Winter frowned hearing laughters when she entered Jaehyun's apartment. She carefully walked further and saw Jaehyun was feeding popcorns to a pretty girl in his arm while they both were cuddling together on the couch. 

"Jaehyun." Winter called out his name bravely. 

The both of them were shocked to see her. The girl quickly excused herself and left in hurried while Winter's face looked blank. 

"What are you doing here?" Jaehyun asked, looking annoyed. 

"Who is she?" Winter asked back. 

"What? You thought you were the only one who can cheat?" Jaehyun asked in sarcasm. 

"What?" 

"Oh, don't play innocent here, Winter. I know that you have someone else. Well, I guess, that person must be the reason why you fall out of love with me huh." 

"I fell out of love with you even before I met her." Winter told him the truth, eyes glaring at him.

"So it's true, it's a her." Jaehyun raised his eyebrows. 

"What? Got a problem with that?"  Winter clenched her fists.

"No. I was just surprised, didn't know you like both genders."

"You do not know a lot of things about me."

"Seems like you are right." Jaehyun shrugged, then grabbed his drink.

"For how long?" Winter asked after sighing, already feeling headache of a mess in their relationship.

"What?" Jaehyun asked innocently.

"Your cheating act. How long?" Winter asked again.

"Since the first month I noticed you did not look at me the same way anymore."

Winter's jaw dropped. That was literally months before she met Karina. So, Jaehyun was cheating on her way longer.

"And you did not even plan to let me know about it? Or better yet, break up with me?"

"Hm. I thought our relationship was perfect, Winter. Everyone is rooting for us. Well, we are still young too. I wanted to have my fun, and when I found out that you cheated on me too, I thought that maybe we both could have fun secretly." Jaehyun answered.

"What the hell are you saying?"

"I'm saying that you do you, and I do me. We both could have just having fun before marriage." Jaehyun told her.

Winter rubbed her temple and closed her eyes. She did not expect this kind of reaction from Jaehyun.

"So, you thought that I was just fooling around behind you for fun?"

"Of course. You would have left already if you were serious with her." Jaehyun chuckled, and that just hit Winter deep in her heart.

"Well, that's a mistake that I cannot fix, Jaehyun."

"Huh?"

"Because I should have left the moment I got together with her." 

Jaehyun's face turned blank when Winter said that.

"I'm in love with her." Winter confessed.

"You're kidding."

"I'm not."

"Winter, can't you see that we will be a perfect-"

"I don't want perfect, Jaehyun!" Winter raised her voice.

"I don't want it, I don't want this." Winter added.

"I just- I want her back." Winter's voice cracked.

"I shouldn't let her go." Winter rubbed her face in frustration.

"Who is she?" Jaehyun asked, in a serious manner.

"It's none of your business."

"Well, it is, when she was the person you're in love with while you are my girlfriend, Winter."

"Not anymore. I came here to break up with you. I don't think we should stay together."

Jaehyun stood up and approached Winter.

"That's not going to happen, Winter."

"We're over, Jaehyun."

"You cannot just break up with me! Next month will be my official day to be the next CEO for my family's company. I won't let you ruin my image!"

"What?"

"We will break up after I make sure my position and status is stable."

"I can't believe you." Winter scoffed.

"Well, it is either that or you want me to tell the whole world who was the girl who take you from me and made you cheated on me."

"It wasn't even like that!" 

"I don't care. I could just make up a story and people will blame her for our failed relationship." 

"You wouldn't dare." Winter glared.

"Do not try me, Winter." Jaehyun said.

 

 

...

 

 

"When are you going to clear up things with her?" Kim Aeri asked her stepsister.

"Will it even change anything?" Winter asked back.

"You made a deal with Jaehyun and agreed to let the whole world still believe that you both were still together and was going strong, just to protect her."

"It's only right to do that, Aeri unnie."

"You let her believe it too, Winter."

Winter clenched her jaw, holding her tears back.

"I have no other choice. I've had enough of hurting her. The least I could do was to protect her as best as I can."

"But-"

"And she is getting married, Aeri unnie. It'll be useless. I will only look like a fool in front of her if I decide to tell her now."

Aeri sighed.

"What am I going to do about you, Winter?"

