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❈Kun Jung-Hee

Harmonie

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When I arrived at Harmonie's, a very popular restaurant, it was heavily packed today. Harmonie's wasn't usually a place I frequented given that it usually reservation only and on the more expensive side. On rare days, however, like when there are performances, you can do walks in. I had to brush past so many people before finally get Raquel's table. They hadn't ordered yet so I guess I was just in time. We all took our pick, for me, a Croque Monsieur. When it arrived I was practically watering at the mouth by the smell.

"So were you enjoying your Friday evening off?" Amy asks, taking a bite out of her meal.

My mood dips a bit as I thought back to earlier. I let out a sigh and my eyes glance a bit towards Raquel who looks reasonably confused.

"Hmm? What wrong Jung-Hee?"

I pause for a second I try to decide to tell her or not, but eventually, fold. I told her about what happened at home earlier on, and to my annoyance, she was actually happy.

The last time I'm telling her anything, I swear.

"Serves you right." She said while rudely pointing her fork at me.

Amy who didn't really have any context to what I was talking about was reasonably confused but didn't say anything which honestly I was thankful for. I didn't need another person judging my shitty decisions and life choices.

"Seriously, Raquel."

"Yes, seriously. You know how much your family loves you, and you keep doing this shit. What's got you stress out this time? Was it the shit stain landlord again?"

"Raquel."

"See? That was what I'm talking about! You keep pushing everyone away and refusing to talk about shit! I'm your best friend Jung-Hee!"

"Guys! Just calm down for a minute!" Amy said with a small smile as she cuts between. 

Raquel let off a scoff, turning her head away. Guilt instantly creeps up which honestly makes no sense why this of all things is what makes me feel guilty. I had no issue lying about where I was a week ago but when I try to just casually brush off stuff it makes a pit in my stomach.

".....You're right okay?" I finally cave to her.

Raquel looks back with a clear look of shock that almost made me laugh.

"He's been asking us to move for about two months now. Says he wants to re-rent to someone else that he has lined  up and he keeps saying that he will increase the rent if we don't move."

"Slimy bastard!" Raquel hissed.

Amy's frown also seemed to agree with Raquel's heated statement.

"I've been looking for places that are close to the twin's school and make it easier for me to travel but it's been a bit slow. I keep putting him off by giving a little more." I said with a shrug.

It wasn't really easy finding a new place, which made it so I was light years away from my jobs or the twin's school since they were both is relatively close by locations. However, all the apartments I've found are so far away even with the reasonable rent and at least decent living conditions. The nicer they are, the more expensive and farther inward of the city they are.

"Well, after Night Pulse, we'll help you apartment shop! What do you think? Three heads are better than one" Amy suggests with a soft smile.

Raquel nods along with her as well. I looked at her with a smile. Amy though a little shy and soft-spoken, was always determined to help someone if she set her mind on it. No matter what the situation.

"Okay, thanks, guys..." I say as I go back to my meal.

It was nice just chatting with them, having a just normal afternoon out was... nice. Which I guess should have been my first warning sign that something was going to happen.

My life was never really easy, you see.

It wasn't until I could hear some rather loud voice from one of the tables far on the other side of the restaurant. We all turn to look over at the table but it was crowded with people, mostly women all excited to see whoever was sitting there I guess.

"Ugh so noisy." I mumbled.

"Hmm, probably upcoming rising star. This place is really popular and there will be occasionally some famous people who run through here." Raquel said with a smirk at my clear discomfort

"Well, they are noisy. It's annoying." I grumbled like an old man yelling at kids who are on his lawn.

Raquel lets out a laugh that is clearly at my expense. Honestly, I think I need a new best friend at this rate. I turn back to my food while they continue to try to get a look at whoever table it is all those people are crowding around. I didn't really care too much for famous people, I didn't really watch too much tv, or movies so I'm a bit behind or "uncultured" as Jae-Yun loves to say. Just never had time for it.

"...Wait... Is that?" Amy says as her face scrunches up in concentration.

Raquel seems to adjust herself to see at Amy's angle and her face seems to drain of all color in an instant.

"Oh, shit..."

I stop eating before looking at the two of them who are now looking back at me like I'm a murder or something.

