Chapter 31：3 months later

It was three months later,

Ye-Jin was supposed to meet her sister So-ah- their mother's orders, at the hotel owned by them.

She left her work early that day and walked to the nearby hotel premises.

To her horror and surprise she had crossed ways with Aera that afternoon.

Both girls who were once joined by the hip were now straying apart. And both of them were somewhat aware of the void that was forming in between them.

The reason being simple- after their brief chat on Ye-Jin's back-porch that evening they hadn't had a decent amount of contact and adding to that Aera's busy oversees schedule, it was bound to happen.

Moreover, Aera had observed her friend acting out of character from sometime (a shocker but that's how odd Ye-Jin was behaving). For example, she was avoiding her but the reason was still not clear.

Now catching her longtime friend in the street like this Aera was definitely happy but she also noticed the little frown on Ye-Jin's lips. Given her self-centred and vain character she didn't care much about it but somewhere in the corner of her mind all these things were giving her a very bad feeling.

Aera: (waving excitedly) Ye-Jin! Going somewhere?

On the other hand Ye-Jin grew cautious at the sight of her friend. At first she was horrified and nervous like a thief who had committed some heinous crime and wanted to escape the death sentence. She didn't know why either but she felt guilty on seeing her best friend (as she believed it to be). She somehow forced a smile on her face which looked very unnatural but she wasn't seeing it so who cares.

Ye-Jin: (cautiously) yes. I have an appointment.

Aera's mind ran through various scenarios in the blink of an eye.

Of course her imagination was excellent considering her perverted taste for gossip so in no time she came up with the idea that Ye-Jin was going to meet her new lover and for some reason she wasn't telling her about him. Also it seemed like a plausible explanation for her weird behavior these past 3 months.

Her eyes shined with mischief and curiosity and Ye-Jin missed the look cuz she was lost in her fidgeting.

Aera: (narrowing her eyes) can I join you?

Ye-Jin: (shuffling on her feet) um… Aera-

Aera knew that Ye-Jin was trying to look for excuses to reject her but she wasn't going to let her have her way this time. She was excited at the thought of catching her friend off guard and later creating some drama and then blessing the couple.

Aera: (smiling widely) great let's go! Later you can accompany me for some shopping.

Ye-Jin tried to protest but Aera wasn't going to listen and was already dragging her away.