On Thin Air

The Different One

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Feeling weird sitting alone Namjoo left the table. Venturing into the kitchen to see a pile of dishes taking up space along the counter. The sink water was running. A lady in an apron was washing dishes never minding the stranger woman that was walking around. Finding her way back out Namjoo looked down the hallway. Wherever Sehun had disappeared he hadn't come back from. She couldn't wait for him just sitting around. Deciding she'd go outside for some air she discovered the back entrance as easily as if she had wished for it.

She smelled fresh air first then noticed the door had been left a crack open. Touching the door, she pulled it open, poking her head out. Seeing first the winding trees, the grass, the spacious land. Noticing the brick walk second as she stepped out. Her eyes floated around mesmerized by the simply decorated yard.

Taken in by the polished wood of the swinging chair. The pots of petunias on either side. Wild bushes flanked the white yard chairs where Seoyun was currently sitting.

"O...oh, sorry," Namjoo apologized thinking maybe the woman wanted to be alone after her husband declared his selfish wishes.

"No, please stay." Seoyun called out.

Hesitantly turning around, Namjoo looked at the lonely woman. Taking a step forward she sunk into the swinging chair since it was nearest.

Sehun's sister-in-law smiled softly, "That's Sehun's favorite spot." Perking up, Namjoo looked down at the chair. The wood was refined down to a perfectly smooth texture. The metal chain was oiled constantly to keep from rusting.

"I heard his mother made it."

Namjoo's eyes drifted back up to meet with the woman's.

Smiling embarrassed this time, she asked, "How is it being married? Is Sehun nice to you?"

"He's nice." Namjoo nodded, because she couldn't say anything else. It was also the plain truth that Sehun hadn't done anything bad yet.

"That's good. He better be."

A moment of silence fluctuated, so Namjoo asked, "Out of curiosity, why are you still married to Sehun's brother?"

"I love him."

"The man you married or the man now?" Namjoo asked.

Seoyun seemed taken aback. Still, she took a breath calmly. "A marriage isn't always smooth sailing. There are rocks in the road, but if I don't continue to give my best, what did I get married for?"

Namjoo blinked. "Did he tell you what he was going to talk about today?"

She hesitated yet still protected her husband, "If that's the decision then I should support him."

Namjoo felt befuddled by her answer. Getting to her feet she asked, "If he doesn't think about you, what did he get married for?"

When she walked away she didn't know why she had bothered to talk to the woman. She would never come running at Sehun's beck and call. How did Seoyun live with a man like Sangki for so long? The arrogant son of a bitch...

Turning down the hallway Namjoo stopped exactly where she had a full view of the two grown men. Wasn't difficult to see who had the upper hand, really.

Sehun, always calm and collected, seemed to hang there in his older brother's fierce grip. There were times she'd sensed his irritation with her, but he had never actively shown it. So when, she wondered, was he going to lose it?

No wonder Sangki had a free reign of shoving everyone around.

"Let go of him." Namjoo ordered.

Their heads turned her way. Without waiting for Sangki to blabber an excuse, she walked forth. Sticking herself between them. Touching Sehun's shirt, brushing out any wrinkles. Murmuring, "It's the shirt I bought you." A blatant lie. "Don't ruin it already."