Sonder: Part IV
Parts: I II III IV V
member: enhypen heeseung! x oc! woo ki yeom [3rd person pov]
genre: coming of age, slice of life, angst, romance
w/c: 5.8k
warnings: topics on religion, distressed relationships, mental health (I want to leave an a/n here that I grew up with my maternal family being Buddhists so what I've written is based off what I researched online and the way her family practised Buddhism. I'm personally a free-tinker and this narrative is not in any way meant to offend nor support any particular religion.)
synopsis: after being kicked out of her home, Woo Ki Yeom is forced to live life on her own. struggling to find herself in the midst of her chaotic life, she meets lee heeseung, who, like her, can't give any more fucks to life than she does.
"n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own."
It had taken Heeseung awhile to fall asleep, despite knowing that she was long passed out. If he tried hard enough, he'd be able to hear the first morning birds chirping from a distance.
Ki Yeom was wrapped in her blanket, passed out on the mattress on the floor. Her place was kept simple and somewhat tidy, with an abundance of instant food and a rather adequate range of cutlery and utensils. The furniture is minimal - they look like resale items from garage sales or thrift stores. There's a small desk in the corner where her laptop is, and right next to it is a single-columned shelf with some files and books. He wonders if they have her drawings, but he's too tired to get up and be nosy.
Besides, he's heard enough of her story to feel bad for her, to feel like he was an asshole for thinking the world was a boring place. Suddenly, he feels like a hypocrite.
He had the perfect home, much like the best friend she had described, and yet, he chose to pack up and leave, in search of 'life's purpose'.
Heeseung sighs, breath trembling. He leans his head back on the kitchen cabinets, and prays that his tail bone and neck wouldn't hurt too much in a couple of hours.
By the time Ki Yeom's eyes had finally managed to open (albeit how swollen and uncomfortable they were), she had already managed to make out the blob that's passed out along the length of her kitchen and cabinets.
He slept facing upwards, one arm under his neck and the other over his eyes, hair tousled and his shirt was slightly pulled up to expose his belly button.
She rolls over in her mattress, arm extending to the rattan box she had by it as a tableside top.
11.38am. 3 missed calls. 327 unread messages.
She pulls the notifications bar down.
2 missed calls from Jun Yeol.
1 missed call from Soo Min.
Jun Yeol: Hello?
Jun Yeol: Don't you have an appointment coming in at 12.30pm?
"Fuck."
Ki Yeom sits up, tired eyes struggling to remain open. She swings her legs over the edge and stands, stretching her neck and arms as she walks over to the bathroom quietly.
And for the first time in four years, there's a need to close the bathroom door.
The afternoon sun was ruthless when she stepped out, scorching her skin in all the spots she was exposed, but it felt different.
Ki Yeom wonders if the talk the night before had really made the difference. Why did it make such a huge one?
She pushes herself into the parlour, rushing past Soo Min and Jun Yeol (so they wouldn't be able to spot her swollen eyes that easily) and straight towards her client who was already seated at her booth.
Heeseung jolts awake when a car honks, then he realises the sun wasn't in its usual spot in the mornings when he normally wakes up. He sucks in a deep breath, then yawns, hands fondling his sides for his phone. Gone.
He quickly sits up, wondering for a moment if the girl might've possibly stolen it. But as he sits up, he spots his phone being charged at the plug on her desk.
He sighs, instantly feeling terrible about doubting her. Awkwardly squatting next to her desk, he unlocks his phone without pulling out the charger, looking through the messages that his friends had spammed in their groupchats and the Instagram notifications that he couldn't really care less about.
Maybe I should just delete it, He thinks to himself. Then he unplugs his phone, then grips the edge of the table to pull himself up.
That's when he spots the post-it note pasted to the surface.
Feel free to stay the day. I trust you won't steal anything. I have an appointment and then I have to meet the friend I was telling you about last night for coffee in the evening. Wish me luck.
