Zero

Part 3

Sana. A nice name, rolled right off of her tongue. She is beautiful. Her brown eyes are warm and full of love. Mark clears his throat. She is currently looking at him like a lost puppy. "Really, it is fine. I'll go clean my shirt." Mark hurries off to the bathroom and cleans off the stain. When he leaves, he sees Sana standing outside of the bathroom entrance.

"Did it come out?" She looks genuinely concerned. Mark laughs, "Yeah it came out right away." She sighs, a look of relief washing over her face. "Thank god. I was worried. Can I treat you to a coffee or something to make up for it?" Mark studies her face again. It doesn't look like she has any sexual intentions. She just seems....Nice.

"Sure. We can always go after this." Sana claps her hands excitedly. "Yay!" The two of them head back into the main parlor, where you are still talking to guests. Mark should be happy for you. You are living your dream, and achieving success. Every time he sees you smile though, it hurts him.

"Do you want to go for that coffee now?" Sana'a eyes widen. "Now? Um...I promised Y/N I'd help clean up..." Mark pauses. "Are you a friend of her's?" Sana cocks her head to one side. "Sort of. I'm her intern right now though." Your intern. Mark weighs the pros and cons. You were fucking your business partner, so it shouldn't matter. Plus, it was just coffee.

Sana bites her lip. "Let me ask her." Mark watches from afar, and you send Sana off with a warm smile. "She said I can go." Mark grins. Finally, escape. "Great let's go."

As he leaves the gallery with Sana, he realizes he is being rude. The old Mark would've stayed until the end. He would have congratulated you, hugged you, and wished you well. Mark knew he couldn't keep up the act any longer. He needed to start setting distance and boundaries.

Mark ends up spending three hours talking to Sana in the coffee shop. She is sweet and very talkative. A nice compliment to his more introverted personality. He could see himself meeting up with her another time, so he gives her his number. It didn't take a genius to notice the blush on her cheeks when he did so. "I'll call you later this week, okay?" Mark nods. "Sounds like a plan." Sana hurries off, having to attend to other business. He is pondering their meeting when his pocket vibrates. Another message....From you.

You: Did you leave?! It would've been nice if you just TOLD me. :(

You were upset. Normally, Mark would immediately apologize and offer to make it up to you. Not this time. No sir. He told himself that he had to change this dynamic. He didn't want to feel tied to you forever, in this one sided love.

He decides to not reply, opting for the ultimate passive aggressive response: leaving you on read. He knows it is shitty, but he feels spiteful. Were you really this clueless? Did you have absolutely no idea he still had feelings for you? Or, were you just toying with him for fun? Either option made him angry. Mark starts to walk back home, immersed in his thoughts.

*************

It felt good to be out of his suit. He changed into pajamas as soon as went home. There was no way he was going out again. He could always order a pizza tonight and have a beer with it. Playing some video games would get his mind off things. He opens up his laptop to start playing, when another message pings.

You: Mark! I know you read my message. Why are you ignoring me?

Mark groans. Why couldn't you just leave him alone?! He was trying really hard here. He lets out an exasperated sigh and turns his phone off.

He didn't want to think about you at all. If you were THAT upset, Jaebeom could comfort you.

It wasn't his job to be there for you all the time. You were his friend.

After a couple hours of being completed immersed in his gaming, he finally turns his phone back on. Thankfully, you had taken the hint and stopped texting him.

He realizes Sana left a message and goes to open it.

Sana: It was really nice meeting you today 🥰🌸🎀

Mark chuckles at the emojis. Should be a good sign, right?