Chapter 6
15
The sky was drizzling, Seola trotted all the way, but still soaked in rain even when it was only a two-minute distance to home.

Her mood was as terrible as the weather. Eunseo always said she never got off from work before the sun set. Today, she was on leave, but the sun has descended early evening. Only darkness welcomed her on the path back home.

"I'm back." As soon as Seola stepped into the house, she took off her suit, flinging it vigorously and stopped when there was no more droplets. Only then she closed the door.

She took off her wet heels and picked up a towel on the rack.

When was the towel placed there? Seola wondered. She could not recall she brought any towel to the entrance. It was probably Eunseo who put it, that considerate Eunseo. She might have checked the weather forecast before, knowing it would rain so she prepared the towel.

"She's probably still busy with her project..." Seola found that only she alone at home.

Seola surveyed around and felt that there was something different. However, she could not tell the difference. Maybe it was just she seldom stay in such a quiet space.

Most of the time when she goes back home, the house is always echoed with Eunseo's sounds, it may be her talking voice, her cooking movement or the sound from the movie she watches. The only moment when Eunseo keeps quiet is when she is asleep.

The notification ringtone rang, it was a message from Mrs Ahn, allowing Seola to complete her work at home. It was clearly a concession by Mrs Ahn as no superior can tolerate an employee's ad hoc leave without proper reason. For some reasons, Seola actually knew that Mrs. Ahn would let her off for her random discourtesy.

During her internship, Mrs Ahn has been treating Seola and Bona very well. Even though she is strict towards them, she does not simply see them as subordinates as she knows the capability of Bona and Seola.

Intern period was the toughest period for Seola, but it was also the most memorable time for her.

Seola let out a heavy sigh, since she could not return to the past, just do her best to embrace the future.

Seola got her clothes changed, toweled her wet hair and walked to the kitchen to make coffee.

She has not operated the coffee maker for ages so she was afraid that she had forgotten the steps to use the machine. She noticed a note Eunseo pasted when she looked down which stated, "Remember to fill up the water first before getting started. Don't take too much caffeine."

That's right, water first. Seola nodded. Recalling the first time when she used the machine, she almost caused the entire house burned down as she forgot to pour in some water. She was nagged by Eunseo for the whole day for her clumsiness.

Seola took the beans and saw another note stuck on the package. "Don't adjust the grinder setting. Add some beans in before switching on the grinder. Grind until those particles become sandy. After that put coffee grounds to the filter and place the basket back inside the machine."

Seola crooked her head and studied for a while before she finally found the switch of the grinder. She told Eunseo they do not need such high-classed coffee maker since it is only her drinking coffee. However, Eunseo insisted that the coffee has to be freshly brewed every time to ensure its quality as Seola will take it on daily based.

After dealing with all those complicated steps, Seola has finally come up with a cup of coffee that she brewed on her own. She took a sip. The only result she got was the coffee she made did not taste as good as Eunseo's.

Seola her computer and immersed in her works for another three hours without realizing how time flies.

Her works by the day were officially done after clicking the "send" button.

She stretched lazily and yawned, It has been past seven in the evening.

Eunseo should have reached home around this time normally. Seola narrowed her brows, took up her phone and texted Eunseo. "Still busy? Coming back for dinner?

She waited awhile but the message remained unread. Therefore, she decided to take a bath. Only at the moment she opened the closet, she realized how things went so wrong.

She panicky walked out the room and observed the house attentively. Now she could tell the differences. All Eunseo's personal belongings were gone. Her clothes, cosmetics, bags, the small pillow she always carries around, those framed photos in living rooms, her shoes, her sneakers....Everything has gone.

Seola was totally in shock. She called Eunseo in hurry but the calls were all transferred to voice mails.

"Eunseo, where are you? Are you mad with me? I'm sorry. It's my fault. Can you call me back?" In fact, Seola's mind went blank. She did not even understand the reason Eunseo left their home out of the blue, but most probably she left because she was angry, right? Seola must have done something wrong that enraged Eunseo. She could not figure out anything at all but admitting her mistake would be the finest thing to do first, wasn't it? In Seola's opinion.

Seola anxiously grabbing her phone and pacing back and forth in the living room. Her wrinkled brows were never on ease, she could not think of the places Eunseo would go. Worse comes to worst, she could not tell any other place Eunseo normally goes, except her school.

Will she be staying in a hotel? Has she returned to her hometown in Fucheon? Has she ever mentioned moving to her university dormitory? Or will she be wandering at the streets now? Seola getting more and more restless, having no ideas. She did not know where to start searching even if she walks out now.

All the call attempts were transferred to the voicemails, Seola worriedly grabbed her hair. "Eunseo, if you hear this, at least let me know that you're safe, okay? Call me back please. It doesn't matter how long you take. Don't worry to wake me up, just give me a call, please?"

