RED STRING || 1

Chapter eight.

IRENE HAD BEEN trailing behind Seulgi all day, unwilling to let her out of sight. From the bustling kitchen, where the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, to the serene sanctuary of the bedroom, and even outside to the vibrant garden, Irene followed persistently, her presence like a shadow that clung to Seulgi’s heels. It was as if an invisible thread had tethered them together, binding Irene’s heart to Seulgi’s every step. Seulgi, on the other hand, sighed heavily as she stepped into the powder room, only for Irene to follow her there as well, a determined glint in her eyes.

“Please, Seulgi,” Irene began, her tone pleading, dripping with the kind of sincerity that only true desperation could muster. “I’ll do anything, everything. I won’t touch your things, and I’ll follow whatever you say.” The words spilled from her lips, each one laced with the weight of her commitment, her resolve to show Seulgi that she was more than just a careless prankster.

Seulgi leaned against the counter, arms crossed, and let out a dry laugh that echoed in the small space. “I’m about to pee. Are you planning to follow me in here, too? It’s not like I’m going to disappear.” Her voice was tinged with exasperation, and her eyes reflected the weariness of someone who had been pursued relentlessly.

Irene crossed her arms, an expression of defiance mingling with determination etched across her face. “You’re not disappearing, but I’ll keep following you until you listen to me.” Her tone was firm, unwavering, a testament to her stubborn nature that had often been both a blessing and a curse.

Seulgi raised an eyebrow, her patience beginning to fray at the edges. She turned her back to Irene and began pulling at the waistband of her shorts, a silent signal for Irene to take a hint. “Get out,” she said firmly, glancing over her shoulder with an irritated glance that could easily have silenced anyone else.

But Irene, ever the stubborn one, merely smirked, unfazed by Seulgi’s clear dismissal. “I’m going to be your wife, not your servant,” she declared, her voice unwavering, though a flicker of hesitation washed over her as she realized she had just promised to do whatever Seulgi asked. The irony of her statement hung in the air, heavy and palpable. Reluctantly, she stepped back, leaving the powder room but positioning herself right outside the door, pressing her ear against it in a move that was equal parts desperate and determined.

Through the thin barrier, she heard the faint sound of Seulgi sighing, followed by the words that pierced through Irene’s heart like a dagger: “You know, Irene, I might be your future wife, but we’re not doing anything that normal couples do. This marriage is going to be strictly on paper. That’s it.” Those words stung more than Irene wanted to admit. They echoed in her mind, reverberating with the weight of a truth she had yet to fully acknowledge. It wasn’t until Seulgi had temporarily left her life that Irene began to understand the depth of her own feelings, feelings that had blossomed in the quiet moments they shared, nurtured by laughter and, yes, even the pranks that had once felt so harmless.

She realized how kind Seulgi had been despite all the mischief and torment that had colored their relationship. Somewhere along the way, what she had thought was merely a childish crush had grown into something much deeper and more profound. Clenching her fists tightly, Irene silently vowed to herself: I’ll win her heart this time. This time, things would be different.

The next day found Irene standing before Seulgi’s parents, Mama Kang and Papa Kang, her heart racing as tears filled her eyes. She bowed deeply, her body trembling with sincerity and remorse as she prepared to lay bare her soul.

“I’m so sorry,” Irene said, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. “I was careless, thoughtless. I swear, it was all a prank, but I let it go too far. I’ll never do it again.” She remained in her bow, even as her knees began to shake from the strain of her position, the gravity of her apology hanging heavily in the air.