His Little Butterfly

45 - The Story of Us

Jin sat motionless in his seat after he heard everything Yuna had revealed to him about Irene's current situation. Like a clip from a movie, memories of the time when they were still together flashed in his head. Their romantic relationship may have ended, but their friendship continued, and he valued that. Finding out that she was being deliberately mean to Yuna offended him greatly. He thought their friendship was strong after everything that they've been through. She was very supportive of his relationship with Miya when it was beginning. Things had changed of course because of the way Miya treated him. Although Irene was not physically present when he was recovering from his break-up, she'd always check on him to see how he was doing.

"Irene still loves you Jin, and Mrs. Han begged me to talk to you about being around Irene during these tough times. I feel that she did that out of desperation. She's a mother who only wants to give her daughter everything, especially now that she's sick. I know I am not an expert about a mother's love, but I felt her love for her daughter." Yuna's voice shook as she spoke that last sentence and it touched Jin because he knew how she was longing for her own mother's love. He walked next to her and took her in his arms. It was an automatic response from him to protect and comfort Yuna when she needed it.

"Why did she have to go talk to you and not call me directly?" Jin replied, his brows deeply knitted together as he held her tight against him. Yuna welcomed that gesture. Everything feels better knowing he's beside her.

"I don't know Jin. Maybe she's worried you'd say no. Honestly, I'm glad that she called me too because it made me change how I felt for Irene. I can't imagine what it would be like if that happened to me." She heard Jin's sharp gasp as soon as she said that.

"No, don't even think about yourself getting that sick. It's not going to happen to you." He spoke.

Yuna smiled at him.

"Of course not, silly. We all have different fates. Our only similarity is loving you." She links her fingers with his. "For years, all I could do was love you silently and watch as you poured out your attention and affection with Irene and then Miya. It's hard to explain the torment I was feeling back then. It's harder for Irene now knowing she can't have you back. That's what I meant over what I said and that is also why I am asking you to find some time to be around her just as her mother asked."

"I don't understand how someone could who have gone through the things you went through still manage to be selfless." Jin paused letting out a silent breath before he spoke. "I'll be with Irene through this ordeal... but so will you."

Yuna lets out a long shaky breath before she continues speaking.

"Irene needs the drive to fight this battle and she needs to be surrounded by the people she loves during this tough time too. I don't think she needs to be reminded of the love she lost if she sees us together." Yuna squeezed Jin's hand, smiling at him to let him know she's fine.

He shakes his head.

"I can't pretend to be in love with her though. It's not going to be fair to anyone." He answered.

"I understand what you mean, and neither am I asking you to pretend to be in love with her. What I'm asking is for you to be with her while she goes through this. That means I must give up some of my time with you, and I don't want to be selfish by holding you back from her either. Sometimes, things just don't have to be fair, that is a reality I've learned in my life."

"She's my ex, Yuna, are you honestly ok with that?" Jin just couldn't wrap his head around what Yuna wanted him to do.

"No, it's not easy for me. But I can't be just thinking of my happiness when I am very much aware that someone is getting hurt. I grew up telling myself I will never be like my mother or grandfather who lacked empathy for people." She decided to make the atmosphere a little bit lighter, so she added, "It's not like we're breaking up right? I will still be here, your little butterfly who is very much in love with Mr. WWH."