The Wings of Harmony

18. Weight of the World...

That night, as they lounged on the couch in Nam Joon's room, he  complained, "Why did you insist on paying for the hotel and food?"

Manya shrugged, "Let's go Dutch. You covered the flight, and I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage. If we split the costs, I can enjoy peacefully."

Nam Joon countered, "It might have been a bit excessive, and I feel like I made you spend more than necessary."

Manya reassured him, "Don't worry. I'm quite comfortable financially. Maybe not on your scale, but as a CEO with shares in my company and a substantial salary, I'm well-off. Plus, I don't spend much since I'm not very outgoing."

Wanting to steer the conversation elsewhere  she added, "By the way, Niha is a talented fashion designer. and our dream is to open a new fashion brand. She's also a big fan of Suga and has designed outfits for him. Let me show you some photos."

She moved closer to him, holding out her phone, "Niha is so different from me—light-hearted, always full of energy, and the life of the party."

Nam Joon felt a spark from her proximity and felt an irresistible pull to close the gap between them.

"I should meet her. She sounds fantastic," he said with a grin.

Hearing this, Manya frowned and pulled the phone away, moving back. Nam Joon chuckled, "What? Are you jealous? You can't be jealous over a friend-zoned guy."

Noticing her struggle to hide her emotions. He gently cupped her face to turn it towards him, his gaze intense. "But I could be jealous," he murmured softly. "I want you to think of me, only me. Yet, you keep talking about her."

Before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her. The kiss began tenderly but quickly grew passionate. His touch was urgent as his kisses traveled from her lips to her cheek, ear, and neckline. Each movement conveyed his deep desire.

When his kisses ventured lower, Manya froze, a realization washing over her. Sensing her tension, Nam Joon pulled back and, needing a moment to adjust, turned on the TV to lighten the mood. "Shall we watch a movie?" he asked gently, offering her a chance to regain her composure.

Though both were emotionally charged, they tried to relax by watching a movie. Manya, however, was lost in thought, grappling with a painful realization. She understood that a friendship with Nam Joon was unfeasible; it simply wouldn't work. Nam Joon, aiming to keep things light, chatted casually, but she was distant.

After a while, she spoke with regret, "Nam Joon, I'm sorry, but I think I'm just causing you pain. You might be happier with someone else. I don't think we can even be friends. Let's break up. This isn't working, and I don't want to hurt you anymore."

Nam Joon smiled gently, his tone bemused, "We haven't even started anything yet, and you're already talking about breaking up? You're so inexperienced."

Manya pouted, and he continued, "Can you tell me why you feel this way?"

"I'm scared of the public scrutiny," she admitted, her voice trembling. "Eventually, we'd be exposed, and the thought of that terrifies me. If there's no future, I don't want to drag you into something that will only cause us both pain."

Nam Joon looked at her with a mix of understanding and determination. "I get that you're scared, and that's completely okay. But running away now won't change anything."

He paused, his gaze steady. "I know the public eye is daunting, and I understand your fears about judgment. But I believe in us. If we face this together, we can handle the scrutiny. We can create our own path and not let external pressures dictate our future."

Manya's voice remained steady despite the emotional weight of her words. "All the reasons I've mentioned still stand. I think it's best for us to take a break, Nam Joon."

He studied her face, seeing the resolve in her eyes. He realized, she was still rassling with her own feelings and wasn't fully aware of what her heart truly wanted, she might need time to sort out her feelings. He thought, If she needs this break to find clarity, then so be it. If she misses me and what we had, she'll realize what she truly desires.

Nam Joon took a deep breath, reflecting on their time together and the future he hoped for. With a gentle but firm nod, he replied, "Alright, Manya. If a break is what you need, we'll do that. I hope this time apart helps you figure things out." He reached out, giving her a reassuring squeeze on the hand.

The next day, Nam Joon dropped Manya off at her home, his heart feeling heavy yet hopeful. He hoped that this break would give them both the clarity they needed. As they parted ways, the reality of their decision weighed heavily on them.