Unbreaking Me (A Short Narratives Collection Vol. 2)

Always & Forever (2 o 2)

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The meeting took longer than you expected and the moment everyone was dismissed, you literally jumped out of your seat, dashed out of the bank and into the parking lot towards your car. You didn't like making Meili wait, especially on Wednesdays since it was supposed to be your mother-daughter bonding time and you usually went out for ice cream after school. You knew how excited she gets on Wednesday and you didn't want to disappoint by picking her up late.

When you arrived, the more anxious you got and it wasn't because you might disappoint your daughter. Kneeling in front of Meili was a man and your heart thumped at the realization that your daughter was actually talking to a stranger. That is until you called her name and the man turned-

And when you saw that familiar face, you wished Meili was talking to a stranger instead and that you hadn't went to that meeting at all. From all the days, you just had to be late today.

Kris' eyes bore into yours and he openly stared at you with disbelief in his eyes. Meili, upon hearing your call, bounded up to you and hugged you tightly by the waist. "Umma! What took you so long?"

You willed yourself to avert your gaze from Kris to look down at your daughter. "Mianhe. I got caught up at work-" your words faltered when you felt Kris moving towards the two of you.

Meili's eyes sparkled when she saw him and she tugged you closer to meet him. "Umma! Oppa helped me put back my shoe!"

"Huh?" You said as you stared at him. He looked different from the last time you'd seen him. Perhaps it was his hair which was now a dark brown instead of blonde. His face was still beautiful as if he hasn't aged at all in the last four years but his eyes were different. They didn't have that light anymore. It almost looked sad-tired, even.

"Y/N." Kris finally breathed and your heart hammered in your chest as your name left his mouth.

"K-Kris." You stuttered, looking anywhere but at him. Kris continued to stare at you and it was becoming unnerving.

"Oppa?" The two of you snapped up at Meili's call. Kris averted his gaze from you to look at her. "Hmm?"

"Do you think my umma is pretty?" She asked and you wanted to cover your daughter's mouth and drag her towards the car.

Kris was slightly taken aback by the question but being his usual smooth and expressionless self, he answered. "Very."

You felt your cheeks heat up at his answer and you cleared your throat. "Meili, why don't you get inside the car? I'll be right there." The little girl nodded before waving goodbye to Kris. "Annyeong oppa!"

Kris waved back, smiling; the sight surprising you. It's been a while since you've seen him really smile. And not just the smile he shows on camera but a genuine smile. "Annyeong... Meili."

When your daughter got in, you whirled to face him. "What are you doing here?"

Kris jumped at your sudden question. "I-"

"You're not supposed to be here..." You muttered to yourself.

"Excuse me?"

Realizing you just said that out loud, you bit your lip. "Sorry-"I-" you sighed. "I have to go."

"Wait!" He held your arm and your breath hitched at the contact. You gave him a disapproving look and he let go immediately, his arms hanging limply at his sides. "Just wait... I just found you."

Found me? You thought as you heard a hint of desperation in his voice. He sounded almost scared... "Kris-"

"Is that-" his eyes glanced towards your car. "H-her?"

You remained silent, letting his question sink in. You wanted to tell him: Yes that's her. You're daughter, the one you wanted to get rid off. The one you chose your career over. But instead you just nodded.

"She's beautiful." He said, his eyes softening.

"She's-"

"She looks just like you." He added and you tried not to blush at the compliment. "Her eyes... I recognized it when I saw her but I didn't want to believe it." You remained silent as you let him continue. "How old is she?"

"She just turned four last month." You said. "Look, Kris I really have to go."

Kris' gaze landed back to you and he looked like he just might cry. "But-"

"It was nice seeing you." You lied though it was also a truth you didn't want to admit. "Bye." You turned around and little did you know that Kris was following you like a lost puppy. "Oppa!" Meili said brightly when you reached your car.