It was a little over a week after our Graduation day. And I had spent most of my time at Jongin's place. I learned that he had two sisters, and that his oldest one had married and lived with her own family. That explained why it was only him and his second sister staying at this beautiful apartment. Then I also learned that Jongin's parents were the typical busy and successful businessmen. They spent most of their time overseas and would only come back for a few days top. But I was glad that his parents weren't in any way like the usual forceful and hotheaded rich parents I saw on TV.

Jongin and I had spent the past few days looking for universities, helping each other with the numerous options. A few nights ago, he had received a call from his Dad and I knew he was hiding something from me, but I didn't want to force him to tell me. He would tell me when he was ready.

Jongin was a man of few words, but his actions always did the job. He rarely lied. He didn't even try to sugarcoat his words because his heart was so pure that everything he did was for the good of others. However, he had been behaving a little differently in the past few days. Every time I called him, he would always be in a rush. His text messages came close to zero.

Until one evening, a call came.

"Hey." He spoke softly. Oh how I missed his voice.

He sounded tired and I could hear a hint of regret in his voice. Then I made up my mind. Whatever it was that he was hiding, as long as he was okay, I think I'd do fine. Not everything, after all, was meant to be known.

"Hi." I replied, breaking out in a sheepish smile.

"Do you have time later?" He asked.

"Yeah. I'm free tonight. Why?" I answered his question with another question as I played with my shorts.

"Do you want to have dinner with me?"

I wasn't sure if it was the fact that Jongin hadn't called me in days or it really was romantic — Jongin asking me out for dinner, I mean.

"That'd be lovely." I nodded a little too eagerly as if he was really there to witness my reaction.

"I'll pick you up at seven then."

— ✿ —

I fidgeted in my navy blue dress, waiting for Jongin's black Mercedes to come into my view. I was just playing with my baby pink shoulder bag when a familiar car's engine sound reached my ear. I looked up just as Jongin got out from his car. He looked as handsome as ever. The black denim he was wearing accentuated his long legs and I couldn't help but to stare in awe at the perfection in front of me.

"Do you miss me?" He asked as he tucked a few strands of my dark brown hair behind my ear.

His gaze captivated me as always, sending electricity to my heart. I could only nod at his question, which he returned with a soft smile.

"I miss you, too." He told me as he took my hand in his.

He then led me to his car and opened the door for me. Throughout the ride (which took us a good half an hour), Jongin never let go of my hand. He asked how I had been doing for the past few days and he admitted that he was caught up with something and that he was sorry for not being able to be around me much. He kept the conversation going as he drew circles at the back of my hand, a habit which he'd only do when he was nervous. I wanted to ask what's bothering him but I decided to hold it in first. I wouldn't want to spoil the mood.

Jongin took me to one of those fine-dining restaurants. He apparently had reserved a table which offered Seoul's magnificent night view. As we waited for our food, we continued to talk. Jongin even cracked a few jokes here and there, to which we'd laugh heartily. I liked seeing him laugh. He looked like a little kid whenever he did so.

We had finished our main courses and were now savouring over the sweet desserts Jongin had specially ordered for me. That was when Jongin cleared his throat and adjusted his throat, the typical preambles of a serious discussion.

"Haneul." He started.

The firmness in his voice made me put down my spoon to give him my fullest attention.

"There's something I need to tell you." He continued.

He suddenly grabbed my hand as if he was scared that I'd vanish in the next few seconds.

"I'm flying to London next week." He dropped the bomb.

It was if my heart leaped out to my throat that I suddenly felt suffocated. The look I gave must have told him the words I couldn't say because he immediately squeezed my hand reassuringly.

Jongin was very careful with his words as he explained that he had enrolled himself in one of the top business schools in London. That was what had kept him busy the past few days.

I didn't know what to feel because a part of me felt happy for him while there was this other part of me which felt a little pained. I couldn't quite decipher my own feelings.

And then he dropped another bomb.

"Let's go to London together."

I looked a little shocked to which he continued, "I'll take care of everything. You don't have to worry. Just go to London with me."

He sounded eager yet nervous at the same, if that was possible.

"I need you to go with me." He pleaded.

Trust me, the word 'yes' was already at the tip of my tongue. But suddenly images of myself graduating from Seoul University and myself opening my own healing bakery down town popped in my head. And in that moment I was torn between two worlds.

I had never felt this bad after doing something but here I was sitting at one of Seoul's most expensive restaurants with the most perfect guy I had ever had the privilege to call mine and all I could say was, "I'm sorry, Jongin, but I don't think I can."

Is this how Jongin and Haneul will end up?