•✧ JENNIE'S POV ✧•

A sigh escaped her mouth, tears forming in her eyes as she continued to read the diary given by her mother. She was devasted, because she didn't know what her mother was going through and she had to face all those hardships alone. Why couldn't she just say the truth? Was hiding it from her and leaving her alone truly the best decision?

It would've been better if she told her that she had cancer rather than trying to die alone so Jennie didn't have to cry. Were her tears really so precious to her that she chose to suffer alone rather than trying to spend her last days with her family? Her own daughter hated her for no reason. She grew an unreasonable hatred towards her own mother just to find the truth on a piece of paper 7 years later. Were these 7 years worth staying away from her own family?

Maybe the hatred she grew towards the woman faded in an instant, but she wasn't going to forgive her this easily because she needed to know, that family is the most precious thing in the world. They are the ones that get you through hard times so it's better to face troubles together than trying to run from it.

"Jennie-ah. Are you coming to the cafeteria with us or not? We know you're upset but you can't skip meals because of that." - Juda softly spoke, trying to convince Jennie as she had been laying in her bed all day long after the training and classes ended.

She suddenly sat up in her bed, wiping the few tears off of her cheeks as she faced Juda and climbed out of her bed. There was a touch of worry visible on her roommate's face, which made her chuckle as she suddenly hugged her catching Juda off guard.

"I didn't know you were such a great hugger." - She chuckled once again, there was a feeling of being home around them. The atmosphere was quite comforting.

"Let's go. Somi is waiting for us." - She nodded and parted away, visible sadness was widely displayed on Jennie's face as she tried to hide it with a smile but Juda noticed it. She sighed, a feeling of guilt rushing through her.

"I need to tell her soon."

✧

"Finally you both are here. Hurry and sit down, a Commander just came and announced that someone special is making a visit here, today." - Somi exclaimed making her roommates confused as they sat down around the table.

Everyone present in the cafeteria were gossiping about who was coming and Jennie couldn't help but feel curious as well. Who could it possibly be?

"Did they say anything about who's coming?" - Somi shook her head, just as unaware as everyone else.

Juda was about to speak when the cafeteria went silent making all the attention turn towards the Commanders that just walked inside. Jennie's eyes fell on a specific person as she felt like she had seen him somewhere but couldn't remember where. Suddenly, the Commander looked in her direction making her panic as she quickly bowed her head. Everyone was standing up by now as well as the three roommates, as a sign of respect.

The Commander that glanced at Jennie was still eyeing her and she couldn't figure out why, until she finally recognized him and widened her eyes. She cupped her mouth with her hand making a smile make it's way to his face. He understood she had already recognized him.

"No way.. Uncle Jisung." - She whispered to herself making the other two frow their eyebrows.

"What's up?" - Juda asked and snapped her head back in the Commander's direction when she heard heavy footsteps.

Jennie suddenly stepped closer to him and saluted with a smile on her face, the Commander saluted back. Returning the same smile as he chuckled and patted her head. A wave of confusion ran around the cafeteria as the Cadets stared at them strangely.

"You're all grown up now, kiddo. Have you been well?" - He spoke, the girl in front of him stood there with glossy eyes. She was reminded of her father just by looking at the man in front of her.

"Life is hard, but I'm making it through. Just like I promised." - She chuckled, smiling widely as she felt like hugging the fatherly man.

"Your dad and I are proud of you, Jennie. Never lose hope." - She nodded like a kid, obeying every word he said.

"Your aunt wanted to visit you when she got to know that you were training here. But I thought it wouldn't be appropriate, so we'll definitely visit at your house in winter break." - Jennie's smile dropped a little upon hearing the word 'house'. She couldn't possibly tell him she had no where to live.

"Yeah.. sure. I really miss her." - She heaved a sigh after saying so. The man brought his hand up again as he patted her head for the second time.

"I've some work right now, I'll see you around." - She nodded and bowed to him as he turned around to walk away, but stopped and looked at Juda making her almost flinch as she saluted to him.

"Are you three roommates?" - Somi and Juda nodded several times making him chuckle.

"Take care of my daughter while she's here. She's a fragile soul." - Jennie chuckled upon hearing his words, it was true that he was just like her own father.

"Sure, Commander. She's just like a sister to us." - He nodded and turned around again, walking back towards the other soldiers while Somi and Juda looked at Jennie. Trying to find answers for their questions.

"He's my father's friend, he visited us a lot when I was in highschool. This is the first time I'm seeing him after dad's passing." - She sadly smiled, answering all of their inquiries making them nod.

