then instead of joining me at dinner with Shawn's parents last night she took up a shift at the hospital to make up for her upcoming leave, giving me a full 24 hours to think things through. Yet here we were again.

After sharing a whole meal together, I still didn't know how to tell her about the arrangement between mine and Sam's families as well as what that meant for us.

"Really? This is the surprise? You wanted to take me here?" I chuckled, the two of us walking further and further down Longfellow Bridge.

"Hold on!" She playfully demanded, pulling me along with her.

I did as told until we stopped in front of a very specific part of the stone wall. She let my hand go, and kneeled before a small, subtle, and simple piece of graffiti.

LM,MP

I knew exactly what the initials stood for, especially after seeing Makayla tenderly graze her fingers over them.

"When London did this, I was so scared even though we were so drunk." She reminisced, a soft smile on her face. "I thought we were going to get caught. I was paranoid for weeks that cops would show up at our apartment and arrest us for vandalism.

"I was so scared I was going to lose my career, but London was a wild one. No, she was a free spirit and she pushed me out of my comfort zone a lot. Honestly, I think that's the reason her and I shared so many great memories together and why she'll always live on through me."

Taking a deep breath, she stood up straight and looked out to the Charles River and the city view beyond it.

I stepped behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist before our cold cheeks connected. She embraced my warmth, holding my arms as the calm winds around us filled the silence.

"When school would get tough for us, this was one of the places we'd come to. London would literally scream at the city and our school. She always encouraged me to do the same but I was too shy and embarrassed to, at least until she died.

"I found myself here often, screaming and whaling at the city. I even-..." She paused, my heart sinking. "I even contemplated jumping many times in this very spot. I couldn't do it though. I was so confused. The world felt like hell yet I couldn't bring myself to join her, so instead I made a decision to avenge her."

"Avenge her?" I asked, hopeful this was the moment I had been waiting for.

"I can't tell you too much. It's best that way." She replied. "All I need you to know, is that I'm standing here for the first time in months and it looks and feels different because of you."

She turned around in my arms as a tender smile formed on her face.

Caressing my cheek, her thumb grazed the skin above it's bone and her lips kept parting as she shyly struggled to say what it was she wanted to tell me.

"Aein, what is it?" I chuckled, resting my forehead against her.

"I'm sorry. I've just never said this to a man, before."

"Said what?" I questioned, my expression puzzled as she looked me deeply in the eyes.

"I love you." She confessed, making my heart skip a beat. "I love you, Ho-seok."

Awed, I embraced this moment and first experience myself.

I had never heard a woman utter those three words to me so sincerely. This even felt different from when my parents spoke them to me, same for when I heard them from my brothers back in Korea.

"Because of you, I don't look back anymore." She continued. "I look ahead, and all I see is a life with you. I've felt guilty, feeling this happy after what happened to London. It felt like I was leaving her behind and alone, but I don't think she'd want me to live how I've been living. She would want me to be happy, especially if I found the man I love.

"I know this is sudden, since we've only been together for a few weeks but this is how I feel. I was ready to say it, but you can take your time. Your presence, compassion, and reassurance are all I need to feel safe in this relationship, Ho-seok."

I joyfully scoffed, though the corners of my lips briefly fell as I recalled the secret I was keeping from her. How could I possibly say it back? How could I tell her that I loved her, when a future together seemed so unrealistic right now.

Drowning in guilt, I caressed her cheek and pressed my lips against her soft pair.

I closed my eyes, feeling the water build up in them while I processed this gut wrenching pain.

What do I do? How can I make this work? I loved her so much and I had for many months now.

Pulling her lips away from mine, our noses brushed as she noticed my red eyes.

"Are you cold?" She giggled, brushing away the lone tear that slipped past my eyelid. "Or maybe, deeply touched?"

"Both, but moreso the latter for sure." I pecked her curled lips, slipping my hand into hers. "It's getting chilly out. Should we head home, and get cozy?"

