Wonwoo pushed himself away from the tombstone, his movements slow and heavy, as if the weight of his sorrow was physically dragging him down. He couldn't stay there any longer; the stillness of the graveyard, once a place of solace, now felt suffocating. He glanced down at the graves one last time, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"I'll be back soon," he murmured, his voice barely audible, but the promise carried a sincerity that came from deep within. Turning away, he walked back to his car, the crunch of gravel underfoot the only sound in the otherwise quiet cemetery.
Sliding into the driver's seat, Wonwoo let out a long, shaky sigh. He stared at the steering wheel for a moment, unsure of where to go or what to do. The idea of going back to his office felt unbearable—he wasn't ready to return to the monotony of paperwork and meetings. He needed something else, something to dull the ache gnawing at his chest.
Starting the car, he drove aimlessly through the streets, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts he couldn't quite untangle. Eventually, the glowing sign of a nearby 7/11 caught his eye. He pulled into the parking lot, the mundane familiarity of the convenience store offering a strange kind of comfort.
Inside, the fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, and the chill of the air conditioning hit him as he walked toward the refrigerated section. Without much thought, he grabbed a few bottles of soju, paid for them, and left. The glass of the bottles felt oddly grounding in his hands as he got back into his car.
He drove for a long time zoning out from time to time, until he stopped, he sat there for a moment until he realized where he was.
Neoul Park.
Wonwoo frowned, staring out the windshield. "What am I doing here?" he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with disbelief. He didn't even remember driving to the park, but there he was, the familiar scenery spreading out before him.
The park was beautiful in the early morning light. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves shimmering as the sunlight filtered through them. The pathways were lined with vibrant flowers, their colors bright and cheerful. It was the kind of serene, picturesque place that seemed to belong in a dream rather than reality.
"Might as well walk around if I'm here already," Wonwoo said to himself with a resigned shrug. He grabbed his bottles, and stepped out of the car.
As he wandered through the park, the peaceful atmosphere seemed to mock the turmoil inside him. The cheerful chirping of birds and the gentle rustle of leaves felt like a stark contrast to the heaviness that weighed on his soul.
He eventually came across a beautiful fountain, its water sparkling as it caught the sunlight. Wonwoo walked toward it, his steps slow and deliberate. He leaned against the edge of the fountain, the cool stone pressing against his back, and opened a bottle of soju.
Taking a sip, he stared into the cascading water, his thoughts drifting. He didn't notice the tears until they were already streaming down his face, mingling with the soft morning breeze.
He finished one bottle, then another, the alcohol dulling his senses but doing little to ease the ache in his chest. Just as he was about to open the next, a voice interrupted his solitude.
"Hey... are you okay?" she asked gently, her voice soft enough to avoid startling him.
Wonwoo's gaze flickered back to the fountain as he replied curtly, "Yeah."
"Are you sure? Because no one drinks at 10 AM and cries next to a fountain unless something's wrong."
"I'm fine," he repeated, wiping his tears.
"Alright, if you say so," The woman muttered, shrugging her shoulders before turning away and returning to the bench.
Wonwoo watched the woman's retreating figure, a strange mix of relief and regret swirling in his chest. The brief interaction had stirred something within him, a faint tug that he couldn't quite place. He leaned back against the fountain, staring into the rippling water as if it might hold the answers he was seeking. The sound of the water's gentle splashing filled the silence, but it did little to quiet the storm of emotions brewing inside him.
Just as he was about to lose himself in his thoughts again, a familiar voice shattered his quiet moment.
"Hyung!"
Wonwoo turned his head sharply, startled by the sudden intrusion. He saw Chen jogging toward him, his expression a mix of relief and frustration.
"There you are! I finally found you," Chen said, panting slightly. "Why didn't you tell me where you went? I've been looking everywhere!"
"Because I didn't want to," Wonwoo replied flatly, turning back to the fountain and taking another sip of his beer. His tone was dismissive, but it was clear from his posture that he wasn't in the mood to argue.
