3 years later.
Youngsoo scanned the pile of papers on his desk. There had been no crime for the last few months and it made him bored. There were only minor crimes like vandalism, trespassing, shoplifting, simple assault, drunk driving, and minor drug offenses. He missed his old habit of chasing and breaking his bones. Youngsoo roamed his eyes around his office and realized how dusty it was. He began to pull out some envelopes from the shelf when an old newspaper fell off.
Youngsoo read the headlines and his memories streamed down like massive waves crashing through his skull, and for a second, his head hurt. It was the talk of the town three years ago, the case of the faceless murderer, and it remained unsolved. The CCTV caught three people entering the forest—Mee Yoon, Dong-sun, and an unidentified man. The police arrived and inspected the area.
They found some eating utensils on the table and they got Mee Yoon's DNA on them, meaning she ate the food. According to her statement, the man fed her before Dong-sun arrived and shot him. They also found some bloodstains near the house on the ground, on the grasses, on some dried leaves, and on some branches—a sign that violence occurred. But the weirdest part was the inks. They couldn't figure out where it came from. It wasn't just small droplets of ink, but one barrel of it like someone purposely put it there.
Another unexplained circumstance was seeing the two men enter the forest, but not coming out. Their traces ended near the inks. It was Youngsoo's first cold case.
***
Flashes of lights from cameras filled the entire hall as it thrilled everybody to see the bestselling author who wrote her first happy ending. After a year of drawing her comics, it finally turned into a comic book. Everyone who followed Black Sunshine's career was surprised to hear that the finale of her current book was not like her signature ending—tragic drama. It was a historical drama set in the Joseon era. The crowned prince survived the war against another clan and married the woman of his dreams who came from the lower class. The second lead, who was the brother of the prince coveted the throne, and was rejected by the female lead also found new love from their rival clan—the only survivor after the battle.
"Thank you for coming here today on short notice. I would like to thank everyone who supported my journey as a Webtoon creator. My comic, Limerence is the last of my masterpieces because I am retiring. I know it's too early and I'm too young to end my career like this, but this is my decision," Mee Yoon said. After the painful incident 3 years ago, she barely talked. She got into rehabilitation for the trauma she gained.
Mee Yoon cleaned her apartment for the last time because she was moving out. Dong-sun left her lots of memories there, and she couldn't take it. She pushed her cabinet to insert the dust cleaning machine at the back of it when something slid down. It was a painting of something odd.
"What's this? I couldn't remember painting this. Is this one of my abstract paintings?" she said. She checked the back of it and found a letter posted on it.
Dear Mee Yoon,
I know we are different. I don't know how to become a human being like you. A part of me hated you for creating me. But when I got to know you, all of my miserable past before meeting you disappeared. You made me live again. I want to live with you forevermore. But not as a friend or a slave. I want to live with you as someone who can kiss you, hug you, take care of you, make you laugh and cry. Only me. What would you call that kind of person? Your angel? You didn't tell me what you like. I never gave you a present. Now I know what to build, a home library with at least two secret entrances, one benign ghost, a window to let in the messenger crows, and a collection of vintage leather-bound classics. Isn't that fantastic? Do you want me now? Anyway, the painting is a portrait of you. Isn't she lovely?
Love, Dong-sun
Mee Yoon smiled, with tears flooding down to her chin while hugging the painting. 'How can I move on?' she thought. Her phone beeped. It was an alarm she set a few days ago.
"It's time," she said and wiped her tears away. She hurried to the hospital to fetch Sun Hee.
"What's going on? Where are we going?" Sun Hee asked as Mee Yoon dragged her out of her office.
"We are late. The shoot is about to start," Mee Yoon replied.
"What shoot?"
"Your childhood dream is to become an actress, right? Now is your chance. Remember your favorite drama? The director is my friend. He called me and he needs someone to play as the bride. Don't worry, you are not the lead actress. You are just the cousin of the male lead. Okay? The camera will just take a few minutes to shoot the wedding."
"What? Why didn't you say so? I am not prepared!"
Mee Yoon sped up to the shooting site. "There's a wedding dress at the back. I randomly selected it earlier. I'm not sure if it fits you, but try it on."
"Right now? In here?" Sun Hee was getting skeptical. Mee Yoon nodded. Sun Hee crawled to the backseat and put the dress on. "Can you help me zip it?" Mee Yoon parked the car at the church. "Alright. Come on." Sun Hee wore the glass slippers. The cameramen helped her fix her hair and put on the veil.
