I walked through the library in search of a perfect book. These days I wanted to read a thriller, suspense novel as I wasn't fond of rom-coms anymore. It's better to stay away from those things especially when they give you false hope... Hope that motivates you to build a perfect sandcastle that crumbles as soon as the waves of reality hit it.

I stopped in front of the enormous rack of books and started to read out their names one by one. Honestly, for me, the name and the cover of the book matters a lot! If these two things are satisfactory, then I'd read the synopsis and proceed further.

I extended my arm towards one of the books set in the upper portion of the rack. As I tiptoed to get a hold of that book, I noticed another arm parallel to mine, reaching out for the same book as me. Turning my head to the side, I was surprised to see this person. I have been a while since I've last seen him.

He was wearing a mask and a cap for disguise. Although, I could only see his eyes they were enough for me as I immediately recognized those vapid eyes. "Hwan?"

-

Flashback

*A year ago*

"Thank you." I slightly bowed as I took the coffee from the counter. I walked out of the cafe straight to Hwan's shooting location. He has been filming for his drama serial these days. It's the first time he was playing the main lead in a drama.

I couldn't talk to him the entire week because of his workload and I haven't even seen him. As far as I remember, relationships aren't supposed to work like that... Are they? I mean, as his girlfriend, I should be in "contact" with him.

Finally, now that he has taken out some time for me, here I am, holding his favourite coffee in my hand and obviously a cake to congratulate him, walking towards his shooting location.

I know I should be pissed off over his behaviour but honestly, I'm not. I've suppressed those feeling because I support his work. I understand his situation and I know I'll be the first person he calls as soon as he gets the time.

I reached the shooting location which was a beautiful park with cherry blossoms almost everywhere. Slight winds were blowing and I couldn't keep myself from imagining Hwan and I together in his drama and smile foolishly. Pushing my thoughts to the side I advanced towards him as I caught him standing in the corner with the hairstylist fixing his hair that was disrupted due to the slight breeze.

I waved at him and he immediately stopped the stylist and walked towards me. "Chukaeyo" I congratulated him with a big smile, hugging him tightly. I missed him so much that I didn't even want to let go. However, it took him a while to delicately place his one hand on my back. He hadn't hugged me back this entire time? When I pulled back, I noticed how his face was lacking emotions, the happiness he'd always radiate to see me. Wasn't he happy to see me?

I handed him the cake which he placed on the side with a slight smile. Something wasn't right. I leaned in to kiss him but that's the point where my suspicions were confirmed because he immediately grabbed the coffee from my hand "For me?" Causing me to jerk.

"Come on, let's go for a walk. I have some time till we continue with the shooting." He said walking ahead. What's up with him today? I thought he liked to kiss me.

I walked beside him as we went for a stroll in this beautiful weather... "So... What's wrong?" I asked because I knew he wasn't behaving as usual. I hope the drama shooting is going well. "Is it that obvious?" He stopped to look at me. I nodded and started to laugh. "Aigoo... You know you can't hide anything. The stress is written all over your face!" I resumed to walk " ...khaja," I said to hwan who still seemed to be drowned in his thoughts. "No, stop. We need to talk." He said pulling out of trance.

I stopped where I was standing "Go on. I'm all ears." I assured him of being his forever listener whether it's a rant about his work life or any other problem.

He walked up to me, Placing his hands on my shoulder, he looked straight into my eyes. "Now, listen to me calmly." I nodded at him. "You know how much dedication I show to my work and finally I've got a big project." He paused and I knew that instant that he is going to rant... It's the usual honestly.

"Hm, go on. " I said. "You see, the people surrounding me these days have been telling me about certain limits that I can't cross if I want this fame and I can't worry less for that." I was confused what was the problem here... "What do you mean? What limits?" I inquired. He took his hands off me. Holding one of my hands he lightly spoke up "You know how these entertainment companies work here...right? And how they start to control their personal affairs as well..." He paused for a moment. "I've been thinking much about this lately and I'm afraid that..... we need to break up." His words shook my grounds and I thought I had misheard him."...but only as a girlfriend-boyfriend not as friends.." He immediately added. Was it that easy to do so?

"I know, it's not the best decision. But you know how much this drama means to me and the consequences
I've been listening to for the past few days for running an affair as an actor are so damaging for my career... Which has not fully started even yet." He paused

Affair? Damaging for his career, what about my heart? "... I couldn't even tell the people that I'm not single at the moment. That's why I couldn't check up on you in the past few days." He tried to explain. I continue to stare at him, this entire time.

He continued to talk as if he has written and prepared it quite some times before "And running that kind of relation won't be fair to you or my career."

He waited for me to say something. "I-a I don't know what to say." I tried to form words but found the mere task much difficult as this sharp pin of reality pierced my heart.

"I'm not calling it quits. I want to be your friend. Best friend perhaps. Don't want you to undo all the good memories we shared." He said. "But I-" I was about to talk back when a crew member came by "Sir, they're calling you. They want to start the shoot."Do Hwan immediately replied, "But I thought I had some time?"

"Sir, they're saying that it might rain later on so we have to complete our shoot for today as soon as we can." He replied to Hwan's question. Drooping his head Hwan replied "Okay, you go. I'm coming." What!? He is leaving Already?

He turned towards me after that guy left "You see how much difficult it is to cope with work let alone date someone. I know we should talk but I'm in a hurry right now and believe my I didn't plan this to go like this. I'll call you and talk to you as soon as I get the time."

