When All The Lights Go Out

Chapter 4

One week passes quickly and Emma can't believe she already has to leave the shelter. As she packs her things she can't help but tear up as she looks around her room for the last time. She has lived there for so long it's heartbreaking she sees it for the last time. But she keeps her head up and smiles, telling herself that a new life is waiting for her out there. As she is about to leave, she turns around to look at it for the last time. Her home. She tears up at the thought of her never coming back but she keeps her head up as she goes downstairs.

There, she drops her bags on the ground as  she finds mrs Lee waiting for her with teary eyes. "Time to go" Emma says half happy half sad. Mrs Lee lets a tear escape her eye as she pulls Emma close for a hug. "I am gonna miss you so much. I really hope with your new beginning you will eventually stand on your own feet again. You deserve to be happy." she says and Emma can't help the tears either. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. I will never forget you i promise and if you need anything, you can call me anytime, you have my number" Emma says as she holds mrs Lee's hands. She then waves at her and then walks to the door with her suitcase in her hands.

As Emma steps outside, she takes a deep breath of both sadness and relief. She is excited for a fresh start yet scared of what's coming next. As she takes a cab to Heeseung's house, she can't help but smile at the thought of seeing him again. She remembers his smile, his kind words, his gaze. His gaze. Emma can't describe the things she felt the first moment their eyes met. She felt happier than ever. So, there she is inside the cab on the way to his house, smiling at the thought of him. Suddenly her phone buzzes, distracting her from her thoughts as she unlocks it to see the notification. She smiles as she taps on the sxreen to read the message. "I hope everything's ok! I am waiting for you, get here safe". Emma smiles at Heeseung's words as she closes her eyes, enjoying the ride.

After what seems like forever, the cab stops in front of the house. Emma thanks the driver as she pays him and takes her luggages as she steps out. As the taxi goes off, Emma stares at the gate as she can feel her heart beat raising. She relaxes herself as she takes a few steps towards the door and rings the bell. Not even five seconds passes, as the door opens revealing a smiley Heeseung. "Welcome Emma, come on in" he says as she takes her bags off the ground, making way for her to step inside. "Thank you" she says as she takes a step inside with Heeseung following. "Are you tired? Do you want something to eat or drink?" he asks her as they make their way towards the kitchen. "No, it's fine I am not that hungry. I apprieciate it tho" she says as she sits on one of the chairs near the kitchen counter. Heeseung nods as he takes a glass of water and places it in front of her. They stay like this staring at each other for a while, neither of them knowing what to do or say. "So, how about I give you a tour around. I will show you your room and then the rest of the house, how's that sound. Unless you wanna rest a bit first we can do it later, it's up to you" Heeseung says, trying his best not to stutter. Emma smiles as she nods. "Sounds great" and then they both leave the kitchen.

As they start wondering around, Heeseung leads Emma through the hallways, as they stop in front of a wooden door. "This is your room" Heeseung says as he opens the door and lets her inside. Emma looks around the room stunned not knowing what to say. The walls are painted a baby blue color, the bed is twice the size of her bed back in the shelter, the curtains are the color of deep purple. She wonders around, awestruck as she goes through the drawers, the closet and even touches the soft matress of the bed. Heeseung leans by the door, with his arms crossed in front of his chest, smiling at the sight in front of him. "This is amazing" Emma says as she looks around smiling widely. "I am glad you like it. I hope it will make you feel comfortable" he ads as he looks at her fondly. "I am sure it will" she says as she throws herself at the soft matress taking a deep breath. Heeseung chuckles at her as she gets up and smiles. "Sorry, I am a bit overwhelmed at this moment" Emma says as she laughs. "Don't worry, I am just glad you like it. Also, you can decorate it as you please, I don't mind. It will help you feel more comfortable, i think" Heeseung says as she nods. "So, what about the rest of the house? You still owe me a tour" she says teasingly as Heeseungs snaps out of his thoughts. "Ah yes, of course you are right. Let's go then" he says with a smile as they leave the bedroom.

