She's sitting cross-legged in her living room. Wearing a baby blue hoodie, she looked exactly like how she was when he first met her. She grabbed her cat, Leo, and hugged him close to her cheek. Her blonde bangs peeks out messily as she kissed the poor cat that's struggling our of her hold. She looks up to him and smiled, squeezing those big brown eyes and soft cheeks that he adores so much.

Now she's in the kitchen – wearing a white shirt that looked too big on her – and nothing else. Must be his! He peeked over to see what she's making. Pancakes. He hugs her from behind and she laughed, struggling to be let out. When she failed, she turns around and plants a kiss on his nose.

Jungkook woke up to the sound of his alarm. Hmm...that was a good dream... He stretches his limbs out on the bed. Finally! A day when I'm not late and attacked by a freaking migraine! See why you should stop drinking on a weekday? Yeah, yeah – whatever! He pulls himself up and took off his shirt to shower. He halted when he stepped on a paper. Aish...

9-12-01.

He frowned. Why is this number so familiar? Is it a date that he was supposed to remember? But it's July – that doesn't add up... It can't be a phone number, there's not enough digits. It seemed more like a house number...who's house though? Couldn't be his neighbours – all their units have alphabets at the front.

He tries hard to recall. He knew this from somewhere – it bugs the hell out of him that he can't rem –

Jungkook stood frozen for a second or two. Then in full speed he ran across the room and out to the elevator. His anxious feet shook itself, waiting impatiently for the door to open and when it does – he pressed 'L' repeatedly as if it would somehow make the thing move faster. When it opens again to the lobby foyer, he ran towards the concierge. The guy looks at him weirdly – probably because he's topless – but he didn't care.

"The girl you said gave this to you – did she tell you her name?"

"Um...no sir,"

Jungkook paced in small steps – back and forth.

"Do you remember what she looks like?"

The guy looks up, trying to recall – but shook his head apologetically. Jungkook sighed. "Oh...I can't remember her exact features, but I remember thinking 'she looks like a doll!' – you know...one of those kids' collectibles...with big eyes –"

"Hah!" Jungkook laughed out and the guy jumped a little. "She does right? Really pretty right?!" Why are you shouting – the guy's gonna call for help if you don't stop! "Thank you! I could kiss you – "

"That's not necessary sir –"

...

He wipes the few drop of sweats with the back of his hand. The elevator dings and halts, then opens to reveal the corridor. His eyes wanders too fast, scanning around as his feet makes their way to the left and the door. He looks up to the plate. 9-12-01. It's her! It's definitely from her! But..where's the cat-vase?

The front door seems empty. Oh no...is he too late?! Jungkook pressed the bell once, then for the second time when no one opened it. He knocked anxiously, repeatedly. Still – no sign of anyone. He groaned, placing both hands in his hair. You're late – you're too fucking late! She probably moved everything out already! Told you not to drink so much on a week – shut the fuck up!!

It was always a little early – a little surprising – a little late. Nothing was 'just right' from the very beginning, isn't it? He knew this. He should be moving on, remember? Why is he still nervous as if he's expecting more? After everything he had said to her, she probably came to say goodbye properly – or to shout back at him. Well...she was right to leave without any words before. He didn't think he'd be able to let her go if she were to be there...in front of him.

The bruise on his elbow started to throb. He was so nervous since earlier – dismissing the pain the whole way through. He hadn't used his bike for a while - always moving here and there with his car – but he needed to get here fast and the bike is the best mode of transportation at peak hours like this. Safe to say he got a little rusty at handling it so he fell when he turned the accelerator a little too hard. Thank God it happened at the garage. He might have to check and get rid of the CCTV footage later to save himself from any future embarrassment.

The elevator dings again, opening the door for him. With his eyes fixed on the floor – tears of disappointment building up as his mind repeatedly cursed to the universe or fate or whatever the fuck it was that had brought him here in the first place – he took the steps forward. It was all a game isn't it? And he's the character that's been controlled – pushing him there and pulling him here...it was all just a cruel joke –

The pair of Timberlands stopped right in front of him, blocking his path. Nice shoes...my ex-girlfriend used to have those –

Big, brown eyes gaze into his. Jungkook felt his heart skipped a beat, just like it did the first time he saw her at the bar. Her lips parted with a slight gasp, probably surprised to find him there. She's here...she's really here! She took little, slow steps – they weren't even that far from each other, why the hell is everything moving so slow?! Jungkook wanted to run but his legs wouldn't move. He's pinned there and his eyes never left hers. She's holding a brown bag on her chest, with what seems to be groceries in it. When she finally reach to him, her free hand tucks a strand of her ash brown hair behind her ear.

