Deep sleep
Beyond that boundary
line over there...

Jhope pov

Hobi and Yoongi were working on the last details of a song for submission to the producers. The Bangtan Boys are so excited for Hobi's mixtape that Bighit will release in a week. However, he felt a little apprehensive. Various news agencies will interview him in the coming days, and magazine shoots are in the pipeline.

They were working in the GeniusLab.Yoongi looked very exhausted because, for the two weeks, he hadn't gotten enough sleep. They needed a break from the idol life and rekindled their own lives with their soulmates and families.

Jhope looks at him with concern," Sejin said we might get an extended break later in the year. Where would you like to go?".

Yoongi smile a little showing his famous gummy smile," Well, I'm thinking of taking my soulmate to Greece for maybe two weeks staying in Jin-Hyungs Villa.

She got three weeks off from Uni, her Summer break, and from Blackpink duties. I just hope Bighit doesn't have anything plan for those weeks like fan meets."

Jhope chuckle," First check our travel schedule. I'll be going home this weekend. Jiwoo planned a birthday family dinner for us, and you know my big noona. She doesn't take no for an answer. We'll have a siblings' date on Friday. So, I'll leave very early to meet her at her condo."

He and Yoongi wrapped up the last lyrics and decided to just relax on the leather sofa, talking and catching up on random stuff.

The previous evening, they had quite an exciting private, surprised birthday party for their sunshine. He was so stunned to see his members, management, and soulmates. They had a lovely time. Management left very late.

Jiwoo and his parents' gifts came just in time. Samiya got him Eastern wear when he decides to visit India with her and Seokjin later. The other soulmates gave him cute gifts also.

Yoongi took another sip from his soda."This is a very hectic month for you, hey Hobi?"

Jhope scrunched up his face. Yoongi doesn't know the half of it. Thinking about his soulmate made his heartbeat speed up. He inhaled deeply and looked at his Hyung with a somber expression.

" yeah, it was a little hectic...The mixtape, the dance auditions, and my 25th birthday..."He trails off.

Yoongi snickers," Our fans are so excited that your dating ban has been lifted. You were a trending topic #hobicandate is nr two on Twitter. If you met your soulmate last year, it would've been raised earlier. ARMY is so eager to date you cause they know Jin-Hyung, Taehyung, and now I received our soulmates. They can't wait to hear that their sunshine met his...are you still adamant about rejecting the poor girl if she appears in your life."

Jhope scoff and pursed his lips. He kept his expression impassive, not to indicate how the simple question rattled him. No one can know that he already met and rejected the bond a few days ago. Suppose felt like eons of years.

He looks at Yoongi with an underline sadness in his tone," Yoongi -Hyung...I really can't deal with two girls vying for my attention. It's too much for me...I feel so stressed out nowadays?"

Yoongi furrows his eyebrows and clicks his tongue, "Please don't tell me that Dove-intern gives you problems. She always looks at you with desire...you sure you're not again secretly hooking up with her...please tell me ...you not...She hurt you too much."

Jhope snorts, "No, don't worry. I'm not going there ever again. She accepts my friendship." But he isn't so sure of it. With his soulmate's appearance, his emotions are sure in overdrive.

Yoongi scoff and look at Hobi with disbelief," Dove wants friendship? Don't let me catch a rattlesnake, Hobi. That intern wants you bad..."

Jhope shoves Yoongi at the shoulder. Yoongi winced a little at the discomfort. Hobi widens his eyes, "Oh, gosh Hyung, ...I'm so sorry...did ...did I hurt your shoulder?"

Yoongi shook his head and rubbed his shoulder," Not really, it's a little sensitive Akira help me a lot. That girl has healing hands. I want her-" he trails off, jump up from the sofa to look for his pain killers, unable to complete his sentence.

Unbeknownst to him, Jhope felt the blood drained from his face. What the...

Jhope eyes widen, and his jaws dropped. Akira...his Akira and Yoongi...

