The Other You

Sian stared at the distressed person in front of him. The words in his mouth danced but he didn't say anything. Lately he had looked for her, too, but it wasn't with that kind of romantic need. Did Yeona mean the same?

Lowering her head, she covered her face with a hand. He heard her mutter to herself, "You're not him."

Sian reached over to touch her shoulder but Yeona lifted her head forcing him to withdraw his arm. Taking her cup, she tilted her head back and gulped the burning liquid. Taking a 360º spin, Yeona laughed as the shine in her eyes disappeared. Pouring herself another glass she clinked it against his, "You're not just going to sit there, are you?"

The rest of the time Yeona laughed with him, telling him how she'd had difficulty potty training her dog. Even telling him about how Olly pooped all over her house, smearing the brown all over her floor. The cleanup had been disastrous as Olly fought with her to eat his own poop. That was as far as they got before Yeona pulled out her phone to check for the time even when she had a watch on. When she dropped her phone, he finally called it a night.

"I can drive," Yeona insisted when they walked out of the tent. As soon as she pulled her keys out of her bag, she dropped them. "Geez, so annoying," she mumbled and bent down to pick her keys up. Before she might end up picking herself up, Sian grabbed the keys for her.

"Where's your car?" he asked.

"Oh, I can drive," she continued to insist, but Sian pressed the car key remote and watched the tail lights of her vehicle blare an orange light.

"Come on," he grabbed her arm to pull her along.

"I told you about my dog?" Yeona asked letting him pull her. "So, this one time when I came home…"

He let her go on without stopping her. Pulling the passenger's door open he helped her inside. Yeona was still telling her infamous dog story when he closed the door and walked around the car to the driver's side. Her voice picked up when he got behind the wheel. Starting the engine, he turned to see that she hadn't bothered putting her seatbelt on.

"Ok, where's your house?" he asked then muttered to himself, "I can finally drop you off this time."

"Four-o-two," Yeona replied then held out the count of her fingers as she said the numbers, "four-o-two."

"Four-o-two, right," Sian nodded as he drove off. Yeona continued rattling off dog stories along the drive and he wondered if she had nothing else to talk about. Recognizing the familiar building he pulled up and into the underground parking lot. Spotting an empty spot, he swiftly turned the cark and parked.

The second he released his seatbelt Yeona was out her door, but on all fours. He stared, frowning at the absurdity. The farthest Yeona had gone with her drunken behavior was kissing him. He hadn't imagined she could get any worse.

Hurrying toward her he pulled her up. Yeona's arms swung like a ticking clock and she laughed before doing it again.

"Ok, that's fun but you don't want to get hurt," he said helping her through the sliding doors and lowered her arms. "What floor again?" he asked staring at the elevator.

"Four-o-two," she repeated enunciating each number like a grade schooler.

"Four-o-two, four-o-two," he repeated to himself in a hushed whisper. When the elevator doors opened, he pressed for the fourth floor after letting her go.

That was his mistake. Yeona immediately slumped toward the floor, pressing her cheek against the cool silver wall. She mumbled, whimpered kind of and then sniffed as if she'd been sobbing. "Yeol," he heard her call and press her palm against the barrier as if to hug someone or something.

He turned when the doors opened and a woman on the other side stared at them.

"Oh, um, excuse us," Sian awkwardly said. He turned to help pull Yeona to her feet but she yanked her arm away and became heavier. Sinking back into the wall she continued whimpering. The doors threatened to close. He sighed hopeless. Quickly shooting his arm out to keep the doors open he tried again and this time hefted Yeona up into his arms. Offering the waiting lady a last awkward smile he hurried down the hall hoping that if Yeona ever ran into her she could explain herself than he could.

The white doors appeared identical to each other, the rectangles stretching far out beyond him. The beige marble tiles beneath his feet were so clean he saw his own blurred reflection quickly seeking Yeona's apartment. Every four doors there was an intersection in the hall. Then he finally spotted 402 in shiny gold numbers.

Groaning when he realized he needed a card to unlock Yeona's door. Struggling to keep her up he angled his knee up against her back to help as he dug a stretched hand across her arm. He ended up shifting her closer so that she was literally breathing against his neck. Yeona mumbled something that made her breath bounce and cause goosebumps to rise across his skin. At last he managed to reach into the purse lying on her belly. After some searching, he managed to pull something rectangular out. The keylock beeped. Olly barked noisily when he entered the apartment.

"Wait, stop," he called out when the pug attacked his leg. "No, I'm not playing with you."

He spun around in search of the bedroom finally spotting it through an open doorway. And there it was, a bed. Finally laying Yeona down he panted. Placing hands on hips he turned around to see the dog eyeing him from the doorway with tongue hanging out of his mouth. Feeling awkward he turned around to pull Yeona's shoes off.

She had been so drunk earlier and he so intent on getting her home that he hadn't realized she wasn't in her usual heels. She was still in her shorts and t-shirt. Sian didn't recall touching her legs earlier nor did he remember how silky they felt. He felt his throat tighten. As he touched her ankle Yeona moved shifting onto her side. This time he felt his hand glide across her skin and quickly pulled back.

