De Novo

Chapter 33

Yongsun

I was horrified at the presence of this woman in front of me, so horrified that my senses barely work properly. I was looking at her with the dumbest expression I could make-- eyes wide with mouth agape-- and I didn't even bother to disguise it. How could I not be surprise? I thought meeting her would just be in my dreams and nothing more. But right now, seeing her in flesh proves me wrong on all levels.

Is this real, or this is another type of crap my mind was trying to play on me? This isn't a fantasy anymore, this is the reality and moonbyul made me believe it. I just can't believe that in this big ass world, she's here standing in front of me, and worse, related to Jennie.

Seeing her right now on such an unexpected occasion is beyond preposterous.

"Hi."

Taeyeon said, eyes abiding at moonbyul for seconds before it traveled to mine. I was holding my breath as she looks at me-- anxious that she'd recognize her high school bestfriend and things will get awkward. But what caught me off guard is when she just gave me a slight smile before glancing back at moonbyul.
                
Does she not.. recognize me?

"This is moonbyul, the one I've been telling you about. Lisa's bestfriend." Jennie introduced moonbyul first and taeyeon extended her hand for a handshake, a smile was present on her pretty face.

Though I'm still in a trance at her presence, my gaze has wandered to Moonbyul.

Instead of shaking Taeyeon's hand, Moonbyul just looks at it for about five seconds, and I'm sure she has no intention of taking it. My brows met in confusion, and I can see Jennie's expression was similar to mine. Were both perplexed as to why Moonbyul suddenly became impolite by not shaking Taeyeon's hand.

Is handshaking taeyeon that big of a deal?

Moonbyul cast a sidelong glance at me, noticing the strange look I'm giving her. I expected her to yield and take Taeyeon's still-extended hand, but she even put her hands behind her back before mirroring Taeyeon's smile—a smile I still don't understand. Something is hidden in that smile, and I'm dying to find out what it is. I know it's not a big deal, but something about it didn't sit right with me.

"Apologies. My hands are dirty. Can't do handshakes for now," Moonbyul said flatly, dismissing the idea of shaking hands with Taeyeon. I sneakily look behind her and instead of seeing dirty hands, I see something that piques my interest. Her hands are trembling and fists have formed... as if she were terrified of something

"Umh... yeah so," Jennie shrugged in response to Moonbyul's response, her gaze now fixed on me.

"This lovely lady here is Kim Yongsun, and she's Moonbyul's friend—"

"Girlfriend."

My jaw dropped as I assessed Moonbyul with widening eyes, unable to believe she had just labeled me as her girlfriend. I mean.. being referred as her girlfriend meant everything to me. It was flattering, and I could barely hide my smile as I felt tingling sensations bursting from within me. But what worries me is why she said it. Sure, we act like lovers at times and care for each other like a real couple, but we haven't discussed what we truly are yet.

So, as far as I'm concerned of, we're still just friends.

"Ah, I see." Taeyeon nod slowly as she looks at me from head to toe. The uneasiness I felt earlier returned as she examined my frail frame. Our gazes also met in a split of seconds and I know at this point, she already realized it was me. Her high school classmate, her bestfriend.. the woman she have left without saying goodbye.