I've Been There Before

On the weekend, again, Franklin picked Grace up from her neighborhood and took her for lunch. Today Grace had a day off. The beef noodle restaurant in the night fair became the place which Grace and Franklin visited most.

Noah had got accustomed to Franklin’s taking her girlfriend to have beef noodles here.

After lunch, Franklin took Grace to the cinema.

Grace felt like she was in a dream. But the popcorn and drink in her hands were both reminding her that she was once again fooled by Franklin.

However, still, a smile appeared on her lips and she didn’t even notice it.

Franklin was indeed a joy bringer. If he wanted to treat a woman well, the woman would feel like in paradise. Thinking about this, the smile on her face slowly faded away.

She looked at the boy sitting beside with a complicated eye look and decided that after watching the movie today, she would tell Franklin straightforward...that she would not fall in love with him.

She would tell him that this was the end.

She admitted that she loved the way Franklin looked at her. Free of disdain, sarcasm, ridicule and contempt, his eye look made her feel like she was just an ordinary girl.

She also admitted that she couldn’t bear to part with the single light coming out from the silt. In darkness, it seemed more precious than anything.

But things were going forward in an uncontrollable way...She couldn’t respond to the love of this big boy pretending to be a man. Then she should just tell him frankly now.

She was too deep in gut to deserve such a love.

How could she drag him to gut with herself?

Therefore, letting him go was the right thing to do.

Suddenly, her hand back was covered by a fit of warmth. As if burned, Grace looked down and saw Franklin’s big hand holding her hand tightly. He said, “Don’t.” The deep voice made her unable to shirk.

With her heart beating fast, Grace didn’t move and just let his hand keep covering hers and turned to watch the move like nothing happened.

would find a right timing to explain to Franklin...that she was not a good woman, and that

beginning, she thought Franklin was just a big boy with strong curiosity. But then...everything that he

watch the movie. In the smile, there was a universe of content and happiness.

talked about. She spent all the time thinking about how to lay it all out with

let it go. Following the flow of people, he took her outside of the

of Franklin. Her palm was all wet and got sticky. She couldn’t help but look at their holding hands and think, “Doesn’t he find

who was laden with anxiety, Franklin was very happy. He took Grace to the parking lot and opened the door of front passenger seat for her,

“Wait.”

confusion all over

was that maybe she forgot to buy something...The better he

was like something choked

“What’s in your mind? It’s weekend. We got plenty

With firmness in her eyes, she bit the bullet

moment, his

wrinkled and he raised his head telling Grace, “Grace, I need to answer this.” Then he pressed the

voice came up,

discontent, “Grandfather, I

talking. Come back home

the phone was hung

looked at the phone again and his brows tightened

Cordon, do you have an emergency? I can

sighed...Maybe she couldn’t

take you back to the dorm.” Franklin grabbed Grace’s arm to stop her from

then, Mr. Cordon. Thank you for the lunch and

so polite? I have told you many times that you should stop calling me Mr. Cordon.

on the gas

said to Grace who was standing outside of the car, “Grace, I hope one day you can stop calling me Mr. Cordon.”