A/N: Finally introducing Soobin in this one :)

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Kyung-seok left again, thankfully. He would not be back for another couple of months now. I would finally enjoy the peace and solace of his absence. 

Miso-unnie came in early for work today. She made breakfast and then hurried to take Ahyeon for a stroll around the neighbourhood. I usually spend time with Ahyeon on days off, but I selfishly wanted to enjoy today to heal myself. 

I felt like taking my car out for a drive, but the bothersome reporters had already learned my entire car collection. And I did not want anyone on my tail. This needed to be a "me" moment. 

I threw on a large hoodie and pulled the cap over my hair, which I had tied in a messy low bun. There were loose hair strands here and there but I did not mind them. Then, I grabbed a crossbody bag and exited the house. 

I escaped through the backyard and slid my headphones on while I blasted Stray Kids' 'LALALALA'. I looked down at the pavement to avoid attention, and quietly made my way to the park. It felt so ironic to blast rock music when you physically seemed so calm. 

The sky was dark grey, and it looked ready to rain. It got me contemplating how even nature had its way of expressing emotions. One can't absorb without releasing; there comes a time when it all needs to be let go. I found myself wondering when that moment would arrive for me.

 I wanted Ahyeon to grow up before I broke her heart. Sometimes, it's just... okay to not be okay, when everything you do is for your daughter to smile. As I looked up to the angry sky, I silently cursed myself for forgetting the umbrella, but I refused to go back home.

As soon as I walked into the park, a slight drizzle started making its way down. I looked up and smiled. I held out my palm in front of me, and let the raindrops gently fall onto them. I also lowered down the hood to expose myself even more to the gentle caress of nature.

Every drop that hit my skin felt like a blessing from above, slowly turning me into a state of oblivion about my mental health. 

The park could not have been a better experience. Even the people started leaving it immediately as soon as the drizzle started.

It was a pity to see them escape from a place that is so peaceful just because of the rain because ironically, it only added to the perfection to me. 

I mentally shrugged and made my way down the scarlet path, leading myself deeper into the park. The bricks beneath my feet had reached its end. So I started walking back along that same path. Halfway to the exit gate, droplets hit my clothes with a harsh force, each once stronger and quicker than the last. 

It felt like someone was throwing small pebbles at me. Within seconds, a blinding spray filled the atmosphere. I shielded myself with the crossbody bag but it was not enough. The rain was like a veil, blurring my view of the world behind it. 

It was pouring from the sky now. They hit me with full force, and I was slowly getting drenched under it. My bag would not keep me dry anymore.

Suddenly, it stopped. No more raindrops hitting me. No more hissing at their harshness. Maybe the people who left the park knew this was coming. Nature had once again, left me in wonder. 

I slowly opened my eyes and lowered my crossbody bag down. I looked up to see a black umbrella shielding me from the rain. 

A man was holding it. He was tall and unbelievably... handsome. However, I mentally cursed myself for thinking that. 

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As the drizzle was hitting me softly. They suddenly metamorphosed into sharp, painful raindrops hitting my skin ever-so-harshly. I opened my umbrella and began to walk towards the exit of the park. 

I heard the sound of someone running. It looked like they were on the verge of slipping against the red bricks under them. I whipped my head to the back to see a woman running towards me. Her eyes were closed and she held a bag over her head; which was not doing much to keep her safe from the heavy rain. 

I cautiously approached her and held my umbrella over her head. Her dark hair was drenched from the rain, and her clothes were soaked through. The hoodie she wore was completely wet. That was when I noticed something unusual — a spot around her collarbone that wasn't her usual skin colour. The rain couldn't have caused that; it looked like a bad bruise. She opened her eyes and looked up at me. They were clear and innocent. It felt like they screamed for help, but no one to rescue them. 

 As soon as she noticed me glancing at her collarbone, she quickly covered it. "Thank you," she muttered, then tucked her hands into the kangaroo pockets of her hoodie.

 I decided to overlook her bruise; it happens to everyone, after all. 

"You looked like you needed it more than I did," I said with a slight chuckle. We began walking alongside each other. 

As the walk was awkwardly silent, I tried to bring up questions to ease the tense situation. But every time I glanced at her from above, a sudden wave of a tingling sensation washed through me and I was unbelievably weak in front of her. I wanted to suppress the feeling, but my heart got the best of me. She was indeed gorgeous. 

"Do you live around here? I've never seen you before," she stated, sliding the strap of her crossbody bag around her.

Her sudden remark caught me off-guard, breaking me from my trance. "No, actually, I live around 30 minutes from here. I was just passing by."

She nodded slightly. "My house is just over the corner."

It came to my realisation that this is quite an expensive neighbourhood. But I quickly put down the thought. Money was just a status in this world, it never set the bar for anyone's personality. 

I did not want to leave her after that. There was something about her that made me want to deepen our relationship. From strangers to friends then maybe we could be... 

"Why are you thinking this? One meeting and this is how weak you get? Just get yourself together," My inner voice snapped at me. I was startled at first, but it was the truth anyway. 

We shared a few opinions until we reached the end of the park. The rain had calmed down slightly. And we were standing in front of my car. I hesitated whether to give her the umbrella and let her walk home or give her a ride home instead.

"Do you think I could return your favour with a cup of hot chocolate?"

I was ecstatic inside. A short, but sweet smile made its way to my lips, and I said, "Yeah, why not?"

"I'm Soobin, you?"

"Seori."

"Your name is beautiful..." 

I could feel her smiling. She would probably hate me for what I was about to do. I might have already lost her; right after knowing her. I was afraid this would be the last thing I said to her. 

But this was my only chance, now or never. "Just do it," said the inner voice. 

"C-could I have your number?"

"What an idiot!" It was the voice again; I felt like I was making fun of myself. 

My heart was thumping against my stomach. I looked at her with regret taking over me. I wanted to turn to my car and leave immediately. I was not ready for the rejection. 

She looked up at me, startled by my sudden request. I could see how she was contemplating whether to give her number to me or not. 

But then, she drew out her phone from her pocket and said, "Give me yours instead."

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A/N: If you don't vote, I will haunt you at night. 

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