GOODBYE HELLO 'Lost & Found Sequel' (a ChanBaek/BaekYeol novella)

CHAPTER 1 (Baekhyun)

Somewhere close by, a barking of a dog can be heard. Apart from that, the night is disturbingly silent. The winter atmosphere sends me shivering involuntarily. Snow has yet to fall, but the temperature seems not too far from that of Antarctica's. I may be exaggerating though.
Walking home from a night stroll, I tighten my hold on Chanyeol's hand and snuggle closer to him as a soft, icy breeze sweeps through, literally sending chills down my spine. I look up the sky and watch as snow makes its descend.
"The first snow," I whisper, reaching up, enthralled. "It's beautiful."
I glance at Chanyeol. His dark clothes are in total contrast with my white windbreaker. He's staring right ahead.
"Baekhyun," he whispers, gazing down.
"Is there something wrong?" I ask.
"Let's stop," he says, still looking down. He releases my hand.
"Chanyeol?" I frown, stopping on my tracks. I reach up to touch his face. He doesn't respond.
I pull him into my arms instead, but he stops me, grabbing me by the shoulders and pushing me back gently. I am taken aback. He looks up then and stares at me strangely. I wait for him to speak.
"Let us stop," he repeats, speaking each word clearly. He takes back his hands and looks away.
"Chanyeol, what are you trying to say?" I ask him, a bit annoyed now. "Let us stop what?"
He doesn't respond again. I grit my teeth.
"You're not making any sense," I tell him, grabbing his arm. "It's cold here. Let's get home first then we'll talk."
"It doesn't matter where we talk. Nothing will change," he says, glancing back at me, his eyes blank.
"Chanyeol...?"
It dawns on me. I freeze. Let's stop. Let us stop. I stare at him incredulously. Pain. Frustration. Numbness. Betrayal. Hatred. Confusion. I stand still, unable to think, unable to talk, unable to breathe, unable to live.
Chanyeol doesn't speak. He just stares at me with those frightening cold eyes. No! I refuse to accept. I refuse.
"Chanyeol," I say, laughing without humor. "That's a bad joke you know. Stop it."
I force a laugh, waiting for him to join me. He doesn't. I start to tremble. What I hear next is enough to destroy me.
"I don't want to be your boyfriend anymore," he tells me, his gaze unwavering.
I refuse to accept! I refuse to accept!
I laugh lifelessly. "What's the punch line?"
He shakes his head. There are no tears. I can't feel my body. I am already dead.
"Baekhyun," Chanyeol whispers, taking my face in his hands.
"Cha...Chan...Chanyeol," I sobbed. "Don't. Please don't. Don't leave me."
I wrap my hands around his wrists, unwilling to let go. I expect him to break free of me, but he smiles angelically instead.
"Baekhyun." He says my name like it means everything to him. "I promised you I will never leave you."
I stop, unable to keep up with him. "But you said-"
He put a finger on my lips, effectively cutting me off. He leans closer to me.
"I'm sorry I went too far." He chuckles. "I don't want to be your boyfriend anymore. That's true."
My heart cries in agony, but I force myself to stay silent, knowing he's not finish yet and partly because his finger is still on my lips.
"I want to be more," Chanyeol tells me. His icy breath tickles my face. "I want to be the one who will grow old with you. I want to be the one who will spend his lifetime with you. I want to be your husband. I want you to marry me."
It only takes me about half a second to process that. I feel tears on my eyes.
"Chanyeol, you idiot!" I am between laughing and crying. "Why did you do that? You scared me! I hate you!"
"I love you too," Chanyeol says, laughing. "Didn't think you would believe me."
"You little-"
I stop as his lips silence me. I wrap my arms around him as he pulls me closer. Heat washes over me as he playfully traces my lower lip with his tongue. I am about to lose my mind when he pulls away, chuckling, his face flushed.
"I think I got you drunk," he tells me, touching my burning face. I look away, embarrassed.
I glance back at him and am surprised to see him bending down on one knee. I blink, unbelieving. On his fingers is a silver ring.
Chanyeol opens his mouth to speak.
"Baekhyun-ah, wake up!"
I startle awake. I find my face inches from Chanyeol. Sunlight casts a soft glow through the windows, making me believe that I'm still dreaming. Chanyeol smiles adoringly at me. I lock my arms around his neck and pull him in for a kiss, silently thanking the mouthwash that lets me kiss him anytime, anywhere I please.
