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Chapter 13 - The Warmth Within The Cold

He walks towards the backside of the office. A woman rests her arms on the metal reeling. He could hear sniffles from afar.

His brows furrow and eyes widen "Ms. Jennifer?"

Water drops could be seen falling… but it wasn't the rain from the sky. It was the storm stirred in the heart.

She turns her head facing him. Her lashes were drenched in tears. The cheeks flushed and breath disheveled.

[What happened to her? Why did things end up this way?]

Han Gyeol steps forward. His brows twist upwards as his eyes open wide, "Did something happen?"

A few moments earlier, Jennifer stood by the window as she heard her phone ringing. "Mom? What could she want to talk about at this time?". Her fingers tapped across the screen. "Hello? Mom, how are you?". Her mother shifts in her seat, "I need to go to the mall to get some things." She fidgeted with her hand, her gaze flickering around. "I don't want to disappoint you but I don't think I can take you to the mall. It's hard enough to manage the workplace environment." The mother raises her voice, her voice shrilling, "You all just don't have any time for me!". Her muscles twitched and she shook her head, "No, it's not like that. I just can't bear the loudness and the brightness off the mall-". Her eyes widened, jaw clenching ever so slightly, "This is what I get after going through childbirth? I should never have given birth to you!". The call ends. Jennifer's heart dropped, her hands shivering. The moment ended leaving her devastated.

Tears began to fall uncontrollably, her hands clenched, "I… I have no idea where to start."

Han Gyeol feels his chest tighten. He blinks repeatedly, his fist clenching his heart.

[I've never seen her like this. Why does my heart ache so much?]

He takes out a napkin, reaching out to her face. His hand stops.

[I should probably be more careful.]

"Here. It's all right." He puts his hand forward.

[Why did he come now out of all time?]

Her shaking hand clasps onto the napkin.

"Thank you." Her lips quiver, eyes blinking slowly.

He raises his hand towards her. His mind refuses yet the heart opposes the mind. His hand clenches, moving backward.

The napkin rubs against her face as she exhales deeply, "Why does love hurt so much? Yet I still can't loathe it."

His head tilts as his tone softens, "You can tell me if you're comfortable."

She clenches her fist, "Despite knowing the behavior that person tells about its roots in their insecurities, I still feel wounded. Abandoned."

[I never knew that she could be deeply hurt. Perhaps I was too caught up in my misery…]

She fiddles her fingers, her eyes facing downwards, "What hurts more is that I can't leave that person even if I want to. All I can do is to keep a distance."

She moves her head, her eyes meeting his, "Am I the bad one just because I didn't do one thing I was asked for? Even if I've been doing other things for that person?"

[Who in the world… did this to you, Ms. Jennifer?]

He could almost feel his own eyes moisten at her disheveled sight. As if a lamp extinguished in the dark.

His gaze softens, "When life gets unbearable, just lean on me or someone close to you."

[I can't see you others in pain. Why do I have to be so sensitive?]

A smile ignites on her face, "I appreciate your support but you already seem to have a lot on your plate. I do not wish to burden you with my emotions."

His brows twitch in confusion, eyes narrowing, "But, why? Didn't you say something similar?"

Letting out a sigh, she chuckles, "I'm the Psychologist and you're the client here. Fret not. I'll be all right."

[Her smile is identical to the first flower of spring.]

Han Gyeol's lip's corner tilts upwards, "But don't doctors catch colds as well?"

Her lips purse, "Well... Have you ever witnessed a patient treating the doctor?"

"Okay, you got me there. The victory is yours." He grins ear to ear.

"Excuse me for a minute. Please stay here I'll be back." He stands up on his feet and walks towards the right.

[He's a decent person or maybe he is acting like one. Nonetheless, it was comforting.]

Her hand brushes against her bangs. She exhales and gazes at the sky.

The sound of footsteps could be heard towards her. She turns to see Han Gyeol standing next to her breathing heavily. Han Gyeol carries an ice pack in his hand.

"Your eyes may hurt after crying. This will help with the puffiness." He puts his hands forward.

[How considerate. They don't make more men like this.]

"Thank you.", she rests the ice pack on her sore eyes.

"Did you know that massive stars either become a white dwarf or a black hole? When that time arrives, choose to be a dwarf instead.

"What does it mean? I can't quite understand it." Han Gyeol rubs the back of his neck and narrows his eyes.

Clasping her hands, she passes a gentle smile, "Black holes consume everything in their proximity. Even a single photon. Whereas, a white dwarf symbolizes the past existence of a massive star."

He nods thoughtfully as her lips curve, "So, the white dwarf is harmless and exists as a memory of the star?"

His eyes dart up to the sky, blinking slowly," When that time arrives, I'll make sure to remember this."

[I'll make sure to remember you.]

Jennifer looks at her watch and her eyes shoot up, "Uh oh- I think I may need to return to work. Thank you again.

Her lips curve up subtly yet contagiously. His head moves in approval. She walks towards the office, creating a breeze in the air. His eyes droop subtly as he watches her leave.

[I wish I could take away all of her pain.]

His feet begin to move towards the marketing team office. Upon entering, he witnesses Jennifer preparing others to leave the office.

A moment of realization hits Han Gyeol like a truck, leaving his eyes widened, "Oh no! How could I forget this?".