K-pop Idol Imagines - Chapter 50: Chapter 50

"Let me drop you off. It looks like it's gonna rain today, "Taeyong, a friend she just made from the main branch of her company, offered.
Y/N glanced at the sky through the window and shook her head in denial, saying, "It's fine, Taeyong. My hotel is just half an hour away from here. I'll take a taxi."
Taeyong turned his head around to see his colleague calling him and sighed, "Okay, if you say so. Just give me a call when you reach your hotel."
Y/N smiled at him and nodded, replying, "Of course. I'll see you then."
"Take care."
With those last words exchanged, Y/N took the elevator to descend to the ground floor of the building and walked outside. Just as she stepped on the first-class paved road, a few droplets fell upon her.
"Seriously? I didn't even get to hail a taxi, "she looked up at the heavily clouded sky and exhaled heavily.
She rushed ahead and waved her hand at every passing taxi to get its attention, however, luck was not on her side today. As the time and the taxi passed, the rain started to go from pitter-patter to pouring out vigorously.
"Damn it, "with no success, Y/N looked around for help but everybody else was running for the covers themselves.
Pointless to ask someone.
Keeping her handbag above her head, she ran onto the street as the water splashed beneath her shoes. She ran to look for a shelter or a simple shade of a tree, but it looked like the land was barren there.
Finally, finding a bus stand after running for fifteen minutes, she stepped beneath it and panted heavily due to all the running.
"God, no, "she jerked her handbag, noticing it was already leaking rainwater. Unzipping it, she hastily pulled out the pen drive that had a piece of important information.
A piece of information for which she came to Gangnam from Seoul.
Y/N checked the pen drive and let out a sigh of relief when the pen drive was untouched by water.
"Thank god."
As now her focus from pen drive was out of the way, she realized that her jeans and t-shirt were sticking up against her skin due to wetness. A feeling that she hated since childhood. Pulling on her t-shirt to avoid contact of the cloth with her skin, she didn't realize that a sleek black sedan car came to a halt in front of her.
The window to the backseat rolled down a little and then the person sitting in spoke out, "Y/N."
Y/N immediately stopped whatever she was doing and whipped her head towards the direction of the voice. The same voice which she heard the last time, five years ago.
"Yeji?" she questioned and saw the window rolling down fully.
And then came the face to the name. Y/N's heart skipped a beat or maybe multiple as she saw the woman in the car looking at her with those same penetrating eyes. The same eyes that used to adore her a few years ago.
Standing straight, Y/N's face turned somber as she held the longing eye contact for a few minutes. The tension thickened around them.
But, then Yeji broke the silence with her words, "Get in."
Y/N blinked a few times and then said, "N-No, it's okay. My hotel is just a couple of minutes away from here-"
"Which hotel?" Yeji questioned, cutting her off in between.
"The Sunset Lodge, "Y/N answered at which Yeji's logical response came.
"That hotel is approximately one hour away with all the traffic and rain. My apartment is just ten minutes from here. Now, you choose."
Y/N was about to retort and deny the offer again, but a loud sneeze shut her off. She felt a shiver running down her spine and then she heard.
"You're completely soaked and you'll catch a cold easily due to your allergy. Get in and dry off at my apartment, "Yeji said, her voice displaying a little urgency and frustration.
On the contrary, Y/N felt her cheeks warm up a little as she learned that Yeji still remembered her allergy well.
And also, she couldn't think of any other reason to deny it. The sick feeling of catching a cold already made her hate her situation more. So, sighing and controlling her trembling heart, she walked to the other side and sat in.
"Let's go, Jeon, "Yeji gestured to her driver and he revved the engine as the car accelerated forward.
Y/N gulped as the grave silence took over the atmosphere. Her eyes looked around the car and she came to the conclusion that fell in love with the leather seats.
"Sorry for your car seat. I'll pay-"
"No need, "Yeji interrupted.
