17 | "If you... don't make it clear, I'll cross the line!"

"Sunghoon!" As the black-haired worker steps right outside of the revolving doors, a girl calls out to him. Even though the tone was different, Sunghoon hoped that it was Yerin. However, Woong, who was the voice behind him, appears. The boy's smile falters but not entirely, and to keep a kind distance, he steps back once she makes his way towards him. Facing each other, Woong giggles. "Do you want to eat dinner together?"

"Dinner?" Sunghoon replies, repeating the only word that stands out to him. Deep inside he was hoping to be with Yerin tonight, but he remembers in that instant that she had escaped with Jaeyun to drink. Even then, Sunghoon didn't feel like fueling Woong's desires. He had experienced this many times with different women, all of which he turned down. Woong wasn't going to be an exception. "Sorry, I'm a bit busy tonight."

Sunghoon doesn't leave room for talk, but at Woong's words, he stops. "You like Ms. Cha, right? I was thinking about it, but I know that you wouldn't go with anyone because you're waiting for her," Woong then giggles, shaking her head. "The other coworkers told me about how you professed your love for her a few minutes ago. If I knew any earlier, I'd stop chasing you."

Sunghoon fully turns once more, a frown on his face. "I'm sorry, Woong. She's the one I love."

"You shouldn't be apologetic for love. It's not something you can control," Woong crosses her arms. "You know, she loves you too. She's holding back because she must've said something wrong. Most of us want someone loyal, someone, who can stay by our side. I hope that you stay loyal to Ms. Cha."

The boy nods happily, eyes crinkled. "I will always love Yerin. More than myself."

"Good. It better stay that way!" Woong then moves forward, placing her hands around his neck. Sunghoon widens his eyes, stunned. "Or else, I'll kill you for making my celebrity cry!"

"Yeah, I got it!" Sunghoon pries her hands off his neck, scared of the woman's threat. Although Sunghoon knew there would never be a time Woong's words would be true, it still scared him enough to ask her a few questions. "On that note, do you know where Yerin went?"

"Went with a boy," Sunghoon knows that part, but where? "I think they've gone drinking by-"

Before Woong could finish her relentless snitching, Sunghoon's phone rang. "Sorry, Woong. Give me a minute," Answering the phone, Sunghoon can hear the clanging of glass and drunken talking. "Hello?"

"It's Jaeyun," The boy's concern starts to deepen. His grip on his phone tightens, eyes narrowing. "I probably wouldn't have called you considering your future girlfriend didn't want me to, but I have an emergency, and I don't want to leave her drunk. I'd prefer it if you come to get her soon. She's spiraling and crying about you, and it's making me sick."

Although Jaeyun couldn't bear to leave Yerin with him, his mother was calling him. There are more important things to tend to for him, especially when he's been rejected. "I'll be there in a bit. Send me the address!"

"Okay," Jaeyun replies before ending the call. On his end of the line, his dull eyes watch as Yerin continues to drown herself in beer, drinking in large doses so she can forget the memory of them together. With a pout, Jaeyun sighs. "I have to leave you for a while, okay, Yerin? Someone will come to get you in a little bit."

"You... can go," Though drunk, her sense of surroundings was still reliable. She slams the empty glass on the table, burping quietly. "Stay saf- safe!"

Jaeyun tsks as he watches her, quickly grabbing his jacket and running off. He had already given his information to the restaurant waiter that he'll pay for how many more beers she'll drink, but with Yerin being alone, it seems she's done. Once Jaeyun is out of Yerin's sight, the girl can convey her true feelings to herself. Suddenly, tears rampage down her cheeks like this afternoon, feelings going haywire. Quietly, her sobs are hidden in the palms of her hands.

She couldn't help it. Yerin's feelings were engraved in Sunghoon's heart, so how could she let a co-worker beat her to it? It was aggravating to think about. Hitting her head, she sniffles. "How could you let her get to him so quickly!? Stupid Yerin."

Before she can continue hitting her head like a madman, someone intercepts the connection with his hand. His palm and she's smack together, and as her eyes gaze upwards, she sees him: Sunghoon. At first, Yerin believes it's a fragment of her memory of him and that she's hallucinating. So, she giggles and removes his hands from her hair, pointing at him drunkenly. "What are you doing here, you ghost?" Once more, a chuckle. "You're supposed to only stay in my head. Not come out!"

Sunghoon keeps his head low. "It's me, Yerin. Not a ghost."

She accepts him instantly. So, instead of saying anything else, Yerin wipes her tears with the edge of her thumb. Then, getting up, Sunghoon takes a few steps back so Yerin could move. "Wait, Yerin, where are you going?" She's already out the door by the time Sunghoon finishes his sentence, moving quickly after her fleeing figure. "Yerin, don't go too fast. You'll fall."

"Why... why do you care!?" She hiccups, crossing her arms as they flail in the air. Yerin doesn't leave a moment to be obedient, however, and walks slower. "You should go back to her. Why are you following me?"

"You're drunk. I should at least protect the girl I love on her way home," Sunghoon's words stop Yerin in her tracks. Her drunken state processes his sober feelings, causing her to turn his way once they stand together. "What? Finally sobered?"

Yerin tilts her head, grabbing his jacket collar. By instinct, Sunghoon widens his eyes and wraps his slightly muscular arms around her physique. One lands around her waist while the other is in the air for protection. "You... love me?" Yerin asks, causing Sunghoon to nod with no hesitation. "No, you can't say that! I don't believe you!"

"Why not?" The boy frowns. "I told you about my feelings, and you're rejecting them already? While you're drunk?"

"No, I-" Yerin gulps, pouting. His glasses fall as his stare watches her closely, but her distraught state brings a fond smile to his face. Although she was indecisive, he found Yerin cute. I guess he can say he'll be getting her back for the time he was drunk and she had to pick him up. "I love you too, but..."

"But?"

"But I don't know if you'd still want me after waiting so long. It was my mistake to say that I didn't want to," She plays with the buttons on his collar, causing him to admire her without a thought left. "If you waited any longer, would you still love me?"

"Yes," Sunghoon responds with no hesitation. "I'd love you even if I'd have to wait decades, Yerin."

Yerin's pout raises into a straight line, and instead of pushing forward, she pulls back. "I don't know. Ugh!" Whining, Sunghoon finds her cuter and laughs. "If you... don't make it clear, I'll cross the line!"

"Oh?" Cross the line?" He smirks. "Go ahead. I'm ready for you whenever Yerin-"

And instead of letting him speak, she pulls his collar towards her. Quickly, her alcohol-tasting lips land on his pink ones, a kiss forming between the lovers. Sunghoon doesn't take a moment to hold her tighter, but Yerin pulls away in silence. Moments later, she sucks in her lips, apparently aware of her surroundings and the tension-filled moment. 

As she tries to escape, Sunghoon doesn't let her. He embraces her tight, and with a quick movement, their lips intertwine again.

In a sweet moment that will only get cuter (and even more chaotic from here), love has blossomed for an unlikely pair- hopefully.