Chapter 23: The Distance Between Us

The days after YN’s departure felt empty, hollow even. Namjoon sat at his desk, fingers poised over his laptop, but his mind was far from the work that usually consumed him. He’d tried to throw himself into his duties, the endless meetings, reports, and strategies, but nothing could fill the void she’d left behind.

It had been two weeks since she’d gone abroad. Namjoon knew the time apart was supposed to help them both, to give YN the space she needed to clear her head and figure out what she wanted. But that didn’t stop the ache in his chest every time he glanced at the empty chair across from him, where she had sat so many times before.

He hadn’t heard much from her, just a few brief texts now and then updates about her new job, the city she was in, how she was adjusting. She was trying to keep things light, but Namjoon could read between the lines. She was struggling too.

Late at night, when the office was deserted, he would sit back in his chair and let his mind wander. Memories of her flooded his thoughts the way she smiled at him, the sound of her laugh, the feel of her skin beneath his hands. The passion they’d shared, the intimacy that had burned so brightly between them. He missed it all. And the more time that passed, the more he realised just how deeply she had become a part of his life.

He stood up from his desk, pacing the length of his office. It was no use pretending he could focus on work. His mind was too clouded with thoughts of YN, the distance between them growing larger with each passing day.

---

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, YN sat in her small apartment, staring at her phone. She hadn’t heard from Namjoon in a few days, and the silence was eating away at her. She missed him. Every fibre of her being ached for him, but she knew she had to stay strong. This time apart was supposed to help her gain clarity, to figure out what she truly wanted. But instead, it felt like it was tearing her apart.

She glanced at the clock, it was late, but she couldn’t sleep. Her mind was too restless, filled with thoughts of Namjoon and their last night together. The way he had looked at her, the desperation in his voice when he’d asked her to stay. It had taken everything in her not to give in, to stay wrapped in his arms forever. But she knew she had to leave. She had to figure out if what they had was real, or if it was just the intensity of their physical connection clouding her judgement.

She stood up, pacing the small space of her apartment. Her fingers itched to text him, to call him, but she knew she couldn’t. Not yet. She had to give them both time.

---

Back in Seoul, Namjoon was struggling with the same thoughts. He missed her so much it hurt, but he knew he had to respect her decision. YN needed space, and as much as he wanted to fly halfway around the world to see her, he couldn’t. He had to wait, no matter how much it killed him.

His phone buzzed on the desk, and he glanced down, his heart skipping a beat when he saw YN’s name on the screen. It was a simple message, just a few words.

YN: How are you doing?

Namjoon stared at the message for a long moment, his heart pounding in his chest. He typed out a response, his fingers moving slowly over the keys.

Namjoon: I miss you.

There. He didn’t need to say anything else. It was the truth, the raw, honest truth. And he knew she felt the same, even if she wasn’t ready to admit it yet.

A few moments later, her response came through.

YN: I miss you too.

It was enough to make his chest tighten, the longing inside him growing stronger with every passing second. But before he could respond, another message came through.

YN: But I still need more time, Namjoon. I’m not ready to come back yet.

His heart sank, but he understood. He had always known this was going to be difficult, that giving her space meant not rushing her into anything. Still, it didn’t make it any easier to hear.

Namjoon: I understand. Take as much time as you need. I’ll be here.

He set his phone down, his heart heavy. The uncertainty of their future loomed over him, but he was willing to wait. For her, he would wait as long as it took.

---

Weeks turned into months, and still, YN remained abroad. The texts between them became less frequent, but the longing never disappeared. Every time Namjoon received a message from her, his heart would leap, even if it was just a simple update about her day. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was thinking about him as much as he was thinking about her.

In the quiet moments, late at night when the office was empty and he was left alone with his thoughts, Namjoon found himself replaying the memories of their time together. The stolen kisses, the heated glances, the way their bodies fit together so perfectly. It wasn’t just the physical connection that he missed it was her. All of her.

He leaned back in his chair, staring out at the city lights. The ache in his chest was constant now, a reminder of what he had lost. But he wasn’t giving up. He couldn’t. No matter how long it took, he would wait for her.

Because deep down, he knew that what they had was real. It was more than just the passion, more than just the physical connection. It was something deeper, something that he couldn’t let go of, no matter how far apart they were.

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