Chapter 20

“Yoona?” Yuri said.

There wasn’t a response from the latter. Yuri looked at her phone and noticed it had died. She defeatedly sat down on the bench and hoped for the best.

Appa said he would come... This isn’t the first time he had let me down... -Yuri thought with mixed emotions.

Yoona droved as quickly as she could while worrying about the girl.

What if, something happened to her..? -Yoona thought.

She arrived at Banpo Hangang Park and proceeded to search for the girl. The area was dark and deserted.

Where could she be? -Yoona thought while breathing heavily.

She ran around the place and sighted a figure sitting on a bench. Yoona slowly approached the dark figure.

This situation brought Yuri back to her horror and dreadful memories.

The times when she was suffering in the dark past. Alone, when nobody could save her, but herself.

“Appa.. please save me!”

The younger Yuri was screaming from the torture her stepmother was executing.

“You can scream all you want, but no one will save you” The women smirked and continued her abuse.

She had suffered alone while her father was away…

“Appa, it’s been an hour, play with me,” Yuri said tiredly.

“I’m sorry honey, I have so much work to do. Just wait a little longer”

Yuri sadly nodded and went outside playing with her doll.

Although Yuri had patiently waited, He never played with the poor girl…

“Happy Birthday Sweetie, I hope I can see you next year”

“Thank you, Appa... I hope so too..”

“Yuri-ah... I can’t make it to your graduation”
“You can’t make it..?”

“Yes, I’m so sorry. I’m extremely busy with work”

“No it’s fine, I understand..”

He never found the time to be there for his daughter through the significant days of her life…  

“Yuri?” Yoona called.

Yuri looked up with tears running down her pale face.

Yoona immediately rushed to the latter and hugged her tightly.

“Yoona..” She cried.

“I was so worried”

“H-How did you know I was here?”

“Mrs.Kim told me”

“I’m sorry for bothering yo..”

“You don’t need to say anything” She interrupted.

“Just go ahead and cry as much as you want”

“I’ll stay here by your side” She softly said.

Yuri began to cry harder while Yoona respected the girl and gently patted her back for support. They were in each other’s embrace for a good period of time.

Yoona pulled off the hug and wiped the latter’s tears.

“Yuri, you’re freezing” Yoona cupped her cheeks.

Yoona took off her scarf and wrapped it around the girl’s neck.

“Let’s get inside my car” Yoona held the latter’s hand.

“Are you hungry?” She asked.

Yuri lightly nodded.

“There aren’t many restaurants open at this hour.. How about we eat something at a convenience store. Are you okay with that?”

“I’m fine with anything”

Yoona drove to the nearest convenient store.

They entered and strolled through the ramen aisle.

“Get whatever you want”

Yuri looked around and picked up a bowl as the latter had also found one that interested her.

They went to pay and began to cook their instant ramen. It was quiet while they were waiting for the microwave.

“Why did you come for me?” Yuri suddenly asked.

“Because I care about you, I was worried”

“Thank you” She looked down.

The ramen was ready as they took a seat at a table and ate.

Yuri was eating as if she hadn’t eaten for days.

Yoona chuckled, “When was the last time you’ve eaten?”

“Around 4”

It was 11 pm at that time.

“Omo.. you must’ve been very hungry”

Yuri nodded and continued to eat.

“Was there a reason why you stayed there for so long?” Yoona asked.

“My Appa.. he never came,” She said in slight anger.

“So you waited for him the whole time?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t he show up”

“I don’t know,” She said coldly.

“It’s okay, don’t be upset. There must’ve been a reason why he didn’t come”

“He was probably working again. He’s always busy with work… and forgets about me..”

“He wouldn’t even pick my calls”

“Yuri... I-I’m so sorry”

“Don’t be..” Yuri sighed.

“What were you planning on doing if I hadn’t come”

“Probably walk back”

“Are you out of your mind? That would take you days”

“Well, it’s not like I had any other choice. My phone died and it was late”

They completed eating their food and began to walk to the car.

“Were you scared?”

Yuri hesitated, “Yes..”

Yoona turned the latter over and hugged her.

“It’s okay” She spoke gently as the girl didn’t flinch.