Just Like Now

When Dreams Fall Flat

§§§§§

Sehun always had meetings Thursday mornings. It was routine for the business and Namjoo had already adjusted to it. Being prompt was important. On Thursdays he always woke an hour early to prepare breakfast then get ready for work.

That Thursday Namjoo woke at her regular time, half an hour after him. She only had a sandwich then went back upstairs to dress up and put on makeup for work. Her plan was to get a bagel and some coffee on the way to work. To be ahead of time she had inquired for a cab that would arrive at the house at 7:30. Sehun should be gone by then.

"You're still up here?" Sehun appeared at the foot of their bedroom door. "Breakfast is ready. Come eat."

Busily combing her hair at her vanity, she replied, "I'm not having breakfast."

"Why?"

"I don't want to."

"You always eat breakfast," he pointed out. "I've cooked, so come down and eat."

"I said I don't want to," Namjoo repeated looking at herself in the mirror. "Eat by yourself."

"Namjoo," he sounded stricter.

She was annoyed too. If she said it once he should have gotten the message. Why was he doing this to her?

Setting the comb down Namjoo turned to him, "I already told you I don't want breakfast. Can you not hear me?"

"Why don't you want breakfast?" he pestered. "Have something before you go to work. We need to leave soon."

"I'll go on my own today," Namjoo said turning back to the mirror.

"I'll take you to work," he firmly stated, "so come down to eat. Worry about that later."

Irritated, Namjoo slapped both hands on her vanity and turned to look at him, "I told you to go eat by yourself." Muttering to herself as she stood, "Goodness." Grabbing the clothes she'd set out on the bed she walked into the bathroom loudly closing the door behind her.

Did he not already understand that she could and would look after herself from now on? As if he had done much for her in the beginning anyway, so what was he trying to make up for? She wasn't even asking for much. They could just live like normal again. This time around she just wouldn't wait on him anymore.

Sehun was gone as expected when she walked back out. Returning to her vanity she grabbed her eyeshadow palette and makeup brush. One look at the time told her Sehun should be gone by now or at least done with breakfast and ready to leave. He had never been late for one of his meetings before and she expected that he would keep that streak up. After curling her lashes and putting on some mascara she grabbed her phone again. About 15 minutes before her cab would arrive. Figuring she had some time to spare she began playing some mobile games. A few minutes later an unknown phone number called her. It was the cab driver who was already outside.

"I'll be right there," Namjoo said then hung up. She stood and halted halfway when she saw Sehun standing in the doorway staring at her interrogatively.

"Who was that?" he wondered.

Namjoo nearly swore, "What the hell," but asked, "Why are you still here?"

"Who called you?"

Grabbing her blazer from the bed and slipping it on she replied, "The cab."

"You called a cab?" he repeated as if he hadn't quite heard right.

Glancing at her watch, "Your meeting should start soon. I should get going as well."

Namjoo started toward her purse sitting on the drawer but Sehun snatched it before she could reach it. Her eyes shot toward him then she frowned almost angrily. "What are you doing?"