PROMPTS

Stranger in my Bed - 5

Jin Ah almost forgot Jin-woo was around because he had been so quiet for awhile. Add to that, she had been sleeping at odd hours because her body clock was adjusting back to local time.

Sometime mid-afternoon, while she was unpacking and stuffing souvenirs she bought into a closet, a prop from her past caught her eye. "Oh hello!"

Picking up her pirate sword, she spun around the living room trying to recall all the moves she learned years ago. "Haaahhh-yahhh!" she sounded then made a stabbing motion to one of her dining chairs. Swirling the sword around her back, she swished the tool and then a stabbing motion to the bedroom door.

Said bedroom door promptly opened and the tip of the sword landed on Jin-woo's chin.

His eyes widened at the sight.

"Oh my god!" Jin Ah exclaimed, immediately withdrawing and standing straight.

Jin-woo's hand flew to his chin. "Am I bleeding?!"

Jin Ah rolled her eyes. "It's not a real sword. It's a prop."

He frowned. Leaning on the doorjamb, he asked, "And you would have one because...?"

Jin Ah smiled proudly, "A few years back, I was hired as an extra in one of the big movies about pirates. The job paid well and I got to take this home."

"Oh. Which pirate movie?"

Before Jin Ah could tell him her response, a knock came to the door. "Are you expecting anyone?" she asked Jin-woo.

"No. This is your house. Are you expecting someone?" Jin-woo asked her in return.

Jin Ah only had family and her boyfriend come visit her before. Her family didn't know she was back already and would unlikely drop by without letting her know. Her boyfriend, now ex, had no business with her.

To settle their question, Jin Ah checked the peephole. To her surprise, it was her ex. "Chul-soo?"

"Hi, Jin Ah," the man outside greeted.

"What are you doing here?"

Embarrassed, he scratched his head before asking, "I won't stay long. I just left my camera here and would be needing it for an upcoming trip."

"Oh. I just arrived from a trip as well. Where... where are you headed?" Jin Ah asked, tentatively.

"My girlfriend wanted to take a weekend in Jeju so we're going there," Chul-soo informed.

Jin Ah wasn't sure if she heard him correctly. "Sorry? Girlfriend?"

Chul-soo had the gall to show shame. "Yes."

"Didn't... didn't you tell me that you wanted to be single for awhile and be free of commitments?"Jin Ah asked, trying not to let her voice break while keeping a smile plastered on her face.

"Well, when you love strikes you can't stop it," was Chul-soo's response.

"Oh, well," was all Jin Ah could say, turning away while blinking rapidly hoping that the tears that came to her eyes would miraculously go away.  Opening the door to let Chul-soo in, she said, "Let me get your camera --"

Jin Ah and Chul-soo were surprised at the sudden appearance of Jin-woo, who was only in sweatpants and a towel around his neck. "Sweetheart, it's your turn in the shower... oh sorry, I didn't know we had company," Jin-woo smiled. Walking closer to Jin Ah and putting his arm around her shoulder, he gave her a reassuring squeeze much to her surprise. He leaned in and whispered, "Play along." 

"Hi, I'm Yoo Jin-woo," he said to their visitor.

"Choi Chul-soo," the other man said. "I just wanted to retrieve something I left here."

Jin Ah quickly retrieved the camera and handed it to Chul-soo then an awkward silence passed them. Jin-woo stared at Jin Ah then Chul-soo and then back. He could tell that Jin Ah was hanging by a thread and would fall apart anytime but none of them would make another move, so Jin-woo spoke up, "Alright. Sweetheart? Jin Ah, we should really start on dinner. Nice to meet you, Mr. Choi, but if that's all then goodbye!" He all but shoved Chul-soo out, putting distance between the ex-lovers.

Once Chul-soo was gone, Jin Ah's legs gave way and she collapsed on the couch. Turning to Jin-woo, her lower lip jutted out. "He said he needed time to himself but he has a new girlfriend already. And all I have is a fake new boyfriend."

Jin-woo flinched. "Sorry. I thought it would help."

"It did, it did. I'm sorry. I truly appreciate your gesture... but... he's replaced me," she wailed and then started sobbing in earnest.

Jin-woo sat beside her and allowed her to cry. As her sobs turned to simpers, he whispered, "I'll be back. I just need a shirt because I'm getting cold."

Jin Ah had to chuckle at that. When he returned dressed, he handed her a tissue and tea. "Thank you."

"I hope you don't cry for him again," Jin-woo told her. "You deserve better."

"Well, these things are unplanned you know. I can't control if I feel hurt and want to cry," Jin Ah said.

"I guess that's true. But you're too pretty for him. If you're going to ugly cry for someone, at least cry for someone as handsome as I am," he informed her.

"WHAT?" Jin Ah asked, her eyes flying to meet his, trying to see if he was joking.

His face remained passive.

"You just insulted me and my ex," she stated.

"No. I'm just stating a fact," Jin-woo said. Holding up a hand to stop her from saying anything, he continued, "Everyone has an ugly cry. Your snot is running down your nose and mixing with your tears, don't tell me this is your pretty cry. I just stated that today, you had an ugly cry. That is a fact."

Jin Ah crossed her arms.

"And I said your ex was not as handsome as I am... THAT too was a fact. Come on. Even you have to admit that," he added.

Jin Ah finally laughed.

"Don't you agree? Are you telling me I'm not more handsome than your ex?" Jin-woo pressed but she remained silent as she studied his face. "What? Come on. Tell me."

"Are you really going to make this a competition of looks while I'm dealing with a heartbreak here?" she asked.

Jin-woo nodded. "Beats wallowing in self pity when there is nothing you can do about the situation, don't you think?" Gazing at her face, he wiped the tear that escaped. "Don't cry. I'm not wise enough to give anymore love advice."

Jin Ah rolled her eyes. Sighing in resignation, "It will get better soon, right?" she asked, quietly.

Jin-woo nodded. "It always does. Just hang in there."

She let out another sigh. "So, now you know my sad story. Do I get to hear yours?"

"Nope," Jin-woo stood and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

"What? Why not? That's not fair."

"I never said this was a trade off," he said.

Jin Ah blocked his way and held his arms. "Hey! You were the one who decided to help me and pretend to be a fake boyfriend. Now, how about you continue that help and tell me about your sob story."

"That sentence had absolutely no logic," Jin-woo pointed out, crossing his arms.

"You're right. But I need a distraction. How about indulging me? I have a case of Soju in the fridge," she offered, her eyebrows going up and down to tease him.

Jin-woo groaned in defeat. "Fine. But no more crying. Deal?"

Jin Ah agreed.

They quickly prepared a light dinner and then settled on the couch to talk more comfortably.

"So, where should we start?" he asked.

Jin Ah thought about it. "Hmm... how about tell me how you met?"