I'm here.

I read that last message for the 5th time and note the time it was sent. I look immediately at my watch and see that it's already 5:37PM. I'm already about 40 minutes late and this traffic jam is not helping me one bit. I throw my phone to the passenger's seat in frustration and hear it hit the door before landing on the seat. 

"Getting mad won't make any difference Lee Donghae." I tell myself in that empty car as I let out that needed sigh. I look to my right where my phone is and see that message still lit up on the screen as I stretch out and reach for it.

I'm sorry. Please, I'm almost there. 

I type in those words and press send hoping that I finally get a reply. It's the 3rd message I send following the first two after waking up that afternoon. I tried calling once I got to my car after fixing myself up but I couldn't connect the call. It was pointless calling now. I just needed to get there as quickly as possible and hope some miracle happens to save this day.

As I look ahead at the cars in front I start to tap my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel praying to God that He open up a path for me to move through so I could get going. 

Sigh. 

Finally finding a parking space, I tug at my jacket as I close the car door and click on the alarm. Sneaking a quick glance at my watch I speedwalk towards the exit of the 24/7 parking garage and see that familiar attendant hovering near the guard post as I near.

"Leaving it for the night?" He asks as he hands me a card just as I stop in front of him.

"I don't know yet," I say as I pocket the card and fish out my wallet to pay him. "I'm pretty late, I don't know if I still have something to go to."

"Oh... Tell you what. Just pay up when you get the car. You won't need to pay if you're only leaving that pretty car of yours here for a few minutes." He says pushing the money back towards me.

"Really?Thanks Hyung!" I reply as I cram the bills into my pant pocket and take a peek at my watch.

"No problem." He says as looks up from the logbook he's carrying. " Oh... Advance Merry Christmas Donghae-yah." 

"Merry Christmas too Hyung!" I greet back with a genuine smile as I clap him in the back.

"Really fine day today." He says after a second. "Great day to spend with your loved ones." He continues to say to me with twinkling eyes and a grin plastered on his face. 

"I agree. Want me to set up you up with someone Hyung?" I tease back as his laugh echoes through the garage.

"No need. I'm happy enough with all these beauties around me." He says as he looks around the garage and at the luxury cars parked in it.

"Well, you know my number. Just give me a call when you finally feel ... lonely." I say out loud as I start to walk away from him, waving my hand in goodbye and into the streets of Garosu-gil. His laughter slowly fading away as I walk briskly away.

The night promised to be chilly with the wind blowing strongly as it is but the streets were still filled with families laughing and eating together on restaurants that line Garosu-gil. Musicians out on the streets singing sweet, soft Christmas songs fit for the night. Children eating sweets stuffed in their small mouths, their eyes twinkling with joy. Lovers strolling together with no certain destination hand in hand. Just that contentment of being together in mind.

I long for that touch. I miss that. The thought suddenly came to me as I near the next turn to finally reach our meeting place. I could see my breath form in front of me from the cold as I hurry my steps even more. A sudden warmth filled me inside as I spied the cafe in the near distance. But fear also crept up that maybe there is no one there waiting for me. 

Not knowing what happened next I find myself losing foot for a second before regaining some balance. Unfortunately for that person who bumped into me, she must have felt like she hit a wall because the next second I see her wincing in pain on the pavement in front of me.

"Oh my... I am so sorry miss." I sputter out as I drop the bag I am carrying and kneel in front of her. I was ready to carry her off to the nearest hospital.

Her hair is disheveled and covering her face. Her face tilted down, her teeth gritted in pain. Her right hand is cradling her left hand which was sporting a red mark and some dust and dirt.

"Here miss... Let me help you..." I push my self halfway up and grasp her arms to help her up when she finally looks up, taking my breath away.

"Victoria-sshi?" I mutter in confusion still holding her.

"Oppa?" She must have been confused too. Blinking those eyes rapidly, hanging open so cutely.

"Are... Are you okay?Are you hurt anywhere else?I think we need to go to the hospital, get you checked up huh?Where's your phone?Let me call your manager." I blabber as I take her left hand into mine to examine it. Taking care not to press that red mark but just to get rid of the dirt on her hand.

"I... I'm okay oppa." She says quietly, gently extracting her hand from mine. "I'm alright." 

"You're not okay." I say not believing her words as I tuck a loose strand of her hair gently behind her ear. My hand lingering there. "You're not okay Victoria-sshi."

"What... What are you even doing here?" She sounds like a little girl, afraid and hurt. She looks up and stares right into my eyes. Hers b with unshed tears. My hand automatically brushes her tears away. 

"I'm sorry." 

"What are you doing here oppa?It's Christmas Eve shouldn't you be at home with your family?" She asks as she turns away from me. 

Sigh.

"I'm here to see my girlfriend." That got her attention.

"Your... Your... Your girlfriend?" She looks so lost and scared.

"Yes... My girlfriend." I say with pride.