love maze

forty-six

"I want you back too."

I saw how Taehyung smiled, a smile he couldn't resist while looking at me.

"But I don't see why you want me back... I lied to you." I said, keeping myself from crying out loud because of guilt.

Taehyung reached out to cup my cheeks before wiping my tears away with his fingers. "Yoongi told me."

"Told you what?" I sniffed.

"Mr. Oh left you outside his office and how you practically eavesdropped. I know that you made me go because I was in a dilemma."

"When did he tell you?"

"He only told me about it when we met in Finland half a year ago." He let go of my cheeks now and held the steering wheel with both hands. "He knew that if he told me about that right after I left Seoul, I would get back here the next day. I got mad at him for not telling me ahead, but he made me understand how impulsive I could get when it comes to you." He smiled at me bitterly.

"Taehyung...." I whispered, "I don't think we could continue what we had back then."

His grip tightened around the steering wheel. "Is this about Jungkook?"

I looked at my hands, back to avoiding his stare. "He's my best friend. I don't want to leave him."

"Really, Jisoo?!" He sounded angry now, I'm starting to feel like crying again. "You chose to leave me four years ago but you can't even let go of Jungkook?"

I didn't answer him. I don't want to hear my voice crack when I try to explain to him. Slowly and softly, I said, "He's one of my best friends. I've never had real friends before I entered our university, you know. You can't just tell me to leave a friend who's been supporting me all this time."

"Fine," he said, giving up. "I'm sorry. Of course, I shouldn't tell you to leave someone just because I feel threatened by them." He tapped the steering wheel, thinking. "But do you want me to tell him then? That I know you all are just lying straight to my face?"

Realizing what he meant, I finally gave up. "I'll tell him. But until I can't do that, please pretend that you don't know yet."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I just... I don't want to hurt anyone again."

"I'll wait for you then." He said and started the car engine. "Just tell me if you really want me back too so I won't get my hopes up too high again."

I couldn't reply to him yet, not when I still couldn't give him what he wanted.

We arrived in front of my apartment for what felt like an hour since the whole drive back was silent as well. Taehyung didn't insist on hearing an answer from me so I focused on looking outside the window, contemplating what to do next.

"I'll send your car here tomorrow. What time do you go to our office?" he said, pulling up.

"8 in the morning," I answered and got out the car.

It took me only a few steps away from his car before turning to face him. I didn't notice that he was standing outside his car, as if waiting for me to go inside my apartment.

I stared at him, internally debating whether I should do what my heart tells me to do.

"Did you forget something?" he asked.

Just do it, Jisoo.

"I forgot something," I walked towards him, holding his gaze as I saw how it shifted from looking fiery from his anger during the ride to being confused seeing me walk back to him.

I stopped in front of him, breathing heavily. I don't know why I'm doing this but I know it's what I've been waiting to do for a long time now.

"Wha-?" Taehyung started to say but I cut him off as I hugged him tight, burying my face on his chest.

"I missed you," I cried. "You don't know how long I've missed your voice, your strawberry scent, your smile. I'm sorry if I kept on lying to you, I just dont know what face I'd show you after all I've said to you. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry," I felt his arm circling my waist while his other hand pat my head. Oh how I missed how he does that to me.

"I missed you too," he finally said. "Now stop crying. I'm here now, I won't leave you again."

"Please wait until I've settled things with Jungkook. I just don't want to leave him hanging, he's been a great friend after all."

I felt him sigh heavily. "As long as you end up with me, I'll wait."

I pulled myself away a little bit to look at him. His eyes were also glistening as he looked down at me, then my lips.

Slowly, Taehyung leaned and stopped when our noses finally touched. "Can I?" he asked with a smile. I found myself nodding.

Tonight, I finally kissed the one I've longed for.

And there's no backing out now.