Mark had been up all night, waiting anxiously for your call. He hadn’t felt so unsettled like this in a long time and the feeling ate him from the inside. Frustration was probably the mildest word that could describe how he felt. He was in disbelief that you reacted so strongly to what seemed like something you usually would brush off magnanimously. He decided to give a call to Jackson, the ‘culprit’.

M: Hey Jackson.
J: Uh, Mark? What’s up…. its like… 1am?
M: Yeah I know, and erm sorry about that but I had to clear up the air about something.
J: Sure, go ahead.. (sleepily)
M: What exactly did you send Mandy today?
J: HUH? Did you wake me up at 1am just to ask me this??
M: Just what was it that she saw, Jackson, it’s important.
J: Can I just forward it to you right now?? (annoyed)
M: That be great, thanks Jackson. Sorry about that.
J: Uh~ alright then goodnight - hangs up abruptly.

(Mark’s phone rings)
He opens the screenshot of their conversation and sees the video. Tapping into the video from Jackson, he saw himself, at the pantry, talking with the 2 female colleagues. It seemed pretty normal to him since it wasn’t the first time they were hitting on him. They weren’t even the only ones that day.
Then he saw them cling onto him and how he was smiling, while they continued to hold on one on each arm.

Mark: Hajima~~
Girl 1: Eyyy what’s the matter? You don’t like us? (whines and pouts at him)
Girl 2: Oppa, your arm is so muscular omg!!! (starts touching him all over)
Mark: Okay, okay, chill ladies!! We’re in an office, please control yourself.
Girls: But you said you’re single right? So do you like us?
Mark: I’m sorry ladies, but I do have someone in mind…..
Girls: Who’s she? Tell us, is it someone from the office??? Is it Mandy??

Mark at this point flinched a little and hesitated, but he knew all too well that they were just mindless gossipy girls that wouldn’t do any good even if he spilled the truth. So he chose to say otherwise, partly to protect your privacy as well.

Mark: We’re close friends, don’t bother asking, I’m not telling.

(Smiles and walks off)
Mark was utterly clueless at this point as to why you would react so strongly to that. He mentally analysed every possible scenario and scanned through every person on his contact list that could have contacted you unnecessarily. He even went into all your personal sites just to be sure, but there wasn’t anything. You always maintained a strict distance at work and hence none of the co-workers were really on a first-name friendly basis to you except for Mark. The curiosity in him was burning up his brains and he hated every minute that you weren’t talking to him. He decided that this wouldn’t do. He took a bath and got into a fresh set of clothes, and drove to wait for you at your door - just like what foolish drama men did. He knew it was going to be a long night but he couldn’t take it lying down.

---

It was 3am, you had fallen asleep in JR’s house by his couch, even though he had tucked you into bed. He briefly awoke wanting to check on you, only to realise you were right at his side, sleeping upright on the carpet, with your head rested near his chest. He smiled in surprise and wondered if it was because you were lonely.
Stroking your hair gently, he could hardly believe what luck he had found himself in - it was you, the girl he had the longest crush on in school, the only one that shared your lunches with him when he was sick, when even JB refused to play with him, it was you who was always bright and cheerful, kind to him. All through school years, he felt he wasn’t good enough for you, and the boys were always talking about you and challenging each other to see who could get you. He was never even in ‘consideration’ for his geeky scrawny appearance.
Seeing you again after 10 long years, you never changed a single bit but only became more confident and mature, but this time JR had found his self confidence, and believed if he was persistent enough, you would see his heart.
He could only smile like a fool in your presence, and wonder if he was indeed in a dream.
He got up carefully, crouching himself down by your side, pulling a blanket to cover you and him, while making sure you were comfortably surrounded by other pillows.
It wasn’t before long that the sun rose, and you awoke, only to find your head rested on JR’s lap while he slept. Quickly you sat up, and waking him as well.
“Oh, you’re up?” he blinked, and the first thing he did was to give you a comforting smile.

“Yea, how did I end up here?” you asked, deep in thought.

JR reached out to smooth your frazzled hairs and brush the stray ones away from your face. “Do you sleepwalk?” he asked with a slight laugh.
It then occurred to you that you did walk over to sleep at the sofa yourself.
“Eheh.” you managed, maybe you did. Remembering that Yugyeom was home alone, you stood up to head to his room to check on your phone.
“Shall I make some breakfast for us?” JR got up as well.

“How could I make you do that!” You spun around and went to him instead. JR looked the same by day or by night, inside or out. You could understand now why he was such a popular celebrity.

He caught your hand and pulled u close. You were just a little shorter than he was and he could look at you comfortably.
“Jagiyah…” he smiled and looked into your eyes, which were just inches from his.
“I wish you could stay with me everyday.” he stroked your face as he said the words, which were strikingly familiar to your ears. You bit your lip in slight discomfort and tried to hide it with a smile.
“Yah… “ you looked away, and it only made him want you more.

“Look at me..” he pleaded, and lunged forward to kiss you on the lips, taking you aback.
“Jinyoung-ah..!! Hajima~” you pulled away shyly, still not used to this intimacy between both of you. The feeling was a little foreign even though it did make you blush.

“Arraseo, arraseo… you’re too cute when you get all shy like that, it’s driving me crazy.” he said, as he ruffled your hair and let you go.

“I might need to head home soon to check on Yugyeom, my brother. He’s home alone.” you frowned, indicating that he needed you back soon.

“AH, sure. I’ll wash up and send you back, you can grab some breakfast for him on the way too I guess?”

