BYUL’S POV

“So… what did you want to talk about?” I asked as we walked down the beach, with me kicking the sand under my feet every now and then. I took of my shoes a while ago as the sand kept going in, so I’m just holding them with my left hand. I didn’t really dare to look up from my feet when I heard Jeongmin take a deep breath and sigh.

“How are you?” He started and I breathed out. It’s a simple enough question, I guess.

“Fine. How are things between you and Aeri?” Jeongmin smiled softly and kicked the sand as well. “Broke up.” I couldn’t help but look at him with my eyes widened. “What? B-but how?”

“Turns out she just wanted me for my money.” He chuckled softly but the pain was quite evident in his smiles. It didn’t really reach his eyes like the last time I remembered. “How can I be so blind by the love I had for her?” He asked, but I had a feeling that the question was meant for himself than for me, so I kept quiet.

“How did you find out?” I said so softly that it sounded more like a whisper. “I caught her with another man in our apartment kissing on our couch. Can you believe the nerve of her? Bringing a man back home just like that when that apartment was shared between us. And she admitted that she was with me because I’m the boss and I’m rich.” He rolled his eyes and laughed. “What the heck? So I just dumped her there and told my dad I’m transferring back to Korea.” We found a place in the middle and sat down. He opened one of the many cans of beer we bought before going to the beach and gulped it down.

“Anyway, enough about me. The guy just now… is he your new client?” I opened one and drank a sip before nodding your head. “You guys seem close.” He commented and I just smiled. “He’s my boyfriend.” Jeongmin choked on his beer and I patted his back. “Boyfriend?! How long was I gone?! Are you even allowed to date your client?!?!!” Jeongmin fired all the questions at once and I just stared at him. “What’s with the 20 questions?” I laughed.

“Answer me!” He pouted and I rolled my eyes with a smile.

“Okay, okay. He’s my client and somehow along the way we just fell in love. I’m not allowed to date clients but he said he’s gonna try and talk to ahjusshi. He said I’m entitled to my own happiness, which was true in a sense. So we’re waiting for the 100 days to be up and he’s gonna ask ahjusshi officially.” I explained and Jeongmin just nodded.

“That’s nice. I’m happy for you, Byul. Really.” He flashed a genuine smile and I smiled back. “Thanks.”

We just sat there in silence for a while, just drinking beer and enjoying the breeze. I thought the air around us would be awkward, but it’s not. I couldn’t help but think that things didn’t change as much as I thought they would.

“You know…” I started and Jeongmin looked at me. “I know from the start that Aeri’s like that.” frowned and I continued. “She threatened me that day when I first met her at the ice cream parlour. I thought of telling you that night, but you’d probably believe Aeri than me, so I just kept quiet. When you revealed that you’re leaving with Aeri and leaving Minwoo behind, I was really pissed that you didn’t even bother to tell us anything till I confronted you. I thought we were good friends. I wanted to tell you about how Aeri was then as well, but then you seemed pretty happy to be able to be with her, so I just kept mum about it. I’m sorry you had to find out about her this way.” I bit my lip and kept my head down.

Jeongmin, on the other hand, patted my head and smiled. “It’s okay. What’s past is past anyway. Aeri is now officially part of my past and I’d rather forget that such a actually existed in my life. I’m just glad our relationship is still okay. At least, I hope it’s okay. We’re still friends, right?” He asked in such a confused way that it’s cute. I laughed and nodded. “Of course, I wouldn’t change it for anything.” And we just sat there finishing all the beer cans and just enjoyed the sea breeze, catching up with each other.

I admit, when I found out the true intentions of Aeri I wanted to shout at Jeongmin and slap him to wake him up or something. But I realized, this was his problem, not mine. If he likes her, then fine, I’ll wish them the best. That’s the least a good friend could do, right? But thank god he realized what a she was and left her instead of staying and forgiving whatever mistakes she made like some of the male leads I see on tv.

All in all, what I’m most glad through all these was that my relationship with him still hasn’t changed one bit. I thought it’d be awkward and weird, considering I did ignore him two weeks before his last day here in Korea last time, but everything turned out fine. I just hope his eyes would be more keen and big enough when he looks for his new target next time and not be blinded by some like Aeri.

That night, after he sent me home, (yes, he’s still sober enough to drive) I leaned over and gave him a hug before getting off the car. “Have a good rest, big CEO. I’ll see you soon.” I waved and smiled till his car disappeared around the corner. When I went into the house, I found Byunghun sleeping on the couch with the tv on. I smiled, touched that he stayed up to wait for me. Or at least, tried to. I went over, woke him up and helped him back to bed.

I tucked him in and brushed some stray hair that fell over his face and smiled. “Goodnight.” I whispered and was about to leave when his hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me down on the bed with him. I gasped at the sudden close contact and tried to wiggle out of his hold but it was no use, so I just gave up and stayed there.

The last thing I remembered before drifting off to sleep was his voice saying “I love you.” And I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

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okay this chapter kinda I really didn't have any idea what I was writing LOLOL so just take this as some weird filler chapter or something ((author is tearing her own hair out now)) but nonetheless i hope it's still an okay chapter for you guys!!! have a great week ahead! I'll probably update on thurs or friday or weekends <<: comment and subscribe!~ <33