This story is dedicated to you if you have ever been abused by someone bigger, stronger, and seemingly more powerful than you. You are not alone. You are infinitely precious. And the trauma you endured is not your fault. Know that you are so loved. And whatever trauma you have been through – it does NOT define you. You are a beautiful rose, a lovely lily, a most precious gem.
Rated M for Mature. This story deals with some difficult topics and involves some graphic situations.
She turned to him suddenly. “Yoongi, how is it that you have all this time to spend with me? I know you must be very busy getting ready for your upcoming tour.”
He shrugged. “I took a couple personal days. Just like you. You took today off.”
Why did she feel like there was a lot he wasn’t telling her?
“Yoongi, you’re not jeopardizing your comeback for me, are you?”
A wide smile suddenly materializing on his face, he glanced at her. “No. Why would you think that? While you’ve been at work the last three days, so have I. I told the guys that today I couldn’t practice or work. That it was important for me to be here for you. They understand. Tomorrow I’ll go back to work. Same as you.”
She heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
“But, Stasia, you also need to face the fact that I may decide to sacrifice some things for you. And if I do, it’s okay. You’re worth it.”
Tears flooded her eyes again. She glanced quickly at him before looking away. “I don’t understand why you think so.”
“It’s because it’s true. You are precious, Stasia. What am I doing here, on this planet, if I can’t help somebody? What am I doing on a world stage if I can’t help a woman in my own backyard?”
“So…you would do this for any girl?”
He wasn’t sure he could say that exactly. It was complicated. “I don’t know how to explain it. I failed to help my neighbor…”
“Yoongi! You were a kid!”
He nodded. “I know. But that just makes it harder to live with such a horrid reality. But it’s more than that. You’re more than a second chance. You…” He paused. Then he sighed. He glanced up to meet her eyes. “I’m drawn to you. I don’t really know why. It’s just something there in your eyes. In your smile. I want to help you.”
Just then, that smile appeared, and those eyes sparkled. “Well, whatever it is, I’m infinitely grateful for it. Just…don’t hurt yourself trying to protect me.”
Yoongi couldn’t promise that, so he just smiled at her and took another bite of his balgi.
—
When they were done eating, they headed back to Julieta’s home. Yoongi carried their bag of groceries in.
“So a caramel slice is a shortbread cookie covered in caramel and chocolate?” he asked as he unloaded the bag and set the groceries on the counter.
She nodded.
“So…is it like a Twix bar?”
“Uh…yeah…kind of. Only better.”
Yoongi raised his eyebrows. “I can’t wait to try it then.”
“Well, you’ll have to wait. It takes a little while to make them. But I promise the wait is worth it.”
As he gazed at her, he was thinking that he could say the same thing about her.
