Elevator Love

Chapter 6

Irene has never experienced such a scary conversation with anyone in her life. She already has suspicions about him being a bad person, but these suspicions got verified when he blamed her for something she didn’t even know about. She felt helpless and weak. Going back to her own apartment was suddenly scaring her. She didn’t dare to take a step into the building. What if she sees him again? What if he shouts at him again? What if he gets violent? What if he calls his, so called, people? All these thoughts were wandering inside of her mind for the whole day.
The time work has ended, it was already dark outside. She bid her goodbye to her colleagues and boss. They all had a direction to go. A place to go back to. But not her. Well, at least not emotionally. Irene wandered the streets in the dark, not knowing where to go. The only thing she knew was, she wasn’t going back into her apartment.
Her feet directed her, and she followed along. Next she knew, she was standing in front of her parent’s house door. She battled inside with knocking on the door, but something inside her said it was okay, they were her parents after all. So she did. After the third knock, she could hear her mother asking her dad who it might be at this hour. Irene felt ashamed, but she didn’t want to show her true feelings. She didn’t want her parents to see that she has failed. Failed to take care of herself. They already had several arguments about moving out. It was not a good time to prove them they were right. So, she put on her fake smile, cleared her throat and straightened her posture to give a confident figure.
“It’s your daughter.” Her father stated while looking at her. “Hi, dad.” Irene smiled. The footsteps of her mother neared the door “Really? What makes her come at his hour?” She questioned and was seen with a surprised expression. Irene’s face fell playfully “What does that supposed to mean? Does a parent’s house even have times? I can come whenever I want to, isn’t that so?” She playfully stated. Her mother smiled “Of course my dear. I was just surprised you didn’t tell us beforehand. Come in.”
Her parents house felt like home for Irene. She grew up there. All her childhood memories happened inside of that house. It was the warmest feeling in the world.
“Is everything alright?” Her mother asked the girl watching TV. They were in their usual positions. On the couch, watching TV. Her father glanced to them.
“It is mum, don’t worry.” She lied. “Is it…probably okay, if I stay the night here?” She asked carefully. Her mother nodded immediately “Of course. Did you miss us that much?” She asked and hugged her daughter from the side. Irene sank into her embrace and closed her eyes “Yes.” She said warmly.
“You still have your room here, remember? This is your house too. No need to ask.” Her father stated while munching an apple, his eyes glued on the TV.
The last time Irene slept in her old room was probably at least a year ago. She cringed when she opened the door to her room. It was amazing how her sense of style changed within a year. What else has changed in that year? Did she change? Or did the world change? She didn’t know, but nothing seemed to be like before. She couldn’t feel the satisfaction, she felt before she met Donghae. Now, all she felt was insecurity and anger. She disliked him, a lot, he was so arrogant and selfish. He was good-looking, she couldn’t lie about that, more than that he was very hot. Probably the hottest man she had ever seen in her life. She could imagine how he would fool women by using his looks and charms, but his inside was  the exact opposite.
The fabric of her blanket felt so strange, it didn’t feel like her room. Nothing felt like a part of her in this room. When she moved out of her parent’s house, she wanted to look for her new self, her identity. She was very consistent that she wouldn’t take a step back to her old weak self, but here she was. Her pathetic self dragged her back to her parent’s house, and she was sleeping in her old room like a teenager just because she was scared of her neighbour and couldn’t tell anyone. Irene felt the tears gathering in her eyes Oh no! I don’t need that right now. She said to herself but couldn’t stop the tears from dropping down.
The next day, Irene went straight to her college after having a short breakfast with her parents since she was very bad at hiding her feelings and was afraid that her parents would notice that something was bothering her. To her luck, they didn’t, but the next problem was just waiting around the corner.
Mino found her in the busy lecture hall again, she wondered how he did that, when she made herself almost invisible to others and their lecture hall was huge as hell. They were the last ones, as usual, to exist the hall after lecture. Mino studied her face while she looked to the crowd at the door, who tried to make themselves through the mess.
