𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 // Enhypen Heeseung [18+] (✓)

58: Truth and Heartache

The second concert had been another incredible experience, the energy and excitement of the day still lingering in the air as I returned to my hotel room. I sank onto the edge of the bed, the soft, comfortable mattress a welcome relief after the long, exhilarating day. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamp, casting gentle shadows across the walls.

I took a deep breath, letting the events of the day replay in my mind. The concert had been a massive success, the crowd's enthusiasm reaching new heights. As much as I had enjoyed the performance, I knew that the personal matters needed to be addressed. The conversations with Jungwon had left me with a sense of clarity, but now it was time to face Jake and have an honest discussion about our relationship.

My heart felt heavy as I thought about what I needed to say. Jake had been a wonderful friend, and he had shown sincere feelings for me, but it was important to be clear about my own. I needed to ensure that there were no misunderstandings, and that Jake knew where he stood in my life.

The knock at the door broke me from my thoughts. I glanced at the clock—it was almost time. I stood up and walked over to the door, taking a moment to compose myself. With a deep breath, I opened it to find Jake standing on the other side, his expression a mix of hope and nervousness.

"Hey, Jake," I greeted him, trying to keep my tone as warm and friendly as possible. "Thanks for coming by."

"Hey, Chloe," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of both anticipation and uncertainty. "I'm glad we can talk."

I stepped back to let him in, and he entered the room, looking around as if taking in the cozy, dimly lit space. Once he was inside, I closed the door behind him and turned to face him.

Jake took a seat on the edge of the bed, his posture relaxed but his eyes focused on me with earnestness. I took a deep breath, my fingers nervously twisting together.

"So," I began, trying to sound as calm and collected as possible, "I wanted to talk about us."

Jake's eyes met mine, and I could see the curiosity and a hint of apprehension in them. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

I sat down across from him, choosing my words carefully. "Jake, I really appreciate everything you've done and how you've been so supportive and caring. You're an amazing person, and I genuinely value our friendship."

He nodded, encouraging me to continue. "Yeah, I appreciate that. I've really enjoyed getting to know you better."

I took another deep breath, feeling the weight of what I was about to say. "I know you've expressed feelings for me, and I want to be completely honest with you. I see you as a really good friend. I care about you, but it's important to me that you understand that my feelings for you are not romantic."

Jake's face fell slightly, and I could see the disappointment in his eyes. He took a moment to absorb my words, his expression thoughtful. "I see," he said quietly. "I guess I hoped for something more, but I understand."

"I didn't want to keep you in the dark or give you false hope," I continued, feeling a pang of sadness at the look on his face. "It's really important to me that we remain honest with each other."

Jake nodded again, managing a small, sad smile. "Thanks for being honest, Chloe. I appreciate that you told me how you feel. It's a lot to take in, but I respect your feelings."

I could see that he was genuinely hurt, and my heart ached at the thought of causing him any pain. "I'm really sorry, Jake. I didn't want to hurt you. I hope we can still be friends and that this doesn't change how we interact."

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