SOUR

04

flashback |

It was the 9th of October 2021, her 21st birthday.

Harin was showered with warm greetings, happy smiles, and different presents. 

The whole morning is reserved for family only, with the dad flying back to the city which made it more worth it.

Gongmyung bought her a perfume collection, while Doyoung promised to take her to the amusement park as he didn't know what to give.

In the end, she reserved the whole afternoon for the amusement park not just with him, but the whole Neos.

Imagine them walking everywhere, sticking on each other in one big group. They became a head-turner of course, didn't slipped free from the cameras and articles. 

Still, it was a big happy day. 

Or is it?

When Jaehyun and Harin finally got their alone time, that's when things operated differently.

The candles on the table were blown up, shattered plates and glasses scattered on the floor.

The flowers and the cake were thrown aside, as sobs and cries were the only things that bounced through the private hotel room. 

Jaehyun was with someone else when she arrived without a warning, lips devoured and back pressed on the soft hollow mattress.

Harin froze on the sight, still on the opened doorway and only announced her presence when the door closed itself.

She recognized the girl as the female lead of Jaehyun's drama– swore to only keep their relationship as a business one. 

She's just a business friend, he said.

You're just paranoid, he said.

But he never listened, he never admitted.

Harin wasn't there when they did a lock-in filming. Harin wasn't there when the casts are granted a day-off because she has a photoshoot. Harin wasn't there when he cried of pressure.

But that girl was. 

"You could've just told me.", Harin pushed, "Maybe I would've taken it with a lighter heart."

"Baby, no. I swear I was just confused. I didn't mean to–"

"IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!", she burst, clutching her hair in a fist, "The only special day I have for myself.. and you really need to take it away from me?"

"I'm sorry.."

"You're not. You're confused of what, Jae? Your feelings? Because she was there when I'm not? Because she treated you good when I can't? Because it is her who's beside you and not me? It developed like that didn't it?"

"I was.. I got used of her presence and I–", he cried, "I didn't mean to.. I love you, only you Harin–"

"You didn't!", she spat, "Did you even loved me, Jaehyun? Have you even be faithful to me?"