Chapter 88;ROOFTOP BECKONS

Chapter 88

As Hyun Min settled into the car, the exhaustion washed over him like a heavy wave. The hospital visit had taken more out of him than he had anticipated, and the weight of his mother's expectations still lingered in his mind. He was grateful that he hadn't collided with her in the way he had feared, but the tension between them was palpable.

The men who had brought him to the hospital were now taking him back to school, their silence a welcome respite from the emotional turmoil that had been brewing inside him. Hyun Min's stomach growled, reminding him that he was famished. He hadn't eaten in hours, and the thought of food was now all-consuming.

As the car moved through the streets, Hyun Min's thoughts drifted back to his mother. She had been pressuring him to visit the hospital, and he had reluctantly agreed. Despite his reservations, he was relieved that the visit was over, and he could now focus on getting back to his routine.

As Hyun Min glanced at the time, he was surprised to see that it was almost six. The day had slipped away from him, consumed by the hospital visit and the weight of his thoughts. And then, without warning, Sarah's face popped into his mind. He couldn't explain why, but something about her lingered in his thoughts.

On a whim, he pulled out his phone and sent her a message. "Hey," he typed, his fingers hesitating over the keyboard. He wasn't the type to send messages, preferring to keep his interactions brief and direct. But something about Sarah made him want to reach out.

As he hit send, Hyun Min felt a flicker of uncertainty. What was he doing? He hadn't planned on messaging her, but now that the message was sent, he couldn't take it back. He slipped his phone back into his pocket, wondering how Sarah would respond, if she would respond at all.

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**Sarah's pov**

As I sat in my room, Racy's gentle touch was a balm to my battered skin. She had fetched hot water from the student kitchen, and now her fingers danced across my face, coaxing out the tension and pain from the slap. The warmth of the cloth was a soothing balm, and I felt my eyelids growing heavy as she worked her magic.

But despite the comfort of Racy's ministrations, my mind refused to quiet. It replayed the encounter with Josh and his friends, the anger and hurt simmering just below the surface. How could they be so cruel? And why had Josh reacted with such violence?

Racy's voice was a gentle whisper in my ear, "Stay still, Sarah." Her words were a soft command, but I could sense the underlying concern. I took a deep breath and tried to relax, letting her tend to my face.

"Thanks, Racy," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Racy's smile was a warm, comforting thing, and she continued to massage my face with gentle, soothing strokes. "You're welcome, Sarah."

My phone buzzed to life, and I swiftly reached out to claim it, effortlessly evading Racy's probing hands. As I checked the screen, a thrill coursed through me upon seeing the message from Hyun Min. Our brief exchanges had already left an indelible mark, and I had aptly labeled his contact "Handsome" - a moniker that seemed to capture the essence of our interactions.

The message itself was succinct yet evocative: "Hey." A gentle smile spread across my face as I absorbed the simple greeting, and Racy's inquisitive eyes locked onto mine, sparkling with curiosity. "Who's the mysterious texter?"

Racy's eyes gleamed with anticipation, her voice barely above a whisper. I teased her, telling her to mind her own business, and raised my phone to block her view. My fingers danced across the keyboard as I crafted a response: "Hi, are you back?" The words flowed effortlessly, accompanied by a flutter in my chest that I couldn't quite explain.

Racy's gaze remained fixed on me, her expression a mixture of amusement and speculation. "Oh my goodness, I'm convinced that guy must be incredibly attractive," she said, her voice laced with mirth. "You're beaming, and it's absolutely adorable." I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I met her gaze, trying to maintain a composed demeanor. "What makes you think it's a guy?" I asked, my tone laced with playful skepticism.

Racy's grin was knowing, her eyes sparkling with a deep understanding. "You can't possibly be this radiant when chatting with a girl, right?" She winked at me, and I rolled my eyes, laughing despite myself. Yet, deep down, I knew she was right.

My phone's insistent buzz shattered the tranquility of the moment, and I snatched it up, my heart racing with anticipation. Hyun Min's response flashed on the screen, sending a thrill coursing through my veins: "Yeah, I'm back. Meet me at the rooftop where we met yesterday night." The words ignited a spark within me, and I sprang into action, my movements swift and purposeful.

"I'll be back, Racy," I said, the words tumbling out in a breathless whisper as I hastened towards the door. But turned back,racy's gaze followed me, her eyes wide with bewilderment, but I didn't have a moment to spare for explanations,I shed my worn attire for something fresh and alluring, my mind fixed intently on the impending meeting. With a flurry of motion, I seized a perfume, spritzing its intoxicating aroma on my skin, and swiftly bound my hair into a ponytail.

As I finished my hasty preparations, I turned to Racy, seeking her approval with a questioning glance. "How do I look?" I asked, smoothing out my clothes with a nervous hand. Racy's smile was radiant, and she gave me a thumbs-up, her eyes shining with amusement. "You look stunning." she said, but I was already gone, rushing out the door with a sense of urgency, my heart pounding in time with the promise of the rooftop rendezvous.

With each step, my excitement grew, fueled by the prospect of seeing Hyun Min's handsome face again. The rooftop, with its secrets and surprises, beckoned me, and I couldn't wait to uncover what the night had in store.