004: Living without you, living alone / This empty house seems so cold

Jessica woke up the next morning, nestled into her husband’s embrace. She smiled at the warmth but as soon as she opened her eyes, she remembered how Luhan didn’t come home for dinner for the nth time. Tears were beginning to dwell in the corner of her eyes as she roughly pushes his arm off her, causing him to wake up in the process. Luhan grunted and gave his wife a questioning look,

“What was that for? I was sleeping”

Jessica ignored him and sat on the corner of her side of the bed. Luhan sighed and brought his hand up to smooth his messy hair. Crawling across the bed he wrapped his arm around Jessica’s slim waist from behind,

“Why is my beautiful wife angry on such a nice morning?”

Jessica turned around and glared at him. Roughly shoving his arms away, the tears that she’s been trying to hold in finally began to shed,

“Am I really your wife? Because it sure doesn’t feel like it.”

“Are you mad about how I haven’t been coming home for dinner? You know I’ve been busy with… work” Luhan quickly explained but mentally cursed himself for lying to Jessica.

“It’s always work, work, work and you never have time for me. If I knew this is how our relationship would turn out to be then I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you in first place!”

Luhan was hurt. Not once had Jessica raised her voice at him and he could really sense the sadness from her tone. Luhan let out a sigh and scooted closer to his wife, firmly he wrapped his arms around and planted multiple butterfly kisses on her face,

“Baby, I am really sorry. I know I haven’t been the ideal husband but let me make it up to you. I promise I’ll be a better husband…please”

Jessica didn’t budge and ignored Luhan’s pleads. Her cold eyes roamed around the room but refused to set their sight on the man who is now resorting to use aegyo to ask for his wife’s forgiveness. Although her mind was telling her to ignore Luhan, she couldn’t help but steal glances at him. She finally cracked a smile and laughed out loud when Luhan was pulling on the sleeves of her shirt like a toddler asking his mother for ice cream.

Luhan felt like a heavy stone was lifted off his chest when Jessica’s angelic laugh filled the room. He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her forehead,

“That’s my girl! You’re always so much more beautiful when you’re happy”

“Just because I have forgiven you doesn’t mean that you can keep ditching me at the dining table!” Jessica scolded and playfully punched Luhan’s chest.

Luhan placed a kiss on her lips and hurriedly carried Jessica down to the kitchen, “C’mon, oppa will cook you breakfast!”

Jessica stared at the burnt toast and the uncooked bacons that were placed on her plate. Her husband had failed miserably at cooking and made a mess in the kitchen. She should have known better and refused his offer to cook breakfast. Sighing, she got off the stool and took off the apron that was wrapped around Luhan’s waist. Slightly pushing him to the side, she resumed cooking their food. Feeling slightly amused, Luhan walked behind Jessica and wrapped his arms around her slim waist,

“I’m sorry I made a mess” He apologised before placing kisses on her neck.

With her forefinger, she pushed his forehead, “You should be! It took me forever to clean this place yesterday and now I have to clean it again”

Luhan chuckled as he watches his wife pout, “I’m just letting you practice being a housewife before we start our own family, you know?”

Turning off the stove, Jessica turned around and faced Luhan. Her right hand made its way up to his face as she light caresses his cheek, “And when are we going to have our own family?”

Luhan gulped and looked away to avoid Jessica’s eyes. He wasn’t ready to start a family with Jessica. It’s not like he didn’t love her because he did and he had no doubt about it. But there were days where his mind still lingered about thoughts of Seohyun and he knew that he would only be a good husband and father when he no longer thought of her.

“We’re still young baby, we can wait till later”

Jessica felt hot tears pooling in the corner of her eyes as she watches Luhan’s back retreat towards the dining table. Rushing towards him, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him around so he was facing her,

“But I want to start having a family now! I’m 25 now Luhan, how is that still young!?”

Luhan sighed and wiped the tears that dropped from her eyes, “I’m just… not ready…”

Just as Jessica was about to speak, Luhan’s ringtone interrupted her. Luhan looked from his wife to the phone and then back to his wife. He wondered whether picking up the phone now would be the wrong move that could set Jessica off again. Jessica pushed Luhan away from her,

“Just go pick your phone, it must be work. It’s much more important than me anyway”

And with that, Luhan picked up his phone and rushed into the room to prepare himself for work. When he was about to leave the house, he spotted Jessica sitting in the corner – her knees were raised as she hugged herself and sobbed. Kneeling down beside her, he pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her cheeks softly,

“I love you Sooyeon” but Jessica didn’t reply. She turned her head so that she could avoid looking at him and bit her lips to prevent her from crying out loud. Luhan felt the guilt and pain overwhelm his heart but didn’t know what to do to make her feel better. Planting one last kiss on the crown of Jessica’s head, Luhan headed towards the door and left for work with a heavy heart.

