STRAWBERRIES & CIGARETTES

CHAPTER 32

Harae took a deep breath before finding the courage to step out of her room.

Her heels clicked as she descended the staircase, wary of how she looked in general.

She never meant to go anywhere anyway, so she's just holed in her room for a straight week, only to step out when she'll eat, and that is only twice a day. Harae doesn't want to see any family members around, so she avoided them like a plague.

Harae was forced to stop going to school personally, fearing that she'd escape and only resorting to an online class that the university also offers.

She never meant to care about how she looked, as she never felt anything inside but grief and anger.

Though she got a message that Mark would take her out and her grandma approved, she set her pride aside and took the chance to breathe. She wants to escape, even if it's just for a day.

"Oh, she's here", her stepmom says.

"Han...", Mark calls, evident worry in his eyes.

"Hi", Harae only responded, "Let's go; we don't have all the time."

"Right", Mark stood up and politely bowed to her stepmother, "I'll bring her back before dinner."

Celestine waved him off, "Oh, you can have her long."

"You don't have to inform her; she doesn't have any say in my life", Harae unemotionally interjected, then looked at the male, "Let's go, Mark."

"Okay", he said, only nodding and following close to her.

Silence surrounded them as they drove through. Only the faint sound of the engine and the noises on the streets somehow raised the volume around them.

The air felt colder, and they sometimes feel that they don't have company.

Mark is quietly driving while taking a few glances at her, while Harae just comfortably sits with her eyes disinterestedly watching the passing road.

Mark knew that the girl wouldn't be talking anytime soon, and at the same time, he didn't know how or what to say to her.

Her heart is grieving, and her whole life is severely scarred. He can't promise that he will fill the gap, but he knows that he's also capable of protecting her. He can't protect her happiness, though.

"Han?", Mark cautiously called. "Do you want to stop by anywhere?"

"Where are we going?", she only asked, her eyes still on the road.

"Do you want something to eat? We can stop by anywhere. Do you want to eat lunch early instead?"

"Anywhere, Mark,", Harae sighed. "Just take me anywhere."

━。゜✿ฺ✿ฺ゜。━

"Tastes good?", Mark asks as he watches her take a bite of her pancake.

Harae timidly nodded. "It's fine."