It took the 10-minute drive, then a 3-minute walk to their seat, followed by a silent 5 minutes before the menu was placed in front of them for Hyeon to fully realize that she was sitting in a restaurant about to have brunch with the person she had sworn she couldn’t be left alone with.

“ Here is the tea and your appetizers.” The waitress that has been serving Jae for months and knows his order by heart placed the appetizer delicacies in the middle of the table. The chamomile tea he always orders was also placed by his side.

“ Are you ready to order?'' the water asked, glancing at Hyeon. The tea she had poured for the girl she had never seen before was placed right in front of Hyeon. She doesn’t look familiar at all, the waitress analyzed as she compared Hyeon’s similarity to the other women Jae has brought here before.

“ I’ll have whatever he's having” hyeon giving up on the menu that doesn't even have a price for any of the items listed on it gave the waiters a small smile and handed her the menu back. The menu she had been using to cover her face was now gone and it finally dawned on her that she was sitting right in front of Jae

The beautiful restaurant had an anesthetic she could quite name as Hyeon tried to avoid the man in front of her and focused on glancing at every painting and artifact in the restaurant.

“ oh wow,” she almost whispered as she took a sip of the tea that was poured out for her. As though he knew she needed a minute to organize herself, Jae had focused his energy on whoever he was texting. Her eyes from the neatly arranged bookshelf by the corner slowly landed on Jae busily typing on his phone.

“ Huh” she took another sip as she hid the bottom half of her face with her hands that were holding the cup but focused her curious eyes on Jae’s face. She wasn’t even aware of the waiters who were staring at her from the other corner. As always, her eyes started their close observation of his beautiful hair she loved putting her fingers through. It’s shorter than she remembers but still not appropriate for somebody who works in business. I guess when you own the business, you don’t play by the rules she concluded as she registered how she has never even asked him how he was able to get away with his long hair which was against the company guidelines. Considering how much she enjoyed his hair, it was surprising how she never asked that question in that short period where of her life when he was hers, which she sees as the dark days now. His hair hanging by his ears led her eyes to his well-defined jawline, then his lips. The small change in her gaze and breath wasn’t noticed by even her as she unconsciously recognizes how utterly handsome this man was. Something she did tell him once. She had assumed and still believes he knows it and hears it from enough people but maybe. . may e she should have at least said it once. In their weird relationship where a lot of things went unsaid, there were a lot of things that weren't said. Maybe two broken souls that never learned how to love and be loved weren’t great at expressing themselves and opening themselves up completely. If she was cognisant of it all, she would have been able to recognize what his little lip-bite did to her body but she was already lost to connect the dots.

“I can feel your eyes” Jae, not sure if he should call her out for staring at him or not, whispered. Her startled eyes increased in size as she immediately directed her eyes down to the table where her hands were heading to place the cup in her hands.

“Cough cough” she swallowed the sweet tea down with a little shock and nervousness his calm voice erupted. Placing his phone face down on the table, he picked up his cup. Unlike what she thought, he was more nervous than her. For once she was thankful that he hasn’t changed that much as she was able to read his body language. The quiet weekend he was looking forward to which had turned into one of the weirdest weekends of his life, Jae has been in a state of confusion since the movement he saw her car his parking lot. Whatever happens, he needs to stay calm, and deal with it. Surprisingly his body was calm and at ease as his pills he was warned not to take before a meal were sitting in his car.

“ cough” she let out a small whisper of a cough as she tried to figure out where to even look. How on earth did she agree to this? How on earth was she fine with this?

Let’s just get up and go. She had assessed as she looked around the neighborhood. With No money, No phone, and no public transportation around . . . it was better to just sit here and count every minute. “Maybe I can hitchhike”. Her eyes focused on the grand drive way that leads to the road. She needs to come up with a plan, any plan .

