Chapter 6: I Still Don’t Like Her

I slowly walked out of the elevator, towards Ashin. Her eyes are still fixated on Sooyoung who’s inside the elevator. Is it a girl’s thing to stare at each other after not seeing each other for a long time?

“You’re early.” I said, making Ashin look at me, expressionless. I don’t know why I feel like I did something wrong. Did I even do something wrong?

She smiled weakly then turned to the elevator again. The door has closed and Sooyoung is gone now. Where are you looking at, Ashin? Please don’t mislead me with your actions because right now, I think she’s jealous.

And I don’t want to assume things. But if that’s what I see from her actions, how can I not assume and expect?

She breathed. “Sooyoung works here, too?” She asked.

Oh, come on. Not with that question, please.

As much as I didn’t want to answer it, I couldn’t not answer it. I nodded. “She’s in the finance department.” I told her.

She just nodded at my response. Come on, Ashin. Not like this, please. My heart is beating fast because I’m excited by the fact that she’s actually feeling something else. If she is.

I cleared my throat. “Are you ready for your interview?” I asked, trying to change the topic.

She shrugged. “I don’t even know what I’d be up to.” She chuckled.

I smiled. “I know you would pass, though. The boss is not as scary as you think.” I told her.

She smiled back. “I hope so.” She retorted. “Or else, I would stay at home for the next few weeks.”

I shook my head. “I’ll assure you that you’ll be hired.” I chuckled as I took her things. “Come on. I’ll show you the way.” I told her as I led her to the office of our boss.

She didn’t look so nervous. Or was she so used to masking what she really feels that her face has turned that expressionless?

She looked at me randomly and smiled. She’s smiling but I know that she’s lonely. How can I ease her pain? The thing is, can I even ease her pain?

I stopped as we reached the door of the boss’ office. “Here. Boss’ secretary will be there to accommodate you.” I told her. “Do well.” I cheered on her.

She smiled and nodded. “When have I not done well?” She asked me.

I smirked. “Never. You’ve always done your best.” I replied and watched her as she entered the office.

Please do well so I can have the inspiration to go to work every day again.

I couldn’t help but smile as I watch her go inside the room. How can one person still be the same source of your own happiness even after so many years?

How can my heart still beat for Ashin when she doesn’t even look at me the same way?

Love could be crazy. Or is it just me who’s really crazy for her?

“Kris!” Jungkook called me as I entered the office.

I looked at him and nodded. “Sup?” I asked as I walked straight to my desk. I still have a floor to design and I plan to finish it before lunch time.

I noticed Jungkook walking closer to me. “Who’s that beautiful girl?” He asked me, seemingly very, very interested.

I looked at him with a raised brow. “Who?” I asked back. I have a feleing on who he is asking about but I don’t want to assume that he’s asking about her. Damn. I’d kill him if he starts to make a move on her. I swear on my life.

“The girl who was waiting for you a while back,” he replied. “I asked her if she needs something and she said she was waiting for you.”

“She has a boyfriend, Jungkook.” I told him coldly.

“Eh?” He asked back, confused.

I looked at him. “She’s taken. Stop asking about her.” I repeated.

Damn it. Why must Ashin be this beautiful making all men want her? I hate it.

And what’s worse is that I don’t want her to be with someone else. I am not dating her but I want her for myself. God, I’ve waited for seven years for her to be single again. I’ve waited for her long enough to back down and give up. I’m not going to let someone else take her from me.

Jungkook narrowed his eyes on me. “But is she going to start working here?” He asked me.

I wanted to snap his neck. Why does he have to ask a lot of things about her? And what in the hell? When will I stop getting rivals to Ashin’s heart?

“I don’t know.” I replied curtly. “If she passes the interview.”

He nodded. “I hope she does.” He grinned and then ran to his desk with me trying to suppress my gut feeling to hit him on the face right now.

I shook my head and sat on my swivel, trying my hardest to calm myself down. I swear if Jungkook says one more word about Ashin, I’m really going to punch him.

He should know that he must stop taking interest on her. She’s mine. Even before, she’s mine. Only mine. Ugh! This is so frustrating.

I snapped back to reality and got my brain to work on this project. I really have to stop thinking about my rivals to Ashin. It isn’t like she’s going to like me again. It would take a whole new Ashin to like me again.

I started my work and tried to forget everything. For now, I just have to concentrate on my work.

--

From: Kim Ashin

Interview’s done.

I stopped midway to designing when I saw her message pop up from my phone. I smiled and typed my reply immediately.

To: Kim Ashin

Did you get in?

I stopped working and just waited for her reply. No matter how I tell myself to focus on work, I couldn’t do so when Ashin is around. No matter what, she’ll always be my topmost priority. It just happens to be that way.

I guess this is how it goes for a person you don’t want to lose. Again.

From: Kim Ashin

I don’t know. How about I’ll tell you at lunch?

I couldn’t help but smile at her message. She’s asking me to take her out for lunch. Isn’t she the cutest human being on Earth?

To: Kim Ashin

How about at an Italian Cuisine?

I tapped on my screen as I waited for her reply. I should’ve just called her. Even a second is too long when I’m waiting for Ashin.

From: Kim Ashin

Sure. I’ll see you at the parking lot?

I shook my head.

To: Kim Ashin

No. See me in the lobby. We’ll walk to the parking lot together.

By this time, she must know that I am still hitting on her. I will forever hit on her. She’s the only girl I would do these crazy things for. I can’t even imagine myself obsessing over someone else.

I immediately fixed my table and took my things. It’s almost twelve so, I could go out for lunch.

Mira, a member of my team, looked up at me. “You’re going out?” She asked.

I nodded. “Lunch out.” I replied and then walked out of the office as fast as I can. Geez, what kind of man am I? I’m almost throwing myself out for Ashin. Damn it.

I entered the elevator and saw Sooyoung smiling at me again. She’s alone.

“You’re going out for lunch?” She asked.

I nodded. “Ashin wanted to eat lunch out.” I replied.

I noticed that her facial expression darkened. She must really not like Ashin. Or maybe she still thinks of Ashin as a Casanova, like what she thought of her in High school.

“I see,” she tried to smile at me. “Are you together again?” She asked. “I heard she just lost her fiancé three months ago.”

I sensed something wrong with her words. Was she trying to warn me or something? Girl, I know what Ashin is going through. You don’t have to tell me.

“No. We’re not together. We’re just friends.” I am never going to be just friends with Ashin. Never. I’m going to see to it that she’d end up with me.

She didn’t respond until we reached the lobby. She went out first. “That’s good. Being just friends with her.” She told me as she walked on. I noticed that she looked at Ashin who was looking back at her. I can see the tension. But what can I do?

I walked to Ashin but her eyes are still on Sooyoung. “Hey,” I tried to get her attention.

She looked at me and smiled. “Why is she always with you?” She asked.

I looked at her, confused of why she’s asking. “We just happened to bump into each other at the elevator.” I replied, innocently.

She took a deep breath and held my hand, making me straighten up as she laced her fingers with mine. This is the first time that she held my hand after a long time and my heart is not ready with all the emotions I am feeling.

“I still don’t like her.” She spoke as she dragged me to the parking lot, hand in hand.

Damn it. My heart is about to leap out of my chest. Ashin’s touch. With just her touch.