Back to December

*Because the last time you saw me, is still burned in the back of your mind.*

*You gave me roses and I left them there to die.*

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**November 2018**

Five more months and my relationship with Y/n would officially reach two years. Throughout our journey together, it wasn’t just happiness we felt. Small things could easily turn into problems—like pebbles appearing on a flower garden path. Sometimes we could step over them easily, but when we weren’t paying attention, those tiny pebbles would hurt our hearts.

Those little pebbles could appear at any time. Just like now, for example. I was sitting alone in a café, waiting for Y/n who still hadn’t shown up. An hour had passed and my patience was starting to wear thin. I had already sent him a short message, but he didn’t reply. My calls weren’t answered either.

*Is he busy?*

But he had promised to make time for me. If he couldn’t come, why didn’t he just tell me right away? Ugh, so annoying!

“I’ll wait another five minutes. If you still don’t show up, don’t expect me to talk to you, Y/n,” I muttered irritably.

I stared at the café’s glass wall while resting my head on my right hand. I kept checking the time on my phone. The minutes were ticking away and I still saw no sign of him. I clicked my tongue in annoyance because my hope didn’t come true. At least within these five minutes, I wished Y/n would appear and make me feel better.

Six minutes had passed and I could only sigh heavily. Before leaving the café, I finished my mango juice until nothing was left. I grabbed my phone and car keys from the table and walked out.

All the way to the boutique, my mind was filled with anger. I shouldn’t have been this mad just because Y/n was late. But I was already tired from work at the boutique. I had wanted to refresh my mind, yet Y/n only made my mood worse.

Fifteen minutes later, I arrived at the boutique. Winter, whom I had assigned as the sales assistant, greeted me. I didn’t return her greeting and went straight up to the second floor. It wasn’t that I meant to ignore her—Winter was already used to this side of me. When I was emotional, my irritation could spill over to others. Rather than taking it out on someone who knew nothing, it was better to stay quiet. Calming my heart and mind was the best choice, right?

•••

That night, before the boutique closed, around seven o’clock, Y/n came to see me. Probably because I hadn’t replied to his messages and ignored dozens of his calls. Let him feel what it’s like to be ignored.

“Jihyo, I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you earlier. There was a sudden meeting and I left my phone on my desk. Please forgive me, Hyo,” Y/n said in a pleading tone.

I didn’t answer him right away. No matter what his reason was, I was still disappointed with his behavior today.

“I already apologized, Hyo. Are you really going to stay mad at me over something like this?” he asked again.

“If you couldn’t make it, just tell me directly, babe! I waited for you for more than an hour at the café. You know how busy I am at the boutique, right? I made time for you, but you—!” I burst out.

The atmosphere turned silent. I tried to control my rapid breathing from the emotion. Call me selfish. Call me unreasonable. Yes, I was stubborn because I didn’t want to listen to my conscience. I should have been able to forgive Y/n easily. I should have understood his sudden busy schedule—I had known about it for a long time. But honestly, my heart completely rejected every excuse Y/n gave. Whether it was true or just a logical reason.

Thankfully, Tzuyu, Yeri, and Winter had gone out to get dinner. So they didn’t have to witness this drama-like fight. Ugh! It would have been so embarrassing.

“Yes, Hyo, yes! It’s my fault. I’m sorry. Please forgive me, okay? I won’t do it again,” he said, trying to convince me.

“I don’t know. I’m tired. I want to rest,” I replied while brushing my hair back.