I Hope You Love Me Too

33 Roses

Zhehan spent the entire day crying over the situation.

When he saw his reflection in the mirror, he found himself laughing at his own actions. He found amusement in his own foolishness. Despite closing his door, he unintentionally left the window open.

He struggled to move on from his feelings for Gong Jun. Even though he still harbors love for him, he is hesitant to acknowledge it.

Despite being aware that his actions are not right and his thoughts are misguided, Zhehan cannot bring himself to release his attachment to Gong Jun.    It was already done a decade ago; they cannot continue engaging in this activity up to the present time.    Another mistake cannot be made after making one.

Upon realizing this Zhehan quickly packed everything he needed to travel not even knowing the exact location of Gong Jun. The only reference he had was a letter from Gong Jun, but he still followed him, longing to see him once more. Despite the uncertain outcome, he hoped to have a chance to speak with Gong Jun for one last time.

Gong Jun was gazing out the window, contemplating the hour remaining before marrying Alexine. He questioned how he found himself in this situation, not ending up with his lover or Lisha, and pondered the twists of fate that had led him here.   He struggled to make sense of the game destiny seemed to be playing with him.

With only an hour until his marriage to Alexine, Gong Jun felt powerless to change his circumstances. He felt defeated by a game of his own making and spiraled into despair. Perhaps, it is a consequence for Gong Jun for causing pain to two people who truly loved him, leading to him blaming and punishing himself.

In the midst of his indecisiveness, someone entered the room and handed him a bunch of roses.

"Here are 33 roses for you, sir," the woman said cheerfully as she greeted Gong Jun.

Gong Jun was puzzled when the lady with a radiant smile offered him the bouquet, he asked why the woman give it to him when he wasn't the one who will walk in the I'll

The girl clarified that the bouquet was indeed for him, as a man had asked her to deliver it to Gong Jun.
Surprised by this revelation, Gong Jun questioned "A man?..." asking the girl about the mysterious man's identity.

"Uom... Yeah he also ask me to give you a message to please come to the rooftop after receiving the flow..." The girl explained. Without finishing his incredulous remark, Gong Jun hurried to the rooftop clutching the bouquet.

Upon opening the door to the rooftop, Gong Jun immediately spotted a man in a long jacket looking out into the distance.

"Zhehan?" He called out. Upon hearing his voice, the man turned towards him and greeted him with a smile. A very subtle smile

" Gong Jun," Zhehan said which made Gong Jun let out a slight smile initially, like hope rays reached him. However this smile doesn't last for long, it's vanished hearing Zhehan's next words.  

"You're so inconsiderate!" Zhehan exclaimed like blaming Gong Jun for sending a message without asking for his opinion and running away.

Gong Jun feels it in every kind of way, he took a deep breath and looked at Zhehan.   

" I'm sorry, I just want to deliver this kind of farewell to you... A proper goodbye. without turning back if i were to see you, I would not be able to handle it. " He said.

"A-and you called that proper?" Zhehan muttered clenching his fist wanting to immobilized Gong Jun who's right infront of him right here right now.

"I discussed your opinion with you, and you have already responded to me," Gong Jun states contradicting Zhehan's statement.

"What do you mean?, Which part of it have I addressed?" Zhehan replied, glancing at Gong Jun.

He actively avoided interacting with Gong Jun and went to great lengths to try and forget him. They had a disagreement, but he can't recall when he actually responded to Gong Jun. Gong Jun tried speaking again, saying but stopped midway as he remembered the events of that day and the words spoken by Zhehan. It became clear to him that the response he heard from Zhehan wasn't a true answer.

"Look, I didn't say anything." Zhehan then stated.

"Isn't silence and avoidance a form of response?" Gong Jun argued.

Zhehan immediately replied,

"No, it's not."

"You're tricking me!" Gong Jun exclaimed after realizing that zhehan is playing with words

"Do you expect me to blindly accept your words and act like nothing happened?" Zhehan retorted.

Gong Jun remained silent as he gazed at Zhehan, a smile etched on his face, tenderly cherishing the moment.

Zhehan noticed the beauty in Gong Jun's eyes that day, captivated by his sincere and happy smile, which surpassed any previous smiles he had seen in the past 10 years.   

"All right, I surrender.   Let's forget about it." Zhehan stated.

Gong Jun expressed confusion about Zhehan's thoughts, "Leave behind...what?" He asked.

"Our history..." Zhehan said, gazing earnestly at Gong Jun.

"Let's move on from it."

Upon hearing this, Gong Jun was startled and his eyes widened in surprise.

He was caught off guard by Zhehan's unexpected words.

Gong Jun felt a mix of emotions - happiness, confusion, and shock - and he struggled to find the right words to express his feelings to Zhehan.    "He is unsure of how to respond or what to say.  

All he can feel is immense happiness, so much so that tears begin to stream down his face continuously.

His tears of joy were impossible to hide, overwhelmed by emotions and unsure of what to do with them, he simply let them flow.

Looking at Zhehan with tears in his eyes, he softly said.

"You finally understand." This triggered memories of Gong Jun's unspoken words during their previous argument, leaving Zhehan in tears as well.
 
Intrigued by Gong Jun's emotional breakdown, Zhehan observed him closely, realizing the depth of his feelings. Apologizing for his delayed understanding, Zhehan witnessed Gong Jun's smile full of love and honesty.
 
Assuring Zhehan that his realization was sufficient, Gong Jun comforted him despite Zhehan's hesitance at first.   Overwhelmed with emotions, Zhehan felt like he made the right choice in his life after seeing Gong Jun's reaction.
 
When Zhehan timidly mentioned having a favor to ask, Gong Jun's expression shifted from joy to confusion and nervousness.  

"I hope you will love me more," Surprised by Zhehan's request Gong Jun was at a loss for words, feeling unprecedented happiness.
 
As Gong Jun struggled to comprehend Zhehan's plea his tears and tender smile conveyed his overwhelming joy.

" I Promised." he said. Swear to love Zhehan even more passionately, Gong Jun expressed his happiness with a smile brighter than daylight.
 
Confused by Gong Jun's sudden silence and intense gaze, Zhehan anxiously called his name.

Despite this, Gong Jun wiped his tears, sharing his happiness through a promise of endless love and 33 roses.