still not over the last chapter - 🥲

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THIRD PERSON

Namjoon was speeding. He wasn't sure what the speed limit was but it was definitely faster than the other cars on the highway. He was tipsy but sober enough to drive. Sober enough to feel the invisible hole in his chest. His heart used to fill up that hole but now it was just an empty case.

He couldn't stay in that house (more like villa) any longer. Seeing Joy's face would tear him apart. Even the thought of her was enough to blur his thoughts.

Had he done the right thing? That was all he had been thinking this entire time. And his choice of destination was a decision he began to doubt, too.

Nevertheless, he pulled up to it after a few hours.

A party was also happening here, which was expected. A number of cars were lined up on the gravel driveway, and even more were parked on the grass. He veered into an invisible parking space beside a vehicle on the grass, turned off his engine, and made his way inside.

The temperature of the house must have been in the high seventies with the number of people inside. Barely anyone noticed a new face as he walked through the halls, probably because most of the guests were over the age sixty. He searched the house for the person he was looking for, until he finally heard the familiar voice.

"Gigi," It whined, "Why do you always tell this story? It's very embarrassing."

Namjoon peered into the room which he heard the conversation from, and there he was.

Jungkook stood beside his grandmother who sat on a couch, an almost empty glass of champagne in her hand. He was dressed in a suit and tie, similar to me if I hadn't taken off my suit jacket. His grandma entertained a few guests on a couch beside her own chair, seeming to have told some stories about her grandson.

"Oh, Jungkook," She chuckled, "you were just a child. Now bring me another glass, please, dear."

Jungkook, like the obedient kid he always was, took the glass from her hand and started to walk towards the door, stopping in his tracks when he saw who was standing there.

"Jungkook—"

"Come on," He grunted, obviously annoyed as he pulled Namjoon by the shirt.

The two awkwardly walked together to the kitchen for champagne and then back to Jungkook's grandmother, where he explained he had an unexpected guest who needed to be attended to.

"Why are you here?" Jungkook had taken himself and Namjoon to an unoccupied balcony. He leaned against the concrete barrier.

Namjoon stood where he was, taking a deep breath before he continued, "I broke up with her."

Jungkook stood up straight when he heard the news, then turned around. "How-how did she take it?"

"It was terrible." Namjoon continued to look out into the abyss. "We both took it pretty bad."

Jungkoon gulped. "Wow, um," He scratched his nape. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know if this was the right thing to do. I mean, we were doing fine. I just— during the party I realized ... I realized I can't be in that crowd for longer than five minutes. But Joy, she thrives during those social events." Namjoon finally approached the balcony's barrier, needing something to rest himself upon.

It was silent for a few seconds. Jungkook's thoughts were spinning, and he wasn't sure what to say. What came out was not what he intended.

"Namjoon, just because you fight doesn't mean you break up. If you really loved her, you would make it work."

"That's not true. Maybe because I love her, I need to leave her. We're not meant for each other." Namjoon shook his head. "I can't give her much, or do much for her."

"You love her, and you showed that. Shouldn't that be enough?"

"We fought so much. When I thought about breaking up with her, it—it brought back memories of our arguments. And who was there to comfort her? It wasn't me. It was ... it was—"

Jungkook looked away.

"It was you." Namjoon was going mad, laughing as he spoke. He ran a hand through his hair. "God, Jungkook, it's you."

"What?"

"Look at me, and then look at you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Look at us! No wonder they mistook you as the boyfriend. You're perfect!" He practically yelled. "I'm not for her; trust me."

"Namjoon—"

"Maybe you should just make your way over there now! Get on your knees and ask to marry her. Mommy and daddy would most definitely approve of the high status you obtain."

"Trust me, their fortune is ten times mine." Jungkook muttered under his breath.

"Do you like her?" Namjoon huffed.

"What?"

"Do you... do you like her?"

Jungkook had been terrified for this question. He dreaded the fact that he might ever be asked this, but when he replied, he felt relieved.