She nodded, stealing another smooch before she let me guide her towards my house.

It was about a 20 minute walk, and I listened as she enthused about our upcoming trip to Asia the entire stroll.

Now that she had done her research, there were so many places she wanted to visit in Thailand and Korea. She splurged on new clothes and makeup as well, and now that she had adjusted to the perks that came with dating me, she was ecstatic about the suite I reserved for us in Korea.

As for me, what felt like a guaranteed dream trip just days ago now felt like a nightmare.

I had one of two options. I would keep this secret from Makayla until after the trip and suffer as I lied to both her and my friends. Or, I would tell her and she might choose not to go at all - in which I wouldn't even be able to face my friends, more specifically the bride and groom.

Either way, both options had miserable outcomes that ended with disappointing those I loved.

"I still need to order a couple of swimsuits." Makayla said, the two of us stepping in front of my house. "I'm so ready to lounge-..."

She paused, stopping us in our tracks as a massive sneeze erupted from her mouth.

Her nose was red now, and her lips looked a little dry too.

"Are you feeling sick?" I asked.

She nodded. "Nothing a hottie tottie can't fix, though!"

I sucked air in through my teeth, gesturing the bad news. "I'm out of whiskey."

"Oh no." She sighed.

"No worries. I can go grab us a bottle, real quick. You should head inside, though. Change into something comfortable and choose tonight's movie. I'll make the stovetop popcorn you love to enjoy with the drinks when I get back."

"You're the best." She beamed, and as she wrapped her arms around my waist she looked up to me with those playful and trusting eyes of hers. "Hurry back. I know I probably sound so clingy, but I can't help it. I don't like being apart from you, these days."

I smirked as our noses grazed. "The feeling's mutual, aein. I'll be quick. I promise."

Catching her lips with mine, I embraced her radiant smile before she stepped out of my arms.

She was so giddy, glancing at me over her shoulder while she walked up the stairs. I watched her too as I stepped beside my car, and after she opened the front door she waved to me from my home's stone stoop.

"Hurry inside, it's cold." I mouthed.

Giggling, she did as told before I watched her safely enter the warm house.

The nearest ABC store was 15 minutes away by car, though I barely remembered driving to it or even grabbing our favorite bottle of whiskey once I got there.

All I could think about was the conversation I needed to have with Makayla, tonight.

Keeping this secret, it wasn't fair to her and I hated that I robbed us of such a special moment earlier. I should have told her I loved her back. I wanted to tell her I love her, but that wasn't something I could do with a clear conscience right now.

"You have to tell her. You have to come clean." I said to myself, just as I did the entire drive home.

Taking a deep breath, I punched in the passcode before I stepped inside the house.

"Kayla." I called for her. "Aein, I'm back."

Hearing the TV, I kicked off my shoes and stepped inside the main floor.

"Did you decide on a mo-..." I paused and my eyes widened when they centered on the most unwelcomed guest seated at my kitchen table. "What are you doing here?"

Sam smirked. "Am I not allowed to visit my fiancé?"

"Where is she? Where's Makayla?" I panicked, especially since I had changed the passcode many weeks ago. There was only one way Sam could have entered this house.

"Clearly not here. Why would she be after hearing the news I broke to her since you couldn't."

My lips parted, a shuddered breath spilled past them as Sam stood up from the chair.

"I gave you the weekend, and was hopeful you'd do what you were supposed to do. I sincerely visited you tonight to talk things through, and she answers the door instead of you?"

"When did she leave?" I asked, walking right past her so I could set the whiskey down.

"Excuse me?" Walking past Sam again, I rushed towards the door. "Ho-seok!"

"Don't!" I yelled, snapping my arm out of her hold. "Have you lost you goddamn mind!"

"You're the one who's lost his mind! We're officially engaged, and my family is sacrificing so much for this marriage! I'm not letting you ruin this over some stupid fling, Ho-seok!"

