Mina

 

She was late. She usually came home around eleven in the evening. I looked at the dinner on the dining table. It was getting cold. I stood up, carried the stew back to the kitchen and heated it. I watched the stew boil up and over the edges of the pots on the stove, looking exactly like I felt. Recently, I felt overwhelmed. Being with Chaeyoung was a roller coaster of emotions and it was exhausting but sometimes I enjoyed her presence, when she chose not to be a jerk for a millisecond. Yesterday was a surprise. She was being indifferently kind for the whole day.
 

The bell rang, cutting into my thought. I turned off the stove and snapped my head to the main door. The corner of my mouth lifted unconsciously. She was home. I jogged to the living room and slowed my pace. It couldn't be her. She wouldn't ring the bell. Then, it must be a guest. At this hour? I took off the apron and straightened my hair. It might be the Hirai. I opened the door and was stunned when seeing the woman across me.
 

She smiled kindly, though I was doubting the sincerity of that smile, "May I come in?" She asked. I nodded wordlessly and stepped aside, giving her space to walk in. She entered, her heels tapped sharply against the tiled floor. She didn't take off her shoes. I followed her behind and sat across her on the couch.
 

The dress, which came to just below her knees was slit thigh-high on both sides. Her neckline showed just a flash of cleavage, and her skirt rode up her thighs as she crossed her legs. Her sleek black hair hung in a coil-over one shoulder and her lipstick bright against her pale skin. Her back was straight. Her eyes were hard. She held so much power and control. The energy that she emitted took over her surroundings. A friendly smile carved on her innocent face but her eyes were void, cold and hollow. If you were not alerted enough, you could be easily deceived. This woman was vicious. She reminded me of Chaeyoung. They were so alike but the difference was, this woman was more wicked.
 

I was anxious about why she was here. I lowered my head and accidentally saw a large scar trailed down her left thigh, barely showing. She put her elbow on her knee and plopped her chin on her palm. She noticed my gaze, grinning, "Cool scars isn't it?" I remained quiet. She might feel offended, "You know me, aren't you?" She continued.
 

I nodded, "I remember you." Her name. Im Nayeon as how she introduced herself back then. I remembered it clearly. Our first encounter was traumatizing I would say. I had wished we would never meet again yet here she was in front of me. I looked down at my hands, and was almost surprised to see that they were not trembling. I didn't want to look weak in front of her.
 

"Can we have a little chit-chat?" She asked and I nodded again. As long as she didn't throw a basket of water over my head along with her vile remarks then we could have a decent conversation. And that was the reason I didn't offer her tea. It might end drenching on me instead, "What do you think of Chaeyoung?"

I composed myself and answered, "She's my wife" Through someone else's eyes, Chaeyoung and I were married. We loved and adored each other. I couldn't let her see through these lies. She was obviously here to intimidate me and asking questions.
 

"For now" She retorted. I blinked. What did she mean by that? Before I even had the chance to collect my thoughts and ponder over her words, she spoke out, "Chaeyoung and I have been together since we were a child. I know everything about her"
 

"That woman is too focused on achieving her goal that she lost herself in the process. Anger, ambitions, grudges consumed her. She can never love anyone, not until she finally let go and find comfort for herself. I want to be that person, her comfort. Hence, I'm trying to help her even though I have to let her go for a while and keep her under your care. That woman you called 'wife'. We have a unique unbreakable relationship. I'm not afraid of losing her because wherever she is, whoever she's with, whatever she's doing, if I want, she'll leave everything and come to me. In the end, she'll always come to me. Because to her, I'm an angel" Her voice was flat and clipped with controlled wrath, not even a second she wavered. As if she had everything memorized in her head.

She meant what she said, every single word. She knew and she wanted me to know that she had control over Chaeyoung. It didn't take a genius to figure out what she was implying. She was attached to Chaeyoung, though I wasn't sure if you could name it love. This woman was surely one terrifying woman. I was intimidated, scared and nervous because of her but I didn't back down.
 

