Two Worlds Apart [MiChaeng Fanfic]

13

[Flashback]

We had a wonderful time in Hawaii. Chaeyoung rented a beach house for us. We would go swimming and surfing every morning. Then we would get our favorite acai bowls in the shop around the corner. Then we would tour around Honolulu city and take a lot of pictures. Sometimes, in the evenings, we would go partying, but she always stayed by my side since she's afraid people might take a chance on me. But sometimes, we would have hot, steamy nights in the beach house. Ever since that trip, our sex life really escalated.

Now, we are back to our normal lives. She has to work on a new album for another artist so she is quite busy. On the other hand, my schedule is so packed as well, especially since I took a 2-week break. I have to continue shooting for my new drama. On top of that, I have two conferences to attend to, four photoshoots, three events, and two commercial shootings. I am at the peak of my career right now, so I barely have time for myself. Whenever I got to my apartment, I would just wash up and sleep.

Sometimes, though, the tiredness due to my overpacked schedule makes it impossible for me to reply to Chaeyoung's messages. I'm aware she's busy too, and she's just making time to at least send me text messages. However, I don't respond to her that much, and I'm thankful that she understands since she doesn't fight with me and continues to send me reassuring and motivating messages. Little did she know that I appreciate her efforts. It keeps me strong. And I want to hold her so much in my arms already, I miss her warmth.

Today, we are shooting for another drama. We have been up from 3:00 AM since we had to catch the sunrise for the shoot. I'm really exhausted right now and my mind wanders about Chaeyoung. I miss her so bad. I was about to text her a brief "I love you" or "I miss you" but my phone ran out of battery.

I sighed and proceeded to the tent to review my script when suddenly my manager whispered, "Mina-shi, someone wants to meet you outside. But I arranged you guys to meet in a place where no one can see just to avoid rumors."

My eyes went wide and a feeling of hope struck through me. I wish it is her.

I went to the place my manager was saying and there, standing right in front of me, is the girl I've been missing a lot the past few weeks. Her back is facing to me but I can immediately tell that it is her. It's like I already memorized every bit of her.

"Chaeyoungie!" I shouted. She turned around to face me and I waved my hand. She smiled and walked towards me while holding a bouquet of flowers. She gave it to me and I smelled it. "Mmm, these flowers smell so good. I miss you, Chae," I kissed her cheek.

She seems sad so I asked her, "What's wrong?"

"We have not been spending much time anymore..." she looked away.

I sighed. "Don't worry, after a few more weeks, I'll give you all of my time. I've just been really busy these days, they've been overwhelming me with too much work but I have no choice. It's my job's nature. And I'm just really thankful that you actually understand me, by sending those encouraging messages. I may not reply always but I appreciate them," I hold her hands to reassure her.

She dropped my hands and pulled out her phone. She did a few taps and showed me a photo that shocked me. It's a photo of me and Cha Eun Woo, my current co-star, having a coffee date in the artists' cafe near our company building. We were smiling in the photo. To outsiders, this photo would make them assume immediately that we are a thing.

"Chaeyoung, I - "

"Mina," she cut me off. "If you really don't have time, what is the meaning behind this picture?"

Tears start invading my eyes as a burst of mixed emotions filled in me. I feel confused, mistrusted, misunderstood, and on top of it all, I feel extremely tired. I do not want to explain this right now since my energy is all gone. I just tried to act all energized to Chaeyoung earlier because I want to let her see that I'm doing okay. I don't want to make her worried. I thought this is going to be a good encounter but little did I know it will all boil down to this.

"Chaeyoung, I am too tired to explain - "

She cut me off again and this time, I feel angry because of how she is treating me right now. How can she not trust me?!

"Please answer my question," she firmly said but I can see her eyes glassy.

"I'm too tired to explain right now!" I escalated my voice. I feel really hot and angry right now that impatience start to fill me. "If you don't trust me, just leave." A tear runs down my cheek and I looked away to wipe it. I feel so hurt that I want to bring my walls up against her.

"I've been hearing a lot of rumors between the two of you among my friends. Some of them are friends of Eun Woo's and they validated that he has feelings for you. And I've been hearing too that you guys have been spending so much time together, while all this time I've been pacing around waiting for your replies or calls. I've been waiting for you to come home but little did I know you're spending your fun time with that dude." Oh God, Oh God, Oh God! Please stop, Chaeyoung! Tears run down my eyes again as I can't believe my ears. "I've been trying so hard to understand the situation, but I guess jealousy got the better part of me. This photo has been spreading around co-celebrities and co-artists, and for sure it will spread to the masses. If you can't explain right now, I don't know what to think anymore."

"Can you just give me a week or two to fix myself first?" More tears start to roll my cheeks. "I've been really, really so worn out lately. When I saw you earlier, I thought it is going to be my rest, I thought you are going to be my rest. But I'm wrong! I'm wrong, Chaeyoung!" I start hitting her shoulders as she just stood there looking down. She looks like she's about to burst into tears as well but just holding it in. "I thought you knew better!" More hits. "I thought you knew better! I thought - "

"Let's give each other space first, Mina." This time, she slowly looked up to meet my eyes. I think I forgot to breathe for a minute. I see tears escaping her eyes as she wipes them. "I- I've been hurting too, love. I think about you a lot at work, at home, everywhere. Every day, every night, I would wait for you calls or texts. I also waited for you to come home, but you never did. It just hurts me that, I'm here struggling, while my girlfriend is somewhere out there in the world with another person. Believe me when I say I tried, I tried understanding it all, giving the situation many considerations. But this time, it's too much. I mean, I can't take it anymore. That's why I came here to demand your explanation since I'd rather hear it from you than the others, because I would only believe you."

"Just give me a week or two, Chaeyoung," I plead. I don't want to lose her. "Please, just let me cope up with all the things first. Then, I promise you," I hold her hands. "I'll give you all the explanations you need. Please - "

"Mina," she cried. "I'm sorry, I- I can't. I've been very selfless the past few months but this time, I just want something for myself. I'm going crazy, I don't know - "

"Okay fine then!" I shouted. "It seems like you don't trust me. I'm too exhausted to deal with all of this right now." A stream of tears escapes again as I give her one last look in the eye before I walked out and threw the flowers in the bin.

Yes, I'm acting like a b*tch right now, but my feelings got the best of me and I can't control it. Even being "tired" seems to be an understatement already to what I really feel. I've been barely sleeping. I've been working for around 20 hours a day. I've been spending with the same group of people and I've been constantly missing that one person who seems to hate me now.

I stormed straight into the bathroom and brawled my eyes out.

So this is what heartbreak feels like.

Our first major fight.

I didn't expect it to be this way.

It's been ten minutes since I've been crying in the bathroom when I heard a knock.

"Mina-shi?" My manager called out.

"Yes," I softly said while quickly wiping my tears.

"It's time for your scene now," she said.

I washed my face and tried to smile at the mirror in attempts to hide my sadness but I can't seem to do it. I gave myself a few more seconds to compose myself then I head out of the bathroom and be in character again. This time, forgetting about the real-life Mina for a moment.