PROMPTS

And Then There Was You

Yoon Seri's POV

A cold evening breeze welcomed me as I alighted from the passenger seat of my Aston Martin when the chauffeur opened the door.

Clad in a light mauve ensemble by Elie Saab with matching black Christian Louboutin pumps, I ignored the stares that followed my every step as I enter the hotel where the annual showcase of talented musicians all over the world is being held.

Despite the issues being faced by Seri's Choice, the company I built from little to nothing years ago when I left the family home, this yearly event holds a special place in my heart. Thus, I have to be here.

This project which I founded five years ago to remind me of the choice I made that night, financially supports musically gifted children from all over the world to be trained in the best musical school there is here in Switzerland.

A decision which even now I hope is right.

I was about to approach a group of kids when I heard my phone ringing.  With my heels clicking on the marble floor of the hotel, I went a little further away from the stage to answer my phone.

Alfons.

Alfons, where are you? The program is about to start.

"I'm here already, Seri. I'll be there with you as soon as I park this car."

Hur-

The sound of an all-too familiar baritone followed by a woman's laughter cut whatever it was I was about to say.

The phone I was holding fell to the floor with a clatter.

There in one of the tables, a man was pulling a chair for the woman to sit.

Faces of the two people I never expected to ever see again.

If it is possible for my heart to stop beating this moment, it just did.

Ri Jeong Hyeok. Seo Dan. Together in Switzerland.

I leaned back against the wall, mouth dry, and legs shaky.

The back door was too far away for my rubbery legs.

Please, let them not see me. Let him not see me.

Alfons chose that moment to show up and gave me a quick peck on the lips.

"Here you are, Seri! I've been looking for you."

Oh, God!!!

For a second or two, I postponed the dread I felt at the moment by picking up my phone. When I looked up from my artificially-prolonged labor, Ri Hyeong Jeok was looking straight at me, familiar recognition evident on his face.