“KimSaerin-ssi, do you know where this little guy belongs?”
"I’m sorry.. I either didn’t learn your name or I don’t remember.."
“—You can call me Park Joonhyo, if you want.”
"Ah ah! I won’t forget your name, I promise."
--------------------
He is easily the most extraordinary person I've ever met. Being in his company is such a joy. I don't know him that well yet, but he's a good person. He lives life in such an admirable way. He enjoys the simplest of things. Even something so simple as a ride on the elevator brings a smile to his face.
I can't explain it, but I feel like there's a reason why we met. Maybe I'll find the answer someday.
2 months later.
"Have a safe trip home, Saerin-ssi! Tomorrow we meet with the director, he's excited to meet the lead role herself!"
Saerin is still in awe as she's congratulated and praised by her manager and friends that had gathered to celebrate. After struggling with her celebrity status for nearly a year, today marked a major turning point for her. A new drama, that was sure to be popular among viewers, had casted Saerin as the lead female role. Many people were ecstatic to know that she'd be making a comeback.
But not everyone.
It was late on a Friday night when Saerin left the bar that they had all agreed to meet at to celebrate. The roads were nearly empty, save for the occasional passing car on the street or lingering person on the sidewalk. Saerin had a long walk home, considering it was too late and taxis were no longer running. She didn't mind, though. The smile on her ruby red lips could be seen from miles away -- from another star, even.
It meant a lot to Saerin to be given this opportunity. Honestly, she had started to give up hope that she'd ever have the chance to redeem herself. It was a miracle, really. In one day, Saerin's life had changed for the better -- and starting tomorrow, it'd get even better.
She's eager to get home, so instead of following the main stretch of road, she takes a detour down a back street. She knew these streets well, considering she's been living here her entire life. Her apartment was only a block away, and across the street. If her excitement allowed it, she planned on trying to sleep immediately so that she'd have energy for the next day.
Saerin is completely oblivious to the black Lamborghini creeping along a safe distance away. It's headlights are dim so that it draws no attention to the driver. Leather gloves grip the wheel tightly, a heavy foot tapping the gas pedal. They were biding their time carefully when when Saerin would need to cross the street. And as luck would have it it for them, there weren't a lot of witnesses around either.
Saerin glances over each shoulder twice before stepping out into the street. Traffic was seemingly clear, there wasn't a car in sight. Not that she could see, anyway -- the one that crept up behind her from the backstreet remains unnoticed.
After careful consideration on when the best time to strike would be, the driver presses their foot down heavy on the acceleration -- pushing it to the floor. The engine roars to life and tires squeal as the car makes a sharp, precise turn onto the main stretch of road that Saerin was crossing. A few heads turn to witness the sight, gasps filling the air when they realize this is an intentional act.
Saerin has no time to act. When she turns her head, her eyes double in size, blinded by the sudden light of the fast approaching headlights. Her heart drops, and she screams out in horror, but it's too late -- the car was exceeding 80 miles per hour, and in an instant she's hit.
People spoke of death like it was a natural, beautiful thing. Saerin never understood why anyone would fear death, something that was inevitable for every human being. She was always certain that she'd have a peaceful, easy ending. She never feared that.
But now, as she lays in a pool of her own blood, choking and gasping for air to fill her collapsed lungs, she can understand why people fear death. She can hear people gathering and frantically trying to get her to respond to their calls, but she's motionless and unresponsive. The only relief is that she doesn't feel any pain. She can feel the beat of her heart slowing, and she feels incredibly cold.
And then, there's nothing but darkness. Death was anything but beautiful as people had thought.
