Minji had just taken a step toward Zoya, her eyes fixed on the bandage around her arm, when Zoya quietly stopped her.
"Minji…"
Her voice was low.
Almost pleading.
"This is my workplace."
She glanced toward the glass wall separating the dining area from the restaurant staff.
"I don't want the staff over there to know that you know me…"
She paused.
"Or that I know you."
"Please."
There was something so serious in her expression that Minji stopped.
Zoya immediately turned away from them.
She didn't wait for another question.
Instead, she picked up the plates that still had food left on them and began transferring everything onto the tray.
One plate.
Then another.
Her movements were strangely calm.
Too calm.
Minji watched her for several seconds.
The irritation slowly building inside her finally broke through.
"Why?"
Zoya didn't look up.
"Why do you have a problem with us?"
The question came out in the same hard tone Zoya had been using.
The others fell silent.
Ruhi and Sophia exchanged a glance.
Zoya's fingers tightened around the edge of the tray.
"Because…"
She took a slow breath.
"I've already created enough problems for all of you."
Her voice was controlled.
Almost emotionless.
"I don't want TBS to keep getting dragged into unnecessary problems because of me."
She finally looked at Minji.
"You're my friends. Fine."
"But why should you have to face all of this because of me?"
Her expression hardened.
"Somewhere along the way, I've become a problem in your lives."
The warmth in her eyes disappeared.
For a moment, she looked at them as if she barely knew them.
Then her gaze dropped to her arm.
"And yes…"
"My hand was injured again."
Minji's face changed.
"The same place."
Zoya's fingers slowly curled.
"And…"
Her voice became quieter.
"The same person did it."
The sentence froze everyone.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Minji stared at her.
"What?"
Her voice came out almost breathless.
"What did you just say?"
Zoya remained silent.
That silence was enough.
Minji's eyes widened.
"Ji-won?"
Zoya didn't answer.
Minji stepped closer.
"Where did you meet her?"
"Why didn't you call us?"
"We should have had her arrested!"
Her voice rose with every question.
"Zoya, why are you so careless?"
Zoya finally looked at her.
"I was going toward the subway…"
She swallowed.
"I was heading back when she suddenly appeared in front of me."
"The way she came at me…"
"I think she had been following me."
Minji's anger deepened.
"Then why didn't you call us?"
"How was I supposed to?"
Zoya's lips curved into a faint, bitter smile.
"It was two in the morning."
"There was no one around."
"Who was I supposed to call?"
She lowered her eyes.
"And the way Ji-won grabbed my arm…"
Her voice faltered for the first time.
"Anyone who saw us probably thought we knew each other."
She glanced at the bandage.
"Then something sharp dug into my arm."
Her expression turned distant.
"And I just…"
She gave a small, humourless laugh.
"Froze."
Minji stared at her.
"You froze?"
"Zoya, she could have killed you!"
"I know."
"Then what were you going to do?"
"Just stand there?"
Zoya looked at her.
"I don't know."
For a moment, the confidence in her face cracked.
"I've always thought I was very confident."
A sad little smile appeared.
"Apparently…"
"I can freeze too."
Minji ran a frustrated hand through her hair.
"You're unbelievable."
"She could have hurt you again."
"She could come back."
"I know."
Zoya's voice was barely above a whisper.
"But she can't now."
Everyone looked at her.
Minji frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Zoya finally smiled.
"She's in police custody."
Silence.
Minji blinked.
"What?"
Zoya's smile became slightly wider.
"Actually…"
"When she grabbed my arm…"
"I called someone."
Jeon J's eyes remained on her.
"The first number in my contact list was…"
"Ji-ho's."
A slight change crossed Jeon J's expression.
Zoya continued.
"My last call had been to him."
"So his number was right at the top."
She slowly explained what had happened.
"I dialed his number…"
"And then slipped the phone inside my sleeve."
Minji's eyes widened.
"You…"
"I deliberately started talking to Ji-won."
"I tried to pull my arm away."
"I kept talking loudly enough for him to hear what was happening."
Zoya paused.
"I don't know how Ji-ho understood."
"But exactly ten minutes later…"
"The police were there."
Ruhi and Sophia stared at her.
"Ji-won saw them and tried to run."
Zoya shook her head.
"But she didn't get far."
"She was caught."
"And now…"
"She's under arrest."
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Jeon J's forehead tightened.
His jaw clenched.
A muscle near his temple visibly jumped.
His eyes remained fixed on Zoya.
And suddenly—
He stood.
The chair scraped harshly against the floor.
Zoya looked up.
Jeon J was already standing directly in front of her.
His expression was unreadable.
His eyes, however…
Were anything but calm.
"Ji-won."
His voice was low.
"So she made it all the way here."
His gaze dropped to Zoya's bandaged arm.
Then slowly returned to her face.
