Penta Ent. | JungHo ✅

37

I quietly sat in the car as we drove back home. I looked out the window and simply let my mind wander. "'Am I not good enough?'" I closed my eyes as that one line repeated itself within my mind. "Jungwoo." I opened my eyes then looked ahead. "You've been quiet since last night. Did something happen?" "No. Sorry to worry you." I gave my mother a reassuring smile before turning my attention back to the world passing by. It wasn't something she could fix, even if she wanted to.

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I unlocked the door to my apartment then locked it behind me. I placed everything down in the living room then sat on the floor. Who was Jaehyun comparing himself to? Was it Jinho? I should've asked when I had the chance. Now I can't even reach him. I took out the phone he bought me then sighed. "Why couldn't you like someone else...?" I brought my knees close to my chest as I stared at our open chat. Why did things turn out like this?

I poured some of the stew into a container then put on the lid. "What am I doing...?" I stared down at the container then put it in the refrigerator. I had ended up making Jaehyun's favorite instead of Jinho's lunch. I figured Jinho wouldn't mind something new, so it wasn't a complete loss. I put the used dishes in the sink and proceeded to wash them. I heard the buzzer go off, so I hurried over to let them in. I didn't know who it was as no one had sent me a heads up beforehand. No one really knew when I had gotten back home either.

I dried the last dish then heard the buzzer go off once more. "Coming." I peeked through then opened the door. "Welcome back." He handed me a box while smiling. "You went out of your way to get me whatever this is AND bring it to me personally? I'm really touched." "Glad to hear it." "Do you...want to come in?" "If it's not a bother." I stepped aside to let Jinho in.

"The interior hasn't changed huh?" "Nah." He took a seat then motioned for me to sit. "Want anything to drink? Tea, water, juice?" "Alcohol." I rapidly blinked then heard him laugh. "I'm joking. Water is fine."

I placed a cup down then quietly watched him. "So, how did you know I had gotten back?" "I may or may not follow your dad on social media." I wasn't sure how I was supposed to feel about that. "So, how were things while I was gone?" "Not that different actually." A sharp pain had gone through my heart. "You were pretty right on the mark. About me being just fine without you." I wanted him to stop. "But..." "But?" "I noticed a difference. There wasn't a home cooked breakfast nor lunch. There wasn't a cheerful and hardworking person popping in and out of my office. Meetings were terribly dull. No one to shoot the breeze with. No one noticed the little things, but I did."

I was speechless. "What I'm saying is..." He looked me in the eyes then smiled. "I missed you." I felt like crying. "Really?" "Yeah. It wasn't really the same without you." I gave him a tight hug. He returned the gesture and we sat in each other's embrace until I pulled away. "I'm going to work even harder now." "Don't overdo it." I happily nodded then remembered the box he had given me. "May I open it?" "It is for you, so I don't see why not." I took off the lid then observed it in awe.

"It's wow. It looks expensive too. Did you splurge on this?" "My employees deserve only the best." I felt the familiar pain in my chest. I had gotten ahead of myself after his little speech. I was just an employee and a friend. I wasn't anyone special. I laughed nervously as I quietly agreed with him. I put the lid back on then handed the box back. "I can't accept this." "Why not? You don't like the charm? The color? The-" I slammed the palm of my hand against the table. "Jungwoo?" "Do you mind leaving? I want to be alone right now." "Are you-" "Please, go. Take the necklace too." I left my spot on the couch then holed myself up in my room.

I wanted someone to listen to me. I wanted a shoulder to cry on. I had set myself up for disappointment. "Jungwoo?" I quickly sat up and dried my face. I thought he had left. "Jungwoo, if something is bothering you, you can talk to me you know." If he only knew that he was the something bothering me. "I said leave. Why haven't you left?" "I'm worried." Of course he was worried. I was a precious employee. I was part of the family he built within the company. "There's nothing you can do, so leave." I quietly listened for the sound of the front door opening and closing. I never heard it.

I unlocked my door then poked my head out. If he didn't leave, where was he now? I was then pulled out of the room and being held tightly. "I really don't know what's going on, but I want to know and understand. Don't suffer alone." I looked down at him in sadness as I couldn't tell him anything. The last thing I wanted was for him to know that I liked someone and distance us further. "I'm just going through some emotional mood swings. I'll be fine."

I ushered him towards the front door then placed the box in his hands. "Don't worry about me." I closed the door before he could utter another word.