The photoshoot for J&J scent's new collection finally started, and everyone was up their feet.

Everyone except Taehyung who could hardly focus in front of the camera.

"Should we take a break?"

The photographer suggested, noticing how he was unable to follow the instructions and the whole theme of the shoot.

"Will it be okay?" Taehyung asked, not wanting to cause any further delay.

The photographer nodded, a hint of a smile showed on his lips.

"Yeah, let's continue at 2."

In return, Taehyung offered a grateful smile before heading to his station where his assistant, Inah, offered him a seat and refreshments.

"Is everything okay? You look so out of it." Inah noticed, handing him a towel to cover his torso.

His outfit was a little too revealing for his own good.

"Just had trouble sleeping last night." Taehyung responded.

Though there was a slight truth in his words, Taehyung chose to not give the details behind his lack of enthusiasm for the project at hand.

"Should I schedule an appointment with your doctor to give you prescription?"

"No need. It doesn't always happen."

He could see the concern in her eyes which made him feel bad.

"I'm okay, really." He assured, giving a thumbs up to the other who could only sigh.

"Tell me if you're having a hard time, 'kay?"

"Yeah.. thanks."

As Taehyung darted his attention on the drink in his hands, a deep frustrated sigh left his lips.

It had been three days since he had a confrontation with Jungkook. During those days, he chose to drown himself in loneliness and regret.

He lost his focus and everything just felt like nothing to him.

"Standby, everyone. We're resuming in a few."

The photographer's voice snapped Taehyung out of his thoughts. He finished the drink in one go as he forced himself to get back to work.

"Let's do this." He uttered, handing the towel back to Inah who gave him an encouraging smile.

He should not be thinking of anything unnecessary during work. It could affect not only him but also the people working for that project.

His team did a quick makeup retouch before he stepped in front of the camera once more.

"Ready to slay?" The photographer asked which made Taehyung smile.

"As always."

As he readied himself to embody the character and theme of the project, the door to the hall opened and in came two gentlemen in suits.

Even from the distance, Taehyung immediately identified the ravenette whose eyes caught his own in a brief moment before gazing away.

"How's my number one model doing?"

If not for the question, Taehyung would not have looked at the other one who happened to be his boss, Hoseok.

"Sir.." Taehyung acknowledged.

"Are you just starting now?" Hoseok asked, leaning to the monitor to see the previous shots.

"We took a short break, sir." Taehyung answered, eyes darting back to Jungkook whose eyes were fixated on his pictures as well.

It was inevitable for the two of them to cross paths since the site where they were having the shoot was owned by him.

However, Taehyung did not expect Jungkook to be on the site and visit the shoot with his boss.

Not after the talk they had a few days ago.

"Hm.. there's something off about these pictures." Hoseok commented, not pleased with the results so far.

"Don't get me wrong. You're beautiful as always but it's lacking that... that—" Hoseok gestured something with his hand, referring to the word he could not put a name on.

"You get me, right?"

The question was for Jungkook who briefly gazed at him before shrugging his shoulders in response.

"I kind of understand what you meant, sir." The photographer butted in.

"His face is no doubt beautiful in every angle, but just like what you noticed, I'm not feeling anything from the pictures we took." He continued in a tone that's not offending but rather encouraging.

"I'm sorry for the sudden question, but have you ever been in love Mr. Kim?"

It was a personal question that took Taehyung by surprise, unable to respond with words but his eyes immediately landed on the ravenette who also met his gaze.

Of course.

"If yes, maybe you can use that feeling in showing desperation and longing. Imagine that person standing in front of you, saying goodbye for the last time." The photographer continued, unaware of the sudden tension.

The shift in Taehyung's expression as he gazed on no one but Jungkook was noticeable as the photographer instantly captured a picture of him.

"That's it."

Taehyung was unaware, not even trying to pose for the camera.

He was just looking at Jungkook and everything else did not matter.

All the while, Jungkook could not tear his gaze off of him as well.

As if both of them were drifted to the time when they used to be together...used to be in love.

"Great. More.."

A couple of shots were taken before the photographer noticed something.

He stared at the last picture he took as he lifted his gaze towards the direction where Taehyung was looking.

And when he did, reality dawned in him.

Love Lost.

Indeed.

————

"Excuse me, sir."

Jungkook lifted his gaze from the pile of papers he had been reading since the start of his morning.

His secretary headed towards him with another batch of paperworks to be signed.

"Just place them here." Jungkook said, motioning the only empty space on his table.

"These need urgent signing, sir."

She handed him the papers which he browsed for a few minutes.

The urgency finally made sense as it was the proposal and plan for the launching party of J&J's new collection.

"Have they finished finalizing the magazine?" He asked.

"Yes, sir. The sample is included there."

"Okay. I'll look through it later." Jungkook dismissed.

As his secretary finally left, Jungkook continued to affix his signature on the pending projects he had to scan through.

By the time he finished around late afternoon, only then did he remember the proposal.

The sample finalized magazine was the first to catch his attention with the picture of Taehyung in the cover.

It was from that one time he visited the shoot which was the last time he had seen him.

After all, Jungkook was making sure not to let their paths cross again.

It was for the best... for the both of them.

As he gazed at the magazine's cover, he could not help but admire the beauty he had been staring for a long while.

"He's even more beautiful now." Jungkook whispered.

Even from way back, Taehyung had the most beautiful face for him.

His innocently big hazel eyes used to look at him with love and affection, his cherry lips would whisper sweet words in his ears.

He was perfect for him.

But all things too perfect do not last.

Jungkook sighed. He had to admit, Taehyung still made his heart feel a lot of emotions he could barely contain.

Along with his hatred and disappointment, there's still love.

And he could see the same in the way Taehyung looked at him.

He loves him still.

But after all the years Jungkook had to endure when Taehyung left him, he realized that love alone would never be enough.

"It's too late... Five years too late."

Both of them could never go back. It would be possible to forgive, but that's all there is to it.

After all, Jungkook had already made promises he had to keep.

As he continued to gaze at Taehyung's face with longing, he did not notice the door to his office open.

"Still working?"

Upon hearing Yeri's voice, Jungkook placed the material down.

"Yeah.." He briefly answered.

"I heard you skipped lunch. Take a break, will you?" Yeri said, smiling.

Before she reached Jungkook's table, he pushed the magazine inside his drawer.

"Fine. Have you booked a reservation?" He asked.

"Not yet. You choose."

"All right. I'll just make a few calls before we go." Jungkook said, excusing himself.

When Yeri was left in the office, she immediately opened the drawer and saw the magazine Jungkook was holding when she came.

The reason why he's so engrossed and did not even feel her presence.

"Of course." Yeri uttered, seeing the face of the man who was able to draw that kind of expression from Jungkook's face.

The kind of face he would never make when he looks at her.

A face full of love and longing.

————

Happy Valentine's Day 💜

Love you 💜