ISLA
Five days ago something unexpected happened to me. I was kidnapped and almost fell to my death. But they were all there for me... mostly Eun-woo. He saved me.
And for sure... he would blame me again for what happened to him!
Ever since Eun-woo was hospitalized, we decided to keep it a secret or more of not just telling our parents about what happened because they'll panic. But, we told Soo-jin about it and asked her not to let them know.
Today is Eun-woo's last stay in the hospital and because of that, I can only visit him now. Why? I'll tell you why.
THE FIRST DAY AT THE HOSPITAL: The police authorities were given the first 24 hours to ask Eun-woo questions about what really happened. And it's ridiculous because I'm the one who's kidnapped and not him!
THE SECOND DAY AT THE HOSPITAL: Only the president of the university was scheduled to visit him. And that is to avoid overcrowding in the hospital. You know, Eun-woo's really a heartthrob. He just wouldn't want to admit it.
THE THIRD DAY AT THE HOSPITAL: His fangirls which I didn't know literally existed had given him a visit... and flowers... and chocolates. Gosh. What have they seen from him? His baby face?
THE FOURTH DAY AT THE HOSPITAL: His closer and closest friends visited him. Also, Mizuki told me that Ji-hoon took care of everything, mostly those people involved. I guess he used the power as the son of Woo-jin Lee. Troy and his gang, together with Minerva, were even lined up for the decision of getting expelled from the university. Taek-woon, who is now Chet, will be put into prison.
I approached the nurse station and asked for Eun-woo's room. I was told he was staying in room 143. As I found the room, a nurse was assisting Eun-woo. I didn't immediately go inside and tried to wait outside so that I wouldn't be a bother.
As soon as the nurse left the room, I went inside. Eun-woo was NOT surprised to see me... he's not even happy.
I felt sorry for him doing that kind of thing for me, like risking his life. He's not even my real brother. I couldn't help but feel my heart aching as I look at him sitting down on the stretcher bed, and has a few bandages on him.
My head was turned down a little as I got to approach him. I don't know if he's able to see my reactions but who cares?
I can't speak to him because I might break down into tears, full of guilt.
"Are you planning to cry?" He asked.
"I want to tell them what happened," I said. "It's just too hard to hide it."
Eun-woo sighed. "If you're planning to tell them, do it when my condition is already fine. So, that the pain I am feeling right now will not coincide with the fact that she would be angry with me–"
"I'm sorry, Eun-woo..."
We had a few seconds of silence surround us.
"Huh?" I heard him.
I looked up at him and gave him a very serious stare. "Forgive me if I put your life in danger. It's all my fault that you almost died after they beat you up."
"What are you..."
"Blame me if necessary. Yell at me! Because I know that it is still less than the problem I caused you before. And if your dad finds out about it, she would not blame me but instead, he will blame you even if–"
I wasn't able to continue with what I was saying because he suddenly pulled me by my arms and gave me an embrace. I felt his left arms wrapped around my waist as his right hand held my head.
He was caressing my hair while my position being embraced by him was a little uncomfortable and awkward.
"I don't know why I also thought of sacrificing my life for you... but I guess I'm really in love with you." His voice was calm and serious as it lingered in my ear.
I can feel his hands letting go of me so we looked at each other, closely. He parted my hair that has been blocking my face and smiled at me.
"Right now, between you and me... you're the most important person in my life," he said.
I smiled at him.
"But wait. I still haven't forgotten what you told me back at the abandoned building," he suddenly opened up.
I frowned at him in confusion. "What is it?"
It took him a long before answer my question. He suddenly looked somewhere and pointed at something from behind. I turned around to look where he was pointing at.
"What is it?" I asked again.
"Look at the door. You'll know what I'm talking about," he said.
I stared at the door and looked for the thing he was referring to. I'm not good at looking for clues, that's why I was having a hard time figuring it out.
"Have you seen it?" He asked me.
"I… I'm not sure," I replied.
"Aish. Seriously?!" He aggressively pointed at the room number placed on the door. "I was talking about that one! Room 143!"
"Room 143?" I looked at him again and he looked so pissed. "What does it have to do with us when we are at the abandoned building?"
He sighed heavily before pushing me off the bed. "Go. I can't talk to you anymore. You're so slow."
As soon as he said that, I finally and miraculously figured out what he wanted to say. He's using the number 143 as a way to say I LOVE YOU since I am 1 letter, Love consists of 4 letters, and You consists of 3 letters.
I couldn't help but laugh all of a sudden, although I suddenly felt strange because he opened up about his feelings. The way Eun-woo looks at me... I don't know if...
"How I wished we're not step-siblings," he clearly said. Super clear.
"You're so bad," I told him as I pouted.
