31 | Confessions

***

"... Because of that... " Yoona sighs as she weakly let go of her cousin while her tears are dropping sadly once again. She felt suffocating with her own tears. It's just unbearable pain for her part. "... She's... she's afraid... to fall for someone... she couldn't open her heart... someone else." she hangs her head down and sobs quietly. "I'm trying my best to help her... get over it... but I don't know... if I'm... doing it even right... until I realize... this will only end... if you tell her everything." Her chock on her own words as she slowly lifted up her head and looked into her cousin's eyes, painfully. "Tell her, tell her everything that caused you to break up with her. I know there are more reasons there. Because I think... it may help her... it may help her to accept that you and her are done. And that can't be bring back anymore. Please tell her, Yuri. Because I swear, while she's still hurting, you still have a space in her heart."

Stunned, Yuri barely could process the words her cousin had let out. "C-come again?" She wasn't all aware of that, not until Yoona told her. She missed everything about Seohyun, didn't she? And she's like the worse ex-girlfriend to be such a jerk to only think of her own happiness while someone is hurting out there.

"I may not be on her worse nightmare when you broke up with her, but I can still sense it... she's still hurting... I saw it earlier, when you guys were in one table... I hope I'm wrong but I can sense that she's hurting watching her best friend...for having you instead of her." Yoona sniffles and wipes her tears away. "And it pains me... so much. Just for her please... give her a chance to be happy too."

Yuri bit her lower lip, suppressing the tears on her eyes to fell. She couldn't say a word. She looked down in shame as she felt more than bad herself. "I was too oblivious that she had been hurting. I'm sorry... I didn't know."

"Now you know, will you do me the favor?" Yoona got frustrated.

"I couldn't do that." Yuri looked back again to her cousin. "I believe it's not me... but it's you, Yoona. If you love her, don't give up. I'm sure in time, she will forget about me. It's been years either-"

"But she needs closure Yuri... do you understand me? Or don't you even understand her situation?"

"I do of course!"

"Then consider her feelings." Yoona firmly said breathlessly, determined with her words.

"How am I supposed to do that if she's even avoiding me? She hates me so much; can't you see that also? It's also hurting me, Im Yoona." Yuri countered. "You-You can't just force her to forgive me, can you?"

"So, you choose to ignore her?" Yoona did not liked what she heard and she couldn't take but shouted. "And focus on yourself? That's too selfish of you."

"You don't understand. I care for her still and-"

"Then give at least an effort if you still care for her! You can't do it in one go, babo! Consider her feelings, that's not a hard thing to do." Yoona shouted frustratingly. "I know you are busy with your own love life right now but you can't be happy while someone is out there... in pain and still hasn't forgotten everything you've done. If you can't do that, then I'm telling everyone outside!" she threatened at the end and attempted to leave the comfort room, only to be blocked by her cousin.

"Okay, okay, okay, I'll do what you're telling me. Just don't announce it there. I can tell Jessica myself, no need to announce it publicly!" Yuri got triggered and she almost immediately made a deal with Yoona. "Relax, will you? I'll fixed whatever I have with Seohyun, but don't you ever think of telling Jessica first, because I can do it myself! Understand?"

Yoona looked down to her cousin's hand then to her eyes, glaring at her. "Should I... believe you now?" Couldn't yet be convinced.

"I'm serious." Yuri seriously and confidently replied. "I'm sorry about it... but now that I am aware, I hope it's not yet too late for this. I want to trust you also and I'm thankful actually that you're not leaving her alone, she needs you the most right now."

Yoona chuckles sarcastically, couldn't almost believe it's her cousin saying those words when she was just arguing wigh her earlier. But she wasn't even blinking and not putting her hand down. She's really serious. "Fine." So, she took her hand and held it. "I'll trust you, but if you don't-"

"You have my word." Yuri interrupted with sincere smile plastered on her face, earning a smile back from her cousin.

-

Yoona had been quiet while eating her dinner since she took back her seat. Seohyun felt the need to speak whiile watching her but she keeps on having second thoughts because she might disturb the doe-eyed and she might not like it. She doesn't know why but she should be careful.

"Wae?" Unfortunately, it was Yoona who noticed Seohyun had been quiet since she took her seat back next to her. She was too into her own world that she wasn't aware the younger is also lost on her own world. "Penny of your thoughts?" So, she decided to be the one breaking their silence on their own table.

"I... do you want to dance?" Seohyun suddenly ask when the song suddenly changes and she smiled foolishly.

"Yes?" Yoona is flustered as she didn't expect to hear it instead. She turned her head to the dance floor that was now filling up with couples. She raises her brows when she realized Yuri and Jessica is nowhere to be found, upon landing her eyes to their table that's empty. She turned to the younger with a confuse look "Are you sure? I mean, it's a couple dance and-"

"Why do you have to ask me always about that." Seohyun however is not joking around. She stood up and grab the doe-eyed's arm to pull her up on her feet.

