🚪40

It has been a year since then. 

The wind brushed through my short locks after I gently placed the flowers onto their tombstones that was engraved with both of their names. 

Sensing a presence nearby I softly smile.

"I thought you would never show."

"I had to at some point." 

Chanyeol passes by me to place a bouquet of flowers. Brushing away some dirt laying on the tombstone. He whispers something before he places his hands on his knees to push himself up into standing position. Digging his hands into his pockets he walked back in my direction, standing next to me. Our shoulders brushed up against each other. 

It has almost been a year and a half since Yoona passed away. A few months ago, Mr. Park was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Mrs. Park's, Yoona's, and Krystal's including kidnapping. The combined evidence from eye witnesses, Soohyuk's fingerprints, the recovered USB flash drive, and the confession from a (former) police officer closed the cases.

Legally, justice was served but the damage that had been done to everyone involved was unforgivable. The aftermath of the murders was a trial in of its self. To get back to "normal" and live as if nothing happened seemed impossible. 

I know I am not over what happened. I have invisible scars that reveal themselves in the darkest of the night. I might not ever heal from the scars, the memories but I know I'm not alone. 

-

"What have you been up to?" Chanyeol sighed at my question as we walked along the Han River.

He glanced up above at the clear blue sky. "Living..."

His answer floating in the air with his warm breath that created a cloud in the cool air. 

"Finally..." I heard him whisper to the sky. I couldn't help myself from smiling as I looked up at the expression spread across his face. 

The ends of his lips curved up slightly. Crinkles folding on the sides of his eyes. The autumn sun dancing on his skin. The smile suited him well. 

My fingertips begin to tingle with an icy sensation. I rise my hands up to my mouth. Cupping them as I try to warm them up. 

"Cold?" Chanyeol says next to me. I nod my head. He wraps his long fingers around my hand and brings them into his coat pocket together. 

My hands quickly warm up with his in mine. "Is that better?" He smiles down at me, warmly. His eyes filled with a light brown coloring instead of pools like midnight. 

"Yeah..." I quietly replied to him, smiling back. 

He stares at me. "Do you think we will ever be okay again?" 

I look down at my feet. "I have to believe we will someday. It will take time and it might not be easy..."

I'm determined to get there.

I have come this far. I have witnessed things people never should; seen how greed could destroy people and others around them. 

When I think back to how I was before when I first stepped foot into Seoul, wide-eyed and eager.

Sometimes, I wish I could go back to being the person I once was but then I wouldn't know what the world was truly like. 

There's wickedness as much as there is goodness. 

"Eunji, there is another reason why I came back here." Chanyeol interrupted my thoughts when he halted our steps.

"What is it?" 

He turned to me, "You." 

"I'm sorry for hurting you before. I said things to you that I didn't mean."

"It's okay, Chanyeol. It's in the past. You don't have to apologize for that." Despite what I was saying to him, Chanyeol's eyes held guilt.

I look away from his gaze. "We both did and said things because of what was happening at the time."

"Not everything." He admitted. "I didn't kiss you because of what was happening. I kissed you because I had feelings for you, Eunji."

He did?

"I know I'm a year late telling you this and I don't know if you are with anyone right now. We have both changed--"

"I feel the same." I confessed then smiled up at him. "I have feelings for you too."

The surprised look on his face turned into a wide genuine smile, the shine in his eyes brightened.

He was right.

We weren't the same people from when we officially met in Room #19.

We are better.

🚪40

Room #19 is complete!

Thank you to everyone that has been reading since the very start of this story and waited for me through this whole time it took to finish it. Thank you to the people who reviewed this story and gave me tips to improve it. Thank you to those who are new to the story. Thank you for the love, support, votes, the theories, and the hilarious comments.

I still can't believe that this simple idea I got from that photo shoot Chanyeol did sparked an entire story of mystery.

Now it's time to continue on to other stories with different characters to fell in love with and situations to cheer for, some to be upset about. I hope you guys look forward to more.

Thank you!

-Jiselle🌸