"This is not a fling! I told you already, I'm serious about her!"

"Oh please! You know this relationship with her is going nowhere! It's impossible for it to with who you are! It's been a full weekend since our family introduction, and you still haven't come clean about it? Why do you think that is, Ho-seok? It's because you have already made your choice based on the reality of the situation! You're just stalling at this point!"

"You're right. I have been stalling because I did make my choice, but it's not the one you're assuming." I paused, my eyes darted at the entitled woman. "It's her. I'm choosing her."

"What?" Sam gaped. "Ho-seok, you can't be serious."

"I'm so serious. I didn't need any time to think about this decision either. She was my choice before I even took a seat at that table, Sam. I have no intention of leaving, Makayla."

"Are you an idiot? Your father is never going to allow this! He'll disown you before accepting a woman like her into the Ahn family! Do you realize what you're sacrificing for her?"

I scoffed. "Are you referring to this luxurious life around me? This might sound surprising to you but all of this - the money, the clothes, the nice cars and homes. They're all just things and its hard to enjoy them when you're always experiencing them alone.

"I've learned so much about myself because of her, Sam. I've been so lonely all this time. You know how broken my family is, then I fell for a girl who always put me last, I let that same girl cloud my judgment when it came to other women, and all of my brothers suddenly found their significant others in the same year!

"I have felt alone, abandoned, and unloved for so long but I had no idea until I met Makayla. So easily and naturally, I gave her my heart and she's always cherished it. She unapologetically loves me for me, Sam. I never thought I'd have this with someone, but I finally found her and now you're threatening it all!

"My wealth? AHS Group and the power behind my father's name? I don't need any of that as long as I have Makayla, and you've just forced me to put her up against something she's far too vulnerable to endure right now! That's why I've not been able to tell her about this!

"You have no idea what that incredible woman has been through! She's blossomed so much after overcoming loss, sadness, anger, insecurity! I just met her! She just truly showed herself to me, and now I have to shamefully ask her to harden herself again! I have to ask her to go up against a man even you are terrified of as a fellow successor!"

"So then, don't! Don't ask her to stand against your father and choose me!" Sam pleaded, grabbing my wrist. "Can't you see that's the best choice for everyone, to include Makayla?"

"Just because it's the easier choice, doesn't make it the right choice." I removed her hold on my wrist. "Makayla's my person. She's become my happiness, my world. I love her so much, and a life without her isn't an option for me anymore."

"Ho-seok." Sam whimpered, her face flushed and a deep shade of pink.

"I need to go find my girlfriend. Don't be here when I get back, Sam."

"Ho-seok, no!" She demanded. "Don't! Don't you dare walk away from me! Ho-seok!"

Ignoring her, I slid on my shoes before I stepped outside while she followed close behind me.

"Stop!" She screamed, grabbing my arm. I removed it from her grip though, just like I removed her hold on my jacket every time she grabbed handfuls of it. "Ho-seok! I swear, if you take one more step I will call your father and tell him, everything! I'll tell him about, Makayla!"

I stopped in my tracks, a dry chuckle slipping past my lips as I turned to face my manic ex-girlfriend. She was hysterical, a sight I never thought I'd see from a woman who had always been known for her grace.

"We both know you're not going to do that." I replied. "You're already aware, my father barely approves of you. What do you look like calling him for his help, just days after he handed me over to you on a silver platter? Certainly, not like the future lady of AHS Group."

Her lips trembled as I stepped right in front of her, my gaze cold and fierce.

"Do whatever you want. I don't have time for this. I told you Makayla is in a sensitive space and so help me God, if anything happens to her because of what you just did, you'll learn just how powerful this last name you suddenly want to bear, is."

Speechless, all that could be heard on this still evening was her shuddered breathing as those crocodile tears streamed down her face.

Though I knew Sam was a wildcard, especially with the state she was in, I turned around and carried on with much more important matters.

