I'M (NOT) MARRIED || YUCHAE

TWENTY-SEVEN

chp. 27

Chaeryeong nervously tugged at the hem of her shirt, her fingers fidgeting as she anxiously swallowed her saliva.

Despite her efforts to appear composed, she could sense a penetrating gaze directed at her, as if someone was intensely scrutinizing her from the side. However, she resisted the temptation to meet the eyes of the person responsible, wanting to avoid any potential confrontation.

A gentle smile graced Heesung's face as he placed a steaming cup of hot chocolate in front of Chaeryeong, taking a seat beside her at the table that served as their sole barrier.

"Here you go," he offered kindly.

"Thank you," Chaeryeong responded with an awkward smile, gingerly lifting the mug and bringing it to her lips. In a quick glance towards her fiancée, a chill ran down her spine, prompting her to immediately avert her gaze. Yuna's glare was fixed upon her, brimming with hostility.

"So, um, what brought you here?" Chaeryeong asked, desperately seeking a distraction from her seething fiancée.

Heesung pursed his lips, his expression thoughtful. "I wanted to check up on you. It had been a while since we last talked, and you didn't show up at the ice cream shop either," he remarked, glancing in her direction.

"Oh, right, I apologize for that," Chaeryeong chuckled nervously, taking another sip of the warm beverage in an attempt to quiet her restless mind. Ever since Heesung dropped by, Yuna hadn't been able to tear her eyes away from Chaeryeong, though it was far from an affectionate gaze.

"It's all good," he said, exhaling as he turned his head. "How's Yuna? And you." His gaze was directed toward the woman in question, oblivious to the tension that was slowly building up until he met the actor's fiery glare.

Heesung turned away.

"We're doing great," Chaeryeong replied truthfully, a soft smile upon her lips.

Yuna scoffed at the sight.

"What's going on in your life? How are things with Jieon?" She asked. Chaeryeong figured that the only way things could really start moving was to mention something — or someone, in this matter — that Heesung valued heavily. It... worked?

Heesung clicked his tongue at the thought of his girlfriend, avoiding the curious gaze of his friend. "We're fine."

That short answer had threw her off-guard, it was evident among her expression. Heesung had noticed and chuckled.

"We had a fight before I left Korea, so I can't really determine whether or not we're okay right now. I'm pretty sure she's still mad at me."

"What'd you do?" Chaeryeong questioned, gulping down a quarter of the hot chocolate that had cooled down a bit.

"Got home at midnight drunk, I'm sure I said some things, and I was hungover the next morning too," he replied, shaking his head in regret and what Chaeryeong assumed to be disappointment for his actions. He rubbed the bottom of his black loafer on the clean tiles.

Chaeryeong chuckled amusedly at his explanation, placing Yuna in his place for a touch of empathy. She nodded, "I'd be upset as well, if Yuna was in your place."