When Naeun returned Myungsoo’s phone, the latter knew that Naeun had no idea what had happened the previous night. Thus, he opted for everything to remain in his memory and his memory alone for he was afraid of the bigger consequences it would make once he inform the female of the kiss that they had shared. However, he couldn’t hide the fact that he was bothered. He tried his best to still act casual and normal around her, but in his mind, there were already thousands of thoughts running and not all of them were good.

“What?”

Myungsoo sighed and closed his eyes before repeating his words, “I... I am working with Naeun. I was hired as a photographer while she was hired as a model.”

“And?” Woohyun probed on the other line.

“And it’s just difficult not to let the past resurface again.”

There was an audible sigh from Woohyun before he asked, “Have you forgiven her for leaving you?”

“I have,” Myungsoo genuinely answered, “Because I already have the answers that I long sought for.”

“I think that’s good,” Woohyun replied, “You two finally have a good closure.”

Hesitation halted Myungsoo but he needed an outlet – someone whom he could tell all his worries. With all the guts he had left, he confessed, “Woohyun, when I said past, I meant everything – not just the memories or the pain but the feelings as well.”

“But what about Suzy?” Woohyun quickly retorted.

“I know. I know,” Myungsoo grunted, “I love Suzy, I really do but right now, I feel like I’m cheating on her.”

“B-But you’re just working with Naeun,” Woohyun stuttered, trying to balance between appeasing Myungsoo as his friend and protecting Suzy as her cousin. He exclaimed, “Nothing would go wrong as long as you don’t do anything stupid, right?”

“That’s the problem,” Myungsoo uttered.

He closed his eyes and he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration but as he did so, memories of last night started devouring his mind once more – from the sincerity in Naeun’s eyes as she told him that she still loves him to the softness of her lips on his.

He sighed before adding, “I already did something stupid.”

“My name is Naeun. Son Naeun.”

The phone call that greeted Suzy in the morning was never able to leave her mind. It had sent the gears of her brain running endlessly, as if paranoia was defining her entire self. Numerous questions were inside her head, threatening to explode.

Was Myungsoo acting weird because he was working with her?  Suzy thought.

She chewed on her lower lip as anxiety was starting to fill her. She remembered the photos that Myungsoo still kept in a box in his house, the picture between the pages of one of his books, the letter behind it, and everything.

“They actually looked like those couples who only existed in movies – those which would be granted with happily ever after.”

She couldn’t help but feel threatened of a past she didn’t exactly know – of a love that she was scared was far greater than hers.

“Suzy, are you with me?” Sulli asked when she noticed that Suzy was once again staring into nothingness.

“Y-Yes,” Suzy stuttered with a small nod.

“Look at this,” Sulli showed her a baby pink A-line dress with pleated skirt and lacy patterned top.

They have been shopping for hours but Sulli’s high standards and Suzy’s inattentiveness were not helping them progress in their search for a dress. Sulli had already made her try more than a dozen of clothes but none seemed to suit Suzy according to Sulli’s judgment.

“You look good in everything but we have to look for what would make you look the best,” Sulli repeated for the nth time that day before pushing her into the fitting room in order to try the pink dress.

As Suzy faced herself in the mirror in the fitting room, she saw her tired reflection. With a sigh, she lightly tapped her cheeks, trying to knock off her negative thoughts out of her system. Then, she shook her head before proceeding to wear the pink dress. As she looked at her reflection once more, a smile formed on her lips.

To say that she loved the dress was an understatement.

“Perfect!” Sulli exclaimed as soon as she saw Suzy wearing the dress, “I love it!”

“I like it too,” Suzy replied.

“You’re finally responsive!” Sulli uttered but when Suzy gave her a questioning stare, Sulli explained, “You’ve been acting like a zombie since we went out.”

With an apologetic smile, Suzy whispered in reply, “I’m sorry.”

Sulli shook her head and said, “If there’s something that’s bothering you, you could tell us. That’s what cousins are for, right?”

Suzy’s lips curved into a genuine smile for Sulli made her feel certain that they are bonded more than their surnames and their blood. She squeezed her hand and replied, “Thank you.”

“Are you okay?” Sulli questioned with worry painted all over her face.

Suzy bit her lip, contemplating on whether she should tell Sulli or not but she opted for the latter as she said, “Next time that I’m not okay, I promise I’d tell you.”

“Hmmm,” Sulli made a small beam and nodded, “Then, for now, take that off and let’s pay for it.”

Soon, they were lining up for the cashier but just then, her phone started ringing and her heart skipped a beat upon seeing Myungsoo’s name. Sulli understood and gave her a nod, gesturing for her to take the call at one corner.

Suzy coughed a little, trying to sound cheery as she answered the phone, “Hello?”

“Hello, Suzy.”

“Myungsoo,” Suzy whispered and she couldn’t help but still feel love swelling in her heart by just saying his name.

“How are you?” he asked.

“I-I’m fine,” Suzy stuttered, trying to let make her words sound genuine, “And you?”

“I’m good,” he answered but both did not recognize how their voices betrayed their statements.

“Do you... do you have something to say?” Suzy questioned.

“Oh,” Myungsoo gasped and it was enough to send Suzy’s heart racing. But then, he said, “I-I don’t think I can come home this weekend. Our work has been extended. Can I see you on Monday instead?”

“Ah... is that so?” Suzy asked before humming, “Hmm. I understand.”

“I have to go,” Myungsoo then blurted, “I miss you, Su – bye!”

“Wait!” Suzy said, her anxiety slightly showing. But then, she was able to calm herself down as she asked once more, “Is there anything else you want to say?”

She didn’t know how but she wanted him to talk – for him to tell her the truth without directly saying that she already knew.

But then, Myungsoo said, “Ah! I love you.”

Unknowingly, a sad smile formed on Suzy’s lips as she replied, “I know.”

They said their goodbyes then the phone call ended without appeasing the warring worries in Suzy’s heart.

“Someday, he’d tell you about his family and Naeun.”

When would that day come? Suzy asked herself, Or would that day ever come?

Why don’t you tell me anything, Myungsoo?

“Are you going to your father’s birthday celebration?” Naeun asked.

“Do I have a choice?” Myungsoo asked back with a dark expression.

Then, she probed, “Are you going to bring Suzy-ssi?”

Myungsoo rubbed his nape before answering, “Suzy doesn’t know anything about my family and I prefer it to be that way. She’s better off away from all the drama. I don’t want to make her life more complicated.”

Naeun smiled sadly, knowing that Myungsoo never had a good relationship with his father or his family and how their relationship had become more complicated when she had become associated with Myungsoo’s half-brother.

Silence resonated between the two of them before Naeun stated, “See you there, then.”

Naeun then stood up to walk away and Myungsoo watched her retreating back.

He rubbed his hair in frustration before burying his face in his hands. Solitude had granted him freedom but circumstances would always call for him to be forced into a life he never wanted. He knew that the upcoming celebration would just once again make him feel how he did not belong to his own family.

“Please fetch me at 10 pm,” Suzy requested.

“No problem,” Siwon replied with a beam, “Enjoy the party!”

Suzy thanked Siwon once more before stepping out of his luxurious car and stepping into the grand garden decorated with dangling lights, antique-like chairs, and tables clothed with blue and silver and topped with high candles. She looked around and saw how the guests were busy talking among themselves as they paraded with branded attires. All of them were strangers to Suzy and the whole scene was rather intimidating for her.

She unconsciously started taking steps backwards.

“Boo!”

Suzy flinched and her heart almost jumped out of her chest in shock but as she saw who the culprit was, she found peace. Jongin looked dashing in his black suit with a light blue polo underneath and black