Chapter 26
Laurel pov
I got home only to see that Eric was not back. "He must still be at the gym", I said as I walked upstairs.
Immediately I entered my room, I went straight to the bathroom. An hour later I was done with everything, but I was still trying to fix my hair when suddenly the door opened.
"Noona," Eric said as he walked in.
"I have been calling your name since I came back, but you weren't replying."
"Oh, I didn't hear," I said.
He sat beside me.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
I paused before answering.
"I told Madison and Jason that I would be going back to South Korea soon," I said.
He studied my face for a second.
"Judging from how lost in thought you are, they probably didn't take it well," he said.
I tried looking away.
"You bought the company in Korea because you always wanted to go. You should," he said.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
"In fact, let's go out. I need to gist you. You won't believe what happened today," he said as he held my hand, urging me to follow him.
"Have you eaten dinner?" I asked as we were going downstairs.
"Yes. My gym instructor took us out."
"Us?" I said. "Who are the us?"
"Just a random guy who started gyming about three months ago, and it is really working."
I watched as he rushed over to the kitchen, bringing out wine and some drinks for himself, then two bags of chips.
He hurried to the balcony and said, "Hurry and sit."
I followed him outside.
The night air was cool, and the city lights stretched quietly in the distance. For a moment, it felt peaceful enough to forget everything waiting for me.
"There is this guy that came to the gym three months ago," Eric began. "He said his girlfriend broke up with him."
"Why?" I asked.
"Can you guess what happened?" he asked.
"Hmmm… cheating?" I said.
"No," he replied immediately. "Because he was fat."
I blinked.
"And by the way, he is really not fat," Eric added with offense in his tone. "She would body-shame him around her friends, saying they were just joking and he shouldn't take it serious."
He opened his drink and shook his head.
"But looking at him today, I can say he looks much better. She really lost a gem. Not only is he well-mannered, but also respectful and rich… at least in a decent way." He sighed dramatically. "Gosh, he is hot now."
I laughed softly.
"Hmm, she must have lost him."
"Exactly," Eric said.
"Imagine her coming back and he already has someone he is in love with," I added.
Eric pointed at me.
"That is exactly what I said."
Before I could respond, my phone rang.
I looked at the screen.
My adopted uncle.
Nicholas' father.
I signaled to Eric to keep quiet and walked toward the rails of the balcony.
"Good evening sir," I said.
"Laurel," he said warmly. "Even hearing your voice made me emotional. Are you already in Korea?"
"No," I replied.
"Then you need to come back soon. They are working on a project, and before anything they need the petroleum supplier. But the issue is they will need to meet the owner of the company."
I straightened.
"I will be done soon," I said.
"No. Round it up in a week," he replied firmly. "Laurel, this contract is from an old friend. It is the perfect way for you to gain recognition and a name."
He paused.
"What do you say, Laurel?"
I looked out into the dark city.
The life I had built here.
The people I had just hurt.
The future waiting elsewhere.
"Okay sir," I said finally. "I will be back soon."
"Good. I will be expecting you."
The call ended.
I stood there for a moment before walking back.
Eric looked up immediately.
"Who was that?" he asked.
"Nicholas' father."
"Oh."
Then his face changed expression.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I am just wondering if he called you back for something you were doing before."
I smiled faintly.
"Nicholas' dad is not like that. He has made some changes now."
I sat back down.
"Why do you think he got Nicholas out of the business? Now the only person who still works with him is Nicholas' younger brother."
Eric listened quietly.
"I left that life behind," I said. "We all left that life behind."
"Okay, big sis," he said with a smile.
Then I looked at him.
"So… are you ready to go South Korea? We are traveling this Saturday."
"Seriously?" he said, his whole face lighting up.
I nodded.
"Wow. This is going to be nice. I need to go and start packing."
He stood halfway, then stopped.
"Did Nicholas know you are coming soon?"
"No," I said. "And you shouldn't tell him either."
"Why?"
"Because they will love a good surprise."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"It seems you like Nicholas now," I said.
"No. What do you mean?" he said too quickly.
"You were so concerned whether he knows the day we are going to South Korea."
"That is because you guys are all close."
I stared right at him.
"No need to hide. If you miss him, call him. But do not tell him we are coming soon."
"I don't miss him," he said, looking suddenly flushed.
"Nicholas is a good friend and I know he will be a good brother as well," I said casually. "Always nosy wherever he is not supposed to be, but he has a good heart."
Eric nodded too fast.
"I need to go now," I said as I stood up.
"Good night, Noona," he said, his hands folded behind his back.
"Good night," I said as I walked back into the house.
The quiet returned the moment I entered.
Boxes still needed packing.
Emails still needed sending.
Two weeks had suddenly become one.
Everything was moving faster now.
I paused in the hallway and looked back toward the balcony where Eric was still standing alone, probably already planning what to wear.
A small smile touched my lips.
Maybe bringing him with me was the right move.
Maybe returning sooner was too.
Maybe some things needed to be faced directly.
I walked upstairs slowly.
Then muttered to myself,
"Maybe this is the right way to work things out fast now that I'm leaving sooner."
There was still one thing I needed to fix tomorrow.
And for the first time since deciding to leave, I knew exactly where to start.