I...killed our mother... so I don't blame you for hating me...I'm also the reason why father had left us...so I don't blame you for ignoring me...But...I wished you would have loved me...just for one time...just once...even if it means my death. If...
The warm teardrops on my face synced with my brothers' as they fell to the floor together, while I watched them from a few metres away. Slowly, they said their goodbyes and left the area. I gradually came out of my hiding place and approached mother's grave with small, cautious steps. My eyes were instantly captured by the image on the gravestone, 'So this is what she looked like...' Mother looked so young; her eyes were twinkling, her lips rosy while her cheeks displayed a hint of pink. She seemed so energetic... I placed my bouquet of lilies next to my brothers' as I sent my prayers. I gazed at mother's picture intensely, "I'm so sorry, Mother...", before leaving the cemetery.
The image of my brothers crying in agony embedded within my head while I strolled home. It pained my heart very much... "Y/N? Is that you?" A voice from behind caught my attention and I turned around to see who it was. "Hwanwoong..." When he confirmed that it was me, he immediately grinned and ran over to me. I could feel his amused eyes moving up and down my body, "Y/N~ why are dressed like that? It's your birthday! Not your funeral!" He playfully joked but I could only give him a sad smile, "Haha...I know...".
Hwanwoong's grin vanished as he blankly stared at me until he realised the situation, "O-oh... I'm sorry... I didn't realise... you went to the... cemetery?" I gave him a little nod, followed by an awkward silence. Hwanwoong first opened his mouth, "U-umm, well...if you're free now, do you want to go somewhere together? It'll make you feel better..." He asked as he scratched the back of his neck, not knowing where to look. "Sure! I should go home and change first." He immediately placed his hands on my shoulders, "No, you don't need to. We'll go buy some new clothes for you. I'll pay! My birthday gift to you." I didn't fancy arguing with him since he insisted so I just agreed.
At first, the mall felt uncomfortable since I was wearing a funeral outfit until Hwanwoong pulled me into a really expensive branded clothing store, "Hey Hwanwoong! Why are we here? I could go buy a t-shirt and a pair of jeans from Target for like $10. This is too expensive!!" He didn't listen and immediately asked one of the staff to provide the best quality outfits they had. I refused to enter the dressing room until I was practically forced into it by Hwanwoong.
The clothes felt so smooth that I was scared to break it when putting it on. The texture was so soft I thought I could sleep in it. I checked the price tag and my eyes froze...Let's just say... it was a lot of money! I poked my head out of the curtains and saw Hwanwoong sitting on one of the leather chairs near me, "Are you done Y/N?". "Yes, but it's too expensive, Hwanwoong. I'm not taking it." He sighed, "Y/N, it's your birthday so this is my gift to you. Come out~I want to see it!"
I stepped out of the fitting room and Hwanwoong went into absolute silence as he stared at me with owl eyes. I cleared my throat and he jumped out of his trance, "A-ah! You look magnificent! Though you always do~" I blushed a little, "What are you saying all of a sudden?" He ruffled my head, "I'm just telling the truth~". "Haha! Thank you, Oppa~" He flinched a little when I called him 'Oppa' before widely grinning, "You should call me Oppa more often, I believe that's the first time you called me that.". I escaped into the change room not knowing what to say, "Shut up!" I could hear him chuckle from outside, "Okay, okay! By the way, Y/N! Keep the clothes on! Your funeral outfit can be put into bags for you." I giggled at my hopelessness as I fold my funeral dress neatly before walking out.
We continued to shop around while Hwanwoong kept purchasing expensive items for me, "I didn't know you were rich, Hwanwoong." He laughed, "I'm not." I looked at him in disbelief, "Then why did you buy all this?!" He smiled at me, "Because you deserve it~" When Hwanwoong said that, I was reminded of my brothers at the cemetery with tearful faces, "No..." My eyelids lowered, "I don't..." Hwanwoong suddenly leaned in closer to my face,"Sorry Y/N. What did you say? I couldn't hear you." I smiled at him while shaking my head, "No, nothing... Anyways! I'm returning everything right now!" He lifted the bags up high, out of my reach, "Oh no you're not!" I started chasing him around the mall, without realising how much fun it was, which I hadn't had in... forever.
Just like the moment after the school festival, Hwanwoong and I walked side by side, but instead of quietness, we laughed and fooled around until I remembered something, "Hey Hwanwoong, what were you going to say before my bro-, I mean, Jimin...you know..." He pondered for a bit and gradually his pace began to slow before coming to a complete stop. "Hwanwoong?" I turned around when I realised he had stopped walking. His mouth quivered as he looked nervous, "I-I was going to say...Well..." He heaved a long breathe before setting the heavy bags down on the concrete pathway and came closer to me while passionately staring into my eyes, "I think...I like you Y/N."
I smiled at him, "I like you too Oppa!". He suddenly looked really annoyed as he clenched his hands, "No Y/N, what I meant was...I love you...as a woman." I looked at him puzzled, "I know I'm a woman." He facepalmed himself while trying to control his laughter from my stupidity, "Yah! What are you trying to say, Hwanwoong?" His face soon turned serious as he reached for my hands and entwined his hands with mine, "I love you, Y/N...I want you to be my girlfriend." His lips pecked on the back of my hand while he observed my face for a reaction.
I knew he was hoping for a love in return, however, my face dropped. I liked him too... but he deserved someone who's happy and will love him to the very end; I'm just a girl who killed her mother and is hated by her brothers. "I'm sorry..." I let go of his hands and I could already see the disappointment on his face, "I like you too Oppa, but I don't think anything more of you than a friend. I already have so much going on and it's just unbearable to handle."
He wistfully smiled, "No I understand. *sigh*" His warm hands disappeared inside his pockets with his head hung low, "I-I think I'll go now Y/N. Will you be alright carrying all these bags home?" I reassured him that it'll be fine. As I watched his gloomy back, I couldn't contain my tears, "You deserve someone much better than me..." I muttered, hoping the wind would send this message to him.
After entering the empty house, I gently placed the bags in the corner of my bedroom, "I'll sort these out later." *buzz*buzz* My phone buzzed from an email sent by the principal, "Hey everyone! I'm deciding to celebrate our filming production with BBQ tomorrow night since it's the weekend! Please arrive at XX restaurant by 6pm. Be there or be square! PS. Wear something snazzy! But females! Nothing too revealing please!"
