Something was wrong between them. Jin could feel it the moment he entered the room. He felt an ice-cold wind slap him in the face the second Julieta’s eyes focused on him. But they didn’t meet his own. She had thrown up a wall again. But why?
Tomorrow was their birthday. She had called him into her office today for a short meeting. He’d canceled his other plans and come straight here. He couldn’t wait to see her.
Apparently, she did not feel the same way.
He walked across her office. “What’s wrong, Julieta?”
Why were tears filling her eyes right now? She turned away from him and wiped her cheek. She didn’t want to appear vulnerable to him today.
His concern grew when she didn’t respond. “What’s happened? More problems?”
Yeah, but not the kind you’re talking about. Lots of problems. Like life here wasn’t bad enough with my best friends trying to force me out of my own company. Now you’ve gone and betrayed me too! And with my own sister!
Of course, she couldn’t exactly say that. She cleared her throat. “More of the same.” She sighed and failed to meet his eyes again. “I just need a moment of your time. Can you read this last paragraph and make sure it’s to your liking?”
He drew close to her and glanced down at the paper under her finger. She was wearing a light scent that filled his head with the essence of oranges. He felt mildly intoxicated. He tried to focus on the paper before him, but he couldn’t. She was filling up all the space in his head, her perfume wrapping around him and drawing him near her like a lasso. He shifted his gaze to her face.
After a moment, she glanced up at him. He watched, fascinated, as her cheeks began to flush. He was so close to her. If he moved his head just a few inches, he could cover her mouth with his own. He was so tempted…but he didn’t want to spook her. She was clearly upset with him. Why? Was it because he’d taken Tia to dinner?
He had known it was a gamble. This ruse they’d created to plan a beautiful day for Julieta. But he had never guessed his actions would hurt her this much.
“Are you angry with me?” he whispered.
Her blush deepened as her eyes sought refuge from his own penetrating gaze.
“Why would I be angry with you?” she evaded his question by talking to her own toes.
“You are. You’re angry with me.” He was still speaking very quietly and had remained right next to her. His breath was flowing over her. But she kept her head averted. She couldn’t meet his gaze; she knew she’d start crying again if she did.
This was ridiculous! She hardly knew this man. How did he have the power to make her weak in the knees and to break her heart? Hadn’t she built up enough walls over the years to protect herself from such an assault? She was so frustrated right now. All those years of careful work. Brick by brick, shoring up her heart’s defenses so that nothing and no one would ever devastate her again. How had she become so susceptible to a South Korean boy with chocolate eyes and a blinding grin? She squeezed her eyes shut.
Suddenly, his voice teased her ear again as he bent towards her, his breath combing through her hair. “You know, tomorrow is my birthday…There is only one thing I’d like for my birthday. Just one thing…would you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
Her eyes flew open, and a tear cascaded down her cheek. She turned towards him, forgetting that she had sought to hide that tear from him. “Are you inviting Tia?”
How had she guessed that? It was supposed to be a surprise. Her question caught him completely off guard. He stumbled. “Uh…why would I invite Tia out for my birthday?”
“Why wouldn’t you? You invited her out the other night.”
Jin searched for an answer. “Well, I would like you both to be there. You are both my friends. Right?” He revealed that sweet smile to her, but she didn’t notice. Her heart was breaking.
Trying to hide the lump in her throat from invading her voice, she responded, “I’m sorry. I’m busy. You have plenty of friends. I’m sure you won’t notice my absence.”
Jin’s stomach dipped, and he felt nauseated. How had this gone so horribly wrong?
“If you can’t come, then I’ll just cancel my plans.”
She looked up at him. “What? Why?”
He shrugged. “You’re the only one I really wanted to see anyway.” It wasn’t entirely true, but pretty close to it, and he could feel her slipping away. He turned from her. “Sorry I bothered you. I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Jin!” she exclaimed loudly. Then she noticed Martina glancing her way from the desk across the hall. Julieta regained her composure, smiled at Martina, crossed her office, and shut the door. Then she turned to face Jin.
But she was at a loss for words as she stared at him.
Jin stared back, unsure himself what to say. He was afraid he’d hurt her again. And she had been hurt enough for one lifetime.
