Let you go | changjin

8. The one I love is you

Changbin fidgeted in his seat abusing his lower lip out of anxiety. It was almost 2 p.m. and there was no sign of Hyunjin. He had ordered a cup of coffee upon arriving but it stood untouched since he couldn't swallow a sip. The coffee shop wasn't busy at the time but there were a few occupied tables; mostly by colleagues spending their break chatting and enjoying their beverages with desserts.

Changbin liked the café. The creamy-colored walls decorated with minimalistic paintings, various kinds of plants, and the smell of freshly ground coffee created a tranquil aura in the shop that normally would soothe the boy's nerves but not this time. This time Changbin wanted to leave and go back to his safe bubble of the studio he worked in, put on headphones, and get lost in the music.

A small bell tinkled announcing a customer's arrival. The boy lifted his gaze from the now-warm cup of coffee unconsciously and saw smartly dressed Hyunjin walk his way; a light trench coat styled with a white dress shirt accentuated by a loosely tied bow tucked neatly in a pair of black slacks. Changbin couldn't help but marvel at the younger's glamorous look.

"Like what you see?" the boy took a seat across the astonished raven-haired and asked teasingly taking his coat off. All Changbin made out of it were plump lips moving. "Uh? Uh- I got distracted for a second. You know- uh, work stuff," he tried to cover up the fact he was checking him up a moment earlier; cheeks dusted with evidence of embarrassment.

Hyunjin chuckled amused by the older's flustered look "I guess I'm 'work stuff' then?". Changbin glared at the boy. "Okay, okay. I'm joking," the blond put his hands up in defense before flashing the boy a charming smile. "You look beautiful today, hyung."

Changbin didn't have the time to process his words because a petite waitress with a friendly smile came to their table. Since the boy had ordered earlier the girl took only Hyunjin's order and left quickly after to prepare it. He cleaned his throat and spoke with impassiveness: "You wanted to tell me something. I'm all ears."

Hyunjin stayed silent for a second thinking where to begin. "Three years ago, after we broke up, I got married to the girl my parents had chosen for the arranged marriage. You've probably heard about it. I wouldn't call it love. We both had done this out of our parents' expectations. I tried to fulfill my role as a husband because your words still stuck with me. You told me that I would find someone with whom I would create a family and even though I couldn't love her the way I loved you I wanted to try to be happy, just for you," he paused to thank the waitress for the coffee and continued once she bowed and left.

"Then she got pregnant but she didn't want the child. Things started to slowly fall apart. I was aware that she preferred not to be tied by any strings but later she told me that the only reason why she had accepted the marriage was to get her parents off her back. I couldn't blame her. After all, we both had been pressured into an artificial relationship. The child was innocent though so we agreed that we will get a divorce after Minseok's birth and only I will take care of him," he explained smiling bitterly.

Changbin couldn't even utter a word. He didn't know the younger had gone through so much in those 3 years. He always focused on his broken heart thinking that the love of his life had moved on and lived a happy married life. Now that he learned the truth his heart shattered into pieces. Not only Hyunjin hadn't forgotten him but also tried his best for him and only ended up just as lonely as Changbin himself with a small child to raise. He wanted to at least say 'I'm sorry to hear that but the knot in his throat didn't let him.

"But that's in the past. I divorced two years ago. As you can see I'm not a 'husband' anymore," the blond showed his left hand to the older, "I should have explained it in the very beginning. I'm sorry," Hyunjin smiled apologetically.

Changbin swallowed down the pity he felt for the other and found cthe courage to ask him one thing he couldn't understand even after Hyunjin's explanation. "Then who was the woman from yesterday?" The blond blinked a few times. "Oh. That was my sister Yeji. You've met her before. She helps out with Minseok whenever she can."

Changbin wanted to curl up and die from the embarrassment. How could he not recognize her voice? He didn't know her well but they had met a few times indeed. A crimson red blush covered his cheeks as he muttered a sheepish "I see," and glued his eyes to the table as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Changbin," Hyunjin tried to make the older look at him by taking his fidgeting hands into his own, "Now that you know everything I'll repeat what I told you yesterday. I won't let you slip away again. Even if you choose to run away I'll chase after you until you are mine. You told me that I confused love with attraction but after those three years you are still the only one I love; I've already found the one I fell in love with," he announced with determination. Changbin's eyes widened at the younger's confession.

"What would you say if I asked you to be mine again?"

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Hi, hello! ❣

I wrote this chapter a few days ago but I kinda forgot to publish it, oops. Anyways, here it is. I hope you liked it!

As always, thanks for the reads, votes, and comments.

Have a lovely day/night. ❤