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As I looked at you leaving me
I hated myself for not being able to do anything

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Taehyung smiled apologeticly when he entered his office. His brows furrowed as he looked at Dilrada's highly disturbed expression.

Taehyung, with raised eyebrows, asked, "What's wrong?" He looked at the open giftbox, but Dilraba quickly rushed to it. She took out the lollipop and handed it with trembling hands to Taehyung, but the photos were already dashed deep inside her handbag before Taehyung entered his office. She can't let him see those damning photos. It might trigger his memories. She won't lose him.

Dilraba chuckled nervously. "Cha Young gave me a lollipop. I don't know what she actually meant by it. Do you think it's poisoned?"

Her eyes looked wary at Taehyung's furrowed brows as he examined the innocent candy.

"Er, do you think she will go that low? I know she can be vindictive and cunning but poison a candy. Er, I don't think so. She already apologized, and she went back home." He told Dilrada, who just nodded, but he wondered why she looked so disturbed.

'Are you okay, Dil? Just throw the candy away if you feel suspicious about it. Isn't there a card that came with it?" He just shrugged and slid into his leather chair, pressing some digits on his office phone.

He was calling his PA and asking her to bring some beverages for them.

Dilraba chuckled nervously. "Er Tae, did you ever visit Europe for vacations?" She asked, peeking at his furrowed brows.

Taehyung grinned, "Yeah, mostly on business. I visited Copenhagen, and from there I would always go to other neighboring countries. I will go with my family on island vacations during our holiday seasons. Why?"

Dilraba just shrugged. "Just asking. Let's do something cool this holiday. Why don't we go on a ski trip to Switzerland?" She bent over his desk, looking cutely into his amused eyes.

Taehyung smiles and says, "You want to go to Switzerland. Dil, you hate the cold and snow. I remember the wintry periods; you always visited the hot continents if you could. Remember you went once to Australia, then visited Zanzibar, and once you even made sure you were part of the team going to Egypt? Nah, forget it. You will complain my ears off."

Dilraba smirked but pouted her beautiful lips. "But you love Switzerland. I want to be different this time. In the past, you always did what pleased me. I want to be more kind and be the girl you would like to date again. Come on, Tae. Work with me here. I'm trying to woo you back.

Taehyung's eyes sparkled. "Oh my word, Dil. What has gotten into you? Okay, I'll see what we can do. Jungkook and Jimin want to go to Europe with their girlfriends in two months. Maybe we could."

Dilraba shook her head furiously and intercepted him. "Oh, please, no. I don't want to go on vacation with those two; although I love Sullia, Jimin always treated me coldly. I don't know why he hasn't warmed up to me just yet."

Taehyung smiled as he caressed her cheek. "Dil, Jimin likes you. He is just Jimin."

She scowled. "Yeah, right, he never had a full conversation with me. Do you think he hates Japanese girls? Did he date someone who hurt him?"

Taehyung fell back in his chair and burst out laughing. "Dil, don't let him ever hear you say that. Jimin never got disappointed by girls. He is the one who dumped them first and sprinted. He is very popular with girls, and they love him. You are very beautiful, Dil. Maybe your beauty unnerved him."

She just shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. But let us go alone and make memories. We never had the time at university. Let's rediscover our relationship and work on what made us break up. I promise to let go of my selfish and spoiled ways. I grew up in Tae, and I want us to build slowly on our future. I want us to try again."

Taehyung sighs deeply. "Dil, I'm not ready yet. I'm still grappling with getting my memories back. I felt like a huge part of my life had just vanished. I feel like something very important happened during those six months of my life. Something so profound and elusive." He had a faraway look in his eyes, still reminiscing about the blank canvas in his memory. Why can't he recall just anything?

Dilraba stood up and straightened herself. A deep fear coiled over her heart as she thought about Cha-young's words.

'His mind might have forgotten me, but not his heart.'

Was there some kind of truth in her words? Is Taehyung's heart yearning unconsciously back to Cha-young? That is why he is reluctant to give their relationship another chance. She needs him back, and with determination and resolve, she promises herself that he will never go back to Cha-young.

She will make sure that little hellraiser stays out of Taehyung's life.

Forever...

....
After Dilraba left the office and Taehyung made some business calls, he sat back, wiping his face with his palms.

He couldn't understand why he felt so detached and unsettled; it wasn't because of Cha-young that she returned home to Copenhagen. He just can't comprehend the dejection in his spirit.

