"So you're 100% sure, right?" Taeyeon asked. "I don't want to break this awful news if we're not completely totally sure that this is the same man indeed."
"I am, Noona. The Korean embassy there had confirmed that it was indeed Hwang Byungchul. He was buried in China though. Sending his body back to Korea will, unfortunately, cost a lot and I don't think the embassy has any plans to exhume him and do that," Chanyeol answered.
She felt sad for the woman she was going to meet. "Okay then. Thanks." She ended the call and just stared at her phone for a second until she felt the gentle wiping of the corner of her mouth. She turned her head and smiled a little, grateful for the small gesture. She took the napkin from Tiffany's hand and finished wiping her own mouth.
"Are you okay? What did Juhyun say?"
"I'm okay. It's confirmed but he was buried over there and there are no plans to bring him here. It cost too much, they said."
Tiffany shook her head slightly. "Money. Always money," she muttered under her breath.
Taeyeon pocketed her phone then crumpled the paper bag on her lap after putting the used napkins in it. She opened the car door and walked to a nearby trashcan to throw it away. She heard another door closing and turned around to see Tiffany approaching her. She locked the car with the remote before they started walking down the street.
Tiffany reached out for Taeyeon's hand after a minute of walking in silence.
Taeyeon turned her head when she felt Tiffany's touch. "What is it?" She noticed the somewhat somber look.
"I lived in a similar neighborhood once," said Tiffany – eyes looking at the rundown buildings around them. "Before I got involved with... you know." She gulped.
Taeyeon pulled Tiffany closer, their arms now touching as they kept walking. She tightened her hold on Tiffany's hand. She knew it was tough for the other girl but she had no words to console her with so she hoped her action could speak for her instead.
Tiffany seemed to understand. She smiled a little, squeezing Taeyeon's hand. "I'm fine. It just brings back memories." She exhaled. "Of my family too."
Taeyeon knew what that meant. The talk about the family of the missing girl and the neighborhood they were at were reminding Tiffany about her mother.
Tiffany never spoke much about her parents and Taeyeon knew why. She never asked because she didn't want to pry. It was a sensitive matter to Tiffany; just like
Yoona's brother was to her. They both trod very carefully with each other in both matters.
They made a turn inside a very narrow alley. Since they didn't let go of each other's hands, Taeyeon had to walk in front of Tiffany because there simply wasn't enough space for the two of them to walk side by side.
