Starting Over •JJK• ✔️

Ten

Another couple of hectic weeks flew by in a blur. The boys had officially announced their next comeback, which kicked everything into high gear. They were rehearsing more often with longer hours and were getting their promotion schedule set, which meant that they would have to start traveling soon.

For me, this also meant a more ramped up schedule. I'd have to go where they go as a member of the crew and do what I had to do, all while having to meet other deadlines. I still had to begin planning and working on their upcoming tour while continuing to work on the photo book for the concert DVD package they'd be releasing later in the year. I'd just sent that book's first edit off for review a few hours ago, which was a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders.

Other than a conference call and answering endless emails, my evening was pretty quiet. I didn't even realize that night had fallen. My apartment was dark minus the glow from my laptop screen.

I really had no right to question the boys when they'd try to pull me away from work. I seriously have no idea how the last five hours escaped me or how it was already 10pm.

I got up to turn on some lights when my phone buzzed. I figured it was one of the boys checking in since we hadn't chatted all day...but it wasn't.

It was my ex. Again.

I tried to ignore him when the messages first started a few weeks ago but he persisted, so I finally asked him to leave me alone. He didn't respond after that, and the messages stopped for awhile. I thought that was it, but I should have known better. There was no way it would be that easy.

I took a deep breath and opened the message.

**You can't avoid me forever**

My heart stopped as I read the words over and over again until they were practically burned into my brain. Those words told me that he wasn't going to stop until he got what he wanted. He was a spoiled rich boy who never took no for an answer. He would just keep pushing until he got what he felt was rightfully his.

A silent tear crept down my cheek. I thought I was done with all of this. I left it all behind to make a better and happier life for myself on the other side of the world. But right when I started feeling happy again, here he was to try and ruin it, just like he always did.

I jumped when there was a knock on my door. I froze, staring at it. Another tear fell and I quickly wiped it away as I looked through the peep hole, almost terrified about who was waiting.

I sighed and pressed my forehead against the door, my hand fumbling for the handle.

JK greeted me with his usual smile when I opened the door. He was holding a pizza box with both hands. "Hey! I thought you might be-" He stopped when he saw my face, his smile curling down into a look of concern. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

I stepped aside to let him in and I just stood by the door after I closed it, not giving him an answer. I felt numb.

He set the pizza down on the coffee table and immediately came back over to me. He rested his hands on my shoulders and slightly bent over so he could be at eye level with me, even though I wouldn't look up at him. I knew that my eyes were a little red.

For as happy as I was that he was here, I didn't want him to see me like this. I never went into detail about my previous relationship with anyone. I just wanted to forget that it ever happened.

His hands moved from my shoulders to my cheeks to gently tilt my face up. When my eyes met his, more tears escaped, and all I could do was latch onto him. My arms went around his waist with my face against his chest, and I cried. I cried for the first time in a very long time.

I felt his arms squeeze my shoulders as he quietly held me against him. His hand moved through my hair and he pressed a long kiss to the top of my head. JK was never one to force an issue but I knew he wasn't going to leave until he got some answers.

I sniffled and pulled away, wiping my face. "I'm sorry. You weren't supposed to see that."

"What's going on?" JK led me to the couch and sat me down. He hurried to grab some tissues before sitting next to me. I'd never seen him look so worried, and I couldn't blame him. "Talk to me. Please."

I had no choice but to tell him everything.

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I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my story so far! It started out as just a fun way to use my brain and I never planned on putting it out into the world. So if you've taken the time to read it, and have made it this far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!