Chapter 96 - She is back

Jinhee checked her phone for the time. Currently, 15:52 was shown on the screen. As Hyunbin's parents urgently requested for his presence, their fun was cut short, and Hyunbin had to return home.

Thinking of them, all those worries came back to Jinhee. Everytime Jinhee looked at Hyunbin, she was reminded of the question Yoojoon had directed at her. 

She wasn't even a percent closer in the decision of whether or not accepting her birth father. For moments like this, Jinhee desperately wanted Taehee.

Licking her strawberry ice-cream, Jinhee walked on the streets. On her head was a squirrel ear headband that Hyunbin put on her because he thought she looked like one. 

This reminded Jinhee of the endearment Taehee used towards her— little squirrel. This caused Jinhee's heart to be squeezed. 

Jinhee tried to convince herself multiple times that this was because of the sudden absence of Taehee from her life. Although she would not admit it, she truly missed Taehee.

Nonetheless, as she moved on from Jaehyun, she was sure that the same would happen when it came to Taehee. Lost in her thoughts, Jinhee bumped into someone's body.

Immediately moving back, Jinhee noticed that the ice-cream had formed a light pink spot on the stranger's light blue shirt, and she let out a gasp.

Where was her attention?

Her eyes widening at the realization, Jinhee immediately bowed and spoke out, "I'm sorry, Han Taeho-ssi?"

Jinhee was shocked when she raised up her head. Han Taeho stood in front of her in his usual cool demeanour. Why was she meeting everyone she knew at Japan?

°°°

"I'm sorry once again, Han Taeho-ssi," Jinhee voiced out as Taeho stepped out of the dressing room.

Currently, they were at one of the nearby high-end clothing store, and as Taeho's clothing was stained by Jinhee, both of them visited the store to get a shirt for Taeho.

Folding the sleeve of his black shirt, Taeho turned to look at Jinhee and voiced out, "It's alright, Jinhee-ssi. I hope you are fine with accompanying me for a cup of coffee?"

Many gazes were attracted by Taeho— some looked at him with curiosity due to his mask, some stares were because of how attractive he was, and others held both.

Nonetheless, these looks did not cause a shift of emotions on Taeho's face. It almost was as if he was used to it.

'For a man like him, this must be a daily occurrence.'

"Sure, Han Taeho-ssi," Jinhee voiced out.

"Drop the formalities, and call me Taeho directly," Taeho said as both of them stepped out of the door, which was held open by one of the staff.

Her eyes widened as Jinhee turned her head towards Taeho. Shock was evident on her expression whilst she stared at Taeho.

'Call him Taeho? Is he, Han Taeho, dropping the formalities so soon? Why was he getting so friendly? There must be a factor behind it.'

Nonetheless, since it was Han Taeho's words, she could not directly say 'no' to his face and decided to agree along with it. After all, getting an opportunity to address him by 'Taeho' was rare.

"Sure, Taeho," Jinhee said. The way she called him sounded odd to her, but with a little practice, she could get used to it.

"Call me Jinhee as well," Jinhee added for it would look rude if she did not.

Taeho nodded.

°°°

Both of them sat at one corner of the café. There was no sign of soul in the café except for the two of them, as the entire café was booked by Han Taeho.

The staff were dismissed and was ordered to stay in the kitchen. Being caught on the room will result in them getting fired and worse according to Taeho's words.

Two cup of cappuccino was placed in front of Jinhee and Taeho. A chocolate flavoured cake slice sat in front of Jinhee.

Staring at white coloured slice of white cake in front of Taeho, Jinhee was somewhat surprised. To her, Taeho did not look to be a male who preferred sweets. Then again, looks can be deceiving.

As Jinhee cut through her cake and put a piece inside her mouth, Taeho spoke out, "So, what is your decision about being my fiancé?"

Swallowing down the piece of cake, Jinhee raised her head up to look at Taeho. About Taeho proposition, Jinhee had not reached into a conclusive decision yet. Hesitation was there within her when it came to accepting it.

"Well, about that, I haven't found an answer yet," Jinhee voiced out with an awkward smile.

"I guess I have something to speed up your decision making," Taeho voiced out.

Creases appeared between both of Jinhee's eyebrows whilst she watched Taeho's actions. Taeho took out his phone and clicked on the screen multiple times before showing the screen to Jinhee.

Reading the contents, Jinhee's eyes widened, and the fork in her hand fell down, hitting the table. Shock and fear was noticeable in her features, and her hand started to shake terribly.

"K-Kwon Youngmi is back to South Korea," Jinhee read as she turned paler.