"Hi," Her voice is small as always. Her soft cheeks puffed out when she smiles nervously at him – looking adorable...as always. Jungkook couldn't speak. It's like there's a lump stuck on his throat. "I was just about to make lunch – oh my God – your hand!" She gasped and pointed to his left hand. Jungkook still couldn't move. His eyes are fixed on her, as if hypnotised – or mesmerised by every little features. The slight sun light landed on her hair and right cheeks as she scrambles in her bag for the keys. Everything is moving in slow-motion for him. But she's all that he sees and she looks so beautiful...

Next thing he knows, he'd been dragged into her apartment and she sat him down on the couch while she – still looking like a slow trance in his eyes – runs around from the kitchen to place the brown bag, to one of the drawers that he had never seen before. She took out a little white box and came back, sitting so close beside him. Her eyes are looking down and focused to his elbow. Her soft fingers held on to his wrist, examining the cuts. Then she left it untouched for a while as she took out a few cotton pads and a bottle with yellow liquid in them. Just like the expert that she was when he first met her, she poured just enough amount and dabs on the back of his elbow – with her other hand holding back his wrist in place.

"Aigoo..." She repeatedly hissed and pouted, as if she's feeling the pain with every little dabs. Jungkook didn't realize when he started crying, but is now vaguely aware that a tear has reached the base of his neck. It's definitely not from the scratched and bruised elbow. She's here...is this a dream? Or maybe it's heaven? Is his body still at the garage, pinned under his bike? Did he hit his head or something -

"Why can't you look out for yourself...how many times have you hurt yourself in the past 2 years? Tell me the truth!" When he didn't respond, she continues her rantings, still focused on his elbow and lower arm. "You seriously have no regards for yourself – punching lamp posts, riding without helmets or jackets on – I can't always be there the second you get injured you know –" She looks up and her frown softens, replaced with panic in her eyes. "It really hurts?"

Jungkook didn't know what got over him but he pulls her in an instant, crashing his face onto her shoulders with his hard sobs. He felt her arms circling around neck and she caresses the back of his hair gently, hushing him in slow whispers. Please stay this time...please stop leaving me...

"I'm here...don't cry, I'm here," She breathed, as if she could hear his heart pleading.

...

It feels like his heart's about to leap out of his chest and jumps in circles – celebrating the joy that she's really back here! He placed both hands in his pockets as he walked and study from one section to another. She had hung up pictures on the walls of the hallway – one with her mom and dad, one of her when she was little, and more of the three of them together. There are few new furnitures in here, presumably those from her old house. She finally took them out!

There are also few boxes at the corner of the living room and Jungkook took a peek. Looks like clothes. He turned to the balcony where the cages and cats are back. Luca and Lily are soundly sleeping. Lily's gotten so big now! Leo – fat as always, is staring at him with enlarged pupils looking cute as a button – and Jungkook went over to release the guy. Told you I'll make it up to you! On the other side of the balcony he found a few paint buckets – is she gonna paint the house?

"Um...lunch is ready," She appeared behind the sliding door – signalling him to come in and he nods.

They sat at the kitchen counter facing each other. He's not sure why – but he felt shy. It's like it's the first time he's ever here! She made her infamous Pad Thai – the one she never got to finish making 2 years ago, being distracted by Jungkook himself. He smiles to himself at the memory of that day. The day they had their first kiss...

"How is it?" She looks to him nervously when he took his first bite. She can feed him rocks and he'd still say it's the best meal ever – but the Pad Thai actually taste good! It's clearly shown on his face and she smiled – looking happy with herself.

"When did you move the things here?" He asked, taking another spoonful to his mouth. God, he's hungry!

