My Boyfriend Cheated on Me on My Birthday… Then a Billionaire Hit Me With His Car

Maya Johnson stood near the railing of a rooftop venue overlooking downtown Chicago. The city lights reflected off the river below while music drifted through the warm spring evening. It was supposed to be one of the happiest nights of her year. Balloons decorated the venue. Friends laughed around high tables and a three-layer birthday cake sat proudly near the center of the room.
Yet Maya kept checking the entrance. Tasha noticed immediately. You’re looking for Marcus again. I am not. You’ve checked that door six times in 5 minutes. Maya sighed. He’s just late. An hour late. He said work ran long. Tasha gave her a look that clearly said she didn’t believe that excuse. Marcus had been acting strange for weeks.
Less texting, more excuses, more late nights. Maya had noticed, but she had convinced herself she was imagining things. Tonight, she wanted to believe everything was fine. Finally, the entrance doors opened. Marcus walked in. Relief immediately flooded Mia’s chest. Then it disappeared. He barely looked at her.
Instead of walking over, he greeted random guests, grabbed a drink, and disappeared into the crowd. Tasha slowly lowered her glass. Okay, that’s weird. Maybe he’s stressed. Maybe he’s an idiot. Maya laughed weakly. An hour passed. Marcus still hadn’t come over. The birthday girl had spent more time talking to guests than to her own boyfriend.
Eventually, Mia decided to find him. She checked the bar first, then the rooftop terrace, then the lounge area. Nothing. As she walked down a quieter hallway, she noticed a private room with the door slightly open. Voices came from inside. A woman’s laugh. Marcus’s voice. Mia smiled at first, thinking she had finally found him. Then she pushed the door open.
The smile disappeared. Marcus was kissing another woman. For several seconds, Mia couldn’t move. The world simply stopped. The woman jumped away immediately. Marcus looked surprised, then annoyed. “What are you doing here?” he asked. Ma stared at him. “What am I doing here?” The other woman looked horrified.
“I think I should go.” “Yes,” Mia said quietly. “The woman practically ran from the room.” Marcus sighed. “Actually sighed as if Mia had interrupted him.” “You brought another woman to my birthday party?” Mia asked. Marcus rubbed his forehead. Can we not do this right now? Not do what? This? He gestured vaguely. Maya felt her heart breaking in real time. You cheated on me.
Marcus shrugged. You’ve been impossible lately. Maya blinked. What? You heard me. Instead of apologizing, Marcus started blaming her. You work all the time. I have a job. You never want to do anything. That’s not true. You’ve changed. Maya couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The man who had been caught cheating was acting like the victim.
People had started gathering near the doorway. The argument was no longer private. Marcus didn’t care. Maybe if you actually paid attention to me, none of this would have happened. The room fell silent. Even the guests looked uncomfortable. Tasha appeared beside Maya. Oh, absolutely not. Marcus rolled his eyes. Here comes the bodyguard.
Tasha stepped forward. Say one more stupid thing. But Mia raised a hand. No. Tasha stopped. Mia looked directly at Marcus. For the first time, she wasn’t sad. She was disappointed. Deeply disappointed. I spent 3 years defending you. Marcus said nothing. I told everyone you were a good man. Still nothing.
I hope she’s happy with the version of you I spent years pretending didn’t exist. Then Maya turned around and walked away. The cold night air hit her face the moment she stepped outside. For several minutes, she walked without knowing where she was going. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Three years, she muttered.
“Three years of memories, three years of plans gone.” She barely paid attention to traffic around her. Meanwhile, a black luxury sedan moved through downtown Chicago. In the back sat Ji Ho Han, a Korean billionaire temporarily living in Chicago while overseeing a major business expansion. Across from him were documents, reports, and a tablet.
At the wheel sat his assistant, Minsk Lee. We have three meetings tomorrow, Minsk said. Jiho groaned. Only three. Four if you count dinner. I don’t. Mach laughed. Then his smile vanished. A woman stepped into the crosswalk. Maya. Jiho. Minsuk slammed the brakes. The car stopped sharply, but not quickly enough.
The bumper lightly clipped Maya’s leg. She stumbled backward and fell. Silence. Oh no. Both men rushed out immediately. Jiho reached her first. “Miss, are you okay?” Maya slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was an incredibly handsome stranger kneeling beside her. “Great,” she muttered. Jiho looked confused. “What?” “My birthday was already terrible.” Then her eyes closed.
