Y/N and Namjoon were seated in the lounge with his parents, the room alive with warmth and laughter. The two women were completely immersed in their conversation, their giggles ringing harmoniously.

Namjoon's mother was recounting a particularly amusing story about the clumsy antics of both Namjoon and his father, gesturing animatedly as she described their mishaps.

Y/N couldn't help but laugh along, her eyes crinkling with genuine amusement. The sight of her laughter lit up the room. Namjoon sat in embarrassed silent next to his father, both of them shifting uncomfortably in their seats as their past blunders were laid bare.

As Y/N leaned in closer to Namjoon's mother, Namjoon's gaze lingered on her. She looked so at ease, her smile lighting up her face. Something about the way she connected so effortlessly with his mother tugged at his heart.

His chest tightened, emotions swirling within him admiration, affection, and something so profound it left him breathless.

"Come, I'll show you something" Namjoon's mother suddenly said, breaking the moment as she stood up and beckoned to Y/N.

Y/N looked at Namjoon briefly, her curiosity piqued, and followed his mother.

Namjoon's room felt like stepping into a piece of him. It exuded warmth and familiarity, an ambiance that instantly wrapped around her like a comforting hug.

The faint smell of old books lingered in the air, blending with his distinct scent. It brought back memories, memories of when she had first stepped into this room to bid him farewell before leaving for Italy.

She smiled softly to herself, glancing around. Her eyes landed on his meticulously arranged bookshelf. Of course, a bookworm like Namjoon would have a collection like this.

"Stay here. I'll grab the album from my room" Namjoon's mother said with a bright smile, disappearing into the hallway.

Left alone, Y/N's curiosity began to grow. She walked over to the bookshelf, her fingers gently grazing the spines of the books. Each one seemed like a small piece of Namjoon's soul, and she couldn't resist pulling one out.

She flipped through its pages but found nothing of interest. With a small sigh, she slid it back into place. Her gaze shifted to a higher shelf. Rising on her toes, she reached for another book. As she opened it, something slipped out and fluttered to the floor.

Startled, she bent down to pick it up. Her breath caught when she realized what it was, a photograph, Her photograph.

The image of herself in her school uniform stared back at her, triggering a flood of memories. Her heart began to race as questions filled her mind. Why is this here? Who took this?

Her trembling fingers turned the photo over, but it was blank. Her eyes flickered to the book still in her hand. Her breath hitched when she noticed the words written on the page,

"You're a shiny star that brought light to my small galaxy."

Namjoon's handwriting.

Her heart thundered in her chest as realization washed over her. "Did Namjoon write this? For me?" Her fingers brushed over the words as if to confirm their existence. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear Namjoon's mother re-enter the room.

"Namjoon, place your pictures in at least every book" his mother said teasingly, causing Y/N to flinch slightly.

"W-why?" Y/N stammered, her voice barely audible as she tried to steady herself.

"What do you mean, why? Everyone keeps their loved one's pictures close, don't they?" Namjoon's mother replied, her tone light and playful.

"You can check the other books too. There are so many beautiful pictures of you. Don't tell Namjoon I told you this, though! He's so secretive about it."

Her mother-in-law chuckled softly, leaning in as if sharing a mischievous secret. Y/N felt her breath grow shallow, She couldn't resist anymore.

She reached for another book and flipped it open. Her hands trembled when she found another photo, this one from her first year at university. Namjoon hadn't even been her friend then, yet here was her picture, carefully tucked away.

Her throat tightened as tears pricked at her eyes. She grabbed another book, pulling it open hastily. Her fingers froze when she saw the next picture, it was from her graduation party.

She had worn a sleek black dress that night, one she remembered feeling confident in. Namjoon had always been so quiet about his thoughts, but now she was seeing pieces of his heart he'd never shared.

She grabbed another book and opened it to find a picture of the simple ring she had once given him which he returned back. Her hand flew to her mouth as tears streamed down her face.

One by one, she pulled out more books, her emotions rising with every discovery. In one, she found a photo of herself sleeping on a desk, her cheeks puffed adorably, her lips forming a small pout. Beside it was a faint stain. She ran her fingers over it, her heart thundering when she realized it was the imprint of Namjoon's lips.

Her legs felt weak, as though they might give out beneath her. She stumbled backward, clutching the edge of the desk for support. "He loved me? He loved me all this time?"

"He loved me?" she whispered to herself, her voice shaky and broken.

Namjoon's mother, who had been watching her with soft eyes, spoke up. "Of course he does,
Y/N-ah. What kind of question is that?"

Y/N could barely process the warmth in her voice. Her emotions were a tempest, threatening to overwhelm her completely.

Namjoon's mother gestured for her to sit beside her on the bed.
"Come here, look at these Namjoon's pictures!" she said, holding up an album.

"Here's Namjoon when he was just three months old."

Y/N sat down mechanically, trying to focus on the pictures his mother pointed out. But her mind was elsewhere. The weight of everything she had just discovered pressed heavily on her chest.

After a moment, she worked up the courage to ask, "Eomma? If Namjoon loved me, why didn't he stop me from going to Italy?"

Namjoon's mother sighed deeply, taking Y/N's hands in hers. "He's a fool sometimes" she said with a sad smile.

"We told him over and over that you weren't someone who cared about money or fame. But he convinced himself you'd leave him once you saw the world. He didn't want to hold you back against your will."

Her voice softened as she continued " When you left, he locked himself in his room for two days. He didn't eat, didn't spoke. We had to unlock the door with a spare key, but even then, he refused to move on. He buried himself in his books, got so sick he had a fever for weeks. Jiwoo was the only one who could pull him out of it."

Y/N's tears fell freely as she listened.

"You were his first love, Y/N" his mother said gently. "And you still are."

"That's why I asked you about a baby...I'm sorry if you feel uncomfortable...I'm just so excited to see my grand childrens before my death.......but try to plan a baby for me okay...like a lovey dovey couple" Namjoon's mother said, as Y/N cheeks flushed with embarrassment and smiled sadly, as his mother don't know about his true intentions.

"Should I tell her? Will she believe me? Will she help me in all this? Will she believe that her son can do all this?" Y/N thought and was about to say something

Before Y/N could respond, Namjoon's father entered the room with a grin. "You two ladies have had enough bonding time. We were missing our wives!"

The mood lightened as everyone laughed, but Y/N's heart remained heavy, about the encounter she had about Namjoon's feelings. Y/N doesn't want to go but they can't stay there.

Later, as they drove home, Y/N's eyes lingered on Namjoon. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, veins standing out on his arms. He felt her gaze and smirked.

"Done staring?...I know I'm handsome" he teased, breaking the silence.

Y/N didn't look away. "Can't I look at my husband?" she said playfully.

Namjoon chuckled. "Getting bold these days, aren't you?"

"I'm your wife. I'm just following your lead" she shot back, folding her arms over her chest.

Namjoon smirked. "Don't think I've backed off from my plans,
Y/N."

"And don't think I don't have plans of my own, Mr. Husband" she said, emphasizing the title.

Namjoon smiled softly, turning into the alley leading to their home. But Y/N's thoughts swirled, her heart heavy with the revelations of the day.

~love is a treasure to keep it in your heart.