---

Mark was in his 4th hour of waiting and the sun had risen a fair bit. He felt like a loser and never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined himself resorting to such a desperate move. He sat in his car, dozing off, and watching your house in the near distance. He knew your brother was home but he could tell from your window, that you were either still asleep or you weren’t there.
His persistence paid off as he saw Yugyeom coming out of the front door. Quickly, he got out and went to him.
“Hey Yugyeom.” he casually said.

“MARK??????????? were you here all along????????” Yugyeom your kid brother was shocked and his face showed it all.

“No, I … wasn’t able to speak to Mandy…. so I was wondering if she’s up yet?” Mark sheepishly attempted.

“Look. I don’t know what happened but if you trust me enough to tell me, I might consider mediating if it’s really a misunderstanding.” Yugyeom offered, seeing that among the guys who appeared at your door, Mark was probably the one whom he knew for the longest time as well.

Mark decided that that was his best bet to getting to you, and starting letting Yug in on what happened.
“…… so, that was it…. and then BAM, she didn’t answer my calls.”

Yugyeom gave it some thought, and understood why Mark was so anxious. Knowing your character, you did tend to jump to conclusions and the video definitely would piss you off.
He smiled.
“Why you smiling?” Mark asked, slightly annoyed.

“Mark, you look like you’re smart but I guess you’re not. For the fact that she’s ignoring you like the world collapsed, shows how much you mean to her. Are you a fool? I don’t think she even saw the end of that video. I bet you my eyebrows she slammed the phone at the instant when she saw the girl touch your hand. Wanna bet?” Yugyeom declared a challenge, which enlightened Mark in some sense.

Mark just stoned and Yugyeom sighed, giving him a pat on the back.
“I just gave you the most valuable insight. I know, don’t bother thanking me. Anyway, she isn’t back yet just so you know. If you’re serious about her, I suggest you stop wussing around and shying away. She really hates that kind of thing.” and he turned to walk back into the house.

Mark waited and continued in deep thought.


Just then, JR’s car pulled into the driveway. Mark recognised it instantly as the same one he saw that very day that pushed him to confess his feelings for you. A slow fire started burning inside him.
You got out of the car and waved to JR, who drove out after.
Before you could open your door, you heard your name screamed out in a broken holler.
“MANDY!”

You froze, knowing it was Mark. The raspy voice you could never mistake. His footsteps quickening and getting louder to you.
“Baby.” You heard him standing behind you, as you shut your eyes for you knew once you met his, your heart might change. Unfortunately, his voice had the same impact regardless.
You waited in bated breath, to hear what he was going to say. You already knew he was a guy of few words.
“Don’t you trust me?” there was an unmistakeable sadness in his voice that just broke your heart. “Baby.” he repeated softly, as if you couldn’t hear it the first time.
You could only stand in silence. You weren’t sure anymore about this whole deal with Mark. In truth, it was fear of it not working out, that kept you from facing him. There was just too much to lose, at the risk of a heartbreaking ending.
You heard a sigh.
What?! Was he just giving up like that??? What a jerk!
You decided to continue heading into the house. As you quietly unlocked the door, he continued standing still at the same spot. Neither talking nor making his move. You didn’t like it that he didn’t try harder, even though you knew, your cold response was to blame.
He watched you from behind, at wit’s end. You didn’t want to even look at him - was there anything else he could do apart from asking for your trust?
You turned the keys in its hole but the door wasn’t opening. You tried a second time, but again, the door didn’t budge.
Then, Mark saw Yugyeom’s silhouette at the window, pointing him to you.
Yugyeom had latched the door from inside - that was the best way he knew, in order to give Mark a chance at breaking down your stubborness to listen. Quickly, Mark took the signal and ran up to you, throwing his arms around you, tightly holding you from behind as you struggled to shrug him off.
You refused to speak, and he refused to let go, without a word.
Finally you burst out in anger at him.
“STOP!”

But he didn’t let go.
He felt your heavy breathing but didn’t loosen his grasp. It was uncomfortably tight for both you and him.
“NO.” came his firm voice. It wasn’t even pleading, but more like a protest.

“WHY” you said angrily.

“I was stupid.” he replied plainly, clutching on to you.

He felt a drop on his arm, then two, as it trickled down, he looked up to check if it was starting to rain, but he was only met by the morning sun. It was then that he realised, those were tears. He turned you around to face him. Holding you still by your arms, making sure you weren’t going to move.
But you turned your face away, not wanting to look at him.
“Do you, really, not know why?” he asked impatiently, frowning, articulating every word.

“I thought I only liked you.” he said, slightly choking up.

In your mind, you thought - okay, this is it. finally, he’s gonna tell me he was wrong and that it isn’t working out. Great. This really is hard to hear.
You frowned while your head was turned, and another tear fell. He saw it.
“But I was wrong.” his hands fell to his side, and a sudden cold breeze blew against your warmed skin.

For a brief moment, it felt like forever.
Were you hearing this right? Just as fickle as you were, so was he. Did he just say that he was stupid to think he liked you? Mark? Seriously? You didn’t believe it but somehow it pricked your heart.
“I love you.”
Those words rolled out of his mouth, as if he didn’t plan to say them. They sounded almost regretful, said cautiously, and clearly.
Your head was still looking at the ground beneath, and you didn’t want to look up.
Mark knelt on one knee and met your eyes as he went under, seeing that you had tears in your eyes. He hated to make you cry.
“And I can’t live without you.”

He delivered the final blow, looking straight into your teary eyes, with tears in his own as well.

Notes