Stay With Me [an EXO's ChanYeol Fanfic]

Chapter 18 - Is That Me?

GaHye was stunned. When did she ever take a photo with SeHun? The two in the photo were so close and loving. The 'GaHye' in the picture had a pony-tail and wore a red cartoon T-shirt, obviously not her style, but her face... GaHye wondered: this looks like me, but this doesn't look like me... The more she thought, the more she felt scared. Although the photo seemed genuine, GaHye could not stop herself from believing that it was a made by computer program. SeHun got a photo of GaHye from somewhere, manipulated and put it with himself as if the couple took one together. GaHye crossed her fingers that SeHun was not such a bizarre person...if not calling him mental illness.

"The picture..." SeHun stood in front of GaHye and was shocked.

"...is this...me?" GaHye intuitively shifted back to secure herself.

SeHun immediately understood why GaHye was so scared. He shook his head and smiled, "This is 100% real. But she's not you, GaHye. She is my late wife MiNa."

"Your wife? Late wife? She...?! And me...?!" GaHye was too surprised with all these facts and could not organize her thoughts instantly.

"Yes, I was married. My wife's name is MiNa." SeHun lovingly touched the picture, "But she passed away two years ago."

GaHye slowly put everything together in her head and understood.

"Interesting, huh?" SeHun smiled, "I met you, and you look so alike to MiNa."

GaHye nodded. When she first saw the picture, even she cannot tell the difference instantly.

SeHun sighed softly.

"Two years...it must be difficult for you." GaHye showed great sympathy.

"I was going to take my final PCLL exam...just one more step and I'll become a lawyer. But I gave up and rushed to the hospital to see MiNa...for the last time." SeHun closed his eyes and fell into painful memories, "After she passed away, I totally lost track in life. I quitted my job at the law firm, did nothing at home except looking at the pictures and belongings of MiNa. My parents and brother had moved to Boston a few years ago, but they took turns and came back to Seoul to stay with me."

GaHye listened closely.

"I felt sorry for my parents as they were so worried about me. Slowly, I realized I can't live like that forever. So, finally, I found another job at the law firm, being an assistant. As you can see, I go to the community center, taking all these night classes merely to kill time. I support her parents' living expenses. I try to show everyone that I'm ok. I don't want them to worry about me." He continued.

GaHye nodded.

"I rented a lot at the family farm. I promised MiNa in the past that we'll grow our own vegetables together. I'm sure she's with me. She's always with me." SeHun gazed at GaHye, "It's fated. I actually met you at the family farm. I first thought you were MiNa."

"You love MiNa a lot." GaHye felt for him.

"GaHye, you..." SeHun tried to pick up her hands.

GaHye stopped him, "SeHun, it's only because I look like MiNa. Don't confuse yourself. Whom you really love is MiNa. You miss her too much and might have some wrong...thoughts on me."

SeHun shook his head and lowered his voice, "I don't know. I really don't know." He buried his head in his arms.

"SeHun." GaHye softly tapped his shoulder, "Perk up. I'm sure MiNa doesn't want to see you like this."

SeHun breathed heavily. He had been suppressing his pain and grief for the past two years. He softly grabbed GaHye's hand and raised his head. Only when he saw her face that he could feel relieved.