11

The silence in the car is deafening. He doesn't say another word even when you get out.

"Thanks," you say softly and he speeds off the highway without looking at you. 

You sigh and walk in your office and see your boss behind your desk. 

"Bel!" He stands up and goes to you. "Are you ok?" 

"I'm fine, Reno. I'm sorry about that jerk last night." 

"Why's he so mad, anyway?" 

"I don't know either...he's just...crazy." You sit on your chair and turn on your laptop. 

"Hey...if there's anything I can help you with...just tell me, ok?" Reno puts his hands on the desk and leans over to you. 

"Sure, thanks, Reno." You give him a weak smile and start scanning your emails. 

As soon as Reno leaves, you take your phone and dial your dad's number. 

"Dad? You told me to call?"

"Yes...I heard you got a job. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh...just slipped my mind. Anyway...is that why you wanted to talk to me?"

"No...actually, there's a package here for you. From Australia. Want me to send it to you?"

"No...that's ok. I'll come over the weekend."

"That's great. Take JB with you if he's not busy."

"Sure thing."

Yes...a reason for you to get out of the thick air of the city. Away from Mark for a while. Your mood lightens and you finish half of your work when your boss comes in.

"Let's go get some lunch." 

Tess welcomes you with a wide smile as you enter her cafe. 

"The special?", she asks. 

"Yes, please." Reno looks at you.

"Me, too," you tell Tess. 

"Feeling better?" Reno really looks concerned. Your smiles might not be deceiving him. 

"Yeah. Sure."

"You don't look it, Bel. What's bothering you?"

The fact that you slept with Mark again last night...that's what's bothering you. Also, he told you he wants a relationship? The fuck! 

You just shake your head. 

"Too personal to share?" 

"I'm sorry. I'm not a good company." You tell him, realizing he's trying to make a conversation.

"That's fine, I don't mind the boring silence," his sarcastic tone makes you smile. 

"When did you put up this company?" You want your mind off anything about Mark. 

"Four years ago. I came back to Korea from the US with the dedication to be independent from my parents. My sister helped me start it."

Tess comes with your orders. 

"And I owe her everything for that," he looks up at his sister lovingly and she smiles back. 

He seems like a really sweet person. He cares for his job and his family. His passion for his work is undeniable and you find yourself admiring him for it. 

"So, how about you?" He looks at you showing interest on what you are going to say. 

"What about me?"

"Why did you come back to Korea?" 

"Maybe the same as you. Independence. I studied here in high school. I think it's the best place to start my own career."

"Did you leave a heartbroken guy in Australia?" he chuckles.

"Oh no. I don't have a boyfriend." 

His smile is from ear to ear. "Great."

"And you?"

"Nope. I was married once, but it didn't end so well. One reason I decided to come here."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"I don't really get into relationships anymore." He says poking his food on his plate. 

"Why not?"

"Well, first of, my parents are divorced. My sister is, too. And so am I. I don't think they really last, you know what I mean?"

"Actually I do." You smile at the thought that someone understands you, shares the same ideology as you have. 

"Hm?" He looks up from his food.

"Men are just hunters. They stay still for a while then go in for the kill." 

He laughs at what you just said. "Women can be that way, too." 

"True." Your mom was. 

You chat casually with him about your life in Australia and his life in the US. Before you know it, it's time to get back to work. 

"Oh...we're going out this afternoon. I forgot to tell Se-hee to inform you about it."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. There's this wedding event in Goyang.

"Sure." 

The place is just picturesque. You take out your camera and take photos of the beautiful reception area. You've dreamed of this kind of wedding when you were a kid...well, not anymore. 

Flowers are put on cherry blossom trees that line the sides of the lake. The bride would be walking down a short tunnel decorated in lovely ribbons and more flowers. The tunnel opens up to chairs and tables ornamented with white beads and small shells. In the middle is the aisle where the bride would walk up to an arc and the groom would be waiting. Behind the arc is the shimmering Ilsan lake. 

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Reno comes up behind you and you put down your camera. 

"Yes! Yes it is." You sigh knowing that you would never have this kind of wedding. But then you imagine Mark wearing a white tuxedo, waiting for you at the arc. Shit...erase that thought.

"Too bad, it's only beautiful during the wedding day."

Yeah...too bad. 

The ceremony started a bit late, but went on smoothly. Reno and you take pictures after pictures of the new couple, their families, their friends. You finally get to rest when most of the guests are drunk. You sit with Reno at a table and a waiter serves you a bottle of wine. 

"I don't think we can go back to Seoul tonight," Reno says after downing his 4th glass. 

It's already past midnight and you feel really tired. 

"Let's just head back early in the morning. I'm a little bit tired." He says.

You book two separate rooms at a hotel beside the park. 

You're ridding your tired feet off the black heels you've been wearing all afternoon when you hear a knock on your hotel door. 

"Yes?"

"Uhmmm...it's me," Reno's voice is soft at the other side of the door. 

You open the door and you see him holding another bottle of wine. 

"Sleepy yet?" he asks as he teases you with the bottle.

"Actually, not really." You let him in and he pops open the wine, pours it on two glasses and hands you one. 

You drink comfortably, watching the city lights below from the veranda out the glass doors of your room. 

"This is relaxing," he says, putting up his feet on the coffee table. 

You've already finished the whole bottle and you feel your eyes closing. "I think we need to sleep. We have to set out early later." You stand up and he follows. 

He walks slowly behind you as he enters the glass doors and wraps his arm around your waist. He starts to plant kisses on your neck as he unzips your dress from behind. He walks in front of you and takes your lips in his. You kiss him back. Your hand goes around his neck pulling him closer. His lips go down your neck and you make a sound. 

"Mark," you open your eyes realizing what you just said. He didn't seem to hear you as he continues grazing your collarbone. 

You push him quickly. 

"I'm sorry," you say, "Shit...uhm...I'm sorry." You go to the door and hold it open. 

He stands there dumbfounded, picks up his jacket he threw on the floor and head out without saying a word. 

"What the fuck did I just call him?" You lock the door and go to the bathroom. "Damn it, Bel."

You had a chance with a fine man and you screw it because all you think of is that jerk you left back in Seoul.