(Jin) 

After having breakfast with the guys, I drove to a jewelry store. I wanted to find a nice gift for Bella. I may not know much about her, but I knew enough to make me believe that we had something special. Every minute I spent with her was another minute that I was happy. Her strange relationship with Jimin didn't make sense to me, but she had told me that they were not together. I didn't want to rush her into anything, but I also wanted to make sure that she knew how I felt. The guys were right. I had not felt this giddy in quite a very long time. Whenever I thought about her, I couldn't help but smile.

I quickly settled on a silver cuff bracelet with a small diamond. I asked them to rush the order on the inscription I had chosen for the inside of the bracelet, paying extra, and the saleslady swore it would be ready in three to four hours. Perfect!

When I arrived at home, I decided to call Bella under the pretext of thanking her again and letting her know that I was doing much better. I just wanted to hear her voice. I was dismayed that the call went straight to voicemail. I decided to try again later. I thought about texting her just in case she wasn't able to pick up my call, but it sounded as if I was being needy, so I didn't.

After I picked up the bracelet, I got a daring idea. What if I just go to her apartment and surprise her with the gift? I will be able to read in her eyes if I can declare my feelings to her right then and there, or if it is not yet the right time. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was a huge gamble, one I'd never taken before. Yet, thinking about Bella made me feel a little reckless, a little bold.

Then my father's words came back to me: you will not know if a woman can see past your looks to your heart. Damn, he had really messed me up with his twisted fatherly advice. And that sorry interlude with Abigail had only served to prove him right. Was it any wonder then that I tried my hardest to keep women at a distance? The image that others had of me--a confident, swaggering, emotionally distant ladies' man--was just a persona I had invented to keep myself and my heart safe.

But now, it was different. I felt differently. I was ready to take a chance. I wanted to take the chance. I knew Bella was a good person. She talks to me. She looks me in the eye. And while I know that sometimes what I say or do makes her feel flustered, she has never given me the impression that she is only interested in a physical relationship. Her flirting is as rated G as it gets.

I'd toyed with the idea of painting her portrait. I thought I was skilled enough to do a decent job. I would give us time together. We could talk and get to know more about each other. I could picture us laughing. She could fall in love with me. And I would have her picture on my wall.

I went through my closet to pick out a serious outfit. I was about to ask her a serious question. If she accepts me, the first thing I'll do is hold her hand. It sounds corny as hell, but the thought of her hand in mine takes my breath away.