Sechsundzwanzig

Listened to 【音樂純享版】 蒙面歌王 EP2 鐵扇奧特曼許茹芸《女孩兒與四重奏》 whilst writing this chapter.

Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, Chanyeol called just as Jongin stepped inside the bathroom to take a shower. Fortunately, because if he had called any sooner, I don’t think I would be able to explain why my phone – the one Jongin gave me to use in France for the sole purpose of contacting him in case we got separated – was ringing.

On the other hand, it was already 7pm at night. After agonizing hours of pretence and fake smiles whilst I tried to forget our encounter with Sehun earlier in the day, I was ready to just sleep away the heaviness in my heart.

But Chanyeol called.

Goddammit.

Turning my phone on silent in case the sound of ringing could still be heard through the rushing sound of water from the bathroom, I made my way out of the suite and outside the hotel building. It was only when I could feel the cold wind brushing against my skin through my thin casual clothes did I actually pick up the call that had probably been ringing for far too long.

“Hello?”

“Well look who took their time picking up the call.”

Rolling my eyes at Chanyeol’s snide comment, I heaved out an annoyed sigh, too tired for his sarcastic attitude at the moment. Chanyeol probably caught on to the sullen emotion I was in, for he quickly carried on to his next sentence.

“How are you faring with Jongin right now?”

The next sentence didn’t really put me in a brighter mood, and I frowned before leaning against the wall.

“Listen, Chanyeol.” I was surprised how it took me effort even to talk, “I’m too tired right now. Can we maybe talk about this some other day? And also, can you not just randomly call out of nowhere? What if Jongin was there with me?”

A snort could be heard from the other end of the line.

“We don’t have much time left, girl.” Chanyeol sounded impatient, “I couldn’t care less how tired you are right now, but like, please cooperate if you want this plan to succeed. I’m trying my best here to help you, you know? And as for calling you ‘randomly out of nowhere’, don’t worry about that. I know when to call.”

“You know when to call…” I trailed off before letting out a short laugh, “You know what? I’m not even going to ask how you know when to call.”

“Even if I told you how I knew, it’s a world poor girls like you wouldn’t be able to comprehend,” Chanyeol replied condescendingly to my annoyed comment, “But I will give you one hint as to how I know: Money.”

Of course.

Money.

Money, the ultimate power in this disgusting world.

Money, the ultimate answer to all questions.

Money, the ultimate tool to break and ruin other people’s lives.

Money, money, money.

It’s a world of money.

A world full of people chasing desperately after pieces of paper as if that’s their only goal in life.

Money, money, money.

But look, the world of money created a monster and a spoilt brat…

…and a cowardly flower hiding behind the broken hearts of her beloved ones.

“Huh.” The wry smirk slipped out of my lips before I could stop myself.

“What’s so funny?” I could almost envision Chanyeol rolling his eyes in my head, “what was that smirk for?”

“Oh…nothing,” My smirk widened as I slumped down on against the wall into a crouching position, “It’s just so funny how people are ranked according to how many pieces of paper they own.”

“Pieces of paper?” Chanyeol began laughing, “Gosh, there is some poor people thinking going on in your hand. Fine, they may be ‘pieces of paper’ as you say, but they can get you anything you want in this world.”

“Anything I want?” I snapped, “Even the mended broken hearts of the ones I love? Even my happiness in which I’ve lost?”

An irritated sigh came from Chanyeol’s lips.

“Don’t sound so high and mighty, Yoo Nari,” He hissed, “Aren’t you here in this position because of money too?”

I paused, then my smirk faded away into a sad smile.

“Yes.” I was surprised at how honest I sounded, “I am.”

“Then that ends this money conversation we’re having,” Chanyeol snorted before letting out a small sigh, “Fine. Since you’re so tired and in such a grumpy mood today, I’ll let you off for now. I’m calling soon again, mind you, and next time, no more excuses, ok?”

Chanyeol didn’t even wait for me to say anything else before he hung up on me, and pressing my lips together, I took the phone away from my ears and hugged my head.

Meow.

A soft purr took me away from the self-wallowing pit I was falling into, and glancing up, I found myself staring into a pair of cloud blue eyes. A white-furred kitten sat still inside a cardboard box under the street lamp, and as it purred again and its paws, I couldn’t help but feel my heart yearn towards the little creature.

Standing up, I made my way to the box before kneeling down again. Uncaring of whether it was dirty or not, or whether there could be germs or pesticides residing on the kitten, I reached out my hand and began its fur. Surprisingly, the kitten’s body felt cold.

Meow.

As the warmth of my gesture touched the kitten, it opened its lips and purred comfortably as it began snuggling its small body against the palm of my hand. Yet no matter how much the kitten nuzzled its body onto every inch of my palm, the kitten’s body still felt cold. Cupping both hands around the kitten, I couldn’t help but let out a small, sad smile.

“How long have you been this cold, kitten?” I whispered to the kitten, “How long have you been abandoned out here in the cold?”

Meow. The kitten cooed back in response.

“Aren’t you angry, kitten?” I leaned in closer to the said creature, “Aren’t you angry that your owners abandoned you here, trapping you in a tiny, cardboard box?”

Meoooow. The kitten almost responded in a question as it tilted its head slightly and stared up at me with its wide sky-blue eyes.

“Well, I’m angry.” My lips quavered, “And tired.”

Plop.

I glanced up as I felt a drop of water fall onto my face.

Plop. Plop.

Keeping my glance upwards, I watched in fascination as another drop fell onto my cheeks. Then another one, and another one, until my whole face was drenched in raindrops.

Pit pat pit pat pit pat pit pat.

It had begun raining.

Meow.

The kitten’s purr brought me back to its attention, and I blinked as I noticed that my hands had unconsciously tightened itself on the kitten’s body. Loosening my grip, I resumed its fur.

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