Idol of the Heavenly One - Chapter 55.2
‘Three days.’
‘…What?’
‘See you then.’
The words Baek Jae-heon had said so casually that day echoed again in my ears. His tone—whether it had been a joke or something else—kept striking against my chest. I couldn’t sit still. It felt like if I didn’t confirm what he meant myself, I wouldn’t be able to rest easy even if I went home.
Without thinking, I took out my phone and tapped the screen.
[23:41]
The numbers on the clock burned into my eyes, and something inside me snapped. Less than twenty minutes remained before the New Year’s bell would ring. A strange resolve welled up in me, as if it had to be now or never.
“Noona.”
“Hm?”
From the driver’s seat, the manager looked at me through the rearview mirror.
“I… could you drop me off here?”
“What?”
Her eyebrows shot up.
“You’re supposed to go home. What are you talking about?”
I took a quiet breath, trying to sound calm.
“I think I left the gift for my family at the dorm. I’ll take a taxi there, grab it, and then go home by taxi.”
“What are you saying? Do you even know what time it is right now?”
“I bought cosmetics for my mom at the duty-free shop. I really need to give them to her.”
The cosmetics for my mom were, in truth, sitting safely in the bag I was holding. But it was the only lie that seemed even remotely believable. The manager clicked her tongue in frustration. When she realized I wasn’t going to change my mind, she finally sighed and nodded.
“Fine. But once you get to the dorm, I’m calling Jae-heon to make sure you’re there.”
“Yes, please do.”
I answered briefly, doing my best not to let my trembling voice show.
The car soon came to a stop along the main road. The manager glanced at me one more time.
“I really am going to call Jae-heon and check, you know?”
“Yes. I’ll go straight there.”
Maybe because of what happened at AAM, she still didn’t trust me completely. I held my bag tightly and gave her a reassuring look as I opened the door.
The cold air brushed against my face as I stepped outside. The sound of the door closing rang out, and her car slowly disappeared down the street.
Left alone on the road, a tense feeling wrapped around my body. I stepped forward and raised my hand to hail a taxi. When one stopped, I opened the door and climbed inside, letting the warm air swallow me whole.
My heart pounded wildly as I watched the lights outside pass by the window. My thoughts were filled with only one thing—the face I was about to see.
When the taxi came to a stop, I handed the driver some cash and hurried out. The car drove off, leaving me surrounded by the cold winter air. I inhaled deeply, and the icy air sank into my lungs, making my chest ache.
I stepped inside the building, and as the automatic doors closed behind me, the noise from outside vanished at once. The lobby was quiet. The polished floor reflected the dim lights, and the elevator stood waiting at the end of the hall. I reached out to press the button, but then I thought of my phone.
My parents. I had told them I was coming home today. They were probably waiting. I took out my phone and dialed their number. After a moment, a familiar voice answered.
“Son! Are you here already?”
It was my mom. Her excited voice made my heart sink. For a second, I couldn’t answer. I forced myself to take a breath.
“Mom, I’m sorry. I don’t think I can make it home tonight.”
“Why? Did something happen?”
I closed my eyes briefly, then spoke a lie shaped to sound like the truth.
“After the performance at Gwanghwamun, I think I caught a cold from the weather. I’m not feeling great, so I’ll rest tonight and take a taxi in the morning.”
There was a pause on the other end. I could feel her trying to hide her disappointment. Then, her voice returned, softer and forcedly cheerful.
“Your health comes first. Don’t worry about us. Just rest well, okay?”
I whispered “I’m sorry” in my heart, but aloud, all I could manage was a small, “Okay.”
Then my dad’s voice came from beside her.
“Son, call me when you wake up in the morning. I’ll come pick you up.”
“…Okay. Thank you.”
I couldn’t say anything more and ended the call. Closing my eyes for a moment, I let out a long breath. What on earth was I doing?
[11:56]
When I opened my eyes again, the time glowing on the screen made my decision for me. I pressed the elevator button. The light came on, and as I watched it slowly descend, I exhaled deeply.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
