Jeon and Jia are in love but refuse to break the bond of their friendship. Content with not revealing what they feel for each other, they decide not to date other people and remain constantly together even after graduation. Embarking on lofty career...
Two weeks after their break-up, Hei-Won made her way through the stacks of clothing arranged neatly in Hope Clothing's warehouse. There was an ongoing rehearsal of Hobi's team dancing together with him for a company video shoot. It was going to be a recruitment video for more stores that Hobi would be opening.
It was a treat to watch him dancing again. He didn't lose his touch, he was still nimble at his feet, he still commanded attention whenever he danced.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
He saw her and waved at her to come closer.
"Sorry, Hei-Won, we'll be done in 15 minutes. I hope you don't mind waiting."
"Don't mind me Hobi. Just go on."
It actually took half an hour before he finished, but she didn't mind. Watching him dance took her mind off things. Two nights ago, she scared herself. She fell asleep intoxicated, consuming three bottles of soju all by herself. She was not a heavy drinker, but she was feeling so crappy she just wanted to drink enough to fall asleep. She kept drinking until she fell asleep right in her living room, huddled on the floor, freezing when she woke up.
"Hei-Won-ah, come. Let's talk in my office. I need to discuss something with you too."
He led her inside his warehouse office. There were a lot of hardbound portfolios on a table, mostly clothing designs from suppliers, and material swatches.is walls were decorated with mounted posters of his past launched clothing lines.
"Sorry for the mess. My assistant resigned and I'm still looking for someone to take her place."
"Your workplace is fascinating. It looks so hectic but so interesting."
"It's chaotic. The business isn't that big yet but we're getting there. I've gotten offers to set up shops in the Philippines and Hong Kong. But I need to get organized first. Jia offered to help me with digital marketing strategies."
"Oh. I see." Jia again. This girl was everywhere.
"Hei-Won, would it be possible to get you as a PR Consultant? I know you're in media, you have connections. Jeon promised to help me with the website and promotional videos. It's good that we all know each other, we'll be working together like a family. "
Oh, and Jeon too. Fate plays the nastiest tricks on her. It was incredible, her life had become a freaking Kdrama. How was she going to tell Hobi what she had come to share? She stood up to leave.
"This was a mistake, Hobi. I'm sorry, let's talk some other time."
She left without another word, leaving Hobi clueless.
---
Hei-Won awoke to the persistent ringing of her doorbell. She fell asleep on the couch again, without even getting changed. She checked on the screen, surprised to see Hobi waiting for her to answer the door.
Fuck, Hobi was here and her apartment was a mess. She looked a mess as well. How did he even know where she lived? She called him instead.
"Hello Hobi? I'm sorry I left so quickly earlier."
"Hei-Won, let's talk. I'm sorry I talked about business earlier. If you like, we can talk now."
"Sure. But, can we talk in the park across? I'll just get dressed and follow you there."
"Sure."
She took a quick shower and got changed. She blew her hair dry and was in the middle of applying make-up when she suddenly had a realization.
What the hell am I doing?
Why am I trying to look pretty for this guy?
I'm self-destructing, still recovering from a failed relationship and now I'm dolling myself up for what?
She shook off negative thoughts. Maybe she needed to go out more with other people. Maybe she needed to love herself a little more. And if seeing Hobi, a former harmless crush, gives her a little bit of happiness then so be it.
As she crossed the street and half-ran towards Hobi, she felt a little better. He was smiling, waving that cute wave at her. She smiled back widely, a bit breathless with excitement.
"Hi Hobi."
"Hei-Won. I'm sorry about this morning. I should've scheduled discussing my proposal another time on a more appropriate schedule. I felt guilty railroading you earlier. Here, I hoped to make amends with a little something."
His outstretched hand was holding a gift bag that contained chocolates, lots of mint and peanut butter chocolates! She was surprised he remembered her favorites.
"Hobi, this was unnecessary but I appreciate the gesture. I love mint and peanut-butter on chocolates. How did you know?"
"Kookie used to buy you those chocolates with me. Come, let's have an early dinner someplace quiet. Let's talk."
They went to a Japanese restaurant and got a booth for themselves. In between bites of tempura and sushi, Hei-Won shared her story, from the time Jia came back, to her surgery and how her relationship with Jeon deteriorated. Hobi listened attentively, not asking questions, just nodding occasionally.
"Hei-Won, don't blame yourself for everything. You're going through a very difficult phase in your life, and I'm sure Kookie did his best to cope. Has he called you?"
"Several times. But I avoided him."
"Why? Don't you want him back?"
"I don't think we should get back together. I know he stayed with me merely out of loyalty. I know it's really Jia he wants."
"What do you really want?"
"I don't know. I just want to be happy, but who would want a relationship with me?"
"I think, before thinking of having another relationship, you need to love yourself a little more Hei-Won. This surgery you had, it was a difficult one but you survived it. Your life still has purpose, Hei-Won."
"I was so happy with Kookie before Jia came."
"True. But Jia coming had nothing to do with your unhappiness. It was how you saw yourself that affected your relationship."
"Maybe it's easy for you to say, because you're happy."
"I choose to be happy."
Even Jeon said that. They chose to be happy, regardless of what their circumstances were.
His phone rang. "Excuse me, I need to answer this."
He was away for a few minutes. Hei-Won pondered on what he said. Purpose. She had to find that. What was her purpose in life? As she was still lost in her thoughts, Hobi entered, his phone still in his hands.
