Luisa sat in her old room, biting her nails worriedly. Seokjin had not even waited an hour before excusing himself, saying he would be staying at a nearby hotel before returning home to Dallas. It was only his good manners that induced him to accept her mother's insistent invitation that he stay for Thanksgiving dinner before leaving.

She had tried explaining to him, to her parents, and to Mrs. Ramos, that she and Charlie were not dating. But when she looked to Charlie for help, he just smiled and shrugged, as if it were all a joke on her part. She recalled Seokjin's stunned expression that shifted to disappointment when it seemed that she was trying too hard to deny a relationship with Charlie. She mumbled an excuse and ran upstairs to her room on the verge of tears. She knew she was wrong to run away and leave Jin alone with her family, but she didn't want to cry in front of an audience.

She looked at the door after a single knock before the door opened. She shot to her feet.

"Charlie! What are you doing here? Leave my room, please," she said.

Charlie closed the door behind him. "I will. After you explain what's going on with Kim Seokjin."

She crossed her arms. "That's not any of your business."

The slight-built man nodded. "I see. Is that your way of saying that you're sleeping with him? Luisa, are you still letting that man use you like a whore?"

"Shut up," she snapped. "I don't want to hear you talk about him much less make your disgusting insinuations. If you insult me one more time, I will slap your teeth out of your mouth."

Charlie chuckled. "Always the drama queen, Luli. I don't see how calling you a whore is an insult. Didn't you let Seokjin bang you on the night we broke up?"

Luisa scoffed. "You mean on the night you broke up with me? You know what? Who cares? It was so long ago. I'm going to make sure my parents understand that Seokjin is my boyfriend now, and you are my...well, my nothing. We haven't been anything since the day you so graciously dumped me." She sneered. "Thanks for that by the way. In retrospect, you certainly did me a favor."

His smile disappeared, replaced by a sneer. "Listen, sweetheart, I'm only here at the insistence of your parents. They want me to handle your father's finances after his scare over the accident. That's all."

"Oh, really?" she snapped. "Then why did you let them think that there's anything between us?"

He shrugged. "They just assumed, and I didn't have time to explain."

"You're pathetic," she said. "You could've said something when everyone assumed we were together. Why didn't you say anything? Did you think that I'd run back into your arms simply because you're helping my father?"

He took a step closer to her. "No. I thought you'd run back into my arms to prove to me that you're no longer a cold bitch. I don't know. Has Seokjin fucked some life and passion into you? Maybe you can show me what you've learned." He took another step toward her, his hands reaching out for her.

"Ramos. Stop."

They hadn't heard Seokjin open the door. But there he stood, his broad shoulders crowding the door frame. His hands were crossed over his chest, and the only sign that he was upset was the pinching of his full lips.

"Well, well, well," Charlie said, turning his body half round. "Seokjin to the rescue yet again." His face was twisted with scorn. "If you'd just come in a few minutes later, I could've had her all warmed up for you. It seems she so easily jumps from man to man at a moment's notice."

Seokjin leaned against the door frame. "Oh, Charles," he chuckled, his eyes closing. "Just when I think you can't make a bigger fool of yourself, you go and surprise me. Just so that you know, Luisa is full of life and passion, none of which she had to learn because it was already in her heart waiting for the right person to come along. I'm here now." His smile disappeared abruptly. "So, get out."

Charlie glanced at Luisa and then back at the handsome man. "You can't just barge in on a private conversation. This isn't your house. You can't tell me what to do."

Luisa pushed past Charlie. "Oh, yes, he can. I told you. He's my boyfriend."

Seokjin nodded. "And as such, I am here to tell you to apologize to her for the stupidities coming out of your mouth and leave her alone. I expect you to show her the proper respect from now on."

Charlie scowled as if he'd smelled something rotten. "Why should I apologize? You know perfectly well that she's a skank. I know she was already messing around with you long before we broke up. Are you going to deny that you and him would sneak off together whenever you and your friends had your so-called get-togethers?"

Seokjin's body lifted away from the door jamb, and he hovered threateningly over Charlie, his height giving him at least three inches in advantage.

"I already warned you, Ramos. Don't make me do something disrespectful in her parents' home," the taller man said through gritted teeth. "You and your filthy lies are starting to piss me off."

Luisa intervened by pushing Charlie away from Seokjin. "What do you mean I was messing around with him? I did no such thing. Do you have to spout your stupid lies just to make yourself feel better?"

Charlie stepped away from her. "They're not lies."

"You're crazy," Seokjin added. "I never did anything with her. I never touched her. She never gave me any indication that she was interested."

"I was faithful to you, you idiot," Luisa said. "I wish I could say you deserved it, but I now know you didn't. How can you even believe something like that? Did you ever see me with Jin?"