He tried to speak, but his voice only came out strangled," Err...Y..you want ...AKIRA?"

Yoongi looks surprised at Hobi until he realized what he said. Hobi looked openly shocked.

Yoongi throws his hands on his mouth and snorts out loud, "Oh, gosh no!!!...not like that...whoa, I'm not a cheater...I love my soulmate with all of my heart.No, don't misinterpret me. I want her to come and work exclusively for me." He popped a pill in his mouth and gulped down with water.

Jhope breath hitch painfully in his troat.No no, please no. It will be unbearable with her presence at his agency.

"Y..you want the girl to ...to work for you...why...what can she do?" He stuttered it out. He wanted to curse FATE.

Yoongi smile widely, "Oh, you so hated on that cute girl...Akira is a college graduate ...a registered Physiotherapist. She's an awesome massager. The way her fingers just know which muscles to tackle...heavenly. She's so well trained, better than my doctor or his physio," he wiggles his eyebrows, "she must show my girl how to do it. If I didn't have a soulmate...well!"

He laughs when he looks at the sour expressions mirrored on Hobi's cute face. He didn't know his soulmate was a graduate. She seemed very young still.

" Don't talk about her like that...isn't she bonded to flirt with you like that? "Hobi hates feeling this vulnerable, having jealous feelings about his soulmate and other boys. His band member likes her and wants her to come and work for him. Not on his watch!!

Yoongi burst out of laughter, "Oh, my word Hobi!!..you sound so protective of Akira, and you hated her from the start...she is already bonded, so don't fear...I'm a one-woman man. But our president was smitten with her...accent, "Yoongi snickers.

Hope doesn't like it one bit. Just because he denied the bond doesn't mean she can prey on his band members or make them like her. Namjoon is already dating a rap star. It's a secret fling. The media thinks their best friend, but he came clean to the Hyungs cause the maknae-line got a blabbermouth.

"D..did she tell you who ...who she's bonded to?..seeing that you are so...well acquainted."Hobi croaks it out, and he felt himself getting sweaty, and he had to wipe his face vigorously with his hands. Just talking about his soulmate made him experience all kinds of emotions, which he hates. His bond is craving for his soulmate.

Yoongi smile, "No, she didn't tell us...I've already got her number from her brother. Kenichi, But the only dilemma we sit with is ...you!"

Jhope jumps up from the sofa with shock written on his face...o my gosh...they can't now...they will ruin him.

"Me!" Jhope look flabbergasted.

Yoongi smile slightly, "yeah...you! Relax Hobs. She is so scared of you, Hobi...She is not a stalker ...She genuinely got lost on our floor...please, I like her to come work for me for two weeks before she leaves for good to Busan. Can you just be civil when she agrees, please? "

Jhope looks at Yoongi with an undefine expression in his eyes. He is in a betwixt. His mind and heart are fighting now for dominance. His reason rejects it, but his heart yearns for her to be here. Jhope felt the cold shivers running through his spine. He knows she will be a dangerous addition to his company. She and Dove...not good.

Dove already seems to dislike her, and she doesn't even know the actual state of his bonding relationship with Akira. So how will he pull it off? When they are in each other's presence...strange things happen in the air around them. They will be exposed.

This girl will be the death of him.." Do you really want her to work here, Yoongs?... I ...I don't like her...if she agrees...promise me to keep her far away from me...at all times. Please." Hobis' face looks solemn.

Yoongi looked stunned," Oh Hobi...what did the wretched girl sin so bad to be in your bad books..."He kept quiet when he see the disgusted look in Hobi's eyes. He never experiences this harsh side of Hobi. He is always light-hearted and optimistic, but this Akira takes out the stormy weather in him.

He knows his bro can be easily offended, but this is not Hobi. Maybe it's the stress of the mixtape release, or it's the girl who reminded him about the saseang stalker. The same girl also stalked Taehyung a few months ago.

