I tugged down a cotton sweater from the hanger in my closet, grabbing a pair of fitted faded blue jeans I was going to pair with a pair of white airforces.

If it weren't for Namjoon. If Namjoon hadn't called me out, I didn't have the strength or will to socialize. I just wanted to lay on the couch all day and watch Alvin and The Chipmunks on Netflix.

I'd done enough socialising for one day. I had just returned from my father's place. My mother had wanted to pay his dad's wife and child a visit. She'd made food, and we'd eaten it there with Junho and my mother. It had felt good to see my dad's second wife and my mum interact like they were friends, putting aside their differences and just healing together.

It was weird, but it had felt good

Junho had helped take my mind off things. He'd taken me to his room and showed me his collection of Marvel action figures. He'd told me his favourite superhero was Hawkeye, which coincidentally was also mine.

Funnily, the kid also loved to read fantasy books like Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings, and the likes, just like I did. It was shocking how alike we both were, even having just met each other a few weeks ago.

I wanted to go back there again. Some other day, when I didn't have anything baring down on my shoulders. I would go back and get to know Junho more and let Jungho see the less depressed version of me.

I had left my mother there when I had gotten a text from Namjoon. Namjoon had gotten a job. It was the most amazing thing that I'd heard in a while. It was good news to hear and see Namjoon grow so much.

Honestly, the incident with Mr. Cho had changed him. He no longer frolicked with old men and even deleted all of his dating apps. He'd told me he wanted to be a better person and prove to his father he wasn't a fuck up like he thought.

And he was seeing through with his words. He'd been working at this company a week and even though he wouldn't tell me the name of the company, he seemed to really like it and that was all that mattered. I was really proud of him.

My phone vibrated with a notification on my bed. I swooped it, hoping Namjoon had cancelled the reason for calling me out.

Joonie: Where the hell are you?! It's been an hour. Get your fluffy, perfect behind down here!

Of course...

I let out a sigh, tossing my phone before heading to the bathroom to take a shower. I freshened up and grabbed my body lotion, smacking it all over my body before going in with my deodorant. The perfume that Jungkook had gotten me sat there on my hygiene shelf, untouched.

Swallowing hard, I reached for it, uncapping and bringing it to my face to smell it. My stomach buzzed with fondness. Memories flooded my head, making the ache in my heart hurt a little more.

I remembered the smile on Jungkook's face as he'd spritzed it onto my neck, the cold drops of the cologne sent shivers down my spine or maybe it wasn't the coldness, but the way Jungkook's body had pressed into mine. The hunger in his eyes as he'd nuzzled his nose against that spot, kissing it senseless, his hands digging into my backside.

The moments we used to have...

I clasped my hand over my face momentarily. God! It was so hard. I missed him so much, but even though my anger had evaporated, I couldn't bring himself to call or text Jungkook.

Hr had stopped calling me. For the past 3 days, he'd neither called nor texted, and I believed with everything in me that he had moved on. Maybe it was the best thing for him to do than hang onto the nonexistent hope I had given him.

But I wouldn't lie, I would be honest, the thought of Jungkook moving on hurt like hell. Jungkook had brought me peace and safety and sanity. He'd held unto me and protected me when it felt like the world around me was collapsing. Jungkook had been my shield, and I had pushed him away, doing exactly what I'd promised him I wouldn't do; Judging him by his past.

I remembered it vividly. My exact words to Jungkook, the day he'd had opened up about his past and had told me he'd done terrible things in his life. I'd seen the fear in his eyes. He'd been afraid that his confession about his past would scare me away, and I held him, looking at him with reassurance, and said, "I would never judge you for anything. I've come to know you, Jungkook, and I know whatever you did, you did it to survive. Whatever bad decision you did, it led you to make a good one. It led you to make the decision to be better, to live better, and that's all that matters. It doesn't matter where you're coming from. What matters is where you are now and where you're headed."

Guilt tore at me. I'd broken my promise to him. I'd hurt us both and betrayed my words to someone I was madly in love with. Jungkook had lived a rough life in the past, but in his present life, he was working hard to be a good person and to live a good life. King's interference had just been an obstacle in Jungkook's journey. It had meant to be a hurdle we'd both come out of stronger, but I had let it destroy us. It had destroyed the beautiful relationship we had, and now, I didn't just feel guilty, I felt so alone.

