Prologue

'Hey there kiddo, miss me?

The man across the road imagined himself saying that as he devoured her with his eyes. From the oversized cardigan draped over her shoulders to the low-slung baseball cap and the light blue denim skinny jeans clinging to her legs, not a single detail escaped him.

The sight of her was a balm to the emptiness that seemed permanently lodged within his soul. The continual darkness that loomed over him, threatening to consume whatever remained of his humanity, finally quieted down. For the first time in years, he felt a familiar sensation that faintly resembled joy.

'I missed you so much!'

His hand instinctively pressed to his chest, trying to ease the galloping beats of his heart.

"They're boarding the vehicle. Bro, are you in position?"

"Yeah, ready to go when you are."

Watching the brunette getting into the black company van, he replied, his right hand already reaching for the slim gear handle of his own SUV. Starting the engine with a low hum, a storm of emotions raged inside him. Yet, his professional mask never slipped.

"Target away!"

"I got your back,"

With a few expert turns, his vehicle merged smoothly with the heavy traffic along the usually bustling area of Gangnam. Following the black van at a discreet distance, he increased the volume of his car.

Humming along softly to Black Wind, even as his sharp eyes never left his target. Mentally noting the rundown of the group's schedule for the day, their manager read it aloud over his communication device.

He stepped on his brake accordingly when he spotted the black van slowing as it drew alongside the walkway of another building. His SUV settled to a halt two vehicles in front and he slid down his seat even as he continued monitoring the flurry of activities from the black van through his side mirror.

The manager and a man dressed in suit alighted, the former hurrying to drag the heavier door of the vehicle open. Then, a series of staff personnel clambered out, hauling bags of clothing and make-ups.

The manager murmured something to the suited man, who waved the passengers out. Whatever he was saying only seemed to irritate the latter, judging from the scowl forming on his face. With a thoughtful look, he pulled a piece of gum from his pocket, popping it into his mouth as he watched the argument unfold.

After a couple of minutes, he saw the suited man flinging his arms up in frustration, breaking away from the manager and striding a few steps away. So, he was ready when the earpiece by his left ear buzzed and the familiar voice traveled over.

"Bro!"

"I heard." He responded, muting the music still playing on his stereo.

"What do you have to say to that?! It's way too dangerous for them to expose themselves this soon!"

"Xiaowo, is this the professional bodyguard talking, or the friend?"

"I... Both."

"Have you forgotten what I've taught you over the past few years while I'm not around?"

"Of course not, Bro! But on live stages? That's too much a risk. There are too many unknown factors that could happen and go wrong."

"Not if we're well prepared." The man inside the vehicle replied with grim determination.

Anyone sighting his expressionless mask and the cold way he was responding would never have guessed that he was cursing the manager inwardly for making such a suggestion. However, unlike his partner, he never paid any heed to his heart.

He didn't do it in the past, and neither will he allow his heart to rule him now.

It was how he had survived this long.

"But--"

"Have I ever let anything happen to them in the past?"

"No, but this time around you won't be close enough to react if anything happened."

"Really? Who said so?"

"What? You mean..."

"Uh-huh. Now, do you feel better?"

"Yes. With you around, I'm sure no one could harm a single hair on them."

He watched with detachment as the suited man turned, a relieved smile spreading across his face after their conversation. His frigid gaze thawed a little as it flicked back to the females exiting the van. There was no way he would allow anyone to hurt them. Not even himself.

'Well, this is it, kiddo. I'm back for good now. Though I've no idea if it's for the better or worse.'

Stonily, he gazed at the retreating figure of the woman who had never left his heart. No one would ever know the longing he felt to march right up to her and announce his return. However, he had lost the right to do so the day he left her.

He knew then, when he made the decision to leave, that he would never be welcomed back. He never expected himself to even return. Fate, however, had a tendency to screw up his life as always.

When he thought he was satisfied with living the way it was, fate threw her into his path. She made him human, made him feel.

He allowed her to lull him into the illusion that he could actually lead the remainder of his life as a normal person, that he might be even worthy of a happy-ever-after.

Apparently, he was merely being delusional.

Why would those gods, who had screwed him over and over again, have sympathy on one such as him? By allowing himself to let her in, he managed to break her heart just as surely when he left.

He had sworn then, that he would never permit himself to get near her once more, to give himself another chance at hurting her. Yet, it seemed he had no other choice.

There was no one else who could protect her better than him.

His confidence stemmed not from arrogance, but from knowing her better than anyone her habits, her nuances, her very thoughts. She was simply the focus of his isolated little world.

Besides, he doubted she'd give him even the slightest notice. He knew she clammed up at the mere mention of his name, her entire body stiffening whenever she heard so much as a whisper of it.

It was so bad that everyone around her had stopped bringing him up, almost as if the years he had spent with them were erased completely.

He liked to think that even if it was hatred, at least he still occupied a small space in her heart, that she still felt something towards him. And that, for someone as unworthy as he felt, was enough.

Scrubbing his face in a rare show of emotion, he lifted his cap wearily. A glimpse of himself in the rearview mirror made him pause.

His lips twisted up sardonically at the sight of the hideous scar that ran down the left side of his face, starting from his hairline, cutting through his left eye, and ending at his nose. While not the most serious of his injuries, it was the most visible one.

To avoid unwanted attention and to spare others the discomfort of staring, he wore a cap at all times. Coupled with sunglasses and his long fringe, it effectively hid the scar.

Putting on his sunglasses, he averted his gaze and settled the cap back on his head, ignoring the loose strand of fringe that had fallen onto his forehead.

Despite not being a vain person, he now avoided looking at his own reflection. The scar brought back too many unwelcome memories, and he didn't need them adding to the burden he already carried.

He stretched forward to press the button on his SUV's stereo, his playlist of Aria's music playing next. Confident that no one could see him through the heavily tinted windows, he lowered his seat and settled down to wait. His pose was utterly relaxed as 'The Phantom' blared out from the speakers.

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