Prologue

"Daddy, where is daddy?" Little Charleen's voice carried through the hallway. "I want daddy!"

"Honey, daddy is resting now..." Her mother's shaky voice answered. Charleen glared at her mother and knew it wasn't the truth.

"I want daddy!" Charleen stumped, forcing herself out of her mother's arms. She pushed her mother's arms away and ran off, not caring where her little feet would take her.

"Charleen! Come back!" Her mother gasps and before she could catch Charleen, she was already out of sight. "He's sleeping...he's taking a long...long… rest..." Charleen's mother babbles as she brought her knee to the ground, crying, and suffering from the lost of her beloved husband.

Charleen kept on walking and walking until she saw a swing set at a park. She quickly ran to the swing and got on. "Daddy, daddy! Where are you," she trailed off, not knowing that she had caught a little boy's attention with her cries. He was sitting on the other swing next to the one Charleen had went on.

"Why are you crying?" The boy stopped his swinging to ask.

"My daddy, he went away. He didn't wait for me." Charleen gulped, sniffing away her running nose.

The little boy's face turned into a frown and he stared away, not knowing what to say next. He was playing with his fingers by his lap and he knew it wasn't helping one bit.

"Do you want my daddy? I can go get him?" The boy finally asked, hoping it'll make Charleen feel better. He put up a hesitant smile.

"No! I want my daddy not yours...dummy." She cried even harder this time. "My daddy, not your's but mine. Your daddy is not my daddy. Your daddy is your daddy." She just kept on going.

The little boy's eyes grew wider by the minute. He watched Charleen cry her eyeballs out and all he was able to do was sit there and stare. What was he suppose to do? He's never seen a girl cry so much and so hard, not even his own mommy! He had to think quick before she might even go off on him again. What to do, what to do. And soon enough, it came to him. "You know, my mom always told me that white tulips would make her happy."

Charleen looked up and went silent. She was still wiping away her tears. "What...white tulips...what's that?"

"Why they are flowers. Some kind of flowers, my mommy's favorite actually. I will be right back." The boy jumped out of his swings and off he went.

"Huh, wait! Where are you going?" Charleen shouted after the running boy.

"I'll be back!" He motioned his hand as to let her know he wasn't leaving her yet.

A moment past by and soon after, the boy did come back. He came back with a hand full of white tulips. He had ran to the other side of the park and pulled out a whole bunch.

"Here, this will make you feel better. Mommy said the color white is always to make people happy." He handed Charleen the bundle of tulips.

"EwWww!! It's got worms on it!" Charleen instantly threw the tulips away and before she knew it, she found herself falling backwards, off the swings, and on to her butt. "Ah! OUCH!"

Just as the boy saw Charleen tumbling to the ground, he hit his forehead. He quickly ran to her and asked if she was alright. "I'm sorry I wasn't quick enough." He helped Charleen brush off the dirt on her dress and without alert he was shoved to the ground.

"A worm! AH! A worm. On your shirt!" Charleen pointed and started jumping feet away.

"Huh? a worm?" The boy picked the squiggling worm off his shirt. "You're afraid of a worm?" He held it even closer into Charleen's face.

"Ahh!! Stop it!" She screamed and covered her eyes, still jumping up and down.

"Oh...come on. It's not even scary one bit." The boy laughed aloud and picked up the tulips, brushing off the dirt. "Here, no more worms, see." The boy gave it to her again and chuckled.

This time Charleen looked up, gazing at it for a moment, just wanting to make sure the worms were gone. Slowly, she reached forward to accept the tulips and smiled. The boy returned her smile and shortly got interrupted by a lady.

"Ethon! honey, where in the world did you go? I've been looking all over for you!" A tall beautiful lady came running and grabbed the boy into her arms. Charleen looked up as the boy was being drawn away from her. "Bye-Bye...," he waved back at her, still grinning and dirt all over his face.

"How could you just go off like that. You left me worried sick. Now, lets get you cleaned up. We can't miss our flight back to Korea." The boy's mother brushed off the dirt that was still left on his face and clothes.

