YOU, ME, & SHE • |KTH AU| •

twenty-six

I stare at my phone in disbelief.

No. This can't be it. I can't lose him. I have to go to him. I have to try to make things better. I won't be able to live with myself if I don't.

****

I step out of my ride, gawking at the huge house and the sprawling grounds stretching out behind the tall iron gates. Manicured lawns roll out as far as the eye can see, dotted with sculptures and fountains. In the distance, a modern glass greenhouse gleams in the sunlight.

As I get closer I crane my neck to take in the roofline. It's all turrets and spires like something from a storybook and the walls are this pale grey stone, paneled with floor-to-ceiling windows reflecting the trees and sky.

Wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans first, I reach out and press the intercom button.

"Park Manor, how may I help you?" Crackles a crisp, polite male voice after a moment.

I take a deep breath. "Um, could you- I really need to speak with Jimin, it's urgent."

A pause. "Are you Miss Narae?"

I blink. "Uh, yeah...?"

"I'm afraid Master Jimin left strict instructions that you are not to be granted access to the property. I must ask you to leave at once."

"What? No, please let me in!" I shriek. "I know he's mad but I have to apologize!" I jam the button in a panic. "Are you still there?? I just need five minutes with him, please! Open up!"

"Miss." The voice says sternly. "If you do not remove yourself from the premises immediately I will have no choice but to contact the police."

I step back, tears pricking my eyes. And then I hesitantly glance back at the car.

Only one thing left to do.

I hurry to the car to grab the megaphone. "You can return home without me," I tell my chauffer. "I won't be leaving any time soon."

The megaphone clutched in my hand, I turn and stride determinedly back to the gates. I press the button to amplify my voice and begin:

"Jimin, I know you're in there. I'm not leaving this spot until you let me in so we can talk."

My voice echoes perfectly through the stately grounds. "That's right, I won't leave until you hear me out - I will stay here all day and all night too. There is just too much left unsaid between us... I just need a few minutes of your time, please."

I stubbornly plant my feet on drive, scanning the manor windows hopefully.

I wait. And wait and wait and wait. And then finally, the gate slides open.

Thank Heavens.

As I reach the porch, the grand double doors swing open, and this guy emerges. He's wearing a tailored black suit, a crisp white shirt, a dark vest and polished black shoes; I guess he's the butler, and the one I spoke to through the intercom.

Above his neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, his eyes narrow with curiosity as they settle on my face. He stares at me for long moment, and I stare back, shifting uncomfortably.

"Please follow me," He finally says. I nod, and fall into step behind him as he starts walking.

As we move through the house, I take in the opulent surroundings. Plush carpets feel like walking on clouds under my feet and the scent of fresh flowers lingers in the air. Everything is sparkling clean, not a speck of dirt to be found.