At that, Y/N's eyes fell on her and she noticed her for the first time after all these years. A formal suit in the shade of gray as her blonde hair fell over her shoulder. Y/N realized that Yeji had changed so much in these years.
Yeji surely changed into a refined and captivating lady.
Clearing her throat, Y/N opened her mouth to speak, but a look at Yeji's face made her swallow her words. She quietly turned her head towards the window and listened to the raindrops falling on the roof.
After an exact ten minutes of the ride, the car stopped in front of a luxurious-looking apartment building. The driver stepped outside as he unfurled the umbrella and opened the gate for Yeji to walk out.
The car gate slammed closed behind her and Y/N decided to walk out herself when her side of the gate opened. She saw Yeji standing there with the umbrella above. A simple move but it made Y/N's heart tingle inside.
"Will you come out already?" Yeji's words pierced through her head and she stepped out, walking under the umbrella.
Their shoulders bumped into each other as they made their way towards the front gate of the building. Y/N turned her head to look at Yeji and noticed her unwavering gaze at the front gate.
She has changed a lot.
Yeji took out a card from her inner jacket pocket and scanned it at the front gate before entering. She gave the umbrella to the doorman and walked ahead. Y/N just admired the confidence in her walk as her heels clicked against the marble floor.
Yeji walked towards the elevator and pressed the button as the doors opened. She turned her head around to glance at Y/N before stepping in. Y/N stepped behind her and the doors closed instantly.
The discomfiting hush that was there before took its place again. Y/N saw Yeji constantly staring at the floor number that changed as they ascended. She noticed how her hands were in her pants pockets, combing inside.
A habit that Y/N knew all too well. Yeji always did that out of apprehension.
As the doors opened, Yeji directly rushed out and Y/N pursued behind. Y/N glimpsed at her surroundings and saw the number of apartments in that hallway. The doors were furnished white and the room numbers were colored gold.
Yeji stopped in front of her apartment and Y/N looked up to check the number.
26, Y/N thought. Her birthday.
Yeji typed in the passcode and the door opened after a beep. Stepping inside, Yeji turned on the lights and Y/N was in awe.
"Whoa, "she said before she could control herself.
"Thank you. This way, "Yeji said instead as she gestured for Y/N to follow.
As she followed, Y/N was astonished at the place where Yeji was living. The apartment was huge was an understatement itself, it was massive and spacious. It had six rooms and a beautiful kitchen that shared the living room.
Y/N couldn't help but compliment, "Your apartment is beautiful, Yeji."
"Thank you. Bought it with my own money, "a small smile played on Yeji's lips as she said that.
Yeji walked towards a room and as they stepped inside it seemed like a bedroom. Yeji strode towards the closet and took out a spare towel and a pair of trousers with a sweatshirt, neatly folded in a pile.
Handing it to Y/N, Yeji pointed out the bathroom to the side.
"There's the bathroom. You can comfortably change there. I'll wait outside."
But, as she was about to go out, Y/N held her wrist, stopping her. A mutual shiver went through their bodies and Yeji gasped at the sensation.
"You didn't have to, "Y/N said, her voice quite low as she stared at Yeji's side profile.
"I wanted to, "Yeji said without looking at her.
"But, why? You could've left me there. Why do this after everything I did?" Y/N's voice cracked at the end with the overwhelming emotions she was feeling.
Yeji, on the other hand, gulped heavily and exhaled a shuddering breath as she turned her head to return Y/N's ardent gaze.
They shared a look that none of them knew to speak but knew how to feel. Y/N's eyes were brimmed with tears and that forced Yeji to avert her eyes as she jerked her wrist off her grip.
"That's none of your business, "she said and walked outside with clenched fists and a jaw.
Y/N closed her eyes as a lone tear escaped her eye and she sniffled quietly before walking into the bathroom. She needed a warm shower to loosen her tense muscles and calm down the havoc in her brain.