Heeseung peels it off the desk and reads it again. He gently folds it, deciding he would keep it as some sort of contract for their friendship. As he drops it in his pocket, he realises that he was instantly finding joy in being an annoying friend.
It's a slow afternoon as he goes back to his apartment, freshening himself up before leaving to run errands. But just as he steps out of the lift-
"Hi, I'm looking for a Woo Ki Yeom?"
Heeseung looks up from his phone despite having already walked past him. He doesn't turn, but in his peripheral vision, he can make out an older man, probably in his late 40s, talking to the guard at the counter.
Exiting the building, he turns back and looks in through the glass, watching the man gesture to the security guard. In his wrinkled hand was a little note, which Heeseung assumes is the address, and as he swaps the note from one hand to another, he wipes his free palm on his Bermudas.
Heeseung looks away, heart stopping and breath held.
They have the same tired eyes.
"Alright," Ki Yeom takes a deep breath, sitting upright from the crouched over position she was in. She gently pats the wrap and pulls off her gloves, reaching over for a newly packaged ointment bottle and placing it into a plastic bag. "This is the moisturizer ointment. Wash your tattoo two to three times a day gently with water then dry it, then use the ointment. Don't go sunbathing or tanning until your tat's healed."
"How long before it's healed?"
The girl sits up in the chair and swings her leg over the edge, awkwardly lifting up her arm where the abstractly-drawn starfish was red and swollen.
"Uh..." Ki Yeom laughs a little (on the inside. She doesn't want to hurt the girl's feelings. The star fish has the diameter of a coin). "I'd say a month? Should be fine... Do you go to the beach or go swimming in an outdoor pool or running or...?"
"Oh, no. I just... you know. Wondering how long I have to wait..."
Ki Yeom squints at her before turning around in her roller chair, reaching out to pack her equipment and inks. "Wait? Before... showing it off?" She pauses, studying her client. "Someone doesn't want you to get a tat, huh?"
The girl purses her lips together in an awkward, embarrassed smile. "When it's healed, it's easier for me to say that I've already gotten it done and there's nothing to be done about it."
Ki Yeom smirks cheekily, tossing her used gloves into the bin by her station. "My boss once told me that tattoos belong to the person that's getting it. Your body, your choice. If that's of any comfort."
The client nods again, unsure how to respond. Ki Yeom ignores the horrid ending to the conversation and walks her up to the cashier, where along the way, she spots Ji Yeon loitering outside the parlour like a stalker.
Maybe I shouldn't have told her I was free today.
After her client leaves, Ki Yeom pretends not to see Ji Yeon, meagerly walking back to her station as if dragging out the time and procrastinating the coffee date. Though, she kind of needed it, after all that crying and lack of sleep last night. In fact, Ki Yeom is surprised she had managed to stay awake the entire time she was working.
"She's like an ex-boyfriend," Soo Min calls out from her station, eyes quickly glancing to her and then back to her own client.
"Y'think?" Ki Yeom widens her eyes, well aware that she wasn't in anybody's field of vision to see it, as she crouches to pack her bag.
"Will you be okay?"
Ki Yeom picks up her bag up and swings it over her shoulder as she stands. "I guess I'll find out later."
Soo Min looks up from her client for just a second, and nods.
There's a reluctance in Ki Yeom's chest as she turns around. Ji Yeon was still outside, now back facing the parlour, and turned to face the road. She was looking up at the buildings, eyes still full of wander.
I will always be second to Ji Yeon. As someone experiencing life; as a person. She will always be kinder, and sweeter, and gentle with her words. Polite to the elderly and patient with the children. The type of person that cats and dogs wouldn't hesitate to run up to on the streets, as if they already knew her.
The waitress at the coffee shop was clearly more than surprised to see the unfriendly tattoo artist coming in with another person. And as the cherry on top, said person was the polar opposite of Ki Yeom.
"Hello," Ji Yeon greets the waitress, who beams upon the acknowledgement.
Great, now I look even more like an asshole.
