The only person she'd told of her return was Jiyeon. Strangely, she was the only person (besides her parents) that Aera talked to every day. Even when they weren't talking about potential ways to stop the marriage, they still talked. Jiyeon was nice and easy to talk to, and in a few days it already felt like they'd become good friends. 

Aera had asked if Jiyeon would be able to gather all the boys so she could surprise them with her return. She could tell that Jiyeon seemed kind of worried about it, but agreed to nevertheless. K said he would help. 

While Jiyeon had been the only person Aera had been planning on telling, K had been with her when she called, and so he'd found out as well. 

They decided that the two of them would gather everyone for breakfast, which should be perfect for Aera's return. 

She couldn't help feeling nervous. It had been weeks since she'd seen Heeseung, and even in that short span it felt like they'd grown apart. But when she voiced these concerns to Jiyeon and K, they both assured her that she hadn't done anything wrong. He was just going through something on his own these days. 

That made her sad too. They were a couple. Weren't they supposed to be going through their hardships together? 

***

Aera stood in front of the company building. She was exhausted, despite having slept through most of the flight. But more than anything, she was nervous. She was nervous that things may have changed. Between her and Heeseung... and with everyone.

Jiyeon told her that they'd managed to force everyone to eat breakfast together, so after putting her suitcase back in her room, she went straight to the dining room. As she approached, she could hear the sound of Jiyeon and Sunoo's laughter. As she approached, everyone seemed to be happily talking amongst each other. 

Everyone except Heeseung, who was staring at his plate in stormy silence. 

Sunoo was the first one to see her. 

"Aera!" he shouted, jumping up from his chair in excitement. 

Everyone turned to face her. 

Her eyes met Heeseung's. He was staring up at her in shock. He started to get up, but Jiyeon beat him to it, the girl rushing up and giving Aera a hug. 

"You finally made it!" she said excitedly. "How was your flight? Do you need help unpacking? Wow, you're even prettier in person," Jiyeon gushed. "You know, I have a dress that would look perfect on you." 

"I was just thinking about a top that I think would go perfectly with those pants," Aera laughed, looking at Jiyeon. "We should raid each other's closets," she joked. 

"We will," Jiyeon agreed. "You must be starving. I made pancakes. Hopefully you'll like them," she said, rushing to get Aera a plate. 

Aera couldn't help grinning. Jiyeon was also prettier in person. She was also somehow even nicer in person. She was sweet and bubbly and Aera couldn't help liking her even more. 

"What..." Heeseung said, glancing between the two girls in confusion. "How do you two know each other?" 

He probably meant those words as a simple question, but they came out angrily, and he flinched at his own harshness. 

"We've been friends for ages," Jiyeon said lightly, piling pancakes on Aera's plate. "Take my seat. I'm finished eating anyway," she said, giving pointed looks to Sunoo, Sunghoon, and K. 

"Me too," K said quickly, getting up as well. Sunoo followed his lead. 

"I'm not," Sunghoon grumbled, picking up his plate. "But it looks like I'm leaving as well," he sighed when Jiyeon and K both glared at him. "We're letting the lovebirds talk, hm?" 

Aera stifled a laugh. Poor Jiyeon had been trying to subtly exit and leave Aera and Heeseung alone, and here was Sunghoon, ruining her attempts. 

Everyone quickly shuffled out of the room. 

Leaving her alone with Heeseung.