For the Love of Kimchee (Book 1)

52

Chloe

Chloe felt like she was in a daze for the rest of the day. First her conversation with Simone the other day and now this?

She didn't know what to do.

It seemed like she only had two options, run after Daniel and staying in Korea forever, or go home. Plus there was no telling if he actually wanted her after those two months apart.

Chloe walked through the hallway to her classroom in deep thought. The school day was over but she was forced to stay for another hour. She was barely paying attention as she hit something solid and heard an "oof." Chloe jumped back and saw Ji-Hye on the floor.

Chloe wanted to just roll her eyes and step over her, continuing on her path to her classroom, but proper decorum stopped her.

Ji-Hye looked up at Chloe with wide eyes. She tried to get off the floor but ended up slipping and falling right back down into her spot.

This time Chloe actually did roll her eyes. She extended her arm out to Ji-Hye who looked at her wearily but accepted.

Chloe pulled her up with ease and two just stared at each other for a second.

Ji-hye was the first to break the silence. "Umm-umm I was just in your in your classroom. I wanted to talk."

Chloe looked the girl up and down. She had nothing to say to this back-stabbing fake friend.

"Did you need something?" Chloe supplied, not wanting to spend another second in this girls presence.

"Uhh, no. I just wanted to talk." Ji-hye looked down then back up at Chloe.

Chloe look at Ji-hye from her perfect skin to her immaculate makeup.After all they had been through, Chloe should've been dragging her ass up and down this empty hall, but there was this nagging sensation deep within the pitts of her stomach that told her to listen.

So far there have been two people who have giving Chloe the same message.Why not see where this third unexpected conversation went?

Chloe nodded her and motioned for them to go to the classroom.

They walked in silence and Chloe opened the classroom door for Ji-hye who ducked her head and walked in.

Chloe watched her silently. She seemed remorseful, or she at least knew what she had done. Chloe took in Ji-hye's meek energy and sat on top of the desk, Ji-hye took a seat on top of one of the children's desks.

"Sooooo" Chloe said drawing out her O's. "What did you want to talk about?" It didn't matter how remorseful this girl was, she didn't didn't want to be with her long.

Ji-hye looked shocked at Chloe's straightforwardness, but said nothing and nodded her head.

"I'm sorry for how our relationship turned out. I was just surprised that you started dating Ji-hun, I didn't think the other teachers would come after you the way they did." She looked down and rubbed her arm.

Chloe scoffed. "Why would you tell them in the first place? What was the purpose of telling them? To gossip about me?"

Chloe glared at the girl. Her patience was wearing thin.

"I-I umm" Ji-hye stumbled for the right words, while Chloe just glared. "I just was surpised and wanted to talk to another Korean about you. You didn't understand the situation you were in-"

"Ahhh, you wanted to gossip." Chloe nodded her head with a malicious smile. "I got it now."

Chloe got up from her desk. They were done here.

"Wait Chloe, I just wanted to apologize. I was wrong." Ji-hye tried again.

Chloe stopped mid-stride. Did she just apologize?

"I'm sorry what did you say?" Chloe's voice softened.

"I said, I'm sorry. I didn't expect it to go so far. For the other teachers to get to vicious, at first it was funny, but then it got mean." Ji-hye got up from her desk. "It was wrong from the start, but I actually used to like Ji-Hun, but he never showed interest in me. It was upsetting that he did for you."

Chloe clicked her tongue processing what was just said. She had guessed the Ji-hye had liked Daniel from the way she had initially reacted to them having a private language exchange, but she hadn't expected her to backstab. The girl clearly had some demons she was fighting off.

"Okay," Chloe said, not at all feeling pacified. "Why say this now?"

Ji-hye eyes widened. "Well, Daniel and his family are going through hard times right now and the more I thought about it the more I realized that I didn't want to be in your position.Or your past positions, I don't know if you two are still dating....."

So there it was, Ji-hye wasn't sorry at all, she just wanted the new inside scoop on her relationship status, and- Wait, did she say 'Daniel and his family are going through it?!"

"Wait did you just say that Daniel and his family are having a hard time?" Chloe was fully intrigued now. "What exactly is happening?"

Chloe's anger towards the girl was completely forgotten. She went and sat back down on her desk.

"I mean that his step-father had a stroke and is unable to run the hospital anymore." Ji-hye said it like it was common knowledge.

Chloe's brain stuttered for a moment. Her eyes widened in shock as her hand came to her mouth.

Ohmygosh

"What what?" Chloe voice soft as a whisper.

Ji-hye nodded her head. "Yeah it was all over the news and legally since his dad can't hold his position it falls to Daniel, but he hasn't been a doctor for a long time, so the other chairmen are trying to vote him off the board."

"Ohmygosh!" Chloe couldn't imagine the pressure he was under. He never wanted this for himself. Her heart clenched in pain for him. It's not like he was close to his family either.Who was he talking to about this? Huyung?

"Wait, you didn't know?" Ji-hye's voice snapped Chloe back to reality. Chloe shook head no, unable to hide her emotions. "So I'm guessing you broke up?"

Chloe didn't even hear Ji-hye's comment. Poor Daniel.

There was no one in his corner. His mother probably was helping him along, but she would never know his heart. Not his true feelings.

"Anyway, The whole family has been cooped up in the hospital last week. They actually had a press conference today and Daniel spoke on behalf of the hospital. The whole family was present, even the chairman's brother and his wife and kids." Ji-hye continued.

Chloe could just imagine Daniel in front of all those cameras. All those people surrounding him and him just wanting to shut down and leave. Him giving a speech he cared nothing for, fighting for a company he didn't actually care about. Looking over his family and reporters feeling so alone.

Chloe stood up abruptly.

She needed to go to him. This was the third sign from the universe. It was clear.

She began packing up and put on her coat, while Ji-Hye was talking. This girl raised her eyebrows trying to figure out what Chloe was doing when they still had an hour left of work.

Chloe headed for the door with her bag and turned back to Ji-Hye.

"Can you turn the lights out on your way out!" She rushed through the door and yelled a thanks as she ran down the hallway. She was sure other teachers could see her through their classrooms but she didn't care.

Daniel needed her.