Somewhere in Between

Chapter 2: Somewhere In Between

She was raised traditionally, like how princesses were raised. Gentleness in her speech, a woman of every man’s dreams  

I was the opposite. I lived a wild lifestyle and spent a lot of my time with friends in alcohol and women. I was living the YOLO life.

Unbeknownst to both of us, the day we met each other was the day our world changed upside down. I stopped living a YOLO life since I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Her adventurous side sparked, looking for once in a lifetime experiences.

She always says, “We met somewhere in between”.

And I realized this is our in-between.

A slight smile painted on my face as I recall my times with her.

*Flashback*

As I stepped inside the Young’s Villa, I can’t contain the anxiety I felt inside. Tonight, Amy will introduce me to her parents.

“Welcome, bro! Wishing you the best.” Alfred welcomed me, handed me a glass of champagne.

“Thanks, bro!” I took the glass from his hands and give him a toast. I looked around and asked, “Where’s she?”

“She’ll be here in a minute or so,” Alfred replied.

I observed around the flock of nobles dressed sophistically. I felt a burn inside my throat as I gulp a liquid from the glass I’m holding. I feel out of place.

“There you are, darling!” A familiar voice softly rang in my ears as her hands enveloped my arms.

“I’m sorry for being late.” She whispered apologetically. She wore a simple old rose off-shoulder dress and her hair tied up in a bun. She looks like a princess – my Princess.

“What’s with that look?” She snapped me out of my daze and flashed an alluring smile that made my heart go wild.

“You’re pretty,” I whispered in her ear.

“Aren’t I always?” She chuckled.

Alas, with her with me, I’m no longer out of place. I found solace from the anxieties I felt earlier. She introduced me to her cousins, her aunts, and uncles.

“Mom!” she called Mrs. Young cheerily, however it caught the attention of people around her.

“Manners, Amy, manners.” Mr. and Mrs. Young approached our direction.

“I apologize, mother, father.” She bowed her head slightly to her parents. So formal? I thought.

“And who is this young man, my dear?” Mrs. Young asked and looked towards me.

“May I introduce myself, ma’am. My name is Troy Song. Amy and I were classmates at Berkeley.”

“Oh.” Mrs. Young responded with a slight tone of displeasure. I anticipated this scene; I was prepared for any form of rejection coming from her parents knowing that we both have a different upbringing.

She then looked at Amy and Amy immediately let go of my hand. They moved to a corner, a little far away from where I won’t be able to hear what they’re talking about. Left together with Mr. Young.

“Don’t mind them, son.” My eyes glanced at Mr. Young to see his expression. He was calm yet cold. Any child would look at him with admiration of having a father. Amy is very close to her dad as she was close to Alfred.

I mustered all my courage and straightforwardly told her Dad.

“Sir, I believe you’re well aware of our relationship. I have clear intentions with your daughter, sir. I hope that you’ll allow me to prove myself for your daughter.”

“You’re tough, son. That’s good. However, how would I know that you are worth it for my daughter’s hand?” I saw him smirked and he turned his back on me. I don’t know if it was an insult or an encouragement. I’d rather interpret it as the latter.

After the party, I’ve made two conclusions. Amy’s mom was hostile towards our relationship. Her dad was neutral.

I will prove that I am worth it for Amy’s hands.

*Present Day*

Three years have passed and still, I’m proving myself worthy for Amy’s hands.

I closed my eyes to see the smile that’s pictured in my face, memorized every detail of her: her hypnotizing gaze that would melt you like a piece of ice exposed to heat, her cheeks that would blush every time I say “I love you.”, her soft thin lips enticing me to kiss her. She’s my temptress, my queen, my life.

My love, where are you?

I miss you…

I seriously do.

I will find you, Amy.

Even if I would search the ends of the earth just to find you, I will.

Pulling out my phone from the pocket of my trousers, I dialed a number.

“Mason. I need your help.”

“Anything for you, sir.”

***

“We’re all set. Let’s go.”

“Hye Jin, thank you for everything.”

“Don’t mention it, Li. It’s nothing.” After two weeks of staying in the hospital and being my doctor, Hye Jin and I developed with what she called “sissy-bond” and convinced me to stay in her place. She told me that she always wanted to have a sister. Being a middle child, ‘sandwiched’ by her brothers, she felt she was always bullied and have no one to talk to about girly stuff.

“So, what are your brothers look like?” I initiated the conversation as she drove from the hospital.

“Well, my older brother, Cheon is already married so I can’t set you up with him. My younger brother, he was in a relationship but I think the girl ran away so that will make him single, right?” This girl is hilarious. My days in the hospital were never a bore since, during her vacant time, she would spend it with me and talk non-stop.

“What kind of introduction is that? Are trying to sell off your brother to me?” I chuckled. Unbelievable. But thinking about it, what was my life before I lost my memory?

“Hey, don’t be sad. Silly.” Trying to comfort me.

As she said those words, my head suddenly hurts. “Ah…”

A picture of the Grand Canyon flashed in my mind and beside me is a guy. His face was blurred but his voice… his voice is so captivating that it made my heart calm.

“Don’t be sad. Silly.” The man’s voice echoes in my head over and over again that it makes it ache.

“Ahhhh…” Hye Jin stopped the car on the side.

“Amelie, are you okay? Shall we go back to the hospital?”

“No, no. I’m fine. I think I remembered something.” I slightly smiled at her, assuring her that I’m okay.

“That’s good progress, Li. When we get home, you tell me about it, okay?” She looked straight to the road and continued driving.

“Alright, doc.”

After several halts and turns, we arrived at her apartment. She said that their family home is no fun and annoying because of her brothers and she’ll let me stay here for the meantime while I try to discover some clues about who I am.

Of course, I will not stay here forever. I carry an American passport with me and it said that I live in California. I wanted to take a trip back to the States but she convinced me to tarry a little while we come up with a plan.

I hope that my memory comes back as soon as possible.

Hye Jin was talking on the phone just now. “Li, I’m sorry, I had an urgent call. I need to go home for dinner tonight. Your room is upstairs, first door on the right. Just show yourself around, okay?”

I responded with a nod as she hurriedly went out of the apartment. I brought my things to the room she told me. I room was painted bright and it has a toilet and bath inside. Straight ahead from the door, there was a balcony overlooking the city’s night lights and the Han River. I prepared myself to change and opened the suitcase that I brought with me from the US.

Inside the suitcase were my clothes neatly arranged, it seems that I meticulously organize my things. I carefully hang them in the closet and noticed that all of my clothes were from expensive brands and displays class and elegance.

Not bad. I thought.

As I emptied the luggage, I noticed there was a folded piece of paper inside the mesh pocket. It was a receipt dated three years ago and at the back of the paper there were words scribbled,

Sun-Moon Café.

Though worlds apart

Yet God made a miracle

That we met

Somewhere in between