"Tuesday. I called your dad when I was in Osaka and he helped me call a mover to sort it out," Oh...she kept in touch like she promised to! Is it really a surprise to you? He nods, feeling slightly jealous that she called his father but not him.

"When did you get here?"

"Monday. I tried calling you but you didn't pick up. Your dad gave me your office number but your assistant said you were busy so I didn't wanna bother you. I went to your apartment a couple of times but you weren't there and they can't let me wait for you...you were really working late huh?" Yeah...working late at the bar – shut up, she doesn't have to know that! "I'm sorry – you can get back to work after this,"

Her smile is so genuine and Jungkook wanted to slap himself for being so self-engulfed. She had been trying to reach out to him for almost a week while he's out getting drunk and pissing people off! Perhaps all of the suffering could've been avoided if he hadn't been too emotional about things. But come on, how could he not –

"I'm not busy anymore. I already told the office that I'm not coming in today," That's a lie but who's gonna question him?

She nods quietly. Come on, just ask her! You know you want to!

"So...how – how long are you staying for?" He rubs the sweat on his left palm on the jeans of his thigh.

She looks down to her plate and lets out a nervous laugh. "Um...I um...don't know yet,"

What does that mean? I need a clear-cut answer!! 

"I um...I'll try to look for a job first. See how it goes from there..."

"You quit your job in Osaka?" His heart beats faster.

She nods. "I quit when I got back...of course, it took 2 weeks for me to hand over and settle everything there and arranging to move my things back here," Jungkook hears fireworks in his mind. "I spoke to Jisoo unnie...she told me about her friend's agency looking to hire a photographer –"

"Or you can work at my company! I told you I wanted to open a department..." His words trailed when he saw her putting down the fork in her hand. Oh yeah...she didn't want his help... "Sorry...it's okay, you can do whatever you want –"

"When's the interview?"

He looks back up and finds her smiling. "Hmm?" Baby, you don't need an interview – it's my damn company and I can do whatever I please with it –

"I will go for an interview, show my portfolio...and if you find me good enough – and if your offer is good, I might consider," She smirks. If my offer is good – hah! - the nerve of this girl! I'll give you the world even if you never asked for it!

"Wow...okay...I must warn you though – I'm quite selective on who I hire,"

"I'm sure you are," Did she just winked at me?! Jungkook's fingers twitched, itching to squeeze her cheeks and kiss her like there's no tomorrow!

...

"Why are these here?" He points to the pillows and duvet on the armchair. He's sitting on the couch as she placed a glass of juice on the coffee table for him.

"Oh...I'm painting the bedroom so for the time being, I'm sleeping on the couch. Sorry everything's a bit of a mess," She gestured to the entire living room. Guilt crept up in his chest. If only he had been sober a few nights ago, then he would've been here much earlier and help her with everything.

"And those?" He points to the boxes.

"Those are...my parents' clothes. I sorted a few that I wanted to keep...you know, just for memories. I haven't decided yet – I thought of donating them, but some looks a bit worn-out. I don't wanna just throw them away," Jungkook's heart fell.

"You should ask my mom. She did some charity work before, she can definitely share with you on some of the places that might need them,"

"Okay..." She sat down on the couch with him – a little too far from his reach, but he's not brave enough to do anything about it. "Thanks...I'll give her a call,"

"Does she know you're here?"

"Yeah...I spoke to her whenever I called ahjussi," Ahjussi...she should be calling his father 'dad' by now really! "But I haven't had the chance to see them yet. She asked me to come over to the house when I've settled in. She wanted to send her maids –" Lisa covers her mouth as she laughed. "I said it's okay. There's so much stuff I needed to sort out form the warehouse, I wouldn't know how to guide them if they were to help,"

Jungkook understands. These things are valuable and personal to her, and it's probably the first time that she actually had to go through – one by one – since her mother's death. The fact that she did it alone makes him sad.

"So how much more do you have to do?"

"Mmm...I'm done painting the bedroom. I'm just waiting for the walls to dry off. I'm looking to get a built-in fixture for the other room...maybe to convert it into a work room or something. Put my cameras and computer there. I probably need a shelf too for my books,"

"We can go and find those tomorrow. I'll bring you," He offered. He'd do anything to be a part of this transition she's going through. "Let's go see it," He got up immediately and heads towards the room that was left empty before. She follows behind him.

