Chapter 06: A Love Letter

When she came out from the room and went to the kitchen, she could see that Jin Ho had already finished making breakfast for her. 

He is there on the table eating the soup. She smiles and quickly sit down on the opposite side.

She took a few side dishes and eat it down. For a while there is only the sound of their mouth chewing the food. 

They seem to not want to talk about what happen last night. But there is a lot in their minds. Na Eun had his own thoughts and Jin Ho also has his own thought

This is probably the most memorable Valentine that they both had since they became friend. 

And then after a while, Jin Ho starts the conversation.

'You're working today?'

She nodded while taking a few side dishes into her bowl. She thought to herself that Jin Ho is getting better and better in cooking.

And then her mind once again thought of the last night kiss and she tries her hardest to try to forget it.

'You?' she asks while chowing down the food. Jin Ho did not seem to notice that there is something wrong with Na Eun. 

Instead, Jin Ho look at the living room table and he seems to be thinking of whether he should work today.

Then he nodded and answer her question

'Maybe, I should work today' he said

'What are you today? Writer…. or painter? Or do you want to try to be a programmer again?' she asks. 

She knew very well of how Jin Ho always had his interest changed. She could only attribute this to Jin Ho absurd luck in life. 

People said hard work is the road to success. Well, they clearly had never met Jin Ho. To her, the easiest way to success is probably to have luck. 

She then asks again

'Writer? Painter? Programmer? Or something else struck your fancy this time' she asks

Jin Ho spoon stop in midair for a few second and then he said

'Writer. I got an inspiration' and he seems to paused for a while then he resumes eating

She only smiles. 

'I really hope that you keep it up. You have a talent in writing' she said. 

Jin Ho hearing this only smile and then there is another silence. 

Then Jin Ho said

'You could ask for my help with your startup. I could inject funds into it'

This time Na Eun spoon stop in midair for a few second there is another silence between them. Jin Ho notices that the atmosphere turns a bit weird and he looks at her, waiting for her answer.

She shakes her head and then said

'No.' 

'I think your startup have potential. Still, even then…I couldn't invest?'

She put down her spoon and then said

'That complicates things'

Jin Ho face hardens and then he said

'Everybody needs helps sometimes' he said as he is no longer interested in eating

This time they look at each other, and there is stubbornness in each other eyes

'Not from you' her tone is a bit cold. 

Na Eun don't know why she is suddenly testy this morning. She would never act like this. No, she reminded herself

There was a time where she acted like this. At that time, they were still together. For some reason, after what happened last night, there is a subtle change of relationship between them

'Why?' Jin Ho suddenly ask

And Na Eun did not answer. Because she is a bit shocked. Because in the past, he had never asked. 

He had never asked why. In the years since they became friends, each time she would reject his help, he would let it go.

And he would never ask why.

'Why do you ask now?'

Jin Ho put down his spoon and spoke

'Because now I'm curious. Maybe, I thought wrong.'

'About what?'

Jin Ho closes his eyes for a second and he remembers a winter that blows its wind so cold that he shivers.

'About everything' he said as he opens his eyes. His eyes stare straight at Na Eun eyes trying to see something.

Na Eun averts her gaze and spoke

'There is no need to know why' she said as she got up from her seat and leave the table. 

She went to the sink and quickly wash the dishes. 

She put it in the dryer. Jin Ho could tell she was upset. He could tell that she no longer wanted to continue this conversation

But, like something that changed, today, he wanted to push this matter. He wanted to know because now he began suspecting something.

Maybe, he was wrong all of those years ago. 

He got up but Na Eun is already rushing to the door. Jin Ho ran down to her and grab her arms. And he pulls her to him and she stopped

'Why are you rushing to get out?' Jin Ho ask. Na Eun simply said

'I'm late for work'

'You're the CEO'

'Precisely why I could not be late' She pulls her arms away and Jin Ho could only let her go

She took her bag on the sofa and then walk to the door. Jin Ho is still standing there. As she was about to come out from the house he said

'We should talk about this' Na Eun turns back to see that she could only see Jin Ho back. He is not facing her.

And for some reason there is a feeling in her heart. That she should come to him. And she was about to take a step forward but then she halted and stop

She sighed and spoke

'Later then'

'later' he replied. 

She went out and the door close. She stands there on the door looking in front of her. And for a few second, she just stands there in the front of his house and she did not say anything.

In the house Jin Ho sat down non the kitchen chair and sighed

For a moment, he thought of what had happened last night and what had happened all of those years ago. 

He thought of the winter. He thought of her. And he thought of how he might misunderstand something and he clench his hand.

'Was I wrong?' And for a moment this question seems to heavily weighs on his heart

He closes his eyes and the memory of the past that he thought he had forgotten, like a shooting star in the night that he could never forget, he thought of all those days they walk together, seeing her always smiling by her side

And he clenches his fist harder.

'I think I am wrong' And he got up and run toward the door and he opens the door. Opening the door, he thought he should still see her

But when he comes out the door she was no longer there and he just stands there. 

'There is a love letter' he thought to himself

There is a love letter in his heart that he had never said. 

And it is a love letter that he should have said a long time ago. But now after all of these years, he thought to himself whether that love letter still remains true.

He then walks back inside his house and then went to the opened window. Outside, the snow is falling.

'This winter…. maybe, it is time to begin again' he thought to himself and there is a mysterious smile on his face

Then he went to his room, opens his laptop and then as he opens his Word document, the words come to him

"There was a girl who have a smile so mysterious that there was a boy who sought to use all of his life to unravel that mystery. Her laughter is like the most beautiful song and her face is all of his dreams come true"

"That spring was the most beautiful spring time of his youth. And that winter was the coldest winter in his life. It is amazing that someone that could bring you so much joy could also bring you the most torturous pain"

"And he looks at the stars and saw the shooting star. He put his hand together and he wished something to that shooting star. For once, he would like to believe in fantasy. Because he was in love and in love, magic is possible"

The words come faster to him like there is a muse beside him whispering the song of inspiration. 

Outside, there is snow falling and it is February with snow again.

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