Where Do We Go From Here

Chapter 4 - Screwed

Author's Note: Helloo!!! Sorry, this next chapter took a while, school and then the holidays were incredibly busy. This was already written before but I didn't want to post it without the next one since it is only filler. But I'm already working on the next chapter so I'll have it out before the end of this week. Again, sorry for the delay and please enjoy reading! As always, comments and feedbacks are appreciated. Next chapter will have more progression, promise! :)

Ye-jin had a long day. By the time the clock struck six, she was ready to go home. Staying in her office was useless anyway since she hasn't been able to do much work, not since a week ago. All she had been doing was thinking.

It doesn't help that nobody else knows about his offer. She didn't know if her dad already knew since Bin never mentioned anything about it, just that this marriage was something that his dad has pushed for. She couldn't talk to him anyways since she knew he would make a fuss.

She did have a feeling, though, that he would not object to it as long as it was something that she also wanted.

Her other option was her best friends. But she did not want to. She was almost 100% sure that she would just get an earful from them. They knew of what happened between them and how she struggled in the aftermath, so this marriage was something that they would not want to happen.

Both Yoon-ah eonnies would be understanding but will probably tell her that it's not the best idea. Ji-won eonnie and Jung-hyun eonnie will ask her if it was what she really wanted and remind her of what she has gone through because of him.

And then there was Hyo-jin eonnie and Min-jung. She knows they'll be brutal, not for anything else but because of their love and concern.

She can already imagine it. The two of them will stare her down in that frightening manner until she squirms. And then, they will ask her if she has gone crazy and go on a long tirade about how she has lost her mind.

She shivered at the thought.

So no, they weren't an option.

Besides, she thinks she has already made her decision. She'll be sure once she finds out more about their arrangement. Bin did not really give her a lot of details the last time they talked, all she knows is that it's important for him.

And for her.

Otherwise, he would have never asked her to marry him. At that, she let out a sigh.

"Why is he not asking her anyway?" she thought out loud.

She had guesses but she lacked the energy to think about anything else today. She was about to stand up from her desk to prepare to leave when Jeung-hun entered and asked her to review some documents that needed her signature.

She groaned when she saw the pile of papers he had in his hand, knowing that it will take her a few hours to go through them. Oh well. At least her mind can stop thinking about Bin for a while.

It was almost eight o'clock when she finished signing the documents. She quickly put aside the documents she has signed, which Jeung-hun knows to take once she leaves.

Before standing up, she let out a big sigh, relieved that she can finally go home.

She was already fixing her bag when she heard the door open. She let out a small groan at that. It was probably Jeung-hun coming in to inform her of another change in her schedule.

It was not uncommon these days for her meetings to get moved or cancelled, all because of their current negotiations with Shinsegae International. They had finally secured a spot in the latter's department stores, but the final amendments to their contract was proving to be a pain in the ass.

And before Bin dropped that bomb a week ago, her company's partnership with Shinsegae was what took up all her time.

However, the voice she heard was a lot deeper that her secretary's voice, causing her to jump in surprise.

"I was just in time then." It was Bin.

What was he doing here?

She remembers responding to him sarcastically, but everything else was a blur. He mentioned dinner and Japanese food before he took her hand and all thoughts flew out her brain. She chalks it up to her not being prepared to meet him today. She had a plan of action which included making him wait for a few more days, and he just ruined it.

That's why she was speechless. It's definitely not because of the fact that he was holding her hand.

Pshh. Why would she feel anything about such a small gesture.

She was a grown woman who has held hands with other people before, him included. This was not new to her. So it's definitely not the reason why she was speechless. Nope.

And no, it's also not the reason why her heart just skipped a beat.

More importantly, the way he tightened his hold on her hand as he walked the both them out of her office is not the reason why she suddenly have troubles breathing.

Definitely not.

Aish. She is so screwed.

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Ye-jin has calmed down a little once they got to his car. He insisted on them riding together despite her protests reasoning that she drove. But now that they are inside, she did not know why he was so adamant on it since they were not even talking.

They had been there five minutes and there was only total silence. Not the comfortable kind of silence - the awkward one.

He hasn't said a thing and looked like he was in deep reflection.

On the one hand, she was thankful for it since it also gave her time to think. On the other, it hurts her since it makes it even more apparent that this is all just business to him – something that he needed to do.

With that, the silence became even more uncomfortable for her.

This has just started and yet the rollercoaster of emotions she had experienced just today is already dizzying her. The past week was not a walk in the park either.

She does not know why she is doing this to herself.

But it's Bin. And she can never resist him. Even despite all the smugness that he has shown her since he walked into her office the last week.

Before her mind can spiral into another rabbit hole, she cleared her throat.

It does not seem like Bin heard her, so she did it again and louder. That caught his attention.

"You need anything?"

"No. The silence is just driving me crazy." Ye-jin said honestly.

He smiled at that. "It always did."

This he knew. They spent enough time together before for him to confidently know that she was someone who liked talking.

"Hmmm. So, why don't you start talking and tell me why you want to do this."

"Already? Don't you want to eat first."

"No." She said while shaking her head.

"I'm not avoiding, I promise. I just think it's better to wait until after dinner." He said it with so much sincerity that it stunned her. The way he switches from smug to sincere is confusing her so much.

"Well, I hate the silence. So come up with something else."

"So demanding." He smirked but proceeded to tell her about his day.

They were always like this before. It had always been easy for them to talk about anything and everything. She has always felt comfortable around him until she didn't.

Their relationship only soured the past three years. The past three years was filled with animosity and antagonism – from both their parts. Granted, it came more from her part. She was mad and sad, so she lashed out. But it was also part of her efforts to move on from him.

But before that, it wasn't all that bad.

That's why she was here.