The days went by fast since everything happened, Jimin, his father was able to get back to work and he arranged a tour for Jimin at the hotel, everything was starting to fall into place and his parents were not fighting or arguing anymore, but he missed Jungkook so much, he has not been sleeping or eating, his mind and thoughts were overtaken by him, but he is terrified Jungkook was still mad at him for asking for space.

He was able to come back in time for dinner but he was not hungry, after greeting his mother, he went straight to his room, he throws his bag on the floor, he missed everything, dancing and especially Jungkook but he made a decision and he has to stick with it, he sits on the bed, his phone beeps and flushes, it was a message from Mina, inviting him out for a drink, he sighs, not in the mood to go anywhere, he lies back on the bed, staring at the ring, he never took it off, how could he? He never stopped loving Jungkook, he just needed time to get things sorted out, but he realizes the only thing he did was abandon Jungkook instead of being beside him, he let his fears get the best of him, he takes a pillow and squeezes it tight against his chest.

Without realizing he had fallen asleep, the knock on the door wakes him up, he gets up, annoyed, he opens the door and it was Mina and Taehyung,

“I come bearing food,” says Mina, Jimin looks at his friends, surprised, Mina walks pass him dragging Taehyung by the hand, from the looks of it he was still angry at Jimin, she places the bag of food on top of the drawer, taking a box of pizza with her on the bed,  Jimin follows her with his eyes, silently, its been a while since he saw his friends, feeling bad about avoiding them, he did not have much to say. They sit on the bed, and motions for Jimin to join them for a pizza. She stares at Jimin, but he could not tell whether she was angry or not,

“Sit,” she says, “We have not hung out in weeks, it’s like you fell off the face of the planet.” Jimin clears his throat, 

“It was just a couple of days, why exaggerate?” he says, sitting in the computer chair.

“So…” she says, she gets up, she opens the bag and takes out three cans of beers, she puts one into Jimin’s hand and hands the other one to Taehyung, after taking a sip of her beer, she clears and looks at Jimin,

“So, you want to tell us what’s going? Why are have you been ignoring our calls and message?” 

“I wasn’t ignoring you,” mumbles Jimin, “I’ve just been busy.”

“Busy with what? Playing the good son role,” says Taehyung, “You completely shut us off, busy? That’s bull.”

“Hey,” says Mina, placing her hand on Taehyung’s shoulder, “We didn’t come here to argue or yell, we came because we are worried about you?”

“Well, I’m fine,” says Jimin, “I just needed some time to myself, is that so wrong, I just wanted to be alone.”

Mina sighs, “Then why didn’t you tell us that? Why ignore our phone calls? I really thought something serious happened at home but when I ran into Jungkook yesterday, he didn’t want to talk to me, he seemed angry, so did you guys have a fight? Is that why you’ve been avoiding us.”

“Jungkook and I didn’t have a fight, we’re taking a break for a while.” Taehyung and Mina exchange looks, confused, 

“What do you mean? Why would you guys need a break? Did you have a disagreement?” asks Mina, concerned,

“No,” says Jimin quiet, everything happened so fast, he had no idea how to explain it to his friends, and now it was too late, things have already become a mess,

“Man, what the hell is going?” shouts Taehyung, “You avoid your friends and then dump your boyfriend, why?”

“I…didn’t mean to avoid you guys, I really just didn’t have time,” says Jimin, “And Jungkook, we separated because I’m scared less of my dad finding out, what if he suffers another heart attack and dies, then Jungkook will blame himself, I know it sounds stupid…” Jimin’s cracks, tears flowing, he could no longer pretend everything was fine,

“I…made a mess of everything, I was so scared my dad would hate me so…I thought if I do everything he wants me to do, then I don’t have to worry about him,” he sniffs, wiping his tears with his hands, “I just thought, everything was my fault, I felt like I never did anything to help my parents, I just didn’t know what else to do.” Taehyung gets off the bed, and walks towards Jimin, hugging him, his crying was both ferocious and noisy, he held on to Taehyung, who was squeezing him tight and patting his back,

“This is why I have told a million of times, to not bury things inside,” he whispered to Jimin, “Whenever something shocking happens, you always resort to doing something extreme.” He lets go of Jimin, looking at him, “Why are you torturing yourself, how would your parents feel if they find out how unhappy you are making yourself,” he says, “If you’re scared so much about your dad being disappointed in you, that is the more reason you should come out to him, at least you’ll know for sure how he feels instead of torturing yourself like this.” 

