TRACK 01 : HAPPINESS, in yeop.

23

IN YEOP met glances with me, weary of my expression. I was a bit hesitant at first, having a dilemma on whether I should get him involved. Nevertheless, he easily caught on.

"I told you, you can tell me anything."

I bit my lower lip and eventually showed him the text message from the Academy so he could understand. In spite of that, no words left his lips. Instead, he stood up so fast and began packing up.

I got up after him. "Is it okay if we leave this early?"

He didn't answer and hurried further. This time, I tried my best to lend him a helping hand. Still, he showed me he can manage and left me to fix only the things I brought. I figured how I only slowed him down.

"I'm really sorry, In yeop. I know you prepared all of this."

"What are you apologizing for? Your concerns are mine", he gave me one of his motorcycle helmet. "Let's go."

I CALLED Killian's name as I saw him leaving the Dean's room. He didn't seem to be in a good state. In fact, he had his phone clutched within his palms, broken.

I recognized it well, his old phone.

When he first arrived at our place, he carried this phone with him. I would occasionally hear the voice messages from his mother that was left on that phone. I'd even hear his sobs, as it had become a habit of his, knowing that sentimental thing was her mother's only memory.

"We'd have it fixed, okay?", I approached Killian.

He nodded with this. With that simple gesture, I could almost feel my heart drop. It was the first time he nodded to me. The first time he agreed.

"You didn't tell me the boy was an Irvine!", a man, to what I assume was a father, whisper-shouted to his son as they followed from inside the Dean's room.

I figured Killian was involved in a fight. Regardless, I didn't want to push him for the details. He already seemed drained. Rather, I offered him to go home.

"Not at your parents' house."

My face softened, in shock. "Where, then— Will it be okay if you.. uh.. stay with us?"

"YOU COULD sleep here in my room for the meantime."

In yeop showed and toured Killian on the house. Soon reaching his bedroom.

"You have the PS5?", Killian began sliding his fingers on In yeop's play station. He looked roused now, which was really new for me.

"Why?", In yeop sent him an amused smile. "Do you want to play?"

Killian nodded.

"Go ahead", he opened the TV and connected it to the play station. He tossed Killian his controller as he enthusiastically examined it.

"Thank you", he said sincerely before taking a glimpse at me who happens to be holding Cashew on my arms. "Can I have your dog for a while too?"

He never talked to me in this tone ever.

"Oh, right, of course."

In yeop and I left the room after and proceeded to walk swiftly towards where the master's bedroom was located. He made me enter the room first before he locked the door.

With nothing left to do, he flopped on the bed and began to quietly stare at me while I did my daily night skin care routine. By that time, I was sitting in front of the vanity, applying several skin creams to my face in order.

"Hey! Aren't you going to sleep?", In yeop bursted all of a sudden. "Do you plan on staying there the whole night?"

I playfully rolled my eyes before removing the pink head band that kept my baby hairs in place. I patted both of my cheeks before sighing and laying on the edge of the bed like In yeop instructed.

He scooted quickly and laid beside me. What shocked me further was when he rolled me over to face him. I felt like a puppy when he started caressing my cheeks gently.

"Thank you for letting Killian stay."

"You keep on thanking me for the littlest things."

I smiled. "I'm just grateful for you."

His eyes focused on his thumb that were massaging my cheeks. "And I don't need your gratitude."

"What do you want me to say then?", I pouted.

"Say you like me."

"I like you."

He tried to stop a smile. "Say you love me."

"That's too much!"

"Say it", he pretended to throw a fit.

I sighed though my insides were forming knots after knots.

"I love you."

"Thank you", he teased.

"Oh so you're pulling that card."

He laughed. "Kidding. I love you too, babe."

I HAD my clothes messily laid on my bed once again. Like always, before going outside, It'd take me an hour to choose an outfit. This time, however, it was worse. An hour already passed and I still couldn't choose.

I was already contemplating on whether or not to call Charlotte for her opinion. Not until, I felt a presence towering me from behind.

"The black tube dress."

Killian.

"For a formal shoot, right? Your new advertisement?"

"Yes", I stammered.

"Go with that then. Simple but fitting."

"Okay, yes, I will", I had to process it for a moment and spoke before he turned around to leave. "Thank you, Killian!"

"Hm."

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