AEONIAN

chapter 40

"It's the day you've been dreading", Taeyong said, entering my room. "I'll be your driver."

"Do I really need to do it?", I whined, hating it already. "I didn't answer any of his messages and calls. It hurts. Chenle and Jisung kept asking the past days. I told them to keep it a secret."

"I don't know if this'll help you or not, probably the latter though", Taeyong made his way towards me. "There's actually another reason why. Why you have to break up with him. Your brothers don't approve of him. They care about your happiness, but they just don't like him. Jungwoo said yes the first time around because he didn't have any other choice."

"Why? Why don't they like him?", I asked, not getting why they didn't like him. "What does he have to do to gain their approval?"

"They said he seems sketchy. They needed more time to know him personally. Also, they wanted to test whether he'll stay or leave despite breaking off the relationship", Taeyong explained. "It's stupid how they lied to you. I thought you should at least know."

"I'm going to—"

"Doyoung's not home. You can't", he informed me. "Anyways, we should execute the plan already. Let's head to Lee Cosmetics."

☼

"You can do it, Hyerin", Taeyong assured me. "I'll always be here if it goes wrong."

"Thanks, I guess."

I made my way towards Jeno's office, knocking on the door.

"Come in!"

I slowly opened the door and went inside, my eyes meeting with Jeno's own. It's as if his eyes sparkled the moment we had eye contact.

"Hyerin! Why aren't you replying or answering to my calls and messages?", he asked, standing up from his chair. "I was worried. I know you were at your brother's place, but at least answer."

I kept quiet and took a couple more steps towards him.

"Hyerin?", he questioned.

"Let's breakup", I seriously said. "I'm breaking up with you."

"W-What?", Jeno stuttered. His face was dead serious. "Hyerin, don't play games on me. I don't like those jokes."

"I'm serious", I said, trying to remain unaffected. "If you'd excuse me, I'll take my leave."

I turned around, my back facing Jeno and started to walk towards the door.

"Stop.", Jeno deadpanned. I stopped like he said. "Don't take another step."

"Why shouldn't I?", I provoked him.

"Why? I don't believe this. Did my dad tell you to do so? If so, you—"

I turned around to see that Jeno was a couple of steps in front of me.

"I'm doing this for my own good", I answered him. "I don't want to say sorry, because neither of us made a mistake. I also don't want to say that I wanted to leave you, because I would be lying. I just need some time alone. Time to settle things."