7 days before Christmas at the Kim family house: The Kim family house buzzed with activity, employees rushing around with boxes of decorations and gifts. The large Christmas tree in the main hall was already adorned with sparkling lights and carefully placed ornaments, but there were still countless details to finalize.
Everything had to be perfect for the upcoming Christmas dinner party—a tradition in the Kim household that never failed to draw attention from both family and esteemed guests.
The sound of wrapping paper crinkling filled the air as gifts were meticulously wrapped and placed under the towering tree. Staff members were hanging garlands and wreaths, their hands moving swiftly but with precision. The smell of pine and cinnamon wafted through the halls, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Jihoon sat quietly in the corner of the large living room, watching the preparations unfold. His mother, was supervising the placement of the decorations, giving instructions to the staff with a warm smile. She glanced over at him, noticing the distant look in his eyes.
"Jihoon-ah, why don't you help me with these decorations?" she called out, trying to pull him out of his thoughts.
Jihoon blinked, forcing a smile as he stood up. "Sure, umma," he replied, walking over to join her. He picked up a golden ornament and began to hang it on the tree, but his mind was elsewhere. Minji still hadn't come back. It had been a week, and the silence between them felt heavier with each passing day.
"Is everything alright?" She asked softly, her motherly instincts kicking in. "You've been awfully quiet these days."
Jihoon hesitated, not wanting to worry his mother during the holiday season. "I'm fine, umma. Just thinking about work and other things."
His mom wasn't convinced but decided not to press the matter further. "Well, if you ever want to talk, you know I'm here."
"Is TaeHyun's family attending this year's dinner party?" He asked, "yeah, why is that?" She asked. "Minji, wanted to join us for the dinner this year. But I don't think he will feel comfortable with TaeHyun around." Minji said.
"Oh no, why didn't you tell me this sooner?" His mom groaned, "are you sure he still can't attend, I'm sure TaeHyun won't be around." "I'm going to try and ask him, right now his not even talking to me." Minji told her.
Mrs. Kim looked at Jihoon with concern, her motherly intuition picking up on the deeper issues beneath his words. "Not talking to you? What happened between you two?"
Jihoon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"It's a long story, umma. We've been arguing a lot lately, mostly about TaeHyun. I thought things were under control, but... Minji found out I've still been talking to him."
His mother's eyes widened. "Jihoon-ah, why on earth are you still in contact with TaeHyun? You know how much pain he caused you... and Minji, too."
Jihoon shook his head, feeling the weight of his mistakes. "I thought I could just be civil with him, that it wouldn't be a big deal. But Minji... he thinks I'm choosing TaeHyun over him. And now, with everything that's happened, I don't know if he'll even want to come to the dinner."
Mrs. Kim placed a gentle hand on Jihoon's shoulder. "If Minji is that important to you, then you need to show him that. You need to make it clear that he's your priority. It's the holiday season—it's the perfect time to make things right."
"I know," Jihoon muttered, his heart heavy. "But he's staying with Yuna right now, and he asked me not to contact him."
Mrs. Kim frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe he just needs some time to cool off. But if you're serious about fixing things, you can't just wait for him to come to you. You have to make the first move, show him that you're committed to making things work."
Jihoon nodded, appreciating his mother's advice. "I'll try. But what about TaeHyun at the party?"
Mrs. Kim sighed. "I'll speak to TaeHyun's parents and see if we can keep things cordial. If it's too uncomfortable for Minji, we can make adjustments. But you, Jihoon... you need to figure things out with him before then."
Jihoon knew she was right. He had seven days before the dinner, seven days to somehow win back Minji's trust and prove that their relationship meant more to him than anything else. He just hoped it wasn't already too late.
———————
Jihoon's pov: later that same evening I sat in my room phone in hand with Minji's contact open, I was hesitant on texting him. He asked for space and I didn't want to make him even angrier by texting him before he texted him.
But with a heavy heart I texted him:
Jihoon: can we just please meet, we can't let the distance grow like this.
I stared at my phone, my heart pounding as I hit send. My mind raced with every possible response Minji could give me—or worse, the possibility that he wouldn't respond at all. The longer I waited, the heavier the silence felt. It was suffocating.
Minutes passed, and still nothing.
I tossed the phone onto the bed and ran a hand through my hair, frustration building inside me. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. We were supposed to be preparing for Christmas together, laughing, and arguing over decorations. Not this... distance.
