2.

“Ga Eul, are you sure? No regrets?”

I widen my eyes at Jisoo, giving her a disbelief look over that same question that she has been repeating for the seventh time. Meanwhile Jinyoung who is standing behind her only covers his mouth, laughing without sound as he watches our acts. “Excuse me, mister. Please take your wife in, she’s one stubborn woman.” And he was still laughing when he finally steps forward, gently holds Jisoo by her shoulders.

“Honey, Eul’s house isn’t that far. She’ll be fine if she only took the bus back home.”

“That’s what I’m saying, it’s not that far. Not even an hour drive, but why is she insisting to not have us send her back?”

I huff as Jinyoung shrugs at me, indicating that he has already done his part – even that wasn’t really helping earlier, “For God’s sake, it’s not like I’m going to die if I take the bus by my own. You guys have already done so much since yesterday.” I take my friend’s hand and pulls her into a hug, pat her back a few times. “Let’s meet some other day, okay? Take care.”

Jisoo is pouting when I pull away but I just giggle off it then shifts my gaze to her husband, “Thank you for letting me stay last night, I’ve troubled you two in the middle of the night.”

“No, please don’t say that.” He bows back at me then continues, “You’re welcomed to this house anytime.”

“Please say my goodbye to Jin Hee too.” It’s a shame that that kid has not wake up yet at this hour. I only had the chance to see her once last night when she was soundly sleeping in the baby court. That girl has really grown up a lot, it still quite surreal for me to the fact that Jisoo is a mother of a child now. Feels like it was only last month that we had our high school years spent together, going to arcade after school or having a sleepover at each other’s house just to watch some anime together.

“You don’t have to go home this early, though…well, you said last night that you want to go to that gallery?”

“Maybe next time, I miss my mom so much right now.”

She nods, understood then finally gives me one final hug. Her expression has been better than before. I guess she’s not mad anymore. “I should at least send you to the bus station, but well you haven’t changed a bit, still very hard to be convinced. Tell your mom I’ll be coming soon to pay a visit!”

And I’m finally coming home.

Ga Eul stop right in front of the staircase, then tilt her head up – wondering how the heck she is going to move her two luggage up there all by herself. Looking at the watch, it’s only 9 o’clock now. Haneul must be in school at this hour so he wouldn’t be here to help. And Mom–, as if she would dare to ask for her help. “No choice, Ga Eul”, the lady mumble to herself and then take in air as much as she could, those small hands of hers grip at one of the bags.

As she climb up the staircase one by one, a sound of door opening attracts her attention, revealing an unfamiliar young man coming downstairs – and the woman couldn’t help but to look up at him.

His fashion looks casual, only wearing a plain white tee and tracksuits and to say that he is good-looking, this guy is already in the above average tier – which could not be compared to her own boyfriend who is in the god’s tier of handsomeness – but there is a strangely nice aura that he exude which glued her eyes on him. He looks plainly…beautiful.

And when the guy’s steps halt in the middle with his eyes meeting hers, only then Ga Eul realized that she has been staring at him for too long. “Do you need some help?”

“Pardon?” She blink a few times, getting herself together at the moment and Ga Eul find her face flushed out of nowhere.

The man then smiles to himself, more accurately holding back his chuckles at how he sees the lady blushes then repeats himself, this time more politely. “Do you need some help, miss? Because you’ve been staring at me –”

“Excuse me?” My eyes widened at him, “When did I ever–?”

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