Love You Goodbye (ryeji)

17

(Scene 17; Backstory...Go...)

Roh Jeonggeui.

A name Yeji once teased Ryujin about before, laughing at how flustered Ryujin got whenever Jeonggeui's name popped up on TV or in magazines.

Roh Jeonggeui.

She was Korea's sweetheart back then—a stunning actress with a smile that could light up the whole room.

But as time passed, Jeonggeui left the spotlight and decided to take over her family's business, running it with the same grace she once brought to the screen.

And now,

Jeonggeui wasn't just a name or a face on TV anymore.

She was Ryujin's boss.

It was Yeji and Lia who had pushed Ryujin to apply to Jeonggeui's company in the first place.

"It's a big opportunity, Ryujin!" Lia had said, practically shoving the application form into her hands. "Plus, imagine working for your celebrity crush! And, we can be workmates."

Yeji had laughed, wrapping her arms around Ryujin from behind.

"Yeah, Ryuddaeng! Go for it. Who knows, you might even impress her with your charm."

Back then, Yeji's words were lighthearted, filled with love and pride.

She believed in Ryujin, and trusted her completely.

It never crossed her mind that she might one day regret those words.

Ryujin sent a picture of her holding up the job acceptance letter, grinning from ear to ear.

"I told you she'd hire you!" Yeji's voice echoed in her memory, filled with so much pride.

Lia had been there too, snapping pictures and joking about how Ryujin should get Jeonggeui's autograph for them.

"Or better yet, bring her to the wedding!" Lia had teased, making them all laugh.

"It's my fault..." Yeji whispered into the darkness, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face.

She lay curled up in their bed, clutching Ryujin's pillow as if it could fill the emptiness beside her.

The house was quiet—too quiet.

The kind of silence that felt heavy, suffocating. And in that silence,

Yeji's thoughts consumed her, tearing at the edges of her fragile heart.

"I shouldn't have pushed her," she sobbed, burying her face into the pillow.

"I shouldn't have told her to apply for that stupid job."

Her chest heaved as she let out a shaky breath.

"I practically handed her over..."

The thought made her stomach churn, a wave of nausea rolling over her.

Yeji sat up, clutching her knees to her chest.

Even though she didn't have any evidence, no proof to confirm her fears, she felt it.

The distance between Jeonggeui and Ryujin wasn't just physical anymore—it was something deeper, something more terrifying.

Her hands trembled as she wiped at her tear-streaked face.

"Am I not enough?"

She murmured, her voice barely audible.

Yeji stood from the bed and walked to the mirror across the room, staring at her reflection like it held the answer.

Her fingers trailed over her face, tracing the lines of her features.

"I'm not as beautiful as her, am I?" she whispered bitterly, thinking of Ryujin's boss.

The woman had everything—power, confidence, allure. She was the kind of person people couldn't help but be drawn to.

Yeji's lips quivered as she turned away from the mirror, unable to bear the sight of herself.

"Am I not pretty enough? Not smart enough?" she whispered, her voice cracking.

Her mind spiraled further, dragging her into a pit of self-doubt.

"Maybe I'm boring," she said, sitting back down on the edge of the bed.

"Ryujin always said I was too predictable..."

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

"Is that why?" she muttered, her voice growing louder. "Is that why she's...with someone else?"

The words hung in the air, heavier than anything she'd ever said before.

She thought back to their happier days, when Ryujin would call her beautiful even when she was a mess, when she would hold Yeji like she was the only thing that mattered.

"Was that all a lie?" Yeji choked out, her tears falling harder now.

Her chest felt tight, her breaths shallow.

She reached for her phone on the nightstand, her fingers hovering over Ryujin's name.

For a brief moment, she considered calling, begging Ryujin to come home, to tell her everything was okay.

But then she hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen.

Would she even pick up?

Yeji set the phone down with a defeated sigh, her shoulders slumping.

"I can't keep doing this," she whispered to herself. "I can't keep pretending like everything's fine."

She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost midnight, and Ryujin still wasn't home.

Yeji curled back into bed, pulling the covers over her trembling body. The tears came in waves, each one heavier than the last.

And as the hours passed, her exhaustion finally caught up to her, dragging her into a restless sleep.

Meanwhile..

On the other side of Seoul..

"Damn, you're so good, Jeonggeui." Ryujin whispered in her boss' ear.

Jeonggeui chuckled and kissed Ryujin's cheek as they cuddled in bed.

"I know." Jeonggeui smirked.