~ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ : ᴊᴜɴɢᴋᴏᴏᴋ (ᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ)~

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Seohwa's POV~

It was night time. The clock was ticking eight. The storm outside was relentless. Rain lashed against the windows as if some entity was trying to claw its way inside. The wind howled through the narrow gaps in the apartment walls, replicating the way wolves howl in a forest.

Every few moments, thunder rumbled, sending shivers down my spine, followed by flashes of lightning that illuminated the dimly lit room for brief, eerie seconds.

I was folding my daughter's clothes. I flinched as another deafening roar of thunder resonated through the sky. Suddenly, I felt a pair of small arms wrap around my waist. I chuckled, immediately recognizing who it was.

"Eomma...," Junghwa whispered, her hands trembling as she clutched onto me tightly.

"Aww, my baby...," I turned around and picked her up in my arms. She nuzzled her face into my neck and wrapped her legs around my torso, clinging onto me as if I were a teddy bear.

Another flash of lightning illuminated the room and a roar of thunder crashed. Junghwa flinched and hugged me even tighter, whimpering, "Eomma... I'm scared!"

Her small body trembled as she stared outside the window. I rubbed her back soothingly, comforting her, "Sshh... sweetheart. Eomma is here. Don't be afraid!"

She nuzzled her face deeper into my neck, her voice muffled, "The thunder is scary..."

I chuckled softly, "I know, baby. But it can't hurt you. It's just loud... That's it," I assured her, pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Suddenly, my phone started to buzz on the nightstand. I frowned. Who could it be at this hour? I slowly bent and picked up my phone with one hand, checking the unread message.

It was from the group chat of Nexora Corporations - the company where I worked. Mr. Jeon had sent a text. What's up with him now?!

Mr. Jeon (CEO): All the staff of the higher levels are to be gather at the office at 9 P.M. sharp. The client is about to arrive for a meet-up.

DON'T BE LATE.

I huffed, exasperated. Is he serious?! In the middle of a thunderstorm?! I gripped my phone tighter and clenched my jaw.

I couldn't risk getting fired. So, it left me with no other choice but to leave for office, in the middle of a heavy thunderstorm.

Screw you, Jungkook.

»»---->

I dressed up in my professional attire and put on a raincoat to prevent myself from getting wet.

"Is it that important?" Seokjin's voice, with a hint of annoyance in it, resonated behind me.

I glanced at him and huffed, "What can I do? Jeon is asserting his authority."

He gritted his teeth and cursed, "That bastard... What's the need for a meeting at nine at night and that too during a heavy thunderstorm?!" his voice came out louder as he expressed his rage over the man he hated the most.

I sighed, shaking my head lightly, "The client wanted to meet up."

"Such a goddamn fool!" he retorted, his eyes sharp, expressing hatred and anger, "It's a harassment for the employees!"

I took a deep breath and walked towards him. I forced out a smile, "I know it is. But... can we do anything about it?" I shook my head, "Nothing but to just face it."

Seokjin sighed, running his hand through his hair. He knew I was right but still... he was a protective older brother who could never see his baby sister struggle.

He huffed, "I know, Seohwa but...," he stared at me, his eyes filled with concern, "Nevermind... At least have the dinner?" he looked at me with pleading eyes.

I sighed, glancing over at the clock, "I'll be late, oppa. Don't worry, I'll try to return as soon as possible," I assured him.

»»---->

By the time I stepped out of my apartment, the storm had worsened. Wind whipped my soaked hair around my face as I struggled to keep my umbrella steady. I tried to wear my raincoat cap securely, to prevent my hair from getting soaked further, but it just didn't work. The rain pounded against the pavement, forming huge puddles of rainwater.

I was just about to call a taxi when a familiar voice called from behind me, through the downpour.

"Seohwa!"

I immediately recognized the voice. I turned back to see a black car a few metres away from me. In the driver's seat, it was Hoseok!

I blinked in surprise, "Hoseok? What are you doing here?"

He grinned and waved at me, gesturing me to come over, "I saw Mr. Jeon's text in the group chat. And... I live nearby too. I was driving to the office when I saw you...," he glanced at me up and down and pouted, noticing how drenched I was, despite of wearing a raincoat.