This time when he looked at her, he saw her innocently hugging a crochet blanket, burying her face into the soft folds. No one he knew slept with a blanket anymore, but Yeona looked comfortable and at home. Returning attention to her shoes he pulled them off and set them down beside the bed. Pictures on the night table caught his attention when he straightened.

Sian first stared at the brilliant smile plastered across Yeona's face then to the man hugging her from behind. It looked like they'd taken a trip somewhere because he saw a strip of water behind them. Beside the framed picture, he spotted a man alone grinning for the camera handsomely. He was a looker.

Sian didn't have to think hard or ask. That was Yeona's beloved husband whom Haneul said she was so close to. At the memory, he turned to see Yeona deep asleep, hugging the blanket tightly as if it might be her husband. Feeling nostalgic for her he pulled the blanket out from under her and tucked her in.

"Shh!" he placed a finger up to his lips when he turned around to see Yeona's pug still waiting. "Don't bark. She's sleeping."

Walking out Sian closed the door making sure to leave it a crack open. Lifting his head up he ended up staring at the wedding portrait hanging over the couch. There was Yeona again smiling ever so brightly, her husband kissing her cheek. He recognized the wedding gown and the tux. The day of their wedding.

It looked like a shot right out of some catalogue. A happy couple about to start a life together.

He suddenly realized that Yeona never smiled that widely anymore. Olly clawed at his pants and he glanced down at the dog who suddenly sat and whined.

Crouching down Sian rubbed the dog's head, "Hi, buddy." Olly's mouth opened into a smile and his tongue lolled out. "So, you're the one that keeps her company."

His attention turned to the door upon a click and watched a red head walk in. Their eyes immediately locked. Panic crossed her face and before he could stop her, she started screeching, "Yeona! Yeona! Yeona! Someone broke into your house!"

Sian rose to his feet as she ran by, her eyes trained hard on him but her mouth still screaming. This situation had been unforeseen and he wasn't exactly sure who to explain himself to. He didn't know Yeona lived with someone. He'd thought she only had her dog. Shouldn't he be the one that was shocked?

The girl disappeared into the bedroom and he felt bad that Yeona had to be roused awake by such noise. A moment later he heard the girl yelling, "Are you drunk?! Why did you drink!"

There was a mumbling and another moment later, Yeona staggered to the door looking as if she might trip over her own feet. And she did trip over her own feet when she tried stepping out. Sian hurried to help, Olly following him still happily drooling.

The girl swat his hand away when he touched Yeona. "Don't touch my brother's wife. She's married, you know."

Yeona's husband's sister. He'd remember that.

Stepping back, he watched the young girl help Yeona to her feet and support her. "Who is he?" the young girl interrogated still looking at him like he was a criminal.

"Water, water," Yeona mumbled incoherently trying to rub the alcohol out of her by massaging her face.

The young girl turned to him with a glare. "Get water."

"Oh…" he managed turning away. He looked around the kitchen and discovered a glass.

"Water's in the fridge," the girl yapped.

Pulling the refrigerator open he discovered a jar of water. After pouring a glass he walked back to them and handed Yeona the water. The young lady snatched it from him and held it up to Yeona's lips. After a sip she exclaimed, "I'm fine."

As if, he thought. Sian watched her stagger to the couch and sat down. Olly trotted after her and sat at her feet like a guard. Yeona's shorts drew up her legs noticeably. Catching sight of the fleece blanket nearby he walked over to wrap it around her shoulders. He heard the click of a tongue before her sister-in-law stomped over to push him aside and help cover Yeona up with the blanket. She turned to him with another glare as if suspecting the dirtiest of his thoughts.

"Who are you?" she demanded plopping down beside Yeona to protect her from this man she didn't know.

"I'm Sian. I'm a co-worker."

"Don't lie!" she spat. "You drugged her, didn't you?"

Sian rolled his eyes in disbelief. "I didn't do anything to her."

"Then why is she like this?" the young girl who didn't seem to know the obvious accused. Olly barked as well and Sian shot the dog a look.

"She can't hold her drink," Sian said.

"I'll kill you if you did anything to her," she threatened.

Sian heaved a sigh wondering what he was getting himself into. Suddenly Yeona slapped her thigh. "You guys are noisy!"

"Yeona, someone broke in," the girl leaned in to whisper all too loudly.

"Look, I didn't," Sian tried but caught Yeona looking up at him with drowsy eyes. He was dead if she didn't recognize him.

"Yeol…" she whispered.

"He's not!" the girl beside him raised her voice. "He's not him!" turning to look at him accusingly she ordered, "Get out! Before I call the cops, get out!"

Sian opened his mouth in his own defense but one look at Yeona who appeared lost and confused made him purse his lips. Turning around he left.

¤¤¤¤¤

Yeona was groggy, her mind spinning. Someone very familiar had just walked out. "Yeol came back."

Getting to her feet Mina yelled, "That's not my brother!" shaking Yeona's shoulders, "Yeol is dead! Yeona, he's not coming back! Why are you like this?"

