The next morning, Jihyo woke up to find herself alone in the room. The room door was left ajar and she could hear the sound of the cabinet closing followed by the whizzing sound of the blender.
She got down from the bed, washed up and went to the living room. Her eyes were fixed on the note under the pot of flowers. It seems like he hasn't read it; that was what she thought.
"Breakfast is ready," Gary said, placing the plates down on the dining table then lifted his head. His eyes met hers and he looked at her hand that was holding the note.
He return to the kitchen to bring out two glasses of fruit juice then pulled out the chair and sat down. She walked over, and pulled out the chair opposite him. She could tell that he wasn't in his best mood just by looking at the plate of breakfast. A burnt egg and two buttered toasts.
She wanted to talk to him but didn't know what to say. At the same time, she was afraid that he would ignore her if she speak to him. She grabbed the fork on the table but placed it back down again.
"Mianhae." They both said at the same time.
Jihyo lifted her eyes up from the plate to him. Was he apologizing for the less-than-perfect breakfast?
"Not the breakfast," he said, giving an answer to the question in her head, "yesterday.. I'm sorry. I just lost it the moment I saw him. I didn't mean to give you the cold shoulder. I just.." He paused, shaking his head and let out a sigh. "Do you really have to work with him?" He asked.
She nodded. "I've talked to Syun about it but she turned down my request." She studied his face, noting the frown lines on his forehead. "I know you're worried but I promise you, other than for work purposes, I won't meet up with him."
He looked away to the flower pot sitting on the coffee table. He trust Jihyo that she will keep that promise but when it comes to Gwon, he just feel uncertain about it.
Jihyo gazed down at her hands, twisting her fingers in her lap as she waited for a response from him.
"Let's go," he suddenly said, standing up.
"What?" She blinked at him, somewhat confused.
"Unless you want to have this for breakfast." He picked up the plates, walked to the kitchen, and scraped the food off the plates and into the bin.
For a moment she simply stared at him. Sometimes it's hard to read his mind. She pulled out the note that she had shoved into her pocket and crushed it into a ball, then tossed it into the bin before heading into the room to get changed.
***
Gary took Jihyo's hand as they walked down the street. He walked by her side without speaking, and every now and then, she would steal glances at his face then quickly looked back to the front when he turned his head towards her direction.
"Where are we going?" Jihyo asked. They had been walking for the past ten minutes.
"To the place where I first bought you breakfast five years ago." He said.
Bagel.
She still remembers it. It was the time when she just transferred to the university and needed help getting around to the local craft store. Thanks to Hye Won, they both managed to spent some time together for the first time.
She stopped in her tracks and pulled her hand out of his hold. He turned around, looking at his empty hand then at her. His eyebrows raised in silent query.
"Why are you acting like this?" She asked.
He didn't answer immediately but kept his gaze on the people walking past them. They were standing in the middle of the street, and passer-bys were constantly glancing at them.
He turned back to face her after a while and answered, "like what? You're still thinking that I'm upset with the whole 'Gwon' issue?"
"Yes." She said. "I can't tell if you're upset when for one moment, you'll give me the cold shoulders and the next moment, you'll act like nothing happened."
"I was upset but not with you." He said, holding her gaze steadily. "Since Syun wants you to work with him then there's nothing that we can do about it. I trust you that's why I've decided not to care about it."
"You trust me?" She repeated his words.
Gary nodded.
The corners of her mouth curved upwards at that confirmation.
"Say that again." She requested.
He looked at her, amused, then tucked his hands into his side pockets and turned around, walking away.
"Yah! Kang Gary!" She shouted as she ran up to him. She hooked her arm through his and tilt her head to look at him while trying to get him to repeat the phrase.
He shook his head and looked at her. "I think you will prefer this."
"What?"
He smiled and kissed her smiling lips, whispering as he pulls away, "saranghae."
The smile on her face became even wider. Her cheeks blushed pretty pink and there was a tingle in her chest. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they walked. Never mind about the breakfast. She just feel blessed and contented to have him by her side.
