Arin then led Gunwook back to ZeroBase, which was closed for the night because of the wedding, so it was just the two of them there.
"What do you want to drink?" Arin was rolling up her sleeves, getting ready to mix some more drinks.
"You've worked enough today. Let's just sit and drink some soju or beer."
Arin took a few bottles of beer and soju out from the fridge instead and went to sit down on a stool next to Gunwook.
Gunwook then poured him and Arin a shot of soju.
"Cheers." Gunwook raised his glass at Arin, and she did the same.
Arin drank shot after shot without saying a word. Gunwook didn't stop her nor try to distract her with conversation this time, he knew she needed a way to let out her sadness. He stopped drinking after a few shots and stayed sober to take care of her.
"How... how do you unlove someone?" Arin started to open up after she became drunk. She gazed at Gunwook with her teary, droopy eyes that were out of focus.
Gunwook looked at her with empathy, seeing Arin like this broke his heart.
"Why aren't you answering me?" A tear slipped out of her eye, then another tear, and another one. "This pain seems endless and it hurts like hell." Arin burst out crying.
Gunwook's heart clenched as he saw Arin break down. He felt so helpless because there was nothing he could do for her when she was clearly in agony. He even wished that he was the one causing her the pain, then maybe he would have the power to make her feel better now.
"This is the last time I'll cry for him... the very last time..."
Arin fell asleep on the bar table. Her furrowed brows and the visible tear stains were clear evidence of her broken heart.
"Arin-ah" Gunwook gently shook the girl's arm, but there was no response - she had completely blacked out.
How was he going to take Arin home if he didn't know where she lived?
He looked at the time and it was already way past midnight. It would be inappropriate to bring Arin home, and he could already imagine his mother's reaction when she finds out. He picked up his phone and called his sister.
"Gunwookie? What's the matter?"
"Sorry, Noona. Did I wake you?"
"No, I haven't gone to bed yet."
"Arin is very drunk. I want to take her home, but I don't know where she lives. Do you know where she lives? Or can she go stay at your place for the night?"
"I'm not at home though. I don't know where Arin lives either."
"Are you with Hanbin hyung?"
"Yeah, he got himself pretty drunk. Why don't you try home? She can go stay in my room."
"I'll see, you know Eomma can be overly friendly and hospitable sometimes. I don't wanna overwhelm Arin the moment she wakes up."
"Alright, take care of Arinnie."
"Good night, Noona."
Gunwook then called another number straight away.
"Ya do you even know what time it is now, Park Gunwook!" Yoonhee yelled through the phone.
"I'm sorry, Yoonhee. But I would really appreciate your help right now."
"What is it? How can I help you at 3 in the morning?"
"Can you take someone in for the night?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm with a friend and she's very drunk. Can she possibly stay at yours?"
Yoonhee said nothing, so Gunwook prodded, "pleasy please."
"Come quickly, I want to go back to sleep."
"You're the best, Lee Yoonhee! I'll be there right away!"
.
*Ding Dong*
Yoonhee opened the door to see Gunwook carrying a girl on his back.
"Should I leave her in the guest room?" Gunwook asked.
"Yeah." Yoonhee had visited ZeroBase a few times before with Gunwook, so she immediately recognised Arin.
"Do you mind wetting a small towel for me, please Yoonhee?"
"Why are you being so polite all of a sudden?" She scrunched up her face but still did as he asked.
Yoonhee tried to ignore the aching sensation in her chest when she saw Gunwook's soft gaze at the girl on the bed. She had known for a while. When Gunwook finally willingly brought her to ZeroBase for a drink, she noticed. She had never seen Gunwook look at a girl like he looked at Arin, not even at his ex-girlfriends, including herself...
Gunwook gently wiped away Arin's tear stains and tried cooling her down with the wet towel.
"Does she know?" Yoonhee questioned the boy.
Gunwook looked at Yoonhee with a confused expression, asking for further elaboration.
"Does she know that you've been watching over her like that all this time?"
Gunwook was taken aback by how quick she caught onto how he felt about Arin. He took a deep breath before responding with a bitter smile.
"It doesn't really matter whether she knows or not." He then averted Yoonhee's eyes. "I better get going now. Sorry for disturbing you this late at night, I'll treat you to a meal to make up for this. I'll come back tomorrow morning with breakfast. You should get some sleep too, Yoonhee."
"Park Gunwook, why are you so cruel to me?" Yoonhee muttered to herself as Gunwook left the house.
YOU ARE READING
Right Behind You | Park Gunwook ZB1
FanficShe fell for a boy who will never love her back. And he couldn't help but be attracted to her, despite knowing that there's someone else in her heart. They're both fools for love, contented as long as they can quietly watch over their love from afar...