Charlie's scowl lessened as he seemed to think. "Well, n-no. I didn't." He shrugged. "But I was told that you and Seokjin had been messing around behind my back."

"Who told you that?" Luisa asked, her voice rising.

The shorter man hesitated, sneaking a glance at Seokjin, before exhaling. "I thought it was true because Camilla told me."

"Who?"

"Camilla? Camilla Cardelli?" Seokjin's voice drowned out Luisa's question.

Charlie frowned. "Yeah. Cami said that you were always around Lu—"

"Cami?" Seokjin asked incredulously. "Why the hell do you call her Cami? How do you even know her?"

Luisa gasped. "You mean your ex Camilla?" She whirled toward Charlie. "Why the hell would you believe her? When did you even talk to her?"

Seokjin studied Charlie's face and burst out with a loud laugh. "Oh, shit, no."

Luisa blinked rapidly. "What? What is it?"

The handsome man struggled to stop laughing. The shorter man seemed to shrink further into himself.

"You asshole," Seokjin finally managed to say, still trying to control his laughter. "You slept with Camilla, didn't you? You were the guy that Camilla's friends hinted treated her better than I did. You! What a joke!"

Luisa took a step toward Charlie, who had the decency to look cowed. "You slept with Camilla?" Before he could respond, she poked her finger into his chest. "You had the gall to call me names when you were the one cheating on me?" She jabbed her finger harder. "You are the most disgusting piece of crap I've ever laid eyes on. If you insist on insulting me any further, I will personally kick your ass until you can't sit down."

"Luli," the slighter man whined.

"Don't you ever say my name again, you worthless cheater," Luisa growled at him. "I expect you to go downstairs and tell my parents that you got an unexpected call and have to leave."

"B-But," he sputtered. "My mom is here. We're supposed to have dinner with your family."

"Do you want me to tell your mother what I just learned right now?" Luisa challenged him. "Do you want me to repeat to her all the vile things you called me? Shall I tell her why you broke up with me all those years ago?"

Charlie pressed his lips together. "Fine! Fine! I'll go. I won't be able to help your father with his finances—"

"Not to worry," Seokjin interrupted him. "I have already called one of my friends. One of the best in Dallas. He'll take care of Luisa's father. Nobody here needs you. Get the hell out."

Charlie exhaled then nodded and walked toward the door.

"Wait," Luisa called. She walked up to him.

"Luisa, I—" His head snapped to one side as Luisa delivered a loud slap to his face.

"That's for what you just said to me," she said. "I don't care anymore that you slept with Camilla or anyone else you probably cheated with. I do care that you stood here in your brazenness and insulted Jin and me as if we were anything like you. Seokjin is ten times the man you are or ever will be. I never knew I could be as happy as I am now."

Charlie rubbed his red cheek. "Fine. I'm sorry for what I said. It's no excuse, but when Camilla told me that stupid lie, I was so enraged with jealousy that I couldn't see straight. I finally calmed down enough to break up with you, but then I saw you two making out in front of everybody, and I thought the story was true. When my mom asked me to help your dad, I thought I'd finally get to say my piece to you." He paused. "You might not believe me, but you broke my heart. I was childish enough to try and break it back. I am truly sorry. To both of you."

He exited the room without another word.

"Jin, I wanted to tell you that—"

Seokjin pulled her into an embrace. "It's nothing. It's over. Let's not waste another second on this. I love you so much, Lu. I knew something was bothering you, but I also knew that you'd tell me in your own time. I don't doubt anything about you. I just wish you would share these problems with me. That's what I'm here for."

She nodded and snuggled deeper into his chest. "Thank you. I don't know why I was so afraid to tell you. I didn't want you to think that I ever thought about Charlie during all this time. I hated that disappointed look on your face even though I knew it was because of me."

"I know," he whispered into her hair. "Sweetheart, I know. I wasn't disappointed because I thought you messed around with Charlie. I was mostly disappointed because you hadn't shared your worries with me." He leaned slightly away from her, put his finger under her chin, and angled her face so that he could kiss her.

Luisa melted into his embrace as the kiss became more heated.

Seokjin held her at arm's length and cleared his throat. "Lu, don't do this to me. Your mom asked me to tell you that dinner is almost ready. If you kiss me like that again, we'll miss dinner, and they'll hate me."

Luisa smiled. "Fine. But don't eat too much. I don't want you to be sleepy and sluggish tonight when I visit you in your hotel room."

His eyes widened. "Geez, Lu. I don't know if I'll even be able to eat now. Go on downstairs." He pecked her lips. "I think I need a moment to calm down."

Her eyes strayed to the front of his pants. "I'd say you need several moments." With a wink, she walked out of the room.

Seokjin palmed himself over his pants. "Damn! How will I ever get through dinner?" After a couple of minutes, he smiled and went downstairs.