"Nothing. There's nothing else to do. It is just how it is, Aeri unnie. I'll be fine, don't worry about me." Winter tried to assure her even though she knows that it was a lie.

"You are so stubborn." Aeri said before she left Winter alone in her office.

Winter took a deep breath and grabbed a pile of papers on her desk, crumpling them before throwing them in the air. She wanted to scream, to yell out her frustration, but she can't. 

"I hate my life." Winter sobbed and buried her face into her folded arms on the desk.

 

 

...

 

 

Winter smiled and greeted the familiar barista who always made the drinks for her. 

"Hello there, Chaewon."

"Oh, hi!" Chaewon waved at her while smiling brightly, causing Winter to chuckle.

"As usual?"

"Yes, please."

"Right, in a minute!"

Winter smiled then turned to look at the TV, it was the news about Karina's and Jeno's engagement last 2 weeks. People were still talking about it, now that they announced their relationship publicly.

Reporters kept taking photos of them together whenever they saw them going out for a date.

"Aren't they the new power couple now?"

Winter looked at Chaewon and smiled seeing her drinks. She took it and made her payment. 

"They are so lucky to have each other."

"Yeah." Winter smiled then thanked Chaewon before leaving the cafe.

She got into her car and asked her driver to send her home. She had been staying home often now. She does not have the energy to do anything else.

 

 

 

 

..... 

 

 

 

Winter pulled up her scarf and adjusted her sunglasses as she sniffed. Her nose were red, not because of the cold weather, but because of her cold.

Yet, there she was, standing outside the gate, waiting for Jaehyun's arrival. She noticed some reporters were getting ready to take their photos, she just paid no mind to them.

She cannot wait for Jaehyun to be back. No, not because she missed him. It was because it will be the end of their deal. Jaehyun is coming back after securing his position and being successful in his business deals overseas.

So, it's a matter of time that Winter could finally ends everything properly.

Flash of cameras greeted them the moment Jaehyun came out of the arrival gate. He smiled brightly to the cameras and waved his hand. 

"I'm glad that you keep your words." Jaehyun said as soon as he reached her.

"And you keep yours."

"Of course." Jaehyun nodded.

He noticed that Winter wasn't her usual self, so he pulled her closer. Winter glared at him even though he couldn't see her eyes. 

"Come on. One last act. Then we will stop all of this."

"Ugh. Fine."

Jaehyun then smiled and asked for the reporters to give space and not throwing many questions as Winter was not feeling well. 

They all were awed by Jaehyun's manner and couldn't help, but to fall for his sweet gestures. 

"You're annoying." Winter mumbled, and Jaehyun only laughed.

They went to Jaehyun's apartment. Jaehyun prepared a hot tea for her. Winter was resting on his couch, hugging the blanket that Jaehyun gave her closely to her body. 

"Are you really sure that you want to talk now?" Jaehyun asked in concerned.

"Yes, the faster we end the better." Winter said, sneezing after that.

"Still stubborn." Jaehyun shook his head.

"I've broken up with Mia." Jaehyun told her, and Winter didn't say anything.

"I don't think she's the right person for me." Jaehyun said.

"..."

"Winter."

"You agreed, Jaehyun. We will break up publicly, and you will never do anything about Jimin."

"She is going to marry Lee Jeno."

"Yeah, and?"

"You can't get back with her. So, why don't we try again, Winter?"

Winter sits up and pulled away the blanket harshly. 

"We can't. I don't want to."

"But, Winter-"

"I said no, Jaehyun." Winter glared at him.

Jaehyun sighed and ruffled his hair in anger. 

"Then who are you going to be with?"

"No one."

"Winter-"

"It's my life, and we've broken up already, Jaehyun. Please, remember that."

"What if I make you fall in love with me again?" Jaehyun asked.

"You can't."

"Why???"

"Because she took it all."

"What?"

"My heart. Jimin took it all with her."

Jaehyun observed Winter's face. She was saying the truth. Even after all the time when she was not with Karina, she still loves that woman deeply. 

"Why did you have to fall out of love with me?" Jaehyun asked sadly.

"I can't control how I feel. I didn't want it to happen too, but it just did."

"You're only going to get hurt by loving her."

