"WAAAAAA!!!! I HATE YOU!!!!" Joy screamed her lungs out as she tightly embraced Sungjae's back. The poor girl couldn't even stand properly as her knees were shaking uncontrollably. Her eyes were closed tightly and she definitely feels that this is where her life ends.
Sungjae, on the other hand, was enjoying every single second of scaredy-cat Joy. He had purposely brought her to the highest peak in Busan to get the best view of the sunset for the day. He never wanted to scare her. Okay, maybe he did want to scare a tiny bit so she would cling to him like a koala but of course he will never admit that.
Feeling a little mischievous, Sungjae abruptly removed his Joy's hands and ran a few steps away.
"UWAAA!!! OPPA PLEASE!!!" Joy shouted while putting up her hands like a baby who wants to be carried. She still couldn't open her eyes out of fear.
Sungjae chuckled at this sight and immediately went back to firmly lock Joy in his embrace. "Mhmm... what did you say, Sooyoung-ah? Did you just call me Oppa, again?" Sungjae couldn't help but grin widely.
He then earned an expected hit on his stomach. "Whatever! Let's leave already. Please!! I don't want to die here!" Joy's grip was getting even tighter.
"Sooyoung-ah, just open your eyes even for just a bit" Sungjae reached for Joy's face to remove the hair strands that were covering her face.
Joy slowly opened her left eye... then her right. She then tilted her head to the side, but still letting it rest on Sungjae's chest.
There it was.
The most beautiful sunset she had ever seen so far.
Joy was so mesmerized by the beauty in front of her that she didn't notice her tears flowing down her cheeks already. The sunset had always given her peace and hope. She had been avoiding it for several years because she was afraid that it would give her those feelings again. But right now at this very moment, with Sungjae holding her tight at such scenic view... everything just felt... right.
"Sooyoung-ah... look at me please?" Sungjae softly tapped Joy's shoulder.
"N-no... the sunset's better than you" Joy teased to hide her blush. It was only then that she realized her extremely close proximity from Sungjae that she was afraid he would feel her fast heartbeat.
"Sooyoung-ah..." Sungjae didn't relent and tilted Joy's face towards him with his hand.
"I know it's still a long way to go with regards to earning back your trust. But I just want to tell you something that I wished I told you on the day you left..." Sungjae's eyes were getting teary. He looked at Joy with so much longing.
"I love you, Sooyoung..."
Sungjae cupped Joy's cheeks and continued, "...there wasn't a day I didn't regret how I treated you before. I'll pursue you until I can. I could only wish I realized it earlier... I could only wish I said it earlier. But Sooyoung-ah..."
Sungjae briefly paused and he rested his forehead against Joy's. "I'll never let you leave again..."
Joy looked away. She couldn't take the look on Sungjae's face. His eyes mirrored exactly what she feels, too... hurt. One more glance and she might break her walls again. But no... that shouldn't happen. She needs to protect herself this time. "I once believed your words, Sungjae. It did me no good. So please... let's just leave this place already and not waste anymore time" she bitterly said.
Sungjae could only sigh. He can't blame her at all. But he had already set his heart that whatever Joy's response would be with his confession, he will still pursue her.
The drive home was too quiet. Joy just glued her eyes to her side window, looking at all the buildings that they are passing by as if it amused her. In reality though, she just can't bring herself to look at Sungjae.
Sungjae noticed this and offered to just have dinner in his rented apartment in Busan. It would be more awkward with having more people around to deal with if they would eat outside.
"I'll make us some ramyeon, okay? Just rest at the couch. This will be quick" Sungjae uttered as soon as they arrived at his apartment. He placed his belongings at the side table and immediately proceeded to the kitchen.
"Ne" Joy awkwardly said. She was thinking of ways to get through this dinner as soon as possible to avoid any more unnecessary scenarios between her and Sungjae. Today was just too overwhelming already- his surprise visit at her workplace, their skinships at the peak and his sudden confession... it's just too much to take in right now.
Joy's thoughts though were interrupted when she heard Sungjae's phone ring. She really didn't want to take a look but curiosity got the best of her.
SoHyun calling...
And there it was again, that pang in her chest. She quickly darted her eyes away from Sungjae's phone and bit her lip.
No. Stop letting them affect you. Joy thought to herself.
Soon enough, Sungjae came to the living room after a couple more rings from his phone. "Aish I told my hyungs not to disturb me when I'm in Busan..." he said with a slight irritation in his voice. He was about to cancel the call when he realized it wasn't from his hyungs.
Joy couldn't quite understand the change of expression in Sungjae's face when he read the caller ID. Well... she didn't want to, anyways. Sungjae noticed Joy's uneasiness and decided to take the call outside. "I...um... will just take this. I'll be quick, promise" he said before heading out. Joy was then left there in the living room overthinking once again.
Why is he even here when he's still with that SoHyun?! Is this some sort of joke? Joy thought.
True enough,Sungjae was back in just three minutes or so. "Sooyoung-ah, let's eat now?" he smiled, trying to ignore the growing negative aura between them.
