POMEGRANATES AND TULIPS: Book 2 (Jeon Wonwoo)

29 | Midnight Fireworks

I bite my bottom lip as I stand next to Seungkwan waiting for the clock to strike midnight, "Okay...what's on your mind now?" Seungkwan asks nudging my waist lightly. I look at him and smile faintly, "Nothing just overwhelmed that's all." I said. He hums with a smile, "Overwhelmed? With the party or Wonwoo?" He asks. I snap my head at him, "Both," I said. Seungkwan laughs lightly as he brings his drink to his lips.

Everyone begins to cheer and whistle as the clock hits exactly midnight, "Well Lizbeth to a new year where I wish good things come to you." Seungkwan says as he wraps his arm around my shoulder pulling me into his side. I smile and let a small sigh escape my lips, "Happy New Year everyone!" Soonyoung smiles and runs over to us. I gasped as Soonyoung pulls me into his arm lifting me off the ground, "Okay Soonie you're overdoing it and I think someone's not happy." Seungkwan laughs and nods his head towards someone. I smile and turn to see he was looking at Wonwoo who was watching with a clenched jaw and stern gaze, "Wonwoo? He's always has a stern gaze," I said looking at Seungkwan as Soonyoung puts me back on my feet.

Seungkwan laughs and shakes his head, "Honey...He digs you...he's got his eye on you and yet you're so oblivious to it." He says patting my head as he walks off to Mingyu. I look at Soonyoung, "I don't think Wonwoo feels that way." I said. Soonyoung sighs and kisses my cheek, "Oh Wonwoo, happy new year. I was just making Lizbeth feel more warm." Soonyoung says. I turn to see Wonwoo holding a drink in his hand, "Yeah?" He says tilting his head. I bite my bottom lip and look at Soonyoung, "Well that's my queue to leave, I'll see you in a bit Lizzy." Soonyoung says with a smirk and pecks my cheek once more before walking off. I look at Wonwoo and give him a shy smile, I advert my eyes from him as Seungkwan lets out a howl-like cheer as his song begins to play.

I shake my head as Whitney Houston's voice fills the crowded balcony, "Are you feeling alright?" Wonwoo asks. I look at him and cross my arms feeling cold, fireworks begin to go off. I sighed and nodded, "Yeah...overwhelmed but okay." I said. I become flustered as my mind goes back to what we had done an hour ago in the bathroom, I still can't process how he's acting so nonchalantly after that.

I shiver and zip up the leather jacket, "Lizbeth..." His voice was soft. I look at him, Wonwoo's gaze already on me. "Yeah?" I asked, feeling my heart race at an abnormal speed. He bites his bottom lip, "I don't want you to assume things will be different between us after what happened." He says. I gulped and looked away, "It's okay..." I said. And honestly, it wasn't okay. "Ani...it's not," Wonwoo says grabbing my wrist, I look at him. "You are the sweetest person I've come to know...and I don't want to put you through hardships that will only result in agony and pain." He says, his words filled with concern. I bite my bottom lip and look away from his sharp gaze, "I—are you trying to reject me?" I asked.

My eyes remain locked on Seungkwan and everyone else dancing and laughing, Wonwoo sighs his grip on my wrist disappears. "Something like that...Lizbeth" He says, I let a sigh escape my lips as I turn around. "Wonwoo...I've known you for a couple of weeks but to me, it feels like I have known you for years. Your presence brings me comfort and safety, therefore I care about you only I've come to terms with myself that my feelings towards you are more of a friend." I said trying to keep my voice calm, "My feelings for you will not change rapidly, rejection? Sadly I'm used to that, it doesn't affect me but for some reason hearing it from you does...I appreciate you helping me, I never thought I would experience something like that." I said feeling embarrassed.