Charleen watched as the two figures disappeared out of her sight. She looked down at the tulips in front of her and sighed. "I'm sure not feeling any better." As a matter fact, to think about it as she was walking back to her house, there was one thing she should at least be happy about, meeting someone who at least made effort to comfort her. Charleen looked up into the deep skies and a bright smile spread across her face. "If we ever meet again, you're going to be my hero!" She waved the tulip high above her head and began running home.

Chapter 1

10 years later

It was a cloudy, gloomy day because it just got done raining. There hadn't been any sunshine for the past three days, which wasn't anything new to Charleen. Her sun shinning days were like raining days anyways so it didn't matter.

Charleen felt goose bumps that were peeking from her skin and she quickly put on her sweater. She sighed and kept on walking.

"Charleen wait up!" A familiar voice called out from behind.

"Huh? Who's that?" She quickly turned around and she saw her best friend running towards her. A slight smile appeared across her face and she waved back. "Shine! Hurry!" She shouted as waving.

"I thought you left early today already? I waited for you but you didn't come out so that's why I left. Sorry girl."

Shine grinned at Charleen and let out a little giggle, looking away.

"What?..." Charleen arched an eyebrow. It was a long time and Shine hadn't answer her yet. Nudging Shine on the elbow, she asked again, "hey, what's the giggling about, huh?"

"You wouldn't believe it!" Shine finally spoke after what felt like forever. "Do you remember that hot new guy in our class?"

Charleen nodded and waited patiently for Shine to finish.

"Well, I tripped on someone's back-pack and almost fell over and he caught me! Boy, it was so embarrassing but good thing was, we both introduced ourselves and he asked me to go out on a date with him! Can you believe it!"

Charleen wasn't surprise. Her best friend was always the one in the spot light. She could pick out any guy in school with her beauty. A beautiful half French and Japanese girl she was. She had bright green eyes that could make a man fall at her feet with one glance at her. Her hair was always left long down to her back and she had the thick lashes that can blink her way to a man's heart.

Charleen smiled and replied, "so when's the date, tonight, tomorrow, a week from now?" It wasn't any big concern to her but she asked just to keep the conversation going at least.

"Tonight, oh man! what to wear, what to look like? " Shine replied as she placed her index finger on her lips and looked up into the gray clouds.

Charleen faced up to the gray clouds also when she noticed the silence between them.

"So... any idea?" Shine finally asked, turning to Charleen for an advice, although she knew Charleen had never had any boy experiences. Charleen shrugged. "You know, I really don't know...wear a dress? Wear heels…Um LOTS of make-up." She laughed aloud, knowing her advice was horrible.

"HahHha..GREAT! Well, of course that's what we girls always have to wear right?"

Charleen nodded and added."Yup, sorry I can't give you much ideas because I've actually never gone on a date before." She never had time to date. Too busy with school and other things in her life. Boys never really excited her. For many years now, she hadn't thought of anyone but that one little boy she met at the park. Who knows what he's doing now. The last time she remembers, he was taken away from his mother, and if she had heard right, he was going back to Korea. In deep unconscious thoughts, Charleen thought of how things could've been if they had became friends, got to k now each other a little more, and grew up together. How he would look like now compare to then, and if she'll ever meet him again...

Without a moment of thought, Charleen was knocked out of her trance by Shine's slap on the back. "You silly girl, what's keeping that mind of yours running huh?"

Charleen coughed playfully and chuckled. "Oh...uh-nothing." She denies and quickly changes the subject. "Well, have fun on your date tonight. Hope things work out."

Shine blinked a few times and sighed. "Yeah. Hopefully. As you know, for me, things never work out. I really don't know but I guess I just have that kind of luck you know." Her tone became sad and she almost seemed hopeless.

"Aww. Don’t say that. The right one will come, I'm sure." Charleen patted Shine on the shoulders and whispers, "remember, love happens at the most unexpected time." With that Shine's eyes grew round and she was a bit happier. "Thanks girl, you're the best."

Charleen knew Shine was a big girl and she could take good care of herself but she was the type who always needed comfort from a friend just to make sure her hopes aren't over yet.

The girls finally approach the corner to where they were to separate. Before Shine were to turn away she asked Charleen. "Hey, you need me to walk you home? Will you be alright?" Shine asked as she rest her hands on Charleen's shoulders.