"Alright! Lights... camera... action!"
Sun Hee walked with elegance. The wedding had a rustic theme. They adorned the church with vintage designs and natural colors. Light bulbs hung above them in various sizes, like stars in the galaxy. The flowers were colored rose gold and the wedding song was classical.
Sun Hee was excited but maintained her poise while walking down the aisle. She couldn't wait to see her face on the screen. It was the time for the father to walk with the bride and deliver her to the groom. Sun Hee turned her head and saw her father. He smiled at her and placed her hand on his arm.
"Dad... What are you doing here?"
"I can't miss my daughter's wedding."
"But this is only a movie. You don't have to be here."
They arrived at the altar. "Take care of my daughter," he said. Sun Hee looked at the groom who turned up. He wasn't there when she was walking down the aisle. Sun Hee froze when she recognized the man. "Sure, father. I'll take care of everything."
The groom looked gorgeous, dressed in a rustic-colored tuxedo with a curly curtains haircut. He held her hand as they faced the altar. Sun Hee glanced at the people behind them and realized that her family was there, even his family.
"Congratulations," Mee Yoon mouthed.
"What is going on?" Sun Hee asked the groom.
"Today is my birthday. You are single, so am I. I made a promise three years ago, and I'm making it happen right at this very moment," Youngsoo replied.
"Quit playing games with me."
"This is real, Cha Sun Hee. A few hours from now, you'll be Mrs. Seo." Youngsoo winked.
"I never said yes," she protested.
"You did, three years ago at the hospital. I heard from you. You said you're going to say yes if I wake up. You have no way out, Sun Hee. You are already mine," he said and kissed the back of her hand.
7 years later.
Mee Yoon displayed her paintings for the last 6 years in the art exhibit. She was carrying a child as she stared at the little portrait on the wall.
"What do you think is that, Dae Ho?"
"It looks like an ostrich," the kid replied.
"What?" Mee Yoon chuckled. "That's me." The kid blinked. "Really?"
"Art isn't supposed to be beautiful. It is supposed to make you feel something. That painting makes me feel like I am on top of the universe," she said.
"It must be cool to be on top of the universe. You see the meteors, galaxies, and other planets!" the kid exclaimed. "It is wonderful. But it is also lonesome. You are on top of everyone, but you are alone, waiting for that single shooting star."
"Why are you waiting for a shooting star?"
"To make a wish."
"Then tell me your wish. I will make it come true, so you won't be tired of waiting," the kid said and tapped her head.
"If that's the case, I wish for you to become a strong, kind, and decent man."
"I already am, like Dad."
"That's why I love him."
"Dae Ho!" They turned around and saw Youngsoo approaching. "Dad!" Mee Yoon put him down and he ran into Youngsoo's arms. Seo Dae Ho was Youngsoo and Sun Hee's 5-year-old son. Youngsoo stood beside Mee Yoon.
"We were talking about you, Dad."
"Oh, did she curse at me?"
"No. Aunt Mee Yoon loves you very much!"
Youngsoo looked at her and held her hand. "Are you okay?" She nodded. "I told you I'll protect you, right? I'll be by your side forever, sis." Mee Yoon hugged him.
"Dad, aunt, I can't breathe..." Dae Ho, who was stuck between them complained.
"Aunt, why are you crying? You look ugly when you cry. Maybe that's why you're still single," Dae Ho said.
"A man once truly loved me, Dae Ho, even after seeing the worst side of me."
"Is it uncle Daewon?"
"No."
"Oh, speaking of Daewon. He sent me these. One for you and one for me," Youngsoo said as he gave a tiny envelope to Mee Yoon. It was a wedding invitation.
"Good for him," she said as she opened the letter.
"Then who is it, aunt Mee Yoon? Who loved you?"
"The man who created the painting. But he is no longer with us."
"It's alright. If your love didn't work in this lifetime, regret nothing. Do you know why? It's because you can love him in another lifetime and make things work. You can find him, and in that lifetime, do not let go of him. Ever. Okay?"
Mee Yoon was amused. "Who told you that?"
"My boy is intelligent," Youngsoo said.
"Aunt Mee Yoon, I want to hear your love story!"
"Alright. It all began when I fell in love with a fictional character..."
END
Thanks for reading Limerence.