#soltyshshs

Your lovely boyfriend quickly messaged you to say he was coming over to your apartment tonight. The text made you happy, knowing you would get to spend some quality time with him before he left for a whole month. You were already going to miss him so much.

After reading his message, you went to the bathroom to freshen up and put on his favorite white hoodie—which happened to be one of the missing pieces he was looking for. You had borrowed it right after he finished his Weverse Live that day. He had looked so hot with that matching green cap and those sexy specs resting on his big, pointy nose. Ahem. As a sweet and generous boyfriend, he had willingly let you borrow it.

Hearing a soft knock, you immediately ran to the doorway. You opened it to find your boyfriend smiling warmly, holding a box of pepperoni pizza and buffalo wings—your absolute favorite couple food. You didn't even have to tell him what you wanted. Jake always brought your favorites without being asked. You loved him so much.

“Hello, babe! I brought some snacks for tonight, our favorite,” he said, pouting cutely.

You desperately wanted to kiss those pouty lips of his. He was just so kissable.

“Thank you for this, babe! I miss you so much already, and I’m going to miss you even more,” you said as you took the food from his hands, inviting him inside.

Jake immediately handed the food over and pressed a sweet kiss to your forehead, making your heart flutter. He followed you into the apartment, but his eyes instantly wandered to you wearing the white hoodie he had been searching for. Thinking about the dozen other hoodies you had borrowed, he began to re-think his life decisions, wondering how he could ask for them back for his tour without offending you.

Poor Jakey.

Soon, the two of you were eating in the living room while watching their Sleep En Dive in Melbourne episode. Both of you were laughing so hard your stomachs hurt because of the members' humor. Your boyfriend was particularly mischievous in this episode. He looked adorable with his bare face, fluffy hair, and dazed eyes.

While you were laughing, Jake gently tapped your shoulder, causing you to turn to him with a confused expression.

“What is it?” you asked.

“U-uh, about my hoodies?” Jake asked nervously.

“What about your hoodies, babe?” you questioned, more curious this time.

“I'm packing my clothes for next week, and I just wanted to ask nicely if I could get a few of my hoodies back?” Jake asked, flashing his best puppy eyes and pouting at the very end of his sentence.

“Of course! You can have them back, babe. Besides, they're your hoodies anyway, not mine,” you assured him with a warm smile.

“Aren't you mad?” Jake asked, blinking.

“No? Why would I be mad? It's your clothing,” you answered softly.

“I love you, babe!” he said, leaning in for a quick, sudden kiss that took you completely by surprise.

“Come on! Let's go to my room and get them for you.” you said.

The two of you cleaned up the food boxes and turned off the television before heading to your bedroom. As you entered, Jake sat down on your bed, patiently waiting as you opened your closet to retrieve his clothes.

Jake couldn't help but admire you quietly. He watched how his favorite hoodie rode up your torso whenever you reached for the upper shelves where the rest of his clothes were stored. His eyes trailed down to your tiny lace shorts every time you bent over to check the lower shelves.

Jake bit his lower lip, shamelessly checking you out. His mind was no longer on his missing hoodies.

He just wanted you right now.

Standing up, he walked over and stepped up right behind you. He gently wrapped his arms around your waist, startling you slightly. He began caressing your hips, slowly moving his hands up and down your sides.

“Hi, babe,” he murmured. His voice was low, deep, and completely intoxicating.

“Hello to you, too. What do you need?” you asked flirtatiously, leaning back against him.

“You, right now.” He gently kissed the nape of your neck, slowly pressing wet, warm kisses along the left side of your throat, making you giggle from the tingling sensation.

“Jake ahh–… I want you, too,” you whispered, closing your eyes to focus entirely on his touch.

“As you wish, babe.” Jake smiled against your skin, feeling like he had just won the lottery.

He stopped kissing your neck and slowly spun you around to face him. He gripped the hem of the hoodie and gently began pulling it upward.

“Hands up for me,” Jake ordered softly, and you quickly raised your arms.

“What a beautiful sight. Is this all for me?” he breathed out, his eyes darkening with hunger. 

He couldn't take his gaze off your figure. No bra, your boobs were flushed and bounced sexily after he removed his hoodie off from you and just those tiny, black lace shorts. Jake hates to admit that he was painfully hard right now. It was as if some ancient Greek artist had crafted and sculpted every single inch of your curves. He loved every part of your body, from head to toe.

“This is all for you, Jake. Only for you,” you said, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him down into a bold kiss.

Jake returned the kiss with the exact same hunger. He slid his tongue into your mouth, tasting you deeply as the lewd, breathless sounds of your make-out session echoed in the quiet bedroom. He cupped your right breast and gently caressed it as if it was some stress ball.

After a few intense moments, Jake finally pulled back just a fraction, resting his forehead against yours.

“You know, babe, you don't even need my hoodies anymore,” Jake whispered, a smirk playing on his lips. “Because I can warm you up much better than any fabric can.”

Damn, he was right. Jake definitely warms you up better than any hoodie ever could. You feel yourself growing wetter at the thought of it.

Before you could even formulate a spoken reply, Jake’s smirk widened. He hooked his fingers into the waistband of your tiny lace shorts, slowly guiding them down your thighs. You stepped out of them effortlessly, leaving nothing between the two of you but the electric heat radiating from his body.

He didn’t waste another second, pulling you into a warm, tight embrace that made your heart race. Jake held you close, his chin resting on the top of your head as you stood together in the quiet room.

"Jake,” you whispered, resting your hands against his chest.

"I'm going to miss this so much while I'm away," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He pulled back just enough to look at you, his eyes tracing every detail of your face, memorizing the moment for the long month ahead.  "I'm going to miss being right here with you." He added.

"Then let's make the most of the time we have left," you replied softly, as you gently pushed him to tugged his hoodie off too. Showing his toned chiseled abs that he always shows off to Engene’s in their concerts.

You were drooling. Also down there.

He crashed his lips against yours, exploring each other's mouth once again. As the night deepened, the missing hoodies scattered across the room were forgotten. The both of you tangled nakedly on your bed after the intense sex you had. Jake kept his promise to make the goodbye special, leaving you with happy memories to last until he finally returned home.

note: my first ever smut! im lowkey not satisfied with it huhuhu. forgive this noob author :(( btw, thanks for reading!! mwahh <333

You couldn't help but tease him, saying he looked more like a wolf than a vampire. The Prada Boy suit matched his vibe that day perfectly. He looked absolutely stunning in the red top, which complemented his gray suit so well. Everything about him was beautiful. The other boys looked handsome too, but your attention was entirely on your gorgeous boyfriend.

You were about to grab some ice cream when you suddenly heard soft knocks on your door. You immediately slipped on your slippers and hurried to the entrance to see who was visiting at this hour. Little did you know that your boyfriend was already standing impatiently outside your door. Jake hadn't informed you that he would be visiting tonight because he wanted to surprise you.

"Hi, babe!" he greeted excitedly, flashing his adorable smile.

You were shocked by the sight in front of you since you weren't expecting him to visit.

"I'm sorry for not telling you. I just wanted to surprise my beautiful girlfriend," he said softly while rapidly blinking his eyes like a puppy.

"You don't have to apologize, babe. I really appreciate the effort you made to visit me at this hour despite being tired," you assured him while gently cupping his face and kissing the tip of his nose. You love his nose.

The two of you entered your apartment and went straight to the living room. Once you settled down, Jake immediately handed you the paper bag he had been carrying.

It was a gift from Milan that he had bought while visiting the Prada store. As he wandered around the shop, observing the different pieces on display, his eyes landed on a minimalist black shoulder bag. He quickly picked it up and checked its condition carefully. While examining it, Jake smiled at the thought of you wearing it on one of your future dates together. The bag suited you perfectly—just like how he believed the two of you were perfect for each other.

You were taken aback when Jake excitedly handed you the paper bag. Just seeing the logo made you nervous because you knew it could be very expensive. Although you lived comfortably, you weren't the type of person who purchased extravagant things beyond your budget. You knew your limits.

Unfortunately, your boyfriend was the complete opposite. He loved spoiling you. To the point that you often begged him to stop buying expensive gifts that you felt you didn't need. But Jake was stubborn, and you both knew that.