"Yeah, don't worry. I'm going to pay a visit to my father. Then I'll go home after." She smiled.

"You need me to come along, I mean, it's a CEMETARY!!"

Charleen laughed out loud. "You're so funny. I'll be fine. It's not that dark out. I should be fine, you go on home."

"Alrighty. Call me if any thing alright. If that bastard step father of yours even touches you I swear I'm going to call the cops. Watch over your mom too." Shine stated her last words before turning her way home and Charleen turned her way to the flower shop.

Charleen had a step father that her mother had recently married who was a major alcoholic. He would abuse his mother carelessly and every night there would always be arguments and cries. As each week came to an end, Charleen tried visiting her father's grave before heading home. She knew if she were to go home first and if her step father was home, she was forbidden to go anywhere. Therefore, right after school was the best time.

Just to keep the flowers fresh at her father's grave, she always stopped by a flower shop which was right around the corner from the cemetery. She reached into her book bag and found five dollars and a dime. Although she would've wanted to buy a handful of flowers, she knew she didn't have enough money. However, something was better than nothing and it was always the thought that counted.

Ring Ring

"Oh hello Charleen, how nice to see you this week. I was wondering when you were coming by again." A pleasant voice waved for Charleen's attention.

Charleen drew her attention to the far end of the shop and proceeded towards that direction. "Mrs. Szuki how are you? Well, I'm here today." She beamed warmly as she made herself through the flower aisle.

After the quick greet, Charleen glanced over to the young man that was checking out at the register beside her. He also stared her way and managed to smile but a smile that didn't quite express what was written on his face. His eyes were glassy and sad-like, as if he just got out of the worst days of his life. A tall, HANDSOME young man he was. His soft-like black hair was messily in chunks that rested above his eyes, just enough to keep his sad face hidden from being seen. Oh yeah, he was a cutie! He had on a dark blue collar shirt beneath his black suit and he held a big bouquet of white tulips in his hands. Then finally, he nodded respectfully and excused himself without a word.

"Oh...I'm sorry." Charleen quietly step aside, bowing back. She blinked out of her state when she realized it was impolite to stare. As the man tried passing, Charleen caught him in slow motion, frowning miserably. She wondered, scowling back to Mrs. Szuki.

Reading Charleen's face, Mrs. Szuki sighed. "He's a quiet one alright. I believe he is from Korea. I heard he is here with his father on business matters. He does come here quite often though. Funny thing is, the only type of flowers he would buy are white tulips. Not even a different color. Just plain white."

"White tulips?" Charleen went confused as one of her eyebrows arch. Strangely, hearing the talk of tulips had brought back little memories when she had met the tulip boy. It would've been surprising if the man that had just walked out was him but it was too good to be true. No way, she thought. Charleen shook the thought out of her head and chuckled. "I mean at least buy colorful ones right?"

Mrs. Szuki nodded. "Yup, sure thing. But like they say, there has to be a reason to everything right?"

"Yeah you're right." Charleen smiled and stepped a little away from the counter. "Any ways, it's really not my business. I really don't know him so I shouldn't have to worry." She then searched around, smelling the flowers behind her. "You got any of those pretty carnations? I'll buy three."

"Sure sweetheart. Come right this way." Mrs. Szuki came out from behind the counter and lead the way.

Ring Ring

"Good bye honey. See you soon." Mrs. Szuki waved in the air joyfully.

"Bye. Oh, you'll see me." Charleen told her, beaming away.

Around the flower shop, just a few blocks away, was the cemetery. After a few minutes, Charleen found herself dazing off again about the boy she saw at the flower shop. She never thought Korean guys' features were going to be that decent. Especially this one. But his frown... she just couldn't understand why he even bother to smile when he knew that frown was much too obvious. Maybe something terrible must've really caused him to look so sad. Maybe...maybe he lost someone special too, just like her.

Charleen was knocked out of her state when she heard a car door shut.

"Huh?.." She paid her conscious towards the midnight-blue Lexus LF-A. "Whoa! Nice car." She gasped and didn't quite expect that the car was going to stop. She paused for a split second and when the person got out of the car, it was that guy from the flower shop again.