"Hi! Can I get you started on any drinks or appetisers?" The waitress is high-strung, as if excited to finally have someone to talk to. The dinner crowd hadn't come in yet, and Ki Yeom is slightly curious at why she seemed so enthusiastic.
"Give us a couple of moments to look through the menu. What do you recommend?"
"We're known for our coffees! But our pork belly rice bowl and fusion items are popular as well."
"Great, I'll keep that in mind."
And with that, the waitress smiles widely, greeting Ji Yeon again before she walks back to the counter.
"Can we get this over with?"
Ji Yeon looks up from her digital menu and at Ki Yeom, eyes tired and shoulders sunken.
"You look like you didn't sleep a wink last night," She points out as-a-matter-of-factly, looking back down at her phone screen.
"I slept late, and slept badly, just so you know. But we don't have to prolong this. What do you want to talk about?"
"Are you hungry? Shall we get their coffee specials and just a pork belly bowl for sharing?"
Ki Yeom stares at her, wanting to frown but unable to when she looks up from her phone again, eyes bright and spirits lifted.
Then this nagging, digging feeling in her stomach comes again after four long years. The feeling of watching someone be absolutely perfect, knowing you wouldn't be anywhere near and being unable to fathom why.
She was in perfect control of her feelings, her facial expressions, her body language, her tone and her words. Ki Yeom knows that the problem is within herself, but she knows she doesn't have the patience to fix it.
"Can you stop being like this?"
Ji Yeon presses the submit button on the digital order form as Ki Yeom hurtles the words at her. She looks up at her, then locks her phone and places it facing down on the table.
"Like what?" She gently shakes her head and politely places her hands on her thighs.
Ki Yeom tightens her jaw, leaning back in her seat and placing her wrists on the edge of the table, fingers curled in, like she was stretching, while facing Ji Yeon who was sat opposite her. She studies Ji Yeon - That blank, innocent look on her face that tells her Ji Yeon truly has no idea what she's talking about.
It steps on her toes all over again.
"Like a perfect... specimen of a human being. What's wrong with you? Are you so afraid to hurt someone? Are you scared that being angry is going to piss someone off? Are you afraid to make enemies?"
Now, there's a gentle frown slowly forming between Ji Yeon's brows. "I don't understand. What does the way I respond to things have anything to do with this conversation we're supposed to have?"
"Because you're just so perfect! Do you owe the world something? Why do you care so much about how people look at you?"
"What are you talking about?"
Ki Yeom pants slightly, realising that she was speaking abit louder than normal. Her hands were now gripping the edges of the table. She sighs and rubs her eyes.
"No, don't shut down on me now," Ji Yeon reaches out and pulls her hands off her face.
"Don't touch me!" Ki Yeom retracts her wrists sharply.
Ji Yeon is obviously hurt at the rejection, but she leans back and crosses her arms across her chest. "Go ahead. Say something else. After all, this is how much you've spoken in four years."
"Oh, now you're getting mad? All those years of being Miss-Goody-Two-Shoes finally catching up to you, huh? I was the grumpy one and you were always the pretty, smart, nice one and you loved it!"
Ki Yeom pauses, watching as the brutal truth and harsh emotions begin leaking from a cracked bottle that she had tried so hard to wrap up and throw away. It's slow - the beads collecting at the little cracks. So small, that you might mistake the bottle for condensed beads of water.
"And you know what? You loved it all the way until my family fell apart. Even then, being the nice person was your utmost priority! Paying for my meals when I said I could. Buying things for me just because I mentioned it once! And then when it all happened, you ran around asking where I was, announcing that you were just worried. All that effort trying to find me and making sure that I was okay. Well, guess what? With or without you, I was not okay. I needed a friend. A friend who would get angry with me and be broke together and lose all direction in life. Not a fucking guardian trying to replace my fucking parents. Not a role model that's excelling at everything she does. Not a person that never disappoints."
