Backstories

I looked down on the mattress. I am an idiot for not realizing it earlier. I am trying to hide that tears were rolling down my cheeks. I wished I could have helped him when he was facing a problem or so, but that would mean I was meddling into his personal life. Even so, I did hope that I'd encouraged him when I knew what was happening.

"Aw, you could have said that louder and clearer on my face."

Is this it? Is it him?

I looked up and I saw him smile at me. It was the first time I saw that smile. The smile that was so pure and genuine, his lifeless eyes were no longer to be seen. He looks so stunning, very stunning.

And without any second thoughts, I hugged him tightly. I sobbed at his chest saying. "I am so happy that you made it!" And he patted my back. "Shh, now, don't cry okay? Look at me and calm down. I could feel your heartbeat beating so fast. It's as if you're very worried about me." He said as he cupped my cheeks.

"Are you calm now?" He asked. "Yup," I said and removed his hands from my face. "It makes me so happy to think that you're the one here in my hospital room." He said, with his dazzling smile. "You saved me. And that makes me happier than ever." He thanked. "But, why would you even do that? Do you know how worried I felt when I saw you?" I asked.

"Fine, fine. I'll tell you everything about it, but first, let's stay in this position. It makes me feel warm." He ordered. "Of course," I said

We were in that position for a long time. It was silent, I could hear his heartbeat, and it is beating fast. I don't know if our feelings were mutual but, I do hope so. Yeonwoo, could you hear my heartbeat? I am yearning for your answer. I can patiently wait for your answer.

"My mom is a director at J Company while my dad is the president of Sh Company." I tried to let go of his arms. "No, just stay." And hugged me tighter. "And I have a brother. You could say that I have a perfect life, having what you want, a loving mother, and a working father." He sighed. "Well, that's what I thought before. But as I and my older brother got older. Things changed drastically." He paused.

I could see his eyes were being teary and it was obvious that he's holding back. "Don't hold back, if you want to cry, I am here."

From what I said, I think that it was a trigger and he burst out his tears. I stroked his hair, it was soft. "I and my brother got compared with each other when I turned 5 while he turned 7. He was the "perfect" kid. And I had no talent at all, whether it was for academics, sports, or even musical instruments. I had nothing. He could do anything perfectly and I tried so hard to become the same level as him." His voice cracked. I stroked his back as a sign that it's okay.

"I did everything I could so I could be also "perfect" but I always get second or third place. He was the star of the family, he was always praised and they poured all of their attention to him. It hurts so much that I couldn't do anything. I felt so pressured about it that even late at night, I forced myself into studying and learning how to sing, and even play the piano." His grip tightened.

"In middle school, I was always at top of my class, had decent friends. It was my first time to be happy. But I didn't do what I liked. I was much pressured to do these things that I don't even want to. Because of that, I also became the valedictorian in our ceremonies. I received a lot of awards. And was praised by our school director." He let out a deep breath.

"In high school, I got into a math competition in our city. I thought that my parents would be so happy that I got in. But I was wrong. They told me that when he was my age, he was already competing in national tournaments. And that broke my heart, all I wanted was affection and attention from my parents but never got it. I hoped that maybe they could just help me more and be more considerate since I'm also their child."

"My older brother was also praised by other relatives, and while I was studying, I went down for a cup of water, I overheard my mom and mom's sister talking about us. Her sister that my style of clothing was bad and said that my older brother is better at having a fashion sense."

"I decided to change everything, from what style I wear and to what hairstyle they wanted for me. And that's when I wore my everyday wear- which is my black suit." Oh, so that's why he would always wear that.

"I was quite surprised that it worked like a charm, they praised me for such small changes though it wasn't good enough. They still told me that even I did those, they are still not happy with my talents and academics." He huffed.

I am in a loss of words, I never knew having a privileged family would be this hard. I now feel guilty about getting mad at my parents for complaining about my life. For studying non-stop to become a smart and independent person. Little did I knew that he was having a harder time than me, I should be thankful that my parents were admiring me and slowly accepted for who I am.

I embraced him tightly. He was like a giant teddy bear for being big.

"When college came, I displayed the picture of a perfect role-model. People were admiring me and would always want me to be with them, I felt so happy because of that and I knew that even the small admiration makes me contented. I even got laughed at by others because of what I wear."

"Before I graduated, I liked a boy. Someone in a younger year than me." And he looked at me in my eyes. "Okay, and what happened with the boy?" I asked. "Well, when I told him that, I had the same reaction to when you told the guy you like back when you were in high school." He let out a small sigh.

"He said that he thought that I was perfect and destroyed me. He told everyone at the campus but I was so lucky that even though I liked boys, they said that they were okay by it, and they were so chill that made me joyful." And let out a soft laugh.

"And, my brother wanted to work in a different country as an attorney, and my parents easily accepted it. I was forced to work as a Director at my father's company." And removed his arms wrapping my body.

"Moving on, I wanted to be a baker and own a café. But, when I saved enough money, I secretly opened a café." A café? Then that means he likes baking? "And after the opening, I met you. You were so confident about everything! I liked that about you." And poked my cheeks. "Stop that, it makes me feel embarrassed," I said. "It made me feel so happy to meet you and get a chance to talk with you." He smiled. "For months, I loved talking to you." And smiled more.

"I am sorry that you were talking about yourself even about your past. And I only said about work stuff and other things like that." He apologized. "What? No! I also loved your work stories and it makes me have a glimpse about what adulthood is." I said, proudly. "Really?" And he laughed.