still you | baekyeon

Chapter 7

As the cab whisked her away from Baekhyun's apartment, her heart carried a mixture of relief and uncertainty. She had left him behind, asleep and vulnerable, a whisper of a promise between them.

'He's now asleep. I already left. If he can't remember anything, tell him you brought him home.'

Her message to Taemin was a lifeline, a safeguard against the chaos that might ensue should Baekhyun wake up with a hazy memory.

Minutes turned into distance, the city lights a blur as they passed by. A message from Taemin flickered on her phone screen, his gratitude a bittersweet reminder of the roles they each played in the night's events. She read the words, a silent acknowledgment of his appreciation, but refrained from replying. There was a lingering guilt within her, a whisper of responsibility that she couldn't entirely shake.

As the car pulled up to the bar, she couldn't help but reflect on the chain of events that had led them here. If she hadn't been caught in the tide of circumstance, if she hadn't crossed paths with Baekhyun again, would any of this have transpired? Her thoughts were a whirlwind of what-ifs, a testament to the complex web of connections that bound them together.

With her car retrieved, they embarked on the journey back to her own sanctuary, her makeup artist companion sharing the silence as they navigated the night's streets. The minutes ticked away, and finally, her apartment building loomed into view.

Turning the key in the lock, she stepped inside followed by her makeup artist sho picked her up, the familiarity of her surroundings offering a semblance of solace. Her friend settled into the spare room, an unspoken pact formed between them – a veil of normalcy to shroud the events of the night.

Alone in her own space, she collapsed onto her bed, exhaustion weighing heavily upon her. Yet, as the world around her fell into silence, her mind refused to follow suit. The echo of Baekhyun's words reverberated within her, a haunting refrain that refused to fade.

'I love you...'

The words held power, a confession that defied time and circumstance. They danced on the edge of her consciousness, pulling her into a whirlpool of emotions that she struggled to navigate. She tossed and turned, the weight of the night's events holding her in a vice-like grip.

In the darkness, amidst the quiet solitude, sleep finally claimed her. Dreams and memories intertwined, their threads weaving a tapestry of longing and uncertainty. The night held its secrets close, leaving her to rest – and to ponder the tangled web that had woven its way into her life.

.

The morning unfolded with a subtle hint of relief as her makeup artist shared the news, "I've scoured all over social media, there's no article about last night," just as she stepped out of her haven, the bedroom.

Meanwhile, the kitchen had come alive with a quiet symphony of clinks and sizzles as the makeup artist hummed along, conjuring up a breakfast that tugged at Kim Taeyeon's lips, forming a soft smile. The camaraderie among her team was something she cherished – a blend of professionalism and friendship that transcended roles.

With gratitude in her heart, Kim Taeyeon met her makeup artist's eyes and whispered, "Thanks."

Setting a plate on the table, the makeup artist sighed with a mixture of urgency and regret, "I've got to run. Something urgent came up back home."

A fleeting notion of togetherness lingered as Kim Taeyeon questioned, "Skipping breakfast with me?"

A sheepish smile painted her makeup artist's face as she confessed, "I'm afraid so. It's a bit of a family crisis. Dig in, though."