EDITED

A/N: I know I always write in 3rd person but in order to convey this chapter to my fullest potential, I will be writing in Taeyeon's point of view.

I looked through the window at the sight bussing passed me. My ear buds rested comfortably in my ears while blasting the latest songs I bought off of iTunes. I wanted to shut myself away from the world, away from the reality I was about to face. I wasn't ready to look at him, or any of them. I didn't have a good feeling about this. Every fiber of my being was telling me this is all a mistake, a choice I shouldn't have made. Yet, here I am, riding in the backseat of a car owned by my brother. Jiwoong was right though, he had nothing to do with this but my pride didn't exactly let me show such affection. He has grown up really well though. He's no longer the gloomy child I had to lean on whenever I needed support.

Hours passed by and the scenery has become recognizable. That familiar restaurant at the corner was still there. Amazing how it hasn't gone out of business with the amount of customers that came in. I pitied the owner. The food isn't even bad. A couple of streets later I saw the park, the park where I was left behind, thrown away, forgotten. In an instant, that little bit of hope for a brighter tomorrow, vanished into thin air. Dread and anger rose from the bottom of my heart in the snap of a finger. Just like Hyoyeon said before, I knew it was time to let it go but I still couldn’t. Actually, I should be grateful, because of my abandonment I was able to grow up with Hyoyeon, Sunny and Sooyoung but before I could drown myself deeper into my thoughts, the car stopped and Jiwoong opened my door.

"Sis, we arrived at the hotel already," he lowered his head to my level of vision.

I turned my head to the right and saw the hotel through the window. I turned back to him. "Oh. Thanks." I mumbled.

I took a step out of the car and he lifted me up with his arm. It took me by surprise. Why is he acting this way? up possibly? I went to the trunk to take my things out but they were already on the luggage trolley. The bell boy was on standby waiting for me with one hand on the trolley and the other firmly at his side. I looked back at Jiwoong in confusion but he just smiled.

"It was dad's idea," he shrugged and walked ahead of me to the bellboy.

I followed him and we entered the hotel. The exterior didn't look like anything out of the ordinary but once I step foot into the hotel, my legs refused to move. It was as if nails suddenly pierced my flesh and rooted me to the ground. The interior took my breath away. The design was straight from a magazine. Tall roman styled columns rose from the marble floor and latched itself on the dome ceiling which looked as if it took forever to create. A million pieces of multicolored broken glass were intricately placed one by one by the most careful and artistic hands. The mural depicted light blue waves crashing onto the afternoon sky, truly a masterpiece.

 My brother noticed my inability to move and grabbed my arm, gently pulling me forward. We reached the reception desk and all the employees bowed. That seems odd. Then, I looked back and saw the rest with their heads bowed and hands at their stomach. My attention was cut short when the employee spoke.

"Welcome Mr. Kim," she spoke with the highest formality. What's going on here?

"Hello. I'm here for the penthouse suite," he spoke with a hint of authority.

"Yes. Right away, Sir," she turned her back to us and searched for the key.

"What's going on?" I whispered in his ear.

"I'll tell you when we're up there," he whispered back.

The receptionist gave him the key and bowed. He went straight to the elevator while the bellboy followed with my luggage. I don't understand why he needed a trolley for such a small luggage bag. The bellboy pressed the button and the elevator came to life. After a few seconds of awkward silence, we reached the highest floor. He opened the door and led us in. Politely leaving my bag at the entrance hall, he bowed and exited.

"Okay so what's going on?" I turned back and looked at him.

"We… kind of… own this hotel," he rubbed the back of his neck.

I crossed my arms and tilted my left eyebrow up in doubt. "How did we go from a shack to owning a five star hotel?"

"This hotel isn't all we own," he looked down and mumbled.

"What?" I asked.

"Dad will explain it all later. I'll come pick you up here tomorrow at 12pm sharp. Until then, you could do whatever you want," he turned around ready to walk out but he came back. "Oh, here's the key," he handed the rectangular swipe card to me.

"You're not leaving?" I looked at him.

He looked at me hesitantly and decided to talk. "You wanna go—"

"No." I interrupted him, quickly picking up what he intended.

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow," he said in defeat and walked out the door.

I went to the bed and collapsed. I shoved my face into the comforter and screamed at the top of my lungs. The sun had set on the horizon and the moon slowly rose to take its place. Why must I be stuck in this current situation? I could've been at home eating dinner with my girls or snuggling up with Sunny in bed while watching a movie we've seen a thousand times. I rolled over and stared at the white, dull ceiling above me.

After god knows how much time passed by, I decided to cleanse myself. I opened the door to the bathroom and my mind was blown once again. It was the size of our living room back at home. In the corner, the bathtub was positioned on top of a fancy Italian carpet with a stainless steel extendable shower head right in the middle. To the end of the tub, was the glass walled shower. I swear I think I just walked into Italy for a second. I turned the knob letting the tub fill itself with water. I stripped down my clothes and went into the tub. I deserve a nice soak, might as well take advantage of this luxury while it lasts. I laid myself down and felt the enormous extra amount of space around me. This would have been such a great place for a nice round of . Maybe I should bring Sunny here next time. Before my erted mind took over me, I reached for the soap and started cleaning myself.

I walked out of the bathroom with the bathrobe they provided and walked to the bed. I plugged the charger in and unlocked my phone. Oh, Hyoyeon texted me.

[Choding]: How you doing? Everything okay?

            [Me]: Apparently I own the 5-star hotel in Jeonju… Nice to know they abandoned me to go get rich on their own.

            [Choding]: Awhh don't saw that. I'm sure they had a good reason. By the way, you should totally hook me up with a room. (;

            [Me]: Yah! I thought you stopped sleeping around! Besides, you have a girl who is waiting for you at home. (;

[Choding]: Don't change the subject by talking about my personal life! Besides I don't like her that way! At all! Seriously!

[Me]: Okay, okay. I believe you but we'll see if your statement still stands in a couple of weeks. And, I'll go talk to him with an open-mind okay? I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Take care of Sunny! Good night.

I untied my bathrobe and crawled into the bed . I didn't feel like wearing anything today. I locked my phone and set it back on the table. I felt a little empty. Just as much as Sunny needed me tonight, I needed her too. I grew accustomed to having her in my embrace. Not having her beside me felt like half of me was missing but what could I do? I'm here and she's there. I grabbed the extra pillows beside me and hugged them. They may not be Sunny, but it'll have to do for now. My eyes grew tired and in a matter of seconds, I could feel myself drift away into dreamland. Hopefully tomorrow will end in a good light.

***

I awoke to the sound of a phone call. I rolled over and opened my right eye to the clock on my bedside table. Who the calls at 9am?! It's not even time for the meeting yet. The hotel phone kept ringing and annoyance hit me. I dug my face into my pillow and sighed. I extended my left arm out and blindly reached for the phone, my head still in my pillow. After a few attempts, I grabbed it and brought it to my ear.

"Hello?" I muttered into the pillow.

"Good morning sis!" he said in a cheerful tone. He clearly doesn't know what time it is.

"What do you want? It's 9am." I said with annoyance.

"Since I don't have your number I called the room's phone. Anyways, dad wants to see you sooner so he said to meet at ten," he hesitantly said.

"You've got to be ting me right now." I groaned.

"I know. I'm sorry but it wasn't my call!" he apologized.

"Okay. Whatever, I'll be there in thirty minutes." With that I hung up without a goodbye.

I unwillingly slid out of bed throwing the covers off of me. I shivered from the sudden change