“You’re not okay.” Mino blurted out. Irene looked at him with a surprised question “What?” She asked. Mino sighed “See? You’re asking ‘what’ again. I didn’t use a question mark tho, I am sure you are not okay.” He stated again. Irene wandered her eyes “What makes you think like that?” She asked curiously. Mino scoffed “Believe me, beautiful. I notice looooots of things. Especially in beautiful girls like you.” He smirked. Irene felt her cheeks heating from his compliments and stare. “So, tell me. What worries you? I will surely listen and try to be helpful.” He confidently said. Irene smiled pathetically “You can’t help me with this one.” She stated. “Hey! I’m the one who decided of my capability.” He warned. He was like a kid who believed they were superman or something. Irene chuckled “I will just bore you, it’s okay.” She said and made herself ready to go since the crowd got smaller. “I would never be bored of you.” Mino blurted out. Irene furrowed her eyebrows and looked at him. “Tell me.” He said almost in a whisper. Irene could see the honesty in his eyes and who did she fool? She needed someone to tell. Someone who would not know her completely, so they would not judge her. She couldn’t tell her friends Seulgi, Wendy, Joy and Yeri because she felt ashamed, so why wouldn’t she tell him? Irene sighed and brushed her hair behind her ear.
“I’ve got a new neighbour and he is somehow making me crazy. He-“Mino interrupted her “He? So, a…man?” He asked. Irene questioningly looked at him “Yeah, basically.” She said, not understanding his point. “Are you living alone?” He asked, raising his eyebrows. “I am, is that a problem?” She furrowed her eyebrows deeply. “Not sure, is it okay for a woman to live alone? And then you say there is a male neighbour, I mean… Is he living alone, too?” He asked, Irene could notice the sudden change in his expression. It was like her dad or boyfriend would investigate on her or something. “Look, don’t start with that ‘It’s too dangerous for a woman shit’” She blurted, mentally surprised for her outcome. Mino decided not to take this topic further and nodded “Alright, you said he makes you crazy?” He tried to make her tell the actual story. Irene sighed “He is making me crazy. Literally crazy. He is so arrogant and mean. Gosh! I hate him so much.” She breathed her anger out. Mino just observed her, concentrating on every word she said. “What is the reason?” He asked. Irene was startled at that question and suddenly remembered his words “Look, I don’t want you to be involved in my life, okay? Remove all the scenes about me in your mind. Don’t talk to my people. Don’t sneak or send your friends into my apartment, you got it?”
“I can’t tell you that.” She said, spacing out a little. Mino raised his eyebrows “Are you in love with him?” He asked straightforward. Irene looked at him as if he was the craziest person in the world “What?! Wh-what makes you think like that? Oh my god! He might be the last person on this earth I would fall in love with. Ugh! I hate him so much.” She cringed at the thought. “Then, why are you ruining your day, thinking of him? If you hate him, then just don’t waste your energy on him and focus on yourself.” Mino stated. His words crashed her mind. She lowered her eyes and thought about it. He was right. Why would she waste her time worrying about him? Why is she taking him seriously anyway? Why was she so scared of him? “I-I guess you’re right.” She said as she rubbed her temple. “Of course I am. Next time you feel annoyed because of him, just give me a call. I will be by your side in seconds.” He said with a smile. Irene looked at him and chuckled “Ya! Who said I would want to see you?” Mino made a shook expression “Ya?! Since when are we that close, huh? If you call me ya, then you might as well give me your number.” He teased. Irene glared at him. “Please.” He made a pouting face. “Ugh! Okay, okay. I will give you my number, but don’t call me after 8pm, okay?” She warned and took her phone out. Mino balled her fist as if he’d won the lottery. “Don’t worry. I’ll only give you good morning calls.” He said with a smirk. Irene rolled her eyes and opened the screen of her phone. “You’re marvel fan?!” Mino excitedly asked as he saw her spider-man background. “I am.” She nodded with a smile “Let’s watch a movie together someday.” Mino excitedly said. “Slow down, okay?” Irene tried to calm him down. She chuckled, so he wouldn’t misunderstand. It was hard enough for her to give her number to a guy and he was talking about watching movies together.
 
In the afternoon Irene decided to go back to her apartment. She decided to ignore him at all costs, not to talk to him or even give a glance. Just completely ignoring. This way he wouldn’t be able to talk to her, and that’s what he wanted.
It was a warm spring afternoon, so there were lots of people outside taking a walk and enjoying the beautiful weather. Irene neared her apartment building and felt the warmness, she missed in her room again. This was her place after all, she loved that area which she called home. No one could destroy that or take it away from her.
She was glad that she didn’t see him, now she was in the elevator and was hoping that she wouldn’t come across him in their hallway. The peeping sound of the elevator signalised her that she reached her floor. Irene took few steps and felt her heart skipping a beat when she saw a manly figure standing in front of Donghae’s door. First, she thought it would be him, but after a closer look it was clear enough that it was not the one, she was expecting to see. Probably some of his people…, she thought. The man greeted her with a nod and left the place with fast steps taking the stairway.