"I know. She felt the same way before this. Maybe, this is my karma."

"So, you really won't change your mind?"

"No, Jaehyun. We- we better off as friends."

Jaehyun sighed and nodded his head. 

"Fine. I'll announce our break up soon."

"Tomorrow."

"What?"

"Tomorrow, Jaehyun."

Jaehyun rolled his eyes at Winter's demanding tone. 

"Yeah, fine. Tomorrow." 

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

Jaehyun smiled at every reporter and took a seat in the middle of the small stage in the room. He grabbed the mic and said his greetings first.

"I am here today to announce an important news that I thought everyone should know."

"I had known Winter Kim for years as her friend and as her boyfriend, she never fails to make me happy during those days when we spent our time together." Jaehyun smiled, reminiscing the memories.

"Winter undeniably is a very amazing person, very kind too and lovable. And I appreciate her a lot."

Loud murmurs could be heard now inside the room as almost all of them predicted that Jaehyun is going to announce a possibility of a marriage news after being with Winter for a long time.

"With a heavy heart, I want to announce that Winter Kim and I are no longer together." 

Shocking gasps filled the room and the reporters now have bombarding Jaehyun many questions, but he ignored all of them and asked everyone to listen to him until the end.

"I will tell the truth now."

"We've broken up since 2 years ago, it was when we both realised that we did not feel any sparks anymore."

"I know that we should have announced it to the public about our status, especially to our family, but I asked Winter to keep it a secret first as I was trying to see if we could fix anything and get back together again."

"Well, I was lucky enough to be given a chance, Winter have been so understanding. However, we realised that we could never get back together again and are better off as friends instead. So, now that I'm back here as the CEO of Dream Corporation, I decided that it is the right time to announce our break up officially to avoid any misunderstanding in the future."

"I would like to take this chance to thank Winter Kim for being there for me, despite of us have broken up already. She was my strength and she never stops supporting me in my journey. I wouldn't be here without her. Lastly, I wish for your support for both Winter Kim and I in our future endeavors. We might go separate way, but we are still close friends. Thank you for your never ending support with our relationship all this year."

Jaehyun smiled to the cameras after standing up and did a full bow to politely thank everyone.

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

"I thought you would just say that we've broken up recently."

"Well, surprise. It's the last thing I could do for you. I decided to just tell the truth, that we've broken up for a long time already."

Winter smiled and clutched on her phone. 

"I know that I've been a jerk to you, and I'm a changed man now. I'm sorry, Winter, for everything."

"No, I'm sorry too."

"I won't hurt her. I promise."

"Thank you, Jaehyun. Really."

"Well, that's what are friends for."

"Yeah."

"Will you be okay though? Do you need me to accompany you explaining everything to your family?"

"No, it's fine. Aeri unnie will be with me."

"Okay, good. Thanks again, Winter. Know that I loved you." 

"I know."

Winter let out a relief sigh after hanging up. Finally, the burden is off her shoulders. She can breath peacefully now.

Knock knock

Winter looked up and saw Aeri entered her office room.

"I saw the news..."

Winter smiled and gestured Aeri to come towards her. 

"He didn't hurt you, right? He-" Aeri paused when Winter hugged her.

"He didn't. He agreed to do as I say, and he will leave me alone now."

"Really? Ah, that's great." Aeri sighed and hugged Winter tightly.

"Do you think mom and dad will get angry with me?"

"No. They will understand. We will explain it to them."

"Will you be there, Aeri unnie?"

"Of course."

Winter smiled and hugged her more. She's glad that despite all the struggles, Aeri has never left her side. 

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

"Woah, I didn't expect this. I thought they would be the endgame."

Karina frowned as she read the articles about Jaehyun's announcement of him breaking up with Winter. 

"I thought they were still together. They were seen together for a few times and they looked like going out on a date, right unnie?"

"I don't know, Ning..."

"Besides, Aeri never really say anything about their break up."

Karina put down her phone and raised her eyebrows at Ning.

"Aeri?"

"Yes, Kim Aeri. Winter Kim's stepsister."

"You're close to her?"

"Well, sort of. We went to the same university in the past and she was the senior that helped me a lot, and I actually still keep in touch with her."

