"But, Dad, it really isn't my fault!" Carrie protested, her voice carrying a defensive edge.
"Hmm! Whose fault is it then? The movies you watch? or Vampyres Code?" Mr. Evans teased, raising an amused brow.
"Dad! I feel sorry, okay? Guilty, even! Everywhere I turn, I see jugs and water—it's frustrating!" Carrie exclaimed, dramatically falling back onto her bed with a groan.
"Then just apologize," Mr. Evans suggested with a shrug.
"Apologize?" Carrie sat up, glaring at the ceiling. "I've already done that, Dad! Besides, it would hurt my pride." She added the last part with a hiss, folding her arms like a child.
"You said you were really sorry, didn't you?"
"I am!" she emphasized, a pout forming on her lips. "It's just...ugh. You have no idea how mean and arrogant that lunatic is!"
"The innocent kid had to be baptized again because someone read a novel, Carrie" Mr. Evans deadpanned, barely holding in a chuckle.
"Dad, you're not helping," she whined, rolling onto her stomach.
"Alright, alright. Jokes aside, just apologize properly. You told me you wanted to be independent and responsible—it starts with owning up to your mistakes." His tone shifted to one of firm reason.
Carrie sighed in resignation. "Yes, Dad."
"Good. Now, I've got to go; my meeting's starting soon."
"Okay. Take care of yourself, Dad," Carrie said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"I will," he replied before the line went dead.
Carrie stared at the clock, then let out a frustrated groan, grabbing a pillow and screaming into it with all the pent-up emotion in her chest. After several seconds, she peeked out, muttering, "It's not that hard—just take responsibility." With renewed determination, she hopped off the bed.
Descending the stairs, she hesitated outside Jae-wook's room, her hand poised to knock. However, something caught her eye—the door was slightly ajar. She peeked in, only to freeze.
Jae-wook stood by the mirror, shirtless, droplets of water sliding from his damp black hair onto his broad shoulders. A towel hung loosely around his neck, and while his sculpted physique was enough to steal anyone's breath, it was the scars etched into his back that held her gaze.
Without thinking, Carrie pushed the door open wider, her curiosity overriding her sense of propriety.
"I can't even have privacy now?" Jae-wook said coolly, catching her presence immediately without flinching.
"What...what are those scars for?" Carrie asked softly, her hand instinctively reaching out.
Jae-wook caught her wrist mid-air, his grip firm but not harsh. "None of your business," he snapped, his voice cold as ice. Closing the gap between them, he leaned down slightly, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Dumping water on me wasn't enough? Now you want to take advantage of me too?"
"What?!" Carrie recoiled, flustered. "No! Don't get the wrong idea!" She flailed her arms as if fighting the accusation itself.
"Then why walk in on a half-naked man? and you even tried to touch me, where is your decency?" Jae-wook smirked, teasing her mercilessly.
Carrie's face burned. "I came to apologize for what happened today, okay? It was wrong, and I sincerely mean it. And for the record, your door was open, so this isn't on me!"
"You've already apologized," he replied nonchalantly, reaching for a shirt.
"Are you going somewhere?" Carrie asked, trying to change the subject.
"That's none of your business either. And stop staring—it's indecent." He shot her a sharp look as he pulled the shirt over his head.
"I wasn't staring at you," she muttered, glancing away. "I was staring at the scars." She paused, exhaling. "At least tell me where you're going so I can help if anything happens."
"Pointless." Jae-wook slipped on a hoodie. "I'm just going for a walk."
"Can I come with you?" Carrie asked, clasping her hands together with an innocent smile. "I don't want to stay home alone."
"You have a very disappointing smile," he said dryly, walking toward the door.
"That was mean," Carrie grumbled, trailing behind him.
"So is invading my privacy." Jae-wook sighed.
"Please" Carrie persisted.
"Fine. Walk behind me. No talking."
"Okay!" Carrie chirped, grabbing her coat with excitement.
Jae-wook pinched the bridge of his nose. "This will be the end of me," he muttered as they stepped outside.
---
The quiet of the evening engulfed them, the only sound being the occasional crunch of leaves beneath their feet. Carrie tried to match his pace, but her gaze wandered, taking in the scenery. After a while, she stopped, exhaling softly.
