Trapped in his Maestoso || 엑소 백현

chapter 22

"What's with the sighs? It's just been half an hour since your shift started, but you already look worn out."

You stopped wiping the counter when Jisoo spoke from the cashier. You admit that you've been releasing all the negative energies that you have at the moment, but you didn't know that it would be that obvious. You slowly turned to her with a hesitant smile.

"I-It's noth—"

"Oh, shut up. Spill it." She gestured her hand for you to come closer. "I don't like seeing you with a long face."

You stared at her determined gaze, and gave in. Trudging slowly towards her, you placed the towel on the side before leaning at the display glass. Jisoo has her hands on her waist as she waits for you to talk.

"Well, it's not supposed to be a big deal, you know. It's just that it's a first for me to hear about an ex of someone I like." You sighed, shoulders drooping as you remembered her. "Baekhyun's not even my boyfriend yet, but my chest feels so heavy when I think about how they were before I got into the picture. I-I don't understand these feelings."

"You are so adorable." Jisoo whined as she leaned next to you, her eyes full of adoration and empathy. You shook your head in dismay. "I'm just really surprised that you're so honest about this! I mean, I didn't expect you'll really spill whatever you were feeling, so I was kind of in awe."

"There's nothing that I could lose by telling someone these things. I just want to know and..." You looked down at your hands as you intertwined them. "...be certain of my feelings. I like him a lot, and I don't want to ruin whatever we have right now just because I'm—"

"Jealous. Insecure. Curious." You lifted your gaze back at her when she spoke. Her eyes were warm and bright. "I get that you're new to these feelings, but it's only natural that you're feeling that way. It's frustrating, isn't it? Wanting to know how madly in love they were before, how Baekhyun laughed when she was with him, or what made him fall for her."

I haven't thought that deep, but now that I think about it, I'm very curious.

"But are you sure those are the real important things that you should be thinking of?"

You blinked.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't really know Baekhyun that much, but if I were to hear about the one I'm currently courting or the one I like being insecure and jealous about an ex, I would feel both pleased and at the same time, worried." Jisoo shrugged. "Pleased because the one I like must really like me back. I mean, why would you get jealous, right? Why would you be concerned about his old flames? It's because you don't want him looking at other girls. You feel insecure because there must be something that he liked about that girl that you don't know if you possess or not."

She's really pretty. Her acting skills are no joke. She's an international artist.

"Hmm." You looked at your palms as she continued speaking.

"But I wouldn't want the one I like to feel that way." She nodded to herself. You tilted your head in wonder. "That was the past, and it ended already. The one that Baekhyun must want to focus on is the one that he has right now. That's you, Saejin-ah."

Baekhyun wouldn't like it if I tell him I don't like Nam Yuna's return. I mean, I don't even have enough reason to not like her, but I just don't feel good seeing her name beside his. They have history, and I don't know about it!

"Stop worrying too much, Saejin-ah. It's bad to focus on the past too much, you might end up drowning with jealousy and insecurity. Don't you trust Baekhyun?" Jisoo said and patted your shoulder in comfort. She proceeded to organize the cups by the counter.