18 ∞ when hearts are broken

CHANGMIN - - -

There was an incessant knocking on my door that woke me up from my already too light sleep. And because my arms were still sore, and my back hurt, I took my time to sit up on my couch. I never made it to my bed last night, after all the meetings my father forced on me after the trip in Jeju.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t almost thank my father for the work he gave me, since I had been dying to get away from Yoona and everyone else. Being holed up in a conference room and talking to clients for the past two days gave me a chance to relax and pull myself together again.

Leaning forward, I saw my reflection on my glass table. I didn’t look as bruised as I did the day after the trip, but you could still see them if you looked close enough. The ring hung low on my chest, glinting in the sunlight that peeked through the curtains – I reached up to touch it slightly and frowned; suddenly remembering how Yoona looked at me when I let her boyfriend beat the hell out of me. She looked so… disappointed.

I sighed. Coward, I scolded myself, you’re a loser. I’d look at you that way too if I were in her position.

But the knocking hadn’t stopped yet. Maybe whoever it is knocking will leave if I ignore it long enough, the thought flashed through my mind, but I knew better. I groaned inwardly, burying my head under the arms, trying to shut out the noise.

“Well, considering my luck these days – it could be Yuri telling me to elope with her.” I muttered, glancing briefly at the door in disdain.

Rubbing my eyes in frustration, I stood up as slowly as I could towards the door. Sure enough it was Yuri at the door, her hands carrying food and smiling up to me. “Good morning! I have sustenance!”

“Why are you here so early, Yuri? You usually bother me after breakfast.” I said, keeping my tone as casual as I could. She could hear the sarcasm in my voice, I could tell by the way her eyes clouded over for a moment – but Yuri didn’t pay any attention to it. Instead she bounced inside the room, towards the table and bringing out the food.

“Come on, sit down and eat some breakfast.” She said, flipping her hair and smiling at me. With one hand, she pulled me into the living room and I began to feel uneasy. Yuri was being too cheerful; isn’t it that too much is a sign of something gone wrong. And by the way she held my arm, firm and strong – almost not letting go, only made me worry even more.

She started to talk about what she was going to do that day, making big, hand gestures and smiling widely. Something about it – her smile – put me off. I sighed, setting down my plate and staring at her, waiting for her to stop so I could speak.

But that didn’t seem to be happening anytime soon.

“Then I was thinking of going to the nail salon with Sooyoung or Yeonhee-unni. Should I get my nails done? Would it be okay before the wedding? I don’t know but anyway—”

“What are you doing here?” I interrupted, this time my tone serious. I sat down across from her, watching her movements. “Did you have something to tell me?”

Yuri stopped faking her smile and set aside her plate, before looking up to me with an expression I couldn’t pinpoint. “Well… I was thinking…” She fidgeted in her seat, biting her upper lip nervously.

Yuri stood up, stepping closer before kneeling in front of me. “What are you doing?” I asked, but she shook her head and shushed me. I held my breath at whatever she was about to say.

“Changmin-oppa... I think we should elope.”

YOONA - - -

“Three buffet tables are going to be at that side, alright? Put them at equal distances from each other so that they won’t crowd the flower arrangements. Go ask Jaejoong about how much—“

The waiter I was instructing looked at me, alarmed (maybe even a little bit worried), since I must have looked exhausted and disgruntled. I really was – Yuri and Changmin’s wedding was in three days… and I was working myself to the very edge of my sanity.

“You’re working too hard, kid.” Kibum said, nudging me with his shoulder. I tried to ignore him, scribbling furiously down on my note and finishing my instructions before quickly turning and walking away. He caught up with me and pulled me by the arm.

“Kim Kibum! Let go of my arm! What are you doing?!” I exclaimed, pulling free from his grasp. I rubbed my wrist, glaring at him, and in return, he glared back – shaking his head in disdain. I leaned back against a wall and sighed, rubbing my forehead with my fingers. “Just say it. Geez.”

“What the heck are you doing, Yoona? I thought you’ve ‘moved on’ already. What happened to you that seemed to have made you change your mind?” He said, wringing his hands out in front of me. He paced around, still shaking his head. “God, the drama between the two of you is infuriating.”

“Nothing’s changed, Kibum. I’m just doing my job.”

He scoffed. “Right. So I guess barking at every one of our workers with orders is part of your way of building a good working atmosphere, huh?”  Kibum sighed, moving closer to me. “Come on, Yoong. Just tell me already. I’m your friend too.”

He reached out to pat my head but I avoided it. The ill feelings surged, and I just couldn’t keep it in any longer–

–“Changmin kept the ring. Why the hell did he keep that ring?”

Kibum was silent as I stared at him. Not that I could blame him. I couldn’t blame anyone, not even Changmin. I sank down to the floor, heaving a heavy sigh – covering my eyes with my hands, keeping the tears in that was threatening to fall down.

“I was fine with all of this up until that night. I had already managed to keep everything that I feel for him locked away, and I was going to b