I wasn't sure why I agreed to the lunch date with Nathan. Maybe it was because he was the only thing that felt uncomplicated right now, or maybe it was the way he looked at me—like I was the same girl he had left behind all those years ago, unburdened by the complexities of love, desire, and heartbreak.
We met at a quiet bistro in the heart of the city, tucked away from the crowds. The sun shone brightly overhead, but I couldn't shake the cloud hanging over me—the looming guilt of being here with him.
Nathan was all smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he held out my chair. "You look beautiful, as always."
I gave him a half-hearted smile, sitting down and brushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "Thanks, Nathan. I... I'm not sure this was a good idea."
His smile faltered for just a moment, but he recovered quickly. "It's just lunch, Censia. No pressure."
I nodded, trying to relax. But as the waiter came by and took our orders, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was all wrong. The conversation flowed easily enough—Nathan had always been good at that, knowing exactly how to steer the topic to avoid anything too deep, too serious. But my mind kept drifting back to Jun and Seong, to their faces and how they would react if they knew I was here.
As the waiter brought our food, I glanced out the window and felt my stomach drop. Across the street, walking hand-in-hand, were Jun and Seong.
My heart leapt into my throat. They hadn't seen us yet, but it was only a matter of time. I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth, as I watched them stop in front of a shop window, laughing together, completely unaware of me sitting just a few feet away with Nathan.
Nathan noticed my sudden change in demeanor and followed my gaze. His expression darkened for a brief moment before he leaned in, his voice low. "You don't owe them anything, Censia. You're allowed to live your life."
But I couldn't focus on his words. My entire body was tense, waiting for the inevitable moment when Jun and Seong would glance over and see us. And then, as if on cue, Jun's eyes flickered toward the bistro. His face went from relaxed to furious in an instant.
He nudged Seong, and they both looked in our direction. For a long, agonizing moment, our eyes locked. Jun's expression was a storm of emotions—anger, jealousy, hurt. Seong's face was more controlled, but I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands clenched into fists.
But they didn't approach us. They simply stared for a few more seconds before turning and walking away, the atmosphere between them thick with unspoken rage.
Nathan sighed, leaning back in his chair. "This is why I hate the idea of you being with them. They don't get it. They don't understand you like I do."
I didn't respond, too caught up in the weight of the moment. I had to leave. I couldn't sit here and pretend like everything was fine, not after seeing the look in Jun's eyes.
"I need to go," I said, standing up abruptly and grabbing my bag. Nathan reached out, but I pulled away.
"Censia, wait—"
"I can't do this," I muttered, barely able to look at him before rushing out of the bistro.
---
When I got home later that evening, Jun and Seong were waiting for me. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Jun was pacing in the living room, his hands running through his hair, clearly struggling to keep his emotions in check. Seong sat on the edge of the couch, his expression unreadable, but the tightness in his posture said everything.
"Where the hell were you?" Jun snapped as soon as I walked through the door, his voice harsher than I had ever heard it.
I blinked, caught off guard by the intensity in his tone. "I... I went out for lunch."
"With him?" Jun's voice cracked, and he stopped pacing, turning to face me. "With Nathan?"
I swallowed, feeling the walls close in on me. "It was just lunch."
Seong stood up, his voice calmer but no less hurt. "Just lunch, Censia? You didn't think to tell us? To maybe consider how we might feel about you meeting up with your ex?"
I crossed my arms defensively, trying to hold myself together. "It wasn't like that. I just needed some space."
Jun let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "Space? Is that what this is now? You need space from us?"
"I didn't mean it like that," I said, my voice shaking. "I just—"
"Maybe my mom was right," Jun muttered under his breath, but the words hit me like a slap in the face.
"What did you just say?" I asked, my chest tightening.
Jun's eyes widened, realizing too late what he had just let slip. "Censia, I didn't mean that—"
But the damage was done. I felt like the ground had just crumbled beneath my feet.
I didn't say another word. I just turned and walked out of the apartment, ignoring Seong's calls for me to stop. I couldn't do this anymore. I couldn't handle the constant push and pull, the jealousy, the accusations.
I made it halfway down the street when I realized I had nowhere to go. But it didn't matter. I needed to be away from them, from everything.
It was raining lightly, the kind of drizzle that soaked through your clothes before you even realized it. I pulled my jacket tighter around myself, keeping my head down as I walked aimlessly through the darkened streets.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice the figure approaching me until it was too late.
A hand grabbed my arm, yanking me into a dark alley. My scream was muffled by a rough hand covering my mouth, and I fought against the grip, panic surging through me.
The man's breath was hot against my ear, his voice low and menacing. "Don't fight, sweetheart. This won't take long."
Terror shot through me, but before I could fully process what was happening, the world spun, and everything went dark.
---
When I woke up, I was in a small, dingy room. My hands were tied, my mouth gagged. Panic surged through me again, but I forced myself to stay calm, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of my surroundings.
I didn't know how long I had been there, but the days seemed to blur together. My captor barely spoke to me, only coming in to drop off food and water. I tried to stay strong, but the isolation was breaking me down.
And then, one day, I heard shouting outside the door, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. The door burst open, and there stood Seong, Jun, and Ji-Ho, their faces a mixture of relief and fury.
Jun was the first to reach me, pulling me into his arms as he untied the ropes around my wrists. "Censia, oh my god, are you okay?"
I nodded weakly, tears streaming down my face. I was too exhausted, too overwhelmed to say anything.
Ji-Ho grabbed the man who had taken me, his face set in a grim expression as he handed him over to the police officers who had followed them inside.