Ji-Yoon walked away from Daehan Corporation, her feet carrying her inches away from the building that now seemed to symbolize her shattered heart. Five long years, and Min-Soo had denied her. The memories of their laughter, their whispers, and their promises now taunted her.
"Five years, and you deny me? Was that why you disappeared?" she muttered to herself, her voice laced with anguish.
Tears streamed down her face like a river, as she squatted, crying out loudly. Her body shook with sobs, her heart heavy with the weight of betrayal.
"How can it end like this?" she wondered, her voice barely audible.
Ji-Yoon wiped her tears, stood up, and turned back towards the company. Her face reddened, her heart ablaze with determination.
She entered the company again, her eyes scanning the lobby for Min-Soo.
The security personnel blocked her path.
"Can I see your invitation, ma'am?" one of them asked.
But Ji-Yoon wasn't listening. Her mind was fixed on Min-Soo, her heart racing with anticipation.
"Please get out of my way. I need to find someone," Ji-Yoon insisted.
Just then, Lee Min-Soo appeared in the lobby, his eyes locking onto Ji-Yoon's.
He rushed over, intervening between Ji-Yoon and the security.
"Let me handle this," Min-Soo said.
He dragged Ji-Yoon outside.
"Let go of my hand!" Ji-Yoon shouted.
She slapped Min-Soo.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
Each slap echoed through the lobby, a testament to Ji-Yoon's shattered heart.
Min-Soo's face reddened.
He grasped Ji-Yoon's wrist, preventing another slap.
"Are you crazy?" Min-Soo demanded.
Ji-Yoon flung the paid stipend at him.
"This useless money! The reason you denied me!" she sobbed.
"Did you ever mean it? Your love for me?" Ji-Yoon asked.
Min-Soo hesitated.
"I'm sorry... I wish I could explain... You're not my type of woman anymore," Min-Soo stammered.
Ji-Yoon's eyes widened.
"What?!" she exclaimed.
Pain etched her face.
Betrayal seeped into her soul.
"I love her," he said.
"And this is the first time I feel like I'm doing it right," Min-Soo continued.
Ji Yoon's eyes blazed with fury as Min-Soo's words cut deep. "We're both poor, Ji Yoon ah, can't you see?" he pleaded, his voice laced with condescension. "This is my ladder of success. Can't you just stop here? Let's break up."
Ji Yoon's laughter erupted, a harsh, mocking sound. "Ha ha ha, you think I'm just a rung on your ladder? Something to step on and discard?" Her voice rose, echoing through the lobby. "Your big future, was I ever part of it? Did you just use and throw me away?"
Tears streamed down her face as she squatted, overcome with emotion. "I'm a human being, for God's sake! What about me? What about my feelings?"
Min-Soo's face reddened, embarrassment etched on his features. He glanced around the lobby, anxious to avoid a scene. "Get up, Ji Yoon. You're making a fool of yourself."
Just then, Kim Taehyun, the CEO, strode into the lobby, phone in hand. His urgent tone commanded attention. "Ensure everything runs smoothly. I won't tolerate any mistakes."
As he ended the call, his gaze fell upon Ji Yoon, still sobbing uncontrollably. Min-Soo hastily dragged her away, desperate to escape the CEO's notice.
"You're disgracing me, Yoon Ji Yoon," Min-Soo hissed, his grip tightening on her arm. "Get a grip."
Ji Yoon shook off his hold. "I can walk on my own, thank you. And I wish you good luck with your ladder of success." Her voice dripped with venom.
As she turned to leave, Min-Soo's parting words stung: "You're not what I need."
Ji Yoon's tears flowed unchecked, blinding her to the world around her. She walked absent-mindedly, ignoring traffic signs and pedestrian lights.
Suddenly, screeching tires pierced the air. A sleek black car halted mere inches from Ji Yoon. The driver's door swung open, revealing Kim Taehyun's chiseled features.
"Watch where you're going," he barked, his eyes narrowing. "Do you have a death wish?"
Ji Yoon's gaze drifted up, meeting Kim Taehyun's intense stare.
Ji Yoon stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the fading taillights of the stranger's car. The sound of screeching tires still echoed in her ears, a harsh reminder of their tumultuous encounter.
"Crazy woman," Kim Taehyun had muttered, his voice laced with disdain, as he sped away without even checking if she was okay.
Ji Yoon's anger boiled over, her voice shaking with hurt. "Hey! Are you crazy? Do you want to hit me, huh? Can't you apologize?" she exclaimed, but her words were lost in the wind.
As the reality of their broken relationship sunk in, Ji Yoon felt tears well up in her eyes. She blinked, and they streamed down her face, hot and relentless.
With a heavy heart, Ji Yoon hailed a cab, wiping away her tears. The driver's sympathetic gaze in the rearview mirror only made her feel more vulnerable.
"Where to, miss?" he asked gently.
"Home, please," Ji Yoon replied, her voice barely above a whisper, giving the can driver the direction of her house.
As the cab drove away, Ji Yoon gazed out the window, her thoughts consumed by the painful encounter. The cityscape blurred together, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds that failed to penetrate her emotional fog.
She untied the scarf Min-Soo had gifted her before he traveled to the States – a symbol of their love now tainted by his cruelty. For a moment, she held it, memories flooding her mind.
With a newfound resolve, Ji Yoon tossed the scarf out the window, watching it flutter away like their lost love.
Upon arriving home, Ji Yoon paid the fare and trudged up the stairs, her feet heavy with emotion. Each step felt like a burden, weighing her down.
As she opened the door, the silence of her apartment enveloped her, a hollow echo of her shattered heart.
Ji Yoon collapsed onto the couch, letting the tears flow freely. She buried her face in a pillow, the soft fabric absorbing her sorrow.
Just as she was drifting into a sorrowful reverie, the door opened, and Kin Ha Na walked in.
"Hey, girl! I'm back!" Kin Ha Na exclaimed, dropping her bags.
But her bright smile faltered as she took in Ji Yoon's tear-stained face.
"Ji Yoon, what's wrong?" Kin Ha Na rushed to her side, concern etched on her face.
Ji Yoon took a deep breath, the words tumbling out.
"Min-Soo... he's gone. He called me poor and said that I am not his type of woman and asked to break up. He didn't care if I was hurt."
Kin Ha Na's eyes widened.
"I saw him with one woman, I am sorry I didn't want you to get hurt, if I know it will go this way, I would have told you earlier," she said,
"Min-Soo, that fool," she cursed under her breath.
"I had no idea... I'm so sorry I didn't notice something was wrong." She added,
Ji Yoon shook her head.
"You shouldn't apologize. Besides, it's over. I'm done."
Kin Ha Na wrapped Ji Yoon in a warm hug.
"I'm here for you, no matter what. You deserve so much better than someone who treats you like that."
Ji Yoon's tears slowed as she felt a sense of comfort.
"Thanks, Kin Ha Na. Just being here with you makes me feel better."
Kin Ha Na handed Ji Yoon a box of tissues.
"Time to heal, my friend. We'll get through this together."
As they sat together, Ji Yoon felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
"You know, I always thought Min-Soo was a bit off," Kin Ha Na said.
"But I never wanted to interfere."
Ji Yoon smiled weakly.
"You didn't miss anything. I was blind to it all."
Kin Ha Na squeezed Ji Yoon's hand.
"We'll move forward, together."
And with that, Ji Yoon began her journey toward healing, surrounded by the love and support of her dear friend.