Characters:

Name: Park Ji-Hyun

Age: 25

Occupation: Interior Designer

Name: Jeon Min-Soo

Age: 28

Occupation: CEO of Jeon Industries

Name: Kim Yoon-Ah

Age: 25

Occupation: Fashion Designer

In Phone~"What? When did you decide, without my concern?"

"Why! do we need your concern? Just pack your bags and come home. We have so much work to do. Make sure you come-"

"I'm not going to come back. What about my life, my goal, my dreams? Did you even think about me?"

"Ji-Hyun, how can you say that? Did you think about us? Your father and I, who have always done what is good for you? We only want what's best for you, Ji-Hyun-ah."

Crying...

"Eomma, y-you know me better... than anyone. How c-can you t-think this is the o-only way for me to b-be happy?"

"Ji-Hyun-ah, listen to me. After you're married, you'll understand. He's really good and a perfect match for you. You know how much care and thought your Appa and I put into everything, especially when it comes to you and your sister. We got a good impression of him from the very first meeting. Once you meet him, you'll see..."

While crying.....

"Why Eomma?(Sobbing hard) Why? You're not thinking about what's best for me, Eomma. You're thinking about what's best for the family's reputation, for Appa's business."

"That's not true, Ji-Hyun-ah. We're doing this to secure your future. Marriage to Min-Soo will bring you stability and prosperity, and I'm sure you'll be happy with him. His parents are also very kind and good people."

"Eomma, I've made up my mind. I don't want to get married. I want to build my own life, my own way. Please, unders-"

(Stern voice) "Ji-Hyun-ah, that's enough. I've said what needed to be said, and as your Eomma, I've done my part. Now it's time for you to fulfill your role as a daughter. If you refuse, you'll have to live with the consequences of seeing your parents' downfall. The decision is yours. You have three days to make up your mind. Bye."

(Cut's the call)

"No matter how happy you claim this marriage will be, it feels like a forced marriage to me."

Ji-Hyun's POV:~

Where did I go wrong, that my life had to change like this? Eomma isn't listening to me. What am I supposed to do? I don't want this marriage, why no one are listening to me.(Sobbing) What should I do?

Door knocking sound....

"Ji-Hyun! Are you there? Respond to me? Ji-Hyun..."

"Yoon-Ah, Just leave me for sometime. I don't want to talk with anyone. Please." I shouted, so she can hear me.

The step sounds are fading away. I think she heard me. That's a relief.

Yoon-Ah, she is one of my friends and also my roommate and soulmate. Whenever, I'm in a problem, she stands before me and always supports me. Whatever happens, I always rely on her. Her parents are divorced and she lives with her eomma and supports her.

I met her in London while searching for a place to stay. As fate would have it, we worked at the same place too. Our shared experiences made it easy to be around each other, and before I knew it, my roommate had become my soulmate

I have a deep hidden secret that only my eomma and my soulmate knows. That is, I don't like touching, even if it's a boy or a girl. I feel restless when somebody touch me. I don't know it's a common problem or rare, but I can't even stand a chance of touching. I don't understand, By knowing these all, why eomma is so desperate for my marriage. How can I be happy, When I can't even stand a chance to be beside that guy.

What should I do? Who is he even? I don't find any way to escape.

Door knocking sound....

"Hey, Ji-Hyun! Enough. Come on. Open the door, you chick-head." Wait, what did she call me. Chick-head. Wait, Yoon-Ah you are finished in my hands.

I opened the door and she was standing with a smirk on her face.

"You..." She started to run around the room and I'm trying to catch her. After sometime we plopped on the bed. That's why, I said I can rely on her. She made me to forget all the worries of mine.

"Now... Say, what happened?" she asked suddenly. It made me remember those talks with my mother. My eyes are filling with tears. Seeing me in this state she panicked and out of blue she hugged me. I couldn't think anything and forgot everything in her motherly hug. After a while..

"It's ok. Calm down. I'm here. Say everything and reduce you pain. I'll listen to you." She's saying some soothing words and patting my back, which made me calm.