Ahead, Jae-wook continued walking, unaware of her absence thanks to his air pods.
"What a maniac," Carrie muttered, glaring at his back. "I'm only putting up with this nonsense because I'm trying to be responsible!" With a huff, she jogged to catch up.
"You're quieter than usual," Jae-wook remarked, pulling out an air pod. "You'd be less annoying if you were mute." He glanced back, noticing her labored breathing. "Did you run a marathon or something?"
"You didn't even notice you left me behind!" Carrie scoffed rolling her eyes.
Before she could snap again, her gaze landed on a small, empty park. A soft smile replaced her scowl. "It's still the same," she murmured. Turning to Jae-wook, she asked, "Can we stop here? Just for a bit?"
He raised a brow, noting the sincerity in her tone. "Fine. But not long—it's getting late."
"Thank you."
Carrie walked ahead, stopping at a worn wooden bench. "The bench is still here," she said, tracing her fingers along the chipped edges before sitting down.
Minutes passed as she stared at the stars, a faint chuckle escaping her lips. "Aren't they beautiful?" she finally asked, glancing at Jae-wook, who had settled beside her.
"Probably," he replied, casting a disinterested glance upward.
"What do you think they are?"
"Helium and...a bunch of other stuff," he said plainly.
Carrie chuckled, shaking her head. "You're just like my mom." Her voice softened. "She used to bring me here every Sunday when I was little. One night, she asked me what I thought the stars were. I told her they were the souls of our loved ones who'd passed away." Carrie's smile faltered. "She disagreed immediately, told me the souls of our loved ones belong in our hearts—not far away in the sky." She exhaled shakily. "The next day, she was gone. No one told me she had cancer. They wanted to protect my feelings, but...I wish I'd known. I would've spent every moment with her."
For the first time, Jae-wook looked at her without his usual sarcasm. Her pain was palpable, and his throat tightened with an unfamiliar sympathy.
Before he could say a word, Carrie gasped, pointing excitedly. "The ice cream truck!"
Jae-wook blinked, taken aback. "You want some?"
"Absolutely!" she beamed.
They approached the truck, and Carrie's face lit up as she recognized the vendor. "Mr. Angelo!"
"Carrie?!" Mr. Angelo exclaimed. "Look at you! All grown up!"
As they chatted, Jae-wook stood awkwardly, observing the warmth between them.
Later, as they walked back home, Carrie hummed softly, licking her ice cream. Jae-wook glanced at her, a rare, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips.
As the door swung open, Ava and Leo's make-out session hit Carrie and Jae-wook like a brick wall.
Carrie froze for a split second, her eyes widening, then shut them tightly as if shielding herself from the traumatic sight. She muttered under her breath, "Lord, give me strength."
Opening her eyes again, she deadpanned, "You two get a room for heavens sake" waving her hand as though dismissing unruly children.
Ava turned, startled, her lipstick smudged. "Oh, hi, Carrie! I didn't—"
"Save it," Carrie interrupted, already halfway up the stairs. "Some of us still have some dignity left."
Jae-wook, still by the door, let out an exasperated sigh, glaring at the oblivious couple.
"Wait, is that...ice cream?" Leo called out, blinking at Jae-wook's cone like it was an alien artifact. "Where did you two even go?"
Jae-wook shot him a tired glance. "There's your answer." He shoved the half-eaten cone into Leo's hand and trudged off.
"Wait a minute," Leo said, staring at the cone like it held the secrets of the universe. "Both of them? Ice cream? Jae-wook hates ice cream!"
Ava tilted her head, grinning. "Ooh, maybe it was a romantic walk that melted his cold heart."
"Not possible," Leo snorted. "He probably ruined her mood again."
Ava leaned in, pinching his cheeks. "Don't worry, you're still my favorite grump."
Leo rolled his eyes, still holding the cone. "Cute."
From upstairs, Carrie yelled, "I can hear you two, and no, it wasn't romantic! Also, you owe me therapy!"
Jae-wook's voice followed, dry as ever. "And earplugs."