Suddenly, he opened the door of the passenger's seat, "Get in. I'll give you a ride."

It was a heavy downpour. And nothing would be better than getting some help to reach the office.

I gladly accepted Hoseok's offer, giving him a grateful smile, "Thank you, Hoseok. You're a life saver, truly!"

Hoseok shyly waved at me, "Ah, don't say that. I can't see a lady suffer like that, especially when she's my colleague," he winked at me.

»»---->

The emergency meeting ended after an hour and the client retreated. It turned out to be a complete waste of time! The client could have met up any other day but no. He HAD to harass the employees. I huffed in exasperation, glaring at the client secretly as he exited the Conference Hall.

I heard a laugh coming from my side, "I can feel you, Seohwa."

It's Hoseok.

I looked at him and sighed, giving out an annoyed smile, "Such a waste of time."

He shook his head, rolling his eyes, "They think we're some machines or something."

I huffed, gently tapping my wet skirt, "Exactly!"

Hoseok got up from the chair, "I guess I'll get a cup of Americano from the cafe downstairs. Need something to improve my mood," he flashed me a bright smile, "Would you like one, too?"

I smiled back, shaking my head, "I'm alright, Hoseok. Thank you for asking me."

He chuckled, "Don't thank me, lady," he winked at me and showed me a finger heart.

I giggled at his warm behavior. Hoseok always managed to make me feel better. Talking to him always felt like we had known each other for ages. He was a cheerful and warm person and almost everyone in the office liked him- well, his personality in particular.

I was so lost in my conversation with Hoseok that I didn't realize someone else was there in the room too...

»»---->

Jungkook's POV~

The client finally retreated after wrapping up the damn emergency meeting. Oh! What a harassment! I told him that it was not a good idea to call up the employees after work hours, especially during a heavy thunderstorm.

But no. Goddamn bastard.

I huffed, rubbing my forehead as I took a deep breath. I gathered the documents and the files together and got up to leave.

Just then, I heard a series of laughter, echoing from the other side of the room. My head snapped to the source of the sound. And... my eyes widened as if I had seen a ghost.

Seohwa... with Mr. Jung?! They're laughing... together?!

My eyes darkened as I glared at them. I balled my fists, so hard that my knuckles turned white when I saw him show her a finger heart.

How dare he? Oh, HOW DARE HE?! I mentally yelled. She's mine! How dare he show her a finger heart?! And Seohwa... She's just so casual with it? How?! I wanted to pull my hair due to the frustration growing inside me.

I watched him exit, leaving Seohwa in the room alone - with me.

I noticed her gaze fall onto me and how she immediately tensed up. That frustrated me even more. Wow, you can go on laughing with another man. And here, when you're alone with me, you tense up?!

She gathered her belongings hastily, trying to escape from me as if I were some monster, who would gobble her up.

As she was about to make her way out, I grabbed her wrist.

"We need to talk," I said, my voice ice-cold.

»»---->

Seohwa's POV~

My heart dropped when I felt a strong grip on my wrist, preventing me from exiting the room. I instantly knew who it was.

"We need to talk."

A shiver ran down my spine as he spoke in his ice-cold tone. I swallowed hard, gathering the courage to face him. You have to, Seohwa. Do it, come on.

I slowly turned my head towards him, my nervous eyes meeting his cold, dark ones. He was glaring into my soul.

I huffed, trying not to sound scared, "What-"

Suddenly, I pulled me towards him, my body hitting his buff chest. He shut the door harshly with a loud 'thud' and pinned me to the nearest wall, caging me between his body and the wall.

I gasped sharply, my eyes widening as I stared at him in disbelief. He leaned in closer, towering over me. I could even feel his hot breath against my neck. It sent shivers down my spine and I could feel my breath get stuck in my throat.

I placed my hands on his chest, in an attempt to push him away, "W-What are y-you doing, Mr. Jeon...?! Get away-"

I yelped when he grabbed my wrists and held them together. He smirked, "Enjoyed laughing with that man, huh?" he spoke in a cold tone.

