2.3

It is never too late

The night is cold.

One girl, is walking in the side of the street, hugging herself, while she doesn't know where to go. The street is almost empty, and all she could see is the stars and the moon, shining so bright in a cold night.

She really doesn't know what happened entirely. 30 minutes ago, she remembered, she was in a big mansion, having a good time, chatting with her kind sister.

Yet, right now, she found herself, alone, with herself.

Not a single moment, she couldn't feel her heart beating painfully.

She is feeling so depressed.

Why she is in the place?

Why her tears keep on dropping?

She couldn't point it out.

She couldn't explain it well.

Yet, she knows, she is alone, yet again. 

Something that has never changed.

Soon, she saw an empty bench, which lead her to sit on it, and have some rest for a while. When she her left, and saw a board. No, basically a print add of her family's business. It was then her memories went back.

She is Seo Joohyun.

It was 4 hours ago. She was.

Right now, and at this very moment, her mind tells her,

"Kim Joohyun."

*******************

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a car pulled over right in front of her. She was blinded by the lights, which caused her to cover her visions. But soon, she heard footsteps, approaching her closer and closer, until a voice was heard.

"Seohyun? What are you doing out here?"

She knows the voice well. So she immediately drops her hand and looked up. "Yuri?"

The tan girl flashes her a smile. "Yes. Wait, let's get in the car." And then, she grab Seohyun's arm and gently drag her inside the car. Seohyun didn't miss and stared blankly at the tan girl, as her mind tells her, she refuses to come with Yuri in Jason's concert. She felt really bad.

"I'm sorry." said her, while Yuri is putting her seatbelt on. Her voices is not that lively at all, but Yuri still heard her.

"Nada. It's Okay. I had fun too." Yuri said simply, as she flashes a smile and finally went back to her seat.

"No, serious." Seohyun once again utters. "I apologize. I was a bad friend." she sighed.

"Tch, let me tell you something."

"Hmm?"

Yuri slowly drives off the car. "It was intended for me to be alone in the concert, because you know what? And why?"

"I don't know." Seohyun clasped her two hands, feeling that it was still so cold. But she soon felt another hand, when Yuri held her. She give her a look, only to find her smiling towards her. She smiled as well, but not lively, and there was no happiness.

"... Seobaby... I have come to realize, that... I'm only a friend." Yuri continued, before she turns her attention back to the road.

"I'm sorry."

"No, you don't need to say sorry. It should be me. I liked you ever since we met, and... I guess, I should continue our friendship, not in a romantic way, right?" Yuri softly utters, earning a small smile from the younger. And at the same time, she felt her holding her back. She had a little worry, realizing that her hands are cold. "How long have you been outside? Your hands are cold, Joohyun."

"Your hands are warm, can I hold you like this?" Seohyun gives Yuri a squeeze, feeling like she needed some warm from her. A Comfort from someone, she didn't realize she needs it.

"Of course, but don't get too attach." Yuri chuckles, jokingly.

"Babo. I just want to hold to someone, at this very moment." Seohyun mutters.

"Wait, what happened and you are outside, though? If I didn't want to go back to the mansion, I wouldn't see you in there." Yuri almost forgot, she was puzzled when she saw Seohyun at that bench. To think, it's already almost midnight.

Seohyun also snapped from reality. The road Yuri is taking is on the way back to the mansion. "N-No... Yuri! D-Don't! Don't go back!" she panicked.

"What? Why?" Yuri was confused.

"Just reverse the car! I don't want to go back!" Seohyun suddenly exclaimed, taken the tan girl by surprised. Her hand even left her own hand.

"Um, O-Okay. But you got to tell me, what is happening." Yuri obeyed, reversing the car, although she doesn't know a signle detail. Seohyun let out a sigh of relief, pressing her back against her seat comfortably. 

"So what happened?" Yuri ask once again, couldn't just sit around and drive them to her condo instead.

"Can I say that... I'm not whole anymore?" Seohyun timidly answered, as her eyes close to it's own. The tears on her cheeks dried from flowing it non stop. She was tired of it, somehow.

"Whole? Not? What do you mean?"

Seohyun opened her eyes, but only to look outside. "Everyone. They seem to abandon me." she softly uttered.

"Hyun. I don't know what's happening, but don't feel like that. Everyone loves you. Including your parents... your sister, friends? And-and... that girl you told me." Yuri is getting worried. This could be the first time, she's seeing her this down.

