Walk slowly (edited)

Chapter 9

I was not able to persuade Father. With his heart as hard as rock, it’s impossible for me to cancel our engagement.

With no other way anymore, I’ve decided to ask Mark to cancel our engagement. That’s the only way that I would not be blamed by Father while Mark had the opportunity to rebuild his love story with Jiyeon again. Maybe this is my destiny and I will have to accept it. Even though I feel pain in every step now, at least I can give Mark his happiness. Although I was not destined to be his other half, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be close to his heart, even if I was not even capable of stepping into his heart.

As promised, I intended our meeting. The meeting which will finalize everything and put our relationship to a stop. Even though my heart can’t bear to do it, this was for the sake of our happiness together, especially for Mark. I actually was not able to confront him and shame with him. Moreover, I knew how Mark actually felt about me.  I never deserved to win his love, although that is what I expected since a year ago.

I did not think that our almost two years of engagement was futile. There was no happiness, instead, there was just a taste of the growing festering wound. I didn’t want to be in love with him anymore, because I already knew his love was not for me. I have to stop my dream. Maybe it’s time for me to step down and stop pursuing his love.

I arrived just on time as promised. I stepped into the restaurant Mark set yesterday when I said I wanted to meet him today. My eyes looked around for a glimpse of Mark. Fortunately, there was a waiter who took me to the table after confirming my date with Mark.

Mark smiled and greeted me. He immediately got up and pulled a chair for me to sit. I look around, but all tables are empty except for the table I and Mark are sitting at right now. Turning my eyes to the lit candles on the table, I felt weird and strange about the atmosphere this time. Why are Mark and I the only customers in the restaurant right now? Mark was still smiling like earlier.

“You said you have something important to say to me, what is it?” The first question Mark asked, with a smile that was still hanging on his lips.

My heart felt heavy, I don’t know how to say it. Seeing his smile made me feel weak and did not want to let go of my love for him. It felt like I want to continue to be trapped by his love, I want to continue to love him even though I know I will get nothing in return.

“Are you okay… Jinyoung?”

I gasped. My heart began to beat faster. I have to stop my daydreaming and go back to the reason why I wanted to meet him today.

“Can you do me a favour?” I looked into his eyes. His smile disappeared after hearing my words.

“Help you with what?” Retorted Mark seriously.

“I want you to meet my parents and cancel our engagement.” As soon as I uttered the words, my heart screamed in pain. The pain previously cured by Mark, the love of my life, was already getting worse in this instance.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Mark calmly asked. As I saw how quiet Mark was with my request, I began to believe it would end as I expected.

“I’ve done everything I could, but Father does not allow me to cancel our engagement. Father even threatened me by saying he will never admit me as his son if I canceled this engagement. That is why I can only expect help from you, hyung.” I explained everything, not hiding anything from Mark.

“Why are you doing all this? Are you angry with me? Are you mad because I always postponed our marriage?” Mark’s facial expressions remained calm, unlike my heart which was now beating faster than Tsunami waves.