Not Him
59
“Welcome back, Choi Minhwa-sshi. You look so healthy today,” Cho Taewoo smiled cynically, welcoming a man who had just entered the elevator with her.
“Healthier than you imagined, Cho Taewoo-sshi,” Reply Choi Minhwa no less cynical.
“Oh, yes? I'm happy to hear it,” He said insincerely. The other man rolled his eyes irritated, he wanted to rush out of this elevator, he did not want to linger with that person.
“It looks like you hired a great lawyer, Choi Minhwa-sshi,” He said again, breaking the atmosphere that had just begun to feel quiet between them. It ignited embers that were still half-lit.
“Of course. He's the greatest lawyer I've ever known. Why why anyway? Are you surprised to see me in front of you now?”
Cho Taewoo laughed, “Though you're free, it doesn't prove completely that you're not a sneaky person. Let's just say you're lucky this time.”
“Licik? At least I've never stabbed someone in the back.”
Cho Taewoo was silent for a moment, he felt a little offended by Choi Minhwa's words earlier. But a cynical smile was shown again, covering up the feeling of having been humbled. Cho Taewoo never loses. Not by anyone, let alone by a Choi Minhwa.
“Do you want to remember the past?” the man raised next to the corner of his lips, forming a very unfriendly cynical smile.
Choi Minhwa smiled back cynically, “If you don't mind―former best friend, huh?”
The elevator stopped on the 18th floor, Choi Minhwa immediately came out without greeting his rival first. Meanwhile, still where he stood, Cho Taewoo clenched his hands tightly, trying to temper his emotions that might not be able to be channeled directly. He was the CEO of that company, a leader, he couldn't possibly goofy by punching the guy in the face. Nah! He had to keep his wibawanya―even if that overwhelming sense of annoyance was still felt in his heart.
*
“The wedding ceremony will start in about an hour. Are you leaving now, Sajangnim? ”
“Sajangnim!” the woman in her thirties called her boss over and over again, but the man did not answer. His eyes were still glued to look at the window, even though there was no interesting view to see from there.
“Sajangnim!” he tried once more, and the man finally turned his head. “What you will leave now?” ask the woman again, still patiently.
“Is there still a meeting or meeting?”
“Yes, there is a meeting with the staff, twenty minutes left.”
“Then ask Mr. Jang to replace me at the meeting. Prepare the car now, I don't want to be late to arrive at my son's wedding.”
“Good, Sajangnim.Shillye Hamnida,” The woman bowed respectfully then rushed out of the room.
*
Once again he looked at the large mirror before him, re-examining whether there was anything lacking with his appearance or not. Perfect―dia looks very handsome at the moment. But what's the point if she appears perfect to marry someone she doesn't love at all?
The door slammed open, Jino entered impatiently and immediately grumbled to see her brother still staring like a confused person in front of a mirror. Like never seeing a mirror, he grumbled.
“Hyung!” call Jino slowly. Kyuhyun did not turn around, did not reply, as if Jino was not there and called him just now.
Jino ruffled her hair in annoyance, again grumbling. She―as groomsmen―is very ready to go, but why does the groom-to-be even look like a dazed person here? Didn't Kyuhyun realize that the wedding ceremony was about to start in thirty minutes? At the church where the wedding will take place maybe the invited guests have arrived, but he is still at home and relaxed. Even when people were busy preparing for her wedding, she acted unconcerned.
“Hyung, we'll be late if you're not fast soon!” Jino looked at the watch she was wearing impatiently.
Kyuhyun turned his head, looking at Jino like he was asking for help. It was as if he was about to face something terrible.
Jino ignored that gaze, “Quick! You can't force a driver to speed, it's dangerous. Besides I don't want to die on my brother's wedding day with―”
“The girl you love?”
Jino tried to calm her heart that felt like it was being stabbed by a knife. “―my friend.”
Kyuhyun laughed loudly. Too loud to laugh at something that isn't even funny at all. Perhaps if others were to look, he would consider Kyuhyun to be insane. But Jino no, she did not consider her half-brother to be crazy from laughing like that. He knew he deserved to be laughed at. As if it was a normal thing.
Kyuhyun had not stopped, still laughing as if Jino was the funniest thing he had ever seen. Over time the laughter sounded more and more miserable, the laughter of someone who was desperate.
“Hyung's Satisfaction?” Jino snorted cynically. Believe me, seeing a quiet person like Kyuhyun suddenly laugh like a doormat, was truly terrifying.
“Are you satisfied?” Kyuhyun asked back, repeating the question Jino had given him. “What kind of question is it?”
“You're wasting our time, Hyung.”
“Can't you be honest with your own heart? Would you like that girl to marry your brother? Would you be willing to see him unhappy someday?”
“You say that as if you really intend to make her unhappy.”
Kyuhyun spoke again, ignoring Jino's statement, “And will you blame fate for everything that happened?”
“I'll blame you if that happens. You should make her happy, only you can.”
Kyuhyun laughed again. “Where do you know only I can? You are not God, and you cannot read the future.”
“But I can read his heart.”
Kyuhyun laughed again. Okay, this is getting horrible.
“Didn't you tell me to consider this again? You told me to think carefully about this decision. Then why are you so excited to encourage me to marry him now? So fast have you changed your mind?”
Jino was silent, still listening to Kyuhyun finish his sentence.
“You love him, but you never tried to take his heart. Long time ago, Jino! You've only been watching him secretly since. Aren't you tired of all this?”
Kyuhyun's words felt like a slap to him. His chest was really like being stabbed at the moment. Not just one, but dozens of daggers. It hurt, so much that it felt like he wanted to die immediately for the pain to disappear.
Shoulders vibrate. He is strong, but not as strong as the coral that will remain strong when hit by the waves. It is just a stone wall that is now starting to be brittle due to heat and rain, eroded little by little and will eventually collapse.
“What else can I do? He just loves you. He never wanted to see me one bit. The only thing in his head is you. Cho Kyuhyun, Cho Kyuhyun, and Cho Kyuhyun. There was never a name for Cho Jino in his heart. Let as hard as I try, you remain his choice.”
“You never fought for it. You never tried.”
“That's because I love her! I chose to be quiet and see her happy. That alone is enough for me.”
“You fool, Jino! Really stupid! I can't believe you're still sticking to that principle until now. How can he see you if you never show your feelings? How could he be sober?”
“You don't understand, Hyung.”
“What do I not understand? About you willing to suffer for her happiness? I can't believe there are people like you, who sacrifice the feelings behind the name of love. Don't you realize it's so selfish? Then what about the person you ‘bahakan’ that is? You think he's really gonna be happy?” Kyuhyun snapped at him, sounding very angry.
He called “kalian”― doesn't it lead to someone else?
“What should I fight for? I don't have a chance anymore. He will not have me, even a little attention from him will never be able to.”
“You still have a chance.”
“My chance is gone.”
“Now, or not at all.”
*