After talking to Taehyung and Mina about everything that was going on in his head and why he decided to break things off with Jungkook, he felt better, Taehyung was right, how would he know what his father truly feels about him being gay if he never says anything, with his father feeling better now, he decided to come out to his father but not before talking to his mother, he just has to find the perfect opportunity and time. After his Mina told him how ridiculous he was being for breaking up with Jungkook, he decided to go talk to him and tell him the truth, everything he was feeling since his dad had a heart attack, about how when he is experiencing intense emotions, he intends to do extreme things, like Taehyung stated, it is something he has always done since he was a kid, bury everything until they are all jumbled up in his mind and he could no longer think straight. After his friends left, he washed his face and patting it making sure his eyes were not swollen, he was going to text Jungkook to ask him where he was, but he just decided to go over to his house instead.

After pacing back and forth in front of the house, he finally rings the bell, the security opens the gate for him and walks inside the house, he asked one of the house maids if Jungkook was in, and she replied he was in his room, Jimin takes a deep breath, working the encouraging, hoping and praying Jungkook was not mad him for acting like an idiot these few days, as he was about to head upstairs, he hears Jungkook’s coming from the poolside, he heads to the pool side, he was about to say something but stops,

“I like you,” says Sana, Jimin heart stops, the words piercing his chest, dazed and confused, it made no sense to him seeing her confess her feelings to Jungkook, she knew he is gay so why bother? Jimin stood still listening, as Sana continues to tell Jungkook how much she likes him, Jimin eyes turning to Jungkook, his eyebrow raised, and arms folded, dumbfounded. Jimin hid listening to Sana talk as Jungkook stood still in silent,

“I hate seeing you so sad!” shouts Sana, “So what if Jimin-oppa, dumped you, I have always liked you, I don’t care that you like him, I just want to be with you.” Jimin was about to step out and say something, but just leaned against the wall, clenching his fist, in disbelief, after Sana got quiet, Jimin peers his head, looking at Jungkook, he unfolds his arms, looking annoyed,

“I told you a million times when we were in high school and I am telling you now,” says Jungkook, “It’s impossible between us, it’s better if you go back to Seoul because there is nothing here for you.” He starts to walk, towards the house, Jimin slowly starts to back away,

“After all these years, you moved here for him and he still broke up with you!” shouts Sana, “What’s good about him? Our parents want us to be together, do you really think your parents will ever accept Jimin?” Jimin stops in his track, his heart sinking but anticipating Jungkook’s respond, but there was no response, he looked her and continued walking.

Jimin leaves quickly before Jungkook sees him, Sana’s words playing in his mind, he lost the encourage to go talk to Jungkook, and after witnessing how harsh he spoke to Sana, Jimin knew he was not in a good mood, probably still angry, cursing at himself, he knew Jungkook was out but he still was struggling with his parents, his father knew he was gay but still tells him to marry Sana and his mom just ignores it, How could I have been so stupid, all this time, I was only thinking about myself and what my parents want, completely disregarding his feelings, no matter what his parents wanted him to do he always stood by his feelings.

“I’m so stupid,” curses Jimin underneath his breath, crossing the streets, how could he have been so blind, Jungkook never once complained about him not being out to his parents, even if it meant fighting with his father, and losing his parent’s love, he still chose to be himself and most importantly to be with Jimin despite his parents’ feelings. Jimin shakes his head, disappointed in himself, he walks into the house oblivious to his surroundings until his mother calls his name, he sighs, walking into the living room,

“What?” he says, irritated, his widen, surprised to see Sulli, he has not seen her in a while, he forces a smile, curious,

“Hi,” she says, getting up and walking towards him,

“Hi,” says Jimin, trying not being awkward, he runs his fingers through his hair,

“She is helping your dad with some of his exercises, just cause the doctor said he is alright to go back to work, it does not mean he should be lazy,” says his mom,

“Cool,” says Jimin,

“I heard you going back to school,” says Sulli, “I think that’s great, you’ll be able to help your father.”