Her words managed to tick something in me. I didn't know where the courage came from but I snapped back, "You have no fear of losing her but your action speaks otherwise. The fact that you are telling me this shows how insecure and anxious you are. You feel threatened by me. That unique unbreakable relationship seems to be more fragile than I thought."

"I like your gut" She smirked, "What do you call someone who used others for their advantages? A parasite. I despised those pests the most"
 

"Your feeling for her is really indicative of a narcissistically exploitative pseudo-love. I don't think I'm the parasite one here." I challenged. Words escaped my mouth without careful thoughts. I concluded that she knew, she was aware of Chaeyoung's plan. This fake marriage.

She halted for a moment. Her silence held such authority that it gave me a sharp stab of alarm. I hit the mark. She seemed to be taken aback by my statement. She was mad though her gesture, posture, expression remained the same, her eyes said it all. A warning glint behind that glare. During that long moment of starting into those furious agonized eyes, a strong shivering fear gripped me. I tensed up.

In a second, everything flipped. As if tsunami flooded, the fire I saw behind her gaze washed over. Her lips curled up into a smile and she started chuckling. She shook her head and looked at me again, "Interesting. I've never said I love her either. What makes you jump to that conclusion? I don't love things, Miss Myoui, I possess things. To love or have someone, you need power. Now, what can you do for her other than being her weakness?"
 

I forced a smile, gaining enough confidence to look at her in the eyes, "I think you misunderstood the situation. I have no intention to stay once this is over. I'll be her temporary wife and leave as I should. You have nothing to be worried about" My heart was aching. I wondered why? I wasn't mad at her nor was I disappointed. It was more to a realization. That was it. Realization. Months of living with Chaeyoung sometimes make me forget it was a job. And again I had to remind myself, it really was a job. We were helping each other, for now. Once it was over, we would walk our path separately. This was temporary. Just temporary.

"I'll hold you to that" She stated.

"I expect nothing less"

She gets her handbag and looked down on me, "All right. I bet we'll be seeing each other more often now. I don't know you personally and I don't want to know but I've heard your name. The only PA that lasted long working under Chaeyoung. You are talented enough to get a decent job. I don't understand why you agree with this marriage but you should start planning for your future. If you have even a little dignity left, then you know what you should do. Don't end up being someone else's fake spouse again in exchange for money. It's shameful and pathetic."
 

I bit my lips and held myself. I'd never felt so low and contemptible ity. She was right after all. She walked to me. I lowered my head. She ran her fingers softly along my temple down to my cheeks then grasped my chin roughly with her hand and tipped it upward, forcing my eyes to meet hers, "I'm not nice, Mina. This will be the first and last time I let you ran that mouth freely. The next time you dare to judge my relationship with Chaeyoung, you'll lose that tongue. You know absolutely nothing" She whispered, her eyes overflowing with hatred and anger.

She shoved my face away, I dropped to the couch, "Ah, if you are waiting for Chaeyoung, you should just go to bed. She'll be late" She threw an envelope on the table. I looked up at her. A little ripple of a smile hovering about her red lips. She leaned down while I flinched in reflex. She chuckled before pecking my jaw, "Goodnight sweetie"

I lost the battle to suppress the tears. It fell down for the pity I had towards myself. I quickly wiped it off and suppressed it. Her long nails left their impress on my cheek. It stung a bit. I turned to the envelope on the table. Did she leave it on purpose? I reached for it and took the contents out of the envelope. I fanned through it and sighed.

"Why?" I mumbled to myself, not knowing why, why, why it mattered? It didn't matter to me. I didn't care nor want to care. That was what I was supposed to feel. Yet, why did it affect me this much? The sob I tried to swallow burst free and fat tears spilled down my cheeks. I didn't like this. Any of this. I started to regret agreeing to this marriage, to all of this in the first place. I started to wish for this contract to end as soon as possible.


