These days I haven't been sleeping,
Staying up, playing back myself leavin'.
When your birthday passed and I didn't call.
.
.
.
**April 2020**
After the encounter with Y/n at the restaurant, time went back to normal. I was busy with my own world without that man. I never met Y/n again, even though I often ate at that restaurant.
There was also no more news from Aunt Sooyoung. I thought Y/n had said something so that Aunt Sooyoung would stop sending me short messages. Yes, ever since Aunt Sooyoung came to the boutique, she often sent messages. Even if it was just asking about my well-being and how busy I was at the boutique.
I didn’t know what made Aunt Sooyoung like me so much. There were many daughters of her friends who were prettier, calmer, and more highly educated. I had met them when I accompanied Aunt Sooyoung to an gathering event. I heard that one of them had once been arranged to marry Y/n. But it failed because Y/n refused and chose me instead.
Yet here I was, wasting everything Y/n had given me.
*Ding!*
I glanced at my phone lying on the table. My hands, which had been busy attaching beads to a dress, stopped moving. There was a notification for a new message from Kai, my old school friend.
Kai
Jihyo?
Are you still coming later?
I lightly patted my forehead. I had almost forgotten that I had a promise with Kai to attend our old school friend’s wedding.
Me:
Yes, Kai.
Pick me up at 7...
Kai:
Okay.
Dress up nicely, okay.
Who knows, later many people will think you’re my wife. Hehehe..
Me:
Yeuuu, so cheesy!
After sending the message, I continued attaching the beads. It was still 5 PM, so there was still time to finish the work — even though I knew this dress wouldn’t be finished today.
•••
The wedding was held at the bride’s house — my friend named Nayeon. The decorations looked luxurious even though it wasn’t in a five-star hotel. Kai and I were welcomed by relatives and friends who were serving as greeters.
"Hyo! Long time no see!" Jeongyeon said excitedly.
The woman who used to be known as a tomboy back in school now looked very feminine in a pink dress. Jeongyeon was Nayeon’s best friend. They had been close since childhood. We hugged briefly and chatted for a moment.
"Wow! You look so beautiful in that dress, Jeong. Already ready to follow Nayeon, huh?" I teased.
"Just pray for me, Hyo. Next year I plan to follow Nayeon. Hehehehe..."
"Wow! What guy would want a wild girl like you, Jeong? Hahahaha..."
Kai suddenly came and stood right beside me. Instead of answering, Jeongyeon looked back and forth between me and Kai.
"Since when have you two been close? Don’t tell me...." Jeongyeon left her sentence hanging.
Kai and I weren’t stupid; we knew where Jeongyeon’s conversation was heading. We burst out laughing. Jeongyeon looked at us with a flat expression, then said, "I’m sure you two are dating."
"No way! Don’t spread rumors!" I protested.
"See, Hyo! If you come with me, people will definitely think you’re my future wife," Kai chimed in.
"You wish so badly?"
"Alright, it’s fine. So Kai doesn’t look forever single since birth, you should just accompany him, Hyo. Do you have a boyfriend yet? If not, just go after Kai."
"Ew, no thanks. His owner is fierce," I said while glancing at Kai.
"Am I a crocodile?" Kai retorted.
"Hahaha... You two are something else... Hey, let’s talk inside while eating. After that we can take photos together."
I glanced toward the entrance and saw many guests arriving. No wonder Jeongyeon invited us to go inside quickly. We were led to the buffet table. At the wedding dais, I saw Nayeon shaking hands with the guests.
After getting food and finding empty seats, Kai, Jeongyeon, and I continued chatting. As old friends, we were quite comfortable talking about our school days. Even though we weren’t as close as childhood best friends, my friendship with Kai and Jeongyeon was pretty good.
After eating and chatting enough, Jeongyeon, Kai, and I went up to the wedding dais to meet Nayeon and her husband. Kai and I shook hands with the couple, congratulated them, chatted briefly, and then took photos together.
After the photos and handing over the envelope while shaking hands, Kai and I decided to go home. However, on the way, Kai received a call from his younger cousin.
From what I could catch, Kai’s cousin was asking where he was and who he was with. Then Kai asked me, “Are you in a hurry to go home?”
“Why?” I asked.
“My cousin is at a café nearby. He asked to meet up. Do you want to come with me for a bit?”
I thought for a moment before answering, “Sure.” Besides, it had been a long time since I relaxed at a café. There was nothing wrong with joining Kai to meet his cousin. Later I could sit at another table if they were talking about something personal.
However, I never expected that this decision would be wrong and lead me into a pit of regret.
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