"So you actually do have someone that cares for you after all." - Jennie shrugged her shoulders and chuckled, all three of them diverting their attention to the front again as the soldiers discussed something before announcing it out loud.

"Good evening Cadets, I am General Commander Shin Jisung. Today we're here to announce the first Holiday week for everyone present here. This year, the training Cadets have gotten a lot of festivals and offs so consider yourselves lucky because this rarely happens. But once these holidays end, everything will go back to normal and the training will get stricter than before. Because this year, we've reduced the training period. It's usually 18 months of training for both male and female Cadets, but now It's going to be 12 months only. Now, for the holidays. You will only get a week off starting from this Sunday. Your original winter break will start somewhere in the end of December and this week is just a break so you can come back fresh and active. Everything clear?" - He completed his announcement and asked as the Cadets spoke in a united voice, answering his question with a 'yes'.

Juda and Somi were feeling very excited just like everyone else in the cafeteria, but Jennie was lost in her own thoughts. Neither happy nor sad about the holidays since she didn't have anywhere to spend the week and she didn't have any money too. If she wanted she could go with her mother, but after all these years it just felt awkward to her, and she hadn't completely forgiven her yet.

A deep sigh left her mouth as she watched the Soldiers and Commander leaving the cafeteria. She didn't have any idea of where she was staying. Couldn't she just stay here at the dorms?

"Hello? Miss Kim!" - Jennie flinched and looked at her roommates who were staring at her while sitting down.

"Dude, you're so out of the world these days. What's up? Is it about Commander Kim again?" - Somi spoke, making Jennie immediately shake her head as she sat down and kept her face in the palm of her hands.

"Just.. about my mother." - Somi looked at Juda, she shrugged her shoulders as a sign that she didn't know anything as well.

"Did she come back? I mean.. didn't you say it's been 7 years since you last saw her?" - She nodded and sat up straight as she spoke.

"She came to meet me. Of course I hated her so I didn't want to face her, but she gave me a diary. The same diary my father used to write in every new year and I wasn't allowed to read it. This time, I was told to read every page of it. Specifically the ones that were written by my mother after she left us. Somi, I hated my own mother for 7 years only to find the truth in a diary years later." - Her voice wobbled, the tears she had been holding in for the past few days weren't held back anymore.

"Hey hey it's okay. Calm down." - Juda patted her back as Somi also came beside her. Side hugging her as she tried her best to comfort the girl.

"I don't hate her now, but I find it really hard to just forgive her for not telling me what she was going through. I can't just accept her as my mother again after she didn't show me her face for 7 freaking years.." - She started crying badly, her hands slightly shivering as it was normal to happen when she cried like this.

"You need time, Jen. We all know how much you need your mother and we understand that you're upset because of her hiding the truth. So take your time, no one is rushing you to forgive her." - Somi spoke, Juda nodding in agreement as she caressed her back.

The both of them didn't know what the truth was, but they didn't care about knowing it as their first priority was being there for their friend in her lowest times. Jennie was without a doubt the most emotionally disturbed among them and they could see it too, she tried to keep herself isolated with her feelings and emotions but it had become hard for her now. She needed a break.

"Can you bring something for her to eat? Don't forget the drink." - Juda nodded and got up from her seat, heading towards the canteen to get a tray of food for Jennie.

"Do you want to go to his place? Maybe you will feel a little better." - She shook her head, immediately denying the offer as she didn't want to trouble him.

"No, I'm fine. I'm not hungry as well so tell Juda to come back." - She sniffed and wiped her tears away with her hand, her eyes suddenly falling on the person standing in front of her as it caught her off guard. Wrong timing Kim.

He didn't say anything nor did she, she couldn't bring up the courage to look into his eyes. Just by looking at his figure she understood it was him, and she knew if her eyes met his, she would become miserable again. It was as if she lost control of her emotions whenever he was looking at her.

"LC Somi, make sure she eats properly and if she doesn't just tell me. I have my ways." - His voice sent shivers down her spine as if it was the first time she was hearing it. The effect he had on her remained the same even when months had passed.

"Sure, sir." - Somi replied noticing how Jennie tried to hide her face from him. She looked miserable according to herself and she didn't want him to know what was going on in her life. But he already knew she lied to him when she said her life was going good.

"Come to my office after eating your food." - He commanded, looking directly at Jennie who was looking down at her shoes.