"Thank you for the gift, baby! I really appreciate it, but you know this is super expensive..." you said quietly while unconsciously biting your lip.

"No refusing this time. My girlfriend deserves it—you deserve it. Besides, Layla can't wear that. You have no choice but to keep it, babe," he joked while pulling you into a warm hug.

"I miss you so, so, so much, Y/N. I miss being this close to you," Jake mumbled as he rested his head against your neck.

While hugging, Jake glanced at your laptop and noticed that the screen paused on a moment where he was waving at the camera.

"You miss me that much? You have to watch me on a screen?" he teased while wiggling his eyebrows.

"Chill, man! Can't you see I'm just supporting you?" you shot back, raising your hands as if the police had caught you stealing from a grocery store.

"Are you obsessed with me? Just admit it and I won't be mad at you. I promise!" he laughed, covering his mouth—a habit he had whenever something was too funny for him to handle.

"Shut up, Jake! I'll just watch Sunghoon's fancams since he looks pretty good with his new brown hair." you teased him back making him jealous from the sudden mentioned of his best friend’s name.

"Ouch! Brown-haired Sunghoon over your lovely boyfriend, Wolf Jake? Really, babe? I feel betrayed." he dramatically placed a hand over his chest and stared at you with exaggerated disappointment.

You simply sighed at the sight in front of you and turned away, smiling softly as you headed toward the kitchen.

…

Little did you know Jake quietly followed you. Before you grabbed the refrigerator handle, you felt a strong pair of arms hugging your waist from the back. He rests his chin on your shoulder while pulling you closely to his chest. He's so close that you can feel his heart beating right now at your back. Feeling his hot breath on the side of your neck. This lead you from receiving a hot sensation in your stomach. You blushed with the sudden skinship. It's been a while since the both of you have this kind of moment. It really feels good to have your boyfriend at your home, your home.

"We were just apart a few seconds ago, and now you're clinging to me like a koala. Guess who's obsessed now?" you tease Jake while you softly trace the veins on his left forearm.

Damn.

"Alright, you won. May I kiss you right now, miss?" he quietly admitted, but Jake's voice was noticeably lower at this point.

Your goofy boyfriend is no longer to be found. 

You turned around to face him but before you cupped his cheeks, he gently slammed your back on the refrigerator behind you while his plump lips landed on your lips before you realized. Jake kisses you like a mad man who's been unable to eat his meal for decades. His hands wander on your body while you keep pulling his hair, savouring the heat that you are currently sharing at the moment. Both lips, tongue, and teeth were fighting together like you are in a world war. The two of you stayed like that for at least 5 minutes without pulling away to each other. 

You're the one who pulled away as you were out of breath after the moment you shared. Putting your head on Jake's chest while panting hardly. He kissed your forehead and while patting your back gently. You can also feel how fast his heartbeat compared earlier. This made you pull Jake's waist to feel him more and the both of you rested for a moment.

"I love you, Y/N. You mean the world to me" Jake said to you as he kissed your temple.

"I love you too, my Jakey." you look up to him staring with your doe eyes as you quickly steal a peck from his lips.

Jake chuckled at your sudden actions. He ruffles your hair while grinning from ear to ear.

"I haven't taken a shower yet, would you mind joining me?" he shyly asked you while patiently waiting for your answer.

"Sure, I would love to take a shower with you Mr. Sim" you winked at him while shamelessly staring at him up and down.

Before he could grab you, you slipped out from his arm and quickly ran off and went to your bedroom. He can feel the sudden hotness going up from his cheeks taken aback with your flirtiness. Jake hurriedly walked to your bedroom while blushing. 

note: this my first ever fic i wrote down here in tumblr. i was just bored lol. thank you saur saur much for reading! please bear with me for the grammatical errors! sending hugsssss <333 i’ll only write whenever i feel it hihihi. thank you again!! 🫂🫂🫂

02. Juno

lyrics: “have you ever tried this one~?”

synopsis: your sex life with jake is amazing, but you're still inexperienced and too timid to initiate. feeling anxious about not being good enough, you secretly look through the kama sutra to learn some new positions visually—finally building up the courage to ask him, “have you ever tried this one?”...

03. Busy Woman 

lyrics: “but if you need my love, my clothes are off i'm coming over to your place~”

synopsis: both of you have been completely drowned in work these past few weeks, leaving zero time for romance. that's why you decide to take matters into your own hands, driving over to surprise him at his office late at night despite being a busy woman yourself…

04. House Tour

lyrics: “the couch is really comfy comfy~ got some chips ahoy if you're hungry hungry~”

You briefly wondered why a girl who looked like she belonged on a modeling runway was working late shifts in a restaurant like this.

“One order of buffalo wings and one can of Diet Coke. Is that all for tonight, ma'am?” Her voice was just as lovely as her face.

“Yes, that’s all. Thank you,” you replied softly.

“Alright, ma'am! Your food will be out in about ten to fifteen minutes. Thank you!” She smiled warmly, revealing a faint, deep dimple on her cheek before turning away.

You nodded and returned to your laptop, trying to summarize the articles for your thesis. Frustration was visible on your face right now, as you ran a hand through your hair, stressed because your other groupmates still hadn't submitted their assigned sections.

But before you could dive back into the text, a familiar voice cut through the low chatter of the restaurant.

Your eyes instantly darted toward the mini-stage in the center of the room. There he stood, gripping the microphone stand, singing with an agonizing amount of emotion, his eyes heavy with a profound sense of longing. For someone.

It was Sim Jaeyun. Your boyfriend.

You watched him silently, your heart swelling at the sound of his honey-sweet voice. But as the lyrics spilled from his lips, the words began to cut into your chest, slicing you deeply every time he opened his mouth. Your eyes grew glossy, tears threatening to spill at any moment.

I don't wanna get undressed

For a new person all over again

I don't wanna kiss someone else's neck

And have to pretend it's yours instead…

The raw desperation in his voice made you ache. You closed your eyes, desperately wishing, just for a second, that the song was meant for you.

But you were his girlfriend, not an ex yet…

Following his gaze, you tracked exactly where his eyes were locked. Your heart stopped. He wasn't looking at you. He was staring directly at the waitress who had served you earlier. She stood frozen in the middle of the aisle, holding the tray with your food, completely paralyzed by his voice.

You noticed how hard her knuckles turned white against the plastic tray, her hands trembling as she looked up at him.

Jake kept his eyes glued to her, singing his soul out as the most painful lines left his mouth.

And I don't wanna learn another scent

I don't want the children of another man

To have the eyes of the girl that I won't forget…

A sudden, suffocating memory flashed through your mind. Just last week, you were happily flipping through his childhood photo albums in his apartment. Hidden at the bottom of the drawer, a small pink scrapbook covered in cute stickers had caught your eye. You had opened it eagerly, expecting more baby pictures of Jake.

Instead, your hands had started to shake. The first page read, “My Girl,” with an infinity symbol drawn underneath. Curiosity is a dangerous thing, but you haven't been able to stop yourself from unraveling the truth.

On the next page was a photobooth strip of Jake and a girl wearing matching clothes, laughing and making silly faces. In the last frame, she was kissing his cheek, and Jake looked completely flustered, his eyes full of pure adoration. The girl in those photos was his unforgettable ex. You had slammed the album shut back then, fighting the violent urge to sob right there on his bedroom floor.

Now, looking back and forth between the stage and the aisle, your chest tightened until it was hard to breathe.

The waitress was her, his ex.

Suddenly, everything made sense. No wonder Jake had been coming to this specific restaurant almost every day for the past three months. He would always text you that he was here eating, meeting up with friends, or running quick errands. But he hadn't been running errands at all. He was here for her.

You stared at the girl again, letting out a bitter, breathless chuckle. Comparing yourself to her felt like a losing battle. No wonder Jake couldn't move on, even though the two of you had been dating for an entire year.

You were just a placeholder.

“She has everything I don't,” you whispered to yourself, a single, heavy tear finally breaking free and slowly sliding on your left cheek. “Even my man's heart.”

As the final notes of the song faded into applause from the audience, the waitress snapped out of her trance and rushed to your table, hurriedly setting down your dishes.