"My parent's fixed my marriage, with someone they know. I don't want to marry anyone."

"That's it. Then, why don't you say to aunt about this. She may understand you."

"In your dreams. She said if I don't accept this marriage proposal then I have to see there..." I cried by mentioning that.

"Ok. I understand. Hey, listen. Why don't you give a try from other side?"

"What do you mean?" I doubtfully asked her.

"You, chick-head. Why don't you try talking with the groom of yours. He may understand you, right." I pouted when she again mentioned chick-head, but I understood what she mean.

"Yeah. let me try. I have three days. So, I may do something to stop this marriage. Than-"

"Stop right there. If you spill it out, I'll smack you head.. no. your ass~" I got angry when she mentioned and also for something reason she started to tease me. Then, I realized, I'm still in her hug. God!

"Come on. Don't push me. This is the first time we are hugging. Let's be like this for sometime~"

"No~~ Move~~" I'm trying to push her. Finally, she left me and laid beside me.

"So, when you are too emotional, you allow others to touch you. Hm.. I understood." I started to hit her and we both fell asleep.

Other side~

"Did you gather all the information about her." A man sat in a royal chair, dressed in a black suit, surrounded by darkness except for the faint glow of a campfire beside him.

"Yes Mr. Jeon""Ok. Place the file on the desk and go back to your work. I'll call you when it is needed."

"Ok Mr. Jeon" He placed the file and went out of the room.

"Now... the game begins..... Ms. Park...Ji-Hyun" He laughed like a maniac and his laugh is echoing in his room.

Ji-Hyun's POV:~

"Yoon-Ah! Yoon-Ah. Wake up." I tried to wake her up, but she's such a sleepy head. Eomma gave me three days of time, but I already wasted half-day by sleeping. Oh God! I don't have much time. Actually, I only have another one and half-day left. In this mean time, I have to find out about that guy and should talk to him. By Eomma's words, I think he's a good guy. I think he will understand me. I hope so.

"Hey, You sleepy-head. Wake up, already"

"um...mmm... let me sleep for sometime...." Aish! This girl... Never mind. I think I have to do it by myself.

In Study room~

"What was his name, again? Eomma said something like Min-Seo. Is it?" Aish! I don't even know his name. Then, how can I search about him?

"Should I ask eomma? Ani. She'll tease me for sure." I'm fucked up.

"Min-Ji! Yes. This will do. Let's ask her. May be she knows." I excitedly called Min-Ji. May be she's still sleeping. Ah! she lifted the call.

On Phone~

"Yeobuseyo?" Aish, she's still sleeping. Great~

"Hey. I'm your sister. Did you remember?"

"Eh. Now\, what?"(***In sleepy voice\~***)

"I want a favor from you."

"And what's that?" She's still talking in her sleep. Will she able to understand?

"I... want... to.... know...a-"

"Stop! You are spoiling my beauty sleep. What do you want. Say it properly." Oh, she's losing her patience.

"Yeobuseyo? Ji-Hyun?"

"Eh? Ha! I want to know about him."

"Who? Him? Who is him?" She finally woke up from her sleepy mood. Just to tease me.

"Don't play with me? You know what I mean."

"Excuse me? Sorry, please elaborate. I can't understand, what you are saying?"

"That... groom."

"groom? Oh. I see. Him became groom? Whom are you referring to?" I know she's teasing me.

"My groom. Is it okay?"

"Oh, you've mentioned that before. What is it that you really want to know about him?"

"Not much. Need to know his name, and also his mobile number. Would you please, help me to get that."

"Why... Do you want?"

"Min-Ji, please help in this. I'll make sure to do something for you in return. Please~"

"Ok. Let me ask eomma. She'll give it right away."

"Ani, Wait!. don't ask her. Just you get it from somewhere else. Please~"

"Ok. Give me a minute. I'll send it to you. And don't forget about my reward. Whatever, I ask you have to accept it."

