3rd Person POV~

 

Baekhyun looked at the photo of Mina and Joohyun, wondering what it meant or what it even was. He could tell it was an old photo. She was young and the quality was blurry. He also recognized Joohyun as he had met him at the hotel back then. He had advised Baekhyun to treat Mina well since she had gone through a lot. 

Baekhyun didn’t know what to feel. Was he feeling angry? Upset? Anxious? But, would it have mattered to him what he was feeling? He already put his trust in Mina and the photo was taken so long ago. Would that even matter now?

“I ran into the young man earlier and I wanted to find him to return the picture,” Mr. Kim said, half-lying. He wanted to know who Joohyun was and if he had a purpose of being here. He found it odd for Joohyun to be carrying a picture of him and Mina. 

“How long ago was this? Where did you see him?” Baekhyun questioned, his eyes glued onto Mina. 

“Hours ago. I haven’t seen him since,” Mr. Kim answered then sighed. “He seems to be a friend of Mina, so I’m sure the two have found each other by now.”

Baekhyun perked his head up and thought if the man Mrs. Kim mentioned was Joohyun. He suddenly felt uneasy and wanted to find Mina. 

“I recognize this man, so I’m sure the two are chatting right now,” Baekhyun calmly said with a smile. “If you want, I can return the photo. I’m actually on my way to get Mina anyways.”

Mr. Kim was hesitant, but he had no reason to hold onto the photo or hold Baekhyun back. The only reason he hesitated was because he wanted to know himself what Joohyun’s intentions were of coming to the party tonight and why he had brought the picture. 

Mr. Kim looked at Baekhyun and sighed with a nod. “Please return the photo back to him. I’m sure he’ll be searching for it.”

“I will,” Baekhyun said and left Mr. Kim to stand alone. The older man watched Baekhyun walk away and that unsettling feeling crept back up in his stomach. He wished the night would end without trouble. 

Baekhyun had stepped out of the banquet hall and looked around the lobby for Mina. She wasn’t anywhere in his sight, so he began to worry. 

He pulled out his phone and called her, but she didn’t pick up. Even after calling a second time, she didn’t pick up. 

“Where are you?” he asked no one in particular, his voice desperate and worried. He walked out of the building as the cold hit his skin, but the cold didn’t bother him. He just wanted to find Mina, but she wasn’t outside either. 

Just when he was about to head back into the building, he heard a familiar laugh. He stopped in his track and turned his attention to the laugh. His heart raced as he saw Mina, who was not too far away from him, but far enough for her not to notice him. 

She was laughing and chatting away with Joohyun, who was smoking. Baekhyun looked at the two, seeing that Joohyun’s jacket was covering Mina’s small frame. She was laughing with him and they playfully hit each other. As much as he said he trusted Mina, there was a feeling of hurt and insecurity. 

‘Did she always laugh that easily with other men? Or was it just him?’ he wondered. He swallowed hard and took a step towards them when Joohyun touched Mina’s hair. It wasn’t a friendly gesture. Baekhyun could see that he had a romantic interest in Mina and that angered him. 

Baekhyun frowned and took a few steps towards them, wanting to call out to Mina, when suddenly he hugged Mina. Baekhyun couldn’t believe it. His heart dropped, a hot surge of anger filled his chest, but then anger turned into sadness and confusion as Mina returned the hug. 

Why was she hugging him back, he wondered. What does he mean to her. He had stopped walking the moment he saw the hug, then took a step back. 

‘I won’t think too much about this...I trust Mina.’

His phone buzzed and he slowly pulled out his phone to see Seolhyun calling. He answered the call and turned away from Mina and Joohyun, who had pulled away from one another. 

“Hello?” he answered. 

“Oppa, where are you and Mina?” Seolhyun asked as she was sitting with their parents. 

“Oh, Mina and I took a quick breather. What’s up?” he asked, glancing back to Mina. 

“You guys should come back in. Apparently, Mrs. Kim is going to make a toast before the night ends. We only have a few minutes left before the New Year after all,” she replied and Baekhyun silently sighed. 

“Okay, we’ll be in,” he said and they both hung up. Baekhyun didn’t know if he should interrupt Mina or not, but his feet were already moving towards them. 

