The dress was a deep dark majenta color and had layers and layers of light fabric, as light and cool as water. It stopped just above my knees, and I borrowed some black heels from my mother.

It was not like he was using them anytime soon.

I put on some light make up, I’m not a fan of make up really. Just mascara, eyeliner and some deep lipstick.

I was just about to step into the car when I realized it was not there. I hurried inside and checked my mother’s room.

She was gone.

I dialed Chaerin’s number and asked if she could pick me up. I waited inside and a cab arrived. I forgot, she didn’t have a car. So stupid of me, I wonder where my mother had gone. Maybe to grandma’s place. I stepped inside and she complimented me.

“You look stunning,” she said.

I blushed. She looked nice herself, she matched it with mine. She looked ravishing in her red off-shoulder knee-length dress.

“Thank you. I’m so sorry you had to come out here. My mother took the car and I didn’t remember you did not have one.”

“It’s okay. I was taking a cab anyway. Your mother went out?”

“Yeah, I don’t know where she went.”

“Where are we going?” I said as we drove out of the townhall.

“You’ll see.”

I waited and waited, the cab’s fare must be hitting expenses. We must have been driving at least half an hour now. But I guess someone was lucky and did not have to worry about money.

We arrived at an exclusive French restaurant. There were gold and silk everywhere, I took just one glance at the menu and raised my brow. She must have seen it.

“Really, my family and I have more than we could possibly spend. Have whatever you like,” she said.

I wonder what her house must look like. I picked something out soon enough and she did too. She was having squid and I can’t believe she likes that!

“So what is your last name? Sandara, you already know mine.”

“Park,” I said and tried to figure out how to eat this thing. I never used fork and knife like this. My hands were not made for eating nicely.

I then noticed she was drinking champagne. “How old are you?”

“Turning eighteen. I have a year of high school left. Unfortunately.”

“The last year in high school is the most awesome” she said.

“For some people, I guess.” She laughed at that.

We finished and Chaerin said she ordered a rench specialty desser. I had to blink twice as I saw it.

Strawberries and chocolate?

“That is French.” I said not believing.

“Oui, it was Monsieur Bernard de Gilles-“

“Okay fine,” I interrupted not wanting a French history lesson in strawberries and chocolate. I was just about to dip my first strawberry in the chocolate pool when my phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. I picked up.

“Are you Sandara Park-ssi?”

“Yes,” I said uncertainly.

“I’m so sorry, but your mother had been in an accident. She had a front to front collision and suffered from a boken spine and internal bleeding. She’s in coma. We are unsertain if when will she recover or if she will ever recover. But---“

I choked and hung up. My tears were pressing out.

No. not my mother please. Please.

“I’m sorry. Omma—I-, It’s my mother. I have to go.”

Surprisingly, Chaerin was still with me, leading me out. She had to support me all the way. I felt my knees giving in for every step I take. We took another cab and there, I still found myself crying.

I cannot lose her too. She was getting better. I knew she was.

Upon arriving at the hospital, I ran inside and saw my grandparents and Haru was also there. They were all crying.

“I’m so, so sorry Dara” She whispered.

“She can still recover, “I told mysel