“I am so sorry for keeping you waiting, ma'am. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience,” she murmured, her voice trembling as she looked you in the eye. You could see the profound sadness in her eyes.

“No. Don't apologize, miss,” you replied, keeping your composure perfectly relaxed, forcing a small smile past, agonizing the pain in your chest.

“I wasn't inconvenienced by the wait. I was inconvenienced by your love story. Please... take good care of him.”

His ex froze, completely stunned into silence. Before she could utter a single word, you stood up, packed your laptop, and walked away.

Across the room, Jake’s face drained of color as his eyes locked onto you standing beside her. The sudden realization on his face looked like he had just witnessed a horror scene.

You caught his panicked eyes from across the crowd, offering him one last, hollow smile.

Maybe you can finally sing that song for me now, you thought bitterly.

Now that I am finally your ex, too.

note: this shit hurts me so much :') btw i love this song that's why i made a story about it. hope you like it, everyone!! thanks for reading 🫂

At 9:00 AM sharp, Jake was already standing on your doorstep. When you opened the door, he greeted you with a bright smile, holding out your favorite hot chocolate. He opened his arms wide for a hug.

"Good morning, babe! You look as pretty as ever," Jake complimented, gently rubbing your back with his free hand.

“Good morning to you too, handsome. I missed you so much," you pouted, resting your head against his chest for a moment.

“I missed you too, babe. Always," he murmured, stealing a quick kiss from your pouted lips.

“Come on, your parents are probably waiting for us," you said, stealing one more kiss before heading to the car.

…

You arrived at Jake's house before lunchtime. The long travel time had left both of you hungry. Jake's mother greeted the two of you with a warm hug, flashing the beautiful smile that Jake had inherited from her. She invited you inside and went straight to the kitchen so everyone could eat.

But before you could sit down, Layla came running from the backyard, playfully wiggling her tail with excitement. Jake quickly rushed to Layla and scooped her up into his arms.

Jake had loved Layla long before you entered his life. Let's just say that Layla was Jake's first love. He kissed her like there was no tomorrow, and Layla clung to him, enthusiastically licking his face. She clearly missed her "father" so much. You had missed him too during the trip, of course, but you weren't quite this clingy. You mentally slapped yourself and brushed the thought away.

Were you seriously being jealous over a dog? Chill, you thought, they're just having a fun father-daughter moment. Nothing more, nothing less.

His mom called the both of you to sit down and dig into your meal before it cooled down.

"I'm glad you were able to visit, son. It's been a month since we last caught up properly like this," his mom said as she gently chewed her food.

"Yeah, I've been so busy with work. Don't worry, I'll make it up to you, Mom," Jake reassured her, gently caressing her hand on the table.

"How about you, dear? Is Jake treating you well?" his mom asked you. She playfully raised her left eyebrow, staring at Jake as if he had committed a crime.

Jake stopped chewing his food, a cute, disbelief-filled look on his face. He couldn't believe what his mom had just implied.

"Yes, Mrs. Sim. Jake has always been good to me," you quickly responded with a smile.

"By the way, Mom, where's Dad?" Jake asked suddenly.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you! He's in Brisbane right now. He just flew back last week to run some errands for our business," his mother informed him.

"That's good to hear. I miss Dad too," Jake said softly.

"I'm going out to see my friends now, son. They invited me for a quick catch-up. Please enjoy your stay here," she said. She stood up, walked over to you and Jake, and kissed you both goodbye.

…

After Jake’s mother bid her goodbyes, he told you that he was going to play with Layla first and that you could go up to his room if you wanted to get some rest. Before you could even utter a word, Jake rushed out of your sight, heading straight for the backyard where Layla was waiting. Her face lit up and she stood up immediately the moment she saw Jake coming her way.

You watched them silently through the huge glass window. You felt a little hurt by the sudden abandonment from your boyfriend. He hadn’t even invited you to play with Layla, which stunned you. The two of you were supposed to be spending time together, but instead, he was entirely focused on his beloved dog.

You felt incredibly immature at that moment for getting jealous over a pet. She was just an animal, yet here you were, pouting like a puppy impatiently waiting for its owner to pay attention to them. You understood how much he missed Layla, given the fact that he hadn't seen her for months. Still, a stubborn part of you refused to let it go. It should be you feeling Jake’s touch. It should be you kissing him, not Layla—a thought that irritated you deeply as you listened to his soft voice drifting from outside.

"I love you, Layla!" You heard him say those three words sweetly to his dog. It made your chest tighten, remembering that he hadn't said those words to you once since you arrived.

Your expression completely darkened. On the verge of tears, you headed upstairs to his room to get some sleep. You tried to convince yourself that you were just exhausted from work and hadn't been sleeping well lately

Downstairs, Jake noticed that you were no longer in the kitchen, so he decided to follow you upstairs to check if you were doing okay.

"Layla, come here!" he called out.

"Let's go check on your mommy. Would that be okay with you?" Jake asked his dog, talking to her as if she understood every word.

Layla wagged her tail fiercely, panting heavily with pure excitement.

…

Jake ran upstairs with Layla, excited to visit you. He stopped at his bedroom door and opened it carefully, peeking inside to see if you were actually there. He found you cuddled up with his En-Chin Jakey pillow, which his mother had bought right after the launch. The sight made him smile.

He sat down on the bed quietly, afraid to wake you with any sudden movements. Jake gestured to Layla to stay quiet. However, as a light sleeper, you could already feel his presence beside you. Layla was panting heavily, exhausted after playing with Jake for over an hour.

Happy for her though, you thought.

Jake lay down beside you and snuggled into your neck, carefully slipping his hands around your tiny waist and pulling you closer to him.

“I know you're awake. Tell me, what's wrong? Are you sick? We can go to the hospital if you're not feeling well," Jake asked repeatedly, wondering why you had left so abruptly earlier. He still had no idea about your beef with his beloved creamed-colored border collie.

"I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about, Jake. I'm just sleepy," you said quietly, lacking the energy to argue or tease him like you usually did.

But Jake was observant. He could sense that something was off, even if you wouldn't admit it. As a boyfriend, he highly valued communication and always encouraged honesty to avoid misunderstandings. That was the main reason the two of you rarely argued. Because of this, Jake didn't buy your excuse and kept pressing for answers.

“Why did you leave so early then?" Jake asked.

“I told you, I was sleepy. That's all," you responded, still refusing to face him.

"W-wait... are you jealous of Layla?" His eyes widened as the realization hit him hard. You were actually jealous.

"No! Why would I be jealous of an animal?" You sat up straight, surprised by how easily Jake had guessed your problem.

Your eyes glanced at Layla, who was sitting up quietly, watching the drama unfold in front of her.

"You were jealous, I knew it!" Jake laughed so hard his stomach hurt. As he tried to reach for your shoulder, you quickly slapped his hand away, earning a whine from him.

"Don't touch me, I'm still annoyed with you," you glared at him.

"I'm sorry, babe. I just missed Layla so much. You know I rarely get to visit her, compared to you, whom I see every chance I get," Jake softly admitted, pouting. He sat up straight, staring at you like a lost puppy.

"So now you're comparing me to a dog? Seriously, Jake?" Your gaze was burning so hot that Jake swore he could turn to ashes right then and there.

“Oh my God! No, babe! Listen! I didn't mean it that way!" He quickly grabbed your hands to explain himself.

“Just tell me if you choose Layla over me. Because it really seems like you prefer her..." you sulked.

You were feeling incredibly sensitive and emotional, on the verge of breaking down at any moment. It felt so embarrassing to be jealous of your boyfriend's dog.

Sigh.

"Babe... listen to me, please? I love you so much. No words can explain how much you mean to me. Even Layla knows how much I simp over you. Don't be jealous, alright?" He hugged you tightly, uttering those comforting words.

"I'm sorry, babe. I didn't mean to be jealous of Layla. I just wanted your attention since you've been away for a month. I missed you so much—everything about you," you confessed softly.

“Shhh, don't worry about it. I'm all yours now," Jake assured you, tightening his embrace.

He was about to lean in for a kiss when Layla barked loudly. She ran over and jumped on him, licking Jake's face with sloppy kisses.

"Someone else is jealous too!" he joked, trying to calm Layla down.

Jake tried to pull you in for a kiss again, but you turned away, covering your face with the Jakey pillow.

