Beautiful Lies

Chapter 2

-Two years later-

I felt fingers brushing through my hair but the sleepiness was luring me. So I allowed myself to slip back into sleep before I felt someone landed a kiss on my forehead. My eyes jolted open and I sat up so fast that made my head spun. In front of me stood my brother who was grinning from ear to ear. That sight itself made me groaned in annoyance.

"Happy birthday, my baby girl," greeted Daesung proudly.

I let out a small sigh. Happy birthday, Minzy. Let's spend today with fake smiles like usual! Yeah! You can do this!

The corners of my lips tugged up to form a smile and I opened my arms wide. Without any hesitation, my brother engulfed me in a bear hug. I missed the warmth of being loved. That almost made me choke up. Oh stupid tears, not today... Today was the only day I had to pretend to smile.

"Mingki, you are a grown up now. I couldn't be more proud of you," Daesung tighten his hug.

"Okay," I slapped my brother's shoulder playfully. "Okay.. Okay.. Let's stop here,"

Daesung let go of me, "Get ready! You have a full schedule ahead of you!"

I tried to remember what were the other important things besides from my birthday... College. Dorms. New life.

"Arghhh... How can I forget about the college?!"

"Because you are so excited for your birthday!"

"You know how much I hate today,"

The smile on Daesung face died and turned into a frown. He knew better than others about what had happened on this day few years ago. Our parents' death anniversary. I didn't know why I felt more happier after our parents were gone. Shouldn't I suppose to feel guilty?

"I am sorry, Mingkki. I am so sorry,"

Silence hovered all upon us. The pain came back again, no matter how many times I tried to forget about it. I hoped for Daesung to feel my pain. I wanted to hurt him. I wanted to let him feel all those feelings that haunted me for the past years. But I wasn't dare to lost him. He was the only person who loved me unconditionally.

I broke the silence by fake laugh. "Ha...Ha...Ha.. Just forget about what I said. Arent you suppose to throw me a surprise birthday party?"

Daesung scratched the back of his head, unsure what to do. Did I mention before that I am an expert in masking feeling? "I'm going to leave you today. Aren't you going to miss me?" I teased him, trying to ease the doubt he was having.

He gave up, the harden jaws melted into a smile.

"How am I going to forget you? I am the one who is worried about you might forget about me. Now sleepy head, get your ass up. I'm getting ready for work. These will be the last few hours we are going to spend together before you forget that you have an old single brother,"

I laughed, "Opaaaa, you are being too dramatic. I will visit you on weekends."

Daesung got up from my bed. He held his stares on me before giving me another hug. He whispered beside my ears,

"Be happy Minggki. You deserve it,"

Am I truly deserve to be happy?

A boy. Standing in the middle of my room. Shirtless. I was rooted to the ground. I hoped that my mouth was closed. I looked up at the digits painted on the door and tried to remember that the room that I was assigned to. I was very sure that this was my room. Is this a co-educational college? If this is it, puddle of uneasiness started to settle in my mind. I was not ready to meet any guy.

"Hmmm, sorry. Is this the East Wing, room number 123?"

"Yeah, you are right." His voice... It felt like a knife penetrating straight through my heart. Abruptly my brain stopped working, i didn't know what to do next. Too long I hadn't been around with male population, no, cross that. I had never been with any shirtless guy before.

I heard a door creaked open and closed but I wasn't brave enough to look back.

"Oh my god, Kai. You are making my roommate drooling at your abs!"

A girl around my age came into my view. She was shorter than me but she definitely won on other aspects, like her perfect S Line. Beautiful. She then threw something at the boy. The girl turned her attention towards me, subsequently blocking my view of him. "Hey, my name is Luna and I am your roommate,"

"Hi, I am Minzy. Nice to meet you,"

She held her hand out, before I managed to shake it, Luna was being pushed away. Now that boy was standing in front of me, in fact too close to my liking. I was somehow thankful that he had his shirt on. If not, only god knew how awkward I will be. "And I.... I am Kai," Kai was flashing me a bright smile. I noticed that the smile looked desirable in a certain way.

Luna who felt left out, tried to push Kai aside. But with that petite body of her, Kai didn't budge even an inch. Both of them were trying to push each other away.

"Guys...." Both of them ignored me and continued in their fight. "Guys!!! That's enough!" My voice came out louder than I intended to. Both of them were looking at me. Kai was the first one to put a halt in their fight. However, this didn't stop Luna from pinching his shoulder.

"Ouch!!!"

"Please control your raging hormones in front of my roommate,"

Luna then pulled me along to bring me into our shared room. Now I could finally got the full view of our room. There were two beds at each side of the room. The bed on the left side was occupied with boxes. That left me no choice but to choose the right bed.

"I don't see your stuff. Where are they?"asked Luna.

"They are still in my car. I wanted to figure out the way to this room first,"

"Oh... then let Kai help you," Luna looked pointedly at Kai.

"No problem. Leave them to me then," said Kai with a smirk.

Luna and Kai exchanged secretive smiles. For the first time since I arrived, I missed my brother so much.

"Oh no," Luna gasped at her watch. " Sorry Minzy, I have to go now. My brother and my dad were waiting for me downstairs. We will get to know each other later. Promise," Luna picked up her handbag and check herself before the mirror and turned her gaze towards Kai.

"Kai, please be nice, she is my roommate,"

Kai saluted her.

"Bye Minzy. See you later," Luna waved me a goodbye.

After Luna walked out from our room, Kai looked at me, "So... where do you park your car?"