Ruby(Red 2) JC [Revised]

11: A Murder?

Aerum found herself rethinking everything about her relationship with Jeonghan as she spent time with her parents. Their warm welcome and the familiarity of their family rituals brought a sense of comfort, yet there was a lingering unease in her heart.

At McDonald's, seeking solace in a meal after her best friend's last-minute cancellation, Aerum found herself approached by a friendly stranger. He had a kind smile and a welcoming demeanor, and Aerum couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at the prospect of sharing her concerns with someone impartial.

As the stranger sat beside her, offering a listening ear, Aerum hesitated. Opening up to a stranger about her personal struggles felt strange and unfamiliar, but there was something comforting about the anonymity of the situation.

"Yeah, my best friend ditched me last minute," Aerum admitted, grateful for the opportunity to vent her frustrations.

The stranger nodded sympathetically, his eyes reflecting genuine concern. "It's fine. I just felt like you might be stressed out about something. Wanna talk about it?" he offered gently.

Aerum paused, considering his words. The idea of confiding in a stranger felt both liberating and intimidating, but she couldn't deny the appeal of unburdening herself to someone who wouldn't judge or offer biased advice.

"Telling a stranger about my problem sounds creepy," Aerum replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

The stranger chuckled softly. "That's the point. We're both strangers, and we won't judge each other. Plus, we probably won't meet again," he reassured her.

His words struck a chord with Aerum. He has a point tho! Aerum really needs to vent everything she has buried inside. And honestly, he's just a stranger, they would never meet again and would easily forget about each other soon.

"So my boyfriend and I have been going through a very rough phase in our relationship and I don't know what to do," Aerum confided, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Well, if he's your long-term boyfriend and you feel you both love each other, then talk to him," the stranger replied, offering a sympathetic smile.

"We have been dating since middle school and you know I really love him, he's my first love. But he...." Aerum's voice trailed off, a mixture of frustration and sadness evident in her tone.

"He?" The stranger raised an eyebrow, encouraging Aerum to continue.

"He... I don't know if he likes me or not. He has always made me feel very special but nowadays... he feels different," Aerum confessed, her words heavy with concern.

"I'm sure he loves you. That's why you both have been together for so long, right? Talk to him about your problems, I'm sure he'll understand," the stranger reassured, offering Aerum a comforting smile.

"What if he doesn't love me anymore? I mean, we had a pretty nasty argument before I came here," Aerum admitted, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"I'm sure he does. If he wanted to break up, then he would have done that the day you both had the argument. I think he's giving you some space. Think about it and make amends with him once you return. I'm sure you two are a lovely couple," the stranger encouraged, his words resonating with Aerum.

Aerum nodded, acknowledging that the stranger's advice had struck a chord with her. She realized that she needed to give her relationship another chance and wasn't ready to give up so easily. With a renewed determination, she decided to return to Toronto soon and make a mental note to talk to Jeonghan about their issues.