The Curse

Dedicated to the birthday girl Ate Sue!!!!.. happy birthday ate!! wishing you all the best. Hopefully we'll see each other soon.  Minadali ko to para makaabot sa birthday mo..
Miss you and the rest of the chinggus.

Chapter 9

After about 4hours, Hwangbo was awaken from deep slumber. She pried her eyes open and was a bit disoriented when she cannot recognize where she is. Only when she felt a weight on her side and turn did she remember that she is actually in Hyunjoong’s room. Hyunjoongs arms were draped on her waist but he is still sleeping soundly. Hwangbo just savor the moment and just watch him sleep. When she saw him shift a bit, she turned back on her side and pretended to be sleeping. Hyunjoong opened his eyes and when he noticed his hand splayed on Hwangbo’s waist, he automatically removed it fearing that she might wake up and give him one of her taekwondo moves. He then checked on the woman beside him, still “sleeping” then gently rose from the bed. Hwangbo then, decided to let him know that she’s awake. She faked a big yawn and then sat up.



“Where to, Shillang?” she asked.


Hyunjoong was startled but then showed a big smile and replied. “I’m just heading out to the grocery to buy something. I don’t think we have enough food ingredients.”


“But, Shillang, reporters might be lurking outside. Are you sure you’re ready to face them now? “Hwangbo a bit worried asked him.


“There’s a mini mart in this building. Security is so tight here and reporters are not allowed so don’t worry.” He assured her.


“Really? Well that’s great! Can I just come with you?” Hwangbo enquired.


“Ok. At least you can choose what to buy. Would you like to shower first?” He asked with a smile.


“Yup. I’ll be quick. “Then she jumped out of the bed and head to bathroom.


Hyunjoong can’t help but laugh at her antics. He fixed the bed first and head to the kitchen. He just took a glass of juice and head to the living room to wait for her. When she’s done she called him out so he can shower. After about thirty minutes the couple head down to the mini mart.


The mini mart offered almost everything. Hwangbo took her time in choosing vegetables and fruits while Hyunjoong keep himself amused by checking snack items. They were almost done shopping when they unexpectedly bumped into another couple.


“Junri?” Hyunjoong heard Hwangbo uttered.


“Hyejung-ah, fancy meeting you here. How are you?” Junri asked Hwangbo while his hand was entwined with a very pregnant woman.


“Well, I’m doing good Junri. Oh, by the way, let me introduce my husband, oh, sorry I mean my fiance’- Hyunjoong. You know him right?" Hwangbo replied with a very scornful smile.


“Yes of course. Why are you here by the way?” Junri again asked her.


“She already moved in with me." Hyunjoong answered the other man’s question.


“I see. Are you two getting married?” Woojun enquired.


“Yes. Very soon.” Hwangbo replied and wrapped her arms around Hyunjoong’s waist.


“Congratulations to the two of you. We’ll be going now. We just bought food before going to the doctor.” Junri ended.


“Ok. Nice meeting you again. “Then Hwangbo turned to the pregnant lady. “When is the baby due?”


The girl timidly replied that she’s five months pregnant. Junri then hurriedly assisted his girl and the couple left.


Hyunjoong noticed the sudden change on Hwangbo’s stance. She was gripping the shopping cart tightly.


“What the hell is wrong, Buin?” Hyunjoong confusedly asked.


“That drat man has been cheating on me all along. We broke up just three months ago. " She answered with gritted teeth.


“Just let him be, Buin. Good thing you already broke up with him.” He tried to pacify her and Hwangbo just gave him a strained smile.


“Let’s just pay up so I can cook for you.” She ordered.


When they arrived at the cashier, the staff was surprised to see the two of them together. However, she just smiled and assisted them with their purchase. Once done the two went back to their place.


Hwangbo busied herself preparing for lunch since it’s almost eleven in the morning while Hyunjoong was busy talking to someone on the phone. She was surprised when she suddenly bumped into him while trying to reach for the pan on the shelf. He just smiled at her then reached for the pan and gave it to her.


“Do you need any help?” he asked.


