The Lady's Bodyguard

♤10.

황지아 image

황지아

What are you talking about?

황민현 image

황민현

It's exactly as I said. Never hurt him.

황지아 image

황지아

No, please explain it properly.

황민현 image

황민현

You know, Woong-i...

황민현 image

황민현

I'm not a child like you.

황지아 image

황지아

What is that...

황민현 image

황민현

You were born the daughter of a big corporation and grew up spoiled.

황민현 image

황민현

Your family did everything you asked for, didn't they?

황민현 image

황민현

But he couldn't do that.

황지아 image

황지아

How would you know that, oppa?

황민현 image

황민현

...I just know everything

(Minhyun's perspective)

(n years ago)

Unlike other wealthy families, my family was very affectionate.

Therefore, my younger sibling and I lived in abundance, lacking nothing in material things or love.

However, as a 12-year-old, I was somewhat well aware of the true nature of large corporations.

Parents were solely focused on passing down the business to their children and did not treat them like their own children.

And the same was true for the W Group.

I had heard from my dad about the grandson of W Corporation, who grew up lonely despite being the precious only son of a major conglomerate.

황민현 image

황민현

Dad, then that child can't even talk to you like me?

아빠

yes

아빠

Isn't he a very pitiful child?

황민현 image

황민현

yes

Even when I met Woong at the playground that day, I wasn't very surprised.

Because it was a face I often saw at social parties.

However, perhaps because Jia was naturally a bit dim-witted, she did not recognize Woong.

Woong also seemed very flustered upon seeing our Jia talking to him.

Woong kept looking at Jia with a look that seemed to say, "What is she?", but unfortunately, our Jia didn't notice.

However, as if by prearrangement, Woong and I didn't say anything to Jia. Because we knew that would be the best thing to do.

Despite their young age of 12 and 8, it seemed as though they had matured too early, but it was their predetermined fate to inherit the company.

I think that's why I liked Nana, Woong, and Jia so much. Because unlike us, they were just pure and innocent.

As an older brother, I wanted to take better care of Jia, and Woong probably felt the same way.

Since then, Woong never showed his face at that playground again.

They probably found out at home.

I couldn't say anything to Jia, who was curious about the whereabouts of the boy she met at the playground.

Because I didn't want to tell innocent Jia about the unpleasant dark reality.

Naturally, Jia was more precious to me than Woong, and in my own way, that was my way of protecting Jia.

And two or three years later, coincidentally, Woong transferred to the elementary school that our Jia used to attend.

I heard the two of them were a couple... but that was short-lived, and Woong left for the United States.

W Group reported that Woong had left for abroad for treatment because he was frequently ill, but hardly anyone believed it.

(1 year ago)

When I turned 26, graduated from college, and went to the U.S. as a branch manager

I met Woong by chance.

전웅 image

전웅

Huh? Minhyun hyung?

황민현 image

황민현

who...

전웅 image

전웅

Hyung, don't you remember me? Woong from W Group

At that moment, I really thought the world was small.

In the United States, a country known for its vastness, meeting by chance while walking down the street was not a coincidence but a matter of destiny.

And Woong and I kept in touch frequently, using this meeting as an excuse.

황민현 image

황민현

Woong, tell me only.

전웅 image

전웅

What?

황민현 image

황민현

Why did you really come to the U.S.? You didn't come for treatment, did you?

전웅 image

전웅

Ah... well...

전웅 image

전웅

That's right. I expected to get caught, but I'm still a bit flustered now that it's actually happened.

황민현 image

황민현

What on earth is the reason you came?

전웅 image

전웅

Because I rebelled.

황민현 image

황민현

what?

전웅 image

전웅

It was the first time I’ve ever rebelled... and I ended up getting kicked out all the way here.

황민현 image

황민현

So... you're saying you got kicked out?

전웅 image

전웅

Yes, I think "kicked out" would be the most appropriate expression.

전웅 image

전웅

I lived in the U.S. for a short time when I was in third grade, but it wasn't serious back then.

전웅 image

전웅

Back then, I just came with the intention of living abroad for a few years for educational purposes.

전웅 image

전웅

And when I was in high school, I returned to Korea and attended school.

전웅 image

전웅

But... the year I became an adult, I received a notification from my father.

전웅 image

전웅

I received a notice to marry the daughter of a small to medium-sized company.

전웅 image

전웅

There was one person who immediately came to mind at that moment.

황민현 image

황민현

No way... our Jia...?

전웅 image

전웅

Yeah, haha. As expected, you know everything. We only went to school together for about half a year, though.

전웅 image

전웅

As expected, it seems that feelings of affection are unavoidable, no matter how young you are.

To summarize the conclusion, we came this far because of our Jia.

황민현 image

황민현

What do you plan to do going forward?

전웅 image

전웅

No matter how many times I get kicked out, I will never give up.

전웅 image

전웅

At least this much

황민현 image

황민현

You must like me a lot.

전웅 image

전웅

I guess that's the case.

I watched Woong fight constantly for a year in the United States.

In the end, the winner of the fight was Woong, and finally, Woong returned to Korea.

W Group no longer looked down on Woong, but that didn't mean they protected him either.

That is why I had no choice but to obediently follow my grandfather's orders to act as a bodyguard.

All of this was simply the root of the problem.

황민현 image

황민현

Well, that's roughly how it turned out.

황지아 image

황지아

So... you're saying everything you just said is true...?

황민현 image

황민현

huh

황지아 image

황지아

Why did he even like me....

황지아 image

황지아

And Oppa... why are you telling me this now... I mean, if you weren't going to tell me, you should have hidden it until the end. Why did you have to tell me...?

One or two clear tears fell from the reddened eyes.

It felt like everything was my fault. If it weren't for me, there would have been no fighting with my parents, nor would they have been kicked out all the way to America.

Why does that child have to go through such harsh things just because of me?

I felt so sorry, and at the same time, I also felt good.

However, I inflicted an indelible wound on that child with my mean words.

Do I have the right to like that child?

I don't think so.

황민현 image

황민현

Jia, it is absolutely not your fault. It's not Woong's fault either.

황민현 image

황민현

I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would react like this.

황민현 image

황민현

...Jia, I sincerely hope you make the right choices and take the right actions.

After my brother left, the air in the living room, where I was left all alone, was cold and empty.

Knock knock knock-

황민현 image

황민현

Woong-ah, can I come in?

전웅 image

전웅

Your brother

황민현 image

황민현

I told Jia everything.

황민현 image

황민현

It's about time to stop hiding it...

황민현 image

황민현

I did it because I thought it might be difficult for you to say, but I'm sorry if it offended you.

전웅 image

전웅

No, not at all, brother. I'm actually grateful.

황민현 image

황민현

What a surprise

전웅 image

전웅

I hope my actions had some meaning.

황민현 image

황민현

Yeah, of course that should be the case.