“D-don't kiss me! You smell like Layla. She just licked your face a few seconds ago. I don't want to share saliva with her!" you shouted playfully, keeping the Jakey pillow over your face.

This made Jake laugh out loud. Being the menace that he is, a mischievous idea popped into his head to annoy you to the fullest.

“Layla, come here! Let's kiss mommy!" he called out. The two of them jumped on you, pulling away the pillow and the duvet just to steal a kiss. After a moment of resisting, you let them into your space and gladly accepted their affection.

Suddenly, your phone beeped.

A notification popped up on your screen: 

"You are in your luteal phase today—be aware of any sudden mood swings you might experience. Thank you."

Poor Sim Layla.

note: yeyyy! i hope guys love itt. it’s so addicting to write :’))

The teenage love story began on a summer afternoon on Jeju Island. The sun shone brightly, and a cool breeze swept across the coast. You sat on a nearby rock, enjoying the ocean-blue view. You had always been passionate about art; every time you saw a perfect landscape, you would immediately grab your supplies to capture the scene on canvas.

Jay, on the other hand, was peeking silently behind you as your brush moved across the canvas, adding lively details. He was a classmate and one of your closest friends. The boy was a total menace, teasing you every chance he got. His antics usually ended with you pinching his ear in annoyance. Yet, despite the endless jokes, Jay was remarkably thoughtful. Because you often forgot to eat while focused on your work, he always made you a packed lunch, scolding you gently for skipping meals. You might have pretended to be annoyed by his nagging, but you loved his cooking. Jay had already shared his dream of becoming a successful chef, and you had promised to be his very first customer when he opened a restaurant. You even made a pinky promise to seal the deal. You, meanwhile, dreamed of a future in the fashion industry. People were often struck by your presence and the artistic way you carried yourself.

“How much is your painting, miss?” he jokingly asked, startling you.

“Oh my god, Jay! Can you please stop sneaking up on me? You're going to give me a heart attack,” you said dramatically, looking up at him.

Jay sat down on a large stone beside you.

“What do you need?” you frowned, assuming he was about to start another round of teasing.

“You?” he countered, framing it like a question to himself.

“Jay, I'm not in the mood for your pranks,” you replied, turning back to your painting.

“I'm serious. I need your opinion on a dish I made earlier,” he pleaded, his expression softening.

Hearing him mention food made you whip your head around, instantly all ears.

“You know, sometimes I wonder if you're only friends with me for my cooking,” Jay sulked.

“Maybe you're right. Come on, just tell me, Jay,” you teased, flashing your signature smile.

He let out a defeated sigh. “So, about the dish. I made my own version of crispy pork belly. I want you to taste it because I trust your honesty.”

“Jay, you know I'm always down for food. Let's go right now,” you said quickly, packing up your art materials in a flash. 

Your sudden eagerness left Jay stunned, jokingly wondering if the food was more important than the company.

As you stepped onto the damp rocks, your foot slipped. Losing your balance, you tumbled forward. You braced yourself for a fall, but before you could, Jay caught you. Thanks to his quick reflexes, you were safe.

Held in his steady grip, a part of you didn't want to step away. In truth, you had been secretly fond of Jay since the first day he looked after you. Your heart always fluttered at his acts of service. It was the first time anyone had treated you with such genuine care. Jay was unique, and it made you appreciate him even more despite his mischievous attitude.

You looked at him closely, noting how the sunlight caught his features. His expression was gentle as he stared directly into your eyes. The tension between you grew as the moment stretched on. Finally, Jay softly asked for your permission to share a closer moment.

“Can I kiss you?” he nervously whispered. You felt the weight of the moment as the silence between you deepened.

Instead of answering, you leaned in, closing your eyes as you pressed your lips against his. A swarm of butterflies erupted in your stomach. Though caught off guard by your sudden boldness, Jay quickly recovered. He helped you stand up straight without breaking the connection, moving with a rhythm that felt natural. It was a moment of pure happiness for both of you.

When you finally parted, the air felt different. Jay kept a steady hand on your arm as you looked at one another. He waited a moment before asking the question on his mind.

“Can I take you out on a date?”

“No,” you replied. The sudden rejection caught him completely off guard.

“No?” he stammered, his heart sinking.

“Because I would love to go on a date with you!” you exclaimed, laughing at his panicked expression.

Jay grinned and pulled you into a tight hug, feeling like the luckiest person in the world that day. 

My boy was a montage

A slow-motion, love potion

Jumping off things in the ocean

I broke his heart 'cause he was nice…

Jay always brightened up your mood. You felt like you had your own personal sunshine orbiting around you whenever you needed him. You never had dark days when you were with Jay. He provided you with positive energy just like real sunshine. You never regretted saying yes to him that day at the seashore.

The two of you were now seniors in college, and in just a few months, you would graduate together. Jay had pursued his dream of becoming a chef, which was the reason he took up the Culinary program. Meanwhile, you have also followed your dreams by taking Arts and Design as your degree.

You were currently sitting in one of the chairs at the dining table, quietly admiring your boyfriend's back as he stood facing away from you, stirring the chicken risotto he was cooking.

“Love, you look hot just by cooking,” you said out of nowhere, making Jay flustered by your words.

“I am always hot. You just realized it now? I feel bad that you're so late to notice,” Jay quickly responded, turning around a little to show his signature Roblox smile.

Nothing had changed; Jay was still as annoying as hell. Sometimes you just wanted to choke him for being such a menace, but you secretly loved this side of him.

“Risotto a la Ottosir is finally done,” he announced. Even his dish's name was corny, just like him. He called out to you as he gently scooped the risotto onto one of your favorite plates.

“Yeyyyy! Thank you, chef Jjongsaeng, for this wonderful dish,” you thanked him while taking a picture of the food he had made for you.

Naturally, you always captured the dishes with the chef in the frame, too.

“Say cheese for the camera, love,” you told him. Jay made a weird, funny face for the photo.

“Let's dig in now!” Jay said, taking a spoonful of risotto to feed you.

You opened your mouth as he fed you. 

Once again, Jay’s dishes never disappointed. It was always delicious. Sometimes, a hint of sadness hits you at the thought of ever being unable to eat his signature dishes someday.

“I love you, Jay,” you blurted out, making him blush at your sudden words.

“I love you too, Y/N,” he said, leaning forward to kiss your temple softly, full of love and care.

…

You were at the mall with Jay. The two of you had agreed to go out on a date since there were no classes today. As you window-shopped, you stopped by a jewelry store. Jay's mother was celebrating her birthday next week, so he was looking for the perfect gift. 

You sat on one of the chairs inside the store to wait for him. While waiting, a lady in her late 30s approached you. She greeted you politely and extended her hand for a handshake. Being respectful, you stood up and shook her hand with a warm smile.

“Hi, Miss! Nice to meet you. I hope I am not disturbing you, but I would like to introduce myself. I am Mina, and I work for Cosmo Company. We're currently casting new models for our upcoming project to be launched in the U.S.A. next year. This is a great opportunity for you if you're interested. You're so beautiful, and you're exactly the type of model we are looking for,” the lady encouraged, smiling sweetly.

You were still processing the information, but you knew for a fact that you would grab this opportunity. You had dreamed about this since you were a kid. This might be your fate, and you mentally thanked your boyfriend for asking you out today.

“Oh my god! I would love to join. I've always dreamt of being a model someday,” you exclaimed excitedly.

“That's good to hear, Miss. By the way, may I know your name?” she asked.

“I am Y/N. I am still in college, a graduating student,” you said, your smile never fading.

“Wow! Advanced congratulations, Y/N! Here's my business card. The address of our company, as well as my contact details, are on it. You can call me whenever you have decided,” she smiled, handing you the card.

“Thank you, Miss Mina! It's my pleasure to meet you. I'll probably think about it first, but I am definitely considering this,” you reassured her, earning another smile.

“Alright, thank you again! I hope to see you at our company office in the next few months!” she said as she bid you goodbye.

You were reading the business card when Jay suddenly appeared in front of you.

“Who was the lady you were talking to earlier, love?” he asked curiously.

“Oh, the lady approached me and asked if I could be one of their models for a project launching next year in the U.S.A.,” you answered Jay happily, waiting for his response.

