𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 | 정원

34

Jungwon frowned slightly. "Harder?"

"To stop liking you," Ji-ah confessed, her voice barely audible.

His eyes widened, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other, the weight of her words settling between them. Then his grip on her hand tightened, and a breath she didn't realize he'd been holding escaped him.

"I don't want you to stop," he said softly.

Ji-ah's heart leapt at his words. The honesty in his voice stroke a chord that left her breathless. She wanted to say something—anything—but all she could do was sit there, staring back into his eyes.

Jungwon released her hand, his fingers lingering for a moment before resting on the bed at her side. The space between them seemed to shrink, and Ji-ah swore he's leaning closer.

Her mind screamed at her to move, to speak—to do something. But she couldn't. She was frozen in place, her heart pounding loud enough to drown out every thought.

His eyes flicked toward her lips, then back up to meet her gaze. Ji-ah couldn't help but stare back into his eyes, drawn in by their depth, their quiet intensity.

His breath brushed her skin, warm and soft. Was he going to kiss her?

Ji-ah braced herself, unsure if she wanted to pull away—or lean in.

A sudden knock sounded at the door, jolting them both. Jungwon blinked. Realizing what he's doing, he quickly moved back, clearing his throat.

Ji-ah turned her gaze to the floor, heat rushing to her cheeks. Her heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst from her chest.

"Who is it?" Jungwon asked, his voice rougher than usual.

"It's Jake," came the muffled reply. "We need to talk."

Jungwon stood, running a hand through his hair. "I'm coming," he said. He glanced back at Ji-ah, his expression softening.

"Go to sleep." he said softly. 

Ji-ah only nodded. 

He hesitated for a moment before leaving, the door clicking shut behind him.

Ji-ah let out a shaky breath, sinking back against the pillows. What had just happened? She pressed a hand to her chest, willing her racing heart to calm.

Her confession replayed in her mind, and she groaned, grabbing a pillow and burying her face in it. What was she thinking, blurting out something like that?

She thought of Jungwon's face close to hers, the way his breath had brushed her skin. I don't want you to stop.

Her cheeks burned, and she let out a muffled scream into the pillow. She wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or cry—or both.

His words stayed with her, quiet but persistent. He cares about me.

A faint sense of comfort settled in her chest, easing the tension just a little.

Ji-ah's thoughts eventually grew quieter, the warmth of Jungwon's words lingering in the back of her mind. For the first time in what felt like forever, she thought she might be able to sleep without fear. Exhaustion pulled at her, and she let her eyes close, sinking into the softness of the bed. Before long, sleep claimed her.

 ☽

The hazy morning sunlight crept in through the cracks in the curtains, spilling faint golden streaks across the room. Ji-ah stirred, blinking groggily as her surroundings came into focus. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes, and glanced toward the sofa where Jungwon had been the night before.