Jade and Joshua were once the quintessential high school sweethearts, their young love blooming in the hallways of their school, filled with laughter and shared dreams. However, an unforeseen event shattered their once unbreakable bond, sending them...
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Jiwon absently stirred her tea, the steam rising in delicate spirals, but her mind was miles away. Across the table, Joshua observed her with a raised brow, patiently waiting for her to snap out of her trance. For the past two days since their arrival in Paris, she had seemed distant, as if a fog had settled over her thoughts. Even during their shopping excursion in one of the city's bustling malls, where vibrant displays beckoned and laughter echoed, Jiwon felt detached, her mind wandering in a haze. She convinced herself it was merely fatigue; after all, when she wasn't asleep, she was caught up in work and attending endless meetings.
Joshua, on the other hand, had taken to exploring the city alone, often finding solace at a quaint ice cream stall. It was the same place he had visited on Eric and Jayoung's wedding night, where he had treated Jiwon to a sweet scoop of nostalgia. The stall's owner, a round-faced man with a warm smile, had become an unexpected confidant, offering Joshua words of comfort and reassurance that his darker days would eventually pass.
"Jiwon?" Joshua's voice sliced through the silence, pulling her back from her reverie. She blinked, meeting his gaze, which was filled with concern. "What's wrong?" he asked gently, his tone coaxing. Jiwon averted her gaze, her heart heavy. "Nothing," she whispered, though the lie lingered in the air like a stubborn fog.
"No, there is something—something you're not letting on," he pressed, his voice soft but insistent. Jiwon grimaced, her lips pursing as she gulped down her coffee, mumbling under her breath. After a few moments of silence, she finally proposed, "Do you want to go to the pool?" A smile tugged at Joshua's lips, brightening his features. "I'd like that," he replied, and with that, they made their way to the indoor pool that awaited them.
The pool was a hidden oasis, secluded from the outside world, and at that moment, Jiwon craved nothing more than to lose herself in its depths and escape the turmoil of her emotions. She slipped out of her clothes, donning a sleek black bikini complemented by a sheer white cover-up. As she pushed open the glass door and stepped onto the balcony, she was greeted by tall emerald hedges that provided privacy to the serene pool area. A few patio chairs sat empty, save for one.
There, Joshua reclined on a chair, clad only in black shorts that accentuated his well-defined physique, reminiscent of an Italian statue brought to life. His tousled hair framed his face, and he wore dark sunglasses that concealed his expressive brown eyes. On any other day, Jiwon might have felt a rush of flustered warmth at the sight of him, but today, an unexpected magnetic pull drew her closer.
As soon as he sensed her presence, Joshua removed his sunglasses, his gaze playful. "Are you getting in?" she asked, her voice lacking its usual enthusiasm. He nodded, and with a decisive movement, she shed her cover-up, letting it pool around her ankles before diving into the refreshing water.
The coolness enveloped her, providing a much-needed respite from her troubled thoughts. She stayed submerged for a few seconds, letting the water wash over her, but when her lungs cried out for air, she resurfaced, gasping slightly. Shaking her head to rid herself of excess water, she caught sight of Joshua, lounging at the edge of the pool with a smirk playing on his lips.