 

Mina’s POV~

 

Joohyun and I were having a good time catching up with one another. I didn’t even remember Joohyun being this funny, but then again, I never had much thought or feelings before I met Baekhyun. I was always sad or angry. But, Baekhyun brought the best out of me and I’ve been able to enjoy others a little better. 

“I’m sure your dad would be so proud to see you right now,” Joohyun said with a soft, kind voice. I smiled and agreed with him. Then, he placed his hand on my head, tenderly. “He would have loved to see you in a white dress too. Preferably in a church, walking you down the isle.”

I laughed a little with a bit of sadness and he hugged me. I felt my heart clench and I unknowingly hugged him back. I then pulled away first and looked up at him about to talk some more when I heard my name. 

I turned my head and saw Baekhyun approaching us. I smiled seeing him, but he gave a faint smile. I could tell he was trying to keep his face calm, but something was bothering him. Was it because I was with Joohyun?

Baekhyun looked at me, then to Joohyun. He gave a small bow to Joohyun, then looked back down to me. 

“Hey, we should head back in. Mrs. Kim is going to toast to a New Year and my family is waiting,” he said and I hadn’t realized the time. I pulled out my phone to check the time and noticed I had missed calls from Baekhyun. My phone was on silent, so I didn’t hear or feel my phone buzzing. 

“I’m sorry I missed your call,” I apologized, looking up to Baekhyun, really sorry for missing them. He gave a soft, sweet smile and removed Joohyun’s jacket from my back. The cold hit my skin and I shivered. 

“It’s fine, it wasn’t anything important anyways,” he said and glanced to Joohyun before handing him his jacket back. “I hope you had a good time chatting with an old friend.”

I hugged my body and Baekhyun removed his jacket, placing it over my shoulder. It was nice and warm, his cologne smelt nice too. 

“Yes, it was nice catching up with her,” Joohyun answered. There was a strong, yet calm tone in his voice; something I haven’t heard before. 

“I didn’t ask you,” Baekhyun retorted and wrapped his arm around my waist. “But, I’m glad you had a good time with my fiancée. Now, if you’d excuse us, we’re returning.”

It was a strange atmosphere I felt between the two of them, but before I could say anything, Baekhyun pulled me with him and we made our way back into the building. I sensed something was off with Baekhyun. 

Was he angry with Joohyun? Or, was he angry with me? Should I have not talked to Joohyun?

“Uhm, Baekhyun-“

“No need to explain. I know you were just chatting,” he said as if he had read my mind, but he didn’t sound calm either. I swallowed hard and we eventually made our way into the banquet hall. 

My mother was already making her speech as we wove through the crowded tables towards Baekhyun’s family. Baekhyun let me go and pulled out a seat for me, so I took a seat and he sat next to me. 

“...I want to thank all my sponsors for making tonight possible...,” Mrs. Kim said and I zoned out on her. I don’t know how long it was until I heard something that caught me off guard. It was just me; Baekhyun and his family were just as confused. 

“I would like to bring my daughter, Mina, and Byun Baekhyun up to the stage really quick,” she announced and I looked at him, confused. He didn’t know what was happening either, but he knew it was better to get up now than to keep everyone waiting, especially since the night was coming to an end. 

He stood up first and I followed him, avoiding everyone’s gaze and attention. I really hated unnecessary attention. 

We made our way up the stage and stood beside Mrs. Kim as she looked at us with a fake smile, then turned to the audience. 

“Many of you may not know or recognize her, but this is my daughter, Mina. Lovely, isn’t she?” Mrs. Kim smiled and I felt a sense of anxiety creep up my throat. “And the handsome young man beside her is Byun Baekhyun, the current CEO of Byun Group.”

I didn’t like where this was going. I glanced up at Baekhyun, who looked stiff. I could see sweat forming at his forehead. 

“I would like to officially announce that my daughter and Baekhyun are engaged and will be getting married,” she said and I widened my eyes. There was a loud applause from the crowd and I looked at her in shock. 

When was this discussed to publicly announce are engagement? Did Baekhyun’s parents agree to this?

I looked to the crowd and looked at their reaction. They were just as surprised; their eyes wide open and their mouths hanging low. I then looked to Baekhyun and he was slightly frowning. He felt it too; sensing that she was up to something. 