He remembered early after their debut days...how that saseang fan slipped into Hobi's room. She stole his items, like his socks, comb, toothbrush, and even waited in a cupboard until he went to sleep...She even took video footage of herself caressing his hair while sleeping...kissing his cheek softly...She went so far as cutting a piece of his hair as a token.

She wanted to show the world that she can be closer to her object of obsession...than their ARMY could even dream off... Hobi woke up abruptly when he felt someone softly kissing his lips. It was so creepy to watch it on the video camera.

He screamed so loud, he couldn't sleep alone in a hotel room for a very long time...needless to say...that hotel came into big trouble because the girl was a staff member...a newly appointed one.

Hobi was traumatized for life. The Bighit let the girl be arrested. The media revealed that this saseang was the same one who stalked a member of a well-known pop group. As a result, the band member left the pop world due to trauma, anxiety, and stress.

Since then, management and their bodyguards made double sure that their boys are safe. The poor Akira girl reminded Hobi about the incident. First impressions last longer. It will take a long time for Hobi to warm up to Akira.

"Just keep her at bay...I don't want her anywhere near me...promise me..." He looks Yoongi square in the eyes.

Yoongi furrows his brows and nod in a confused manner, "Okay...by I don't know why you overreact so much?...Akira is a very nice girl Hobi, she's quiet...and -"

"I don't care..."He loudly interrupts but then quietly sat down, wiping his face with a nervous gesture, looking apologetically at a very shocked Yoongi."...I'm sorry, Yoongs...I didn't mean to shout...She just scared me severely...every time I...I looked at her...it reminded me...it's just..."

Yoongi nodded in understanding. He pats Hobi on his shoulders, "I get it...if she agrees...I'll brief her...to stay away from you, ok...Hobi. I'm so sorry that you've been traumatized again."

Jhope nods a silent, "thank you." He suddenly felt so vulnerable in front of his observant Hyung.

"Yoongs, I need to go see Pdogg on level 3. Do you need me to give him the lyrics...He and a few composers will come together later today." Then, he offered, he stood up to leave.

"Na, I'll e-mail it with the melody...thanks anyway..." Jhope sigh and walked to the door until Yoongi called him back. He turns and glances at his Hyung.

"Hobi, everything will work out fine...that trauma shall also pass. So don't worry, ok...I have your back.' He wants his friend to know he'll always be there for him.

"Thanks, Hyung...see you later. Namjoon told me he'd be leaving soon. He wants to buy something. Jin-Hyung sends him to do an errand on his way home. You came together, so must I wait for you?" He informed Yoongi about RM.

Yoongi shook his head, "No, I'll give him a call and go with him. I need something also...see you later then."

"Ok," with that said, he left the GeniusLab.

He quickly gets to his office. Tidy up, gather his belonging, his new fluffy satchel bag. He doesn't know what it was, but this satchel is his new favorite item. He feels so much at peace, its smell defines, and the underlying scent tantalizes his senses. He is totally in love with it. It got various zipper compartments that he still needs to explore. He can put his wallet, keys practically every item got its place.

He smiles and locked his door, taking the private elevator to a floor down.

When he stepped out, he almost toppled over a figure in front of him because he was so in his own world thinking about his soulmate.

He grabs the figure by the arms to stabilize the person. When he got aware, he looked down and with shock starred into the face of the last person he wanted to see...Little Dove.

Dove looks up with mouth ajar as she blatantly stared up into Seoki's eyes.

"Dove..."Hobi softly uttered. He was still holding her by the arms until he quickly let her go"...sorry...are you ok?"

The proximity she had with the object of her affection was letting her pulse react in overdrive. She looks up into his eyes and quickly took his hand in hers. He looks at her, confused.

"Seoki...can...can I talk to you quickly...please?"
She needs to settle the matter about him and Akira asap. She couldn't sleep for almost four days, worrying about him and Akira.