“ You have a knife next to you” Jae broke the awkward silence and forced heyon’s eyes to turn to the table. As always it takes a second to take in his voice as she gazeed at him. The tea he sipped covering his lips, his eyes were her target. Following them, she directed her eyes to the knife neatly placed by the fork and on top of the lavender scented napkin.

She needed some time to process what he meant but it didn’t take a while.

His dark eyes stared at hers as he took another slip. As she understood the whole point he was trying to make by the single sentence he had whispered out. He is expecting her to attack.

“Not sharp enough to stab you with it” She gave him a response, not the one he was expecting but he got a response.

“ This will create a mess. '' She picked the knife up and started gently moving it along her palm. She needed to examine how sharp it was and she was right. It wasn’t sharp enough.

“ It will take dozens of stabs'' she added as she with a tight grip motioned her stabbing stance . sending the sharp end of the knife against the table. His eyes that stayed on her were startled and she was aware of it. It wasn’t that hard to read him and his eyes that can’t lie to her seem to be the easiest way to find out what he is thinking.

“ That’s too much blood for me” with a disgusted look on her face she added as she placed the knife back down next to the fork.

“There are more painful and efficient ways to kill you” she added. Her words were nothing compared to her calm voice and soft smile that was directed at Jae who was starting to reevaluate why he even started this conversation. His right hand placing the cup down was sent to his pocket.

“ like?” he asked. Her voice he had missed so much was what he wanted and he could care less how damaging what she says will be as long as he gets to hear her talk. Sitting in front of him, giving him her dangerous smiles, Jae would tolerate anything to keep her talking.

“ Messing with the pills you can’t live without is one” she was quick with her response and she picked up her cup and started to take a sip. He couldn't help wondering if this was something she had thought about. Her legs she just crossed, her back she sent to rest against the comfortable chair.She looked to comfortable and was quick with the answer.

“ If I'm in the mood for seeing you tormented, maybe skinning you alive might be one way to” she added with another soft smile directed his way.

“You don’t seem to mind being in an empty space with me so it won't be a problem” her right leg swinging up and down, her soft smiles, .hyeon unblinkingly staring at him was enjoying the conversation.

“Huh” a small giggle escaped her lips as she tried to stop herself from enjoying the thought of it and she brought her focus back to Jae.

“ but then again I don't want your blood on my hands” leaning forward she placed the cup down and picked up the small fork. The neatly placed cut-out fruits were where her right hand was head as she brought the bowl closer. The red apple at the top was her first target.

“ I could always tell you to listen to the voice” She knew she was crossing a line but she was ready and a bit excited to see where it would take her. She started munching on the apples she focused her eyes on Jae, planning to not miss a second of his reaction to her words

“ the one that tells you to end it all” she added as she registered the first reaction on Jae’s face. She is crossing a line she wouldn’t be able to get back to. She can thank the pills he hadn't taken for being able to see the visible pain on his face.

“ the one that reminds you of how so many people's lives would be better without you in it” she added as she caught his right hand that slipped out of his pocket and headed for his hair that isn’t fully dry yet. He’s looking for his mask, she noticed as his right hand started messing with his hair, slowly brushing it towards his face. One day she hoped that somebody will shave this hair of his and she will be able to see him fully unmasked. That would be the day. To truly and honestly see this man for who he was without any of the masks he puts on. It took a while but she was the only person to recognize how his mask extends even to the people that were closest to him and it included her. She had recognized the mask he puts in front of her once or twice and had hoped time would have helped her unmask him but no. There time was up before she even fully understood what he was hiding.

“ huh” the small uncomfortable smile that escaped his lips was caught by her unwavering eyes.

“According to your right hand, you are still as suicidal so I don't think it will take that much” she added taking note of another smile. He should have known. He should have known she probably has thought about this a lot. He should have know that she was aware of his weakness and where to attack him exactly. How could he forget how dangerous her words were.

“ if I wanted you dead, there are ways”

“ and I would have done it by now” the fork brought the cut-out pear to her lips. Her last sentence was a warning.

