Angel With a Shotgun- Pentagon Yang Hongseok

24

Geonhak
Tonight is the night. Maya meeting my parents is the biggest step in our relationship to date. The dinner tonight is a treat on my part, being homemade and from the heart. This being said, a stop at the grocery store was much needed.

"Rice, kimbap, beef, teriyaki, gojuchang," I repeat some of the ingredients I need from my list, placing them in my cart. I gaze at the wall of vegetables, not paying attention where my cart went as I pushed it.
"Ouch!" I look up at the direction of the voice. I see a female figure holding her ankle, as she turns toward me.
"Oh, Hwayoung," my eyes go wide.
"Geonhak? Hey," she smiles, waving gently.
"It's been a while," I try to steer toward awkwardness, so I can be on my way.
"It has. I miss you, how are you?" She asks, a smile staying on her face.
"I've been well, just arranging for a dinner with my parents."
"Oh, how nice," she compliments, touching my arm. My heart skips a beat? Oh gosh. I'm with Maya, Hwayoung is my ex, don't do this, Geonhak. "I've been thinking about you lately. I miss us. Do you think you would give us another go?"
"Uh, um," I gulp.
"If you need time to think, here's my number," Hwayoung grabs a piece of paper and a pen from her small purse, writing her number down. She places it in my hand, winking at me. "I'll hopefully see you soon."
Holy shit, my feelings towards her are still there.

Maya
Tonight is the dinner with Geonhak's parents. Knowing what happened the previous day, I need to talk to him. My phone rings, causing me to grab it, and answer it.
"Hey, Geonhak?"
"Hey," he pauses, as if he's trying to gather his thoughts. "Can we meet up and talk about something? It's important before the dinner tonight."
"Well, sure. What's going on?"
"It's better to be talked about in person."
"Alright. Do you want to meet up at the milk tea place we go to at 5 PM?"
"Please."
"Alright, see you soon. Love you."
"You too."
Weird. He didn't say it back. I set my phone down, sighing, and rubbing my belly.
"Hey," Hongseok's voice calmly greets me. I turn around to see him leaning against the door banister, a gentle smile on his face.
"Hey," I smile back, walking toward him, and wrapping my arms around his waist. "I enjoy this."
"Want to hang out in the library?"
"I'd love to, but just know that I have to go meet Geonhak at 5 PM," I sigh, my bump pressed into his stomach lightly, his hand on my back.
"What's going on there?" He looks at me, a hint of jealousy on his face.
"He asked me to talk, and tonight I'm supposed to meet his parents."
"Oh, gosh. Just stay safe," he exasperates. "Please, you and her."
"I promise. Now, let's go to the library."

The library was a comfortable silence, just us enjoying each other's company and reading together. I was laying down on the couch with my feet up, with him on the chair that matched next to me. I was reading Looking for Alaska by John Green, while he was reading Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott.
"Wow, Hongseok, I didn't picture you for a romantic novel type," I chuckle, turning the page to the next.
"You know, there's a lot about me that you don't know yet, but you should be caught up by next week," he winks at me, going back to his book.
I chuckle, "What time is it?"
"Hmm," he looks at his watch. "4:45. Do you want a ride to meet Geonhak?"

"Thanks, Seokkie," I ruffle his hair, climbing out of the car carefully, my mask pulled over my face. "I'll be back in like 15 minutes."
"Stay safe, okay?"
"I will," I smile, shutting the door to the car. I look towards the milk tea shop, starting to become nervous about the talk, but walk with imitation confidence towards the door. I open it, seeing Geonhak sitting with two cups of milk tea.
I walk up to him, smiling, "Hey."
He looks up towards me, slightly smiling, but I can see something is on his mind, "Hey, Maya." He hands me the cup of milk tea he had gotten me.
"Alright, so I wanted to talk to you about something, so-" I start off.
"I have feelings for my ex still. I saw my ex at the grocery store and realized that I wasn't over her. I was only dating you to replace her, unintentionally," he bursts, sighing, placing a hand on his chest. I burst out laughing, holding my belly, considering I could pee when I laugh.
"What happened?" Geonhak gazed at me confused.
"I was about to tell you just about the same thing, but with Hongseok," I explain, while chuckling. "He and I are kind of dating. It's not official, but I realized I was constantly at war with myself by choosing either of you when the answer was clear for everyone."
"Oh," he nods, understanding and chuckling a little. "Well, I guess that's the end for us then, huh?"
"Yeah, but let's remain friends and allies, is that alright?" I ask, beaming softheartedly.
"Of course," he takes a sip of his milk tea, before standing up. "I have to let my parents know that dinner won't be happening, but I'm glad everything between us happened and ended the way it did." He smiles, grabbing my hand and kissing it. He waved goodbye, before exiting the small shop. I'm glad that ended well.

"So it's over?"
"Yep, officially."
"Then, does that mean you're mine now?"
"Yes, I'll be your girlfriend, Hongseok."