Love You Goodbye (ryeji)

11

The warm rays of the afternoon sun filtered through the glass windows of the building.

Yeji hesitated outside the building, clutching the lunchbox she had prepared that morning. It was simple, but she thought it might remind Ryujin of how much Yeji cared.

"I can't cook well, but at least it's made with love," Yeji whispered to herself, trying to push away the knot of nerves in her chest.

Today was her sick leave, but instead of resting, she decided to surprise Ryujin.

She wanted to see her fiancée's face, hoping the visit might reignite some of the warmth she felt slipping away between them.

As she entered the building, Yeji offered a polite smile to the receptionist.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Hwang," the receptionist greeted warmly. "Are you here to see Ms. Shin?"

"Yes," Yeji replied softly.

The receptionist nodded, pressing a button on the desk. "She's currently in a meeting, but you're welcome to wait in her office."

Yeji thanked her and made her way to Ryujin's office, her steps slow and uncertain.

Yeji stepped into Ryujin's office. She placed the lunchbox carefully on the desk, her eyes scanning the space.

The room was just as she remembered it, yet it felt... distant, as if it belonged to someone else entirely.

Her gaze fell on the coat draped carelessly over the back of the chair.

"Still can't hang your coat," Yeji muttered with a faint smile, picking it up and placing it on the rack.

Just as she turned back, the door opened.

Yeji froze, expecting Ryujin. Instead, it was Lia, holding a stack of papers.

"Yeji?" Lia's surprise was evident. She stood in the doorway, her eyes narrowing slightly, "What are you doing here?"

"Lia," Yeji greeted, her voice steady despite the unease bubbling in her chest. "I came to bring Ryujin lunch."

Lia's lips pressed into a thin line. She stepped into the office, setting the papers on Ryujin's desk.

"She's in a meeting," Lia said softly. "Probably won't be back for a while."

Yeji nodded, her fingers brushing the edge of the desk. "That's okay. I'll wait."

Lia hesitated, her eyes flickering to the lunchbox.

"You're thoughtful," Lia said, her tone almost accusing. "She doesn't deserve it."

"What do you mean?" Yeji asked, her brows furrowing.

"Nothing," Lia said quickly, shaking her head. She forced a tight smile and turned to leave. "I'll see you around, Yeji. I'm so busy, gosh!"

Minutes stretched into an hour, and Yeji's nervousness grew. She busied herself with tidying small items on Ryujin's desk, but her mind raced with questions.

What did Lia mean?

Her thoughts were interrupted by laughter echoing down the hallway.

Ryujin's laughter.

It's been a long time since the last time she heard Ryujin's laugh.

Yeji's heart sank as the door opened, revealing Ryujin walking beside her boss.

Ryujin's boss' presence made the air feel heavier. Her smile was too familiar, too intimate, as she leaned slightly toward Ryujin.

"Yeji?" Ryujin's voice was startled. Her eyes flicked to the lunchbox on the desk, then back to Yeji.

"I thought I'd surprise you," Yeji said softly, standing. She glanced at Ryujin's boss, whose smirk didn't waver.

"You didn't have to," Ryujin said, her tone sharper than intended. "I already ate."

"Oh." Yeji's hands tightened around the edge of the desk. "I didn't know. I just thought—"

"You should've told me you were coming," Ryujin interrupted. "I'm busy."

Ryujin's boss' presence made the rejection sting even more.

Yeji tried to hold back her tears as she nodded. "I'll leave, then."

Before she could take a step, Lia entered the office again. Her eyes locked with Ryujin's, then darted to their boss.

The tension in the room thickened as Lia's gaze finally landed on Yeji.

"Here are the files you needed," Lia said flatly, placing the stack on the desk.

"Thanks, Lia," Their boss said smoothly, smiling as sharp as a blade.

Lia's eyes lingered on their boss for a moment, then shifted to Ryujin.

Lia didn't say a word, but her hands curled into fists at her sides.

Yeji, oblivious to the detail, glanced between them, sensing the unspoken tension.

"I'll get going now," Yeji murmured, her voice trembling.

As Yeji left the office, Lia watched her go, her heart aching. Once the door closed, Lia turned to Ryujin.

"You're making a fucking huge mistake," Lia said, her voice low.

"Lia, not now," Ryujin replied, her tone cold.

Lia didn't push further. Instead, she walked out, her fists still clenched as she returned to her office.