Ice: Thaw the Frozen Heart [EDITING]

Chapter 73

A vicious cycle.

A vicious cycle of making up and then avoiding each other.

That was what their relationship was like. At least, that was what it felt like to Kris. For every  few steps forward they took, they took ten more steps backward afterwards and ended up at square one again.

Or maybe this time, they were just stuck at whatever square they were currently at. Granted that he usually was the cause of them taking backward steps, this time it was different. While he was ready to take a few steps further, she was staying at the same spot. She remained at the crossroads where she could choose whether to follow him or take an entirely different path towards someone else.

Yeojin had been subtly avoiding him, Kris noticed. She shied away from his touch or kisses and would create distance between them whenever he was near her. She could barely look at him when they danced at the prom two days ago.

Kris didn't want to think too much into it because he understood that she still needed her space after what they did. Or almost did. Yet, he couldn't completely turn a blind eye on her recent behaviors. Especially after what he heard her say to Sehun.

Yeojin liked Sehun. That was what she herself said to the guy. That was what Kris heard from behind the door before he had to take an urgent call.

Not hearing what she said after, Kris decided not to jump into conclusions or ask her about it because he chose to trust her. After all, she did say she loves him. But insecurities were gnawing him, slowly consuming his mind.

Where were they standing really?

"Morning!" Kris greeted when he spotted Yeojin in front of the door as he walked out of the bedroom with two suitcases.

Hugging herself, Yeojin lowered her gaze. "D-Do you really have to go?"

Kris sighed and was about to answer her when the doorbell rang. "That must be Mr. Lee," he mumbled then turned to Yeojin again. "Hold that thought."

He headed outside to hand his luggages for Mr. Lee to place in the car. Taking a deep breath, he walked back inside the house and found Yeojin sitting on the couch with hollow gaze. However, she sprung up when she realized he was back.

"Kris—" Words seemed to die in her throat and she momentarily closed her eyes. "Do you really have to go?"

Another sigh escaped Kris' lips. They had talked about this last night, but he understood why she kept on asking. He understood her fear and anxiety.

Feigning nonchalance, he mustered a smirk. "You were okay with ignoring me these past few days."

"I wasn't ignoring you!" She quickly retorted and bit down her lip; her gaze darting everywhere. "I-I-I was—"

"I know." Kris softly chuckled then patted her head making her flinch. "I was just teasing you." Retracting his hand, he sighed again. "Jin, we talked about this. I'm only going to temporarily oversee the newly opened branch there, okay?"

"For two months, Kris!" Yeojin reminded; sadness etched on her countenance. She pouted; and once more, Kris was reminded that she was just a teenager.

Kris' lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Yes, two months." He pursed his lips and averted his gaze to the floor. "Maybe that's what we need."

"What do you mean?"

He raised his gaze to meet hers again. "Maybe we can collect our thoughts and feelings while we're away from each other."

Not being able to look at him in the eyes for too long, she avoided his gaze. "Kris—"

"Jin." He reached to grab one of her hands. "I know that we've been doing better now, but let's not deny that we haven't really healed ourselves. The past months have been so eventful; we both need our own spaces to just... breathe. Don't you think so?" He asked with a lopsided smile.