Hobi sigh, "Can we do it another time?... I need to see Pdogg-"

He doesn't have the time to deal with her now. He knows exactly what she wanted to talk to him about

"Please, Seoki..." her big doe eyes were looking deep into his. Hobi inhaled sharply. Why does she still have such an effect on him?

"Ok, Dove, but please be quick...I'm tired, and I need to be at home now."

They went to an office near the elevator. It's one of the offices that is usually utilized for a quick briefing. He follows Dove in. She turns quickly and closes the door for privacy, not wanting anyone to see them together.

She turned to him. Even if he looked tired, he still made her heart raced. She loves him so much, and the thought of losing him drives her crazy.

He looked at her, waiting for her to speak, "What is it, Dove?"

She looked at him with her hands nervously, playing with her long wavy hair.

"Seoki, first of all...happy birthday... I couldn't wish you for obvious reasons, in front of the others... " she nervously stood in front of him, looking up at him with hooded eyes. Hobi furrows his brows and wonders why she looked at him like that.

"Can I...?" He looks utterly confused," do this..." She stood on her tippy toes, slide her arms on his shoulders and kiss him softly on the lips.

Hobi's eyes widen at the brief kiss she gave him; unwanted desires and ancient memories wanted to break to the forefront of his mind. He misses kissing her, but he had to gird himself in strength not to give in and kiss her with reckless abandon.

Hobi briefly closed his eyes and exhaled relief when she stepped away from him. Fortunately for him. Dove couldn't decipher his uneven breath, his sweaty hands, and restraint. Another beautiful face morphs into Doves, and he had to blink twice to make sure it wasn't the girl he rejected.

Why is she talking over his mind?

Dove smile when she senses no anger from his demeanor. Maybe he is warming up to her.

He frowned when she took something out from her bag. It was a little gift box, like for small jewelry items. She hands it to him with a small smile.

He looks at her, and she gestured for him to take it. His eyes widen when he opens the gift box. Inside is a sterling silver pendant with a beautiful signature. A dove and the word hope. Gosh, where did she get this?

"Whoa," he quietly lifts it in the light to examine it. It is beautiful.

Dove look at him with an undefine emotion in her eyes, " I...I know I mess up big time, Seoki, and ruin our chances to complete our bucket list...but if you allow me...can you please give me another chance?" She gestured to the silver pendant." please put it on."She pleads.

Hobi silently put the beautiful necklace on without uttering a single word. On her bucket list for him was, she'll buy him a Hobi (Hope)necklace with her name symbol even if it cost a fortune. For his 25th bday. It was supposed to be the same for him to buy her the Hope promise ring.

"Thank you, Dove " he kissed her softly on the cheek. She just smiled widely.

"But I don't know, Dove...a lot of things changed ...we changed...we cannot always get what ..." She lifts her hands to stop him...He looks strangely sad.

"Seoki, I'm so sorry for the pain and suffering I caused you five years ago. I was stupid and naive...but I've never stopped loving you. This year was supposed to be our marriage and starting our family together...can't we make up Seoki...I'll work all my life to grovel and get your total forgiveness." She stood right in front of him.

"I forgave you a long time ago, Dove...but things are complicated right now" he looked at her apologetically. He has a soulmate that no one knows about. So he has to deal with those confusing feelings also.

She shook her head, sadly caressing his chest with her palm. She felt him shiver under her soft touch. Yet, inwardly she felt triumph because he is clearly not immune against her. She knows he still has feelings for her. Intense feelings.

"Dove, please ...you promise ...to settle for friendship...I'm not ready to date or anything," he stammers it out. She unnerved him.

Dove snakes her arms around his shoulders, caressing his back and look him deep in his eyes, "Seoki...we can make it work... I'm yellow stringed....when you meet your soulmate ...you'll see FATE will also give you that string, and then we can rebuild our life...together. We are meant to be...even our families expect us to be together."

Jhope deeply inhaled and looked down on Dove. Gosh, she is so beautiful and alluring. How will he be able to cope with two girls and a challenging career?

