24 Deception

"Next question," Haru murmured. "What do you like about Haneul?" She asked him while grinning.

For a second, there was only silence. Haru was very confident so everyone needed a little time to reach her level of confidence. Even Yeom Tae.

"Well," Yeom Tae cleared his throat. "What can I not like about her?"

Haru's jaw dropped to the ground, Youngsoo's eyes widened and Haneul repressed a smile as she blushed. Yeom Tae, this man, he sure was smooth.

"N-Next question." Haru stuttered, immensely impressed. "Marriage when?"

Haneul's friends had already approved of this relationship. Haneul sighed loudly to express her frustration.

"That also depends on Haneul." Yeom Tae replied politely. "I will respect her decision."

Oh? Wasn't this perfect?

"Can I, like, give you quick advice?" Haru asked.

"Yes, please." Yeom Tae politely murmured.

"Date." Haru said. "Don't get wed."

Youngsoo nodded. The man was perfect for their friend but marriage was an overwhelming relation for Haneul so they figured dating would be much better.

"Unfortunately," Yeom Tae pressed his lips together. "Our family-" He paused. That should give enough reasoning.

Both their families were traditionally surrounded by the traditional steps of life.

Step 1: Play and grow.

Step 2: Study and become something.

Step 3: Get married, have kids and grow old.

They were at the beginning of step 3 and there was no turning back. There was silence dwelling over them yet again because of how everyone took the same topic so differently.

Yeom Tae's intentions were not clear. Did he want to get married or not? He seemed very active in building the bonds so it just wasn't clear. Haneul didn't want to get married regardless of how nice Yeom Tae was. Haru and Youngsoo just wanted their friend to be happy. Where they thought profoundly of her opinions regarding the matter, they also took Yeom Tae as a potential partner in life who would keep her happy. They were aiming for both sides as they were both just as good for Haneul.

"I think I will just let the adults discuss this topic." Haneul said slowly to destroy the constant silence.

But her words progressed only to more silence.

"Well since we're going to be seeing each other more often now, you should pay a visit to my house too." Youngsoo said as he smiled, trying to break the silence.

"Yes, of course, why not?" Yeom Tae nodded.

Then they all shared their numbers like normal friends would have and called it a day. They all saw Luna off who was still sleeping and left Haru's house. Haneul's chauffeur dropped all of them one by one. Yeom Tae asked to be dropped at his office so there they parted ways. It had been a strange day overall and Haneul was ready to sleep for the entire night after dropping Youngsoo to his apartment as well.

Yeom Tae walked inside his firm and ran straight to his office. His friend Jiwoo was always there, as if that couch was his habitat.

"Han Jiwoo, Han Jiwoo, Han Jiwoo!" Yeom Tae swiftly called his friend several times while walking towards him steadily. "Listen, listen, listen."

But Jiwoo's eyes were stuck to his laptop like always. "What?" He responded though so the laptop part could be overlooked.

"I have come to a decision." Yeom Tae said.

"What?" Jiwoo's voice was as dry as ever, so uninterested until specified.

"I'm gonna tell Haneul about myself." Yeom Tae said.

"No." Jiwoo answered.

"Yes." Yeom Tae forced his opinion.

"No." Jiwoo forced his opinion in return.

"Yes, please." Yeom Tae pleaded.

Jiwoo sighed loudly before putting the laptop down on the table. He looked at Yeom Tae in all seriousness. Through his glasses, his dark circles were especially prominent. Jiwoo had nape length hair, curly and dark brown. His eyes were hazel in color and he was always wearing his round silver glasses.

"Are you dumb or are you pretending to be dumb?" Jiwoo asked. "How can you tell her such a turning point when she already despises the concept of marriage? Tell her your identity and watch her walk away, if that's what you want." He added harshly.

Yeom Tae pouted. "But I feel bad-"

"No, you don't." Jiwoo quickly said. "You can't feel bad about deceiving someone now." He added. "Also, Tae, you promised to love her. Stop stressing about things."

"You're mean." Yeom Tae pouted.

"You're dumb." Jiwoo replied.

"Hmph!"

Yeom Tae turned around and looked away.

"Let me ask you then," Jiwoo narrowed his eyes. "Do you like her?"

Yeom Tae paused, turned back around and carefully thought about it. To think about it, he had never really said it out loud. A few meetings with the girl whose company he enjoyed, did he like her? She was interesting, and totally his type.

"Yes." Yeom Tae replied confidently.

"Took you long enough?" JIwoo raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't want to be dishonest." Yeom Tae said. "I wanted to think if what I feel is actually correct."

"So is it?" Jiwoo asked.

"Yeah…" Yeom Tae confessed.

"Then there's basically no problem with what you're doing." Jiwoo clarified. "There's basically nothing wrong with you trying to approach her as a potential partner."

Yeom Tae sighed.

"Tae." Jiwoo called him. "Don't tell her. I mean it." He said sternly. "If you tell her now, you'll lose her for good."

"Then when do I even tell her?" Yeom Tae asked.

"You don't." Jiwoo shrugged.

Yeom Tae narrowed his eyes and slightly furrowed his brows. "How?!-" He paused in disbelief. "I don't understand. Do I lie to her my entire life?"

"To be fair, it's nothing important." Jiwoo said. "She doesn't need to know. And trust me," He said, "She'll be much happier if you stay shut."

Yeom Tae let his head fall to the back of the couch, staring at the ceiling.

"I won't be happier that way." He slowly murmured.

"Deception isn't supposed to bring you happiness."

"I know." Yeom Tae sighed.