Hi Stranger? | Seulrene

Chapter II

Irene's POV

"Unnie..." I look around the place.

"I need to leave" I made sure only Yeri can hear that. It was wrong agreeing to come with them.

"Unnie, if you're just gay panicking because of Wendy unnie's friend--"she whispers.

"Kim Yerim." This time she knows how serious I am with it.

"Is everything okay?" Wendy asked. I look at Yeri before I face Sooyoung and Wendy.

"I'm sorry but I need to go." I stand up "Yeri can stay..."

"Leaving so soon?" said the person who just arrived at our table. I look at her. Why is it...

"Unnie, you have nothing to--" I cut Yeri off.

"I'm sorry." As I was about to leave she spoke again.

"I requested a lot to the chef, for us five. I hope you can stay." that made me stop. "At least for the meal." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I heard a chair moved. Next thing I know Sooyoung's already in front of me.

"Seulgi unnie's right. Let's eat first." she said.

"I forgot that I still have something to--"

"Unnie, you already agreed." Sooyoung said. How do I escape this? "Come on." She guide me back to our table.

"Babe, maybe it's serious work..." Wendy said to her.

"If it is, Yeri would've declined your invite. She may be like that, but she's responsible." Sooyoung said as she went back to her seat, after she made sure I sat back down.

"I'm not sure if that's suppose to be a compliment." Yeri said, beside me. She eyed me.

"Don't worry, the food here is amazing." Wendy said. "They have very good roasted chicken." She look over to Seulgi. "Are we having that Seul?" she nodded.

"Of course. It'll be our main course." she said. I saw Sooyoung and Yeri look at each other before looking at me. But before they can even speak up, Seulgi spoke again. "Along with steak." I look up to her. "I'm not in the mood for any chicken now." she said.

"That's good to hear. Unnie here, actually doesn't eat chicken." Yeri

"Really?" Seulgi asked. The two nodded and said yes.

"By the way, I'm curious..." Sooyoung started. "Do you own the place? You seem close with the staffs."

"Sort of." She said. "It was passed down to me and another person, by my grandmother."

The food was suddenly served, mid conversation, I just look at it.

"Woah!" Yeri exclaimed. "This looks good! Everyone, let's dig in!" She then excitedly started eating. I just shake my head. Maybe I just need to calm down.

"If you don't mind me asking..." Wendy suddenly spoke. When I look up, I realized she was looking at me. "Do you write with experience? I'm just curious... There's so much depth in every book you've published so far."

"You write?" I shoot a look at Seulgi when she ask that.

"IRENE." Wendy mentioned looking at her. I don't know how to react at the fact that she's telling her that... "You have all the set of books she had published. She's Irene, Seul." Now that surprised me. Seulgi looks down.

"Don't tell me..."

"I'm just fond of reading books." Seulgi suddenly cut Yeri off.

"That's not true. You, specifically, read only her works." Wendy said. "I was able to read her works because of you."

"You are a fan!" Yeri exclaimed.

"I was just intrigued." she reasoned out. She looks down only at her plate now.

"I don't blame her." Wendy said. "She's a really good writer. Not revealing your real identity to the public, makes it more interesting."

"Your girlfriend's a fan of Joohyun unnie. Watch out." Yeri said to Sooyoung.

"I'm not threatened." She said confidently. "Aside from Wendy loving me enough, not to leave me, Unnie's not gay." I pause at what she said. Yeri suddenly scoff.

"Then why is she gay panicking in front of her." I know already who she's referring to, and I'm pretty embarassed to even look up. Yeri!!! "Why did you think she suddenly wants to leave, after knowing Seulgi unnie's joining us, when she already agreed before?" God she's good! But still wrong...

"Kim Yerim." I warned her.

"Oh! Mianhe." she give me a very apologetic smile, when she saw they way I'm glaring at her now.

"I guess Yeri's right." I look up to Sooyoung, when she said that. What do you mean? "This is the most reaction we've seen from you, unnie." huh? "We always tease you before but you're not like this. You're even blushing!" I took in a deep breath and drop my cutlery.

I was about to stand up but Seulgi then again decided to speak up that keeps me from leaving this place first.

"Excuse me." She then stand up and left the table. I followed her with my gaze.

When she disappeared my sight, I brought myself back to look at the others. They were already looking at me.

"Unnie? Do you like her?" Yeri asked. That's it.

"Can you please stop Yerms. I'm getting uncomfortable." I said, honestly. I fixed myself and stand up. I look over to Sooyoung and Wendy. "I'm sorry but I really have to leave now."

"Unnie." Yeri said. "I'm sorry okay? I will not tease you anymore."

"Me too unnie." Sooyoung added.

"Can you stay a little longer? Eat more. You didn't even move your food that much." I look over the table after Yeri said that. I found my self looking away from the food that's been served.

"I'm not that hungry. I'm sorry."

"Unnie." I got stopped by Yeri. She's looking up to me apologetically. Maybe thinking she have crossed the line in teasing me already.

"It's fine Yerms. I just got tired and want to go rest." I said to her. She then urged to stand up but I stopped her. "You stay. I know you want to catch up with Sooyoung." I look at Sooyoung. "Let's catch up next time?" I then look over to Wendy. "It was nice meeting you. Can you please tell Seulgi thank you and sorry I had to leave?" Wendy nodded.

As I was about to leave Sooyoung spoke.

"Unnie, if you're not that busy, can you not fly back to Boston yet?" I don't know if I can do that... "It's my birthday next week. I'm planning to stay until then."

I look over to Yeri. How can I make an excuse when she knows my schedule.

"You're free--" She started.

"I'll try Sooyoung-ah." I said "I should go." I then walked out of there.

The moment I got out I took a deep sigh. I called a cab, one stopped in front of me, before I got inside I back look at the restaurant. Suddenly, I saw a figure coming out of it. I look at her for minute before I turn back and went inside the cab.

I think it's better to avoid it now...