We stared at each other before he eventually left his pissed-off expression and gently pulled me towards him again. His lips are magnetizing mine and I cannot avoid it.
He cupped my cheeks and gently brought my face closer to his face until our foreheads touched each other, and so did the tip of our noses.
I closed my eyes and smiled. "I can get used to this."
"Really?"
As soon as I opened up my eyes, I got a very close sight of Eun-woo's face again. We both knew what to do next. Our lips collided for a few moments. It was sweet and comforting…
"Eun-woo, Isla!"
Eun-woo and I were stunned by what we were doing and it was too late when we found out that our parents were there and had caught us in the act.
"What is going on?"
It was one of the worst and most embarrassing moments that happened in my life. My mind is blank. My whole being is blank now. I don't know what to do, what to say at least.
Yes. It's not just in my imagination. My mom and stepfather saw Eun-woo and me kissing each other, and I can't explain the reaction I saw on their faces... especially in my mom's eyes.
The whole room was quiet and for a few minutes, both of them had not spoken after finding out the truth. I was also unable to look at any of them after what happened. I felt so ashamed.
"Since when?" Mr. Woo-jin asked.
"Not too long ago," Eun-woo answered boldly.
"And how long do you intend to do such a thing?" His father continued.
"Until we still have feelings for each other–"
"Eun-woo, stop."
He looked at me after hearing what I said, his face telling me not to say those words even after I did.
“I don't understand how... why?” Mom suddenly said. “You two are supposed to be siblings.”
"Step-siblings. We are not related by blood, only by papers and it doesn’t matter," Eun-woo explained.
“Eun-woo, both of you would look weird in the eyes of others–”
“How about having three wives?” Eun-woo began to question him. “Isn’t that weirder?”
“You moron!” Mr. Woo-jin was about to smack him but my mom stopped him.
“Don’t do it, Woo-jin.”
My stepfather walked out of the room, leaving us with my mom. I cannot tell the way she looks at us.
"All I could say is I really don't understand what's happening. I thought you two couldn't get along, but now I see you kissing each other," Mom said.
Eun-woo looked at her. "You don't need to understand, you just have to accept–"
"No. I absolutely cannot accept it."
It was the first time I heard her say no. Based on her tone, she was seriously against it.
"Why?" Eun-woo glanced at me. "Isla. Why don't you tell your mom what you really feel about me?"
I can hear them, but I'm not willing to listen. It's making me confused as much as I wanted to say something.
"Isla!" Eun-woo called me again.
"Isla, listen to me. You know what's best for you." I looked at my mom and she was genuinely worried for me.
"If all of you cannot accept what is happening between Isla and me, it is better that we just decide for ourselves and leave you out of it," Eun-woo suddenly said.
"Stop it, Eun-woo," I called him. "Let's just stop. Because we both know it's wrong."
He was speechless with what I just blurted out. I can't be the one to cause misunderstanding in the family, mostly now that my mom found her happiness.
"What are you talking about?" Eun-woo asked.
"We cannot–"
"Of course, we can!" He raised his voice at me. "There's nothing wrong with what we feel for each other."
I can't say anything anymore or else I might hurt either of them. I love them both.
"Say something Isla," Eun-woo started begging me. "Please."
"I'm sorry, Eun-woo. But, I cannot return the same feeling you feel for me," I told him as I looked directly into his eyes.
"I know that's not the truth," he said.
"Listen to yourself, Eun-woo. You're not you anymore... you're swallowed with obsession. No matter which angle you look at it, being in love with someone who has become your sister whether it's on paper is wrong!" My mom raised her voice at him.
"Is it wrong for me to love your daughter?" He asked her.
I bit my lip as I looked at my mom again. I could feel myself about to cry while getting caught in between them.
"I'm sorry, Eun-woo. But, my daughter is meant to be your stepsister and not someone you can love romantically," Mom continued to explain. "What you feel right now is just infatuation. It's not very much of a serious feeling and you'll get over it or with Isla in time."
Eun-woo remained on his stand. "And what if I don't? What will you do?"
The room was finally put into silence and that's when I couldn't hold it in. I covered my mouth before heading out of the room. I could no longer contain my tears and I broke down immediately as soon as I reached the hallway.
"Isla." I heard my mom's voice after she followed me outside. I glanced at her even though my cheeks were soaking wet with tears.
"I'm sorry, mom…" I cried to her as she held me on both my shoulders, caressing them.
"Baby. Can you tell me the truth? Don't you just think of Eun-woo as your stepbrother?" She looked so worried.
It took a while before I could answer her. I was thinking about how I could explain what I felt toward Eun-woo. I don't want her to be disappointed in me.
I nodded at her as I broke into tears again. It breaks my heart knowing the next words she might say. My mom was too speechless to say anything to me. That's why in the end, all she could do was hug me.