Irene found the scene weird but shrugged any thought since she decided not to think about him anymore. When she put her keys in, Lola started meowing behind the door which shocked her. She totally forgot about her! She increased her speed to get into her apartment and immediately rushed to her little cat. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry, Lola. So sorry…” She repeated as she hugged her tightly. “I’m getting something to eat as fast as possible.” She said and put her back on the floor. The little animal just watched her moves and kept meowing since she missed her last night.
When she was in the kitchen, searching for her bowl, something felt very strange. It was like someone already fed her since her bowl was standing on the floor.
“That’s weird… Lola, you probably didn’t take out your bowl and put cat food inside?” She asked her cat, marching into her living room with the bowl in her hand. Lola just watched her. Next thing Irene noticed was that the door of her balcony was half opened. She panicked at the sight and rushed to her balcony. “Lola…” She said anxiously. “Could it be that someone was in our home last night?” She asked the little cat and shook her head. Who would sneak into my house? Oh my god! A thief?
The more she thought about possibilities who would come into her apartment, the more she panicked. Now, she thought of the worst scenario that could happen.
She rushed to the facility manager with that scary thought to find out if someone was in her apartment.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Bae, I can’t give out any information.” The manager said apological. “I just want you to look to the security camera of my hall that’s all. Look, I’m sure someone was in my apartment last night. Someone fed my cat, my bedroom is messed up and the balcony door was open when I went in. It was definitely not the state when I left my apartment.” She explained. The manager looked worried but repeated himself with an apological expression “I understand, but Mr. Lee gave the clear instruction to protect any security data and not give out any information except for his wish.” He explained. Irene was confused now “Who is Mr. Lee?” She asked with a confused expression. “Mr. Lee. Lee Donghae, the new one.” He stated out. Irene felt her blood boiling slowly “Who the hell does he think he is to order you something like that and why do you follow his orders?! I’m telling you that my life might be in danger. What if a stalker sneaked into my apartment and kills me one day in my sleep? What will you do against that, huh?!” She was getting angry. “I understand your concern, but there is nothing I can do. Maybe, if Mr. Lee would give his permission then-“ Irene shut the door behind her and walked out of his office. She was exploding in anger and hated him even more.
On her way back to her apartment, she gave a call to Seulgi to ask her if they were in her apartment last night.
“Are you crazy? Do you think we have some superpowers or what? How should we be able to climb to the 8th floor?” Seulgi sarcastically asked. Irene sighed and rubbed her temple “I know. It’s not possible but I wanted to give the most innocent option a chance that maybe you were in my apartment last night.” She said. “We were not, honey. Where were you last night?” Seulgi asked carefully. “In my parents.” Irene answered shortly and whined “I can’t believe that is happening to me.”
“What is happening to you?” Seulgi asked. Silence. “Hey, what is happening to you?” She asked again more concerned. “Nothing. Have a good day.” Irene cut short and ended the call.
Lola was staying in bed with Irene while she did some assignments. She was working very focused with a tiny line between her eyebrows and her eyes glued on the display of her tablet. Her fingers were moving very fast, one by one.
She didn’t allow the circumstances to make her feel bad. When she was back home after the incident with the manager, she locked her balcony door, got under the shower, made delicious ramen and spend some quality time with Lola.
Now, it was getting dark, so she decided to study a little before going to bed.
Her little space got disturbed by some noises outside. Footsteps and door sounds were clearly to hear. Irene thought maybe it was Donghae and made a face before she returned to her work.
Unwillingly her mind gave her the information that Donghae almost never used the stair, but this person was clearly using the stairs before opening the door.
Irene exhaled heavily before she put her tablet to her side on her bed and made her way to the door with Lola in her arms. She peeked through the hole. There was no one, but she could see that his door was widely opened. After a few seconds the man she saw earlier came out of his apartment with some bags in his hands. He looked suspicious to his left and right, if someone was around.
Irene widely opened her eyes and felt her heart beating very fast. A thief, it’s a thief. At the same time the sound of a car outside caught her attention. She rushed to the window to see if it was Donghae. Indeed. Irene was about to shout, but then remembered how he told her to take her nose out of his business. And didn’t he somehow deserve this? Moreover, he can check the incident in the camera since he is in charge of it.