It was almost the end of the day and Luhan was expecting to leave work in half an hour. He had planned on going home early to take Jessica out for dinner and hopefully amend her broken heart. Just as he was about to finish off his work, soft knocks could be heard on his door and his secretary appeared soon after,

“Mr Xi I just wanted to remind you that you have an event to attend after work”

Luhan frowned, “But I have plans with Mrs Xi after work…”

His secretary let out a worried sigh, “Unfortunately the event is to celebrate CEO Kim’s 60^th birthday and you told him personally that you’d be there to celebrate it with him”

Groaning in frustration, Luhan messed up his hair, “Fine… just let me make a call to my wife and we’ll both head to the event”

As he punched Jessica’s number into his phone, the screen flashed a couple times before turning completely off. Feeling angered and upset, he threw his phone across the room,

“It just had to run out of battery at this time doesn’t it? Stupid technology.”

Luhan sighed and looked over at his secretary, who was now picking up pieces of the phone and trying to put it back together.

“Is there anyone I know what will be at the party tonight?” Luhan asked

The secretary nodded, “I believe Ms Seohyun will be present tonight”

[Luhan’s POV]

“Seo…hyun…?” I stuttered as my secretary nodded.

It has been a while since I last met her and memories of her started to flood my mind.

FLASHBACK – Five years ago

“Seohyun! Seohyun! Guess what? Guess what?” I jumped around the young girl who was trying to read a book about self-motivation. When she wasn’t giving me any attention, I kicked her book to the side. The young girl glared at me before snatching her book back into her hands,

“My book isn’t a soccer ball and what do you want Lu oppa?”

I sat down on the ground next to her as I crack the widest grin, “I finally did it!”

“Did what?” Seohyun asked suspiciously as she cocked one of her eyebrows

“I finally gathered the courage to confess to the girl I like. And I want to do it tonight and I need your help Seo!”

I watched as her facial expression turned sour leaving me slightly confused.

“Who’s the unlucky girl?” She asked through gritted teeth

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should leave Seohyun alone since she’s in a bad mood. But then I really needed her help. Scooting closer to her I whispered in her ears,

“It’s your unnie… Ice Princess Jessica”

I watched as Seohyun backed away from me and slowly tears were running down her cheeks

“Is there something wrong… with Jessica?” I asked, worried that Jessica might be suffering from some illness that might prevent me from spending time with her.

“You can’t like her! I cannot let you like her!” Seohyun shouted at me.

I let out a laugh and told her to stop joking around. But Seohyun turned around and slapped me,

“You cannot like her, Lu oppa”

“Why not?” I questioned, “She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve seen with the kindest heart. She’s everything that I look for in a girl.”

“Because I like you!”

I was shocked with Seohyun’s sudden confession. I always thought Seohyun wanted someone who’s mature, someone who doesn’t joke around and someone who she can depend on. And that definitely wasn’t me.

“Why does everyone like Jessica unnie? Why doesn’t anyone like me…? Why don’t you like me? I’m everything that she is and maybe even better!”

I watched as the young girl cry uncontrollably. Pulling her into my arms, I whispered to her,

“I’m sorry Seohyun… I really am. But I really do like Jessica and… I don’t think I can stay by your side because… I just don’t feel the same towards you. One day… you’ll meet someone who will love you… I know that day will come… I’m sorry”

END FLASHBACK

“Mr Xi? Mr Xi!”

I snapped back to reality when my secretary waved his hands in front of me. I shook the memories of Seohyun away and looked at my secretary,

“Sorry what did you say?”

“It’s time to leave for the event Sir”

 I nodded and tided my desk, “I’ll meet you in the car”

The car ride to CEO Kim’s birthday was quiet and I couldn’t help but think of Seohyun. What would I say when I meet her again? Back then when we we’re both entertainers there were loads of things to talk about. But now that we’ve all gone on with our own lives… what is there to discuss? My marriage with Jessica? I don’t think that topic would go well with Seohyun. As I closed my eyes for a quick rest, more memories came back to me.

