Withered - Chapter 48: Chapter 48

"We'll depart from the airport in three hours. Do you have anything to buy or anywhere to go?" Chaeyoung asks raising his voice as the said girl is in the kitchen, making some drinks while he busies himself in the living room. The guy is packing Mina's books in boxes neatly arrange it against the wall.
Mina appears with hot cocoa served on a bare silver tray. He sits it on the table before she brings a cup to Chaeyoung. She hands it to the cub that is kneeling on one knee and has his right arm rests across the other. Chaeyoung looks up and stands, brushing off the imaginary dust on his hand before he takes the cup.
"Thanks"
Mina nods to the remarks and watches the guy finishing it, smiling sheepishly as he compliments her for the taste. She slowly examines his feature while Chaeyoung keeps suggesting places to go before they fly back to Seoul, not realizing the girl isn't listening at all.
She smiles softly at the guy before her, reclined a slim, muscular young man but have an innocent and pure babyface. A full firm lips, prominent cheekbones, and a well-defined chin and nose. His black brows are actually graceful but currently furrowed in a frown and are framed by the thick, warm auburn fridge.
"Mina?"
The latter looks up to him, and the eyes that stared back are wide almond-shaped with brown orbs---it melts into golden rays, circling an eclipse whenever the sunlight hit. But that isn't the reason she is captivated by his eyes, it's beautiful because of the words they hold within them. And she knows exactly what it says.
Mina closes the gap and wraps her arms around his waist. Chaeyoung left speechless and awestruck because of the sudden move. He finally brings himself to reality and smile as he places his arms around her shoulder, drawing her closer. Mina lay her head against his warm, hard chest and breathes in his smell.
"Hug time?" He asks in an almost inaudible voice while giving her hair a gentle fluff. She nods her head, feeling her body press in the warm and protective embrace of his.
What is it that holding me back?
"Let's go nowhere and, umm just..stay like this," She says. Her voice sounded smoother and softer as the words come as slowly as ever.
"For three hours? Standing? My legs will cry in pain" He jokes as he slowly pulls away. Staring into her before he guides her to the couch and lies on his back, taping the empty space and gestures the girl to follows. Mina does as what he instructed, facing his side as she rests her head on his chest, hand around his waist and snuggles closer. "Take a nap, I'll wake you up later" Chaeyoung raise himself and glance at the girl when he receives no response, smile as Mina already has her eyes shut. He uses his arms as a pillow while the other caressing Mina's hair.
"Chaeyoungie"
He arcs an eyebrow and hums as the girl calls out for him.
"I..like you. I really do"
Chaeyoung stop brushing her hair, for a moment his heart tells him a funny joke but he knows better, better than anyone that it just an empty word. Words we said countless times, may it to our friend or family even stranger, without any deep meaning to it.
"I know" Isn't it always like that.
*  *  *  *
The flight land an hour and a quarter after taking off. During their free time, Mina and Chaeyoung are both dedicated to their hobbies and interest, it seems like they might as well be alone for the way they put a huge amount of concentration to their work, but inside the private jet where they sit across each other, both will avert their attention once in a while to glance to the person in front of them. When their eyes met, they shared a small smile then shift their eyes back to their work; Mina with her knitting while Chaeyoung doing his assignment.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom driver has been waiting for them at the airport and they finally arrived at home around nine o'clock at night. Since they have taken dinner, Mina jumps straight to the bed after she cleans herself while the cub still busy with his work and decide to continue finishing it in the library.
Mina can't seem to sleep, she's been tossing right and left or staring blankly as she lies on her back. She tries to shut her eyes and count on sheep but to no avail, her conscious self is taking over. It is weird how she feels really tired but when she hit the bed, her mind is wandering and her eyes are wide open. She stares at the empty space next to her, and rubs her hand along the pillow and then to the soft mattress. Mina roams her eyes around the room, it's not completely dark as the soft glow from the bedside lamp lightens the space. She prefers it that way, for some reason, eerie darkness terrified her. After a few minutes, she sits on the edge of the bed and picks her pillow and blanket before she waddles to the library.
