Remember Me

Chapter 26

I tried to wrack my brain for answers. Yes, there was a lot I needed to tell him. But exactly what was he referring to? His girlfriend? His living with me? Something we'd fought about before? I decided to play it safe.
"...I don't think so? Is everything okay?"
Jimin dropped his gaze. "Are you dating someone else?"
I paused and my face went slack. Damn, that sobered me up really fast.
"What do you mean."
"It's just that," Jimin looked at me painfully, before turned and rubbing his forehead in frustration, "when I called, some guy picked up and told me off for calling you. Was he—"

My eyes widened and I almost had an incredulous smile on my face. I dropped my arms and paced the room. Was this really happening? Jimin was upset at the thought that I was cheating on him? What do you call this? Karma? That's not right... Then, just putting me in an even harder position?
"You really thought I was both helping nurse you in my house, my fiancé, and going out to cheat on you with someone? And you have a problem with cheating?"
I was about to yell at him, but I saw how red his eyes were. He was either really stressed or crying before I'd arrived. I stopped in my tracks and wondered if I really meant that much to him. There was so much I wanted to say to the 23-year-old Jimin, but... Should he be held responsible and hurt for something he didn't even remember doing?
More than that, did I even have it in me to hurt him?

I breathed shakily. I knew I couldn't hurt him. I would never forgive myself for making him upset. But what about me? Did I have to compromise even now? I teared up a little and immediately sniffed to get my emotions in check.

"I could never cheat on someone I'd chosen to commit my life to, Jimin. It's... disgusting and unforgivable. So..." Jimin looked at me with concern in his eyes. My voice was shaking a little.
"So if I ever cheat on you, I'd understand if you'd be mad. But I'm not."
For a moment, I saw something snap in Jimin's eyes, and his worry was replaced with something more like anger. "Why? We never chose each other. We were put into this by our parents. Why can't we love who we want? I wouldn't be mad at you if you cheated on me. I'd... expect it."
In my shock, I stepped back a little. I stared at Jimin, but his eyes slowly clouded with the same worry as he had before, tears threatening to spill. For a second, it felt like I was talking to the other Jimin... the older Jimin.

I processed his words in my mind, slowly getting more depressed as I acknowledged the truth in them. I started to walk, but felt a tug as Jimin held my wrist gently.
"You're not cheating on me, though?"
It seemed like the young Jimin was back. I smiled wryly. "I wouldn't do that. Of the two of us, you'd be more likely to cheat anyway, Jimin, don't worry."

I walked back to my room after that, probably sounding fairly cryptic to him, but too exhausted to do anything about it. Right before I went to bed, I received a couple of texts. The first was a goodnight message from Sam. I'd given him my number earlier today. Probably should put that on pause for the time being, I figured. The second message was from an unknown number. I opened it.

"Hey Zara! My secretary gave me your number. This is Jin."
I sat up with interest.
"I'm sorry I had to leave on urgent business a couple weeks ago. I wanted to stay to see Jimin's recovery. Namjoon filled me in on what you've planned though. I just landed back in the city a couple hours ago. Let's meet this weekend. Let me know what works."
I immediately sat up and sent him a message to meet  up the very next day, if possible. He responded that he was free, and I finally knocked out, feeling bittersweet but glad that we'd resolved at least one matter tonight.