"What are trying to say right Jihoon, why are you assuming things?!" TaeHyun exclaimed,
"I can't believe you're trying to push me away at a moment like this, I'm just trying to spend this one last night I have with you." He sobbed.
"That's not what I'm doing, I just-"
"If you're going to put the blame on me then leave, I don't want to see you!" He cut me of as he turned away from me.
"Okay, I'm sorry. Please don't be mad." I said, "what do you want, I'll do anything."
He turned to me wiping his tears away, "You promise?" He sniffled.
I nodded, "great, now take a seat, I'll go get ready." He smiled as he sat me down on the bed.
He entered the bathroom and I was just left sitting down here in the quiet.
5 minutes later TaeHyun's phone started going off, the ringtones were back to back. As it continued to go off, I couldn't help but get curious
The persistent ringing of TaeHyun's phone broke the silence, and despite my better judgment, curiosity got the better of me. I glanced at the phone, which was lying on the bedside table. The screen displayed multiple missed calls and text notifications.
I hesitated for a moment, feeling a pang of guilt for invading his privacy. But the nature of the messages and the frequency of the calls suggested something significant was happening.
I grabbed the phone opened it and started looking at the messages,
SooJin: I know you're meeting that trash tonight but, I want to see you.
SooJin: why won't you reply, don't tell me you're with him already.
SooJin: you know I really don't get you, you've been sleeping with me all this time and now you're sleeping with him. It's not like you care for him any ways, you're only using him for that dick of his.
As I read through the messages, a cold wave of realization hit me. The texts from SooJin laid bare a painful truth I had tried to ignore—TaeHyun's casual treatment of me and his manipulative behavior. The messages revealed a side of him that was far from the image he had projected, and it stung deeply to see that I was, in fact, just a pawn in his game.
My heart sank as the reality of the situation settled in. I felt betrayed and used, a stark contrast to the hope and affection I had been clinging to. The feeling of being discarded so easily was crushing, and I struggled to process the overwhelming mix of emotions.
TaeHyun emerged from the bathroom, noticing my distressed expression. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern as he saw the phone in my hand.
I looked up at him, my eyes filled with hurt and disappointment. "You're really good with playing with my heart, don't you Hyun."
TaeHyun's face went pale, and he clearly didn't expect me to find out this way.
"From now on don't contact me again." I said dropping his phone on the bed and walked out of the room.
The hotel corridor seemed endless as I walked away from the room, each step echoing my heartbreak and resolve. The weight of what I had just learned felt like a heavy shroud around me, but the clarity of the situation brought a sense of finality I needed.
As I reached the lobby, I glanced back at the elevator, feeling a pang of regret mixed with relief. I had trusted TaeHyun and had been caught in his web of manipulation. But now, the decision to distance myself felt right, no matter how painful it was.
I stepped out into the cool night air, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The city lights of Bangkok twinkled around me, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside. My phone buzzed with a few missed calls and messages, but I ignored them, focusing instead on finding a place to clear my mind.
——————————
3 days later back in Korea:
"This is unacceptable Jihoon!" Dad exclaimed, "you just got your allowance last week and you've gone through it already!"
"I don't see why you're shouting dad, you have all this money and you can't give your son some." I replied.
"You're really are helpless, do you think I just pick up money form a tree or something." He stated. "Why can't you be like your brother, learn how to save your money." He added.
"Jihoon this is for your own good, until you get back on the right track your cards will be blocked and you won't be receiving any allowance." Mom chimed in.
"You have to be kidding right?!" I questioned, "do we look like we're joking?" Dad replied.
"This is unfair, you can't do this to me!" I exclaimed.
"Nothing is fair Hoon, once you get back to normal and get your senses back maybe you'll get your freedom back." Mom said.
I stormed out of the living room, slamming the door behind me. The anger and frustration boiled inside me like a pot ready to overflow. How could they just cut me off like that? As if money was the issue. They had no idea what I was going through, none at all.
