Chapter 39 : Your Eyes Tell

Jiyeon's POV

"It's not much but thank you for helping me out back there," I said, handing her a can of coke.

"It's nothing, but I'll take it. Thanxx."

I sat opposite to her and chatted with her for some time as we've met after a long time.

"I heard you quit your job at the cafe and even moved to another place," she said.

"Ah..." I looked down.

"Are you okay?"

"Honestly... I'm not okay."

—Flashback—

[Three months ago...]

I kept getting a lot of hate comments from people. They kept coming at me. They almost made my life hell. I couldn't take it anymore so I decided to end it.

I decided to break up with Seonghwa. I thought it would be good for the both of us if we do that.

Honestly, I wasn't able to do it but I didn't have any other option. It was so hard for me to break up with him as I loved him so much. But I had to give up on him for good.

***

I still cry remembering the moments I've spent with him. All the time I've spent with him were full of happiness. I don't think I'll ever forget those times.

After breaking up with him, I moved to a another place. I knew that he would come looking for me so without him knowing it, I tried to go away from him. I didn't want him to ruin his career because of me.

Goodbye, Seonghwa... You'll always have a special place in my heart. Thank you for being on my side.

—End of flashback—

"I can understand how it feels to give up on someone whom you love so much," Eunseo said, rubbing my back.

"...I still love him..." I tried to hold back my tears but failed.

Warm tears started rolling down my cheeks. Eunseo hugged me tightly and rubbed my back to comfort me.

***

It was the time to close the store. So I checked everything for the last time, locked the store and walked back home.

On my way, I was thinking about Seonghwa. Just by remembering his name makes me smile.

He must have moved on, right?

I didn't want to go back home early so I took another route to my home. Then I came across a park. The park where me and Seonghwa usually used to go.

I subconsciously walked towards it. I stood near the bench and looked around, flashbacks flooding in my mind.

—Flashback—

"Ah...I'm so tired," Seonghwa said and leaned his head on my shoulder.

"Yah, wake up. I need to get back home."

"Wait a little longer. I like to stay with you like this." He hugged my arm so that I don't leave.

"Okay... But only for five more minutes."

"Okay..." He smile and closed his eyes.

I chuckled at him, ruffling his hair.

—End of flashback—

I breathed out heavily as I looked up at the stars. But the stars did not shine in the night sky that I was looking. I looked down and was about to walk when I heard someone's voice.

"I knew you would be here..."

My eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat on hearing the voice.

This voice...

"Jiyeon..."

I gripped my side bag tightly. I knew who it was so I started walking away. Just then a pair of arms encircled my waist and I felt weight against my shoulder.

Seonghwa placed his head at the crook of my neck as he was still backhugging me. I stood there frozen, breathless, couldn't able to hold back the tears which were threatening to fall down.

"Don't leave," Seonghwa whispered very softly but I could still hear him. I tried to release myself from his embrace but he held on real tight.

"Just let me go," I said as my voice was quivering.

He breathed out heavily, loosening his arms around my waist and finally released me.

"Can you not make things hard for me?" he said, sounding a bit desperate.

"Just leave me alone..."

I was about to walk away when he grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. He pulled me closer to him. And a gasp escaped my lips.

"Do you not love me anymore?" He looked straight into my eyes.

I broke the eye contact and looked elsewhere. "I don't." I tried to sound emotionless.

"Then why are you still wearing it?" He pointed at the pendent I was wearing which he had gifted me on my birthday. I covered it up and looked away nervously.

"Look at me in the eyes and say it. I know you still love me..."

I looked at him, not able to say anything. "I don't love you anymore." I somehow said but deep inside me I meant the opposite.

I still love you...

"But your eyes are telling me the opposite...I don't believe what your saying."

"Can't you just move on?!" I huffed.

"Have you?"

I looked at him not able to accept that I haven't. I pushed him away and ran from there. He called my name but I ignored it and kept running. I ran all the way, tears still falling down.

I can't go back to you. I can't...

To be continued...