Chen's brows furrowed as he stepped closer, his voice softening. "Hyung, why are you drinking right now? You never drink. And… you're crying, too." His gaze flickered to the dampness on Wonwoo's cheeks, concern evident in his eyes. "What's wrong? Please, just tell me."
"First of all, I'm not crying," Wonwoo snapped, hastily wiping at his face with the sleeve of his shirt. His movements were rough, as if trying to erase any evidence of his vulnerability. "And second, I'm fine. Can we leave it at that?"
"Hyung…" Chen started, but the cold, detached look in Wonwoo's eyes stopped him in his tracks.
"Let's just go home," Wonwoo said abruptly, pushing himself off the fountain and walking past Chen without another word.
Chen hesitated for a moment before following, his footsteps quickening to match Wonwoo's pace. Despite the warning in Wonwoo's tone, he couldn't help but press on.
"You're clearly not fine," Chen said, his voice laced with worry. "You've been acting strange lately, and now this? Drinking alone in a park at this hour? Hyung, I'm just trying to understand what's going on."
Wonwoo stopped abruptly, turning to face Chen with a cold, piercing stare. His voice was low but firm, each word sharp enough to cut through the tension. "I. Am. Fine. Chen. We are leaving this topic here and now. Do you understand?"
Chen flinched under the intensity of Wonwoo's gaze but nodded reluctantly. "I'm sorry, hyung… I just… I was worried about you. You left so suddenly, and you know you're not supposed to go anywhere without a bodyguard. What if something had happened to you?"
Wonwoo sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He knew Chen's concern came from a good place, but it only added to the suffocating weight he was already carrying. "I can take care of myself," he muttered, turning away again.
The two walked in silence for a while, the tension between them palpable. Chen stayed a step behind, his expression a mix of guilt and determination. He wanted to help, but he also knew when to back off—at least for now.
As they approached Wonwoo's car, Chen finally spoke again, his voice hesitant. "If you ever want to talk… you know I'm here, right?"
Wonwoo didn't respond immediately. He opened the car door and paused, his grip tightening on the handle. Without looking back, he said quietly, "I know."
Chen frowned, watching Wonwoo climb into the driver's seat. Before Wonwoo could start the engine, Chen stepped closer, resting a hand on the car door. "Hold on," he said, his voice firm but kind. "At least let me drive you back. You've been drinking, hyung. Even if you say you're fine, I don't think it's safe for you to drive right now."
Wonwoo turned to look at him, his expression unreadable. For a moment, it seemed like he might argue, his pride and stubbornness flaring up. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back in the seat. "Fine," he said finally, his voice resigned. "You can drive."
Chen exhaled in relief and opened the driver's side door, gently nudging Wonwoo to move over to the passenger seat. "Thanks, hyung," he said softly, sliding into the driver's seat and buckling up.
Wonwoo didn't respond, resting his head against the window as Chen started the car. The hum of the engine filled the silence, and for a while, neither of them spoke. Chen glanced over at Wonwoo occasionally, worry still etched on his face.
"Hyung," Chen ventured after a while, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. "I'm serious about what I said. You don't have to go through this alone. Whatever it is, I'll be here. Always."
Wonwoo didn't turn to look at him, but his fingers twitched slightly in his lap. "I know," he said again, his voice barely above a whisper.
The rest of the drive passed in silence, the weight of unspoken words filling the car. When they finally reached their destination, Chen parked the car and turned to Wonwoo. "Get some rest, okay? And if you need anything, anything at all, just call me."
Wonwoo nodded, opening the door and stepping out. He paused, glancing back at Chen for a brief moment. "Thanks," he said quietly before closing the door and walking toward the house.
Chen watched him go, his heart heavy. He could only hope that someday, Wonwoo would let him in and share the burden he was carrying. For now, all he could do was be there, waiting for the moment when Wonwoo was ready to let his walls down.