 

Chaeyoung

Mina hadn't been talking for days. She was in her room or the library most of the time. She still cooked for me and played her role as my wife, but something was missing. She was quieter than she already was. She wouldn't open unless I started the conversation. Our talk was centered around the successor formality and the Hirai Family. That was it. I wanted her to talk more, to converse with me more. I wanted to hear her voice more. It was frustrating because I couldn't understand myself. This was what I wanted. We would focus only on the successor formality and played our role. That was what was written in the contract. She wasn't obliged to tell me anything unrelated to it. She didn't have to tell how her day going, how she was feeling, had she eaten or not? She didn't have to, or needed to tell me.

But I wanted to know. Everything about her, more about her. Yet, I failed. Every time, I pushed aside my ego and encouraged her to talk more, she instantly steps back, refusing. It kept repeating for a while until I figured it wouldn't work. I was bad at talking. I had to do something instead. And so I did, prepared something for her. I glanced over my phone and smiled; 10:00 a.m. Friday. She would be occupied today. I had time to evaluate the place and general look of the event after meeting Sana. Though I always succeed in managing events, this made me anxious. The project that I used to handle was for my client. Now, I planned something for myself, it was quite nerve-wracking. But first, I had to see my sister-in-law.

"Where are you going?" I asked when Mina came down the stairs. That attire was far from what I expected. Rather than a comfortable t-shirt and legging, she wore a simple floral dress and peach handbag.
 

She walked past me and I caught her arms. She sighed before answering, "To see Sana"

"It's Friday. I'll bring take her to the music nights, you go to the dance class"

"You don't have to. I've informed Momo to cance---"
 

"Don't ruin my date with your sister" I interjected. "I sincerely want to know her better. I'll take good care of her. You should go on with the dance class. You anticipated it a lot" She kept quiet. I walked around and stood before her. She wasn't looking at me, "And after the dance class, meet me at Banpo Bridge Park. I've prepared something for you."
 

She gave me a questioning look and I understood the meaning of that expression. She probably thought it was another formal event we had to attend. I guided her chin to turn to me. She looked at me lazily. I pinched her cheeks, causing her eyes to narrowed and glared. She was adorable. I couldn't help but smile and lifted her cheeks, forming a curve across her face, "Give me a chance to turn that frown on my wife's face into a smile"
 

She stared at me. The frown on her face was not disappearing any sooner even deepened faintly. Her brows furrowed, "Will you really come? Or are you going to make me wait again?"

She was pertaining to the last time I didn't appear when I asked her out on dinner. Her doubt was an understatement. I held out my hand, pinky finger extended. "Pinky swear" I smiled, waiting for her response. Her hands were reaching for mine before she'd come to a complete stop. She retracted and lowered her hand. I panicked. Dammit, was she refusing? She was thinking deeply but I didn't know what was running inside her mind. I stepped closer. If she didn't want to come then by any means, I'd make her agree, "Mina"

She lifted her head and met my gaze, "Seal your promise with a kiss"

For a second, I paused. Did I hear it right? It was a yes. Without me knowing, a huge grin formed on my face. Very well, Miss Myoui, "You asked for it" I warned and yanked her against me. I kissed her. A quick kiss to show her, she didn't control me. This woman had me on edge for days. She was bewitching me and I had to fight or I would be lost in her spell. But once her lips brushed over mine, I hadn't been in such a hurry to pull back. Once I felt the softness of her lips, I wanted to feel more.
 

Ah, I fell on my own trap.

I danced my lips lightly over her once, twice, three times. On the third time, she opened her lips with a light gasp or sigh---I was not certain which---and slid my hand up her neck and into her hair. I slanted my mouth over hers, angling her head to give me better access. Her body was rigid in my arms but she didn't protest. As I moved my lips over hers, she began to melt into me, slowly at first until her arms came around my neck. She clung to me as though I was the last lifeline of a sinking ship. Her scent, which seems to be a mixture of lily of the valley and laundered linen, teased my sense, making me want her more and more. She did not kiss me back but when I ran my tongue lightly along the seam of her lips, she gave a soft moan.
 

