Only Chaeryeong

Chapter 2 part 2: Paying Respects

Ryujin's Perspective:

I was coming home from my turn with Chaeryeong on working and looking over the agency, and could see the bright smile on her face. So, me being the relationships adviser in the agency as my bonus thing, I asked her about it.

"Hey, Chaeryeong, how're you and Lillian doing?" I asked with a smirk, assuming that's what Chaeryeong was smiling about.

"Hm? Oh! We're doing good! She's taking me out for dinner tonight, and having Chaeyeon unnie watch over Hanna. They get along very well, which is good, and it's a break from parenting." Chaeryeong replied, acting all giddy, and even skipping slightly. My smirk grew bigger.

"Where's she taking you?" I asked once more.

"We're trying a new place, it's called Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul. Know of it?" Chaeryeong replied, still skipping.

"A little bit. My last ex and I ate there quite a few times, the food there is pretty good! It's quite expensive though..." I returned. Chaeryeong only got more excited.

"Yeah, but we looked at the photos of it, and it looks soooooooo romantic!" Chaeryeong finally stops skipping but still very giddy. "I can't wait!"

I laugh and clock my tongue. "I swear, you and Lillian are suckers for romance."

"Yeah... but what can I say? We're at least being healthy about it." Chaeryeong smiled more. I nodded in agreement. They are being healthy about their romance life, which is very important.

Chaeryeong perspective:

As I finish changing for my date with Lillian, I look in the mirror, and fix my necklace that Lillian had given me for our last anniversary. I still can't believe that I've spent 9 years with the love of my life, with my Angel... Lillian. I stop zoning out and realize how deeply I am blushing from my thoughts and wave my thoughts away. I then leave my room and go to the living room where Lillian was waiting.

"How do I look?" I asked Lillian, doing a spin in my blue dress, which was also a gift from Lillian from one of our anniversaries.

"Oh my gosh, you're wearing it!" Lillian exclaimed, then was jumping up and down before hugging me, even twirling me around. "I haven't seen you wear it in a long time!"

"Never had the right time." I giggled, and Lillian put me down and raised a brow.

"Oh really? Not our anniversaries? Not the many parties we've been to?" Lillian said, trying to act like she was hurt, but it was so obvious by know that she was just messing around. I decided to play along though.

"Mmm... nah! Not fancy enough." I pretend to pour and look off to the side as I play along, making sure to make it clear I'm messing around as well though since Lillian is... very... oblivious.

While yes, Lillian and I were dating for a few years before we got married, we still didn't know eachother fully, which was sort of a regret. To be fair though, we both are idols, so going on dates weren't the easiest. Anyways, something I figured out a few years into our marriage is just how oblivious Lillian can be.

One time, I had left obvious signs that I was making a love song for her, and while she saw the notes, she was extremely surprised when it released and I told her it was for her. While yes, she's also a good actress, two emotions she cannot cover up; pain, and surprise. In fact, she's not even good at acting surprised either, so I knew for a fact at that moment that things have to be crystal clear for her to understand things clearly.

Anyways, after saying that, Lillian hit my arm. It was a playful thing we did to eachother. "Fine then, I guess I'll have to be more romantic with you." Lillian smirked.

A few minutes later, we got in the car and began driving. I was so excited to go to the restaurant! We had both never been there before, but drove by it many many times, so we know the road to and from there like a human gps. However... I noticed something. On the road we were supposed to turn towards the restaurant... she turned away.

"Um... I thought we were gonna eat out? At Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul?" I asked with a gentle frown. Lillian just sighed.

"We are, I just... have to go somewhere important first..." Lillian said that with a sad and pained voice, one that usually says not to ask about it.

I had thought of it for a second, but then realized... there were two bouquets. One of red roses... and the other of white chrysanthemums, as well as white lilies. I looked over at Lillian, now knowing what she meant, and squeezed her hand softly.

Ever since her mom had passed away a few years back, she has been in serious mourning. She'll go and pay her respects to her mother every chance she got, at least twice a day. One in the morning, and one at night. She already payed respects this morning.

The Midzies and just K-pop fans in general have all noticed how emotional Lillian would get at times. How one second, she'll be the happiest girl in the world, and next second she'll be bawling her eyes out. While it does help people realize that idols aren't perfect like many people think we are... she still shouldn't have to go through the pain she does. I can only imagine how hard it was for her, knowing it hurts more for her than it does for me... and it hurts me a lot.

A few minutes later, we got out of the car, and Lillian grabbed the bouquet for loss and grief. We began walking to the grave here in Seoul, where she was buried despite having passed in Montana since her mother always wished she could be in the same country as Lillian. As we reached the grave, Lillian bent over and handed me the white Chrysanthemum, one of the main flowers for loss and grief here in South Korea, and kept the white lilies, from her Cuban culture.

We both put the flowers down at the same time as we were now kneeling in front of the grave. I looked at Lillian and held her hand, knowing how she always likes to speak first whenever we do this together, which we always do together.

"Hey eomma... I just wanted to pay my respects again today, like I normally do." Lillian's voice already sounded pained, and see the tears welling up in her eyes. I held her tightly. "I hope you're resting peacefully, wherever you are. I love you, and I miss you every day."

Lillian then looked at me, and I took a deep breath. "Hey, Norbu eomma... I... know we never really got to know eachother that well. But from the time we did, it was always a joy, and had a great time, and I miss you so very much." I spoke softly, now having tears well up in my eyes as well. It's a good thing neither of us put on makeup yet. "I promise to only take the best care of your daughter, and your granddaughter as well. May you rest in piece."

We both bowed in respect and stayed there for a few minutes in silence, only the ambience from the environment as the sound. No breathing, no talking, no moving, nothing from Lillian or I. Just... silence.