VIRAL LOVE Chapter 23 : ROW I can’t believe he never told me. Mo-yeon shakes her head in frustration. No wonder he’s been so weird these past few days, asking whether she can work remotely, etc. And she wants to shake herself silly too. She already knew about that Arsenal offer months ago, it was in one of the articles on Naver when they had first got tangled up together in the gossip circus. Did she just conveniently erase that info from her own memory because they’ve been having such a wonderful time together? “Seriously? Aren’t you busy with football practice? I heard you’re even going to England soon.” “Not that busy. And England will still be there whether I see you or not.” She remembers their conversation in the studio when he had asked her if he could come again and bring her coffee. She already knew by then that this thing will be a major factor in whatever path they would take next. “I don’t think I can stand being away from you.” Her mind flashes back to the way he had stared at her when he whispered those words yesterday morning as they cuddled together on her sofa. Her heart twists painfully. Oh, Si-jin. --- Si-jin has just finished taking a hot shower after his intense workout at the gym that afternoon. He looks at the clock on the wall. His phone has stopped ringing an hour ago; his manager has apparently given up on trying to reach him. It’s 3pm now. 7 am in London. His deadline to confirm the Arsenal offer is today. His runs his towel roughly against his wet hair, his mind drowning with conflicts. This offer has been what he’s been targeting for in his entire professional career. There are only three South Korean football players in the current Premiere League and to be the fourth would be a record high in his career. He had even decided not to continue his contract with FC Seoul despite their very generous offer after Arsene Wenger personally called him. The famed Arsenal manager had watched him play for South Korea in the World Cup Qualifier match against China last March and he was determined to have Si-jin on his team. Ever since then his mind had been set on one goal – to spend his life in London from August to May and gain as much experience playing in the highly reputable club. The contract is for two years. He had been totally fine with that. He only had Myeong-joo to worry about before, and Dae-young would take care of her for him. He had nothing else to tie him to South Korea. Until a certain beautiful woman decided to throw a monkey wrench into his plan when she collided with him in a coffee shop, poured iced coffee all over his shirt and steals his heart away in the process. He can’t even stand not seeing Kang Mo-yeon for one day. 9 months away from her….how is he supposed to do that? The bell suddenly rings and he snaps out of his thoughts. He sighs in reluctance. Dae-young is probably here to chew me out. He looks down and realizes he hasn’t even worn his shirt yet. Meh, it’s just Dae-young. Might as well get this over with. --- Mo-yeon taps her feet nervously as she waits for Si-jin to open the door. She’s been here a few times before for dinner an