Chapter 10: Birthday

“You went overboard in the restaurant, Jiho.”

I crossed my arms across my chest as I looked down at Jiho who is sitting on my couch.

He looked at me and sighed. “He went overboard to you too. That just serves him right.” He replied as he flipped the channels on the television.

I exhaled and sat beside me.

I can’t be mad at Jiho. Not when he just saved me moments ago. The last thing I would do for Jiho is hurt him and get mad at him. I’ve hurt him enough. He doesn’t deserve any pain when he loves me so much.

“Anyway, thanks.” I told him.

He stopped and looked at me. “For what?” He asked.

I looked back at him and smiled. “For coming.” I replied then I narrowed my eyes on him. “How did you know I’m in that restaurant anyway?” I asked him.

He gave me a cheeky grin. “Well, I was about to surprise you in your office but I saw you and that other Lee guy walking out with you from the office.” He replied.

“Stalker.” I rolled my eyes at him.

He chuckled. “Well, you got a hell of a famous idol rapper for a stalker, Kim Hana.” He beamed and I couldn’t help but laugh.

This is why I love being with Jiho.

He doesn’t only make me feel safe, he also makes me laugh. Somehow, I forget all the things that hurt inside me. Somehow, I forget my stressors for a while.

If Minji’s my soul mate, Woo Jiho’s my Mr. Right, my Knight, my happy vibe radiator.

Jiho stared at then smiled. “Stay this way, Hana.” He caressed my cheek. “Always laugh like this, please. I don’t want to see you hurt again. I can’t take it.”

I froze with his words again.

This is what I am amazed of Woo Jiho. He may joke a lot. He may tease me a lot. But he tells me the right words at the right time. He makes my heart beat faster and slower with his words.

He will always have that magic on me.

If L.Joe has wonders on me, Jiho has his own magic that makes me feel different.

Jiho always makes me feel like I am the most beautiful woman on Earth. He makes me feel loved and protected.

He chuckled then he pinched my cheek.

“Ouch!” I whined and he just laughed at me.

“What are you doing tomorrow night?” He asked me all of a sudden. “I hope you’re free.”

I thought of my schedule. Tomorrow is my birthday. I probably only have to drop by the office for a while then shop with Minji after. Geez, she makes me addicted to shopping.

I narrowed my eyes on Jiho. “Why?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I just want to be with you on your special day.” He replied naturally. “You know. Like the old times.”

I can’t help but smile at him.

How can he say something so natural but gives me a really abnormal feeling on my chest? Woo Jiho’s magic.

“What does that smile mean?” He asked me. “I am not good in guessing, Ms. Kim.” He muttered.

I chuckled. “Okay. What time will you pick me up?” I asked.

Then his smile widened. “Maybe 7?” He replied.

I gave him a look. “You’re not even sure!” I whined.

He chuckled. “Trust me. I’m always sure when it comes to you.”

And poof, my heart is going to leap out of my chest.

--

The next day, I woke to my parents’ greetings.

From: Mom

Happy Birthday, sweetie! Enjoy your day. Come by if you can.

From: Dad

Have a blast today! Happy birthday, sweetheart.

I smiled and got up from bed.

It’s my birthday off and I am happy that I didn’t have to wake up extremely early for office works. I’ll just have to drop by and bring in the report Mr. Lee needs.

My phone vibrated. It was a recording from Minji.

“Happy birthday, Hana! Don’t forget we will have a blast and shop all day today! Pick you up in your office! I love you! Mwah!”

I chuckled. Minji is really the childish one. Not me. She just suits that image. Cutesy with elegance.

I walked to the bathroom and washed up.

I have to start this day right.

Although I don’t really treat birthdays as special occasions. It’s just a normal day. But I don’t really want to be messed up on this day.

Or not?

I walked to the elevator and it must really be my lucky day because L.Joe is standing by it. Why does he have to step out of his unit when I am going out too?

And he tells me I need to stay away from him. How do I do that when all I can see at home is him? He’s got to be kidding me or just wanting to torture me.

I glanced at me when I walked near. Not to him. Near the elevator.