"Eh... I'll."

"Ok, bye."(cut's the call)

Finally, I'm going to get his number. I'll try my best to make him cancel this marriage.

(beep...)

Oh, I got message. May be it's Min-Ji. She's so fast and obedient. Let's see..

'What?? Who's this? New number?'

What? I got direct message from that guy.

'Hey. I'm Min-Soo. Jeon Min-Soo.' Why did he message me? From where did he get my number. May be eomma gave it to him.

'Hey.'

'I think this is awkward for you. As, I messaged you unexpectedly. May I call you?'

'Eh? Eh.' I'm still dazed. What's happening?

Call~

"Yeobuseyo?"

"Eh. Um... How... are you doing?"

"Fine. And I didn't think that would be your first question to ask me?"

"Eh? Yeah. That's... How did you get my number?"

"Of course. Ajumma gave it to me."

"Oh. ok."

"So, Are you not going to ask me anything?"

"Sorry?"

"Are you nervous or something? Ok. When are you going to come back from London?"

"Within three days..."

"Oh. It'll be great to see you here. I'll be waiting... patiently. See you soon, my soon-to-be bride."

(Cuts the call)

He has deep voice. And, what was that? At last he sounded like he was waiting for me, for ages. Aish! I got chills, just by listening to his voice. If it is like this, then, how can I meet him in person. Sheesh. I totally forgot about this. Should I call him or message him.

(beep...)

'After coming back from London. Let's talk'

'Ok.'

I think I have to go there and talk to him directly. But... something is off about him. Let's forget it.

"Yoon-Ah...."While yelling her name I went back to her.

Later, I packed my luggage. Yoon-Ah helped me to pack my other stuff. She booked my ticket to Seoul and the flight is going to take off tomorrow, exactly at 4 in the evening. Thank god, I have so much time to do other stuff. After packing, Yoon-Ah prepare food for us to eat. While eating, we spent sometime together by talking, teasing each other, and finally, we went back to sleep.

"I should say that, Min-Ji is so obedient. Till now she didn't send me his number and name. Such a great sister, I have." I talked to myself and drifted into sleep.

'Appa. Appa! Are you here?'

'Appa. Talk to me. I'm scared. It's too dark here. Where are you? Respond to me? Appa!'

I don't know what's happening. The total place is covered in darkness. I couldn't see anything. Wait. There's a campfire. I think someone might be here.

'Excuse me? Anybody there?'

No response? Let's move forward. May be I can see someone.

'Excuse me? Anybody-'

Someone is here. He's sitting in a royal chair, like a king. I can't see his face. His back is facing towards me. But, I can say, he goes to gym daily.

'Excuse me? By chance, do you know, where is this place? And, did you see my Appa?'

'Oh, you came. I was waiting... patiently. Just for you, my soon-to-be bride.'

"Ahhhh! Ha. Haa. Haa." I woke up and found that, I was in my room.

"It's a dream. But, What was that? Who's that person in my dream? And, Those words. I heard it from that guy, earlier. What..." I'm confused.

"Ugh, forget it. He's already got me on edge, and this situation is only making it worse. I'll be having nightmares for sure."

Again, I laid back and slowly drifting in to my sleep....

'my soon-to-be bride...'

Ugh, why the heck I'm remembering that guy's words? Who's he? I understood, I can't sleep now. Let me search about him. Hm... may be I should start from wikipidia, as he's famous. That's what eomma said.

"Jeon Min-Soo" Yes.

What there's no more information about  him. Just his age, his name, Occupation and his family back ground and company details! That's it. Not even his personal data is available. Let me check more... images...What? He wore mask and He doesn't follow any social media. Is he for real...

Call~

"Huh? Who called me at this time?" After seeing that, I chocked on my breath. What??

'Hey, so eager to uncover my secrets? Be patient, Jagiya...'