“She’s unconscious,” Msach shouted. “Call an ambulance.” “Already doing it.” 10 minutes later, they were at the hospital. Doctors quickly confirmed Mia’s injuries were minor, mostly shock, bruising, and exhaustion. Jiho finally sat down outside the room. For the first time all night, he exhaled. Minsuk sat beside him. She’ll be okay.
I know you still look guilty. J looked toward the hospital room. Because if I hadn’t been distracting you with work. Hey. Mach interrupted him. That wasn’t your fault. Jiho didn’t answer. Inside the room, Maya slowly opened her eyes. She had no idea her worst birthday was about to become the beginning of a completely different story.
And down the hallway, Jan had no idea that the woman he had accidentally met tonight would soon become the most important person in his life. Maya woke up in a hospital bed with a pounding headache. The first thing she remembered was Marcus. The second thing was the car. “Wonderful,” she muttered. A moment later, the door burst open.
“Tasha,” her best friend practically sprinted into the room. Maya, are you okay? I’m fine. Good, because I need to yell at somebody. Before Maya could stop her, Tasha stormed back into the hallway. Outside, Jio and Minsk immediately stood up. Tasha pointed directly at Msock. You’re the one who hit her. Mach nearly choked. I was driving. Aha. That’s not better.
Tasha crossed her arms. I expected more from someone your size. My size? You’re tiny. I’m not tiny. Tasha pointed toward Jiho. Look at him. Then look at you. That’s not fair. He’s enormous. Jiho quietly turned away to hide a smile. Later that afternoon, Jiho carefully entered Maya’s room.
She looked up from her phone. “Oh, the guy from the car,” Jiho winced. “That is unfortunately how we’re introducing ourselves for the first time all day.” Maya smiled slightly. “Are you okay?” he asked. “I’m the one in the hospital.” Right. Awkward silence followed. Jiho rubbed the back of his neck. I wanted to apologize.
You already did. I know. I just feel responsible. Maya studied him. He genuinely looked guilty. Not fake guilty. Not rich person trying to avoid a lawsuit. Guilty. Actually, guilty. It’s not entirely your fault, she admitted. Jiho looked relieved. Outside the room, Minsak and Tasha continued arguing. I am not short.
You absolutely are. I’m average height. For middle school students, maybe. The next day, Maya was released. By evening, she was back in her modest Chicago apartment. Tasha dropped onto the couch. So, so the billionaire. Maya groaned. Don’t start. He was handsome. He hit me with a car. A very expensive car. That doesn’t help.
Tasha laughed. A knock interrupted them. Maya opened the door. A delivery worker stood outside holding a large gift basket, flowers, chocolate, fruit, and a handwritten note. I am very sorry. Please recover quickly. Juhan Tasha immediately grabbed Maya’s shoulders. He sent flowers. They’re apology flowers. He knows your address.
That’s somehow the least concerning part of this. But later that night, after Tasha went home, Maya looked at the note again. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she smiled. Across Chicago, Jiho sat in his hotel suite, staring at his phone. Should I check if she got the flowers? Mukak looked up from his tablet. You’ve asked me that six times.
So, so yes, you should text her. Jighed. Maybe he would. And maybe for the first time since arriving in Chicago, he was looking forward to tomorrow. 3 days after leaving the hospital, Maya was sitting on her couch when her phone buzzed. Unknown number. She almost ignored it. Hi, this is Jiho, the guy from the car. Maya immediately laughed.
Tasha nearly dropped her drink. He actually texted you. It’s just an apology. Tasha snatched the phone. He sent three apology messages. Maya grabbed it back. A minute later, another message arrived. Would you let me buy you coffee? It might help me feel less guilty. Tasha pointed dramatically. Say yes.
I’m not dating a man who hit me with a car. It’s coffee. It’s weird. It’s romantic. It’s compensation. After 10 minutes of arguing with Tasha and herself, Maya finally agreed. The next afternoon, she arrived at a small coffee shop near downtown Chicago. Jiho was already there. He stood when she entered. You’re walking normally. Disappointed? Jiho laughed.
For the first time, Maya noticed how easy it was talking to him. By the end of the coffee, 2 hours had somehow passed. The coffee turned into a walk. The walk turned into an entire afternoon. The Chicago River reflected the sunlight as tourists moved around them. Jiho looked genuinely fascinated. You’ve never been here? Maya asked. Not properly.
