In which he has been in love with her for so long and she just fails to notice it.
"You have no idea... My heart has been yearning for you, waiting for you."
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Ateez Fanfiction : non idol!Hongjoong x fem!OC
✏ 01.05.202...
A/N: the flashback is kinda a continuation of chap 16 but in a scene before Hongjoong picked Hyemi up ✌️
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- Present -
Hongjoong wasn't expecting that.
The string of his heart is being pulled virgorously in his chest, creating beats that afford to make a love song.
Jang Hyemi owns his heart without knowing.
Alrighty.Don't freak out.
"Um... Well, I heard from Emi and seriously wanna know why you didn't tell her your past history with her jerk-of-a-fiance Giseok?"
"Never know you despise him that much?"
"Answer me."
The boy shrugs, leaving his friend's question unanswered. Still, the face he makes whenever Giseok is mentioned speaks louder than any verbal words. It makes Hyemi laugh inwardly.
How stubborn.
"Firstly, it's Emi. Secondly, it's pointless to talk about the past." She explains.
In all honesty, Hyemi wishes the couple nothing but happiness. At the café, she witnessed them all : the stars in Emi's eyes when she talked to Giseok or the way Giseok lovingly reciprocated his future wife's gaze. Those pronounced true love.
It's not like the time dating Giseok was fake. It was so real and ideal for a highschool love. However, past is past and no one can do anything about it.
Hongjoong listens intently. The way she sounds so calm makes him wonder if it's true or she's trying to mask her emotion again.
Knowing his friend, he bets a million times she would never bring up the history with Giseok in front of Emi. Her leniency, it is not only a blessing but also a curse that he wants to encircle and console with open arms.
"You listen," he speaks, leaning forward slightly. "Don't hesitate to reach out."
Hyemi feels her heart skipping several beats when Hongjoong's eyes trail from their clasping hands and find her face in a snap. His next line undeniably sends her both shudder and comfort at once.
"I always got your back."
Admittedly, Hongjoong's presence has such an impact in her life but in an odd way compared to before, considering how butterflies multiplying in her stomach at the moment.
She mutters, managing to save herself from her own nerves. "Sure."
"For real, I'm confident about you being a baker now." Hongjoong edges closer to Hyemi and gives her a teasing nudge on the shoulder as they get back to the sofa again. "Your croissants are super good though!"