Instantly, she pushed me away but my arms stayed firm around her. I might have rebelled and deepened the kiss then. I certainly wanted to. My body wanted more but I held myself. This path was a slippery slope. Kissing her was only making me want her more and no good could come from that. This sham of marriage would be over in a few months though I had to admit I wanted her. I was aware, I knew. I was playing with fire. One mistake, it would burn me instead. I stepped back and released her. She clung to me for another moment before realizing she was free. Her eyes were brilliant, her cheeks were flushed, her lips red as a ripe rose. I clenched my hands in order to resist taking her in my arms again.
 

I pecked the tip of her nose, "Wait for me, I'll surely come to you" she bit her lower lip and avoided my gaze. I smiled teasingly, "You are blushin----Ack!" Dammit Myoui. She looked at me while I immediately crouched down, rubbing my shin where she had just kicked. She flipped her hair and walked away. Lord. I liked that.
 

Mina left for the dance class while I drove to the nearest mall and bought a few things. I couldn't come with empty hands. Mina told me, her sister had a friend called Happy that would visit her every day at a specific time. And thus, I bought something for Happy too. I stopped in the doorway of Sana's room, taking in her appearance. She was a skinny woman. I remembered seeing her from Mina's photo frame at her house. However, far from the image stored in my memory; chubby and bubbly woman. She looked thinner, her cheeks were hollowed, her eyes were dark.
 

Those eyes lifted at my knock, regarding me with suspicion, "Can I help you?" She asked.
 

I stepped in, holding out a large bouquet, "Hello Sana, I'm Son Chaeyoung, a friend of Mina's" She didn't know about the marriage and Mina asked me to keep it a secret from Sana since it would only confuse her.
 

"Are you now?" She reached for the flowers. From the corner, on the windowsill, a squirrel cracked a nut with his hand, "My name is Minatozaki Sana and that is Happy. I haven't permitted you to call me casually"

Minatozaki? Their surname was different. Were you hiding something from me Mina? Or was this just another piece of information you didn't want me to know? Mina would have told me if it was needed, since she chose not to, she must have her reason. I brushed off the thought for now, "My apologies, Miss Sana" I winced a little at the noise from the squirrel. Mina didn't tell me Happy was a damn squirrel. What did squirrel eat anyways? I didn't have nuts with me, obviously. I held out my other purchase, "I brought Happy a treat"
 

"What did you bring?"

I dug into the shopping bag, "I brought him an apple. Should I put it next to him?"
 

She pursed her lips, looking up at me, "Not the brightest button in the box, are you?"
 

"Pardon?"

"He can't eat a whole apple, kid. It needs to be cut"
 

I looked at the apple, then at the squirrel, "Oh" From the bag, I lifted out a package of microwave popcorn I had grabbed from the cupboard. Mina ate a lot of popcorn, "I suppose, I should have cooked this too."
 

She began to laugh. Loud peals of amusement echoed off the walls, "Mina must like you for your looks because it can't be for your brains."
 

Damn, she got me but it felt nice to see her smile. I smirked, trying to lighten up the atmosphere, "Mina likes me?"
 

She frowned, shaking her head in disapproval, "She never dislikes anyone. You are not special"
 

Disliked. There was a person that she hated, Miss Sana. Her tyrant boss. The first one on her dislike list. I unconsciously smiled. I couldn't help but grin at her sharp tongue. She reminded me of Tzuyu. Blunt, direct and had no problem expressing her opinion. Reaching to her left, she pressed a button on the wall to bring a caregiver to her room. "Zara will put these in water and cut the apple for poor Happy. If I ask her nicely, she'll bring us some coffee"

I fumbled in the bag and held out some chocolates. At least I got that part right. "Maybe these would help"

She arched an eyebrow at me, "There may be hope for you yet. Now, sit down and tell me how you know my Mina-and why you call her so casually." She smiled when I produced a second box of chocolates, "If those are for me, then you have my permission to call me Sana"

I smiled. Well, I managed to get into her good side. Zara appeared and showed me the kitchen area and I went back to the room after making two cups of coffee.We spent time together and enjoyed the music nights silently. She didn't talk much. Though I figured she was not pushing me away, she didn't accept me either. Most of the time, she was staring into space and wavered in her thoughts. Then a moment later, she would return to the present, clapping and smiling all the way as we watched the musicians.