So, despite feeling downcast at that moment, I got dressed. Namjoon was throwing a little get-together to celebrate his new job and had invited Taehyung, Yoongi, and some colleagues from work. I was happy for him. I was going to support him, regardless of how shitty and uninspired I felt.

I'd ordered for a ride and had an Uber waiting by the time I was done. The strength to take the bus had not come to me in about 2 weeks. Everywhere I went, I took a taxi. I grabbed my wallet and phone and shoved into my pocket before making my way out of the house, locking it behind me.

The ride was slow and peaceful. I stared out the window at the setting sun as we headed to the restaurant Namjoon had booked. Twenty minutes later, we were pulling up in front of a large white house. A house, not a restaurant, unless the restaurant's vibe was to give customers the feel of being at home because it looked like someone's house.

Cars were parked at almost every inch of the place and people walked in and out of the building, some hanging outside, gisting, laughing or taking photos in front of a wall with climbing hydrangeas covering every inch of it.

I was in doubt when I stepped out of the cab. I crosschecked the address, and even after confirming, I placed a call across to Namjoon, telling the cab driver to hold on, just in case. The place was beautiful, I would confess. Palm trees lined the way from the gate leading up to the driveway, giving way to a magnificent water fountain. It looked like a beach house, although there was no beach in sight or around the neighbourhood.

"You're here?" Namjoon called through the phone, the loud thump of a bass vribrating from the speaker.

"Yeah. I think I am," I said, looking around. It could be the place because I felt vibrations under my feet and in my chest. There was definitely a party going on.

Maybe I'd been the one to misunderstand. When Namjoon had told me he was having a get-together, I had instantly imagined it would be in a restaurant. But it could also be in a house— it could be a house party.

"Are you having a par—" The call ended before I could get the words out. I let out a sigh, pocketing my phone and standing awkwardly by the cab I still had waiting in case I was in the wrong place.

But soon, Namjoon was pushing through the door, his hands in the air as he raced towards me, embracing me in a tight hug. "You're here!"

I stood still and allowed Namjoon to let out his affection before he pulled away. He turned to the driver and told him he could leave, thanking him for waiting the extra few minutes.

"Whose house is this?"

"It's rented. My boss wanted me to have an great time," he said, happily.

"Your boss is paying for the party?" I asked, to which he nodded. That was generous. "I thought it was a small get-together," I said, letting Namjoon pull me towards the house.

"It was supposed to be, but Yoongi suggested we invite some friends from your school," Namjoon explained. He pointed around. "Can you not recognise your friends?"

Now, I could. I could see the familiar faces of my classmates and some of my juniors at school, as well as other unfamiliar faces.

"A lot of them are underage, Namjoon. If the police—"

Namjoon shook his head. "I promise there's no alcohol. None at all. We're all just having a good time with juice, chapman and lemonades." He winked, causing me to crack a smile. Namjoon laughed. "You see, you're already smiling. Coming out is good for you."

"I don't know," I said, pushing my hands into the pockets of my jeans. I would rather be at home, to be honest. "Namjoon, this is a bit too much."

Abruptly, Namjoon stopped and swivelled to face me, taking my shoulders in his hands firmly. He looked me in the eyes, hardening his expression. "Right now, Jin, I want you to forget everything going on here," he tapped the side of my head. "And push aside the things going on here." He did the same thing to my chest, tapping just above my heart. "And let loose. Have fun and go with the flow. Can you do that?"

Sighing in resolve, I nodded and he gave a satisfied smile before pulling me with him again further into the house. I waved at my schoolmates as we walked past and shook hands with his work colleagues.

It was still absurd to hear Namjoon use the term colleague. Never in a million year had I imagined, but there we were and it was happening.

The place was filled with people, dancing and just enjoying themselves. Taehyung and Yoongi were by the pool table, transparent cups in their hands. I waved at them as Namjoon led me to a table, splayed out with snacks and stuff one would not expect from a casual party. It looked more like I'd stepped into a fancy, fund raiser event with fancy looking stuff.

A variety of gimbap, mini hamburgers, prawn curry, a large bowl of mixed slice fruits, and another bowl of yoghurt for DIY yoghurt parfait.

"You like?" Namjoon asked with a grin that showed he knew I was impressed by the display. I was.

