Mark’s POV

I stare intently at the television screen in the waiting room. She is there, performing on her comeback stage. I watch closely and even turn on the volume of the television louder. Apparently, we have the same schedule today on M Countdown and she knows it as well.

Even though it has only been one day since we parted our ways, I miss her very much; her touch, her scent, her smile. The wound she leaves on my heart still aches and I do not think I will overcome the pain at all, the hurt she causes will remain tightly. I feel very empty over the past twenty-four hours, realising that she will not be by my side forever.

Jae Bum comes over, switching off the television; my gaze hardens at his abrupt action. “It is for your own good,” Jae Bum says. I told the members about the break up the moment I enter the dormitory yesterday. It was also the boys’ first time witnessing me crying my eyes out for the past six years of knowing me. This separation is taking a toll on me in many different levels which is suffocating me.

They are trying all kinds of tactics to distract me, not wanting me to have a single thought about her. For instance, Yu Gyeom is showing me a dance routine that he has been working on and Young Jae keeps talking to me about our dog, Co Co. They want me to get over her quickly but the truth is I am not able to. The guys will never understand the fact that I love her with all my heart, it is impossible to let this emotion goes so easily.

I know she still feels the same way about me, it is never lost. She did not split up with me because she stops loving me, there is another reason behind it and I need to find that out. I must dig out the truth.

I take the earpiece and the microphone out after our stage is done. Instead of performing our song, ‘Home Run’ to end our promotion, we dance to Shinhwa’s This Love for a special stage. I am removing the abstract red and white blazer when I see her walking towards my direction.

She must has notice my presence as she immediately turns around, striding away quickly. She is avoiding me. I want to call for her but watching her reaction upon seeing me, there is no point in doing so. She does not want to have any contact with me anyway. Disappointed, I have to pretend that she is not there as well.

“Look, it is Mi Joo. Hey, Mi Joo!” Jackson shouts across, obviously oblivious to the surrounding. So much for keeping away from each other.

The rest frowns at Jackson, knowing what is up unlike the said guy who remains ignorant. “What?” Jackson asks, wondering why the others are looking at him strangely. “Oh…” Jackson finally replies after realising what he has done but the damage cannot be fix since Mi Joo pivots to her original way, going towards us with a forced cheery smile plaster on her pale stiff face.

“Hi,” Mi Joo greets and whispers another small ‘Hi’ specifically to me. There is an awkward tension up in the air and I am certain that everyone in this very space can sense it as well.

“So… We will leave you two alone, yep,” Jackson says, breaking the ice while taking my blazer out of my hand. The members get their feet moving, telling Mi Joo one last goodbye and then it becomes the two of us, standing apart with our gaze not meeting.

In this strained silence, Mi Joo suddenly speaks up. “I should get going, it is nice seeing you again.”

“Can we talk?” I ask before she disappear from my sight.

“I really have to be somewhere…” Mi Joo responds, sounding desperate as if wanting to escape.

“Just for a short while, please? I promise it will not be long,” I say. I look at her with those soft pleading eyes, hoping she will agree to my request.

Mi Joo seems hesitant in answering my wish but nevertheless she grants it. I still manage to soften her heart and persuade her. It always works whenever I do the standard procedure of trying to convince her and it still does. Nothing has changed between us.

We arrive at the rooftop with Mi Joo leading the route. There is a clear spot in the middle as we are keeping a distance away from each other, preventing any accidental skinship in which we a