He pressed on the switch and the light flickered.

"Um...I need to replace that too," She spoke behind him.

"I'll get it fixed tomorrow. Just need to change the bulb," She didn't object and he walks in further, memorising the walls and its corners. Probably about 12 feet high... "You want the fixture here? Covering the entire wall?" He pointed to the wall on his right and she nodded. "I'll call up this contractor. He did some work for our family before –"

He felt her arms circling around from his back and his heart accelerates. 

"Thank you...for coming..."

Jungkook's shoulders hunched as he sighed. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry I'm late," He turned and pulls her in an embrace. "I should've gotten here sooner...I'm sorry you had to do it alone," He breathes in her hair.

"You were so mad at me...I thought you'd never come," She sounded like she's sobbing and his heart breaks a little.

"Shh...I'm here now...and you're here now..." He held her at arms length. Does she not know how important she is in his life? He'd give up almost anything to go to her – in a heart beat!

"I'm not..." A tear fell across her cheek, and it seemed like she's trying hard to suppress her emotions. "I'm not good with words. I wanted to tell you I'm sorry...and that you were right. I didn't mean to hurt you that way – I...I was only teasing you when I said that. I should've been more sensitive. And about the wedding...it's not that I didn't want to say 'hi' to you...I just...I saw you holding hands with another girl – when I first got there...I thought that it was your wife...and I couldn't – I couldn't look cus it was too painful for me..."

He wanted to stop her and tell her that it's okay...that she didn't have to explain – but he lets her speak anyways. She needs to open up to him, let out her frustrations like he did to her. If they're gonna start over, they need to leave the past behind without any questions being left unanswered. It's not just for her – he needs to force himself to hear it too.

"I missed you all the time when I was there. I wanted to run back to you so many times – but I couldn't. I didn't want to ruin the relationship you have with your mom. When I spent time with her that day, she told me how much she loves me. And how she wanted me to love her back. She kept apologizing – the fact that she has my mother's heart instead of my own mother being here with me, and it breaks my heart. It wasn't their fault – I...I never thought of it that way. I told her I never blamed them for anything. It was an accident...it could happen to anyone and I don't want them to feel like they owe their lives to me. That's why I always hesitated when they wanted to help – I felt like every single thing they did, they did it because they felt bad for me,"

"But I realised that day – we both cried so much," Lisa laughed in her sobs. "I know they did those things cus they really cared. Ahjumma told me about your dad's trauma...I never knew about it before. He never said anything – like he needed me around to help him overcome it...all the while I thought – I thought it was that...that he felt like paying me back. Hence, the house – the pocket money. He's strong – your dad. He always seemed a bit strict and distant. I didn't know that he needed my help, I'm sorry..."

"I've already made up my mind about...you know...moving here. When ahjumma told me everything, I don't know why...but I wanted so much to be here, to be near them...to be with you. They're the closest to parents I have now – I realised that that day. I wanted to let you know that I'll come back...that I'm gonna pack everything and move back here – but you were so angry that night. I can understand that. I'm sorry for hiding all these things from you – making you wait for so long. I wasn't planning on leaving you – I can't, I knew I can't do it! I thought we'd talk about how things are gonna work, you know...like I'd visit you here and maybe you can come visit me there – I don't know! But I knew for sure that I can't leave you again...not unless you wanted me to,"

"You always fought for me – trying your best to understand and keep up with me – I know that. And I know I'm not good at expressing my love to you – not as how you deserved at least. I'm so weak at that, I know...I just don't know the right way to do it. You're the first guy I've ever loved – I've never been in a relationship before so I just didn't know how to do things and I'm so stupid at that –"

Jungkook cuts her off with a kiss. Her heartfelt confession brought warmth in his chest and he's already overwhelmed with having her here, finally back home to him! Her lips are soft and sweet, despite the slight salty taste of her tears. She clenched his shirt in her palms, pulling him closer before wrapping her arms around his neck – tip-toeing a little as if she could reach to his height. 

Their kiss turned more passionate – as if they couldn't get enough of each other – pulling each other closer as if it took them a lifetime to be here together.

...