Reborn: The Unexpected Twist

"I was well-aware of the fact that Jinkyung's heart did not belong to me. All those kisses, touches weren't for me but for Kim Jaehyun. 

I knew along. However, I still wanted to prove to her how I'm the better man for her. Spoiling herself with riches or whatever she desired for, keeping her protected were basically my attempt to steal her heart.

But all those were pathetic. From the very beginning, I was a puppet to her, someone she could easily manipulate into doing things for without directly mentioning it.

I don't know how I passed away. Was it because of depression or starvation? All I remember is praying for another chance to redo everything before sinking into the eternal darkness," Taeho voiced out, letting out a sigh at the end.

All the emotions were clearly visible in his eyes; It was as if Taeho was not bothering to hide them anymore.

Pain, anguish, betrayal, self-condemnation, gratefulness, regret, anger, and many more coloured his eyes. 

"It's only regret you feel, not guilt," Jinhee voiced out. 

The guilt he should feel wasn't there in his eyes. What he felt was regret for supporting Jinkyung in his previous life and, now angry because of it, he wants to ruin Jinkyung completely.

Taeho let out a chuckle.

"You're quite good at sensing emotions," Taeho spoke out, "No, I don't feel guilt; It's regret I feel. 

If I were to feel guilt, I'd have feel hatred, even if it was extremely low, after murdering each one of you. But sadly I don't. Maybe this is because of how cold-hearted I am. Does that bother you?"

"I'd be lying if I said it doesn't bother me, but it is not enough to affect my decision," Jinhee stated.

Taking out the piece of paper from her pocket, she placed it on the glass table in front of her and opened the folds.

"Kwon Youngmi left me this message yesterday," Jinhee voiced out.

Han Taeho picked up the piece of paper from the table and read the contents. The expression on his face turned serious and business-like.

"I'm not going to lie or pretend to be strong. I do need your help," Jinhee, decisively, vocalised, "Just because I despise you doesn't means I'm willing to sacrifice my life. So, I'll expect you to provide me with appropriate protection."

A smirk came upon Taeho's face, and he expressed, "You are quite smart. Many wouldn't have accepted this offer."

"I died once and want to live properly this time around," Jinhee, with determined eyes, said, "And since I hate Jinkyung, I'll lend you a hand in destroying her."

"Jinkyung is not someone simple," Taeho, solemnly, vocalised, "She has someone helping her for, after all, she was the one who contacted Kwon Youngmi without my help."

"What?" Jinhee's eyes widened in shock.

°°°

"Here is your coffee," Chaewon said whilst she handed a cup of coffee to Jaehyun.

Both of them were at a shooting spot for a variety show Jaehyun was participating at.  The hosts were currently discussing some matters with the cameramen, and the staffs prepared for the next scene.

The room had its walls, floor, and ceiling coloured in white. In the middle of the room was three chairs, for Jaehyun and two other idols, and the cameramen were at the side.

Sitting at the couch in the corner, Jaehyun was looking through the script as it was the lunch break currently. Taking the cup of coffee from Chaewon, he raised his head to look at Chaewon.

Seeing the current expression on her face, he recalled something, and closing his eyes tightly, he tried to control the rush of emotions he felt.

"Do you have feelings for me?" Jaehyun asked after opening his eyes. 

His eyes held solemnity whilst they stared at Chaewon's surprised eyes. Hidden within that seriousness was pain.

Before Chaewon could answer, Jaehyun voiced out, "Don't. Please don't fall for me; I'll only hurt you."

In that tone of his was sadness and guilt, which Chaewon did not fail to notice. She wanted to open her mouth and say something. 

However, she couldn't. Ahn Chaewon was clueless on how to reply and therefore, continued to state at him. She herself was not aware of what emotions currently played in her eyes.

"Jaehyun-ah, come here for a bit," His manager, Hwang Myunghoon, called.

Shifting his attention from Chaewon, he turned towards the direction of the sloppy looking man, and holding the cup of coffee, he walked towards his manager.

Watching his back, Chaewon mumbled to herself, "What if I already love you?"

Her heart squeezed tightly and painfully.

°°°

"Youngmi was bought here by her. She was the one who persuaded Youngmi to come here with the words on how you are getting close to Jaehyun," Taeho voiced out. On his face was a mask of nonchalance.

"B-But how?" 

Confusion and shock was present on Lee Jinhee's face. No matter how many times Jinhee thinks about it, it still sounds absurd.

"Youngmi has a clean background, and no one, other than the closest family members, knows that she likes Jaehyun. 

Moreover, how could Jinkyung even contact Youngmi? Youngmi, who is daughter of the president, can't be that easily contacted by others," Jinhee voiced out.

"I have no idea about it," Taeho voiced, "There is something about her that is a mystery to me. Even in my last life, there had to be someone helping her. 

After all, a fifteen year old can not manipulate and play games like this. Someone more experienced is behind her."

"Lee Minjoon or Jiyoung can not be behind Jinkyung as both of them were destroyed in my previous life. So who could it be?" 

"That is something we need to find out before we could properly destroy her."