Back in my days

More than the slap across his cheek, Gong Joon felt more frustrated with the fact his ego is now getting constantly bruised and challenged by you.

He held your gaze, shooting you a death stare, glanced at Jiho and then left with no words.

Your bloodshot eyes follow his retreating figure till he's out of sight, then you sighed, asshole.

Jiho quietly watched, slowly growing impressed with you everyday.

He smiled briefly as a memory floods back into his head.

There was one day when Jiho visited the Gong family and he was on the terrace when he heard, from the first floor, your scream. A few minutes later, Joon stormed out of the house, you ran after him but he strode quickly and entered his car, slamming the door in your face.

"Joon, Joon please … Please." You tearfully begged, banging on his window, "Joon, please."

He casted you a glance and then drove away without a care.

Jiho watched, tightly gripping the bannister with rage. He hated the fact that you had to beg for Joon's attention. His body ached to embrace you, to tell you Joon is not right for you but after what happened fifteen years ago, he doesn't want to go anywhere near you.

****

You snapped your fingers in Jiho's face to get his attention as you've been calling his name for a while now, "Earth to Jiho, what are you thinking about?"

"You!" He subconsciously blurted.

Your eyes snapped open, "Huh?"

"Huh?" He seemed confused and only eventually realized his word, quickly regretting it.

"I mean, I was just thinking about how you helped me." He tried to explain which only got you both confused even more.

You decide to brush it off, "It's okay. Can we leave now? I am just so happy today that I can literally dance till midnight."

You head on your heels, Jiho closely followed.

"So for this project, we must give all we can. I am pretty sure Joon won't play it fair, he might even try to sabotage us so we need to be on alert all the time." You suggested as you approach the elevator, "And also, I will be your secretary so I can be here to protect your secret when needed."

You press the button, the elevator doors parted and you both sail in, the doors closing behind you.

"Gong Jiho, do you really think…"

You uncharacteristically kept blabbering your ideas throughout the ride and as you finally reached the first floors, the doors parted and hopped out.

Jiho's ears are literally about to start bleeding and yet, listening to you talk feels like a blessing. When you were with Gong Joon, you barely say three words and now, here you are, speaking your thoughts with no restraint. Jiho admired how free you've become and didn't realize he had a smile on his face throughout.

You start walking backwards, facing Jiho as you speak, "So in order to defeat Gong Joon, we must win the favor of all the executives and most importantly, the chairman, your father, also my grumpy father-in-law. It is going to be hard right? I know it will be …Ah!" You yelped as you mistakenly stepped on a pearl, lost balance and, goes falling.

Reflexively, Jiho catches your hand, suspending you firmly.

Your mouth hangs as you stare at him with shock and then, slowly, your expression transitions into a bright smile.

Jiho tilted his head, watching you with confusion and yet, amusement.

What could be the reason behind your sudden smile? He wondered.

He slowly pulls you to your feet, started pulling his hand away but you held him tightly, shaking your head in refusal.

"Don't let go. This is your gift for saving me, enjoy my warmth for a while." You smiled.

He chuckled briefly as he slowly meets your gaze, "Yes, I should. Also, you are really warm."

Is Jiho flirting? Your cheeks flared at the thought and you shyly looked away.

Jiho noticed. He only chuckled.

In that moment, Jiho felt so much alive, he was genuinely happy and then, lifting his gaze, his eyes landed on someone whose presence instantly shrouded his soul with anxiety and sadness.

Jiho's hand suddenly went stiff, his eyes fixed on someone behind you.

Curious, you find yourself turning around only to meet a pair of enigmatic doe brown eyes.

A porcelain pale woman in a coffee tweed dress, wearing black heels, holding a black clutch purse, stands before you. Her glimmering brown hair is tied in a polished ponytail.

Her rosy lips twitched into the most delicate smile as she stares at Jiho with so many emotions entering her eyes all at once.

"Jiho?" Her sweet voice echoed through the room.

