Only On Paper [ K.TH FF]

Chapter Ten

I squinted my eyes open as the sunlight seeping in through the window warmed my face. My whole body felt sore. I didn't realise when I fell asleep on the floor.

The incident from last night was still fresh in my mind. His lingering scent of cologne in the room was a bitter reminder of everything that happened last night. It wasn't a pleasant feeling as I crawled to the edge of the bed and sat up on it. Recalling what Taehyung said to me forced a rush of pain and sadness in me and I tried not to cry again.

I hastily reached for my phone and dialed Grandma's number. I had to confirm what he had said. When I heard her voice from the other side, all my anxieties vanished for a second. I missed her and I missed home.

"Eunhye dear, how are you?. You know all these neighborhood kids miss you so much and these brats just wouldn't stop wanting to meet you. You and Taehyung should come visit soon." Her voice sounded so happy. The sound of cicadas at the background and the chirping of the birds were enough to let me know that she was at the backyard, soaking in the warm sunlight and preparing to open the restaurant.  I couldn't reply as I held back my tears. I knew she would be worried if she heard me cry. 

"I'm great! Are you taking care of your health?", I tried to sound cheerful, suppressing the sob that was on the verge of unleashing the overflow of the tears that blurred my vision. 
"Oh, don't you worry. I'm fine. How is Taehyung? You both getting along?"

"I have to ask you something.", I finally blurt out.

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The soft, spring breeze tickled my cheeks with the sweet scent of cherry blossoms lingering in the air. Sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree and regretting my life decisions sure is nauseating. But here I was, doing just that!

I still can't believe Grandma shamelessly accepted such a huge amount of money for the restaurant. I was literally bought! As much as I was upset, I was determined to return back each and every penny of it. I hope this year is over soon so that I can go back to my own life. I don't want to live in servitude.

This morning, Martha came to bid me farewell since Taehyung had fired her. He wanted me to do all the household chores from now on and I can't complain since he has bought me. I can't believe my self-esteem was soiled just like that! Ugh!

After yesterday, I am also avoiding Wooju. I couldn't face her just yet. I knew she would come find me so I was lurking  outside Business Studies department. There was no fear of running into familiar faces here.

People around were busy with their lives and I was busy observing them. Their lives seemed more fun than mine at the moment. There was a couple goofing around as they passed by me and I cringed at their over sweetness. I just couldn't  understand the unnecessary public display of affection that people do, just to make other's around themselves uncomfortable and envious.

Looking away, my attention averted to a pretty lady, dressed in an oversized tee shirt and trousers. She looked older and mature. She might be a sophomore or even a senior. She looked pale and it seemed as if she was about to faint as her walking looked weird. As if on cue, I saw her staggering and then collapsing on the ground.

I quickly rushed to help her.
"Are you okay?", I asked her, as I helped her up and led her towards the bench that I was sitting on.
She didn't reply. Her eyes were closed and eyebrows furrowed. 

"I don't feel good.", she murmured with ragged breathing.

"I'm taking you to the infirmary.", I hurried to help her up.

"No! Not the infirmary. You can't... No.", she exclaimed.

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"It's nothing to worry about. This is normal at the onset of pregnancy.", the doctor smiled as she adjusted the IV drip.
"Pregnancy?", I was astonished.
"Yes, she needs to stay healthy. I have prescribed these supplements to her. Give it to her when she wakes up.", the doctor handed me a note and then left.

I sat on the chair beside her, with her bag on my lap. I didn't even know her name. I should call someone for her. But her phone is locked. Guess I will have to wait until she regains consciousness.

She finally woke up after an hour.
"Here are your things. And this is the doctor's prescription. Make sure you have them.", I said, while handing her her things.
"Thank you so much. For doing so much for a stranger like me.", she gave me a genuine gummy smile. 
"Oh, it's nothing. But take care of yourself. Since you are... pregnant.", I said, while shifting on my seat. She looked overjoyed upon hearing it and almost fell off the bed as she sat up, excitedly. Her happiness kind of rubbed off on me as well, making my day slightly better. 

"Thanks. But, can you keep this to yourself please? The university administration doesn't know about it. It will be a problem for me...", she suddenly said as if she just got reminded of something. The look of nervousness was evident on her face as she anticipated my answer. 

"I won't. Don't worry. I have kind of similar conditions too." I replied, with an assuring smile. I had no intention of doing anything of any sort for it wasn't my place to disclose someone's privacy. I also have also been trying to hide my marriage. 

"Oh... are you also in the surrogate program?", she asked, expectedly.

"What? No. I have other issue.", I laughed awkwardly. 

"Okay, my apologies. By the way, I'm Kim Inha, 3rd year Business administration student. Nice to meet you.", she said, cheerfully.

"Kim Eunhye, first year medical science student.", I smiled back.

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While finding my way back home, I realized how interesting Seoul's street life was. You would never get bored traversing through the busy streets with different aromas of street food enveloping you and all the beautiful visuals to enamour you and lure you to indulge in window shopping. I would love to go window shopping one of these days.

The posh neighborhood where my new house was made me miss my humble and welcoming neighborhood ten folds more. The whole street was cold and desolate and just walking through it seemed uncomfortable, especially after a few people shot me judgemental looks as if I was intruding. 

 A sigh of relief heaved out of me as I unlocked the door and entered inside the threshold of the house which was even colder. After putting on the indoor slippers, I was about to head to the kitchen when the sight of an almost naked woman waltzing around the living room like it was nobody's business hit me. I almost controlled myself from letting out a scream or dashing from there when I got confirmed that she was a human and wasn't armed. Who was she? What was she doing here? And only dressed in a transparent white shirt??

I was about to freak out again after looking at her attire when she turned around and smiled at me.

"Oh, you must be Eunhye right? ", she shot an angelic smile towards me but it only made me more uncomfortable. I was too freaked out. Was she a pervert? Or a psycho breaking into other's house? 

"Yeah? Who are you?", I asked, confused and nervous.

"I'm Park Sooyoung. Taehyung's girlfriend." 

'Wait a damn minute. What?!'

Before I could comprehend her words, I saw Taehyung walking into the living room, only clad in jeans. Shirtless. 'Shirtless?'

He must've not noticed me as he lazily walked towards her and engulfed her in a back hug, eyes still closed.  "Come back to bed, Sooyoung-ah.", he murmured and the deep raspy voice made a surge of goosebumps erupt all over my body.

The dumbfounded expression wouldn't leave my face as I kept staring at the spectacle in front of my eyes before it met a pair of dark brown orbs, the coldness of which froze everything around us. The frozen atmosphere cracked as he looked away and left the room. That Sooyoung flashed me a fake sheepish smile as she timidly followed him back to the room, closing the door shut.

What just happened?!