Chapter 9

A hollow sensation settled in the pit of Yuri’s stomach as her gaze settled on the form that was Yunho. Already, she was regretting her harsh words but she couldn't take them back. Sure, she felt an attraction for him & there was obviously some chemistry there but she didn't love him. How could she when she didn't even remember him?

During her perusal, Yunho never turned or spoke but as she moved towards the door & turned off the light, she heard him utter a tired good night. She responded in kind & continued on her way.

The guest room seemed far too formal & before long, she found herself downstairs on the sofa, watching television. She fell asleep halfway through a romantic comedy. When she woke up, the air had the feeling of the early morning. The television was playing an infomercial.

Shifting her aching muscles, she dug out the remote control. Then with a flick of a switch, she shut off the irritatingly hyper voice of a gentlemen who seemed determined to sell a do-it-all household cleaner. Silence fell over the room.

After several minutes of groaning through the pain of her muscles that were beginning to complain in earnest, Yuri decided that perhaps sleeping on the sofa hadn't been such a good plan.

Gathering her blankets & pillow, she headed up the stairs. A small sound stopped her just as she reached the top. That was when she noticed that a door along the upstairs hallway was partially open. She had glanced into it the morning before while Yunho was still sleeping. A large desk, a computer & several filing cabinets had occupied the room. She had figured was Yunho’s home office.

As she crept closer, she began to hear someone speaking softly, “I just don't know what to do.” The voice was a soft rumble that she quickly identified it as Yunho. Wondering who he might be talking to at such an hour was the first question that popped into her mind. The second was whether he could see her from where she was standing. Morbid curiosity kept her rooted to the spot, waiting to hear the rest of the conversation.

“Alright.” Yunho replied in response, to some unheard statement & then, “Okay. Okay. Thank you. Goodbye.” Yuri moved quickly into action, coming the rest of the way up the stairs. Yunho stepped out of the room just as she reached the top. He eyed her almost guiltily for several seconds.

“Uh, Yuri. I didn't know you were down there. Good morning.”

“Good morning.” Yuri replied, watching him carefully. She couldn't explain it but an uncomfortable feeling settled over her heart & she had to know who he was talking to, “Who was that?” She found herself asking, “Oh, that was someone from work.” Yunho said, “I'm going to have to go in for a couple of hours today to catch up on a few things.”

“Okay.” Yuri nodded, wondering why she was beginning to feel oddly bereft.

“Will you be okay while I'm gone?” Yunho added, obviously catching a hint of her reticence. He ran a hand through his hair, “Uh. If you don't mind being a little bored you can come with.”

“Oh, no.” Yuri shook her head, “I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. Maybe I'll do some exploring around here. I still want to try to get into my old computer.”

“Okay.” Yunho smiled a bit, “I'll just go get dressed then.” He turned & headed for the bedroom then after a few stepped, he turned back towards her.

“What do you want for breakfast? Are you hungry?”

“Why don't I fix something.” Yuri asked, “I do remember how to cook.” She joked weakly.

Yunho seemed eager for the opportunity at lessening the tension that seemed to have blossomed between them, “Thank goodness. Remembering wouldn’t help my cooking.”

Yuri obliged him with a smile. His eyes lingered on her for several moments & then he turned & went back into the bedroom.

Yunho didn't know if he could keep up with the emotional rollercoaster ride he was experiencing with Yuri. The day before, she alternately confided in & hated him & then after dinner, when he'd been convinced that things were on the right track, wham, out of the blue, she had blown up at him. She had actually told him that she didn't love him. That still hurts but he had decided to give her the space she had so vocally demanded.

Then there was their encounter in the hallway. She had appeared almost possessive when she had asked about the phone call & then she had joked with him. Perhaps it just wasn't meant for him to understand where he stood with her. Or maybe he was just a glutton for punishment. Either way, he wasn't going to give up on her. As soon as he returned home, he fully intended to get started on his plan to get his wife back.

Yuri had baked pancakes, bacons & started coffee by the time Yunho appeared in the kitchen. It had amazed her that she knew exactly where everything was in the small space. She had even known intuitively what was in the cupboards. He was dressed in a tommy hilfiger tan pincord cotton suit, a non-iron regular fit button-down collar white dress shirt & satin alternating square grey tie.

Yunho’s hair was neatly combed away from his face. He closed his eyes & breathed deeply, “You always were a wonderful cook.” He s