Something in the kitchen dings. It's a good thing nobody else was in the cafe right now, for a pin drop would sound like a metal thermoflask dropping on the floor.
Ki Yeom had completely expected Ji Yeon to pack her things and leave. Maybe throw a cup of water at her. Or at least tear up and cry out of hurt and grief.
But she is Ji Yeon, and to Ki Yeom, she will always be perfect in the way she feels things; sees things; perceives them. Right now, Ji Yeon is just but a person who is victim to the trials and tribulations of life, the victim to individual thought and perception.
"You're right," Ji Yeon responds quietly. The reply stuns Ki Yeom, surprise seeping again into anger. Ki Yeom cocks her head, a disbelieved smirk ripping apart her lips and preparing to retort again, but Ji Yeon interrupts her. "If you think I'm perfect, then I guess to some extent, I am. I don't wish to look imperfect. That's just how I am. I grew up believing that perfection is just a concept, subject to individual perspective."
"Shut the fuck up. You're telling me you had this ideology at what, the ages of six to ten?"
"From the ages six to ten, perfection was not a concept I understood."
Ki Yeom stops.
"From the ages six to ten, I was just learning. God forbid anybody who thought that a kid who just wanted to learn was imperfect. You are angry at my lack of response to the things that happen out of my control. I see it as a waste of time if I respond angrily. What good does it do?"
The anger seems to seep back in again. The irony is, Ki Yeom understood her. Word for word, from her perspective. But the more she spoke, the more perfect she seemed, as if she couldn't be more perfect. What kind of politically correct, woke response was that?
"I know what you're thinking. You're thinking why I'm still acting like I'm perfect. If it's of any comfort, I don't think I am, but you seem to think that I am. And yet, the fact that me being perfect is imperfect to you is a point in itself. Perfection gets on your nerves and imperfection gets on others'. There's no winning."
Ki Yeom sucks in a deep breath, toes curling in her shoes as she buries her face in her hands. She can taste the sour ball in the back of her throat as her nose starts to sniffle with her breaths. There's a muffled second, only able to hear the music playing in the back, then there's an overwhelming grief of loss as the gravity of the truth slowly sets in.
"I'm not here to talk about whether I was perfect and how it bothered you. I wanted to know... how you've been. Clearly, the things I did as you went through that rough patch in your life was not the best sequence of actions from your point of view but it was from mine. I hope you know that even though what I did wasn't of help, but it was still what I thought was best."
There's a pause as the waitress comes by with the coffees. The ceramic clanks onto the table.
In theory, Ki Yeom knows she's right. Ji Yeon is always right. Everything she did, she did with her best interest at heart. She was broke, so Ji Yeon offered to pay. She was kicked out, so Ji Yeon wanted to look for her.
Maybe that's the part Ki Yeom couldn't swallow. Even when she was the victim, she was still the bad guy, not the fallen hero who had a redemption arc.
"I wish we weren't ever best friends," Ki Yeom's voice is hoarse and exhausted. "Because then we wouldn't need to go through this."
"The good friendships are tested to their limits. That's how a bond is formed."
"No. Our bond was gone a long time ago and we are both just here to reconcile with it, and bury it."
There's a special type of grief that comes when you're actively aware when an era or a period of fond memories come to an end - like a holiday.
Or a friendship.
Said grief feels slow, almost insignificant. Like you don't notice it because it's been gone for so long.
There isn't much to say about how it feels. Except that it creeps up on you, no matter how many times you are able to rationalise the feelings to yourself. You could tell yourself the story a hundred times in the mirror and still be unable to swallow that the friendship had turned sour, no matter the exact reason.
And that sucks.
Ki Yeom was too exhausted to feel the sadness and the grief of it all on the way home. She couldn't even cry.
So when she spots Heeseung sitting by the bench outside the apartment building and eating an ice cream, the setting, evening sun casting a mandarin shade on him. She wonders for a moment if he was here for her.
