Chapter 39 Episode 39

Chapter 39 Episode 39
Chapter 39

Night slowly fell over the city. The streetlights turned on one by one, while the atmosphere inside Ken’s apartment felt quieter than usual. His work suit had already been taken off and was lying carelessly on the living room sofa. Ken stood in front of the minibar while pouring water into a glass, then glanced at his phone that had been sitting on the table for a while.

One message from Emeli was still open on the screen.

\[I’ll be home a little late, I’m hanging out with my college friends.\]

Ken’s gaze lingered on the chat for a few seconds.

Then he replied shortly.

\[What time will it end?\]

Not long after, a reply came in.

\[Not sure yet. Don’t wait for me.\]

The corner of Ken’s lips lifted slightly.

Strangely enough, this time he believed her just like that.

“At least she asked for permission…” he muttered softly while putting down his glass.

That day had been exhausting, even for him. His emotions going up and down because of Emeli had made his head feel full. So when he read the message, he chose not to make anything more out of it.

Meanwhile, at her old house, Emeli had just finished changing clothes. She was wearing a simple cream-colored dress with a thin cardigan that made her appearance look softer than usual.

She stood in front of the mirror for a few seconds while fixing her hair.

“Thank goodness he believed it…” she muttered in relief.

If Ken found out she was going to meet Aric tonight, Emeli could not imagine what would happen.

Her phone vibrated again.

Aric’s name appeared on the screen.

Emeli immediately answered it quickly. “Hello?”

“Are you ready?” Aric’s voice sounded from the other side.

Emeli smiled faintly. “I’m about to leave now.”

“Sorry if I’m a little late.”

“You’re still at the hospital?”

“Yeah.” Aric sounded like he let out a small sigh. “There was still a patient I had to handle earlier.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll try to be quick.”

Emeli walked over to grab her small bag. “Relax. I was just about to leave too.”

Aric chuckled softly. “Alright then. Be careful on the way.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“Stop calling me doctor all the time.”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Hm…” Aric seemed to think for a few seconds. “Maybe call me darling?”

Emeli’s face instantly turned red. “Aric!”

The man’s laughter sounded soft and warm. “I’m joking.”

“You’re annoying.”

“Alright, go ahead and leave first.”

“Okay.”

The call ended with Emeli feeling much lighter.

However, before she could put her phone into her bag, the screen lit up again.

Victor calling.

Emeli instantly froze.

“Oh my God…” she muttered softly.

She hesitated for a few seconds before finally answering the call.

“Hello?”

“What are you doing?” Victor’s voice sounded casual as usual.

“Just relaxing.”

“Have you had dinner yet?”

Emeli bit her lip softly. “Not yet…”

Victor was silent for a moment before asking again, “Want to eat together?”

Deg.

Emeli immediately closed her eyes for a moment.

Why did everything have to happen at the same time like this?

“Victor…” she said carefully. “I’m really tired today.”

Her voice was soft, but clear enough as a gentle rejection.

Victor did not answer immediately.

“Okay,” he finally said. “Just rest then.”

Emeli instantly felt bad. “Sorry…”

“There’s no need to apologize.” Victor chuckled softly. “I was just asking you to eat, not asking you to marry me.”

Emeli laughed softly hearing that.

“But seriously, don’t work yourself too hard.”

“Okay.”

“If anything happens, tell me.”

“Okay, Victor.”

A few seconds of silence passed before Victor spoke softly again, “Am I bothering you?”

“No.”

“Alright then. Have fun tonight.”

That sentence made Emeli tense slightly.

“Hmm…”

But Victor did not ask any further. “Good night, Emeli.”

“Good night.”

The call finally ended.

Emeli stared at her phone screen for a few seconds before letting out a long sigh.

“Why do I suddenly feel guilty…”

But she quickly shook her head lightly and left her apartment before her thoughts became even more chaotic.

Not long after, Emeli arrived at a fairly large and crowded city park. The place was filled with warm park lights, the voices of small children, and couples casually walking along the pedestrian path.

This used to be her favorite place.

The place where she often came with Aric when they were still dating.

Emeli sat on one of the park benches while staring at the small pond in front of her. The night breeze softly brushed against her face.

Without realizing it, the corner of her lips slowly lifted.

Her thoughts began drifting back to the past.

Back then, she was still wearing an oversized campus jacket while running through the same park.

“Aric! Don’t cheat!”

Aric’s laughter sounded clearly behind her. “The loser treats!”

“You’re the guy, you should let me win!”

“Since when was there a rule like that?”

Emeli laughed while running away from Aric, who was chasing her while carrying bubble soap balloons.

Pop.

One of the bubbles burst right in front of her face, making Emeli reflexively close her eyes while laughing in amusement.

“Aric!”

“You look so pretty when you laugh.”

“What a flirt.”

“I’m serious.”

And as usual, Aric only laughed while moving closer.

Another memory appeared.

When it suddenly started raining and Emeli complained that her legs hurt from walking too long.

“I’m tired…” she whined back then.

Aric, who was standing in front of her, immediately crouched down casually. “Come on, get on.”

Emeli widened her eyes. “No way.”

“Hurry up.”

“I’m heavy.”

“What, are you a sack of rice?”

Emeli immediately pinched Aric’s shoulder in annoyance before finally climbing onto his back anyway.

And throughout the journey, Aric kept carrying her while grumbling softly because Emeli was too talkative.

Those memories felt so warm that they made Emeli’s chest tighten on its own.

She slowly opened her eyes again.

The atmosphere of the park became clear in front of her once more.

But everything was different now.

Emeli smiled faintly while lowering her head slowly.

“I can’t possibly go back to those times…”

Not because her feelings had disappeared.

Precisely because her feelings were still there.

And that was what made everything feel more complicated.

“Sorry…”

“What are you apologizing for?”

That voice immediately made Emeli raise her head.

Aric stood not far in front of her while smiling warmly. The black shirt he was wearing made his appearance look even neater and more mature tonight.

And as always… handsome.

For some reason, Emeli still always felt nervous whenever she looked at him.

“Aric…” she muttered softly.

The man walked closer and sat beside her. “Sorry for making you wait so long.”

Emeli quickly shook her head. “It wasn’t long.”

“You’re lying.” Aric glanced at his wristwatch briefly. “I’m almost thirty minutes late.”

“You’re a doctor. I’m already used to it.”

Aric chuckled softly. “That’s really pitiful for you.”

Emeli smiled too.

For a few seconds, they simply sat in silence enjoying the atmosphere of the park that night.

Aric then slowly turned to her. “How was your first day at work?”

Emeli let out a long sigh. “Exhausting.”

“That bad?”

“A lot of drama.”

Aric frowned slightly. “Did someone bother you?”

Emeli reflexively remembered Ken.

His sharp gaze.

His embrace inside the elevator.

And the rough kiss in the car earlier that afternoon.

Emeli’s heart instantly beat strangely.

But she quickly shook her head lightly. “No… I’m just adjusting.”

Aric looked at her for a few seconds as if trying to read her thoughts.

“But you don’t look happy.”

“I’m not.”

“Hm…” Aric smiled faintly. “Then tonight, don’t think about work first.”

Emeli turned to look at him. “Then what should I think about?”

Aric looked at her for a long moment before answering softly, “Just think about me.”