"I'm not hungry. Go eat so you can drive me back at Wendy's already" Joy tried to hide her irritation. Why was she like this anyways? She doesn't know as well.
But Sungjae knew. He went closer to the lady and knelt before her. "You should eat, too. I don't want to keep my baby hungry" he softly smiled while holding Joy's hand.
Taken aback, Joy could feel the heat rushing to her cheeks. Oh how she hates how he can easily affect her. "F-fine" she could only say while immediately removing her hand from Sungjae.
During dinner, Joy was still so quiet. SoHyun just had to add to her overwhelming feelings earlier. She looked at her bowl and just kept mixing her noodles with her chopsticks.
"Sooyoung-ah, ahhh"
Joy's eyes quickly went up to meet Sungjae who was now trying to give her a mouthful of noodles without her having the time to process it. She had no choice but to swallow the food.
"Aegi. Do I have to feed you more?" Sungjae teased.
"A-ani!" Joy knitted her eyebrows and covered half of her face in embarrassment.
"Then eat now, Sooyoung-ah. The food's getting cold. I don't want you sick" Sungjae now said with a more serious tone. He was already getting worried with Joy's behavior. He knew he had to tell her soon... but maybe on a better day.
———
August 21, 2022
The next day, Joy was back to her usual business self and was keeping herself busy with decorating the cupcakes that she had finished baking earlier...
...or so she thought.
"Ya! Hello? Earth to Joy?! The cupcakes ain't going to decorate themselves. Palli, palli. We have to deliver those today" Wendy waved multiple times in front of Joy's face to get her attention before going back to her own work station.
"S-sorry, unnie. I just blanked out a bit" Joy bit her lip. She wasn't a slacker to begin with, but she still couldn't get out the thought of SoHyun and Sungjae still in contact with each other.
Wendy looked at Joy and raised her eyebrow. Something was obviously bothering her little sister. She knows Joy too well now. "Is this about Sungjae? I thought you had a good date yesterday?" She now lowered her voice a bit to assure Joy that her slight irritation earlier has wavered.
"We didn't date, Unnie! H-he just... kidnapped me. I was kidnapped" Joy immediately defended herself while avoiding Wendy's gaze.
"Still in denial, huh? Then what's bothering you? You're not your usual self" Wendy picked up her own cupcakes and placed them on Joy's work station so they could talk closer.
"How do I make Sungjae stop doing whatever he is doing right now?" Joy suddenly asked.
"Huh? Why would you make him stop in the first place, Joy?" Wendy curiously asked. To her eyes, Sungjae was really keeping up with his words of winning Joy back. Although she hated what he did to Joy before, she thinks Sungjae truly has changed and is worthy of at least a chance to prove himself more.
"Because he's doing all these things out of pity... and guilt. He just feels sorry for hurting someone who practically had no home of her own her whole life. He feels sorry because that same someone had feelings for him that he couldn't reciprocate because he's heart is already taken in the first place" Joy opened up, finally letting her tears fall down. There's no point in hiding them in front of Wendy. It's been too much for her too, so might as well release all of these pent up emotions. She was always the pathetic looking one, so let it be then.
Wendy was surprised by Joy's sudden confession. She instinctively stood up and went beside Joy to hug her. She couldn't imagine the depth of emotions that Joy had been locking in her heart. She then patted her head softly and asked, "what made you say that, Joy? Sungjae has been here the past months trying to show you the contrary. I don't know him well, but I can see he is sincere"
"But I don't get it, unnie. Why is SoHyun then still in the picture? She was calling him yesterday and he seemed... still very concerned about her" Joy wiped her tears with the back of her hand. The memory of the two in each other's arms while Sungjae spoke angrily at her was still fresh in her mind. She could feel her heart sinking right now.
Wendy knew about that particular story and that particular SoHyun. But she has to be the rational one here when Joy's mind is heavily clouded with doubts. "Joy, why don't you talk about that with Sungjae then? Only Sungjae can answer whatever questions you have in your heart. Don't jump to conclusions already"
"H-he's not going to be around for the next 2 weeks... he said he has an out of the country business trip" Joy said bitterly, refusing to admit that she'll miss getting the attention from him.
"Well then use that time to think about it thoroughly... or you can focus on the upcoming baking competition that you have registered into. Use your energy instead on that" Wendy smiled as she encouraged Joy. She was proud that Joy finally allowed herself to join the annual competition after rejecting it for the past years. It's about time she would boost her confidence.
Joy's eyes widened. "Omo! I totally forgot about that... oh no, unnie. What to do?!" Joy panicked.
Wendy could only chuckle. "Ya. Do you overthink about everything? Let's finish work first and then let's talk about a good strategy for your competition. I'll call a good friend to help us"
"Huh? Who could that be, unnie?" Joy raised her eyebrow out of curiosity.
"Just.... someone" Wendy mischievously grinned before carrying her cupcakes back to her workstation.