You’ve been in Chicago for months. I work too much. That’s sad. Probably. Mia smiled. For the first time in weeks, she felt relaxed. No thoughts about Marcus, no embarrassment, no anger, just a nice afternoon. Meanwhile, several steps behind them, Mach walked beside Tasha. “Why are we here?” he asked. “To supervise.” “That’s not a real reason.
” “Sure it is.” Mach rolled his eyes. Tasha looked at him. “You know, you are kind of short.” “I am not. You keep defending yourself, which makes it worse. I’m average height. Average for a garden gnome.” Mach groaned. Tasha laughed so hard she almost tripped. That evening, Maya returned home. The apartment felt strangely quiet.
Tasha sat beside her on the couch. So, so what? How was the billionaire? Maya rolled her eyes. He was nice. Tasha gasped dramatically. Oh, no. What? You use the word nice. I use that word all the time. Not for men. Maya threw a pillow at her. Tasha laughed and escaped toward her room. Later that night, Maya sat alone in bed. Her phone buzzed.
A message from Jiho. Thank you for spending the afternoon with me. She stared at the screen, then smiled. Across the city, Jiho sat inside his hotel suite. Minsuk looked up from his tablet. You look happy. Jiho immediately looked away. I don’t. You absolutely do. J ignored him. But the truth was simple. For the first time since arriving in Chicago, he was thinking about something other than work.
And for the first time since her disastrous birthday, Maya was looking forward to seeing someone again. Neither of them realized it yet. But something important had started that afternoon beside the Chicago River. May arrived with warmer weather, and somehow Maya found herself spending more time with Jiho than she had planned.
One Saturday morning, she met him outside the Art Institute of Chicago. You voluntarily came to a museum? Maya asked. Jiho looked offended. I’ll have you know I am a very cultured billionaire. That’s exactly what an uncultured billionaire would say. Jiho laughed. For the next 2 hours, they wandered through exhibits, occasionally stopping to discuss paintings neither of them truly understood.
At one point, they stood in front of a massive abstract canvas. Jiho crossed his arms. I think it represents loneliness. Maya stared at the painting. It looks like someone dropped paint buckets down the stairs. Jiho burst out laughing. Nearby visitors stared. I can’t take you anywhere. You invited me. For a brief moment, Maya forgot all about Marcus.
Forgot about the birthday. Forgot about the accident. It felt nice. Across the museum, Tasha and Minsok had somehow ended up together again. Why are you following me? Mach asked. I’m supervising still. Someone has to. I’m not a criminal. You hit my best friend with a car. I lightly bumped her. That’s exactly what a criminal would say.
Mach groaned. A week later, the four met again at a large park near the lake. Chicago looked completely different under the bright spring sun. People jogged past. Children played nearby. Street musicians performed. The group found a quiet spot under a tree. For the first time, the conversation felt effortless.
Jiho talked about growing up in soul. Maya talked about her childhood. Tasha shared embarrassing stories about Maya. Maya immediately retaliated with embarrassing stories about Tasha. Remember when you tried to impress that guy in college? Maya asked. Tasha gasped. We don’t talk about that. You walked into a fountain. It was dark. It was noon.
J nearly spilled his drink laughing. Even Msach was laughing. Tasha pointed at him. You laugh now, but I’ve seen your dance moves. Mach froze. Jiho smiled. Oh, she’s right. Please stop talking. The entire group laughed. As the afternoon passed, Maya noticed something. She liked being around Jiho. Not because he was rich.
Not because he was handsome, though he definitely was. She liked how easy everything felt. By the end of May, dinner outings had become normal. One evening, they met at a restaurant overlooking the Chicago River. The city lights reflected across the water while boats moved slowly below. Maya sat beside Jiho. Across from them sat Tasha and Minsk.
Halfway through dinner, Minsk accidentally picked up the wrong fork. Tasha immediately noticed. Oh my god, what? You’re holding it upside down. Mach looked down. Sure enough, he was. Jiho started laughing. Maya followed immediately. Nobody told me there were 17 forks. Mach complained. There are four. That’s too many.
Tasha shook her head dramatically. I thought rich people knew these things. I’m not rich. You work for a billionaire. That’s not the same. The teasing continued through the rest of the meal. When dinner ended, the group stepped outside. The night air was cool. For a moment, Maya and Jiho walked slightly ahead of the others.
