The Game of Love

Chapter 8 - The Right Choice?

Hoseok's hand let go of the woman's and he came towards me at a fast pace.

"Candice!", he yelled as I ran, leaving the fresh cookies behind on the pavement. "Wait!"

No... no... don't stop running, run all the way home and don't look back! He won't chase forever. I just ruined his date, made him question why I was there, and made myself look like a fool! He moved on after all, I knew he would. In all this time, of course he did. Even a normal person would move on after this much time! I was happy with Bryan, why did I have to come out here!? Why did I have to keep thinking of him!? Hoseok was nothing to me, and I was nothing to him. No more than a good lay.

"Candice!! Baby, wait!"

Shit! He's still following me, am I still running? Run faster! I have no idea how fast I was actually running; I barely opened my eyes enough to see where I was going in the darkening night. I didn't want to run home, I'd be trapped there if he followed me all the way back. Instead, I zig zagged through the streets and back alleys, darting down a narrow trash filled alley between two large brick buildings in an attempt to lose him. I made an error; this path had no exit! It wasn't two buildings side by side, it was one giant building with a small space between it.

Coming to a stop at the brick wall in front of me, my arms fell to my sides and my head hung low. No way out... Hoseok was going to catch me.

"Finally! Jesus, Candice! Why did you run!? Is this some sort of game?", he puffed, out of breath.

I didn't say a word, nor did I turn to face him. All I could do was stand there and fold my arms up around my chest in nervous fear.

"Why were you at my house?" I could hear him coming closer. "Baby... Why were you there...?"

His hands softly touched my arms, making me cringe and clutch myself tighter.

"It's been so long. I thought I'd never see you again. I gave up hope... I was so lonely and miserable.", he leaned over my back and hugged me tight, burying his face into the back of my neck.

"You didn't look miserable...", I mumbled.

"What baby?", he leaned closer to hear.

"STOP CALLING ME BABY!!", I pulled from his hold, turning to face him with angry eyes. "You didn't look all that miserable to me! Laughing and giggling with that woman... holding her hand!", why was I yelling? Why was I so mad!? He had every right to do whatever he wanted, we never even dated!

"Candice... I'm sorry...", he backed up, removing his hands from me. "What woman? You mean... Ba- Are you jealous?", he smiled, but it wasn't a cocky smirk. He looked happy. "Were you jealous that I was holding hands with someone else?"

"Whatever or WHOEVER you do is your own business! I'm with Byron, I could care less about your 'activities'."

"Bryan."

"What!??"

"Your boyfriend's name is 'Bryan'."

"Yes! He and I are very happy, too!"

"Then you should learn to say his name correctly.", he stepped closer again.

"What are you talking about!?"

"Candice... that 'woman' you saw me with... is my little sister...", he changed the subject. Why was he talking about Bryan anyway??

"You don't have to make up stories... what you do with your life has nothing to do with me."

"You're just as stubborn as ever, but this time you are being stupid, too!", his eyes flashed with anger as he grabbed my arms. "I'm NOT a liar... That was my sister! You have seen a picture of her with your own eyes! She flew in last week to check on me. She's... she's here to take me home."