He extended his arm for a handshake "Friends" was the words he uttered that caught my attention and I pulled out of my thoughts. "Yah! Are you listening to me? I have to go?" He said. He didn't wait for me to shake his hand back and immediately hugged me "Let's try to get along even better now and thanks for the cake." He pulled away. "I'll go now... I'm running late. Text me when you get home." Saying that he didn't just leave my embrace but he left my mind and soul empty.

He kept turning his head as he ran to the site for his shoot with his breathtaking smile plastered on his face. He wanted to end things in a good manner and he had good intentions behind it but what did I do wrong not have him by my side?

The only thing I could do was fake a smile and wave at him as my eyes started to sting and became teary.

End of Flashback

-

"Is this really you? I didn't expect to meet you like this." He said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I didn't expect to meet you too," I said in a low voice, not making eye contact. All my enthusiasm was drained seeing him like this. I shouldn't be around him. It's only going to bring back the pain, the suffering I've been through because of him.

I agreed to end everything just for him, for his career. I guess it was the right decision considering he won't be able to cope with our relationship even if we tried. However, It wasn't right for either of us to stay in contact or else things might have reached a point where parting ways would've been impossible.

I don't want to be near him because even though I understand but it hurts to realize that he choose his career over me. He left me for all the fame. He wanted to stay friends... Huh! But that's not how you play by the rules of this game called love. He cheated, he cheated on me just to win this game. I couldn't break myself by being his "friend." So, I decided to distance myself from him, and sadly he didn't cause any hindrance in my way. He had that blindfold of fame covering his eyes. How could he pay attention towards his "friend."

"So... " he started " ...how's life? "I'm doing fine," I answered keeping it short and to the point. "I looked at my wristwatch pretending to be very busy "Hwan, I'm kind of busy so I'd have to leave. It was nice seeing you." I said and started to move through the aile. "but I - " hwan came to stand in front of me " -I need to talk to you." He said. "Can we meet up tonight... It's urgent." He pleaded as I stared at him. Maybe he wants another favour from his friend. "Just once... I promise." He assured me because he knew how I wasn't interested in being around him anymore.

"Umm... " I thought "Please..." He said desperately. "Um... I'm very busy these days actually." I replied to him."Please, I'm asking you one last time. It's important." His constant pleading succeeded in gaining every inch of my concern."Okay, I guess I can share some time at night only If it's important." I replied. "Thank you." He said, "I'll come to your place as I can't meet in public and also can't invite you to my house... I hope you understand." Pressing my teeth, annoyed at why I'm doing this again, I replied "Fine. You can come at 9"
"Perfect."

_

9 PM

As the doorbell rang, I took a deep breath and told myself that it's just for some time... I can do this. I was in my jeans and comfy blouse and my hair was tied up in a loose bun. I wasn't busy today but even being at home, doing nothing is equivalent to being busy rather than meeting Hwan. "Hey," he said as soon as I opened the door. " Come on in," I left the door open for him and advanced towards the living room.

"You've changed the entire look of this apartment. It sure has been a while since I last came here." He said as he scanned his surrounding. "Yeah, I've been renovating the apartment in this last year little by little. I thought a change would be good." I said as sat down on the sofa while Hwan sat opposite to me. "So, what is it, Hwan? What was so urgent and important?" I asked, getting straight to the point without wasting any time. He exhaled deeply and started to speak.

"Things have surely changed for you in this past year but for me, they didn't. " He paused to look at me "This is not about my career or anything. It's about us. Me and you." My heart rate escalated upon hearing his words. Why is he addressing us now?

"Please get the point. I'm not getting any of this." I stated in a light voice keeping my gaze low. "I miss you. I miss loving you, kissing you, being with you... Every single thing." He walked up to sit next to me. My stinging eyes instantaneously met his face."I now know how foolish I was to let you go so easily. I'm well aware of my mistake. I shouldn't have cared for my work. After all, you were the only one who I looked up to whenever I needed someone to talk to." He continued as my eyes became watery and a tear on my cheek.

He placed his warm hand on my face, sending chills down my spine as he wiped the tear with his thumb "I love you and I'm sure of this. You're the one for me and I can't just leave you like this." I couldn't keep it in and a storm came by as the tears wouldn't stop falling from my eyes. "Don't cry, shh shh... I'm sorry. I really am." Hwan pulled me in his embrace, hugging me. His eyes became teary as well.

"Hwan *hiccup* *hiccup* you don't know how hard it was for me. I-a I missed you so much." Upon hearing my words he pulled me back, looking into my eyes he said "I know what I did was not fair to any of us... I'm really sorry for that. Please give me one more chance. I've thought this through, I've planned things and I'm more than willing to accept you in front of the entire world no matter what people say." He assured me. I stared into his eyes and his eyes showed that he really loves me. He is serious for me.

I nodded and started to cry again. "Come here, I've been waiting for this moment for a long time now." He cupped my face in his warm hand "May I?" He asked my permission before kissing me... To which instead of replying I kissed him first. "Okay.... I'll take that as a yes," Hwan said pulling back shortly and then leaning in again to kiss me.

_

Sorry for being late. Hope you all like this one-shot. Make sure to give me a feedback and invite other pop/kdrama fans.

Until next time... Aneyoung ~

Lemme know who would you like to be our next target.... *evil laugh* lol