"How do you feel... if one day, your parents turn you down." Seohyun turned to meet Yuri's eyes briefly. "Yuri, I'm not... I'm not a Seo as others use to know." She proceeds, feeling her heart, heavy.

Yuri's eyes widened, almost immediately stopping the car on the side. "What are you saying... you are not a Seo?" She turned to meet her with her exclaim.

"Yes. I am. It's true. Kim Joohyun. I don't even know who's that, Kim, but father... father told me." Seohyun added with a deep sigh. Once again, she closed her eyes, and her hand, makes way to her forehead, massaging it gently.

"Chincha? That's... that's seriously like a big joke." Yuri can't react well. She turned the engine on again and resume their journey. She was met by  silence from the younger girl, makes her glance at her side. "Aigoo... Joohyun, cheer up." she said, feeling so sorry for her friend.

Seohyun, however, showed another series of tears, against her palms. And soon, her soft sobs filled the entire car. Yuri can't hold it. She bit her lower lip and try to hold her tears as well. But she did. She did let a single tear drop as well. She gritted her teeth, and hold so tight the steering wheel, couldn't hold back the tears that she doesn't know why she feel so sad for her friend as well. They just know each other, but somehow, she got too attach with the girl.

"Don't worry, It's going to be alright. Joohyun, you're a still a Seo. Although not in blood, but you are still part of the family. You have to always remember that... But Seobaby don't cry, please, you are making me cry." Yuri sheepishly mumble, trying her best to focus on the road.

Seohyun could help and chuckle bitterly, hearing Yuri's words.

---------------------------

Yoona sighed, sitting at the edge of her bed, contemplating on what she's going to do. Yes, she's worried. But the fact that she's going to see her angel once again, suddenly makes her a coward. The letter she wrote, suddenly flashes back in her mind. 

"Aish. It's Seohyun's safety, we are talking about here." But then again, the care for her lover overpowered, Yoona. Hastily, she picked up her phone and dialed that unknown number, who is basically her grandmother.

[Oh, Yoona. So are you helping us?]

Yoona sigh and answered, "Yes. But I'm not going to join you. I'll find my angel alone and bring her back to the mansion. Please don't call me anymore." she then ended the call and put her phone back to her pocket. Grabbing her car keys and her jacket, she left the room and proceeds to knock in her grandmother's room.

"Grandma, I'll be out in a while. I'll comeback as soon as I got my angel." she said, loud enough.

The door opens, revealing her grandmother, having a knowing stare. "Be careful Okay? I'll wait for your comeback." She basically just received a messaged from her former husband, which made her worry for the doe-eyed now.

"Don't worry." Yoona assured, pulling her grandmother to kiss her forehead before she left entirely the house.

--------------------------

[Yuri's Condo]

Placing neatly the plates with her own bacon in front of the younger, Yuri smiled so proud of herself. This is not the first time she cooks for her, but the first time Seohyun will stay over the condo, which the younger requested to. As much as she want to bring her back to the mansion, she would only hurt her much, learning her situation. So for the meantime, Yuri wanted to take her time, and joins her at the situation where she needed someone by her side.

"I hope you will like this, Seobaby. It's only a little, but I hope... it could fill your stomach." Yuri said, sitting across the younger.

Seohyun was agape. Yuri gave her two bacon. And it's even that big. "Of-of course... this will satisfy my stomach, Yuri. You silly." She giggles softly, earning a smile from the tan girl.

"Glad you're Okay, now." Yuri smiled.

Seohyun was about to start her meal, when Yuri's phone rang. Instantly, their heads tilted towards the phone. 

"I think it's your father." Yuri said, can read the caller id well. "Um, am I going to pick up the phone call or not?"

Seohyun sighed, shaking her head. "No, please, Yuri. I'm not ready yet." Her heart once again aches, the moment she was reminded of the truth that she couldn't accept yet.

Yuri understands well, but she should pick up the phone. "I'll pick it up, but I'm going to lie, Is that Okay?"

"Yes. Better." Seohyun smiled inwardly.

Yuri nods her nod, as she then, she picks up the phone and answered the call. "Uncle?"

Seohyun bit her lip, and looked down to her lap, just want to hear the conversation Yuri will made with her father.

