Honestly Lying ❌

Chapter 12

Yeri is not with me in today's game. She had an important meeting on their company and said she can't say no to her Dad.

"You should still play in your best today Chae. I know that your lucky charm ain't here but let's make today's game our last. Copy?"

I felt cringe with his statement but I just nodded in response. I couldn't argue with his determined face.

My friends entered the gym and went straight up to the bleachers. I saw Tzuyu and remembered what happened yesterday with Sana.

Upon telling her that Tzuyu's got a girlfriend, she immediately excused herself and ran away. I am just glad that she already paid the food before that happened.

I kinda pity her. She confessed to Tzuyu first, yet she was rejected because the latter couldn't accept that kind of love and yet there's me, telling her that Tzuyu could actually love someone on the same gender. That must've hit her so bad.

I should've just zipped my mouth!

But I was just confused. Hearing that story of hers, it just doesn't make sense to me!

I wanted to ask Tzuyu about it but I won't. I should not stick my nose to their business. Besides, Sana made me promise not to tell Tzuyu about her before. That means she doesn't want to be found. And I respect that. I should just keep this to myself.

"Watch out!"

Seulgi's voice woke me up from my deep thoughts. I looked at her and saw a ball coming. Thanks to my fast reflexes, I managed to catch it before it hits my face.

Seulgi ran towards me.

"The heck with you Chae! Why are zoning out during warm-ups? I almost hit your face right there."

"But you didn't."

She made a face. "I understand that Yeri's absence today is making you anxious, but we are here Chae. We can win this even without your lucky charm."

She wasn't teasing me. She seriously thought that I was thinking about Yeri back there.

I gave her the ball and went to our bench without a word.

I picked up my water and took a sip. I really should focus on the game right now. We need to win this today so that I could do my painting without thinking about practice next time.

My phone lit up. I checked it and saw an sms sent by an unknown number.

"Chaeyoung-ssi. This is Sana. I got your number from our files. Sorry, but can we talk. I need to ask something."

After sending her my reply, I moved back to where my teammates are and huddle them up. First things first. I need to finish my business here before joining to another one later.

-----
We met at a cafe near her store. She was already there when I went in.

"I'm sorry for leaving you just like that yesterday Chaeyoung-ssi."

She firstly said after I seated in front of her.

"Chae. You can call me Chae from now on. In return, I'll call you Sana. I consider you as one of my circle now. So let's drop the honorifics, shall we?"

She smiled. "Of course. I am also considering you as one anyways."

"Great. Let's order first then, Sana."

She nodded.

After we finished ordering, she asked me a question right away.

"You told me that Tzuyu has a girlfriend, right? Since when?"

"I think, about 9 months ago."

"W-who? Who is she?"

I felt a lump on my throat. "Her name' s Mina. Myoui Mina."

She fell silent. Then her face changed.

"I know her." She revealed.

I already anticipated it. Sana is from the same world as them. They knew people from their society so well and they must have been met on some events before.

Our order came. I took a sip on my coffee right away.

"I-is s-she happy with her?"

She asked. I heard the sadness from her voice.

I looked away. "Yeah."

"I see. T-that's great then. Isn't it Chae?"

I nodded with a pain that mirrored hers.

-----
"Congratulations Chae!"

Yeri gave me a bracelet as a gift for our win yesterday. I thanked her while she's putting it on me.

"You two really looked good together. Why don't you make it real?"

Nayeon suddenly said out of the blue. I glared at her.

"Lower your voice Nayeon." I said.

Yeri chuckled. I looked at her and saw a hint of sadness from her eyes before it went back to what it normally is.

"We're just doing this for Chae's privacy. Her fans/stalker stopped following her after we announced our relationship. I am just helping her as a friend."

I stared at Yeri. I really am so indebted with her. She's been a really big help to me ever since. And I couldn't even repay it. I wanted to, in small ways but I know that only one thing would be big enough for me to repay her kindness.

But I can't give it to her. And she knows that too well.

"Fine. But it would be such a waste to let go of someone like you two. You know. You're way better for Chae compared to Mina."

Yeri looked away. I did the same.

"All right. That's enough talk from you Nayeon. Let's go. Let's go whip some sensitivity to your bones somewhere."

"Huh? What? Hey-"

Jihyo dragged Nayeon away from our table. Yeri sighed and looked at me after a minute of silence.

"You need to finish your painting, right? You can go now. I'll just go to our department to see someone and then head home. I'll see you tomorrow."

Then she left without waiting for my response. I stared at her back as she was walking away from me.

Why couldn't I love someone like her?
She's already perfect. And she loves me so much, I can guarantee that she would fight for me even if it's against the whole world.

She also won't give up on me without telling me why.

And lastly, she won't replace me with someone within my circle. Most specially, my close friend.

Unlike her.

I sighed. "I'm sorry. Yeri-yah."

Sorry for being not able to give you my heart even if that's the very thing I eagerly wanted to.

----
One month quickly passed by. I successfully finished my painting and displayed it during our Art Exhibit.

And to my surprise, it was actually sold for a huge sum of money. One of the invited guest for the exhibit saw it and then gave me an offer I couldn't refuse.

I was so happy. My efforts in Paris didn't go to waste. That customer even gave me his card and asked me if I wanted to build a gallery in the near future.

"If you have plans, please don't hesitate to give me a call. I am really into arts and I wanted to invest my money to someone who's worth it. And I guess, I found that someone in you. I'll be waiting for your call Ms. Son."

My parents was so delighted with that news that my father even cried for the whole night. He even spread the news to our customers at our store. I just couldn't with that old man.

I stared at the business card in my hand. My future is slowly waving its hands at me.

I smiled and hid the card in my drawer.