Wish I Didn't Miss You

Chapter 3

A month after

The morning sun, a relentless optimist, streamed through the expansive windows of Jungkook's office, painting the room in a warm, golden glow. It was a stark contrast to the storm raging inside him. He was drowning in work, the endless stream of emails and meetings a welcome distraction from the gaping hole in his life. His separation from Jin was a constant ache, a phantom limb that throbbed with every unanswered text, every missed call.

He sat at his sleek, minimalist desk, the polished black surface reflecting the city skyline outside. The view, once a source of shared joy, now felt like a cruel reminder of the life he had left behind. The office felt cold and impersonal. It was a space he had built after leaving Jin, a place to escape the memories that haunted him.

The vast room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and plush, charcoal-grey sofas, felt empty and cavernous. The carefully curated artwork, chosen by him alone, seemed cold and impersonal. The sleek, modern kitchenette, where he now brewed solitary cups of coffee, was a sterile space, devoid of laughter and the aroma of shared passions.

Even the expansive balcony, with its breathtaking view of the city, felt desolate. The two wicker chairs, where he had once imagined sharing coffee and dreams with Jin, were now draped in shadows, their silence a painful echo of their separation.

"Still working your ass out, Kookie?" Yoongi, his Chief Financial Officer and one of his best friends leaned against the doorway, his expression a mixture of concern and exasperation.

"Just trying to keep busy," Jungkook mumbled, his eyes glued to the screen.

"You know, you can't just bury yourself in work," Yoongi said gently. "You need to take care of yourself."

Jungkook sighed but didn't look up. "I know, I know," he said, his voice weary.

"Jin's been trying to reach you," Yoongi said, his voice softer now. He watched Jungkook's shoulders tense, the muscles bunching under the crisp white fabric of his shirt. Yoongi knew Jungkook was avoiding the elephant in the room, the one that had been lurking there since their separation. He had been getting regular updates from Hoseok, his husband, who was a close friend of Jin. Hoseok had been constantly filling him in on Jin's state of mind, relaying how heartbroken and remorseful he was. During one of Jin's visits with Hoseok in their house, Yoongi could see the pain in Jin's eyes whenever he spoke about Jungkook, and it tugged at his heartstrings. He knew how much Jungkook cared for Jin, and he wanted to see them reconcile. But he also knew how deeply Jungkook had been hurt, and he understood his reluctance to reach out.

Yoongi paused, letting the silence hang heavy between them. He could see the struggle in Jungkook's eyes, the flicker of pain and guilt that he tried to mask with a stoic facade. "He's...he's really struggling," Yoongi finally said, his voice a low rumble. "He misses you, Kookie."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. Yoongi knew he was treading on delicate ground, but he felt compelled to speak. He had seen the way Jungkook's heart ached for Jin, even though he tried to pretend otherwise. He knew that Jungkook, beneath his tough exterior, was a man who loved deeply and fiercely.

"I'm not ready to talk to him yet," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

"I understand," Yoongi said, his eyes filled with sympathy. "But you need to talk to him eventually. You can't keep running from your feelings."

Jungkook nodded, but he knew he was right. He was running, hiding behind his work, his office, his carefully constructed walls.

Meanwhile, Jin was adrift. He had always been the sun, radiating warmth and joy, but now he felt like a flickering candle, his light dimming with each passing day. He had made a terrible mistake, a choice fueled by insecurity and a fleeting sense of excitement. He had cheated on Jungkook, and the guilt had consumed him.