Stay Stay Stay ||Choi Yeonjun||

34

Jake was still scowling, looking down at the ground. His jaw was set stubbornly and eyes dark with rage.

"Why are you even here?! To berate me for your boyfriend?! "

I rolled my eyes. He was still being stubborn, just like back then. Like when he sprained his wrist before a match,but denied his pain because he didn't want to be benched. I could do nothing except silently accept his temper. But I won't tolerate it just like that anymore.

"You better start talking Jake! This is not like you, even your mom's worried sick. What's wrong?... "

Jake looks away. His fingers were trembling, lips quivering. Something's wrong, my hunch about it since that video call may have been right. He swipes a hand across his face then sits down on the floor across from me.

"I... I just, I tried to settle down there in America, I- I tried so hard. I practiced speaking English, learned every sort of tips and tricks I could, I socialized with everybody.... even when I didn't like the things they were doing. But Rin-ah.. "

I looked down when his voice cracked saying my name. He was breaking down, crying so hard he was almost hiccuping. He wiped his tears on his tshirt sleeve.

"They,... bullied me. They made fun of my accent, made me do all the work of the firm. While working, I found out about the corruption going on—all sorts of bribes, poor materials, scams and what not. Then they made me keep quiet. One night I was working when I heard muffled conversations between my bosses about making me the scapegoat and blaming everything because one of their clients was suing the firm.... "

I finally saw the deep eye bags, the healed scars and bruises peeking out of his sleeve, and I couldn't help myself. I hugged him. The second his forehead fell on my shoulder, his entire being crashed down. His whole body racked with sobs. I held him till he calmed down.

"What did they do to you, Jakie? "

" I recorded the conversation and forwarded it to the client's lawyers as further evidence. But after this whistle blowing incident, no other company or firm would accept me. So I came back here! "

"Oh Jake, why didn't you talk to us...?!"

I wiped the tears and snot on his face, watching as my friend suffered so much. He held my hand tightly in his.

"I was a coward! I wanted to talk to you, but I was mad at myself for not saying yes to you when you confessed. Jaehan and Hana were going through their own rough patch. The more time I spend with my colleagues, the more I realized how wrong I treated you, how much I took your presence for granted, how much I neglected you. I didn't realize how much I loved you! I never listened to you when you told me about your workplace bullies, now karma got me! "

"Don't say it like that! "

"But it's the truth. And now you're dating that man, — your new boss and I've lost you due to my stupidity! "

I sighed.

"Do you have any plans? What's next? "

Jake looked uncertain, hesitating to speak.

"I don't know... But I probably won't be joining corporate soon... I can't take working in an office or be a part of office politics and games anymore! "

I respected his decision. Workplace situation wasn't all that better here, after all. I was just really lucky working in Hylift Co.

"Okay Jakie.. You go with the flow, take lots of rest, enjoy your hobbies and live life. You'll figure it out. Know that  we all are always here for you. Now I'll be going, Jun's waiting for me."

Getting up from the sofa I squeezed his shoulder gently. I took my bag to head for the door, but his sudden question stopped me.

"Do you really love him? Is there no chance for us? "

I turned to look at him, hating the sadness in his eyes but there was nothing I could do.

"Yes, I do love him very much Jakie! That man,.. made me feel respected, wanted and loved when I felt so helpless. And I won't apologise for moving on when you never gave me any hope of a chance. If you would have asked me, I would have waited ages... But you didn't. "

Jake smiled sadly, his eyes getting teary once more.

"But I didn't. It's okay. Honestly, you look so strong and confident right now, you always glow. I'm glad you found him. "

With that, I stepped out of his apartment. Leaving behind my first love, my childhood best friend. This was closure, something we both needed. Because even when I moved on and found love, I didn't want to let go of our friendship which was thorn in my heart. I had always wondered why I was neglected, why didn't they care about me. I have always hated changes. I wanted to hold on to my friends and my naive youth even though it might have hurt me and killed my self esteem.

But things have changed, and as
I walk towards Yeonjun, my present and my forever future, I love the changes and all the new things it has brought for me. Now I can be at peace, knowing that I probably wasn't intentionally left behind or hurt by my friends. We all were going through our personal struggles. However, it doesn't mean I love my old friends any less, or their love for me has lessened. Life happened for all of us, things got rough, but even them we managed to find each other.

"A dime for your thoughts? "

I glance at Yeonjun who was casually driving.

"Just.. about life. And how much I love it because of you. "

I hold his hand, bringing it up to kiss his knuckles. He bashfully chuckles, looking adorable. I want to squish his cheeks, but I can't distract him while he's driving. God, how I loved this man!