It’s a warm day and the sound of children laughing and playing, along with the low chatter of their parents fit the summery vibe of the morning. Jieun decided it was much better to have breakfast on the tables right outside by the camping grounds instead of indoors.

Because indoors meant being alone with Jihoon in an enclosed area and right now, that feels like the death of her. 

“You’ll be fine…it was just a minor hiccup.” She tried to tell herself, as she twirled the fork instead of actually using it to eat.

No matter how many times she said those words, she just couldn’t shake off the embarrassment that would start creeping in. 

UGH.

She was in this state when she heard the door open, soon followed by footsteps which stopped just beside her. The anticipation sent a chill down her spine.

How the hell will she ever live this down?

“Are those for me?” 

Jihoon pointed at the selection of food on the table. His hair was still dishevelled and wet, and he had on a ratty Deulgukhwa shirt paired with khaki cargo pants which might seem simple and ordinary, but she somehow had to peel her eyes away before she got caught staring.

Jieun took a long deep breath before lifting her gaze towards Jihoon who towered over her.

“Yes. My thank you for being kind enough to help me last night.” She managed to answer without stuttering and ogling.

“Sure.” He replied curtly, before proceeding to occupy the vacant lawn chair beside her. “Gotta remember to lock the door when I shower though.” He teased.

Jieun took a steadying breath. The jerk was making fun of her while leisurely eating the food that she thoughtfully bought. Sometimes, it’s really hard to not get annoyed, especially when people like Jung Jihoon exist.

“Will you just shut up and eat?” She replied in between bites of pancake.

Jihoon was fighting off the urge to smile by clamping down his lips, his nose flaring from the effort.

“It’s just too funny! I’m sorry!” Jihoon fought a laugh and ended up spilling coffee that bubbled from his mouth.

“Oppa, are you five? Just eat!” In spite of herself, she couldn’t help but laugh. Jihoon was slapping his thigh with his free hand, unable to fight the laughing fit. 

“Mianhe.” His shoulders still shook slightly but he got the laughter under control now.

“Apology accepted just ‘cause I owe you. But I agree, locking the bathroom when either of us is using it is recommended.”

“I was kidding. Honestly, it’s no big deal, it’s not like you haven’t seen everything. I’m even surprised you freaked out.” He said, smirking.

“Yah, it’s common decency. We’re not dating anymore and it’s not like I’d be parading in my underwear when you’re sharing the same room with me.” 

“Why not?” He was chuckling like an idiot and Jieun was holding back from smacking him right then and there. 

Jihoon still had that naughty glint in his eye as he smirked, knowing full well that this is pushing her buttons. And he’s right. How can she even tell him that it’s not fine? That seeing him looking like a photoshopped superhuman with a 48-pack does not bode well for her sanity? 

“We can’t really be talking about this while having breakfast.”

“Don’t change the topic, Jieun.”

“I’m not!”

“Oh please. You’re evading a perfectly reasonable question.” He sipped from his cup then turned a little to the left to directly face her before adding,”I’ve seen you , you’ve seen me . It’s nothing new. There’s no reason to freak out about it. But if it bothers you, then fine.”

Her entire face felt hot. Not because she felt embarrassed, but she suddenly felt annoyed. She stared at Jihoon’s smug face, digesting what he just said. To her ears, he meant that even if he sees her , it will do nothing to him. Like it’s yesterday’s old news. Well, she didn’t think it would make her feel less attractive, but it did. And the fact that it does is making her angry. 

In the last few years, although she didn’t find out about it on purpose, news of Jihoon’s flings reached her. Initially, she didn’t believe it, but after blind items and speculations of his “special friendship” with actresses, singers, models and even a few chaebol daughters, she started to believe that there was some truth to it. Add to that the occasional flirty phone call she’d catch him on accidentally - it all seems to paint a very interesting picture of Jihoon. This Jihoon is so far from the man she fell in love with, and yet, why does she seem to get her in a twist just because she didn’t seem very appealing to him anymore?

“Oppa, I’m a human being so I care. Excuse me.” 

She decided to finish her coffee inside the room because if she didn’t she might say something she’ll regret later. 

Fortunately, Jihoon busied himself with other activities after their interesting breakfast conversation. She tried to bury her annoyance by taking a long, leisurely walk in the nearby vegetable garden. 

When she entered, there was a huge placard saying “Pick and take home your own vegetables” and that made her smile. She eyed the beautiful tomatoes and lettuce, her brain already imagining what kind of salad she’ll make. 

She’d been picking cherry tomatoes when her phone started ringing. She set down her small basket and fished out her phone with her left arm. Jieun had no intention of answering it but when she saw it was Inna, she pressed the green button and immediately a barrage of questions started coming from the other line.

“One at a time, Inna.”

Inna was chuckling on the other line, obviously excited. “Well, I’m free from mommy and employee duties today and Dong Wook is out with Yerin, so spill! I need my fix!”

She shook her head, amused at her bestfriend’s insatiable appetite for gossip - specifically gossip about her life. 

“I don’t know where to start, Inna. Just help pray that I won’t choke him to death when he’s sleeping,” She sighed. “Oh, wait, I can’t do that ‘cause I only have one good arm.”

“Wait..WAIIITTTT!” Inna was practically shrieking, overexcited. “While he’s sleeping? Are you sharing a room?”

She rolled her eyes at how quick Inna picked up on that. Trust her to focus on the R-18 stuff first. 

“Yes…and no.”

“No, no. You can’t give me cryptic answers Lee Jieun. God help me, or I’ll fly to Greece and see