"Wait." Yoona tried to stopped her but she keeps on dragging her until they were at the dance floor together with couple guests. She smiled amusingly at her. "What's up with you?"

Seohyun pouted as she put her arms on the deer's shoulders. "I'm just happy to be with you tonight." Her smile reappears.

"Re... really?" Yoona slowly put her hands on the younger girl's waist. "You did not feel any boredom? I mean earlier I wasn't-"

"Besides your performance, little chitchat with your parents and the other surprise performances from the singers, this night is great because I was able to catch up and spend time with my best friend I haven't seen for a while. I appreciate it so much... and Thank you for that." Seohyun sincerely replied and she pecked on Yoona's cheeks, smiling cutely.

Yoona's heart flutters as her cheek’s blushes too hard. 'That was the first time she... kissed my cheek... didn't she?' She thought as she could only smile like a fool. She suddenly felt like it's the first time someone kissed and it felt like she's on top of the world. If she can only scream, she probably has done that, but she remained calm. "I'm... happy." she whispers and couldn't help but pull the latter close so she could hug her.

"I didn't expect this night... to be honest. But truly, I love being with you more than anyone else right now." Seohyun tightens her hug on Yoona and smiled in contentment while her eyes close slowly. It's been a while since she went for a date and be with someone who is capturing her heart. She takes it for granted. She wanted to enjoy the night before it lasts.

"My pleasure." Whispered Yoona, softly. She thought being away from the younger for at least half an hour, she will be scolded, but nope, she doesn't bother. And she loved it. Since Yuri's encounter, she had been hopeful for what's ahead of them. She wanted to trust the process.

"Your parents must be the happiest right now."

"Hmm?"

"Because tonight is not just their anniversary, it's the reunion of your family." Seohyun explains as she glances to Mr. and Mrs. Im, who are both watching them with smiles on their faces. She smiled at them back, flattered because they're also welcoming towards her.

"Yeah... " Yoona couldn't agree more.

Slightly pulling back from the hug, Seohyun suggested; "You should catch up with them after this. I mean, go home with them tonight."

"What? Wha-what about you? We're going together." Yoona is surprised.

"Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself." Seohyun smiled reassuringly.

"Are you kidding me?" Chuckled Yoona in disbelief. "The stalker is still out there, we can't be careless, Seohyun-ah." and defends her side.

Blinking a couple of times as she thought of the stalker, she saw the last time, Seohyun couldn't think of anything to insist her suggestion. "I-Indeed."

"Don't worry about me, tomorrow, I'm planning to have lunch with them... so we're going home together, okay?"

Seohyun giggles. "That's more like it." And they resumed their dance as everyone around them are one by one leaving the floor.

-

Pulling the car over under the Han River bridge, Yuri turned to face the blonde who had been quiet as her since they left the event. She doesn't want them to leave earlier but she felt like it's the best thing to do after she learned everything from her cousin. And she felt she needs to tell Jessica already, so it will end tonight, even though she's uncertain how will Jessica reacts. Either way, she'll know whether she likes it or not.

"Now... what?" Jessica crosses her arms and turned to vaguely looked at her girlfriend in the eyes. She had been patiently waiting for her to say something since she brought her out of the ballroom. She tried to stop her but she refused and somehow, she thinks there must be a reason. "What is this about?" She doesn't have any idea but she could feel it's something serious.

"Let's have some fresh air first." Yuri said as she smiled sweetly and unbuckled the blonde's seat belt her own then stepped out of the car. Before she can open the door for her, she was already out of the car.

Jessica walks to the hood of the car and sits down casually. She patted the space next to her and the tan girl complied.

"Don't look at me like that please." said Yuri as she pouts.

"You brought me here without giving me any reasons and we did not even tell Yoona and Seohyun about our early leave... Especially her parents... isn't that rude?" Jessica mocks the tan girl. She's quite frustrated now that they arrived at their destination.

Yuri sighs and turned to face the river before them. "Well, I was just gathering some courage while on the way, so please understand. And about Yoona's parents, I already told them before I announced this to you."

"Courage?" Jessica's eyebrows rose as she got curious and anxious at the same time. "What do you mean?"

Yuri turned to face the blonde. She slowly reached for her two hands without breaking their intent gazes. "Promise me you will not judge me right away."

Jessica's heart skips a beat the moment she heard it, giving her goosebumps in an instant. "O... okay. I will." she softly uttered. She's bracing herself quietly, thinking it might really be something that will surprise her.

Yuri briefly looked down to their hands as she braces herself and open to confess the secret she had been keeping since she learned Seohyun is girlfriend's best friend. "Do you remember me mentioning that I have an ex-girlfriend?"