At one point, she was dozing on her chair. I excused myself and brought her to her room. I tucked her to bed with the caregiver's help. Though she didn't open up to me yet, I would say it was a nice start. I looked around, now that I had time to examine every detail. Sana's room was light and airy with large windowsand filled with easels boxes of charcoals pencils and watercolors. There were books and photographs on the shelvesand many pieces of her work hanging on the walls.
 

An unaccustomed wave of guilt drifted through me as I remembered the small canvas Mina had been carrying months ago. That mushroom painting. I had been my usual caustic self, telling her she couldn't hang it up in the Villa. The wave of guilt and shame became a tsunami, engulfing my brain, its prickly tentacles piercing at my skin. Again this strange emotion was still new to me though I'd been feeling a lot of it lately. I shifted my weight from foot to foot, unused to it. I had to see Mina.

I hopped into my car and glanced to the rearview mirror, self consciously fixed my hair and smoothed out the already straight lines of my jacket. I halted. It was just a dinner with Miss Myoui. Why did I feel self-conscious about my appearance? It was nothing but just a dinner and a little surprise for her. I rubbed the edge of my brow and cleared my throat. Yet that small action to compose myself failed to hold the excitement inside me. I smiled then head to Banpo Bridge Park. I was looking forward to seeing her.
 

My phone suddenly rang. I was expecting Mina but it wasn't her. I stared at the screen before sliding the green button, "Are you avoiding me?" She started once the call was connected. She had always been impatient.

I sighed, "I'm just a little busy, that's all"

"You come by right now"

She ended the call before I could answer. She was furious. What was it that bothering her? I turned off the phone and dropped it in the center console and turned the wheel sharply, making a sudden U-turn in the middle of the street. Earlier, I had texted Mina when and where we would meet, specifically. I had one more hour before the appointed time. It was good that she contacted me, I also had questions to ask. When I reached her place, she was sitting in an armchair, eyes closed, a cigarette clutched between her finger which she puffed frantically. A few bottles of wine were scattered on the table. The thick atmosphere of smoke clogs my throat.
 

She was drunk and looking calm. That was what worried me. She was now in that calm lagoon of rage. That calmness held an inner inferno. I stood across her, "Was it you who gave the pictures to Mina?"

"Yes," She answered shortly.

"You have people following me?"

"Yes".
 

I heaved a low sigh. My innermost suspicions were correct. She was just afraid and anxious. I understood yet this was suffocating. It was hard to breathe. If she heard me sighing, she would assume I grow tired of her and it was completely wrong. I would never. She was someone important to me. I went closer and gently held her shoulder. I knew she needed constant reassurance, "You don't have to do that. Pay her no mind. After the contract, she'll leave. There's nothing in between us. Since now we are together, I want to do good to her even for a while. She helps me"
 

She fluttered her eyes opened, "I don't like the way you talk about her"

"She's nothing. Why are you getting so worked up?"
 

"Because you make her sounds like she's something to you. That worthless woman!"

"Nayeon!" I pressed my lips together, regretting. No matter how angry I was, how humiliating her words. I shouldn't shout at her. Not her. I tried to coax her again, "Mina is a good woman. Don't talk to her like that"

"Why? Why not? Did I say something wrong?" She rebuked, stepping down from the armchair and stumbled. I caught her arm as she stared at me lazily, "Don't raise your voice on me. I'm losing patience. If you keep acting like this, she'll be gone even before the contract ends. You know I'm capable enough to make someone disappear without a trace. I won't let anyone take you away from me"
 

