“Did you even do any work at all?” Sunny asked me.

 

I nodded and pointed at the pile next to my computer.

 

“Huh. I guess there’s some benefits to your long distance,” she says as she looks at the pile.

 

I glanced away from my phone and gave her a glare.

 

Sunny raised a brow at me.

 

“She’s taught you how to glare now too?”

 

“I finished all my work so you can stop checking up on me now and go away,” I snapped.

 

“Ouch. Grouchy much,” Sunny replied. “I may be your co-worker but I’m also your friend so I get worried about you, not just about work.”

 

I released a sigh.

 

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

 

“Apology accepted,” Sunny said. “What have you been looking at anyways?” She asked me as she leaned over the table to take a look.

 

“Just pictures,” I answered, swiping through my phone.

 

“Yes. I can see that,” Sunny nods. “And I also see pictures of her sleeping. Is she aware you have these?”

 

“Nope.”

 

She gives me a look.

 

“You do know you’re being creepy, right? Maybe I should tell Jessica that her girlfriend takes pictures of her while she’s asleep.”

 

I knew she was just trying to get a rise from me so I ignored what she said.

 

Seeing how I didn’t react, Sunny sighed. She quietly left afterwards.

 

I looked at the clock and there was still hours left before work was over.

 

I sighed and slumped even further into my seat. Moments later, I got a sudden call from my sister.

 

“Hello, sis,” I greeted.

 

“Hello. How are you?”

 

“Fine.”

 

“Hmmm. You do know ‘fine’ can mean differently these days, right?” she answered.

 

“I’m fine,” I reiterated.

 

“Ok. Fine,” she replied. “What are you doing right now?”

 

“Working,” I said.

 

“No, she’s not,” Sunny said, taking the phone from my hand.

 

I was surprised at her sudden appearance once again.

 

“Give me back my phone!” I protested.

 

She ignored me and continued to talk with Soojin unnie.

 

“Soojin unnie, don’t you have any errands for her to run. She’s been stinking the office with her negative energy.”

 

“No, I’m not,” I denied immediately.

 

Sunny looked at me and made a deep sigh.

 

“Yeah, right. Your mood has been affecting everyone. You might think they don’t care but your employees are worried about you. We’re all worried about you.”

 

How am I supposed to reply to that?

 

Of course I know they’re worried about me. It must have been hard trying to keep up with my mood these past weeks. I’ve snapped at some people a couple of times and even ignored their greetings.

 

I’ve been such a horrible boss.

 

I sighed.

 

I should buy or treat them to something as an apology.

 

I took my phone back from her.

 

“Is there anything you want me to do for you, unnie?”

 

“Aigoo this kid,” my sister coos. “Well, there is something. You know mom’s birthday is just right around the corner, right?”

 

I instantly froze.

 

“Youngie? You there?”

 

I cleared my throat then replied, “Yeah. I’m here. So what do you want me to do?”

 

I heard her sigh. “Yah, Youngie. Can’t you forgive her already?”

 

I clenched my hand into a fist.

 

“You know it’s not that easy,” I snapped.

 

“Fine fine. Geez. Our family really is in shambles.”

 

“Well sorry. It’s all my fault, right?” It came out in a rather self deprecating tone.

 

“Yah! Choi Sooyoung, you know that’s not what I meant!”

 

“I know, I know.”

 

She sighed. “Good.”

 

“Text me if you got any questions. I know you at gifts,” her sister added before abruptly ending the call.

 

I wasn’t able to retort fast enough.

 

“I’m going out,” I announced while grabbing my bag on my way out.

 

“Stay safe!” Sunny called out to me.

 

Since my back was turned to her, I didn’t get to see Sunny hastily call someone on the phone.

 

“She’s left the building.”

 

---

 

I was determined to prove my sister wrong but the moment I got out of the office, I had next to no clue where I was going to start searching for a gift.

 

Ever since I cut ties with my family, I’ve refused to keep in touch with them except for my sister. And recently with one of my relatives, Minho. My sister would never let me go just like that.

 

All these years, she never failed to remind me to get a gift for our mother on her birthday. Although I’m not really keen on the idea, I do still care about her. I don’t really resent her as much as I do our father. After all, she did help me get out of that god forsaken house.

