Two White Roses

Chapter 4

Min So Hwa woke up to see the sun on her face. Her cheeks felt warm, she felt a smile forming on her face. It was the day that came just once a year. The day when she felt special. It was her birthday. Of course, it was Eun Hee's birthday too. That was what made it suck, just a little bit. And the memories of what happened yesterday. How Nam Yoo had thrown her away for some, for some low class slave ! Half her heart hurt to call Eun Hee a slave, but she would never forgive her for what she did yesterday. Not that she did much. Just the sight of her would be enough to drive a guy crazy.

So Hwa stood outside the gate, with Eun Hee beside her. They had been given thirty won each to have fun with. They could go anywhere, enjoy the day as much as possible. So Hwa had planned on ditching Eun Hee. She was thinking of a possible excuse, when Nam Yoo appeared in front of her. In front of Eun Hee, to be correct. He held his hand, not turning once to look at So Hwa. " I heard it was your birthday, and I thought of taking you for a snack " he said. Eun Hee smiled in her usual innocence. " It's So Hwa's birthday too, maybe she could join us" she asked. So Hwa couldn't miss the sudden frown on Nam Yoo's face. "I was thinking about just the two of us " he said. So Hwa was surprised at how he wasn't a bit ashamed to say that right in front of her. " Oh, what a coincidence, I was wondering what to do anyway, " she said, forcing a fake smile on her face, " I had been invited to a tea party at Choi Joo Yong's house, and she hadn't invited you. You know how peculiar she is about class difference " she said, stressing on the words class difference. No one could have mistaken the sly grin across her face. She turned around and walked away, while Eun Hee stared at her in regret.

So Hwa walked to the opposite of where she had pretended to be heading. Of course there was no party. And she had made that lie to embarrass Eun Hee. But now where should she go ? She had no choice but to head to the bookshop. It was away from every obvious dining place, so maybe she wouldn't bump into either Eun Hee or Nam Yoo. She walked into the bookshop and was soon busy searching for something to purchase. So busy that, like any day in the bookshop, she didn't notice time fly. Until she heard a familiar voice. Two familiar voices. She hid behind a shelf as Eun Hee entered the bookshop, followed by Nam Yoo. What were they doing here ? Couldn't the two of them ever leave her alone ? She felt her heart thump as they moved towards her hiding place. She looked around, and jumped out through an open window. Of course, her curiosity got the better of her. She peeped through the window, and to her happiness saw that they sat quite near it, offering her a wonderful view. At first they talked about the food they had eaten, then they started to talk about how ungrateful and stubborn So Hwa was. Eun Hee pretended to be fine about it, thought So Hwa, of course she was just pretending, right ? Just to appear innocent to Nam Yoo. And the jerk was falling for it. Idiot. Just look at him, she thought.

" Are you feeling well ? " he asked Eun Hee, who looked a bit pale. He raised his hand to her forehead. "I'm fine", she said, and turned to face Nam Yoo. At that same moment, Nam Yoo turned to face Eun Hee. So Hwa closed her eyes with her hands, but peeped through them slowly. There were no barrels to help her now. Nam Yoo reached with his hands and cupped Eun Hee's face. Her eyes fluttered closed. He pulled her face towards his, and softly placed his lips on hers. So Hwa felt tears welling in her eyes, as they clung to each other in a passionate embrace.