“ Do you want me dead? Jae crossing his arms asked. His dark eyes she thought she had scared away still had some focus as they zoomed on hers. He was serious and she didn't need him to say it to know he was really asking her for her honest response.

“ Would you be happy if I was dead?” he added, with this sentence silencing all the joy and excitement she was trying to mask her true intent with. His direct eyes demanded the truth and she knew he would get it out of her.

“ huh” she sighed as she leaned forward and placed the bowl of fruit and her fork down.

“I really don’t care what you do with your life” she spoke as she leaned back

“But you have a good life. The company, the money, the kids, friends, and a finance” hyeon added as she went on listing all the things Jae has going for himself

“Why don’t you just enjoy your life and leave me to be” she sent a big smile his way. The silence wasn’t something she expected. His eyes that hadn't left hers were hard to read as she picked up her cup and took a sip of her tea.

“Maybe we could have a truce” she whispered before taking another slip. This might be a great opportunity, she thought. She might be able to take advantage of the situation and she could get him to agree to a lot of things. This might be a golden opportunity to create clear borderlines between their relationship, or whatever this was; which she knows she can't fully cut off.

“ Like a verbal agreement between each other on what this is, “ she added, pointing at him than back at her self.

“ the kids, Mrs park, the Non-profit. . . there are things that are going to force us to interact with each other” she added as she assessed his face but couldn't quite read if he was on board.

“ I think it might be best if we have well-defined terms for those interactions,” she added as she sent the cup down to the table. His silence which she should be worried about was seen as a weakness on his part. She knew she had the upper hand anyway.

“ That way we could tolerate each other's presence and not cause havoc every time we're in the same space” There was nothing, but she caught the light sigh and movement as he brushed his hair behind his ears.

“ What do you think?” she asked, bringing his attention back to her. She was really curious about what he wanted out of this weird relationships. She gave him some seconds but there was no response to her question

“ I know your fiance doesn't want me nowhere near you” she sent a sharp knife thinking that will get him to talk but no. He stayed quietly taking it all in but in seconds she would wish he had stayed quiet because nothing would have prepared her for what he said

“ She thinks I'm still in love with you” his eyes caught the small but still significantly shocked look on Hyeon's face. She could feel the oxygen in her body leaving her as all her muscles were paused. Her eyes she couldn't quickly hide away from him weren't able to hide their truth. Nor were they ready to receive the message his dark eyes were sending her way. Maybe she wasn’t ready to have this conversation with him yet but her quick lips always know for being defensive when she feels threatened or anxious had a response ready in seconds

“ That’s ridiculous, You never truly loved me to begin with” she spoke, shocking herself more than Jae .

“ huh” the smile that escaped his lips was quick as jae leaned forward and his hair shifted back to his face. The smiles that turned into laughter, which he tried to hide behind his right hand that covered his mouth, were starting to annoy the already triggered Hyeon. When triggered, angered, and confused hyeon was known to be lethal with her words and she had no time or intention to be merciful to the man sitting in front of her.

“ You left me and my child dying on a table” she sent bullets his way, his reaction angering her even more as Jae's smiles turned fully into laughter. His right hand covering his lips couldn't hide his dimple and cheek that highlight his laugh.

“I don’t think you can claim you ever loved me after that” she added as his right hand brushing his hair back uncovered his lips which he bit to hold in his smiles. He would have put his life on the line to know what heyon really thought about what happened between them and the day that changed his life forever but this was too much. Her response wasn’t something he could handle and he was quickly made aware of that as his body that had stayed calm through the various ways she would murder him was starting to send warning signs. The pain that lives underneath every inch of skin was starting to itch as the darkness that always seemed in reach was closing in.