His voice... is deep and husky. I think, he's drunk. He is talking with a hint of menace and flirtation

'Wikipedia won't reveal my secrets. But I'll let you in on a little hint: you'll find the truth in my eyes. Come back soon, and let's play a game of discovery...' I'm shocked how did he know that, I'm searching for him?

'Good Night. Ji-Hyun-ah~'

(Cut the call....)

This is getting creepy. When I needed his number, he already had mine and messaged me first. Now, it's like he's monitoring my every move, knowing exactly, I'm searching for him. How is this possible? He's always one step ahead, as if he knows my every thought.

I think. I have to get there fast.

Yoon-Ah's POV:~

Haaaaahhh! *yawning* "What time it is?" I checked my mobile\, what? It's 9:30.

"Aish. I'm late. I only have 30 minutes to reach my office." I got up from my bed and headed to bathroom, to take shower. I took my clothes from closet and suddenly Ji-Hyun knocked door.

knock... knock...

"Wait. I'm putting on my clothes." Why she didn't wake me? Now I'm late.

I hurriedly wore clothes and opened the door to find Ji-Hyun with a terrified expressions. What's wrong with her? She didn't get ready for the office. Something is wrong...

"Yoon-Ah, I'm scared. I'm confused. I don't understand, what's happening?" While saying, she hugged me. I'm surprised. I mean, she doesn't like a touch from anyone and hug is so far. Something is bothering her... I broke the hug and asked her.

"Hey. What happened? Is something bothering you?" She remained, silent. I pulled her in to my room and made her to sit on my bed.

"Ji-Hyun-Ah~" I hugged her and she hugged me back. I slowly started to pat her back, and it worked. She's calm now. I broke hug and asked again.

"Are you ok?"

"I think... that guy is not normal." That made me confused.

"What do you mean?" What's wrong? She's shaking. I've never seen her like this before.

"That... Min-Soo. He's not normal. Whenever, I think about him. He's a step forward than me." Huh??

"Sorry. I didn't get you."

"Yesterday, While you were sleeping, I thought to check about him. Unfortunately, I forgot his name. I called Min-Ji to get his details. But, before she send me those details, I... got message from him. He even called me. I spoke with him"

"So, what's there to be terrified about this?"

"After speaking with him, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off about Min-Soo. But I brushed it aside. That night, I had a strange dream. Someone else was there with me, and eerily, they spoke the exact same words Min-Soo had uttered earlier. The dream left me unsettled, and I couldn't sleep. My curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to dig deeper into his background. But, I didn't find anything. There was no information about him anywhere." Aish, She's shaking again... I squeezed her hands to make her calm. She continued...

"He called me again, slurring his words. He was drunk, and he knew I searched for him online, even specifying Wikipedia. I was stunned - how did he know? His voice was low and husky, like he was craving something he'd been denied for far too long. He whispered for me to come back, his words dripping with an unnerving intensity, as if he was starving for me, and only me. I don't understand..." I understood. I hugged her again and slowing patting her back. She's calm now.

"For this, you are crying? May be those all co-incidence." I tried to make her understand, but that's not true. He is scheming something. I have to find out. Suddenly, she broke the hug and shaking her head, like denying my point.

"Ani. It's not co-incidence."

"Huh?? What? How can you say?"

"Today, morning. When I woke up, eomma was calling me. I answered her call. Our conversation was normal, suddenly, I mentioned about the number. I thought, either eomma or appa gave my number to him... But, she answered no. I didn't understand. When I mentioned, how did he get my number? He said that eomma gave my number to him. But, that was a lie. How did he get my number? Yoon-Ah, something wrong is going to happen. Either to me or my family. I have to do something. But, I'm not in a situation to do anything. No one will listen to me. What should I do??" I panicked, after listening to her. I can't understand, how can I help her?

"Ji-Hyun-ah~ listen. Nothing is going to happen. Ok. Please, calm down." The time passed, she fell asleep in my arms. There's still time for her flight. So, I laid her on my bed and left the room.

I think, I have to apply for leave to be with Ji-Hyun. By the way, Who's he? Min-Soo. His character and way of talking... resembles someone, I know. Wait, She has searched about him, yesterday right. Let me check.

