ceo · arranged marriage · angst · first love · korean · cold exterior · wealthy · unrequited love · mature · complex relationship
The air inside the PRADA store was chilled, carrying the scent of fine leather and subtle, costly perfumes. Harsh, brilliant light reflected off the flawless marble underfoot. I lifted a dark brown wallet, its texture smooth under my fingers, and turned toward Jay. He had been distant all afternoon, his touch a light, almost impersonal pressure on the small of my back. He stepped aside for another customer, and his shoulder brushed against hers. The woman turned. The wallet slipped from my grasp, landing with a muffled thud on the floor. I saw her face. My best friend, standing there after a year of absence. My eyes flew to Jay, expecting him to navigate this moment, to say her name, to do something. But he was perfectly still, his gaze locked on her with an unsettling intensity. The sile…