Lifetime

Love Afraid

"It's because we're soulmates."

Seokjin smirked at my statement, chuckling as he set his cup down from taking a sip of water. "Cute."

"Cute?" I questioned his single-worded reply.

"That's what your dad calls your mom. I always thought it was cute that he refers to her that way. Maybe I'll call you the same." He suggested.

He wasn't taking me seriously and it stopped me from explaining further. Without any proof other than the connection between us to back up my claims it felt fruitless to tell him the entire story in the little time we had until the night would end.

The waitress returned for a moment, gathering my empty plate and depositing a check printed on thin yellow paper at the edge of the table. I took the pause in our conversation to change the topic, moving on to something I hoped was lighter, less complicated.

"How long have you and Jaesang been friends?" I asked.

He tilted his head as if the question required pondering, releasing a long sigh with his answer. "Around ten years. He was my bunkmate during boot camp and we served in the same unit."

I recognized his language as referencing military service, realizing there was so little I knew about him since I'd been blocking myself from any closeness. "I didn't know you were in the military."

"It's not very interesting. None of it is." He replied with a shrug.

"None of it?" I raised a brow, curious about the dullness in the tone of his response.

"I enlisted right after my first year of university to put off working in my parent's company for a few years. When I returned I went straight into an executive position in the company. I worked for five years before I got sick. My dad wanted to make me COO. I never wanted any of it and I guess the universe made sure that happened." He scoffed at the irony, recovering easily with a slight smile. "That's why I love talking to your dad. He has stories of from a life that's actually been lived."

It was possibly the saddest statement I ever heard and I suddenly wished we were back at the wedding reception where there'd be a drink within reach to help mask the emotion that bubbled inside me. It felt like too much to carry, the buzzing of my clutch on top of the table a welcome diversion.

I pulled out my phone, swiping across the screen to answer with a glance to Seokjin who didn't seem to mind the interruption.

"Hey dad." I answered, realizing that it was well past midnight and the time he usually went to bed.

"Sellie, you okay out there?" He questioned. I giggled at the touch of protectiveness he still held for me, even after living apart for years.

Seokjin pulled a thin black wallet from his back pocket, sliding a credit card that matched the sleek holder to place on top of the check. Payment apparently made the staff more attentive, the waitress returning quicker than she had all night to collect the items with a smile.

"I'm fine. We stopped for something to eat but I'll be back soon. Are you feeling alright?" I wondered, searching his voice for any indication that he wasn't.

"Yes, I am just about to go to bed. You forgot your keys so I left the door unlocked for you." He yawned, the bed creaking behind him as he climbed in. He was always quick to fall asleep and I knew only a few minutes would pass before his eyes fluttered close once we said goodnight.

By the time we hung up Seokjin's card had been returned and he scribbled a signature on the final check. The waitress seemed much more pleasant after seeing the tip he left, inviting us to return soon.