Eunhyuk returned with their sandwiches and two bottles of water just a moment later and they had lunch in her office. Right after lunch Eunhyuk left and Victoria began organizing her papers.

/////

“These are lists of Chinese residents in both Incheon and Seoul. I don’t know how long it’ll take to track him down, but you might also want to ask Victoria if she knows anyone Chinese, male in particular,” Chief Kang explained, “if she does then it might make this search easier.”

Donghae glanced at the papers he’d taken from the chief. Anyone Chinese…

“Yes, sir.” Donghae replied.

Chief Kang nodded before he boarded his car and drove away. Donghae watched his car disappear then turned back to head into the summer house. Lying the papers down on the table he skimmed the names. Maybe he could use this as an excuse to see Victoria again.

He picked up his phone and found her number then hesitated and returned to the main menu. Letting out a sigh he knew he couldn’t contact her. After breaking up over the phone he felt he didn’t have the right to even call her out personally. Leaving his phone on the counter he walked away.

/////

Eunhyuk came by for lunch almost every day and he left right afterward. She hadn’t bothered asking him why he’d returned so often, but if he wanted to keep her company she didn’t find him too bad. He was funny in some ways and in other ways he reminded her of Donghae...a lot. Maybe because they were friends?

“What do you say Melodix? I don’t think we should move after all,” Victoria told leaning back on the couch.

Melodix got up from where she was and slowly crawled onto her lap curling up.

“I’m afraid if I make any more friends I’ll just end up separating from them,” Victoria said. “Do you think I’m bad luck?”

/////

Donghae had driven back to Incheon to visit his uncle who had obviously been told the news. Though he hadn’t said anything Donghae knew he wanted to ask him questions. After doing some laundry Donghae and his uncle were off to Eunhyuk’s to have dinner. When they arrived at the house his mother greeted them warmly and his father stiffly. While they caught up on their conversations Hee Sun helped her mother prepare food in the kitchen. And Eunhyuk…was no where in sight.

/////

“Ta-da!” he shouted holding up a bag of treats for Melodix.

“Why are you spoiling my dog?” Victoria asked taking the bag from him.

The whining from the dog immediately became loud before she started barking and trying to climb up Victoria’s leg.

“I know, I know!” Victoria told setting the bag down on the picnic table and opening up a bag. Grabbing a treat from the bag she gave it to the dog after making her do a handshake.

Eunhyuk glanced around the dog park to see a few other dogs playing together on the other side.

“Why are you over here when they’re over there?” he asked pointing to the other dogs.

“They think she’s a toy,” Victoria replied searching through the bag. “Why’d you buy so much? She’s going to get fat.”

“Isn’t she already fat?”

Victoria turned to him with a small frown. “How is that fat?”

Eunhyuk laughed a little and sat down on the table. “It’s getting pretty windy, do you want to go?”

A few minutes later after an unsuccessful attempt of reviving his car Eunhyuk got out of his car closing the door after him.

“You…brought your car, right?” he asked.

“You suggested coming to the dark park,” Victoria told. “Weren’t you the one who drove us here?”

Eunhyuk turned away then turned back to her, “I think…my car just died.”

“Thank you! Thank you!” the both of them thanked half an hour later when the driver of the tow truck waved at them before driving off.

Victoria set Melodix on the ground and immediately fixed her bangs mumbling, “How embarrassing.”  

“Embarrassing?” Eunhyuk repeated. “At least he didn’t make us pay.”

Victoria turned to look at him, heaved a sigh, then walked toward her house with Melodix trotting beside her.

“You aren’t doing anything anyway, are you?” Eunhyuk asked.

After unlocking her door Victoria turned around to look at him and for a moment Eunhyuk thought she’d yell at him.

“Do you think you can give me a ride back to Incheon?”

The road trip back was silent.

“Are you hungry? I can make you some food,” Eunhyuk suggested, “my parents should be out of the house and Hee Sun shouldn’t be home either.”

He could feel Victoria eye him before she answered, “Forget it.”

“But I bet you’re hungry, right?”

“Why? Do you think I’m possibly angry at you?” she asked.

Eunhyuk remained quiet before going on, “Honestly, yes. You seem a bit scary.”

“Psh.” then she nodded. “Ok. If you can make something good.”

“Really?” he asked turning to face her.

He felt a bit excited. Time to sharpen up his cooking skills. He hadn’t cooked for a while now mainly because his mom did the job. When they arrived at his house he directed her to drive around back explaining that the front door took too long a trip. After getting out of the car he led her up the steps to the back door where he unlocked the door letting her in first. When he walked in and closed the door he turned around to see Victoria facing him with eyes full of worry. And immediately he heard joyful chatting coming from above the stairs that led to the kitchen.

“Mom, I think Eunhyuk’s home,” Hee Sun’s voice came.

“Oh really?”

“I heard the back door close just now.”

He stared back at her feeling deeply sorry unable to express his regret. Nodding toward the door he turned around to unlock it but it was too late.

“What are you doing not coming up?” his father’s voice came.

He froze from where he stood suddenly wondering what would happen next.

“Who’s this?” his father asked slowly coming down the stairs.

Eunhyuk spun around quickly to see Victoria’s eyes on the ground, an expression of fear on her face. And then Eunhyuk finally realized why.

“Donghae why don’t you go see why Hee Sun’s father is taking so long,” his uncle suggested.

“Oppa, don’t go. It’s just Hyukjae.” Hee Sun held him back.

Eunhyuk was speechless. He couldn’t mutter a word from his own mouth when he suddenly felt despair fly over them.

“Eunhyuk,” his father’s voice came again.

It was as if all the air particles had become ice. The room felt cold and felt as if they were in a stand still. Not even a breath of wind passed them by. Eunhyuk felt his heart pound nervously but he knew the sadness he felt couldn’t be compared to the sadness Victoria had surging through her. Each breath they took only led to something worse. Why…had he suggested coming back home in the first place?

“Well, if you brought your friend lets go eat. Mom and Hee Sun changed their mind about the trip today,” his father told staring at him, glanced at Victoria’s back curiously, then turned around to walk up the stairs. “Eunhyuk, come on!” his father shouted one more time.

He watched as Victoria slowly turned away so that her back was to him and slowly took a step forward. Feeling his heart drop he quickly hurried after her pulling her by the arm.

“You don’t have to go,” Eunhyuk told.

She slightly turned, “If I walk out, it’d be disrespectful to your family.”

“You…shouldn’t go,” Eunhyuk lowered his voice.

Victoria’s eyes finally met his and he saw an indescribable pain embossed in them.

“Eunhyuk brought his friend, get one more plate out dear,” Eunhyuk’s father’s voice vibrated through the air.

“Looks like…it’s too late,” Victoria said under her breath taking a step forward but Eunhyuk pulled her back gently stopping her. And this time she didn’t turn to look at him.

“I’ll lead,” Eunhyuk offered walking pass her.

When he finally reached the top of the stairs he glanced to the right where the kitchen was. A long table sat within the middle of the room with a not so fancy chandelier hanging above the food. Many dishes sat in the middle of the table with Donghae and Hee Sun sitting next to each other against the window facing them. Next to Donghae was his uncle and next to Hee Sun were her parents. If they sat down…the only space they’d have were straight across from Hee Sun and Donghae.

***Why all the quick updates? Because I want to get the whole story posted up and completed before Friday