Chapter 77: Hot Chocolate
Sayuri
After leaving Ava, I walked aimlessly through town, unsure what to do or think. How could Sehun and her have betrayed Sou and me like that?
Memories of our time together, the laughter, the intimate moments, and the promises of forever, now felt like a cruel joke in the wake of Ava's betrayal. Her gentle touch and warm words had once brought me comfort and joy, but now they only served to remind me of the pain she had caused.
As I walked through town, the familiar sights and sounds of our shared memories now felt tainted by her betrayal. The streets now seemed empty and devoid of the warmth and light that had once filled them, leaving me feeling adrift and alone in a sea of heartache.
The weight of Ava's betrayal pressed down on me, leaving me feeling lost and uncertain about the future. How could I rebuild what had been broken, mend the shattered pieces of my heart, and find the strength to move forward without her by my side?
Lost in my thoughts, I found myself at the edge of town, the sun sinking low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the deserted streets. The ache in my heart seemed to echo the fading light, a dull and persistent reminder of the pain I carried within me.
"Sayuri?" a voice called out. I turned and saw Kai standing behind me, carrying a paper grocery bag.
"Kai," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. Part of me wondered if it had been my fault that Ava cheated on me. After all, I would sometimes flirt around with Kai.
He approached me cautiously, his expression a mix of concern and confusion. "Are you alright?" he asked, his eyes searching mine for answers that I didn't have.
I shook my head, unable to find the words to express the turmoil churning within me. The weight of betrayal felt too suffocating to speak of, even to him.
Kai reached out a hand and placed it gently on my shoulder, a silent gesture of comfort and support. In that moment, his touch felt like a lifeline, a reminder that amidst the chaos and heartache, there were still those who cared for me.
"Would you like to come to my place? I am going to make hot chocolate. Maybe that will cheer you up."
I couldn't help but smile a little. Kai was so adorable.
"Thank you, Kai," I replied, grateful for his kindness and understanding. The offer of hot chocolate sounded comforting, a small gesture of warmth and solace amidst the storm of emotions raging within me.
As we walked to Kai's house, the weight of betrayal and heartache still heavy on my shoulders, I found a sense of peace in his presence. The serene countryside surroundings, with its lush greenery and peaceful atmosphere, provided a soothing backdrop to the turmoil in my heart.
Once we arrived at his cozy house, Kai busied himself in the kitchen, preparing the hot chocolate with care and attention to detail. The soothing aroma of chocolate and warmth filled the room, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace.
As I sipped the hot chocolate, the familiar taste and warmth brought a sense of comfort and calm to my troubled mind. Kai sat across from me, his presence a steady anchor in the tumultuous sea of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.
"Thank you for this," I said softly, looking into his kind eyes. "I don't know what I would do without you, Kai. Your friendship means the world to me."
Kai's cheeks flushed a faint pink, a subtle blush coloring his cheeks at my words. His gaze met mine, and a shy smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I-I'm glad I could help, Sayuri. You mean a lot to me too."
In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of the hot chocolate and the comfort of Kai's friendship, I felt a glimmer of hope flicker within me. Despite the pain and betrayal that weighed heavily on my heart, I knew that with friends like Kai by my side, I would find the strength to heal and move forward, one step at a time. And for that, I was grateful.
"Oh, look. If it isn't Kai's little girlfriend," Kai's mom said as she came down stairs with her youngest son in her arms.
Kai's cheeks deepened in color, his blush intensifying under the playful gaze of his mother. "M-Mom! I told you, we're just friends!" he stammered as he looked as if he wanted to pull his head back like a turtle to its shell.
His mother chuckled, a warm and teasing twinkle in her eyes. "Oh, come on, Kai. I can see the way you look at Sayuri. You're practically glowing whenever she's around." She winked mischievously before turning her attention to me. "Don't mind him, dear. Kai may be a bit shy, but he cares about you more than he lets on."
I couldn't help but smile at the lighthearted banter between Kai and his mom. Despite the heaviness of my heart, their playful exchange brought a moment of levity and warmth to the room.
I giggled. "I can tell. Thanks for having such a nice son."
Mrs. Malachite beamed at the compliment, her eyes crinkling with warmth. "You're welcome, dear. Although, I wonder how he turned out that way, having been raised by that flirt of a father."
Kai sighed. "Mom, don't start with Dad now."
She nodded. "Well, I'm gonna feed your little brother."
I hummed. Wonder how Kai's parents kept breaking up and getting back together. While she called her ex-husband a flirt, I felt there wasn't betrayal involved in their divorce. At least, I couldn't imagine them getting back together if there was.
As I pondered the complexities of Kai's family dynamics, Mrs. Malachite headed off to take care of her youngest son, leaving Kai and me alone in the cozy kitchen. The warmth of the hot chocolate still lingered in the air, wrapping us in a comforting embrace.