“Yeah.” 

It was quiet, he excused himself and goes to his room, falling on the bed, thinking of ways to talk to Jungkook but he was feeling too embarrassed, how could he have been so childish? Walking away from him like he was a piece of trash, he must really hate me.

Jimin was quiet at dinner, his dad had invited Sulli to join them for dinner, his parents chattering and laughing, but his mind was elsewhere,

“How did your first day at the internship go?” asks his mom, Jimin in his own mind did not hear a word his mom said, he kept eating and staring down at his rice and chicken,

“Jimin?” calls his mom,

“Huh?” he says looking at her, “What did you say?”

“I asked how everything went?” she repeats, looking at him concerned.

“Oh, today was just training, so it was a lot of information,” he replies, “I’m smart, so I learn quickly.” His parents laugh, shaking their heads,

“Sooner or later, you’ll be running that company as the General manager,” says his father, boastful, “Just listen and learn, you’ll come up on top.” Jimin nods his head, smiling, “You know Sulli is the training manager at her dad’s company, that’s how I met her, she was with her father at a business convention, like you she wanted to pursue different career paths, but she realizes she can do both, she truly is a modern Korean woman, smart, beautiful, resourceful and filial.” Jimin gulps, not understanding where his father was going with this, his mom and he exchange looks, Jimin picks a spoonful of rice and shoves it in his mouth,

“Thank you, uncle,” says Sulli, blushing,

“I’m serious,” says Jimin’s father, “My son should be lucky that your parents like him and want him to date you.” Jimin looks up from his seat, , this again, I thought I told him I hate it when he sets me up. Jimin spent the rest of the dinner, squirming in his and uncomfortable, and to make things worse, his dad forced him to take Sulli home.

The ride home was quiet, Jimin’s eyes glued to the front, Sulli staring out the window, silently. She clears and looks at Jimin, who glances at her, forcing a smile, she laughs, Jimin looks at her confused,

“It’s funny,” she says, “Usually when my parents set up with someone, I reject them so fast but with you it’s different, maybe it’s because I feel like you’re a really good person, Jimin. I don’t know when I started liking you, but I would like to give us a try, like your parents said, we are compatible, I think it would make them happy if we at least try.” Jimin tries to pretend he didn't  hear what she was saying, eyes on the road, hands clenching the steering wheel, the rest of the ride silent and awkward. He pulls over at her house, she says bye to him and he waves at her,

“Dinner was nice,” she says and walks to her house.

He parks the car and staggers into the house, his mom in the living room, he goes and sits across from her on the couch,

“Mom,” he calls out, “I think I’m going to tell dad I’m gay.” His mom looks at him, no expression on her face,

“Your dad believes Sulli is the perfect daughter in law, he really likes her,” she says suddenly, “I tried to tell him it was impossible between you two, but he insisted on a reason, I, of course, could not give him because it is something that should come from you. Your dad is old fashioned, our marriage was arranged so he truly believes parents should have a say in their kids’ life, even though we raised you in America. He can be openminded, but he has had plans for you since you were in the womb, he always wanted to hand you the company once you’re old enough, see you marry and have a happy life with your own kids.” Jimin stares at his mom, stupefied, as she continues, “Sounds cliché and cheesy because what parents don’t plan out their kids’ life. What I am getting at is that, you should tell your father the truth, you have my full support, but I also want you to be prepared, he will be disappointed, but he loves you and will get over it.” She sighs, Jimin smiles, getting emotional, he did not think his mom would react the way she did, he really thought she was going to discourage him, she gets up and places her hand on his shoulder,

“You sacrificed enough, you gave up on your dreams,” she says, softly, “You shouldn’t have to give your life too, it wouldn’t be fair to you and it truly will not be fair to Sulli.” Jimin wraps his arms around his mom’s waist, his head pressing against her stomach, he could not help but be emotional as he tries to hold back his tears, having his mother’s blessing gives him the courage to come out to his father and knowing he has her support, prepare for the consequences, good or bad. She smiles, running her fingers through his hair and caressing him on the back. He hugged her in silent, feeling better than he had been in weeks, he hated having to pretend everything was okay since his sudden breakup, he has been lonely and tormented but now he feels like everything will be alright.