CHAPTER XXIII

**YERIN**

I know it’s not right to judge without knowing all of the facts, but I also know, deep in my soul, that what I saw in Eunha was not just a figment of my imagination or just a crazy assumption. It’s true. It’s there. She loves Jungkook. I can see it in her eyes. Others may not see it, but I can. I’ve been way experienced with lovesick teenagers all my life to not be able to tell when one loves someone in secret. Also, I think this ability of mine is a gift. Ever since middle school, I’ve always been right in guessing who likes who even if they don’t tell me. I know my skills. I know I’m not wrong.

“Yuju’s looking for you. You should go. I’ll take care of noona,” Jungkook continued and Eunha could only nod once more, but the way she stared at him remained the same. There was still the hint of longing, that want to voice out her true feelings but just can’t.

I wanted to come to her, to tell her everything’s fine. Here I am pretending to not feel well when it’s actually Eunha who’s hurting for real, aching because she knows what she wants will never be hers. She could never have Jungkook because he already belongs to someone, and that someone just had to be her best friend. And there I thought I was unlucky with life. It turns out someone had it harder.

“I’ll see you then,” she said before glancing one last time at me. I swiftly played it cool and put on an innocent face as if I had not just found out her secret without her telling it to me. “Take care, unnie.”

I nodded and waved a hand. I’m not sure how I should react after such a revelation.

“You’re not really sick, are you?” Jungkook finally said as soon as Eunha was at a distance out of earshot. I turned to him and grinned. I guess he’s not that innocent to believe me.

“I just didn’t want to tell her I’m just upset at someone and that’s why I’m not in the mood to party with the rest.”

“Hyung?” he asked, grabbing a chair for himself.

He didn’t even need to mention the exact name of the hyung he was talking about. We both know who he’s referring to.

I nodded. “He’s a jerk.”

Jungkook rubbed the back of his neck. “About that….”

I arched my eyebrow at him and urged him to go on and say it, but he seems to be deciding on whether to continue or not.

“What about it?” I asked.

Jungkook still kept hesitating and I almost satisfied the urge to smack him in the head to get it out of him had he not spoke up sooner.

“I kind of said something to him that I shouldn’t have. That made him upset. I guess he projected it to you. I’m really sorry.”

I didn’t even feel a bit mad at Jungkook after knowing he’s the root of Taehyung’s overly dramatic anger. The way his eyes reflected sincerity in his words were enough for me to accept his apology. There’s probably something in him that you just can’t hate. I don’t know if it’s the way he talks or the way he portrays himself to others. I guess that’s one of why I always see Jungkook as the perfect boyfriend, for Yuna that is. Also, that may be the reason why Eunha, if I’m not mistaken, fell for him.

“I’m okay. I’m used to him by now. He needs time to get all those steam off. He’ll be fine in a day or so.”

What I said wasn’t entirely a lie, but it wasn’t entirely true either. I have no assurance that Taehyung will let his anger slip especially when I don’t have the slightest idea of what Jungkook said that made him that moody.

“Not to be nosy, but may I know what it is you said that ticked him off?” I asked and immediately, Jungkook bowed his head to avoid my curious gaze. That was enough of an answer for me. I guess some things are still meant to be left unknown to me. I won’t push it though. I know the time will come for it to reveal itself. I do hope that time won’t be too late for me to accomplish my plan. Heck, Taehyung’s birthday is less than three months from now. I need to act fast if ever I want to get out of the marriage through making Taehyung’s grandmother see that a wife isn’t really what Taehyung needs. Rather, he just has to realize that the boy he once was is still there, hidden beneath his façade.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

Jungkook looked up and offered a sympathetic smile. “Sorry. I don’t think it’s mine to tell.”

