PROMPTS

Stranger in my Bed - 9

"Oh, that sounds great! I'm glad it worked out," Jin-woo said, earnestly. After a pause, he asked, "So, how have you been?"

"Good. It's strangely quiet at the house not having you around to piss off," she admitted. "You?"

"I... well... it's strange to not have you around, too," he said.

"Omo, Mr. Yoo... do you miss me?" Jin Ah teased.

Jin-woo rolled his eyes even if she couldn't see. "You missed me first. Have you had dinner?"

"No, I'm just leaving the audition so I'll just grab something along the way," she replied. When he asked where she was, they found that it was close to his office.

"There's a good restaurant in the corner. Do you want to meet up?" Jin-woo asked.

A few minutes later, they were reunited and teasing each other again. Then the conversation turned to a phone call she received the night before, "Chul-soo called."

"Who?" Jin-woo asked, not recognising the name.

"My ex," Jin Ah reminded.

"Oh. What did he need?" 

"Things weren't going well with his trip with his new girlfriend and he's wondering if I would still take him in," she shared, her face pained.

"Are you?"

"I wonder if I was such a push over during out time together that he would think I would just take him back," she mused out loud. "I told him I don't want him back."

"Fair," Jin-woo commented.

"I don't think I'll be seeing anyone for a little while," Jin Ah declared.

"And why is that?"

Jin Ah explained, "I was thinking about everything and have come to the conclusion that I have to work on loving myself a little bit more. Work on a newer, better version of me."

"That sounds good," Jin-woo agreed. 

There was a quiet that passed between them before she finally spoke up, "So, I guess this is the part where I say, it was nice meeting you."

He frowned. "Why does it sound like a goodbye?"

"Isn't that how it works? When the characters don't date, they part ways?" she asked.

Jin-woo leaned forward. "You watch too many dramas on TV, I think."

"Dramas only reflect real life," Jin Ah defended. 

"Not always," he returned.

Frowning, she asked, "So are you saying you're staying?"

Jin-woo nodded. "Of course. Unless you want me to leave. Otherwise, I would like to be a witness to your life, if you'd let me."

She agreed, but she had doubts and prepared herself to one day wake up and not have his friendship around. But she promised herself to work on being a better person and that meant not putting effort on people who did not want to stay in her life.

So, they were friendly but she kept him at a distance.

For the next year at least, she was going to focus on herself. So, she traveled, took on culinary classes, continued to audition until she was finally with an agency and learned to love all the parts of her being she didn't think were lovable enough.

And luckily, Jin-woo was there as a friend to support her.

Over a year later...

They had spent birthdays and holidays together, they had a bench by the Han River where they would meet up every Wednesday to talk about their week so far and they had Sunday dinners together.

He helped her out once in a while when she wanted to take extra work. She helped him out whenever he had car troubles.

"When are you due back?!" Jin Ah complained over the phone. 

They had not seen each other for over two weeks because he had a business trip to Spain for the new hostel he was putting up, and Jin Ah was starting to miss him. 

"You miss me, don't you?" Jin-woo teased.

"I miss your ugly face, yes," she shot back.

Jin-woo laughed. "I'm flying out tomorrow. I already moved it 3 days early for you so don't complain if I don't have gifts for you when I return."

"You can get me chocolates from the airport, you know?" she reminded him. 

"Fine. Hey, could you meet me at our bench by the river the day after next?"

"Sure, why? It's not Wednesday," she asked, confused.

"Yeah, but... I need to talk to you."

"About what? You're not going to leave me in suspense, are you?"

Jin-woo chuckled softly. "There are some things best said face-to-face, you know?"

"At least give me a clue!" Jin Ah said.

He was quiet for a little bit then finally said, "Things have changed and I just wanted to talk to you about it."

"Oh... you have someone."

Jin-woo was quiet.

"Is she... do you love her?"

"We'll talk when I get back, okay?"

They said their good nights and ended the call but Jin Ah was unable to sleep. She tossed and turned in bed.

Why am I bothered? He's a good friend and a good man. If she makes him happy, then I should support it. He has been great to me all this time. So, why do I feel like crying?

Her phone notification sounded and she quickly opened the message thinking it was from Jin-woo.

"I miss you, Jin Ah. Give us a chance?" 

It was from Chul-soo.