Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Jake insisted we go out for lunch after our tense conversation in his office. I hesitated at first, but it felt better to ease into things with him before facing everyone else. The streets of Seoul felt both familiar and foreign as we stepped out of the building and hailed a cab.
Jake brought me to a restaurant near the Han River, a place that immediately brought back a flood of memories. It was where our group of friends used to hang out back when life was simpler. As soon as we walked in, the familiar scents of grilling meat hit me, and it felt like I was stepping into the past.
"You remember this place?" Jake asked, glancing at me with a small smile.
I nodded, taking in the warm, bustling atmosphere. "It's like nothing's changed here."
"Yeah... except us," he added, his tone carrying a hint of something deeper.
We ordered, and soon after, Jake leaned back in his chair, studying me. His eyes held a mix of emotions some I couldn't quite place.
"You know... I'm still a little mad at you," he said after a moment of silence.
I blinked, caught off guard. "Mad? Why?"
"You disappeared, Jieun. No calls, no texts. We had no idea where you were or why you left. Do you have any idea how worried we all were?"
I shifted in my seat, the guilt I had been holding onto for years bubbling up to the surface. "I... I didn't mean to hurt anyone, Jake. I thought it was easier to just... cut everything off."
"Easier?" He let out a disbelieving laugh.
"For who? We were your friends. Jay, Rumi, Heeseung... we all felt like you just abandoned us. Jungwon didn't tell us anything, and when you stopped responding completely, we didn't know if you were okay or if you just didn't want us in your life anymore."
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I was going through so much. I didn't know how to explain it, so I thought distancing myself was the best option."
Jake shook his head, frustration evident. "You didn't think to give us any explanation? Not even to me? You left us all hanging, Jieun. And Heeseung... he didn't take it well."
I winced at the mention of his name. "I know," I said quietly. "Jungwon told me."
Jake's eyes softened slightly, though there was still a tinge of anger behind them. "He didn't just lose you, Jieun. He lost himself after you left. He never said much, but we could all tell how hurt he was. And then... when he married Sora, none of us could believe it."
I clenched my hands together, the familiar feeling of unease washing over me. "I already know about their marriage," I said, my voice a little strained. "Jungwon told me. But... why did Heeseung do it?"
Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. Maybe he was trying to fill the void you left behind. Maybe he was just lost. But none of us saw it coming. There was no wedding, no celebration and that was weird."
