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December 2019

"Jihyo..."

I was startled when I saw the middle-aged woman enter my boutique. I quickly put the white dress I was holding back on the rack. My feet automatically moved forward. This fake smile easily formed on my face. Honestly, I didn't know whether I should feel happy or sad seeing my ex-boyfriend's mother come to my place.

"Imo... How are you? Are you well? Who did you come with?" I asked after kissing the back of Aunt Sooyoung hand.

"I'm fine, Hyo. How about you? Sorry, I didn't let you know I was stopping by," she replied.

I paused for a moment. I still couldn't believe that Aunt Sooyoung was referring to herself as "Mom" to me. Especially since my relationship with her son was no longer what it used to be.

"I'm fine too, Mom," I answered afterward.

Damn. I ended up calling Aunt Sooyoung "Mom" again. I got carried away by the atmosphere, and this old habit naturally took over my brain.

The smile then faded from Aunt Sooyoung's beautiful face. Suddenly, she took my right hand and said, "Hyo, Mom misses you. Mom wants to talk. You have time, right?"

I glanced behind me, looking at the wall clock while thinking. I could have refused Aunt Sooyoung's request. In an hour, I had an appointment with Jennie for a bridal fitting. But I also didn't have the heart to turn away Aunt Sooyoung, who had taken the time to come to the boutique.

"I have about an hour, Mom. I already have an appointment with a friend. Is that okay?"

Aunt Sooyoung smiled. "Yes, that's fine, Hyo. Mom won't take long either."

"Come on, Mom, let's talk upstairs." I invited Aunt Sooyoung to go up to the second floor. The small house that had always been a stop for her eldest son after work.

•••

You've been good, busier than ever.  

We small talk, work and the weather.  

Your guard is up and I know why.

.

.

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I slightly regretted agreeing to talk with Aunt Sooyoung. For the past two days, my mind had been a mess. I couldn't focus at all and ended up handing over the boutique work to Tzuyu, my assistant.

"Mom wants you to get back together with Y/N, Hyo. Mom doesn't like y/n current girlfriend."

I sighed softly. Aunt Sooyoung's words kept spinning in my head. How could my ex-boyfriend's mother say something like that? It felt like a new burden had hit my heart.

It had been almost a year since I last met y/n and his family—especially Aunt Sooyoung. During that time, I had tried to make peace with my heart.

It's okay, your choice was right, Jihyo.

I kept repeating that sentence to myself so I could forget y/n. Leaving without regrets—that was what I had hoped for. But Aunt Sooyoung cracked my defenses. I slightly regretted choosing the path I shouldn't have taken.

Because besides y/n, I also cared about Aunt Sooyoung. Her kindness had enchanted me. Over time, I began to see her as my own mother.

.

.

.

Tired after shopping for fabric and other needs for the boutique, Tzuyu and I decided to stop by a restaurant. We ordered chicken hot plate and orange juice. Yes, I deliberately ordered the same thing as Tzuyu so it would be quick without having to think about choosing another menu.

A few minutes later, our order arrived. Tzuyu and I ate the chicken hot plate while it was still warm. We chatted until the food and drinks were finished. I also bought juice for my other two employees, Yeri and Winter.

Tzuyu and I left the restaurant. But my steps stopped when I saw the door of the black car parked next to my red car open. Just seeing the license plate made my heart beat uncontrollably. Soon, a man wearing a black shirt got out. Just from his back, I already knew it was him. Nothing had changed about that man, except his hair which was a bit longer.

"Unnie?" Tzuyu called, but I didn't respond.

I could feel Tzuyu holding my right arm. Really, my legs felt weak. I wanted to avoid that man, but why was I frozen here instead?

He turned around. Our eyes met. The smile that many women—including me—admired faded from his handsome face. Yes, I knew. Both he and I definitely didn't want to see each other. Considering what I had done to him, it was impossible for him to forgive my mistake easily.

The man walked slowly and stopped a few meters in front of me. An awkward atmosphere enveloped us, and silence accompanied us for a few seconds.

"Jihyo-ya," he called softly.

"Oh, hi," I greeted awkwardly.

The man, y/n, just looked at me with an expression I couldn't understand.

"How are you?" he asked hesitantly.

"Good. You?" I asked back.

"Good too. Just finished shopping?"

"Yeah, something like that... You—"

I held my tongue from asking what y/n had been doing. I didn't want him to think I was a woman who didn't know her place. What right did I have to know about my ex-boyfriend's affairs? Whether he was busy or not was none of my business.

"I just finished a meeting and dropped Mom off," he said, as if he could read my mind.

Silence enveloped us again.

"Jihyo-ya..."

"Hm?"

"I'm going in first. You're going home, right?"