"Are you sure she never really mentioned about the break up?"

"Positive."

"Hmm." Karina bit her lower lip and thought of what could be the meaning behind the announcement. Was it really for real? If they really broke up 2 years ago, why? It was when she left...

Karina shook her head, didn't want to keep thinking about it. She has Jeno now. Jeno was there when she was breaking down. Jeno is a good man.

"Hello, my beautiful CEO."

"Please, not in front of me." Ning said, rolling her eyes causing Jeno to laugh.

"Where are you going? You can continue eating. I don't mind." Jeno said when Ning suddenly stood up. She was having her lunch with Karina first while Jeno was busy having a meeting before he could join them.

"I have somewhere I need to be. So, bye. I'll go first, Karina unnie."

"Yeah, drive safe." Karina told her.

"Hey." Jeno took a seat in front of her, of where Ning was sitting at before.

"I'm going to order my food first." Jeno said then took the menu to look through it.

Karina stares at Jeno. Jeno have been so kind and understanding towards her. He was her best friend. Jeno confessed a year after she left Seoul with him, that he has been in love with her for a long time. He didn't dare to say anything about his feelings, especially when he found out about her secret relationship with Winter.

Jeno also confessed that he wanted to be the one to take her pain away and to make her happy. During the time they stayed together, Jeno never crossed his line and respected Karina's privacy. He made sure that Karina would feel comfortable with him even after his confession. Then, 3 months ago, he managed to finally convince Karina to accept his proposal.

Karina said yes to him, because she believes that Jeno would stay with her until the end and he would be there for her like he promised. She was sure that it was the right decision, because Winter had never reach her out at all. She waited, but nothing. Karina thought that Winter did not really love her as much as she does. So, she decided to move on with Jeno.

However, now she was not so sure anymore. 

"Jeno..."

"Yep?" 

"Have you heard about the news?"

"Hm? What news?" Jeno asked, still smiling at her.

"Winter's break up."

Jeno hummed and slowly nodded his head.

"Yeah, I saw it earlier." Jeno told her.

"Oh." Karina looked down.

Jeno reached for her hand and holds her.

"Hey. Look at me." Jeno asked her softly and Karina did.

"I love you, Karina." Jeno told her and smiled gently at her.

"I know." Karina answered, she hasn't said the words to Jeno. She smiled apologetically when she realised Jeno's sad smile. 

"Our wedding will be in a month. Everything is being well prepared." Jeno said after pulling his hand.

"I know that too." Karina frowned, feeling confused on what Jeno was trying to tell her.

"Just want to remind you, Karina. You said yes to me." Jeno said.

Karina didn't say anything. The rest of lunch was filled with silence, and Jeno didn't feel like saying anything else too.

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

Winter was surprised when Karina's mother called her in late afternoon, asking her desperately to meet her at a small cafe near Kim Entertainment. She rushed out of her office and walked to the next building to meet her, worrying if something had happened.

"Aunty?"

"Oh, my baby, come here, come here."

"Aunty- wait- what's this?" Winter asked and her eyes widened at the table full with desserts and some other food.

"Come, take a seat. Join me and finish all of this with me."

"Aunty, this is a lot. Oh my god." Winter gasped, but listened to Karina's mother as she sits down.

"I know, that's why I'm calling you." Mrs Yoo grinned.

"I thought something happened. I'm glad that you're just fine." Winter pouted while Mrs Yoo just laughed at her adorable face.

"Dig in, baby." Mrs Yoo said softly.

"Okay." Winter chuckled and started eating.

Karina's mother looked at her fondly. She has always seen Winter as her own daughter. When Karina brought her home for the first time, she could tell that Winter was someone important to her daughter. And she knew why, because Winter is just so precious. It was just sad that Winter was taken already. 

"You ate so well." Mrs Yoo commented, still smiling looking at Winter.

"The food was so good." Winter smiled at her.

After they finished eating, Mrs Yoo asked if she would be free to join her for a walk. Winter agreed immediately, having a soft spot for the elder. So, she made a call to her secretary to cancel her schedule for the rest of the day.

"I should have dragged you earlier. I didn't know you would be able to free up your time for me." Mrs Yoo said as she clung to Winter's arm.