"And she hurt you again."
A pause.
"And yet…"
"You're here."
"Working."
"Wearing those bandages…"
"As if nothing happened."
His voice became colder.
"Tell me something."
"Why did you come here like this?"
Zoya's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You knew we were coming tonight."
"So you knew exactly where we'd be."
His lips twisted into a bitter smile.
"Did you take advantage of that?"
"Did you think…"
"Here we go again."
"Miss Problem has somehow found her way back into our lives."
Zoya's lips parted.
But before she could speak, he continued.
"We'll see another injury."
"We'll feel sorry for you."
"And then…"
His laugh was empty.
"We'll once again have to run after that bloody Ji-won because of you."
His eyes hardened.
"Isn't that what you wanted?"
Zoya stared at him.
She couldn't understand the cruelty in his voice.
Jeon J didn't stop.
His anger had already crossed the point where reason could reach him.
He turned toward Minji.
"Seriously…"
"Why are you so innocent?"
Minji frowned.
"What?"
"Since when did you start making friends without even knowing anything about them?"
He gave a bitter scoff.
"What happened to your taste?"
"She appears in our lives…"
"And somehow you've already decided she's worth protecting."
Every word was cutting deeper than the last.
But Jeon.J kept going.
As if he needed to make her understand exactly how unwanted he believed she was.
And somehow…
The more he looked at her…
The angrier he became.
Not because she was answering him.
But because she wasn't.
"Jeon J."
Kim Joon's voice was firm.
"Enough."
Jeon J didn't even look at him.
"Hyung…"
The other members were watching him carefully now.
Jeon J's breathing had become heavier.
His eyes returned to Zoya.
"She doesn't follow us."
"But somehow…"
"She is always at the places where there is a chance we'll be."
His expression darkened.
"That's strange, isn't it?"
Zoya remained silent.
Jeon J's gaze moved toward the table.
He picked up Sujo's bottle.
Turned it slowly between his fingers.
Then looked at Zoya.
"And what's this?"
He lifted the bottle slightly.
"People here don't drink?"
A bitter smile appeared.
"Or maybe…"
His eyes narrowed.
"You do."
"Maybe you drink too…"
"Jeon J!"
Minji snapped.
He stopped.
Minji stepped forward.
"You've crossed the line."
"You can't insult someone's values like this."
"I didn't insult her."
Jeon J's voice was cold.
"I said what I saw."
"Isn't it strange?"
His anger rose again.
"Ever since she came into our lives…"
"There have been nothing but problems."
"We don't even get to live normally anymore."
"We've practically had to become her guards."
"Every time…"
"Something happens."
"Every time…"
"We have to worry about her."
He looked directly at Zoya.
"If you're so scared of everything…"
"Why did you leave your own country?"
"Why didn't you stay there?"
His words became more poisonous.
"Or…"
"Was there another reason?"
"I think I know."
His eyes narrowed.
"You came here because people are kind."
"They feel sorry for people easily."
"And maybe…"
"You knew that."
"Maybe you thought your little innocent act would make people care about you."
Zoya's face remained still.
But something inside her was beginning to collapse.
Jeon J didn't stop.
"You'll make them feel sorry for you…"
"And they'll start protecting you."
He glanced at Minji.
"Just like her."
Then his gaze returned to Zoya.
"Tell me something."
"Are you paying for your studies?"
"Or are you here on a scholarship?"
A cruel smile appeared.
"Because if you ever have a problem paying your fees…"
He looked at Minji.
"Our Minji is very kind."
"I'm sure she'll happily help you."
The room went completely silent.
Kim Joon stepped forward.
"Jeon J."
His tone was now unmistakably warning.
But Jeon J was already lost inside his anger.
"Enough."
Jin suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Come on."
"Let go."
"It's late."
"I said I'm talking."
"And I'm saying you're not talking anymore."
Jin's expression was serious.
"You're misbehaving."
Jeon J tried to pull his arm away.
Jin held tighter.
"You're drunk."
"You don't even know what you're saying anymore."
Jeon J glared at him.
Jin stepped closer.
"When the drink wears off…"
"When you actually remember everything you've said tonight…"
"Make sure you can still look yourself in the mirror."
Jeon J's expression hardened.
"You've said enough."
"You have no idea how far you've crossed the line."
Jin turned toward the others.
"Come on."
"Let's go."
Yomin immediately nodded.
"Everyone…"
"Let's leave."
He looked toward Jeon J.
Then toward Zoya.
For a moment, his expression softene.
Jeon.J had already turned toward the exit.
Then—
His eyes caught something through the glass.
Ji-ho.
Jeon.J stopped.
His expression changed.
His eyes became darker.
He looked at Zoya.
She had turned her face away from him.
But then…
She glanced toward Ji-ho.
Just for a moment.
That was enough.
Jeon.J's jaw tightened.