The car was about 10 feet away from her stand and she found her self solid and still. She couldn't move. Her body had froze to the figure since having to find out he was at the same cemetery, visiting. Charleen's eyes grew rounder and she hadn't found herself to function yet. The young man had also notice her too and once again he nodded as to greet her. He then reached into the passenger seat of his car and brought out the white bouquet of tulips. Taking another glance at her, he turned away, and started walking the opposite direction.

Charleen nodded again nervously and went back into her own world. So guess she was right. He must've lost someone too. 'I mean that's the only reason why a person would visit a cemetery right?' A voice inside her stated.

Afterwards, Charleen finally got to her father's grave. She slowly drew her knees down to the ground and gazed at all the dead flowers that were still laying in front of it. "Father, I'm here to visit you again. I brought you carnations this time." She managed a slight smile and reached for her locket she was wearing around her neck. She kissed it gently and just before being able to get up, a palm caresses her shoulder.

"You lost someone special too?" The strange, never before heard, voice asked.

Charleen's heart beat suddenly and she inhaled deeply as if surprised. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't talk to strangers." She quickly bows, not knowing who it was.

"You know, I lost my mom not too long ago."

When Charleen looked up, it was him! The tone of his voice numbed her whole body and she grew a warm blush. Not that he sounded bad but because his voice was so gentle and soft. She really had no idea how to react to this guy speaking to her. She never had this kind of problem before. Why was it him that she couldn't move her lips? Charleen blinked a few times stood solid. Why wasn't she moving! Move! Move! She told herself and soon enough, managed to step backwards.

"Uh umm...sorry I don't know you. I should get going. Bye!"

The boy stared at her weirdly because he was actually expecting that she would say, "I'm sorry to hear that," but no, she didn't want to talk to him. Within seconds, he found her already running away at a million miles per hour.

"Uh, okay. Kind of weird but oh well. Guess I'm just a stranger...but my name is Ethon!" He shouted back, knowing she couldn't hear him.

Ethon had noticed the girl that he saw at the flower shop was the same girl at that same cemetery too. For that reason, he thought since he saw her twice already, he was going to take the chance to introduce himself. He wanted to tell her that she wasn't alone and to not be too sad but it didn't work out as he expected.

In slow motion, he got a quick image of her in his thoughts. She did seem to have been very surprise to see him again. He must've really scared her off, especially at a cemetery. She must've mistaken him for a ghost probably. Ethon chuckled at the thought.

He didn't quite get a clear image of the girl but the first thing that caught his attention was her light hazel eyes. On an Asian girl, it looked rather attractive. One thing's for sure, she had one fast pair of legs. He smiled and found himself wondering if he'll ever run into her again. Maybe he'll even challenge her with his pair of legs.

It was Ethon's first week back to Tokyo, Japan. The last time he was in Japan was when he was smaller, when his mother was still in good condition. Now that his mother had passed away, he decided to move to live with his father. Although now, it was only him and his father, he had to learn to live on strong and move on with life.

Ethon was about to turn back to his car but stopped when he caught a bright shinny light at the corner of his eyes. When he came upon the grave stone, he picked up the gold locket and stared to the writing on the stone. It read off "Tenchi Vophaski."

Ethon opened it carefully and took a peek inside. It was a picture of a man and his daughter; which looked exactly like the girl he saw before instead, just a younger version. He figured it was her father that she came to visit. The thought had brought comfort, knowing he wasn't alone at feeling the pain of loosing someone.

Ethon took another glance at the girl in the locket and that was when he started having flash backs. The girl, it looked just like the little crying girl at the park when he was younger. He and his mother had come to Japan to visit his father and it had been the day to fly back to Korea. On that last day, he decided to go sit at the park and on the swings, assuming his mother would know where he would be. When his mother had found him, he didn't want to leave but knowing he left her a part of him was one thing that made him happy. Really, if they had been older, he would've told her it was a piece of his heart, and that he was leaving it behind for her. On second thought, if that was really her, what was he waiting for?!

Ethon inhaled as his eyes grew wide. He quickly jerked his head to where the girl had gone and shouted. "Hey! Wait! You...you..." He ran down the hill, hoping to catch her but she was nowhere to be found. "You forgot this..." He took a deep breath and chuckled to himself. "Does this mean I'll be seeing you again?"