Young-Mi's POV

<Continued flashbacks>

The first time he got mad at you was because you came back late from work. Well, it wasn't the first time technically, but it was the time that you could pinpoint as the beginning of your own little nightmare and illusions of a better tomorrow.

The wedding you were at has been a nightmare. Not because the people were mean but because there was a lot of work, as it was a huge venue and a very important and consequent wedding. All you wished for was to be back home after you dropped your camera at your office. The only thing you thought about in the taxi was that you would be reunited with your love soon, and that you could cuddle on the couch as you would fall asleep in his arms. Your thoughts were all getting excited, and you couldn't wait to be back home to see your man, to spend the chilly night after a long day at work.

As you opened the door, instead of what you had imagined, an angry man was sitting on the couch of the living room. With a beer in his hand, you greeted him cheerfully. You looked at him lovingly, appreciating the view nonetheless. It felt domestic like in the movies you sometimes watched, with the wife coming home from work and the husband was already there after his own day of work as well, waiting for his spouse.

“You're late,” he said coldly, without even looking at you after you took off your shoes and began to walk towards him.

“I'm sorry. Work… it's so complicated now, the weddings season, and it is ki...” You started to reply but his strong voice was louder than yours.

“I don't care! I want you back home at the hour you told me you would be home!” He said without letting you finish the sentence. His dangerous eyes looked up at you, as you stood there, like a child, speechless. You couldn't understand what was happening to you, to him. It wasn't the first time you were back home a little bit late but you thought he understood that your work was very complicated and time consuming. You really did but apparently you were wrong.

“Darling, I'm sorry, next time I'll call you,” you murmured, looking down and your feet fidgeting in your white socks. You felt ashamed for being late.

“I don't care! I want you home at the time you're supposed to be home!” He exclaimed, his beer fell on the fluffy carpet as you yelped in surprise. But before you could reply, he was in front of you, pushing you by the shoulder, and pinning you against the wall. Your back hit the concrete wall and it hurt a lot. A small noise escaped your mouth as you were catching some breath, still surprised.

“You understand what I want, Young-Mi?! Do you f*cking understand?!” His voice was dry and alcoholic. You could hear anger in his voice and you could feel fear building up in your mind. The scents were dangerously entering your nose and you dreaded for your own life.

“I already said that I am…” but before you could finish, his fist hit the wall next to your head, “sorry...” The soft whisper from your parted mouth disappeared between the droplets of tears that began to run down your face.

“You better be!” He said and clenched his fist, stepping back from you. He looked up and down at you. You felt like a prey waiting for their predator to eat them. You felt awful. “I don't want next times.”

He took his can of beer from the carpeted floor, loudly walked to the kitchen, grabbed another can, closed the fridge, and walked to your bedroom. When the door swung shut, you slide against the wall - tears running down your face, all in silence, with your face buried in your hands. You were hunched on the floor. And on that night, you slept on the couch.

****

In the morning, as it was your day off, you expected to cry again. But instead, on the living room table, there was a small note along with a luxurious bouquet of roses. For sure, he had left them there for you. You got up, still shaken from the event of the previous night, but you found your smile back as you read the note.

“Young-Mi,

I'm very sorry for what I did to you last night. Everything I have done is unforgivable, and I beg you for forgiveness. I don't want to scare you as I did last night, I don't want to hurt you, I love you so much and I hope that you still love me. This is the smallest I can do for you, accept this as my apology. I'll be home earlier today, so I can properly apologize. I'll bring some takeout food.

I love you forever,
Seokhoon”