Jisoo waved at Lisa before getting on RM’s car.

 

“I can just take a taxi.. your house is just nearby..” she said turning to RM embarrassedly. 

 

RM smiled.

 

“It’s too late to take a taxi now..” he said looking at her. “Or maybe.. are you afraid that I’ll drive you home?”

 

Jisoo’s brows furrowed.

 

“Why would I be afraid? I just feel bad that you have to drive further when your house is just less than a kilometer away from here..”

 

RM looked outside and noticed Taehyung let Mina on his car.

 

Jisoo turned back to see what he was looking at.

 

She became emotional earlier because of Mina who was provoking her by telling things that happened in the past..

 

She feels guilty for responding to her in that way.. 

 

“Shall we go now?” asked RM putting on his seatbelt. “Put your seatbelt on or I’ll have to do it for you..”

 

Jisoo cleared as she buckled it immediately.

 

“I’m sorry.. I didn’t know you were just waiting for me..” she said ashamed of herself. 

 

RM chuckled before he drove away.

 

Meanwhile, Taehyung and Mina have just gotten inside the car.

 

“It’s the first time you’re driving me home oppa..” said Mina leaning her head on his shoulder. 

 

Taehyung sighed.

 

RM hyung seems to be really close with Jisoo now..

He looked extremely worried about her.. he went after her as soon as she was gone from his sight.. he was holding her gently with his hands..

 

RM hyung.. is now doing things he once did for Jisoo..

 

Mina shook his arm gently.

 

“Taehyung oppa..” 

 

Taehyung turned to her surprised.

 

“What are thinking of? What is it?” asked Mina holding his arm.

 

Taehyung pushed her hand off of his arm gently.

 

“Mina.. I’m sorry but.. I only said.. I will try.. to date you..” he said in a soft voice. “So please.. don’t do these things already..”

 

Mina pulled herself away from him slowly.

 

What Jisoo told her before keeps echoing inside her head..

 

Does he like her? 

 

No.. not yet..

 

But she’ll do anything to make him fall for her..

 

A girl like Jisoo was able to do it.. there’s no way she can’t..

 

 

 

———————-

 

 

 

Jisoo was busy the whole day at her shop.

 

She had to bake and take orders contemporaneously that she didn’t even have time to have lunch..

It feels good that it’s doing well but at the same time it’s quite tiring for her to do it by herself..

Should she hire a part-timer?

Maybe only on weekends? 

She should think more about it..

 

She was having all these thoughts when a customer came and placed an order.

 

“I would like to have some Paradiso cake and-..”

 

The customer stopped as she stared at Jisoo as if trying to recognize her.

 

And Jisoo did the same..

 

“Somi? You are Somi, right?”

 

Jisoo smiled widely as she recognized the only friend she had at the university.

 

She hasn’t seen her in five years..

Somi has become more beautiful.. she’s even taller than her now!

Why is she the only one who never grew taller?

 

They went to sit down to have some talk..

 

 

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well..” said Somi smiling from ear to ear. “I was worried about you back then..”

 

She was unaware of everything that happened to Jisoo.

She belatedly knew about her mom passing away through Professor Kim.

 

Jisoo lowered her gaze as she felt embarrassed.

 

“I’m sorry for not saying goodbye back then..” she said sighing. “I’m sure you have already heard from the others about what happened..”

 

Somi held her hands and squeezed them.

 

Every student in the university heard about Jisoo kneeling in front of Mina but no one knew the reason why..

 

And seeing she disappeared right after that, she kinda understood what might have happened..

 

Professor Kim..

 

He must have had something to do with it..

 

“But I don’t think he knew about what happened to you and Mina..” said Somi feeling bad for her. 

 

She has heard from her ex classmates that Mina chose to work right next to Professor Kim.

How could Mina do that? She must have totally fallen head over heels for him that she stuck herself to him throughout these years!

 

“Professor Kim.. kept on asking me about you until I graduated..” said Somi as she reminisced about the past. 

 

Jisoo’s brows furrowed.

Taehyung asked about her even after breaking up with her?

Until the graduation?

That means.. even months later?

He must have only been curious about her.. he must have only wanted to know where she went..

