Wishlist [txtzy#1]

Wishlist-22(reprimanding)

"Hello?" Chaeryeong answered the phone, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Where are you?" the voice on the other end asked, firm but gentle.

"The Hilton Hotel in California," she replied, her tone subdued.

Several hours later, the intercom rang, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Yes, please send him up," Chaeryeong responded quietly.

Moments later, the doorbell chimed, and Chaeryeong opened the door to find her brother, Ye-Dam. He stepped inside, immediately sensing the weight of her exhaustion and sorrow. Silently, he took a seat on the couch, and she settled beside him, her composure fragile.

"Oppa, I-I..." Her voice cracked, and before she could continue, tears welled up and began to fall freely.

Without a word, Ye-Dam wrapped her in a long, comforting hug, holding her as she wept. His arms were strong, steady, giving her a sense of safety she hadn't felt in a long time.

"It's alright," he murmured gently, still holding her close. "You can talk when you're ready."

As he looked around, he took in the state of the room. Clothes were scattered across the floor, empty cups and takeout containers cluttered the table, and Chaeryeong herself appeared drained, both physically and emotionally. The weight of her struggles was evident in her every movement and expression, and it hurt him to see her like this.

"Alright, I'm ready," Chaeryeong murmured, her voice barely a whisper.

He studied her, brow furrowing with concern. "How long have you been here?"

She looked down for a moment before responding, "Ten days."

His eyes darkened. "And when was the last time you ate?"

"Two days ago," she admitted, her tone distant.

He took a step closer, gently reaching for her hand. "Come on, let's get you something to eat."

She glanced up at him, confusion flashing across her face. "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere we can continue talking," he replied softly. "But first, you need food."

Without another word, he guided her out, determined to help her regain her strength.

"So, how are you feeling? Did you get a chance to talk to Taehyun?" Ye-Dam asked gently, his voice full of concern as he studied Chaeryeong's face.

She let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through her hair. "I feel awful, Ye-Dam. I can't shake this guilt. I can't believe I didn't trust him when he needed me to the most."

Ye-Dam placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Maybe he'll understand if you explain. It's never too late to make things right."

She shook her head, her expression clouded with regret. "I know, but... every time I think about reaching out, I freeze. There's this weight in my chest, and I can't bring myself to face him. I'm scared he won't forgive me."

"You won't know until you try," he replied softly. "Holding it in will only make you feel worse."

Her gaze dropped to the floor, her voice barely a whisper. "I know. I just... I don't know how to fix this."

"Okay, take your time to figure everything out," Ye-Dam said gently, giving her a reassuring look. "But first, you need to focus on your living situation. You can't keep living like this, Cherry. I'm really worried about you."

Chaeryeong looked away, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve, her expression conflicted.

"Start by deciding where you want to be," he continued. "Do you want to stay here in the States, or go back to Seoul? Either way, we'll make it work."