Chapter 20: Chapter 18

Forbidden Love... Kenan Yıldız & Y/NWords: 4994

Clarity in Chaos

The sun had barely risen when Y/N slipped back into the apartment. Rosé and Duru were still asleep, and the quiet gave her space to process everything. She crawled into bed, hugging her pillow tightly, her mind replaying the events of the night over and over again.

---

Y/N's POV: The Morning After

The kiss lingered in her thoughts like a soft melody she couldn’t shake. It wasn’t just the kiss itself—it was the way Kenan had held her, the way his words felt like a promise she could trust. For the first time in a long time, the weight she carried didn’t feel so heavy.

"He doesn’t expect me to be perfect," she thought, staring at the ceiling. "He just wants me."

The realization brought a smile to her face, a genuine one she hadn’t felt in weeks. Her heart felt lighter, her chest less tight. She wasn’t sure how to explain it, but the kiss had unlocked something in her—something that made her believe she could let herself be happy.

---

Kenan’s POV: The Drive Home

Kenan’s hands gripped the steering wheel as he drove home, the quiet streets lit by the pale morning light. He couldn’t stop thinking about her—the way she had looked at him, the way she had finally let her guard down.

The kiss had been everything he’d imagined and more. It wasn’t just the physical act; it was what it represented. For weeks, he had watched her struggle, pushing him away while clearly needing someone to lean on. And now, she had finally let him in, even if just a little.

"She’s still scared," he thought. "But that’s okay. I’ll give her all the time she needs."

Despite his calm demeanor, his heart was racing. He wanted to be patient, to let her set the pace, but he also couldn’t ignore the hope that burned brightly in his chest.

"Maybe she’s starting to realize she doesn’t have to do this alone."

---

Y/N’s Day

The day passed in a blur of rehearsals and meetings, but Y/N couldn’t stop smiling. Even the group noticed her unusually cheerful demeanor.

Rosé: teasing "Okay, what’s with the smile? You’ve been glowing all day."

Y/N: shrugging "Can’t I just be in a good mood?"

Duru: narrowing her eyes playfully "This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain football player, would it?"

Y/N’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t respond, her smile giving her away.

Lisa: smirking "We knew it! Spill!"

Y/N: shaking her head "There’s nothing to tell. Now focus—we’re running through the choreography one more time."

Madison: groaning "You’re the boss, but we’re not done with this conversation!"

As the group laughed and got back to work, Y/N felt a warmth in her chest. For the first time in weeks, the stress didn’t feel so suffocating. The thought of Kenan—of his patience, his steadiness, and the way he made her feel—kept her going.

---

Kenan’s Day

Kenan’s day was equally busy with training and meetings, but his mind kept drifting back to Y/N. He could still feel the weight of her head against his chest, the way her lips had trembled slightly before meeting his. It was a memory he wanted to hold on to forever.

Barış: nudging him "You’ve been smiling like an idiot all day. What’s going on?"

Kenan: smirking "Nothing."

Barış: raising an eyebrow "Does this ‘nothing’ have anything to do with Y/N?"

Kenan: shrugging "Maybe."

Arda: joining in "Oh, it definitely does. You look like a guy who just won the lottery."

Kenan: laughing "I wouldn’t go that far. But... yeah, things feel different."

Barış: "Different how?"

Kenan paused, his expression softening.

Kenan: "She’s starting to let me in. It’s small, but it’s a start."

Arda: clapping him on the shoulder "That’s all you need, man. Just be patient."

Kenan nodded, his resolve strengthening. He didn’t want to rush her—he just wanted her to know she wasn’t alone.

---

Y/N’s Decision

As the day wound down and Y/N sat alone in the studio, strumming her guitar, she thought about everything. The kiss, the way Kenan had looked at her, the way he made her feel like she didn’t have to carry everything on her own.

She missed him. She wanted him. And for the first time, she let herself admit it fully.

Y/N: whispering to herself "I want this. I want him."

It wasn’t a decision she had come to lightly, but it felt right. She still didn’t have all the answers, but she was tired of letting fear hold her back. She pulled out her phone and opened her messages, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Y/N: "Can we meet tomorrow? I want to talk."

She hit send before she could second-guess herself, her heart racing as she waited for his reply.

---

Ending Note

Y/N had finally made her choice. The walls she had built around herself were beginning to crumble, and she was ready to take the next step—ready to let Kenan in, one moment at a time.

Meanwhile, Kenan’s hope burned brighter than ever, his patience unwavering as he waited for her to realize what he had known all along: she was more than enough.

---