Because It's You - Hwang Inyeop

Thirteen

Hee-soon stayed at the corner of the room with her arms crossed over her chest, watching In-youp as he sits on the bed. His elbows are leaning on his legs and his hands are grabbing a handful of hair. Hee-soon texted Mina apologizing about what happened. She also told her that she needs to talk to In-youp and asked if she could borrow the room for tonight.

Don't worry about me. I can barge in Amy's room tonight. Mina texted, referring to one of their office mates. Don't worry about Mr. Lee as well. I made sure that he is already in his room. I hope everything goes well with your boyfriend. You have a lot to explain to me.

Hee-soon sighed upon reading the text message. She's lucky that Mina was the one who saw In-youp for she knows she will keep her secret. She placed the phone on the table beside her and looked at In-youp again.

"In-youp," she called out, still rooted in her position. She doesn't understand herself as to why she can't find the courage to go near In-youp. Maybe it is because she believes Ji-hoon and feels that it was In-youp's fault and it suffocates her.

"It only happened once," In-youp raised his head and looked at Hee-soon. "Just one time."

"What do you mean?" Hee-soon asked and nervously swallowed as she waits for what In-youp is about to say.

"We only dated once," he said raked his hair up using his fingers out of frustration. "The reason why I dated her was not because I liked her."

"Then why did you date her?" Hee-soon's eyes start to water upon hearing the truth coming from In-youp's mouth.

"It was the request of the president of the modeling agency I was under before. A-yeong happened to be the daughter of the president," In-youp explained and Hee-soon remained silent. "I was not able to refuse that request because I was just starting my career and I was afraid I might be out of the agency and might not get the chance to work in another company. An opportunity came and the agency I am under today offered me to be an actor. A-yeong did not like the idea and she had this illusion that we were in a relationship."

In-youp looked at Hee-soon and tears start to flow down his cheeks. "I am aware that she liked me but I clearly told her that I cannot return what she feels towards me. I can't because I have already started liking you at that time." Hee-soon saw In-youp's hands tremble upon recalling everything in the past but she remained silent. She wants to hear everything.

"She asked me to be at her birthday party and even though I was already out of their agency and has no obligations or whatsoever, I still accepted the invitation. I accepted it as a friend but she had the wrong idea. So when I heard that she's telling her friends that there was something between us, I talked to her in private and cleared things out. She did not accept my explanation and started crying however, I tried pacifying her and gave her one last hug. She accepted my apology eventually and we told each other that we can be friends. So we both were contented with a smile on our faces when we went out of the room."

In-youp roughly wiped his tears with his hand but tears continuously flow down his cheeks. "I was baffled when I heard of her death. I wanted to visit her funeral but the agency I am under right now stopped me. They told me that it might cause a stir knowing that both of us were friends. A-yeong did not leave any note as an explanation of her suicide and my agency thought that some might have an idea that I was the cause of it since some knew that we dated once."

In-youp was not able to stop the sob that escaped his mouth and it broke Hee-soon's heart to see how devastated he looks right now. "I was not the reason behind it, Hee-soon. I am not a murderer," he said in between his sobs. Hee-soon took slow strides towards him and hugged him. In-youp leaned his head on her stomach as his tears continuously fall from his eyes.