✓ WHERE IT ENDS | JAY

14 - Before Us

"Y/N..."

Her eyes widened when she recognized the person standing at the door. Her heart started beating so fast as she felt tears brim in her eyes. And with slow steps, she walked towards the door as she looked at her in disbelief.

"Ms. Kim...?" Y/N quietly said, taking in the features of the woman she always trusted. The one and the only person she could feel at peace with whenever her home didn't feel like it and the days became harder.

The old woman slowly nodded, tears falling down her cheeks before she wrapped her arms around Y/N in a tight and longing hug. It's been so long and she was worried, but seeing her dear little girl standing there in front of her made it all better.

Although the little girl wasn't little anymore, and, the softness and happiness she always had in her eyes were replaced by coldness and worry. She was so familiar yet so different, and it broke the heart of the old woman who always cherished her.

"Y/N, sweetheart... where have you been?" She asked, wiping away Y/N's tears as she cried in her arms. "How have you been... look at you..."

"Ms. Kim..." Y/N said as she hugged her tighter. "I missed you so m-much... I'm so sorry for leaving just like that... I was-"

"I know everything." The old woman said, stroking Y/N's hair. "You shouldn't worry about a thing, Y/N, I know everything. I don't hate you for it, you did the right thing."

"What..." Y/N muttered as she stared right into her eyes. She always had that look about her, that look of otherness, of eyes that see things much too far, and of thoughts that wander off the edge of the world.

"Your father..." She said, smiling bitterly. "He's not looking for you anymore."

Her words were like knives to Y/N's heart, making her realize that he indeed gave up on her. His daughter was indeed dead. 

"I see." Y/N nodded, her eyes glistening. But no tear fell down her cheeks. 

"You have to go back now." Ms. Kim said as she held Y/N's hands in hers. "Be safe, okay? You have to be safe no matter what."

"I want to promise you to stay safe... but I don't know if I'll be able to keep this promise." Y/N smiled bitterly, stroking back the old woman's hands. 

"Goodbye, Y/N." Ms. Kim gave her one last hug before Y/N wore her glasses and walked away, her tears threatening to fall. And as she walked out of her room, the old woman stared at her as her heart ached.

Y/N had changed. She could see it in her eyes, feel it in her touch, hear it in her tone. She wasn't the same, and she'd never come back. 

It was so much easier to act like none of it mattered and to pretend to wear a smile than to admit her heart was broken. As she walked towards Jay and her father, she smiled at them before she sat down next to Jay, her eyes glued on Lee Kwang. 

"Forgive me for being late," she said, faking a cough. "I'm not feeling very well today."

"What's wrong?" Jay grabbed her hands as he looked at her, worried. Y/N slightly shook her head as she muttered a quiet 'It's fine'. Jay stared at her for a while before he turned to look at her father. "I'm afraid we'll have to go back, my fiancée isn't feeling well at the moment."

"Of course, dear, of course." She heard him say as he got up from his seat. "We're done talking about business, anyway. Once again, think about my offer and let me know your decision."

"Alright, Mr. Lee." Jay bowed politely. "Thank you so much for inviting us, it was very nice to talk to you."

Her father smiled, staring at her with eyes that hid all his secrets and lies. And when they were about to walk away, she turned around, catching her father's attention.