Prologue

My dearest Chan-wook,

It has been too long since your last letter. One year, eight months, two weeks, and four days too long to be exact. If I could write to you every day I would because that’s how much I miss you. It seems to me you do not feel the same however. Have you read my letters? Have you even received them? Have you forgotten about me? Have you met someone else? Why have you not written back?

The letters you send me are the only things that comfort me, assure me that you are still there somewhere, alive and breathing. I am very worried and scared. At this moment, I’d rather know you have someone else than know you’re ill, or heavens forbid, dead. I only hope you are well.

I will keep it short this time. Perhaps you are occupied as of the moment since you do not have time to answer my messages. I suppose I should bid you farewell but I certainly hope I could see you again.

With all the love that I possess,

In-ha

It was dated back in 1972. The paper is a little rusty and flaky but for something dating back for so many years, it’s pretty much in a good shape. Maybe because it was left untouched in the old mailbox, along with tons of other envelopes—letters, all coming from the same person, Jung Inha.

Joohyun could not sleep thinking about that damn letter. First, she felt guilty and intrusive, reading of such private matters. Second, she had just read the last and most recent of the letters and now she’s fighting the pull to read more. You weren’t raised to be some gossip girl, self. And lastly, her heart broke for this Inha, a complete stranger. Who knows how old is she now? Or is she even alive still? Chills. IamsosorryforreadingyourletterIswearitwillnothappenagain. She internally got on her knees and pleaded.

The hopeless romantic in Joohyun kept bugging her. What if she’s still alive? What if they both are? Why did that damn Chanwook never write back? What if they still think about each other? They must be each other’s first love. The letter was quite short but it showed the sadness, longing and hopelessness Inha must’ve felt, judging from some smudged letters due to a few teardrops.

The rational side of her told her, “You’ve just read way too many fanfiction, young lady. Go back to sleep at once.” but that side is also the weaker side which is why it is her irrational side who wrote back to the letter sender, hoping she still lives in the same address. Obviously, her email address is not available so snail mail it is.

Miss Jung In-ha,

First, I’d like to apologize for reading one of the letters you sent to Mr. Kim Chan-wook. I am so sorry. Your letters were just sitting in the old mailbox the house isn’t using anymore and I just saw them by chance and I got curious after seeing like hundreds of letters from the same person. I sincerely apologize though I swear I just read the last one, the most recent one! But then again, I’m really really sorry for the intrusion. I understand if you are angry at me and you are free to throw this letter to the garbage if this is something you have long moved on from and forgotten but please do proceed, otherwise.

My name is Joo-hyun, I currently rent a room in the house your supposed receiver previously lived in. I asked the homeowner if they knew him but they had no clue. Perhaps Mr. Kim had long moved out and maybe it’s why he wasn’t able to receive and respond to your letters? I am not sure.

I personally think it would be great to live with no what-ifs. Don’t you think so, too, ma’am? And if you had reached this part of the letter, I’m assuming this is something that bothers you still? It seems this person held a special place in your heart or just merely left you a lot of unanswered questions and if you want to find him, I would really like to help. And also, with your permission, maybe I could share the journey on my blog? :D #TheSearch

Sincerely,

Bae Joo-hyun

Weeks went by, no answer. She was starting to think it was a stupid idea. She smacked herself in the head. Did I actually put a hashtag in that letter? Who will take that seriously? Who am I talking to, some cool kid down the block? She'll most definitely block me out, that's what. She sighed. Even that aside, most likely, she didn’t receive it because she already lives somewhere else. Or maybe it was all some puppy love and she had already long forgotten about him. Or maybe… oh gosh, could she really have passed away already?!

Apparently, it wasn’t such a stupid idea because her answer came with a knock on her door.

Joohyun was overwhelmed at the beauty in front of her. The girl was wearing a white button-down paired with some black pants and shades that really matched the shape of her face. Once she realized she was gawking too long, she managed to speak. “Y-Yes, how may I help you?”

“Uh…” The girl scrunched her eyebrows, scratched her head, took off her shades. God, that’s just unfair! Why did she have to look so hot doing that? She looked closer at the paper she was holding. “Is this where Bae Joohyun lives? I’m Wendy Son, Jung Inha’s granddaughter.”

UGH. This has bothered me for a while and drained my creative juices for my other story. At least, the prologue’s out here. And no worries, the letters just started the whole thing so it’s a main contributing factor but it’s still about WenRene obviously lol.

I kinda imagined Wendy to be the hopeless romantic one but Irene is lowkey also really whipped for her and likes her cringiness HAHAHA and gosh have you seen how smitten her looks are? #DamnBae. But Wendy's iconic "We don't care, we didn't ask." sealed the deal for me, she's gonna be the spoiled one here. XD

Will try to update this as quickly as I can!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GODDESS IM YOONA! <3