CHAPTER 10

“You rarely get a free time like this, are you sure you want to spend it here with me?” Jennie asked as she handed Irene a glass of water

“Don’t be so flattered, I just… I have nowhere else to spend it.” Irene said her voice went low

“You said everyone’s at home.”

“Yeah, everyone.” Emphasizing on the word everyone. “I miss having a quality time with them but I’m pretty sure it’ll hurt me more if I go there only to get ignored by Seungwan. You know she doesn’t talk to me if it’s not work related.” Irene said making a dry laugh “Sometimes I wish the work wouldn’t stop so I can hear her voice longer, so I could feel her eyes looking at me even for a second” Tears appearing at the edge of her eyes

“Hey, you can’t cry on me.” Jennie said rubbing Irene’s back “You know that if you cry, I’ll cry too and I don’t look and sound beautiful when I cry.” She said with a funny face making Irene laugh a little.

After seconds of a good laugh, Irene’s figure turns serious.

“Can I ask you something?”

“You can always ask me anything.”

“Do you think she hates me?” Irene asked as she looked down

Jennie looked at Irene before she answered “I don’t know Wendy as much as you do but we both know that she isn’t capable of hating anyone, even after everything.”

“But I’m hoping she does. At least that way, I can accept why she wouldn’t want to be with me anymore.” Irene’s tears starts to drop “I feel like I’m going crazy. I’m trying my best to keep it t-together b—“

Jennie rushed to Irene as she hugs her “It’s going to be okay.”

“I miss her…” Irene said in between tears “I miss her”

“Are you going to be okay?” Jennie asked worriedly when they reach the parking of the Red Velvet’s dorm.

Irene nodded, her eyes still swollen. Jennie told her to stay at their dorm for the night but Irene insisted to go home.

“Thank you for the ride.” Irene smiles at her then stepped out of the car

Jennie brought down the window, looking at Irene with a worried expression.

“I’ll be fine.” Irene said upon seeing the look on her friend “Be careful on your way.”

Jennie sighed, then left reluctantly.

As soon as Jennie left, Irene went inside the elevator. She saw her reflection on the mirror and not even stupid would believe her if she said that she didn’t cry. Her eyes are so swollen that you can instantly tell that she cried for hours.

She looked at her watch, 11:34 PM; she hopes that all of them are sleeping already. Though she already informed them that she’s meeting with Jennie, they will instantly know what happen if they saw her in this state.

She sighed in relief when empty living room greeted her. She rushed towards her room but stops when she’s in front of Seulgi and Wendy’s room.

“I hope you’re sleeping better now.” She mumbles. “I’d pray that all of those sleepless nights you’ve had because of me be exchange into a beautiful dreams now.” She said as tears drop from her eyes

Suddenly the door opens.

“Unnie?”

Irene immediately wipes the tears “I was just passing by.” She said and starts walking

“W-wait…” Seulgi said as she went out of the room. Irene stops but still back facing Seulgi.

“She’s not here.” Seulgi said weakly, contemplating whether she’ll tell her about Wendy.

“Then please don’t tell her that I’m gawking at your bedroom door at night.” Irene said laughing dryly

“U-unnie…” Seulgi called again as she steps closer to her “Seungwan, she…”

Though Irene didn’t want to look at Seulgi because of the state of her eyes she couldn’t help upon feeling the dejection on Seulgi’s voice.

Irene turns to face her “What is it?” then see the look on Seulgi’s face. It didn’t have a look that something dangerous happen but that look in Seulgi’s eyes, that was something else and it scares her.

“Unnie!” Seulgi’s voice went a little higher, her eyes went full concern.

“Don’t mind it. Just tell me what is it?” She asked, holding her breath, balling her fist from what news would Seulgi tell her about Wendy.

Seulgi’s eyes went back to what it was earlier and it scares the hell out of her “Seulgi…” she tried so hard not to crack her voice, Seulgi looked down.

“Seulgi, please…” Irene pleads as Seulgi looked up and look her straight in the eyes.

“She left.”

Irene heart’s drop. She wanted to say something but the words won’t come out.

“She’s on her way to Canada.” It’s ironic how Irene felt her heart stop earlier and now she could feel and hear the rapid beating. “She only told us earlier just before she left.”

“I see.” Irene said casually, as she turns to step away.”

“I see?” Seulgi’s expression went upset “That’s all you could say? Aren’t you even going to ask how long she’ll be gone?”

“It doesn’t ma—“

“Two months.” Her heart drops for the second time “She’ll be gone for two months and you d—“

“Goodnight Seul.” Irene cut her off and then left before Seulgi could even say anything.

Irene leaned on the door when she got inside her room.  She closed her eyes as tears falls down little by little.  She clutch her chest, her lips start to quiver and starts gasping for air as tears pour down her face.