The Perfect Life

Make A Stand

Stunned, Namjoo nearly dropped the phone just as Sehun poked his head into the room, "You're not coming?"

"I...I'll be there," Namjoo glanced over her shoulder. Flashing a beatific grin, he disappeared. Trying not to let her hand shake Namjoo gripped the phone against her ear.

†††††

"What took you?" Sehun asked when she stepped into shower with him.

"Nothing," she replied.

"Is it too warm?" he wondered pulling her under the water. He patted her drenched hair wondering if she'd let him rub the shampoo on for her. Now that they were here he even wanted to scrub her back.

"Are you awake?" He leaned down to peer into her face.

"Too awake."

Curiously frowning he muttered, "Ok." Grabbing her shampoo, he said, "Can I wash your hair for you?" Touching her shoulder, he leaned in closer, "I want to lather the body soap on, too."

Namjoo briefly laughed and he patted her head again. He wanted to flirt and kiss, but Namjoo suddenly appeared tired. Relenting, they majorly washed each other up without a hint of romance before stepping out of her bathroom.

Without a word, Namjoo went through her closet and pulled on a new blouse and a skirt. When she turned around he was still buttoning his shirt, watching her.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," he said. Slipping his belt on, Sehun grabbed his duffel bag and hurried out after her. He touched her arm, "Something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"You seem so aloof." Rubbing her shoulder, he worried, "Did I do something?"

"There's an evaluation at work today," Namjoo said. "That's all."

"Don't worry. You'll be fine," he encouraged. Pecking her cheek as they reached the door he asked, "Do you want coffee? You may need some of that energy for today."

He lightened up upon hearing her giggle.

They separated from the coffeeshop each in their own thoughts. Sehun wondering about what to do later in the evening and Namjoo about her unsettled future.

†††††

Closing the door the second Namjoo reached her office, she chewed her thumbnail nervously. Gripping her phone, she went into her history and pressed the number her father had used to call. It rang and it rang and it rang. She tried again five times. No one picked up.

Freaked, she threw the phone down onto her desk. What was going on?! How did her father find her after she renewed even her phone number?! Was he here in Daegu?

Her heart pounded frantically.

Oh God, what would she do?

Both Sehun and Eunhui were in the same city. Would her dad recognize Sehun? She flashed to the memory of touching the scar on the back of his head. Her guts wrenched.

Go to the cops? What would she say? That her father who was supposed to be in jail had called her? And four years ago, he had attacked her boyfriend and step-sister? That he, who was in jail, might be a threat?

Now she just sounded stupid just like Eunhui said she was.

Namjoo paced and then her phone rang. She glanced her phone, but it was blank. Realizing it was the office phone Namjoo picked it up and vaguely listened to the speaker while listening to her heart thunder as the oncoming storm approached.