Walk slowly (edited)

Chapter 21

I didn’t say anything along the way to Mark’s house. Mark also didn’t say anything to me. I like this way more. My heart will feel more relieved. Fortunately, Mark did not talk about Jiyeon along the ride.

As we arrived home, I went up to my room, speeding up my step along the way. I do not want to remain with Mark. I worry that, sooner or later, Mark will open a story.

“Jinyoung, wait a minute. I want to talk a little.” Mark said.

I had to stop my steps. As always, my heart began to interpret something uncertain. My heart feels uneasy. What did he want? What happened? Could it be about Jiyeon? Does he want to divorce me and marry Jiyeon? My heart felt finely chopped then. What should I say if it’s what I’m thinking?

“Sit down.” He ordered, while taking a seat in the living room.

I could only turn and proceed to sit down, while keeping silent. I’m waiting for Mark to talk. My heart is beating fast, as it is no longer able to slow down.

“There are two things I want to talk to you about.” Mark began with a smile on his lips.

“But before that... Take this. This picture frame has long been abandoned on the dining table. But you never asked me what it was, nor did you ever look at it.” Mark handed me a white plastic bag which he had placed on the table the night Jaebum sent me back to Mark’s house.

“Later, when you’ve put in your picture, return it back to me.” Mark smiled again.

I can feel that he’s in a happy mood today. He never smiled this cheerful. Perhaps, the news brought by Seulgi yesterday was making him smile happily again.

I looked at the old blue picture frame that I removed from its box. Should I put my picture in his room? My fear was that my picture would later add to the burden on his chest. Suddenly, I remembered Mark’s note which I read that day.

It will be good if Jinyoung…

The words that I’m not done reading yet… I think I can continue his words. It will be good if Jinyoung went out of my life, he just brings me trouble! Maybe, that’s his full sentence.

“Jinyoung.” Mark called my name.

“I don’t have a picture, Mark hyung. They’re all at dad’s house.” I gave a reasonable excuse, deciding not to continue to be troublesome in his life. “You can just keep this frame.” I placed the picture frame back into the box and put it on the coffee table, near Mark.

“What did you want to talk about, Mark hyung?” I continued with our real agenda, not wanting to sit with him for long.

“Okay.” Mark took a deep breath. “The woman we met yesterday, was Jiyeon’s best friend. Since you already know what she told me, I wanted to tell you everything.”

My breath stuck listening to it. Would I have to listen to everything? I asked that question in my own heart. Why did my feet feel like they wanted to go far away from this problem? Does that mean I’m not willing to hear anything about Jiyeon? But am I the one who wanted to meet Jiyeon?

“I want you to understand and hear carefully. Actually Jiyeon….”

“Mark hyung!” I immediately cut Mark's words, not willing to hear anything. I’m afraid tears will start falling right away.