 

I walked aimlessly at first until I remembered the street full of shops Jessica and I went some time ago. I tagged along not knowing how...meticulous and arduous it was to shop with THE JESSICA JUNG. I remember my feet hurting by the end of it all and I was wearing sneakers too. I really don’t know how she does it, walking around with those heels on and staying unbothered. Now that I think about it, I rarely saw her wearing any pair of shoes without any sort of heel to them.

 

I went from door to door checking all the shops.

 

Nothing.

 

I was all about ready to give it up and call my sister for suggestions until she saw a sign outside an antique store.

 

“CUSTOMIZED MUSIC BOX FOR SALE!!!”

 

An idea popped up in my head.

 

I entered the store, hearing the classic sound of a bell chiming the moment the door swung open. I saw no one was inside and started having second thoughts whether I should wait or not. I then noticed a door half closed leading to a room at the back.

 

I tried my luck.

 

“Hello?” I called out.

 

“Please wait a moment,” a voice came from the back room.

 

A minute later, a young woman in her 20s appeared.

 

“I apologize. I had some things to attend to,” she explained. “How may I assist you?”

 

I raised my eyebrows a bit at her seemingly mature and calm demeanor. I would have mistaken her for an adult by the way she carried herself if it weren’t for her youthful appearance.

 

“I wanted to inquire about the sign outside about customized music boxes,” I said.

 

“Oh yes. Are you interested?”

 

“I wish to order one.”

 

We started discussing the specifics of the music box I wanted. I learned it was actually what was keeping the shopkeeper busy at the back. Another customer had ordered one too. She had some spare materials left from the previous order so she could start with my order right away. I was very grateful. She said she could have it done just in time for mom’s birthday.

 

“Thank you so much, Juhyun-ssi. I’ll leave my number so you can call me when it’s ready,” I said as I bid her goodbye.

 

“You’re welcome. Please do come again.”

 

I flashed her a quick smile as I exited her shop.

 

I sigh in relief that I finally got that over with.

 

The sudden pang of hunger hit me so suddenly I just realized I hadn’t eaten lunch earlier and my stomach is now protesting to be fed. I vaguely remember passing by a cafe earlier so I hastily retraced her steps.

 

A moment later, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket.

 

I felt my hunger gone in an instant and felt my stomach flip instead seeing the name flashing on my screen. I quickly swiped my thumb over the screen and placed the phone near my ear.

 

“Hello?” I say cooly trying not to sound too enthusiastic.

 

“Hi.”

 

I let out a breath.

 

Oh how I miss her voice.

 

I move my feet once again as I continue to converse with her.

 

“What time is it there? Shouldn’t you be asleep?” I asked.

 

“Where are you right now?” she asks me.

 

Not really minding how she ignored my question, I replied.

 

“Now? I’m out walking at the moment. I'm running an errand. Well 'was' running an errand. I'm on my way to get some food actually.”

 

“Watch where you’re walking!”

 

I was startled at the sudden outburst at the same time I looked down on my feet. My eyes widened and made a side step at the last second to avoid a puppy. I immediately bowed down and apologized at the owner.

 

I sigh in relief.

 

“Thanks,” I told her. Then it hit md. “Wait how did you- are you here?!”

 

“Promise?”

 

I started looking about, searching for the familiar figure of my girlfriend.

 

Nothing.

 

“What? Of course not,” was her nonchalant reply.

 

“Then how did you know? I was about to run into a dog.”

 

Suspicious. Very suspicious. I continued to examine my surroundings.

 

“Intuition? You just did tell me you were walking. Just wanted you to be aware of your surroundings.”

 

I call bull.

 

“You’re sure you’re not here?” I ask, evidently not believing her.

 

“Of course. I’d tell you if I was.”

 

“Promise?”

 

I heard her laugh.

 

“Promise,” she says.

 

I continued walking. I made sure to be more vigilant. At this point, I’m very much inclined to believe she was watching me from somewhere. But from where exactly?

 

“Okay. I just really miss you,” I say. “I can’t wait to see you soon.”

 

Please just come out already.

 

“I’ll see you soon,” she said back.

 

“Okay.”

 

We took turns updating on each other’s affairs since our last call. Mostly it was about work. It seemed we both spent most of our time working.