After taking an eternity to get herself in a state to face what lay ahead, Y/N walked out of the bathroom and blow-dried her hair. She ran her hand on the sweatshirt she was wearing and reveled in the fragrance of fabric softener.
The choice was oddly Yeji. Y/N just knew it, by heart.
With a last look of determination, she walked out of the bedroom and to the living room where Yeji's voice was coming from. She sounded like she was talking on the phone with someone.
Someone special because Y/N heard Yeji's laugh. The same laugh that had the same effect after all these years too.
Y/N decided not to pry much on the phone call, however, she heard a name that she was too familiar with.
"Ryujin, you're being ridiculous now. That's not how it works, "Yeji said as she tried to contain her laughter from whatever Ryujin said from the other line.
Y/N was staring at her back as Yeji was standing in front of the TV, changing channels. And somehow, Yeji must've felt her presence because she turned around and immediately ended the call.
"I'll call you back, Ryujin."
"You still keep in touch with her?" Y/N asked as she walked ahead and Yeji switched off the TV.
Yeji nodded in reply, saying, "Yeah, I do. I keep in touch with almost everyone from our college-"
At that, they shared a look of multiple emotions that held so much weight in it. Yeji looked away and completed her sentence, saying, "I mean, I do."
"That's... surprising. Considering you moved to the US after finishing college, "Y/N said and Yeji didn't say anything.
Y/N stood there while gazing at Yeji with softened eyes. She saw her walking into the kitchen as Yeji said, "I'll make some tea for you."
Walking towards the kitchen island, Y/N said, "You don't need to."
Yeji opened the cupboard and took out the packet of exported tea leaves. She turned around and gave Y/N the look that she gave at their bedroom encounter.
"I want to and you have to drink it, "she said and Y/N couldn't do anything else than nod in brief.
"If you're making it then, no-"
"No sugar and less water, right?" Yeji questioned as her back faced Y/N, who felt all warm and fuzzy due to Yeji's words.
"Right."
As the silence consumed them once again, Y/N pondered on many questions that were running through her head and they all were about the woman in front of her. The new Yeji was surely a surprise but a pleasant one in Y/N's life.
Before and today also.
Y/N wanted to know everything about her. She was dying out of curiosity at this point and she finally questioned.
"When did you come back to Korea?"
Yeji turned off the stove as she sieved the tea in two cups before walking around the island and sitting in front of Y/N. She passed her a cup and looked at Y/N with eyes that emitted warmth, unlike before.
"A year ago. What about you? Why are you here in Gangnam?" Yeji questioned her as she took a sip of the tea with Y/N.
"Work."
Quiet again.
They drank their tea without looking at each other. But from time to time, they found themselves staring at the latter.
Y/N finished her tea and she released a deep sigh before questioning, "You took the offer?"
Yeji nodded as gulped the last bit of her tea and replied, "As you always said, 'I was made for the job.' So, I took the offer without even questioning that notion."
Something inside Y/N crushed silently and she felt her throat tightening.
"How have you been?" she asked and Yeji snickered, turning to the side.
"Miserable. Like you left me, "Yeji's response came, and surprisingly her tone wasn't venomous as Y/N thought it should be.
Rather it was wistful.
Y/N sucked in a sharp breath to control her edgy emotions and said, "Sorry won't suffice it, will it?"
Yeji turned to face her and said, "Maybe. Maybe it will if you'll tell me why you did that."
To save you. "Because I needed money."
Yeji scoffed, "And you think I'd believe this? Bullshit."
"But, I'm saying the truth-"
"Are you kidding me right now? You want me to believe that you left me, without any notice, just because you needed some money? Make up some better lies if you want to cover whatever you did this for, "Yeji snapped, her eyes already moist.
Y/N stood up from the stool and wiped the tears that spilled from her eyes, saying, "Believe it. I'm leaving."
As Y/N turned around to rush to the room to get her things, Yeji said something that made her put some breaks in her steps.
"Was it because my father threatened you? Because he said he would abandon me if you didn't leave me?"