He got out of the car and Dara got out after him as usual. Irene observed them. She observed how they talked to each other, they made a good couple, but Donghae was obviously not serious in this relationship.
The man from before made her come back to reality since she saw him walking away near them with a calmed speed. Irene suddenly felt the urge to shout and she did “Hey! The man is a thief!” She was shouting. “Dara! Donghae!” She shouted again since they didn’t notice. “Catch the man, he is a thief.” She pointed to his direction when both looked up. The man started running, so Donghae automatically ran after him. Oh my goodness! Irene rushed outside with still having Lola in her arms. She took the elevator and impatiently waited for it to arrive the lowest floor.
 
When she was outside, she saw Dara leaning against her car. “What’s going on?” Irene jogged to her panting a little. “I don’t know. Ah, there he is!” She pointed to his direction. Irene turned her head to the left; she saw him panting hard with some documents in his hands. “He tried to steal my stuff.” He stated as he neared them. Dara made a shocked expression “Oh my god! This is so scary. You caught him, didn’t you?” She asked curiously. Donghae nodded “He’s delivered to the boys.” He stated, still panting lightly and glanced to Irene, who lowered her eyes and kept petting Lola in her arms. There he goes again, his boys… Dara turned to Irene “Thank you, how did you know it was a thief?” She asked her. Irene startled a little from the sudden question “I- I heard weird noises and peeked through the hole and then I saw you together, and you know the rest…” She said with a thin line in her smile. “Thank you so much! You literally saved us; how can we make up?” Dara asked. Irene shook her head “No, you don’t have to. Really. I guess, everyone would do the same.” She said with a smile and nodded her goodbye. She could hear in the background how Donghae told her that she should go home even though she insisted to stay with him.
Irene realized that it was very clear that he didn’t want to be in this relationship. Every time she saw them, it was Dara giving him attention and Donghae was the one who just stood there emotionless as if he would count the time to be over. If he didn’t want her, then why was he dating her? She asked herself as she was on her way to the elevator. At the same time she could hear footsteps behind her, which meant Donghae was on his way too. She mentally prayed that he wouldn’t speak to her. Okay, she might’ve put her pretty nose in his business again, but this time it was for a good deed, wasn’t it? So, he had no reasons to be angry at her.
When the elevator door opened both got in. It was a strange atmosphere in the elevator. They didn’t talk, but Irene felt mesmerized by his presence. She could smell his manly perfume and it did things to her body which she could not explain. She glanced to the reflection in front of her. She observed him, from head to toe. He was just so good-looking, so hot… before her mind went somewhere else, the elevator door opened. Irene shook her thoughts off and made herself out with still Lola in her arms.
Before Irene opened the door to her apartment, she could hear Donghae calling her. The way he said her name felt different. She hoped he wouldn’t be angry at her and carefully turned around. Donghae walked a few steps closer to her before he was standing right in front of her. “I’m-I’m sorry about last time. I kind of let my anger out of you.” He said with an apological expression. Irene was surprised, did she hear right? Was he apologizing to her? Lola struggled in her arms to be freed, so Irene first put her on the floor. “I hope, you’re not mad at me.” He let out. Irene still looked at him with a mix of shocked and confused expression. “I-I’m not. It’s okay.” She said and forced a smile. Donghae shook his head “I’m pretty embarrassed because of that.” He chuckled. Irene felt her heart skipping a beat and smiled a little. He looked so cute, the man in front of him was not the one she had in her mind. This version of Donghae was something else. He was so nice, and he looked so innocent with his black hair brushing against his eyes and the way he lightly flipped them back was so cute in her eyes. “I want to make it up. What can I do for you?” He asked her, looking into her eyes. Irene felt shy from the sudden eye contact and tried hard not to blush in front of him. “You really don’t have to.” She said and furrowed her eyebrows when she saw Lola bunting her head against his leg. She barely did that to strangers. Donghae chuckled seeing her and bend down to pet her. “Did you enjoy your meal?” She heard him asking her cat. Lola enjoyed his presence a lot. It was like she really liked him. “She’s so cute.” Donghae let out. Irene widened her eyes Did he probably feed her? Donghae stood straight again to face her “You have to lock your doors safely if you don’t want any thieves in your house. If something strange happens, just call me, alright?” He asked her worriedly. Irene automatically nodded, still shook from the fact that he was in her apartment. Donghae smiled and turned around to leave inside his apartment. Lola was about to follow him, but Irene caught her immediately. So, he was in my bedroom then?