Secret Love

37| the eve

As Jisung locked himself in his room, he hoped that Minho would leave without trying to follow him. The weight of their conversation still lingered, and Jisung couldn't shake off the feeling of vulnerability. He had said things he couldn't take back, and a part of him wondered if he had been too harsh.

Minho stood frozen in the same spot, his eyes welling up with tears. He felt like he had been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him. He realized that he had ruined everything, and the gravity of his mistakes crushed him. With a heavy heart, he turned around and left Jisung's apartment, the sound of the door closing behind him echoing through the silence.

As Minho walked away from Jisung's apartment, he couldn't help but wonder if he had lost his chance to make things right. The darkness of the night seemed to close in around him, and he felt like he was drowning in his own regret. He thought about all the things he could have done differently, all the ways he could have avoided hurting Jisung. But it was too late now, and all he could do was face the consequences of his actions.

Minho got into his car and started the engine, but he didn't drive away. He just sat there, lost in thought, trying to process everything that had happened. He thought about Jisung's words, about the pain and the anger that still lingered. He thought about his own mistakes, about the ways he had hurt Jisung. And he thought about the future, about whether he would ever be able to make things right.

As the night wore on, Minho finally started the car and drove away, leaving Jisung's apartment behind. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew that he had to try to make things right. He had to try to regain Jisung's trust, to prove that he was truly sorry for his mistakes. It wouldn't be easy.....

Jisung pulled up to his parents' house on Christmas Eve, the festive lights and decorations a stark contrast to his somber mood. He had decided to visit them for the holiday, a sense of obligation and tradition driving him to put aside his emotional turmoil.

As he entered the house, he was greeted by the warm scent of baking cookies and the sound of Christmas carols playing softly in the background. His parents welcomed him with smiles and hugs,

The evening was filled with laughter and conversation, Jisung's parents chatting about their plans for the new year and asking him about his work. Jisung played along, putting on a mask of cheerfulness as he tried to push aside the lingering thoughts of Minho and their painful encounter.

As Jisung and his mother worked together in the kitchen, preparing dinner for the Christmas Eve celebration, they chatted about their day. His mother mentioned, "You know, a few days ago, Minho came by the house looking for you. He seemed...different. I'm not sure how to describe it, but he said it was urgent."

Jisung's hands paused, momentarily still, as he processed his mother's words. He had suspected that his mother might have shared his location with Minho. A soft hum was all he could manage in response, his mind replaying the events of that evening.

His mother continued, "I gave him your new address. Did he come to see you?" Jisung's expression remained neutral, but his thoughts were a jumble of emotions. He wasn't sure how to feel about Minho's visit or his mother's decision to share his location.

As they resumed preparing dinner, Jisung's mother asked, "Why didn't you tell Minho about your move? He seemed really concerned." Jisung hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I...forgot," he said finally, the lie slipping easily off his tongue.

His mother glanced at him, a hint of skepticism in her eyes. "You forgot?" she repeated, her tone gentle but probing. Jisung nodded, trying to maintain a convincing facade, but his mother's gaze lingered as if she saw right through his deception.