"Sometimes it's hard for us to understand what anger and disappointment other people feel."
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"Why didn't you ever tell me? Did you just tell So Young?"
I kept silent because I couldn't bear to talk to Jae-Hwo. I didn't even dare to look at his face, I just looked down while looking at the brownish-red paving. The guilt of hiding something like this from Jae-Hwo burst into my heart. I don't understand why I feel guilty even though I want to tell the story or not, it's my right, so why do I feel guilty?
"I don't know, I feel … I …." I suddenly couldn't come up with a good reason to answer Jae-Hwo's question. A strong reason for not telling Jae-Hwo and So Young is because I don't want them to interfere in my and Axelle's relationship like our parents are super curious. Moreover, Sis Lovelace is a little suspicious of Axelle and it turns out that Sis Lovelace's suspicions are true.
"If you feel awkward tell me, at least tell So Young because she considers you her best friend."
I want to tell them both but our distance is too far makes me hesitate to tell. I thought, there's no need to tell the twins because they don't necessarily come back here and our relationship doesn't always have to be smooth. One day we will have our own lives and the distance is very far it is impossible to strengthen our friendship even though we often communicate through advanced technology. Again, it's my right not to tell them.
My eyes saw Jae-Hwo's feet stepping away from me and it made me lift my face and see Jae-Hwo's back who was standing in front of the fence. The high back was aware of the gate of my house. I swallowed hard and dared to approach him. "I'm sorry, I just thought my relationship and you guys wouldn't be as close as you think so I didn't tell you."
Jae-Hwo's back slumped and I heard the sound of his crying. Why is he crying what I'm doing is hurting his heart? I approached him and touched his muscle-hard arm. He looked up with puffy eyes and tears streaming down his face. At this rate, I feel even more guilty for him.
"Even though we are far apart, for me and So Young you and Axelle are our best friends because you have been sincere with us since childhood." It was clear that he was sobbing and his eyes looked very disappointed at me and also Axelle.
"Jae-Hwo, don't cry like this because it makes me feel guilty!" I complained while on tiptoe to wipe the tears that wet Jae-Hwo's handsome face which looks glowing even at night in the dim of the fence lights.
Jae-Hwo held my right hand which was wiping his tears then he pulled me in his arms and made my head hit his chest which turned out to be hard with muscles. Luckily Jae-Hwo's body doesn't smell like garlic like the first time he came back yesterday. Tonight, Jae-Hwo smells like mint leaves mixed with ice water. Refreshing and can make my heart beat regularly. Jae-Hwo has always calmed me down and I've always loved Jae-Hwo's hugs, but I didn't want to tell Jae-Hwo because of Jae-Hwo's abnormal pranks.
"Did you break Axelle's leg when you found out he was having an affair?" he asked me in his still-hugging position and I didn't want to let go of Jae-Hwo's arms. I did this as my guilt toward him. Letting her cry while hugging me even though it's not a cry of pity because I broke up with Axelle but her cry of disappointment towards me who didn't tell her.
Jae-Hwo's hug grew tighter after I shook my head to answer his question. "You must be angry, sad, and disappointed at Axelle for having an affair. I can't imagine how to hurt you are so let me comfort you like this."
Hearing Jae-Hwo says the sentence just now touched my heart and I'm sure his eyes brought tears that were ready to fall. I sobbed in Jae-Hwo's arms and the sound of our cries echoed. This is the first time I've cried like this after receiving bad treatment from Axelle because before this I was so angry that the tears ran dry by themselves.
Jae-Hwo patted my back gently and it felt very soothing. Could this be what it's like to have an older brother in life? Feeling protected and when sad calmed like this. Although having an older sister also felt this way but it felt different. If I had an older brother, my older brother would beat Axelle down even though Axelle was almost beaten by Ms. Lovelace who had participated in a taekwondo extracurricular.
But I was lucky to have a family who stood up for me when I was mistreated by Axelle. Even the father who looked the most reserved turned out to have met Axelle yesterday and scolded Axelle and forbade us to be close friends again. Although short and to the point, what he did immediately made Axelle look very pale and reluctant to appear in front of him again when he was not with his parents. That guy is really funny.
"Both of you, go in and sleep! School is tomorrow!" shouted Sis Lovelace lazily and the scream made Jae-Hwo let go of his embrace on my body.
Sis Lovelace squinted her eyes at us then walked closer to us. "Gosh, why are you guys crying?" She asked us with a curious face.
"I'm sad that Roosevelt cheated on Axelle ...." Jae-Hwo's tears broke again and it made sis Lovelace gape at Jae-Hwo. Her thick eyelashes flickered as well as Sis Lovelace blinked her eyes.
"You should laugh and be grateful, Roosevelt broke up with Axelle because a guy like Axelle doesn't deserve my sister." Why did Sis Lovelace say such hurtful words? It was as if she didn't cry when I told her about Axelle cheated and I ended my relationship with Axelle at that very moment.
"Why do you talk like that? You should cry and scold Axelle and also Axelle's mistress!" Jae-Hwo shouted at Sis Lovelace.
For God's sake, Sis Lovelace and I were shocked when Jae-Hwo shouted at Sis Lovelace. The hairs on the skin of my arms get goosebumps when I hear it.
"I do not accept and I will not stand still!" added Jae-Hwo and he made me and Sis Lovelace wink with slightly parted lips.
"I'm sorry to go home and good night!" he said walking towards his house which is next to mine.
He stopped and turned around. "After crying, don't go to sleep right away so your eyes don't get puffy the next morning!" After saying the advice, he turned back and entered the gate of his house which was the same as mine.
Lovelace and I are still dumbfounded by Jae-Hwo's behavior. Seriously, this guy is unbelievable. Long time no see, makes me surprised by Jae-Hwo's behavior like this.
"What will he do to Axelle later?" asked Sis Lovelace and I didn't know who the question was for just now so I just kept quiet.
To be continued.