Chapter 3

The rUdE morning alarm woke her up from her peaceful sleep. She groaned and yawned, walking towards her bathroom. She chuckled looking at her weak figure. "Since when did you become so vulnerable RiRi?" she questioned herself as a teardrop rolled down her cheek. She had a red and blotchy face with bloodshot puffy eyes and not to forget her red nose, none of which was looking presentable. "Get yourself together, you're strong," she said quivering meanwhile her heart was making blood-curdling screams. Her slouched figure let out an audible sigh. She wiped the tears away and smiled again. "Let's get ready for the office!" she tried to sound excited but oh well.

After two hours,

"Here, your money, sir," she handed the money to the cab driver and stood in front of the tall building. She looked up in the sky and then at the high building. The initials of the company were marked on the building, K T. Yes, KT corporations, one of the largest telecommunication companies of South Korea. She always used to feel excited while going inside the building, but today, it was something odd. She didn't feel anything, which of course was bugging her. She was feeling strange as if something bad's gonna happen? She took a deep breath and entered the building with a fake smile plastered on her face.

"Good morning Miss Shin," the boss greeted her as soon as she came inside.

"Morning, Sir."

"You here today?" asked the boss which made her confused.

"Yes sir, what's the matter?"

"It's Monday Miss Shin."

"Uh...Yes? So?"

"You don't remember?"

This made her even more confused. What did she miss? What she doesn't remember? What's even happening? She was zoning out when her boss called her again.

"Seems like you don't remember it has been one month already and your contract ended on Saturday only, Miss Shin."

"Ohh..." That's all she was able to say. She didn't know how to react to it. She couldn't understand why's she being so forgetful.

"Your salary will be transferred to your account, thank you for the cooperation."

"Thank you, sir. Pleasure is all mine," she said while shaking hands with him.

With that, she turned her heels and walked out of the building.

"So this was making me feel uneasy," she thought.

As she came out her phone started ringing."Not again, please," she muttered to herself. But the phone won't stop, which obviously irritated her. After a few rings, she picks up the call and spats, "What?" irritation and anger were quite visible in her voice.

"Yuri-ah."

That voice was not the one she expected it to be.. it oddly made her calm and relaxed.

"Hey, Joon." She said in a drained voice.

"Yuri-ah, what happened? Why you sound so...dull?"

"Mhmm. How was your interview?"

"It was good, I'm pretty much sure they'll select me. But Yuri-ah, tell me what happened?"

"Not like this Joon, meet me in the park."

"Should I pick you up?"

"I'm fine."

"Sure. I'm coming."

"Yeah."

"Be safe."

She hummed and cut the call. After that, she took a cab and went towards the park.

***

Namjoon was waiting impatiently for his best friend to come. He was continuously going back and forth around the bench restlessly. Soon he saw a petite figure approaching his direction, he furrowed his eyebrows looking at her weak state. She was walking slowly and monotonously if that makes sense.

"Hey Joon," she said trying to smile as wide as she could.

"What happened?" he straight away asked her.

"What? Nothing happened?"

"Yuri-ah.." he said squeezing her right arm. She nodded and gestured him to sit on the bench, he did and so did she.

"My job, the contract ended," she whispered in a low voice.

"It's something else," he said as he tucked a stray hair strand behind her ear. She sighed and decided to tell him.

"Last night, when you dropped me. He...He came, Joon," as soon as she said this, her voice cracked up a little.

"Why?" he asked in a serious tone.

"Dad's...dad's birthday. He invited me there."

By now a lump was formed in her throat. She could barely keep her tears to herself.

"What did he do to you?"

She couldn't utter a word, as a teardrop rolled down her cheeks. He clenched his fists. He's always despised Jihoon. Although he never met him in person, the hate in his heart for him is very pure.

"H-He slappe-" before she could say more Namjoon gently took her in his embrace.

"Shh... it's fine," he said while caressing her hairs.

Yuri couldn't help but let out even more tears. She snuggled in his arms and kept crying.

"It's okay Yuri-ah, he'll not harm you now. I won't allow him to do so," he held her tighter. It completely broke his heart, to see his best friend, the love of his life to be this vulnerable. The anger was building inside him. All he wished at the moment was to just go and beat the shit outta Jihoon, but he was helpless.

"Everyone hurt me, you won't leave me, right?" the girl tightly caged in his embrace asked in a quivering voice.

"Never ever," he answered her in a soft voice placing a soft peck on her forehead. She finally became quiet and let go of the hug.

"Thank you, for always being there, by my side," she said with a genuine smile.

"Always," he said returning her smile.

"I..gotta go now, let's meet tomorrow," saying so she stood up, so did Namjoon.

"Sure' also, call me if something bothers you, I'll help you with it."

Yuri nodded, admiring his beautiful features. She couldn't help but fall even more for the boy in front of her eyes.

"Okay then, bye," the girl said in a soft voice.

Namjoon came towards her, which as always made her heart go bananas.

"Take care, little girl," said Namjoon, ruffling her hairs softly.

"Haha..sure, You too, Joonie."

With that she walked away meanwhile Namjoon was feeling mixed emotions, he was angry because he can't just go and punch the one who made his love cry, he was happy and contented that at least he was able to comfort her when she needed him, also ecstatic because she did share her problems with him, just like always.