It was ridiculous of her to think that killing him would be the most painful punishment for his sin but she had no idea how it was actually heaven for him. But no matter what, the punishment she would give him was nowhere near the punishment he had decided for himself. The hellish life he lives was a worse punishment than any of the things Hyeon had listed. He could have used the gun that sits in the cabinet next to his bed, the bottles of pills he always had by his side, get drunk and thrown himself into the grand swimming pools he possesses, driven off into the abis . . there are various ways he could have killed himself and accomplish his death she was giggling earlier about but no. That was granting himself what he wanted since he could remember. It is the ultimate prize out of his life he hated with every breath he took.

“ does it help ” he whispered, the defeat in his voice was apparent as Hyeon, arms crossed and on defense mode sat fully facing him, ready to attack.

“ thinking I abandoned you because I never trully loved you” her mind which was in full control and in anger mode was able to shut down any sympathy and the emotion his painfilled voice was evoking. Her anger and hunger for vengeance was in control.

“ You didn’t” Hyeon didn’t need a pill to silence all the emotions that were trying to fight what was happening. Her anger she had never resolved was strong enough to silence the pain, sympathy, remorse, and nostalgia. .and all the other emotion his words and his eyes were forcing her to feel.

“If you did, you would have been there like you promised you would” her blank and calm face was able to hide the small shook she felt like the truth she had never said out loud attacked her as well. Unlike her, Jae wasn’t able to hide what her words were doing to him. The small pinch that started poking at her heart as she took note of what her words were doing to him was immediately silenced. She had her full armor on ready to kill herself if that is what it takes to get relive her off all the rage and anger she has been living with.

“ here we are” the waiter bringing their food broke the tension but there was no reaction she got from the table. The food was placed in silence, and the waitress left the table after sensing her cheerful attitude wasn’t appropriate or welcomed at the table.

“ Let me know if you need anything” she gave a small bow and left the table

“Thank you” she got a response from hyeon who uncrossed her arms and sent her eyes to the food.

“That was the only thing I asked of you” as she picked up the napkin and adjusted it on her lap Hyeon added reminding both of the promise he had made the night she shared her fears and why she fought so hard not to let him in.

“ maybe I should have asked for half of your money or something more tangible” she added as she glanced at him and then back at her delicious-looking food. Her anger that was still in control was calmed a bit down by the presence of food which she hadn’t had since lunch yesterday.

“ at least I would have gained something good out of it and not just a heartbreak” she added sending the first bite fo the eggs to her hungry lips.

“ It would have also made it a bit easier to accept that you have a fiance now” she sent a small smile his way as she focused her eyes on the food. She seemed nonchalant about it all.

“ am sure it will be easy for you to be okay with me getting married sometime soon” she added taking her second bite. With his silence and his shaking hands he hide away Hyeon should have known what she was doing to him but she couldn't care less as she focused all her energy on her food.

“ would you?” he whispered. The itches underneath his skin have started to pinch a little bit now.

“ marry somebody else?” he added the words he whispered disrupting everything he had in him.

“What do you mean somebody else?” Hyeon asked back

“ We were never married, thank God” she added, her eye still focused on her food

“ Oh, I need to return your ring” she glanced up as she remembered the ring that sits hidden behind the socks in her last drawer.

“ what if I don’t want it back” Jae who hasn’t even glanced at the food placed in front of him asked as the ring that hangs on his necklace all of sudden started warming up and burning his skin underneath. The traumatic day he went through when the ring he thought would be removed from his finger on his death bed was sipped out his finger, playing back in his mind.

“maybe give it to lay or your parents, isn’t it a family treasure?” Hyeon noticed the change on jae’s face but was not willing enough to spend a second to investigate why returned her eyes to the food. The moment she said the word family, she was reminded of the chaotic and evil people Jae calls family.

“ am sure your stepmom would love to have it back or your dad” Hyeon knowing she might going the wrong path brought his parents into the conversation

“ or the kids, they might want it” she added for a second having some empathy and changing the topic from one of the most sensitive topics Jae doesn't like talking about.

“ can’t believe you adapted the ki