Deep Into You • KTH

7

But the next time she came to my shop, she greeted me with tears in her eyes.

It was almost night with a drizzling rain and I was ready to close my shop, when I saw her walking towards me.

"Can I come in ?" She asked from under her umbrella with a slightly shaking voice.

I let her in and she walked in as I followed her from behind. She sat at the counter chair and I followed her move. She just sat there for a while, not saying anything as I waited patiently for her to say something.

"He cheated on me." She finally said.

"Oh my God, Jungkook cheated on me with his fucking ex girlfriend !" She cried abruptly as she couldn't hold her tears anymore.

I was stunned looking at her.

That bastard.

"I went to his apartment this afternoon and I saw them making out at the couch, the couch that I fucking bought for him !"

"Oh my God I'm so stupid ! All this time I thought he would change for me ! I know he won't change, it's already in his blood that he's a player !" She ranted abruptly, burying her face in her hands.

"I'm such a fool, I'm too in love with him." She whispered between her sobs.

She cried, cried, and cried.

Tears fell through her cheek as she couldn't stop her rant.

Oh dear Lily, please don't do this.
Those cries can ruin your beauty !

I couldn't stand seeing her like this. It hurted me so much, I felt like my heart was also broken just like hers.

"Lily, please calm down.." I said, trying to stop her sobs.

"What should I do, Tae. I love him so much.." She asked me desperately, looking like a mess.

"Lily, remember when I told you about the lily flower ?" I asked, reminding her about what I had said before.

"You know what, another thing that makes lily flowers special is its ability to survive after being cut. Unlike others, lilies are hardy and not wilt easily, even after being picked." 

"Just like you. You are strong, Lily. Don't let him hurt you, he's not worth your tears. Like I said before, it's his loss, not yours." I said again, putting my hands over hers.

She stared deep in my eyes for a while, processing what I just said in her head. She let out a deep breath and finally held her head up.

"You're right Tae, thanks for waking me up." She said, wiping the tears on her cheek.

"You really are special, Tae. Your future girlfriend would be so lucky." She smiled softly to me, wiping her puffy eyes.

Yes, you will be so lucky to have me.
Damn, Lily. Even in a mess you still look so pretty.

I looked at her, considering my thoughts.

Should I just confess my feelings for her ?
Was it the right time ?

Yes, I knew it was the right time.
It was now or never. 

I took a deep breath and held her hand.

"Would you be that lucky girl, Lily ?" I said, "Would you be my girlfriend ?" I finally asked her the question.

She was just stunned there in her seat, looking at me and didn't know what to say.

"I like you, Lily, from the first time we met. And I know I will cherish you, like no one ever before." I said, looking deep into her eyes.

"I won't make any sweet promises, but you know me. You said that yourself that I'm a gentle man, I won't make you sad, I'll always put nothing but a smile on your face." I said again.

She was still stunned there, startled with my sudden confession.

She looked unsure, her eyes shifted as she avoided my look.

But finally she said, "Thank you, Tae. But I'm sorry.." 

"You're so kind, but I never think of you as more than a friend.." She said softly as she took her hands away from mine.

"And I.. I know this sounds stupid, but deep in my heart I still love Jungkook, I can't easily forget him." She said again, took her eyes off me.

My heart felt shattered.

She chose that bastard over me ?

I felt my pride hurt. Never before had a girl rejected me, and for a jerk.

No, I always got what I wanted.

She looked at the mixed feelings on my face, and she felt sorry about it.

"I-I'm really sorry Tae, it's just.." She stuttered, didn't know what to say.

"Maybe I better go home now," She said as she grabbed her bag and got ready to stand from her seat.

"No, no, please don't !" I hastily stopped her.

"I'm sorry, I understand.." I said, looking off from her.

"It's not my place to say something like that in your situation right now, I'm sorry." I sighed heavily, "Please stay a while. It's still raining outside, anyway." I said, tilting my head to the now heavy rain outside.

"Would you like some tea, Calendula ? To relax our mood." I offered her.

"...and I hope we still can be friends ?"

I smiled hesitantly at her as she smiled back slightly and nodded at me.

I left her there for a while, preparing the tea at the pantry at the back of the shop.

It's okay, Lily.
It may not be today,
but sooner or later you'll be mine.

Whatever it takes.

***