“Hmmm... maybe you can just set the table.” She replied.


Hyunjoong then prepared the table while engaging Hwangbo in small talk. He was so excited to eat when he saw that she’s cooking japchae and prepared the sangyumpsal because he rarely eat home cooked meals due to his busy schedule. They comfortably talk over lunch and Hyunjoong insisted to wash the dishes after. He also invited her for movie marathon. Hwangbo gladly accepted his offer. He let her choose the movies then set up the living room while she grabbed bags of chips and cut some fruits for them to share.


They already finished three movies when Hwangbo noticed that it’s already dark. Her eyes already puffy and red from crying. Hyunjoong laughed at her when he saw her crying over the film Hachiko. She stood up then stretched while he rolled over the floor stretching too.


“Shillang, it’s almost dinner. What to do you want to eat?” She enquired while picking up the chip bags and throwing it in the thrash.


“Buin, let’s just order pizza. I don’t want you to tire out yourself. I’ll just call to order.” He replied.


“But that’s not healthy.” She opposed.


“It’s just once in a while. Buin. Come on. You need to rest early for your shoot tomorrow. By the way, Hyung also informed me that I need to attend a photo shoot tomorrow.” Hyunjoong informed her.


“Ok, you win. But order something with lots of veggies on it. “She reminded him.


She sat down with him on the sofa while he’s trying to order. She then went near the stacks of DVD and noticed that there’s a box of unlabeled DVD. When Hyunjoong saw her, he asked her not to touch it. She just raised her brows trying to ask why she can’t check it but Hyunjoong insisted. Hwangbo just let it pass and then sat back in the sofa.


When the pizza arrived, they shared it while watching the news. Their issue is still a hot topic and they saw that reporters were camped out near their building.


“Now I wonder how to get to the shoot tomorrow. I forgot that I don’t have my car with me.” Hwangbo spoken.


“What time do you have to leave?” Hyunjoong asked her.


“Shoot starts at eight. Call time is at 7am. “She replied.


“I’ll just drop you off then I’ll head on to my photo shoot. Just ask your manager to get your car in your apartment so you can drive back here.” He offered.


“Are you sure it’s not out of your way? I can just ask DongWon Oppa to fetch me tomorrow morning.” Hwangbo verified.


“It’s ok, Buin. By the way I forgot to tell you the password for the security lock. Its 66816.” Hyunjoong expressed.


“Oh that’s easy. I’ll also just inform you if I’ll be going home late. “She advised him.


“That’s great Buin. I’ll do the same.” He replied and squeezed her hands while she just smiled back at him.


“Shillang, go take a shower. I’ll just put this away and I’ll sleep too.” Hwangbo urged him.


Hyunjoong then stood up and head on to take a shower. When he’s done he went to their bedroom and waited for her while reading his favorite manga. Hwangbo came in after about thirty minutes. She then asked him if she can already turn off the lights so they can sleep. He just nodded and both settled in their space. Both were just lying still, when Hwangbo spoke.


“Shillang, thank you for being there earlier. If you were not with me, I guess I could have hurt Woojun or threw something at him. “She confessed.


“No worries, Buin. Don’t waste your time on someone like him. I swear he’ll be paying for what he did to you.” Hyunjoong stated.


“I know I made the right decision when I ended everything with him. And I’m glad that I’m with you now even if it’s just temporary. “She admitted with a sigh and then said goodnight.


“I ‘m happy to be with you again. Sleep tight Buin. “Hyunjoong replied.


Thirty minutes have passed but Hyejung was still wide awake. Her thoughts drifting back to the scene in the mini mart. Her pride was hurt more than her feelings. She realized that maybe her feeling for Junri was really not that strong. Now that she’s with Hyunjoong she’s afraid that she’s starting to fall for him again. Deciding to try to get that elusive sleep she turned to face Hyunjoong. He is now evenly breathing, sleep calming his pretty face. She tried calling his name and when he didn’t budge, she scooted next to him. She rests her hand on his chest where she can feel the beating of his heart. Just like a lullaby , sending her off to dreamland in no time