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"Chaengie"
Chaeyoung is sitting on a couch with a mini table in front of him that holds his books and laptop. He looks up when he heard Mina's voice and witnesses the brunette waddling closer to him, a duvet pinned around her, dragging it as she walks with a pillow in her arms. "Do you need anything?" He asks as the girl settle down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. Instead of answering, she hugs his arm and intertwines their hands. Strange enough, just like that she drifts off to dreamland.
Chaeyoung flashes a warm smile and tucks her hair behind her ear. He takes a moment to admire her beauty before diverting his attention back to his work; the night will be long for him as he typed only using one hand since he can't move his other arm as it occupied by the sleeping penguin.
He's done with his work when it's already past midnight. He sighs when his hands are numb, not to mention the low back pain from sitting too long and in the same position as he is afraid to wake the girl, he limits his movement. Chaeyoung scoops up the sleeping penguin and carries her to the bed, lay her down gently before he places himself beside her. He notices how the girl is uncomfortable when he turns off the bedside lamp, hence he let it be. He gathers the penguin in his arms, hugging her from behind while softly rubs her bump.
"I wish your dreams filled with love, peace, comforts....and thoughts of me" He lifts his head and leans down as he lightly kisses her eyes "Good night, my favourite person" He smiles and soon falls asleep.
*  *  *  *
Next morning, it's now seven a.m sharp. Irene stands before the front door that is metallic and opened with both a keypad and biometric scanner. A shock expression painted on her face when she enters the house as the first thing she sees is Chaeyoung running around in the living room, looking as he is in a rush.
"Are you...late for something?" She asks while the guy attempting to ties his necktie and just learn to knows that she is there. Chaeyoung takes a quick look and smile as he greets her.
"Yeah, Haha I have a presentation today and I woke up late"
Irene put her handbag on the couch and walk closer to the guy as he seems frustrated when his necktie ain't cooperate. "Let me help you" Without waiting for a response, she takes the necktie and tiptoe as she places it around his neck. She then pulls one side longer than the other while folding and looping pieces together as the tie is tied. "For someone who has been to numerous event, it's surprising Chaeyoung-sii, for you not knowing how to tie a tie"
Chaeyoung rubs his nape and chuckles awkwardly, avoiding her eyes "Well, Mina usually do it for me." He looks up to the second floor and smiles "She's still asleep"
Irene caught the bright smile as his eyes sparkle just by the mention of Mina, a girl that has captured his heart. She looks away, and tap his shoulder when she's done "There" She folds the collar neatly and tucks the tie inside "Looks like a professional tied it for you" Chaeyoung laugh and nods at the remarks.
"I wanted to ask how you know how to tie but I'm chasing time." He smiles apologetically as he packs his laptop and throws everything into his backpack, including the sheet of paper that fluttered on the table. He then runs to the shoe closet and picks the closest one; a brown leather ankle boot. "So maybe later, I owe you a meal, Irene-sii" He stands and wears his backpack as he jogs to the front door while Irene follows behind. They exchange a smile and before he left. He doesn't forget to remind Irene to take good care of Mina.
"Please take care of Mina, and thank you Irene-sii, for your help"
She nods and watches him drives off. Sighing as she makes a beeline to the living room and tidies the place then to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Mina.
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Irene turns the pages of the book that lay on her knees. Her finger carefully pointing the printed paper as she reads it, page after page. It's a reference book on food and cooking, also answer questions regarding ingredients and cooking techniques. She has been always interested in it, finding it enjoyable. Maybe because her mother once owned a small restaurant, where she takes notice at how fascinating the career is. She loves learning about spices, using unique fruits and vegetables, and knows the difference between items like kale and collard greens.
She stops reading when she encounters an ingredient that can be tossed like a salad, sprinkling it over pizza, or complimenting a tortilla. A nutritious leaf with a rich flavour but also can kill if used wrongly.
