CHUNG AE BEHIND THE MESSAGE

"Mr. Park Dongyul."

Dongyul looked back and saw Heiran waving her hands, signaling that he should wait for her. It is somehow rare for Heiran to call someone's attention but she is already comfortable with Dongyul. However, it is not safe for her to call him as her friend for her parents will still freak out once they found out their daughter is having a famous volleyball player friend.

"Miss Choi, how've you been?"

"I was surprised you're here. I thought you'll be having some serious training today."

"Oh yeah but I have to take an exam first."

"How is Chung Ae by the way?"

Dongyul is somehow surprised that she asked about Chung Ae. Last week, Young Jae and him saw the very moment when Heiran slapped her and left her humiliated, embarrassed of herself. Young Jae is somehow proud of her that she could do such courageous thing, but that made Dongyul think that they are now enemies. Then he remembered that it was also Heiran who told Young Jae that Chung Ae was being abused by her father. How does she know and why is she dragging herself with the issue?

"Chung Ae stays with me definitely because Young Jae doesn't want her to be with him."

"The night after Chung Ae moved out, Young Jae dropped by at your house and gave her some of her needs, it is still considerate isn't it?"

"How do you know such things? Is Young Jae reporting his schedule to you now?"

Heiran just crossed her hands and never replied. It's not like Young Jae wants her to know about his schedule but that night, Young Jae waited for her in the convenient store he's at. That was their meeting place before they went to Dongyul's house to deliver Chung Ae's goods. She can still remember how Young Jae advised her not to go out of the car, and he was right.

"Oh right that night, I know Young Jae was with someone else. I thought it was his dad or maybe his teammate who wanted to stay over his house. Don't tell me it's you?"

"If Young Jae wants you to know who he's with, then he could've said it."

"Yes it is weird for him not to tell me about that. I'm guessing it is indeed you."

"There's something I'll ask you and this is true. I asked Young Jae for dinner tonight, it's the treat he wants since I got the position. But I can't go alone, do you want to come?"

"I have my date later."

"Date?"

"What do you think of me? I can date."

"Fine then don't come. I'll pull up someone else."

"Someone like? Chung Ae?"

And the both of them laughed. For sure, Chung Ae will despise the three of them once she found out. She has been contemplating Young Jae to see someone else, even used violence against those ladies who wanted to make a move for the love of her life. Still, Heiran can't help herself but think if she really is okay. What could she be doing now that her father shut her out?

[•••]

"Jae, do you have any appointment later?"

Chung Ae handed Young Jae's phone back and she sat down beside him. The man is busy with the book he's reading but he saw Chung Ae is returning his phone back to his backpack. She borrowed his phone since she said she was about to ask for her father's forgiveness. And because Young Jae wants her to settle up their matter, he let her used her phone for some minutes.

"I planned to relax since I don't have training today."

"With Dongyul?"

"Dongyul will meet his girlfriend later, guess I will just go home and watch movies instead."

"Why don't we go on a date?"

"Date yourself."

"I mean let's eat at your favorite restaurant. My treat."

"Better save your money for the future. Dongyul and I can't raise someone like you."

"Please. Young Jae, only for this night. I just want to forget what happened."

"When did the abuse start? Why didn't you tell us about it?"

"I am scared, my father can hurt both you and Dongyul."

"So you took the pain by yourself? We're friends remember. As much as possible, I wanted to be the first accessible person for Dongyul and I want you feel that same privilege as well."

Chung Ae felt her face tightening up. Her cheeks and ears are burning up as well. If there is anything good this abuse caused her is the fact that Young Jae assured her he is there for her. But she was on the same time thinking in that corner where she's at. "What if Heiran had the same experience? Is he going to do the same?", she asks herself.

She can still remember Heiran's text message for Young Jae earlier in which she said, "Mr. Jung the dinner you're asking last time, would you come at your favorite restaurant tonight? My treat don't worry." They seemed pretty close already, but Chung can tell they aren't that much familiar with each other since they are not dropping the honorifics on their conversation.

"Don't think I will give up and let you dominate over me. If it wasn't for you pursuing that goal Heiran, my father will never get mad at me again. I will ruin your plan tonight.", that was Chung Ae's reaction to the message Heiran just sent. There will never be any chance for Heiran and Young Jae to be close to each other, Chung Ae will ruin them of course.

So she opened her message and replied, "I will come at 6. See you.", and directly deleted the message she responded, even the message Heiran sent.

"Chung Ae I am asking you if you already have your clothes for tomorrow."

Chung Ae snapped out from her impulses and faced Young Jae. She shook her head because she clearly has nothing for tomorrow. She just casually moved out without bringing anything. The only thing she has is her phone and the journal she left in her locker.

"I'll accompany you to the boutique you always visit. Choose whatever you want to wear, you don't have to pay anything."

"Really? Thank you so much."

And she tried hugging Young Jae but the man casually drew her away. She wasn't even able to touch the fabric of his uniform, not even close to hissing her arms around his body. "Young Jae, do you think you could just throw me away after those long years of us being together? I won't let that happen.", Chung Ae said to herself.