The Second Choice

Spiral

Y/N slowly stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. The first thing she noticed was the unfamiliar emptiness beside her. Jimin's side of the bed was cold, the sheets slightly rumpled as if he had left hours ago. A wave of unease washed over her as she sat up, her mind still hazy from sleep.

She glanced around the penthouse bedroom, searching for any sign of Jimin, but the space was eerily quiet. The events of the previous night came rushing back—Jimin's intensity, the passion they had shared, and the unspoken tension she had felt simmering beneath the surface.

Y/N threw off the covers and slid out of bed, her bare feet touching the cool hardwood floor. She wrapped Jimin's oversized robe around herself and padded toward the living room, hoping to find him there.

The living room was empty too, except for the remnants of last night—a wine glass on the coffee table and a blanket draped over the couch. A tight knot formed in her chest as she realized how quiet the apartment was, the kind of quiet that felt lonely rather than peaceful.

"Jimin?" she called out softly, her voice barely louder than a whisper. When there was no response, she tried again, louder this time. Still nothing.

She wandered into the kitchen, where the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air. A cup was sitting on the counter, half-full, and still slightly warm to the touch. He had been here not too long ago.

As she looked around the kitchen, her gaze fell on a small note propped up against the coffee maker. Her heart skipped a beat as she reached for it, unfolding the paper with trembling hands.

"Good morning, Y/N. I had to step out early for some things. I'll be back soon. Make yourself at home, and I hope you slept well. - Jimin"

Y/N sighed, relief mixing with a lingering sense of unease. The note was simple, but there was something about it that felt distant, almost impersonal. It wasn't like Jimin to leave without a word, especially after the night they'd shared.

She glanced out the window at the city below, the streets already bustling with morning activity. Where could he have gone so early? The questions swirled in her mind, refusing to settle.

Deciding not to let her thoughts spiral, Y/N tried to distract herself. She made her way back to the bedroom, slipping out of the robe and into the shower. The warm water cascaded over her, soothing her tense muscles, but it did little to calm the restlessness in her heart.

After her shower, Y/N dressed in the clothes she had left at Jimin's place—a pair of comfortable jeans and a soft sweater. She wandered aimlessly around the penthouse, checking her phone for any messages from Jimin. There was nothing new, just the usual notifications and a few texts from friends.

Feeling increasingly uneasy, Y/N decided to make herself breakfast. She moved around the kitchen, trying to shake off the strange feeling of being alone in Jimin's space without him. She made some eggs and toast, the routine act of cooking offering a small comfort.

As she sat at the breakfast bar, eating in silence, her thoughts drifted back to the previous night. She couldn't help but wonder if something had changed between them. Jimin had been different, more intense and distant at the same time. It was as if he was holding something back, something that weighed heavily on him.

Y/N finished her breakfast and cleaned up, still no sign of Jimin. She checked her phone again, hoping for a text or call, but there was still nothing. The silence was beginning to feel oppressive.

Unable to sit still any longer, she debated whether to leave a note or a text. Something about the way Jimin had left her the brief, almost impersonal note this morning made her pause. A note felt too formal, too detached for the situation. Instead, she picked up her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen as she considered what to say.