"Coca leaf" She whispers to herself, then shut the book as she is reminded by something. She glances at the clock next to the front door, six minutes until noon. "Time for medicine" Irene prepared Mina's need in medication, arrange it on a wood tray with a glass of water. She then takes a small packet of white powder inside her handbag and poured to the glass; making sure she mix it properly so it dissolved and completely disappear. She stares at the knife in her hands and cut one deep cut in her arms. She cleans her wound and the mess. Three packet left. She thought and head upstairs.
Mina is sitting on her bed, leaning against the headboard as she watches babies video, smiling to herself for nonstop. It warms her heart to sees the smiles of joy in them and hopes she could see the same thing in her child. She's interrupted when there's a knock that reveals Irene with a blank face as she walks inside with the tray. Mina turns her phone off and thanks the maid. Without any doubt, she takes the medicine while Irene watches her drink the water until the last drop.
"Mina-sii"
The said girl looks up to Irene and gulps upon seeing the swirl of emotion hidden under Irene's gaze but none of it she could identify. "You don't love him, don't you?" Irene asks as she leans against the bookshelf behind her. Now, her eyes show nothing but hatred and something else Mina doesn't recognize. The atmosphere suddenly changes, the air became thick and tense. Mina is still finding her words when Irene continues "Then let him go. Stop dragging and ordering him around"
Knowing what she meant, Mina takes a deep breath as she turns her head away from the maid "You don't have the right to say that. You are just a stranger"
"I am. And this stranger can see how much in love he is with you. But you don't even realize it. You, who is his best friend not even appreciate him." Irene quipped. Mina lifts her head, unknowingly grinding her teeth. She stares at Irene, opening her mouth but nothing comes out. She feels like her tongue freezes and she couldn't form anything. Irene's voice sounded threatening and her stern face makes Mina feels small under her stare; she has never seen this side of her.
"You will lose him, to this stranger. It's neither a warning nor a command, but an early notice, Mina-sii."
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Chaeyoung arrives home and sits down heavily on the couch. Where's everyone? His eyes wandering around, searching for anyone since the surrounding seems very quiet and lonely, only the sound of the ticking clock arms that accompany him. He loosens his necktie, unknot it and places it on the table. He's about to get himself a drink when a loud crash sound is heard. Shocked, he snaps his head to the second floor and starts running upstairs, to Mina's room.
He barges inside and witnesses Irene kneeling on the floor as she picks broken pieces of glass. His eyes shift to Mina as he walks closer but the girl turns her face away."What happened?" He asks as he crouch and supports Irene to stand by the arm "Stop, your fingers are bleeding. Let's go downstairs, there's a first aid kit. I'll handle this" He says when he notices the blood dripping down her index and thumb. He glances towards Mina as if asking for an explanation but the brunette is still avoiding his eyes. Confused, he sighs and guides Irene to the living room.
"What actually happened there?" Chaeyoung asks for the second time as he cleans the small wound on Irene's finger while the girl sits rigidly on the couch. "Irene-sii?" He taps her shoulder as she seems spacing out.
Irene immediately brought to her sense when she feels the gentle touch. She smiles awkwardly and shakes her head "Just a small accident" She commented. Chaeyoung isn't satisfied with the answer and pressure more, seeking for a real answer. "She....throw the glass and, it shattered. So, I clean it up"
"She? Mina?"
Irene nods unsurely to his question. Chaeyoung brows furrowed and sigh. He apologizes for Mina's behaviour which Irene accepts then take his leave as he started to Mina's room.
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Chaeyoung knocks the door before he goes in. He cleans the mess first then approaches the girl who lies on the side, covered with the duvet. He takes a seat at the edge of the bed and peeks at Mina who's facing the other side, staring blankly into nothing. "Mina, I know you're emotionally unstable. And I understand, but you shouldn't throw the glass like that. Someone could've hurt." He speaks out in the most gentle way he could, not wanting to hurt her feeling.