I sighed and looked away. I just have to pretend I’m alone. I just have to feel all the positive vibes I could get.

“Ehem.” He coughed but I didn’t look at him. Why would I look at him? There’s no valid reason.

I heard him exhale. “Uhm, happy birthday.” I heard him mumble.

And it! Why is my heart beating like crazy again? When will this end? I want to get over him already!

I nodded. “Thanks.” I replied nonchalantly. Tried my all to sound like it’s not a big deal when it really is. At least he knows my birthday. I mean, we weren’t together (in that house) that long. I wasn’t able to celebrate my birthday, nor did he.

So, I am really shocked that he knows my birthday.

Then the elevator opened and we both hopped in. I got in last so I am in front this time.

I sighed. Why is this elevator taking long? I want to get out already.

Suddenly, my phone rang. It’s Woo Jiho.

“Happy birthday, Hanaaaaaa!!!!!”

It was so loud I had to keep it away from my ear. The whole Block B shouted and I think my left ear drum is broken right now.

“Wow. Thanks.” I chuckled as I answered.

“Sorry, Hana. I told them not to shout at you.” Jiho apologized.

I smiled. “No. It’s fine. Tell them, I said ‘Thanks’.” I replied.

I heard him laugh. “No need. They don’t need anything from you anyway.” He beamed. I scoffed. “I’ll pick you up at 7PM okay? Don’t forget that! Tell Minji she has to bring you on time or I will scold her.” He ordered me.

I laughed at him. “Yes, Mr. Woo Jiho. I’ll be here by then. See you.” I chuckled.

I heard him smile. “Okay. See you! Geez! I’m so excited! Bye, Hana!” He beamed then I heard another loud ‘Bye, Hana’ from the Block B members.

“Bye. See you.” Then I hung up smiling and shaking my head.

I exhaled. Where am I going to be now without Jiho?

He enlightened me.

Without him, I would probably be sulking over L.Joe.

“Are you two back together?”

I froze. I almost forgot that L.Joe is in the elevator with me. He walked beside me and looked at me.

“No.” I replied pretending to not be intimidated by his gaze.

Why is he looking at me like this?

Why is he asking me like this?

Why would he care?

His gesture just gives me hope. False hope that he still wants me back and he is just acting up because I left him before.

I don’t want that. I don’t need that. I don’t deserve that.

“Yeah right. But you let him touch you like that.” He told me. His gaze is unreadable. He looks at me like I did him wrong.

He talks like he’s jealous.

I exhaled hard and eyed him. “I believe that’s none of your business, Lee Byunghun-ssi.” I told him then the elevator door opened.

I walked out fast and headed to my car. But then L.Joe grabbed my wrist.

I glared at him. “What are you doing?” I hissed.

“I must be crazy.” He muttered then he dragged me to his car. He pushed me into the backseat and he sat beside me.

He breathed heavily as he looked at me.

I stare at him, not knowing what he’s up to, not knowing what to do.

Why is he doing this to me?

Is he trying to confuse me?

He clearly told me that he doesn’t want to see me. He clearly told me that he wants me to stay away from him but why is he acting this way?

It scares me because I have finally made up my mind. I will get over him. Jiho will help me. And I believe he could make me forget about him.

And I am taking it to a higher level starting today. I will start seeing Jiho again. I will start looking at him again.

But what the hell is L.Joe doing?

“What the hell do you think you’re doing now, Lee Byunghun?!” I yelled at him. “Why are you doing this to me?!” I asked.

He sighed and stared at me. He didn’t answer me. I don’t think he is going to anyway.

I swallowed. “What the hell are you doing to me right now, Lee Byunghun? I’m trying my best to stay away from you because you told me so. I’m going to see Jiho again because he would help me get over you but what the hell?” I asked him. “Why do you have to ruin what I have in mind? It’s obvious that you don’t love me because you have Kim Namjoo now. So, give me a valid reason why you are doing this to me.” I demanded.

I stared at his eyes. I just broke down in front of him again. Broke down in anger.

“What do you know?” He asked me then he looked straight into my eyes.

“What?” I breathed.

He held my shoulders. “What do you know about what I feel, Kim Hana?” He asked.

