A Deal with My Frenemy

037

You're in love with her.

Taehyung shook his head to shrug the thought. He sipped from the can of beer he was holding, seeking solitude in front of the fireplace. He spent time alone, away from the group which was probably drinking with each other. He needed this time – to process the words that Irene had told him, and to put a label to the feelings he had in his heart.

"Hey."

Great. Taehyung thought and rolled his eyes as the culprit for his confusion sat beside him.

"So grumpy, Kim Taehyung."

"What are you doing here, Kim Dahyun?"

Dahyun settled herself beside Taehyung and extended her hands to share the wamth brought by the fireplace. She took a deep breath before whispering, "I was thinking of breaking the engagement as soon as we go home."

Taehyung thought that there was nothing more devastating than what Irene had told him, but he was wrong. So far, Dahyun's words were the biggest blow.

"So soon?"

"It's not soon anymore Taehyung. Your birthday's just one month ahead," Dahyun answered, "Won't you like it if you celebrate it and you're totally single?"

"I'm single now," Taehyung answered almost immediately, just thinking of any reason to make Dahyun stay.

"Technically, you're not since you're engaged with me," Dahyun retorted.

He tore his gaze away from her and his brows creased as he said, "Do you hate me that much?"

"Where did that come from?"

"I don't know. I think you never let yourself be closer to me again," Taehyung muttered.

That's because I love you and I'm afraid that you would notice, Dahyun thought but she smiled.

"You think too much," she replied instead and as much as it pained her to say, "We're friends, remember?"

Friends.

It was a label that Taehyung longed before; he could remember in the past that he wanted some form of assurance that Dahyun still viewed him as someone important. But right now, being tagged as a friend felt so disappointing for him.

The word tasted bitter in his mouth.

A few minutes passed where only the crackling of the burning wood could be heard.

"What are we going to say? Are we going to say that we had a contract?" Taehyung asked.

"We would both be killed if we did that."

"Then what?"

"Let's just tell them that we're not in love so it won't work out," Dahyun stated.

We're not in love – the phrase kept repeating in their heads, and each word sent a surge of pain.

"O-Okay," Taehyung stuttered.

"I'm going then," Dahyun said and stood up because she knew that if she would stay further, the tears that she was trying hard to control might come down on her cheeks.

But then Taehyung held her wrist tightly.

Dahyun closed her eyes and gulped before she turned to face him.

"Do you still need something?" she asked, forcing herself to smile.

Don't go.

Please stay.