“If the couple would say a few words before the night ends,” Mrs. Kim said and I felt my face go pale. This wasn’t right. This definitely didn’t feel right. 

“Anyone?”

Baekhyun slowly made his way to the microphone stand and cleared his throat. 

“Thank you for announcing our engagement; we had hoped to announce this news at a more appropriate time, but it seemed this was the right time,” he said and looked over to me, then back out to the audience. “We’re still young and learning how to go through life together as partners, but we are happy and can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together. Thank you.”

A round of applause and Mrs. Kim looked at me with a grin. “Mina? Would you like to say a few words?”

I felt a sweat form and I didn’t want to speak. I hate public speaking. 

“I believe it’s best to keep it short with me. The night is almost over and we should be celebrating the New Year to come,” Baekhyun said, saving me and I felt relieved. I smiled at him as he smiled back and he grabbed my hand, leading me off the stage when Mrs. Kim spoke. 

“Let us congratulate the couple once again!” she beamed and there was another applause, but then the lights suddenly turned off. There was a commotion to the sudden power outage. I tightened my grip around Baekhyun’s hand as he did too. 

Suddenly, the lights turned back on and there was a photo projected on the wide, white wall. I felt my heart drop and it felt as if my soul had left my body as I looked at the picture in plain view of everyone in the room. I felt sick in the stomach and my heart raced; it hurt. 

“What is this?”

“Oh my goodness!”

“It can’t be!”

“What the?”

Exclaims and gasps were heard throughout the room as all eyes had seen what I saw. A picture of me, sleeping in a bed with Joohyun, who was half . I was wrapped in a blanket, messy hair and smear makeup. It was clear that I was too...but, that wasn’t me. That can’t be me! But, it was clearly my face.

“W-What is the meaning of this? Who did this?!” Mrs. Kim shrieked at the picture and looked around the room. “Security! Someone! Take this down!”

“No...no...,” I whispered, feeling my eyes burn with tears. I felt Baekhyun’s hand squeeze mine and he blocked my view. “That’s not me.”

“Let’s go,” he whispered and dragged me behind him, but I couldn’t even feel my feet moving. I couldn’t even feel his warm hands anymore. Nothing was making sense now. 

“What a .”

“She’s using him for his money.”

“Oh my, she can’t be that kind of woman.”

“Poor girl.”

“Take down the photo! Someone!” I heard a faint voice, but I couldn’t tell who it was. I couldn’t see anyone as my tears blurred my vision. 

“I’ll sue whoever did this to you,” I could faintly hear Baekhyun’s voice. What face was he making? I can’t see it....

We reached the exit when Baekhyun stopped in his track and I bumped into his back. I looked passed his arm and saw Joohyun standing there. Even his face was blurred out, but I could see that he was staring at me. 

“Give me back, Mina,” I heard Joohyun say. 

“You’re the one behind this, aren’t you?” Baekhyun firmly asked through clenched teeth. 

“Doesn’t matter, she was mine first as you can see,” he smirked and walked towards us. “You stole her from me.”

I frowned and pulled my hand away from Baekhyun. 

“Joohyun, what’s the meaning of this?” I managed to say, but I cried as I spoke those words. “Why are you doing this?”

He paused, then said, “It’s because I loved you first.”

Numerous gasps and whispers were heard. I couldn’t process what he was saying at all. 

“You were mine from the beginning, Mina. I love you, but he took you away from me,” Joohyun said with tears in his eyes. He was never one to cry. “All because he had the money.”

“What the hell are you saying?!” Baekhyun shouted and Joohyun smirked. 

“You’re only marrying her to benefit your company. You don’t love her,” he taunted and Baekhyun grabbed Joohyun’s collar. I gasped and tried to pull Baekhyun back. All eyes were on us, even phones were pulled out to take photos and videos. 

“Let’s just go, Baekhyun. Please,” I begged, but Baekhyun held tightly onto Joohyun’s collar. 

“Are you angry because I slept with her first? There were many more before you, you know,” Joohyun smirked and Baekhyun held back everything he could. 

“I’ll sue you for what you’ve done. I won’t let you off so easily,” Baekhyun said in a stern tone and Joohyun managed to pull himself away my Baekhyun’s grip. 

