#np Bolbbalgan's Tell Me You Love Me

2018

I can’t help but to choke on air when I read Wonho’s text that morning. So, everyone in my father’s law firm already knew about us? I mean, how? The both of us only knew about this wedding just a couple days ago. Could it be…

Both of my parents are having their breakfast when I rush towards the dining room.

“Appa – “

“Morning Bona baby, come have breakfast with us.” He speaks while munching his toast. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself after the running and sit beside my father.

“Appa, Omma, Wonho Oppa told me everyone in the firm already knows about our arrangement.”

“Yes, I told one of my friends. Well, I guess the news spread so fast, right Yeobo?” He answers with a smile to my mother, as if he has done nothing wrong.

Again, I inhale deeply and breathe out. It’s time to tell them the truth.

“Appa, both of us actually don’t want this.”

He suddenly freezes and looks down on his plate. As if he has already lost his appetite, he weakly put his toast onto his small plate.

“I’m already old, Bona. Can you do what I ask you this once? It’s already hard when you left my side for 8 years. Can you make my heart feel at ease just this once?” He says and let out a few coughs. “Besides, Wonho’s parents called and told me he already agrees on this.”

“Eh?! Really?”

My eyes widen when I heard my father’s words. I just can’t believe this. We just talked about finding a way out of this last night but it turns out that Wonho has agreed on this?

What is going on, really?

“Let’s have a family dinner and we can decide on everything, right after Wonho’s parents came back to Korea. We’ll decide on the date, place and all. I hope it’ll be quick since I’m afraid if something awful will happen to me…”

“Appa..!”

Seriously, I hate this. The talks about his death. Tears already trickles in my eyes, what a bad way to start my morning.

“Aigoo Bona, don’t cry…” Now, it’s my mother who speaks but strangely, the tears fell when she said those words.

I cried like a small child.

*

No wonder why I was acting so emotional before, it’s my time of the month and now this cramp’s killing me. I let out a deep sigh and stare at the people who are walking past the small convenient store. It’s cold outside and I notice the leaves start to turn yellow. I can’t go back home yet. Letting the painkiller that I bought before to work its magic, I rest my chin onto the table and continue to stare through the transparent glass.

But then, my phone in my pocket vibrates. My stomach hurts even more when I read the caller’s ID.

“Oh, W-Wonho-ssi.”

Gosh, I hate this stupid habit.

“You’ve read my message right?”

“Y-Yeah.” I answer and lean forward while having my other free hand on my tummy. This cramp is getting worse.

“I’m sorry it turned out like this. I’ll find a way –“

“I-Is it true you agreed on this, Wonho-ssi?” I cut his words when I remembered what my father said this morning. “My dad told me you told your parents that you agreed to this arrangement.”

“Eh?! Me?!”

I jerk a bit at his sudden outburst.

“Sorry. I was just shocked.” I can hear him sigh. “Where are you now? Home?”

“Oh. W-Why?”

“Let’s meet, I’ll tell you about it. It’s lunch hour soon. I’ll buy you food.”

No, not now. Not when I’m having this stupid cramp.

“C-Can you just t-tell me now? I-I’m not feeling w-well.”

“Really? Okay. Let’s just talk after the dinner. My parents are coming back this weekend.”

Well, it seems that he has also been informed about our family dinner. He hung up soon after and I just can’t help but to slam my forehead onto the table. Somehow, I’m feeling a bit disappointed because we couldn’t have our lunch together today. I admit it, after seeing him twice, I want to see him more often. I guess I have become even greedier.

Am I still not over the stupid crush? Gosh