An Old Story 018

Dongjoo wondered who would be at the door. He wasn't expecting anyone at all.

"Coming." He lazily walked to the door and answers it.

"Good morning, sir. I am the manager of this hotel. I apologize for interrupting but you must evacuate this room immediately." The man at the door said calmly.

"We just detected a gas leak in our hotel. I'm sorry to disturb, but for your safety, you should get out of the hotel immediately."

"Alright." Dongjoo nodded and the man bowed. He then left to knock on the next door.

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Dongjoo sat at the table just outside the restaurant. He put the backpacks down by his side, massaging his shoulders.

"What did you bring... It's like bringing the whole house with you! Aish, Jaeygu... "

He looked inside the restaurant. There were a few customers and a waiter or two. But she wasn't there.

One of the waiter came to him and passed him the menu. He didn't feel like eating and he ordered a cup of iced lemon tea.

He took out his notebook and started to look through the news at the main page.

"Here's your tea, sir." Someone put his tea on the table.

"Thanks." He said while browsing through the net, not looking up. The person left to the next table.

Suddenly, he paused. That voice was so familiar.

He looked to the direction the person had gone to. She had her back towards him. He couldn't see her face, but he was certain it was her.

"Seohyun!" he called out to her.

She turned and smiled at him. She signaled to him to wait for five minutes and disappeared into the kitchen.

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"Hello! How's your trip here?" Seohyun was smiling so brightly.

"Really interesting." Dongjoo said with a bit of sorrow tone.

He took a deep breath. Seohyun looked at him with worried eyes.

"What's the matter?" She asked as she pulled out one of the chairs and sat down.

"Seohyun." Dongjoo called her name, both his hands held hers.

"Seohyun, do... do you want to go back to Korea with me?" Dongjoo stuttered with his words.

"What?" Seohyun was surprised but kept her calm.

"Do you want to go back to Korea with me? To start anew. Why don't we start all over again?"

She turned her head away.

"But Dongjoo."

"Please?" Dongjoo still held her small hands.

"I can't. I don't know you." She didn't look at him.

"I have my life here, the restaurant is my dream and Erin too... I'm sorry." She was ready to leave the table but Dongjoo never let go of her hand.

"Seohyun, I'm sorry, I don't know what got over me." Dongjoo knew he couldn't just ask her to just leave everything, but he had to try. He still loves her.

"Seohyun, would you like to go to Korea, maybe just for a week? You're friends never saw you for so many years..."

She stood up and replied, "I'll think about it. I need to work now. So... I'll leave first. Please do enjoy your tea." She bowed and left.