I tired to hold onto Baekhyun’s arm when I was pulled away from him. I fell into Joohyun’s embrace and I looked up at him in shock and a little scared. This wasn’t the Joohyun I remembered. 

“Get away from me. Why are you-“

He kissed me. Joohyun kissed me on the lips. 

I pulled away and slapped him as I cried. All of sudden, Baekhyun was on top of Joohyun, punching him. I didn’t see how it happened, it was so quick and sudden. 

“Baekhyun!” I heard his parents shout and security was pulling the two apart. I froze, watching it all happen. 

“Beat me all you want! Just know, she and I had that night!” Joohyun shouted as security dragged him away. “I have more proof!”

He reached into his shirt and threw a bunch of photos into the air and they spread out onto the floor. I felt my heart stop along with my breathing as I looked at the photos on the floor. 

Security was quick to pick them up before anyone else could see them and I dropped to my knees and cried, staring at all the photos that were being picked up. 

None of those photos were real, but they felt real. As if I had been exposed for something I never did. I felt like a part of me had broken...no...all of me had broken. 

“Let’s go,” I heard a security guard say to Baekhyun and I saw them drag Baekhyun away. I stood up and ran after them. 

“No, please, don’t take him! He did nothing wrong!” I shouted after them and I was held back by another guard. “Please!”

I wasn’t the only one being held back, his whole family was. I did this...this was all my fault. Baekhyun was being taken away because of me...Mr. and Mrs. Byun’s son was publicly humiliated because of me...Seolhyun’s brother was now seen as an aggressive person because of me. I ruined his reputation...I ruined his family. 

“Don’t take him away, please,” I cried and felt my legs grow weak. Somehow had held me up and I looked up to see Mr. Kim holding me. I didn’t think much and cried to him. “Help him! Please, I’m begging you.”

“Shh, I’ll do what I can,” Mr. Kim comforted. “I have someone with a car waiting for you all. Leave through the back door and get home safely.”

The crowd had gotten bigger and Mr. Kim had one of his people take me and the Byun family away from the scene. We got in the car and the person drove us back to the Byun residence. They had stepped out, but I stayed in the car. 

“Mina, stay the night with us,” Mrs. Kim suggested. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were red from crying. 

I couldn’t face her...I was too ashamed. 

“You should stay with us tonight,” Mr. Byun also suggested and reached his hand out to me, but I remained silent. “Mina, Baekhyun will worry.”

Just hearing his name made me cry again. Mr. Byun carefully grabbed my hand and led me out of the car and into the house. As soon as we got in, I excused myself and went into a guest room to cry. 

 

Baekhyun’s POV~

 

I sat alone in a private room at the police station and couldn’t get the image out of my head. Mina, laying in a bed with Joohyun, possibly . But, I didn’t believe it. The pictures were somehow altered, I knew that very well, but there was still this unsettling feeling in my chest. It hurt.

I heard the door click open and turned my attention to the door, seeing an officer walk in. 

“No charges were filed against you,” the officer sighed and opened the door wide for me. “You’re free to leave tonight.”

“Really?” I questioned and he nodded, gesturing me to leave with a head jerk. I stood up from my seat and walked out of the room, led by a female officer. She took me to the front entrance and there stood Mr. Kim. I sighed seeing him and lowered my gaze. 

“I was getting ready to bail you out,” he said and I knew it was a joke to lighten up the mood, but I wasn’t feeling it. He sighed, “I’ll send you home. Your family is waiting.”

I nodded and followed him out the door to his car. We sat in his car and he handed me an ointment. 

“Apply this on your hand. I’m sure your fist is aching, this’ll soothe it,” he said and I hadn’t realized it til now, but my hand was hurting. I opened the bottle and applied it. I looked at the clock and it was already 1 in the morning. So much for a happy New Year. 

“Why are you the one picking me up?” I asked, staring out the window. 

“Mina had asked me to help you,” he answered and my heart broke hearing her name. She must be so scared right now. 

“How is she?” I asked. There was a short pause before he spoke, “I don’t know myself. I had a driver send them home and haven’t heard since then.”

“Is she with my parents?” I asked, worried about her. 

