Hyoyeon was on her way to work. She was holding onto her phone tightly, hoping that anytime soon, Jongin would call.

"Professor Kim," she thought to herself, "Where are you?"

Hyoyeon stopped walking when she reached the parking area of the convenience store, the place where Jongin used to park his car, and wait for her to finish her shift. Tears formed in her eyes, "Now that I'm ready to tell you everything... Where are you?" she thought to herself.

As she wiped her eyes using the sleeves of her coat, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. It was Tao.

"Hey Hyo," he greeted.

"Tao? What are you doing here?"

Tao forced a smile, "I'll just buy something from the convenience store," he said as he continued walking. Hyoyeon started to walk to catch up with him.

"How was Yuri?" she asked.

"She's worried sick about you," he answered.

Hyoyeon became quiet. She didn't want her bestfriend to worry much about her.

"I know why Professor Kim's on leave," Tao said, hesitantly. His words made Hyoyeon's face lit up.

"Where is he?" she asked.

Tao sighed, "Well, this one's difficult," he averted his eyes from Hyoyeon, "He's off to be engaged to... to someone."

Hyoyeon stepped back, "Are you kidding me?" she grinned, "Was that a joke?"

She was expecting Tao to smile and tell her that what he said was a bluff, but he didn't. He looked at her with pity, which made tears fall on Hyoyeon's face.

"Who's that someone you are referring to?" Hyoyeon asked, sternly.

"Jung Soojung."

Hyoyeon understood everything. Jongin and Soojung's engagement was the reason why he suddenly left. The words from Jongin's mother echoed inside her head again.

"Stay away from my son."

Tao held her shoulder, "I didn't mean to--"

"It's-- okay. I'm-- I'm fine," Hyoyeon stammered as she wiped her tears with her hands, "I'm okay, Tao. Don't worry," she said as she continued walking. Tao just watched her, realizing that he shouldn't have said