"See you in Seoul," she said, dismissing any response from the other end of the line and abruptly ending the phone call. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she allowed her breath to mix with the humid air of Jeju-do. Despite being in summer, the clouds seemed to defy the season.

The sky rumbled, and bolts of lightning illuminated the darkening atmosphere. She silently expressed gratitude to any divine presence as she managed to hail a taxi just before the rain poured down. "To Nohyeong-ro, please," she requested, and the driver nodded before starting the engine.

The journey to Nohyeong-ro lasted approximately ten minutes, just as Kwangsoo had told her. "I know a place for you to stay in Jeju-do since you've been going there often. It's just ten minutes away from the airport," he had informed her earlier. She didn't ask any further questions, placing her trust in her dongsaeng. After all, she was convinced when he mentioned that his best friend owned the place.

Upon arriving, she captured an image of the hotel and sent it to Kwangsoo, along with the message, "Is this the place?"

It took a moment for him to respond, but finally, a reply came, "Yes. It's quite close to the shore. You might want to check it out."

"Cheon Suyeoun-ssi?" a voice called out.

Startled, she turned around and spotted a familiar figure approaching. Initially, she didn't recognize him, but as he drew nearer, there was no mistaking who he was. Clad in a black Yankees cap, a casual white shirt, denim jeans, and his favorite pair of shoes, he was unmistakably Jo Insung. "Insung-ssi," she blurted out, and his response was a soft chuckle.

"I didn't expect someone to recognize me so easily behind this mask," he replied, removing his face mask in the process.

"Do you own this place?" She asked.

Insung nodded. "Surprised?" he jested.

She mustered an awkward smile, temporarily forgetting she was still wearing her face mask. "I... I just didn't expect to see you here," she mumbled as she avoided his gaze. It had been five long years since they had last spoken and since she had left him without a word.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked, his gaze was expectant. "I suppose Kwangsoo told you about this place. He does that all the time—"

"It seems like you truly are a great actor, Insung-ssi," she interrupted, not allowing him to finish his sentence.

"Sorry?"

"I mean... we were together for years, yet it appears to have been effortless for you to pretend not to know me at all."

Insung squinted his eyes, finally recognizing her face as she removed her face mask. "Seongim."

"Don't worry, I'm well aware of how much you've despised me all these years. So, as a favor to you, I'll be leaving in just a day," she remarked sarcastically. With that, she turned to enter the hotel, but Insung caught her arm, preventing her from walking away.

"Seongim-ah," he called out.

"Don't even think about pulling me in for a hug," she warned, her voice filled with defiance.

"Can we just talk for a moment?"

"You're hurting me." She yanked her arm away from his grip, glaring at him with a mixture of pain and anger in her eyes. The rain intensified, drenching them both, mirroring the storm of emotions that had resurfaced between them.

Insung's face showed a flicker of remorse, but he quickly regained his composure. "Seongim, please," he pleaded again, his voice laced with desperation. "I never intended to hurt you."

She scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Never? After all the broken promises you've made? It's a little too late for that, don't you think?"

He took a step closer, his voice filled with sincerity. "Seongim, I know I made mistakes. I'm not proud of the way things ended between us, but I want a chance to make it right."

She crossed her arms, a defensive gesture. "Make it right? How can you possibly make up for all the pain you caused me? Five years, Insung. Five years of trying to heal the wounds you left behind."

His eyes pleaded for understanding. "I've changed, Seongim. I've learned. I've spent these years reflecting on my actions, regretting every moment I let you slip away. Please, give me the opportunity to show it to you."

Tears mixed with the raindrops on her cheeks as she struggled to contain her emotions. "You think an apology and a few words are enough? Do you have any idea how broken I was? How broken I still am? And for the record, we were not even dating that time as you all did was confuse me every time for the past decade we've met each other."

Insung's voice cracked as he reached out, his hand trembling. "Seongim, I never wanted to break you. I loved you, and losing you was the biggest mistake I made."

She looked into his eyes, searching for any signs of deception. At that moment, she saw a glimmer of the person she once knew and loved. But the wounds were still fresh, the scars still tender. "I can't promise forgiveness, Insung," she whispered, her voice wavering. "But maybe... maybe we can start with a conversation."

He nodded, relief washing over his face. "That's all I ask for, Seongim. Let's talk, let's try to understand each other again."

They finally entered the hotel. The storm may have raged on outside, but inside, the confrontation between them turned into an opportunity for healing and closure.

As they began to talk, the years apart started to fade away. They shared their pain, their regrets, and their longing for what was lost. It was a bittersweet reunion, filled with both sorrow and a flicker of hope.

Seongim couldn't deny the feelings that still lingered within her, she also knows he also remained guarded.  "Seongim-ah," Insung called her. "Can I at least know why you let me go without any trace? Why did you leave me without any explanation?"

Her gaze dropped to the ground, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was foolish. I thought I was protecting you by pushing you away because I didn't want to ruin your built career by having me around you. I thought I could handle it all on my own, but I was wrong. I was also drowning in my own insecurities and fears, and I didn't want to drag you down with me."

Insung's eyes softened, realizing the weight of her pain. "I would have fought beside you, no matter the storms we faced." He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "I understand everything now, Seongim. I've learned it the hard way. I've learned that love isn't about protecting someone from pain, but about facing the challenges together."

A moment of silence hung between them, the rain serving as a backdrop to their complicated emotions. Seongim's heart ached with the memories of their past, but a glimmer of hope tugged at her soul.

"Insung," she said. "If we're going to try again, it won't be easy. The scars are still there, and trust needs to be rebuilt."

He nodded, his grip on her hand tightening. "I understand, Seongim. I'll do whatever it takes to earn your t