The Accidental Matchmakers

CHAPTER 6

AUTHOR'S POV

THE JEALOUSY GAME BEGINS

Soo-hyun and Ji-won's growing affection for each other had not gone unnoticed. Seo Ye-ji, who had harbored feelings for Soo-hyun for years, decided it was time to make her move.

At a social event one evening, Seo Ye-ji approached Soo-hyun with a confident smile. She wore a stunning dress that caught everyone's eye, but it was Soo-hyun's attention she was after.

"Soo-hyun," Ye-ji purred, placing a hand on his arm. "It's been too long. How have you been?"

Soo-hyun looked up, surprised. "Ye-ji, it's good to see you. I've been well, just... busy with everything."

Ji-won, standing nearby, felt a twinge of jealousy as she watched Ye-ji's blatant attempt to flirt with Soo-hyun. Trying to mask her discomfort, she walked over to join the conversation.

"Hi, Ye-ji," Ji-won said, forcing a smile. "How have you been?"

Ye-ji's smile didn't falter. "Oh, Ji-won, lovely to see you. I've been great, thanks. Soo-hyun and I were just catching up. We have so much history, don't we, Soo-hyun?"

Soo-hyun nodded, a bit awkwardly. "Yeah, we go way back."

Ji-won clenched her fists at her sides, struggling to maintain her composure. "Well, I'm sure you both have lots to talk about. I'll just... grab a drink."

As Ji-won walked away, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. She knew she had no right to feel that way—they hadn't even admitted their feelings to each other yet. But seeing Ye-ji so close to Soo-hyun stirred emotions she hadn't expected.

Krystal, noticing Ji-won's discomfort, walked over to her. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Ji-won sighed, grabbing a glass of wine. "It's Ye-ji. She's all over Soo-hyun, and I... I don't know why it bothers me so much."

Krystal raised an eyebrow. "Could it be because you have feelings for him?"

Ji-won looked down at her drink, her voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe. But it's not like we've admitted anything to each other. It's complicated."

Krystal gave her a reassuring smile. "Feelings are always complicated, Ji-won. But maybe it's time to be honest with yourself—and with Soo-hyun."

Meanwhile, Soo-hyun was trying to extricate himself from Ye-ji's grasp. "Ye-ji, it's been nice catching up, but I should really go find Ji-won."

Ye-ji's smile faltered for a moment. "Oh, of course. But we should get together sometime, just the two of us. For old times' sake."

Soo-hyun nodded, though his thoughts were already with Ji-won. "Sure, maybe."

As he walked away, he found Ji-won at the bar, a faraway look in her eyes. "Ji-won, are you okay?"

Ji-won turned to him, her smile a bit forced. "Yeah, just... needed a break."

Soo-hyun studied her for a moment. "You seemed upset. Is it because of Ye-ji?"

Ji-won hesitated, then nodded. "Maybe a little. I don't know why it bothers me. I guess I'm just..."

"Jealous?" Soo-hyun finished for her, a hint of a smile on his lips.