Bind Us Together | Hwang Hyunjin

F O U R T E E N

-

Aera was slamming her head on the counter, her hair was everywhere and she looked terrible.

"Are you trying to crack your head open?" Yeji asked, sitting in front of the girl.

"Have you received any good offers from anyone?"

"No I haven't."

"What's the beginner salary for a assistant?"

"46m Korean Won per annum. Why?"

"Yeji, I'll pay you double of that. Will you be my assistant?"

"What? Are you serious?"

"Yeah. If that's not enough, I can pay you- "

"No, no. I'm not talking about the pay. It's just...why me?"

"I need a assistant whom I can trust. And you're the best candidate."

"Aera, I'd love to be your assistant."

-

Yeji started to work for Aera the next day itself and both of them was really excited and happy about it. Two days later, Yeji was back in her apartment after her work, when she got a call from Jungho.

"Oh, hello Jongho. Did you get it?"

"I did. I have send that to your email. Check it."

"Right away." She opened her laptop and checked her inbox. There was indeed a video file.
"I got it. Thank you so much Jongho. You're a life saver." He laughed.

"Don't exaggerate. Is there anything else I can do?"

"No thanks. You have already done enough."

"Then can I...urm ask you something."

"Sure. Go ahead."

"Would you like to hangout with me sometimes." She blushed at his request.

"I'd like that."

"Really? Urm...thanks. It's date then. I'll send you the address and time."

"I can't wait."

"Me too. Bye then."

"Yeah. Bye."

When he hung up, she checked the opened the file and skipped the video to the the time around Aera gave the note to Venessa. Even though she had her doubt, she was still shocked to the core when she saw Venessa changing the note and giving that one to Hyunjin.

That bitch I'm gonna kill her.

She immediately called Aera and Hyunjin and informed them to meet her at her apartment next day at 10am.

-

Yeji was pacing around, anxiously waiting for them. Her doorbell rang, startling her. She opened the door and Aera was standing there.

"Why did you want to meet Yeji?"

"I'll explain. Get in first."
"How are you doing?" Aera shrugged at her question.

"Better than yesterday, I guess."

"Come on sit down. We are gonna have some talk. But one more person is there to join."

"Don't tell me it's Hyunj- "Just then, the doorbell rang, and Yeji ran to open the door. Hyunjin was leaning against the frame. Aera's heart skipped a beat seeing him again. But he looked tired. Like he didn't eat for two days, which was partially true.

"What's so important Yeji?"             

"Get in." He walked in and locked eyes with Aera. He felt like crying again. But he held on.

"Okay. Now since both of you are here, I want to talk to you about something." Aera was about to protest, but Yeji raised her voice shutting her up.
"AND IT'S DEADLY SERIOUS."

"Don't yell please." Hyunjin pleaded. She sighed and took her laptop from her room and opened the file for them to watch. Aera expression changed to a furious one while Hyunjin had a confused face.

"Let me explain this to both of you. Aera gave the note which said to meet her in room 03 at 10 but Venessa changed it to room 02 at 9:30. Hyunjin, who was drunk to point of not recognizing others went into room 02 and...you know what happened next." Both of them took their time to think over everything that happened. Aera felt extremely guilty for thinking of him like that and Hyunjin felt remorseful for being drunk like that. At that moment he swore to himself to not to get drunk again.

"I'll leave you two to talk." Grabbing her coat on the way, Yeji walked out of her apartment. Both of them didn't say anything for some minutes. The silence between them was suffocating. Hyunjin's sobs grew louder. Aera felt her heartache hearing it. He knelt down in front of her and started to cry his heart out. Aera who has been holding in her tears just burst into ugly sobs.

"I'm so sorry, I...I should have been careful *hiccup* with the drink."

"No, no. You're not at fault. I should have listened to you. I should have picked up your call. I'm so sorry. If anyone, I'm the one at fault. I'm sorry. So so sorry." She said while crying like a baby.

"Why are you sorry? You believed what you saw. I would have done the same if I was you."

"It doesn't matter now. Now that we know the truth, I don't want to waste any more time." She stood up and held his hand, helping him to stand up. Both of them calmed down a bit. She took a deep breath and said:
"Hwang Hyunjin, I'm in love with you. Madly in love with you." Hearing this from her made him feel blissful. He gave her the most endearing smile ever.

"Me too Park Aera. I love you so much. If I could, I'd marry you right now." She blushed deep red at his confession. Both of them stood there, hand in hand and looking into each other's eyes. Slowly leaning in, he connected his lips with her. She kissed him back. It wasn't a sensual and passionate kiss; it was rather a kiss of promise.