Suddenly, her whole face crumpled, and a sob escaped her lips. Mortified, she squeezed her eyes shut as she leaned back against the door. So much for being professional. Jin was going to think she was a basket case as well as incompetent. She was going to lose the contract with BTS. Then she’d lose her job. And she had nowhere to go when that happened. She’d have to move back to Argentina and look for another job. And who on earth would hire her after her own company let her go? And Tia would probably stay here with Jin. Julieta would be truly alone then.
All the pressure of the last three weeks was crashing down on her. It was crushing her. She’d barely been holding it together when she’d believed Jin was in her corner. Now that he was firmly in her sister’s, Julieta was losing it.
Jin stared in horror at her. He was very concerned that Martina would hear or see something that she’d use to try to destroy Julieta. Quickly, he crossed the room, gazing out the office window at Martina. Her head was bent. He closed the blinds. On all three windows. The door was already firmly shut.
Now, he could do what every cell in his body was telling him to do. He reached for Julieta and pulled her into his arms. Her nose hit his chest, and she began to sob into his crisp, white dress shirt. He wrapped his arms tightly around her.
“I’m so sorry, Julieta. I never meant to hurt you. I was trying to surprise you for your birthday.”
Julieta went perfectly still, stopping in mid-sob as Jin’s gentle words made their way into her heart. She pulled away and looked up at him.
“What?” She was clearly confused. “But I told you I don’t celebrate my birthday.”
“I know. But…” he took a deep breath for courage, “it’s time you did.”
She was trying to grapple with all the ramifications of what he was saying. Why did she feel so muddled?
“I only asked Tia to dinner to help me plan a surprise…for you. I’m not interested in dating your sister.”
She finally met his eyes again. “You’re not?” she whispered.
He shook his head. “No. My heart is already taken. Was already taken before I even met her.”
Julieta was afraid now. “It was?” She was too scared to ask him who had stolen his heart.
His lips curved in a teasing smile as he tightened his arms around her. “Yes. You see, this little Argentinian beauty queen captured my heart the first time she smiled at me. A few seconds after I entered her office nearly three weeks ago.” His eyes were caressing her face as she gazed up at him. He dipped his head towards her. “Julieta, you’re the one I’m interested in. Only you.”
His eyes slid over her face and tumbled down her chestnut curls. She was so beautiful. How could she even think he’d look at her sister? He found her jade green eyes once again. She was gazing up at him, sheer vulnerability making her face achingly beautiful.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “You didn’t listen to me, Jin. I told you I don’t want to celebrate my birthday. But you tried to make me. And look at the damage your plan has already caused.” Her heart was hurting so badly now. “Is my birthday cursed forever?”
“No! Julieta, that’s what I’m trying to show you! That your birthday is still a beautiful day. It was a beautiful day for your parents the year you were born!”
“But not the year I turned fifteen!” she sobbed.
“They would not want that to have the power to hurt you anymore, Julieta! They would want you to celebrate your life! You have given their deaths more power over you than you have given the gift of your own life! It’s true that they’re no longer here. But you’re still here. Julieta, you’re still living. You’re still breathing. And your parents would want you to embrace life. They wouldn’t want you to hide from it. They wouldn’t want you to bury yourself with them.”
His words were like ice water being thrown into her face. They were shocking. They hurt. She tore herself from his embrace. She walked over to her desk. “Did you read the paragraph?” she asked calmly as she gazed down at the contract.
Her voice was cold as ice. The wind was blowing in his face again. Apparently, he had destroyed whatever it was they’d had.
“Yes. It’s fine the way it is. Our lawyers will meet with yours next week to go over the final draft.”
“Ok.” She turned towards him, her hand held out to him. “Thank you, Mr. Kim. I believe that concludes our business for today. I won’t keep you any longer.” Her eyes were trained firmly on the door at his back.
He slid his palm across hers, feeling tears pricking his own eyes now. His fingers closed around her own, and he held on tight. For much longer than necessary. He was waiting for her to look at him.
Finally, perplexed, she met his eyes.
He spoke softly, yet there was a steel edge to his voice. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, Julieta. But you deserve the truth. You deserve to be free. Your parents would want you to embrace life. And love…But I can see you want nothing to do with me, so I will bow out gracefully. I won’t bother you again.” He paused as his words invaded her heart like a thousand knives. “But if you ever need a friend, please. Know that I’m here for you. You can come to me with anything.”
He let go of her, spun on his heel, crossed the room, opened the door, and left, shutting it firmly behind him.
He was gone. Most likely forever.