FLASHBACK- 2 years ago

I was sitting in the bar with Seohyun after getting into an argument with Jessica.

“I just don’t get it! She’s 23 for god’s sake and she still acts like a child!” I ranted as I skulled a shot of vodka to down my frustration. I could feel Seohyun hand rub my back as she tries to soothe me,

“Don’t be too upset oppa. She’s not worth your time so don’t think too much about it. I’ll always be here for you”

I knew I shouldn’t have called Seohyun to come out to drink with me. But for once I just needed someone who would defend me and be on my side. Even my so-called brothers from EXO would always be on Jessica’s side whenever we argued. After a couple of more shots, I looked over at Seohyun and admired her beauty.

“Have you always been this beautiful?” I asked her and she giggled.

“Have you only just realised that?” She asked as she places her right hand on my thigh. I placed my hand on top of hers and gave it a light squeeze.

“What if it was you who I chose back then? Would we argue like this… or would we be the perfect couple…”

I wasn’t expecting a reply for Seohyun… nor did I expect her to lean over and kiss me passionately. I knew it was wrong and that I shouldn’t be doing this behind Jessica’s back but I couldn’t help but respond to the kiss. A couple of minutes, before I knew it, Seohyun was in my arm as we stumbled into a hotel room. A make-out session later turned into guilty pleasure. And from that very moment, I knew I ruined everything.

END FLASHBACK

[Third person’s POV]

Luhan had finally arrived at the event and was sitting alone on a table full of strangers. He was feeling worried and paranoid about the fact that he couldn’t tell Jessica that he had an important event to attend to. He knew she would be devastated and mad when he gets home.

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”

Luhan whipped his head around to look for that familiar voice. His eyes widened as he looked at Seohyun. He shook his head and pulled the seat out for her,

“It’s nice to see you again” He greeted nervously. Seohyun chuckled and patted his cheeks,

“How have you been? Why isn’t your wife here?”

Luhan could hear the bitterness in Seohyun’s voice but chose to shrug it off. The two spoke about past memories, their current jobs and life after leaving the entertainment business. Taking advantage of Luhan’s poor tolerance of alcohol, Seohyun began executing her plans as soon as Luhan was in an intoxicated state.

Lifting Luhan up onto his feet, she s her arms around his waist while she dragged one of his arms around her shoulders and headed towards the exit,

“I’ll take him to a hotel room. I don’t think he should go home in this state” Seohyun sweetly informed Luhan’s secretary.

After successfully placing Luhan onto the bed, Seohyun carefully slipped his golden wedding ring from his finger and quietly left the room.

“It’s over for you now Jessica Jung”

The next morning, Jessica had woken up in the living room. She stayed there all day and night waiting for Luhan to come home. She glanced over at the dining table and found that the food that she had prepared was still untouched. Heading towards the bathroom to wash up it wasn’t long till she heard her doorbell ring. Hoping that it’s Luhan, she gleefully opened the door but was feeling rather disappointed.

“Not who you were expecting, right unnie?”

Jessica smiled and shook her head, “Please come in… I’m glad to see you Seohyun”

Seohyun smirked, “No need. I’m only here to drop off something that belongs to Luhan oppa”

Jessica looked down and saw Luhan’s ring in Seohyun’s hands. She could feel the tears form in her eyes as she looked at Seohyun with a panicked expression.

“Luhan oppa must’ve left it behind in our hotel room last night” Seohyun explained

Jessica shook her head. She couldn’t believe it. It would’ve been okay if he was busy with work last night and forgot about her. But he was cheating on her with Seohyun and she couldn’t help but think that this wasn’t the first time he cheated on her. As if Seohyun could read Jessica’s mind, the younger girl chuckled,

“You know… this isn’t the first time we made love behind your back. How do I say this? I guess you’re just not that…satisfying?”

Forcefully placing the ring into Jessica’s hand, Seohyun left the older girl in a wrecked state as she walked away satisfied with what she had done. After planning on how to ruin their marriage, Seohyun was pleased that she had finally succeeded.

Jessica remained in the same position as she stared at the wedding ring. Not long after, she could hear the sounds of rattling keys. Luhan was home. As soon as he stepped into the house, Luhan was greeted with a slap from Jessica.

“Let’s get a divorce.”

Comment on what you think of the story so far :]

-   sicabias.