Altschmerz

Six

2019

The morning sun peeking from behind the bellowing curtains play over Naomi's pale face, waking her up. She draws a deep breath, taking in her lover's sweet scent in the air, and a satisfactory smile instantly graces her face. She loves being in Wonho's bed.

Wonho's studio apartment was quite small; a bed by the window, two bean bags infront of the TV, a coffee table which was also used as a dining table, and little space for a closet was all. It wasn't much, and surely it was no match for Naomi's mansion back in Japan but it was enough. Naomi loves the fact that Wonho always stacks up his fridge with her favourite snacks and that he cooks for her whenever.

Her eyes settle on the cascading flowers from the window box. She finds it cute how Wonho takes care of them; "They're delicate. It takes time and effort but when they'll bloom it'll be worth it. Always make sure to make the end worth it, tigress." He once said.

She looks at Wonho in a dreamy way. He was fast asleep on the floor with a mere pillow under his head. He had his arms crossed over his chest, his biceps popping out.

Hot.

She felt her cheeks burning at the thought. She bit her lip wondering why he never shares the bed with her.

It has always been like this. Ever since they met, Wonho would always be very gentle with her. Yes, he would spoil her with whatever but he's had his boundaries that Naomi would fail to climb. He would tell her to let things go with the flow, and that taking everything slow would allow her to rethink her every decision. He seemed to be in no rush, and he'd never rush her into anything as well. But Naomi was a prey of her raging hormones and fragile sentiments; she's sensitive yet impetuous.

"Doe eyes."

His deep voice nudge her out of her fantasyland as she realize he'd been staring at her drooling over him.

Caught.

Her heart skips a beat yet her eyes glued to him as if she's entranced. She nervously gulps looking at the man infront of her who she finds devlishly handsome. She suddenly becomes conscious of herself; does she have an eye booger? She hopes she smells nice.

"Can't help." She shrugs.

He laughs a little. "Cute."

Naomi gives a weak smile too. "Can we go out today? I've been cooped up in here forever."

"Of course we can. But the only thing I'm scared of is-"

"My dad and his watch dogs. Yeah, I get it." She sighs.

A series of terrible events played in her head instantly. It was only a couple of days ago that Naomi was being followed by a suspicious looking man clad in black while she was visiting Wonho at work. When Wonho kept noticing the strange man around Naomi, he had decided to keep her away from the public eye. Of course, these measures were only temporary but it felt like ages.

Naomi understands that all Wonho wants is to keep her safe and as close to him as possible but at times she feels suffocated; suffocated by her father who has put her in such dire circumstances. Her only source of happiness was the man infront of her. He radiated such warmth that Naomi couldn't stop basking in it.

Her world was cold. And he was fire, the kind that wouldn't reduce her to cinders.

Wonho places his hand over hers, pulling her back from her reveries. He was looking straight into her eyes.

"Because I don't want to lose you."

She stares into his eyes and she swears love is all she sees. She has dated a few guys before but they only hung around for their selfish means. She's never met anyone quite like Wonho before and right now his eyes tells her that his feelings towards her are genuine. She couldn't help but fall in love with him all over again.

She smiles a little. "Okay. But when things cools down, you're taking me out on a date and by that I mean we're going to an amusement park, then a movie followed by dinner."

"French?"

She nods. "French."

"Very well, mademoiselle. But for now I'm afraid we only have some cereal to satiate your hunger. Will that do for you?

She giggles. "You suck at accents."

Like every morning, Wonho fixes their breakfast before heading out for work, and like everyday he makes his way to his car and the first thing he does is to check his secret cellphone to make sure the security cameras are working in the apartment to keep an eye on Naomi.

He can now finally drop the act of mr. goody two shoes which he finds utterly exhausting. He runs his fingers to slick back his wayward bangs falling on his forehead.

Shin Wonho was born and raised amidst the filth of Gyeongju; he doesn't know who his father was, his mother died when he was quite young. He belonged to the slums and the gutters until one merciful night he witnessed a gruesome murder committed by an affluent person.

The man had it all as it seemed; Italian suit constructed and fitted exclusively for the him, maroon coat over his shoulders, velvet beret on his head, high quality pair of shoes on the feet, Rolex on one hand and a Magnum 44 pistol in the other which was now pointed at the haggard looking boy in the shadows.

"I see you see me." His voice was deep and resounding.

"I–I.. saw nuh–nothing I swear to God." he was shivering with fear.

The elderly man only laughed like a manic, "You made a mistake."

He pulled the trigger and the boy's frail boy hit the cold asphalt.

××××

His cellphone chimed. It was a text from Mia.

Could you just shoot the
despo teen already.
8:30 am

Not yet.
Besides, she's worth millions.
8:32 am ✓✓

Wait, did you tap into the
cameras again?
8:32 am ✓✓

...Maybe?
How much are they paying
you to keep her safe?
8:33 am

Enough for us to leave this
hellhole for good.
8:38 am ✓✓

... You think that's possible?
8:39 am

Just trust me.
8:40 am ✓✓

I do.
And I miss your stupid face.
Come home soon.
8:41 am