“From what I was told, she is,” he answered. “I talked to your father a while ago before you were released. Mina hasn’t come out of the guest room.”

That pained me even more. How could Joohyun do such a thing to break her down? What did he gain out of it? Did he really love her first?

“Your parents are waiting for you right now,” he added. That, I figured myself. They were worried, I understood that.

Throughout the car ride, I had many thoughts and emotions. Like why this was happening. What Mina was thinking and feeling; I hoped she didn’t blame herself for this. And, I thought about what would happen to us now? With so much “evidence”, I know many would try to change up the story and defame me and my family. I would rather they spoke badly of me than of Mina.

When we reached my parent’s house, I saw the lights to the living room on. They’re definitely still up and waiting for me. 

Mr. Kim didn’t come inside and so I walked in alone and my mother hugged me the moment she saw me. She cried against my chest. 

“I was so worried about you,” she said through her cries and I hugged her back tightly. 

“I’m sorry,” I quietly said and rubbed her back. 

“Please, don’t do something like that again. I don’t want to lose you to something you could’ve held back,” she said and I nodded. 

“I won’t do that anymore,” I said and kissed the top of her head, then looked to my father. His face was a mixture of disappointment, concern, and relief. 

He came over and hugged the both of us. 

“I’m just glad there was nothing serious against you,” he said and patted my head. “But, we’re going to have to do something about the news reports when they come out. I know they’ll try to do something to ruin you.”

“I know, but let’s not talk about that right now. I’m exhausted and I really want to see Mina,” I said, extremely worried about her. They were understanding and let me go. “Thank you for waiting for my return. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

They nodded and I made my way towards the guest bedroom. I stood in front of the door and deeply inhaled and exhaled. I knocked on the door and announced that I was going in. 

The room was pitch black and I reached for the light switch, turning it on. I expected to see Mina in bed, but the bed was empty. My heart raced and I checked the connecting bathroom, she wasn’t in there either. 

“Mina?” I called out, but of course, no answer. I pulled out my phone and called her, but I could hear her phone buzzing on the nights stand. “No....”

I ran out the room and my parents were still in the living room, chatting; possibly about me, but I didn’t worry about that. 

“Did you see Mina leave?” I frantically asked. They exchanged looks and shook their heads. 

“No. We were here the whole time, we didn’t see her leave at all,” my father said standing up along with my mother. “What’s wrong?”

“She’s not in the room,” I said, feeling my heart race, scared and anxious. They gasped and we searched the whole house, Seolhyun soon joining us as she couldn’t sleep either. 

“She’s not upstairs,” Seolhyun said, worried. 

“She’s not out in the garden either,” my mother nearly cried. 

“I’ll call Mr. Kim and ask if he’s seen her,” my father said, already dialing him. It hasn’t even been an hour since I came home and everything was already a chaotic. 

I pulled on my jacket and opened the front door. 

“I’m heading back to the apartment, maybe she snuck out and went back there,” I said and they nodded, letting me go. 

I took my father’s car back to the apartment, driving as fast I could, and once I got there, I flung the door open and was welcomed by silence. 

“Mina?” I called out and the living room lights. I heard Bacon’s collar jingle as I had awoken him from his sleep. He got off his bed and trotted over to me. I kneeled down and petted him, but seeing him by himself was a sign that she wasn’t here. She would never leave him alone if she was home. But, I didn’t want to lose hope and opened out bedroom door. 

“Mina, are you in here?” I asked and the lights. No sign of her. 

My heart dropped at the sight of an empty bed. She didn’t bring her phone with, no traces, not even a note of goodbye. But, was this her goodbye? Or, did she take a break for herself for everything that had happened with the “” photos of her and another man who claims to love her? 

I walked over to her side of the bed and sat down. I brushed my fingers against the soft bedding and felt something wet fall down my cheek. 

“Where are you?” I whispered and plopped down, my head hitting her favorite pillow. “I just hope you’re safe and not hurting....”

 

*****

 

It’s been a week...a whole week since I’ve last seen Mina. No contact. No information on her whereabouts. Nothing. 

