Know that I still love you

One More Chance To Hold You: Chapter 9

Ji-Ho stepped out of the room and onto the rooftop, feeling the cool air brush against her skin. Minghao stood by the edge, his eyes lost in the view, but when he heard her footsteps, he turned. His face immediately softened with concern. "Hey, did something go wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Ji-Ho wiped her eyes, her tears still fresh. "No, it's... I've been accepted into the same academy as you in the U.S., with a full scholarship and a job offer, but I haven't been able to make the decision yet. I feel like I have to stay here," she said, her voice breaking. "I can't leave him."

Minghao's expression darkened. "Why? Why keep turning down opportunities like this? Why are you holding onto something that clearly isn't meant to be?" His words were filled with frustration and hurt.

Ji-Ho looked up at him, her chest tightening. "Why should you care?" she snapped, trying to push back the pain swelling inside her.

Before Minghao could answer, Ji-Ho turned, only to find Bam Bam and Mindy standing at the doorway, kissing. The sight of them together tore at her heart. Without thinking, Minghao walked toward Ji-Ho, grasping her by the shoulders and gently turning her around. He kissed her, a deep, passionate kiss—one that took Ji-Ho by surprise. He kissed her not just to show his love, but to shield her from the sight of the person she still held in her heart kissing someone else.

The kiss lingered for a moment, but as soon as it ended, Ji-Ho stepped back, her hand over her lips. "Why did you do that?" she asked, her voice shaky, as the weight of the situation settled over her.

Before Minghao could respond, Ji-Ho turned on her heel, walking out of the school, her eyes burning with unshed tears. As she stepped outside, she saw Bam Bam and Mindy still locked in an embrace. The pain felt unbearable.

"Minghao, please," she heard him say, but she couldn't bring herself to turn around. Minghao was right behind her, calling her name, but she couldn't bear to face him.

The day stretched on as Ji-Ho walked aimlessly, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and heartbreak. She finally found herself sitting on a set of cold stairs, crying uncontrollably. The rain began to pour, but she barely noticed, her sobs louder than the storm around her. It felt like the world was drowning with her.

Out of nowhere, a black car pulled up in front of her, and she looked up to see Bam Bam stepping out. His face was solemn, but there was a sadness in his eyes that Ji-Ho had never seen before.

"Ji-Ho, please... go home," he said softly, his voice cracking with emotion.

"No," Ji-Ho replied, her voice breaking. "I won't go home unless you love me again." She dropped to her knees, her tears mingling with the rain.

Bam Bam sighed heavily, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm getting married in two days, Ji-Ho. I don't think this love we had is what you think it is. It was real, but sometimes people change. You've always been loved by someone who truly cares about you, and maybe it's time for you to realize that."

Ji-Ho shook her head, trying to push away the memories. "I still love you, Bam Bam. I don't understand why you're doing this."

Bam Bam took a deep breath, his words painful to say. "I love you, Ji-Ho. But it's not the same anymore. I hope you find someone who smiles every time you walk in the door, someone who loves you the way I once did. You deserve that, someone who can give you their whole heart. But... I can't be that person for you anymore."

As his words hit her, she felt her heart shatter. The realization that he was truly moving on, that he was marrying someone else, was too much to bear.

Before Ji-Ho could respond, she saw Minghao walking toward them, his face resolute. "Stop this nonsense. I still love you, Ji-Ho, and I know you don't love Mindy. There's something between us. I know you feel it too."

Ji-Ho stood up, wiping away her tears, the weight of her emotions crashing over her like a tidal wave. "Bam Bam, I... I need you to hear me. I've been holding on to something that isn't coming back. I need to stop this, to let you go."

Bam Bam shook his head, pulling out an envelope from his jacket. "This is the wedding invitation," he said, holding it out to her. "If you realize that you still love me, if you finally understand that you've been holding onto something that's gone, come to the wedding. Find me then."

"No, no!" Ji-Ho yelled as Bam Bam turned and walked away. "I can't! Please, don't leave me like this!"

Minghao was by her side in an instant, his arms wrapping around her, holding her close. "It's okay, Ji-Ho. Let it out. It's okay," he whispered, his voice soothing as they stood together in the rain.

Later that night, Minghao took Ji-Ho to his home. He handed her a change of clothes, his own, and she silently went to change. When she came back, they sat together, the silence between them heavy with unspoken emotions.

"I just want to feel safe with someone," Ji-Ho said quietly, her eyes filled with vulnerability. "I want to be with someone who loves me fully, who's not afraid to show me how they feel. I need to know that when someone says they love me, they really mean it. And you... you're the one who makes me feel safe."

Minghao looked at her, his heart racing as he spoke from his heart. "Ji-Ho, no one has ever gotten me like you do. You make me laugh, you make me want to keep dancing. You make me want to be happy, to be with you. I stopped trying because I thought you were happy with Bam Bam, but I never stopped loving you. I've loved you for so long."

Ji-Ho felt her chest tighten at his words, her emotions swirling. "Minghao, I... I didn't expect this, but I can't. I still believe Bam Bam will come back to me. I can't let go of that hope."

Minghao reached out, his voice gentle but firm. "You're holding on to something that isn't coming back. You need to stop. I've watched you tear yourself apart for too long. It's time to heal, Ji-Ho. It's time to move on."

But Ji-Ho pulled away, her voice filled with defiance. "I can't just forget him. I can't let go."

Minghao stood still, a tear slipping down his cheek. This was the moment he knew he had to let her go. He grabbed a photo of Ji-Ho, holding it to his chest. "I think it's time to let you go," he whispered to himself, his voice trembling as he left her home, his heart breaking.

The next day, Ji-Ho woke up from a restless sleep, the weight of everything crashing down on her. It was graduation day, and she felt numb as she walked through the ceremony with Emi. She couldn't bring herself to glance at Bam Bam or Mindy; it was all too painful.

Later, Ji-Ho and Minghao performed their duet backstage, their eyes avoiding each other. But as they danced, something unspoken passed between them—the familiar connection that had always been there. They danced passionately, elegantly, their chemistry undeniable. When the performance ended, Ji-Ho felt a sense of finality, a realization that something had shifted between them.

After the ceremony, Minghao approached Emi, handing her a letter for Ji-Ho. "Could you give this to her tomorrow morning?" he asked softly.

Emi nodded, sensing the tension between them. "Are you leaving already?"

Minghao smiled faintly. "Yes. My flight's in the afternoon. I'm going to say goodbye to Bam Bam and then leave. Please take care of Ji-Ho."

The next morning, Emi handed Ji-Ho the letter from Minghao. Ji-Ho opened it, her hands trembling as she read his words:

"It hurts to say goodbye forever. I came back for you, but I know I missed my chance. I've tried giving my all to you, but watching you hold onto someone who doesn't love you the way you deserve has been too painful. I love you, Ji-Ho. I will always love you, even from a distance, because you are the one who makes me feel alive. I hope you find the happiness you deserve, even if it's not with me."

Ji-Ho's heart ached as she read the letter, the weight of Minghao's love sinking in. "How could I have been so blind?" she whispered to herself. "I do love you, Minghao. I'm sorry."

She put on her blue dress and did her makeup, feeling the weight of everything change in that moment. "Emi, let's go. We're going to the wedding," she said, her voice steady despite the tears that had been shed.

This time, Ji-Ho was ready to make a choice—to face the truth and stop holding onto the hope of something that had long been gone. She was ready to take control of her own happiness.