Chapter 102 - Cute feelings

As Jinhee was about to go to bed— after being tired due to such a long day— Jaehyun called her. This surprised her because she thought he would prefer to not contact her after all that happened.

"Did you have dinner yet?" Jaehyun questioned.

'Dinner? In the midst of all these, I suppose I have forgotten about it.'

"Yeah, I have eaten something light," Jinhee lied, but her growling stomach, which was heard by Jaehyun, told otherwise.

"The crew will be dining at a nearby Korean restaurant, and come down to the lobby after being dressed," Jaehyun voiced out.

The feeling of hunger was not pleasant even though Jinhee did not have the appetite, and therefore, Jinhee could only agree.

"Sure, Jaehyun," Jinhee replied.

°°°

In a private room of the restaurant, Chaewon, Jinhee, Jaehyun, Taehee— whom Jinhee found out was invited by Jaehyun— and some of the crew members were present, seated upon their respective seats.

In front of them were placed their respective dinner. Jinhee's seat was at an awkward position; On her one side was Jaehyun whilst the other was Taehee.

The conversation she had with Jaehyun at the lobby earlier was recalled by her when she took a momentary glance at him.

°°°

"Where are the rest of the crew?" Jinhee questioned, looking around the lobby.

"They left. I stayed behind because I had to talk with you on some matters," Jaehyun stated. 

On his face sat a slightly tensed expression, making Jinhee wonder on what could have happened. Nonetheless, in his line of business, troubles come by very often.

Curiously, Jinhee questioned, "What's the matter?"

"About my confession— It must have made you feel very uncomfortable," Jaehyun voiced out.

'It was about that?'

Jinhee shook her head with a smile on her face.

"If truth was told, yes, when you made your confession, I did feel troubled. But some part of me felt happy. Sorry if it doesn't sound proper. I was happy to have someone like me in that way," Jinhee answered honestly.

Pinching Jinhee's chubby cheeks, Jaehyun spoke out, "Even now, you don't need to be this careful around me. Don't worry, I don't hold a grudge against you. Sooner or later, I would move on, and it would be great if you could accept me as your friend."

"I would like that!" Jinhee cheerfully exclaimed as they walked towards the exit of the hotel.

She, then, added, "However, you're becoming too talkative these days. In the beginning, you spoke less than ten words."

In her last life, Jaehyun rarely talked with Jinhee unless it was important, and this was one of the greatest differences she noticed within him in this life of hers. Nonetheless, she did not hate it.

"Must be because I have reason to talk more," Jaehyun answered.

"You'll surprise everyone with how much you talk now!" Jinhee commented.

Jaehyun chuckled. "Are you free tomorrow morning? I'll treat you to breakfast for keeping me safe from Akane, and there is some important matters I want to discuss with you about."

"Sure," Jinhee replied.

°°°

Although Jaehyun had told her to be free around him, she still could not help but feel strange around him. 

Taehee hadn't spoken a word to her ever since Jinhee saw her in the restaurant, and instead of feeling relieved, Jinhee felt empty. As her eyes went towards Taehee's bandaged hand, guilt stabbed her.

If she reacted faster or was careful of her surroundings, this wouldn't have happened.

"Thanks for the meal, Kim Jaehyun!" The stylist voiced out, digging her chopsticks into the japchae.

Words of thankfulness could be heard from all the other crews present in the room before they started eating their meal. 

As Jinhee was about to pick up the stir-fried radish from the plate, from the corner of her eyes, she could see Taehee struggling with chopsticks since her right hand was injured.

With a sigh, Jinhee placed down her pair of chopsticks, and when Taehee was about to pick up the kimchi, Jinhee held the top of her chopsticks, stopping Taehee.

Taehee gave Jinhee a confused glance. Nonetheless, she removed her grip around the chopsticks, and properly holding the chopsticks, Jinhee secured a piece of kimchi with it.

Raising the piece of kimchi up, Jinhee directed it towards Taehee's mouth with a look that said 'open up'. Although Taehee arched her eyebrows, she accepted the kimchi obediently and chewed on to it— the kimchi tasting better than it usually did.

"The friendship between the girls is so cute!" Hwang Myunghoon, Jaehyun's assistant, commented with a silly smile on his face.

'Friendship? That is definitely not there between Taehee and me.'

"It's not that the friendship between girls that is cute; It's my Jinhee's feelings for me that is cute," Taehee replied with a bright smile.

Stabbing Taehee's left hand with the pair of chopsticks, Jinhee harshly glared at her. Here she was trying to kind to her yet she had the audacity to joke around!