Author's Pov:

Minghao and Mingyu were sitting on the couch in Aera's room. "Is she afraid of men?", Minghao asked, "No because I have always seen her moving away from men".

Mingyu nodded, "Yes, she is". Minghao was curious about that but didn't ask. He stayed quite. As if Mingyu read his mind, he said, "I don't know why I am sharing this with you but the man you saw today was Park Minjun, he is Aera's Father's second wife's brother. In short his Brother in law. He did the same thing twice. Aera was 13 when he raped her. When she tried telling her father about this, he ignored it. Jeonghan and her mother knew about this. Jeonghan was young to do something and her mother didn't care much because she always respected her father's words. That's the reason she is afraid of men and equally hate them".

Minghao cleared his throat, "But why didn't anyone try to stop him?". Mingyu looked at him, "There was party going on in the whole house. Everyone were busy in their own work. Aera's drink was spiked, she lost her consciousness soon after but she was sure it was him. Jeonghan was the one who found her first. They found his locket in that room".

Minghao's eyes went to Aera. "That's the reason she always tried to go away from them, even after so many years. You don't even know how much time it took her to get comfortable with me", Mingyu said. The door opened and doctor came inside, "I need to do some normal check ups". Mingyu nodded.

Aera woke up. "Mingyu", she said and tried to stand up but failed. "Aera stop", Mingyu hugged her, rubbing her back, "I am here, Aera. He is in jail now. He cannot do anything to you".

Mingyu made her sit back properly, rubbing her hands gently. "I couldn't do anything just like last time, Mingyu. He touched me again, Mingyu and I couldn't do anything", she said, tears continuously streaming down.

Minghao stood there seeing her cry, his heart churned. It's not the first time he has seen her crying. She kept repeating the same thing. But the word stuck in his mind was 'again'.

It didn't take him long to realise that if Mingyu wouldn't have cheated, they would have been a good couple. He was sure that Mingyu was her comfort person. They really loved each other with their whole heart.

"Now, let the doctor do some check up", Mingyu said and looked at doctor. He was about to move behind but Aera held his hand, shaking her head she looked at him with glistening eyes.

"Aera, he will not trouble you now and I'll make sure of it. Hmm", Mingyu said, "You don't need to worry about that now".

"Mingyu, I want to go home. What about Jiho?", Aera stood up. "Shh, sit down first. He is with Jeonghan, okay. He will be living with them for few days, I have talked with him", Mingyu said.

"But-",

"No buts", Mingyu said, "I want to have a talk with doctor. I will come soon". Mingyu looked at Aera and then at Minghao, "One request, please don't go. Don't let her stay alone". Minghao nodded as Mingyu left.

Aera sighed, her eyes met Minghao's who gave her a smile. For first time, Aera smiled back with her real smile. "Thank you for being there on the time. Thank you so much", Aera said. Minghao shook his head, "You don't need to thank me".

Aera pointed at chair and asked him to take a seat, "You might be thinking how much coward I am. Even I agree, I just sat there waiting for someone to help me". Minghao shook his head, "I didn't even think about that. And no you are not a coward, Aera".

"But still Minghao, I should have fought back. I shouldn't have cried like that. But I couldn't do anything. Whenever I see him, I turn into that same 13 year old Aera who is afraid of men except her brother and father. I couldn't even go outside my house because I was afraid", Aera mindlessly said. Minghao bit his lips, "I am sure Aera that you are strong. I am happy that you never gave up".

Meanwhile,

"Doctor, how is she?", Mingyu asked taking seat, "I hope her wounds are not that deep". Doctor nodded, "She is fine Mr. Mingyu as I said before. I will send a female doctor right now. Just make sure nothing like this happens again, Mingyu otherwise we both know that she can again have that trauma".

"But I don't think I need to worry about that as long as you are by her side", Doctor smiled. Mingyu hesitantly nodded and went out. He didn't go to her room but instead went to roof top. It was still night.

Mingyu covered his face with his palm, "Everyone thinks she will be fine as long as I am with her. They don't even know the truth and I don't know how to tell them".

