Secrets Aren't Lies

Chapter 25

After walking down the sidewalk a bit, I call Ken and he tells me to call a cab and he texts me the address to head to. I do as I am told, feeling kind of excited, but I can't help to feel a little alone. 'I have no family left, what happens now? I guess I will make my own family.' Thinking of my own family in the future actually makes me smile of joy and makes the ride go a little faster. I am dropped off in a nice little addition of cute houses and I see Ken waiting outside of one with a 'sold' sign in the front yard. I pay the taxi driver and run out into Ken's arms excitedly.

"All your stuff is already inside, I hired a moving team and it went faster than expected. A few things are put together as well." He chuckles exhilaratingly and hugs me tightly with emotional support.

"Thank you so much, but I can't promise you that I'll be okay. I feel like I'll never be okay. I'm burdened with these memories." I whisper, looking down disappointedly.

"That's completely understandable, I don't blame you one bit. I'll do everything I can to help." He guides me inside to the living room, boxes are lined up against the wall, but for the most part the house is really beautiful. He lifts me up in his arms and spins us around then sets me down on my feet, kissing me with all of his love, his shoulder is in pain, but he pushes it aside. "I will protect you for as long as I live, that's a promise." He breathes out, planting his lips upon mine as a seal and a bond of our everlasting love.

"What if he finds us? How do you know that it will be any different than last time?" I inquiry with worry, pursing my lips.

"I'll be here, don't think about it." He says simply, looking deeply into my desperate eyes.

"You think after all of that bullshit, I just won't think about it?" I scoff in disgust, in utter disbelief.

He turns his head to the side slowly with a soft sigh. "I'm sorry I fucked up your life, Jiyeon. I'll make it up to you in any way that I can. I'm guilty of everything and I've felt so helpless my entire life, but when I found you, it was like you were my reason to keep living, you are my sunshine. I didn't know it would happen this way, but I will get Ravi so you won't have to worry about anything anymore. He hurt you." He clenches his fist into a tight ball, his veins bulging out, the hatred fills his heart.

"I know his family fucked up your life to, you want revenge for everything that they made you do." I finally realized and saw his true anger, that it really almost scared me.

Ken's eyes expand, registering what I just said. His head turns back to meet my gaze, tears flooding his eyes. His body freezes in astonishment, unable to utter a word. His knees buckle beneath him, causing him to collapse to the floor. The trembling hands make their way into his hair, gripping it. The anger building up inside him makes him punch the ground repeatedly. "I loathe them, Jiyeon."

My eyes grow wide from watching him, I always only just thought of myself in this situation, not even thinking how Ken felt. It's not like he asked to be in the mafia. Tears stream down my face as I slowly crouch next to him, patting his back. "Ken, I'm sorry."

He shakes his head, surprised to hear my apology. He stops his fist from moving when he feels my touch, his tears puddling on the floor. Slowly he rises, pulling me into his tight grasp for a warm hug. "I don't know what I would've done without you. Please. don't apologize to me." He weeps silently onto my shoulder.

My brain is completely frazzled, I hug him back just as tightly, trying to comfort the both of us. The room remains completely silent and the crying stops after a while. We pull away from each other and his large hands cup my cheeks, his expression softer now. His swollen red eyes close as his lips inch toward my face. I close my eyes as well, leaning into his touch. My body melts as soon as our lips attach desperately, I hold onto his wrists to keep his hands in place, kissing lovingly. I feel his body loosen as he caresses my cheeks with his thumbs slowly and gently. I definitely feel relaxed every time we kiss, and I don't understand it. I don't want to pull away so I push my body closer against his to deepen the spirit lifting kiss.