They continue walking through hallways and enterimg all the other rooms, as Hesseung explains to her what she needs to do in which room, daily tasks she has to do and many other things. Emma listens to him carefully, mentally taking notes in her head as they speak. "So, how about start tomorrow? I don't wanna pressure you since it's your first day here. Take your time to adjust first" Heeseung says as the go downstairs. "I don't mind. But I do have something to ask" Emma says as he nods. "What do you wanna eat tonight? I can make dinner and you can test my cooking skills" she says with a smile as he looks at her awestruck. "Well, it would be a shame if I let this opportunity pass. So, I'll give you your space to prepare the dinner. You can find anything you need in the kitchen, I hope everything's there" Heeseung says as Emma claps her hands excitedly. "Yay! So, any special request for tonight?" she says as she starts taking out ingredients. "Not...really" Heeseung says as he laughs. "I am not a picky eater, so feel free to make whatever you want. I bet it's gonna be amazing anyway" Heeseung says with a small wink, as Emma can't help but blush at his words.

As evening comes, Emma goes to the kitchen to prepare dinner. She is not nervous about her skills tho, but she feels like she needs to try her best for Heeseung. She goes through her notes first, to find a ramen recipe mrs Lee taught her back in the shelter. It was her favorite dinner to eat and make. As she takes out the ingredients, she can't help but bring back all the memories she has with her, when she lived there. She smiles bitterly but she brushes these thoughts away as she focuses on her cooking. As an hour passes, Emma is done with the food as she takes two plates to fill with it. As she decorates them, she stops as a flashback runs through her mind, a happy but painful memory of her doing the same for her ex boyfriend. Emma can fill her blood boiling with anger and hate but she manages to calm herself down as she places the food on the table. "Dinner is ready" she shouts as she goes to wash her hands, trying her best to forget about the thought in her mind.

As she turns around from the sink she spots Heeseung coming to the table, feeling butterflies in her stomach just by the sight of him. "The smell is killing me already, it's so good" Heeseung says as he takes a sit with Emma doing the same right across him. "Taste it first. You might be even more surprised" Emma says with a teasing smile, as Heeseung listens to her and takes the first bite. His eyes widen automatically as Emma lets a small chuckle. "Oh my god" he says as he looks at her  shocked. "This is amazing" he exclaims as she rolls her eyes. "Thank you. One thing I am confindent about myself is my cooking skills. I never fail" Emma says as she starts eating too. "I can see why. I am definately gonna need you to teach me how to cook like this" Heeseung says as he laughs, taking another bite. "Anytime" she chuckles as they continue eating.

After dinner, Emma collects all the used plates to the sink as she starts washing them. As she cleans them up she starts humming a song to herself unconsiously, as she slowly starts sing to it. She gets lost at the beat of the song, she doesn't even notice Heeseung's presence beside her. As soon as she is done she turns around and freezes as she sees him staring at her smiling. "How long have you been standing there?" she says with her face turning red from embarrasment. "Long enough to hear you sing. Have you considered being a singer before?" Heeseung says as Emma cobers her face embarassed. "oh my god, stop, this is so embarrassing" she says as he chuckles. "I only told the truth. But for now you should go get some rest, it's getting late don't stay up" Heeseung says as he walks towards her taking a towel as he cleans the dishes. "Are you-" Emma says but he is fast enough to snswer. "Sure? Yeah, 100%. It's your first day no need to overwork yourself. You are already tired it's better to rest, trust me" he says with a smile. Emma nods as she smiles too. "Thanks. I guess i should go now, have a good nigh Heeseung" "Goodnight Emma. Rest well" he says as Emma goes upstairs to her room.

As she gets ready for bed, she can't help but replay Heeseung's words in her mind. Nobody has ever treated her like this before. Nobody even cared. She can't help but blush at the thought of Heeseung's care towards her. As she lays down on her bed smiling, she can't help but question herself. "Am I....falling for him already?" But then she brushes that thought off, telling to herself she can't be, she's been here a day and she barely knows him. But still, something about Heeseung makes her heart melt. Makes her feel like she can trust him. With these thought running through her mind she drifts into deep sleep.