The moment his words hit her, the atmosphere grows noticeably cold.

He knew didn't he? He saw through everything yet dragged her there just to make sure.

And for some reason, that angered her.

How dare he? She questioned why he still failed to see that everything she did was for him.

"You're right. I lied and you caught me. Congrat-ing-lations."

She finds the courage to look straight into his eyes without any hint of remorse yet Hyun Joong is quick to avert her gaze.

"So what?" Her voice betrays her "All I wanted was another shot... Another chance to make things right."

Make things right? Is that what she's calling it? Hyun Joong can't help but scoff.

"..... Maybe this all happened for a reason." Cho- Hee attempts reaching out for his hand but Hyun Joong recoils instinctively.

This only ends upsetting her more.

"-Your name-..." The name feels like bitter poison on her tongue "She has yet to tell you the truth..."

"Cho-Hee." He calls to her firmly, not liking her bringing you up in the conversation.

"Do you know why?"

"That's enough Cho-Hee-"

she laughs bitterly.

"Because you are a burden to her."

Hyun Joong eyes narrow.

"You've noticed haven't you?
Ever since you got out of the hospital she's spent all her time with him.... you couldn't have missed that."

"This is getting pathetic Cho-Hee..."
Hyun Joong was quickly losing his temper.

"She felt relieved. She felt she was free....She could start over.... With Jaejoong, she could be with someone who-"

"ENOUGH" Hyun Joong had finally snapped.

"SHE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOU!" Cho-hee raises her voice as well.

Hyun Joong grabs her shoulders and shakes Cho-Hee firmly as
If to make her come to her senses.

Cho-Hee winces at his harsh grip.

"Enough." He says this again in a low voice but the cold tone pierces even harsher.

"I STILL LOVE YOU." The tears that had been welding up in her eyes finally fall against her cheeks as she says this.
"Do my feelings not matter to you Hyun Joong?"

He doesn't respond.

"You probably don't even comprehend what you're feeling either."

Hyun Joong's expression grows darker.

"I'm right, aren't I? " Cho-Hee tries to understand his silence.
"You "loved" her ... yet you can't remember why. " She squints "So She's nothing more than a stranger.... you honestly don't feel anything."

Was it true?

Did he look for someone just to fill this empty void in himself? Just because he felt something was missing?

He had found you... yet did he feel anything when he discovered the truth?

Hyun Joong clenches his teeth as a piercing pain vibrates through his head.

Did he feel nothing?

************************

Despite the whole situation that happened yesterday, things between you and Jaejoong had gone back to normal.

Almost as if yesterday never even happened.

"Here, Try this. It's really good. "
Jae holds a sandwich slice up to your mouth.

You obediently open your mouth and take a sizable bite.

You could've swore Jaejoong's eyes would pop out due to the excitement in awaiting your reaction.

But the more you chewed, the more the tingly sensation burst through your mouth.

"Well?" Jaejoong was grinning ear to ear now.

"I - I canth f-eel my tongueth."
Your tongue had gone numb.

It was spicy. Way too spicy. Almost as if your whole mouth had caught on fire.

Jaejoong bursts out laughing at your attempt to speak. You slap his arm and try to pull off a menacing glare

"YAH. YOU JERK!"

He tries to contain his laughter.

"You got to admit it's good though."
He points out.

That... was true... 

Although your mouth was quenching a cool glass of milk, you had to admit the overall flavor was really good.

You didn't him to think that though so you roll your eyes.

Jaejoong chuckles at your expression and is about to say something else but is suddenly cut off.

*BZZZ BZZZZZ BZZZZZ BZZZZZZ*

He glances at his phone as it vibrates on the counter.

"Go ahead and answer. It's fine." You encourage with a smile.

He takes one look at the screen and answers the call with a sigh.

"What's up?"

You hear muffled words from the other side of the line.

Jaejoong let's out another sigh, rubbing his temple in frustration.

"Speak clearer, Cho-Hee. I can't understand a single word you're saying right now."

The words from the other side mummer a bit slower this time.

"Dammit Hee. It's not even noon... What the hell are you doing???" His voice rises up in anger.

You wait for him to meet your gaze and mouth "Did something happen?"

You couldn't help but feel concerned.

Jaejoong on the other hand just shakes his head at you as if to say "Don't worry about it."

"Where are you at? I'll go pick you up."

More muffled slurs.

"Alright. Alright. Just stay there. I'll go pick you up." Jaejoong's voice turns softer, almost worried.

Of course he would be worried though. Cho- Hee was still his friend after all.

As soon as he hangs up, he grabs his jacket and stands.

"Is Cho-Hee alright?" You ask.

"Doesn't sound like it." He admits.
"I'll have to go pick her up before she ends up passed out at a bar."

He says this with a laugh but you can see the concern in his eyes.

"Go ahead Jae. She needs you right now." You give him an understanding smile.

He sighs.

"Right.... Thanks -Your Name-"

And with that, he leaves.

*********************