POMEGRANATES AND TULIPS: Book 2 (Jeon Wonwoo)

31 | Moral Of The Story

January first...a new year, a new start yet it was already beginning to look shitty after last night's party. I sigh and continue to type up the new email for Mingyu's new campaign for his new project, "Hey Lizzy we're going out for lunch do you wanna join us?" I looked at Olivia as she grabbed her bag. I smile faintly, "I'm okay but you guys on ahead and have a great lunch." I said. Olivia smiles as she leaves with five other employees, and a small sigh escapes my lips.

I hit send after proofreading the email twice, I rub my temples lightly. "Todo va esta bien," I whisper, my phone vibrates. I open my eyes and look at the lit-up screen, I smile lightly.

Hao🐸: Wanna have lunch together?

Me: Sure :)

I turn the computer screen off and gather my things, "Going to lunch already?" Seungkwan asks as he walks out of Mingyu's office. I smile and nod, "Yeah, Minghao wants us to have lunch together so yeah." I said. Seungkwan smiles and crosses his arms, "Lizbeth...maybe Hao isn't a bad option you know." He says sadly. I bite my bottom lip and nod, "I know but—" He smiles and nods. "I know." He says. I smile and slip on my coat, "Just don't bottle up your emotions...I don't want you to get sick. Otherwise, I might have to fight W—someone." Seungkwan says his eyes widening. I gave him a confused look and grabbed my bag, I turned around. But I find myself frozen in place as my eyes meet his.

"W..Wonwoo what brings you in?" Seungkwan asks, I avert my eyes from him. The elevator doors open, and I smile as Minghao waves. I look at Seungkwan, "I'll see you in an hour." I said. Seungkwan smiles and waves, I walk past Wonwoo. I let out a small sigh of relief, "L—" Wonwoo's voice made me halt. Minghao's gaze turns to Wonwoo, and curiosity takes over. I turned to look at Wonwoo, he seemed mad. "Hi Hao, I didn't see you at the party," Seungkwan says breaking the awkward silence, I smile and inch closer to Minghao. "I told you they were expecting you," I said softly, Minghao chuckles.

"I got caught up with work so I arrived late but then Lizbeth and I decided to catch up a bit." Minghao says as he grabs my hand, "Well we'll be off, have a great lunch you two." He says as we enter the elevator. I bite my bottom lip as Wonwoo gazes at our intertwined hands, I press the lobby button before he can say anything. "So what are you planning today?" I ask looking up at Minghao as the doors close.

Minghao smiles, "I was thinking about taking you to this dumpling place I've stumbled across." He says. I smile, "That sounds nice honestly." I said. Minghao smiled, he was still holding my hand.

I exhale softly as Minghao opens the passenger door, "What's wrong?" He asks. I look at him and shake my head lightly, "It's nothing, don't worry." I said getting inside the car. I fasten my seatbelt as Minghao closes the door, I bite my bottom lip as I hold my book bag closely. I fiddle with the keychain, "Are you sure you're okay? I mean you know seeing Wonwoo after what happened?" Minghao asks. I look at him, "Yeah I'm okay, it's not like it was my choice." I said with a sad smile. Minghao nods and drives off.

Minghao leads me to a booth, I look at him. "Minghao...do you know someone by the name Baek Jinyoung?" I asked, his expression hardens. "Baek Jinyoung." He repeats the name as he gestures for me to sit down, I place my book bag beside me as I sit down. Minghao exhales sharply and sits across from me, "Why do you ask?" He says sliding one of the menus over to me. I look at the menu, "Soonyoung mentioned the name to Wonwoo, and they both were secretive about it. I have asked Detective Yoon as well but he too wouldn't say much." I said looking at him. Minghao closes his eyes and exhales softly, he opens his eyes. "Baek Jinyoung is a man who was sent to rehabilitation due to his mental health. Jinyoung is related to...Wonwoo," He says.

I look at the menu, "But why are you asking about him?" He asks. I close the menu, "I received this letter in the mail this morning." I pull out a red envelope from my bag and hand it to Minghao. "And it mentions the name Baek Jinyoung," I said as I fiddled with the edges of the menu while Minghao opened the letter.

"Did you show it to Detective Yoon? I mean this letter...Lizbeth." Minghao says as he closes the letter with anger, "I haven't shown it to him yet, I'll be seeing Detective Yoon later in the evening." I said. I bite my bottom lip, "This is getting out of hand...Lizbeth you can't be left alone, especially after this letter." Minghao says handing me the letter. I sighed and nodded, "I know the letter is disturbing." I said.

I had received a letter this morning before heading to work, that letter was written in red ink. What was written in the letter was what disturbed me the most, in perfect detail of how, when, and where this creep has been watching me. The beginning of the letter starts off with a verse from a novel by William Shakespeare from Romeo & Juliet, a verse I will never be able to read the same again. He then gets into detail about the fantasies he thinks about whenever he sees me.

Shivers run down my spine as I feel like I'm being watched, I bite my bottom lip and let my knee bounce anxiously as Minghao orders our food. I subtly looked around but there was nothing that seemed out of the ordinary, "Lizbeth..." Minghao says. He reaches for my hand, "You're shaking," He says. I stop my knees from shaking, "I'm sorry," I said. Minghao gives me a small smile and squeezes my hand, "Don't be...I know things aren't the best right now but know that you're not alone in this." He says. I smile faintly and let my thumb caress his knuckles, "Thank you Hao." I said.

"Now have you been reading lately?" He asks letting go of my hand, I smile and look down at the table. "Sometimes...whenever I can," I said, Minghao nods lightly. The waiter comes with our food, "Dumpling soup for the young lady, steamed and stir-fried dumplings for the gentleman. Also here's your raspberry lemonade and the Herbel green iced tea, enjoy." The waiter says with a smile before leaving.

"Gosh, it smells so good," I said picking up the chopsticks and spoon, "And tastes heavenly," Minghao says with a wink. I let a giggle escape my lips as I blew lightly on the soup before taking the first taste, and of course, Minghao was right. It tastes heavnly, "Where do you manage to find these good places?" I ask. Minghao laughs lightly as he hands me a napkin, "I have my secret ways my dearest." He says with a smirk, I smile and continue to eat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I fiddle with my scarf as I wait patiently for Minghao outside the restaurant, I lift my gaze to see a tall man in a blue suit crossing the street.

We can eye contact for a split second but I look away feeling uncomfortable, I bite my bottom lip and tuck my hands in the pockets of my coat. I sigh softly, "I know you..." The man speaks as he reaches the restaurant. I look at him perplexed, "I'm sorry?" I asked. He flashes a smile that makes me shiver, "You're Wonwoo's woman...yeah, I know you." He says crossing his arms. I furrowed my brows, "Wonwoo? How-" He laughs. I eye him up and down, "I'm Jeon Jaeyoung...Wonwoo's cousin. And you must be Lizbeth...it's such an—honor to see—meet you in person." Jaeyoung says with a smirk as he extends his hand out.

I look at him confused, "Ready to go." Minghao says as he walks out of the restaurant with a smile. I look at Minghao, "Yeah I am but—" I pause seeing the man was long gone. I tilt my head as Minghao gives me a confused gaze, "What's wrong?" He asks. I look at him, "I—never mind, I should get back to the office." I said. Minghao knits his brows and nods, "Yeah I'll drop you off let's go." He says grabbing my hand. I look back at where the guy was standing, Jeon Jaeyoung? How does he know my name? Does Wonwoo talk about me?