Hate You, Love You. | Jenlisa

75

"Hyejun!" I yell and run towards him. People start looking at me weirdly but I don't care. I spotted him from afar, tapping on his phone and looking as handsome as ever.

I caught some other women staring at him too but either he chose not to notice or he's completely oblivious to the fact that he's a babe magnet.

He is clad in a navy blue coat and has a similar colored cap on his head dipped so low that you could barely see his face, but I can recognize him from a mile away. I told him that I wanted to see him because we have a few things to discuss.

We agreed to meet up at Aunt Jiwon's bakery and that's where my boot clad legs are currently running to.

Snow doesn't last too long here in town. It's January now and it left like it never came. The only evidence that it did actually make an appearance is the chilly weather. It's not freezing cold, but it's not warm and fuzzy either.

I give him a hug, nearly knocking him over. I haven't seen him since the Winterwood charity event and I won't lie, I did miss him.

Why? Because he has officially been upgraded to second best friend status.

"Hey, kiddo." He laughs and releases me. "You missed me that much?"

I let the 'kiddo' comment slide. "You wish," I sass but it's laced with a smile.

"Come on." He says and holds the door out for me as we make our way inside the bakery. Unlike the first time we visited, the place is filled with people having a pastry or two and chatting. We walk forward to the counter and I ding the bell on top.

"Aunty Jiwon," I say in a sing-song tone. She turns to face us and her smile grows wider. She's dressed in a knit green sweater and jeans, the usual apron tied on her waist.

"Jendeuk," she answers warmly. "You're back." Her gaze turns to Hyejun who greets her. "And you brought the boyfriend."

I don't even correct her and neither does Hyejun.

"Yes, aunty." I glaze over the menu. "How are you?"

"Good, good. Nothing much. Just running the bakery and taking care of Haesoo."

Haesoo, or Uncle Soo, as I like to call him, is her husband. They've been together for 30 years if I'm estimating correctly. He's older that Aunty Jiwon by 10 years which is mind-boggling. I can do the age gap love thing, but 10 years is where I draw the line.

I've always wondered how they managed to be together for such a long time given the massive age difference but I guess they're really in love and love has no age limit.

"Is he sick?" I ask with concern. Her smile dips and a hooded expression clouds her face. "A bit," she responds. "Prostate cancer."

Shit.

"I'm so sorry," I say. "I didn't know. If I did, I'd have come to visit sooner."

"It's not your fault," she waves me off. "It's sadly one of the perks of growing older. He had chemo a month ago and he's responding well to the treatment."

That's good.

"I'll swing by sometimes," I promise.

"He'd be happy to see you. I told him about how big you've grown and he couldn't believe it," she smiles weakly. "I still can't believe it either, but I guess the young shall grow."

I nod and she changes the subject. "Enough of the sad talk. What can I get you both?"

I look up to Hyejun and he points to the croissants in the showglass.

"I'll have lemon cake."

"Coming right up. Any drinks?"

"Water for me," I answer.