“Really?! Are you for real?! I'm so proud of you, love!” Jay hugged you tightly as he spoke.

“But I’m still considering it,” you said.

“No more considering. Grab the opportunity right in front of you,” he quickly assured you, making you feel at ease.

“Thank you, love,” you said softly, holding his hands.

“Don’t thank me. You always support me with my passion, so I'm just doing the same for you. I know how much you love this, and I don't want to be the reason you don't reach your dreams,” he said, placing a gentle kiss on your knuckles.

...

You had now graduated with Latin honors, and so had Jay. The happiness you felt was overflowing, but in an overwhelmingly good way. The two of you decided to celebrate your post-graduation success at Jay's apartment.

“Wow, love! So many dishes! Is this all for the two of us?” You were shocked by how much food was served on the table. Most of them were your favorite dishes, lovingly cooked by Jay.

“Yes, my love. This is for the two of us to dig into until morning, or until we get a stomach ache,” Jay joked. He gently wrapped his strong arms around your waist, pulling you into a tight hug from behind.

“I have a surprise for you, Jay,” you softly whispered, tilting your head back as he pressed gentle kisses against your neck.

“Where is it?” Jay asked.

“Let me go first, chef,” you chuckled, successfully escaping his embrace.

You ran to the living room and quickly came back with your laptop in your hands. You handed it to Jay, letting him read the email you had received that morning.

“No freaking way!? You're a model! My baby is a model now!” Jay shouted excitedly. He quickly set the laptop down on the dinner table just so he could lift you up and spin you around the kitchen.

“When did you audition, love?” he asked as he gently set your feet back on the ground.

“Just last week. I am sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just wanted to surprise you, Jay,” you pouted.

“No, don't say sorry. I'm so glad you're achieving your dreams. I'm your number one fan, always remember that,” he said, pulling you into another warm hug.

You loved this man so much.

...

You were now starting your life as a trainee model at Cosmo Agency here in Seoul. Being a part of this felt too good to be true. You had once dreamed of being one of them, and now you were. You used to fantasize about walking on the runway, posing for the camera, and seeing yourself on billboards and in magazines. You were happier than ever.

Unfortunately, your dream, once a sweet fantasy, was actually a nightmare. There were advantages, but the disadvantages were cruel. The working hours were toxic. You spent more than eight hours a day practicing at the company. You had to follow a strict diet plan to maintain good shape for the public. Your feet burned with pain every day from wearing high heels. Managers would scold you if you disobeyed a rule, whether accidentally or intentionally. You were completely exhausted. You barely had any time for Jay, but you tried your best to adapt your schedule and fit him in whenever you were available.

On the other hand, Jay was finally an assistant chef. His hard work had borne fruit quickly in a short period of time. He had always been a good cook, so it was no wonder they promoted him so fast. He might have been busy, but he was doing well compared to you. Sometimes you envied your boyfriend for how lucky he was—as if the universe were aligning with his fate while you were left feeling miserable in your chosen career.

You were now taking a day off at Jay's apartment, spending some time with him since it had been a week since you last saw each other. Now, your boyfriend was trying to force you to eat a dish he had cooked just for you.

“Love, eat this. I know you miss this Risotto a la Ottosir,” he pleaded with his doe eyes, but you had no time for this.

“Sorry, Jay. I can't eat that. I'm on a strict diet, and besides, I'm cutting carbs. So I can't at the moment,” you said seriously.

This was the first time you had ever declined Jay's food. You usually loved his cooking, but you just weren't feeling it right now. You felt overwhelmed and pressured by the upcoming evaluation next week, so you were making sure you would pass this time.

“Just a bite, please? Say ah~” Jay cutely opened his mouth to demonstrate.

“Jay… I already told you that I can't eat it, for God's sake,” you raised your voice, irritated that Jay was being stubborn.

“A single bite won't hurt you, babe!” Jay kept pushing your buttons.

“Jay, I told you I'm not eating that shit—” As you said those painful words, you accidentally smacked the plate out of frustration, knocking it from Jay's hand. It shattered across the floor, and some of the food spilled onto Jay's shirt. His mind went blank at the scene.

Jay dropped down to his knees on the floor, picking up the broken pieces of the plate you had accidentally shattered. He stared at them silently, remembering how he had made this in a pottery workshop as a gift for your 18th birthday. Jay always used this plate whenever he cooked for you. He was now wondering how he could ever bring back the pieces that were completely broken.

As he picked up the shards, your hands shook. You reached out toward Jay's shoulder to apologize, still processing what had just happened. You didn't mean to break it. You knew how memorable that plate was for the both of you.

“L-love… Jay? I am so sorry. I-I didn't mean to break it,” you apologized, but Jay wouldn't face you.

Yeah, you didn't mean to break it.

“It's okay, love. It was an accident, and besides, some things are meant to be broken. Let's just buy a new one,” Jay quickly assured you, but his tone said otherwise. A heavy hint of sadness lingered in his voice. Jay still hadn't faced you; he simply stood up and went to the storage room to grab some cleaning supplies.

Some things are meant to be broken, right?

You sat there as guilt crashed through your entire system. Breaking your favorite plate made you sad, but being ignored by Jay was another level of pain. This was the first time he had ever ignored you, and you weren't used to it.

Later that night, the two of you reconciled, since you never went to sleep without resolving a fight. You apologized again and told him the reason why you couldn't eat the food he had served. Jay also apologized for his behavior earlier. He said he was just sad that his favorite plate for you had been broken. You told him that you would replace it with something new and beautiful, but Jay's mind wasn't truly on the plate. He just kept his thoughts to himself as the two of you cuddled that night.

He was sunshine, I was midnight rain

He wanted it comfortable

I wanted that pain…

You passed the evaluation, which finally removed the heavy weight that had been pressing down on your chest. You thought you would be completely fine after that, but you were wrong. Your schedule became extremely out of control, leaving you with barely any time to relax.

Jay remained exactly the same. He always updated you about his day and even sent food to your company for you to eat, carefully following your strict diet plan. He wanted to make sure you were still eating and not starving yourself. He left sweet voice messages to cheer you up. He was always so patient with you, and a part of you hated him for being so good to you. He never complained. Jay adapted perfectly to your busy lifestyle, always finding time for you—even if it was just a brief fifteen-minute window to see each other. He would consistently come by your company just to drop off the food he had made and to give you a quick hug. Jay never stopped loving you.

But what about you? Do you still love him?

It was a question you asked yourself, but the answer was one you never wanted to admit.

Your first official appearance was a massive success. You were finally featured in a famous magazine, your pictures spread across different social media platforms, and people started noticing you on the street, occasionally asking for photos. 

You were happy. But did you feel contentment? Not yet. Satisfaction? You still had a long way to go. 

You were a rising model now, but you were eager for more, constantly chasing the level of fame you had always wanted. 

Somewhere along the way, something inside you changed.

He wanted a bride

I was making my own name

Chasing that fame

He stayed the same

All of me changed like midnight…

You were at the mall with Jay for a date, since you had finally freed up your schedule for this single day. You were walking happily with him when a fan approached you, asking for a selfie. Jay stepped back to give you the space you needed.

“Oh my god! You look unreal, Miss Y/N. Can I take a selfie with you?” she asked excitedly. You happily agreed to her request.

After she took three selfies with you, her eyes wandered over to Jay. 

Being a rising model—a so-called celebrity—you had forgotten that the public knowledge of your relationship could affect the career you were trying to build. Naturally curious, the fan asked about your connection to Jay.

“Uhm, Miss Y/N? Who's that guy?” She pointed to Jay, who was standing by your side.

You panicked. The career you were building flashed before your eyes like a sudden thunderstorm.

Jay was already smiling, ready to introduce himself as your boyfriend, but you were faster than him. You cut him off before he could speak a single word that might jeopardize your future.

“He’s my bodyguard. He is just accompanying me to keep me safe. You know, since accidents can happen at any time,” you said with a smile. 

You glanced over at Jay after dropping those words like a nuclear bomb on his entire system.

Jay’s jaw dropped at how you had just introduced him. He had heard that right, didn't he? A bodyguard. Were you for real? Were you ashamed of him? His head swirled with questions he desperately wanted to ask you. He felt small. Did you think so lowly of him now? A wave of numbness washed over him.

