Neighbor Next Door

10

It all feels surreal for both women. One time, they were just neighbours. Now, they are two women rushing for a marriage they aren't sure about. Well, at least for Chaeyoung.

Lisa? The blonde is barely able to decipher what the midnight haired lawyer has to say about chickening out. She has always been the braver person in this relationship, wait – Is Chaeyoung allowed to refer to whatever they are having as a relationship?

They aren't in love whatsoever. They are just giving marriage a go, in case something bad happens as in the big P because after all, they weren't wearing any sort of protection that night; the night Chaeyoung doesn't remember at all, which is, lowkey a shame because who wouldn't want to remember their first time and that too with the smokey hot attorney Lisa Manoban?

A tired sigh escapes her throat just in time when someone walks into her office. She's caught off guard by the sudden interruption but luckily it's just her mom in her usual blue scrubs and glasses atop the tip of her nose.

"I need to talk to you," She shuts the door behind and pulls the chair out. "That's new," The blonde clears her throat before pushing herself into a proper sitting position rather than slouching. "What is it? Are we shutting this place down?"

"Don't jinx the business," The older woman warns but produces a copy of printed paper Chaeyoung thinks is still fresh based on its crispy appearance. "Here's your dad and my savings," She mumbles and Chaeyoung, who pulls to read the piece of paper clearer, frowns.

"Whatever for?" She puts the slip down to study her mother. For the first time, she notices thin lines framing the corner of her mother's eyes and her mouth; a silent remark of ageing.

"Well," A smile lights up her face. "We've always kept it for your big day. Since you're marrying Lisa, dad and I assume it's the right time for the account to be passed to you. So that you can use it for your wedding,"

"You know you don't have to do this right?" Chaeyoung shuts her eyes. God knows if she doesn't, she would cry. "Of course we have to," Miyeon's tone is light and clear like usual.

Her doctor side is showing, Chaeyoung thinks. Her mother isn't someone who is easily intimidated by emotions. Even when her grandma passed away, sometime ago, she never saw her mother shed any tears.

Chaeyoung is the total opposite of that. She cries easily, even at the pettiest of things and her mother used to lecture her about that.

But it seems that her job is ending right here because after this, it'd be Lisa's daunting task to do that.

And she wonders if she will ever listen well to her soon - to - be - partner in life like she listens to her mom.

"Stop crying," Miyeon rises to her feet. "Since the wedding is this weekend, I guess you can leave early and settle stuff," Chaeyoung wipes her damp cheeks with both hands. "Can you help me though?"

"Of course," The older woman takes off her lanyard. "Just so that you know, I'm closing the clinic until next week to help you out. So, you better be grateful that you work for your mom,"

"Trust me I always do," Chaeyoung pulls her mom into a tight hug. "I love you mom. I really do,"

The older woman smiles back. Hand messing with Chaeyoung's hair. "I love you too"

***

Lisa is having lunch. But the food tastes bland which is weird because when she prepped it this morning, she was sure it tasted just fine.

Right now is a different case though. Her office is almost empty. She knows because she can hear nothing aside from the bustling road three floors down.