'Golden Mary'

Part 30

When Victoria awoke the next morning she was utterly surprised with the sweet scent drifting through the air as she made her out of the bedroom. Nearing the kitchen door she leaned against the door frame and certainly she saw Seohyun up and about. Nearby the stove was Luhan staring dubiously into the pot of soup.

"Are you sure potatoes should be this size?" Luhan questioned who was currently checking on the rice.

"I told you to get out of here!" was all Seohyun loudly said.

Without abiding by her orders Victoria watched Luhan dip his hand into the hot soup before panning out a scream and sucking his finger. She watched him jump up and down unable to express his pain. Seohyun ran forward and stared into the soup surprised by his scream.

"What, what, what!" she screamed shaking her head.

"Agh...it hurts." Luhan moaned staring at his finger.

Before Seohyun could scold him, Victoria broke into the conversation, "What are you guys up to?"

Both their attention swiveled over to her.

"Ah...Victoria, you're up?" Seohyun greeted. "Since I'm in the process of recovering, I've decided to tend to a few chores around here. I'm going to do laundry later, so let me know if you want to do any for you."

"Mine too?" Luhan chirped in.

"That's what your own hands and feet are for," Seohyun shot back.

And that morning, in Victoria's very own opinion, was her first ever joyful meal shared with any other. The loneliness of having to wake up alone and eat alone dissolved from her mind. Luhan and Seohyun were definitely newly made changes in her life.

Victoria found herself staring up at the tall skyscraper in front of her where apartments were safely housed. Come to think of it, she hadn't ever taken a good look at the fine place Donghae lived. One obviously had to be rich if they wanted to live in a home full of security cameras and safely secured. But how he had found the money to get such a delicious place was beyond Victoria's thoughts.

Lowering her head feeling herself become dizzy she stared at the revolving glass door in front and entered. While in the elevator she tapped her finger against the heart of her pocket, every time her name bounced off the card she would think of his name and then in time would come the kiss at the motel. There it was again, the rapid beating of her heart and the heating up of her body. Victoria didn't like it. She didn't like the anxiety all of this was bringing her. What she was beginning to hate most was how her nerves were building sweat up in the palm of her hands. All this nervousness...why?

A lump inched up in her throat and she felt like choking on it. The flight up to the 5th floor was taking longer than it should have. Easing her breathing failed to help calm her nerves when the elevator doors opened. She was met with an empty hallway with identical doors extending down each way, the lights from above dimly glowing on her. All was silent. Too silent.

Victoria felt like falling down to her knees and growing prisoners to her emotions. She had planned to drop off the card, say the words she'd been rehearsing all night, and leave. However it didn't really feel like any of that would happen.

Her slow, steady walk led her to the apartment she'd ever entered at least twice. Reaching a finger out she pressed the doorbell. There was no answer at first. She wondered if he was at work. Victoria quickly debated whether she should ring the bell again or not then wondered if it was a good thing she hadn't met him yet. All of a sudden she was feeling quite relieved that he hadn't answered the door yet.

Clearing her throat she tried again and this time still received no answer. An unexpected sigh of relief blew itself out from her lips and she turned around to leave. This time her footsteps were much quicker and smooth. Victoria was starting to feel much more at ease again than when she'd came. With a good mood she waited in front of the elevator wondering what she'd do for the rest of the day. A smile played itself across her lips until the elevator calmly roared before its doors opened and the smile playing on her lips fell.