I don't mind hurting you

"You are doing good, Oppa." Mun Soyoon pats Sin Jeong-Hyuk's back. She gives him a wry smile. "You have managed to piss her off."

"What did I do?" He pulls his brows together. His eyes darken when she rolls her eyes at him. "I don't care anymore. Get out of my sight."

"Sure." Mun Soyoon strides away from him, humming a tune.

Oh Ji Hye has been watching their interaction. When did Sin Jeong-Hyuk's start being friendly to other people than her? He's always been aloof and closed off. Except for Yeon-Sik, Eun Bi, and her, he doesn't have any friends. 

It seems that it's no longer the case. This girl with flaming red hair is also Sin Jeong-Hyuk's friend. There's also Chang Seol.

Taking in a mouthful of cold air, only to release it to calm herself down, Oh Ji Ye runs her fingers through her long hair. Sin Jeong-Hyuk isn't looking at her. He paces around the room with crossed arms. 

He's been acting strangely. Oh Ji Ye can't help but feel that he has changed. His changes make him unpredictable. She walks to him and hugs him from behind, pressing the side of her face on his back. "I love you."

Those three words are often a question.

"Ah… right." He removes her hands. He turns around to look at her. There's neither hate nor love in his dark eyes. "Does your manager know that you are here?"

Ji Ye stares at him as he takes a seat on the couch. There's an aloof aura around him. He's treating her in the same way he used to treat others in the past. Has he pushed her into the category of people who can never get close to him again? 

The distance between her and him is only five feet. It can be covered with only a few steps. However, this small distance is no less painful than the year that she spent waiting for him. One mistake broke them apart.

"Sin Jeong-Hyuk." Oh Ji Ye curls her fingers, gazing at his back. 

"Yes?" He doesn't look at her. His attention is completely on his phone. The man who had always looked at her as if she was the only one who deserved to be acknowledged by him is not even giving her a proper glance.

"I am sorry," She whispers.

His fingers pause on the phone screen. He raises his head, staring ahead at the blank television. His dark eyes are neither warm nor cold. There's a profound silence in those familiar yet unfamiliar eyes. This silence. This distance. She can't cross it and reach him. He isn't making any movement toward her. This same silence fills her eyes with hot stinging tears. Her lips quiver as she apologizes again, "Jeong-Hyuk, I am truly sorry. Please don't leave me."

He inhales sharply. "You should return. I am sure that…"

"Jeong-Hyuk!" Why isn't he listening to her? She steps toward him and stops right in front of him. "Do you love Chang Seol?"

"What?" He frowns as he meets her eyes. "Ji Ye, must you always think like that?"

Must she? Ji Ye lowers her brows as she searches for something in his dark eyes -- anything that might imply that he has feelings for Chang Seol. "Why did you go as far as pretending to be her husband? You aren't the type of person who meddles in other people's affairs."

A low suppressed laughter escapes his lips. Sin Jeong-Hyuk leans back and crosses his arms. His dark eyes have a chilling glint. "Do you think that you love me?"

What is he asking her? Is he doubting her feelings? Ji Ye opens her mouth to tell him but she can utter no words. Sin Jeong-Hyuk is watching her as if he's challenging her to say something. If she does it, something will shatter between them. Then, there won't be any way for her to be here with him.

His smile turns darker as he takes her hand. "I don't mind hurting you, Oh Ji Ye."

"What are you…" A drop of cold sweat roll on her back. "Do you hate me?"

Sin Jeong-Hyuk shakes his head with a hint of a scornful smile hanging on his lips. "How could I hate you? We have so many beautiful memories together."

Then, why is he being like this?

"It's quite simple, Ji Ye." Sin Jeong-Hyuk squeezes her sweaty hands. "Don't question things that shouldn't be questioned. You want to act like my girlfriend. Fine! Be with me until you are ready to let go of me. Don't worry. I won't break up with you."

She pinches her lips together. Won't break up with her… It's fine then. His heart has changed because of that girl. If she makes that girl go away, then he will return to his usual self.

"I won't go back to S City without you," Oh Ji Ye declares calmly. She's not going to let him stay here and get seduced by another girl. "I already told you that I will stay here until you come back with me."

"Well…" He heaves a sigh. "Can you live here? This place is nothing luxurious."

"I will stay here!" She yells. "For you, I can stay anywhere."

"Alright." He shrugs. "Find something to entertain yourself. I am going out for a while."

"Where are you going?" Oh Ji Ye trails him as he wears his coat and shoes. 

"I need to buy a new phone," He says to her in a light tone. "Your face is too well-known. If you go out, people will notice you. Stay at home."

"But I can disguise myself, Jeong-Hyuk." Ji Ye barely finishes her words when he opens the door and walks out.

"Wait." She raises her hand and points toward the door. "Why does he need a new phone when he already has one?"