Minji noticed the way Na-ri had gone quiet again. She nudged her playfully.
"Hey. Cheer up," she said. "Whatever Ji-a's planning… you'll figure your way around it. You always do."
Na-ri didn't say anything.
Minji went on, "You're a strong person, Na-ri. You've been through worse. And most importantly, you're a good person. Don't let her mess that up."
Na-ri gave a small nod, appreciating her words, even if she didn't show it much.
Minji sighed. "Okay, enough of her. It's been weird ever since we saw her this morning. Let's stop thinking about her."
Na-ri blinked. "How?"
"There's a new pizza place downtown," Minji said, her tone changing to something brighter. "I heard they make the best pepperoni and cheese crust. Let's go there for lunch. It's not far."
Na-ri hesitated.
"It'll keep our minds off all this nonsense," Minji added. "Come on, please?"
"…Fine."
They left the office not long after and walked over since it was just a few blocks away. The place was small but neat, and the smell of baked cheese and fresh dough hit them the second they walked in.
They ordered their favourites—Na-ri got her usual spicy chicken pizza with extra cheese, while Minji went for a classic pepperoni with stuffed crust. They picked a small booth by the window and sat down.
As they ate, the mood slowly lifted. Minji kept the conversation light, telling Na-ri a ridiculous story about one of the interns spilling hot coffee all over a client's folder. Na-ri laughed once or twice, shaking her head.
"See?" Minji grinned. "Pizza fixes everything."
"Only temporarily," Na-ri replied, but she smiled a little.
They finished eating and stepped out of the restaurant, the afternoon sun hitting them softly.
And then they saw him.
Tae Joon.
He was standing across the street, just staring at her. He looked like a complete mess. Hair uncombed. Tie loose. Face pale. Like someone who hadn't slept properly in weeks. Probably hadn't. He must've been on lunch break.
Na-ri scoffed the moment she saw him. "Can't this day gets any worse?"
Minji's eyes narrowed immediately. "What the hell is he doing here?"
They both turned to walk away, not even bothering to acknowledge him. But before they could take another step, Tae Joon suddenly bolted across the road like a madman, barely dodging a speeding car that honked at him.
Na-ri froze for a second as he skidded to a stop in front of them. His eyes were wild. Desperate.
"Na-ri," he said breathlessly, reaching out. His hands gently caught hers. "Please… just give me a minute."
Na-ri looked at their hands, then yanked herself free and wiped both palms on her skirt like he was something dirty.
Tae Joon's face twisted. "I'm sorry," he blurted out. "For everything. For cheating. I didn't mean to… I swear, I was swayed—fooled. It meant nothing. I didn't love her. I love you. It's you I've always loved."
Na-ri folded her arms and tilted her head slightly.
"You love me?" she scoffed. "You love me, but you still cheated?"
"I didn't know what I was doing—"
"No." She cut him off. "You knew exactly what you were doing. People don't cheat on the ones they love. You don't hurt someone that way if they matter to you."
Tae Joon took a shaky step closer. "I was stupid, Na-ri. I know what I did was wrong, but please… forgive me. Give me one more chance. Just one. Let me prove it to you. I'll be better. I'll change. I'll be the man you deserve."
Na-ri stared at him in disgust. Her voice came out cold.
"I don't need you to become a better man," she said slowly. "I already have the best man."
Tae Joon froze.
She stepped past him, then turned slightly over her shoulder.
"Stay away from me," she warned. "If not, you'll regret the day we ever met."
Then she walked off, leaving him standing there in the middle of the pavement, with nothing but regret written all over his face.
Minji followed quickly, looking back just once to glare at him again.