I push Chanyeol back - which takes a great deal of effort as both my mind and body protest against it - as his lips move down to my throat.
"What?" he asks, cocking one eyebrow.
I start to speak, but he doesn't wait for me. He kisses me again, ardently, forcing my mouth to open. He seems too eager. I chuckle against his lips. His hands travel down my side, grabbing my waist, pulling me closer to him.
"Chanyeol," I whisper breathlessly as he lets me breathe.
"Yes, Baekhyun?" he answers, kissing my nose.
"I hate you for waking me up," I tell him, pulling a lock of his hair.
He leans away and stares down at me questioningly. "Why? What were you dreaming about?"
"That night you proposed to me," I answer. I feel blood rising to my face.
"Oh." Chanyeol grins at me, stroking my hair. "You should've seen your face. It was priceless!"
He laughs softly, remembering. I pull him by the ear.
"Aw!" he groans. He catches my hand and pins it to my side. "That hurts."
Instead of apologizing, I narrow my eyes at him. "I was really scared back then."
"I know," Chanyeol says. He looks at me apologetically. "I'm sorry I put you through that. I couldn't think of another way to propose to you. I wanted it to be out of the ordinary."
"Ordinary!" I scoff. "You almost killed me!"
He releases my hand only to touch my face.
"I could've spent some money and prepared a grander proposal, one that a lot of people dream of, but knowing you, I settled for something more simple...yet dramatic."
"You made me cry though," I remind him. He starts to speak, but I cut him off. "I know you didn't mean to so don't worry about it. I've forgiven you, haven't I? Though I think you have nothing to apologize for. It was a proposal after all."
Chanyeol smiles. I pinch his cheeks.
"Whether you spend money or not," I continue. "I would answer yes, no matter what. I've thought if you ever propose to me, it would be the best. And it was."
"If I ever?" He raises an eyebrow at me again.
"I still had...a little doubt," I admit, not meeting his eyes.
"Baekhyun." Chanyeol slips his hand under my chin, forcing me to look at him. "You remember everything I told you, right?"
I nod, staring straight into his eyes. My heart pounds loudly in my chest. I bet he can hear it.
"Then you should've known that I want to spend the rest of my life with you," he tells me, his face serious.
"I-"
I am silenced by his lips again.
"I love you," he whispers to my ear. "I always will. Remember that, Park Baekhyun."
The two silver rings on my left hand suddenly weigh too heavy, reminding me of their presence. The one on my ring finger has Chanyeol's name engraved on the inside. My eyes shift to Chanyeol's hand, where another silver ring - with my name - rests on his slender finger. Two identical rings symbolizing our love.
I smile to myself, pressing my lips against Chanyeol's cheek.
"I love you, too," I whisper back, hugging him fiercely.
****
"How is it being a director, Director Byun?" Sehun asks as we enter our favorite café, just across our agency.
"It's Director Park, Sehun," Lay reminds him.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Director Park." Sehun gives me an apologetic look. "I forgot you're already married."
I chuckle, reaching up to ruffle Sehun's hair. "Apology accepted."
"I'll get the drinks," Lay offers and heads to the counter.
"The added responsibilities are expected," I tell Sehun as I take a seat. "But given the privileges of my new position, I would say it's alright."
"I'm envious," Sehun says, pouting.
"Don't be. I heard the company is looking for a new head supervisor and you're one of the candidates," I tell him. "Isn't that something to look forward to?"
"Thanks for reminding me," he says, playing with his necktie. "But I probably won't get picked."
"Why not?" I argue. "Your performance is quite outstanding. Do me a favor, Sehun-ah and stop being pessimistic."
Sehun sighs. "Okay, okay. I understand, Director Park."
I grin at him. He sticks out his tongue at me and laughs. I glare at him.
"Did I miss something?" Lay asks, glancing at the both of us.
****
I just finished preparing dinner when I hear the front door open.
"I'm home," Chanyeol calls out.
Chanyeol comes in the dining room, his hair disheveled. He closes the distance between us and pulls me into his arms, kissing my forehead softly. I breathe in the scent of him. I sigh contentedly.
"Welcome home," I whisper against his neck. "What happened to your hair?"
He chuckles. "Wind blown."
He pulls my face to his, giving me a peck on the lips.
"What's for dinner?" he asks as we settle down.
"Beef stew," I answer.
"Come to think of it, it's our first anniversary tomorrow," he reminds me. "Tell me, what do you want to do?"
