𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬

Eighteen

"This is grossing me out," Hyemi comments as she watches Jinjin and Eunji flirt in front of her. "Guys, we're at the table. Please respect the food."

Eunji turned around frowning, "I'm just saying this out of content, but why did you reject Eunwoo?"

"I just don't have feelings for him,"

"Wait, didn't you tell me that you had a crush on Eunwoo before?" Jinjin asked.

"I did but that was way back in elementary school and it was only a crush."

"What about MJ then?" Eunji added.

Hyemi sighed, "I only see him as a brother. You know we haven't talked to each other formally after that incident,"

"And Minhyuk?"

"Why are you interrogating my love life?!" Hyemi exclaimed but answered anyway. "I don't know. Minhyuk, he's okay – but it's about that day. What if he's really connected to all this?"

Jinjin nodded, "Good call. What about Bin? I heard he saved you from the library the other night."

"Bin?" Hyemi thought for a moment. She knows Bin still likes her, yet he's not making any move.

"You'll learn to like him, soon." Bin said. Hyemi knew he was fighting back tears.

"I – uhm..." She stuttered. Her heart was beating so fast and she was still trying to process everything.

"Don't say anything," He said, walking towards the exit door. "I just want you to know, and I don't want to hear you answer."

She wanted so badly to stop him — to pull him back to her, yet she didn't do anything but watch him walk away while she whispers, "Please stay."

"Earth to Hyemi?" Eunji waved a hand in front of her face.

Hyemi snapped out of her daze, "Oh, what?"

"You were on another planet," Jinjin comments earning a look from Hyemi.

"Who's on another planet?" She heard MJ's voice, sitting down next to her.

"MJ," She called out, thinking that her best friend was still mad at her.

MJ faced her smiling, "See you haven't changed,"

"You didn't, too."

"Look, Hyemi," He sighed. "Let's just forget about what happened at camp. These are my feelings and I will take care of it. So don't you worry your pretty little mind, okay?"

Hyemi pursed her lips together and nodded as MJ patted her head, "Good girl."

"Hey!" Hyemi exclaimed. "I'm not a dog,"

MJ chuckled, "Really? I swear, I can see a resemblance,"

The table was filled with loud laughters.

Everything's going back to the way it was again – well almost.

≿————-　❈　————-≾

"You're here?" Hyemi asked as she found Minhyuk in the music room.

"Yeah, I was just returning the cds I borrowed," He pointed at the stack of albums that were on the shelf.

Hyemi walked up to it and read the titles, "Wait – these are all songs for a dance,"

Minhyuk scratched his head, "I'm kind of into dancing."

"Really?" Hyemi wasn't slightly impressed. "How about you show me one of your moves?"

Minhyuk grinned as he turned on the stereo, "You ask for it,"

Minhyuk danced to the beat of the music, showing some of his signature moves. Some of it were freestyle but he was good.

"Impressive," Hyemi said, nodding.

He danced a bit more and at the end, finally did three turns, ending his routine. "How was it?" He asked walking closer to Hyemi.

The girl clapped her hands, "That was great. I didn't know you could dance like that,"

"Do you perhaps like me now?" Minhyuk walked closer, slowly holding Hyemi's waist.

Hyemi sighed, "Minhyuk, I-"

Suddenly the power went out and Hyemi kneeled on the floor covering her ears. She still has that trauma from the library, "Nooo!"

"Hyemi!" Minhyuk said, putting a hand on her shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"I – I – this happened before at the library and it was so scary, there was a girl and -" She stuttered, trying to keep her cool.

"Let's get you out," Minhyuk said, holding her hand and walking out of the room. He spotted a figure running with her long hair flying through the wind.

They headed out towards the street, Hyemi still holding Minhyuk's hand. They didn't notice a speeding car but Minhyuk was quick on reflex. He pulled Hyemi to the side, landing on grass.

"Shit, seriously?!" Minhyuk exclaimed, holding Hyemi in his arms. "Hyemi, you okay?"

Hyemi pushed some hair out of her face, "What was that?!"

"A driver who doesn't know how to follow rules," He spotted the same figure again, only a few meters from where they were standing. "You didn't get hurt, did you?"

"No," Hyemi said, calming herself down. "But I want to go home. I had enough of this."

She walked to the other side, with Minhyuk following behind.

≿————-　❈　————-≾

Hyemi's dad tried accepting the news slowly. When he first heard it, every time they had dinner, he would mutter something along the lines of, 'What's wrong with Hyemi? She's beautiful, kind and talented. Is it because of her hair? Jinwoo is so blind. They'll regret this, their company is going down but seriously, I know Hyemi can be a handful,'

Hyemi gulped, forgetting the events that happened earlier. She needs to confront her dad first – she'll deal with the scarings later.

"Dad?" Hyemi knocked, entering his dad's office in the house.

"Oh, Hyemi, is there anything you want?" His dad asked, turning his seat around.

Her daughter sat on the bed, "I just want to know if you're mad at me because I cancelled the engagement,"

Her dad nodded, "I was but I thought about it and if you're not happy why go on with something like that?"

Hyemi bit her lip, "But the company,"

"I can handle the company," Her dad smiled. "All I want is to see my daughter happy."

"Thanks dad!" Hyemi said, walking towards him for a hug. As soon as she let go, she asked something that's been bothering her mind, "Dad, do you know the victim's name? You know, from that day."

"Hm? Why the sudden interest?"

Hyemi shrugged, "Just curious. I want to know if he's okay since we're paying extra on his medical bills right?"

His dad looked at the calendar, "Speaking of, we're almost done paying it and this will be all over."

"Do you know his name?"

                His dad put his thumb under his chin, "I think his name is Park Minseok."