ANAGAPESIS

42

"Are you sure you are okay?"

It would be a big lie if Anne said she was not worried about Iris. She might have been seeing her less these days since she was busy at work, but she did care about her friend.

She was sorry for not being able to stay by Iris' side when she was at her lowest. She was sorry that what she could do was only give encouragement which maybe was not even helpful and she just wanted to make it up.

Seeing her at Alice's party today was a bit overwhelming. Iris willingly joined but her condition was not that great, she had been isolating herself in the kitchen, massaging her head after complaining about the throbbing pain.

"It has been hurting for a few days already," Iris said, taking the glass of water Anne prepared for her to chug. "I guess it's normal then."

Chuckling, Anne surely had no words to fight back. She knew how Iris hated to take a painkiller even how painful it was.

But it was not only Anne who knew, her male friends also had finally learned about it.

"I don't think Anne is winning today," Juyeon whispered into Jaehyun's ear as the two peeped from a corner where they could see Anne was trying to convince Iris to take a painkiller. "I think she would be taking the pill if you assured her."

Jaehyun scoffed, sipping on the juice he had in his grasp, "how confident you are."

"Try it then."

The two stared into each other's orbs silently, unspoken thoughts somehow could be transferred through the gazes they shared.

Jaehyun was about to retaliate with so many things in his head but the screeching sound from the kitchen was interrupting.

"Iris," Anne desperately called, yanking her friend's hand softly. "No, don't leave yet. I will feel guilty."

The said girl smiled, holding Anne's hand even tighter, "I'm not feeling well, that's all. I'll let you know once I reach home."

With that, Iris swiftly left the kitchen, exchanging glances with Jaehyun and Juyeon on her way crashing into the crowd, reaching for the hostess of the party.

"What's going on?" Juyeon pondered, curious about what Iris had been telling Alice since the hostess seemed flustered by what she heard.

It was then, that Alice dragged Iris to where the two males were standing, studying the girls' actions. Iris seemed not to agree with the decision, her startled expression did tell everything.

Boldly, Alice stopped right in front of Jaehyun, intimidating the male by the gap between them.

"Can you please take Iris home?" Jaehyun blinked harshly, registering the request that did not sound real. "She can't drive."

"I can," Iris defended herself just to receive a shush from Alice in which she questioned, why did she obey her so well?

"So, what says you?" Alice sternly asked back since she had not received any answer yet.

Jaehyun could directly say yes, that was for sure. But the tension he felt right now was too excessive that he could not arrange his words well.

Some more, the look Iris had on her face was confusing. It was as if she was hoping that Jaehyun would say yes but at the same time, she wanted to be alone like she needed a space.

"Iris would be refusing I guess."

Disappointment was heard coming from Juyeon's lips and the frustration from Anne who just joined in as she tugged her hair somehow made Jaehyun question his choice of answer.

But then, Iris was certain that he was right about her alleged refusal, walking away from the crowd at last after bidding goodbye like she had been waiting for this moment from the beginning.

Strangely, Jaehyun felt heavy to let her go but he had no reason to hold her back. Not until Juyeon wanted a clarification from his girl.

"What did you two talk about?"

"I shouldn't have said that," Anne seemed anxious, fiddling with her fingers ever so slightly. "I shouldn't have told her about our plan."

The female looked up at her boyfriend, hoping that Juyeon was able to read her mind which he seemingly did when another sigh came out from between his lips.

"What plan are you two talking about?" Alice's eyes widened ever so slightly, nervousness surely enveloping her, even her heart was beating like crazy.

"Our engagement plan," Juyeon took the lead in answering, anticipating their friends' reactions.

Alice was ecstatic by the news. She hugged Anne tightly whilst saying that she should let Younghoon know about the news later since her fiancee could not make it to the party due to his job.

However, Jaehyun's reaction was the opposite. He should be happy to send his other friend towards a happy marriage but recalling Iris' condition earlier, he sensed that she was disturbed by the news.

There was no way Iris would leave the party, specifically after the talk she had with her own best friend.

Little did Jaehyun know, he put down his glass on the nearest table, raking his silky hair next.

"I need to go now," he announced without any regrets tinting his tone, his expression somehow was, angry.

In the first place, he did not want to be here. He just came on behalf of Younghoon and a certain percentage of his feelings that wanted to see Iris.

As now the girl had left, he did not feel the urge to stay as well.

"It's still early," Juyeon assured him to stay.

However Jaehyun was certain about his decision, he still wanted to leave no matter how many people begged for him to stay.

Letting his feet drag him to look for that girl he was always worried about, the world somehow was playing with his emotions when he spotted her standing still in the yard, looking so calm as if she was expecting to see him coming out.

"Didn't know you were still here?" he smirked, scooting closer to her in the process.

"I got the hunch that you want to leave with me."