𝓐𝓬𝓺𝓾𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 || ENHYPEN JAKE FF

Chapter 22: Distance

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22: Distance.
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Jake's expression softened as he took in Mina's frazzled state, his hand raking through his already disheveled hair. His sharp features, usually calm and collected, carried a hint of worry as he tilted his head toward her.

"Hot chocolate?" he offered, his voice low, raising an eyebrow in question.

Mina nodded, her lips forming a small, tired smile. "Yes, please."

She sank into the couch with a sigh, the weight of the day pressing down on her. Jake disappeared into the kitchen, the sounds of clinking mugs and the gentle hum of milk warming filling the quiet apartment. Every so often, he glanced over his shoulder at her, as though reassuring himself that she was still there.

When he returned, he handed her a steaming mug before settling beside her, their knees brushing lightly. The faint scent of cocoa and marshmallows wafted between them as Mina took a tentative sip, letting the warmth seep into her fingers and chest.

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, the kind of stillness that felt rare and precious.

"So... you just ran away?" Jake asked eventually, his voice soft but tinged with concern.

Mina nodded, her gaze fixed on the swirling liquid in her mug. "Yeah. Couldn't stay there anymore."

Her voice was quiet, almost hollow, but Jake caught the undercurrent of pain beneath it.

"What happened?" he pressed gently.

She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the mug. "It was all just... too much. My biological mother wants me to move in with her, and Ni-ki..." Her voice faltered. "I think he's cheating on me with his ex. I just didn't know what to do."

Jake's eyes widened slightly, but he recovered quickly, his face softening again. "That's a lot, Mina. I get why you'd feel overwhelmed. But..." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's like every week you're running away from something. I'm worried about you, like really worried."

Mina sighed, her shoulders sagging further. "I know," she murmured, barely audible.

"And what's this about Ni-ki and his ex?" Jake continued, leaning closer. "Eun-Kyung?"

She nodded, her voice trembling. "Today he was acting so weird. He was on the phone with her, and when I tried to talk to him, he completely dismissed me. Even when we got home, it was like I wasn't even there. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but..." She swallowed hard. "Maybe I have to."

Jake let her words hang in the air before he finally spoke. "As much as I'd like to say you're overthinking it, I don't think you are." He sighed, his expression conflicted. "If I'm being honest, I've never seen Ni-ki look at anyone the way he did with Eun-Kyung."

Mina's heart sank, her grip on the mug tightening.

"She's beautiful," Jake admitted, his tone bitter. "But her personality? She's toxic. She used to make Ni-ki do the weirdest things—like asking girls out just to drop them later. They'd laugh about it like it was some kind of game."

Mina's heart plummeted further at his words. "What?" she whispered, her voice shaky. "He did that? Are you saying he might've done the same with me?"

Jake held up a hand. "No, that's not what I meant. I don't know, okay? But look—whatever's going on, you don't deserve to be treated like this."