[Sim Daejung]

Finally I'm back at the hotel. As much as I loved crashing that wedding, and met some really interesting people, it's time for me to find out Della's current whereabouts. Now that I know Breanna is no longer at Room 304, I still have that absurd hope that she returned there, even if just for a moment.

So, taking advantage of the fact that I have to leave mine for a while due to cleaning, I head to the third floor. I walk by all doors until I find 304. I already knew where it is, it's that I just want to take my time before finding it.

I knock twice, but no-one answers. Unlike the other time, I wait for fifteen minutes. I knock again. Silence. It's time to check at the reception. Maybe they can tell me when she left the hotel, and if she possibly disclosed her future plans.

To my disappointment, no-one is at the check-in counter. Dejected, I return to my room. The only way to find out is to contact her. I need to hear from her one more time, whether I'll see her after the night that awaits me at Rose Nix or not.

I leave her a direct message on Instagram. 'Della, it's me, Daejung. I've been looking for you since earlier this morning. Please let me know if you're okay.' I place my phone on the nightstand and decide to take a nap, knowing I'll be up all night partying and drinking as if my life depended on it.

***

"You can stop pretending, Daejung. Whether you like it or not, we're meant to be together. Accept it." Daehwa's words are more and more ominous. That woman scares me. I can't get rid of her for any reason, even the most serious.

The only way for me to free myself from the ghosts of my past is to get rid of her, once for all. But how can I expect her to understand when she keeps not listening to me? She takes my apparent leniency for granted every time, but this time she's going too far.

"I hate having to chase after you. I want you to admit you have feelings for me. Stop acting all high and mighty because it doesn't work. If anything, it'll make your position even more difficult. You don't want to piss me off, do you?"

This is gaslighting at its finest, but she doesn't realize that. Her empty threats don't scare me. However, instead of being stronger, more confident, I feel like something is breaking inside me. I can't make out if it's my heart or my soul, or both.

She sobs, giving in to desperation. She feels dejected, useless, void of any hope. Does she deserves to be like that, all alone, in despair, with few chances of recovering from this state of resignation? Or does she deserve to be happy the way she wants, in a healthy manner?

"Please... Don't leave me alone... Don't go..." Her face is a valley of tears. I myself can't retain tears anymore. Are we really bound to be apart? What does that entail? Can I accept her as the one for me without feeling broken, as if I'm forced to her?

Instead of walking past her, I pull her in a tight hug. "Stop crying, Daehwa. There's no use in that. What happened in the past... We can't undo it. But we can forget it. But, please, promise me one thing."

"What?" She asks as I wipe her tears. For the first time, she gives me a heartfelt smile. I don't know what sparked a change in her, but I'm glad she's starting to realize that she needs to turn her unhealthy obsession in a genuine feeling.

"Set your obsession aside. I can give you a chance, but you have to prove you can keep your composure around me," I reply in a firm tone. I don't want her to rush or fall back in the same old mistakes. I want her to shine the way she is, without filters.

"I promise." With these two words, this ride to Hell and back is over. Her eyes are no longer clouded by guilt over the past; my soul is free from the burden that has weighed on me for years.

We lean close to one another for a sweet, peaceful kiss.

***

Four whole hours have passed since I fell asleep, and I think this is the best I've slept in a week. No worries, no struggles, and, most importantly, no drama. It may have just been a dream, but my mind is at peace.

I pick up the phone to check for the hour. Gosh, it's almost 8pm! I need to move my butt if I want to be fashionably late at the club. I mean, it's going to be packed! I have to be prepared for everything, whether I blend in perfectly or stick like a sore thumb.

I'd like to take a shower, but I can't due to my arm and I don't think I need one since I barely have any body odor now. Instead, I pick the first outfit that comes in mind for such an event and wear it. Nothing too fancy, just a pair of jeans and a black shirt. I take thirty minutes to get dressed compared to my usual five.

Next, I make sure everything its in its place. Phone, wallet, room keys. Good, that's everything. I sit on the bed and think of what I can possibly do at the club. I plan to double down on drinks, to celebrate the success of the plan and my newly found peace of mind.

Now that I remember, I have to check if Della has answered my message. It looks like she has left a long string of replies no earlier than twenty minutes ago. I read the DMs carefully. 'Hi, Daejung. Thank you for checking on me. I'm fine now. I should've told you I left the hospital after you returned to the hotel.'

'I apologize for that, but also for not telling you that my new home is finally ready, so I moved in this morning. I'm not sure if and when we'll meet again because I'm busy with unpacking stuff, decorating and arranging furniture.'

'One day, I'd love to show you around, but I'm not sure when. What about you? What are you planning now?'

'Oh, one last thing. I'm thankful to you for keeping an eye on me since I lost that job. I hope to look for a new one, possibly better than the old ones. I'd also like to finish college, at last.'

'I'm sure you have a lot on your plate, so I won't bother you anymore, at least for now. Good luck.'

Why she thinks she's a nuisance to me is a mystery. Anyway, I'm surprised that her life has already taken a turn for the best. It means that she has got rid of those hurtful chains that made her suffer to no end. Maybe we'll cross paths again, maybe we won't anymore, but one thing is certain. No, better said, two.

First, I'm also thankful to Della for helping me to make order in my life. Secondly, I can't wait for tonight's party. There's nothing better than house music, alcohol and neon lights to channel my inner joy.