Forever, You Are My Star

Chapter 16: The Storm at Sea

Mey stood on the hillside once again and watched the sunrise. This time she took a shawl with her to keep her warm otherwise, she would get an earful. She heard the birds over the beach and the waves crashing up on the rocks. It was so peaceful and comforting. As she turned to the side she noticed that Yunho was now walking up.

     "Captain wanted to let you know we will be pulling out shortly." He said walking towards Mey. Mey gave a small smile.

     "I will be down shortly. I just wanted to watch the sunrise."

     "Mind if I join you?" Yunho asked politely.

     "Not at all." Mey responded. With that, Yunho walked the rest of the way and stood by her, watching the sun rise.

     "Quite a beautiful spot." Mey smiled at Yunho's comment.

    "It is. Noona's house is right down the hill. I saw this spot when you and the rest of the crew were playing with JinJin and some of the other kids." There was a pause as Mey looked over at Yunho. His handsome features were seen clearly in the morning light. Looking at Yunho, she could tell JinJin would grow up to look just like him. "You know, JinJin really looks up to you. You should have heard him talking about you while we walked along. He's very proud of you, and proud to be your brother." Yunho held back his tears.

    "I always wanted to sail the seas, to see the world. It was my dream. My parents, however, wanted me to go into a trade. I never did. Instead, I found a ship that needed a crew. I took the opportunity and left my family behind. That was a mistake. When I came back a year later, I found out that my father was now in a debt with a bandit lord. They stormed into our house, tied us up, and began to beat my father to death. When they saw me, they saw an opportunity. They informed me it was now my debt, and I must pay it. They shot my father, mother, and my other brother Gunho in front of my very eyes before taking me and JinJin to sell to Yang. Yang gave them a good price for us. Once we came here to Callista, I sneaked JinJin off the boat and gave him to Noona to look after him until I could come back. I never did, but I wrote to him when I could. During that time, I lost everything, my will to live, my heart, my love for the sea. Yang destroyed it all. I wanted revenge, but I didn't know how to get it. I was cold-blooded murderer for Yang, and he loved it. San and myself, the others were terrified of us. Hongjoong-hyung was afraid we would get ourselves killed. I hated the man I became; the man I am now." Mey looked over at Yunho again to see tears now streaming down his face.     She turned to take his hands in his, and saw that his eyes were now red.

    "Yunho, you are a different man now. You have proved this over and over again. I don't know what you or San were like back then, but what I do know now is that both of you are changed men. You are a strong, sweet, and caring man who loves his brother and his new family. As I told Jongho, your past does not define you. Your future, however, is yet to be seen. Make it a good future." These words alone now had Yunho bursting into tears and crying into Mey's shoulder as she hugged him. Mey just let him cry and let everything out. After all, he was holding all of this in for four years.

    It has now been four months since the STAR became a new ship under ATEEZ.. Mey had learned much from the others. When they weren't having food fights, Yeosang taught Mey all the goods to cooking while Seonghwa taught her everything he knew about medicine, and also learned new things himself. San and Wooyoung both taught her how to fire different weapons, and Yunho was impressed with how well she could handle a cutlass as well as a sword.  Mingi a well as Wooyoung taught her how to be a proper rigging monkey, and Jongho always loved when she would sing along with him while he played.  As for the rest of the crew, Mey became the sister they never had. Sometimes Changbin and Han would team up with Mey and cause some chaos just like they were today. Changbin and Han were chasing Mey around the ship even up into the rigging. When Mey saw Hongjoong and Yunho at the helm, she smirked. She climbed over them and dropped on the railing so she was now sitting down facing them. Hongjoong let out a scream that made Yunho burst out laughing.