Chapter 23: Yagjeom
Chapter Theme: Tonight - SPICA

Yoon Harin

The thumping of my heart was on its maximum level. I was afraid that the neighboring houses could hear my heart. Today's my most awaited day because I'm going to confess my feelings to him just like the normal thing any other girls do to someone they like. This might be cliché and simple, but the essence of my confession is the most essential component.

I seemed ill at ease the moment I got out from my bed. My whole body was tensed and I couldn't think properly. On the other hand, I am deeply enthusiastic to see his reaction on my comfession. Will he give us a chance or will he let himself blown by the wind?

"Omoya!" I blurted when the cup filled with coffee fell on the floor. The cup broke into pieces and the liquid spilled on the tiled floor.

It's too early to be drastic! Is this some kind of a warning that my confession will be in idle? Heck! I'm not a coward to back out from my original plan. No matter what the result might be, may it make me happy or bring pain to my heart, I think I'll have the confidence to accept it.

"What a careless woman! I bought that cup when I went to China and it's worth a week of your salary," Gwajangnim snorted at my clumsiness and added some facts about the details of where he bought the broken material.

"Mianhamnida gwajangnim.. it slippied in my hand so.."

"Gwajangnim, it's not the cup that you bought from China. It's my cup from home," Wooseok informed us.

Literally, gwajangnim's face became paled from the embarrassment. I wanted to tell him that think before you speak.

Gwajangnim stormed out from the office lounge without getting any coffee or pastries that was supposed to be his intention.

"He's just pressured.." Wooseok calmed me and I nodded in response. "Are you alright?"

I looked at him guiltily for breaking his cup. "I'm fine but I'm sorry for ruining your cup."

He just smiled giddily and shook his head. He went to the cabinet where the utensils, dishes, and glasses were placed. I handed him a teared sachet of instant coffee and he poured it on the warm water.

He leaned his face on me, a ruler away from my face. "I was just lying.." he chuckled which made me nervous.

What the hell? What if that cup was really worth my one week salary? I'm in great doom plus I'm gonna pay for Seungwoo's father's one month insurance!

"Calm yourself, Harin. That cup's value was one-fourth of your daily salary and I'm sure about it." He surely said and sipped on his coffee.

I don't know if he's just saying that to calm me down but nevertheless, I'm lightly calmed.

The office hours became busy when our clients and the other branches' clients went to our office because their offices were closed.

"They're too many!" Euijin slammed her hands on her desk making a thud.

"Let's enjoy this kind of atmosphere! This is one in a million Euijin-ah." She rolled her eyes at me and scratched her head.

We all groaned in pain as the office hours ended. Our backs hurt so much for we were not able to take a break because we lack of man power.

"A-ah! I can't move my fingers!" One of my workmates sobbed. She raised her left hand which suffered from trigger finger.

"I can't walk properly too!" Another workmate whined after he tried to walk.

The whole office was filled with yawns and complains. We were all devastated after our heavy works. It was our first time to cater such number of clients and we were not prepared.

I wiped the tear which escaped from my right eye after I yawned. "I'm so sleepy.." I murmured to myself but I can't just cancel the appointment later.

It was already 5:48 pm and they all agreed to have a group dinner but I declined. Wooseok gave me a why won't you come look but I did not respond to his query.

My original plan was to go home straight to wash and change so I would look fresh and presentable in front of Seungwoo. I can't just meet him stinky! That would be a minus point from me. But if it's him, I don't mind if he won't take a bath cause I know he will smell good. It's too unfair!

Wooseok strutted at my direction with his right hand inside his pants pocket. Now, the eyes attention of our workmates were diverted to us instead. They started buzzing which made me virtually face palmed.

"Join us for dinner, Harin-ssi. It's my treat and you're the reason for the treat. If you won't come, well.." he rove his eyes at the office trying to make me guilty. "Sorry people.. but our dinner is cancelled." He was facing me when he said those words. But who was he kidding? I am not Yoon Harin for nothing.

"I got an appointment to do and it is way more important than attending your dinner treat. I don't mind if you'll cancel it or not. If you'll excuse me.."

His confident gaze was shattered into pieces when I walked passed at his figure.

"Stop right there!" My forehead creased upon hearing his voice. He's making me late from my appointment.

"What now?" I asked in an irritated tone.

"Let me drive you wherever your appointment is."

If I decline his offer, I will be so much late so might as well make him my driver.

Going home would take time and it's far from Naksan Park so it wouldn't be a good idea. I already fixed myself earlier in case of something like this would happen.

"Naksan Park. Drive faster but safely, okay?"

There was a glint of vexation on his face but he swallowed it because of his pride. He can't blame me for he was the one who offered.

"Naksan Park it is. Brace yourself. Will be going to make it 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes. You ready?" He challenged me.

I raised my head in confidence. "I'm super ready. Make sure you'll bring me there in just 10 minutes or else I'll wreck your tires."

Wooseok has his ways so we took an alternative route instead of the normal route on the way to Naksan Park.

