Tables Turned | JH

Chapter 34: The Frustrating Question

Sighing quietly, I slowly begin to eat my cold food. I get about halfway through what's left of it before hearing the light padding of footsteps coming upstairs. I bite my lip to suppress a groan, having just wanted a little time to sort my thoughts out.

"Hope-ah?" I hear Jimin speak up softly. A small smile graces my lips at his voice despite my annoyance.

"You can come over here, Jiminie. What's up?" I tell him gently, soon seeing him appear next to me.

"Did you... did you really mean it when you included me in one of the strongest people you know?" He asks hesitantly. I smile, looking over at him.

"Of course I did, Jimin. I wouldn't have said it if it weren't true. It's not easy staying here when you know your boyfriend's father doesn't think highly of you, and it's extremely difficult to go through everything that you did yesterday. You're a very strong person." I inform him softly. He blushes a bit with a tiny smile as he looks down.

"Can... can I kiss you again?" Jimin says, his voice as quiet as a whisper. Biting my lip, I nod my head, not in the mood to deny the younger of any attention he may need right now. I have no idea what things were like between him and Jin or what Cho did when filling in for her brother, but the last thing I want to do is upset him right now.

Jimin blushes a bit more, smiling just a tiny bit before leaning up and pressing his lips against mine. Allowing the kiss, I let my lips move against his in sync with him as he leads. It only lasts for a few seconds before he pulls away again, but the look on his face is enough to say that it was exactly what he needed. After that, we both return to look out at the scene in front of us as he leans his head on my shoulder whilst I go back to eating.

"Hope-ah?" Jimin speaks up a few minutes later. I look down at him as I finish up my last bite of food, bending down to set the empty bowl on the floor before standing back up for him to lean on.

"Yes, Jiminie?" I ask softly, wishing I could pull a cigarette out right now. I'm aching for one and yet I can't because of Jimin beside me.

"You won't leave us or turn on us, right? On Cho and me?" He questions in a timid voice. Everything in me comes to a complete halt for a moment, his question catching me off guard. It's one I don't want to answer, the one thing I've yet to be able to make my mind up about. Despite having been here for a few weeks now, I've yet to gain any information that I can give to the department in order to turn them in and bring down the entire empire. Although, at the same point, I'm not entirely sure that I want the information anymore, that I want to bring this all down. Sure, I want to bring Taehyung down, that dickhead deserves to go straight to hell for what he's done, but I don't think I can do that without bringing Choyeon down alongside him. And the last thing I want to do is put myself in a position to lose her, and Jimin for that matter.

It's frustrating, a question simple as this that's so hard to be answered. Though, at the same time, I say that, but I've been battling this question for some time now. But the small-child like manner of his voice as he poses the question in the most innocent way, it makes my heart ache. It's a question I wouldn't think someone to ask me personally by this point after everything that's been happening, but I can't blame them. No one would've guessed that Taehyung wanted to hurt Choyeon so badly despite the bit of rivalry everyone knew existed. After the turn of events recently, I can't exactly blame him.

"Of course not, Jiminie. I could never do that to the two of you." I whisper softly, reaching up and ruffling his hair gently. The breath of relief he releases is noticeable, feeling him relax into me a bit more as he looks up at me.

"Promise?" Jimin asks, eyes wide and so innocent. I can't help but smile at the younger boy.

"I promise, Jimin." I confirm quietly, liking the small smile that lights up his face.

"Sorry about the whole kiss thing, by the way. I, uh... Jin was always super affectionate with me. I need the affection and attention and security. I've, uh, grown really used to it between Jin and Cho. Getting pulled out from one of the prostitution rings to be here, those became the things I needed in order to be okay. So... I'm sorry about the kiss earlier. I know you're obviously dating Choyeon." Jimin informs me. My heart breaks just a little more at the new information, feeling like I'm slowly getting torn down farther and farther.

"You don't need to apologize for it, Jimin. I told you, I'm happy to take care of both of you. No matter what that entails. Okay?" I remind him, causing him to smile once more.

"Thank you, Jhope." Jimin whispers, leaning up and pecking my cheek before wandering his way back downstairs.

I heave a heavy sigh, running my fingers through my hair. Reaching down into my pocket, I pull out my lighter and box of cigarettes. Slipping a stick out, I stick it between my lips before lighting it and putting the extra things back away. Immediately, I inhale the smoke and hold it for a moment before finally puffing out the cloud. I feel my body relaxes a bit with the nicotine hit, easing up as I lean my forearms on the rail of the balcony to look around. There's only one thought at this point, running around my mind in a taunting manner.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?