The Close Strangers

t h i r t y - o n e

It's been two days since the day when Yerim is supposed to have arrived in Korea. Until this time, no one knows where she is, what she's doing, and who's she with.

This whole thing really affects Mark and his family so much. Their house becomes so quiet ㅡ no more laughs and fun things happen.

It's like they lost a piece of puzzles in their family. They want to find that one, but they don't even know where to start.

Mark has never stopped calling Yerim at least once every half an hour. Her phone is active, but she never picks up the phone call. The same problem happens with their friends.

He just hopes she'll contact one of them ㅡ maybe her parents, his family, his friends, Jung Jaehyun, or him.

Mark turns his head when someone suddenly takes a seat beside him.

"What are you watching?" Minhee asks, sounding so emotionless.

Mark shrugs as he gives the remote to Minhee, "I have no idea. I was thinking this whole time."

Minhee sighs in concern, "As your sister, it's breaking my heart to see you like this."

He chuckles sarcastically, "Yo, you make it sound as if you're not looking like a mess now."

His sister rolls her eyes, "You're way messier than anyone in this house."

Mark remains silent, unconsciously continuing to talk in his own mind ㅡ all by himself. He doesn't even notice how the rest of his family is already gathering in the living room with him now.

There's no sound coming out of their mouths. The sound of the TV show that is playing from the television fills the room instead.

It's crazy how every each of them keeps their phones close to them for these past two days, just in case they get new information about Yerim.

"I need to leave for the bakery," Yoona suddenly speaks up, breaking the silence.

"Do you need me to drive you, Mom?" Mark asks.

No matter how messy he is, he knows he still needs to help his mom if she needs one.

Marcella brushes her long hair with her fingers, getting it out of her face. She looks at Mark, studying his expression until she finally talks.

"I don't know whether it's better for you to go out and clear out your mind for a while or to stay at home because your mind might lead you to do things you shouldn't."

Mark opens his mouth in a way to give an argument, but he closes it right after that because he thinks Marcella is actually right. He's not in the mood to go anywhere and to meet anyone.

But, maybe fresh air could calm him down?

"That's fine," Lee Chang Wook responds. "I'll go with her. You guys stay at home."

The three of them leans back to the couch in sync, agreeing with their parents without giving them a verbal agreement response.

They don't move from there even until their parents left the house. They keep on staring blankly at the television in front of them that seems not to be watched anytime soon.

"I don't know, but Jaehyunnie is the only hope I got right now," Minhee interrupts the busy thoughts of his siblings. "He's the only guy to trust in Yerim's perspective ㅡ for me."

"And the fact that her cousin has been dating him for three years, I bet they really have strong boundaries."

It makes Mark mad to hear that, but he's gotta admit that at the end. Ever since day one, Mark can see how much Yerim trusts and relies on him. He might be the first guy who comes up in her mind every time something happens since Mark knows that he's not there for her every time she needs him.