In His Arms

Prologue

[Kendra's POV]

Seven years ago, I experienced love for the first time. Love- that one word that disgusted me in my entire life suddenly turned my whole life around.

Seven years ago, I married a man, who at first was just another business deal but eventually changed everything that I was. Byun Baekhyun, a member of one of the biggest boy band, Exo. We have been arranged for marriage. A marriage that was supposed to be for our grandparents, but passed to our generation. Marriage by contract, I planned to keep it that way. But unexpectedly, something about Baekhyun opened my heart and changed my entire perspective. I fell for him. And you know what's worse? He didn't love me the same way I loved him. Thus, it lead our marriage to be void. We got annuled as soon as the world knew about his affair.

On the same day, I left South Korea by plane. I went somewhere far, somewhere he'll never go to. I went to Spain to have a little break just like how my mom told me to do. During my stay to this beautiful country, I luckily met Eli. He's very refined, gentle, and masculine. I first met him in Barcelona when I was out for a stroll. He gave me a stare that was indescribable.

"Uh. Excuse me?" I stopped walking for a while and faced him. "Do I know you? You seem to follow me for a while now." I told him. "Uh. Sorry.. I thought you looked familiar.. I think I have seen you before.." pssh. Typical pick up line, I thought. "That's why I got curious abd followed you.." He said. I gave him an awkward glare and folded my arms. "Really now?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow. He nodded. "Yes, yes. Really. I think I saw you back to my hometown." He said trying to persuade me. "Hometown? Wait. Where are you from?" I asked in curiosity. "South Korea. I think you're the girl I usually see in the restaurant that I frequently go to." He said.

I don't know why but my body reacted weirdly. Maybe it was the words South Korea that caused my dizziness. I slightly wobbled to the left and good thing he was able to catch me before I could even fall. "Are you ok?" He asked as he helped me get to my natural posture. "Uh. Yeah. I am. My head just suddenly hurt." I answered. I mustered all the strength that I have and tried to stand up straight on my own. Before I could even turn around, I lost my balance once again. This time, I fell to the ground knocking my head unconscious.

I opened my eyes slowly as I finally gained consciousness back. All I can see is white, too bright for my eyes to handle. Murmurs slowly became audible. "Is she ok?" I hear a man's voice. 'Mmm.' I turned my head to my right catching the man's attention. "Doctor! She's awake!" The man exclaimed. "She's fine. She's just having cramps. It's quite normal for pregnant women." The doctor said. "Pre.. pregnant?" I asked weakly. "Yes mrs, you're pregnant. You didn't know? Good thing your husba-" "Uh. No, no. I'm not her husband." He immediately cut the doctor off to avoid misunderstandings. "Uh. Sorry. I guess I'm wrong then. I'll just gice you some prescriptions then you'll be released soon. Excuse me." The doctor said. Before she can leave the room, you stopped her. "May I... May I know how long I'm pregnant?" I asked and the doctor turned around to face you. "You're almost 4 months pregnant. Around 14 wweks and 2 days." She said. "If there's anything more, just let me know, ok?" She said then left the room.

Four months? FOUR MONTHS?! I hated how my baby's age is the same as Baekhyun and Taeyeon's love affair's duration. I felt warm as my my blood boiled in frustration. I tried to calm myself as I closed my eyes. I cleared my mind and just diverted my attention.

"Um. I'm sorry.. and thank you.. sorry for causing trouble abd thank you for helping me." I talked to the man. He grabbed a stool abd sat beside my hospital bed. "So you're pregnant?.. Wow, congratulations." Great. Just when I was able to distract myself, he just rubbed it.more in my face. Bit he didn't sound nor looked happy, neither was he disappointed. "So you must be-" "divorced. Just recently divorced." I finished the sentence for him. "Wow. Divorced." He breathed out his disappointment. He has never been this surprised. Maybe because he didn't expect a young fair lady would be divorced. "I don't know why I'm telling this to a stranger-" "Eli. Call me Eli." He cut me out. "Uh. Ok. Eli." I stuttered. "I don't know why I'm telling you this Eli, but I'm divorced." I started to fiddle with my thumbs. "And I don't know why this has to happen to me." My voice started to crack. "Why do I have to carry the child of the man who doesn't even love me?" I questioned not him, but the gods indirectly. Just like that, my tears streamed down my face. Maybe this was what I longed for all this time, someone whom I caconfide with, someone whom I can tell how I feel. And Eli was the perfect person at this perfect opportunity.

"Sssh." He hushed me as he reached out for my hands. "Hey. Look at me." He said and I did. "Tell me more." He said. It was not about whom I can trust, but it was about.the person whom I can unleash all my troubles and burden with. I did, I told him everything. "Wait. You mean you're Byun Beakhyun's wife?" He asked. "Ex-wife. But please, don't tell anyone." I plead. "No. That's not even the problem." He said. "Then what is?" I asked him. Eli stared at me like he's judging every in of my face. "You came from South Korea, married a K-idol, and you can't even barely recognize me?" He asked like I'm something unbelievable. "What do you mean?" I asked. "You really don't know?" He sighed. "I guess I'm not as popular as your 'ex-husband.'" He said. "Wait. Perhaps.. Can you be and idol, too?" I asked in realization. He nodded slowly. "Finally." He said. "How? I mean, you sing, too?" I asked ignorantly. "Not really. I'm a rapper. But I sing occassionally. And do some VJ stuff, too." He said. "So you're in a group, too?" I asked one last time. "Uh-huh. I'm a member of UKISS. It's nice to meet you, ex mrs. Byun." He smiled.

Great. Another idol. Another trouble. "You should leave now." I said without thinking carefully. "But why?" He asked. "I don't want anymore trouble." I said. He held my hands again. "Hey. I don't mean any trouble. I'm not like him." He.sounded gentle. "I can be your friend. Atleast, let me be one." He said as he looked at you in the eyes. He looked and sounded sincere. With this, our friendship began.

It's embarrassing how Eli was with me throughout my pregnancy. He wad like the father of my baby. My mom met him, too and she liked him. Though mom understands that we're just friends, and.only friends. Due to his work, he would oftenly go back to South Korea. But whenever he was free, he'd spend time with me and Bea. Beatrice actually, my baby's name is Beatrice. Somewhat close to her father's name, but it wasn't me who named her. It was Eli and my mom who agreed with the name. We almost fought over it but they won. I can't do anything about it. Eli calls her Bea, and so does my mom. But me? I prefer to call her Tris- the latter half of her name.

Years pass and she grew older. And Eli was still beside us. He never left. Surely, he's not like Baekhyun. He was greatly different. She would call him daddy most of the time though Beatrice knows that he is not her father. We never let her know who's the real one. And she understood. At a young age, she understood the situation. And she was happy with Eli anyway. She's spoiled over her acting father.

Seven years later, I finally made it back to South Korea. Beatrice and my mom came earlier. Well actually, months earlier. I had a business venture so my mom took her to South Korea where Eli was. She wanted to be with Eli more than with me.

Hungry from the trip, I went to grab a little food for my tummy. Unexpectedly, I met Baekhyun on my way out and we had a little talk. We walked together as we shared some of our thoughts but was interupted by my child. Bea came running to me as soon as she saw me. Eli was also there. The man I told that was my husband to Baekhyun was Eli. Without further ado, I ended our conversation and rode Eli's car with Bea and left Baekhyun sad and gloomy.