The Girl He Promised To Protect

The Stone-Cold Heart Girl

The dim light poles along the winding alleys illuminated shadows on the pavement, which Naomi stepped on. While commuting back home after her self-study in school, this is the long staircase she had to walk up daily, to her home at the top of the alleys.

For an outsider, this hilly neighborhood gives the illusion of a romantic getaway as it has the closest space to a better view of the moon. Yet, with the chipped paint of the colored houses and the distinct lack of planning for development, this place is soon to be abandoned. Soon, the neighborhood will only be occupied by the elderly and bad memories.

Because in reality, living in peace isn't enough if the stomach goes hungry...

The younger generation believes that they can only dream in the land of skyscrapers overlooking the run-down neighborhood she lives in. Naomi's sister was one of them. She ran away from home five years ago, leaving behind her aging parents with her little sister to live a better life herself.

Naomi's parents knew that only the best education could save them in the future. Thus, they mortgage their house to enroll Naomi in the best high school in town. They are now left with hopes and debt.

Naomi held her blazer closer to her body as a gust of nighttime breeze blew. The footsteps behind her got even more irritating. The determined Nelson Kim was still walking her home from behind as always, even when Naomi had warned him to stay away from her.

At one point, Nelson Kim had touched her heart, but she restrained herself from falling to it. She refuses to become softened as she needs strong pulls to make her tougher.

He is someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth when it comes to hardship. Sooner or later, Nelson will also leave her, just like her sister did to them. Living is hard, but her parents never fail to complete their basic needs. Still, Nora doesn't hesitate to break their parents' hearts.

Naomi quickened her pace, determined to make Nelson give up the winding and hilly alleys leading to her house.

"Naomi!"

Nelson didn't want to miss the chance to talk to her this time. He is an athlete, matching his speed is nothing to him. Catching her wrist, he holds her in place.

"Let me go!"

"No. Not this time. Give me a chance, please. How long are you going to avoid us? Forever?"

Without batting her eyes, Naomi stared coldly at Nelson as he loosened his grip. "Say what you want to say now and NEVER talk to me again." She hissed.

Letting out a sigh, Nelson relaxed the tightened muscles on his face, saying, "It hurts to see you like this." holding on, while I am always behind you. "Give me a chance, Naomi."

Every word that Nelson uttered did nothing to soften her cold demeanor. She doesn't want to believe there is a good person who exists.

"First of all, you are someone who keeps meddling in my affairs; you are irritating me." Second, none of my problems have anything to do with you." She said this sternly as she tried to get away from Nelson.

Again, Nelson gets hold of her arm. "It matters to me," Nelson responded, forcing Naomi to face him once more. "I like you, Naomi... "I'm tired of beating around the bush, I'm telling you now, I love you."

Dazzled by his blunt confession, Naomi staggered but quickly restrained her feelings. The corner of her lips formed a cynical smile. "Love?" She asked. "I'm busy getting away from this misery of living a poor life. Are you insulting me now? Get lost!" Losing her patience, she pulls away from Nelson's firm hold and turns away.

"I saw everything, Naomi," Nelson said out loud.

Naomi froze in her place. Blood drained from her head to her toes, leaving her entire body chilled.

Did he see it?

How much did he witness?

Is he going to threaten her with her darkest secret?

With her trembling hand, she closes her gaping mouth. Her eyes melted from cold to worry, like a kitten losing its mother, helpless and terrified.

Nelson sauntered towards Naomi, standing in front of her. His eyes were soft, looking fixedly at the girl he loved, letting her guard down, revealing her true color; strong on the outside yet fragile on the inside.

"I know everything, Naomi... In your eyes, it has always been this way, Samuel. Right? That's the reason you're staying away from Lana. "Did I guess it right?"

She had almost suffocated from holding out her breath. It turned out that what Nelson knew was not something she expected. Catching her breath again, tears were welling up and uncontrollably rolling down her cheeks too. Soft sobs escaped her lips, though she didn't want to cry as her heart betrayed her.

"Naomi, I'm sorry. I didn't." Nelson started panicking. He's unsure whether to console her or wipe her tears away or what he should do at this point! He is totally dumbfounded by the sudden occurrence. "Naomi..."

She ignored him, walking away from him with tears, keeping her cheeks wet. "Go away." She said this without even looking back at him.

It hurt, and her heart was aching.

Yes, she is secretly falling in love with Samuel Jin. Samuel had always looked at Lana, even though she was always there, standing beside her.

Lana never realized all of this... She had always been the luckiest and the one with a kinder heart. While everyone looks down on her for her lowest status, only Lana stands for her.

She had wanted to befriend Lana, but just seeing Samuel Jin was enough. She is willing to let Lana have him, she deserved someone like him. Yet, fate is still cruel to her...

Fate would have had no sympathy for her even if she had crawled out of hell.

Luck had always been by Lana's side.

Even if she wanted to start over, things would never be the same again.

"I'm dirty. "I'm a monster, you would be disgusted if you knew what I have done." She whispered as if Nelson is listening to her. "It's too late. Nelson "I'm a ruined person."

Nelson watched Naomi's back, unable to do anything. Sorrow overwhelmed him as her lonely, stretched-out shadow disappeared behind the little house gate.