Neither spoke. Neither seemed uncomfortable. Finally, J smiled. You seem happier. Maya looked toward the river. Maybe I am. For a second, neither looked away. Then Tasha shouted from behind. Are you two flirting? Both immediately stepped apart. Msock covered his face and Tasha laughed all the way back to the car. June arrived, bringing warmer weather and longer days.
For the first time in months, Mia felt like her life was moving forward. That was exactly when Marcus decided to become a problem again. One afternoon, he sat with several mutual friends at a sports bar. So, she’s dating some rich guy now? One friend asked. Marcus laughed. Pretty much. That was fast. Not really surprising.
What do you mean? Marcus leaned back in his chair. Let’s just say Maya always like nice things. The implication was obvious. A few people exchanged uncomfortable looks. Marcus continued, “Funny how she wasn’t interested in me anymore once a billionaire showed up. It wasn’t true. He knew it wasn’t true, but the lie sounded believable.
Over the next few weeks, small rumors started spreading. Maya only liked Jio because he was rich. Maya was using him. Maya had moved on suspiciously fast. None of it was true, but rumors rarely cared about the truth. Maya discovered the rumors completely by accident. She and Tasha had been invited to a small gathering hosted by an old college friend.
The moment they arrived, the atmosphere felt strange. People smiled. but not normally, awkwardly, as if they knew something. Eventually, Maya overheard two women talking. I mean, Marcus said she started seeing him almost immediately. “Really?” “Apparently,” Maya froze. “Tasha froze, too.” “Oh, absolutely not,” Tasha muttered.
Minutes later, they learned the full story. Marcus had spent weeks talking about them. “Not only Ma, Tasha, too.” According to him, Tasha was encouraging Maya because she wanted access to Jiho’s wealthy social circle. The accusation was ridiculous, but hearing it still hurt. Mia sat quietly for most of the evening. On the drive home, she stared out the window.
Tasha looked unusually serious. He’s pathetic. I know. No, seriously. Imagine cheating on someone and then still trying to ruin their reputation. Maya sighed. What if people believe him? Tasha immediately turned toward her. The people who know you won’t. That helped. A little, but not enough.
A few days later, Maya met Jiho at the Chicago Riverwalk. The moment he saw her, he knew something was wrong. What happened? Mia looked surprised. How do you know something happened? You’ve been looking at the water for 3 minutes. Maya laughed weakly. Then she told him everything. The rumors, the comments, the stories Marcus had been spreading.
Jiho listened quietly. When she finished, his expression had changed. He looked angry. not explosive angry, the calm kind, the dangerous kind. He’s still doing this. Maya nodded. Jiho looked away toward the river. For several seconds, he didn’t speak. Finally, he said, “I don’t like him.” Maya laughed. “Really? I never would have guessed.” J smiled slightly.
Then his expression softened. “Maya,” she looked at him. “The people who matter won’t believe those things. What if they do? Then they’re not worth worrying about.” For a moment, neither spoke. The evening sun reflected across the river. Finally, Maya smiled. A real smile, the first one all week. Across the walkway, Tasha and Minsk watched from a distance.
They’re definitely flirting now, Tasha said. They’re talking, flirting, talking, flirting, Msok sighed. Then Tasha glanced at him. You know you’re getting taller. Mox stopped walking. That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me. Tasha laughed. And for the first time since Marcus had reappeared, the future felt a little brighter for everyone.
By July, Chicago was alive with summer energy. Street performers filled downtown plazas. Food stands lined the sidewalks and weekend festivals seemed to appear everywhere. One Saturday afternoon, Maya Jiho, Tasha, and Minsok found themselves wandering through a crowded street festival. Music played from a nearby stage. Children ran between booths.
The smell of barbecue drifted through the warm air. This is your idea of fun? Jiho asked. Maya looked offended. You’re at a festival eating fried food. How is this not fun? Jiho looked at the oversized plate she had handed him. I’m pretty sure this contains enough calories for an entire week. Exactly. Tasha nodded.
She’s right. Msach immediately grabbed another snack. Jiho stared at him. You work for me. I work better when fed. The afternoon quickly became one of the most relaxed days they had spent together. At one point, Maya convinced Jiho to play a carnival game. 5 minutes later, he had somehow spent $50 trying to win a stuffed bear.
You know, I could buy the company that makes these, right? That would count as cheating. Eventually, he won. The first thing he did was hand the bear to Maya. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Tasha loudly cleared her throat. Oh, look, a completely platonic stuffed animal. Maya threw a napkin at her.