I returned the smile. “Don’t worry. I was just testing my luck.”

~~~~~

It was almost the end of the party when I finally got the chance to talk to Yuna. She’s been so busy entertaining the others that for hours, I wasn’t able to get to her, but now that almost everyone, if not all, were half-dead after rounds of games I didn’t quite get, Yuna seemed to no longer be busy. I immediately grabbed my chance and retrieved my gift which has been left untouched ever since I decided to join in a little on the party. Of course, Taehyung still didn’t cooperate. He just sat at a corner and stared blankly ahead, probably contemplating on why his life is so ed up. Yuna noticed and she didn’t bother to call him out though. I guess she knew what happened. She was with Jungkook and Taehyung before Taehyung became all moody.

“Happy birthday,” I greeted for about the third time today, but Yuna still bore the same happy face as she acknowledged the greeting.

“Thank you, unnie. I hope you had fun.”

“I did. The others were really something. Even though I didn’t get most of the games, they still acted like I was doing everything right.”

We both chuckled at my statement before I remembered what I came to Yuna for.

“This is for you, by the way. It’s not much, but I’m wishing you’ll like it.”

I handed over the box that I hid behind my back and when I saw Yuna’s eyes sparkle at the sight of it, I couldn’t help but feel mushy inside. It’s like the effort I put into knitting the scarf has been repaid a hundred times by joy.

“You shouldn’t have. You know you being here is enough, but thanks anyway. I’ll cherish this.”

Yuna enveloped me in her arms and we remained hugging for a good few seconds before we let go as soon as Eunha came to us with a half-eaten cake pop in her hand.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but unnie,” Eunha said, addressing me as she continued. “Taehyung-oppa just left.”

If I could punch the living hell out of him, I would willingly do so. How dare he leave without even telling me? I mean I know he’s mad at the world as of the moment and I happen to add a bit to his anger, but he could have at least made me aware that I no longer have a ride back home. him and his drama.

I breathed in deeply to compose myself. There’s no use in getting mad now. What’s done is done. I just need to find myself someone who’s willing to drive me home considering I didn’t even bring cash for public transportation.

“I’d like to offer you a ride, but all our drivers are on their day-off today because I wanted them to rest since I’ll be here all night anyway,” Yuna informed me with an apologetic look. I know she wants to help me in any way she can, but I don’t want to force her if she can’t.

“But I think I could get Jungkook to drive you if ever I could convince him.”

I waved my hand at Yuna to refuse her suggestion. I don’t want to bother Jungkook with my problems despite the fact that he is semi-responsible for it since he caused Taehyung’s anger. Still, Jungkook is planning to stay over here at Yuna’s for the night. I don’t want to disturb their time together just because I’m broke and doesn’t have a ride back home.

“Actually, unnie can come with me. I don’t mind,” Eunha finally spoke up. We both turned to her and Yuna raised a brow, asking her nonverbally if she meant what she said. Eunha simply grinned and bobbed her head. “I’d like to get to know unnie, too. I think it’ll be a perfect opportunity.”

“That’s great, then. Thanks,” Yuna said, grabbing both of Eunha’s hands tightly. I know she’s thrilled to hear it since that means she won’t have to waste a single time being away from Jungkook. I also would have grinned, but when I saw the sadness flash from Eunha’s eyes for a second as she too thought of her best friend and her boyfriend, whom she loves, spend more time together, I couldn’t help but stop my smile and put on a neutral look instead. It must be hard for Eunha, sacrificing just because she doesn’t want to hurt Yuna and Jungkook out of selfishness.

“Don’t mention it. You go on ahead and spend some lovey dovey time with your man,” Eunha teased, but her eyes weren’t in accordance with the tone of her voice. She was forcing it, and I felt pity swell in me as I continued to watch her pretend like she’s okay when I know she’s not. I can’t really say that I feel her because I haven’t been in her situation before, but I’ve known someone who has, my closest friend back in high school, Hayoung. She’s been in love with her neighbor for years, after growing up with him and all, but she just didn’t muster the courage to tell him until the time came when he found someone he wanted to be with and it wasn’t her. I still remember the time she cried to me in the bathroom after class after knowing the news of him dating his classmate, and I could still recall the empathy I had for her as she bawled everything out. In the end, she never got the chance to tell him until we graduated, and he left for Busan alongside his girlfriend for college. All that was left for her was regret, and I want Eunha to badly avoid what happened to Hayoung but at the same time, I also don’t want to possibly ruin Yuna and Jungkook’s relationship.

I mentally yelled in frustration at my dilemma. This is what I hate about knowing things. Sometimes, it only gives me more trouble that I would think to myself that it’s way better not knowing at all.

“You guys take care on your way, okay? Let me know if you’re leaving. I’ll just go talk to the others for a while. I heard SinB and Umji will be on their way soon,” Yuna said to both of us before she gave a bow and left to meet SinB and Umji who were on the other side of the garden, playing a last round of cards with Jimin and Hoseok-oppa.

“So, what time do you plan on leaving, unnie?”

I hesitated for a moment. Shouldn’t Eunha be the one to decide since it’ll be her car that we’ll be using? I don’t have the right to demand.

“It depends on you. I’m fine anytime. Maybe you still want to spend some more time with Yuna,” I said, and I guess that came out wrong than what I expected because as soon as I finished, Eunha’s eyes went all sad again

“She’ll be with Jungkook.”

“Oh.”

I badly wanted to slap myself for saying that despite knowing Eunha’s situation, but I decided to play it cool. Eunha can’t know that I know her secret. Maybe she’ll feel embarrassed about it or she’ll think I’m sticking my nose too much into her business.

“Will eleven be alright, then?” she asked, faking a smile when her eyes still bore the same sullen look.

“Eleven is fine.”

**TAEHYUNG**

I carefully parked my car to the side of the road. I have no idea where I was or how I got here. I just knew I needed to drive somewhere, to keep my mind off things, if that’s even possible, because every day, I try so hard to forget but it’s like just one mention of what happened…of her…makes me recall everything- the hur