UNCHANGEABLE - TIAOM

10

she can tell pie is happy with her decision.

when kim wakes up, she finds pie cooking at the stove with a phone pressed between her ear and shoulder. kim's eyes lingers on the woman who's wearing an oversized white shirt which she borrowed last night (she forgot to bring extra clothes due to the emergency) and a pair of shorts, her hair tied up in a messy bun.

"... prefer a fully furnished apartment ready for occupancy right away." a brief pause. "yes, i've looked online but yours is the best. and i'm glad you're very responsive." another pause. "yes, we'll be driving there after lunch. expect a call from me around four in the afternoon. thank you. i'll see you later."

kim keeps staring in silence, not wanting to interrupt. staring at pie still makes her heart flutters. although a huge part in her still feels empty and lifeless, but pie's mere presence warms up something inside like it's bringing out a light that's been buried in the darkness.

"gosh, you scared me!" pie jumps when she turns around to place the phone on the counter. "i didn't hear you get up."

kim stands there in silence, poker-faced.

"by the way, i found an apartment for you," says pie, turning back to the stove. "it's about fifteen minutes walk from my house. i know it's not that far but at least we could still look over you and you could still have some privacy to yourself." she turns off the stove and pours the contents into a bowl which kim identifies as one of her favourite breakfast. "i hope you're okay with transferring there this afternoon?"

kim thinks it is perfect. her mind is already tuning to the right frequency. this is what she wants, to have pie around her, to see pie every day. it would have been perfect, until she sees the band on pie's ring finger, reminding her of the painful reality.

yeah. pie is married and she vowed to protect and fight for their marriage despite the difficulty she and her husband are experiencing.

and pie stayed true to her words. they stayed platonic last night even after her confession about her feelings towards kim. pie spent the night on the couch and is always giving updates to her husband.

kim scoffs inside, secretly envying peter for getting this woman for his wife and for witnessing this view every morning.

every darn morning.

boy, he's one lucky guy.

"kim?"

kim blinks, realising there is a hanging question from pie.

"you okay?" pie asks.

kim nods.

"so, are you okay with us packing after lunch and transferring this afternoon?"

kim looks away and nods.

there was silence before pie finally lets out a small smile.

"i also informed conan. she was happy, saying she can finally breathe," she says, settling the food on the table. "let's eat? we still have to prepare your things so we can drive there after lunch."

saying no other word, kim sits down and fills her plate.

they eat in silence, and kim can feel pie's eyes on her from time to time.

---

she's not sure if being around pie is good for her or not.

"you need help there?" pie asks when she passes by kim's room and notices how the latter is having a hard time buttoning up her flannel with one hand.

kim hums, her eyes watching pie's hands button up her shirt all the way to the top.

"is it okay if i pack only your button-ups and some these flannels?" pie asks. "it will be easier for you to wear as it need not go over your head."