News about my assault spread like wildfire the moment morning hit that night. Mina’s affair was the new gossip among the wives of businessmen. Many speculated I bought Mina with money; others believed it was a hoax for attention. My name was everywhere...newspapers, television, and social media. Photos of Mina’s scandal was shown, her face blurred out along with Joohyun’s, but no one from the party could erase her face from the pictures. Mina’s face was illegally used in an act she never committed and that angered me. 

Some sponsors and investors terminated our contracts with them. My project in Japan was put on hold due to lack of funding. I felt lost and hopeless. I was stressed and even a little depressed. What was left of me? What was left for my family that I involuntarily dragged into this mess with me? Where was Mina, when she and I needed each other the most at our vulnerable times? How much was she hurting right now? Is she eating well at least? I don’t know...I don’t know anymore. I just really needed her right now and she left without a word. I was hurting too. 

I was alone in my office and stared out the window at the horizon; the sun setting, revealing shades of what looked like cotton candy. I haven’t been able to sleep or eat properly. I was too stressed and overwhelmed with fake news reports. 

I had Secretary Moon do what he can to get rid of rumors and news, which I’m grateful to him for helping me. He did a good job, but someone else had the upper hand in this game, so the news would reappear. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kim even offered their help and managed to get a lot of the media outlets to remove their news, but what does that do when it’s already been put out there? When people have already seen it and had the time to create their own opinions of my life?

I’m exhausted. It’s only been three days and I’m exhausted. 

I deeply sighed and lowered my head before looking back up to the horizon. I grabbed my coat and keys, leaving my office for the evening. I decided to stop at a tent house restaurant to grab a light dinner and to drink my emotions and thoughts away. Since no one was home, I had no reason to go back for dinner. I left Bacon with my family to care for, for the time being. 

I don’t know how long I had been there for, but hours had gone by I’m sure. The sun was already gone and the moon lit up the night sky.  The air was colder, but my drunken self warmed my body up. My mind was boggled up and I felt myself nodding to sleep. 

“Excuse me, sir? Are you alright? Shall I call for a cab?” the owner asked. She was an elderly woman, looked just like my grandma. 

I smiled up at her and slurred, “I’m alright, grandma. I’m just a little tired. That’s, that’s all.”

I could see a distorted frown on her face and I snickered as if it was funny. 

“You’re not okay at all young man. Let me see your phone and tell me who to call to pick you up,” she said, stretching a hand out for my phone. I willingly gave her my phone. 

“You can call my fiancée, she won’t come,” I said as if making sense. 

“Do I call her or not?” the owner asked, sounding a little impatient. 

“Yes...or, yes,” I lightly laughed, then hiccuped. She sighed and crossed her arms. 

“Look, if you’re going to behave this way, then I might have to call the police to assist you. I don’t have time for this,” she grumbled and I frantically shook my head. 

“No, no, not the police! I’ve already seen them, I don’t want to see them again,” I begged and she pulled out her phone. “Fine! I’ll go! I’ll go! Just don’t call the police!”

“Go after you pay the bill,” she said and I gave her my credit card. Soon enough, I was wandering the streets, stumbling here and there. I hummed a tune as I could barely tell what was the sidewalk and what was not, but my mind wasn’t in the right place. 

Just then, I heard a car honk at me and I looked in their direction, ready to pick a fight. But, I saw a familiar man and gave a crooked smile. 

“Secretary Moon! What a surprise to see you here!” I beamed and he jogged up to me, holding me up. “Man, am I glad to see you. How did you know I was here?”

“You had called me not too long ago. You must not remember considering the state you’re in,” he said. He sounded hot for some reason, like a real bodyguard that isn’t a bodyguard, but a secretary. I’d date him if I was a woman, but he’s already married with kids. Bummer. 

“Come, I’ll send you home. We don’t want to cause anymore trouble,” he whispered and I followed him to the car. 

“I like trouble though,” I said as he dragged me to the backseat. If anyone saw, they’d probably think I was being kidnapped. 

“No. You don’t. Now, let’s get you home,” he firmly said and shoved me into the car. He got in and drove off. 

I don’t know what had happened after that because I knocked out. Next thing I knew, I was in bed with a really bad hangover, but the sun wasn’t even up yet. Also, it was only 4 in the morning, I slept for 5 hours. 

I was thirsty for water, so I got out of bed, stumbled a bit with a groan, then proceeded to the bedroom door. I opened the door and saw the kitchen light on; Secretary Moon probably left it on for me just in case. 

