[Chapter 07] - Along Came Our Love

 Chapter 7 -

It was Saturday morning, and Mina’s steps felt lighter as she walked along the concrete street toward La Sara Condominium. Thara’s sudden shift in behavior the other night made her feel just a tiny bit less hostile toward him.
Well—a tiny bit might be an exaggeration.
He had been kind and considerate. That was a fact.

Still, she hated the feeling of owing him anything. They weren’t close enough for that kind of generosity.
I’ll just give his place an extra round of cleaning today, she thought. That should make him happy enough.

“Mina!”

She stopped in her tracks and turned to see Jinna walking toward her, waving. They exchanged smiles from afar.

“Morning!” Jinna beamed, looping her arm through Mina’s. “You’re a bit early today.”

“Morning! I got up early, and before I knew it, I was already here,” Mina said, matching Jinna’s pace as they walked arm in arm.

When they first met at the concierge, Jinna had been surprised by how young Mina was. She’d later confessed that she probably wouldn’t have handed Mina the key card if Mina hadn’t been accompanied by a supervisor that day. With just a small gap in their ages, the two had quickly become friendly—sharing greetings, small talk, and little bits of advice about city life. Mina was grateful to Jinna for that.

As they strolled through the garden, Mina decided to tell her everything that had happened with Thara over the past week.

Jinna’s eyes widened. “He did what? Did he really hug you?” she gasped, sitting beside Mina on a concrete bench.

Mina’s lips curved into a sly smile. “The man’s a pervert. You’d never guess it from that cold face of his, but he’s no gentleman. And his words—ugh—they’re not teasing, they’re harassment.”

Jinna nodded along, clearly scandalized.

“But then,” Mina continued, “the other night, he suddenly acted completely out of character.”

“How so?” Jinna asked, sipping her coffee from a green tumbler.

“He offered to drive me home. And then he even bought me dinner from the mart.”

Jinna frowned. “Girl, you’re too trusting. Wouldn’t it be risky, letting him know where you live?”

Mina chewed on her thumbnail, suddenly uncertain. “Would it?”

“Anyway,” Jinna said, squeezing her hand, “just be careful around him for now. And if you ever feel something’s off, call me immediately. You know I’m right downstairs.”

Mina forced a small smile. She’d only meant to badmouth Thara, but now she’d made him sound like an actual pervert. What if Jinna took it seriously—and word spread?

“Let’s go. My shift’s starting soon,” Jinna said, standing up.

“Please…” Mina reached for her hand. “Keep what I said between us, okay?”

“Sure. Just be careful.” Jinna smiled before walking off.

Mina followed slowly behind, her mind uneasy.

Mina slipped into Thara’s unit. The place was dark and silent.

“Hello?” she called out, flicking on the light.

No answer.

He’s probably out, knowing I’d be coming, she thought. Not that she cared for his presence — but somehow, his absence bothered her.

She set her bag down and shrugged off her jacket. Just as she was about to grab the cleaning tools, her phone buzzed.

Thara.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Hi. Where are you?” His voice came through, steady but rushed.

“I’m at your place,” she said, glancing around. “And where are you?”

“I’m at work. I need a favor. Could you go to my bedroom and find a brown envelope? When you do, send it over to Merra.” He didn’t wait for her reply.

His tone carried urgency. Did he forget an important document? But… he wasn’t supposed to be working today.

Mina knew better than to press. “Sure. I’ll go now,” she said.

“Thanks. Let me know once you’ve sent it.”

The line went dead.

“He just says his piece and hangs up,” she murmured, yet already heading toward the bedroom.

Inside, she found the brown envelope half-hidden under a stack of papers. She picked it up and scrolled through courier services on her phone.

Too many options. Too complicated.

Should I ask Jinna? But then she hesitated. She might think Thara’s taking advantage of me again. Better not.

Her eyes flicked from the phone to the envelope, then back again.

“Ugh…” she called aloud, scratching her head.

Finally, she shoved the envelope into her bag and rushed out the door.

Downstairs, she caught Jinna’s gaze.

“Done already?” Jinna called out, tilting her head.

“Oh… I just need to step out for a bit. See you later!” Mina waved and hurried off.

Out on the street, she flagged a taxi.

“Merra Mall, please.”

“Yes, miss,” the driver replied.

She tried calling Thara back — no answer.

So she sent a text instead:

I’m bringing the envelope. Will be there soon.

Clutching the bag on her lap, she sighed. Was this really a good idea? Wouldn’t it have been easier just to ask Jinna for help?

She leaned back, watching the slow crawl of traffic outside. Typical Mina — always overthinking.

She didn’t know why his urgency made her heart skip. Maybe it was the tone or maybe she just hated seeing him sound unsettled.

She stared out the window, willing the traffic to move faster.

The moment the taxi stopped, Mina paid the fare and rushed into Merra Mall.
She tried calling again—still nothing.

Spotting the information desk, she hurried over.
“Hi, how can I help you?” one of the two receptionists asked. Her tone was gentle yet poised, her name tag reading Kiki.
“I’m looking for Mr. Thara Oki. I’ve got something for him.” Mina held up the envelope.
“Mr. Thara Oki?” Kiki repeated. The smile on her lips faltered, her gaze holding Mina’s for a brief moment. Something unreadable crossed her eyes—curiosity?

Then, just as quickly, the smile returned.  “Do you have an appointment? If not, I can pass it to him for you.”
Mina exhaled. “No, it’s urgent. Do you know where I can find him?” Mina’s voice tightened.
“Let me call his office. Please wait here.” Kiki picked up the phone.

Mina nodded politely and turned—
—and froze.

A man stood near the elevator, maybe fifty meters away.
Blue suit. Straight posture.
She only caught his side profile, but her pulse slammed in her ears.

Xin Ming.
Her boyfriend—the reason she left home and came to this unfamiliar city.

Was it really him? Her hands clenched around her bag straps. Her right foot shifted forward, then stopped.
“Miss…?” The receptionist’s voice faded into the background.

Xin stepped into the elevator. The doors slid shut before she could move.
“No, wait—!”

Without thinking, she bolted.
The elevator’s red numbers climbed—1.

She dashed toward the escalator.
“I’m sorry!” she called, pushing through people as she ran two steps at a time.

By the time she reached the next floor, the elevator was still rising.
She scanned the open space.
Nothing.

Another escalator. She sprinted again, breath sharp in her throat.

This time, she reached just as the doors opened.
Her heart hammered.

Ding.
The doors parted.

People poured out.
But no Xin.

Was I wrong? No… I couldn’t be.

Mina darted around, her eyes refusing to blink.
She remembered her first day in Kosa Ni—how she’d come straight to Merra Mall looking for him.
They’d lost contact for almost a year, but she knew he had worked here. Or so she thought.
When she’d asked around, no one had ever heard of Xin Ming. Even showing his picture got her only blank stares.

Still, she couldn’t believe he had lied. Why would he?

By chance, she’d seen a job posting at the department store and applied—hoping, just hoping, to find even the smallest trace of him.

Her phone rang, jolting her back.
Thara.

The envelope. She’d forgotten.

“Where are you?” His voice was sharp, almost yelling.
“I’m sorry. I’m on the second floor.”
“What are you doing there? Didn’t you bring me the envelope? Come to the info desk now—I’m waiting.”
“Yes, I’m coming.” She sighed.

She glanced around one last time before stepping back, weaving through the crowd.

Thara stood there, arms crossed.
“Here’s your envelope,” she said, breathless.
“What happened? The receptionist said you ran off while she was on the phone.” His tone wasn’t angry—just curious.
“I’m sorry. I thought I should give this to you right away, but… something else came up.”
“What situation? And I told you to send it by courier. Why bring it yourself?”
“You sounded urgent. I thought it was important. And… I don’t really know how to use a courier service.”

Her cheeks burned. She’d only wanted to help, but somehow made things worse.
She bowed slightly. “I’m sorry. I hope it’s not too late. I’ll leave now.”

“Wait,” Thara called after her.

But she kept walking, face downcast.
If only she’d delivered the envelope right away, she could have at least repaid him for that meal and ride home. Now her effort just felt wasted.

Her eyes lifted—and froze on a little girl standing a few meters ahead.
Alone. Frantic.

People passed by, glancing but not stopping. Mina quickened her pace.
Just as she got closer, a woman on the upper floor waved frantically.
The girl looked up, then waved back.

Mina slowed, relieved. “Thank goodness she found her mother.”

But then—the girl turned and ran toward the escalator.

No.

Mina’s stomach dropped. She sprinted.
The girl was halfway up when she tripped—her small body pitching backward.

Mina lunged, arms out.
She caught the child, but the momentum dragged them both down.

Her arms tightened around the girl, shielding her head.

Then came the pain.
And darkness.

“Mina…”

Someone was calling her name.
But who?

Story by: Airy Yang

All characters and events in the story are fictional