Dangerous Illusion

- 4 -

Today is the Saturday after next aka the new date Jaemin and I have to go to a dinner with my mom for the corporation because last week they postponed.

"So, this is mandatory ?" Chaeryoung asks me as all four of us sit in my room. I nod, "unfortunately" I shrug.

"It won't be that bad. Why don't you want to go ? It could give us all great bonding time" Jaemin smiles fixing his tie. I sigh, "because it's not something I want to do, remember ?" I respond.

"Everybody does something that they don't want to do at least once, suck it up" Beomgyu laughs.

I mock him finishing my hair, "aw, would you look at that..the perfect ceo couple" Chaeryoung teases me.

I roll my eyes, "hey, I'll meet you downstairs" Jaemin smiles then kisses me. I plaster a smile and nod then he leaves the room, "when are you going to do it ?" Beomgyu asks standing up off my bed.

"I...if I break his heart, this friendship will be at the possibility of crumbling. I can't do that to us" I shake my head, "and you also can't keep lying to him. We can't either" Chaeryoung says.

I sigh nodding, "your right...tonight. after dinner I'll do it" I tell them. They give me a comforting smile, "we'll be okay, he'll understand" Beomgyu nods.

___

We sit down at the table in the fancy restaurant with my mother and Jaemin's father, "where are they ? Shouldn't they be here by now ?" I ask her looking around.

She chuckles nodding, "ah, Ms. Park, sorry I'm running late. Traffic" a lady with long black hair and a tall guy with brown hair walks over to the table.

My mother stands up and bow, "no problem, just glad you could show up" she tells them.

They all sit back down, "this is my daughter, Park Jiae and her boyfriend Na Jaemin" she introduces us.

"They'll be taking over the office after Mr. Na and I step down" she smiles. The Lady smiles at us, "I'm Suyeon, this is my husband Jaehyun" she introduces herself.

We both shake their hands with a smile, "well, let's get on with dinner ? Yeah ?" Jaemin's dad nods.

___

My mom and I get home with Jaemin and his dad, "I think that dinner was a movement in the right direction for you two" his dad nods.

My mom agrees, "your dad would be proud of you" she places her hand on my shoulder. I just hum in response forcing a smile on my face.

"Hey Jae, meet me outside when your ready" Jaemin's dad, "see you Jiae" he smiles.

"Actually, I was going to walk with Jiae to go out for a bit" he smiles. His dad nods and leaves out. Then Jaemin and I leave.

___

I brought Jaemin out here to break up with him. Beomgyu and Chaeryoung are right, it isn't right that I keep lying to him and stringing him along. It isn't right.

"So, what did you want to talk about ?" He asks handing me my drink as he drinks some of his, "I don't know how I'm going to say this Jae" I mumble.

He looks at me confused, "what's wrong ? Is something going on ?" He asks in a worried tone. I nod, "this...uh our relationship" I finally admit.

He looks at me in disbelief, "wha-...you don't want this anymore ?" His voice cracks. I look down feeling guilty already, "Jaemin, this has nothing to do with you...it's just" "it's just you don't love me anymore" he cuts me off.

"We've been together for two years Jiae. Two years ! And your just now telling me that you've fallen out of love with me ? For how long ?" He asks angrily.

I shake my head, "for how long ?!" He repeats. I take a breath, "I realized during spring break" I admit not looking him in the eyes.

He lets out an angry breath, "and..and this whole time ? It's been a lie, you've been pretending to still be in love with me this whole time" he shakes his head as I look back up.

"I didn't want to hurt you Jaemin...I'm so sorry, I just..I'm sorry" I tell him. He just looks at me expressionless then slams his cup down on the table and leaves the restaurant.

I leave money for the bill and rush out after him, "Jaemin !" I call but he doesn't stop. He just keeps walking.

I pull my phone out to text Chaeryoung or Beomgyu to come and get me but I see a message from Jongsuk.

From 'Jongsuk' : hey, meet up ?

To 'Jongsuk' : sure, where ?

From 'Jongsuk' : [Address] 🙂. See you soon

I sigh and start walking to the address, once I get there I don't see Jongsuk. I wait around thinking he's just running late but minutes fly by.

I start to pull out my phone and text him, "excuse me" I hear a guys voice. I look up from my phone, "oh, hi" I bow.

"I'm just waiting for my friend" I tell him. He hums walking closer to me, "all alone ?" He raises a brow.

I chuckle from the nervousness, "uh he should be here any minute" I nod looking at my phone a bit texting Jongsuk to hurry.

Suddenly I feel a sharp pain in my stomach, I furrow my brows gasping as I look up at the guy in front of me "deliver a message to Jongsuk for me" he smirks.

"He takes one of mine, I take one of his" he says then pulls the knife out of my stomach.

My eyes water as I fall to the ground in pain. I wince placing my hand over my stomach as the guy walks off, "no no no" I mumble reaching for my phone.

Unable to even move due to the unbearable pain, I can't reach it. The burning sensation of pain in my stomach hurts so bad, my vision gets blurry.

Through my blurry vision, I see Jongsuk rushing over to me "hey hey hey, Jiae. It's me ! What happened ? Who did this ?" He asks grabbing my face making me look at him.

"I-I don't know" is all I can get out because I'm too weak.

- To Be Continued -