THE BET 🦋

XVII.

I and Bitna exited the taxi, holding our jackets over our heads as we ran towards my apartment. It was pouring rain, and the streets were almost empty, except for a figure standing in front of my building.
As we got closer, I realized it was Jae-eon. He was completely soaked, with rainwater dripping off his hair and clothes. He looked up as we approached, and a look of relief crossed his face.
"I've been waiting for you." he said, his voice hoarse from the rain.
I stopped in my tracks, my heart sinking. I knew exactly what this was about. "What do you want, Jae-eon?" I asked coldly.
Jae-eon took a step towards me, his hands in his pockets. "Can we talk, please? It's important. You weren't answering any of my texts or calls, so I didn't get the chance to explain everything."
Bitna looked between us nervously, sensing the tension. "I think I'm gonna go upstairs," she said, giving me a quick hug. "You guys can catch up later."
I nodded, watching Bitna disappear into the building.
I turned back to Jae-eon, crossing my arms over my chest. "Fine, what do you want to say?"
Jae-eon took a deep breath. "I know you're upset with me about the bet," he said, his eyes fixed on mine. "But please, just hear me out."
I rolled my eyes, feeling a flare of anger. "What is there to hear, Jae-eon? You made a bet to make me fall in love with you. You used me."
Jae-eon winced, the weight of my words sinking in. "I know, and I'm sorry. I was stupid and I didn't think about how it would affect you. But Nabi, I swear, I never meant to hurt you."
"Why did you do it, Jae-eon?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why did you bet on me?"
Jae-eon sighed heavily. "I don't know, Nabi. I guess I just wanted to prove that I could make you fall for me."
I shook my head in disbelief. "Do you even realize how messed up that is? You were willing to hurt me just to win a stupid bet." My eyes was filling with tears. "Do you know how it feels to find out that someone you trusted, someone you thought cared about you, was just using you? It's humiliating, Jae-eon."
"I know," Jae-eon said, looking down at his hands. "And I'm sorry, Nabi.
I scoffed at his words. "So, what, were you enjoying manipulating my feelings and making me think you liked me?"
Jae-eon looked up at me, his eyes pleading. "I do like you, Nabi. I really do. I just didn't know how to tell you. And I didn't mean for things to get out of hand like this."
I snorted, not believing a word he was saying. "You like me? Yeah, right. You only like the idea of winning a bet."
Jae-eon opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off.
He took another step closer, his eyes pleading with mine. "I know I messed up, but please, give me a chance to make it right. I want to prove to you that I really do care about you."
My anger began to dissipate, replaced by a feeling of exhaustion. I didn't want to fight with him anymore, but I also didn't know if I could trust him again. "I don't know if I can forgive you, Jae-eon. You hurt me in a way that I never thought possible."
Jae-eon's face fell, his shoulders slumping. "I understand that, and I'll do anything to make it up to you. Just please, give me a chance."
I sighed, feeling conflicted. I didn't know what to do. Part of me wanted to forgive him and move on, but another part of me was still so hurt and angry. "I don't know, Jae-eon. I need time to think."
Jae-eon nodded, his expression grim. "I understand. I'll give you all the time you need," he sighed," This may be very bold question, but can I ask where were you this late?"
We stood there in silence for a moment, the rain pouring down around us. I couldn't help but feel a sense of irony in the situation - on the day I found out about his bet to make me fall in love with him, he didn't even know it was my birthday.
"I was with Bitna, Tae-jin, and some of their friends at the amusement park," I finally answered Jae-eon's question.
He raised an eyebrow, looking curious. "Amusement park? That sounds fun. Some special occasion today?"
„Actually yes. It's my birthday today," I said, feeling a faint smile tug at the corners of my lips, „We went on a bunch of rides and had a few drinks."
He looked at me with an expression of surprise.
"Wait, it was your birthday today? Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, clearly caught off guard.
I nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction at his reaction. "Yeah, it was. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it."
Jae-eon shook his head, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry I didn't know. Happy birthday, Nabi." His expression softened as he looked at me, and I could feel the intensity of his gaze even in the rain. "I'm glad you had a good time," he said softly.
I shrugged, feeling a strange mix of emotions swirling within me. "Yeah, I did. And you know what? Finding out about your stupid bet is actually the best present I could've asked for."
Jae-eon looked at me in surprise, his eyes widening slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'd rather know the truth than be fooled into thinking something that wasn't real. So in a way, finding out about the bet is the best thing that's happened to me today," I said, my voice firm and resolute.
Jae-eon's expression softened even further, and I could see a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "You know, Nabi, you're stronger than you give yourself credit for."
I smiled, feeling a sense of warmth spread through me. "Thanks, Jae-eon. And you know what? I think I'm going to be okay. I have great friends, and I don't need someone like you trying to play games with me."
Jae-eon chuckled, looking genuinely amused. "Fair enough. But you have to admit, I'm pretty good at those games."
I rolled my eyes.. "Yeah, well, I'm not playing anymore. I'm done."
And with that I turned my back on him and went inside the building.