I opened her laptop and searched for what she searched yesterday. Yes. I found it. What?? J-Jeon Min-Soo...

How can this happen? Ani. This shouldn't be happen. What should I do? Jinja... something is going to happen.

Time passed~ At airport~

Ji-Hyun's POV:~

"Take care."

"Hm...I'll come back immediately, when they accept my leave."

"Ok." I was about to go, she held my hand.

"Don't think much about him. Try to ignore him, as much as you can. Don't meet him alone. Take someone, who are trustworthy only for you. Manage everything, until I come back. Ok."

"Why are saying this? Do you know-" She interrupted me.

"I'm saying this, for your safety. The way you mentioned about him, made me to realize. He's not an ordinary one. Stay safe. Ok. Contact me, when you reach there. Ok." She sounded like she know about him.

I heard the announcement and gave her a tight hug. I ran from there. I didn't understand one point, why I shouldn't meet him alone? I mean, to cancel the marriage, I have to talk with him alone right? Then, how can I take someone there? Ugh! forget it.

After completing the verification process, I settled into my seat by the window, feeling fortunate to have snagged the spot. Now, I could gaze out and enjoy the view. I felt a growing sense of unease as I sat beside the mysterious stranger. He was a man, likely around my age, wearing a mask that concealed his mouth and nose. His hair fell across his eyes, adding to the air of enigma surrounding him.

As he inched closer, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, trying to create some distance between us.

"Excuse me." I said, trying to sound calm. "Could you please move your hand? It's extending onto my space, and I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable. You can keep your hands on your allotted seat, no need to...' I trailed off, hoping he'd get the hint. I thought he'd understood my need for space, but instead, he seemed distracted, scanning the surroundings. Maybe he was looking to order something? I tuned him out and lost myself in the breathtaking sky.

But my reverie was short-lived. A sudden weight on my right side made me turn, and I was startled to find his face inches from mine. Our noses almost touched, his mask a thin barrier between us. I met his gaze, and our eyes locked.

(***like this***)(Imagine it's the mask man and Ji-Hyun)

Snapping back to reality, I tried to move back, but there was nowhere to go. The armrest dug into my side, trapping me. Just as I felt a surge of panic, a voice cut through the tension...

"Ahem...." It's flight attendant. He didn't move back to his place, instead he turned and kept staring at her. She apologized and went from there, feeling terrified. He turned his face towards me and said...

"My wish. What can you do?" His voice is deep. That reminded me of Min-Soo. I tried to push him, but he didn't even budge. He caught my both hands in his one hand and said...

"Don't try to act strong." He left my hands and that left mark on my hands. Why is he so rude and arrogant? I think, I have to wash my hands, to reduce the marks. I got up from my seat and was about to pass him, he kept his legs like barrier. What is he doing?

"Excuse me. Would you please move your legs aside. I have to wash my hands, before it infects." He's not responding. Is he for real...

"Hey. Excuse me. Ple-" He interrupted me

"If you want to go and wash your hands or something, sit on my lap. The, I will allow you to pass that way. Deal." Is he out of his mind. This is too much.

"What do you think about yourself? Don't you have sense? Do you even know, what are you talki-"

"Don't make a fuss? Do it or leave?" Never. Even it got infected, no problem. But, my pride. Ani. I don't want to.

"No need. Keep your filthy plans with you." I pressed the button, to call flight attendant. Within few minutes, she came.

"Do you want anything mam?"

"Do you have anything to disinfect the wound?"

"Yes, mam. Give me few seconds." she went to get that, I think. She came back.

"Here mam."

"Thank you." She left. and I started to clean the marks. I can feel his eyes on me. Suddenly...

"You gave your priority to you pride. Great~"

"Do you know me?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You are actually talking like you know me. Who are you?" I understood, he knows me.

"When time comes, you will know."

"Don't worry... Everything will be alright. Jagiya..."