I sped down the road, quickly putting the entire encounter behind me while I called Makayla over and over again. She wouldn't answer any of my calls though. I must have called her 15 times before I pulled into her complex.

I rushed to her apartment and knocked on the door many times before I used the spare key fob she gave me. All of the lights were off though, and I could tell she hadn't been home yet.

I ran out of the building and went back to calling her as I sped towards the hospital next. The calls were going straight to voicemail now, which meant one of two things. She had either turned her phone off, or blocked me.

When I got to the hospital, Makayla's colleagues confirmed she wasn't there and neither was Madison. I gave Johnny a ring as I drove towards the next destination, and the couple also confirmed she wasn't with them nor had they heard from her this evening.

I was panicking after an hour of searching for her. I was desperate to know that she was at least safe, so much so, I found myself standing in front of her ex's gym.

Though it was late - I peeped through the glass doors as best I could. It was dark inside, but I could see the light was on in Jackson's office.

"I just need to know she's safe." I whispered to myself.

Despite how much it'd hurt to know she's still confiding in Jackson, I knocked on the door over and over again. No one was stepping out of the office though, so I took it up a notch.

"Kayla!" I yelled, banging on the door. "Kayla, are you in there? Aein, talk to me!"

"Paul?" His familiar voice called for me.

I turned around to find Jackson approaching me in his workout attire. He had just returned from a run, his face drenched in sweat as he removed his headphones.

"What are you doing here?" He asked. "Is Makayla, okay?"

Hearing his annoying concern for my girlfriend, I swallowed my pride.

"Have you heard from her, tonight?" I replied. "She's upset with me, and I'm trying to confirm she's safe."

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Wow, I wasn't expecting you to prove me right this quickly."

"Excuse me?" Ignoring me, Jackson started walking around me before I grabbed his arm.

"You're a smart man." He glared, looking at my grip. "Surely you know better, than to put your hands on me."

I released my hold, though not because I was scared. Unfortunately, I needed his help.

"Listen Jackson, I know you're not fond of me but you know just as well as I do how delicate Makayla is right now. I'm worried about her. If you have any idea where I can find her, please tell me."

"I can't do that. Unlike you, I keep the promises I make to her." My eyes narrowed, Jackson unlocked the gym doors. "I don't know the exact location, but she's safe."

After he entered the building, he locked the doors in my face and didn't bother acknowledging me any further. He turned around, and walked away like the cold marine I had known him to be.

Sighing, I accepted his response and got settled in my car before sending Kayla text after text.

None of the messages were being delivered though, and my vision became blurred as I started feeling all of the pain, anxiety, and sadness I had suppressed this past hour.

"Damnit!" I roared, punching my steering wheel multiple times.

Tears streaming down by face, I endured the biggest heartbreak I had ever experienced.

All of the progress we had made, was it gone? My warmhearted girlfriend, would she revert back to the closed off and cold woman I first met? Did I just drive her to her breaking point? Even if she did hear me out, would she trust me enough to stand up against my father after learning of my engagement from the vary woman I had been promised to?

I sobbed, acknowledging this all could be the fatal blow that ended our relationship.

In the same evening I heard the love of my life tell me those three words for the first time,

It appeared I had lost her before I could say them back. 

___

Author's Note: SIGH - I know, this was a sad chapter! 

Ho-seok is going through it, and we can only imagine the pain Makayla is experiencing now that she knows of his engagement! Will Ho-seok be able to recover her trust after this? Will Makayla put that wall of hers back up after such a tremendous heartbreak?

On the flip side (and a bit of a spoiler), it's FINALLY time for Min-seok and Danny's wedding! Next update, Ho-seok will return to Asia to celebrate such a special moment with the gang! Will Kayla find the courage to show up for her cousin? How do you think Danny and Min-seok will react to this disappointing news? 

Please remember to vote and comment! Thanks for the support!

- Zelene