Tears welled up in Yeona's eyes sliding down one by one. "But that was him…"

Mina shook her again, "Wake up, Yeona! Why won't you wake up!" Stressed, Mina sobbed, "Yeol isn't coming back. He never will. He left us."

Sobbing harder, Yeona buried her face into her hands once more, drowning in her sorrow. Hugging her, Mina cried with her.

¤¤¤¤¤

The night air had an undercurrent of chilliness. Sian glanced up at the apartment building as he raised his hand out for an oncoming cab. After directing the cab back toward the drinking tent so he could fetch his car, he leaned back into the back seat. He could still see the brilliantly smiling Yeona with her handsome husband.

Three years, was it? What had Yeona done in the three years after her husband passed away?

Sian thought about the glare Yeona's sister-in-law shot him. Obviously, her husband's family liked her very much if they were still around her. They were protective of her as if they never wanted to let her go.

The next morning Sian waited for Yeona. She was a little behind her usual arriving time, but she drove in and parked a few spaces away from him. Today, she had makeup on and it covered her exhausted eyes well. She wore a plain blue blouse with black pants and classic black heels to match.

"Hi," Sian greeted when she started toward the elevator. He turned to walk with her. "You feeling ok?"

"Like any other day," Yeona replied without looking at him. She stopped and turned, "Let's not have this conversation inside, all right?"

He raised a brow.

"I'm sorry about yesterday. It's kind of foggy but I can kind of remember Mina yelling at you," Yeona explained. "There are issues, so she's staying with me for a few days."

"Is that the fierce girl from yesterday?" he asked the obvious.

"Yes," Yeona replied and turned to walk away.

And still, she said nothing about her husband. She must know that he'd seen her pictures. Did she have no impression of him? Didn't she think of him as a friend at all?

Grabbing her arm, he said, "Hey, let's have lunch later. Don't worry, I didn't cook anything today."

Yeona glanced down at his hand and eased her arm out. "I'm not sure."

"I'll treat," he promised.

She only offered a tiny smile, "Not today."

He watched her walk away.

¤¤¤¤¤

Mina said nothing this morning but she had asked about the man in her apartment yesterday. After confirming that Sian was indeed a co-worker, Mina had blushed madly and apologized. On the other hand, Yeona felt all sorts of things.

Sian brought her home. He had entered her space. He'd met Mina. He'd seen Yeol, but more than that, she had wished he was Yeol.

The insane part of her needed to be locked behind bars. These feelings weren't real. They were an illusion that Sian was the Yeol she so dearly missed. She couldn't be around him because he gave her hope that he may be Yeol; that she might find a heart to love again.

Sian was not Yeol.

Yeona felt her sore heart throb. She reached up to touch the ring around her neck. She wouldn't betray Yeol.

She had lunch in her office and filled out paperwork for the day. Yeona stayed late to handle a few annoying phone calls before clocking out. As she started down the hallway, she paused to glance into the finance departments. There were still people inside finishing assignments. Sian had left. She didn't see him anywhere.

Turning away she headed toward the elevator, to her car, and slowly drove home.

¤¤¤¤¤

"What did you say his name was again?" Mina asked.

Yeona had bought fresh ingredients on the way home and was currently preparing dinner. Yeol's younger sister was already seated at the kitchen table, waiting to be served. Yeona didn't mind that she didn't offer to help. In the first place, Mina wasn't very skilled in the kitchen and Yeona didn't want her kitchen burning down. Olly waited by the foot of the table as being a good dog right now might get him some human food.

"Who are you talking about?" Yeona asked eyes busy on the boiling water while simultaneously chopping up vegetables.

"The guy from yesterday."

"Sian?"

"Right," Mina nodded. "Do you think I can apologize to him in person?"

Yeona's eyes flew over the boiling water before she turned to look at Yeol's younger sister. She was a pretty young thing and confident with anything she did. Yeona could feel where this was going.

"You don't have to ask me." Yeona turned back around to the food at hand. Quickly chopping up the vegetables she dunked them into the boiling water with a scrape of the knife. A voice egged her at the back of her head but Yeona wouldn't hear it.

"Well, since you were drinking with him that means you're friends."

"We're not friends," Yeona mumbled.

"Then, what are you?" Mina wondered. "You're not dating him?"

"No."

"Because my brother's the best, right?" Mina grinned.

A part of Yeona sunk, but she was more conflicted. Sometimes they talked about Yeol like he was still alive while knowing he wasn't. It only added to the pain and the constant reminder that Sian was just like him. The attraction was so strong Yeona didn't want to think of it. She didn't want to see any more of Sian.

"He isn't dating anyone?" Mina prodded.

"No. I don't think so." Yeona tried to find something else to focus on but all the food at hand were cooking.

"Let me meet him, please," Mina begged. Getting up she clung onto Yeona's arm like a child. "Please, please, please."

Mina liked Sian. Yeona had to let that sink in while a part of her yanked her hair out and said it couldn't happen. Yeona pursed her lips together.

"All right," Yeona gave in.

Hugging her tightly Mina praised, "You're the best sister-in-law ever!"