11

It was about an hour before dinner time and Josie was busy in the kitchen preparing the meal to surprise her boyfriend. her beautiful apartment was filled with the smell of fresh herbs and delicious aromas wafting through the air. As she cooked she was humming a song to herself and singing along quietly. She was dressed a little more casually this evening. a tight white tank top and yoga pants which showed off her toned body and curvy hips. Her hair was in a high bun, a few loose strands hanging down loose around her face.Taehyun quietly pushed open the door, looking at her as she continued to cook in the kitchen.He found himself admiring her soft features as the sunlight coming from the window illuminated her graceful figure. Yet, despite how much he admired her appearance, he couldn't help but feel guilty.The truth was that his thoughts were constantly straying towards another woman. He still loved Josie, but he couldn't fully commit to her because of the feelings he still held for Jennifer."How long have you been cooking?" he asked.She jumped slightly, startled by his presence as if she had forgotten he was coming. Turning around to see him she smiled brightly at him. "Shh don't ruin it it's almost ready. I wanted to surprise you."Her bright smile and cheerful tone immediately filled him with a sense of guilt. She was such a good girlfriend, and yet he was constantly thinking about someone else. It made him feel like a terrible person for not appreciating her more.As he watched her smile, he put on a false smile and approached her."Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," he said as she reached forward and placed her arms around him.She let out a giggle. her arms wrapped around his waist as she laid her head on his chest. "It's okay baby, what time did you get off today I thought you were coming later."He wrapped his arms around her lower back, feeling her body pressed against his own. He couldn't deny the fact that he still enjoyed the feeling of her in his arms, even if she wasn't the person he truly wanted to be with."I had a meeting get cancelled so I finished work early," he replied, his voice soft and gentle, "I actually wanted to talk to you about something."She pulls away from his embrace looking at him with curiosity. "Oh? " she asked looking at him wondering if it was good or bad news. her stomach flipping with anticipation."It's...it's about us."This was it. what she had been dreading. a small part of her knew this relationship couldn't last forever. she had taken him from one of her best friends for god's sake. the worst kind of betrayal. it was selfish and manipulative.she swallowed hard trying to act like she wasn't worried but of course she was."What about us?"He could see the fear in her eyes, a part of him even wanted to stop himself from continuing the conversation right now, but it needed to be said. After a moment of hesitance, he finally spoke up, his voice quiet."It's about us breaking up."The air was completely sucked out of the room. she was unable to breathe. for a moment, her brain couldn't process the information coming from his mouth. it was like they were speaking completely different languages. she blinked her eyes hard to make sure she was hearing him correctly...but his words were very clear. he wanted to break up..."Wait...what? are you serious?" her voice was barely a whisper but her chest felt like it was about to explode. Four years down the drain.As he watched her eyes fill with such horror, dread and shock, he couldn't help but feel a sudden stab of agony in his chest. It was hurting him just as much as it was hurting her to speak the words."Yes," he slowly spoke, "I'm sorry, it's not you- it's me. I can't be with you knowing that I still have feelings for someone else, it's not fair to either of us."Josie's face went from a look of shock to anger in seconds. how could he have the nerve to say that to her? she felt a sudden burst of rage well in her. she was not going to let this breakup turn out like the last one. no, this time she was going to be the one to win."Who? who's the other person? who are you really in love with?" she glared at him. the anger making her face tighten."You really want to know huh?" he gritted out, "the other woman is Jennifer. I can't get her out of my head no matter how hard I try, no matter how hard I try to bury my feelings for her, I love her."Josie felt as if she had been punched in the gut. the very name that she had been dreading he'd say. "You have got to be joking, you can't be serious." The anger quickly subsided into humiliation and desperation. her worst fear being confirmed right in front of her."She's your ex," she whispered in horror, "you can't be serious, you aren't going back to her...are you?""I'm not joking," he slowly said, realizing just how much his words had affected her."And unfortunately yes, I'm going to try and get back with her no matter what. I realize how messed up and cruel it is for you, but I can't just keep lying to myself. I still love her, and I know that I have to give it another shot with her."she was unable to hide the tears that instantly came rushing to her eyes. as much as she hated Jennifer, she loved the guy standing before her. how could he be so cruel?"So, you're choosing her over me?" she whispered. "Not you too, choosing her over me like Ji-hoon did!"Hearing her bring up Ji-hoon again reminded him that he wasn't the first person to hurt her this way, and he felt another stab of guilt as he realized that she would have to experience the same pain all over again."I'm sorry, I really am," he muttered, feeling a sudden urge to reach out and hold her. He wanted nothing more than to keep her safe in his arms, but he knew he couldn't anymore."Please don't cry, it's killing me to see you like this."Josie's tears couldn't be stopped as she started to sob uncontrollably. The thought of losing him to her ex best friend was just too much too bear. she couldn't believe that another man whom she had loved was once again pulling away because of Jennifer. she couldn't seem to keep anyone."I can't loose you," she cried, "don't go back to her, don't you dare do that to me."Tears formed in his own eyes when he saw her break down into such a state. He hated how much pain he was causing her, and he hated himself for not being able to change his feelings as he walked towards her."I know it's selfish of me," he slowly said as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him, "but my heart won't let me give up on her. I've tried to move on, but I just can't seem to shake these feelings."