"When did Sensei find out?" Sehyun asked leaning on my shoulder. We were seated on a bench by the park. One that had become desolated. We gazed at the flickering.lights that seemed to reflect Auntie's current situation.
"When SeokAh requested to see you. It was almost as if they thought she would've sought refuge at your place. She was so eager to come in. Also,SeokAh would've informed us before hand about how wrecked Auntie's store was if she really had nothing to do with Auntie's disappearance." I replied staring down at him.
Actually, it was because I saw them when they walked out that night.
"I see. I was blindly worried about Auntie I failed to notice those tiny details." He said quietly.
Was he about crying again?
"Anyone would've missed it. Chulsang and SeokAh had it perfectly planned out." I added squeezing his hand gently.
As if.
His head raised up to look at me. "No, Sensei noticed it so I was completely oblivious the entire time."
He didn't sound as if he were blaming himself, he was merely pointing out his shortcomings.
This kid's way of life was oddly different from what I'd expected.
"No, I only noticed by chance. It was merely my speculation nothing else."
He pouted refusing to accept my statement. "Sensei can't fool me."
His doe eyes stared intently at me. He looked undeniably cute and adorable. "I understand Sensei enough to know when you speak to pacify me."
I frowned my eyes narrowing. "What does Sehyun mean?"
Did he have any idea?
The thought alone made my heart sink.
His eyes brightened up like the stars.m as he smiled. "Sensei doesn't have to always treat me like a kid. Some things, just tell me straight up and I'll understand." He cooed.
I smiled feeling relived. "You had me for a moment, Sehyun's forever a kid to me." I pinched his cheeks.
He pulled away his cheeks flushing. "Sensei quit teasing."
I leaned forward drowning into his wide eyes overflowing with innocence. "You don't like it?" I probbed my brow quirked up.
His flush deepened. "Well—"
I let a half laugh leaning back. "See, Sehyun can't even answer such questions and you won't let me call you a kid?" I asked half amused.
"I'll definitely give Sensei a reply." He retorted his voice low.
"Fine, untill then, I'll continue calling you a kid." I gave him a wink.
He laughed softly his shoulders shaking. "Sensei, how are there many sides to you?"
I gazed ahead. The flickering lights had finally gone off. "Beats me too." I replied somewhat distant.
Just like the lights here, I had no idea when i flickered out leaving behind a replica of me the world wanted to see.
A side of me, I wanted him to see.
My eyes shifted towards Sehyun, he was gazing up at the star less sky.
"Sehyun, do you want to watch a movie with me?" I asked softly.
He shot me a stare. Surprised.
"You don't want to?" I probbed further.
He gave me an enchanting smile one that forced a smile from me instinctively. "Of course, I'd like to. I've never been to the cinemas before." His eyes twinkled the way it normally did whenever he was about trying new things.
"It's settled then. I'll pick you up tomorrow by 7."
He nodded still smiling. At this point, his cheeks might burst.
He was indeed no different from a child.
The following evening arrived sonner than I'd expected, the sun already faded away into the darkness the sky a shade of indigo.
An incoming call entered. I glanced at the caller id. Dabeum.
"Did you get it?" I demanded once I picked.
"Heukjin~ah, I understand you're a wealthy nutjob but that doesn't mean you can book tickets to a premium movie 24 hours before it's premiere. Have you completely lost it!" He barked through the speakers.
My lips curved upwards. "Quit yelling, did you get it?" I demanded once more.
"You think he would dare rant if he didn't? Dabeum doesn't have that much balls." I heard Yeonwoo chip in.
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Dabeum question his voice rising. I was sure he had grabbed Yeonwoo by the collar now.
Yeonwoo sounded rather unruffled by Dabeum's rants. "My shirt costs a lot you know, Heukjinie got it for me."
"How many months as it been? Besides he only suggested it, you went on ahead and bought it." Dabeum retorted.
"It's still the same."
I turned into Sehyun's street shaking my head. I saw him standing outside wearing a pale yellow shirt that seemed to be a little big on his petite frame paired with black pants.
He looked undoubtedly harmless and in need of protection whereas I, seemed to fit in nothing other than black—Black turtle neck with matching pants and of course, a black coat.
I contrasted his angelic appearance.
"Breathtaking…" I mummured under my breath.
"Huh? Heukjinie, are you talking about me?"
My attention shifted back to the both of them. I'd forgotten they were still on the call.
"You both are so loud." I retorted my voice tight.
"Yup. That's our cue to get off the line, I'll send you the QR code; just scan it at the kiosk when you get there. Enjoy your date!"
"What dat—" Yeonwoo's voice was cut off.
The call ended.
I pulled over in front of Sehyun who beamed shyly at me. I stepped down from the car moving to his side. "I'm not late right?" I asked once I got near.
He gave a small shake. "Sensei's early."
I grinned. "Then,"
I pulled the car door open ushering him in. "Shall we?"
He blushed lightly hesitating at first but got in regardless.
****
By the time we arrived at SeeSoul Cinemas in Incheon, it was past 11:30PM.
"Just on time," I said to Sehyun holding the door open for him as he got out. He gazed the neon lights as if mesmerized. "Your first time out of Gangwon?" I causally asked shutting the door.
He nodded absentmindedly his eyes fixated on how colourful the night was. "This my first time ever since I was sent there."
"Then," I held his hand interlocking it with mine. "Let's make the most of it shall we?" A light smile tugged at my lips.
He nodded his eyes wide with excitement. "Mn."
We walked in the cinema and headed straight to the lobby to have the code scanned.
Sehyun's expression didn't fluctuate one bit from amazed. I smiled tenderly watching him while verifying the code. He was a beautiful sight to behold.
"The 'Spirit wanderers' begins in ten minutes…" An atendee stated politely.
The sudden politeness, I turned to face her. "By chance, did we book premium tickets?" I asked my voice barely above a whisper.
She gazed beside me and gave a slight nod. "Yes."
Dabeum that idiot….
I held the urge to fucking curse.
"Well, you see, we want this to be a normal date so, could we have normal tickets?" I asked still keeping my voice low.
Sehyun that kid was very smart I didn't want him suspecting anything—not even in the slightest.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. We're out of tickets." She said with a sigh.
My head began to hurt. " Dongha. I need to see him, call him for me."
The atendee froze stunned by my brazenness. She hurriedly placed a call to her superiors.
I turned to Sehyun who was observing the movie poster. He seemed to be indulged in a different reality.
Dongha arrived at the lobby a few moments after. Upon seeing me, he hastened his steps his head inclined downwards in respect. "Mr. Yoon, how can I be of service?"
"No need for all the charade, I need to watch a movie in the general theatre. The premium tickets are useless to me right now."
He swallowed. His lips parting and closing for a while as if considering his words. I was in no mood for suspense. This night is going to be special for Sehyun.
For him alone.
So, you all have no choice than to abide by my demands. That's if you still desire to continue running this place.