On Thin Air

Undisclosed Acts

ꜛꜛꜛꜛꜛ

After changing, Namjoo checked out her swollen ankle. Sighing, she dropped onto her bed. Staring at the ceiling. Wondering for the first time if she'd had any real purpose tonight.

"I never cheated on your mother."

Was that the truth? Was she wrong?

What if Sangki lied just to get her into a deal with him?

Namjoo touched her stinging check. Thinking for the first time, too, of Sehun. Bringing her home without saying anything. Helping her with her hair. Did he know she only wanted to set the world alit tonight?

Her eyes slid toward the door. Wondering if he'd come by in the middle of the night. Make sure she was sleeping. Eyes back on the ceiling, Namjoo closed her eyes.

What did she expect? They neither knew each other any more than the first day they met. How was she supposed to continue living like this with him?

She missed her mother. A woman long gone.

Turning onto her side she curled up, hugging herself.

ꜛꜛꜛꜛꜛ

Sehun woke up at the break of dawn. No alarm. It was something internal in him.

The usual streak of moonlight landed on the empty bedside, on him. Blinking he stared up at the ceiling. Pushing himself up next and rubbed his eyes. A clump of Namjoo's hairpins sat on his bedside table. He'd been unable to return it to her, because by the time he made it up the stairs her door was locked.

Getting up he headed into the bathroom to wash up. Dressing in shorts and a tee. Pulled on his tennis shoes and hit the grassy trail outside. A nonexistent lane that followed the woods out into the rolling hills.

On his right, the trees chased him like tall shadows. Overhead, the purple sky followed him. The stars stalking him as he huffed and puffed. Pumping the fresh air into his lungs as clarity seduced his brain. Jogging the far distance until his muscles were spasming and he bent over panting. Walking a few steps before he eventually tired.

Dropping with a heave he lay in the bed of grass. No ceiling to lock him in. A vast sky opened above him. Stars winking farewell because the sun was starting to assault the skyline. Far beyond him a certain orange glow was melting the streak of dawn away. It was an honest sight. The world waking again for a new day.

The view was magnificent as morning started transcending the entire earth. It was romantic out here. So far away from home. From the suffocating world of humans. Of expectations. The choking emotions.

Pushing himself up he sat to watch the sunrise. Timing five minutes in his head then got up and headed back home.

No one was up. Not even the housekeepers or the kitchen ladies. The house a mere ghost of a shell as he slipped his shoes off. Slowly heading up the stairs to shower and change. Not thinking. Not worrying. Until he reached the first door.

Namjoo's bedroom.

He stared at the wooden block that secured her inside. Noticing that beneath the gap of the doorway the lights were on. No sound, which mostly meant Namjoo was still asleep.

Today, would she be miserable? Or would she continue to be angry? Play it cool like yesterday never happened?

Turning away he quietly headed to his room. Grabbing his keys after showering and changing, got into his car and drove off.

When he returned Namjoo was not yet up, but he recognize movement in the kitchen. He saw food on the counter, a cutting board, bowls, and pans.

"It'll be ready soon," the elder lady promised him.