Wonwoo's gaze falls to the ground, I cross my arms. "You have your reasons as to why things between us will never turn into something serious but I do not want to go through a series of heartaches because you're scared of commitment...in other words. I don't want to be in a situationship." I said hugging myself, I bite my bottom lip. "So you have plenty of time to focus on your issues, besides I have to work on the big issue I have...Jeonghan—Detective Yoon is still investigating the case." I said, I look at Wonwoo. His gaze was calm but his eyes were filled with this sadness that made my heart pang with sympathy, "Happy New Year and I hope you come to terms with yourself...that life isn't always formidable." I said with a small smile before stepping inside the house.

I bite my lip as the tears begin to slip as I walk down the stairs, I pull my phone out of the pocket of my jacket. I open Soonyoung's contact my fingers hover over the keyboard, only I can't bring myself to text him. Everyone is having a blast, especially Soonyoung. After all, he's been through a tough breakup and I haven't seen him shed another tear besides that night we had hung out when Wonwoo had given us a ride home, I can't bring myself to ruin his moment.

I sigh as I put my phone in my pocket and walk to the front door, stepping out I walk down the peddled path. "Why the sad face?" I look up and smile faintly as Minghao stops in front of me, "You're late..." I said. He laughs and nods, "I am...work had me stuck in the office." He says. I cross my arms and sigh, "Well everyone is up on the balcony, have fun." I said walking past him. His gentle grasp on my arm made me look at him, "What's wrong Lizbeth?" He asks. I shake my head lightly, "It's nothing...everyone is waiting." I said pulling my arm from his grip.

"Lizbeth...you can't fool me," Minghao says with a sad sigh, I bite my bottom lip and turn my back to him. My eyes sting as the tears swell up, I hold back my cries. "Minghao...I don't know how you do it..." I said letting out a small sob escape. His footsteps made the lump in my throat tighten, "What's wrong? What happened? You can tell me," Minghao whispers as he wipes away the tears. "How can you possibly be okay with rejection?" I asked, my heart aches. Minghao's eyes soften, and he pulls me into his chest.

His hand buries itself in my hair, I turn my head letting my cheek rest on his chest. I wrap my arms around his torso tightly, "I will admit to you Lizzy, it's not easy...but for you, I will endure it because my feelings for you will eventually change...not now but someday." He whispers. I sob and clench onto his coat, "Ani..." I whisper. Minghao chuckles lightly, "It hurts..." I said. Minghao wraps his arm around my shoulder holding me closer, "Please don't cry...I hate seeing you cry." He whispers. I lift my head and look up at him, "Please don't endure it...I hate that you're hurting yourself because of rejection." I said. He smiles faintly as he wipes my tears once more, "Lizbeth..." He whispers. Minghao's hands grab hold of my face gently, "It hurts but it hurts me more seeing you in pain." He says.

I shake my head rapidly, "Why are you so worried?" He asks. I let out a shaky sigh, "Because I know what rejection feels like and it hurts...knowing that what I feel right now is how you feel every time I reject you." I whisper. More tears fall, Minghao sighs and shakes his head. "Don't worry about me...now tell me do you want me to go fight Wonwoo for you?" He whispers, he removes a strand of hair from my face. I let out a shaky laugh and shook my head, "Ani...it's okay." I said. Minghao smiles and fixes my messy hair, "Do you want to get out of here?" He asks. I sighed and let go of his coat, "But they're all expecting you, you can't leave" I said.

Minghao laughs and smiles, "Of course I can, you need someone right now...and I am willing to be your shoulder to cry on." He says. I bite my lip and smile faintly, "Are you sure?" I ask. Minghao smiles and bops my nose lightly, "Yes." He says. I sighed and nodded, "Okay," I said. Minghao grabs my hand and leads me to a red Camaro parked next to Seungkwan's car, "I know a place that can help mend a broken heart." He says opening the passenger door. I look at him but my heart pangs when I catch a glimpse of Wonwoo standing at the edge of the balcony with Mingyu, was he watching us this whole time?

I look at Minghao and smile, "Pinky promise." I said holding my pinky out. He laughs and intertwines his pinky with mine, "Promise." Minghao says. I smile and get inside the car.

This party will be best if it's the last one I will ever attend.