Chapter Text
The Keys to a Successful Marriage
When you're caught up in the excitement of your wedding, it can be hard to imagine that you and your spouse might not live happily ever after. Marriages take work, commitment, and love, but they also need respect to be truly happy and successful.
"Why are you here?"
The woman standing before me made a hurt expression while sucking on her lemon-flavored candy. I knew my words did not actually affect her.
"How rude, I am here to check up on my dear friend."
A lie.
"We are not friends. Why are you here?" I repeated my question with more contempt in my voice. I didn't need her of all people to waste my time. Especially, since I was already running late for the appointment with the divorce lawyer. I also knew that he would get annoyed if I showed up late and wasted more of the already limited time he had left for me.
"Tch, fine. I am here to pick up some of Dokja's remaining belongings."
She let herself in and walked straight to the living room, plopping herself down on the couch like this was her own place.
"He couldn't do it himself?"
"He said he doesn't have time for this... I think he is just afraid to face you more than he has to." She was smiling while saying this. I really could not stand this woman.
"He was never afraid to face me, you can just admit that he can't stand the sight of me." Afraid? What would that fool have to be afraid of? He has never been afraid to run this mouth of his for the past five years. He has never been afraid to attack every flaw of mine during our arguments. He was also never afraid to show that he cannot stand being in the same room as me anymore.
"Ugh, please don't even start. I can't stand you two ranting to me when you won't even listen to anything I say. In my book, both of you are gigantic idiots, who are making a colossal mistake." Han Sooyoung was always a woman that liked to act like an omniscient narrator. One that thought she understood people's feelings more than they did themselves. That is precisely why I could not stand her and her condescending nature.
"It's not a mistake. We both talked this through together, and concluded that this is the best outcome."
Her smile finally faltered. She looked at me with eyes full of emotions I could not decipher. Her lips thinned into a line and she looked like she was contemplating if she should speak her mind or not. Han Sooyoung being Han Sooyoung, of course, decided to share her unasked opinion.
"I am picking up Dokjas belongings. From. Your. Place."
"So? He used to live here. Of course, someone would have to pick up his belongings." Her expression became more irritated as she continued speaking.
"You guys have been living apart for six months now. Your apartment has been emptied of his belongings two months ago. I am picking up the stuff he left behind a week ago. A week ago, Yoo Joonghyuk. When he stayed over, remember that? Does that ring any bells? Now I don't know why you and Dokja are both refusing to tell me why he stayed over or what the hell happened, but I am not dumb, you bastard. He did most certainly not stay over at his soon-to-be-ex-husbands place...to drink some tea and peacefully reminisce the old days."
I didn't reply to her, in fact, I hoped that if I ignored her long enough, she would drop this topic.
"You two are idiots. Why can't you communicate like normal people? Talked this through? You two didn't talk shit! I know it, you know it, Dokja knows it! This isn't the right decision but-"
"Han Sooyoung!" I cut her off. My mind was already filled with other problems, I didn't need her shitty marriage advice now. Not today. Not when we are going to finalize it.
She looked at me, eyes wide open, mouth closed shut, and eyebrows knitted together.
"Fine! Fine by me! Both of you can do what you want, go to hell, whatever. I am just the errand girl!" She stood up and stormed out of the living room. "Tell Dokja to pick up his shit himself. I don't even know why I keep playing your guy's personal delivery boy." I heard the front door open and slam close with a violent thud. Great, now this is another issue I will have to deal with later.
Why didn't Dokja just ask me to bring his stuff? I could have avoided seeing the witch, and she wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to throw a tantrum in my house.
"You fool can't even stand the idea of hearing my voice, huh?"
Just as on cue, my smart watch lit up and started vibrating. The caller ID said "Kim Dokja". Why was he calling me now? Did Han Sooyoung already complain to him about our fight? I picked up, relentlessly.
"What do you want?"
Seconds passed and all I heard was uneven shaky breathing and loud chatter in the background.
"Kim Dokja..?"
"You... huff huff... you need to pick me up..."
"Pick you up?"
"Yes. Please. I will be astronomically late otherwise. I ran like a madman to catch the subway but turns out the entire line 098 was canceled due to some technical difficulties... I am sorry."
"..."
"Yoo Joonghyuk?"
"Wait at MinoSofts parking lot, I will be there."
I hung up after saying that. Looks like that fool is still capable of talking to me outside of legal matters.
I grabbed my keys and headed out.