Love Him...Forever

Feeling of Guilt

Shine instantly stood up, facing Allen with panic in her eyes.

"Allen, I don't know what happened, but it's not what you think!" she rushed to explain.

"Yes, Allen—it's probably Nam and Javi's doing," Yuzuru added, trying to support Shine.

But Allen didn't even look at him. He simply grabbed Shine's wrist.

"Let's get you home," he said firmly, shooting her a sharp, disappointed glance.

Shine followed him silently, guilt weighing on her chest. She bowed at Yuzuru briefly before Allen pulled her out of the room and out of the house.

When they reached the car, Allen placed her in the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt. Then he slid into the driver's seat and sped off. The moment Yuzuru's house disappeared from sight, Shine quickly put on her contact lenses—and finally spoke.

"Allen?" she asked, hesitant.

He kept his focus on the road, jaw tense.

Shine took a breath and began, "What you saw earlier isn't what you think. Yuzuru let me sleep on the futon because Monika, Nam, and Javi were already passed out on his bed. He and I only talked a little before he left me there. I even offered—"

"You offered?" he cut sharply, frowning deeper, hurt flickering in his eyes.

"Y-yes... because it felt wrong for him to sleep on the couch while we all took his room."

Allen glanced at her, a mix of anger and disappointment.
"But if he slept on the couch as you said, why was he next to you? And why were you hugging him?"

"I don't know how he ended up beside me! Maybe what he said was—"

"Shine, you were all drunk," Allen snapped. "You still smell like alcohol. When people are drunk, they do things they don't remember. Who knows what else could've happened between you two?!"

Shine's patience snapped.

"I'm not explaining myself. I am telling you what happened. Believe it or don't. And just a reminder—YOU are not even my real boyfriend!"

The car screeched to a stop in front of her house.

Shine stepped out without another word. Allen handed the keys to Carlo and drove away.

Shine marched upstairs, expecting Allen to follow—but he didn't. She slammed her door and immediately called Elvin.

"Mr. Johnson, I'll just do a half shift today," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, hearing the strain.

"Yes. I just have personal things to handle."

"Alright. Take the day off."

Shine hung up, threw her phone and bag onto the bed, and rushed into the bathroom.

A bath. I need a bath.

...

"Why was Yuzu beside me?" Shine murmured to herself, still confused.
Then: a knock.

"Hana! Hana!" Allen called from outside the bathroom.

Shine ignored him and turned up the volume on her iPad.

"Hana, come out, or I'm opening the door in three—"

Shine didn't move.

Seconds later, the door burst open.

"What the hell, Allen?!" she yelled, clutching the bubbles covering her. Allen turned on his heel immediately.

"Sorry! You weren't answering!"

"Because I wanted to be ALONE!"

"Okay! I'll wait outside," he said quickly and shut the door.

Shine finished her bath and stepped out wearing a pink robe, towel wrapped around her hair.

"What do you want?" she snapped.

"Sit," Allen said quietly.

She sat.

"Shine... I'm sorry about earlier. I should've given you the benefit of the doubt. But seeing you with him, like that, I just—" He sighed. "Maybe it was jealousy."

"How many times do I have to say I don't know what happened?" she muttered.

"I know. And I'm sorry. I should've controlled myself."

Shine softened. "I'm sorry for getting mad, too."

"Let's forget it, okay?" Allen smiled—a smile that disarmed her instantly.

"Fine," she mumbled.

"Get dressed. I want to introduce you to someone."

"Right now? Isn't it a bit early?" she thought.

"To someone? Who?" she asked.

"You'll see," he said with a wink before leaving the room.

...

"Are you ready?" he asked when she came downstairs.

Shine nodded.

He took her hand and guided her into the car, buckling her seatbelt again.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Just enjoy the ride."

After a minute, he added, "Earlier you said Nam and Javi were there, right?"

"And Monika," Shine added.

"But... they weren't there, Shine. They weren't anywhere near the bed."

Shine frowned. "What do you mean? They were—"

"Put this on first." Allen handed her a blindfold.

"Why?"

"It's part of the surprise."

Though confused, she put it on.

"We're here," Allen said moments later.

He helped her out of the car, guiding her carefully. The surroundings were silent—too silent. Then Allen stopped.

"Hi, Mom," he said softly.

His mom? But I already—

Allen removed the blindfold.

The world came into focus.

Rows of gravestones. Stillness. Wind.

A cemetery.

"Why are we here, Allen?" Shine whispered.

"I want you to meet her." He pointed to a gravestone.

Laura Antoinette Keev-Lapin
1972–2010

Shine's heart clenched.
"Who... who is she?"

Allen looked at her and smiled sadly.

"She's my real mother, Shine."

Shine blinked, stunned.

Allen continued gently, "You remember the first day we met?"

"Sorry," Shine said softly.

"It's alright. You were young." He smiled faintly. "That day at the park, my mother and I met you and your parents. That was also the day... I met the mother and the father you know now."

Shine stared at him, confused.

"Wait... why didn't you tell me? Why hide that you're adopted?"

Allen exhaled deeply.

"You know that story your parents told us—about the heir of a powerful man they couldn't kill?"

"Yes," Shine nodded slowly.

"That heir... is me. My mother, Laura, was the pregnant woman they couldn't kill. And that's why all of this—everything we're tangled in—started."

He looked into her eyes, guilt and truth heavy in his gaze.

"This... is all connected to me."