A few weeks later, the group spent an afternoon walking beside Lake Michigan. The water sparkled under the summer sun. For a while, Tasha and Minsk walked ahead. Maya and Jiho stayed behind. You seem happier lately, Jiho said. Mia smiled. People keep telling me that. Maybe because it’s true. She looked out across the water. 6 months ago, she would have been talking about Marcus.
Now she barely thought about him. The realization surprised her. You know, she said quietly. If someone had told me back on my birthday that I’d spend my summer with the guy who hit me with a car, I would have called them crazy. Jiho laughed. Technically, Mach hit you. Oh, absolutely not. Mach shouted from ahead. I am not taking responsibility for this relationship.
Everyone laughed. Meanwhile, Tasha had started teasing him again. You’re walking really close. We’re on a path. Interesting excuse. You’re impossible. Yet neither of them moved away. Near the end of July, Jio invited everyone to dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. The skyline glowed gold as the sun began to set.
The atmosphere felt different, more comfortable, more familiar, like they had known each other for years instead of months. Halfway through dinner, Maya excused herself and stepped toward the railing. A few moments later, Jiho joined her. Below them, Chicago lights slowly flickered to life. Neither spoke immediately.
Finally, Jio asked, “Do you ever miss him?” Maya knew exactly who he meant. Marcus. She thought about it, then shook her head. “No.” The answer surprised even her. Jho smiled. “Good. That’s all you’re going to say. What else should I say?” Maya laughed. For a moment, they simply stood there together, comfortable silence, the kind that only existed between people who genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.
Behind them, Tasha watched from the table. She elbowed Minsk. They’re falling for each other. Minsk looked over. I know, you know. I’m not blind. Tasha stared at him. That might be the smartest thing you’ve ever said. Thank you. Don’t get used to it. As the evening continued, Maya couldn’t stop smiling.
And although neither she nor Jiho had admitted their feelings yet, everyone else could already see what was happening, even them. They just weren’t ready to say it out loud. August arrived with warm evenings and the uncomfortable realization that Jiho’s time in Chicago was not permanent. Mia tried not to think about it. Her mother clearly had other plans.
One Sunday evening, Mia attended a family dinner with her parents, cousins, and younger brother. Everything was normal until her mother asked the question. “So this, Jiho,” Maya immediately sighed. Across the table, her brother grinned. “Oh, this is going to be good.” Her mother ignored him. “How serious is it? We aren’t even dating.
” Several family members exchanged looks. “Really? Really? Because you talk about him a lot.” “I do not. You absolutely do,” her brother said. Everyone laughed except Maya. Eventually, her father spoke. He seems like a good man. Maya smiled slightly. He is, but but what happens when he goes back to Korea? The table became quiet because that was the question Mia had been avoiding herself.
The following weekend, Tasha faced a similar interrogation. Her parents had invited her over for lunch. Unfortunately, they had also invited her aunt and her aunt loved asking questions. So tell me about this Korean boy. Tasha nearly choked on her drink. Msuk. There’s more than one. No. Then yes, Minsuk. Her aunt smiled.
Tasha groaned. We’re friends. Sure we are. Her father raised an eyebrow. You smile every time someone says his name. I do not. You literally just did. Tasha immediately stopped smiling, which somehow made everyone laugh harder. By the end of lunch, her parents became more serious. “What happens if Maya decides to move?” her mother asked.
Tasha blinked. “Move where?” “Soul.” For the first time, Tasha realized that possibility might actually exist. And strangely enough, the idea didn’t sound impossible anymore. A week later, Jiho finally met Mia’s parents. The meeting took place at a restaurant overlooking the Chicago River.
Mia spent the entire day nervous. Tasha found this hilarious. You survived getting hit by his car, but this is what scares you? Yes. When Jiho arrived, he looked calm. Far too calm. Maya’s father shook his hand. Her mother immediately started asking questions. What did he do? How long would he stay in Chicago? Did he enjoy living in America? Jiho answered every question politely. Slowly, Mia relaxed.
Then her father asked the one question nobody wanted to answer. When do you return to Seoul? Jiho became quiet. Probably in a few months. Maya looked away. The answer hurt more than she expected. Her father noticed. So did Jiho. The mood shifted slightly. Not bad, just heavier. As dinner ended, Mia’s parents pulled her aside.