She pauses at the traffic junction, tilting her head as she waited for him to take notice of her waiting for the lights to change. Then he looks up and around, and spots her across the road. Ki Yeom wants to smile, but it doesn't come out.
Then her heart stops, when Heeseung seemed worried. She doesn't know why she had expected him to smile and stand and wave to her, but he doesn't.
The traffic light turns, the incessant beeping somehow making its way past her headphones and into her eardrums, that quite literally explode in them when she gets them off.
"Hey," Heeseung greets first, licking the corner of his lips. "Look, there's something that I think you should know before you go into the building."
Ki Yeom frowns at him, as if he were the one who just broke her heart into a million pieces. He sucks in a deep breath and purses his lips, puffing up the space between his gum and the inside of his mouth, then exhales through a small 'o'.
"I think your father's here."
And just like that. The day literally could not get any worse.
"What?"
Heeseung parts his lips in a bid to say something, but nothing comes out.
"Why don't we go elsewhere? Until late, and maybe he won't be here anymore."
"How long has he been here?"
"I woke up in your place around lunchtime. 12 plus, one? Went home, washed up and came out for errands around two and he was already here. Asking the guard if you lived here."
How many fucking times must she go through this tormenting process in a day?
"You said you had that coffee date today with your friend. I'm assuming it didn't go well. Let's not stay here."
"You just told me he's been here for five hours. Even if he goes away while we're away, he's gonna come back another day."
"I know that but you're not in the state to have another conversation like that."
"Don't talk to me like you know everything about me."
"Then be my guest and go in there. Have that conversation with your father about the last four years he was absent from your life. Tell him that you're doing well but you got an offer to move overseas and that you just fell out with your best friend."
If her thoughts were a mindless man running on a treadmill, he'd halt so abruptly, he'd fly off.
Heeseung raises a brow when she goes quiet.
The street behind them had significantly picked up in traffic all of a sudden. He assumes it's the evening traffic.
"What, did I just summarise your life? Ever since you moved out?"
Ki Yeom frowns and looks away, eyes welling with tears.
"You are so caught up... in- in thinking about the same few things, that you couldn't see anything outside of it. And now that they have finally come knocking on your doorstep, you hate it. But haven't you been giving it the most attention? Given how much you despise it? Four years! And this is all that you think you life amounts to? Topping sales, an offer overseas, a falling out with your best friend?"
She turns and shoves him back on the shoulder, the tears finally billowing over her lower lids. "You think it's so easy to let go? You think I don't wake up wishing that things were different? Maybe if I were a better person and I weren't such a bitch, I'd be a better friend and a better daughter."
Heeseung parts his lips in disbelief, hands ruffling through his hair as he combs through his locks with his fingers. "You don't get it. These are all but mistakes in life, personalities and perspectives that don't align. You've had four years to learn from them, accept them and forget about them before you move on. But you have been your own prisoner."
"Ki Yeom?"
Heeseung gently shuts his eyes when he can hear the fragile voice coming from behind him. His arms drop to his side as he opens his eyes again, watching through her eyes as her inner world crumble even more. He already made her cry, now someone else is here to finish the job.
"Who is this?" The footsteps are anxious as he comes from behind Heeseung, who turns around and meekly greets the elder. "Is he bothering you? Who is he?"
Ki Yeom is speechless, but she can't ignore how different he looks.
She counts the wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes. His hands are naturally trembling abit more as he points to Heeseung, and he seemed to have a little limp when he walks.
"Ki Yeom, is he bothering yo-"
"Don't."
There's a look of hurt that's somewhat expectant on his face when he knows her response is to him, and not to answer the question.
"Who gave you my address?"
Her father looks down at his feet, slightly ashamed.
"I begged your grandfather for it. I'm sorry. He told me he can't give it to me but I just... kept asking. When he gave it to me, he told me that I could only come look for you in secret, and not reach out. But- but how could I? I mean... it's been-"
"Don't."
Ki Yeom has both palms lifted in the air and facing him in a bid to tell him to shut up. Eyes closed, she blinks the tears that are hindering her vision.