"....What?" I ask in an annoyed tone.

"Uh, nothing!" Amy said looking away.

"Yup, absolutely nothing." Raquel said with such an expression that looks like she is stuck between terror and concern.

"What are you guys look-" I said as try to turn my head.

Raquel instantly reached over and stop my face. Her hand is digging slightly into my cheeks as she's keeping my head from turning. Her expression was now looking like that of a deranged psycho and making me very uncomfortable.

"It's nothing Jung-Hee! Just some asshole actor. Let's keep eating yeah?"

She's lying like it's not even a guess, it's a fact. And with a sinking stone of dread, my mind begins to piece together information. That loud and kind of obnoxious voice that I've been hearing mixed in all the other noise, sounds familiar. 

Uncomfortably familiar.

It was almost as if when I realized who it could possibly be, she knew from my face. Raquel's expression starting taking on a frantic almost tearful look would have made me laugh given however weird the face she was making. But I had to know. I grabbed her hands which were now actively keeping my face still away as she literally yelling for me not to look.

I turned around again and looked in the direction of the table.

It took me a sec to peak through the people but there he was.

Jackson fucking Young.

Surround by women, he was chatting casually with a few while also including his friends which were the same one from Jubilees. He was dress casually this time around, a simple button-down dark-colored shirt that pulls to his body and black jeans. 

I could practically feel the stormy expression forming on my face as I flashed back to our disastrous meeting.

"Ah, I told you not to look." Raquel said weakly

Anger surged up and simmered just below the surface. I mean yeah, he was drunk when it happened but it still didn't make it any less upsetting for me. I turn back to my food determined to ignore him.

"Whatever, let's just eat." I say in a really dark tone.

"Ah.. okay.." Amy nods nervously.

And we tried to return back to eating. It worked... for all of 10 minutes.

Their table was just so damn loud. And I felt like every time I got away from thinking about it, I would hear a laugh too loud or his voice talking about something. I knew Raquel and Amy were eyeing me nervously like I was going to walk over there and stab him or something. Eventually, I just was on my edge and finally stood.

"Ah, Jung-Hee." Raquel called and reach out to grab my shoulder.

I turn to her, face still stormy with a wooden smile.

"Ah don't worry Raquel. I'm just going to the bathroom. Don't worry about anything."

Her face clearly said 'I'm worried, I'm very, extremely worried' but she nodded anyway. I walk towards the bathroom which to my utter displeasure took me a bit close towards Jackson's table. I turned my face away as I turn, fortunately, they were too engrossed in their conversation to notice literally anything around them and I slipped into the bathroom.

Surprisingly using the bathroom did make me feel better. As I'm washing my hands, I let out a sigh. All I had to do now was just get back to my table and enjoy the rest of the evening.

"If I can.." I mumbled before looking at myself in the mirror.

My appearance has improved I feel since leaving Jubilees. Less stress for sure at least from working there. I run a hand through my hair which has been getting a bit longer than I realize. Raquel mentioned it while we were eating but this is the first time I'm really looking at it.

"Hmm.... maybe I should cut it?" I mumbled in thought as I dry my hands.

My mind suddenly jumps back to the less than pleasant interaction with Blackwood and a shudder rips through me. I will be cutting my hair for sure.

I then walk out of the bathroom. And directly into the path of Jackson Young.

It would seem fate is testing me.

We stood kind of at standing still for a second. Still as tall as ever, he looks down at me with thankfully no recognition at least from what I can tell. His dark-colored eyes seemed to take me in and I didn't like that one bit. I quickly turn my head away and mumbled an apology and walk around him.

I almost make it fully past him before I hear a shift behind me.

"Hey wait!"

I stop, which honestly was my first mistake. Turning around was my second one. Jackson is looking at me with an almost embarrassed look on his face. And that was the moment I knew.

He fucking remembers who I am.

"We've met before haven't we?"

"Sorry, I don't know you." I denied in a dry tone with an extremely unhappy smile on my face.

I then turn back to continued walking away from this situation at the speed of light. But then his next words make my heart drop into my stomach.

"Ah, but you're from Jubilees, right? That-uh evening of my birthday"

I stand fucking corrected.

Things most defiantly can get worst than this.