Taehyung didn't expect her to answer him as he knew she was upset, moreover the way she was crying wasn't pleasing to see for him. Nonetheless she slowly nodded her head, still looking at her shoes as it made him sigh. She knew he cared for her and it wasn't just a play he put up like she was thinking before. What had gotten onto her mind, why would she even doubt him in the first place? He always showed affection towards her then why was she disturbed because of that mere ring on his finger?

But it was obvious after all. She loved him, and even just the littlest of things scared her of losing him. It had just been 3 months and she was deeply in love with him, what was gonna happen when he officially became hers? Well, he was technically hers already but she still needed assurance. It was her that said the three words, he hadn't said it yet and he knew it made her somewhat disturbed. He wanted to say it, but he had a lot more surprises planned for her. He could do anything to make that moment unforgettable for her.

♬ ₊∘ ♪

Bringing her hand towards the door she knocked on it three times before stepping away a little. Jennie knew she was going to get bombarded with questions and scoldings from him just for not sharing her inner thoughts with him, and on top of that she lied saying she was okay.

The door opened, she was immediately pulled inside by her arm as she wasn't surprised when he trapped her against the now closed door. She saw it coming already.

"Look at me." - She passed the knot in her throat, biting her inner lip as she hesitated to look up since her eyes were swollen from crying and she didn't want him to see her like that.

"Princess, I said something." - She suddenly sniffed, unable to hold her cries back as it alarmed him.

"Tell me what's wrong and don't cry. I don't like it when you cry, you know that right?" - He wiped her tears away with his thumb, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before speaking.

"J-just.." - She stopped, feeling embarrassed of being emotional over something that wasn't even serious, well that's what she thought.

"Is it about your mom?" - Her body froze as she looked up into his eyes when he said that. How did he know?

"I told you, your father left tons of information about his family. I was his closest student, he used to call me his son and always shared his worries with me. Even his deepest secrets." - She stared at him, taken aback with his claims. Her father also knew?

"Dad knew?" - He heaved a sigh and nodded. Another shock hitting her as she took a deep breathe.

"He said you would be hurt so they both had to keep it hidden from you. At first I didn't understand the purpose of hiding it from you as well, but slowly I realized. Having cancer isn't easy. She used to vomit blood and obviously you would take a lot of stress because of her." - He pulled her into a hug making her calm down as she rested her head on his chest with her eyes closed. She could hear his heart beating in a rhythm.

"I know life is being very difficult right now. But you made it through the hardest times so don't lose hope this time. You have me and your friends, and your mom came back too so give her a chance to make it up to you. The decision is yours to make, love." - He caressed her back as he moved his hand inside her sweater, his cold hand sending electric shocks inside her skin. She found it strangely nice, the way his hand drew circles on her back.

"I want to get a haircut." - Her sudden thought made him burst into laughter.

"Where did that come from?" - She finally smiled, shrugging her shoulders as she relaxed herself in his embrace.

"I'm having mood swings. Bad days are near." - She pouted, parting away from him as he pecked her nose and lips.

"You don't have to worry about that when you have such a caring boyfriend." - Blush creeped up onto her cheeks when he mentioned their relationship. It was enough to make her mood better.

"Boyfriend my foot. Evil jerk." - He chuckled and suddenly picked her up in his arms making her wrap her arm around his neck.

"Wha- put me down!" - She whined but he didn't listen and placed her on top of his desk, trapping her between his muscular arms.

"Let's see what we can do about your swollen eyes." - Taehyung said and walked towards the mini fridge placed inside his office. He took the ice pack from the freezer and walked back towards her, carefully placing it on her eyes as she shivered because of the cold feeling.

"It's cold." - She held the ice pack in her own hand making him let go as he smirked and moved his face closer to her neck. Jennie felt his warm breathe fanning her skin and removed the pack from her eyes to take a look at him, his intentions didn't seem very nice.

₍₍ Close your eyes kids ⁾⁾

"Tae.." - She called his name, becoming nervous all of a sudden when he placed a soft and wet kiss on her collarbone.

"Let's make you forget your worries." - He spoke and kissed her neck again making her close her eyes as she didn't notice where his hand was going.

She swallowed when his hand made its way inside her sweater, moving dangerously upwards making her grip on the table tighten. This wasn't going to end well.

"What are you doing? We're i-in your office." - He didn't answer, his hand cupped her as it made her release a shocked yet satisfied gasp.

'Fuck, why did I not wear my inners after changing?'

"Try and stop me, kitten."

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Word count: 3000+