{ 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓢𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓮 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓼 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓮 } 𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓙𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰𝔀𝓸𝓸

~. 15 .~

I haven't interacted with Jeongwoo or Treasure members for several months. I couldn't bring myself to greet them whenever they visited our cafe.

John told me they were looking for me, which was unusual.

It made me wonder if something was wrong with Jeongwoo. I felt anxious and wanted to check in on him.

However, our friendship ended a long time ago.

There are not many people around the back building so I went out to get a breath of fresh air there, which has been my favorite place to go. While sitting on a bench, I sighed heavily, and my head began to ache. My head slowly lifts as I see a shadow in front of me, "H-Haruto!"

"Are you that sad to see me?"

"I am not sad you showed up. I was just not expecting you."

"Well, I guess you didn't want me here..."

"Don't misunderstand me. Why are you here?"

Taking a seat beside me, Haruto asked, "What are you worried about this time?"

It took me aback that he saw it through me, "Me? Worry? There is no such a thing."

"Don't lie~ I have heard what happened between you and Jeongwoo, so I would like to hear your side of the story."

"I won't mention it if you're going to tell him."

"I will seal my mouth, I promise."

"Don't break that."

"I got it," Haruto said, ruffling my hair again, "So speak up before I go back to the practice."

"I'm concerned... I'm always curious if he's doing well, if he's as enthusiastic as normal, if he's looking after his health, and so on. I haven't been able to surreptitiously check in on him since we last spoke because we kind of ended our friendship... I no longer have the authority to meddle in his affairs."

"I heard he confessed to you, did that make you feel anxious?"

"I won't say that it didn't, but it was also very pressuring. I will not like it if he gets involved in my misery world."

"What about you? Do you think you'll be a burden on Jeongwoo?"

"Didn't it looks like that before? Everyone began to gossip when I was around him. Even her mother didn't want to him get involved."

"But shouldn't you look into his feelings first before listening to others? All of those didn't matter to Jeongwoo because that's how much he likes you. He may hide hurtful feelings, but he tends to stay strong for the sake of the person he loves. That's why he decides to stay strong and become a mature man as he grows up so that he can protect you at all costs. Did that help clear your mind?"

I knew Jeongwoo is like that. That's one of his best traits, which is why I like him. I did feel guilty for rejecting him in the first place, but I no longer cannot go back...

Because I've come to the conclusion that I need to stay away from his world.

"Thank you, Haruto ah. You just made me realize what I'll do next. I'm glad to know that Jeongwoo is focusing on the debut whilst staying strong for me. However, I'd like it it doesn't last long because it won't do him any good."

Haruto frown his eyebrows, and got a bad feeling about my statement, "Why are you making it sound like you're going to afar place?"

"No, it's not like that. Anyway, you should go back before you get into trouble. Thanks for comforting me."

Then, Haruto gave me a light pat on the head, which was unusual of him.

I returned to reality and learned about Jeongwoo's circumstances. Even though our friendship has ended, it makes me feel better to hear that he is doing well. It made me ponder what I should do right away. I'm afraid of the idea of traveling to a faraway place, yet I want to think about it. Dad and Sunhee will undoubtedly be surprised by this rash decision, but I need to figure out what I want to accomplish with my life..

Not because I'm the CEO's daughter or an orphan girl, but because I never want people to think less of me. I don't want to be made fun of anymore.

- 10 minutes later -

A soothing voice asked, "What are you doing here?"

This calm, kind voice reminds me of someone.

Jeongwoo...

I turned around despite knowing I should not have. I finally get to meet the boy I've been yearning to. I never imagined seeing him here.

Tell me that Haruto didn't do this on purpose.

"W-Why are you here?"

"First, I questioned. You wanted to see me, according to Haruto."

Darn, I'll get back at him.

"I was just recharging before going back to work."

"I see."

The awkwardness between us was only worsened by the silence. I was at a loss for words to speak to him. He neither does.

It was worse with his brief response.

"You-"

"How-"

We unexpectedly spoke at the same time, which made us both stare at each other for a long time as if we had been pining for each other.

He then let out a gentle giggle, followed by an endearing smile that nearly made me fall in love with him. This made my heart hurt. Unaware of it, I started to cry, and Jeongwoo opened his eyes wider to see me crying.

I want to say something but am afraid to.

"Is something wrong?"

My heart is no longer able to take it.

"I... miss you."

"You're really unfair..." he chuckled in disbelief.

I can't stop crying because my emotions are bursting at the seams inside me. Jeongwoo, on the other hand, is also controlling himself because he promised himself he'd do better.

"I'm sorry, I know we ended our-"

"Do you mind if I hug you?"

When he asked that question sincerely, my teary eyes shook, and I couldn't refuse it. I'm sure I've been wanting it too. He will, however, face the consequences later.

"Won't you be regretful?" I asked weakly.

Jeongwoo approaches slowly and opens his arms wide, encircling my entire body as he tightens his hug and says, "I would never do something that I would later come to regret. Most importantly, I'm doing it to someone I care about."

I had butterflies in my stomach because I couldn't stop fluttering at his comment.

"I absolutely detest your ability with words."

"Just for you."

I finally chuckled happily, causing Jeongwoo's heart to beat so quickly that I could feel it.

"You seriously don't know the effect you have on people," Jeongwoo said harshly as he tightened his grip on me.

Little did I know, he was trying his hardest not to give me a kiss because he wanted to keep it slow for the sake of us. I, too, want to do better for both of us so that we can be together for the rest of our lives.

Just wait for me, Jeongwoo.