My Nextdoor Lover

Two Months Later

Two months flew by, and Florence and Yoon-tae have been getting to know each other well. Sometimes, they meditate together, and sometimes they do yoga together. But they mostly chat about their day, interests, families, and friends. Life has been kind to them so far. But Yoon-tae has been keeping a secret from Florence since they first met.
At work, Matthew noticed that Yoon-tae was being distant from those around him "What's wrong Yoon-tae?" asked Matthew "I'm alright, Matthew," answered Yoon-tae "Are you sure?" asked Matthew "What's with the questions?" asked Yoon-tae "It's just that you're being distant from everyone here," answered Matthew "I'm telling you, I'm alright," said Yoon-tae "Well when you're ready to talk, I'm here for you," said Matthew "Okay, I'll tell you," said Yoon-tae and Matthew sat next to him and listened to Yoon-tae's story "So that's why you took this job as a meditation and yoga instructor," said Matthew "Yeah, it helps me clear my mind," said Yoon-tae "I'm glad you told me about it because it means I can also help you," said Matthew "I appreciate that. You're a good friend," said Yoon-tae as he and Matthew hugged each other "Well we better get back to work," said Matthew as they heard the door open and more clients of theirs came pouring in "Thanks to your K-drama/K-pop looks, we've been getting more clients left and right," said Matthew "I wouldn't think so. I guess because our clients take one good look at me and I remind them of their grandchildren. And I should know that because one lady told me last week that I remind her of her eldest grandson. And for the younger clients, it's like Indiana Jones. They close their eyes and I can the words "Love you" written on their eyelids," said Yoon-tae.

"Finally it's Friday! And next week it's my annual week off," said Florence "What have you got planned for next week?" asked Jamie "Give my apartment a good deep clean, visit family and have dinner with friends," answered Florence "Sounds fun," said Jamie "The dinner with friends was Rebecca's idea," said Florence "Yep and it's going to be at Qubana," said Rebecca "I love it there," said Florence "That's where I went on my first date with Michael," said Jamie "We know that," said Florence and Rebecca "Are you still coming?" asked Rebecca "Yes I am," answered Florence "Great. I've booked a table for 7pm," said Rebecca "I'll be there on time," said Florence "Well I know you will be because your apartment isn't far away from Qubana," said Rebecca "Walking does me good," said Florence "It sure shows it," said Jamie "I can't believe you just said that," said Rebecca "What do you mean? Look at her, Florence looks like she hasn't gained anything since we started working together," said Jamie "Okay this conversation is getting a bit too weird. Whether you're skinny or not, appearances don't matter because anyone can fall in love as personality and common interests are the most important things when falling in love," said Florence.
As soon as Florence arrived home she went straight to bed. Later that afternoon Florence went onto her balcony to drink her usual cup of tea and saw Yoon-tae sitting on a chair "Are you alright Yoon-tae?" asked Florence "I'm fine. Why do you ask?" asked Yoon-tae "It's just that I haven't seen much of you on your balcony for the past week. Is there something going on?" asked Florence "Nothing is going on," answered Yoon-tae "If you say so. But I am here if for you when you need it," said Florence "Thank you," said Yoon-tae "It's my annual week off next week," said Florence "Got any plans for your week off?" asked Yoon-tae "Mostly cleaning, visiting family and hanging out with friends," answered Florence "You love visiting your family members?" asked Yoon-tae "I do. I will be babysitting one of my youngest cousins, Olivia for the day," replied Florence "Do you wish to have children later in life?" asked Yoon-tae "Of course, I would like to have children," answered Florence "What about you? Do you wish to have children later in your life too?" asked Florence "Of course, I love children. And I can see myself as a father myself. But there's just one problem," answered Yoon-tae "What is it?" asked Florence "What if I'm not going to be a good father? Will I or won't I be good at being a father?" asked Yoon-tae "I'm sure you will be a good father. And I am sure that you'll be good at it too. You know I have days when I doubt myself about being a good mother and if I will be good at it," answered Florence "I guess you and I think alike," said Yoon-tae "You're so right," said Florence "I really enjoy talking to you," said Yoon-tae "Me too. Since meeting you, I've been looking forward to having my cuppa and conversing with you every day. Because up to then I look out over my balcony and watch the world go by," said Florence "The day we met I didn't expect to meet someone like you," said Yoon-tae "I can say the same thing about you," said Florence "Anyway I'm going to head out now and do my weekly shop," said Florence "Topping up the cupboards for the week ahead?" asked Yoon-tae "We can't survive on air, can we?" asked Florence "No we can't," answered Yoon-tae "Anything you need me to pick up for you?" asked Florence "No thank you. It's nice of you to ask," answered Yoon-tae "I'll see you later," said Florence "Right back at you," said Yoon-tae.