“Aww, that's a shame. He looks handsome! the two of you would look perfect together. I was hoping he was your boyfriend,” she giggled, playfully shipping the two of you.

If you only knew, little girl, Jay thought to himself.

You chuckled nervously, able to feel the tension radiating from Jay's body. He was good at masking his emotions, but you could easily sense his deep disappointment.

“Thank you for the pictures, Miss Y/N! Goodbye to you too, sir!” she said happily, waving goodbye to both of you. Jay managed a polite smile back at her.

“J-Jay…” you called out to him, suddenly scared to even touch him.

“Yes?” he replied. You could feel the coldness in his stare, signaling just how much he disliked your attitude right now.

“I am so sorry. I had to lie for my career…” you admitted, waiting anxiously for his response.

“Don't worry, Miss Y/N. I am your bodyguard, right? It's part of my job to protect you—even if that means hiding our relationship,” he replied sarcastically, a sharp edge of annoyance cutting through his voice.

You reached out to grab his hand, trying to interlock your fingers with his, but he immediately yanked his hand away from you.

“Bodyguards and their bosses don't do this, Miss Y/N,” he reminded you coldly, emphasizing your self-proclaimed dynamic. 

He was no longer acting like your lover, but a literal bodyguard.

...

The entire car ride was so silent that the only sound to be heard was Jay's heavy breathing as he tried to calm himself down. His face was flushed, fuming with disappointment and shame.

When you finally arrived at your house, you called out his name once more, desperate to apologize for what had happened.

“Jay, are you still mad at me? Please don't be like this…” You stared at him, but his face showed only one emotion. 

Pure coldness. It was a coldness you knew you could never endure, especially coming from him.

“Why did you deny our relationship?” his voice dropped lower as he fought to control his emotions.

“I told you, I'm just protecting my career!” you raised your voice this time, frustration rushing through your veins.

“Really? Is that all you've got? That was completely disrespectful to me, Y/N. We've been together for almost five years, and you just introduced me as if I'm absolutely nothing in your life,” he said calmly, but his calmness felt dangerous.

“You're really stubborn, aren't you, Jay? I've been working my ass off twenty-four hours a day just to build my dream. I was only saving my career!”

“And I am trying to save our relationship!” Jay yelled back.

This was the first time he had ever raised his voice at you. He was absolutely furious.

“You're so sensitive, Jay!” you snapped, keeping your eyes locked onto his.

“And you're completely insensitive!”

Jay’s voice thundered through the car, startling you. Your once-gentle sunshine had officially become a raging storm.

“I’m the insensitive one now? Wow, how funny.” You scoffed sarcastically, deeply taken aback. How dare he call you insensitive.

“You've become so blinded by your career that you've forgotten about our relationship entirely…” he added quietly.

“Are you blaming my career now?” you asked defensively.

“I didn't say that, you did. I've always supported your career and you know it. Everyone knows it,” he countered.

“No, Jay. It seems like you're implying that my career is destroying our relationship. Is this just because I don't have time for you anymore? Have you ever heard a single complaint from me about your shit cooking career? And now you're shifting the blame onto my job? When you're the one who always shows up at my agency like a clingy puppy? You're ridiculous, Jay,” you spat out, no longer holding anything back.

Jay fell entirely silent after you labeled his passion a "shit career." His life's work, reduced to nothing but shit to you. Himself, compared to a clingy puppy. He let out a bitter, quiet chuckle. He had no idea you viewed him that way this whole time. He just sat there, listening to your painful words slice deeply into his already wounded heart. He felt utterly terrible and hopeless, secretly wishing you would take those words back just to ease his bleeding chest. He had only wanted to save your relationship—to save the woman of his life.

But you weren't trying to be saved.

And if you wouldn't let him save the relationship, who was left to save?

Maybe just himself.

“L-love, don’t say that. I love you. Let’s stop fighting, please?” Jay pleaded.

 Even though you had deeply bruised his soul and left a permanent scar, he stopped himself from fighting back. He let his guard down once again, terrified that your sharp tongue might utter even worse words to break him all over again.

Deep down, you knew it wasn't true. You were just projecting your own insecurities onto him, ruining his peace because yours was gone. He loved you so much, but you were causing him nothing but pain. Jay recalled the memories you once shared, the dreams you had meticulously planned together, and he didn't want it to end. He was terrified you were about to ask for a breakup. He had never complained once before today. It felt so unfair. He just wanted you to listen to how your actions hurt him, but you were too busy surviving in your own world. He loved you truly, which was why he kept fighting for whatever fragments you had left him, even if he didn't know how he would ever heal.

You didn't answer him. A part of you wanted to let him go, even though you still loved him. You finally realized how vicious your tongue had been. Hurting Jay had never been your intention, yet here you were, watching the man of your life break down right in front of you. You wanted to apologize, but your pride wasn't the roadblock anymore—it was simply who you had become. You were too stubborn. You hadn't even realized how much you had changed. Your past self wouldn't even recognize this miserable, pathetic version of you, especially when all Jay had ever done was love you. Always.

But maybe love just wasn't your priority right now. In reality, your career had taken first place long ago. 

Never Jay.

You had supported him once, and you just wanted him to support you the same way. Was that really too much to ask? Or were you asking for too much while completely overlooking every single effort and sacrifice Jay had already made for you?

You were just so tired. Tired of everything. Tired of him? You still weren't entirely sure.

Reconciling felt pointless now, especially after how deeply you had wounded each other. Jay loved you above anything else. And you? You loved everything else above Jay. It was finally clear that you wanted to escape this exhausting relationship. You didn't need him anymore, right? Not now that you have achieved everything you ever wanted. He had just become a roadblock. Maybe you had fallen out of love. You tried to gaslight yourself into believing you didn't love him anymore, but the truth was, he was still knocking on your heart, waiting to be let back in like before.

“Jay, let’s end this now,” you blurted out.

Ice-cold blood ran through Jay's veins the exact moment those words left your mouth. It was the one sentence he had been terrified to hear.

“P-please tell me you didn’t mean that.” Jay grabbed your hands, begging you to take it back.

“I mean it. I’m going to the States next month to fully commit to my duties as a new model. Because my debut appearance was so successful, they immediately offered me a slot on the team. This is a massive opportunity for me, Jay,” you confessed.

Jay sat there, trying to process everything. His chest tightened until he felt completely suffocated. 

“Are you happy with that?” he asked, staring at you with glossy, unshed tears. 

The sight of him was agonizing.

You hummed in response.

“If you’re happy with it, who am I to stop you from reaching your dreams?” Jay finally said, a painful smile stretching across his face. 

Though he smiled, the storm of emotions behind his eyes was too tragic to explain.

“I’m letting you go, love…” he added, leaning across the console to press one final kiss against your temple.

He didn't beg anymore. He knew you had wanted this since the day he met you, and he refused to be the anchor holding you back. He could have been selfish and demanded you stay, but he knew his love would never satisfy your hunger for fame. Even if he cooked a hundred meals for you, a part of you would never crave them again.

You burst into tears, completely overwhelmed. Jay was finally letting you go, giving you the exact freedom you had asked for. But why did it hurt so badly? He was just respecting your choice. A part of you suddenly wanted to stay, to tear up the contract, and start a new life with him without any burdens. Unfortunately, it was too late. This was what you wanted, wasn't it?

Jay wrapped his arms around you, gently holding you as you cried. He wasn't crying, but you could feel how shattered he was just by the way his hands held you. He was pouring the absolute last drops of his love into you before letting you walk away forever.

A loud crack of thunder boomed outside, rain pouring heavily against the windshield as you sobbed into Jay's embrace. You didn't want to let go—not yet—but you knew you had to.

Before leaving the car, you cupped Jay's face and kissed him passionately, pouring every ounce of your tangled emotions into him. His lips felt incredibly warm against yours, a sensation you knew you would desperately miss. Jay kissed you back with equal intensity, his lips moving with a desperate hunger that proved he didn't want to let you go either. Finally, you pulled away, wiped your tears, and slowly clicked off your seatbelt.

“I love you, Y/N,” he muttered one last time, a tiny piece of him still hoping you wouldn't open that door.