Y/N turned around with wide eyes and a slack jaw.
Yeji stood up from the stool and walked towards her as she took her hands in hers, caressing the skin with her thumb pads.
"I know. I know the whole truth, Y/N. My father spilled the truth before coming to Gangnam."
The tears that Y/N held onto for five years finally spilled and she bawled in the arms of Yeji. She tightly clutched onto the latter's shirt as Yeji held her close and tight.
"I-I was so scared, Yeji. Scared that he might do something to you. That he might really abandon you because of me. I wouldn't survive knowing that you were nowhere because of me... I always wanted your success and happiness and that seemed like the best option at that time. Even if it was leaving you forever."
Y/N confessed. A weight that she carried for this long was now finally off. She felt Yeji kissing the top of her head as she ran her fingers through her hair.
A habit that Yeji acquired when they started dating in college.
"Shh. Don't cry. It's okay. I got you, Y/N, "Yeji mumbled along with the soft touches she gave to Y/N.
Y/N pulled apart and Yeji wiped the tears on her cheeks. Y/N took her hands in hers and said, "I'm sorry, Yeji. I'm sorry. I really am. For everything."
"Why are you sorry? It was not even your fault! You just tried to save me from my own father. You did nothing wrong, Y/N, "Yeji said as she leaned forward and pressed a kiss on her forehead.
Taking her hand, she led Y/N to the couch and made her sit as she gave her a glass of water.
After they both calmed down from the sudden confession and confrontation, Yeji spoke up.
"I was heartbroken. The night you left me after our college's last day party, I couldn't believe it. I tried to find you everywhere. Every place that we went to and every town you and I explored. But, to no success, I found your whereabouts."
"When I came home, my father asked me what happened and I told him. Then, he said that you came to him, asking for some money, and told him that you were leaving me. I thought it was a silly joke that he made, but by looking at the seriousness in his tone, I broke down."
Y/N squeezed her hand as she sniffled loudly while looking down at her lap.
"Without thinking much, I left for the US the next day. Leaving everything behind. I hated you. I hated you so much that I didn't even want to stay in that same place again. Over the four years, my hate towards you grew and the love and memories started to fade away."
Yeji bit her lip as tears spilled from her eyes. Indeed what happened to her was not fair, but what happened to Y/N was worse. She couldn't imagine that her own father could pull a dirty trick like that.
"When I got to know that my father threatened you, I was furious. I was so mad that I couldn't think of anything else but you. I was just thinking of how much you'd have suffered because of my father. I felt guilty for hating you all those years."
"You couldn't do anything else, Yeji. You didn't know that, "Y/N said.
"But, I knew you. I should've known that you wouldn't leave me for a simple thing like money, "Yeji said, her head hanging low with regret.
Y/N scooted forward and cupped her cheeks, wiping the tears as she pressed her forehead against hers, bathing in the homey feeling of each other.
"I missed you, "Y/N said as she ran her thumb along her cheekbones.
"I missed you too, Y/N. So very much and in this last one year, a little too much, "Yeji admitted.
Y/N chuckled at that as she leaned in to kiss her, but the ringing of the phone interrupted them.
"Goddammit, "Yeji said under her breath but Y/N heard it before she picked up her phone.
"Taeyong! I forgot to call him, "Y/N said as she looked at the screen.
And as she was about to answer the call, Yeji stopped her and asked her with an uneasy voice, "Who's Taeyong? And why do you have to call him?"
Y/N looked up at her and smiled as she leaned in to kiss her before saying, "No one you should be jealous of, babe."
With that said, Y/N stood up as she answered the call, leaving a dazed Yeji behind.
"Babe, "Yeji repeated that word as she lifted her hand and touched the lips that were just kissed by the only love of her life.
Yeji's heart combusted with happiness and she stared at Y/N who was just a few feet away from her, talking on the phone.
Y/N turned her head to give her a guilty nod and Yeji just smiled, resolving that she won't let her go this time.