[4 YEARS LATER]

For the last 4 years, Annie (27) and Laura (27) had been traveling across Asia to work. Annie had settled down in Korea and working at her dad’s hospital as one of the top Doctors there. One day, Annie and Richard were sitting outside of the hospital talking about something.

Annie (*asks her dad) : dad ?
Richard : yes ?
Annie (*asks) : is it okay if i take a week and a half off from work ?
Richard : sure you can.
Richard (*asks) : but why all of a sudden ?
Annie : i miss home in LA and i miss everybody. i want to see Mrs. Tuan and Mr. Tuan.
Annie : and some of my old friends too.
Annie : i want some time off to myself.
Richard : i can’t see why not.
Annie : thanks dad.
Richard : i hope you find whatever you need in LA.
Annie : i hope so too.

Couple days later, Annie took a plane to LA. As she was at the airport waiting for her flight, she called Mrs. Tuan on her cellphone to let them know that she’s coming home to LA.

Mrs. Tuan (*answers the phone in happiness) : Hello Annie ?
Annie : it’s me. (*asks) how are you ?
Mrs. Tuan : im well. Mrs. Tuan is too.
Annie : i’m calling because i wanted to let you know that i’m coming home to LA.
Mrs. Tuan : that’s wonderful news !
Annie : yes it is.
Mrs. Tuan : there is something you need to know Annie.
Annie (*asks) : is everything alright ?
Mrs. Tuan : Mark came home with the members for Christmas.
Annie : Oh.
Annie (*asks) : can you do me a favor ?
Mrs. Tuan (*asks) : what is it ?
Annie : please don’t tell Mark or the members about me coming home.
Annie : i want to surprise them myself.
Mrs. Tuan : alright. (*asks) do you want us to pick you up at the airport ?
Annie : no, it’s alright. i’m going to take a cab back to my house.
Mrs. Tuan : okay then. please join us for Christmas and dinner. everyone will be here.
Annie : i would love to Mrs. Tuan.
Mrs. Tuan : im so excited.
Annie : alright, i got to go. my flight is about to board soon.
Mrs. Tuan : call us when you get to your house.
Annie (*smiles through the phone & says) : okay.

Annie hung up the phone and board her plane. 13 hours later, Annie had arrived in LA. She got off of the plane with her luggages and went out to catch a cab back to her home. As soon as she arrived at her home, she was more than happy to be back home where she grew up at. She walked inside of her house and settled inside. She saw that there were extra luggages in the living room lying around. It looked like her dad’s suitcases so she asked herself why it was there. Richard came out from the room and Annie was so happy to see him there.

Annie (*asks her dad) : what are you doing here dad ?
Richard : i came to see you.
Annie (*asks) : but why ?
Richard : i was concerned about you Sooyoung-ah.
Richard : you didn’t seem okay when you told me that you were vacationing to LA.
Annie : and you came.
Annie (*asks) : when did you fly out ?
Richard : i flew out the early morning before you left.
Annie (*asks) : did you meet Mrs. and Mr. Tuan yet ?
Richard : i had coffee with them this morning.
Annie (*curious & asks) : did you see Mark ?
Richard : not at all.
Annie : oh.
Richard : The Tuan’s had invited me to celebrate Christmas together.
Richard : we should both go.
Annie : i think so too. it’s the reason why i came back.
Richard : let’s rest and get ready for later.

Richard was already ready for the party when Annie was still dressed in her pajamas. Richard came into Annie’s room to talk to her while she sits in front of her dresser looking at the pictures hanging on her mirror.

Richard (*asks) : are you ready to go ?
Annie : umm….. dad.
Richard (*asks) : what is it ?
Annie : you go first to the Tuan house, i’ll meet you there later.
Richard (*asks) : is everything alright ?
Annie (*smiles & says) : everything is okay. i just need some time to think.
Richard : alright. i’ll see you there Annie.

Richard had left to the Tuan house while Annie sits there thinking.

Notes