What do you think of him? Her mother asked. Mia smiled despite herself. I think he’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Across the restaurant, Jiho watched her laugh with her family. For a moment, he imagined what it would be like if Chicago didn’t have an ending date. If he didn’t have to leave, the thought stayed with him the entire drive home.
And for the first time, both Maya and J started wondering whether friendship was enough anymore. September arrived faster than anyone wanted. The leaves had only just started changing colors. But Jiho could already feel the countdown ticking in the background of every day. His Chicago project was almost complete. One morning, he sat inside a conference room overlooking downtown Chicago while executives discussed timelines.
We should be finished by the end of October, one executive said. Jiho nodded. The room continued talking, but he barely heard any of it. Across the table, Minsk noticed immediately. You look like someone just canled Christmas. Jiho waited until the meeting ended. Then he sighed. I don’t want to leave yet. Mach smiled knowingly.
because of Chicago. Jiho gave him a look. Right. Not Chicago. A few hours later, Jiho found himself staring out of his office window. For months, he had been counting the days until the project ended. Now, he wished the calendar would slow down because for the first time in years, there was something more important than work waiting for him outside the office.
Someone That weekend, Maya met Jio near the Chicago River. The sun was beginning to set, painting the water gold and orange. They walked side by side in comfortable silence. Neither of them mentioned soul, at least not at first. Eventually, Maya spoke. Tasha says, “You’ve been distracted lately.” Jiho laughed.
Tasha says a lot of things. She’s usually right. Unfortunately, for a moment, they smiled. Then Maya looked toward the river. When are you leaving? The question finally arrived. Jiho looked ahead. Probably six or seven weeks, Maya nodded. Her chest tightened. Six or seven weeks suddenly felt very short, much shorter than it should have.
That soon, she said. “Yeah.” Neither spoke for several moments. The silence wasn’t awkward, just sad, as if both of them were thinking the same thing, and neither wanted to say it. Finally, J looked at her. “I don’t regret coming to Chicago.” Maya smiled. “Because of the project?” Jiho held her gaze. “No.
” For a second, her heart skipped. Then Tasha’s voice echoed across the riverwalk. Maya. The moment disappeared. Both laughed, but neither forgot it. A week later, the four met at Jiho’s hotel. The evening started normally. Dinner, conversation, more arguments between Tasha and Minsok. At one point, Tasha accused him of intentionally choosing a table closer to her.
Muk denied everything. Nobody believed him. Later, Maya stepped into the hotel lobby to take a break from the chaos. A few minutes later, Jiho joined her. The lobby was quiet compared to the restaurant upstairs. Outside, rain tapped softly against the glass windows. You escaped, too? Maya asked. “I needed silence.
” “Understandable,” they both laughed. For a moment, neither moved. Neither looked away. The atmosphere felt different, heavier, more personal, almost electric. Chiho slowly stepped closer. Maya. She looked up. Every instinct told her he was about to say something important, something that had been building for months, something she wanted to hear. Then his phone rang.
Both immediately looked at the screen. Msock. Of course. Jiho closed his eyes. Ma burst out laughing. Answer it. I don’t want to. You have to. Jiho sighed and answered. Mach’s panicked voice filled the speaker. Tasha is trying to prove she can beat me at table tennis. What? Please come help. Maya laughed even harder.
The moment was gone for now, but as they walked back upstairs together, both knew something had changed. Neither could keep pretending their feelings were just friendship anymore. And with every passing day, October was getting closer. October arrived. Jiho’s departure date was getting closer. Unfortunately, so was Marcus.
One afternoon, Maya was leaving work when she spotted him waiting outside her building. She immediately sighed. “Please tell me you’re not here for what I think you’re here for.” Marcus smiled. “I’m here to talk.” “No, Maya, come on.” She kept walking. Marcus followed. For the first time since the breakup, he looked nervous. “I made a mistake.” Mia stopped.
Not because she wanted to hear him, because she wanted closure. “A mistake? Yes. You cheated on me. Marcus looked away. I wasn’t thinking clearly. You spent weeks spreading rumors about me. His silence answered everything. Maya, no. For the first time, she wasn’t angry. She simply felt nothing. The realization surprised her.
Marcus no longer had any power over her. I hope you find whatever you’re looking for, she said. Then she walked away, and this time she never looked back. That evening, Maya called Jiho. 30 minutes later, they met beside the Chicago River, the same place where so many important conversations had happened. The wind was cool. The city lights reflected across the water.
