Jin looked down at the cute girl across the table from him. She was absolutely gorgeous, with big, blazing eyes and long, chestnut hair. He couldn’t help but notice the resemblance between her and Julieta. They were clearly sisters. They were both stunningly beautiful. But Tia had a quality her sister lacked. She was less reserved, more open. There was a fire for life in her eyes. They burned with passion. Jin considered her as they prepared to order dinner. He wondered if she had a boyfriend…
—
Jin and Tia had been having a wonderful time discussing their plans over dessert. They were unaware that they were being observed. But one of their friends made a beeline for home. Very upset.
—
He had been minding his own business. Walking down the street. Past the picture window of one of Jin’s favorite restaurants. When he happened to glance in. At just the wrong moment.
Jin was seated at a little square table which was draped in a clean, white, linen cloth. The burgundy cloth napkin was in his lap. A wine glass was being dangled between his thumb and fingers. And a brilliant smile adorned his face as he laughed at something his companion said.
Tae’s eyes traveled across the table to land on a beautiful woman. Then he did a double take, stopping short in front of the window to stare at the lovely face of his precious Woong. She was here? In Seoul? Having dinner with Jin? By the light in her eyes, Tae could clearly see that she admired Jin. She was, quite apparently, having a great time with him. She suddenly burst out laughing in response to Jin. Probably a dad joke, Tae thought bitterly.
Something ugly and dark and extremely painful burned a hole through Tae’s heart in that moment. He hissed from the agony as he forced his feet to move. And commanded his eyes to never again look her way. He had no right to be angry. Or jealous. He had ignored her. He had refused to call her. He hadn’t even texted her since the last day that he had seen her.
She had clearly forgotten him. But he would never forget her. Especially not if she was dating Jin! Tears filled his eyes. Suddenly picking up his pace, he ran the rest of the way home.
—
Tia smiled over at Jin. The man was beautiful. He was so kind, and he was hilarious. He kept telling her the funniest dad jokes. But it was his comedic timing that sealed the deal. He’d had her nearly rolling out of her chair several times this evening. Also, he was so easygoing that he instantly put her at ease. She felt like she could bask in his company for hours. Her conversation had flowed effortlessly in his presence. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this comfortable around a guy.
Certainly, not Tae. Tae had made her nervous. And irritated. And captivated.
—
Tae entered his bedroom in haste. Thankfully, no one had been home when he arrived. He’d disappeared into the shelter of his own cave before anyone could see the pain clearly written on his face. He was sure his blank expression would fail him today. This just hurt too much.
What should he do? How should he react when Jin brought her home? Which he would do. Eventually. Most likely. Should he act like they had never met?
He slid his hand down his face, feeling the moisture on his cheeks. He picked up his phone, intent on deleting the pictures, but when his eyes caught sight of her face, he found that he couldn’t do it. He fed off these pictures. Every day. He would sit and stare at her beautiful face and wish things could be different. Then he would dream they were. In his heart, he and Woong were already living a lovely life together. Shouldering each other’s burdens and sharing laughter and embracing each other’s dreams. It was the way it should be. But not the way it was.
Right now, she was sitting with another guy. Enjoying his company. Absorbing his words. Being dazzled by his smile. Why did she have to pick the worldwide handsome one? It was so ironic… Now that Tae had also left his teenage years behind, the world called him beautiful too. His photographers even exclaimed that he had no bad angles. They could finish any photo shoot with him in fifteen minutes. He could have any girl in the world, people claimed. Yet Tia had chosen the man who loved to blow air kisses and pull hearts out of his pocket. Was it his sense of humor that had won her over? Tae could be every bit as goofy as Jin. But maybe…not in front of Tia. Tae had been so amazed by her. So utterly in awe of her beautiful smile that showing off his witty side had been the furthest thing from his mind.
He glanced down at her enchanting smile on his phone. He caressed her cheek with his fingertip. He didn’t have the heart to delete the loveliest photographs he’d ever laid his eyes on. Maybe. Maybe things wouldn’t work out between her and Jin. Maybe then…would she ever be willing to give Tae another chance?
What was she doing in Seoul?