Aera's Room

"And that person just left like that", Minghao completed his story. Aera burst out into laughter. Minghao has been telling his childhood stories. "Don't laugh, that was actually an embarrassing moment", Minghao said. Hearing this Aera laughed more loudly, "Oh My gosh, stop. I might die out of laughter. See, your ears turned red too". Aera wiped her tears.

Minghao too joined her in laughing, "Now tell me your childhood stories", Minghao smiled. Aera stopped and said, "Umm, so, yeah. I found one", her eyes twinkled, "This happened a long time ago. But this isn't my childhood one but when me and Mingyu had just started dating". Minghao nodded, "Oh! Interesting".

"So the owner of the cafe, Mrs. Kang is strict about her work but she is equally sweet too. I was once severely sick and fainted in the cafe. Since then Mingyu called her everytime he would get a chance just to check on me".

Flashback:

"Aeraaa, please tell your boyfriend not to call me, see this", Mrs. Kang said showing her phone screen. Aera gasped, "127 missed calls? In a day?". Mrs. Kang nodded. Just then Mingyu entered the cafe with his sheepish smile.

"You", Mrs. Kang pointed at him, "Come here". Mingyu came to her like an obedient child. Mrs. Kang held his ear, "Can you see this?", she asked showing her phone screen, "127 missed calls in a day, you know my husband doesn't even exceed 80. Just because you are her boyfriend and handsome, I am letting you go otherwise I would broken your phone. One more missed call Mingyu and I am blocking you".

Mingyu muttered a small sorry, "Now let me meet my girlfriend, please". He gave his famous smile to Mrs. Kang. She sighed, "But I don't want any disturbance". Mingyu nodded.

Present:

"Even if she shouted at him, he would randomly call her to ask about me", Aera smiled. Minghao giggled, "That's actually cute story".

Minghao saw her eyes always shined when she talked about him. It was visible how much both loved and cared for eachother. Both of their eyes shined while talking about each other, the only difference was Aera's shined with happiness whenever she talked about him and Mingyu's shined with guilt and tears.

Aera looked at him, "Minghao, I don't know you much but to be honest I feel comfortable to share my problems with you. Your advice helps me". Minghao smiled, "Thank you".

"I need one more advice", Aera said, "I love Mingyu, I really do. These days I am trying my best to avoid him but I can't. Even Jiho understood that something serious is going on between us. My heart wants to give him a second chance but seeing my past I don't want to. My father cheated on my mother with his secretary, she gave him countless chances but he never took them seriously. At the end he left and my mother broke down so bad. I don't want to be like my mother nor I want Jiho to turn like me. I seriously don't know what to do".

"It depends on you, Aera. I don't think he will do such thing again. He is totally guilty and it can be seen. Why don't you both start from beginning?", he suggested. Aera smiled, "Sometimes, I think that too. I want to give him second chance just for Jiho. But why Mingyu isn't here still?"

"I'll go and find him", Minghao said but Aera stopped him, "I'll come with you". Minghao asked her not to but she insisted, "I'll be getting discharge within an hour. Also, I am not that serious".

Minghao asked someone if they have Mingyu, "Yeah, I saw him going up. Probably roof top". Minghao nodded and asked Aera not to come. At first Aera insisted to come but then later agreed not to come.

Minghao reached roof top to see Mingyu sitting on the edge of roof top, "Mingyu". Mingyu turned back and smiled.

Minghao stood behind him, "You might fall down". Mingyu clicked his tongue, "I know that. But it feels good to sit here".

Minghao took a mintue to think and said, "What will you do if Aera gives you a second chance?". Mingyu looked at him, "Second chance? If she gives me second chance, I'll try my best not to repeat the same mistake. I will make sure make her the happiest".

"I know I made a mistake. I am really sorry for that too. I even know that because of whatever had happened today, she must have forgotten about the cheating thing. She wouldn't have hugged me and cried like that. I want to go back and change everything. Everytime I looked at her, I felt guilty. Many times I tried to stop it but I couldn't. My mind would just stop working that time and lust filled me up".

"I cheated on her with my secretary just like her father did. It is obvious that she might be afraid to give me a second chance. Right now, she is thinking what if she ends up like her mother".

"You know what funny thing is? I know we can never be same again but still I try like an idiot knowing I have messed up"

Mingyu poured his heart out to Minghao without knowing someone else was hearing this conversation.