#pseudospouse.

@247jaye:

Jaye was honestly shocked. He was pretty sure everyone in high school knew his name. Given how annoying he could be. But it wasn’t like he was a bully, he just spoke his mind a lot. A little too much, earning him a few side eyes by the staff and students alike. If memory served him right though, this girl belonged to the clique with the scandal of the century. They weren’t friends but they shared enough classes for them to hold a couple of conversations throughout the year. He distinctly remembered liking her because she never had that elitist attitude about her. She was just Stella, making him steer clear from her when it came to his rants about society. Jaye never liked how people gave her shit either, even with the scandal since he was sure that there was more to her story. But that was the old Jaye. His own problems took precedence around the time and he figured she didn’t need a knight in shining armor. "Hah. I’m pretty sure that’s a good thing. I was a little annoying back in the day but things change I guess.“  

They had bumped into each other at a bakery and surprising enough Jaye was neither intoxicated or hungover. Putting a warm smile on,he bowed his head politely to Stella and waved at the little girl behind her. “We shared a couple classes back in Cheongnam. I use to bother you for notes whenever I was absent so in a way you were my savior. My name is Jaye Seo.“ A few seconds of silence lingered before a man walked over. Eyes fixated on the woman and not caring that he was interrupting a conversation, he began using the cheesiest pickup lines he had ever heard. Even for a womanizer like Jaye, this guy was just rude. "Hey buddy, you see us having a conversation right?” Jaye began moving closer to both females. “Besides I don’t think my wife likes getting hit on by ill-mannered men."

She registered his facial expression as ‘offended’ at first. Stella felt bad. A familiar face approached her, yet, she could not put a name to this face. Her memory had failed her once again. Stella could only offer an apologetic smile, although he seemed to be relieved that she was unable to recognize him later on. Stella returned a bow and then lifted a hand to tuck red locks behind her ear. Her grin widened, turning warm as he waved to Luna. The young child did not reciprocate his friendliness though. He was a stranger to her, after all. Her attention went back straight to the freshly baked pastries on display and Stella almost wanted to point out her lack of manners then but was cut off by his introduction. 

Jaye Seo. Definitely rings a bell, nodding lightly, the apologetic smile returned to her lips. Of course, no wonder why his face was etched in her memory. He asked for her notes on a constant basis but other than that interaction in class, they barely knew each other. Her voice broke the silence between them. “I’m sorry... I’m quite terrible with names. Plus, we weren’t exactly close back then?” Was that a valid excuse since he did recognize her despite the drastic hair colour change? It sounded like a bad one.

 But, she- oh wow, this guy, her train of thoughts were interrupted by a strange male, who dropped the worst pick up line she ever heard in her life. Stella fought the urge to burst out laughing. That would have been too mean. She blinked when Jaye stepped closer, her eyes widening upon hearing the word ‘wife’. 

She gulped. Wife?

The surprised expression softened as she made eye contact with the other male. Chuckling nervously, she hooked her arm with his, doing her utmost best not to give her act away. Stella was no actress. Everything felt foreign and awkward but she flashed a smile, which appeared more like a grimace. “Yes, and my husband, would appreciate it if you didn’t hit on his wife.”

Maybe her pretence was not convincing enough (or he was just that observant) which led to this man’s question.