He knows he loves Dove, but the Soulmate bond made him lose piece by piece of that affection for Dove. He is dreaming every night about Y/n.The very person FATE matches him with. He hates it...but loves it at the same time.

The one destined for him. The purest, most passionate love. He wants that...but with who? How can he choose between the two girls? He needs his soulmate ..like oxygen, but his feelings for Dove run deep...

The girl he loved all his life vs. his soulmate who forced him to love. How will he win against FATE...?

Dove pulls off her most innocent look, licking her glossy lips as she felt Hobi stiffen against her."I missed us...I miss our kisses ...I miss you, Seoki."

"Dove, you don't play fair...you promise me...remember." He looks frustrated...He wants to kiss her so bad. But he cannot hold him any longer.

She smiles softly up to him, knowing full well that Seoki cannot resist her any longer, " Seoki...just a small kiss..I...I miss you," she whispers against his lips...He looks down at her, at her eyes full of promises and those luscious lips...just one ...kiss...a little one...

They slowly lean in, Dove felt how Seoki softly cupped her face, and his soft lips touch hers unsurely, her trembling lips part slightly as Seoki lips started to move slowly against hers. Then, pecking her lips with feather-like kisses, kissing her on her neck, She felt how her body ignite in flames as his lips moving to her jawline and then back to her lips. They were both breathing deeply, anticipating the kiss.

Longing for each other for five long, lonely years...

Her fingers started to play with his soft hair at the back of his nape, pulling him softly down to her level. She felt his hands tangled in her long hair as he was just about to deepen the kiss...

...his phone rang ... immediately breaking the magic and releasing him to sober up from Dove's enchantment.

Jhope inhaled deeply when his lips left hers slowly, looking into big eyes. Dove closes her eyes in frustration. Why is FATE against her?

Who the hell has the audacity to break the spell?

They were just about to embark on their long-awaited make-out session. But, gosh, their kiss didn't even gain momentum, leaving her frustrated and all hot and bothered.

Jhope looks at his ID -caller, Pdogg, and then looks at her with a calculating look, " Dove...this should've never happened...forget it please...it's over between us... I need to go."

He turned around to leave...but Dove pulls him back by the arm and quickly block his way. Her eyes started to tear up. He can't leave her like this. It's never over. How hard must she fight?

"We love each other, Seoki... you wanted me as much as I wanted you...why are you fighting it?" Her tears are now flowing freely.

Jhope looks at her and sighs," It's too complicated now, Dove?"

Dove shook her head, "It's not..." she looks at him with teary eyes with a stunned expression, " or.... are you attracted to that dancers' sister...Akira?" She looks at him deep in the eyes, but Hobi paled visibly, but his eyes don't show any expression...

Jhope clenched his teeth, hearing the name of his unwanted Soulmate," No, I don't like her...nor am I interested in her...stop concerning yourself with her...she's no one."

But the thumping of his heart spoke volumes.

Dove wiped her eyes, "I'm just checking...You had a moment a few days ago and...and you took her home ...I was scared. So you do know what's about to happen this weekend at your home when you and I will leave together for Gwangju?"

Jhope furrows his brows, "What do you mean leaving together?...how do you know I'm going home?" Does she keep tabs on him?

"Your parents, I'm visiting them with my parents .... you reach 25 years ...they will be discussing our terms of engagement." She smiled a little smugly at his dropped jaws and openly widened eyes. The blood drained from Seoki's face a second time.

"What!!!" Are they crazy...the bucket list is already null and void...why now? He will be forced to get clean about his bonding, and he can't do that. What a freaking mess!!!

Jhope turn flabbergasted around and dashed out of the office. Leaving a smirking Dove behind...

She pursed her lips and narrowed her beautiful eyes...

No one is going to stand in the way of their happiness...Seoki is hers...and always will be...

A/n. Poor Hobi...Dove played her trump card well. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote if you liked it.

A big shout out to our new readers. I hope you enjoy the Soulbound Series.