I let go of her elbow and moved back a step. She was wasted. We wouldn't have a decent conversation when she was in this state. She made my attempt to distance myself harder by following me, lacing our fingers together. I forced myself to pull my hand. I needed to go. Mina was waiting. She stared at her hanging hand and lifted her gaze to me, shaking her head. I looked away, "I'll get going. Take some rest"

"Don't go, don't leave me-----" She clung into my arms, I ignored her, "Son Chaeyoung!" She threw the bottle of wine against the wall. Fragments flew, and my cheek stung as one sliced the skin, a spot of blood fell. I watched blankly as the red liquid and shards of glass rained down. I wiped the blood on my face and turned around, "If you dare take another step, I'll put a shot into her brain," She ordered. Her voice drained, "Stay"

I left
 

Entering my car, I slammed the door shut and turned the ignition key. The car whined and whined. I put both hands on the wheel and set my foot on the gas pedal. I had to go. Mina, she was waiting. I promised her-----Promise, " it" I groaned in frustration and hit the steering wheel with the flat of my hand. I glanced up to Nayeon's Condominium. Her last word before I walked out of her house lingered in my mind. She told me to stay, she wanted me to stay. I slumped on my seat and closed my eyes.

I pushed the door slowly, it creaked open. I watched the girl inside sitting at the edge of the bed with her head bowed down. I looked over the meals that hadn't been eaten. With all her remaining strength, she grabbed her crutch and dragged herself to stand. She didn't last two seconds before she went toppling heavily to the ground. Her ankle beneath her sprained as she landed. I winched, that must be painful.
 

"I can't, I can't" She mumbled, staring at the ground and held her thigh wrapped in a bandage.
 

I walked in and crouched down across her, "Yes you can, Nayeon" She looked up at me, Tears welled and flowed from her eyes. I had always been watching her. She was grief-stricken when she confronted her wound, her loss. Her hopelessness became a cornerstone for her depression. It lasted for months. This was the first time I saw her trying to walk and not lying in bed all day. It was a good start, I turned around and guided her arms to my neck, "Here, I'll piggyback you"
 

Compared to me, she was skinner, lighter. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she hesitantly hopped on, her legs around my waist, "Chaeyoung, don't leave me okay. Please always stay beside me. I lost everything. I can't lose you too"
 

I looked over my shoulder and smiled at her, "I will never leave you"











 

Mina

"Mina, you are doing really great. Are you sure you have never been in a dance class before? Your posture and movement say otherwise. You are quick to master the choreography too" Hana said as she watched me following the instructor. I smiled and wordlessly shook my head. Perhaps I had but I didn't find the need to tell them about it and I didn't want to talk about it either. Years of not practicing and being left out impacted me. I would never be the same as I was and I'd accepted it. I wasn't here to have that dream or even dare to dream again. It was just a hobby and a way to entertain myself. That was it, no more.
 

As soon as the class ended, I packed my belongings and went to bid goodbye but they stopped me, "Why are you in such a hurry? Stay for a bit. Since it's your first day, we should celebrate. Do you mind joining us for dinner and hang out at the mall?" Hana suggested, "We'll talk to Chaeyoung, don't worry" Momo inserted, tugging my sleeve.
 

I glanced at the clock attached to the wall. It was almost time. I looked at them and smiled awkwardly, it was hard for me to decline an offer, "Actually....I have an appointment-----"
 

"Oh! A date with Chaeyoung?" Momo excitedly said and leaned closer. I avoided her playful gaze.
 

"I won't really call it a date. We are just going to eat outside"
 

"It's a date then" She concluded, clapping her hands, "By the way, how is she on bed?"
 

I snapped my head towards her. We were not talking about this, please. Their eyes search for an answer yet I couldn't give anything. What was there to say anyway? Hana frowned, "Don't tell me both of you haven't slept together when you are living under the same roof? That's weird. I thought Chae---"
 

"We did" I blurted out, erasing any suspicion. We were married, I understood if people found it weird. I had to make up a lie and I hated lying but it seemed like I had no choice, "We did it....couple of times"
 

"Is she good?"
 

