Secret Love

6| stay away

Despite Minho's icy demeanor, Jisung refused to let it pierce his heart. He chose to overlook the hurtful behavior, fearing that if he retaliated with indifference, their friendship would crumble. Jisung's desire was to strengthen their bond, to nurture it into something more profound, something he had secretly longed for.

With a heavy heart, Jisung swallowed the pain, silencing his emotions as he endured Minho's callous words and actions. But the weight of his feelings threatened to overwhelm him.

"How long can I keep this up?" he wondered, his mind racing with the turmoil brewing within. Jisung had feelings, too – sadness, anger, and frustration – yet he continued to absorb the hurt, his love and concern for Minho holding him back.

Their history was one of laughter and tears, of fights and makeups. As children, they had clashed, but their bond remained unbreakable.

Minho had always been there to comfort Jisung, to envelop him in a warm hug, and to whisper apologies. He had never let Jisung cry himself to sleep; instead, Minho would seek him out, holding him close until the storm passed.

The memories of their past lingered, a bittersweet reminder of the present. Jisung's heart ached, longing for the Minho he once knew, the one who had always been his rock, his confidant, and his best friend.

The distance between them now seemed insurmountable, leaving Jisung to wonder if he would ever find his way back to the Minho he loved.

But now, the dynamics of their relationship had shifted. With each passing day, Minho's distance and indifference grew, leaving Jisung bewildered. This wasn't the Minho he knew, the one who had always been his safe haven, his confidant, and his best friend.

The Minho of the past would never have let Jisung suffer in silence, his sadness and hurt ignored. But now, it seemed as though Minho had erected an impenetrable wall around himself, shutting Jisung out.

The memory of their kiss, though awkward, had seemingly been brushed aside, with Minho's only comment being a gentle warning not to do anything foolish again.

After that day, they had fallen back into their familiar routine, their bond seemingly unbroken.

So, why the sudden change? What had triggered this coldness in Minho? Jisung's mind swirled with questions, his heart heavy with the realization that their friendship was fraying at the seams.

Minho's curt command cut through the air, "Get in!" Jisung's eyes fluttered closed, his heart wincing at the brusqueness. He heard Minho's muttered complaint, "I don't know why I have to do this?" The words stung, but Jisung chose to ignore the hurt, his silence a fragile shield against the pain.

He slid into the car, his movements quiet and subdued. The silence between them had grown thicker, a palpable presence that suffocated Jisung.

Another week had passed, with Jisung barely uttering a word to Minho, fearful of being shut down or dismissed as annoying. The memories of Minho's hurtful words lingered, a constant ache in Jisung's heart.

As the car glided through the streets, Jisung's gaze drifted out the window, his thoughts a jumble of confusion and pain. "Why am I still clinging to him?" he wondered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It's clear he doesn't want me around, that he's grown tired of my presence." The realization stung, but Jisung couldn't help but question the true reason behind Minho's behavior. "Is it really because of my confession, or is there something more?" The uncertainty gnawed at Jisung's soul, leaving him feeling lost and forsaken.

As they arrived at the company, Minho stepped out of the car first, followed by Jisung. They entered the building, greeted by the warm smiles and respectful bows of the employees. Jisung forced a smile, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings.