2. Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Elise
S tepping into Young Jae’s house, I sigh. My shoulders drop, the tension easing immediately, and the air feels clearer in my lungs. He shuts the door behind me, taking my bags.
“Make—” His words are cut off by a white blur wriggling at my feet.
Gaping, I stare down at an adorable Jack Russell Terrier. “Oh. My. God. Who is this?”
Dropping down, I pull the wriggling bundle of energy into my arms, giggling as the dog licks my neck.
“That’s Kimchi. She’s what I wanted to show you earlier.” Young Jae grins as I plop onto my butt, petting the excited dog. “She was dropped off as a stray at the vet clinic around a month ago. Cam tried to find the owner without success. So after getting some weight on her and taking care of some medical issues, I told him I wanted to adopt her.”
Kimchi curls up in my lap, huffing out a sigh as I stroke between her ears. “I’ve always wanted a Jack Russell,” I whisper.
“I know. I wanted to give her to you, but I remember you mentioning a couple years ago that Jake didn’t want a dog.” His voice is carefully neutral, which I appreciate in this moment. I don’t want to think about Jake. “Since you’re here, I want you to think of her as yours too.”
“I can’t believe you remember that.” Tears fill my eyes as I hunch over her and bury my face into her neck. Wiping my face, the dampness of my sleeve reminds me I still haven’t showered or changed.
Lifting Kimchi, I stand, slipping out of my shoes and putting them into the shoe rack by the door. I give her one last hug before setting her on the floor. Gesturing at Young Jae’s shirt, still warming me, I grimace. “I could use a hot shower.”
Young Jae grins. “Consider the bedroom across from mine as yours, the one with the full bathroom attached.”
Giving him a grateful look, I take my bag from him and head upstairs to the room. My room.
The bedroom is spacious, even with a queen-sized bed. It’s beautifully made with emerald-colored bedding. The walls are a deep forest green, the dark color calming. I admire the tasteful bedside lamps and set my bag down on the window seat. Opening the closet, I can’t help but sigh dreamily at the size. It’s a deep walk-in with custom built shelving. It’s been ages since I came upstairs, not since Young Jae moved in four years ago, and I forgot how amazing the closets are.
Not bothering to unpack, I grab some clean clothes and my toiletries. The bathroom is also large, with an oversized shower and plenty of counter space. Pulling at the damp shirt, I close my eyes for a moment and sigh. Eager to wash the day away, I strip down and go to turn on the water.
Gaping as I finally take in the luxury that is the shower, I stare at the spa wall. The multitude of buttons are intimidating, but it doesn’t take long until I’m standing under the warmth of water from four different directions.
The heat eases the remaining tension from my shoulders. Reality sinking in as I process what happened. I can’t believe I did it. I’ve been through break-ups before, but none of my previous relationships were ever going to go anywhere. Jake and I discussed marriage at one point, and he said he wanted to start a family. Kids has always been something I’m on the fence about. I was okay having them, but I was also perfectly content to have a childfree life. He was always the one to bring it up, but then never seemed serious about the things that actually led to that.
When did that all change? I can’t really pinpoint the time, but it’s been a long time.
Despite my relief, my heart grieves the time I sacrificed for a relationship that had no future. If I’m being honest with myself, I ignored a lot of red flags from early on because he promised me the things I wanted.
Tilting my head back, letting the water stream over me, I wash the day away. No part of me really feels sad at the loss of Jake, the shame and guilt at admitting that quick to surface. He’s not a bad guy, but he has a lot of growing to do to be a good partner.
Finishing my shower, I pull on my shorts, sports bra, and an oversized T-shirt. Staring at the big bed, I relish the idea of spreading out in it. Maybe I can convince Young Jae to let Kimchi sleep with me.
My stomach growls loudly, reminding me that my dinner plans fell through. I towel dry my hair, brushing it quickly before heading downstairs.
The only sound in the house is the TV. Following it, I pause at the sight before me. There is a smorgasbord of food on the coffee table, and Young Jae is sprawled out on his couch, some action movie playing, but he is scrolling the channels.
