Zero

Epilogue

*Your POV*

(3 Months later).

True to his word, Mark stopped all contact with you. He blocked you on social media, and your phone number. It hurt like hell. However, you knew Mark wasn't the kind of person to be intentionally vindictive. You had pushed him to his limits. You unknowingly caused him so much pain and grief over the course of the past year. You were sad, but you knew your sadness was nothing compared to Mark's.

You stopped sleeping with Jaebeom a week after Mark saw you last. He was right. It wasn't professional to sleep with your business partner. You wanted a sexual relationship without having to put time and effort into building a romantic one. Jaebeom just happened to be the person closest to you to fulfill that wish.

He didn't ask any questions when you called your fling off, so his feelings weren't hurt. You just went back to...being friends. Compared to Mark, Jaebeom talked with you enthusiastically, would invite you out still, and didn't try and create space. You felt like an idiot for not realizing how uncomfortable Mark was before. Certainly you weren't that thick headed?

You try to concentrate your mind on other things, but all you think about is Mark. You've been spacing out at work, forgetting tasks, and weren't creating new designs. You weren't sure if Sana was still seeing Mark or not. For some reason you couldn't look Sana in the eye anymore. You tried to push it off as just pure awkwardness, but there was jealously there.

As much as you tried to be carefree and cool with whatever Mark did, you still deeply cared. It was selfish and hypocritical of you. You couldn't control his dating or sex life. You curl up the can of beer you were drinking and dunk it into the trash can.

Why did you keep avoiding your feelings like this? You were obviously still in love with him. It was love that scared you. It was the prime reason you broke up with him a year ago. You were afraid. You had never been loved so deeply before. Mark made you feel so many different things. It made you feel confused, but also incredibly unworthy.

Instead of voicing your concerns, you took the coward's way out and broke it off. Now you were sitting in your apartment alone, paying the price.

You feel like wallowing in more self pity, so you take your phone out and text Krystal. She would know what Mark was doing.

You: Hey, have you heard from Mark lately?

Krystal: Not really. I see his Instagram posts sometimes. He has been backpacking through Europe the entire month.

You put your phone back down. You don't have the courage to ask if he is with someone. Traveling was something you had always planned on doing together, but never got around to it.

At least it sounded like he was enjoying life, right? That's what mattered to you-his happiness. You just wished that you could be the one making him happy instead.

*Mark's POV*
(1 Month later).

Mark had been away from the US for over a good month. It felt good to breathe fresh air, see new sights, and be away from everything. You crossed his mind once or twice, but he tried to stop those thoughts.

He jumps into a cab outside the airport, and looks out the window. The city looks familiar yet different. As if being away for a month really changed anything.

The cab ride seems long, especially with the cab driver singing along to every Pet Shop Boys song. Finally, they reach Mark's apartment and he pays the cab fare.

Mark takes his suitcase and begins to roll it up the steps to his apartment. He pauses when he sees a figure hunched against his door.

He takes a cautious step forward, peering down. He is startled when he sees your head peek out of the large grey hoodie. Mark's eyes immediately widen.

"Y/N how did you know I—" You put your hand up, cutting him off. "Krystal told me." Mark curses under his breath and sighs. "Why are you waiting outside my door in the cold?"

You pull your hood down, and take a good look at Mark.

"I wanted to talk to you. About everything. I've...made big mistakes. Huge. I don't expect you to forgive me. I'm an idiot. I began to reflect a lot when you were gone...About us." Mark nods his head, signaling for you to continue.

You take a deep breath. "I think I was keeping you around because I still wanted you in my life. I didn't break up with you for my career. I was a coward. I was scared. I loved you....and I knew how much you loved me. I felt like I didn't deserve all of your love and affection." Your voice slightly cracks so you clear your throat.

"I left you because I thought you were too good for me. Then, when we weren't together I would watch your every move and get jealous.... I'm really sorry Mark. I don't know what to do, but I know that I need you in my life."

Mark doesn't say anything. In fact, he just stares at you. The whole situation felt surreal. He had maybe dreamed about you saying something like this-but he didn't anticipate it actually happening.

He can see tears welling up in your eyes and you begin to sob. "I'm so sorry, Mark. I'm so sorry." Mark walks over and grabs your shoulder firmly. "Y/N, it's okay. I've done a lot of thinking too. Why don't we just start fresh, as friends?" He gives you the gentlest smile he can muster.

You nod and try to dab the snot coming out of your nose. Mark grimaces and hands you a tissue. "Ew. Stop sniffling and just come in for a cup of tea."

You nod, following him through the apartment door.