The plane descended through the clouds, and Seoul slowly came into view beneath me, buildings of every size stretching across the city under the pale sky.
My fingers rested lightly on the armrest as I stared out the window. Four years. It felt strange seeing the city again after so long, like returning to a place that had never truly left me.
When the wheels touched the runway, the plane shuddered gently before slowing to a stop. I reached for my carry-on and stepped into the aisle as soon as the seatbelt sign turned off. A slow-moving line of passengers stretched ahead, and a quick glance behind showed it was no different there.
A quiet breath escaped me.
Buzz. Buzz.
My hand slipped into my purse, pulling out my phone just as the vibration stopped. The screen lit up.
Ten missed calls.
From Amy.
A soft chuckle left me as I unlocked my phone and called her back. Amy Yang, my best friend since high school. My ride or die.
She answered before the first ring finished.
"Sophie!"
I pulled the phone slightly away from my ear with a small wince.
"Hello to you too," I said with a smile. "We just landed. I'll be there soon."
"Hurry up. I've been waiting for four years. I can't wait another second."
"Amy, the plane literally just touched down."
"I don't care."
"You are impossible."
"And yet you love me."
I shook my head softly as the line of passengers in front of me finally started moving again.
"I'll see you soon," I said.
"You better," she replied before hanging up.
By the time I collected my luggage and made my way down to the main floor, the airport had grown busier. Travelers rushed past in every direction, voices blending with rolling suitcases and overhead announcements.
My eyes scanned the crowd until I spotted Amy near the railing, her head turning left and right as she searched for me.
"Amy!"
I lifted my free hand into the air.
Her head snapped toward me instantly.
"Sophie!"
Her face lit up like a child opening a long-awaited Christmas gift.
She rushed forward, nearly knocking into someone as she ran toward me.
"I'm back!" I laughed.
Amy threw her arms around me so tightly I stumbled back a step.
"I can't believe you're actually here!" she said, squeezing me again before finally pulling away.
Curious glances from people passing by made me smile sheepishly as I gently patted her shoulder.
"I am so happy you are back for good," she said cheerfully, placing her hands on my shoulders and looking at me closely.
"Me too," I replied quietly.
Amy studied my face for a moment before grinning.
"You still look the same."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Should I be offended?"
"No," she laughed. "It just feels like you never left."
She grabbed my suitcase handle and began pulling it toward the exit.
"Come on," she said. "Let's get out of here."
Outside, the cool air brushed gently against my skin as we walked toward her black Toyota Corolla parked along the curb.
Amy lifted my luggage into the trunk before closing it with a satisfied thud.
"Still coming to my place for the night, right?" she asked as we climbed into the car.
I nodded while rummaging through my purse in search of my lip gloss.
"Of course."
Receipts and a pen tumbled into my lap as I searched through the small mess.
"Looking for something?" Amy asked, starting the engine.
"My lip gloss."
Without looking away from the road, she reached into the cup holder and handed me hers.
"Here."
I smiled gratefully.
"You're a lifesaver."
"I know," she said proudly.
As she pulled onto the road, the radio began playing a familiar song.
Amy immediately turned the volume up.
"Oh my god," she said excitedly. "I love this song."
I groaned and leaned back in my seat.
"Please don't sing."
She ignored me completely.
Moments later, her voice filled the car, completely off-key but enthusiastic.
I covered my face with one hand.
"People can hear you."
"Good," she said. "They should appreciate my talent."
"That's not talent."
The ride to her apartment passed in laughter, broken occasionally by her enthusiastic singing and my attempts to stop her.
Later that evening, she pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building.
I gathered my things and followed her up to the fifth floor.
"You have a nice place," I said as I stepped inside.
The apartment was simple but cozy, with soft lighting and neatly arranged furniture that reminded me of my college days in England.
Amy dropped her keys onto the small table near the door.
"It took a while to get it like this," she said.
"It suits you."
She led me to her bedroom so I could drop off my luggage before giving me a quick tour of the rest of the apartment.
Soon, we were settled on the couch with two cups of tea warming our hands.
Steam curled softly from the mugs as I took a sip, the warmth spreading through me.
The rest of the night was spent catching up on the four years we'd missed.
Amy and Nicholas were finally together — feelings that had existed from the start but had taken time to surface.
"You confessed first?" I asked, surprised.
Amy shrugged, a small smile forming.
"Someone had to."
"I'm proud of you."
She laughed softly.
"It was terrifying."
After shifting slightly on the couch, she turned to face me more seriously.
"What are your plans with Harley?"
Silence settled between us.
I stared down at the tea in my hands.
"Not to make things worse," she continued gently, "but he's changed. He's cold. Distant. Maybe stay here a couple more days before seeing him."
I offered a weak smile, my fingers twisting together in my lap.
"Auntie Huang kept me posted," I said. "When she found out I was coming back, she told me I'm moving back into my old room."
Amy blinked.
"You're moving back there?"
I nodded.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Truthfully, it wasn't.
But after hearing Auntie's plea, I couldn't refuse. I had never been able to say no to her or Uncle — not when they had always been so kind to me.
"I'll be fine, Amy," I said quietly. "Besides, I can't avoid Harley forever. If he finds out I've been here and haven't seen him, it will only make things worse. It's better to face him now."
Amy sighed softly before finishing her tea and setting the empty cup on the coffee table.
"After you settle in," she said, "we're going to our favourite restaurant."
I laughed.
"I still can't believe you haven't been there since I left."
"It's not the same without you."
"You're being dramatic again."
"And you're judging me again."
We went to bed soon after, sharing her queen-sized bed beneath the white duvet she had prepared for me.
Within minutes, sleep claimed us both.
Morning came too quickly.
Sunlight filtered through the sheer white curtains, warming my face and pulling me from sleep.
After stretching quietly, I slipped out of bed while Amy remained sound asleep beside me.
The bathroom offered a brief moment of calm — showering, brushing my teeth, fixing my hair and makeup.
Standing before the full-length mirror, I studied my reflection.
A yellow knee-length dress. Hair styled half-up and half-down.
Simple. Put together.
Behind me, Amy turned in her sleep and resumed soft snoring.
I couldn't help smiling.
In the kitchen, pancakes sizzled in the pan beside scrambled eggs and bacon while bananas and strawberries were washed and arranged neatly in a bowl.
Two plates were prepared — one kept warm in the microwave, the other carried to the table.
Just as I lifted my fork, my phone buzzed.
A message from Auntie informed me that my ride would arrive in fifteen minutes.
I stared at the message for a moment before replying.
Then I finished breakfast quickly, washed the dishes, and gathered my belongings from Amy's room.
A short note was left on the kitchen table.
Then, with one steady breath, I stepped out of the apartment and made my way toward the main lobby.
Mr. Lu's silver BMW was already waiting outside.
"Hello, Mr. Lu," I greeted.
"Welcome back, Miss Huo," he replied warmly as he placed my luggage into the trunk.
I slid into the back seat behind the driver.
As the car began moving, my thoughts raced — running into Harley, trying to explain everything.
A soft breath escaped me.
"Are you okay, Miss Huo?" Mr. Lu asked gently.
I looked up and met his eyes in the rearview mirror.
"I'm fine," I said softly.
He nodded.
"The young master will be happy to see you."
A weak smile formed as my heart beat nervously against my ribs.
Four years ago, Harley hadn't come to see me off.
In fact, he had avoided me during those final weeks.
Every time I tried to speak with him, he brushed me aside — cold and distant.
The BMW rolled to a stop at the entrance of the Huang mansion.
Stepping out, I stared at the house as a quiet ache settled in my chest.
I was back.
And sooner or later…
I would have to face him.