Entangled Love

Chapter 23: I'll Handle It

Narration:

Eun wol tried to call Jihyo multiple times however, the calls were all directed to voice-mail. She paced around the room, thinking of who she should call.

"Yeoboseyo!"

"Jae suk ssi, this is Jihyo's manager. Did Jihyo went to find you?"

"Oh, she didn't. Did something happened?"

"Ah yea.. And she switched off her phone."

"Arasseo. I will ask the other members to search for her as well. Jihyo is a smart girl, don't worry to much."

"Kamsahabnida" Eun wol thanked Jae suk for his help and end the call.

She grabbed her bag and head out to find Jihyo.

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Meanwhile, Jihyo stopped her car at the Han river. The gentle night breeze touched her cheeks and neck as she stroll to the bench facing the river. She switched on her phone and send a message, ignoring the 50 missed calls from her manager and the running man members.

To Gary

We need to talk. I'm at Han river but please don't tell anyone, including my manager.

From Jihyo

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Gary's pov

As I pull down the shutters of my restaurant, my phone in my back pocket vibrated. I locked the shutters and read the message. "Jihyo?" I mumbled.

To Jihyo

Arraseo. I'll be there in 15 minutes.

From Gary

I ran to my car and start up the engine. Within minutes, I was already at Han river. I tried to call Jihyo but she wasn't picking up.

I walked around the Han river searching for her. As I walk closer to the river, I noticed someone sitting on the bench. Her back view and wavy hair look so familiar. I ran towards her to get a better view.

"Jihyo?" I called out as I stood in front of her. Her head was bowed down.

"Jihyo-yah, I'm Gary oppa. What's going on? Why are you here alone?" I squat down and lift her head up slightly.

"Oppa, mianhae." she spoke without looking at me.

"Why are you apologizing to me? You did nothing wrong."

She shook her head and continued, "ani. I'm sorry for avoiding you. I didn't mean to. It's my manager.. She wanted me to do it. And the loveline..I want to continue with it"

Our eyes met as she said the last sentence. Her eyes were puffy like as though she had been crying for hours.
"But Chang joo ssi.." I trailed off.

"I will handle it." she firmly said. I stood up and sat next to her. "Oppa, the viewers love Monday Couple and we can't disappoint them."

'Jihyo is right. There are people out there who love us. I can't just give up on this just because of one person.' I thought to myself.

"Arasseo Jihyo. But if you're going to look for Chang joo ssi, bring me along. I'm afraid that he will do something to you."

"Ne, oppa." she replied.

"Jihyo-yah, your manager is really worried about you. Do you want oppa to send you home?" I looked at her and asks.

"Ani, I don't want to go home. I just want to stay here. Oppa, you can leave first if you're busy." she replied.

"Aigoo, how can I leave such a beautiful lady by herself." I quipped. She smiled and thanked me. This was the first time that I see her smiling after such a long time. My heart felt fuzzy.

Narration:

As the night falls, Jihyo was starting to feel sleepy. Her eyes were threatening to close as she tries to stay awake. Gary noticed that and he immediately lean Jihyo's head on his shoulder. Her eyes shut as she lean comfortably on Gary.

"Sleep tight. Tomorrow will be a better day. Oppa will stay with you." Gary mumbled as he gently brushed Jihyo's hair that was covering her face to the side.