"Well, I can't do this every time, aunty." Winter warned and laughed when Mrs Yoo just shrugged, ignoring her statement.

"Seems like those paparazzi are still trying to follow you." Mrs Yoo told her when she noticed some movement in the corner of her eyes. Winter nodded, did not bother to find the source as she was used to this kind of spotlight.

"Or, are you actually using me to steal the spotlight, aunty?" Winter asked, squinting her eyes.

"I'm young and beautiful. I deserve to be in the spotlight. Who knows, my husband will be jealous with the attention I get and will finally give me some attention."

Winter throws her head back and laughed at Karina's mother words. 

"So, it's intentional?" Winter asked again.

"Kind of." Mrs Yoo grinned when Winter laughed again.

After she saw the news, she got worried about Winter. She knew how it felt like to have a heartbreak, it was not pretty at all. So, she decided to try her luck and see if she could make Winter spend time with her. After all, she missed her. She sighed, feeling sad about just how wrong the timing was. When Karina was single, Winter was still with Jaehyun. Now that Winter was single, her daughter have already got engaged with Jeno.

She likes Jeno. He is a good guy for her daughter, but she can't help herself to still wish that Winter would be her daughter in law instead. She loves Winter that much for her daughter.

"How are you feeling, baby?" Mrs Yoo asked once they walked to the park.

"Same old." Winter answered her.

"I heard about the break up."

"Mmm. It happened 2 years ago. I am good now, aunty. Don't worry." Winter smiled at her. 

"It's sad that Karina got engaged already. If not, I would have asked for your hands for her." Mrs Yoo said and chuckled. Winter widened her eyes and cleared to hide her nervousness.

"A-Ah. Aunty. Why would you do that?" Winter tried to laugh at her silly statement.

"Well, I like you. And you always listen to me. It would be nice to have you around for a long time." Mrs Yoo said.

"We can still meet and spend time together, aunty." Winter told her.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Hmm. Well, what about if we go on a vacation together?"

"Huh?"

"Just you and me. My husband will need to fly off to Australia for work a week after the wedding. He never allows me to join as he does not want me to feel bored and end up will bother him." Mrs Yoo said, rolling her eyes afterwards.

"And Karina will probably go for her honeymoon with Jeno somewhere else. So, why don't we both join my husband's flight and explore Australia?"

"Australia huh." Winter tapped her chin, thinking about the offer.

"Yes, and I will pay for everything."

"N-No, I can pay for myself, aunty."

"I'm the one who asked you. So, I will pay. We can have fun together and forget about all the problems here for a while."

"Aunty, you keep making me changing my schedules you know." Winter sighed dramatically, but giggled when Mrs Yoo took her hand, holding it gently as she pouted at her.

"Okay, fine. Let's go on a vacation then."

"Oh dear, that's my baby!" Mrs Yoo squealed and hugged the laughing Winter tightly.

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

"Jimiiiin. I can't find my shirt!"

"Look properly, Minjeongie."

"Already!"

Karina chuckled and got up to help her girlfriend. She pulled Winter in for a short kiss before she helped her in finding her own shirt that Minjeong loves so much actually, which was the reason why Minjeong claimed that it was hers.

"I told you to look for it properly, you adorable baby." Karina said when she finally found the shirt in her wardrobe.

Winter giggled and was about to take it from Karina when Karina hid it behind her. Winter glared while pouting at her. Karina smiled and leaned her face closer.

"Kiss me first."

Winter then smiled before she pulled Karina by her collar and kissed her lips.

"I love you." Karina whispered.

"I love you too."

 

 

...

 

 

Winter blinked her eyes opened. She raised up her head and realised that she had fallen asleep on her desk in her office, after spending time with Karina's mother the whole day. She does not feel like going home, so she decided to stop by her office and finished off some works. She just didn't expect that she would dream her old memory with Karina- again.

Winter then pulled out the bottom drawer and took out an old picture of her and Karina. Winter smiled as she traced her fingers on the picture. Karina had her one arm wrapped around her waist, while she posted for the camera with her cheeky grin. Karina was staring at her with a soft look and a warm smile on her face. Winter could only dream that Karina would be looking at her that way again, because now Karina wasn't hers anymore.

