Rogue Hearts | PJM ✅

Chp. 41: Facing the Music

Dallia's POV 🌼

After Ye-Joon and his father leave, Ha-Kun folds me into his arms and gives me a big brotherly hug, and helps calm me down. "Sorry about the ambush, but everything was happening so fast and I wanted to get to his father over here as fast as I could..." Ha-Kun explains.

"It's okay. Thank you for relentlessly investigating this situation. I don't know too many people who would do that," I say as I part from his arms and steady myself.

"We care about you, Dallia," I hear a voice say, and I turn to see Lily walking my way.

"I know," I nod gently as I think about all the things these two fabulous people have done for me. I still don't feel worthy of this level of friendship, but I'm learning. Every day I am learning about what I deserve and it's been eye-opening.

Lily hooks her elbow through mine and slowly steers me out of the room. "I want you to remember that right now..." she says carefully.

"What do you mean?" I ask as we approach her studio door.

"That I only do things because I care about people," she says softly.

"Oh, Lily, I know," I respond, concerned about the way she is scrunching her nose at me.

"Then understand why I'm asking you to go into my studio right now," she says, a worried look on her face. "There is someone inside who wants to speak with you...."

"It's him isn't it?" I ask as my stomach tightens. Lily nods at me gently. "It's okay, Lily, I know your heart was in the right place when you agreed to come to get me. I'll talk to him...."

"We love you, Dallia. I'll be in my office if you need to talk later," she says and gives me a long hug before gliding away.

My breath is already labored, and my body is shaky. I haven't fully recovered from what just transpired in Ha-Kun's office, and now I'm about to walk into the unknown. I steel myself and walk into Lily's studio.

My eyes grow wide when I see a vast array of white pillar candles lit around the room, casting a soft glow; hundreds of red rose petals lay on the floor, creating a path I know is just for me, and there he stands, Jimin, he's wearing black fitted slacks and a white button-down dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He's a picture of handsome perfection as he nervously runs his hand through his hair, the other gripping onto a bouquet of flowers, their vibrant colors catching my eye and my breath.

"Jimin," his name drops from my lips quietly as my eyes dart around the room.

He begins walking towards me, but before he can reach me, I hold up my hand to stop him. I know if he comes any closer, any rational thought I have left will desert me, and I can't allow him to have that power over me before he's even explained himself.

"Dallia, please, I've missed you so much. I...I've been such a fool," he begins. "I should have come to you sooner. I messed up, and I'll do anything, please, just take me back..." Jimin pleads, and I feel lightheaded. I never thought he would be like this, I thought he moved on.

"Everyone came to talk to me and see if I was okay. Everyone asked for the full story, except you....I waited....for weeks..." I try not to cry, but a few tears escape as I start to relive all the desperate nights I spent wishing he would reach out.

"I know, Dallia, I'm so sorry..." Jimin begins.

"Sorry isn't good enough," I start to cry full force now. I knew I was hurt but didn't realize just how much until now. Until I have to look him in his beautiful face and see all that I've been missing standing in front of me. It feels like torture!

Jimin frowns, and he sets the flowers down, trying to take another step forward toward me, "Please...Dallia..."

"No!" I call out. "No! You don't get to do this to me! You don't get to leave me hanging with a broken heart for weeks on end because of your ego. You don't get to come here and give me the big grand gesture and woo me back, dammit!" I cry. "This is every woman's dream, Park Jimin shows up with a slew of flowers and candles looking ethereal and telling them he wants them back. Fuck, Jimin! I want this! I want to kiss you and hug you, and take you back, but this is....." I swing in a circle, my hands out waving at all the romantic tokens he's set up around the studio while my tears blur my eyes, "...this is all empty! You'll just rip my heart out when things get tough again..."

"No, I love you..." he cries out as he sinks to his knees, and my heart shatters all over again. I watch as the man I have loved for so many months kneels on the ground placing his palms face up on his thighs, and lowers his head in submission. "Please, Dallia, I'll do anything, I love you!" he begs.

"Jimin, don't do this. This isn't the kind of gesture I need. I don't need the big show, there's no action behind it. I love you, and I don't think I'll ever stop loving you, but I can't do this with you. You broke me," I say matter-of-factly as I make the hardest decision of my life.

"I do love you....I never stopped loving you," he whimpers.

"Jimin," I utter, but he keeps his head hung low, averting his eyes. "Jimin, look up at me," I command gently.

His beautiful dark eyes meet mine, piercing through my soul. His soft, pouty lips trembling with anticipation.

"If you loved me, then why am I the only one who is still wearing this damn bracelet every day?" I question as I pull up my sleeve and reveal the silver band that I haven't removed since the night he placed it on my wrist and then glance at Jimin's exposed forearms that are devoid of any jewelry at all.

Jimin's eyes widen in shock, the color draining from his face. He goes to speak, but I cut him off, "I don't know why everyone thinks they can treat me like shit! My ex from high school...Dae....Ye-Joon...YOU! I never thought you'd do it too!" I declare. Words I've never dared utter spilling from my lips. "Every damn one of you! I don't know what it is about me that you all think it's okay to walk all over me, but I refuse to let it happen again. I don't want to be anyone's victim anymore!"

I slide the silver bracelet off my wrist and place it on a nearby table, "I pick me this time, Jimin. I pick me. No more empty gestures. No more breaking my heart. I deserve more," I force the words out even though my heart wants me to run and take him in my arms. Then I turn and walk out the studio door, leaving Jimin on his knees and my heart at his feet.