"All I need is a smile" || PJM ff

Part VIII

Author's pov;

Both of them were anticipated about the result after they meet at the park. The only thing they had in mind was that they should not have their hearts broken at the end of the day.

Their orders had come and they took each of their drinks. Jaehwa was about to take her drink when another hand touched the same one. Shivers went down her spine when his hand touched hers. She quickly removed her hands and tried to normalize her breathing. 

That touch somehow brought back her worst memories. Jihyun looked at her worried because he thought that he did something to her. 

He was going to ask if she was okay but she was fast enough and said," I am fine...... you should take it. There is one more left on the table. I'll take that." With that she put her head down on her arms and rested for a while.

Jihyun still couldn't forget about how Jaehwa reacted to just a simple touch. He started thinking if something happened to her due to a mere touch. But he decided to brush off that thought and continued talking to his soulmate Kim Taehwan.

Jaehwa still couldn't get those memories out of her head. She felt suffocated in her seat and ran outside to get some air. All of them started worrying about her. Jihyun was sure that something was wrong. He ran after her to apologize. 

He saw her standing a bit away from the café. Her face was facing the sky and she had closed her eyes.

Jihyun noticed her features closely. He saw her fair face with sharp features. Sharp enough jawline for a girl, small nose, almond eyes and full lips. He was just mesmerized by her natural beauty. He snapped out of trance when she opened her eyes and looked at him. 

He slowly went towards her and said," Are you okay? I mean I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I- "she cut him off and said," You did nothing wrong. I just remembered something which I should've forgotten days ago. You should go back in. Ill follow you soon."

End of author's pov;

Jaehwa's pov;

As I was about to go in the café, I felt as if someone is watching me. As a reflex, I quickly turned around to check but found nothing. I got really confused. I shrugged that unknown feeling and followed Jihyun. I went in and sat down at my place. As soon as I sat down, all of them bombarded me with questions. 

I sighed and told," Guys...... I am fine. No need to worry about me. It's just that I felt a bit uncomfortable due to some crappy memories." Chayeong unnie said," We thought something happened to you. Its okay as long as you are fine." She smiled at me softly making me forget my worries a bit. 

I felt a bit at ease that I had people in my life who worry about me genuinely other than my mom. I didn't say anything further and drank the drink I had quietly.

We all left the place and met outside. Chayeong unnie said," Jaehwa-ah, I hope you are okay and we get to handout with you tomorrow as well." I replied," Hmm...... I am fine and Ill meet to guys tomorrow in school. Bye guys." With that I waved a bit at them and went home without sparing a glance at Taehwan. 

He also bid farewell to his friends and followed me without speaking a word. I wasn't in the mood to talk to him. I was still shaken after memories flood back due to Jihyun's touch. I mean it wasn't his fault but I felt a bit bad thinking that he got worried for something he didn't do. 

We were about to reach home but my steps took a sudden halt when I saw a police officer talking to my mother. Taehwan didn't realize I stood midway and crashed into me. He asked me why I stopped walking but I stayed quiet. 

Not receiving an answer, he followed my gaze and furrowed his eyebrows. I took a deep breath and walked up to my mother. After I reached them, my mom asked," Jaehwa, is it okay if this officer asks you questions regarding that incident a year ago?" My eyes widened at her words. 

I suddenly started feeling uneasy. I never wanted to bring up that horrifying past but why today. I looked at the officer and asked," You can ask questions to me but I will stop answering your questions if you cross the limit." The officer bowed and said," We wouldn't ask anything that would trigger you. I will definitely stop myself from asking anything absurd." Taehwan stood there confused as he had no idea what we wee talking about.

The officer began. " Ms. Kim Jaehwa, isn't it?" I nodded. He said," Actually I came here to ask you if you could testify for Choi Jaebum's case?" Cold shiver ran down my spine and color drained out of my face upon hearing his name. 

I looked really pale which worried Taehwan and mom. I stuttered," W-why do I n-need to testify f-for that bastard?" The officer said," I know you are still terrified because of him but you were his recent target and the other girls who were her target either moved out of this country or took their own lives" I was least interested in him but still I had to know the reason why he was in the center. 

With the courage I had left, I asked," what happened to him? I mean is he alive or dead" The officer said," After your case, we started tracking him down. We almost caught him, but he escaped and ended up jumping into the Han river. We tracked him down in the water and found a dead man. We have no way of knowing if it's his body. He always hid his face while committing a crime and you were the only person who had seen his face while he committed guilty acts. Your testimony is needed in his case. We even made it to his second house and found several pictures of you in his basement along with many other girls." My eyes widened at his words. 

My pictures in his house? I said," okay I will testify for his case" he replied," sure Ms. Kim. Is it okay if you come with us tomorrow at 3pm?" I nodded nervously. The officer said," okay then Ms. Kim. Ill meet you tomorrow. Have a nice day ahead." With that he went away continuing with his job.

I sighed heavily and lookedat my mom. She took me in her warm embrace and stroke my hair. She said,"Are you sure about it baby? I mean you still get nightmare because of thatpsychotic person. I can't see my baby suffering again because of the sameperson." I hugged my mom back and said," I am not okay mom but Iwill be fine if I have you all by my side. I might not show emotions mom but Iam really grateful that you helped me get over my horrifying past." 

Mymom smiled at me and replied," why wouldn't I help my own daughter. If Ihad the chance, I would've killed him with my own hands but I wouldn't goagainst the law and stay away from my babies. Now let's go in. you both must behungry. I made you guy's favorite black bean noodles." She went back inleaving me and Taehwan to follow her. 

Taehwan was still confused as to what wewere talking about. He followed mom to the kitchen and said," mom whatwere you talking about? And who is Choi Jaebum?" Mom replied,"Tae go freshen up and then I'll tell you whatever I know." Taehwan nodded his head and ran to his room tofreshen up.

TO BE CONTINUED...