MARK

LA, 2020

"Mark, are you sure about all this?" my father asks as he stands leaning against the door of my room.

"Yeah," I answer. He just exhaled and leave my room.

It's been a year since I returned from Jeju. But I've never really forgotten Jeju and Mina.

I took a rather large envelope on my desk to pull out what’s inside it. Photos of Jeju scenery that I printed. A woman's face fills in some of the prints. Once again I look at the figure of that woman in the photo after I don’t know for how many times already. A woman who looks very beautiful with blonde hair. Mina! It was her photos that I took when she was daydreaming looked out from the café cashier's desk. Her photo when she was reading a book in front of me. And the last photo when she smiled happily between the expanse of yellowseed flowers.

To be honest, that night when I drove her home and said I was going back to LA was actually really hard for me. Without realizing it there was little hope she would hold me not to go. I waited between the silent pauses. Tried reading her facial expressions. She looked shocked and confused. But then she smiled.

"Well.. It's good to know you." she said.

I just nodded and smiled then walked away. Feeling disappointed because it seems that her feelings for me different from what I expected.

Since then I returned to work as usual and back to my routine in LA. Trying to forget it. Wish the feelings that come up in a short time will also disappear in a short time. But the fact is I always miss her presence around me. Realizing that her presence can never be replaced by others. Because all I want by my side is Myoui Mina.

…..

MINA

Today the weather is very good, the sun is shining warmly on Jeju. As usual, at 10 I am preparing to open my café. I look down into my bag to find the key to my café door.

"Mina?"

Someone called to stop me from reaching into my bag and hurriedly turn around. I just stand still when I finally meet his gaze. Is it a dream? My mind asking.

"Hi," he says again. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?" he grins.

So this is not a dream?. "Mark?" finally I manage to find my voice and stop frozen.

He walks closer to me. Stop a step in front of me for a moment before finally stepping forward and hugging me. "I hope you do not forget me." His voice felt very close to my ear and again I just froze. My chest feels tight. My eyes feel hot trying to hold back the tears that try to come out. How I miss him.

…..

MARK

She doesn’t say a thing for a moment when I hug her. Was she surprised? Did I make a mistake by hugging her so suddenly?

"What are you doing here, Mark?"

"I decided to stay here." I let go of my arms.

Puzzled, she asked. "What? Why?"

A month ago a gallery owner in Jeju offered me to hold an exhibition here after seeing the portfolio of photos I took while in Jeju. At first, I hesitated. But I really want to see her again. I also realized how stupid I was for not confessing my feelings before leaving Jeju. For being a fool by only dare to hope and escape. Even if she didn't have feelings for me, I should have stayed longer. I should have tried to make her like me. Therefore, I decided to come back and stay here. To once again filling in the empty space once left by her.

"Because I need someone and want to keep her by my side."

Her expression looks even more confused.

"I need Myoui Mina"

Instantly the confused expression turned into a smile, the emotional outburst she had been holding turned into tears flowing down her beautiful face. When I see that smile there is a sense of relief flowing throughout my body.

- END -