God. Was it normal to ask this kind of question? Wasn't it privacy? They stared at me with a questioning look and eyes sparkled in curiosity. I felt heat creeping up my face, completely embarrassed when I remembered what happened early in the morning. What had gotten into me to ask for a kiss? Though I wasn't regretting. I looked away and cleared my throat, "I-it's getting late. I'm sorry. I can't join today"

"Someone is shy" Momo chuckled and coughed after Hana nudged her. I smiled, they were cute. Hana took her bag and winked at me, "Nah, it's okay. We can always hang out other times. If I see hickey tomorrow, you owe me a full detail story" A teasing smile twitching at the corner of her lips, and a bubble of laughter burst within her. She dragged Momo out while the latter was busy gathering her bread buns, shoved them inside her backpack.
 

I went home and took a bath. I had an hour to spare. Looking through the closet, I finally selected one made of heavy but soft materials. Its heaviness will protect me from the cold and its fabrics will be to her liking. After stepping into the dress and zipping it up, I have further thought about what shoes to wear. I decided upon a pair of medium-height heels. In addition to being feminine and elegant in a very simple and attract---nice way, they were quite comfortable. Last of all, I sat in front of the dressing-table mirror, putting on makeup and earrings. It was when I applied a layer of lipstick to my lips, I realized, I was getting worked up for what? I chuckled and looked at my reflection.
 

You were an idiot. What were you doing to yourself? This wasn't you. You didn't like this kind of dress, you wore it because of her, why would you? You didn't like heavy makeup, why did you? Who were you trying to impress? I put down the lipstick and shook my head. Get back to your senses, Myoui Mina. I pulled out wet tissues, wiping the makeup off my face. I changed my clothes into casual attire; jeans and blouse paired with sneakers. This was more you. I cleaned and tidied up the mess then left to Banpo Bridge Park just on time. I was thinking that Chaeyoung brought her car with her so I didn't have to drive mine. Hence, I asked Hoon to give me a ride.
 

Chaeyoung hadn't arrived yet. I walked to the nearest bench and waited. I noticed a Hangang River Cruise a few meters away from me. It had been there for quite some time but no one was boarding it. Who was it waiting for? I ignored it and glanced at my wristwatch. There were five minutes left. I looked around, there was no sight of her. Few seconds left. I flinched when a sudden water up from the Han River below and spray out into a sparkling show. I knew what it was. Rainbow Fountain. I never had the chance to see it. It was illuminated by rainbow-colored jets of water synchronized to music. I tipped my head up, amazed as I watched the shooting water. A big grin across my face.
 

I immediately roamed my eyes around and search for Chaeyoung. She missed this beautiful view. As long as she was here before the show ended, we could watch it together. I had hoped she would arrive soon but the show finished without her next to me. She was late an hour and a half. I continued waiting. I held on to her promise and kept waiting until the first few drops of rain fell. It was so sudden. I rushed to find shelter and hid inside a telephone booth. Wind sent a shower of rain tapping against the glass wall. Thank God, the telephone booth was covered.
 

I rubbed my arms, shivering from the cold. I looked for tissues and realized my phone. I accidentally left it in the car. The telephone booth was not working. This was not good. Would the rain never stop? I waited and waited, hoping Chaeyoung could be here soon. I rubbed my hands together to warm up my fingertips. Blowing air out, I could see my breath. My body was trembling. I bent my forehead to my knees and hugged my legs. Hours, it had been hours. I felt myself getting weaker and my vision becoming blurry as time passed by. Where were you? Chaeyoung.
 

"Mina" A voice called.
 

I managed to focus my eyes and saw a pair of legs approaching. I pushed myself up and hunched there, unable to stand, my legs were cramping. I forced myself to stand straight but couldn't support my weight. I stumbled forward and her arms caught me. My body felt very far away and I collapsed on her. Hearing was the last thing giving up on me and I heard her voice calling my name again and again until it gave up.














 

- to be continued-

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✒ JunKudo/ RenOgura