"Aren't you supposed to surprise me?" I ask, watching him take a bite.
"I've made a lot of surprises for you back when we were still dating," he tells me. "I think it would be better if I ask what you would want to do."
I pout. I do love surprises, especially when it comes from Chanyeol.
"You do have a point," I agree.
"This is delicious by the way," he added, gesturing at the stew. He smiles sweetly at me.
I feel myself blushing. "Well thank you."
"What do you want to do then?" he asks again, raising his eyebrows.
I think about it. We dated for five years and it kind of feels like we did almost everything. Chanyeol seems to feel that way too.
"It would be nice if we could have a day off tomorrow," I tell Chanyeol.
"I can arrange that if you want me to," he offers.
I shake my head. He's working on a new proposal and he needs it to be done next week. Plus, I've just been appointed as a director. Taking a day off might not be a good idea. But it is our first anniversary after all...
"Why don't we spend the night at the rest house?" I suggest. "I'm thinking of star gazing actually."
Chanyeol considers the idea. "It's perfect."
"Really?" I ask. "It doesn't sound boring?"
"Of course not," Chanyeol disagrees. He reaches for my hand. "As long as I'm with you anything would be worth it."
I blush. My heart races in my chest.
****
The car eases to a stop in front of the rest house. The sun has finally set, leaving the place dark, except for the porch lights and the lampposts running the perimeter that the caretaker must've left on.
"Look," I whisper, pointing at the sky as Chanyeol helps me out of the car.
"Pretty," Chanyeol whispers back leading me to the bench.
The night sky is dotted with twinkling lights. I marvel at the different constellations. Chanyeol place the blanket we brought near the bench. He pulls me down with him, laughing as I hit the ground unceremoniously. I scoot closer to him as he covers us with another blanket. I shiver delicately against the cold night.
"Chanyeol," I start, reaching for his hand. "It's supposed to be snowing. At least that's what I heard from the weather forecast. So why are there stars?"
"Because they know it's our anniversary," he answers, laughing quietly.
"I'm glad it's not snowing tonight," I tell him. "It would've destroyed our moment."
"Are you cold?" he asks me.
"A little," I whisper. "But I'm fine. Don't worry."
Chanyeol shifts. I tear my gaze away from the stars and find my lips inches from his lips. I gasp, surprised by his sudden proximity.
"I'll keep you warm," he tells me and presses his lips to mine.
My heart beats erratically as he shifts again, pinning me against the ground with his long body. One hand snakes around my waist. The other holds my face steady as he kisses me slowly, making me lightheaded. I giggle as his lips explore down my neck, tickling me.
"Stop it," I whisper, breathless, as I crane my neck away from his torturing lips.
Chanyeol chuckles and pulls my lips back to his, his fingers tangling in my hair. I hold him closer as I drown myself, addicted to his soft lips.
****
I lie on a comfortable bed in a huge room somewhere in the second floor of the rest house. Chanyeol has his arms around me, my head under his chin.
"Chanyeol," I whisper against his neck. "Have you fallen asleep?"
"I was about to," he whispers back, tightening his arms around me. "What is it?"
"Happy anniversary, Chanyeol," I tell him. "I love you."
I feel him smile. He presses his lips against my forehead. "Happy anniversary, my Baek. I love you, too."
"You can sleep now," I say, laughing softly.
I listen to his breathing as he falls asleep. Park Chanyeol, I will always stay by your side. I close my eyes and doze off.
****
The air smells like the winter sea. A light snow freezes the atmosphere. The snowflakes melt the instant they touch the sea water. It is not enough to freeze the water, but it is enough to freeze my body.
I feel the humming of an engine. I hear water lapping. I see a starless sky. It's around 8PM in the evening. I find myself standing on a deck of a cruise ship. The ship floats still in the middle of the sea. I can just make out the city lights from the far distance.
I glance around and am surprised to find Chanyeol standing before the railings, watching the snow.
"Chanyeol!" I call out, closing the distance between us.
I am just a few meters away when turbulence rocks the ship violently. I lose my balance and hit the deck with a thud, my shoulder absorbing the impact.
I struggle to sit up, glancing at Chanyeol to check if he's alright. "Chan-"
A second turbulence sends the ship to tip sideways. I catch myself before I hit the deck again. I look up and watch in horror as Chanyeol's head hits the railing, knocking him unconscious, causing him to slide over the edge and falls straight to the water.
My heart freezes. I can't hear a single thing. "Chanyeol!"

End of Chapter 1