oneshots • nctdream x aespa

unresolved love 🐯🌙

"What? Are you still going?" Jungwoo, his best friend, asked him. It's been a week since the news came out about his favourite writer having a press release and a book signing event for her new book.

In fact, he already has the tickets for the book signing event.

"I don't know yet," Mark sighed. Who would have thought that the author of his favourite books was Giselle? His ex-girlfriend.

His ex for five years. Five years.

No wonder he felt a connection to the writer whenever he reads the novels. Reading every passage feels like deja vu for him. Sometimes, he'll feel confused whenever he reads, because it seems like it's his memories.

Their memories.

But still, Mark never knew it would be her. After losing contact for another five years, he never knew she would actually end up pursuing her passion of being a writer.

They met each other during their college years. Mark, under a Fine Arts major, would never have thought he'd end up falling in love with Giselle under a Linguistic major. If you think about it, their college buildings are far away. But fate always has a way.

Finally, it's the day of the book signing event. And of course, he went to the place. He likes to think that he came because he was impressed by the books she wrote.

But Mark knows he went for her.

Because he'll always be her number one fan.

Fate isn't it? Under a pen name or her real name, he would always end up falling for her.

Wearing a black shirt, slacks pants, and a black cap. He sat on the farthest row from the stage, hiding himself as much as possible. He still isn't ready to face her.

"Miss Giselle, why did you decide to reveal yourself?" The host asked. Giselle just laughed it off. She's still beautiful as always.

"I'm tired of hiding under a pen name. It felt like a mask," she answered. It's her first time revealing herself to the public; that's why she feels really nervous.

"I want people to know me. The real me." She continued. Mark couldn't keep his eyes off her. It seems like if he blinks for a second, she'll be gone in an instant. Seeing her even from afar really answered his questions.

Five years passed, still the same you.

"And most importantly, my books are dedicated to the person who became my strength, my reason to look forward each day, and the sole reason for the existence of my masterpiece." The crowd went 'awwww' from her statement. But Mark just sighed.

From the five years that they've been apart, of course she would eventually find someone that would make her feel special.

Better than me.

"Can I ask who that person is?" Giselle just smiled but refused to tell who she was referring to.

The event ended successfully. Mark didn't get to bring himself on stage and face her. He still kept thinking about what she said a few hours ago. Giselle already left the stage, but Mark still didn't leave the theatre.

He's just there, in the farthest row where light couldn't reach him. Watching several staff cleaning up the stage. Maybe he didn't leave because maybe there's a slim chance that she'll show up again. Just maybe.

But he didn't realise that maybe it ended up a real one.

"Mark." Mark looked up to see the woman beside her, the woman he has been longing for five years, ever since their break-up.

"Giselle," That's the only word that came out of his mouth. Still in awe by her presence.

"How did you know it's me?" Mark asked. After all, he is fully disguised.

"Uhm.. that cap." Giselle pointed to his black cap. "It was my customised gift for you... before."

Out of all the caps he would wear, he actually got the one with a small 'MK' engraved on the cap. Maybe in a hurry.

Giselle took the seat beside him. No one dared to break the awkward silence between them. Both of them are looking only at what's ahead of their sight, the stage.

"Your books are great." He couldn't bear the quietness between them any longer.

"Thank you," she awkwardly laughed. "I never thought you were actually reading my books," she added. Again, their conversation was filled with silence.

"Why didn't you come up on the stage? You have a copy of the book, by the way," she noticed her newly released book on his side. "It's mine,"

Before Mark could react, Giselle was already flipping through the pages and preparing her pen to sign the book.

"An artist is an artist." Mark started up again to lighten the atmosphere between them.

"It's just me," both laughed from Giselle's reply. She's still this cheerful and silly after all. "What is your favourite book of mine?" She asked. Mark was drowning in his thoughts, thinking what was his favorite. Well, everything about her is his favourite.

"Hmm, 'Fragments of Our Memories'? I just recently finished that book."

"What's your favourite part then?" Giselle asked more.

"Hmm, when Gianna knocked over a can of paint and spilt Max's finals plate," Mark said.

Giselle froze in her seat, and Mark knew about it. Because that book is probably about them. How they first met.

No wonder he felt a connection towards the writer.

Mark could still remember that day. It's good that he found a way to finish his finals plate. He didn't also expect that he would get a high grade, even though his plate was almost entirely splatters of black paint. What a perfect mistake. "It was actually hard for me to finish writing that book," Giselle continued while handing him the book she just finished signing.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to end it," she sighed.

Mark couldn't find the right words to reply. He just glanced back at her; he didn't know Giselle was actually staring at him.

They say people can feel if one meant his words through their eyes. But he couldn't recognise what he could see in her eyes. Sadness? Longingness? Regrets?

All Mark knows, he sure missed this woman.

That book never got a happy ending. Just like them.

"I'm proud of you," that's all he can say. Very proud. He's very proud that she finally pursued her true passion—writing.

"I'm very proud of you as well," Giselle said. "Look at you; you're a creative director in a famous company. That's your dream, right?"

It's like they are back in their old days. Dreaming. Now they got to where they wanted to be. Their breakup brought them to where they are right now.

"Yeah..." But you're still the dream, Gi.

"Love?" Mark looked up to the man who called Giselle. What could he do? The endearment served as an answer.

"It's my first time; thank you for coming." And for the last time, Mark saw her smile. "It's nice to see you again." And just like the last time, Mark saw her leave.

Ah yes, by the way.

That book never got its happy ending.

Just like them.