Sucking in a breath, he confessed, "She means everything to me."

Namjoon looked at Jungkook.

Jungkook nodded without staring back, his next words sounding as if he was out of breath, "I really, really like her, Namjoon."

Namjoon scoffed a chuckle, "I can't believe I came here and ended up hearing that."

"Namjoon—"

He closed his eyes. "Do you have a room for me to stay tonight? I'll be out of your face in the morning."

Jungkook sighed, but nodded. "Just follow me."

***

PENELOPE

Taegan's family had been a joy to be around. After I met her family, we stayed at the boutique with her parents until they got off work. It may sound boring, but just speaking to them and getting to know Taegan's family provided me with enough smiling for the rest of my life.

Even more of a plus: I got to watch Taegan work with her parents. She seemed so at home and content; I wanted to make her that happy forever. She helped her mom sew a emerald dress together, lacing a needle and thread to connect the sleeve to the bodice.

One thing I learned was that many of the simple dresses at their family boutique were hand sewn, rather than with a sewing machine. Taegan's parents had taught each of their girls to sew before they were in middle school; they were basically experts.

Once they were off work, Taegan drove us both back to her house, where I was able to work in the kitchen with her mom. We made a homemade meal for Christmas Eve dinner, which gave me a chance to learn about their culture and how to make some of their favorite dishes.

Gathering around the table, we ate and finished dinner. Conversations included funny childhood stories, many of them starting with "remember when" and ending in fits of laughter. I might not have been there to witness these memories but the wide smiles of the Rivera family were what made me feel at home.

We retired to the living room where a large Christmas tree sat in the corner, surrounded with wrapped and bagged gifts. Apparently, one of the traditions for Taegan's family was to open a gift on Christmas Eve.

I watched as Taegan's parents and sisters ooed and awed and thanked each other for the gifts they were given. After, Taegan showed me to her room where the both of us would be staying. She immediately plopped onto her bed with a grin.

"My jaws are hurting from all the smiles tonight."

She laughed at my comment. "Mine, too. I'm so happy you were able to come home with me."

I nodded, and she pat the empty space beside her. "Come try it out. It's my high school bed so if it reeks, it's because a teenage girl sweat and cried on this thing."

"Stop making me smile or my jaws might break by tomorrow morning."

"Sorry," she said with a content sigh as I placed myself beside her. "It's definitely comfortable. A great place to sweat and cry."

Taegan chuckled, and a comfortable silence fell between us. She broke it when she took my hand and squeezed, "Sorry, you had to watch us open gifts on your own. I was saving yours for tomorrow."

I shook my head lovingly. "It's fine, Tia; I enjoyed it." I turned around and walked to my bag, grabbing a tiny wrapped present. "And I know you're supposed to open only one gift tonight, but I thought you could give mine an exception."

"Penny," She dragged my name on.

I sat back down beside her, placing the gift into her lap. "Before you open it, I want to say a few words."

She perked up, indicating she was all ears.

"I know this — us — officially started just a few weeks ago, but I already know you're going to be special."

Taegan took my hand and kissed it.

I laughed. "The gift you're going to open; I just want you to know that it means I'm in. This thing we're doing, I am fully in. Okay?"

The bed dipped as Taegan leaned to kiss my cheek. "I'm all in, too." She smiled. "Can I open it now?"

I nodded and she eagerly, yet carefully, ripped the wrapping paper off the miniature box. It was a velvet red box I had chosen to place the promise ring in. When she opened it and saw what was inside, she immediately covered her mouth with her hand.

I picked out a promise ring with a golden band and an emerald for its center stone.

"I don't know, do you love it?" I asked with a tint of sarcasm.

Taegan shook her head. "This makes my gift look like a joke." She sniffed back her tears. "I love it, Penny."

"And I love you."

I kissed her deeply, reminding her that I was in. I was all in.

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wow it's be almost two months since
an update. sorry ☹️