Chapter 88
"Later…" he said.
Later?
I repeated it quietly after he left.
The word felt… empty.
I stayed on the counter for a while.
Just breathing.
Trying to calm my heart.
Then I sighed and finished making the ramyeon.
Should I call Sucy to come over?
…
No.
It's already late.
I lost my appetite anyway.
"Shit…" I muttered.
I poured the ramyeon into the sink and turned away.
Tonight…
Was going to be lonely.
But why would they call him in the middle of the night?
Don't they care what he was doing…?
Or who he was with…?
I sighed.
"That's idol life… I guess."
My legs felt heavy as I walked upstairs.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
Mom still hasn't said when she's coming back.
I opened my room door slowly.
For a second....
I expected him.
To suddenly appear.
Smiling.
Saying it was all a joke.
But
Nothing.
Just silence.
Only the sound of my own breathing.
I walked to the bed and lay down.
Staring at the ceiling.
I picked up my phone.
And dialed his number.
…
It rang.
Then
Voicemail.
I closed my eyes.
And stayed there.
Until sleep finally took me.
My eyes slowly opened.
The sunlight felt soft.
Warm.
For a second
Everything felt normal.
Then
I felt it.
A presence.
Someone watching me.
My eyes opened fully
And there he was.
Standing in front of me.
Quietly.
Watching me sleep.
"Hello, sleeping beauty…" his voice came out soft.
Hoarse.
My eyes widened.
Before I could even react
He tossed something toward me.
A small box.
I jolted up.
Heart racing.
"What....?!"
He smiled.
"Happy birthday."
I froze.
"…Birthday?"
The word felt strange on my tongue.
Birthday…
Do people still celebrate that?
Is it even important anymore…?
And why does he look so happy?
Like he's the one celebrating?
His smile slowly faded.
"You don't remember your birthday?" he asked softly.
I shook my head.
"…I don't celebrate it," I said.
"My parents are too busy for that… especially after the divorce."
I looked at him.
"How did you even know?"
He took a deep breath.
Then stepped closer.
And gently patted my head.
"It doesn't matter how I know," he said quietly.
"It just matters that I'm here."
My chest tightened.
"So…" I said, trying to lighten the mood,
"What did you get for me?"
He lifted the box slightly.
"This."
I stared at it.
Wait…
Don't tell me…
My eyes widened.
"Is that a ring?!"
My heart started racing again.
Engaged?
Already?!
At 17?!!