Maya told him about Marcus. Jiho listened quietly. When she finished, he smiled. You seem okay. I am. And she was for the first time completely. Several moments passed. Then Jiho looked toward the river. There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you. Maya’s heart immediately started racing. She already knew, or at least she hoped she knew.
Jiho laughed nervously, which was unusual. Jiho never seemed nervous. Mach says, “I’m making this harder than it needs to be.” Maya smiled. “He’s probably right. Unfortunately,” they both laughed. Then, Jiho became serious. “Maya,” she looked at him. “I think I started falling for you months ago. The world seemed to stop.
I tried not to. Maya smiled. That’s a terrible confession. I know, but Jiho stepped closer. But every time I thought about leaving Chicago, he paused. The hardest part wasn’t leaving the city. Maya felt tears threatening to appear. It was leaving you. For several seconds, Maya simply stared at him. Then she laughed softly. J looked confused.
That’s your reaction? I was just thinking about how ridiculous this story is. Jiho smiled. The car? The car? Neither could stop smiling now. Finally, Maya stepped closer. Good. Jiho blinked. Good. Because I fell for you months ago, too. For a second, neither moved. Neither spoke. Then Jio gently took her hand. The same hand he had once checked for injuries in a hospital.
The same hand he had wanted to hold for months. Slowly, Mia stepped closer and kissed him. The city lights glowed around them. The river flowed quietly below, and somewhere nearby, Tasha lowered a pair of binoculars. I knew it. Mach stared at her. Why do you own binoculars? That’s not important. Back at the river, Maya and J finally pulled apart, both smiling, both relieved, neither pretending anymore.
After 6 months of friendship, healing, laughter, and countless almost moments, they were finally together. And for the first time, the future looked exactly the way they wanted it to. The weeks following Maya and J’s confession passed faster than either of them expected. Soon, October became November, and Jiho’s departure date finally arrived.
The problem was simple. Mia wanted to go with him. Her family was not convinced. One evening, everyone gathered at her parents’ house. Her mother looked concerned. Soul is on the other side of the world. I know. You’ve never even been there. I know. Her father remained quiet before finally speaking. What happens if this doesn’t work? Maya glanced toward Jiho.
The answer came easily. Then I’ll deal with it. Across the room, Jiho sat respectfully. Finally, he spoke. I know this is a huge decision. Everyone looked at him. I can’t promise life will always be easy. He paused. But I can promise I care about her. The room became quiet. For the first time, Maya’s parents saw exactly how serious he was.
Meanwhile, Tasha was having a very similar conversation with her own family. You are not moving to Seoul because of a man. I’m moving because my best friend is moving. And the man? Tasha hesitated. That too. Her father sighed heavily. A week later, Chicago O’Hare airport felt unusually emotional. Both families had come to say goodbye.
Maya hugged her parents. Her mother cried. Her father tried not to. Tasha’s family wasn’t doing much better. Msock stood nearby, pretending everything was normal. Nobody believed him. Especially Tasha. You look nervous. I’m not nervous. You checked your passport seven times. That’s called being prepared. It’s called panic. Machok sighed. She wasn’t wrong.
Nearby, Jiho stood beside Maya. Neither wanted to leave. Neither wanted to stay because for the first time, Chicago felt like both a beginning and an ending. Finally, boarding was announced. The goodbyes became real. Maya hugged her parents one final time. Then she turned toward the gate. Jiho immediately took her hand.
This time, she didn’t let go. The flight felt endless, but eventually the plane touched down. In Chun International Airport, Seoul. Maya stared through the window. The city light stretched endlessly into the distance. Beside her, Jiho smiled. Welcome to Korea. A few minutes later, the four of them walked through the terminal together.
Maya, Jiho, Tasha, Minsok. The airport buzzed with activity around them. Everything felt new, exciting, terrifying, wonderful. Tasha immediately looked around in amazement. Mach tried very hard not to look impressed by her excitement. failed completely. Meanwhile, Maya stopped walking. Jiho looked back. What is it? She smiled.
Nothing. You sure? Maya nodded. Then she looked around the airport once more. 6 months earlier, she had been standing outside her birthday party, heartbroken. A few minutes later, she had been hit by a car. At the time, she thought her life was falling apart. Now, she realized something different.
Sometimes life had strange ways of putting people exactly where they were supposed to be. Jiho gently squeezed her hand. Ma squeezed back. Then together, the four friends walked toward the future, not knowing what awaited them in soul, but ready to find out.