Biting my trembling lips
Holding the last of you in my eyes

Jiwon couldn't stop the tears. Jisung was next to her, crying more silently than she could. She was staring at the operation theatre sign that still glowed bright. Her family was there. But her dad looked like he had better things to do. His wife glared at her like it was her fault and her son was busy playing games. The shooting noise from the game was getting really annoying.

But before Jiwon could do anything Jisung stood up and snatched the phone, throwing it on the ground.

Mr. Park: PARK JISUNG?!

Jisung: WHAT! Have a heart you monsters!

He seethed and spoke with clenched teeth. Jiwon had hardly ever seen Jisung this angry, but she didn't have the heart to stop him. This was happening a second time too soon.

The only one who seemed anywhere respectful was her grandfather who was sitting on the chair, staring at the ground.

Jiwon's eyes blurred again. She couldn't even look at him without hate returning to her.

Mr. Park: You brat-

Jisung: You don't get to talk dad. We are your kids too! Was it soo hard to love us too?!

Mr. Park: Love you? Please! All I wanted was a single son from that woman and she gave me a daughter. I never wanted a second child. Then you came along. You both ruined my family.

Jisung: So you married someone else and had a third child? That's your perfect family?

Mr. Park: Yubeom is my only son.

There was a stunned silence only filled with Yubeom whining to his mother like a toddler about his broken phone.

Grandfather Park: Cut it out Eunseob. That's crossing the line. Just get out. You're not helping by being here.

Her dad didn't even argue a bit. He just left with his "family".

Jisung: You should go too, Grandpa.

Grandfather Park: But-

Jisung: Dad's not here for us. But you were the reason mom died and now... again... you are the reason Jungwoo hyung is dying.

Grandfather Park: Jisung. You have to believe me, I didn't do any-

Jisung: Leave. Now.

It was a spur of the moment thing. Jiwon never expected to outright say it like she did but it had caught Jaehyun just as off guard. Though she didn't regret saying it out as much. He was going to find out eventually if not by her then through someone at the office.

Jaehyun: Wh... I'm so sorry...

Jiwon pulled up a reassuring smile but she was sure it wasn't as brave as she wanted it be.

Jaehyun: I'm so, so sorry... I didn't know... God I shouldn't have even asked...

Jiwon: It's fine. Really. Don't worry about it.

She met Jaehyun's eyes and she saw that there was hurt in them. Now that had her surprised. As far as she knew the two didn't even know each other. Why was he so affected-

Jaehyun: I found my girlfriend sleeping with my brother.

Jiwon's mouth fell open in shock as he leaned back, a hesitant deep breath leaving his lips.

Jiwon: What?

Jaehyun: Yeah... i know it's definitely not as bad as yours but yeah-

Jiwon: Pain is not a competition Jaehyun. What hurts... hurts. And what they did to you... That's just horrible and sickening.

He just let out a small smile.

Jaehyun: Yeah... I guess...

Jiwon: Is that why... why you...

Jaehyun: Left Aura? Yup...

Jiwon: And your parents?

He pulled out a slightly cracked phone, and opened something on it before showing it to her.

Just be happy that they found

Jiwon couldn't believe her eyes. Her father was no less so just imagining being sent this would be heart-breaking.

Jiwon: I...

Jaehyun: I was even going to propose to her the day I found out... it was our anniversary... Instead I found out that she had been cheating on me for three years.

The more she heard, the more she felt for Jaehyun. He probably misread her expression though because he let out a sad chuckle.

Jaehyun: I'm pathetic... I know...

Jiwon: No... god... no... But I think I see why you were getting worried about the media.

Jaehyun: Yeah...

He sat up and placed his chopsticks down.

Jaehyun: I'm so sorry. I kind of just dumped everything on you.

Jiwon: No it's okay... but I'm being serious Jaehyun... if you need my help, just ask me and I can try doing something.

Jaehyun: That's too much to ask especially after I just said everything. I don't want the pity treatment.

Jiwon: It's not a pity treatment Jaehyun. It's just... take it in this way... one broken heart to another.

The two head back to their cars. The rain had turned to a drizzle and in the calming silence Jiwon realised that they weren't as awkward as before.

Jaehyun: I'll see you at the office tomorrow.

Jiwon: Yup. Though take medicine for a cold, you did get drenched.

He gave her a small smile.

Jaehyun: I'll have bigger things to worry about. Like my friend finding out that i flooded his car.