Florence's annual week off flew fast. During very that week she went out for an evening dinner with friends at Qubana "So Florence, Rebecca has told us that you have a new neighbour," said Lisa "A handsome neighbour from South Korea," said Chloe "What is he like?" asked Michelle "What's his name?" asked Crystal "His name is Park Yoon-tae. And he's friendly," answered Florence "What does he do for a living?" asked Lisa "He's a yoga and meditation instructor," replied Florence "Does he have any siblings? A brother perhaps?" asked Crystal "No, he has a little sister," answered Florence "Does he have any single friends?" asked Michelle "One of his friends is married with children," replied Florence "Does he have a girlfriend?" asked Chloe "No he doesn't have girlfriend," answered Florence "You never know, Florence. You could end up with him," said Rebecca "What makes you say that?" asked Florence "Because you're blushing," answered Rebecca "She's right, you are blushing," said Chloe. Florence touched both cheeks and felt how warm they were "Whatever you girls are thinking right now could be wrong," said Florence "If you say so. But just remember we could be right," said Crystal. After some time it was time for Florence to head home.
As Florence neared her apartment she heard a crash and someone exclaiming "Oh jeez!" She saw that the person struggling to stand up straight was a man, but as she got closer she recognised the man leaning against the gate "Yoon-tae?" asked Florence. Yoon-tae looked and saw Florence standing behind him "Hi Florence," answered Yoon-tae "Do you need help?" asked Florence "No thank you, I'm fine," answered Yoon-tae "You don't look fine. Let me help you," said Florence as she approached Yoon-tae. As she placed his right arm over her shoulders she smelt his breath "Have you been drinking?" asked Florence "I didn't drink much," answered Yoon-tae "Only enough to make you feel a little tipsy. Come on, let's get you inside and sobered up," said Florence.

As soon as they entered Yoon-tae's apartment, Florence settled Yoon-tae on the sofa, poured him a glass of water, and made him a cup of coffee, a sandwich, and herself a cup of tea. She sat beside him and asked, "Is there something you want to tell me?" Yoon-tae looked at her with a sad look on his face "Did I mention that I suffer from depression?" asked Yoon-tae "Is that what's going on with you?" asked Florence as Yoon-tae began to eat his sandwich and took a sip of his coffee "When I was a little boy I used to go to stay with my grandparents at their farm in the country. I loved spending time with my grandparents during my childhood. But five years ago my grandmother became very sick and died from her illness. My grandfather was heartbroken then. Six months after we cremated my grandmother, my grandfather took his own life," answered Yoon-tae "Wow, that's a lot to take in," said Florence "I was close to them. Since then I've been drowning my depression with alcohol whenever I fancy I drink. I want to quit but I don't have the strength to do so," said Yoon-tae "Of course you do," said Florence "What do you mean?" asked Yoon-tae "You have me to help you," answered Florence "I am happy to receive help from you. And thank you for listening to my problem," said Yoon-tae "You're welcome," said Florence. After Yoon-tae drank his coffee, and water and ate his sandwich, Florence helped him to bed. She laid Yoon-tae on his bed, got out a pair of pyjamas, and undressed him as he fell asleep. After she unbuttoned his shirt, she saw his military-sculpted body. Just as she was about to touch his abs, she pulled her hand away, resisting the temptation. After helping Yoon-tae put on his pyjamas, Florence got up from his bed, and as she was about to leave, she felt Yoon-tae's hand grab hold of her arm "Can you stay with me for the night, please?" asked Yoon-tae "Of course, I'll stay with you tonight. I'll head next door to my apartment and grab a few things. I won't be long," answered Florence "Thank you," whispered Yoon-tae.
As Florence was packing her overnight bag and changing into her favourite pyjamas, she looked in her bedroom mirror on the wall and asked herself what was wrong with her and why is her heart beating faster. With one good look at herself in the mirror, she figured out her answer "I'm in love with Yoon-tae."
As soon as Florence arrived back at Yoon-tae's apartment, she saw him lying on his bed, fast asleep. She quietly climbed into his bed, laid down next to him, and as soon as she did that, Yoon-tae wrapped his arms around Florence "Goodnight Florence," whispered Yoon-tae "Goodnight Yoon-tae," said Florence "I love you, Yoon-tae," whispered Florence, but Yoon-tae didn't hear what Florence said as he fell fast asleep straight away.