BOOK 1: The Heir Series; Choi Seungcheol

40: CANDOR

Warning!

This chapter contained some scenes that are not suitable for very young readers.

"You must be kidding, Cheol." EunBi said while looking at Seungcheol unbelievably. "You're not in love with her! You don't know how to love. You said it to me yourself." Tears were pooling in her eyes. "That's why I waited for you, Seungcheol, because I'm willing to accept you even if you're like this! I loved you still. I thought you knew that."

"And I thought I made it clear to you that I don't feel the same way," Seungcheol said with gritted teeth. Then he cursed under his breath. "God dammit, EunBi! I treated you like a family! I expected a lot from you! You should know better to respect Taerin. She's not going to vanish from my life and what I'm feeling for her is true. So please . . ." He said while shaking her head and moving away from the lady while dragging Taerin. "Get out of here."

Taerin heard how EunBi gasped upon hearing Seungcheol's words. Even she stood motionless as she was hearing everything. She didn't expect Seungcheol to be doing this thing to his very own best friend.

Hurt was graved in every line of EunBi's face. But Seungcheol's eyes were freezing cold as he looked at her.

"I said leave!" Seungcheol said again directly to EunBi. His low voice vibrated around the four corners of his office. "I'll talk to you once you start reflecting on what you did."

"I can't believe you're choosing her instead of me." EunBi was shaking her head in disbelief as she sent Taerin a scornful look. "I was the one with you since we were young up until now, but you will just throw me away from this easily because of her? Let's see how long will you two last. And I promise you, Choi Seungcheol, you will regret this!" She spat before turning away. Yet before she could completely leave them, Seungcheol made her stop.

"You're wrong, EunBi because I will never regret that I chose Taerin over you. And if I have to choose again between Taerin and anything else, I'd still choose her."

EunBi stomped away banging the door very loud that Taerin felt the whole room shake at the impact.

Seungcheol let go of a very deep sigh while massaging his temple. He let go of her hand and moved away, collecting himself. Taerin could feel he was really frustrated and mad at what just occurred. Even she can't breathe properly at the tension – not after hearing those words.

A long intense silence followed. The tension was so thick she could actually touch it. She thought that between EunBi and her, no one will let anybody win until Seungcheol finally spoke and broke it.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know that EunBi would do such a thing as that."

She immediately shook her head. "No, it's okay. I understand. She just did it because she loves you."

He turned to her; guilt was visible in his eyes. "I didn't know t-that . . ."

She sighed and went to him. She hugged him and he immediately moved his head to her neck, seeking comfort. "It's not your fault, Seungcheol."

"I treated her like a sister and you know that."

"But you can't teach the heart."

Little by little, Seungcheol's head moved to look at her. Her heart started to beat erratically again.

"What I said earlier . . . it's true." He rasped. "I still love you, Taerin Dominique. What I felt for you didn't change at all, even after all these years."