"I'm..." Heeseung's voice croaks. "Going to go-"
"No," Ki Yeom glares at him. "You." She points at him. "Don't move an inch. And you." She turns back to her father. "You have three minutes to say what you have to say because I have nothing to say to you. And regardless of whatever it is you're about to say, I have nothing to say back. I just hope that making this trip and getting it off your chest is enough for you because that's all you're going to get."
Heeseung's brows are slightly furrowed as he side-eyes her father, trying to read his expression from his peripheral vision. The elder man is taken aback, in a 'hurt' type of way that he knows there's nothing he can do to redeem himself.
"I just wanted to know if you're doing well, and if you're safe. If your workplace has been kind to you and whether you need any additional financial help, because I brought some for you," He ransacks his waist pouch for a smaller one, holds it out. Ki Yeom doesn't move an inch, eyes fixated on his. "I wanted to apologise. For the way things happened. I know I can't turn back time and undo what happened but I want to apologise on behalf of your mother and I want to say that she only did what she thought was right-"
"No, she did what she thought was right for herself! If she had any idea what was right for our family, don't you think she would've taken grandpa's help?! But no, being faithful to your religion was enough, wasn't it? That was what would put food on our table, fill our wallets up with money and light up our rooms, right? Right?"
They had been standing there long enough for people to start noticing them, and for the sun to set enough for the street lamps to flicker on.
"And don't you dare think for a moment that this isn't your fault. I don't blame you for losing your job, but I blame you for not being a better father. Not being around to make sure mom didn't do what she did. I know you were out trying to make ends meet but in the midst of all that, you had completely forgotten that I existed. I as in your daughter who just needed a parent."
If Heeseung were watching a soap opera, he'd be on the edge of his seat, eyes widened and fingers holding some chips, but no. This was happening in real time right before his eyes, and he hasn't got a clue what to do (since he knows better than to say something).
He can see the tears drying up her eyes all over again, as if her swollen eyes from the night before had properly recovered. And her father, the indescribable look in his eyes as he tears up as well. Head hung low and fingers anxiously picking at the corners of the cash stack.
The inevitable uncomfortable silence between them sets in, amidst all the noise that was happening around them.
Ki Yeom knows that an apology will not suffice. Nothing ever will. The damage had been done and even if she did take the cash, it will not make a difference.
"Are you done?"
Her father looks up from the floor.
"If you are, please leave."
"Ki Yeom..."
"Now."
A motorbike races past.
"And I never want to see you again."
Heeseung glances at Ki Yeom, and back at her father. His shoulders are sunken. He knows he's defeated. But still, he lifts his hands and tries to offer her the money.
Ki Yeom reaches up to her face to wipe the tears, clearing her throat as she steps back.
"You'll need it when you retire."
Then, she gently grabs Heeseung by the wrist and pulls him along, past her father and away from the apartment building. Heeseung lets her drag him down the pavement, earning strange glances from corporate passerbys who were making their way home from work and whatnot.
But until he was sure they were definitely out of sight of her father, Heeseung holds his weight down, hand reaching out to her forearm.
"Ki Yeom," He says, loud enough for her to hear. But she doesn't respond, ignoring his touch and his call, and continues dragging him with more force.
"Ki Yeom, please."
He finally puts in enough strength to halt her, and so she jerks to an abrupt stop when it's his turn to grab her arm. Her eyes are swelled up again, mucus running down her philtrum and between her lips when she turns around to face him. He can tell she's trying her best not to take a deep breath, for it would trigger one of those hard-to-breathe sniffles and she would collapse into a sobbing mess.
Heeseung doesn't know why, or much rather, how, he has grown to see her. Perhaps, for the first time in a long time, she's the first person that he's known abit more than surface level. Maybe it was because she knew nothing about him, other than the things he has chosen to share, and that made it easier to trust her.
Who said a stranger you meet at a laundromat would stay a stranger?
