When Eloise's father tells her that he has arranged a marriage for her, she is outraged. But then she meets the man she is supposed to marry, and decides that being forced to marry a stranger might not be too bad if it is this particular stranger.
...
"That's true. Some of them are not always kind and supportive."
"Yeah. They would pick apart every single thing about her."
"Has he even told her who he is, yet?"
"I don't think so. I haven't heard either of them talk about it."
"And any time we say something even remotely related, he interrupts or shuts us down."
"It's not as if she doesn't know his name. Or doesn't know how to use Google."
"Yeah...Don't all girls go all FBI and cyber stalk a guy to learn everything about them?"
"No, that's just your dates, JK."
"You're funny."
"I am here all week. Literally."
"Focus. Should we just tell him that the bet has gone far enough, and he's won?"
"Why?"
"Before either of them get hurt."
"But... you don't think that they might actually get married?"
"You know why that can't happen."
"But they really do seem happy together."
"It's just a game. A bet. A challenge. Hobi is just acting his part really well."
"He must be the best actor on earth, then, because he really seems into her."
"His performance has been pretty Oscar-worthy."
"He's laying it on a bit thick for my taste."
"I could do better."
"Maybe we should throw you in there to try and break them up. Like a dare."
"Oh I like that idea!"
"No. She's a nice person. I don't want to do that.."
"You're only saying that because you're worried that you'll lose."
"I am not. She fed me. I like her."
"You know that's all that it takes to win Kook over."
"He did say that he never wants to leave here."
"I don't think that Hobi does, either."
"Oh give it up. He's just doing all of this to win the bet."
"He's probably ready to-"
"SHUT UP!"
That was the last thing that I heard before the intercom was turned off. I looked up to where Hobi was standing by the door, but I knew that he wouldn't be here, because it was his voice that said that last part.
I walked over to the door, shut it, and locked it, making sure that nobody could get into my room.
Then I crumpled to the floor. I couldn't believe what I had just heard.
My heart was shattered. It was in a million pieces and I don't think that it will ever be whole again.
I jumped when I heard knocking on the door.
"Ellie, let me explain."
I didn't answer. The knocking got louder and the door handle jiggled a few times.
"Ellie, come on. Please let me in."
I made no move to do as he asked. The knocking became pounding on my bedroom door.
"Damn it, Eloise, let me in!"
He sounded so mad. No...not mad. Upset. Was he only upset that now he's lost their little bet?
Good.
Fuck him. Fuck all of them.
I was perfectly happy in my life before all of this. Why did Jung Hoseok have to come along and ruin everything? Absolutely and completely ruined. Ashes of Pompeii ruined. That's how my heart feels right now.
I heard a sound against my door that sounded like he was sliding down to the floor. His voice came much softer now.
"Ellie. Please. Gongjunim. My princess. I love you. I truly do. Please just let me explain."
"Go away, Hoseok." I didn't say it very loud, but he was right on the other side of the door. I could hear that he was, so I knew that he could hear me.
"Please don't say that. I'm not going anywhere."
"Go away, Hoseok. As in, get out of my house. Get out of my life. Get out of my country. Go home."
"You are my home." He said it in a strangled whisper that almost broke my heart even more.
Almost.
It would have worked if I hadn't just learned that our whole relationship was a complete and total lie.
"I'm not your home, Hoseok. I'm not anything. To anyone. I'm nothing. Just go."
He didn't. He kept trying to talk to me. Either through the door or by calling my cell. I didn't answer either way. I could tell that he was getting frantic. He hadn't heard me move or make any kind of sound in over an hour. I really wished that he would just leave.
I decided to send him a text. That way, I didn't have to see him or hear his voice. I didn't trust myself not to cave.
Me:Leave, Hoseok.
MyHope:No, Ellie. Please just open the door and talk to me.
Me: That won't be happening. I'm not leaving this room until you leave this house. I don't want to see you.
MyHope: ...For how long?
Me: How long do you think? For GOOD, Hoseok.
MyHope: You don't mean that.
Me: I do. I don't want to see you again.
MyHope: But...I love you, Eloise.
Me: Was that part of the bet? Convince me that you actually love me, and you win? Or was it that I had to actually fall in love with you? Either way, I'd say you won. I did really believe that you loved me. And I did fall in love with you. Whatever you get from your friends for winning this bet, I hope that you enjoy it. And now I have another reason to add to the list of reasons I hate the Christmas season. Thanks.
MyHope: Ellie, please....
Me: Goodbye Hoseok.
I knew it. I knew it all along. I tried to ignore that little voice in the back of my head. The doubtful one. They voice who seemed paranoid before, but as it turns out, was completely rational this entire time.
