snippets of VCY

for i've been born in many names and faces (but my soul answers only to you)

She stands in front of the open sea, the moonlight reflecting on the water, a peaceful sight to behold after a long day tiring and gruesome day.

She inhales and exhales in a vain attempt, trying to wear off the burden of 'what is to come in the future' and 'what she's dealing with, all alone' and 'where will fate throw her'.

She wishes two things; to be teleported to a bar where she can drink her ass off or two somehow a packet of cigarettes lands on the ground miraculously.

However, none of that happens and so she huffs and sits down, totally ignoring that she's still in her formal pant-coat attire.

Eyes misty like the sky, she watches the view in front of her intently, the sound of waves similar to her inner turmoil when she hears a discreet noise.

Her heart jolts, not because of the sound but because of something else and her left wrist emits rays through the thick wool coat she's wearing.

She rolls up the sleeves and sees the 'il tuo diavolo' engraved on her wrist like a scarlet wound shine blindingly.

She winces, eyes squinting and moving her head to the other side.

Looking around, she finds a man, dressed formally like her, in a 3-piece suit and tie, collar loose and when their gazes meet her brain goes in an over-drive and like a quick Google Search but somehow precisely detailed, she gets to know everything about him.

They still stare at each other, as if they're swapping their memories which is a partial truth and after a beat, Cha Young can feel like her brain is numb.

All the things her brain processed are whirling around, yet her mind goes silent.

There is a sweet smile blooming on her soulmate's face, one like homecoming or like how the cherry blossoms bloom in spring and the stiffness of her shoulders from her emotional weight evaporates into the night wind as she can't help but wonder and smile back at the man with equal intensity.

In hardly a few minutes, he's seated beside her, and she can feel her brain numb like earlier, but she still speaks.

"This means?" She asks as she rolls her sleeve up the second time-the scar still glowing dimly.

"Your devil." He says as his fingers softly caress her wrist where the scar is engraved.

"My devil?" She questions as her voice raises in shock.

Vincenzo looks at her amused and thinks he doesn't need to explain when her features go from surprised to contemplation.

He just carefully watches her as she breaks from her reverie, mouth opened slightly in recognition, head nodding and then slowly looking at him.

"You don't have one?" She asks.

"I do." He answers, still looking at her.

"Show me." She says in such a way that she's sure he will comply her and he gives her a small smile before pointing at his chest.

Her curious eyes follow his movement as his finger unbutton the first few buttons of his shirt.

"Here?" She says but his movement answers her better than he could verbally do and there she sees the word engraved in the middle of his chest.

"Your lawyer." She mutters out loud enough for him to hear, her touch ghosting on the black ink.

"Yes, my lawyer." He says and she looks up at him, withdrawing back and settling right next to him.

He buttons his shirt back and they fall in a companionable silence before Vincenzo breaks it.

"Let's get married."

Cha Young smiles, still staring at the sea.

"You say as if we will get out of the mess we are in and have a happy ending. I don't think we'll live that long."

She somberly utters but her tone masks the pain as she says it nonchalantly.

She waves her hand in the air before saying "Ahh, scratch that, we won't make it alive out of this.." She waves her hand again, with more emphasis this time "...battle."

"I'll help you." He says, voice eerily calm.

She looks at him and then realizes he is serious about it.

"I'll be your devil." He looks at her, eyes determined and voice conveying something much more than hope, a future.

She-or more like her heart thumps wildly at the thought and his words but instead of acknowledging it, she says.

"You are my devil."

He smiles, the very same smile she saw a mere moment ago and her heart thumps abnormally.

"Yes, certainly."

"What after, then?" She asks.

"I have been planning to buy a piece of Malta."

And Cha Young nods.

She wouldn't be acting so normally if her brain would be present and taking an active part in the conversation, it'd mostly make her let out a gasp and then some remarks on how rich he is or whether money grows on trees for him.

But because brain present or not, Hong Cha Young is Hong Cha Young after all, she does say

"So much money.." And he looks at her nods and lets out a breathy laugh.

That too, is answered by wild thump thump thumps from her heart.

She lets out a small laugh as well, breathing in the cold air and then sighs.

She makes a few movements for checking the time on her phone.

"It's getting late." She speaks.

"I have been staying in a hotel." He says as he gets up and then stretches his hand for her to take.

She takes his hand and even after standing up doesn't let go, instead clasps their hands together tightly.

"I know if you don't know." She retorts.

"Fortunately, I have my father's home for us to stay." She continues and they start moving to her car.

He smiles at the 'us' and looks down on the ground, then at their clasped hands.

"Si, cara. I know as well."

They walk to the car and once she starts the engine, she asks.

"Ever drank makgeolli?"