Love You Goodbye (ryeji)

19

The evening was perfect, almost like it had been plucked straight out of a romantic movie.

The rooftop of the hotel was adorned with fairy lights, their warm glow casting a magical ambiance over the city skyline.

A soft melody played in the background, and the table in the center of the terrace was set for two, surrounded by the people closest to Ryujin and Yeji.

Yeji stood at the edge of the terrace, marveling at the view, oblivious to what was about to happen.

Chaeryeong, Yuna, Lia, Winter, and Winter's girlfriend, Karina, watched from a discreet distance, trying not to give anything away as Ryujin approached Yeji from behind.

"Yeji," Ryujin called softly, her voice steady despite the nervous fluttering in her chest.

Yeji turned, her lips curving into a smile as she saw Ryujin holding a small velvet box. Her heart skipped a beat, the realization dawning on her.

"Ryujin..."

Ryujin took a deep breath, lowering herself to one knee. Her hands trembled slightly, but her gaze remained locked on Yeji's.

"You're my first love, Yeji. My everything. For the past five years, you've shown me what it means to love and be loved. And I can't imagine spending my life without you by my side."

Yeji's hands flew to her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. The world seemed to blur, leaving only Ryujin in focus.

"Will you marry me?" Ryujin's voice cracked slightly, her vulnerability laid bare.

For a moment, Yeji was speechless. Her knees felt weak, her chest tightening with overwhelming emotion.

She looked around, noticing their friends holding their breaths, some even tearing up.

Chaeryeong and Yuna were clutching each other's hands, barely containing their excitement, while Lia had tears streaming down her face.

Winter had her arm around Karina, who looked genuinely moved.

"Yes," Yeji finally managed to whisper, her voice trembling. "Yes, Ryujin, I will marry you."

Cheers erupted from their friends as Ryujin slid the Silver Diamond ring onto Yeji's finger, standing up to pull her into a tight embrace.

The world seemed to pause for them, their love the only thing that mattered in that moment.

"You're so lucky," Chaeryeong muttered to Yuna as she wiped a tear from her eye. "I'm gonna have such high standards for my proposal after this."

"Right?" Yuna sniffled, clapping loudly. "This is straight out of a K-drama."

Winter smirked, leaning into Karina. "I told you Ryujin would pull it off."

"Yeah, yeah," Karina replied, rolling her eyes playfully. "But now she's set the bar way too high for everyone else."

As Ryujin and Yeji shared their first kiss as an engaged couple, Yeji couldn't help but think this was the happiest moment of her life.

"You're so stupid, Yeji."

Chaeryeong said, snapping Yeji out of her thoughts. She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her sharp eyes fixed on her friend.

Chaeryeong had noticed Yeji's unusually cheerful demeanor the moment she walked into their office.

It was so out of place that she couldn't help but ask what had happened.

Yeji smiled shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Ryujin came home with flowers last night. She even made me breakfast this morning," she said softly, as if recounting a grand romantic gesture.

Chaeryeong raised a brow, unimpressed. "Flowers? Breakfast? Seriously, Yeji? That's the bare minimum." She rolled her eyes dramatically. "You're acting like she gave you the world."

Yeji frowned slightly but shook her head. "It's not just that. She apologized too, Chaer. She's trying."

"Trying?" Chaeryeong repeated, her voice laced with sarcasm. "You call that trying? C'mon, Yeji. It's basic. Anyone can do that. A few flowers and a cooked meal don't erase the fact that something's off with her."

Yeji's grip on the pen in her hand tightened, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But I don't have proof, Chaer. I can't accuse her without evidence. Besides, I love her." Her eyes softened, almost pleading. "Is it so wrong to want to believe in her?"

Chaeryeong's frustration boiled over. "That's the problem, Yeji! You love her too much. So much that you're blind to the truth. I'm telling you, something's not right."

Yeji bit her lip, her heart aching at her friend's harsh words. She knew Chaeryeong meant well, but it wasn't easy to admit that the person you loved might be hurting you.

"Just find proof," Chaeryeong pressed, her voice firm. "Don't be so stupid, Yeji. If she's really doing something behind your back, you need to know."

Before Yeji could respond, the door to their office creaked open, and Yeonjun popped his head in.

"Hey, Yeji," he said casually, pointing toward the hallway. "Someone's waiting for you outside."

Yeji blinked, confused. "Who?"

Yeonjun shrugged. "It's Winter."

Yeji's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly got up. "Thanks, Yeonjun."

Chaeryeong watched her go, her expression a mix of concern and annoyance.

"You better not let her fill your head with more excuses," she muttered under her breath.

Outside the office, Yeji found Winter leaning casually against the reception desk, scrolling through her phone.

"Yeji!" Winter greeted with a warm smile as soon as she saw her.

"Hi, Winter," Yeji replied, still a bit puzzled. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the area and thought I'd invite you for lunch," Winter explained. "You know, catch up. It's been a while."

Yeji hesitated for a moment but then smiled. "Sure, why not?"

It wasn't unusual for them to hang out; Winter was one of Ryujin's closest friends, and over the years, Yeji had grown comfortable around her.

As the two of them walked out together, Yeji couldn't help but feel a strange tension in the air.

This was normal, wasn't it?

Just friends catching up.

Nothing more.

Or so she thought.