A wave of jealousy hit him so suddenly that even he didn't understand where it came from.
His eyes turned red.
He looked away.
Then back again.
Why was she looking at him?
Why did she look so calm with him?
Why did that single glance bother him so much?
He didn't know.
He didn't want to know.
He simply turned toward Yomin.
Jeon J.....
Yomin grabbed him by the arm.
"Let's go."
Jeon J didn't answer.
He pulled him toward the exit.
He resisted slightly.
"Wait."
But Jin immediately stepped between them.
"No."
"You're misbehaving."
Jeon J glared at him.
Jin's jaw tightened.
"When you wake up tomorrow…"
"I hope you dare to remember every word."
He stepped closer.
"Because right now…"
"You're not even in a state to understand the damage you're causing."
Jeon J looked away.
"Everyone, let's go."
One by one, they began moving toward the door.
But Jeon.J stopped again.
His eyes went toward the glass wall.
Ji-ho was still there.
Mr Kung stood beside him.
Jeon.J's eyes immediately turned red.
He looked back toward Zoya.
She was standing with Minji.
She wasn't looking at him.
She was looking toward Ji-ho.
That sight broke whatever little control he had left.
He suddenly kicked the table.
Hard.
The entire table jolted.
Glasses overturned.
Plates crashed to the floor.
Half-finished dishes spilt everywhere.
The sound echoed through the restaurant.
Minji was startled so badly that she stumbled backwards and hit the glass wall.
Everyone stared at Jeon J.
He didn't look at anyone.
He simply shook their hands away when they tried to stop him.
Then he opened the restaurant door and walked out.
Without looking back.
Kim Joon immediately followed.
But when he reached the entrance, he saw the restaurant staff gathering, already preparing for pictures.
He stopped in front of Ji-ho.
"Ji-ho…"
"Hello."
He bowed slightly.
"We're really sorry."
"Jeon J had a little too much to drink."
"The food was excellent."
"But his condition isn't very good right now…"
"So we need to leave."
He gave another apologetic smile.
"We'll come again."
"We really enjoyed being here."
"And don't worry…"
"Next time we'll come for a special picture with you."
Ji-ho listened silently.
Mr Kung nodded politely.
"Of course."
Kim Joon apologized once more.
The members slowly followed him outside.
By then, Jea had arrived.
Kim Joon immediately turned toward him.
"Jea."
"Whatever damage happened inside…"
"Pay for everything."
"Everything?"
"Yes."
"Make sure the restaurant receives full payment."
Jea nodded.
"I'll handle it."
Kim Joon turned back toward Mr Kung.
Another apology.
Then he finally left.
Minji immediately reached for Zoya's hand.
"Zoya…"
Zoya looked at her.
"Minji…"
"Yes?"
"You all go."
Her voice was strangely normal.
"I'll come later."
Minji stared at her.
"You're not coming alone."
"Please."
Zoya forced a faint smile.
"Just give me a little time."
"I'll come."
"No."
Minji shook her head.
"I can't leave you."
"You're coming home with us."
Zoya didn't answer.
Minji picked up her bag.
Ruhi and Sophia did the same.
Then Minji took Zoya's hand into hers.
"Come."
Zoya didn't resist.
She simply allowed Minji to lead her toward the glass doors.
Sophia noticed Zoya's bag resting on a chair outside.
She quickly picked it up.
As they reached the entrance—
Ji-ho saw them.
His expression changed immediately.
"Zoya?"
He stepped closer.
"Are you okay?"
His eyes moved over her face.
Then toward her injured arm.
"What happened?"
"Is she okay?"
Minji answered before Zoya could.
"She's fine."
"It's just late."
"We should go."
Ji-ho still looked concerned.
"Are you sure?"
Zoya nodded.
"I'm fine."
Her voice was quiet.
"It's just late."
Ji-ho studied her face.
Something about her expression didn't look right.
"Yeah…"
He nodded slowly.
"It's very late."
"You should go."
Then he looked toward Zoya.
"Come tomorrow on time."
"I've already spoken to Mr Kung."
"Everything is fine."
Zoya was about to answer.
But Minji gently pulled her toward the door.
"Come on."
Ji-ho watched them leave.
He looked confused.
But he didn't stop them.
___________________
The moment they reached the room, Zoya said nothing.
Not a single word.
She quietly changed her clothes, folded them, placed them aside, and walked toward her bed.
Minji watched her carefully.
"Zoya..."
No response.
Hana tried next.
"Are you okay?"
Zoya simply pulled the blanket over herself.
"I'm fine."
Her voice was so normal that it sounded wrong.
The four girls exchanged uneasy glances.
No one knew what to say.
What Jeon J had said was still echoing in all of their minds.
And somehow...
Zoya was behaving as if nothing had happened.
One by one, they finally went to their beds.