And again, her tears dropped from her eyes.

She put the picture close to her chest and closed her eyes.

 

 

"Jimin, you will stay forever, right?"

"Of course, I will. What would you do without me hm?"

"Right. I need you."

"Mhm."

Winter cupped Karina's face and smiled sweetly at her. Karina leaned against her palm and hummed in content.

"Jimin."

"Yea?"

"No matter what, just stay okay."

"Okay, baby."

"I love you, okay?"

"Mm, I know. I love you more."

Karina pulled her into a hug. Winter snuggled closer into her.

"I love you, Yoo Jimin."

 

 

Winter's throat hurts, her eyes were hot and her bottom lip was almost bleeding because of her bite.

"I- I miss you, Jimin ah." Winter sobbed silently. She didn't dare to cry out loud. She felt like she shouldn't. She has hurt Karina so much in the past, she shouldn't be crying this much when she thought Karina was the one who was more hurt than her.

"And I'm sorry." Winter dropped her head on her desk, still holding the picture as she cried her heart out in silence.

Unknown to her, Aeri was right outside her door. She was about to enter and push open the door when she noticed Winter's gloomy face, so she only opened the door slightly, enough for her to see what's going on. She went to check on her since she wasn't at home yet. And Aeri's heart breaks, witnessing just another day of where Winter breaks down because of her heartbreak.

Aeri wanted to come in and give her a hug, but she knows that Winter might need the time alone to cry. So, she didn't. She closed the door slowly and went to sit on one of the nearest tables while she waits for Winter. Aeri wiped off her tears that almost drop out of her teary eyes. She wished she could take away the pain from Winter. She misses seeing a cheerful Winter, who would whine at her for anything.

Ever since Karina left. It was as if, she lost Winter. Winter might be here in front of her, but not completely. Winter mostly spacing out and always stayed inside of her room.

"What should I do?" Aeri rubbed her face, feeling sad for her stepsister.

They might have different mothers, but Aeri sees Winter as her real younger sister. Just like how Winter sees her as her real sibling and how her mother also sees Winter as her own. Upon knowing that Winter lost her mother when she was 10 years old due to car accident, both Aeri and her mother tried their best to give her as much love as she needed since she grew up with the love from her father only.

Aeri was only 21 years old when her mother remarried with Winter's father, and Winter was 19 at that time. She thought that Winter would hate them, but instead, Winter welcomed them warmly and happily. And Aeri swears that she would protect that beautiful smile that made her life gets better.

Now, she would do anything, anything for her. But, Winter told her to not to. Winter said, she would feel sad if Aeri was to interfere about her love life. That's why, Aeri just wait and be there for her. She does not want to be the reason why Winter will feel sad. 

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

Karina and her father were surprised to find her mother was not at home at all when they came back from work. The helpers said that she went out at noon and haven't come back.

"It's rare that she went out for this long. Did she go for a shopping?" Mr Yoo asked Karina when they both sit down at the dining table.

"None that I know of. She never says anything."

"Hmm."

Just then, one of their helpers told them that Mrs Yoo is finally back.

"Oh, just in time for dinner!"

Mr Yoo raised his eyebrows seeing his wife being bubbly and happy.

"Now, what's making my wife this happy?" Mr Yoo asked as soon as his wife sits on his right.

"Guess what, I spent the whole day with Winter."

"Winter?" Karina asked.

"Yes! I missed that girl, so I asked her to spend time with me."

"The Kim CEO is a busy woman. I'm surprised you get her to spend time with you." Mr Yoo said.

"That CEO Kim is my baby and she loves me more than you do. Hmph."

Karina chuckled seeing her mother sulking cutely at her father.

"Aw, don't tell me that this Winter Kim is slowly stealing my wife from me. That's bad." Mr Yoo said playfully which earned him a slap on his arm.

"What can I do? My husband and only daughter have always been away and leaves me alone." Mrs Yoo said, rolling her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I will retire soon. Karina will handle everything once she's back from her honeymoon." Mr Yoo told his wife.

"Is that true, my dear?" Mrs Yoo asked Karina.

"Ah. Yes, mom." Karina smiled.

"Oh, I forgot. Your trip to Australia. Can I join?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! You don't have to worry because I will have Winter with me."