Taehyung signed as his realization stuck with him, and Cha Young gave him something.

He took the keys, opened up his drawer, and retrieved the gift she sent. He furrowed his brows, contemplating the contents. Is it one of her last-minute revenges? She sent a lollipop to Dilraba for no apparent reason.

What is going through Cha-young's mind?

He cautiously opened up a smaller, cute black leather gift box. He only stared at it as if a viper could just emerge from it.

He scowled but decided to open up the box. His surprise was evident when he saw the contents. A small silver key on a black sponge. He looked flabbergasted at the key as he took it and turned it around, wondering why Chayoung would gift him with a key.

Where does it belong? Is it a safety deposit box? A special box? A post office locker? Where does it fit?

"Why did she give me this?" he wondered, perplexed. His mind was a blank canvas; he couldn't recall the origin of this key. Why is Chayoung so cryptic with her gifts? Does it mean something, or does she want them to ponder and go mental with questions?

He quickly searched the gift bag for any clues, and then he saw a little charcoal-black envelope. He inhaled deeply as he opened the note.

'To the holder of this key, a secret shall unfold. Where words fail, this key speaks in gold."

What does this mean?

.......

You landed safe and sound in Copenhagen, Denmark. Your heart was dejected and deflated.

You were pleasantly surprised when your dad and Sofia came and picked you up from the airport. They hugged you carefully, but the joy in their eyes made you tear up. They are so grateful that you came back safe and healthy.

Their eyes were concerned, scanning your weary demeanor. They've asked you about your health, and you just smiled and told them you're okay, but you'll be visiting Dr. Larsen the next day for a quick checkup.

You don't want to scare them about your stint in the hospital. Your painful shoulder or the increased migraines.

You told them that your baby is healthy and the doctors are positive that you will be able to carry it full term, but you need to continue the intensive treatment of the tumor so that it will not spread.

You would rather live a productive life while you can; at least you have a maximum of three years to live. You can enjoy your family, your friends, pregnancy, and maybe a few years of your baby's first life.

Rather than go for an uncertain surgery and end up dead or disabled because of something that could potentially go wrong during the operation,.

You hugged your dad and his fiancé with deep affection. "Don't fret, Dad. I'm okay. I just decided to come home earlier. Er, Olive will handle the rest of the project. It is already a huge success, and I miss being here with you."

You are careful not to divulge what happened in Seoul and how you were treated. Mr. Hansen has already sent Hansel to help Olive for the remainder of the week.

Olive told you that Taehyung extended their stay for two more weeks because of the popularity of the exhibition. More universities booked visits with their history and anthropology faculties.

Your heart aches knowing that Taehyung wasn't comfortable with your presence, and now that you are gone, he's going all out with the exhibition. Right now, your future looks bleaker.

His attitude made your boss think you were difficult to work with, and now, with the altercation with Dilrada, your boss sees you as vindictive and a troublemaker.

Your dad smiled as he opened the passenger door for you. "Let's go have some brunch. I hope you still have space for your favorite pork ribs."

Sofia grinned; she looked radiant. "I'm sure she missed home."

You just chuckled softly. "More than you know. I'm glad I'm back home. Now I can fully concentrate on my health and... be happy."

The fleeting pain in your eyes wasn't missed by your dad and Sofia, who looked discreetly at each other. They know that your fiancé didn't regain his memories. They could see your heartbreak but chose not to confront you about your feelings. They will just let you be and deal with it as you see fit. For them, you look more positive for the future.

Sofia grinned happily. "We designed the most beautiful shoe and bag collection. With fur and zebra prints. It is a huge hit, and we got orders from a Paris-based boutique."

You smiled as you noticed that Sofia wanted to change the atmosphere with lighthearted talk about her business. She is doing super well. You are proud of her forging out her own financial path. Although your dad wants to look after her, she still wants to be financially independent.

Your eyes sparkled. "Well, I can imagine the excitement at your company. A boutique in Paris.? Maybe a designer might use it for his fashion line.'

Your dad turned quickly, looked at you through the mirror, and smirked. "Sofia just downplayed the success of her designs. She didn't tell you that a Danish fashion designer was meeting with her to forge a partnership. He wants her shoes for his next fashion line, and you might see her designs on the runway and in magazines."

Sofia just laughed and said, "We'll see about that. If all goes well, we can talk about nearly a million-dollar contract."