"Um... Joohyun?" Yuri fakes a surprise, taking a quick glance to the younger. "She's not, here. But... yeah, I would like to inform too, if ever we'll cross path. Yes. Thanks also for informing me." She then ended the call, putting back her phone in the side.

Seohyun has also looked up, waiting for Yuri to tell her.

"Your father. He's indeed searching for you. Do you really don't want to go back? I think they're all worried now." Yuri said, as she can remember the background over the phone call.

Seohyun began her meal, didn't answer.

"Stubborn." Yuri sighed, a little amused. She also followed her, eating her own cooked bacon.

_________________

A few moments later, both Yuri and Seohyun sat down on a sofa, side by side. Both are immersedly watching the television even though it's already 1am. Yuri, who would have sleep early, but since Seohyun doesn't like to sleep yet, they end up in her living room, watching some random movies.

"Seobaby, what's the name of that girl again?" ask Yuri, after she noticed the movie seemed to end in any moment.

Seohyun turne her head towards Yuri. "My girlfriend?"

The tan girl nod her head to confirm.

Yet, Seohyun turned away once again. She sip to her hot chocolate drink a little, before an answer was heard from her. "Yoona. Im Yoona."

"What college is She attending?" Yuri curiously ask. If Seohyun knows her well, that girl must be attending the same University as them.

"I-I don't know. I wish I had known. " Out of the blue, the younger girl felt a little regret, that she doesn't even know Yoona's University. Worse, her address. The only thing she is holding is their memories of that one lovely Spring Break.

"Tsk,tsk. Just like what they say, love forgets the other things. I mean, it doesn't mean if what she or he as a person from outside her personality. What matters most is the feelings are mutual." Yuri ought to realize.

Seohyun give Yuri a puzzle dlook. "Do you mean-"

"You love her because it's her. You love her just the way she is." Yuri flash a charming smile, earning a small smile from the younger.

"Why are you asking about her, though?"

"Nothing. Who knows, we'll cross path. I would like to know her too." Yuri took a sip of her chocolate as well, before another smile appeared in her, showing it intentionally to the younger.

Seohyun sigh, however. "I don't know what's coming for us... now that... I know, we are not blood related to each other."

"Hey. You are suppose to be happy about it." Yuri giggles, amused.

"I mean, yeah~ we are not. But... aish. I feel a little weird out of a sudden." Seohyun was confused if she's going to be happy or not, when talking about her love for Yoona. It's sort of out of her mind.

"What are you trying to say?" Couldn't still understand, Yuri wants a better explanation from what her friend is referring.

Seohyun pouted, tilting her head towards the tan girl. "I haven't seen her for a while now... and... I miss her so much."

"Okay... let me guess, you are anxious for the next time you... guys see one another?" Yuri chuckles, getting the idea.

"I don't even know when we'll see each other, again. 2 months had passed already. And I'm busy with studies to ever think of searching for her. So it's like, I don't think it's going to be easy once we'll meet again." Seohyun further stated.

"Why don't you call her, and tell her, that you guys aren't cousins? That would be such a great idea. And you'll make her happy." Yuri suggested, imagining the things could happen if the young girl will reveal the real truth.

“I can’t even contact her. She change her number… I guess.” Seohyun sigh. For instance, she wanted to know what will Yoona's reaction as well. She heaved a sigh and took another gulp from her choco.

"Why not?! Is she mad at you?"

"I don’t know." Seohyun mumbled. 

"I thought-"

"You know, I've realized.” Seohyun interrupted. She looked at Yuri seriously.”…Now that I'm kind of not whole. I feel like, I'm not confident to ever see her once again. I have no idea who I am anymore."

"Aigoo." Yuri sighed, totally can understand.  "I don't hold your mind right now, but... what all I can say is, If I were in your shoe? I wouldn't mind if where did I came from. Or who are my parents. I'll be glad, that I have my parents—I have my parents who took care and love me like I am their real child. Grateful at the same time, that they aren't those other parents, which only divorced after they fall out of love. Above all, thank God that He gave me such great parents. That every time I'll call and need them, they’ve been always the people who will first to comfort me. Like I told you, If weren't them, I wouldn't be who I am today."

Seohyun can't help and shed a single tear, hearing all those words Yuri meant for her. She was seriously caught off guard, with her words. It's as if, she has been stubborn, she felt a little ashamed now. She felt so embarrassed that she runaway from the Mansion.

"How can I go back now?"

"Well, don't you think they will prevent you from entering the mansion?"

"An