{ 04 }

Rosé managed to retrieve her phone back– but not without a good scolding from Professor Moon. She was lucky that she was one of the professor’s most diligent students so she was let off without any community service, or else it would have been a pain for her. She’s already running errands back and forth as it is, she wouldn’t need a community service to top it all off.

She was rushing down to the front of the building where Bobby was waiting for her. She wouldn’t want to risk the chance of him and Ahn Chaeyoung meeting.

Her steps halted at the thought. What are you thinking, Rosé?! You promised it was a one-time thing, didn’t you?! She berated herself sternly.

However, the other half of her mind responded. It’s not like I was the one who asked him to be here! We just met by chance! By. Chance!

She bit her lip, heaving a deep sigh. Deep in her heart, she’s fully aware that what she’s doing was wrong. Bobby had been nothing but good to her; he even defended her from those people bullying her. He absolutely doesn’t deserve to be lied to. I’ll tell him the truth as soon as I get the chance, she promised herself before meeting him outside.

“Did you get your phone?” He asked.

“Yeah.” She answered with a nod and a small smile. “I’m glad she let me off with just scolding.”

He playfully nudged her with his elbow, grinning wide. His eyes disappeared into tiny slits and Rosé couldn’t help but to stare. “Yah, that’s because you’re a good student, Rosé-yah!” Bobby squared his shoulders before pointing towards the general direction of the campus gate and yelling a loud “Let’s go!” He then proceeded to drag her out by the wrist, uncaring even if the other students were staring at them.

As she stared at Bobby who was merrily relaying his stories to her next to him, Rosé’s heart felt both heavy and warm at the same time. She knew deep down that lying to him will bring nothing good, and yet she couldn’t help but to crave for the company that Bobby was willingly offering her. Apart from her family, no one really wanted her in their lives. She had always been alone, and now that she had experienced what it was like to be wanted and needed, she doesn’t feel that she will be able to stop anytime soon.

--

Bobby took her to a restaurant near Ilsung University. He was grinning impishly as they settled on one of the tables. “Sorry, I don’t really know a lot of places here in Korea so I’m not sure if this place is good. Next time we eat out, recommend some to me!” He energetically added as he looked over the menu on his hands.

“Ah, I don’t really know a lot of places myself,” she replied shyly. “I don’t go out much so…”

His mouth parted before managing to gather himself. He then grinned enthusiastically at her. “Then we’ll just discover places together!” He answered, obviously pumped up before beginning to point random foods on the menu.

He called on to one of the servers. A girl went to their table to take their orders while smiling prettily at Bobby. It seemed as if the girl was indeed waiting for them to order so she’d be the one who’ll interact with him. “One bulgogi, one samgyupsal, one bossam, one tangsuyuk, one sundubu jjigae, one kimbap, and two servings of rice, please.” He rattled off, confusing Rosé.

“Uh, did you invite other people to eat?” Rosé questioned, wondering about the amount of food that he ordered when it was just the two of them who were there.

Bobby grinned, shaking his head. “Nah, those are all for us!”

Her eyes widened at his response. “Yah, that’s too much! We might not be able to finish them all, it’d be a waste.”

“Tss, we’ll finish them all!” He stubbornly asserted. “Besides, you need to eat more, Rosé-yah. You’re too thin! I fear that you’ll just be blown away by the wind while we’re walking,” he stated, wrinkling his nose.

Rosé chuckled, her eyes accidentally flitting to the female server who was now looking at her with daggers. It seemed as if the girl could not believe that someone as handsome as Bobby was indeed hanging out with a lousy girl like her. Her laughter instantly halted, surprising Bobby.

“Rosé-yah, are you okay?” He worriedly questioned.

She forced a smile on her face despite of the discomfort she was feeling under the server’s scrutiny. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He nodded critically. “Do you want anything else?” He asked her and she shook her head. He then turned to the server, informing her that their orders were done. The server nodded, looking over at Rosé once more and narrowing her eyes before leaving the table.

“Yah, you suddenly quieted down.” Bobby observed. She was all right earlier, what could have been the problem? “Are you sure you’re fine? Don’t you like the food here? We can transfer somewhere else if you want,” he offered.

“I’m fine. Really.” She smiled. “Thanks for the concern.”

“Tss,” he smiled. “You don’t have to thank me for every single thing, you know. Of course I’d do that, you’re my friend, Chaeyoung-ah.”

Rosé’s throat constricted upon hearing him call her Chaeyoung. Her chest felt heavier than it was earlier, and she wanted to confess the truth but she just couldn’t find the right words to say as she stared at Bobby’s tender smile meant for her.

No, she countered herself. Not meant for me. That smile was meant for Ahn Chaeyoung.

“B–Bobby-ssi.” She suddenly blurted out.

His eyebrows met in wonder at her sudden formality. “Why? What is it?”

“Uhm…” Rosé bit her lip, casting her glance down at her fiddling thumbs. “I–I have something to t–tell you.” She stuttered.

“Okay… What is it? You don’t have to be nervous, Rosé. It’s just me,” he coaxed gently. “I won’t do anything to hurt you.”

Rosé slowly lifted her head, meeting Bobby’s eyes. She blinked twice, thrice, getting lost in his jet black eyes. “Bobby… I… I have something to confess to you.”

“Why? What’s wrong? You’re scaring me, Rosé-yah,” he laughed nervously.

“The truth is…” She started, her heart thundering in nervousness.