The Silence before Storm
The weekend passed like a dream.
Late-night calls.
Random texts.
Mocha instead of matcha.
Laughter over little things.
Their hands finding each other without trying.
Jini was glowing in a way she didn't even realize.
And Jack—he was softer. More present. More real.
But the moment never lasts forever.
[Scene: Jack's House – Evening]
Jack entered the living room. His father sat on the couch, quiet. His mother stood by the window.
The air was heavy.
Mr. Andrew: "We need to talk."
Jack stayed silent.
Mrs. Andrew: "We saw you, Jack. At school. At the field. With that girl."
Jack: "Her name is Jini."
His mother's voice turned colder.
Mrs. Andrew: "Do you know what people will say if the media finds out?"
Jack: "I don't care."
Mr. Andrew: "You should care. You're an Andrew. You have a name to protect."
Jack: "And what about my feelings? Don't they matter?"
Mrs. Andrew: "Your future matters more."
Jack looked down, clenched his jaw.
Mr. Andrew: "End it. Now. Before it spreads. Before it becomes a scandal."
Jack met their eyes. Sharp. Clear.
Jack: "No."
His mother's eyes widened.
Mrs. Andrew: "Excuse me?"
Jack: "I won't leave her just because you said so. I like her. She makes me feel like I matter—even without the surname."
Mr. Andrew: coldly "Then be ready to lose everything."
Jack turned to walk away.
Jack: "I already have. A long time ago."
---
[Scene Change: Jini's Bedroom – Night]
Jini lay in bed, texting Jack.
> JINI: you okay?
> JACK: not really
JACK: but thinking of you helps
> JINI: what happened?
> JACK: nothing I can't handle
JACK: just promise me something
> JINI: what?
> JACK: don't let go. no matter what happens.
Jini stared at the screen. Her heart ached a little, but she smiled.
> JINI: never.
It was just another school day.
But something felt off.
Random Girl: "That's her, right? Jack's… old thing?"
Random Boy: "Poor girl doesn't even know."
She clutched her bag tighter.
Cherry met her halfway.
Cherry: "You okay?"
Jini: "Do I look like I am?"
Cherry: "People are talking. Something about… Jack?"
Her heart skipped.
Before Jini could say anything—
A silver car pulled up in front of the school gates.
Cameras clicked.
And from it stepped a girl with long, styled hair, designer heels, and a smile like she owned the world.
She walked straight into the building like she'd done it a hundred times.
And then she saw Jack—talking with Jin near the lockers.
She smiled wider.
???: "Jack!"
Jack turned. His eyes froze.
Jack: "Judy…?"
She walked right up to him and hugged him.
Judy: "Missed me?"
Jini watched from the end of the hallway. Her feet wouldn't move.
Judy turned to the crowd, her voice loud and clear—
Judy: "Hi! I'm Judy. Jack's fiancée."
Silence. Then gasps.
Jini's heart dropped. She felt dizzy.
Cherry: "Jini… wait…"
But Jini was already walking away.
Scene 2
---
[Scene: Rooftop – A few minutes later]
Jini stood by the edge, gripping the rails.
She couldn't breathe.
Everything came crashing at once.
"Fiancée."
"Jack's fiancée."
So it was all fake? The kiss? The mocha? The "don't let go"?
A tear slid down her cheek. Then another.
Jack's voice called from behind:
"Jini—wait! I can explain—"
She turned fast, eyes red.
Jini: "No. Don't. Don't say anything."
Jack: "It's not what it looks like—"
Jini: "It never is, is it?"
He stepped closer.
Jack: "She means nothing to me. This—this was arranged. I didn't agree to it."
Jini: "But you didn't tell me."
Silence.
She took a step back.
Jini: "You said, 'don't let go'. You should've said, 'don't believe me'."
She walked away before he could stop her.
And this time…
He didn't know if she'd come back.
Jini: "You promised I wouldn't fall alone."
Jack: "You're not—"
Jini: "Yes, I am. Because you're already promised to someone else."
She walked away.
Jack stood alone.
And that's when the first raindrop.