"Yeah... " Jessica simply replied. 'Is this about that past of her? Otoke... ' And she started to get nervous.

Yuri is quiet for a couple of seconds until she finds her voice again. "I met her again."

"And?" The blonde can feel her sweats starting to form on her forehead.

"It was as simple... because... " Swallowing a heavy lump under , she continued. "... It's because I found out... she's the best friend of the person I am in love right now... "

Jessica did not catch it right away. It took at least a couple of seconds before it finally hits her. "S-Seohyun... " And it suddenly becomes hard to breath. "She's... she's your... you're... my best friend's... e... ex?" Then her mind flashes back the time she saw her best friend cried so much every time she remembers that ex of her. And the fact that her ex broke up with her after their long-distance relationship suddenly pains her. "So, you are the one... who returned from somewhere just to broke her heart?" She couldn't help but mock her but to also confirm if she's hearing it right.

Yuri looked down in shame but nodded to confirm nevertheless. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I hope you don't get mad-"

"Wow, this is too... absurd." Jessica is totally in disbelief. She looked away from the girl and process everything and at the same time, trying to understand. It's her best friend and Yuri, the person who had recently been giving her extra happiness apparently.

However, it’s suddenly not easy for her to comprehend the truth. She doesn't know if she will give the tan girl what she's asking for, knowing the fact that her ex-girlfriend is her best friend that she broke years ago.

"Jessica... where are you going?" Yuri tried to call the blonde when the latter started walking away unconsciously. "J-Jess... wait... " But she wasn't listening nor did she responded, that she decided to follow her close. "I know you must be mad right now but to tell you, it's hard and complicated for my part. I swear, it’s not my intention to keep this until tonight... I just think it's the right time for you to know... And I'm sincerely sorry for it, and for what I have done to your best friend. Please... listen to me." she tried to beg but Jessica fastens her walk like she's on a hurry for something. She instantly copies her and tried her best to stop her, but just as she reached the side of the road, she stopped, turned and show how much tears are now flowing from her eyes. She steps back, stunned and hurt. "Jessica, I'm sorry." As she apologized.

"I told myself back then that I will punch and kick that person who broke my best friend's heart until she loses her breath... " Jessica said while sniffling and trying her best to stand still. It's hurting her so much, to actually learn that the person she loves is the one who hurt her best friend. It's hard to accept. "And now that I know... I feel like It's me who is losing its breath. It's me who is having a hard time right here... Because I love you Kwon Yuri! I love you so much! But it hurts for me to think... Because Seohyun, she's such a precious friend of mine... I love her too that I don't want to see her hurt or make her think I am betraying here... It's... It's suffocating me. So please, I beg you, leave me alone..." she ended it with a wipe of her own tears before she crosses the road and before Yuri could catch up, she held a cab, leaving her alone.

Yuri almost loses her balance if it wasn't for the bench nearby, as she takes all the pain she has right now as a punishment for everything she did from the past. It's all her fault and there's no way it’s going to be easy road for her, now that the truth has unveiled.

***

Having never been able to wake up as early as previously, one doe-eyed feels like she had a hangover since last night's party with her restaurant staff. Since the night of her parents' anniversary, the party never stop for her. She had to attend two parties after that and the recent one is with her restaurant staffs because one of them had a birthday.

Making her way out of the room while holding her head, she can already smell the aroma from the coffee. Her lips curved into a smile as she expectantly made her way to the dining table, just to see it empty, except for the breakfast being prepared on top of the table. She looked around, as if she can see the person on her mind. "I thought she doesn't like going out first?" She casually approached the table and took her seat, finding a folded letter next to the table napkin. She just unfolded it and read the small letter.

I wasn't able to tell you that I have an early meeting.

So I decided to cook for you before I go. Just your favorite breakfast meals. Hehehe.

It's always you who does this so let me turn the table :))

By the way, don't forget to drink the coffee, it's especially made by the prettiest owner of Two Fools cafe.

Huggie, I've also brought her with me so I could walk her around. Anyway, I'll see you later.

- xoxo Seohyun

Yoona's heart is fluttering while her face is brighter than earlier. It's the first time she's going to eat breakfast alone since Seohyun moved to her apartment. Instead of feeling sad, she's happy and is looking forward to see the younger girl again. Just then, she heard her doorbell rang. She casually took the paper and put it inside the pocket of her pajama pants before she went to check who's outside.

"What is she doing here?" She wasn't expecting to see Yuri but she opens the door nonetheless and let her in. "Hey-"

"Have you cooked any food?" Yuri interrupted as she only passes at her cousin and went straight to search for food.

Yoona followed and immediately pushed her cousin away just as she was about to have a bite of her food. "Don't touch this! It's mine! Go