a new chapter

As I made my way through the bustling crowds at the airport, my mind was consumed with thoughts of the confrontation with Daehyun from the night before. I couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease that had settled over me, nor the anger that still simmered beneath the surface.

Lost in my thoughts, I rounded a corner and collided with someone, nearly sending them tumbling to the ground. Instinctively, I reached out to steady them, only to freeze as I caught sight of their face—Tae.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as our eyes met, a flash of recognition passing between us before we both quickly averted our gazes, as if we were nothing more than strangers who had simply bumped into each other by chance.

"Sorry," I muttered, my voice hoarse with tension as I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

Tae nodded curtly, his expression guarded as he straightened up and adjusted the strap of his bag. "No problem," he replied, his voice cool and detached. "Just be more careful next time."

With that, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me standing there, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. Despite our shared history, we both knew it was best to keep our distance, to pretend like our paths had never crossed before.

As I watched Tae disappear from view, a pang of regret washed over me, mingled with a sense of longing for what could have been.

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As I settled into my seat on the plane, still reeling from the unexpected encounter with Jin at the airport, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the prospect of sitting next to him for the duration of the flight. Despite our attempts to act like strangers, the tension between us was palpable, hanging heavy in the air like a thick fog.

As the plane taxied down the runway and lifted off into the sky, I tried to distract myself by flipping through the pages of a magazine, but I couldn't shake the feeling of Jin's presence beside me, his proximity almost suffocating in its intensity.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Jin finally spoke up, his voice tentative as he broke the ice between us. "So, uh, how have you been?" he asked, his tone awkward but genuine.

I glanced over at him, surprised by the sudden shift in tone, but I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze. "Fine," I replied curtly, keeping my eyes fixed on the magazine in my hands.

There was a pause, the silence stretching between us like a yawning chasm. Then, Jin cleared his throat, his voice slightly louder this time. "Look, I know things didn't end well between us back then," he began, his words hesitant but earnest. "But I just want you to know that I never meant to storm at you in that way, I was going through a lot of stuff and I wasn't sure that your care was genuine."

I felt a pang of guilt at his words, the memories of our past coming flooding back with painful clarity. Despite my best efforts to bury them, the wounds were still raw, the scars still tender to the touch.

Swallowing hard, I finally turned to face him, meeting his gaze head-on for the first time since our encounter at the airport. "I know," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "And it was never your fault, I'm just glad to see that you're in a better state now."

There was a moment of stunned silence between us, the weight of our shared history hanging heavy in the air. Then, slowly but surely, a sense of relief washed over me, followed by a tentative flicker of hope—a hope that perhaps, despite everything, we could find a way to move forward, to leave the past behind us and start anew.

With that silent understanding between us, we settled into an uneasy truce, the awkwardness of our earlier encounter gradually giving way to a newfound sense of camaraderie. And as the plane soared through the skies toward our destination, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held in store for us, knowing that whatever it may be, we would face it together, as allies rather than adversaries.

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Language in English

As we landed foot in Tempa Florida we both went our own ways planning to never meet or bump into each other ever again, as I walked through the crowd of the airport losing sight of him I finally came across Levi who was my guide in this new city and also my colleague. Being here was a big opportunity for my career and I, maybe I'd finally be happy for once in my life.

"Tae!" Levi rejoiced as he hugged me, "I'm so happy you're here, I can't wait to show you around and get you settled into your new place." He stated, I am also happy to be here but as I hugged Levi, from a distance I saw Jin hugging and being happy with another guy. For sim reason, my heart ached a little and I wondered why, I've never had romantic feelings toward Jin so why do I care if his happy with someone other guy?

"Come, I'll take your bags to my car," Levi said grabbing my bags as he led us to his car.

As Levi led the way to his car, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me. Despite my best efforts to focus on the excitement of starting a new chapter in my life, the sight of Jin with someone else lingered in the back of my mind, stirring up emotions I hadn't realized were still there.

As we drove through the streets of Tampa, Levi chattered excitedly about all the things we could do together, his enthusiasm infectious as he painted a vivid picture of the adventures that awaited us. And yet, try as I might, I couldn't shake the feeling of disquiet that gnawed at the edges of my consciousness.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely registered the sights and sounds of the city passing by outside the car window, my mind consumed with questions and doubts that refused to be silenced. Why did seeing Jin with someone else bother me so much? And more importantly, what did it mean for my future here in Tampa?

As we pulled up to the curb outside my new apartment building, I forced a smile onto my face, determined not to let my inner turmoil show. "Thanks, Levi," I said, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me."

Levi returned my smile, oblivious to the storm raging beneath the surface. "Anytime, Tae," he replied, his tone cheerful and upbeat. "I'm just glad I could help. Now, let's get you settled in, shall we?"

With that, he grabbed my bags from the trunk of the car and led the way into the building, leaving me to wrestle with my thoughts as we climbed the stairs to my new apartment.

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Jin's pov:

On the drive home I couldn't drift my head from the recent encounter that I just had with Tae, he looks so much happier now. It also looks like he found someone he truly likes but…for some reason, I feel bothered by it.

"Jin!" William called out to me drifting me away from my thoughts, "Are you okay, you seem deep in your thoughts." He questioned, "Yup I'm perfectly fine, it's just Jet lag." I lied. William was a very good friend of mine, we've known each other since birth so he knows every single thing about me; from bad to good. But he didn't know a thing about the whole situation surrounding me and Tae but it was for the best since Tae and I were never a thing.

As William continued to probe, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at keeping him in the dark about the true nature of my feelings towards Tae. Despite our long history, there were some things I couldn't bring myself to share, afraid of the potential consequences it might bring.

"No, really, it's nothing," I reassured him, forcing a smile onto my face. "Just tired from the long flight, that's all."

William studied me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Okay, if you say so," he said finally, though I could tell he wasn't entirely convinced. "Just remember, I'm here if you ever need to talk, about anything."

I nodded, grateful for his understanding, even as a part of me wished I could confide in him about the tangled mess of emotions swirling inside me. But some things were better left unsaid, especially when they involved matters of the heart.

As we pulled up to my penthouse he helped me take my stuff up and made sure I was settled, "I'll be with Cam tonight, but if you need anything don't hesitate to call okay!" He told me, "Just go and see your boyfriend, I'm a grown man I'll be fine." I said pushing him out of my house.

As William left, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within me. Despite my attempts to dismiss it as mere jealousy or insecurity, the sight of Tae with someone else continued to gnaw at the edges of my consciousness, leaving me restless and unsettled.

Alone in my penthouse, I wandered from room to room, unable to find solace in the luxury that surrounded me. Every corner of the apartment seemed to echo with memories of the past, reminding me of the tangled web of emotions I had tried so desperately to unravel.

With a sigh, I sank onto the plush couch in the living room, running a hand through my hair as I tried to make sense of the conflicting thoughts and feelings swirling inside me. Why did seeing Tae with someone else bother me so much, when I had never even admitted my true feelings for him?

To be continued ⏩