Ye-Jin waited long for Ray's response but he didn't utter a word more. He just sat there looking out of the window lost in his thoughts. Ye-Jin didn't push him more because she was already upset and she didn't want to mess things up between them.
She just consoled herself that he might have had his reasons.
Finishing up the remaining meal present in her plate she bid him goodbye and went back to work.
Later that night, Ye-Jin was surprised when she got Ray's text.
'Ray: hey! Are you still annoyed with me?'
'Ye-Jin: no, it's alright you might've had your reasons.'
'Ray: then can I come over? I'll bring food!'
She laughed out at his eager reply and there was no one around to witness it.
'Ye-Jin: yeah sure come over and don't forget to bring my favorites.'
'Ray: definitely! I'll be there in an hour.'
It was like this between them. He would visit her whenever he was free and she would welcome him. Sometimes they'd get food together but that's all. They didn't have any access to each other's personal or professional life. Thus, Ye-Jin didn't understand how people tended to misunderstand that they were a couple. She literally was going to throw some punches soon due to all the pent up frustration.
Lost in a flashback Ye-Jin didn't notice where she was going and she literally ran into Aera who was standing stiffly on the pavement outside the hotel which they simultaneously exited.
Ye-Jin: (quickly apologizing) s-sorry, I didn't see-
Aera: (dryly) yes you should be sorry Jin.
Ye-Jin: Aera let me explain-
Aera: (with a poker face) I want to be alone for a while Jin. I'll listen to you later.
Ye-Jin: (pleading) Aera, please-
Aera: (blinking back her tears) I got to know a lot of unexpected things today Jin, I don't want to hurt you by being mean so please leave me alone for now. Let's talk some other time.
Aera didn't wait for Ye-Jin's reply and with a hurried stride she was in no time lost in the evening crowd.
Ye-Jin stood alone for a long time on the pavement before her feet took her to some place. She never would've thought before that she would hurt her close friend by not sharing some matters with her.
All she wanted to do was keep Aera out of the unwanted attention which usually was trained towards her (well at least what people thought to be her). And Ray was a totally unplanned addition to her life which she never regretted. She didn't tell Aera only because she didn't know how she was going to chase away the awkwardness which would follow with her revelation.
But now it seemed as though she had somehow become the villainess of this story by hurting her closest friend.