Lost In You

Chapter 14 - Disappear

Neung

It's been almost two weeks since Aneung ended things between us, two agonizing weeks of silence. I scoff every time I think about it—the way I begged her not to give up, the way I fought for us while she chose to walk away. I tap my pen on the desk, the sound like a mocking echo of my broken heart.

You were the only one worthy of me, yet you left me.

A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts.

"Enter," I command, my voice sharp.

Dean Wan walks in, her face uncertain. I had requested a meeting with her earlier, and now she's here—ready to hear my decision.

"Dean Wan," I greet her, standing as she enters. I motion for her to sit, though I don't offer the usual pleasantries. My status doesn't require it, and frankly, I'm not in the mood for niceties.

"You wanted to speak with me, Khun Neung?" she asks, her tone polite but cautious.

I clear my throat, trying to push down the cold lump forming. "I'm resigning," I say plainly, my words direct, emotionless. "This will be my last week here."

Her eyes widen in shock, and for a brief moment, I see her struggle to compose herself. "W-why the sudden resignation, Khun Neung? What's happened?"

"It's not about the work," I lie smoothly. "I just don't see the need to stay anymore."

The truth, of course, is something I can't admit. Staying here means staying close to Aneung, living with the constant reminder of what we lost. I can't bear it. Every moment in this space feels like a slow suffocation, a reminder of the life we could've had together.

Dean Wan, sensing something deeper but unwilling to press too hard, tries once more. "Is there anything I can do to change your mind? Perhaps—"

Yes, I think bitterly, if you could patch things up between Aneung and me, I'd consider staying. But instead, I simply shake my head.

"No. Thank you for keeping my identity private, and for welcoming me here. I'll conduct my final lesson today and handle the transition." My voice is cold, detached, though beneath it, I'm crumbling.

She sighs softly, her disappointment evident, though she doesn't express it fully. "Alright," she says quietly, before excusing herself from my office.

When it was time for my final lesson, I walked into the classroom, the familiar routine doing little to ease the ache gnawing at me. I knew what I had to tell them. It would be my last lesson, and I had to announce my departure.

As the class drew to a close, I stood at the front, avoiding Aneung's gaze as I addressed the students. "Guys, I have something to share with you." The room fell silent, their attention fixed on me. "From the next lesson onward, there will be a new professor taking over. This will be my last class."

The reaction was instant. A few murmurs rippled through the room.

"Are you leaving us, Prof Neung?" one of them asked, disbelief lacing their voice.

I swallowed down the lump in my throat, keeping my voice steady. "Yes. This is my last lesson."

"Why are you leaving?" Yui asked, her voice soft but full of concern. Her eyes flicked briefly to Aneung, who sat in the back, her face pale, her lips pressed tightly together as if she was trying not to cry.

I hesitated, unsure what to say. "I need to return to my gallery. It's... not a good time to stay here." I avoided looking in Aneung's direction, knowing that if I did, I'd lose whatever composure I had left.