"Good for you, Sofia. I'm so happy for you," you gushed. Sofia is very talented, and you're so glad your dad found somebody to love and care for him, especially when you won't be there forever.

You had a great welcome back time with your family. You just dreaded the confrontation with Mr. Hansen the next day.

.....

You slept over at your family home; your dad didn't want you to be alone at your apartment. The next day, you prepared to meet your boss. Going back to work wasn't as desirable as always. You feel more discouraged and demotivated as you drive your small car to the designated parking space. Your dad wasn't very comfortable with you driving in your condition. But you want to live as normal as possible.

Your Contemporary Art Museum is situated near a beachscape.

When you entered the huge foyer, the warmth of familiarity engulfed you. But the excitement you always felt entering this world of art is vacant.

You put on a cheerful smile as you greeted your faithful security at the entrance. Your colleagues that roam around were ecstatic to see you back.

Laura and Adelle came out of the elevator, and when they saw you, they ran up to you, squealing.

"Oh my gosh, you're back. Why didn't you call me Cha? I would've come to the airport!" Laura gushed her eyes, scanning your posture. "Mmm, it seems our butterfly is growing, "she smirked.

You just smiled and greeted your two friends with a hug.

Adelle just chuckled; her long platinum blonde hair is in a tight ponytail. She is the exhibition designer, and Laura is a junior curator.

Adelle smiled as she linked arms with you. "So, how was Seoul? Why did you leave poor Olive to fend for herself? She still struggled to speak Korean. Mr. Hansen sent Hansel unexpectedly to Seoul."

Laura furrowed her brows when she saw the emotions flash over your face. "It's a long story... I'll fill you guys in during lunch. Let me go and report to our boss."

They nodded and agreed to meet at the museum restaurant at a given time. You smile and wave to them as you find your way to the elevator. You don't have the energy to take the numerous stairs to the offices.

Mr. Hansen was busy with a call when you entered his office cautiously. Your nerves were thinly strung.

His PA was middle-aged with copper hair. Marie, smile cheerfully at you, glad that you were back at home. You were not even gone for two full weeks.

Your little reunion was all but pleasant. Mr. Hansen was so strict and disappointed in your conduct and behavior towards your boss, Mr. Kim. You were trying to explain what happened with Dilraba, saying that you and she had been together since university and that it had nothing to do with your professional presence in Seoul. You worked very hard to ensure that the Egyptian Exhibitions for Students were a great success.

You even did more than Olive and Hansel because you dealt with the Egyptian Embassy to get artifacts from their museums. You always go beyond what is expected of you, and your guidance helped Olive and Hansel excel.

Mr. Hansen just nodded understandingly, but you wonder if you will even be considered for a senior post. You worked so hard to prove yourself capable for the last two years. Mr. Hansen already favored the beautiful Olive and the bombastic and entitled Hansel. Maybe your time with this museum is busy ending.

You just signed it and went back to your office. Most of your office colleagues are in the workshops or busy on the exhibition floors.

You start your laptop and check your email like usual but when you see one particular email every clichéd thing happens – your jaw drops onto your keyboard, your heart misses a beat, you feel like you’re dreaming…and then wake up again inside that dream because who does this? It is written by an incredibly famous museum situated in Sweden.

One friend of yours whom you meet at one of these Art  conferences asks if you might consider applying for new head curator position at art department he is working for; he sends you application forms and recommends you to the Head of The Museum. The position will be available in about 4-5 months when the current person holding it retires.

Your heart pounds furiously in your chest. Can it be the answer?

A/N : Chayoung has left Seoul but now she stands at a crossroad.

AOABH faithful readers, thank you so much! I really hope that you enjoy Choi Chayoung’s journey of finding happiness.

A big shout out goes to all the constant voters, silent readers and visible commenters who have supported me throughout this whole process. In all my CEO books are being interwoven with each other. Because of that if you want to know how Taehyung is doing two years after no worries – there are no major spoilers.), 😂Just check out Lost in the Maze by Jungkook (where our Kookie can’t let go and forgive).

1. What do you think is the meaning of the key?

2. Do you think Dilrada also wants to create memories with Taehyung?

3. Do you think Taehyung was happy to let Chayoung go?

4. Do you think Chayoung can still get the senior post at her museum?

5. Do you think she must leave Denmark and apply for the post in Sweden?

6. Do you think she finally decided to give up on Taehyung and move on?