As the truth unraveled, Jennifer could feel her clenching her jaw in rage.
It took all of her self-control not to scream
"Bro she needs to ingest a rocket from her anus and fly to the moon".
His fist clenches. Ragged breath revolve around the room, "I'm being blackmailed… It's been a few years. If the word gets out, I may lose everything."
A scowl of displeasure forms on her face.
[Now that's a new low. She better hide from me.]
"May I ask you something?" She clutches her buttons.
Han Gyeol nods in agreement, his eyes still moistened.
"It's not something that poses a threat to someone else right?" She added with a heavy exhale.
Hesitating a bit, he draws his eyes away, "It's something I had to do to protect myself."
[Hoping that It doesn't harm me. Or anyone else.]
A sense of relief washes over her , "I believe then there's no need for you to feel guilty about…you may even win a lawsuit against her."
His eyebrows shoot up and he exclaims, "No… I can't do that. I don't want others to know. Besides, I don't have enough time and energy to visit the court."
She leans on the table. A crooked smile plays on her lips, darkening her expression, "Should I just torture her then? No , physical torture may leave evidence."
"Probably attacking her mentality would...just kidding-" She rubs her chin, her voice trails away.
[Oh God, I did not just think it out loud!]
She disguises the panic in her head. A wry smile plastered on her face.
He shifts uncomfortably in his chair, "No! She's still my girlfriend…"
[Oh God… She's a total nutcase. Maybe I underestimated her. Well...it's not entirely repulsive.]
Han Gyeol shakes his head.
[What the hell are you thinking Han Gyeol. Get a grip.]
"Should I just scare her off then?" her smile falters.
He grimaces hesitantly, "Let's just leave it at that."
Sudden realization makes its way to her cerebrum , "My apologies. I may have been acting unprofessional in some of these moments." Her shoulders slump, her tone somber.
"Let's wind up the session for today and you may inform me if there's anything you need to get off your chest." Her lips purse , ever so slightly.
Han Gyeol nods and says, "Thank you for your time. I think it's enough for today."
After a long pause, "Can I switch to the colleague mode now? I've been itching to say something."
"Yes-"
His answer is interrupted by her secondhand anger-powered rant.
"Sorry to say… but that woman should be locked up 700 meters away from you. Secondly, you deserve better. And finally, I hope she gets explosive diarrhea."
A snicker is heard from his side which turns into a distinct chuckle.
"And I hope she doesn't find a restroom when that happens." She adds with an unwavering face. Her eyes carrying a fire in them.
"oh- I- stop! Haha, I can't-" he laughs, covering his mouth.
[It keeps getting worse for the better.]
"No seriously. I want to wax her eyebrows so they look like Mona Lisa's brows which appear to have ghosted her."
Her expression is that of an enraged Chihuahua. Steam blowing from her sinuses.
The corners of his mouth tilt upwards and he utters, "Thank you for today. I appreciate it."
Returning the smile, she says, "You're welcome. But if you want help in getting that leech off, you can take my help. Just provide me security because she seems crazy."
He smiles awkwardly as he gets flashbacks of her mentioning torture in such a nonchalant manner. They were nothing less than a war flashback to him.
[Make it Crazy Vs Crazier.]
Her brows crinkle, her expression softening, "Even though I can understand why she may be acting like this it still doesn't justify her actions. I ought to rip off her Samantha and Rachel."
His breath traps into his nose, "Samantha and Rachel?! Oh God, you know that show?"
Letting out a chuckle, she replies, "Yes. I didn't know you watched dramas as well."
She reaches out for a record book and writes his name in a column.
"Can you sign on it so I can register for the session?"
Han Gyeol's eyes dart around as she moves her hands. Nodding mindlessly, he stares at the black metal ring on her finger.
"And one more thing, you may want to get an appointment for the next session because I have to schedule everything before work."
Han Gyeol flniches and smiles. This time, genuinely. The corners of his eyes scrunch up and the moment seems to be quite captivating. Noticing the change, Jennifer ends up smiling as she witnesses his contagious and blinding smile.
Expressing his gratitude, he takes his leave and his body language seems self-assured. She can find herself smiling like a proud mom. As he leaves, the hyper-focus wears off and she realizes the toll her emotions have taken on her. She slumps a bit as her eyes look a bit weary. Despite the emotional dysregulation, she continues working after some breathing exercises.
[It feels as if all the weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I didn't know she has such depth to her emotions…]
Han Gyeol couldn't help but respect her further after this. Everything she said struck deep into his heart forming an irreplaceable connection.
{A few hours pass}
Jennifer finds the way to her car and sits inside. Staring into nothingness, she rearranges her thoughts. As soon as she's prepared, she drives away to her home.
[Today drained me!]
After all the grind, Jennifer could finally escape from this dreadful environment to her cozy, safe space. The white walls and green plants engrave a sense of tranquility as she escapes the hustling routine.
South Asian households are never complete without one thing, a flowery bedcover. Jennifer couldn't escape the wrath of it as well.
She plops herself on her bed covered with a bedsheet designed with roses. But, there's something that disrupts her well-deserved rest.
"Ah right. The clothes."
If she could she'd rip her tie off, crack knuckles, and cry, she would. Instead, she decides a different approach and changes into peach sweatpants and a hoodie.
Suddenly, a bell ringing could be heard. Dragging her feet along the floor, she opens the door and immediately brightens.
A chesnut haired young lady gazes upon her with her captivating slanted eyes, oval lips with a hint of mischief, a mountainous nose, and rounded cheeks stands in the doorway.
Jennifer rushes to hug her tight saying, "Sana! My girl!".
Letting out a chuckle, Sana returns the tight hug which lasts for a few seconds. Within moments, she could feel her feet lifting from the floor, "Oh my God Jennie! Have you been working out more often?"
Sana's hands cover her mouth as a giggle escapes from her.
Jennifer puts Sana down and they finally sit together spilling all the juicy details of their life.
"So Jennie… any crushes?"
She shrugs, "My love life is drier than dry ice. But hey at least I can have fictional crushes. No one can beat Gyu on that one."
"No doubt Gyu's on top but do you have no interactions with a man…you know." Sana says in a concerned tone, gnawing subtly.
"There's a newbie at work, Han Gyeol. He's pretty chill not gonna lie."
Sana gives her a mischievous smirk, "Ooh...I see.".
Jennifer rolls her eyes with a scoff, "Come on it's not like that…he's just a colleague, Really!"
"Jennie and Han Gyeol sitting on a tree-MMPH!"
She groans and covers Sana's mouth while giving her a sharp look.
"Keep quiet before I pull out YOUR receipts , girl."
A notification floats up on Jennifer's phone.
Sana's gaze flickers at it , her amusement inflating , "The speak of the devil. Let's see what your lover has to say."