The sound of the front door closing in the apartment next to hers caused her to sit up. One in the morning and Jiyong was just getting home. As angry as he made her, she wished they’d at least move in together; almost five years since Jiyong had asked her out has passed, yet it seemed as though they had only been dating a week. Not because there was a timeless love between the two but rather because Jiyong wouldn’t move forward. Chaerin tried to calm her thoughts as she hoped Jiyong didn’t do anything rash on his night out. With a soft sigh she slipped out of bed and made her way to the balcony that connected to his. She knew more than anyone that he loved fresh air when he was drunk, so she sat on the floor looking up at the stars as she waited for the sound of the sliding door beside her to open.

After five minutes, out came Jiyong from his apartment with a can of beer in hand. He flopped down to the floor and opened his can, a muffled hiccup coming from his mouth.

“Why are you home so late?” Chaerin mumbled, keeping her eyes up at the beautiful starry sky.

“Work.’ Jiyong answered before his voice was drowned by his drinking.

Chaerin’s lips lifted into a smile but she felt no type of happiness. It was always work, but she knew better than to believe him. She just didn’t have the heart to leave. Chaerin shifted her gaze towards Jiyong for a moment, his eyes were closed, and she knew he’d passed out for the night. With her bottom lip pulled between her teeth, Chaerin stood up again and went back to her bedroom to sleep away her reality.