I didn’t think much of it and headed towards the kitchen when I saw a woman standing there with her back faced to me. I jumped and let out a shout. She flinched and turned around with wide eyes. 

My heart stopped and I felt it go through a course of emotions. 

“Mina.”

 

Mina’s POV~

 

My heart raced seeing Baekhyun. I haven’t seen him for a week and I missed him; I missed him so much. I felt a surge of emotions well in my chest as he stared at me in disbelief, like I was an illusion. 

“Mina,” he sweetly said my name and I felt a stab in my chest. “Is that really you?”

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and gave a faint smile, “Yes, it’s really me.”

He ran up to me and pulled me into his embrace. He felt cold and thin. He reeked of alcohol and his body trembled in my arms. What did I put him through for him to be like this. 

“I...I missed you so much,” he said, his voice trembling. I felt his hot tears on the side of my neck. My heart broke knowing he was crying because I left on my own; left him without a word. I broke his heart when it should have been mine to break. 

He buried his face deep into the gap between my neck and shoulder as I patted his head with one hand and rubbed his back with the other. 

“I missed you too, Baekhyun,” I calmly said. My eyes welled up in tears and soon they fell too. “I’m sorry I left without saying anything. I worried you, didn’t I?”

“Of course you did!” he said, almost like a child who was lost, then found again. “I thought you were saying goodbye for good. I was scared I lost you.”

I swallowed hard and hugged him around the waist. 

“I’m really sorry,” I apologized. “I am guilty and wrong for what I did.”

“I thought about you day and night,” he said and sniffled. “I was hurting...I needed you.”

I quietly cried and slowly pulled away from him. His eyes were red as tears flowed down his cheek. His nose was red cute. 

I cupped his face with my hands and wiped his tears away with my thumbs. 

“I’m sorry I hurt you...that’s all I ever do, is hurt you,” I said, looking up into his eyes. “I never meant to hurt you, yet I still left knowing how much it would hurt you. But, I needed to leave. I just...had to.”

“Why?” he asked with a frown. 

“There were things I needed to figure out, not just for me, but for us,” I said and pulled his head down closer to me, our foreheads touching. “I blamed myself for everything that had happened and I was ashamed, but I know the truth of who I was before I met you. I know who I was and what I did when I was with Joohyun during those times. I needed to know who framed me to tear me apart, to bury your reputation down, to break us apart.”

I deeply exhaled through my nose and wrapped my arms around his neck. 

“I also know what kind of person Joohyun is, so I had a feeling he was threatened into what he did that night,” I said with a frown while still looking into Baekhyun’s eyes. “So, that night, I decided to leave. But, I was just so angry, confused, and upset that I left without a word. My feet moved on their own and before I knew it, I was back at the hotel without my phone or without a plan. I made it to that hotel, the one that started everything.”

Baekhyun seemed to have understood what I was saying and he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close to his body, our foreheads still touching each other’s. 

“You could have at least called from the hotel or had someone send a message throughout the whole week you disappeared instead of worrying me and my family,” he said, still upset. 

“I’m sorry,” I apologized once again. I didn’t know what to say to him because he was right. I could have contacted them one way or another, but I chose not to. 

Suddenly, the real reason why I came back home came to my mind. I didn’t know how to break it to Baekhyun. He could either be understanding and accept it...or, I could end up hurting him again. That’s the last thing I want to do right now. I hate seeing him cry because of me. 

I bit my lower lip and lowered my gaze. He could sense something was wrong and he followed my gaze, trying to meet my eyes. 

“What’s wrong?” he asked and I looked at him. “Why are you making that face?”

My heart raced with anxiety. I didn’t want him to hate me. 

“Baekhyun,” I quietly said his name with a tender voice. He winced at his name as if it was painful to hear me say his name with such a voice. I could see the anxiety in his eyes as they trembled. 

“I love you,” I said and he furrowed his brows. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Mina,” he said, worried and I could feel the desperate love in his voice. “But, please, tell me what’s wrong.”

I pressed my lips tightly together and felt my heart clench painfully. If I hold it in any longer, it’ll only hurt more, so I built the courage to say. 

“Let’s end this.”