There are Many Flowers in Seoul

Chapter Eighty-One

The car flew through the streets of Seoul under the glow of streetlights, digital advertisements, and neon signs.

Rose pressed her forehead to the window and cast her gaze to the sky, seeking out stars which were drowned out by the light pollution of the city. She'd hoped that she might get a glimpse of them before she left, but it seemed they were angry at her too, hiding away and forbidding her their majesty as recompense for her actions.

'I thought you wanted to talk?' she ventured as they travelled.

Si-woo's gaze had been on the road since they'd left the studio after Rose had extracted herself from another of Eun-young's tearful hugs goodbye. It was a hug Rose wished would last forever. Of all the people she'd met in Korea, Eun-young was the one she would miss the most.

Yes, she had loved Tae-won.

Yes, she wished things had been different between them.

But they weren't.

Their relationship had been toxic from the outset. Tae-won wanted someone who could take the place of his dead mother – become a permanent fixture in his life so that he would never have to feel abandoned or alone again – and Rose wanted someone who would love her and pay her attention without a monetary incentive, and would keep her from a difficult life riddled with decisions, obstacles, ups and downs.

There was a certain measure of hypocrisy in her forever professing her wish to lead a normal life while actively avoiding all the things which made life normal.

What Rose would miss most was the idea of Tae-won – the potential their relationship might have had were they more emotionally stable and mature enough to face it together openly and without placing unrealistic needs, wants, or expectations on each other – but she wouldn't regret leaving him behind.

This way, he could find the person he deserved, and she could do the same, and she would never stop wishing him that happiness in his future.

Si-woo remained silent and turned them off the main road, taking the road to the Han River. The car came to a halt and Si-woo cut the engine. He unfastened his seatbelt and asked, 'Would you take one last walk with me?'

'Will you try to kiss me again?'

'No.'

'Okay,' she agreed hesitantly, releasing herself and climbing out of the car.

For one foolish moment she thought that Si-woo might spitefully abandon her miles from the apartment, but he soon followed her lead and locked the vehicle. Side-by-side, the unlikely pair walked along the river, admiring the lights across the bridge and observing couples who shared chaste kisses on benches and cuddled together, marvelling at the romantic view.

'Yuta threatened to throw me in if I caused trouble,' Rose recalled wistfully. 'But I don't think he ever made it here to see the view.'

'If you like, I can throw you in.'

'I'll pass, thank you,' Rose replied. She cleared her throat softly, finding that she felt far less emotional with him than she had with Eun-young. It was, perhaps, because they'd parted company on such poor terms the last time that they'd been alone after sharing heated words and a few well-placed slaps. 'I'm sorry,' Rose said sincerely.

'Do I deserve an apology?' Si-woo asked.

'At this point, I think the entire country deserves an apology,' Rose said.

Si-woo placed his hand on her back and walked her to the railings. 'Go ahead,' he invited. 'Apologise.'

'It's not going to reach all Tae-won's fans from here.'