Chapter 10:

*.☽.*

I was pretty sure I spent most of the time tossing and turning last night. Distracting myself from texting Baekhyun was such a difficult challenge, which I was thankfully able to at least endure.  

The moment I woke up the next morning, I immediately decided to go hiking. I didn't know if it was a good thing but I needed to go somewhere I could think properly. And I couldn't think of any other place.

Since I left the house early, I was already following the trails up at around 10:30. I instantly fell in love with the weather. It was cool and cloudy so I took my time hiking. I kept looking around to appreciate what was around me. I looked up and admired the beautiful autumn leaves forming into layers.

"So pretty," I muttered.

I loved being basked in the beauty of the autumn trees. There was something about being here that gave me comfort. Maybe it was the way the leaves danced with the wind or the way they created a rustling sound in the process. Right then, I knew that coming here was indeed a good idea.

I took my phone out because I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I missed the chance to save this moment in my gallery.

I lifted my phone and started looking for what I thought would be a perfect angle. I had already taken a couple of shots when my phone rang and replaced the camera on my screen with a call notice.

I couldn't almost believe my eyes when I saw who was calling me. It was him. It was Baekhyun. He was calling me and it was somehow hard for me to process that I stared at my phone for a few more seconds before I got the nerve to answer.

"Baekhyun..."

I didn't hear anything from the other line for a short while. 

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

For some reason, we chorused and even said it at the same time.

"No, I'm sorry." He said once more. “Really.”

"What are you sorry for?"

"For..." He sighed. "For acting like a child I guess. I mean, I made a big deal out of it. And then a lot of things happened, I became really busy. I couldn't find the right time to call or text you. I tried but my schedule was just crazy lately."

I could sense guilt in his tone as he explained.

"No, I shouldn't have-" I tried to tell him but he stopped me.

"No, it's my fault." He insisted.

I bit my lower lip as I attempted to suppress a smile, unable to come up with a response.

"You're so quiet, by any chance, are you smiling now? Or crying? You're not crying, are you?" He asked once more and I immediately pressed my lips together.

I couldn't help but laugh at what he just said.

"You're crazy, Byun."

"Tell me something I don't know yet, Park." He said, emphasizing my last name.

I beamed feeling lighter this time.

"I wanna see you." He said out of nowhere, totally catching me off guard.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'll go come see you when I come back, okay?"

My heart started to beat faster after he said it, and my face heated too.

"A-are you sure? I mean, I saw your picture at the airport yesterday and you looked sick. Are you even okay? I heard from Ji Hye that you're going to have a three-day fan meeting there, how are you going to do it? Are you really okay?"

He laughed.

"What's so funny?" I asked wondering.

"Nothing, I just kind of like listening to you nag like that." He told me, his voice hinting at a smile.

"But seriously though, will you be fine?"

"Yeah, I felt a bit better when I woke up today." He said as I imagined him nodding in the process. "I'll be fine, Mommy." He added, obviously trying to tease me again.

I knew he was just joking but I couldn't help but blush again, which I thought was okay because he wouldn't see it anyway.

We talked for about twenty minutes more. I told him that I was at the hiking place when he asked me what I was doing. He said that I should go home before sundown or I would cry like a lost puppy in the dark.
 

*.☽.*

I stayed up there for about thirty minutes. I enjoyed the view as always. I took several shots too.

I was happy and relieved that Baekhyun called and we were able to resolve the absurd misunderstanding that we had. Now, that I had acknowledged my feelings for him, I knew that I had to manage my expectations. It wouldn't be the like the other times I fell in love in the past. I knew for a fact that this was more likely to result in unrequited love.

Would I be okay with it? I asked myself but it wasn't really like I had a choice, right?

I supposed, I just had to prepare myself for the inevitable. Honestly, it wasn't really like I never experienced it before. Of course, I had my heart broken before.

Then my thoughts were suddenly filled with Eun Chan.

*.☽.*

I spent the next few days helping out my Aunt at the flower shop. She had a client who was getting married so we went a little bit crazy with all the orders and deliveries. We even had to make several bouquets and I had to note that my Aunt was good at it.

It was a Friday night when I received a video call from my sister. I was at the desk since I had to use my laptop. We were talking about her job being a Music Teacher in Australia. She taught kids how to play several instruments like the guitar, flute, and piano. She was pretty talented. We were talking just fine until she mentioned Eun Chan.

"Did you two already meet?" She asked.

"Not yet," I said. "And how were the two of you able to talk anyway?" I asked because I was really curious.

"Well, I was on Instagram one time and I found his profile under the suggestions. I clicked and followed him, and he followed me back. Then he sent me a message asking me how I've been...then eventually asked about you. So, I told him that you're in Korea right now."

"Why d'you have to tell him about me being in Korea? You know how was it between us right?"

"Hae Won, that was years ago. And he still seemed pretty curious about you. Who knows, this might be it."

"No, of course, it’s not like that." I contradicted.

She burst out laughing. "I know you still like him." She teased.

I was about to protest when I saw a message notification on my phone, which was right beside my laptop. I immediately tapped on it.

Byun:
Can I come and see you tomorrow?
9:12 PM

I could feel a smile growing, totally forgetting about my sister.

"Hey! Why are you smiling like a crazy woman right now?" She asked, probably wondering why I suddenly smiled. "Is that Eun Chan?"

"No!!!" I answered quickly.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "So, who is it?"

"It's a secret, Eonnie," I told her smiling.

"Oh my gosh!" She gasped. "Did you meet someone there?"

"Yeah. But he's just a friend." I said surprised by how sad my tone sounded.

"Ah, don't give me that Park Hae Won. Tell me more about his guy." She demanded.

"Eonnie, I swear. This is nothing." I said not knowing how to exactly drop the topic because obviously, I couldn't tell her about Baekhyun.

I endured my sister's interrogation for the next few minutes. I realized that I should be very careful around her.

Alice and I had grown very close to each other. She was like a sister and a best friend to me. It also meant one thing, she could read me easily so I would be in big trouble if I happen to accidentally reveal something to her.

I had to wait for my conversation with Alice to finish before I sent a reply to Baekhyun. We both agreed to see each other tomorrow.
 

*.☽.*

The very next day, I couldn't help but wake up with a smile on my face knowing that I would be seeing him again today. I even felt like wearing my favorite light blue one-piece that I brought with me from Australia.

We were supposed to meet a little bit later so I spent the first few hours of the day at the flower shop. It was about after lunchtime when Aunt Sunny asked me to look after the shop in the meantime while she looked for something in the house.

I was busy checking the flowers on the rack, making sure that they were as fresh as ever. My eyes lingered on the fresh baby pink carnations. I smiled, satisfied by their beauty.

Maybe I was so engrossed in what I was doing that I wasn't able to notice som