20 (Seventeen Jeonghan x CLC Seunghee)

12 : I'll be fine.

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Seunghee kept quiet about the Kevin issue. She couldn't bring herself to tell Jeonghan. Even if she didn't have any obligation towards him, she felt like she was cheating on him. She was being unfair, she knew. She knew she was.

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She was with Kevin that afternoon. They were having snacks at a fast-food chain.

"I thought I was gonna get fired that moment," Kevin said.

Kevin was taking his time talking about his experiences in California. He was so enthusiastic in letting Seunghee know how it was like to be there. He wanted her to like it to be there, with him.

"But the manager called me and said, congratulations! You've been awarded as the employee of the year! I was really surprised. I never thought I could have that award," he continued.

"Wow... That was great! You must've really worked hard there," she exclaimed.

"Yeah. And all those times, I was thinking about you."

Kevin was looking intently at her. But Seunghee could still not fully contain the fact that Kevin is in love with her. She was still enclosed in their friendship. He was still a friend for her.

"Of course you are, oppa."

Seunghee turned away to evade his eyes only to find another pair of eyes looking at her just outside the area. Passing by, Jeonghan saw them. Seunghee jerked away from her seat.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"I'll be right back oppa."

Kevin followed where Seunghee was headed and he found Jeonghan on the other side of the place. He felt hurt. It was him alright. He didn't want to entertain that fact.

Seunghee reached Jeonghan by then.

"Jeonghan! Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't have time to text or call you. Oppa just dragged me here. And we already..."

"It's okay. You don't have to explain yourself to me. You can do whatever you want Seunghee. As long as he doesn't do anything bad to you," he replied.

"Of course he won't. He's my best friend! He's different."

"You can't tell that. Every guy's a wolf inside Seunghee. Just be careful. I'm just here okay? Call me if you need me."

"Hm... Okay. Are you going somewhere? Can't you join us?"

"I'll be fine. And besides I don't think Sunbae wants me hanging around you."

Jeonghan saw Kevin looking at him. With eyes so sharp it could kill. But Seunghee never saw any of that when she turned to look at him.

"He doesn't mind! Come on Jeonghan."

"He does. I'll go ahead now Seunghee. Just call me if something comes up."

"Jeonghan!"

He left and Seunghee went back to Kevin.

"Isn't he joining us?"

"I asked him but he won't."

"He knows how to read between the lines."

"What? How to read what?"

"Nothing. Let's just eat. The food's gonna spoil."

"I'll tell him to come next time alright. I don't want him to have any other ideas about us."

Kevin kept silent. He was hurt. It felt like Seunghee was sure he'd be dumped. He couldn't have that. It should the other way around.

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Jeonghan respected the friendship between Seunghee and Kevin. He did not interfere everytime Kevin would appear and ask Seunghee out. He was just on the sidelines for her. He accepted that. But it was getting more difficult, if not for that day she said she likes him too. Was that just a lie? But he couldn't confront her about it. He loves her, he won't question anything about her. But he won't lose her. No matter what.

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To be continued...