"I do," I said, picking a slice of red apple. Despite the appetising surplus of what to eat, I didn't have much of an appetite. So, I plopped the apple into my mouth and chewed on the juicy, sweetness of it.

Namjoon poured me a glass of Chapman, before pulling me to Yoongi and Taehyung who were playing beer pong—but had substituted the beer for lemonade with a lot more lemon which was more like a punishment than a game.

After our game, I started to feel more relaxed. I started to loosen up and have fun like Namjoon had sang into my ears a million times already. I even danced with Mino, only for him to ask for an introduction to Namjoon half way in.

As weird as it felt, I obliged. But Namjoon had probably heard of the animosity between Yoongi and Mino—after Mino had left Yoongi to be with a teacher—so, he'd turned Mino down, politely.

Witnessing that and seeing how much Namjoon had grown tugged at my heart strings. A few weeks back, no one could have convinced me that my best friend could become this person—conscious, mature, responsible, and polite. He was taking his life seriously and was rational in his actions.

Out of nowhere, I pulled him into a tight hug. I was so proud of him. Namjoon didn't ask why I was hugging him. Instead, he hugged me back tighter and started peppering kisses all over my face until I had to pry him off.

He held my hands in his, jumping about and having the time of his life. His positive energy was rubbing off me fast, and I found myself enjoying my time in his party.

All of a sudden, Namjon stopped dancing. He grabbed his phone from his pocket and looked at the screen, then smiled wide. "I need to take this call," he called out above the loud music, then reached behind him to pull something out of his pocket. He stretched it out towards me.

"What?" I asked, plucking a flashdrive from his palm.

"I need you to help me take this to my boss. Just give it to him. He'll know what it's for," he said. Then added, "Also, tell him I'm sorry."

My brows furrowed. "Why should I tell him that? What did you do?"

He pursed his lips. "I might have done something he specifically asked me to not do."

I frowned. "Namjoon, it's too early in your job to upset your boss."

"It's kind of necessary," he said. "You see, my boss is a very considerate person, it's almost foolish. He needs a collaboration with a client but because this client is having certain reservations, he's choosing to let go. But the thing is he needs this client as much as this client needs him. I told him the client needs a bit more push. The client needs more persuasion, but my boss is hesitant."

I shrugged at this. "What if the client doesn't want to be persuaded?"

Namjoon shook his head like my statement couldn't even be considered. "They have to be. They must be. The client has to see that my boss is the only one that can give them the safety, peace of mind, and sanity that they need. They cannot continue to torture themselves with silly doubts when it's obvious what the right thing is to do."

"He's your boss. Surely, he knows what the right thing to do is," I said. "Some bosses hate it when the employee takes initiative, especially after they ask the employee not to take initiative."

Namjoon nodded. "He'll see I'm right."

"Okay..." I won't lie, I was a bit sceptical about this. Namjoon was barely a week in the company, and he was already making big, risky moves. "I can give the flashdrive to him, but why do I have to apologise to him on your behalf?"

He stared at me for a brief moment before showing me his phone screen, displaying an incoming call from.... his father?

I looked up at him, shocked, to find him grinning wide. "I told you he'd call me back home," he said. "I have to take this."

"Of course," I said, unable to hide how happy I was for him. "I'll do it. I'll meet your boss and pass across the flash drive and the message. So, he's here?"

He nodded.

"The client is also here?"

Again, he nodded. "Yeah."

"So, where are they? They're supposed to meet or what?"

"They will. My boss is up there," he said, pointing behind me at the balcony on the top floor, hidden behind a huge burgundy curtain.

"And what does he look like?"

He thought for a second. "Short black hair. Pretty face. A couple of tattoos. Black shirt. Calvin Klein denim."

"How do I identify Calvin Klein—"

"When you see it, you'll know," he said, spinning me around and pushing me through the crowd and torwards the stairs.

"Alright," I huffed, pulling myself together and making my way towards the steps. As I climbed the steps, I couldn't help but feel worried. What if this whole thing backfired? What if Namjoon's boss ended up not seeing things the way Namjoon intended?

I understood Namjoon's intentions. I knew he was doing this because he genuinely felt he could help, but if this didn't work out and his boss ended up with a bruised ego, Namjoon would find himself out a job faster than he'd found it and I didn't want that.

But despite my reservations, I had to believe in him. If he said it would work out well, then I believed it would work out well.