I stomped up to my room, each step feeling heavier than the last. The walls seemed to close in on me as I entered. My bed, my desk, the posters on the wall—they all felt like a prison now. I threw myself onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling as my thoughts raced.
This wasn't about the money. Sure, I spent it fast, but it wasn't like I was buying stupid things. It was a way to cope, a way to distract myself from everything else falling apart.
—————————
The next day:
"Jebal halmeoni!" I begged, "I'm sorry Bonnie, but you're parents won't be very happy if we give you money." Halmeoni shook her head.
"JEBAL!" I begged.
"Okay, just promise you won't go and do something stupid." Harabeoji stepped in.
"If you promise me to not go out and do something stupid, I'll give you any amount you want." He added.
"I promise harabeoji!" I said quickly, "I trust you on this one, don't disappoint me Hoon." He Said as he pulled out a black card and placed it in my hand.
"I will never disappoint you harabeoji."
I pocketed the black card, feeling a surge of relief as I left Halmeoni and Harabeoji's house. I knew I shouldn't have pushed them like that, but right now, I couldn't care less. The weight of the past few days, TaeHyun's betrayal, and my parents cutting off my allowance, all left me feeling desperate for something—anything—to dull the pain.
——————————
Minji pov:
After the whole situation happened with Jihoon, he has completely gone ghost. First he blocked me that same day he kicked me out of his condo, second he has barely been in school and for some reason I feel like I shouldn't care after everything he did to me but… I can't help but worry.
....
At cheol's night club:
The music thumped through the walls of the club as I continued making drinks behind the counter, my hands working on autopilot while my mind drifted back to Jihoon. It had been weeks since he blocked me and disappeared from school, and every time I thought I had moved on, some part of me kept circling back to him.
I hated that I still cared.
"Hey, kid, you got a minute?" a sleazy guy leaned against the bar, his eyes lingering way too long on me.
I shot him a glare. "I'm busy. Order or leave."
He chuckled, clearly enjoying the challenge, but I ignored him, focusing instead on the bottles in front of me. Being hit on by older guys had become routine ever since I started working at Cheol's nightclub. Most of them just thought I was playing hard to get, but tonight I didn't have the patience for their games.
I was about to tell the guy off when I noticed a commotion by the entrance. One of the bodyguards seemed to be arguing with someone, and when I glanced over, I froze.
Jihoon?
He was outside, leaning against the velvet rope, clearly having some sort of heated exchange with the bouncer. My heart leapt into my throat, but I quickly looked away, trying to focus on my work.
Get a grip, Minji, I told myself, pouring another drink and sliding it across the bar. But curiosity gnawed at me. Why was Jihoon trying to get into the club? He never hung around places like this—at least not without a reason.
I wiped my hands on a towel and took a deep breath, sneaking another glance toward the door.
Outside the club - Jihoon's POV:
The bouncer crossed his arms, still looking unimpressed despite me pulling out my phone. I dialed Uncle Chen's number, and after a few rings, he answered.
"Jihoon, this is a surprise. You never call me first," Uncle Chen's smooth voice echoed through the line.
I shot a look at the bouncer, still annoyed. "Your man is harassing me right now. He won't let me in."
"Now Jihoon," Uncle Chen sighed on the other end, "you know you're not supposed to be there if I'm not around. Your parents would lose it if they found out you're back at the club."
"I don't care," I snapped, my frustration growing. "Just tell him to let me in, Uncle Chen."
There was a pause, and I could almost hear the amusement in his voice when he replied, "You're always so demanding, kid. Fine. Give the phone to the bodyguard."
I handed the phone over to the bouncer, who listened for a moment before nodding. "Understood, sir," he muttered and then handed the phone back to me. "You can go in."
I didn't bother thanking him, just shoved the phone into my pocket and headed inside. The smell of alcohol and sweat hit me immediately, and the flashing lights made me squint as I adjusted to the dim, chaotic atmosphere of the club.
I didn't know why I was here. Part of me just wanted to drown out everything that had been happening.
TBC