Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🌸 Chapter 07 🌸

Sunghoon's POV

As we left the gallery, the laughter and chatter faded behind us, replaced by a thick silence that settled between Jake and me. I glanced at him, his eyes distant and lost in thought. The vibrant atmosphere we'd just enjoyed felt like a lifetime away.

What happened to him? Why is he so silent? I couldn't shake the questions swirling in my mind.Who or what reminded him of that pain?

Breaking the silence, I turned to him. "Jake, where are you living? I can drop you off," I offered, trying to keep my voice low and gentle.

"Near the garden. You know, Garden Street," he replied quietly, his gaze fixed ahead as if searching for something just beyond my reach.

The car ride felt heavy, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. I could feel the discomfort creeping in, and I wished I could bridge the gap between us. I glanced at him, trying to gauge his mood, but he remained lost in his thoughts, a bittersweet expression etched on his face.

I stole another look at him, the way his brows furrowed slightly as he stared out the window. he seemed so distant, and I felt an urge to break through that wall he'd built. But how? I didn't want to pry, not yet.

"Are you okay?" I asked, the words slipping out before I could think twice. It felt like a simple question, but I knew it carried so much weight.

he turned to me, surprise flickering in his eyes before they softened. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, but his voice lacked conviction.

"Really?" I pressed gently. "You seemed a bit... lost back there."

A brief silence hung between us before he sighed. "I guess I just have a lot on my mind."

I nodded, wanting to show him that it was okay to share, but I didn't want to push him. "You can talk to me if you want. I'm here to listen."

For a moment, he seemed to contemplate my words, his expression shifting as if he were weighing his options. But then he looked away again, and the moment passed.

The streets outside began to blur as we drove further away from the gallery. I wanted to reach out, to tell him that he wasn't alone. But I couldn't find the right words, and the silence lingered, making the atmosphere feel heavy.

As we approached Garden Street, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever came next. "You know, I'm really glad we met, Jake," I said, hoping to draw him out of his thoughts. "Even if it's been a short time, it feels like we have a connection."

He glanced at me, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Yeah, I feel it too," he admitted, he voice barely above a whisper.

As I turned onto his street, a sense of determination washed over me. I would find a way to help him, to show him that it was okay to share his burdens. Whatever had happened to him, I wanted to be the friend he needed.

I pulled up in front of his house, the quietness of the night wrapping around us like a blanket. "Here we are," I said softly, glancing at him once more.

"Thanks for the ride, Sunghoon," he replied, a hint of warmth returning to his voice.

"Anytime," I said, my heart swelling with hope. As he opened the door to step out, I realized this was just the beginning. I would be there for him, no matter what shadows lingered in his past.