virtuous deception || pjm (editing)

xxiii

JIMIN

When I looked up, I first didn't recognise her, but she recognised me. Her eyes widened like saucers behind her clunky glasses and she tried to turn away but I grabbed her wrist and made her look at me.

"Hyejin?" She closed her eyes tight and balled her fists, looking almost scared of me. I could feel tears welling in my eyes but I promptly wiped them away. "I-I-I-uh- I-"

"I'll buy you a new drink but then I have a meeting." She said quickly, so quick I could barely understand here. I nodded, wanting every extra second with her. We waited in line and she looked down, almost embarrassed. She looked almost the same. Her skin was still pale and her hair was still black but now was styled in a messy bun above her head. Her style had changed dramatically, much smarter. She seemed to have covered her freckles with concealer to my disappointment. Also, she wore glasses much too large for her face. They looked like mine from 5 years ago that went missing, but I decided not to bring it up.

"Where have you been Hyejin. Don't lie to me."

"Shouldn't I? I thought I'd take your advice. Lying is surviving." She glanced up, her eyes glazed over with unforgiving frost. Her glare was icy, sent shivers through me. "I survived because I lied Jimin. Perhaps that second life of yours holds some truth. Maybe sins are virtues."

HYEJIN

Don't you just hate fate sometimes. I felt my cheeks grow hot as he studied me. It feels like no time has passed, like I'm 20 all over again. But instead the hot chocolate is on him and exposing his now literal, chocolate abs.

"Where have you been Hyejin. Don't lie to me." A feeling of guilt set over me as I heard the pain in his voice. Had he moved on until I showed up? Was he still dwelling on the past?

"Abroad. I decided to go and see some family for a while."

"FIVE YEARS IS MORE THAN A WHILE HYEJIN!" Some others in the line turned to look at us. We both blushed.

"I'm sorry Jimin but there were circumstances." I said meagrely

"Was me being shot and almost dying not a good enough reason for you to stay!" he yelled causing some people to turn and frown.

"It was a good enough reason for me to go Jimin. I wasn't thinking about myself anyway, I was thinking about you and ou-" I cut myself off before I said too much.

"And what?" he cocked his head. My heart hurt for him but I can't say anything. He'd be so mad.

"It... it doesn't matter." The ahjussi turned to us and took our order. I ordered two hot chocolates and we waited in silence. My heart and body just wanted to hug Jimin, to tell him I still love him and I wanted to kiss him again. But my brain told me not to. Turning away, I wiped a tear away. Think about Noah.

When the hot chocolates were done we walked out the café and I almost turned to leave before he held my wrist, turning me into him. His face was centimetres from mine and I gazed up at him. How was he still taller than me?

"Give me your phone."

"No"

"I wasn't asking." He held out a hand and I reluctantly handed it over opened on the contacts page. He typed something and after a few seconds handed my phone back. He turned away towards his recognisable car and drove away, leaving me close to tears. Quickly I went across the road to a clothing store and bought a shirt in his size to repay him. He did the same for me.

The company building was nearby and sadly all too close to Jimin's building. The reception gave me my company ID and showed me through. The elevator made its way up to the top floor, floor 25, where I would be working. It was decorated beautifully. White marble floors and black décor along with accents of gold and grey. Very modern. I waited on one of the plush sofas and sipped on my hot chocolate.