CHAPTER 10

After dropping Wheein off at their company building, Moonbyul and Hyejin went straight to Seulgi's apartment. Apparently, Seulgi invited Moonbyul, Hyejin and Minhyuk to hang out on Seulgi's apartment to drink since they all have free time on that day. Unfortunately Wheein and Irene both have a schedule for recording they weren't able to come.

Hyejin was riding shotgun on Moonbyul's car, noticing that her friend was in deep thought.

"Hyejin-ah." Moonbyul starts, her voice was just above a whisper, seemingly embarrassed.

"Hmmm?" Hyejin hums as she looks at her unnie's direction.

Moonbyul then shakes her head, deciding not to continue whatever she's about to say.

"Byul-ssi, just spit it out." Hyejin encourages her, she's too curious to let whatever it is to slip away from their conversation, or lack thereof.

"Eric and Yong never got together?" Moonbyul finally asks, she believe what Yongsun said but she felt like asking Hyejin to somehow make it feel realer.

"Yes." Hyejin confirms. "Never." she said, looking at Moonbyul for any sign of regret, and she found it through Byul's eyes. "That's what happens when you don't ask."

The night when Moonbyul made a scene was never brought up again up until now. They knew better not to bring up anything Yongsun related to Byul, so they never got the chance to talk about it.

Moonbyul just smiled, nodding and admitting her fault. There was radio silence for a minute, as if Moonbyul was having an internal conversation with herself before she speaks again, "But it did lead me to Wheein, didn't it?"

"It did." Hyejin smiles genuinely. She's happy how that worked out for them in the end...but she's also worried, because Byul was lost in her own thoughts earlier and apparently its about Yongsun.

The worry on Hyejin's eyes didn't go unnoticed by Byul. "You don't look too comforted by that." Byul chuckles nervously, she wants- no- needs Hyejin's validation that she deserves Wheein and judging by Hyejin's smile she didn't seem too satisfied.

"No!" Hyejin chuckles, as she flails both her hands. "It's not like that, unnie." she tries to reassure Byul. "I know you love Wheein. I just..." she hesitates, but she figured she might as well just say it. "I just hope you're sure you've moved on from Yong-unnie, because if not, then all of you will end up getting hurt and that's just- I don't want to see that happen."

She needed to know if Byul is only seeking refuge from Wheein, she needed to know if she sees Wheein as some kind of cure for her pain because that's not how it should be; people are not medicines.

Moonbyul steps on the break when they reached Seulgi's apartment.

She didn't know what to reply. She appreciates Hyejin's concern, and rightfully so. She thinks about how tough it must be to be in Hyejin's position. "I'm sorry." its what came out from first.

Hyejin smiles at her reassuringly, as if to say that it might be hard but she's fine. "I just need to know that you're not using her as a rebound, Byul-ssi. You know that I love you, right? But Wheein is my best friend, and my first priority is to protect her...even if its against you and Yongsun-ssi"

Hyejin's tone wasn't accusatory, it was actually vulnerable yet firm; Moonbyul knows she meant every word and it probably wasn't the first time these thoughts entered her mind. Moonbyul couldn't help but smile and be comforted by the fact that Wheein has someone like Hyejin in her life.

"To be honest, I can't say I've completely moved on from Yong, Hyejin-ah." Byul confesses,  'completely' being the keyword. "But I do love Wheein, and I appreciate and respect her so much that I wouldn't have pursued a relationship with her if I didn't see a future with her."

Hyejin didn't realize she was holding her breath until a relieved sigh escaped . She found the sincerity in Byul's words that she hoped for; smiling at the fact that they have finally addressed her worry, and she already got some sort of assurance from Moonbyul.

"I'm happy to hear that, unnie." Hyejin declares, holding Byul's hand and squeezing it tight.

Moonbyul smiled back, being reassured that Hyejin's only looking out for all of them. She chuckles realizing that Hyejin's acting like the mom friend when she's the maknae of their group.

"We better go inside. Seulgi-unnie said Minhyuk-ssi is already there." Hyejin states before the two of them gets out of their car and proceed to Seulgi's apartment.

The four of them spent the rest of the day drinking and singing their hearts out.

Moonbyul didn't know why it affected her so much knowing that Yongsun and Eric never dated; maybe it was guilt, maybe it was regret, she really didn't know. What she does know is that ever since she knew that information, she couldn't help but steal