Are you disappointed?

Mom had already left by the time I stepped out of the shower. I had been working non-stop for the past two weeks, and finally, I had a two-day break before my next project began.

Wanting to unwind, I popped some popcorn and settled in for a rom-com anime. Usually, I preferred action, but tonight, I felt different. I considered a tragedy but dismissed the thought—too cringe.

Hugging my knees, I stared at the screen, the popcorn and ice cream remaining untouched. Watching characters find their happy endings while sympathizing with the second lead, who cried over a love never meant to be, felt... stupid.

What was the point of crying? Of agonizing? Of regretting?

It was already decided that you wouldn’t be the main character in someone else’s story. If you love, you love selflessly—without expectations, without hope, without dreams.

The buzzing of my phone went ignored. Talking to people at the end of the day felt exhausting. All I wanted was a moment to sort out my feelings in peace—until the doorbell rang.

"Who is it now?" I groaned, clutching the edge of my shawl as I shuffled to the door. Too lazy to check the peephole, I swung it open and immediately regretted it.

"Violet!" Knox stood there, grinning, two packets of fried chicken takeout in his hands.

"Surprise!" he announced, still in his three-piece suit—he hadn't even gone home after dinner.

"Annoying." I left the door open and walked back to the living room.

"What are you doing?" he followed without hesitation. "I decided to stay over tonight."

"Get out, Knox! I’m not a guy; I won’t just let you crash here."

Slumping onto the couch, I switched to a horror movie. Romance didn’t suit me.

"What the hell? Since when do we address ourselves by gender? You even slept in my bed—"

"That’s right," I cut him off, my voice flat. "Exactly ten months ago. And since then, you haven't invited me over even once. We don’t acknowledge that genderless relationship anymore, do we?"

Knox fell silent. He walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. The squeak of the door sounded louder in the heavy silence.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, grabbing a few cans of beer.

"No, you're not." I smiled at him, void of resentment. "You have your own world to prioritize. If I wasn’t worth knowing about your life, that’s fine. It’s not like I tell you everything either."

His eyes widened, then quickly masked whatever emotion flickered within them. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe something else. But I found that I no longer cared.

Still, just imagining him smiling at or kissing someone else made my chest ache. I couldn't even look at him properly.

He sat down beside me, placing a beer in front of me. "I don’t like the way you’re talking to me."

Before I could respond, he laid his head on my lap. "Argue with me instead of getting upset."

"What are you doing?" I tried to push him away, but he clung like a sloth.

"See? You are upset. You never stopped me from lying on your lap before."

"Things are different now. You’re engaged. If someone sees this, it’ll be a scandal."

I forced my voice to stay neutral, even as my body burned from the contact. If he hadn’t sat up just then, I wasn’t sure how long I could’ve held back.

"How’s work? We’ve both been running on fumes lately."

"It’s fine."

"Hah. You’re still upset with me." He glanced at me before switching the channel. "Marie is introverted. She wasn’t sure about our relationship at first. We wanted to take things slow and—"

My phone rang. I stood up before he could finish. Each of his words had felt like a slap.

Taking things slow?

He was planning an entire life with another woman while breaking our every tradition—the ones that said we never hid major events from each other.

I had been the only one prioritizing our friendship.

"Vio."

I ignored him, walking out onto the balcony to take the call.

"Boss! The Middle Eastern project—"

"I’m going." I announced, staring at the lonely moon. Turning back, I caught Knox watching me. He was acting as well as if nothing had happened between us.

"Send me the schedule." I said, running my fingers through my hair. I should cut my hair a bit.

" Okay. About the meeting with Mr Harris?" She reminded me of the meeting that was supposed to be attended by my father. He had been giving me lots of unscheduled meeting.

" Tell him to reschedule it with my father instead. He manages the project. I can't handle all of his work alone!"

Maybe running away was the best choice. Meeting new people who didn’t know my name, my status, my past.

Two months away is bearable. I won't be free to miss or feel bad over this situation.

I glanced back at Knox. He was drinking beer and munching my popcorn lazily. Nobody would believe he was a ruthless CEO. He looked more like a squirrel stuffing his cheeks.

"Call the pilot. I’m taking my jet." I rubbed my forehead.

"Yes, Boss!"

Knox’s family owned the airport. If I booked a ticket, he’d find out without effort.

I leaned over the railing, pressing my temple against the cold metal. My head throbbed with too many thoughts—until I felt a presence behind me.

"Why do you need a jet?"

I flinched. Knox stood in the doorway, beer in hand. "Are you going somewhere?"

His voice was calm, but I heard the suspicion echoing in his voice.

"Nothing." I looked away. "Just a business trip."

"Don’t lie. I heard about the Middle Eastern project. Are you going?" He asked, grabbing my arms. He pulled me a bit to face him entirely.

"Yeah." I shrugged...

"When will you be back?"

"Two months. We’re opening a branch in Qatar. I have meetings with some clients in Dubai. It's a long trip!"

The moonlight fell on his face. His eyes were on me, full of disappointment. But Under the moonlight, The desire to share this moment with him was suffocating.

I wanted to kiss the lips that were never—no, never meant to be mine.

"That’s too long." He whined, " Are you going to miss my wedding?" His scowl was almost accusatory.

"No. You said it’s in spring. Spring isn’t here yet."

I feigned ignorance. I knew very well he was getting married next month.

"It’s not—" He inhaled sharply, his expression was filled with guilt as he hesitated to speak. "It’s next month. I lied."

His gaze dropped to the floor as if searching for an escape from his own guilt. He stole a glance at me to see my reaction.

However I remained silent before taking a deep breath, "I’m not surprised," I said, forcing a smile. "Let’s watch basketball. It’s been a while."

I turned away from the wound I refused to touch—but my body flinched when he hugged me from behind.

"I’m sorry. Can’t I explain myself?" he whispered, burying his face in my shoulder. " I know that you are disappointed!"

"Move, Knox. Stop being a dick." I pushed him away and sat on the couch, heart hammering. Yes, Indeed I was disappointed.

Because no matter how much I tried to pretend otherwise—

It still hurt.