It’s messed up.

Jongin tried to process the information coming in like a flood in his mind, and Jongin never knew that everything was beyond messed up. He was still trying to settle with the idea coming from his father’s best friend about the arranged marriage as a way to save the company, but at the same time he was worried about his sister. Would she be okay with this? It hadn’t been long since they made up and became even closer. And clearly, this would risk the relationship he’s trying hard to mend.

He had been trying to call Junmyeon—but the latter seemed to be busy as he didn’t pick any of the call—to discuss about his parents’ testament because Jongin just remembered that apparently, the arranged marriage was written as one of the wills.

And now, Jongin was faced with another reality which was beyond hurting.

“You’re not kidding with me.”

“No, Young Master. But that’s what we got from speaking with one of the protester.” The uncle said in a low tone, trying to be really careful with his wording.

“Have you cross-checked everything? Because this isn’t just anyone, this is the vice president we are talking about.”

“Yes Sir, it is the vice president. And apparently, he has been doing this for almost a year, starting from the malpractice cases. He has been feeding the employee with the wrong rumour, provoking the supervisors to gather everyone for the protest. We also received a report that his men paid the supervisors to do this.”

“I couldn’t help but think about my parents’ accident.”

“That… we aren’t sure about that yet and we don’t want to make an assumption which could direct us to wrong accusation.”

“I know,” Jongin sighed. “Then, can you please help to find out about this too? Because Junmyeon has been working on this but we still couldn’t find anything about it.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Thanks, Uncle. Ah, and also please do change my schedule. I’m going back to Seoul this Wednesday.” The uncle nodded and bowed before excusing himself.

Jongin turned his chair to face the glass wall behind him, throwing his gaze to the horizon. He let out a long sigh he didn’t know he was holding all this while, and he could feel the heavy load on his shoulder slowly weighing him down. There was something burning deep in his inside, and he couldn’t help but felt the disappointment crawling out from his heart.

Jongin felt betrayed by the only person he trusted the most.

“Chan! Where are you?”

“Hey, Aerin. I’m... I’m really sorry. Um, my mother suddenly asked me to go with her because my father can’t.”

“Ah, I see.” The girl couldn’t help but let the disappointment sipping in through her voice. “But I really miss you, though. You’ve been MIA for like, weeks. And you only texted me once or twice the most.”

The girl heard a chuckle as a response. “I know, it was just, I was really busy, Sweetie. So how is your preparation?”

“Without even asking you already know that it’s not exciting. Chan, I know you’re busy but it’s just... Please tell me that I’m wrong, but I really feel like you’ve been avoiding me.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?” Chanyeol laughed so that his voice would come out more natural.

She sighed. “I know right, that’s nonsense. Anyway, I’m already at the cafe, and because you cancelled it in the last minute, you better pay for my meal next time we meet.” She said sassily.

“Very well noted, Young Miss. See you then,”

The girl slumped on the chair as soon as she put her phone back on the table. She really couldn’t hold the frown to appear because it felt weird. As much as she wanted to think that Chanyeol was okay, she couldn’t unheard the different tone he was using. She tried hard to push away the thought of him avoiding her because actually, just like what Chanyeol had said, it was nonsense.

“Hey, stop frowning.”

It didn’t stop her from frowning. Instead, it actually made her look even sadder. “He’s not coming.” She said, pouting. “I miss him, though. It’s really been a long time not seeing him while he usually comes to see me like every single day.”

“You already said that he’s busy,”

“I know he’s been busy, but still, it really isn’t Chanyeol to back out from his promise in the last minute. I really am afraid that he might be avoiding me.”

“You’re overthinking, Baby.”

She sighed. “Yeah, I wish I’m just over worried. I guess I just miss his presence.”

Aerin could see the man sitting in front of her slightly frowning, and it somehow amused her. “Are you really saying you’re missing someone else in front of me?” The girl felt her face went red at the question. “That’s cruel.”

It had been days since they shared their first kiss at the small garden in the hospital building, but they never exactly talked about it. They spent a lot more time together after that, yes. Sehun also got more direct with his skinship, and Aerin got a lot more comfortable with him. She really enjoyed being around him, with sometimes Sehun just suddenly held her hand out of nowhere in the middle of a walk, or he simply knocked her room only to leave a soft kiss on her temple before she slept every night—well, he did sneak out from his room to hers only to greet her good night. Aerin also couldn’t just ignore how her heart fluttered at the mere sight of the man himself, and how the butterflies inside her tummy went haywire at the close proximity they got.

She leaned closer to him, making him flustered, “So,” She whispered, “Are we exclusive now?”

Sehun only smirked, noticing that she was blushing as he eliminated the gap between them, but the girl tried to stay unbothered. He whispered back, “Are you saying that we kissed but we aren’t exclusive?” He asked before stealing another peck from her lips.

“Sehun, stop it, there’s a lot of people here.” Aerin buried her face on both her palms, trying to cover her flaming red face. She could hear him chuckled.

“I’m jealous you know.” Sehun said, pulling her hands from covering her face, trying to get her attention.

“Are you seriously jealous because I said I miss my best friend?” She asked, tilting her head to the left, and Sehun couldn’t help but pinching her nose because of the overflowing cuteness.

“Yes, because you’re my girlfriend and you’re not allowed to miss anyone but me.”

She fell silent, trying to digest what he had just stated. He really said it. Sehun really claimed her as his girlfriend. Aerin would have squealed if she didn’t try to keep her demeanour. And instead, she slightly frowned at him. “But you never asked, Mr. Oh,”

Sehun only chuckled before cupping her cheeks with both his palms. “May I, the peasant Oh Sehun, have the honour to be your boyfriend, Agassi?”

People said, breaking up with their lover hurt so much.

People said, getting their heart broken would leave them in so much pain.

Chanyeol ever had a break-up with the girl she loved, but it di