raspberries and mocha | heejake

45

Jake paced anxiously outside the ring shop, his heart racing as he fought against the nerves bubbling in his stomach. The brightly lit store window displayed an array of elegant rings, sparkling under the fluorescent lights, but he couldn't focus on them. No, his eyes were locked on the scene unfolding just a few feet away.

Heeseung was inside, and with him was that woman—the same one Jake had seen him with before. They stood closely together, their laughter ringing out like a melody that twisted Jake's insides. He felt like an outsider, peering into a world where he no longer belonged, and it hurt more than he expected.

Jake crouched behind a nearby bench, trying to remain hidden while his mind raced. What the hell are they doing in a ring shop? He felt a mix of curiosity and dread as he watched Heeseung and the woman browse through rings.

Why is he even here with her? The thought gnawed at him as he strained to hear their conversation, his ears straining to catch snippets of their exchange.

"Do you think this one will fit?" Heeseung asked, his voice light and teasing, holding up a simple silver band that glinted in the light.

The woman laughed, a bright, melodic sound that made Jake's heart ache. "You're asking the wrong person! I can't even find the right size for myself," she teased back, nudging him playfully.

Jake's heart raced as he caught a few more words. "Wedding plans" and "ring" echoed in his mind, each syllable feeling like a punch to his gut. Wedding plans? The implications twisted like a knife in his chest. How could Heeseung be so easily moving on? Jake had thought their bond was something special, and yet here he was, watching Heeseung joke and laugh with someone else, seemingly without a care.

Jake felt the weight of his own insecurities pressing down on him. Had he really messed up that badly? The jealousy coursing through his veins made it hard to breathe, each inhalation mingled with bitterness and regret. He had waited too long to fix things, and now Heeseung was slipping away.

He clenched his fists, the anger and sadness threatening to overwhelm him. He had never felt so powerless in his life. With every second that passed, Jake felt more like a shadow lurking in the corner, watching his chance for happiness evaporate into thin air.

Then the woman leaned closer to Heeseung, whispering something that made him laugh again, and Jake's heart shattered. This can't be happening. He couldn't just stand there and watch them, but he felt frozen, a prisoner of his own emotions.

Finally, he turned on his heel and bolted down the street, desperate to escape the painful scene. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he just confront Heeseung? Why couldn't he just fight for what they had instead of hiding like a coward?

As he walked, the bustling sounds of the city faded into a dull roar in his ears. He was lost in a whirlwind of his thoughts, anger at himself for letting things get this far. If only I had just reached out earlier...If only I hadn't pushed him away. The "what ifs" crashed against him, leaving him gasping for clarity.

As he rounded a corner, Jake leaned against a brick wall, his heart pounding. He could feel tears prickling at the corners of his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He would not cry over this. Heeseung deserved better than that.

But as the images of Heeseung with that woman flashed in his mind again, Jake felt his resolve start to crumble. How could he let Heeseung go without a fight? He needed to talk to him, to explain everything and make it right.

As he took a deep breath, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, he knew he couldn't let this be the end. Jake would not give up that easily.

He straightened himself up, took one last breath to gather his courage, and pulled out his phone. He stared at the screen, his finger hovering over Heeseung's contact. It was time to stop hiding.