{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
Joon So Min wouldn't just stand there and let anyone trample on her. Especially not someone like An Nari. Sure, she wasn't completely innocent,but she wasn't guilty either.
"How dare you?" An Nari flared up.
"How dare me? You seriously need to learn some manners," So Min replied sharply, refusing to back down.
An Nari's face twisted in rage. She stepped forward, raising her hand to slap So Min but it never landed.
A strong hand grabbed her wrist mid-air.
An Nari turned, startled—
"Seo Jun?"
His eyes were cold.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"She insulted me!" An Nari snapped, trying to justify herself.
Seo Jun let go of her wrist slowly.
"I asked you a question," he repeated.
"You're... you're taking her side?" she said, voice trembling, glancing between him and So Min.
So Min remained frozen, stunned he'd come. Why now? Why here?
"We need to talk," Seo Jun said to her, gently taking An nari's hand and leading her outside.
⸻
"Seo Jun!" An Nari followed, voice cracking as she caught up.
"Why... Why didn't you defend me in there?"
He didn't answer.
"I'm your girlfriend! I have every right to be here!" she cried, voice rising in desperation.
Seo Jun turned coldly.
"Nari, why are you even here? This is my house. You can't just show up whenever you feel like it."
"I'm your girlfriend!" she insisted.
"Are you okay?" Seo Jun asked, his voice low and unreadable.
"No! I'm not! You never make time for me anymore. And now, my father wants to marry me off to someone else,he says you're not serious about me."
"You know the situation," he said flatly.
"Then let's leave everything behind! Run away with me. You're rich enough to start a new life. Let's move to the States,forget your family, forget this drama, just be with me," she pleaded, grabbing his hand.
Seo Jun looked at her for a long time.
"Nari... I think we should take a break."
"What? Are you breaking up with me?!" her eyes widened.
"This relationship is going nowhere. We need time apart," he said quietly, pulling his hand from hers.
He turned.
"See a therapist," he added before walking away.
"N—No! Don't go, Seo Jun!" she cried.
People had started to watch.
Ashamed, An Nari shoved away the approaching bodyguard and stormed off in tears.
⸻
"Why?" So Min asked softly when Seo Jun returned.
She had heard the raised voices and couldn't pretend she hadn't.
"Why did you break up with her?"
"I didn't do it for you," he replied without looking at her. "She needs help. I did it for myself."
He walked away, leaving her stunned. Her hands clenched.
Why did it still hurt?
⸻
"So Min," Hye Sua comforted her back at their apartment.
"You're overthinking. A breakup is hard on anyone. Just give him time."
"I don't know. Do you think I should just... tell him how I feel?" So Min asked quietly.
"Not yet," Sua replied with a crooked smile. "Just be there for him right now."
"Anyway, let's not talk about me. How was your night with Mr. K-Playboy?"
Sua blushed hard.
"I couldn't sleep. He kept me company... we just talked. He's... nice."
"Oh my god,you're falling for him!" So Min teased.
"He followed me back on Instagram," Sua admitted bashfully.
"Then message him!" So Min said with exaggerated seriousness.
"No!" Sua said, folding her arms.
"You won't?" So Min raised a brow.
Suddenly, she snatched Sua's phone and ran toward the living room.
"So Min! Don't!" Sua chased after her.
"He replied!" So Min beamed, dancing in place. "You said hi, and he wrote—'How are you doing now?'"
"So romantic," So Min squealed. "He cares about you!"
"How?!" Sua cried, her face as red as a tomato.
"Let me reply," So Min grinned and quickly typed:
'I'm fine now thanks to you 😊'
'What are you up to?' – Min Jun replied
'Nothing, are you free for coffee?' – So Min typed back
'Sure, should I pick you up?' – came the next message
'Yes, be here in an hour ☺️'
'Okay, see you' – he confirmed
"He's coming! Get ready!" So Min declared.
"What?! Where?! What do I wear?!"
"My dear Sua," So Min placed her hands on her hips like a stylist queen. "This is why your fashionista best friend is here."
"You better style me well or I won't support your fashion store when you open!" Sua threatened playfully.
"Yes, madam," So Min bowed dramatically.
⸻
"He's here," Sua said, peeking from the window.
"Wait here," So Min ran out and opened the door.
"So Min?" Min Jun looked surprised. "Hi."
"Hello," she bowed politely. "How are you feeling now?"
"I'm okay," she smiled.
Sua stepped outside. Min Jun froze for a moment.
She looked... stunning.
"Let's go," she said.
"S–Sure," he blinked. "Let's go."
"So Min," Min Jun laughed as they walked to his car, "If you ever get drunk again, just call me, okay?"
So Min blushed.
"Thank you for helping me last night."
"Have fun, lovebirds!" So Min winked at Sua, who stuck out her tongue shyly.
As Min Jun opened the car door for Sua, he couldn't stop staring.
Yes, he was definitely falling for her.