The right fist that continuously punched on the wall reddened but Seola was still clueless on what to do.

"Meng Meiqi!" Seola suddenly remembered Eunseo's best friend in the university. Her eyes sparkled in hope instantly but wizened in the next second. She realized she does not have any contact method to reach out to Eunseo's friends.

The only mutual friend they share excluding Bona, is Exy. However, Exy did not send any messages to her and Eunseo is also unlikely will look for someone that Seola knows.

Seola flopped down in dismay, realizing how lost she was, what a failure she was.

16

The doorbell rang, no one got up to open the door.

It rang again, Luda, who was crossing her legs in front of her computer, shouted in the direction of the kitchen, "Meiqi, someone's here!"

"I'm cutting  the vege. Can you do me the favor?" Meiqi was also busy dealing with those ingredients in the kitchen.

"I'm about to win, the chips are down." Luda's eyesight glued on the monitor, remained unmoved.

"Aishh..." The doorbell kept ringing. Meiqi put the knife down, washed her hand and ran to the door. She was in shock to find out that uninvited guest.

"Eunseo?"

Heard the noises of Meiqi, Luda who had the final victory, popped out her head and looked at the door, "Eunseo?"

Eunseo stunned for a moment, did not expect to see Luda. She awkwardly stratched her head. "Sorry, I don't know Luda eonnie is here..."

"This... I'm just planning to tell you, we just get started!" Meiqi explained panicky. Eunseo slowly shook her head and squeezed a smile.

Meiqi noticed that Eunseo was not in the mood to find out more, she could briefly guess the ongoing, especially after seeing the luggages Eunseo holding. She took one bag over and pulled Eunseo into the house with another hand. "What happened? Your eyes are swollen." She asked with concern.

Eunseo looked at Luda, opened uneasily and asked," Can I stay here for a while? It's not convenient for me to go back and forth from my home to school. I will move out once I find myself a suitable place."

Meiqi put down the luggage and hugged Eunseo, gently whispered, "You can stay as long as you wish. Don't worry about that."

"What?" Luda thought she misheard Meiqi's answer, pulled the earphones off and stared at Meiqi.

"Shh.." Meiqi walked to Luda and explained, "She stays in the guest room, we share one room together."

"Eunseo, stay as long as you want. Not a big deal." Luda flipped her expression, like turning the pages, to a harmless and innocent look, showing a bright smile.

"Thank you. So sorry that I have to bother you." Eunseo cautiously bowed in gratitude.

Luda peeked at Eunseo's belongings and asked, "So why did you leave home?"

"It must be that ungrateful brat!" Meiqi smirked, she knew it has something to do with Seola.

"She's not that bad. She is nice to me. She just can't see her heart clearly...You don't know her..." Eunseo stood at Seola's side.

"So you think you know her well? Until things ended up in this way? You're worse than her in acting fool.  If she really cares about you, will you stand in front of me now? Yet you're still taking her side. I've never seen someone as silly as you!" Meiqi barely hold her anger, rebuking in furious. Eunseo shrugged without replying.

"Meiqi..." Luda Meiqi. Meiqi gets angry every time talking Eunseo's girlfriend, now Luda had to think of a way to smooth things over for these two. "In fact, I think it's actually a brilliant decision. Starting from this moment, you only need to care for yourself which can save you a lot of troubles. Both of you can also plan the destination for your graduation trip. Meiqi mentioned traveling abroad few days ago."

Meiqi realized she has been quite mean so she echoed Luda, softened her tone and said, "Spain. You told me you watch a variety show and want to visit Spain. Let's go on a pilgrimage journey."

Eunseo shook her head in disagreement. "Going to Spain is costly." Thinking that renting a room needs extra expenses. She has to start to work part-time to earn money from now onwards. Her scholarship is not enough and she definitely cannot ask her parents for allowance.

Meiqi patted Eunseo. "Don't worry, Luda eonnie has money."

"Me?" Luda's eyes widened, as if dropping the stone she picked up herself, on her own foot. Meiqi looked at her with an indescrible hopeful expression, so she braced herself with a forceful smile and said, "Yeah, I can earn money through gaming broadcast."

"Meiqi said you're busy with your master degree..."

"I am. But I can sacrifice my break time for it." Luda sighed. Something beneath her heart told her that her ranking in the house will drop once Eunseo moves in. However, seeing how upset Eunseo was with her relationship, she chose to comfort her instead. "Don't be sad. Everyone who falls in love, sooner or later, will eventually break up. They definitely will. Love changes, women change, nothing in this world lasts forever. Don't get upset, okay?"

Meiqi cocked the corner of her lips up in awe. The way Luda comforts her friend was really... really unique.

To be continued...