 

“Hey, Soo.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“How much do you miss me?”

 

“So much,” I replied truthfully.

 

“Oh? How much are we talking here?”

 

“So much I feel like crying sometimes.”

 

“You’re exaggerating.”

 

“What? Are you telling me you don’t miss me as much?”

 

“Of course I do.”

 

I couldn’t help but groan. This long distance had been a terrible experience.

 

“Ugh. I really can’t wait to see you.”

 

“Me too.”

 

“I swear, I’m all about ready to grab the first flight to where you are if you’re not home soon,” I said half jokingly.

 

“Good thing I saved you the trouble. And money.”

 

Did I hear right?

 

“What?”

 

“Turn to your right,” she instructed.

 

So I did.

 

“You!”

 

I pretty much suspected it but the fact that she was standing right across the street still had me surprised.

 

“You liar!” I called her out.

 

I couldn’t help but glare at her for lying and not informing me she was coming sooner than expected. You could say the separation anxiety has been really getting to me.

 

Jessica didn’t look the least bit guilty and just smirked at me.

 

“True. Well at least you get to see me sooner than you think,” she said.

 

“Just wait ‘til I get my hands on you,” I mutter under her breath.

 

“And do what exactly?” Jessica taunted.

 

“Oh just wait and see you little liar.”

 

I quickly ended the phone which was just in time too because the lights changed. I quickened my steps and started running towards her, much to her surprise.

 

Just as I was halfway across the street, she suddenly left my line of sight.

 

What’s this?

 

I was confused.

 

Why am I suddenly lying on the ground?

 

And what is this?

 

I’ve never experienced so much pain in my life before. I wanted to scream but I was unable to do so. It was getting harder and harder to breathe for some reason.

 

I willed my body to get up but this only resulted into more pain.

 

I heard screaming all around me. I heard the sound of screeching tires as cars halted near me.

 

It only hit me then what had just occurred.

 

I then saw Jessica kneeling next to me. I tried my best to turn my head and look up at her. She looked to be in as much pain as I was.

 

She didn’t seem injured anywhere.

 

That’s a relief.

 

“He-ey.”

 

“Don’t! Don’t say anything,” she sternly told me. “Help will come soon. Just hold on.”

 

I saw tears forming in her eyes.

 

“Why are you crying?” I wanted to ask. “Did I do something wrong?”

 

Seeing the tears began to flow, that pained me more than the physical pain I was feeling at the moment.

 

I willed my hand to reach out to wipe her tears.

 

“Don’t move!” she yelled.

 

In my surprise, my hand flinched and I ended up smudging her cheek red.

 

Is that blood?

 

My hand...it’s covered in blood...my blood.

 

I’m...am I dying?

 

My focus turned to her once again as I heard her sob. My chest began to hurt more than it already did as she looked down on me, tears streaming down her face non stop.

 

“D-Don’t...c-cry…”

 

Please don’t cry. Don’t cry. I’ll do anything so please don’t cry.

 

I found it hard to speak as breathing became more painful. I held her gaze as I held her cheek in my hand and ran my thumb soothingly across her cheek hoping to convey even a tiny bit of comfort.

 

She covered my hand with hers.

 

“Stop talking. Focus on staying awake until they get here,” she told me.

 

Help is coming?

 

Will they make it?

 

I could already feel myself losing consciousness. My body was feeling numb and I found it so much harder to breathe.

 

“I...don’t th-think...can. I...sorry.”

 

“No!”

 

Was this really the end for me?

 

Is this really the last time I’ll ever see her?

 

I can’t help but think how unfair this is.

 

I just got her back.

 

I JUST GOT HER BACK.

 

I felt my body grow colder and limp. My vision started to become hazy as my eyelids felt heavier and heavier the more I blinked. It seemed my body couldn't endure any longer.

 

It was hard to keep my eyes open.

 

“Please wake up!”

 

A lone tear escaped my eye.

 

I’m not ready.

 

I don’t want to say goodbye.

 

I can’t say goodbye.

 

I won’t say goodbye.

 

It’s not goodbye.

 

I willed my eyes open the best as I could one last time to look at her.

 

“S-see you...soon.”

 

I felt proud for managing to say that before my eyes finally surrendered and I lost consciousness.