My Last Snow | Mark Lee

CH17.2

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HIM

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"How long have you been dating? Does your company allow this?" One of the reporters drilled. Before I could open my mouth, an umbrella opened in front of me, all the reporters blocked by a single black umbrella. I felt a gentle hand clasp mine as I was dragged into the hospital. The rowdy noises of the reporters diminished as I soon found myself in Haewon's room.

"You have to be more careful" She scolded, taking a med kit out whilst I sat on her bed. I blinked, not knowing what was happening. She unravelled my tight fist to see a waterfall of blood spilling from my palm. Even I didn't notice how bad it was until now.

She didn't say a word as she held my hand, gently cleaning the cut and bandaging it.

"Haewon" I muttered. She didn't look up.

"Haewon" I tried to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. She knocked my hand away.

"Why did you do that?" She asked, throwing her head up at me to stare right into my eyes. I could tell she was furious.

"Because I didn't want to hide it anymore. You're my girlfriend and I want the world to know that idols can date and-"

"But Mark, us will ruin you. You and me together, exposed to the world? That's just the pathway to absolute destruction. You should know your own job better than me" She spat, throwing her hands up. I was a bit surprised at how mad she was reacting. Moreso over the fact that she thought she had screwed over me, rather than me screwing over myself.

"Im sick of living in an industry that locks all of us up with rules upon rules upon rules. I cant take it anymore. Even if it costs me everything, I want to challenge those rules. What is so wrong about dating?" I asked, a much softer tone in my voice compared to hers.

She ran a hand through her hair, placing her face into her hands "There is nothing wrong with dating. The issue is that people think it's wrong for idols to date. We don't have a say in what others think"

"Cant we just-"

The door opened, and out stepped Yeseul accompanied by a man, clasping a bouquet of bright yellow sunflowers.

"Haewon, guess who's here" Yeseul chirped, obviously not reading the room. Haewon rose her head, her expression immediately switching. Within seconds, she had gotten up and ran towards the man, scooping him in a hug.

Something bubbled in me. It wasn't the fact that maybe the man was her brother, or maybe just a friend, it was the fact that it was a man. Rising from my seat too, I advanced them, shooting knives into the man who was looking down at her and reciprocating the hug.

"When did you come?" Haewon beamed, accepting the flowers from him.

"Just got off the plane" The man smiled, ruffling her hair. My eyes widened, eyes flashing between her and the man. I had never knew that I could get this easily jealous, but I really wanted to rip his head off, whoever he was.

"Wait, isn't he the guy on-" The man pointed to me in which Haewon grabbed his finger and lowered it.

"This is Hyunjoon, my childhood best friend before I got admitted at hospital" She introduced me to him.

"This is Mark, he's..."

"The guy that's like trending right now! That's you! I didn't know Miss Haewon over here could get herself involved in the entertainment industry" I watched him as he made a move to loop an arm around her shoulder. Panicking, the first thing I could think of to do was to yelp, clutching onto my hand, fake pain etched across my face.

"Haewon- It hurts" I abruptly exclaimed, causing Haewon to jump. Worry plastered across her face in a second, her eyes switching to me. She brought me to the bed again, attempting to unwrap the bandaging.

I sneered at this Hyunjoon guy, leaning extra to close to her to show that me and Haewon were not just friends. Suddenly, Yeseul got a call, then immediately called Haewon over, leaving me and Hyunjoon alone

"I know what you're trying to do" Hyunjoon chuckled, cross his arms over.

I scoffed "What is it to you"

"No need to be so hostile" Hyunjoon rose an eyebrow "Haewon is a fragile girl, don't hurt her"

"She's not that fragile" I narrowed my eyes at him "She's got a strong heart and her condition in getting better, don't go around spilling lies"

Hyunjoon widened his eyes in shock "Did Haewon not tell-"

"Mark, Hyunjoon, please get out, Haewon, she's-"

My heart broke into pieces in that very second.