Life has never been easy for Suzu Ramos and moving to Korea had been the best thing to happen to her. That is, until a homicidal maniac in a mask started terrorizing the city and those around her. What happens when she realizes those close to her ar...
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6 | stuck in the past
He remembers the first time he ever saw Suzu. She must have just started working there when he went in for a pastry. He had even done a double take to get a better look at her and suddenly he was nervous. His heart raced a little and he spent way too long deciding on something. She was a sort of beautiful Taehyung had never seen.
So, like any normal guy with a crush on a complete stranger, he began to frequent the place. He'd slowly get closer to her, talking more when he would be at check out and even slip in facts about himself. He'd leave a good tip and then one day, he just went for it. He asked if she was busy after work and she agreed to go out with him.
The first few months were perfect. Quite literally perfect. He's not sure he's ever been happier than when he was with Suzu. She was different but not in a stereotypical way. It wasn't like she didn't like dressing up and make up or that she preferred reading and staying in. No, she was different because of how open Taehyung was with her. He's not even sure she did anything to make him so in love and yet he was.
He'd fall asleep with her in his arms, breathing in her soft lavender scent that brought him to sleep each time. Her face would be buried in the juncture of his neck, arms loosely around his waist and he held her too. His legs would tangle with hers, an arm tucked under her head and the other cradling her closer. The casual conversations they'd have in the bathtub while Taehyung washed her back or their after sex talks.
It was so hard not to fall in love with her and he knew for a fact she loved him too, and yet she was so cold to him now. Where did it go wrong?
"Where's Yunha?" Suzu asked finally, the silence had grown too difficult for her to sit through. Taehyung's stare didn't waver away from hers at the mention of his girlfriend. He answered monotonously, "She made a run to the store. Told me to let you in."
Suzu couldn't stop the scoff that slipped past her lips, a tight smile on her face, "Of course she did."
"Of course," Taehyung said even if he'd been the one to tell his stupid girlfriend that he'd wait for Suzu to stop by.
"How's Mino?" Taehyung asked making her roll her eyes. "Why do you care?"
"I always care when it's about you," Taehyung said as if it was the most normal thing to say. As if they hadn't broken up months ago. As if he wasn't dating her friend.
"You're unbelievable Tae, seriously," she shook her head in disapproval unaware how the shortened nickname rolled off her tongue. His heart leapt, "Am I?"
"Why are you doing this? Do you genuinely have feelings for Yunha?" Suzu asked and even if it didn't come out exactly the way she wanted it to, it didn't feel wrong to say it like that. Sure, she could've specified. She could've asked when he started liking Yunha but she didn't. Instead she let it sound like she was doubting him because of her.
"Does that make you jealous?" He asked and it only annoyed her more. He was answering her with more questions and she couldn't take it anymore. She made a move to stand up, ready to forget everything her and Yunha were supposed to do just so she could escape. Before she could take a step away, something tightened around her right wrist.
"Don't go," Taehyung said softly looking up at her, "Please?" His hand holding her in place.
"Why are you doing this Taehyung?" She repeated her question, "Is it because you genuinely have feelings for Yunha?"
Taehyung stayed silent for a moment.
"Yes," he whispered and even he couldn't believe himself. He sounded so unconvincing and even if she couldn't trust it she nodded her head in approval.
"So stop acting like you don't," Suzu said seriously, "Because if you hurt her Taehyung I swear to God I will never speak to you again."
He only looked up at her, eyes beginning to water but he pushed the feeling away. When he didn't give her a verbal response all Suzu could do was sigh. Taehyung pondered on what she'd said for a long moment as they sat in silence. She could practically see the wheels turning in his head. He looked up at the ceiling as a distraction, "I won't hurt her."
Why that took him so long to say? She has no clue what had him deep in thought. After checking the time again she stood up, "She's taking forever, tell her I had something come up."
She couldn't stand being in the apartment anymore. She hated that part of her still felt bad whenever Taehyung looked upset. He was usually the strong one around her and whenever he didn't seem that way it always worried her.
"You're leaving?" He asked watching her gather her things, "Did you drive?"
"Not today," Suzu told him slipping her coat back on. He huffed as he stood, "Let me take you hom-"
"No thanks," Suzu rejected his offer quickly. She's not sure she could stand another minute with him. It's not because she absolutely hated his guts but because she didn't completely hate him. Her relationship with Taehyung had been a lot more serious and intimate than any relationship she had back home. She can't just completely get over someone like that when it only ended months ago. Her relationship with Mino did not even hold a candle to what she had with Taehyung and that made her feel awful.
She didn't think about Mino, she thought about Taehyung. Then she thought about Yunha and how they've only been friends for a short time but she genuinely cares about her. And if she's dating her ex boyfriend then Suzu has to be okay with that, right? She didn't know about Taehyung being Suzu's old boyfriend so it wasn't her fault.
"Then be careful," Taehyung said finally as he looked into her eyes locking their gaze from across the room, "There's been some strange things happening lately and I don't want you getting hurt."
"I'm always careful," Suzu muttered but it only made Taehyung disagree more. "No, you think you're careful but you're not. You think nothing bad will ever happen to you so you're reckless. They still haven't found the one who attacked the girl and you know it's more dangerous for you out there and you know it."
Suzu didn't say anything. Maybe he was right. Moving to Korea had been an exciting change in her life but it came with new difficulties. Sometimes even just being out in public she was approached or followed. Even a couple times had she seen someone snap a picture of her but she had never felt unsafe. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she got in a relationship with Taehyung only a month and a half after moving here. He had always been the one taking care of her, making sure she was safe, warm, comforted. He practically made it his mission to look after her and even broken up he's still worrying about her.
"I'll get going," she said finally, clearing her throat and opening the front door, "Tell your girlfriend I got tired of waiting."
She didn't see the way he flinched at the reminder of who he was dating. He watched her leave, jaw clenched in annoyance as he slumped back into the couch. Yunha wouldn't be back for a while, he made sure of it because he gave her a list of things to get across town. He told her he'd tell Suzu she couldn't hang out anymore but he didn't.
Instead he let Suzu in, told her Yunha would be back any second, and he lied.