“I love you too, Jay. I’m so sorry.” You cupped his right cheek, gently rubbing his soft skin with your thumb as you whispered it for the very last time.

You opened the car door. You didn't even bother grabbing the umbrella from your bag; you just needed to leave as quickly as possible to stop the bleeding. You gently closed the door and turned back one last time.

Jay waved at you through the rain-streaked glass, a painful smile on his face as he bid you goodbye. Through the window, you saw his lips move to form those final words once more…

 “I love you.”

So I peered through a window

A deep portal, time travel

All the love we unravel

And the life I gave away…

Ten years after.

You're now back in Seoul. You just came back last week since you have to attend this one fashion event wherein you will be a judge for the upcoming launch of their designer clothes. You feel honored to be invited.

People know you, you are everywhere. You became successful in the past 10 years. All your hard work paid off. You now have your own magazines full of your pictures, posing for the camera, walking on the runway with multiple flashes as you walk by, and a giant billboard where your gorgeous face is displayed.

You already chased the fame you had ever wanted.

However, no matter how successful you are in your career, always in the spotlight where people can see you everywhere, wearing the best designer clothes, and having expensive beauty treatments, it feels empty. You have a bank account full of millions of dollars, and you purchased luxurious things and a penthouse. You have already tried different types of cuisines, being in 5-star hotels and fine-dining restaurants. Regardless of how expensive and decent their food was, your gut says otherwise. You missed eating the food that Jay always served you—meals that were always deeply comforting and felt entirely like home. No amount of money can buy and feed you food that tastes the same as how Jay makes his food.

But as you sat alone in the quiet luxury of your success, you knew it wasn’t just the food you were missing—and you knew that all too well.

It was midnight. As you peered through your window, heavy rain poured outside endlessly, and the loud cracks of thunder made you remember things you shouldn't. Staring at the glass in front of you felt like looking into a deep portal, making you want to time travel. Flashbacks of beautiful memories and the painful ending of your relationship crashed into your mind. You thought of all the love you both unraveled during that beautiful summertime on Jeju Island, where the two of you had shared your first kiss, confessing your love to one another. Then, suddenly, the memory shifted to that fateful night of midnight rain where the two of you tore each other apart.

The scene of Jay muttering his last, desperate “I love you” kept repeating in your mind—the painful night where the two of you finally drifted apart, leaving behind the life you gave away.

All the sunshine of your past changed you like midnight.

I guess sometimes we all get

Just what we wanted, just what we wanted

And he never thinks of me

Except when I'm on TV…

After breaking up with Jay, you completely lost touch with him. The only update you had received was five years ago, when you heard he had become a successful chef. That was until a close friend, a massive foodie, showed you a video of Jay. He was being featured as one of the top chefs in Asia today, proudly representing Korean cuisine on the global stage. You felt a wave of genuine happiness for him, silently offering your congratulations. He was finally achieving his ultimate dream: becoming a renowned chef who cooks not for fortune, but to give people a taste of true comfort—food that feels like home and is filled with love.

Watching the interview, you couldn't help but notice how handsome he had become. He was attractive back then, but now, he carried himself with something more. His aura radiated confidence, security, success, and a profound sense of self-love—the exact things he needed from you, but you failed to give. It was a painful truth to admit, but he looked completely happy without you.

You were instantly reminded of how you had ruined him in every possible way—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Your stomach dropped as the memory of that fateful night flashed back, specifically the moment you cruelly labeled his culinary profession as shit. A sharp pang of guilt shot through you, bringing a deep regret for every hurtful word hurled inside his car.

A piece of you desperately wanted to catch a flight back to Seoul to witness his success firsthand. You longed to taste his cooking again, especially your favorite, the Risotto a la Ottosir. You hadn't tasted it since the day you accidentally shattered your favorite couple’s plate—the same day you told him you were cutting carbs, prompting him to stop making it for you altogether. You wished you could experience that taste just one more time, but deep down, you knew it was too late. You couldn't help but wonder, would Jay even speak to you after everything? Would he look at you without disgust? 

Maybe he never thinks about you, except when you're on TV.

Eager to find Jay, it was hard knowing there were barely any friends left to ask in Seoul. Most past friends never even knew about the relationship back then, and close friends were no longer in touch. But fate listened. While scrolling through Instagram for the best risotto in town, his restaurant account popped up on the screen. A nervous tap opened the page, too scary to actually hit the follow button. It was safer to just view the profile.

"The House of Rizz’Otto"

A smile appeared immediately upon seeing the restaurant's name. He was still so corny.

The restaurant was not yet open, but the grand opening was happening tomorrow exactly at 12 o’clock in the afternoon, during lunchtime. It was closed to the public for now, and only a few people would be accepted. A registration link in the bio allowed guests to book a reservation and secure a slot for tomorrow. It seemed like an intimate soft opening. But right before clicking the link, a new notification caught your eye.

To: Ms. Y/N Y/L/N

From: The House of Rizz’Otto

Good day!

Dear Ms. Y/N,

We are happy to invite you to the soft opening launch of our restaurant, “The House of Rizz’Otto,” which will take place tomorrow at 12 o'clock in the afternoon. You have been chosen as one of our special guests to try our best risotto dishes.

Please confirm attendance for tomorrow by replying to this email.

Thank you for your time! We look forward to your presence at our restaurant.

Respectfully,

The House of Rizz'Otto

Staring blankly at the screen, it took a moment to process the email. Having a public email address on social media made it easy for brands to reach out for promotions, collaborations, or guest invitations. No wonder the staff had sent a message.

Did Jay remember?

Questions kept spinning about why an invitation would arrive after all the pain caused, and after all these years of total silence. The reason remained a complete mystery.

Despite the curiosity, there was true happiness about finally seeing him again. It felt shameless to show up in front of an ex-boyfriend whose heart had been shattered. But this opportunity was perfect to apologize for the past. The pain caused was the exact reason he became a better person now. He was broken, but he rebuilt and healed himself. The only goal was to congratulate him, and nothing more.

He finally moved on from you, but your heart still longed for the heart you once broke. Pathetic, right?

You dressed up nicely as always, wearing an off-shoulder black fitted dress that hugged your body tightly, showing off beautiful curves. Paired with classic high heels, your hair was curled softly with light makeup on, since you are already effortlessly beautiful. Finally picking up your classic Chanel flap bag in caviar leather, the look was elegant—pretty without too much sparkle. Standing out came naturally.

Before leaving the penthouse, the question surfaced once again. Were you ready to meet him? It felt scary to look him in the eyes, fearing that you might hurt him again. A light slap to the cheeks served as a wake-up call to stop worrying.

Jay wouldn't invite an ex if he were still mad, right?

Finally standing in front of the restaurant, your eyes grew glossy while staring at the building. Memories flooded back of how Jay always talked about his dream of having his own place someday. He worked so hard, showing extraordinary cooking skills and making food for everyone to enjoy. Now, he had finally made it, and you were genuinely happy for him.

Both chased big dreams, but the difference was that Jay was building his career with you, while you became selfish and greedy.

Arriving 30 minutes early was intentional, not wanting to be late for one of the most important moments in life. A past promise echoed in your mind—the promise to be you, his first-ever customer once the restaurant was built.

The goal was reached, but you as an actual customer, not a lover anymore.

The lady at the front desk guided the way into one of the VIP rooms. Observing the space, it felt simple yet like a home, not a restaurant. It was a place where love could be felt. The aroma from the food cooking inside the kitchen drifted out, and the chairs and tables seemed comfortable and eye-catching. The ambiance felt comforting, just like Jay.

Sitting down on one of the chairs, you waited patiently.

Pulling your phone inside your bag, scrolling for a little bit helped ease the nervousness running through your system.

Suddenly, a glance toward the door caught a creaking sound, revealing Jay entering the room. His eyes found yours, making everything stop for a moment. Your heart dropped at the sight in front of you.

He looked more manly now compared to before. His face had become more structured, but the softness in his eyes never changed. Still as handsome as ever, the view made your heart flutter, bringing back memories of falling for him the first time.

The belief that moving on was complete turned out to be wrong, here you were, falling all over again.

His eyes were now lively and full of life, with no trace of sadness left inside. He seemed happy and content with life right now. He never changed—he stayed the same.

