If This Isn't Love

57: JANUARY 2023 - A Chance Encounter

The winter in Dallas had been unusually mild, but today marked a distinct drop in temperature. Luisa shivered as she stepped into the lobby of her hotel, the warmth striking her after the chill outside. It was the end of the month, and she had taken a week off from work to catch up with friends—friends she hadn't seen during the usual holiday gatherings due to her demanding schedule.

She paused in the elegant lobby for a moment, taking in her surroundings. The truth was, her absence from those gatherings was deliberate; she wanted to avoid an encounter with him.

Even after nearly four years, the thought of running into Seokjin filled her with trepidation. She had severed all ties with him after realizing that being with him meant accepting his arrangement to marry another woman while keeping her on the sidelines. The betrayal stung deeply; she had never imagined he would find comfort in someone else's arms after professing his love and commitment to her. Had it always been this way? Years spent watching him with other women while he still pursued her. Had she been too blinded by affection to see it? Had she truly deluded herself into believing that she was in control of her choices during all those painful moments?

Even now, the thought of running into him filled her with dread. She feared that one glance would unravel all the progress she had made, compelling her to forget the heartache and rush back into his arms. The idea of making a fool of herself over a married man haunted her. After all, love wasn't a choice, but staying away was something she could choose to do.

"Sweetheart, there you are."

Luisa turned at the sound of the familiar voice, striving to regain her composure. "Sorry, I got caught up shopping. I wanted to find the perfect gifts."

Charlie gently took the bags from her hands. "Let me help you with those. Should I take them up to the room, or are you planning to meet them soon?"

She bit her lip, weighing her options. "I thought I might freshen up a bit. I haven't seen Sel or Meg in over a year."

"Freshen up?" he repeated, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "You look stunning—more beautiful than ever." He hesitated a moment, then added, "Oh, so you haven't told them about us yet?"

Luisa glanced around, her instincts urging caution, and led him to a nearby sofa, gesturing for him to sit.

Once settled, she took a deep breath. "Look, Charlie, this isn't about you."

He settled beside her, his expression earnest. "I know. It's about how embarrassed you are to admit that we belong together." He reached for her hand, interlacing their fingers. "I can't tell you how happy I was when you decided to give us another chance. My biggest regret was letting you go. I was just a selfish kid back then, but I've learned from my mistakes. I don't care if they know about us."

Luisa inhaled deeply, steadying herself. "But they might not see it the same way you do. I'd rather avoid any discussions."

"Why?" His voice dropped, a hint of frustration creeping in. He released her hand. "Please don't tell me this is about him—"

"No," she interrupted sharply.

"You're lying," he accused softly, a hurt expression crossing his face.

"And you're crossing a line," she snapped back. "You can call me 'sweetheart' and follow me around all you want, but that doesn't mean we're together."

He shook his head, his gaze unwavering. "I follow you because you want me to. Deep down, you need me to chase you. I make you feel desired, and after all this time, you still crave that because you're still—"

"Stop," she hissed, her voice laced with tension.

Ignoring her plea, he pressed on. "—because you still fear running into him. You still have feelings for him, don't you? Even after he said he doesn't want you at all."