Karina choked on her food as soon as she heard that. She quickly drinks her water and looked at her mother.

"What do you mean, mom?"

"I asked her to join me for a vacation, and she agreed! Also, I feel bad for her. You heard about the news, right? She said she's fine and all, but I can tell that she wasn't that fine. Her face wasn't as bright as she used to. Sigh, she must be feeling sad about the break up. It had been 2 years, but the sadness was still there, I can feel it." Mrs Yoo said.

"S-She looks sad?" Karina asked.

"She tried to mask her real emotion, but she's actually so easy to read. She might be smiling, but she was hurting inside. I mean, I can't stay still and do nothing, knowing my baby is feeling down." Mrs Yoo said.

Karina looked down at her food. Her mother is good at observing people and she always knows if something is wrong. It was also the reason why she chose to leave when she broke up with Winter. She didn't want her mother to find out.

"Hey, don't be sad." Her mother told her.

"I will make sure to cheer Winter up. So, after your honeymoon with Jeno, please spend time with her too. You left for so long, it was even when she was going through her heartbreak."

Karina gulped and nodded her head.

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

Karina entered her room, and her mind was filled with Winter. She tried to forget her. She tried to think less of her. But now, she can't. Especially, after the break up announcement. She wanted to know, why did they break up. Why did it happen 2 years ago, why did they only announce it now? She wanted Winter to be the one to answer her, but at the same time, she does not know if things will be alright if she were to ask Winter.

When Karina was still in a deep thinking, her phone was ringing so she answered it.

"Unnie!"

"Hello to you too, Ning Yizhuo."

"Agh! Hello! But unnie, I just found out that Winter Kim did not love her ex!"

"What?"

"She didn't love him. That's why they broke up!"

Karina took a deep breath before she coughed.

"Ning, where did you hear about this?"

"Aeri! We met just now, I talked about the news. I was asking her about the reason, because well, I thought Winter and Jaehyun would end up marrying each other. And Aeri calmly said that Winter didn't love him."

"She didn't?"

"Nope! Apparently, Aeri said Winter loves someone else."

Karina's heart skips a beat hearing that. She gulped and sits down on her bed.

"I was about to ask her more questions, but she needs to go already earlier."

"She loves someone else..." Karina mumbled.

"Yes! But that someone else wasn't her lover though. Aeri said it was complicated. I feel sad though. Aeri looks stressed and sad. I think, Winter is going through a heartbreak, but not because of her ex boyfriend."

"..."

"We can never know what's going on in someone's life, right unnie? Because, Winter looks just fine and was always smiling outside."

Karina looked at the frame on her bed table, a picture that Jeno gave and put there since Karina's room looks empty. Her wedding is coming soon, but she started to feel that the whole thing shouldn't be happening at all.

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

Winter were surprised to see Karina sitting beside her mother in the cafe. She thought it would just be her mother, since Mrs Yoo asked her to eat lunch together.

"Hi, aunty." Winter smiled at her, and only nodded at Karina.

"Baby! Karina is joining us today."

"I see."

"I keep nagging her to spend time with you, but she was busy with work and her wedding preparation." Mrs Yoo said.

"Ah, It's okay. Karina is busy, aunty."

Karina's heart stings hearing Winter still calling her by that name. The whole time, she just listened to her mother talked to Winter. Her heart clenched painfully whenever she heard Winter's laugh. Oh, how she missed hearing her cute laughters.

When her mother excused herself to go to the restroom, Karina coughed twice before she finally talked to Winter.

"Hey." And Winter only smiled at her, quickly looking away after that.

"Can I ask a question?" Karina asked, she looked at Winter, who keeps staring outside through the glass wall.

"Winter."

"Yes?" Winter turned to her with a small smile, and Karina hates how she feels like it looks fake to her.

"Did Jaehyun break up with you?"

"It was a mutual decision. We're fine, still good friends." Winter answered.

"I thought you loved him."

"I did." Winter nodded.

Karina gulped and clenched her fist in her lap, she wanted to ask another question.

"Why didn't you call me?" Karina asked.

Winter looked away again this time.

"Why, Winter?"

"I don't know." Winter whispered.

