Swipe Right for Love | WinRina

Chapter 12

A puff of white visible in the cool evening air as Minjeong stood outside the glass doors of Jimin's office building, waiting for her. It had become a small ritual for her to pick Jimin up from work whenever their schedules aligned—a simple act that always brought a smile to her face.

But tonight, as she scanned the lobby through the glass, that smile faltered.

Inside, she saw Jimin standing near the entrance, her back to Minjeong. She was in conversation with someone—a tall figure dressed in a sharp suit. Minjeong watched the scene playing out like a slow-motion reel, as the person moved closer to Jimin, wrapping their arms around her in a tight embrace.

The warmth that had been bubbling inside Minjeong quickly turned to something else—something sharp and cold that twisted in her chest. The sight of her girlfriend hugging someone else, even if it was just a stranger to her, sent a jolt of unease coursing through her. Her mind raced with questions, her heart pounding faster than she wanted to admit.

Who was this person? Why were they hugging Jimin so intimately? Was this something she should be worried about?

Minjeong's grip tightened on the strap of her briefcase, the leather cool against her skin. She felt rooted to the spot, her feet unwilling to move as her emotions swirled—confusion, uncertainty, fear. The hug, though innocent on the surface, had ignited something deeper, something she hadn't fully acknowledged until now. An uncomfortable feeling bubbled up inside her—one she hadn't allowed herself to confront.

It wasn't just about the hug. It was about how easily someone could come into Jimin's life and occupy the space Minjeong was so carefully protecting for herself. Was that irrational? she asked herself, Perhaps. But for Minjeong, it felt terrifyingly real.

Her breath came out shaky as she tried to steady herself. Don't jump to conclusions, she reminded herself, Just talk to her. But a small, irrational voice whispered in the back of her mind, planting doubts she couldn't quite shake.

Just then, Jimin and the stranger began walking toward the exit, laughter dancing between them as they approached. Minjeong's heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and unease, unsure of what to expect. When the doors slid open, Jimin's eyes quickly landed on her, and for a brief moment, her expression was one of pure surprise.

"Minjeong!" Jimin's voice rang out, filled with a joy that made Minjeong's worries instantly falter. Her bright smile seemed to wash away some of the fear that had been brewing inside Minjeong.

Before Minjeong could respond, Jimin turned to the person beside her, grabbing their arm with an excited smile. "Come on, I want you to meet someone!"

The stranger, a man with a warm, friendly face, looked equally surprised but allowed Jimin to tug him toward Minjeong. As they approached, Minjeong's initial apprehension gave way to confusion. She hadn't expected Jimin to introduce this person with such enthusiasm.

"Baby, this is my cousin, Wonbin!" Jimin announced proudly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Binnie, this is Minjeong. My girlfriend."

Minjeong blinked, relief washing over her as the tension in her shoulders eased. A cousin. That made sense now, but the sudden sight of them hugging had caught her off guard. She quickly forced a smile, trying to shake off the lingering unease.

"It's nice to meet you," Minjeong said, extending a hand toward Wonbin, who shook it with a friendly grin.

"Nice to meet you too," he replied, his tone warm and genuine. "I've heard a lot about you from Jimin noona."