Mina shifts her position, looking at him straight to the eye. "She said that? You thought I did it because I'm not capable enough to control my emotion." She scoffs when Chaeyoung sit still, confusion is the only thing that can describe his expression at the moment. "I want to be alone" She murmurs. She glares at him when he holds her arms preventing her to turn around. He slowly releases his grip when Mina indirectly telling him to leave by the way she stares at him.
"Let's talk again later." He gives up, glancing at her back view than leaves the room.
*  *  *  *
Mina awaken from his sleep due to
pain that burns like a fire inside her stomach. A tight feeling causing her breath to come in ragged, like some chain is tied around her stomach and it becomes more and more tighter as time goes by. The pain then fades away to an icy numbness as cold sweat washes her face. She grips the bedsheets tightly and curls into a ball, eyes shut closed as she let out a groan and cries from the unbearable sudden pain.
She breathes in heavily and deep, wanting to shout but has no energy to do so. Because of the small fight that happened between her and Chaeyoung, they haven't talked until now and he probably in the library, sleeping. When the pain slowly subsided, she grasps the headboard for support and sits. Her arms wrap around her bump as she feels like her stomach are being ripped out. Mina glance to the calendar on the table then to the clock that shows two at night.
Four months left before the due date. What is this? Why is it hurt? She rubs her bump, throwing her head to the back when the pain strikes again. She waits for the right time then goes downstairs straight to the kitchen. Painfully, step after step. When she arrives, she inhales a trembling breath. Sweat accumulating on her skin as she grips the countertop, biting her lips. With shaking hands, she opens the cabinet and eats her medicine, hoping it will ease whatever pain she encounters. But no to avail, it doesn't change anything.
Mina walks to the couch and rest, catching her breath as she let out a shriek once in a while when she can no longer hold it. She opens her eyes when she heard a quick and loud footstep then witness Chaeyoung rushing downstairs while talking in a phone. A coat hangs on his other arm. He stops when he finally realize Mina's presence. He ends the calls and jogs nearer to the girl. "Mina, I need to go somewhere. I'll talk to the security to keep an eye on the house. Call me if there's anything" He quickly says while wearing his coat and pick his car key that sits on the table.
"To where?" Mina swallows hard, covering the pain she feels. She asks using the most normal voice she could use, not wanting to worried the guy.
"It looks like Irene is in trouble and she called me for help. She doesn't have any relatives and close friend" He sits beside Mina and wears his shoes. Judging by his appearance, Mina has guessed that he just wake up. Chaeyoung stands from the couch and stops his step when Mina suddenly calls out for him.
"Don't go"
He stares at her and smiles assuringly as he holds her hand. "Nothing to worry about. I'll be back. Call me if there's anything, kay" He strokes her hair and again smiles before he walks away.
You will lose him, to this stranger. It's neither a warning nor a command, but an early notice, Mina-sii.
Mina closes her eyes as the words echoes inside her mind. A sense of anxiety hit her as hard as ever, thinking whether she has the right to stop him. But for now, she wanted to be selfish, she wanted him to stay. Again, Chaeyoung feels something stopping him to take another step, he turns around as Mina grip his coat from the back.
"Please, don't go"
Chaeyoung stare at Mina then glance to the clock on the wall. He smiles apologetically and rubs her cheeks "I'll be quick" He releases himself from Mina's grip and leave. She watches his back view as he gets further and further from her. Without notice, she blinks briny tears. She's in pain. Whether it physically or emotionally, even herself doesn't know which one is stronger than the other. As she let herself drown in her mixed feeling, her breath hitched when she feels like her stomach being kicked by some invisible force.
Mina clasp onto the arm of the couch for support, then move as she lay down. She sobs against the leather mattress, minutes of sobbing broken apart by short pauses for recovering breaths. In that constant pain, her phone suddenly rings. She drops her hands on the table, crawls as she reaches the phones and looks at the caller.
"Unknown number?"