The Storm and the Sea (A MiChaeng Fanfic)

Chapter 31: Chaeyoung

The storm noticed some patches in its bed of clouds; some holes left by the sun. It cursed the sun, for the latter broke the former.

***

The unlit cigarette hangs off her lips as she stares at me. Whether it's a prelude to something naughty, I'm not so sure.

"What?"

"I'm just thinking," Mina says, her eyes still locked onto me. After a few more seconds, she turns her head away and lights the cigarette.

"What? Why don't you complete your sentences?" I pester, nudging her by the rib.

"Your birthday's coming up, and I have no idea what to get you," Mina admits.

I scoff. "You don't need to get me anything. Besides, it's more than a month away." Despite knowing that my fingers will smell burnt, I hold Mina's hand. "Also, I should be the one in your stead, because yours is in two weeks."

However, I've no need to panic-I've already ordered Mina's gift online last Saturday. Let's just hope I got the games right. Why are video games so expensive now?

Mina's lips purse into a smile. "Impressive. And here I thought you've forgotten."

While her memory's impressive with dates, mine can go toe-to-toe with hers, since I religiously write birthdays in my planner.

"It's your first birthday with me. Maybe the next ones, I'll probably be like, 'Oh no, today's her birthday' and buy some last-minute gift at some retail shop," I tease.

Mina sticks her tongue out. "Okay, if you say so."

"Would you be mad?" I ask with a grin, craning my neck forward.

She glares and rolls her eyes before nodding, pretending to sulk.

"Aww, no!" I rush to hug her. "I won't let you get mad at me!" Even though it's just pretend, her "angry" face is still too adorable.

"Hey, you're gonna smell bad," Mina protests playfully in my embrace.

I let go of her, both of us catching our breaths as the sunset casts its last rays of the day on our faces.

"I'll never do anything that would hurt you," I promise Mina. I know these kinds of statements should be avoided because we shouldn't deal in absolutes but, when you're with someone like Mina, can you really help it?

"Oh really? Then maybe you should treat me to dinner for a change," she jests, swinging our hands.

"Sure. Name a place," I say with confidence, tilting my head like a stereotypical gangster. "You want fine dining? You got it."

She cracks up while extinguishing her cigarette. "Come on, it's almost time to go home."

The fire exit opens before I even touch the knob. It's Carl, with a somber expression.

"Chae, can you stay for a bit?" he asks in English, planting his huge hand on my shoulder. Carl glances at Mina before looking back at me. "We need to talk. Alone," he states in French. Whatever this is, he just wants it between us.

"I'll talk to him first. Just wait for me, okay?" I tell Mina, who briefly eyes Carl before nodding.

***

Carl pulls out a whole pack of his cigarettes, signifying that this conversation will take some time.

"What's up, dude?"

He sighs as he scrolls through his phone. "Do you still look at Somi's stories?"

It takes a while to register, wondering if Somi had started writing books.