their shadows were cast like soft dust to the wall adjacent to their little huddle; deep red and gold wallpaper with some regal floral pattern crawling up to the creamy white cornices heading the hallway. a honey-glowing light back-lit, it could’ve been anyone of the raindrop themed lamps that line the way into the bathrooms; jessica didn’t really understand interior design, but they were where her eyes seemed to land as remi spoke. —– in between his words, jessica noticed for the first time, was a soft piano number playing; bill evans if she’s remembering right, what was it called?
——————— p e a c e piece, she thinks. how fitting.
perhaps she should’ve responded with happiness but the seamstresses’s expression shows one of bewilderment. the confusion reefs any sort of emotional production from her, and she’s left speechless. an apology she doesn’t deserve — understanding? she should’ve been ridiculed. it was like remi had taken the whip she’d self-inflicted her punishment with, and given himself his own nick of stinging leather. in the midst, jessica is left with her own open wounds and a desire to administer more. guilt. she feels guilty even thinking about accepting any form of apology or understanding.
there comes a sudden image of when remi had kissed her in between the walls of her fitting room - and a ghost patters its fingertips on the spots he held, goosebumps shivering up along her arms. jessica felt immediately guilty for even letting the passing desire happen.
when the seconds between remi’s last word and her silence seemed to tick on for just that second too long; jessica cleared her throat softly, and inhaled deep - measuring the breath as it came back out beneath the line of her teeth. across lacquered lips.
forget everything? —- that was like trying to forget riding a bike. but pretending was an easier feat. “fine….. for them.” she eventually speaks, tucking back her dark hair behind her ear; rolling back tense shoulders. “then we should be getting back, otherwise it’ll make things weird.” a louder clear of her throat. “i’ll go first.”
she turns, hesitating for a split second, but heels carry her forwards - back to the table where she greets her friend with a wide smile, and a waggle of brows. ‘what did you two get up to?’” to which she’d simply replied with a fingertip held to her lips; “secret.” — a wink. her friend seemed to lighten up almost immediately, and the displacement from earlier was dissolved with a small laugh shared.
their wine was delivered to the table, and when all the glasses were topped up - jessica wasn’t shy about taking her first sip after a hurried cheers. “say—— you’re after getting that promotion in work, right? big leagues now, huh?” she muses, nudging her friend as an invitation for topic.
“oh, that’s right, jess. how did you even rememer?”—
a simmer of laughter; and jessica glances to remi as she plays her part.
the silence felt like toxic gas. his lungs burned with every inhale until the other coughed. remi expected a retaliation of sorts. a punch to the face or a curse of his name. but jessica was far above that. before he could respond or react, she announced her departure and left the hall. that was it? he blinked in surprise. that couldn’t be it ..... was it?
he took the time to make sure his outfit was as sharp as he intended before making his way to the table. it was impossible not to grin as his eyes locked onto his friend’s cheeky smile and knowing look. this idiot. remi thought, a hand ran through his hair; a very bad habit of his.
the wine arrived on time as he took his seat. and like two guilty culprits, remi and jessica were the first to take a sip. his gaze landed on the latter when the topic was introduced. she was reliable.
“ oh! remi is getting a promotion as well. isn’t that right? “
but his friend was not. his eyes grew large as the attention landed on him. oh no. he was thankful his friend was trying to help him out as well, but he was helping a lost cause. “ uh—yeah. “ remi cleared his throat and gave a nod. “ i am, but it’s really not interesting so i’d much rather hear your promo—— “
“ not interesting? remi’s about to take over an auto repair shop! it was a really small shop before remi got hired, ever since he started working there business skyrocketed! it’s the only mechanic shop people go to now on the east side of seoul. now the owner is talking about giving remi the sho——”
air finished his sentence as remi hit him in the crotch underneath the table. to subdue the odd stance of his friend, he gave a soft laugh while sliding a full glass closer to his friend. “ running out of breath, buddy? “ with daggers shooting from remi’s eyes, his talkative friend got the signal.
remi quickly moved the conversation back to jessica’s friend. he gave a quick apologetic look to jessica before nearly emptying his glass of wine. he hates small talk.