Just like he said, I braced myself when he started to drive at full speed. It was my first time and I don't want a second try! I held tight to the grab handle on the roof for my safety because Wooseok doesn't know how to drive slowly. My soul almost escaped from my body because of his rapidness.

We arrived at Naksan Park at exactly 6:10 pm. I'm already late but this is kinda better than taking the normal route. It would be too much for Seungwoo to wait for me for a long time.

I caught my breath as soon as his car stopped at the parking area.

"Gwaenchanayo..?" He looked at me with concern.

"I'm pretty fine.. thanks a lot!"

His eyes remained on me asking for the reason why I'm here at Naksan Park. As much as I don't want to tell him anything so I couldn't lie, he gave me no choice but to tell lie.

"There's this friend of mine in college that we haven't seen each other for ages. She just arrived from Toronto so we'll be meeting today."

I can't tell if he was convinced by my lie because he just shrugged at my reason.

"I don't want to sound like a dad but take care and don't harm yourself."

I let out a chuckle at his statement. Why is he so concern about me? We're just friends and our friendship isn't that deep.

"Drive safely!"

I opened the door and was about to stepped out he asked me.

"Baby forgot to kiss her daddy!" He was all smiling to tease me. I raised my middle finger to shut him down. I ignored him not wanting to extend his senseless tease. I walked away from his car and just gave him a wave.

Seungwoo's probably here by now and has been waiting for almost twenty minutes or more. I ran towards the park and headed right away to the stairs. I took quick stopovers everytime I ran out of breath.

I looked at the view and was captivated by the panoramic views of downtown Seoul. It was serene which gave me a sense of serenity. Behind the beauty beneath me were all the crimes and unjustness that scarred the unity of humanity. I pulled out my thoughts from negativity and brought back my senses.

Tonight, what I need is courage and confidence to let him hear my feelings. I don't want to think ahead about his future reactions. It will just stress me out!

"N-neomu apa.." I stumbled when I took a step which made me fell to the side and my body hit the steel railings. My right shoulder, right leg and ankle were the most affected. The pain was not almost bearable but I mustered a courage just to get to him.

I winced everytime a took a step because my ankle hurt so much.

Everytime I'll see a man, I do hope that it will be Seungwoo so he can help me but I failed five times. I was already on the peak and I held on the railings for support. My eyes roamed around the area to search for his figure.

The lights helped me to find him. He was 10 meters away from me but I can recognize him clearly.

"Seungwoo.." my heart beats rapidly as I catch a glimpse of him. He was leaning on the wall which gave me a full access to see him.

He looked like he was in a photoshoot for Vogue in his pose. Anyone could possibly think that he's a model. And I want to tell them that he's my model. Only mine.

Now I sounded too possessive. I am still on my way to confess but here I am, proclaiming that he's mine.

I started to walk carefully at his position. I badly wanted to shout his name but I'm in a public area and I don't want to cause a noise disturbance.

As I was five meters away from him, I could visually see the dimness of his face. Maybe because he waited for me for almost an hour?

I saw how his mouth moved. It was like he's talking to someone so I diverted my eyes to where he laid his eyes. I walked again to have a clear view on who he was talking to but before I could do anything, a woman's presence appeared. The woman was closing their distance and finally gave him a hug. I bit my lower lip and looked away from the sore scene. How could this happen at this moment and within my sight?

Did he really come for me or for the other woman?

We're not even a thing but here I am contemplating the scenario I witnessed. I faked a laugh to lessen the pain in my heart. The broken cup really did mean a thing. It was a warning for me but I did take it for granted.

Seungwoo's arms slowly crept on the woman's back skeptically. Why are you having second thoughts? Hug her if that's what your heart desires.

A sob was able to escaped from my mouth which I want to refrain to do. After my continuous sobs, tears were rolling, nonstop. Welcome to your second heartbreak, Yoon Harin.

Their view became hazy because of my tears. The woman kissed Seungwoo's forehead which made me paralyzed.

I was already making a scene but I can't halt myself from breaking down. I am hurting physically and emotionally but I became numb. My eyes can't no longer take the view so I turned back. My knees wobbled and became jelly which made me fell on the ground.

People were asking me if I'm okay and if I need help but I always declined at their offers.

"H-Harin-ssi.." Seungwoo's voice lingered on my ears. His voice brought solace to my aching heart and I don't know why. I want him to stay away from me but my need from him still dominated.

He kneeled down so that we could be on the same level. My hands were wet because of the tears and sweats but he did not doubt to hold those. He seemed like he wanted to get the pain inside me by holding me.

Our knees touched and he placed our hands in between them.

"Harin-ssi.. look at me," he said with a tone full of concern. I want to shout at him for acting like he did nothing but I couldn't speak ill at him.

My head had lost it's confidence to raise up. All along, my head was hanging low, afraid that I'm gonna meet his eyes. Afraid that he would read me. Afraid that he would know that he's my weakness.

My ultimate weakness.