Days turned into weeks, and weeks into a month. Nila and jaekyeon had settled into their own routines, balancing work and personal time. It was a hectic life, but they found joy in the little moments they shared. After a hectic week, Nila finally had a day off. She was looking forward to relaxing and spending time with her Oppa. That evening, as the sun dipped low in the sky, casting warm hues across the room, he arrived at her house, a smile etched on his face.
"Hey, babe, what's up? How's your headache?" he asked with genuine concern, noticing the faint lines of stress on her forehead.
"It's fine, Oppa. Come on, let's watch this drama. It's the last episode!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. He chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "It was released a year ago. Are you just watching it now?" His tone was playful, an easy banter they often shared. Nila laughed, "I know, I know! But better late than never, right? Plus, I've avoided all the spoilers. This is going to be epic!"
As they settled onto the couch, wrapping a cosy blanket around them, Nila felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. The stress of the week melted away as they dove into the emotional rollercoaster of the final episode. Their laughter echoed through the house, and they found themselves intertwined in the story, cheering for the characters they'd grown to love.
With each twist and turn in the plot, they leaned into one another, sharing their predictions and reactions. At one particularly intense moment, Nila gasped, "No way, they can't end it like this!" He laughed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Watch, it'll probably end on a cliffhanger." They both groaned at the prospect.
As the credits rolled, Nila felt a warm sense of contentment. "Well, that was intense! I can't believe I waited so long to watch it," she mused, snuggling closer to jaekyeon. "Let's binge-watch the whole series together next time," he suggested, already pulling out his phone to look for the next drama they could dive into.
"Deal!" she replied, grateful for these moments of shared joy that made their busy lives feel a little less hectic. With their hearts light and their spirits lifted, they spent the rest of the night chatting and laughing, cherishing the simplicity of being together.
Jaekyeon sat in the dimly lit room, the glow of the screen illuminating his face as he worked. His mind, however, was far from focused on the task at hand. It was a chaotic swirl of thoughts and emotions, each one tugging at him, reminding him of the secrets he kept locked away. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, feeling the weight of his unshared truth pressing down on him. He hadn't shown her his true self, not really. The fear of rejection gnawed at him.
As he mulled over his thoughts, a voice broke through the silence, pulling him from his reverie. "Jaekyeon, whom do you like from this drama, the hero or the villain?" He turned slightly, surprised by the sudden change of topic. "Why did you ask that?" he replied, a hint of curiosity mingling with his trepidation.
"Nothing much," she said with a playful smile in her voice. "I just think the villain looks so perfect. Don't be jealous, okay?" Her laughter danced lightly in the air, and he felt a flicker of warmth at her teasing. "Why the villain?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation going, hoping it would distract him from the turmoil brewing inside.
"Because they're complex, you know? They have layers and depth. Heroes can be a bit… predictable," she explained, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Sometimes, villains are just misunderstood." Hearing her perspective shifted something in him. Maybe it wasn't just about good or bad; perhaps it was about understanding the reasons behind choices. In that moment, he felt a connection sparking between them, an openness that he had longed for.
Jaekyeon felt a knot tightening in his stomach. It was now or never. He had been avoiding this conversation for far too long. "I want to tell you something," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "From the very start of our relationship, I've held back because I wasn't sure how you would react."
She turned to him, curiosity mixed with concern in her eyes. "What is it? You can tell me anything."
Taking a deep breath, Jaekyeon continued, "I'm an actor. The character you loved in that series—he's me. But it's not just that. I took leave from the industry because I was traumatised by that character."
He paused for a moment, searching her face for understanding. "It was taxing, playing someone so dark and complex. I needed to step away from it all to find myself again."
Her eyes widened as he slowly removed the mask and carefully peeled off the hat from his hoodie. Her breath caught in her throat as the pieces fell into place. "Wait, what? Are you Jaekyeon? The real Jaekyeon?"
She could hardly process it, her mind racing with questions. Shock, confusion, and a rush of myriad emotions flickered across her face. Jaekyeon could see her struggling to grasp what he had just revealed.
"But I thought—" she started, blinking as if trying to wake from a dream. "I thought you were just an ordinary guy I met. How could you hide this from me?"
"I was afraid," he admitted. "I wanted to be with you as just Jaekyeon, not as the character or the celebrity everyone else sees. I wanted to know if you liked me for me. It's so easy to be lost in the roles I play."
Nila shook her head, trying to sort through her feelings. "You're not just an actor to me. I liked you before I knew who you were. But… why didn't you just tell me?"
"I worried you would see me differently, like all the others. That you wouldn't see me for who I am, but for the fame I carry." He reached for her hand, feeling her warmth but sensing the distance in her gaze.
Finally, after a long silence, she took a deep breath. "It's a lot to process. I liked you for you, not for your fame or talent. But now I feel... betrayed, I guess. Like, I didn't truly know you."
"I get it," Jaekyeon said softly. "I messed up by not trusting you. Just give me a chance to prove I'm still the same person you fell for."
Nila looked away, watching the leaves flutter in the gentle breeze through the window. Deep within her, she felt the stirrings of conflict—trust, love, confusion, and fear all battling for dominance. Could she reconcile the Jaekyeon she thought she knew with the reality that lay before her?
"I need time," she finally murmured.
"I understand," he replied, his heart heavy. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready."
As they sat together in silence. Jaekyeon hoped that, in time, she would find her way back to him, ready to embrace the truth of who he really was—flaws, fears, and all. He left the house with hope.
They didn't talk for two days because it was a big shock for her. The next day, he came to the office to pick her up in his car. The air was thick with tension as Jaekyeon drove silently, the weight of the past two days hanging between them. After they arrived at her house, she broke the silence.
"Hey Jaekyeon, are you coming for dinner at my place?"
His sad tone replied, "Is it okay for you if I come?"
"I'm fine. We need to talk," she affirmed.