I slowly sipped my soup as the dinner table bustle with conversation. I took another sip when my husband called out my name.
"Francesca are you ok?" I looked at him and just nod. He took my hand and squeezed it. A bit to hard.
I winced in pain.
"You've been awfully quiet my love." He said. His smile never reached his eyes. I bit my lip.
He is mad. I know that face.
"Hyung let her eat." We both looked at his brother who was sitting across us in the table.
I looked at Min ho and nod my head. I felt a heavy hand caressed my head. Slowly going down at the back of my neck. He squeezed it again.
"Yeobo..." I sofly said.
"Are you not well?" He asked.
"I'm fine." I tried to smile.
He just nod. He took his glass and raised it at his brother. Who in return took his for the toast.
They both sip their wine.
"It's so good to see you back Min Ho."
"It's great to be home." Min ho smiled at me. I just bowed my head and stir my soup.
"You and your wife seems to be enjoying US that you hardly come home."
"I'm sorry Hyung. Our company just needed a bit more attention than I thought it does."
My husband just nod and took a bite of his steak.
The dinner went on without anymore problem. The men excused themselved for coffee and tabacco.
While the women resumed to the living room for more wine.
I excused myself and said I just need some air.
Totally unaware of the eyes that followed me outside.
I sat down by the pavilion. My favorite place in this house. I planted all the flowers around it.
I need something to distract me from going insane.
Suddenly an arm wrapped around me taking me by surprise.
I gasped.
"보고 싶어 (bogo sipeo - i miss you)" I heard him whispered.
I relaxed a little and turned to face him. I touched his face.
"Nado.." I said softly.
He leaned over to gently kiss me but I turned my head.
"Yah.. someone might see us."
"They're all inside."
"How are you?" I asked.
"Bad. I miss you everyday when I was away.."
"You have your wife.." there was bitterness in my voice.
"You know its not like that. Like you and Hyung we were only married for the company."
"We shouldn't be doing this. This is wrong."
He took my hand and gently ran his thumb on my knuckles.
"I have loved you for as long as I can remember. I know you do the same too. We are just two sad souls."
I can't contain it anymore. I hugged him tightly. He leaned down to me and captured my lips.
I kissed him with everything I got.
We were breathibg very hard when we parted. He gently touched my face.
"If I can.. I will take you away from here. I will not allow Hyung to hurt you anymore."
I bit my lip to stop it from trembling. I wrapped my arms around his waist and placed my head in his chest.
"Always remember. No matter how far I'm. This only beats for you..." He kissed the top of my head.
"YOU BASTARD!!" We both jumped in surprise when we heard my brother's voice.
He was standing not far from us. Gun pointed at us.
"How long?!" He asked.
"Hyung...."
"Goddammit! How long have you been fooling me?!" He yelled waving his gun at us. I pushed Francesca behind me.
"Hyung. I'm sorry. I love her." That's all I can say.
"You love her?! SHE'S MY WIFE! HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME!?!"
His hands were now steady. His eyes are determined.
He pulled the trigger and aimed it at us.
"DIE!!"
We heard were gunshots.
I opened my eyes to see her lying facing me.
Her eyes closed.
"Francesca?" I called her. My voice was weak. I was cold.
I tried to reach for her. Hold her hand. She must be scared right now.
"Francesca? Open your eyes for me... 제발 (jebal - please)" I pleaded.
But she's wont listen. Her eyes remain close.
"제발 (jebal - please)..." My voice cracked.
Then I heard another shot before I closed my eyes forever.
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AN: Francesca da Rimini or Francesca da Polenta (1255-ca. 1285) She was a historical contemporary of Dante Alighieri, who portrayed her as a character in the Divine Comedy.
Francesca was wedded in or around 1275 to the brave, yet crippled Giovanni Malatesta. the marriage of Francesca to Giovanni was a way to secure the peace that had been negotiated between the Malatesta and the Polenta families. But Francesca fell in love with Giovanni's younger brother, Paolo. Though Paolo, too, was married, they managed to carry on an affair for some ten years, until Giovanni ultimately surprised them in Francesca's bedroom some time between 1283 and 1286, killing them both.
