Joohyun pressed the doorbell nervously, for God’s sake she had promised herself not to touch this bell anymore. But she had to do that so she could cross the possibility of her neighbour stealing her book. Oh God, it was bad to only think about it.

A tall figure man who Joohyun was getting tired of seeing opened the door, shooting a smile.

“Oh, hello there, my neighbour,” Chanyeol took a step closer to the shorter. “May I help you?”

“Uh, um,” Joohyun bit her bottom lip, trying her best to arrange the words she was gonna say. “I’m just gonna make sure– anyway, I think I haven’t even introduced myself. My name’s Bae Joohyun,” Joohyun took a deep bow properly, “it’s so nice to meet you.”

Hold it, Irene, hold it. Don’t curse.

“Oh, what’s with the sudden–” Chanyeol lifted his eyebrows in mild confusion but still took a bow in return. “My name’s Chanyeol and I’m sure you still remember.”

“Ah, yeah, of course, I still do–”

“Have you written my name on a death note?”

“Eh?” Joohyun’s eyebrows were knitted. “I-I was just kidding about that, don’t take it way too seriously,” Joohyun couldn’t help but let out a forced laugh.

“Oh, thank goodness,” Chanyeol patted his chest in relief, “anyway, what were you gonna say?”

“Oh, yes, um, I was just making sure, did you by any chance see a book somewhere here?” she stared at the guy directly into his eyes, making the guy feel a bit intimidated. “The book is coloured pink with a bunny animation picture on the cover, it has my name on the first page, not really a thick book. I might have accidentally left it.”

Chanyeol crossed his arms as he tapped his chin. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen any book, Joohyun-ssi,” Joohyun’s face automatically dropped.

“God, this isn’t happening,” Joohyun ran her fingers through her hair in frustration once again which Chanyeol found attractive.

“What about that book though?”

“Nothing, it’s just that I really need that book right now,” Joohyun quickly answered, thinking that Chanyeol didn’t have to know anything further about it.

“Okay, but if you really think that it accidentally fell off or something, have you asked the receptionist or anyone here?” Chanyeol asked, “they might have kept it for you.”

Joohyun snapped her fingers at the brightest idea she had ever forgotten. “That might work. I’m gonna ask them,” and then the words Joohyun didn’t believe that she would say to Park Chanyeol finally came out, “thank you.”

That gave nothing but shiver to Chanyeol, feeling like there was a bunch of butterflies stirring in his tummy, tickling every spot.

Joohyun quickly ran into the elevator after saying thank you and taking a bow to the guy. Chanyeol’s eyes followed her direction until the petite body disappeared. He couldn’t help but smile to himself before closing the door, turning his head to the pink coloured book on the table. He walked closer to pick the bunny covered book with a mix of feelings, opening the cover.

“I’m sorry, Bae Joohyun noona,” he found himself whispering. “If I return this book then we won’t have any more moments together. I’ll keep this book with me, don’t worry, it’s gonna be safe with me, only that I’ll get it back very late, probably,” he smiled to himself, “I’d like to know you better, noona, you’re a mysterious girl.”

Chanyeol opened each page carefully, recalling how he got this book.

“Ya!” he almost fell when Joohyun unintentionally bumped him. He entered the elevator after watching the girl went with no words.

“What is this?” Chanyeol’s eyes caught a pink book laying on the elevator, picking it. “Is this her book?” he started opening the book after pressing the elevator button.

“Bae Irene a.k.a Bae Joohyun,” Chanyeol read the very first page. “235 Itaewon Residence, Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea,” his eyebrows were knitted once he read the next address, “Texas? Ah, The U.S.A.”

“So my neighbour’s book accidentally fell off?”

♡

“No? You guys don’t see any books here?” Joohyun desperately asked the receptionist, she now looked like a beggar asking for money.

“I’m sorry, Bae Joohyun-ssi, but there aren’t any reports regarding your missing book,” the older lady answered politely, still flashing a smile though Joohyun didn’t stop asking.

“What about the old ahjumma who cleaned the corridor this morning? Did she not tell you anything?”

“I’m sorry, Bae Joohyun-ssi.”

Joohyun let out a long sigh before nodding, “okay then, thank you very much for the information,” with very weak steps, Joohyun left the lobby, entering the elevator and letting it lift her to her room.

Joohyun collapsed on the bed, still wearing her work outfit, sobbing softly. Less than 24 hours ago she was laying on the same bed, still smiling, saying that this day would be a good day. And here she was now, crying miserably, facing the cruel reality. She also felt so tired since she hadn’t eaten her lunch due to the hectic situation.

She grabbed her phone and makes a call.

“Hello?”

“Seungwan-ah,” Joohyun couldn’t help but start sobbing after hearing the party’s voice.

“Joohyun? What happened? Are you crying?” Seungwan noticed that Joohyun would only call her Seungwan when she was either joking or feeling down.

“Seungwan-ah,” Joohyun’s crying got louder. “I-I’m sorry for waking you up.”

“No, it’s fine, I haven’t even slept. What made you like this? Did Lu Han do this?”

“No, it’s much worse than Lu Han.”

“Oh Gosh, what on the earth is even worse than Lu Han?”

Joohyun found it rather funny but she couldn’t even chuckle at this time.

“I lost my book!”

“Oh God, I really thought you’d say you lost your ity,” Seungwan scoffed in a rather playful manner.

“Ya! This is not the right time to be joking! My book is my life here! Without it, I can’t get my approved paper from Lu Han!”

 “Oh, ! Are you serious? How could that– wait, no, have you told your parents about this?”

“No, I’m afraid to tell them, honestly.”

“Where could you possibly place it in your apartment? The closet, maybe?”

“I’ve checked all the rooms and I found nothing.”

“What about your neighbours or any possible person, maybe?”

“I’ve asked them and they have no idea about it. But I somewhat think I accidentally left it in the taxi I took t