POMEGRANATES AND TULIPS: Book 2 (Jeon Wonwoo)

36 | I love you but as a friend

A sigh escaped my lips as I fiddled with my coat and rang the doorbell, I chewed lightly on the inside of my cheek nervously. I look down at my flared jeans, my heart aches just thinking about the words I'll be saying to him.

The door opens softly, I look up and gasp. "Minghao." I look at the bruise, he looks confused. "What are you doing here?" He asks, I sigh and grip my book bag. "I came here to apologize and to talk..." I said, Minghao sighed sadly and nodded. He opens the door more allowing me to come in, I step inside. Minghao closes the door, "Don't worry about taking your shoes off." He says and walks into the living room. I sigh but of course, I still removed my Converse.

I walk into the living room, and he sits on the couch. The TV is paused, and there's an ice pack on the coffee table along with pain meds. I furrowed my brows and sat down on the couch, "Minghao..." I said. I fiddle with the keychain and turn it to look at him, he rests his head on the headrest of the couch with his eyes closed. "I know—" He says, I sigh. "I should have not kissed you in that sort of way. Especially in front of Wonwoo," Minghao says and opens his eyes.

I watch him stand up from the couch, "I—I let myself get driven by jealousy and ambition." He says picking up the ice pack. I bite my bottom lip and look down at my socks, "I let myself get jealous—I couldn't stand the idea of how you managed to let Wonwoo back in after what he told you." Minghao paused and exhaled sharply.

I lift my gaze, "Look, Hao, Wonwoo isn't a bad person he just doesn't know how to express his emotions correctly." I said. Minghao scoffs and tosses the ice pack on the coffee table, "Wonwoo is a man Lizbeth, he overworks himself because it's the only thing he knows. Wonwoo—did you know that his cousin is the one targeting you!? He is the reason why you spend restless nights in such fear and paranoia!" Minghao lashes out. I get up from the couch, "Of course I know, he spoke to me about it. But Minghao it is not Wonwoo's fault that his cousin suffers from mental psychological issues." I said.

Minghao had a bewildered expression, "You—how could you be so stupid?! Lizbeth, you aren't safe knowing that Wonwoo is a target and a threat to his cousin! That bastard killed before and who says it won't be you next when he reaches the limit!" Minghao exclaims. I look at him startled, "Hao..." I said softly. Minghao sighs and comes back to his senses, "Lizzy—" I look at him in disbelief and shake my head. "No, you've said enough. I came here because I was worried sick that Wonwoo might've caused serious pain to you but you only lashed your anger onto me!" I let out.

I let out a sigh, "I am so sorry that I can't return the feelings you have for me, I am so sorry that I can't see you more than a friend. I am—-Minghao, I love you but not how you love me, it is not fair that you're tormenting yourself because of it. I—I see you as a friend Hao...I am so sorry." I said and grabbed my shoes. I walk out the front door and slip my shoes on before walking down the steps, "Lizbeth—I'm sorry," Minghao calls out. I look at him, "Bye Minghao." I said closing the gate behind me.

I sigh and walk in the direction of the bus stop, I slow my pace reaching the bench. I bite my lip and sit down, I run my hands through my hair. A sigh escaped my lips, footsteps approached me. "Minghao you didn't have to foll-" I pause to see it wasn't Hao, my breath hitched. It's the guy from the restaurant, "Oh it's you," He says with a grin. It made shivers run down my spine, "What are you doing here? At this hour?" He asks looking around. I bite my bottom lip and feel my phone vibrate, "I'm just waiting for my friend." I said with a forced smile and looked at my phone to see a text from Hao, I opened it and sent him an 'At the bus stop...sos'. I stood up, "He should be here soon," I said.

I grow anxious as a black SUV slowly drives towards us, and panic starts to rise inside me. My vibrates once again but it's an incoming call from Wonwoo, I answer it but keep it beside my waist. "Is he now? Well, I can't just leave you here all alone..." He says with a laugh. I cringe and look around in hopes of seeing Hao, "It's okay, you should go." I said. I turn on my heels, and the guy scoffs. I halt, "I can see why my baby cousin has his eyes on you." He says. I brought the phone close to my cheek, I could hear Wonwoo telling me to run. "What?" I asked and turned my gaze at him, "I've also seen many many wonderful things that he hasn't," He chuckled and sighed. He removed the baseball cap, I panicked and let my instincts kick in.

I ran, but he was hot on my trail. I let the tears slip, the black SUV was speeding towards us. I gasp feeling myself get tackled, "No! Please get off me!" I cry out kicking and pushing at the guy. "You gave me no choice Lizbeth! I just have to step in now," He says grabbing my hair in a fist and slamming my head on the dirt, I gasp and feel my vision blur and darken. "I'll show him...he will lose everything just like I did." He says I could hear distinct yelling as he drags me by my feet. "Get her in before the other bastard shows up." He grunts, I blink but my vision darkens more.

"Lizbeth!" Minghao's voice made me quiver in fear of realization, "Drive," The guy instructs. I feel numb as he caresses my cheek, "He'll have to learn the hard way." He says. My subconscious slips under the darkness, "Wonwoo." I whispered as my eyes fluttered close from the blow.