collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•forty-five•

~~~~~Haerin

Looking at the huge, luxury building in front of me, I feel like throwing up. It's beautiful, but I don't deserve this... A hand grabs mine and pulls me forward, but I pull back.

"What's wrong?"

Looking into his big doe eyes, I feel like the biggest fraud. He is seeing someone that doesn't exist anymore... He sees the girl he used to love, but that's not me... Could I really move into this building, and let him pay for everything? I can't hold his gaze anymore, and look down at my feet instead.

"Haerin-ah... Come... Let's get inside so you can see"

"No..."

Jeongguk just stares at me, looking lost. I don't know that to say, but I feel completely overwhelmed. This is too much! Why would he do this? I feel a cool hand on my arm, and I turn to see Naeun Unnie looking at me with a soft smile.

"Haerin-ah... At least let's go inside. You don't need to decide anything today, but let's just go look. Hmmm?"

The hopeful, but pained look, on Jeongguk's face makes my stomach hurt. I nod at Unnie and turn to follow behind them. I take in the well polished marble floors in the lobby as soon as the door opens. While we make our way inside, a woman at the reception desk stands from her seat to greet us. There is a huge chandelier letting off soft light that twinkles around the room, and huge pots of fresh flowers make the large space smell like a garden.

I wander a little taking in the artwork that reminds me of all the times, as a child, I had to endure accompanying my parents to galleries. Whenever a new, and upcoming artist, would debut their work, all of Busan society would show up. It was never fun for me. I always had to pretend that the art was good, and watch my parents parade around, showing off their money and power. I once snuck a couple glasses of champagne, and hid in the bathroom the whole evening.

When I finally went back out, I realized that my parents had left without me. It was the first time they had forgotten that they brought me along. I ended up getting a ride with the gallery owner after lying they had to leave for an emergency. When I was dropped off, my house was dark and my parents were already in bed, even though I wasn't there. I was invisible to them, and the age of 14 was the first time I really understood that.

"Hae? You alright?"

His honeyed voice brought me back to the present, and I turned to see his worried face. I nodded, biting my lip to keep the tears that had started pricking at my eyes, inside. I noticed the woman from the reception desk watching us, so I turned away. I don't feel comfortable here, and if that woman keeps watching every move I make, I'm going to scream.

"Haerin-ah... What's wrong?"

"Nothing... I'm just... Nevermind... I'm fine."

Maybe I'm stupid for not telling him what is going on, but I feel like a big enough burden already. My irrational anxiety shouldn't be his concern. Before I can say more, he takes my freezing hand in his large, warm one, and leads me towards the elevator. Naeun Unnie and Jin are waiting there for us, and we all get inside. As the door closes, I see the woman still watching us with far too much interest, and I know it's going to be a problem.

~~~~~Jeongguk

Something is definitely wrong, but she won't tell me what. She stopped in her tracks before we even entered the building. I watched as she looked at the building with an almost fearful gaze. Naeun Noona got her to come inside, and she seemed better at first. Watching her, I realized she wasn't happy... She was looking at the artwork like it had offended her, and then I noticed her eyes were getting glossy.