After visiting the CEO’s office, just as my mother said, an article announcing my broken engagement with Park Jimin quickly topped the trending searches that very evening. And… the very next morning…
I boarded an early morning flight to the U.S.Considering how I cried my eyes out the moment the breakup was decided, I thought I’d be even more devastated once the news went public. But… there I was, resting my chin in my hand, yawning boredly as I gazed out the airplane window.
Strangely… I felt totally fine. My phone was quiet in airplane mode, and I took this one-week trip—subtly pushed by my parents—as a much-needed break from grad school. I passed the time casually watching movies and listening to music.
America… It had been quite a while. The last time I came was as a university exchange student, which was about six years ago. But before that, I’d lived in the U.S. during elementary and high school for 2–3 years at a time, so it felt less like a foreign country and more like visiting an old friend.
“I wonder if the restaurants or cafés I used to go to are still there… I should drop by for old times’ sake.”
Lost in those study abroad memories, I suddenly remembered my school days. Back then, I hated leaving my friends behind to study abroad. On the last day of school, my classmates would give me letters and photos, asking me not to forget them… Park Jimin always showed up last, after everyone else had left, saying his gift was the most important. He’d hand me a photo and tell me to take care…
That’s when I realized I had unconsciously started thinking about him again. I thought I was fine. I thought I was over it. But maybe I wasn’t… Feeling annoyed at myself for what felt like defeat, I scowled at the window for no reason.
“I swear I’ll forget you on this trip…!”
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After arriving at the airport, I unpacked at the hotel I had booked in advance, then began exploring. I took photos at picturesque spots, ate at popular restaurants, and visited my favorite cafés from years ago. It was a pleasant day.
But even so…
“It’s not enough…”
Back at the hotel, I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted from all the walking. Yet, something still felt off. And at times like this…
“I need to go clubbing.”
Being the granddaughter of a famous business tycoon, I was well known back in Korea—even if I wasn’t a celebrity. That meant every now and then, even abroad, Korean people would recognize me, and that was just annoying. So, I decided to visit a tucked-away club that local students who like to party frequent—a place I used to go during my exchange student days.
To do that, though…
“No designer labels. No expensive-looking jewelry. Just dress as normally as possible.”
The area wasn’t exactly known for being safe, so I picked out casual clothes from my suitcase—ones I had brought just in case—and accessorized with some low-key items. Then, I headed out.
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“Wow, this place has changed a lot.”
The interior of the club was much fancier than I remembered. Avoiding the dance floor, I grabbed a seat at a vacant table and ordered drinks and snacks.
“Normally, I’d go easy and pace myself… but tonight, I’m going all in.”
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“Wow, do you have company?”
Drinking alone with a spread of snacks must’ve looked strange, because several groups of guys came over and tried to chat me up. I glanced at them with a smirk each time.
“Hey, kid, if you want to hang out with me, grow up a little first.”
“Okay, I’ll leave for now. But next time, be a little friendlier.”
“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”
No chance. Not today, mosquitoes. I waved them off with the same disinterested smile and poured myself another drink. Ugh. Why are there so many pests tonight? My expression twisted slightly in annoyance.
ㆍ ㆍ ㆍ
Hours passed. I still sat upright, seemingly composed—but a closer look would reveal I was definitely drunk. I had always been taught to maintain my poise, so I didn’t seem sloppy, but if you got close, you’d hear me mumbling…
“Park Jimin, that bastard… How dare he cheat on me? He’s gonna rot in hell… Ugh, I should’ve just accepted those guys’ offer to join them. Should’ve shown that jerk how popular I am. Just wait—I’ll show you I don’t miss you at all…”
The words were barely audible. Had I said them aloud, I would’ve booked a flight back to Korea out of sheer embarrassment. Thankfully, they stayed as whispers. Before anyone could notice, I stood up to leave.
Though I was slow and a little unsteady, I wasn’t swaying—I could walk just fine.
“I’ll definitely bag a hot guy tonight…”
But then, as I passed a man, our shoulders bumped. I staggered hard, and just before I could fall—thud—he caught me by the waist.
“Oh, I’m so sorry… I wasn’t looking—wait, this is America.”
Realizing I’d spoken in Korean, I opened my mouth to switch to English, but the man replied—in surprised Korean.
“Oh… you’re Korean?”
To hear such familiar words in a foreign country, and in a hidden club like this one… Surprised, I lifted my head—he was taller than me, looking down with concern.
“You seem a bit drunk. Are you okay?”
Even with his cap pulled low, I could tell—he was really, really handsome.If I hadn’t been heartbroken, if I hadn’t come to America, if I hadn’t gone to that club, if I hadn’t gotten drunk… this moment wouldn’t have happened. But all those little coincidences added up and brought me here.
I stared at him blankly for a moment, then mumbled softly—so only he could hear:
“…Do you want to go out with me?”