Suddenly, Jiho grips your hand, squeezing you tightly.

You winced, sharply facing him. His soft gaze had turned red with seething anger.

"Are you okay?" You had to ask, growing a bit worried at this point.

Your question made him snap back to his senses. He instantly releases you upon the realization he's been squeezing your hand for a while.

He refused to give you a clear response and instead, approached the unfamiliar pretty lady.

She smiled, meeting him halfway in majestic strides, "It has been a while." She speaks calmly and yet confidently like a character plucked out of a novel, "How have you been?"

Jiho took a moment and then, finally said "Yoon Hana."

Hana? Is that her name? You watched with awe.

"Ah, at least you remember my name." Hana joked, laughed softly but instantly stopped when she sees Jiho's stern expression.

"Gong Jiho, it's nice to see you again. I can't say I haven't missed you. And when I was on my way back to you, suddenly, I saw the news of your marriage to your brother's ex fiancé. The article claimed you were having an affair with her even before she broke up with Gong Joon, but I don't believe it."

"Why not?" Jiho pried.

Hana chuckled, "Because, I think I know you enough to know you are not such a man."

"Everyone changes Hana, I am not the man I used to be." Jiho sneered.

"Even if the entire world changes, you will never change Gong Jiho." She responded, finally flickering her gaze on you.

With a smile, she approaches you, extending her hand, "Hello. You must Kang Ari, Jiho's wife."

"Yes." You smiled back, accepting her hand into a firm shake. You tried to pull your hand away but Hana wouldn't let you. Her eyes held a faint threat to them as she said,

"I am Yoon Hana, Jiho's first love."

Wow, is this bitch trying to frustrate me?

You scoffed in your head, gently pulling your hand away from her grip, "Hm, it's nice to meet you."

"Forgive me for being straightforward, this is how I am. I never hide my feelings." She paused, glanced at Jiho and said, "I think Jiho can testify about it since he knows me best."

You chuckle, pretending not to care, "No need to ask him, if wants to tell me about you, he would say it himself without me having to question him."

Ah, a competition? Hana flirted with the thought.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Ari. Can I call you Ari? I think I can since we probably are the same age? Or are you perhaps… older?" She grinned slightly.

This sly girl!

Hana is treading on your toes, clearly trying to make you feel bad.

You plaster a forced smile, "Nice to meet you too."

"Let's go, Ari." Jiho called, extending his hand for you to take. It was weird, different. Is Jiho perhaps trying to use you to make Hana feel jealous?

He is such a sly man too.

With a smile, you step forward, accepting Jiho's hand, "Let's go."

He shoots Hana an unreadable glance and you both strut off.

Apparently, Gong Joon is on the second floor watching you and Jiho leave hand-in-hand.

He gritted his teeth, growing even more frustrated when the scenes of you slapping him twice flashed in his head.

"Kang Ari, now I will destroy you." He vowed.

As soon as you were out of Hana's sight, Jiho releases your hand. He jumps into the driver's seat of his car, and you, on the passenger's side.

He buckles his seat belt, you also did the same.

He started the car and drives into the city. You kept stealing glances at him, debating on how to question him about Hana without triggering his anger.

Jiho noticed and as soon as the traffic light went red, he halts the car and faces you, "I know you want to ask, stop holding yourself back or else it will create a hole in your heart."

He is superstitious. What a weird man.

You shifted in your seat, clearing your throat to speak, "I mean I don't really have anything to ask, it's just, I wanted to say um… your first love, miss Yoon Hana is um…"

Jiho's eyes were pinned on your lips as he impatiently reads them with attentiveness.

You said at once, "Your first love is very pretty."

Glancing at the road ahead, Jiho sighed, then turned to meet your gaze again, "Yoon Hana …is not my first love."

"Huh?" His response left you confused, "If not Hana, then who?"

Jiho sighed again, something entering his eyes as he meets your gaze the second time, You are my first love, Kang Ari.