I managed to find back to the hospital where we were supposed to meet in the evening to drive back to the village. After we put Aeyoung's things in the trunk we drove back to the village. On the whole way Aeyoung kept giving me glances and seemed to think that I wouldn't notice. Good thing she planned to keep the flower shop going and not to become a detective...





When we were back in the village the streets were surprisingly busy. So much things happened that I didn't even realize that it is the end of the year already. I was already informed by other villagers that there would be a party on the last day of the year, which would be tomorrow. To get my mind off the problems with a certain someone, I got ready to help my mother get some food ready for tomorrow and before I knew it, it was late at night and I went to rest for tomorrow.
 

The New-Year-Party took place at the evening in the so-called "Abandoned Barn". This is the first time I've been here. I heard this is where the teenagers would come to regularly to party. There was nothing around the barn, just a tiny hill that I've been occupying for some time now, taking a break from the noise inside. Some other people were outside to smoke or to just have small conversations.

"I finally found you." Said a person that walked towards me and sat down next to me. When I recognized who it was I couldn't help but become a little upset, even though I kind of forgave him long time ago. For some reason I couldn't really be mad at him for long.

"If you're talking about Felicity again, I'm sorry to disappoint you but here you can only find Jihye."

He sighed. "Don't be like that."

"Don't be like what? I'm just--" He put his forefinger on my lips to make me fall quiet.

"It wasn't right for me to say that and I apologize. I must've hurt you with that but please understand me as well... I haven't seen my wife for so long now. She just disappeared and I started to lose hope but when I saw you... I felt like I still have a chance to find her." He looked up at the sky.

Just then I realized how much he must be hurting as well. I kept crashing his hopes to find his... his wife again.

"Please don't do it again, okay?" I looked at him and he looked back at me.

"Yes. Let's go inside and celebrate into the next year!"

He took my hand and walked inside. Everyone was staring at our hands but we didn't care at that moment. We talked to people here and there and enjoyed ourselves. A waiter, probably a teenager that is trying to earn some additional income, walked over to us and offered us alcoholic drinks but Chen declined for both of us.

"You even know..." I looked at him shocked.

"Yes... I'm sorry..." He avoided eye contact with me.

"Don't tell anyone."

"I promise." He squeezed my hand a bit.

I noticed people slowly leaving the barn. It seems that we had so much fun that we didn't realize how much time already passed. It was just a few minutes before midnight and everyone was gathering outside to look at the fireworks. We followed and I saw Aeyoung so I ran to her.

"Hey! Are you ready for the next year?"

"Yeah, I'm so done to get this year over... with... uhm... who is that?" She looked at me questionably when she saw Chen walking towards us.

"Oh! He's a friend that I met in Seoul when I first visited you in the hospital. Do you want to come with us?"

"Well, actually... I kinda have someone else to go to already." She blushed.

"Oh... ohhhh! Okay okay! Have fun with him! See you next year!" I nudged her and walked away linking my arm with Chen's.

We walked back towards the hill and sat down. It was the last minute in this year. I heard the countdown now.

I looked at Chen and saw that he was about to kiss me but in the last moment I turned my head so that he could only kiss my cheek. Then I saw the fireworks flashing behind him.

"Why?" He asked surprised.

"I don't want this..." I stood up and got ready to leave. "I don't want to be a substitute for this Felicity."

"You're not. Listen, I admit that I talked to you at the beginning because you reminded me of my wife but after some time I couldn't help but fall for you because of... you."

"Oh really? What will happen once you find her? Will you just forget about me and move on with her?"

Before he could answer I turned away and started to walk home. Suddenly I felt a cloth being held over my nose and mouth and I began to lose consciousness. The last thing I saw was my parents running towards me and screaming.