The Taste Of Ink | Taekook | ENG

18. I COULD STAY LIKE THIS FOREVER

"We are arguing because you act like a spoiled child. Do you think everything is wonderful and easy in relationships? You run away as soon as the first problems arise," she shouted reproachfully.

"Lisa, these problems didn't arise today. For months, I've been trying to fix it all somehow, but whenever I try to do something, you punch me and push me away. From the beginning of our relationship, I did everything for you, everything... We eat what you like, we go where you want, we do what you want... But where am I in all this?"

"Where are you?" she said, laughing out loud. "If it wasn't for me, you would probably be sitting in sweatpants now, painting your funny little pictures. I support you, thanks to me, you will soon be CEO, thanks to me, you have friends from the cream of society and people envy you the life you have. They envy you me because I am the bride everyone dreams of! Only you can't appreciate it."

"They envy me the riches and the life they think I am leading. If any of them knew what I really felt, what I experienced and what I struggle with every day, believe me, no one would want to be in my place. Including you. They see the pretty picture that paints before their eyes, not seeing the effort and pain it takes."

"Pain? Jeongguk, you don't know what pain is. You're born with a silver spoon, you've had everything you ever wanted all your life. The name opens every door for you!" Lisa said mockingly. "I grew up in an orphanage, without anyone and nothing. You don't know what it means to have nothing and have to get it all yourself!" The girl's voice was raised again, she was almost screaming.

"Maybe I don't know what it's like to be raised in an orphanage and have to get everything yourself, but I know what it's like to lose everything you have," Jeongguk confessed, looking her straight in the eye.

He could feel it getting harder and harder to breathe, as if something was pressing his chest. The room seemed to spin, and he knew he might soon have another one with his attacks, and he didn't want Lisa to see him like that.

"Lose it all?! Don't be ridiculous, Jeonggukie!" she snorted.

"If you were interested in more than just my money, maybe you would know what I'm talking about!" Jeon snapped, his voice raised.

He opened his mouth to say something else, but before he could say a word, Lisa did something he didn't expect. When he felt the girl's hand on his cheek, he couldn't utter a single word.

Lisa slapped him.

The blow hurt badly, but he didn't flinch, didn't look away. His jaw was burning, but his chest hurt a lot more. He placed his hands almost automatically on his chest, grasping the thin fabric of the T-shirt he was sleeping in, as if trying to relieve the pressure that was leaving him breathless.

For a moment he almost fought to catch his gasping breath again into his compressed lungs. He looked her straight in the eye and let his lips speak the words he had been afraid to say aloud, as if the fact that he wouldn't do it gave them some hope.

"I thought you were going to show me that I was making a mistake by walking away from you, and every day you prove to me that I made a mistake by giving you that goddamn ring," with that, he passed her and headed for the bathroom.

With every step he felt his breathing was shallower and more chaotic, and his eyes became foggy. He stretched his arms out to the sides, running his hand over the wall as if afraid that he would just fall to the ground as he walked forward. Each step felt like an almost incredible feat, as if he were running a marathon and struggling to cover the next allotted distance.

"Don't forget we have a meeting tonight with Rose, her boyfriend, Sunhee and Beomsoo!" she shouted after him. "You have to be on time if you don't want your father to know what you're doing."