I stood up, pacing the room, glancing at my phone every few seconds as if that would make a difference. I wanted to fix this, but everything felt so out of my control. All I could think about was how Minji must be feeling, how I had let things spiral to the point where he felt the need to leave.
As I stared out the window, my phone buzzed, and I practically lunged for it.
Minji: okay, I'll meet you outside Yuna's apartment.
My heart skipped a beat, without even realizing it I grabbed my coat, Keys jumped in my shoes, rushed downstairs and out the door.
I barely registered the cold biting at my skin as I rushed outside, my mind entirely focused on Minji. My hands were trembling, not from the cold but from the anticipation of what was to come. I fumbled with my keys, sliding into the car and starting the engine, the rumble barely grounding me in the moment.
The drive to Yuna's apartment felt like a blur, my thoughts swirling around everything I needed to say, everything I should've said sooner. I wasn't even sure if I had the right words, but I knew I had to try.
As I pulled up outside the building, my heart pounded louder in my ears. I parked the car and stepped out, scanning the area until I spotted Minji standing near the entrance, his hands stuffed into his coat pockets. His expression was unreadable, and for a second, I wasn't sure if I should approach.
But I had to. I couldn't let the silence stretch between us any longer.
"Minji," I called softly as I walked toward him, my breath forming small clouds in the cold night air.
He looked up, his eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, neither of us said anything. The weight of everything unsaid hung heavily in the space between us.
Without a word he suddenly jumped into my arms and melted in them, "why, did you take so long!" He sobbed. "I'm sorry, im really sorry." I held him even tighter as I gently patted his head.
"It's all my fault, I broke my promise and I ended up hurting you." I said trying hard not to break down.
"I'll do whatever it takes to make it right," I whispered, my voice shaking with emotion. Minji buried his face deeper into my chest, his body trembling as he clung to me.
"You keep saying that," he mumbled, his voice muffled by my coat. "But how do I know it's going to be different this time?"
I held him tighter, feeling the sting of his words. I knew I had let him down, and I couldn't blame him for doubting me. "I know I've given you reasons not to trust me, but I swear, Minji, I'll prove it. I'll show you that I can be the person you need."
He pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at me, his eyes filled with uncertainty and pain. "I'm scared, Jihoon. Scared that no matter how much I love you, it won't be enough."
My heart broke at the rawness of his words. "It is enough, Minji. You're enough. I just haven't been good at showing it, but I promise I'm going to change that."
Minji sniffled, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. "I don't want to feel like I'm second place anymore, Jihoon."
"You won't be," I said, cupping his face in my hands. "I'll make sure you know you're my first choice, every day. I'll make up for everything, Minji, I swear."
He stared at me for a long moment before finally nodding, the tension in his body easing just a little. "I want to believe you."
"Then let me show you," I whispered, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Please, let me show you."
Minji closed his eyes, leaning into the touch, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like there was a glimmer of hope between us.
"Please be mines and only mines. Love only me, look only at me, I want you to be mines forever."
"I am yours, Minji," I whispered, holding him close. "Only yours. I'll love you, and only you, for as long as you'll have me."
Minji's grip on me tightened, his head resting against my chest. "I don't want to lose you, Jihoon. I don't want anyone else to have you."
"I'm all yours, no one else can have me except for you." I said.
Minji pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine, still filled with doubt but also with a flicker of trust. His bottom lip trembled, and he looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
"Kiss me."
Without hesitation, I gently cupped Minji's face, tilting his head up so our eyes met once again. There was a moment of silence between us, a shared understanding passing through the air. I leaned in slowly, brushing my lips against his softly at first, like I was testing the fragile bond that was mending between us.
His arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss as though he was afraid I'd slip away if he let go. I could feel the intensity of his emotions in that kiss—his fear, his love, his need to feel secure in us again.
As our lips parted, I pressed my forehead against his, our breaths mingling in the cold night air. "I love you," I whispered, barely audible but full of the truth I wanted him to feel in every part of his being.
Minji closed his eyes, resting his head on my shoulder again, his grip still tight around me. "I love you too," he murmured, his voice softer now, but there was no hesitation in his words. "Just… don't make me regret trusting you again."
"You won't," I promised, holding him as close as I could. "You'll never regret this."
TBC