“This is a ton of food,” I finally say, stepping into the room.
He glances at me, his gaze dropping to my legs before jolting back to my eyes, a smirk on his lips. “I figured you would be hungry but I didn’t know what you’d want, so I ordered your favorites.”
Plopping onto the other side of his sectional, I peruse the food. The red curry wins first pick, so I snag it. “You’re the best. Thank you for making this easy.”
“You know I’d do anything for you.” He clears his throat, gesturing to the TV. “What do you want to watch?”
He continues to scroll through as I eat.
“Oh! Rogue One !” My mouth is full, but I don’t want him to miss it.
Young Jae selects it but laughs. “Haven’t you watched this half a dozen times?”
“At least, but I love it.”
He sits up, helping himself to some food. Offering him the red curry, he scoops some out onto his plate.
We don’t say much as we eat and watch. The silence is easy and comfortable.
“Do you think I could steal Kimchi to snuggle tonight?” I finally ask after setting down the empty takeout container.
“Of course. Any time. She’s a bed hog though, and loves to crawl under the covers to snuggle. We were just having a nap, and I didn’t know a little dog could take up so much room.” His voice is affectionate as he warns me, petting the dog that’s sound asleep next to him.
Chuckling, I stretch out, my stomach protesting at how full it is. The coffee table looks like we had a group of frat boys visiting—everything is gone. Groaning as I stand, I start to tidy the table.
“What’re you doing? Relax. I’ve got this.” Young Jae motions for me to sit, his expression brooking no room for argument.
Pulling a blanket over me, I smile. “You’re the best.”
He cleans up as I watch the movie, rejoining me as we get to the end. I don’t bother hiding my tears as the main leads hold each other, waiting for their end.
Young Jae hands me a tissue. “It’s cute that you still cry for this scene.”
“They went through so much to get there, only to lose it all.” Sniffling, I wipe my nose. Glancing at the time, I begrudgingly get up and fold the blanket. “I guess I better head to bed. I need to pack up the rest of my stuff tomorrow while Jake is at work. Thank you again, I appreciate you.”
He stands as I do, pulling me into a hug. His arms are solid around me as I lay my head on his chest. The steady thump of his heart beating against my ear. “I’m here for you. All I want is your happiness.”
“Hangbokhae.” Telling him I’m happy in Korean, one of the first things I learned when he taught me, makes him smile. Stepping away, I look up at him and beam. “Jal ja.” I say goodnight and head upstairs.
“Kimchi, come!” Calling her from the landing, I wait as she runs up the stairs, her stumpy tail wagging.
Closing the door to my room, I wash up before crawling into bed. Exhaling as I snuggle in, Kimchi finds her way behind my knees. I envelop myself in the covers and smile. This bed is a dream and despite the happenings of the day, I feel okay, and that says everything about where I was at.
Picking up my phone, I set an alarm for seven a.m. before checking my messages. My group chat with the girls is quiet, but I didn’t tell the gals about the break-up so it’s not unexpected. I will message them tomorrow. But there are a couple messages from Jake.
Jake: Are you seriously not coming back? I cleaned up the kitchen. We can have a date night tomorrow. I didn’t realize it was that important to you.
Jake: Baby, we’ve been together for five years. How can you just spring this on me?
Barking out a laugh, I set my phone to do not disturb and lay it on the nightstand. Spring it on him? It goes to show how little he paid attention to the things I’ve said.
Taking a deep breath, I run through a to-do list in my mind until I finally start to doze off.
***
Parking outside Jake’s house shortly after ten, I’m relieved to see his truck is gone. When I woke this morning to more texts telling me he would change, I worried he would be waiting for me.
I take a deep breath before opening my door and getting out. Seeing the house doesn’t make me feel sad. It’s almost unnerving how at peace I feel, but I’m relieved that the decision has been easier than I had told myself it would be for the past year.
A vehicle pulls in next to me as I grab boxes and packing tape from my trunk. I tense, closing my eyes to prepare myself for what’s sure to be an awkward encounter. I give myself a mental squeeze before straightening to see who is there.
