Since the Day We Met

Nine

Jennifer's POV

"You should stay," Hong Joong's plea reverberated through my ears, catching me off guard. Was he genuinely proposing that we relocate to Korea? I didn't even know a single word in Korean, plus I had my job waiting for me at home, and Harper was enrolled in preschool. Granted, my family ties were virtually non-existent, but was moving here worthwhile? To this tiny, one-bedroom apartment? How would we even manage to find a space for Harper to sleep? My thoughts swirled into overdrive while I watched panic gradually consume Hong Joong's face as he anxiously awaited my response. I took a moment to compose myself before speaking. 

"Hong Joong, I..." I began hesitantly. 

"I appreciate your offer, but I can't just pack up and move to Korea. We have responsibilities back home. Jobs, schools, friends... It's a big decision that I can't make on impulse."He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. 

"I understand," he replied in a soft voice. 

"It's just... I thought this would be the one chance we could be together as a family." It tore at my heart hearing him sound so defeated.

"We can always visit each other and stay connected," I offered, trying to placate him. 

"But moving here permanently... it's a decision that will affect our lives forever."He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, clearly struggling to come to terms with the reality of our situation. But then, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. 

"Alright. I know it won't be easy, but we'll make it work somehow.

"His determination was admirable, and though my heart ached for him and the potential life we might have had here, I knew this was for the best. That night, as Hong Joong drifted into sleep on his small bed while Harper slept peacefully on the sofa next to me, my mind continued to race. 

Could there be any way we could make this work? Despite my logical side continually reminding me of our responsibilities back home, the allure of creating a new life together kept creeping back into my thoughts. The morning sun eventually brought clarity with its warm rays creeping through the window; we had to go home. 

As Hong Joong was getting ready for work and Harper played with some toys she'd brought along for the trip, I started packing our things. Thoughts of farewells and long-distance love weighed heavy on my chest. Collapsing on the couch, my gaze wandered around the familiar room, taking in every detail; 

Hong Joong's various photographs, a shelf full of books I couldn't read, and that childhood scribble that he'd kept all these years. He would leave in an hour, and then we would begin our journey back home. Brushing back the tears that threatened to spill, I forced myself to remember the reasons why moving here couldn't work - at least not right now. Maybe someday, when Harper was older and our circumstances had changed, we could revisit the idea of living in Korea together. 

But for now, I needed to focus on our current reality and make the best of it. Hong Joong returned from the bedroom, his freshly shaved face revealing a mixture of sadness and resolve.

 "I guess this is it," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

"It doesn't have to be the end," I assured him, forcing a smile onto my face as I approached him.

 "We'll be back to visit. And you can come to see us whenever your job allows it."He nodded, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. 

"I know," he said softly, resting his chin on top of my head. 

"It's just hard letting go when I've only just found you.

"We stood like that for what felt like an eternity - two souls bound together by fate but separated by circumstances beyond their control. Eventually, Harper wandered over and tugged on Hong Joong's pant leg, sensing the weight of the moment.