He awkwardly, but slowly, closes the gap between them, gently releasing her arm. He's careful, trying to read her body language as she stays almost completely still. Then, he can feel the bones in her shoulders under his arms, and she remains so still for a few seconds, he was still unsure.
But like hugging a vase that was haphazardly pieced together with glue without enough time, care and concern, Ki Yeom shatters. He closes his eyes, trying not to cry himself, as her entire frame softens, shoulders shivering with each sob and sniffle.
She doesn't hug him back, but she presses her face into his shoulder so hard that he can feel her tears soaking through his shirt and onto his skin.
"I- I wish it didn't happen- like this."
"I know."
"I- I know he meant- meant well. But- I- just-"
"I know."
The conversation was short-lived.
Sometimes, there aren't enough words to explain a feeling; a feeling of resolution, even if it feels like it's the worst decision you could make.
Perhaps, trying to find the words defeats its purpose.
After Ki Yeom had finished crying, mostly because she regained enough social awareness to realise how embarrassing it was to be hugging in the middle of the street, the duo had found themselves sitting by the pavement, feet on the street as bicycles and cars drove by.
The ice cream was melting quickly, so Ki Yeom fought the urge to close her eyes and finish it. Heeseung tosses the last of the cone into his mouth, swiping his hands against each other to get rid of the remaining crumbs.
He sighs, leaning back with his palms on the concrete by his hips, eyes looking up at the cloudy sky that was partially blocking the moon. There was that dewy scent of rain wafting through the sky, so he looks around somemore, hoping to catch a glimpse of lightning somewhere.
Ki Yeom quite literally shoves the rest of the lemon coating into her mouth, knowing that if she ate any slower, it would start running down the stick and over her hands. She wraps the stick in the wrapper the ice cream came in, and folds it nicely.
She looks ahead, then around, trying to find what Heeseung was looking at previously. Pulling in her knees to her chest, she wraps her arms around her thighs, fingers picking at the dry skin on her elbows.
"You know, what you said to me just now before he showed up... It made sense."
Heeseung takes awhile to turn his head back to her, processing her words before he tilts his head in her direction. His eyes remain looking forward, at the street and the lamp post on the other side.
"I've had so many conversations with myself. Running around in circles and trying to persuade myself that it was time to move on and that I didn't care. But I knew deep down that I needed closure, even if it meant a messy one that I didn't want. I knew I was angry with Ji Yeon and I knew it wasn't her fault. I knew my father did what he thought was best at the time it happened. But I just couldn't forgive them for the things they did."
Heeseung finally turns to her. He pulls his legs into a cross and picks at the threads in his ripped jeans.
"Just because you can understand why they did those things doesn't mean you have to forgive them. I think if that were the case, mankind wouldn't be so complex. We'd all just be aiming to be understanding, and by that condition, we'd be a peaceful society. But we're not, and... I mean, things happen."
Ki Yeom starts to smell the rain as her clogged nose clears up completely.
"When I went through my own difficult times, I'd tell myself that I'm just an anime character that had to go through these stupid arcs to get the character development. Else, I'd just be the lame side character that everybody forgets about."
A little smile cracks through her lips as she looks down into her lap, staring blankly at the cotton stitching on her pants.
"It's not common that a character has to go through two arcs in so little time, but it happens. Usually they're the badass ones that everybody roots for, even if they're morally questionable."
Then the drizzle starts, gentle and kind, like little snowflakes falling from the sky. Like they were trying to wash away her sadness and grief.
"I think I'll stay here for awhile."
Heeseung turns to look at her, face turned up to look at the sky. The droplets land on her skin, and for a moment, it seemed like the sky was doing the rest of the crying for her.
"Are you planning on staying until you're soaked?"
She hums in response. "Maybe."
He turns to look at the sky too, closing his eyes as he let the water run down his face and neck.
"By the way, do you do your laundry on Wednesdays? Because I just remembered it's a Wednesday."
