[jungri] Chasing Life and Hearts

하나

CHAPTER ONE

"Yeri, it's been a week since your deadline, do you really expect me to wait for you longer? I will accept stories from your co-workers. I can't wait for yours anymore."

The moment her editor called her last night and told her they're going to meet at lunch the next day, she knew she was in trouble.

"Joy, I'm really sorry. The words just don't come out. I lost count of how many cans of beer I have already drunk just to continue writing but nothing really comes out."

"I told you go get some rest or file a leave and treat yourself. The accident has taken its toll on you, you shouldn't have pushed yourself this far."

Visions of cars colliding flashed through her mind again, her face covered with her own blood. She shook her head when she felt a hand touched her arm on the table.

"I'm sorry, are you still seeing visions of it? Are you sure you don't want to be checked by my sister? I can tell her so you can get checked immediately."

"No, really, I will be okay. Thank you, anyway."

"You know what, you won't be able to go back to work after this lunch."

Yeri looked at Joy with a scowl.

"Are you going to make me go home early again, just to lie down on bed trying to get the ideas to come out?"

"No, well, yes. Yes, you do need to go home and no, not to lie down on bed and space out. You need to go home to get your things ready and afterwards leave for your vacation."

"What vacation are you talking about?" Yeri hated it when someone else tries to control her life. "No, I told you already, I am not going on a vacation."

Joy waited until the waiter was done putting their late lunch on the table between them.

"Do you really think staying at this place will help you recover and get back on the daily grind? The answer's no Yeri."

"I'm back on the daily grind. See? We're even having lunch here."

"You know that's not what I'm talking about. Your works have lost their sparks. You used to write juicy and attention-catching stories. I know you've noticed that too."

Clearly, she knows what her editor was talking about, what with the staring out of her window, trying to squeeze her brain out to get the right words to write. Yet, she knows she's not ready. What if on the way to the place where she'll have her vacation, something happens again? It has been nine months but the memory was still fresh.

"Lisa is going to take care of your parts in the newspaper, if that's what you're worrying about."

"Oh no, did your great assistant suggest sending me to vacation? Because that's clearly the tea to me."

"Yeri, come on, you know Lisa only wants the good for you, she cares for you even though you treat her indifferently sometimes."

"Joy, what you're trying to make me do is not that easy, you know."

"If you're talking financially, don't worry, we've got you covered."

She huffed, just how much do they want to send her away to prepare all of this?

"I know you know you also need this. Come on, Yeri. We're trying to help you, at least let us."

"I still have to check with my brother, you know how he is."

Joy smiled as she slid the envelope of money across her towards Yeri, "I know you will come back refreshed and better. Trust me, Yerm. You are going to find this helpful."

She just sighed and started to cut her cold beef steak, now she wonders if her friend's invitation to visit her place was still open.