Unfold | Minayeon

Chapter 30: Want

"Thank you Minaya"

"It's nothing, I'm just glad you're safe"

She gets on her tippy toes and wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me into a tight hug. I glide my hands across her waist and lock them behind her lower back, reciprocating the action. I unlink my hands and start to pull away but she tightens her grip.

"Not yet" she mutters

I smile and happily hug her back. I wait until she makes the decision to pull away.

"So, where do we go now? Girlfriend?" This time I get to tease her

She slaps my arm. And covers her rosy face in embarrassment.

"Don't even start again. Let's just go back to my place"

We get into her car and Mina requests her driver to take us to her penthouse. When we get there I sit on one of her kitchen counter island stools. I carry my head in the palm of my hand watching Mina pour red wine into glasses for us.

"So, how did it go with 'nice girl'?" she starts

Oh yeah. We were originally meeting up at the bar for our usual date recap but there was a small obstacle.

"I ended things"

Mina's mouth drops and her eyebrows turn up in a shocked expression, yet I feel like I sense a glint of joy somewhere in her eyes.

[Flashback to a few hours ago]

"So when will I get to see you again NayNay?"

I look at my coworker. She has luscious blonde hair, a slim face, and elegant stature. Her eyes are dark brown and when she smiles her lips turn up enough to show her gums. She has similar traits to Mina.

But she isn't Mina.

I know that. No one can ever replace Mina. No one else was there for me like Mina was 8 years ago. No one knows me like Mina does. No one can make me feel how Mina does.

And I can't love anyone like I love Mina.

The girl in front of me was just a desperate decision. Since her looks were comparable to Mina I went out with her imagining she was Mina. Holding her hand, kissing her. I just do the thing I want to do with Mina.

But I regret it now. Especially after Mina had witnessed her despicable personality. I would rather be alone forever than pretend to even want someone else.

"Let's end this" I look at her

Her face is shocked at first, but then her face turns sour.

"I knew it. You are cheating on me!"

"Sure, you can put it like that"

I firm hand slaps across my face. I deserved that. Ignoring her pitiful character, she's still a person who's looking for love. I understand that much.

I watch as she walks off and calls a taxi. I let out a deep breath feeling a heavy weight lift off my shoulders.

[End of flashback]

"Why?" Mina asks

"Just cause" I shrug my shoulders

Mina makes her way around the kitchen island and takes a seat on the neighboring stool. She slides over the decadent glass of wine. I pick it up and take a long sip.

"It'll be alright NayNay"

I nearly spit out the drink but cover my mouth before I made a mess. However, that action causes me to start choking. I cough and cough wanting to just let out all the liquid but I know Mina's marble countertop costs more than my apartment.

"Oh my god!"

Mina puts her glass up to my lips and starts patting my back.

"Spit it! Spit it out!"

I part my mouth and let the wine seep into Mina's glass. I feel Mina continue to pat and caress my back gently. When I finally recover I take a look at Mina. She has such a concerned expression plastered on her face.

"Are you okay? You should have just spit it out!"

"But your countertop--"

"Idiot! I don't care about my countertop, all I care about is you!"

My eyes widen. The corners of my mouth turn up into the goofiest smile.

"Really?"

"No"

My face falls.

"I'm just kidding. Of course I care about you Nayeon"

She scruffs up the top of my hair and walks to her sink to dump the concoction of wine and my saliva.

Just another humbling reason to love her. I place my hand on my cheeks reminiscing on what it felt like to be kissed by Mina.

---

Mina's POV

"You're happier than usual" Chaeyoung says smacking her salad with her mouth open

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. You just seem, refreshed?"

Refreshed. That's a good way to put it. My days are more fulfilling and productive. I'm full of energy consistently. My life is livelier and healthier.

"I don't know, life feels like it's genuinely going in the right direction"

"Is it because of something in particular? Or should I say a certain someone?" Chaeyoung says with a sly smile

"What are you implying Son Chaeyoung?"

"You know who"

"I'm afraid I don't, care to inform me?"

"Tsk Tsk. I'll let you figure it out on your own. You should free your mind, Mina. Let your emotions guide you"

"You're such a hippie"

She giggles before scrolling through her phone with one hand.

"Oh shit." Chaeyoung drops her fork

"What?"

"I forgot one of my models had a fitting tonight"

"So?"

"I was trying to set her up with Nayeon, she's been ogling her for the longest time and I finally got Nayeon to agree on a blind date"

"Chaeyoung!" I scold her upset

"What! It's not like you want her"

"I-"

I stop myself from saying any more. Chaeyoung raises an eyebrow. I don't even know what words were about to spill out of my mouth. But no, I do not want Nayeon. However, the idea of Nayeon sitting and waiting all alone doesn't make me feel good at all. I don't even want to imagine how sad she would look.

"It'll be fine, there's a lot of other girls who would love the opportunity to be with Nayeon"

I stare at Chaeyoung dumbfoundedly. How can she says such things so nonchalantly?

"What? Don't tell me you forgot how it was in high school. Nayeon is hot! She's a total catch. She could be considered anyone's dream girl"

I pause for a moment. She's right. How could I forget? Nayeon is an incredible woman. Anyone would be lucky to date her, let alone even get her attention. But she's never let that get into her head. Disregarding her looks and popularity she's humble, selfless, independent, and so so caring.

I've become so familiar with Nayeon that I forgot how many people want her. And somehow the person she wants is me...

I watch Chaeyoung hurriedly tap her phone before putting it to her ear and I hear the dial tone.

"What are you doing?"

"Finding another date for Nayeon duh"

Before I realized what I was doing I snatched Chaeyoung's phone out of her hand and press the red button to hang up on whoever she was trying to contact.

"Don't. I'll go."