The top floor was calm. No one in sight as every other person seemed to appreciate the loud thumping of bass music. It was quiet and serene up here. If I'd found it out earlier, I would have claimed it before Namjoon's boss had.

I made my way towards the balcony, pulling the curtain to one side and stepping out, getting enveloped in the cold hands of the evening's breeze. The sun had fully set, and a dark cloud had settled over the sky, but I could still see the beautiful botanical garden at the backyard from all the way up here.

Lighted by a yellow lamp standing 10 feet above, the bright colours of the different flowers sent a sense of calm through my body. It was so enchanting, and I could stare at it forever, but I had a message to deliver.

A man was sitting by the balcony, and his back turned to me. Short black hair, black shirt with a jacket hanging off the arm of the single armed couch he was sitting on with a laptop etched on his laps, a glass of juice on a side table next to a plate of untouched snacks.

Even at a party, he was still working when he was meant to be unwinding. But that didn't irk me because this man was here, at his new employee's party. He could have passed up on the party. He was rich and obviously had status, but he was here because he held his staff in high esteem, I could tell.

It made me respect him, even without knowing him.

I stood there for a whole minute just watching him like a creep because something about the way he was focused on his work fascinated me. Also, there was something quit familiar about him that made me remember someone I'd promised myself I wouldn't tonight.

Eventually, I started to make my way to him to get the whole thing over with but within a few feet of him, I stopped—

Somehow, my heart skipped, dropped into my stomach and started to hammer all at the same time. It couldn't be, I started to think, but it was. In that moment, realization hit me. This was Namjoon's plan all along.

The story about his boss and the client. I was the client. The setup... He was doing it behind Jungkook's back, behind my back. He'd told me and I'd fallen for it without knowing.

He was right there in front of me, only a few steps away and I couldn't do anything. The self-control I'd managed to muster the whole night had jumped off the balcony, and I was a few seconds away from breaking down.

I took a step back. His back stayed turned to me. A part of me wanted him to turn and find me, but the other part hoped he wouldn't. I took another step and another and another and—

His head snapped up from looking down at the laptop. He stared ahead in front of him, as I shut my eyes. Don't turn back, I urged in my head.

"Jin?" His voice called. The sound deep, roaring sent instant warmth to the pit of my stomach. That voice... I hadn't heard it in 2 weeks.

When I opened my eyes, he was setting his laptop to the side and rising from his seat with his gaze locked on me. He took a few slow steps towards me, carrying his his intoxicating scent with him, eyes pleading with me to not run away. To stay.

"You're here?" He asked, his voice pained. It broke my heart to pieces to see him fight with the wall that I'd put up. I wanted to collpase to the ground and bawl my eyes out. He stopped a few feet from me.

I opened my mouth to speak, to say something, anything but I was tongue tied by the guilt I felt. Instead, I shakily walked up to him and stretched out the flash drive. It took a second before he was plucking it from me, his fingers grazing my palm and sending waves of electricity to the stop of my skin.

"I'm glad you're here," he said. The strain in his voice made it obvious he was struggling as much as I was. Struggling to keep his composure, which I was failing woefully at doing.

I watched the space between us, the one I had created. The one I regretted creating. I'd put the both of us through immense torture and heart ache.

"Haven't we given each other enough space?" He asked. "Why are you trying to forget me?" And that undid me. The tears spilled from my eyes and my lips quivered feverishly. I walked over to the railing and leaned forward against it, crying into my arm.

I could never. Even if I tried to, I could never forget him, but my actions, my betrayal, everything I'd done in the last 2 weeks had made him believe otherwise. With Jungkook in my presence, I wondered how I'd managed to breath properly. How had I survived 2 weeks without hearing his voice or seeing his face or having him in my life?

The answer was barely. I'd barely been hanging on, because life without him was meaningless. It wasn't worth it.

"I—" I choked out. "I'm sorry," I finally managed to stutter, despite shakily. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

His hands were on my shoulders, rubbing soothingly on me. His touch alone had goosebumps forming all over my body.

"Baby, please..."

I shook my head. "I hurt you," I cried. "I really hurt you when you didn't... you didn't deserve it. You did everything to protect me. You saved my best friend. You did nothing wrong and I betrayed you. I let my fears come between us."

"You didn't betray me."

