Jessica, Minho and Donghae were sitting together at a table in Froggie Puccino. It was really awkward for her and Donghae contrast from what naive Minho felt—happy to have a cup of coffee with his business partners—well, that’s what he thought, business partners.

Jessica took a sip of her cappuccino as she tried to calm her mind. Minho on the other hand, was talking contentedly with Donghae, trying to be closer. Donghae, of course, went with the flow but deep down inside he did feel uneasy. Imagine being best friend with his unconditional love’s husband—awkward.

Jessica placed her cup back on the table when Minho’s phone beeped. He took a peek at the screen and his face changed. . She cursed. He’s not going somewhere, is he?

“Chwaesonghabnida… Could you please excuse me for a second? Just for awhile.” Minho got up and apologized. “Kwaenchanayo.” Donghae said giving out a smile.

Kajima, kajima! Jessica yelled, in her head. Great. Now, there were only her and Donghae sitting at the table alone. Silent. Donghae took a sip of his coffee in hope to cool down his nervous self. Jessica let out a breath.

“It’s been awhile.” He said with a half-calm and half-freak voice. She could only nod. He nodded his head too and placed his cup on the table. He wanted to talk to her so bad. But seeing her expression right now made him nervous. She looked like she was not interested in him anymore, nor she looked curious to know how he was doing for the past years they were apart. He bit his lips. “I…” paused. “How are you?”

Jessica lifted her head up to see his face. What kind of question is that? She leered away after Donghae shifted his sight to her. “I’m doing fine.” She answered it anyway.

“Even after the years…”

“I said I’m fine.” She insisted. “What makes you think that I’m not okay for the past years?”

He was taken aback by her words a little. What makes I think… she’s fine? “You were very different from me, then.”

She smirked. “Had I ever been similar to you?” She threw him her sharp stares again.

“No.” he answered, retorting back her stares. “We were very different. In fact, you become even more different from before.”

“You’re saying I’ve changed?”

“Everybody changes.”

She smiled, smugly. “Yes, that’s why I am too? But I’m still human.”

“But… you know the difference between us made we fall in love with each other, right?” He said wanting to spill out all that was in his heart for the past three years.

She stiffened. What Donghae said just now really made her astonished. The thing that she tried really hard for three years trying to forget this guy sitting right in front of her… her biggest fear, when he suddenly appeared in front of her and then all the memories from the past came flowing back like the river… she closed her eyes tight. “What is it that you’re trying to say?”

Donghae tried to hold back his sad feelings as he recalled back the bitter memories. He didn’t want to let it flow here, not at this time. “You didn’t know what I’ve been through when you walked away.” He said.

“Is it my concern to know about how you feel?!” her eyes started to get teary though she was trying to hold back.

“I can’t sleep well, I can’t eat well, I can’t even do my job properly! Every second after you left, there was never a time I’ve been happy or enjoying what I’m doing. You were always around in my mind. There was never a time where I didn’t think about you once! You expect me to be fine? Well, I expected you to be in a worst condition like I am! Not because I’m happy to see you distraught, but I’m just hoping that you still feel the same for me, like I am for you. I didn’t know this farewell was so easy to you… I really didn’t.”

Jessica got up hitting the table. “Stop talking gibberish!” She felt really upset about what he said. “You think I came here just to hear you complained about how you spend your life 3 years past?! Fish! Just save it, like I want to hear about it!” She shouted, all anger within her arose. She didn’t care whether the attentions were all on her. At that moment, to her, there were only Donghae and her there.

Donghae got up to and grabbed her wrist. There was no intention in him that he wanted to touch Jessica for the first time in 3 years this way. He couldn’t help it than letting his head controlled his body movement. “All nonsense I told you just now was true. I know we couldn’t be together anymore despite your status right now. But it’s not wrong for me to still keep my feelings for you.”

“Despicable.” She pulled her arm from his tight grip. “There are no other men I’ve met who is so feeble like you are. Snap back to reality, would you? Living in memory land will just make you crazier than ever. You knew the truth already so why is there keeping hopes?”

“Because someone I love once told me to never give up hope for fate always awaits one who keeps on hoping!” He choked out the words.

Jessica was stunned for a second. He remembered. But that just made matter worst. Did he expect her to snap from her ego and give him a chance? No. A slap landed on his face.

Right then, she took her bag and walked out of Froggie Puccino. Donghae was still in a state of mind shock. Never crossed his mind Jessica would react this way. He knew she was cold, but not this cold. She’d become crueler than before. Did he really disgust her? Cold and cruel. But did he know, she walked out with tears flowing down her cheek. Maybe he’d just melt the ice inside her.