Me After You | Choi Seungcheol

3. Lonely Stars

After packing the few belongings she had, Haeun spent the remainder of the hour that Seungcheol had given her roaming the halls of Choi Manor. She walked slowly, soaking in every nook and cranny of the old house. Maybe it was silly and she was just being dramatic, but she was genuinely struggling with the prospect of saying goodbye for the second time to the only place she had ever felt at home. The first time had been when she left for college, and those years turned out to be the most isolating period of her life.

Until now, she reminded herself.

While she had excelled academically, Haeun didn't really know how to interact with people her own age, which, added to her lack of social status, made her a less-than-desirable connection for her fellow students. Yes, she had grown up in a mansion, being treated as family by the owners, but realistically speaking, Haeun was just an orphan who had fallen into the good graces of her parents' employers, and her peers were very much aware of that.

Despite her loneliness, she took it all in stride, focusing on her studies so she could at least make the Choi family proud and quickly return to the safe haven they had provided for her.

Entering the library, Haeun's eyes welled up with tears as her fingers gently traced the outlines of the books she wouldn't be able to bring to Seoul. She had spent countless afternoons in that room, either doing homework or allowing the books to transport her to a different world.

She grabbed a copy of "Great Expectations" and held it close to her, deciding to at least take her favorite book with her. Taking one last longing look around the room, she bit her lip before stepping out and closing the door behind her.

***

Haeun stood at the grand entrance of Choi Manor, surrounded by the longtime employees who had become like family to her over the years. They had watched her grow from a shy little girl into a poised and graceful young woman, and now they bid her farewell as she embarked on this new chapter of her life.

Seungcheol, on the other hand, stood impatiently by the door, tapping his foot and shooting irritated glances at Haeun as she lingered in her goodbyes.

Grandma Choi looked at him disapprovingly. "Go sulk in the car if you want to, but Haeun is going to say her goodbyes regardless. Just let her have this."

"I know this is a less-than-ideal situation, but please treat her with the respect she deserves. That's all I'm going to ask from you," she whispered before kissing her grandson's cheek.

"Just tell her to hurry up," Seungcheol grumbled, his tone sharp and clipped as he stomped into his car.

Grandma Choi watched him walk away and then approached Haeun, taking her hand. "Promise you'll visit me often, dear."

Haeun silently nodded while fighting back the tears brimming in her eyes.

"Remember what I told you yesterday. This will always be your home, no matter what happens."

Haeun tightly embraced the older woman, hoping her silent gesture would convey all the gratitude and love she was unable to put into words at that moment.

Finally making her way to the waiting car, she looked back at the manor one last time and walked away, feeling the knot in her stomach getting tighter and tighter.

***

As they embarked on the three-hour drive to Seoul, the cityscape of Andong slowly faded into the distance, the comforting beauty of the countryside giving way to the highway toward their destination.

Haeun knew how rude it was to fall asleep in the passenger seat, but she hadn't slept much over the last few days, and with the complete silence between them, as well as the rhythmic hum of the engine, she easily found herself lulled into a slumber.