"I did," I said, because I did. I stood up straight and turned to him, my heart tugging at the tears in his ears. God, what have I done? "I promised I wouldn't judge you by your past, but I did."

"You were afraid," he said, swallowing thickly. "Anyone would rethink their decision if they came face to face with death. Your life was in danger because of me. completely understand, I promise you. You have nothing to apologise for."

"You saved me so many times even when you didn't have to, and you proved yourself to me over and over again, yet I let my fear, weakness, vulnerability, and exhaustion sway me. I hurt you."

He nodded. "Yes, I was hurt, heartbroken, depressed... I still am. Being away from you was one of the hardest things I've had to go through. But what was worse than that was not knowing if I still had a place in your heart. Jin, I never blamed you or took your actions as betrayal. Even when I needed you I understood why you did what you did, but that didn't make it hurt less. I needed to talk to you, to hold you and kiss you, and tell you that I am crazy about you. I wanted to do those things so badly. But more than anything, I needed to hear your feelings towards me. The idea of not knowing kills me. Baby, if you break up with you, I promise I will let you be. I will never bother you again, I will go through the heartbreak on my own, and I will try to survive it, but don't leave me hanging. Don't make me believe there is hope for us if there isn't. I just need that from you. I just need to know."

His words were like razor blade slashes to my heart, each one cutting deeper and slower. It felt like I was bleeding out from the inside out. My heart ached, and my head hurt.

"Do you..." I took in a deep strenous breath. It felt like my lungs had shrunk, and I would pass out any minute. I shook my head, holding onto the railing for support. "I don't... Jungkook, I don't want to be without you. I trust you, and I'm sorry for ever doubting you for a second."

I wasn't sure what happened next. Who hugged whom first and how we ended up with our bodies merged, but my arms were around his neck and his arms were around my waist, and our bodies were pressed together and my heart hammered in my chest as his hammered against mine in his chest.

Feeling his body against mine made me hurt and rejoice. I'd missed him so much. I had needed him more than I'd ever needed anything or anyone in my entire life. Jungkook was my world, and I didn't think I could survive without him.

"I love you," he said into my ear. He pulled away, looking me in the eyes, his eyes glazed with love and desire, and he was my comfort and my safety, and I couldn't believe I ever doubted him. "I love you so much, baby."

"I love you," I told him.

This time, I didn't have to think who'd done what, I dug my fingers into his hair and pressed my lips against his. His mouth tasted salty from his tears or maybe mine, but it was still a taste that gave me utmost satisfaction and assurance. His arms around my waist tightened, and he leaned into me, deepening the kiss with neediness.

He pushed me against the railing, pressing his body into mine, awakening my arousal and reminding my body how much it had craved him these past weeks. I'd dreamt of his mouth on mine, his hands entwined with mine, our bodies entangled in his bed. He'd been away from me physically, but every night, his body found mine in my dreams.

I was obsessed with him.

"Spend the night with me," he mumbled against my mouth.

I nodded. A million times, yes, I thought as I kissed him some more. When we pulled apart from our kiss, Jungkook still held unto me, gazing at me like I was going to disappear any second.

"Promise me, you'd never shut me out again," he said. "If we have a problem, we'll resolve it immediately. We never go to bed with a fight hanging over us."

My response was instant. "I promise," I said, and felt at ease when I saw relief flood his face. The amount of happiness I felt being there in his arms couldn't be measured even if anyone tried to.

Jungkook made me feel the happiest, the sanest and the most alive. I never, ever, wanted to be without him. Ever.

"Before I forget, Namjoon said to tell you he's sorry for doing what you specifically told him not to do," I said.

Jungkook's brows raised in confusion for a split second, and then he let out a sigh. He wrapped his arms around me. "Tell Namjoon I said thank you for not doing what I specifically told him to not do."

I chuckled. "Alright," I said. "So, you're his boss?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"Are you treating him well?"

"Of course. He's my baby's best friend, I have to."

I blushed, biting my lower lip. "Make sure you give him a lot of special treatments, okay?"

"100%. For you, I'll do anything for him," Jungkook said, and I didn't know why, but that made me smile so bright.

THE END

Hi, my babes. Thank you so much for following me on this journey. I enjoyed every minute of writing this, and I hope you enjoyed reading it.

I'll always be thankful for your support, votes, and comments. You guys are the best ♥︎♥︎♥︎

See you in the next one! 🥰