I was taken aback. His voice is escalating. I am starting to get scared of him.

“What do you know about what I’ve went through?!” He scowled at me. “You don’t know how much I felt like when you left me. I had to shut myself inside our room. I had to shut everyone out of my life.” He panted.

“I hated the world. I hated my life. I wished I just died.” He exasperated.

I looked in his eyes and all I could see is pain and tears. L.Joe is crying. Right in front of me while shaking me.

“You don’t know how it feels when I shoved the person I need but I want her to come back so ing much because a second without her by my side feels worse than being in hell. You don’t know how much I regretted telling you to not come back again. I regretted everything I said to you that night. I should’ve understood you more. I should’ve supported you and waited for you until you are ready to fight for our love.” He sobbed.

I stared at him breaking down in front of me and all I can feel is remorse for everything I’ve done. I’ve felt guilty of everything I did that made him feel that way.

But then what can I do?

The damage has been done.

“Then Namjoo came. She brought back the life in me.” He smiled. “She made me feel really special. She supported me. She did me everything you never did, Hana. She handled me when I was at my worst.” He looked at me.

Hearing him tell me all these words is a valid reason for me to cry. Hearing him telling me how another woman made him whole again is a valid reason to breakdown like this.

It could’ve been me. But I left.

I sighed hard and looked back at him. “That’s good because she is your girlfriend.” I replied. “You should be happy.”

He scoffed at me. “I was happy.” He replied. “I was happy before you came back. I was happy before I saw you again.” He exhaled. “I was fine with my life. I was contented with Namjoo and my company. I was living like normal again. But then you came along and my mind got ed up again.”

“You don’t know how confused I am right now. I don’t want to see you but then I want to see you. I’m going crazy.” He messed his hair and leaned his head on the head rest.

“You still have it, Hana. You still make me want you.” He said softly. “It’s insane but I don’t want to see you with any other guy. I want you for me. And me alone.”

I looked at him. “What are you trying to say?” I asked him.

He looked at me and held my hands. “Can you forget everything I said before and stay close to me again?” He asked me.

I looked at him, frozen and dumbfounded.

What is he trying to do to me?

What is he telling me?

I have to get close to him? For what? What do I get?

Another heartbreak?

I stared into his eyes. “No.” I shook my head. “I understand what you mean but no. I don’t want to be close to you again. Not in this situation. I don’t want to make the same mistake again.”

He looked at me. Flabbergasted.

“I appreciate what you have told me. I apologize for everything I’ve done and caused you. But to stay close to you again when you’ve told me to not complicate your relationship with Namjoo? I can’t do that. I don’t want to be the other woman again.” I spoke. “I’ve hurt enough. I can’t bear another heartbreak. Not when I am slowly healing.”

I don’t want this.

I deserve my own happy ending. And I know it will not be with L.Joe.

Destiny and fate have given us all the signs that we are not for each other.

L.Joe shook his head. “Please give me time to sort things out.” He told me. “Please, Hana. I’m going crazy.” He shut his eyes.

I looked at him. “Me too. I’m going crazy, Lee Byunghun.” I replied.

He looked at me. “Don’t look at other men, Hana. Wait for me. I would sort this out. I will know what I am feeling. Just please don’t look at other men.” He pleaded.

I stared at him. “Who are you to tell me not to look at other men when you are obviously not sure of the result of what you are going to sort out?” I asked.

He looked at me. “Hana-“

“Jiho’s almost there. He’s trying his best to make me get over you. He’s helping me heal and love again. He made me realize that true love, no matter what happens, will accept you back.” I spoke. “He showed me something you have never showed, Byunghun. He respected my decision and he wants me back.” I told him. He looked at me, hurt and pained.

“I’m not going to wait for you. And I am not going to hold back.” Then I left him. 

 

---

L.Joe, the most awaited confrontation! I feel so bad for him. :( I was so into #TeamZiNa and I forgot about how he felt too. Haha! Anyways, thanks for reading!

I hope you like how I write it longer than before. I'll try my best to write longer chapters starting from now. :)

Love you guys!

- RChampagne <3