DERANGER - SEULRENE

030

donghae's dare led the two of you outside the bar, sitting at locksmith's parking area.

this the best solution you've thought of, knowing there's no way you could lie your way out this time around.

tiffany handed over two warm cups of tea along with some blankets to make sure you and donghae stay warm outside.

taeyeon, on the other hand, made sure a lone bouncer is watching you two from afar.

"i was driving around town when i saw seulgi's car trailing the same road," donghae says as he blows his tea. "i didn't put much thought into it until i saw you step out of her car and wave goodbye after." he chuckles and shakes his head.

"i couldn't think straight for minutes, you know?" he looks at you. "it's none of my business, yes. but i can't help feeling worried knowing how your family would react to this."

you take a sip of your tea, loving the warm feeling it brings down your throat. it helps to calm your mood despite the situation.

"remember that night you accused me of having a relationship with seulgi?" you ask. he hums. "we officially started dating two months after that night."

donghae's mouth opens. "oh. so, it wasn't really because of her, huh? i meant, our break-up?"

you shake your head. "but i won't deny we were getting closer after i broke up with you. things were going crazy. i was feeling down and hopeless. she's the only one who was willing to listen without forcing me to do things. that's the reason she was at the bar testing centre. it was her way of showing support, knowing i've got mixed feelings towards law."

he sips from his tea and stays silent for a moment.

"i guess that explains everything," he says quietly after a few more seconds. "that's quite a relief. at least you were not like her other girls who easily gave in to her charms."

you smile as you shake your head.

you might have told him what happened, but there's no way you're telling him everything--especially the part where you and seulgi were sleeping together exclusively even before you dated.

"i do hope she's treating you right, given how you've taken this leap to be with her," he says.

"she is. and she's trying every day," you say. "this isn't something i imagine myself getting into before. but so far, i've no regrets."

he hums. "any plans of telling your family about her?"

"none. too many complications."

"and is she okay with it?"

you hum as you take another sip from your cup. "she doesn't like forcing me into doing things for her, neither she expects me to do things right. she's just always there, waiting for me, ready to listen to my rants whenever i feel like the whole world is against me."

donghae looks down, smiling. "a complete contrast from me who always forced you to be perfect, huh?"

you let out a shy smile. "i'm sorry. i didn't mean it to sound like that."

"hey. it's okay. i understand." he waves his hand. "i get it. really. i would have felt the same if i was you."

you stare at donghae, feeling the sincerity in his every word. "don't you feel insulted knowing i am dating a woman after you?"

"well, it hurt my ego a bit. but that's how things are, i guess. no one can force someone to love or unlove anyone, right?"

"but i thought you don't agree with this kind of relationship?"