Know that I still love you

Skies To Never Reach : Chapter: 10

Ji-Ho arrived at the wedding, heart racing, her eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on DK and Mingyu.

"Hey, Ji-Ho, what's wrong?" DK asked, his confusion evident.

"Where's Bam Bam?" Ji-Ho gasped, trying to catch her breath.

Without a word, they both pointed to the house on the hill. Ji-Ho nodded her thanks and dashed toward it.

"Emi, I thought Ji-Ho would leave with Minghao," DK said, still confused.

Emi shook her head in denial. "Did he already leave for the airport?"

"Oh, yes, he came right before you guys arrived. His flight is in an hour," DK replied as he walked off to fetch drinks.

Ji-Ho reached the house just as Bam Bam finished adjusting his suit.

"Come in," he called, turning around, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw Ji-Ho.

"Ji-Ho," he said, voice tinged with shock.

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the unspoken words between them filling the space.

"I'm here to say goodbye," Ji-Ho began, her voice trembling slightly. "And to thank you. You helped me realize that I was always in love with Minghao. I confused my feelings for his presence, thinking I needed him around, but now I know I want him. I want to love him forever. Even though I can't forgive you for everything, I know you loved me. I just need to know that you'll be happy now. Please, be okay."

Bam Bam smiled softly. "I'm glad you came to your senses. Minghao is a good man, and he deserves someone who will love him fully. I couldn't be what you needed, but I know he will be. Go to him, Ji-Ho. Here, take one of my drivers, hurry!"

Ji-Ho nodded, a single tear slipping down her cheek as she gave him one last hug. She ran out of the house, rushing to say her goodbyes to everyone. With urgency in her voice, she asked the chauffeur to take her to the airport.

The airport felt like a blur as she ran through it, her heart pounding. She checked in for her flight, barely pausing to catch her breath before searching frantically for Minghao. She weaved through the crowds, and finally, just as he was about to board, she saw him.

"Minghaoooo, don't leave!!!" she shouted, her voice cracking with emotion.

Minghao froze, his back to her. He stood still, not wanting to face her but feeling a deep longing within himself.

"Please, Minghao," Ji-Ho cried, her voice desperate as she walked toward him. She gently wrapped her arms around his waist. "Please don't leave."

His heart raced, torn between the desire to turn around and the pain of their past.

"Why shouldn't I?" Minghao asked, his voice strained. "Tell me why, Ji-Ho. You shouldn't have come. Just go."

He gently tried to remove her arms from around him, but Ji-Ho held on tightly.

"Minghao, please," she begged, her voice a whisper. "I love you."

Minghao's chest tightened. His hands clenched into fists, trying to hold back the tears. "Ji-Ho, after a while, I got tired of chasing you. It felt like I was begging you to love me when all I was really doing was forcing something that was never there. You got used to me being around because I was always there when you needed me, but that's not love."

Ji-Ho's heart shattered. She tried to speak, but Minghao cut her off.

"My mistake was letting you come back into my life every time, thinking you'd change. At first, everything was fine, but soon, you'd pull away again, leaving me broken. I have no one to blame but myself for letting you in. But I've learned. I've learned how to say goodbye and mean it."

His voice cracked, a tear rolling down his cheek.

"Please, Minghao, don't leave me like this," Ji-Ho pleaded, her hands grasping at his sleeves.

Minghao closed his eyes, fighting to keep his emotions in check. "I won't keep begging, Ji-Ho. But before we part ways and never see each other again, I want you to know something—ever since I came back and saw you, I realized you were always the one I loved. I just pretended I could forget you, to let you go, but I can't. The truth is, I've been lying to myself."

She wiped away her tears, her voice barely audible. "I thought you'd be better off without me, but now I know. I can't run from this anymore."

Minghao stood still for a moment, his heart beating faster. Then, without warning, he turned to face her. His arms pulled her close, and he kissed her gently. Ji-Ho closed her eyes, realizing in that instant that letting go had been a mistake. Every moment they spent apart had only caused more pain.

They pulled away slowly, and Minghao whispered, "I can't lose you again, Ji-Ho. If we face any obstacles, we face them together."

From that moment on, they were inseparable. Together, they moved to the U.S., where they both pursued their dreams at a prestigious dance academy. Minghao's talent as a dancer made him highly sought after, and he eventually became a trainer for a major competition. Ji-Ho, too, became an instructor at a renowned university. They thrived both professionally and personally, often performing together, wowing audiences as a powerful duo.

Three years later, they returned to Seoul, eager to reunite with the 97s.

At DK and Emi's home, they were greeted warmly. "Welcome back, we missed you!" Mingyu said, his voice filled with excitement.

Everyone had settled down—DK and Emi were married, Mingyu had a wife and child, and Bam Bam was happily married with a newborn. The night was filled with laughter, Korean BBQ, and endless catching up.

"So, when are you two getting married?" DK teased, nudging Minghao. "You've been gone for three years, and sure, you came to our weddings, but it's time, right? Maybe even a baby, Minghao?"

Minghao blushed slightly, squeezing Ji-Ho's hand. "Soon," he murmured, "we've just been busy."

The girls sat at one table while the guys continued talking.

"Are you proposing tomorrow?" Bam Bam asked, grinning. "Did you get everything I told you?"

Minghao nodded, excitement building inside him. The night passed in a blur of joy and laughter.

The next morning, Ji-Ho woke up to find Minghao missing. She frowned, searching the house for him. "Emi, have you seen Minghao?"

Emi looked up with a smile. "Oh, yes, he went out with the guys. They said it was important. By the way, we're having a girls' night! I've left you a dress, jewelry, and shoes. The makeup artist will be here at 4, so get ready!"

Ji-Ho felt a mix of confusion and excitement. She quickly texted Minghao, letting him know she'd be out with the girls.

When 4 o'clock arrived, Ji-Ho was ready. She slipped into a stunning sea-blue dress and crystal heels. The makeup artist finished her look, and soon, the girls were in the car, heading to a mysterious location.

They arrived at a beautiful white terrace high above the mountains. The space was decorated with candles, flowers, and soft lighting. As Ji-Ho marveled at the sight, the girls excused themselves, leaving her alone.

Confused, Ji-Ho called out, "Girls?" But the backyard was silent.

Suddenly, she saw the guys—DK, Mingyu, and Bam Bam—standing in a V formation, each holding a rose. A soft voice filled the air as Minghao stepped forward, his eyes locked on Ji-Ho.

He began to sing a song he had written for her, his voice soothing and filled with emotion. Ji-Ho's eyes welled with tears.

"Minghao, this life has been chaotic, but you've become my peace. When I met you, I knew I'd found my match. It was only a matter of time until we reached this moment. When I think of the future, I picture us as two trees, planted side-by-side, our roots growing stronger with time. I will love you forever, Ji-Ho."

He kneeled, pulling out a beautiful diamond ring. "Ji-Ho, will you marry me?"

Tears streamed down Ji-Ho's face as she threw herself into his arms. "Yes! Yes!" she cried, as he slid the ring onto her finger.