He opened the driver seat and water flowed out.

Jaehyun: I regret not putting the hood up.

Jiwon let out a small laugh and she saw the smile on Jaehyun's face grow a little.

Jiwon: Good night Jaehyun.

Jaehyun: Good night...

He gave her one more smile before the two parted ways for the night.

✗

Doyoung: I told you it would rain! And still, you went out and got drenched!

Taeyong stepped out of the bathroom, a towel on his wet hair while eyeing his younger two friends.

Taeyong: Woah... what happened?

Doyoung: This kid-

Jaehyun: I'm like a year younger to-

He broke his sentence to sneeze loudly and Doyoung raised his eyebrows in provocation.

Doyoung: He thinks he's in a K-Drama or something. He went to the drive-in theatre, with the roof of my car off and then sat there while it was raining cats and dogs. And then his hiring manager sees him and he says they talked.

Taeyong: Okay and what's the problem in that?

Doyoung: Did you miss the part where my car was bathed?

Taeyong: Gosh big deal Doyoung. We all know you care more about this "kid" being sick.

Doyoung just scoffed and went to the kitchen before muttering something about making tea. Taeyong sat down next to Jaehyun who was wrapped in a blanket and had a towel in hand.

Taeyong: You good? You look like you broke down again.

He glanced at me before looking back at his lap.

Jaehyun: I did... and she saw.

He said with a soft groan before leaning back. His voice was stuffy and for sure he had caught onto a light cold. Worried, Taeyong placed the back of his palm on the younger's forehead to check for temperature, which thankfully didn't seem to be high.

Taeyong: Was she mean to you? Or did she laugh at you?

He responds after a moment of thought.

Jaehyun: Quite the opposite. We had ramen together... and she told me about her own... struggles.

Taeyong: Oh...

Jaehyun: It's fine. I think it helped a little. Sharing it to one more person didn't hurt as much as I thought it would.

Taeyong: Hm...

Jaehyun: Oh right... I'm not a hundred percent sure if you would know him and to be honest I'm not even sure if he was a lawyer. But I had once heard from someone that he was trying to be one.

Taeyong: Who?

He asked as Doyoung placed cups with hot tea on the table before seating himself on a chair on the other side of the coffee table.

Jaehyun: Jungwoo.

Taeyong blinked in surprise, sitting up as Jaehyun nodded in understanding.

Jaehyun: You know him.

Taeyong: He worked with me for a few months during which I supervised him. Then he went on to be Eden's lawyer but...

Doyoung: But what?

Taeyong: He passed away almost three years back.

Doyoung: Wait, really? And Jaehyun, how do you know him?

Jaehyun: Jiwon's boyfriend from high school.

Taeyong: Oh my god...

He said softly.

Jaehyun: I don't know why she told me honestly... but she looked shaky...

Doyoung: That's horrible...

Taeyong: And you've known her since your high school?

Jaehyun: Yeah... we went to the same one.

Doyoung: Damn, the world is small.

✗

Jiwon absentmindedly sat by the kitchen counter, finger tracing the half empty glass of milk.

Yoonhee: I heated that up for you a while back.

She said in slight annoyance while entering the kitchen. Jiwon flinched out of her thoughts and looked up at Yoonhee who looked back at her with a sense of security.

She loved how she could lean onto Yoonhee for absolutely anything.

Jiwon: Yoon.

Yoon: Hm?

Jiwon: I love you, you know that right?

The other chuckled in confusion.

Yoonhee: I don't remember adding alcohol to your milk. What's wrong with you?

Jiwon: I'm just confessing my love for you.

Yoonhee: Okay fine. I love you too. Now tell me what's wrong? Is it him again?

First, Jungwoo came to mind. Then Jaehyun. Who was even engaging her thoughts? She didn't know for sure but concluded that it was a bit of both of them. Though she had to be honest, Jaehyun's situation was taking up most of her mind.

Jiwon: I talked to Jaehyun today.

Yoonhee: Jaehyun? Jeong Jaehyun?

Jiwon: Mhm...

Yoonhee: Okay...? And?

Jiwon: Nothing... I just talked to him.

Yoonhee: ... You're sitting here spacing about because you just talked to him?

Jiwon: We talked. Yeah... that's about it. 

She said with a shrug before drowning the glass of milk.

I was revising the notes of this book and realised that Sweater Weather and The Hardest Love are so Jaehyun x Jiwon coded