Chapter 12

Yunho glanced at his shinola ‘The Runwell’ alligator strap watch for the hundredth times already. He blew his side bangs off from his forehead in frustration. He was ready to go see Yuri when suddenly Jiyeon came into his office. Feeling guilty for ignoring her for the last seven months, he finally agreed to have dinner with her as an apology. He sighed. He should have called Yuri to inform her that he couldn’t go to her house tonight but did she care? All these times, Yuri didn’t seem to care whether he went to visit her or not. Almost all the time, he only talked to Youngmi or her parent. She used to lock herself in her room or keep quiet when her parents forced her to meet him. However, since their romantic night three days ago, he believed that Yuri & him could start a better relationship than before. He sighed impatiently. He had been waiting for Jiyeon in the hotel lobby for almost two hours & still, there was no sign of her. He had called her room three times & the answer was always asking him to wait as she wasn’t ready yet.

He stared blankly at the lovely painting on the wall in front of him. His mind was wandering. Did Yuri wait for him tonight? Would he get another chance to have dinner with her someday? Or maybe they could watch a movie together? He grinned widely at his thought. He glanced again, at his watch. It was eight & Jiyeon still hadn’t come yet, ‘What is she doing?’ He asked impatiently.

Yunho pulled out his mobile from his pocket to call Yuri, at least her sister, Mimi if she didn’t want to pick up the phone. He just wanted to let them know that he couldn’t go to there house tonight.

He started to dial the number when he heard the sound shrieking in joy, “Yun?”

He turned his eyes to meet the owner of the voice, “Jae?”

“What are you doing here, man? Sitting alone in the lobby of the Shinshin Hotel Myeongdong. Are you waiting for someone?” Jaejoong winked playfully as he patted his best friend’s back.

Yunho smiled & punched him playfully. It had been a long time since the last time they hang out together. He just wanted to utter a word when a feminine voice called his name.

“Yunnie Oppa, I’m ready. Shall we go now?”

Jaejoong turned his head to where the voice came from & stared in surprise, “Jiyeon? I don’t know you’re here. What brought you back here?”

Jiyeon smiled beautifully. She was wearing a black free people sleeveless scoop-neck lace a-line dress which cupped her s-line body shape perfectly. Her beautiful brown, almond-shaped eyes shimmered with delight. She reached for Yunho’s arm & put her arm around his. Jaejoong saw them with opened mouth.

Yunho felt uneasy. He cleared his throat & asked Jaejoong to join with them, “We’re going to have dinner. Why don’t you join with us, Jae?”

“Thanks but I already had my dinner. Both of you can go. I’m waiting for someone to meet me here.” He refused politely & gave Yunho a questioning look secretly.

Yunho stared at him back with pleading eyes as he wanted to tell him that he was powerless. Jaejoong shrugged his shoulder to let his best friend solved his own problem.

Yunho sighed in hopelessness. He forced a smile to Jiyeon, “Come on. I’m hungry.”

They ate dinner at a small table beside the window of Le Saint-Ex French restaurant. Jiyeon was perfect. She had her hair cropped & had dyed it to blonde which made her more sophisticated. She was indeed a striking young lady. She knew her attractive sides & knew how to get the most out of it.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Jiyeon said, with a little laugh.

“Look at you how?” Yunho asked bewilderedly.

“You look at me as if you’ve never seen me before.”

“Did I? Sorry. I’m not thinking clearly tonight.”

He grabbed his drink & sipped it slowly. He couldn’t help but think how beautiful the young lady in front of him was. She reached the perfection but to his surprises, he only felt admiration about her. It was a different feeling as he felt for Yuri, ‘Did she wait for him?’ Yunho’s mind had been traveling in a narrow thought again, until the soft voice disrupted his quietness.

“Oppa, do you have any problem? You can tell me.” She said, reaching out her hand to his. She stared at Yunho’s troubled face.

Yunho smiled a little bit, “Thank you but I’m alright.” He took his champagne again, & drank it as he wanted to pull his hand away from Jiyeon’s politely.

Jiyeon looked at him & scrutinized his handsome face, “You’ve changed a lot.”

Yunho grinned lightly, “Really?” He shrugged his shoulders.

“What happen to us, Oppa?” Jiyeon asked gently, with sadness in her beautiful eyes.

Yunho choked & stared back at her & let out a deep sigh, “Yeonnie, I told you before. I’m sorry that I.”

He didn’t answer her question. It was as if he hadn’t heard it. Jiyeon felt a chill going through her spine. Why did he change so much?

“I don’t want you to say sorry. I want to have our time of happiness back. I don’t want to lose you.” She whispered, the last words as she began to sob.

Yunho sighed again. The sorrow in her voice was like a knife tearing at his heart. He couldn’t bear to look at her. He closed his eyes, feeling guilty to this pretty, yet vulnerable girl in front of him. Jiyeon had always treated him nicely, being his perfect girlfriend. However, the situation had changed as well as his feelings for her. Not knowing what to say, he played with his glass.

“Oppa, why don’t you tell me what happened? Why did you cancel your journey to New York? Why did you never contact me? Why?” Finally, Jiyeon burst out crying. Tears were flowing down hard on her glowing cheeks.

Yunho felt uncomfortable. He reached out his hand & squeezed her hand on the table lightly, “I’m sorry. It’s my entire fault but I can’t answer your questions. Let it be a secret buried inside my heart forever. Please understand.”

Yunho looked at her with a gloomy face. How could he make this pretty girl cried so sorrowfully? He groaned inside. His marriage to Yuri was a secret as it was stated on their marriage agreement. How could he tell her that he wasn’t a free man anymore?

Jiyeon lifted her face up & bit down on her pink full lips. Of course, she needed answers. These questions had been in her mind during the past six months. She definitely needed answers from Yunho. That’s why she flew to Seoul from New York. She was sure that he had a secret but she knew how stubborn Yunho was. She couldn’t force him or he would end up hating her. She had to use some other trick as she knew Yunho had a soft heart, “Is this related to your baby’s secret?” She asked huskily, choking with her own tears.

Yunho was startled. His expression changed. However, in a few seconds, he manage to control himself. He laughed a bit & tried to act casual, “Don’t believe those rubbish stories. It’s only gossip.”

Jiyeon sighed in relief. She stared at Yunho lovingly, “I’m glad it’s only rumors. I trust you.” She said firmly, with a smile.

Yunho felt uneasy again. He didn’t want to lie. His heart was screaming to let her know the truth; on the other hand, he was afraid that Jiyeon would be his obstacle to get close to Yuri. He stared at her, looking at her eyes deeply, “Yeonnie, I want to say something important about us.”

Jiyeon took in a deep breath & tried not to feeling shaky. She cupped her chin with her hands. Her bright eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she looked at him with optimism.

Yunho took in a deep breath before muttering weakly, “We’re over. I’m sorry.”

Jiyeon stared at him in disbelief, ‘He finally dumped me! He said it clearly!’ Her heart screamed out in despair. Their eyes met. She tried to find lies in his eyes but she failed. Yunh