"I waited. I waited for you."

Winter closed her eyes, she can't do this. No, she can't.

"I- I need to go." Winter stood up hurriedly.

"Win-"

Winter ignored her and rushed to leave the place. Karina put her wallet on the table and quickly told one of the waiters there to tell her mother to pay with her money as she rushed out to go after Winter.

Karina ran and managed to grab Winter's arm before she can enter her car.

"Yah!" Karina slammed the car door closed and held Winter's shoulders, making sure that she would look at her.

"Why didn't you call me? You broke up with him 2 years ago, it was around the time when I left."

"Why would I call you?"

"I told you that I would wait for you."

"Yes, but you left, Karina." Karina's heart feels like getting stabbed when Winter said that.

"You know why I left."

"Yes, I do."

"Then?"

"Why would I call you back when you left me, Karina? You left because you were hurting. Being with me hurts you. Tell me, why would I call you back knowing that I was the reason why you left?"

"But you weren't with him anymore, so why? Why didn't you call me?!" Karina asked desperately.

Winter's tears slowly rolling down, and she looked at her right instead of at Karina.

"You're- You're getting married, Karina. We shouldn't- let's just forget about it."

Karina put down her hands and stepped back. She forgot, she forgot that she was Jeno's fiancee.

"Did you not love me at all, Winter?"

"I'm going to go now." Winter opened her car's door again when Karina grabbed her arm.

"Do you love me?" Karina asked again.

"We're not going to do this again, Karina. Once is enough. I'm not with Jaehyun anymore, but you're with Jeno now."

Winter pulled her arm from Karina's grasp and was about to enter her car when Karina made her stop.

"Minjeong ah." Karina's shaking voice called out her name softly.

"Please, answer me. Do you love me?" Karina asked again, hoping this time she will get an answer from her.

"N-No." Winter lied and hates herself after saying it.

Karina hugged her from behind and Winter closed her eyes, hating herself for feeling weak right now in front of Karina.

"Do you love me, Kim Minjeong?"

"I don't."

"Do you love me, my love?"

"I... Don't."

"Do you love me, baby?"

Karina tightened her hug and kissed Winter's shoulder when the younger started sobbing. 

"You do. You love me." Karina whispered and turned Winter around.

"You love me, baby."

"I can't." Winter shook her head.

"But you love me." Karina said firmly, afraid of hearing something else from Winter.

"You love only me." Karina said again.

"I am."

Karina closed her eyes and hugged her again.

"Then, just love me." Karina said.

"You're not mine anymore."

"Make me yours again. Make me stay this time. Please, baby."

"I don't want to hurt you again." Winter sobbed.

"You won't."

"You deserves to be happy."

"And with you, I will."

Winter pulled away to wipe off her tears, Karina's hands were still holding her waist.

"I saw them."

"Huh?"

"The reporters." Winter mumbled and tried to push Karina away, but she didn't move. Instead, she stepped closer.

"Make me yours again, Minjeongie."

Winter looked up at her, and bit her bottom lip.

"Your fiance-"

"I am not his. I said, make me yours."

Winter gulped and took a deep breath.

"You don't love him?" Winter asked, suddenly feeling insecure. Karina smiled and cupped her face using one hand.

"I don't. I only love you." Karina told her the truth.

"Why? I hurt you."

"Yet, it doesn't make me love you less."

"..."

"Kiss me." Karina demanded.

"I can't, the reporters-"

"Kiss me, baby."

"Jimin, we can't-" Karina smiled hearing Winter finally called her Jimin again, so she pulled her without thinking and kissed her lips.

"Tell me, baby, that you love me. And that you'll be with only me this time."

"Yes. I do, and it'll be only you." Karina finally cried and she kissed Winter passionately, doesn't care about their pictures got taken at all. Her heavy heart was feeling lighter now.

"I'll be your one and only." Karina said.

"Yes."

Karina then hugged her and she was the one who was sobbing now. Winter rubbed her back gently, hugging her as tight.

"I'm sorry, Jimin."

"You're forgiven, just promise that I'll be yours and no one else." 

"I promise, Jimin."

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

There there. A sequel for yall. Don't cry anymore and enjoy!

Love ya and take care guys.

 

xx