Secret Love

9| rings

Mrs. Lee's voice halted Jisung's retreat, her words hanging in the air like a challenge. "Jisung, wait a minute!" she called out, her tone firm but laced with a hint of curiosity.

Jisung's feet faltered, his body swiveling reluctantly to face her. "Y-yes?" he stuttered, his eyes avoiding hers.

Mrs. Lee's gaze locked onto his, her expression unreadable. "Before you head to your room, could you please give this to Minho?" she asked, her voice dripping with innocence.

Jisung's heart sank, his mind racing with excuses to refuse. But none came to mind, and he felt himself nodding in agreement, his body moving of its own accord towards the stairs.

Each step felt like a death sentence, Jisung's anxiety spiking with every creak of the staircase. His throat constricted, his breath coming in short gasps as he approached Minho's room.

His hand trembled as he reached out to grasp the doorknob, his heart heavy with foreboding. The moment he saw Minho, he knew he'd crumble, his emotions raw and exposed.

With a deep breath, Jisung steeled himself for the encounter, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of Minho. But his heart wasn't prepared for the pain that awaited him, and he felt his resolve crumbling, piece by piece.

Jisung's knuckles hesitated, hovering over the door as he summoned the courage to knock. The raps were timid, barely audible, and he waited with bated breath for a response. Time ticked by at a glacial pace, and just as he was about to knock again, the door swung open, leaving him frozen.

His hand remained suspended in mid-air, his eyes locking onto Minho's, which seemed to bore into his very soul. The intensity of Minho's gaze sent shivers coursing through Jisung's veins, his heart racing with a mix of fear and longing.

Minho's chiseled features were set in a stern expression, his eyes gleaming with an unnerving intensity. The only sound was the soft rustling of the towel wrapped around his waist, a poignant reminder of his vulnerability. Jisung's eyes darted away, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

For what felt like an eternity, the two simply stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Jisung's mind went blank, his purpose for coming to Minho's room forgotten in the face of his overwhelming presence.

It was Minho who finally broke the silence, his voice low and husky. "Why are you here?" The question was blunt, almost accusatory, and Jisung felt a stinging sensation in his chest.

He stuttered, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Oh! M-mom...told me to give you this." His eyes dropped, focusing on the box in his hand as if it was a lifeline.

Minho's gaze never wavered, his eyes fixed on Jisung's downcast face. He reached out, his fingers brushing against Jisung's as he took the box. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through Jisung's body, and he hastily withdrew his hand.

For a moment, Minho simply looked at Jisung, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and disappeared into his room, the door closing behind him with a soft click.

Jisung stood there, frozen in time, his heart heavy with emotions. He felt as though he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him. Slowly, he turned and made his way to the room he'd been assigned, his legs feeling like lead.

As he lay on the bed, he couldn't shake off the feeling of desolation that had settled in his chest. The memory of Minho's intense gaze and the touch of his fingers lingered, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, and Jisung let out a shuddering breath, his heart breaking all over again.

Minho lay motionless, his hands clasped behind his head, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as his mind wrestled with the turmoil brewing within. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of his own ragged breathing. But then, a faint whimper pierced the air, sending a jolt through Minho's entire being.