Ayumi stared into the hand-held mirror she had retrieved from her bag, viewing her reflection with puffy, reddish eyes. Her hands shook as she tried to steady herself and repair the mess her makeup had become.
The mascara had run down her cheeks when she cried, creating dark streaks that served as a stark, visible reminder of the emotional turmoil she was currently grappling with.
But she was determined to regain her composure, even though her trembling hands and smeared makeup reflected the heartache she was feeling. She wanted to look her best for him, even though her heart was heavy and her spirit was broken.
As she applied fresh makeup, she couldn't help but recall the painful emotions she had displayed earlier. She had tried to hide her feelings, but it was impossible. Her reflection in the mirror seemed to mock her facade, highlighting how vulnerable she truly felt.
It served as a harsh reminder of her emotional outburst, making her feel even more pitiful.
"I have to keep smiling for Seonsaeng-nim," She wiped her tears away, and after finishing her makeup, she smiled weakly. "It's time to head back. I don't want Seonsaeng-nim to worry about me." She decided to put on a brave face and not burden him with her pain.
Little did she know, her beloved boyfriend was no longer at their table, waiting for her to return at all.
As Ayumi silently put back her handheld mirror, she overheard the voices of the girls outside her cubicle. Their words, dripping with malice and smug satisfaction, made her heart sink further.
"Did you catch what happened earlier?" One of the girls tittered.
"Of course! Miss Park was all over Ayumi's boyfriend. What was she thinking bringing him here?" Another girl snickered.
"Poor, naive Ayumi," a third voice dripped with fake pity. "Always trying to one-up us. I bet she thought she'd be the talk of the party with a handsome and rich boyfriend like him. But now? Looks like she's in for a rude show."
"That's what she gets," the first voice added. "She's been flaunting herself ever since middle school. Always acting high and mighty because a few boys thought she was cute. But in front of a beauty like Miss Park? She's nothing."
'Please, don't leave me!'
'Please, don't leave me!'
'Please, don't leave me!'
In her mind, she pleaded, her eyes brimming with fear and anxiety. Her breathing grew heavy, and she slowly lifted her head.
Her heart sank as she glanced back at their table in the distance, only to realize that he was no longer there. She turned her head toward the other table where Miss Park had been seated, and unsurprisingly, she was gone as well. Both of them had disappeared, leaving Ayumi in a state of panic and desperation.
"No way," she thought, her mind racing with worry and the fear of abandonment. Her thoughts spiraled into a whirlwind of insecurity and despair, and her eyes darted around the hall, searching for any sign of him. Her hands trembled with anxiety as her world seemed to crumble before her.
"Seonsaeng-nim, please don't leave me..." she choked out, her voice shaking, tears began streaming down her cheeks again. She buried her face in her hands, trying to conceal her anguish, but the pain in her heart was too much to bear.
"Why would I leave you?" A warm, reassuring voice came from behind her, pulling her attention away from the turmoil of her thoughts. She turned around, her eyes meeting the comforting sight of her beloved Seonsaeng-nim.
He stood against the wall, silently watching her.
In an instant, all the pent-up emotions overcame her, and Ayumi couldn't stop herself. She threw her arms around him and held him tightly, afraid that she would lost him if she let go now.
"Seonsaeng-nim...Seonsaeng-nim,...Seonsaeng-nim,"
Tears streamed down her face, and with each shaky breath, relief filled her voice.