Owen grins at me from his open door. Gripping the back of my car, I sag in relief. “Oh my god, Owen, I was prepping for an awkward encounter with Jake.”
“Nah. Young Jae texted this morning to rally the troops. Adeline is following behind. She wanted to bring you food. Raelynn and Cam should be here shortly with Rae’s truck.” He pauses, glancing behind me. “And Young Jae just pulled up.”
Turning, I press my hand over my heart. I love my friends.
Young Jae hops out, grinning as he digs around and comes up with more boxes. “We’re not letting you do this on your own.”
“You guys are the best.” I smile, grateful.
Owen takes the boxes, and we head into the house. I’ve read enough stories online to be relieved that Jake didn’t change the locks, but based on his texts, I’m not overly surprised.
What does surprise me is the fact that the house is actually clean.
I come to a full stop in the kitchen. It’s spotless. And it’s never looked like this when I wasn’t the one who cleaned it.
Young Jae comes to my shoulder, murmuring, “Once doesn’t mean change.”
Turning, I nod my agreement. “I know. It’s too late.”
“Where do you want me to start?” Owen comes in.
I direct him and Young Jae to the living room for my books and a few pictures. I turn as the remainder of our group comes in, more boxes in hand. Adeline leads the way with a cake and carafe of coffee.
“I know I’m not the expert, but I wanted to provide sustenance.” Adeline sets everything down on the table, turning to take to-go cups and plates from a bag that Raelynn is carrying.
They open their arms and I rush in for a hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t message you yesterday. I just wanted to land and process.”
Rae scoffs. “Why are you apologizing? We’re just glad Young Jae had the sense to ask for help.”
Laughing, I pull away and start delegating tasks. I don’t have much, so once we clear out the closet and the rest of my things from the bathroom, grab the few appliances I added to Jake’s kitchen, and my stash of books and odd knickknacks, we’re done in less than two hours.
Eating cake in the house I’m moving out of feels too weird, so we all head back to Young Jae’s house.
By the time all my boxes are in Young Jae’s garage, we’re all starving. Owen offers to go to Cliff’s for burgers as we pile into the living room.
“Oh my gosh, who is this?” Adeline coos at Kimchi, who is wriggling between all of us after being freed from her room. Young Jae turned his third empty bedroom into a dog room for her so she has space to roam when she’s alone, but not so much to get into a lot of mischief.
“Kimchi,” Young Jae and I say in unison.
We settle in the living room, playing with Kimchi as I fill in Rae and Adeline on what happened yesterday.
“I just looked around me and realized that he’d been taking me for granted for years and it was never going to get any better. And I realized I couldn’t do it anymore. I gave him way too many chances because of the time we had together.” Giving them a smile, I emphasize, “It was the best choice I could’ve made. Probably one I should’ve made sooner.”
Rae squeaks a toy, throwing it for Kimchi. “You needed to get there on your own. I’m glad you feel good about it.”
Owen comes in, laying out burgers on the table before presenting a bottle of champagne.
Adeline raises her brows at the bottle. “Champagne?”
“We’re celebrating. Look at Elise. When was the last time you saw her looking so rested and relaxed?” Owen gestures at me. “Champagne was necessary.”
“Um, I’m right here.” Pointing at myself, I laugh. “But you’re right, I do feel relaxed.”
We all chow down, demolishing the burgers before Young Jae pops the champagne and Adeline cuts the cake. By the time everyone leaves it’s late and I’m absolutely wiped. Somehow an afternoon celebration morphed into the evening as well. More food ordered and more champagne flowed. Despite the exhaustion, my heart is full.
Saying goodnight, I head upstairs with Kimchi on my heels.
I’ve left my phone on do not disturb all day, but I take it out of my pocket to see a string of messages from Jake.
Scanning them, they’re more of the same from last night, but I don’t respond.
Kimchi snuggles against me and, for the second night in a row, I fall asleep without anxiety keeping me up.