Mr. Rude vs Mr. Nice (0.2)

34: The Heart's Compass

The cool night air whipped at my face as I walked home from the café, the weight of Irene’s words pressing down on me.  Her plea, the desperation in her voice, the tears streaming down her face, and the realization that I was starting to love Taehyung back, all swirled around me like a dizzying storm.  I felt trapped, caught between two people I cared about, unable to choose.

As I turned a corner, a familiar voice startled me.  "Jisoo?"

I turned to see Seokjin, my ex-boyfriend, standing a few feet away.  He looked different, more mature, more composed.  The carefree, playful energy that had once defined him seemed to have settled into a quiet confidence, but his eyes, when they met mine, held a familiar warmth that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Seokjin," I said, a smile tugging at my lips.  We had seen each other even after our breakup a few months ago, staying friends despite the awkwardness.  After all, I knew about his engagement to Seulgi, and we'd had our share of awkward encounters.  But there was something about seeing him now, under the soft glow of the streetlights, that stirred something deep within me.

"It's good to see you," he said, his voice warm and genuine.  "I've been meaning to call, but I didn't want to intrude."

"No, it's fine," I said, feeling a pang of guilt.  I had been so caught up in my own drama that I hadn't even thought about reaching out to him.  "How have you been?"

"Busy," he said, a wry smile playing on his lips.  "Working on a new project, trying to keep my head above water."  He paused, his gaze lingering on me.  "But honestly, I've been thinking about you a lot."

My heart skipped a beat.  "You have?"

"Yeah," he said, his voice softening.  "I know things ended badly between us, and I was a mess back then.  But I've had time to think, to grow.  And I realized how much I miss you, how much I regret letting you go."

I felt a wave of warmth wash over me.  Seokjin had always been a good guy, but he had been so lost in his own insecurities that he had pushed me away.  But now, seeing him so vulnerable, so sincere, I felt a flicker of the old feelings I had for him.

"Seokjin," I began, my voice barely a whisper.  "I..."

"I know it's probably too late," he said, his voice laced with regret.  "I know you're involved with someone else.  But I had to tell you.  I had to let you know that I still care about you, that I still love you."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut.  I had been so caught up in the whirlwind of emotions surrounding Taehyung, that I hadn't stopped to consider how my feelings for Seokjin had evolved.  He had been a constant in my life, a source of comfort and stability, and I had always cherished his presence.

"I... I don't know what to say," I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest.

Seokjin took a step closer, his eyes searching mine.  "Just tell me you feel something too.  Just tell me you haven't forgotten about us."

I couldn't deny the truth.  I hadn't forgotten.  I had just been too afraid to admit it.

"I... I do," I whispered, my voice barely audible.  "I still care about you, Seokjin.  I always have."

A smile broke across his face, a smile that lit up his entire being.  "Then maybe, just maybe, there's still a chance for us."

The air crackled with unspoken emotions as we stood there, our eyes locked, the world around us fading away.  I felt a surge of hope, a flicker of possibility, that I hadn't dared to dream of before.

Seokjin reached out, his hand gently cupping my face.  "Jisoo," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.  "I've missed you so much."

He pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me in a tight embrace.  I leaned into him, the warmth of his body a welcome comfort against the chill of the night air.  For a moment, the world faded away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the familiar comfort of each other's presence.

A sharp intake of breath broke the spell.  I pulled back slightly, my eyes widening in surprise.  Standing at the corner, his face hidden in the shadows, was Taehyung.  He was watching us, his expression unreadable, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and hurt.  A flicker of pain crossed his face, a fleeting glimpse of the vulnerability I had glimpsed beneath his cold exterior.

Seokjin, sensing my shift, followed my gaze and saw Taehyung.  His smile vanished, replaced by a look of steely determination.  He tightened his grip on me, his jaw clenching.  "Don't worry," he whispered, his voice low and dangerous.  "I won't let him hurt you."

Taehyung, seeing Seokjin's reaction, took a step forward, his fists clenched.  His eyes narrowed, and a dangerous glint appeared in them.  He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.  He simply stared at us, his silence a deafening roar that echoed through the night.  Then, with a sharp turn, he disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a chilling sense of foreboding.

The world, which had momentarily faded away, came crashing back into focus, and I realized that the choices I had to make were far more complicated than I ever imagined, a tangled web of emotions spun by three hearts, each yearning for a love that seemed impossible to grasp.