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Why Invest in Luxury Properties in Dubai?
High ROI: Dubai's luxury real estate market offers high returns on investment due to its desirability and robust demand.
Tax Benefits: Dubai offers a tax-free environment, making it an attractive destination for real estate investment.
World-Class Amenities: Luxury properties in Dubai come with world-class amenities, including private pools, gyms, and concierge services.
Prime Locations: Many luxury properties are located in prime areas, offering stunning views and easy access to key attractions.
Security: Dubai is known for its safety and security, providing peace of mind for property owners.
For property purchase options, explore Buy Residential Properties in Dubai.
Steps to Securing Luxury Properties in Dubai
Determine Your Budget: Establishing a clear budget is the first step. Consider all costs, including property price, taxes, maintenance, and any additional fees.
Research the Market: Understand the current market trends, prices, and types of luxury properties available. This will help you make informed decisions.
Choose the Right Location: Prime locations for luxury properties in Dubai include Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, Emirates Hills, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Hire a Real Estate Agent: A reputable real estate agent can provide valuable insights, show you suitable properties, and handle negotiations.
Visit Properties: Schedule visits to potential properties to assess their condition, amenities, and overall appeal.
Legal Considerations: Ensure all legal aspects are covered, including property registration, contracts, and compliance with local regulations.
Financing Options: Explore mortgage financing options to determine the best way to finance your purchase.
Make an Offer: Once you find the perfect property, make a competitive offer. Your agent can help negotiate the best terms.
Finalize the Purchase: Complete the necessary paperwork, pay the required fees, and finalize the purchase.
For mortgage financing options, visit Commercial Mortgage Loan in Dubai.
Popular Areas for Luxury Properties
Palm Jumeirah: Known for its iconic palm-shaped island, Palm Jumeirah offers luxurious villas and apartments with stunning views.
Downtown Dubai: Home to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai offers upscale living in the city's heart.
Emirates Hills: Often referred to as the "Beverly Hills of Dubai," Emirates Hills features luxurious villas with golf course views.
Dubai Marina: Known for its vibrant nightlife and waterfront properties, Dubai Marina is a popular choice for luxury living.
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR): This beachfront community offers a mix of luxury apartments and penthouses with stunning sea views.
For rental property management services, visit Rent Your Property in Dubai.
Tips for Securing Luxury Properties
Set a Budget: Determine your budget before you start looking at properties. This will help narrow down your options and prevent overspending.
Research the Market: Understand the current market trends and property values in the areas you're interested in.
Work with a Realtor: A reputable realtor with experience in the luxury market can help you find the best properties and negotiate the best deals.
Inspect the Property: Ensure the property is in good condition and meets your standards. Consider hiring a professional inspector.
Consider Future Value: Think about the property's potential for appreciation and its resale value.
For property sales, visit Sell Your Apartments in Dubai.
Real-Life Success Story
Consider the case of Sophia, an investor from the UK who decided to invest in a luxury penthouse in Downtown Dubai. With the help of a local realtor, Sophia found a stunning property that met all her requirements. The realtor guided her through the buying process, ensuring all legalities were handled smoothly. Today, Sophia enjoys a high return on her investment, with the penthouse's value appreciating significantly.
Future Trends in Dubai's Luxury Real Estate Market
Sustainable Living: There is a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable luxury properties.
Smart Homes: Properties equipped with smart home technology are becoming increasingly popular.
Wellness Amenities: Luxury properties are now offering wellness-focused amenities such as spas, gyms, and yoga studios.
Flexible Spaces: There is a trend towards properties with flexible living spaces that can be adapted to different needs.
Branded Residences: Collaborations with luxury brands to create branded residences are on the rise.
Conclusion
Securing luxury properties for sale in Dubai requires careful planning and a thorough understanding of the market. By following the steps outlined in this guide and working with a reputable realtor, you can find and secure the perfect luxury property in Dubai. For more resources and expert advice, visit Dubai Real Estate.
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