 

“He would go to the garden and sit there after his classes.. he would just stay there.. without doing anything.. as if he were waiting for you to come back..” Somin continued. “I would have wanted to tell him where you went but.. I had no idea either..”

 

Jisoo closed her hands tight under the table.

 

The garden.. it’s their place.. no.. it was their place.. it isn’t anymore..

 

He must be spending his time there now with Mina.. it must be his and Mina’s place now..

 

Because she was his past.. and isn’t part of his life anymore..

 

 

——————-

 

 

 

Jisoo was on the phone with RM that Sunday afternoon..

 

“You’re going somewhere?” asked RM surprised. “Alone?”

 

“Yes oppa..” Jisoo replied softly. “I don’t think I can come back for dinner.. how about we see each other tomorrow instead?”

 

“Alright..” said RM. “But.. do you want me to drive you? I’m free today and-..”

 

“Thank you oppa but.. I would like to go alone just today..” said Jisoo quickly. 

 

RM remained silent for a moment.

 

“Okay.. then I’ll see you tomorrow at your shop.. be careful..” he said before hanging up.

 

Jisoo heaved a sigh.

She feels bad for rejecting his help but she really wants to be alone today.

 

She took a bus by herself to visit Taehyung’s parents’ grave..

 

That’s right.. she wanted to pay respect to them..

 

The last time she went there was five years ago before flying to Paris..

She remembers herself begging for forgiveness to them even though she knew it was something that couldn’t be granted to her anymore..

 

She sighed as she was reminded again of that horrible accident she had caused..

 

She cannot help but blame herself everytime she thinks about it..

 

She held on the white tulips tightly as she approached their grave.

She’s here again.. she’s come again.. maybe Taehyung’s parents don’t want to see her but she keeps coming back here..

 

She placed the flowers down and held her hands together as she stared at Taehyung’s family picture.

 

Everytime she thinks about them, there are so many things that come to her mind.. there are too many things she would like to tell them but whenever she’s in front of them.. she only ends up crying..

 

“I’m sorry..” she said softly as she wiped her tears.

 

Those are the only words she can say.. since she cannot change anything anymore..

 

Sorry..

 

She will always be..

 

She bowed her head deeply before turning herself around when she found Taehyung a few steps behind her.

 

Her feet seemed to have been glued on the floor..

 

She didn’t know she’d meet him here today.. 

 

“I’m sorry..” said Jisoo lowering her gaze immediately.

 

Taehyung might hate seeing her visiting his parents’ grave..

He might think it’s disrespectful..

How could the woman who caused his parents to die come here? 

 

“I’ll go away.. I’m sorry.. I’ll go now..” said Jisoo as she walked away quickly but Taehyung grabbed her by her wrist.

 

“Stay..” he said pulling her back in front of his parents’ grave. “You’ve come a long way already.. so just stay..”

 

He let go of her wrist slowly.

 

He came here today because he had visited a friend who lives nearby.

 

And as soon as he walked in, he saw her.

 

“It was you..” said Taehyung softly as he looked at the white tulips on the ground.

 

Jisoo turned to him.

 

“You used to send these white tulips until a month ago..” Taehyung continued. 

 

Jisoo’s throat moved fast.

She did.. she made sure to send a bouquet every month even when she was in Paris..

 

“And now.. you brought them yourself..” Taehyung continued as he turned his head to her.

 

White tulips mean forgiveness..

He knew it was her who keeps sending those flowers..

 

He had thought she was nearby all these years because he would always find those white tulips whenever he came to visit his parents’ grave..

 

“I’m sorry..” said Jisoo closing her eyes tight. 

 

No matter how many times she says it.. she will never be able to take his pain away.. 

 

She took a deep breath as she tried to face him.

 

“I’m really sorry-..”

 

“Forgive yourself..” said Taehyung looking at her eyes. “You need to forgive yourself too..”

 

Jisoo’s eyes trembled.

Forgive herself? But she did such a horrible and unforgivable thing? How can she even forgive herself?

 

She turned her back against him as she wiped her tears with her hands.

 

Taehyung reached a hand towards her but before he could even touch her, he closed his hand into a fist and withdrew it slowly.

 

He would have wanted to comfort her..

He would have wanted to tap her back..

He