I messaged Jaehyun a few days after the press conference. Mark was instructed to lay low for a bit as the company figured things out and how everything would go for him. 

Eunji: Jae…can we talk? 

Jaehyun: Hey. Yeah we can. Is Mark around? 

Eunji: No, he’s at the company meeting about the press conference. 

Jaehyun: I’ll come over now? 

Eunji: Please, if it’s okay. 

After half an hour, Jaehyun knocked at my door. Jang Mi was asleep in her room and I prepared tea for the two of us. 

“Jae, please,” I said, motioning for him to take a seat on the couch, “Jae…you know you’re my best friend, right?” 

He started, “If it’s okay, can I just…get what I need to say off of my chest?” 

I nodded, eager to hear what he had to say. 

“I love you. I’ve loved you since high school and I know I’m not Mark and I never will be,” he said, “I know that no matter what I do, you will always see me as a best friend. But just know that I will always always love you.” 

I felt the tears building up. His words shattered my heart. I loved him so much, but not in that way. 

“Jae…” 

“I took care of you all these years because I genuinely knew that I could love you in the way that Mark couldn’t those times he wasn’t here. I promised to take care of you years ago and I will