ONE DAY

THIS LOVE

This love is a strange love

A faded kind of mellow

This love

I think I'm gonna fall again

And even when you held my hand

It didn't mean a thing, this love

This love

Now rehearsed we stay, love

Doesn't know it is love

...

This loves gonna be a strange love

Doesn't mean a single thing again

This love

It's a strange love, strange love

Doesn't mean a single thing again

(...)

This chapter is inspired by  the song ''This love – Craig Armstrong  feat. Elizabeth Fraser''

The clip is edited using materials from TVN and the respective owners. I don't own copyrights for either the music or the clip.

It was a night, bright and windy winter day at the little park outside of Sandbox Office. Ji-Pyeong's fingers crushed the formal promotional letter with a strange mixture of sadness and loss that he couldn't name at the moment. He has been working so hard to get where he is. And this promotion hits right at the heart of recognition. He has been promoted to the position of Chief Investment Officer at the U.S branch of SH Venture Capital in New York. He will be fulfilling his wild dream of making it big on the Wall Street. He will be managing one of the world's most promising hedge funds. But why is he so sad? The smiling face of Dalmi came to Ji-Pyeong's mind, unintentionally flushed his face. Yet, just a moment later, his mind was clouded with the image of her teary silence when he confessed his feeling.

A young couple with a toddler passed by in front of him. The husband was brimming with joy, one of his hands carrying their little girl and the other hand was holding tightly his wife's hand. Ji- Pyeong saw how they walked along the park paths until disappearing from his sight. They seemed so happy. It is the simple happiness of family love that he has never had the luxury to taste. 

A painful memory flashed back. That day, when watching Dosan's news on the TV, he saw one kid brimming ear to ear with his parents. The kid was apparently showered in love. Dosan has two loving parents looking after him. What's about you, Han Ji-Pyeong? Who is waiting for you back home? Do you even have a place to call home?" How can you introduce yourself to her? ''Hi, I'm Ji Pyeong - a penniless orphan roaming the streets. And your grandmother had taken me in out of compassion?'' I didn't have a heart to write down such thing back then...

''That's the reason why I picked Dosan as the name for your letters, Dalmi. I have promised Halmonie that you will be happy. I hope you could be protected and showered in love. And have decent friends, someone like Dosan on the news... ''

--

The confrontation

Ji–Pyeong's mind played again and again the same scene, same words, and the same wounded feelings bursting from his chest. It was still fresh in his memory.

He was leaving Sam San Tech's Office after giving them the honest advice to their fatal mistake. Despite his numerous attempts to prevent the acquisition deal with 2STO, Dosan and Dalmi had already happily signed the contract. It is so painful to watch someone you love dearly suffering, and it's even worse if you are the one who has to tell that person the harsh truths. However, there was nothing else Ji-Pyeong could do to rectify the situation.

Ji-Pyeong was walking fast towards the main doors. He badly wanted some fresh air as both his mind and his heart felt so ached and heavy. Then he heard some hectic masculine steps, following by a sucker punch right on his face. The sudden vicious punch from behind knocked him down to the ground. It was Dosan who attacked.

''You cold-hearted bastard!" With a gasp, Dosan threw himself on Ji Pyeong.

Ji- Pyeong immediately fought back, causing Dosan to stagger. Then he held Dosan by lapels and dragged his attacker down with pale face and clenched fists. '' Am I? '' Asked Ji Pyeong while looking at Dosan with his eyes full of anguish.

'' Don't play the fool. Do you have to say such mean words? Do you have to wreck her that way? Do you want her to kill herself by jumping off Seoul Bridge, just like Yong-san's brother?'' Dosan challenged, almost grinding his teeth.

Dosan's words came as a heavy blow. Suddenly, Ji Pyeong felt like all spirit and strength have abandoned him. His heart sunk into a bottomless pit, and he started listening to Dosan in an absentminded manner.

"Dalmi? I want Dalmi to be happy, but now she isn't because of me. My presence is always causing her pain.'' The heart-ache now rose back in Ji- Pyeong's chest and he felt bloodless.

'' So you suggest that we will abandon Samsan Tech and Noongill to a dull fate? You are really a heartless dude. You are nothing more than a greedy guy who care about nothing but your excellent investment portfolio and return of investment, '' shouted Dosan, pulling Ji-Pyeong out of his thoughts.

"What did you call me again?" Ji-Pyeong looked at Dosan threateningly.

''Listen well for the sake of Dalmi. I developed Noongill not for making profit. The app is to assist Halmoni as she is going to be blind soon. Her vision is getting worse every day,'' Dosan said

''Halmoni? Blind?'' exclaimed Ji-Pyeong with a broken voice.

''I just want her to be happy,''Dosan nodded and said

Hearing those words pronounced by Dosan's low voice, Ji-Pyeong looked up with his eyes wet.

''Everything Dosan has done so far just to make Dalmi happy? I won't stay here praying for this to happen. I...I want to be the one to make her happy''

As if he had made an important decision, Ji-Pyeong took a deep breath.

''Don't worry. I will figure something out.''

As soon as he said those words, Ji- Pyeong dashed towards the parking garage to get his car.