Jay welcomed you with his adorable smile—the smile you've been missing for the past ten years.

“Hi, Y/N. It's nice to see you again!” he said softly, his eyes never leaving yours, as if observing your actions.

Trying to avoid his gaze was difficult, but showing strength was important, acting as if leaving him was never a matter of regret.

“Hello to you, Jay! It's my pleasure to meet you as well,” you managed to say, trying hard not to fall for those eyes again—the pair of eyes you made once cried. 

“Thanks for coming though, I hope you're not busy. Congratulations on your career, too! I hope it made you happy.” Jay congratulated you, but the words made your heart ache.

Did it make me happy?

“O-oh yeah, I am very happy!” you exclaimed, swallowing dryly down the lump in your throat.

“By the way, I love the ambiance of your restaurant, it's really you. Thank you for inviting me, Jay,” you added, trying your best to smile.

“Of course, we made a promise before, right? That you would be my first customer once I built my restaurant. I'm just fulfilling my promises to you. I'm sorry if it took so long.” Jay spoke as if the painful memories together had never happened.

Seeing him so composed was frustrating, while a complete breakdown felt moments away. A wave of bitterness hits you, seeing how happy he was despite the painful past. Leaving Jay meant real happiness had never returned. It was painful to admit that your life was miserable without him, creating a feeling of resentment for making this seem like it's the worst decision you have ever made. But honestly? The blame belonged entirely to one person, which was you.  

Admitting to yourself that you still love him was terrifying…

“Look, Jay, I-I am really sorry for what happened to the both of us. I know I deeply hurt you with my ruthless actions before, and I don't deserve your forgiveness. But here I am apologizing, e-even if you refuse my apologies,” you said nervously, hands trembling while trying not to break down in tears in front of the man who used to love you.

“I already forgave you, Y/N. A long time ago. Don't be harsh on yourself, hmm? Besides, I am finally happy now, and you're finally happy now, too. Stop holding onto our past. We're just hurting ourselves more if we let it dictate our present,” Jay comforted you, just like he always used to do.

He was right, and the truth was hard to swallow—holding onto the past had to stop.

Before an answer could form, the door opened once more, and a pretty lady entered the room. She looked soft and very feminine. Her presence seemed light, radiating positive energy just like Jay. She seemed kind, fragile, full of love, confident, and like someone who would never hurt people.

She shyly interrupted the conversation. 

The moment she opened her mouth to call him broke your heart once more, feeling as if millions of needles were torturing it repeatedly.

“Hubby?” she called Jay quietly.

That endearing name was supposed to be used for someone married, right?

Oh…

Trying your best to maintain composure during the sudden interruption, a look around the room helped divert attention to ease the tension. But stubborn eyes caught the tiny baby bump poking through the lady's baby pink fitted dress. Your gaze darted to Jay's ring finger, noticing how the both of them were wearing matching wedding rings.

Yeah, a wedding ring. The man and woman in front of you were married.

Jay was a married man now. Not with you.

A sharp inhalation occurred as all the dots connected. The urge to leave immediately took over. Your chest tightened, suffocated by the tension. The realization that Jay was a married man was the final straw.

It was too late now…

“Oh Y/N, this is my wife, Jane. She's 5 months pregnant,” Jay introduced his wife, gently calling her to stand beside him. He caressed her belly like a fragile, rare diamond that no one could ever steal.

“Hello Y/N! Oh my God! You look even prettier in person. It's an honor to have you here in our restaurant. The best model in our country!” she said excitedly, offering her hand to shake.

Our restaurant? Yeah, it was their restaurant. It was supposed to be you, not her.

“No worries, thank you for the invitation. It's my pleasure!” The greeting was accepted with a warm smile, but your heart screamed with bitterness at how kind this woman was. She seemed to have no idea about the past.

“By the way, please excuse me. I have to leave early since I have other errands after this,” you lied to excuse yourself, wanting to escape the drama as soon as possible. It was impossible to handle anymore, seeing Jay finally happy with someone else while you felt miserable.

“You haven't tried our dishes yet,” Jay added, looking confused.

“I'm fine. Thanks for inviting me again, Jay. And it was nice seeing you, Jane,” you said to the both of them.

Leaving the VIP room immediately, your walk turned into a fast pace. Everything felt so overwhelming.

But before you could finally leave the restaurant, Jay called your name once again. Turning around to face him, your eyes darted to the black paper bag he was holding.

“Y/N, wait! Here's some food for you. We just packed it up. I felt bad letting you leave without eating anything from my restaurant,” Jay said, looking concerned.

He never changed. He was still looking after you by giving you a packed lunch.

“You don't have to, Jay. I just wanted to see you again. That's all.” A smile was forced despite wanting to cry right in front of him.

“Thanks for coming, Y/N,” Jay thanked you once again.

“I'm glad to see you happy, Jay. Again, I'm sorry for the things and words I said before,” you apologized, fully admitting past mistakes.

“You don't have to apologize for chasing your dreams. Likewise, I'm glad to see you happy with the life you wanted,” Jay smiled genuinely, full of pure happiness, with no hint of sadness or regret about letting you go.

“I've gotta go now, Jay,” you said, turning your back on him without waiting for an answer. 

Nothing would change anymore. He was happily married, waiting for his unborn baby, while you were left still longing for the relationship once shared.

I guess sometimes we all get

Some kind of haunted, some kind of haunted

And I never think of him

Except on midnights like this…

After the meeting with Jay, a trip to the agency company was necessary to finish up some work. Arrival at the penthouse finally came around midnight.Sinking immediately onto the living room couch, the paper bag Jay had given earlier was opened with a wave of excitement.

Reaching inside, your hands grabbed the container holding the food—the Risotto a la Ottosir. A smile surfaced at the memory of how Jay used to cook this dish so often. But as the container was placed on the table, another glance inside the bag revealed a box that quickly caught your eye. You immediately pulled out the box.

Eyes grew glossy at the sight inside, tears tempting to spill at any moment. 

The box contained your favorite plate broken that fateful night—the very one Jay had picked up off the floor, his hands trembling and sadness filling his eyes. A scene in your mind that you'll never forget.

The tears began to fall heavily now, remembering how his heart had been shattered just like this ceramic. It was now fixed, but the lines and scars connecting the pieces were completely visible. It was a harsh reminder that while healing may have taken place, the scars from the past would always remain. No matter how much effort went into fixing it, the pain and trauma caused by that night were permanently etched there.

A letter resting inside the box caught your attention:

Hi, Y/N!

Remember this plate? The one I made for you at the pottery workshop for your 18th birthday. I couldn't bring myself to throw it away back then. Instead, I spent years searching for artisans who could fix it, but every expert told me the same thing, it could never regain its original form. 

They told me to just replace it, but I refused because every memory of us was bound to this ceramic. I know you didn't mean to break it. Back then, I tried so hard to find ways to fix this plate—to fix us. But you wouldn't let me. 

When I finally found a way to mend the pieces, the truth hit me that no matter how much effort goes into repairing something broken, the fracture lines will always be there. I have to let it go now, along with every lingering feeling attached to it. 

I don't need to hold onto broken things anymore, now that I have found a love that isn't fragile, and a woman who protects my heart instead of breaking it. Thank you for everything. 

This plate, and you, will no longer be a part of my life…

Sincerely,

Jay

Tears flowed like a river as his words cut deeply into your heart a million times over. But the saddest part was the numbness that followed. Emotional exhaustion took over, leaving a feeling of emptiness. Silence filled the room, broken only by loud, heavy sobs. The posture looked fragile at this moment, mirroring the scarred plate sitting on the table.

A painful smile broke through the tears. There was a finality in knowing that Jay would never be a part of your life again.

And you'll never think of him, except on midnights like this…

note: yeyyy! i've finally finished my first ever long fic huhuhu. it took me so long to write this kkk. i cannot help but to cry as well while i'm writing this 'cuz i felt bad for jay :(( please don't hurt this man. thank you for reading this long ass fic lol. if you're wondering why is it jay and not jake was bcs my of mine requested this. i'm so so happy writing this although my brain is not functioning anymore kkkk. sorry for the corny names :0 and i remembered jay has a guitar named jane that's why i used it lmao. thank you once again <333