Eye of the public | Seo Changbin

Chapter 18

"Have a nice evening and night Mr.Clark"

Riley skipped past the doorman of their main building, pressing a cup of coffe into his hands.

"You too Ms. McEvery, have a safe way home and thanks for the coffee." His deep voice responded while opening the front door for his boss.

Riley waved one last time before walking across the road to get to their garage. Mr. Clark looked after the girl with a fond smile- even though she was their boss, everyone working at their company absolutely adored her and her sister.

It has been six months since Riley arrived back in London and immediately went into buisiness. Since then the whole company's dynamics have changed for the better and their profit numbers were evidence of that.

As soon as Riley sat in her car she reached for her phone to start a call.

"Hello Dr. Brigston!" She greeted when her call was accepted.

"How often have I told you that you can just call me Susan? I'm just a few years older than you" The woman scolded but Riley could do nothing but laugh while turning out of the garage with a last wave to Mr. Clark through the window.

"Anyways, I wanted to call because the restaurant called me earlier and canceled our reservation. I have a new one already, the restaurant ist just a few houses down the street."

"Oh what a shame, I heard the food was amazing. Oh well, if they don't want us as their customers they don't get us!"

Riley laughed at Dr. Brig- Susan's positivity and despite her comment, the age difference of 14 years was noticeable in their maturity.

"My sister is on the other line, I'll hang up now. See you in a few"

Accepting the imcoming call Riley's car was filled with her sister's nervous rambling.

"Please slow down and repeat everything" Riley interrupted when she saw her chance in Millie having to breath for a second.

"Sorry, I'm just nervous. You know how I get"

"Yeah, I know. That's what I'm here for, aren't I?"

Millie laughed shortly and then took a deep breath to clear her thoughts. Riley smiled proudly to herself, glad she was able to help her sister.

"Wear the blue skirt with the white top"

"How did you-?"

"Oh Millie, you are my second half. I always know what's going on in that pretty little head of yours. On top of that you are going to go on a date with a guy you have been crushing on for years. I would be nervous too- everyone would. Especially after how things ended with your last guy."

"I know, I keep repeating that this ass-"
"Millie, calm down. It's okay, it's in the past. Move on and have a great night. Use my purse, it goes well with the skirt."

"Right okay, I think I'll go with your outfit idea, it has a vibe. But I need to go now, get ready. Have fun at dinner with the doc."

"Oh shut up! Bye, good luck!"

Riley shook her head at Millie's teasing about Dr. Brigston but she knew her twin would always be her number one supporter.

It was never Riley's plan to become friends with her therapist but now she often found herself ringing the older for any kind of advice.

Finding a parking spot relatively easy, Riley was the first to arrive at the restaurant.

"Welcome!" The bartender greeted the newcomer friendly until he lifted his head to look at her. "Riley?"

"Lucas? Oh my god, it's been so long. How are you?"

Riley quickly said down at one of the barstools, deciding she still had some time until Susan would arrive.

"How- When- Since when are you back in London?" Lucas stuttered, feeling nervous for seeing his first crush after so long.

Back then he felt like his world was going to end when Riley announced to their group of friends that she was moving to Seoul. He was aware that he was just close to 15 but Riley was still the first girl he ever had romantic feelings for.

"I've been back for just about six months, but honestly it feels like I never actually left. How have you been? The group said they lost contact with you. What happened?"

"School ended, I left to Ghana for a social project and then everyone was cought up with university. We just drifted apart I guess" Lucas dropped his gaze, missing his old friends.

"We should all meet up again! Like a class reunion, I'll look into it tomorrow!"

Riley was excited and Lucas felt happy for seeing the familiar glint in her eyes whenever she planned things out.

"I heard about your relationship with Changbin - was it? - and the whole break-up drama through Social Media. How are you with all of that?"

Lucas didn't ask because he saw his chance - surely Riley would always have a special place in his heart but he didn't want any kind of romantic relationship with her anymore - he asked because he was worried.

When he lost contact with her due to the distance he started keeping an eye out for her through all those unnesscesary posts just in case. After all this time he still felt the need to protect her secretly.

"I'm fine?" Riley said but it sounded more like a question. "I mean I obviously still love him but I've been getting better mentally and I know I made the right decision."

"So, who are you meeting today?" Lucas tried to change the topic seeing it dragged Riley's mood down.

"Nothing fancy. My Therapist slash friend actually" Riley didn't feel ashamed for going to therapy and taking about that with someone who basically already knows all your childhood secrets felt normal.

"Can I- Can I ask what you went to therapy for? You don't need to answer obviously"

"It's fine, don't worry. I was in a really bad mental state, a slight depression and homesickness. It's been better since I came back."

"That's good to hear" Lucas smiled but saw the guilt in Riley's eyes for feeling so much better back in London - Lucas guessed it was because of Changbin.

Just then a shorter but older woman entered the restaurant and walked up to them.

"Hello Riley and Mr. -"
"Miller. Lucas Miller. Riley and I went to school together."

"Right, Riley has been talking about wanting to meet up with her old classmates. It is indeed a nice idea"
From the way she talked it was obvious that her profession was being a therapist but not in the annoying kind of way.

"It was nice meeting you again Lucas. Here is my number so you can contact me and maybe we could actually pull a class reunion through. See you!"

With a little wave the two women sat down at their table and started talking about Riley's improvements concerning her mental health.

Although Riley felt extremely guilty for breaking up with Changbin and also getting her own heart broken in the process, she knew it was the right decision.

Ignoring the above, Riley felt better than she had in a long time and knew she got so many positive things out of her moving.

Though the same could not be said about Changbin.

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~ this is Riley's life now, Changbin's will be next

~until next chapter
~~June