The room fell silent.
For a while, Zoya remained completely still.
Then suddenly...
She sat up.
All four heads lifted from their pillows.
"What happened?" Ruhi asked.
Zoya blinked at them as if she had forgotten they were there.
"I have some work."
She got out of bed.
"I just remembered."
She walked toward her study table and sat down.
Minji frowned.
"At this time?"
Zoya didn't answer.
She opened her laptop.
The screen lit up in the dark room.
She stared at it for a few seconds.
Then opened a folder.
Nothing.
Another one.
Still nothing.
She frowned.
"Where are my notes?"
She checked the table.
Then opened her bag.
Pulled out a notebook.
Flipped through it.
Empty.
She looked at the laptop again.
"Oh..."
A faint, confused smile appeared on her lips.
"I don't have my notes."
She leaned back in the chair.
"Then how am I supposed to make the assignment?"
For a few seconds, she simply stared at the screen.
Then she suddenly whispered,
"Right..."
"I'll just..."
She stopped.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
For one brief moment, her expression changed.
Jeon J's voice returned.
Miss Problem.
You came here just to become another problem in our lives.
Her eyes lowered.
She blinked once.
Then twice.
As if trying to push the words away.
But they wouldn't leave.
And neither would the memories buried beneath them.
Zoya quietly closed the laptop.
She stared at her hands.
Then, almost absentmindedly, whispered,
"I should've just stayed home."
The room went completely silent.
Minji slowly sat up.
"Zoya..."
Zoya looked at her.
For a second, she smiled.
A small, strangely calm smile.
"I'm okay."
But none of them believed her.
Because she wasn't crying.
She wasn't angry.
She wasn't even complaining.
She was simply...
Lost.
As though some part of her was still sitting at that restaurant table...
Listening to every word.
_______________
The cars stopped in front of the hotel.
One by one, the members stepped out.
Their faces still carried the tension of the restaurant, but the moment they noticed a few people standing near the entrance with their phones raised, they forced small smiles and walked inside as if nothing had happened.
Jeon J remained in the car.
Taehyun was still sitting beside him.
As Jeon J reached for the door, Taehyun spoke.
"You didn't do the right thing tonight."
Jeon J's hand stopped.
"She's a very good friend of mine."
Taehyun's voice was low.
"You hurt her badly."
Jeon J slowly looked at him.
A cold smile touched his lips.
"Seriously?"
His eyes narrowed.
"She's your friend?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
He stepped out and walked inside.
Taehyun watched him disappear through the entrance.
Minjo's room was unusually quiet.
The moment everyone entered, nobody spoke.
Jeon J dropped onto the sofa, his elbows resting on his knees.
Kim Joon stood near the window.
Taehyun remained by the door.
The silence stretched.
Then Minjo suddenly looked at Jeon J.
"Wait."
Jeon J glanced at him.
"You drank beer tonight, right?"
"Yeah."
Minjo frowned.
"But you didn't drink soju."
Jeon J said nothing.
Minjo looked at the others.
"So how were you drunk?"
Everyone froze.
Taehyun slowly lifted his head.
Kim Joon turned from the window.
Minjo continued,
"You barely touched your beer."
"And soju..."
He shook his head.
"You didn't even drink it."
Silence.
A heavy silence.
Then Minjo said quietly,
"You weren't drunk."
No one moved.
Taehyun stared at Jeon J.
"Then..."
His voice dropped.
"Everything you said to Zoya..."
Jeon J's jaw tightened.
"Enough."
Minjo didn't stop.
"You said all of that while you were completely sober?"
Jeon J looked away.
Taehyun's expression changed.
"So you knew exactly what you were saying."
Jeon J's fingers curled into his palm.
"I said what I wanted to say."
Taehyun stared at him.
"Why?"
No answer.
"Why did you say it to Zoya?"
Still nothing.
Then Taehyun said quietly,
"She didn't even fight back."
Jeon J's eyes flickered.
"Don't."
Taehyun stopped.
"Don't what?"
Jeon J finally looked at him.
"Don't called her name."
The room went still.
Taehyun stared at him for a long moment.
"Why?"
Jeon J didn't answer.
Minjo exchanged a glance with Kim Joon.
Something about his reaction had just made the whole situation worse.
Taehyun's voice became quieter.
"You hurt her."
Jeon J looked away.
"I know."
The answer came too quickly.
Everyone fell silent again.
Because that wasn't the answer they had expected.
Minjo watched him carefully.
"Then why?"
Jeon J's eyes hardened.
"Just..."
He paused.
"Don't say her name."
Taehyun's gaze remained fixed on him.
And for the first time that night, no one in the room believed the problem was alcohol.
Whatever had happened at that restaurant...
Jeon J had been fully aware of every word.
And that made his behavior far more difficult to understand.
To be continued...
Regards,
ZK💔