real love doesn't go away

. . .

I applied my red lipstick and pressed my lips to even it out. This date will be special since this is my first date ever since Kookie and I broke up. I pulled up my black, off-shoulder dress. It wasn't that long, and wasn't that short either. It showed just the right amount of skin. As I checked myself out, acting all cute and flirty like a teenager, I saw Jungkook's reflection on the mirror. His eyes were screaming judgement and jealousy.

"Looks like someone's got a date?" He raised his eyebrow.

"I suppose it doesn't bother you?" I zipped my dress on the side and felt the dress tighten around my body.

Jungkook's head shifted on the side, and stared at the length of my cloth.

"Do you know it's rude to stare?" I spoke.

His gaze quickly went to my reflection. He pouted his lips and walked away. Weirdo. I grabbed my bag and in an instant, he was leaning on the door, holding his keys.

"Out of my way, Jungkook." I waved my hand in front of him, asking him to move.

"I'm taking you there." He turned the keys around his index finger, followed by a cocky smile.

"Is this your date?" I asked.

"No."

"Are you my boyfriend?"

"No."

"So we're clear then? I'm leaving and you're not coming with me."

"But I'm still your fake boyfriend, so I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not."

"Are we gonna argue about this?" He blocked the door completely with his body. There's no way I could leave, unless I throw myself out of the window.

"For fuc.k's sake, why are you so stubborn? I never came to your dates!"

"It's because you didn't want to. I would've let you come if you asked." He crossed his arms and smiled at me, mocking my very existence.

"Fine! But you will just take me, you will not stay, you will immediately go straight back into this apartment. Understood?" I gave out instructions like a mom reminding her child. Jungkook acts like a child, so what difference does it make?

"Sure." I rolled my eyes at him before he closed the door.

He opened the passenger seat for me then he went around to sit as the driver. "You okay there?" he asked.

To be honest, I'm not okay. I'm nervous. I realized I just met him a few days ago, and now we're on our first date! I don't even know him, but we'll get there. No need to rush things, right?

"Hyeri? Are you with me?" he asked again. I noticed I haven't replied yet.

"Yeah? I'm fine. Keep your eyes on the road." I shut my eyes close and took a deep breath. What is wrong with me? Why does it feel wrong? I shrugged off the feeling and retouched my make-up.

"Someone's nervous," he spoke.

"Me? No, I'm not!"

"I want to meet him."

I looked at him, curious about his words. "You what? Oh dear, no."

"I'm not kidding though. I wanna know why you're wearing that dress for him." His hands tensed around the steering wheel.

At last, we arrived at the restaurant. I so desperately wanted to get out of that car. I didn't want to keep our awkward conversation going.

"Bye!" I helped myself out of the car and ran to the staircase.

It was a five-star restaurant. I remember it well because my parents have taken me here once. Kihyun welcomed me on the door and pecked my cheek. I looked back only to see Jungkook's car gone. At least that's what I thought.

"You look wonderful." There goes his eyes again.

I felt myself blush for a moment. "Thank you," I replied.

"Shall we proceed?" He motioned his hand towards our table just beside the huge glass window.

I could see the highway and the cars parked on the opposite side.

Throughout the night, I wasn't able to stop myself from staring at his glowing face. We talked about how Lizzy insisted to throw a birthday party for him since he's her closest officemate. I also learned that she was almost kicked out of her job for her tardiness. He asked me about my life, and he spilled details about his.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" He furrowed his eyebrows, eager to know my reply.

"I used to have one." I lifted my goblet of wine and glanced on the window. A familiar man was standing beside a tree, wearing a hoodie and a cap, oddly staring at us and facing our position. His eyes were covered with sunglasses. You've gotta be kidding me.

"Kihyun, would you excuse me? I just need to do something."

"Oh Hyeri, do you need help?" He barely stood from his seat.

"No, no, I just need to talk to someone. I'll be back." I smiled and ran outside to approach the mysterious man by the tree.

***

"I told you to go home."

"You know I never listen to you." He removed his cap and sunglasses.

"Jungkook, why do you have to observe? We're just talking! It's just a date!" I tried explaining while keeping my voice low to avoid attention from the people passing by.

"Just a date..." He had a smug look on his face. "I remember asking you to be my girlfriend on our first date. I don't trust this guy."

"Yes, I remember, and look where it got me. Do you think I will just sell myself out to him?"

"Huh yeah? You've been acting flirty ever since he welcomed you on that door."

"How long have you been watching?!"

"Ditch that date before someone sees you two together. Your mom's gonna kill you if she finds out."

Fu.ck! Of course, I forgot. My mom would have friends eating in the restaurant since expensive people could afford it. Expensive people like her. He was right. I should've thought of that before going in.

"Fine! But you have to go now. I could come home by myself; I don't need you on my tail."

"Noted!"

Jungkook's:

She went back inside and followed my advice. Thank goodness, my alibi worked. I cringed for a whole fri.cking hour watching them giggle and smile and touch. It was annoying how he would always wipe off the spaghetti from her mouth. She's not a child! Come on! Even the way she leans over to him, it's so disturbing. I don't understand why she's doing this. Is she trying to make me jealous? Or perhaps, she had already fallen for him?

She looked back so I shoved myself back into the car, and turned the ignition on. She signaled me to leave and I responded by honking my car. I drove past the restaurant, but not too far away. I'm not leaving her alone with that guy. He's too good to be true. I'm sure he's hiding something.

I saw them leave the restaurant from my side mirror.

"Come on, let her go home! She's tired!" I shouted inside the car, where no one could hear me.

They talked quite more. Looking at them, I couldn't help but wish he was me. Why did I cheat on her? It was an endless question that bothered my head. It was just a one night stand but I lost a thousand mornings and nights in exchange for that. She couldn't forgive me, I couldn't forgive myself either.

She smiled at him, he smiled back. Then there was ecstasy between their eyes. She looked at him the way her eyes used to look at me. Fear crawled in, eating me alive. He leaned over to her and held her face. Slowly, his lips reached hers. There was an extreme pain on my chest, like I've been stabbed a million times.

"Stop, please stop."

I tried holding back my tears but it just made everything worse. He broke the kiss, but she pulled him in for more.

"Hyeri, do you hate me that much?"