Written In The Stars | Park Sunghoon ✔

mⓐybe

»»—— Shin Lumi ——««

"Are you sure you're okay?"

I looked up at my younger stepbrother, Ni-Ki as we ate our breakfast together. "What? Of course, I'm okay, bubba." I smiled at him weirded out.

"You were crying every day for months but then suddenly in just a snap you look..." He looked for the right words to say, "Normal."

I laughed at his statement, "isn't that the whole point of being okay?"

He stayed quiet still staring at me as he ate, "and shouldn't you be relieved that your sister is happy and okay now?"

"But it's all too sudden, you didn't recover slowly it was like you were in pain then you flipped a switch, and you're all smiley." He pouted, "You lasted for years. You and Sungho—"

"Ni-Ki, I'm pretty sure he is laughing and having fun right now, knowing that he left a poor girl miserable here in Seoul. I can't let myself be swallowed by the grief of someone who didn't even want to stay."

After that he kept quiet. Ni-Ki was attached to him. He adored the older one like his own brother. I knew in his heart that he was longing for him and I can't deny that for quite a while, I was too.

・‥...━━━━━━━━━━━━...‥・

"There she is! My featured writer, my number one employee!"

As soon as I entered my office I was greeted by the loud obnoxious voice of my boss.

"What do you want, Jay?"

His face is distorted. "Hey! I know we're friends but need I remind you that your paycheck comes from me."

"Whatever you say, corn." I snickered as placed my back on my desk beside the morning coffee from my assistant. However, something unfamiliar was laying by the middle of my work desk.

A book.

I looked at Jay who was silently sitting on the chair in front of me with a grin. "What is this?" I asked as I raised the book.

"Well, you see." He started to stand up but I quickly butted in.

"I told you, Jay. I want to write my book, the fans have been asking for the final book of the series but I still can't write because of all the reviews you want me to make." I shook my head at him. I've been in writer's block for quite some time now. So Jay kept on insisting that I try and read some works of other authors' works to 'inspire' me.

For all I know, he only wants me to make reviews for the books so at least I'm doing something for his company.

"Look, this book is amazing and frankly I think you are going to love it." He smirked at me. "It's quite a mystery, the author is unknown and his publisher said that he would give an exclusive interview to the person who gives the best review of his work. One that sees the hidden message between his lines."

I looked at the book intrigued.

Enthralling Lost Love

The book title was written in beautiful cursive on plain black background. It was simple yet sophisticated, intriguing indeed.

Jay was right, there was no author's name written anywhere in the book. I opened the first page and saw a dedication.

For you.

"Why me?" I looked up at Jay suspiciously. We had a lot of employees who are recognized for their outstanding reviews so I didn't know why Jay suddenly wanted me to write this one.

He stood up tall and proud to make a stand, "who else would make the best review that my number one author?"

I rolled my eyes at him as he continued to try and convince me, "Look, Lumi. This book has raised a lot of buzz, and an interview with this author is going to be the biggest thing we could ever do."

I didn't answer, he saw my hesitation because of my writer's block. I want to finish the series I wrote but somehow I couldn't find the right motivation to do so.

"You know, I know why you are having such a hard time writing your story."

I glared at him as he said that. "Don't go there, Jay. I'm over him."

"You keep dismissing the fact that the pain he caused you was the drive that made you write your books." He said.

I stood up, "What do you want me to do? Keep dwelling about him? Keep hurting?"

"I'm not saying that! The thing is you haven't moved on, Lumi. You just pushed everything aside! It's okay to feel, you know?" Jay stepped forward, "it what makes you human, and what makes you the best-selling author. Because your readers feel what you feel."

I kept quiet. I sat down and buried my face in my hands as I contemplated what I should do. Jay was right, again. No matter how much I desire for him to be wrong, he is right.

I haven't forgotten about him. He is still at the back of my head. Just waiting for the right moment to pop out and stir every emotion in me once again.

"You were both my friends, Lumi," Jay spoke again, in a much softer tone this time. "I care about both of you."

I kept silent, I didn't know what to say to him. I heard his footsteps slowly moving away and the door opened. I looked down at the book in front of me and looked up at Jay who was on his way out,

"Jay," I called out to him.

He looked back with softness in his eyes. He must feel so conflicted to be divided between his two friends.

"I'll make the review."

He smiled softly and nodded to me, "Thank you, Lumi." He whispered and left my office.

Maybe it's time to start actually moving forward. As much as I hate giving in to what Jay says. I can't deny that he always has a point.

Maybe, just maybe, this book would give me the drive to accept what has happened.

Maybe it would give me the chance to move on and start writing with a different motivation than him.