He leaned in closer, his eyes boring into mine, "Who's he?" he spoke in a demanding tone.

I stared into his eyes back as I stuttered, "W-What do y-you mean...? H-He's my colleague!"

"Just a 'colleague'?" he chuckled sarcastically, "Or something more, sweetheart?"

"Don't call me that!" I glared at him, my eyes filled with hatred, "And he's just my colleague."

His eyes darkened at my tone, "Well... Why did it seem to me that he is something more to you?"

"More...?" I stared at him in disbelief.

"Mm... Your husband? Is it that guy? Jung Hoseok?" he looked into my eyes, his gaze still stoic but with a hint of curiosity.

I scoffed, "No. He's not," my glare intensified, "And even if he is, what is it to you?"

"What is it to me?" he chuckled bitterly. He gripped my chin and lifted up my face so that I glared right into his eyes, "I'd do anything to... pull him away from you, babe," he spoke dangerously.

"Don't call me that! And why? Why will you take my husband away from me?" I said, my growing rage evident in my voice.

"Because you're mine. Only mine," his grip on my chin tightened, "You don't get it, do you? It burns me when I see you everyday. My hands itch to hold you in my arms like I used to. It breaks my heart when I see you all in smiles with another man but all tensed up around me. Why? Why are you avoiding me?" his voice is laced with a hint of pain.

"Because you're nothing to me. You're my worst nightmare," I spat it out bitterly.

"Bullshit," he snapped, "We were everything! I loved you and you loved me. We are made for each other, Seohwa," his eyes carried a ton of emotions - pain, anger, misery and... a sense of longing.

"Six years ago, you left me. You don't get to bring up the past when you were the one who walked away," I clenched my fists and snapped.

His expression turned pained as he stared at me with guilty eyes. He went silent for a moment, looking away as he was trying to find the right words to express himself, "I was stupid. I regret it everyday! I know it was my fault. I'm... I'm sorry...," his voice was softer now.

But it somehow made me even more frustrated. I pushed him away harshly, making him stumble backwards,"Screw you! That was past! That was six years ago! I have moved on!" my tone was bitter.

"You might have but I haven't!" he snapped, his voice louder this time.

I chuckled bitterly as I stared at him in disbelief, "You haven't? Wow!" I gritted my teeth as my gaze fell on his left hand, that gleaming engagement ring catching my attention in a mere second, "Then, where is the damn promise ring? Huh?"

He clenched his jaw and looked away. I laughed bitterly, "You have a fiancee. Go back to her! Leave my back."

"I don't love her," he blurted out nonchalantly, "I never loved her, neither will I ever."

His eyes were watery as he stepped closer and gently took my hand in his. His breaths were ragged as he spoke, "I love you. More than anything."

It hit my heart with a pang. I was still weak for him. But no. I couldn't show it. I tried to free myself from his grasp and murmured, "Liar..."

But his grip on my hand tightened, his voice hoarse with emotion as he spoke, "You have no idea how much I've missed you, how much I've ached for you... I love you so much," his eyes carried pain, "A bit too much. I've longed for you every single day."

I still glared at him, "So what? I'm m-married now and... I-I have a daughter!" I lied the first part.

He shook his head vehemently, "I don't care about that. I don't care about your goddamn husband. Leave him!"

I snapped, "I need my family! Not you!"

"I'll be a better husband!" he yelled, catching me off-guard, "I'll... I-I will even adopt your daughter! I'll be a better father! Please... please be with me... I can't live without you..."

I turned my head away, breaking the eye contact. I couldn't bear looking at him when he looked so vulnerable.

"Please...," he begged, "Give me a chance... I'll never leave you again... I promise-"

I yanked my hand away and rushed away from the Conference Hall. I didn't look back once.

No... I can't take him back. No. It'll ruin my already short life. I can't let him ruin my daughter's life.

Even though, I felt weak for a moment, my deep feelings for him surfacing, I pushed it down and kept my strong, stoic demeanor in display.

Good job, Seohwa. I complimented myself.

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Huff... Here I am with the next update! I seriously completed this chapter within a day, all thanks to my anxiety. I'm seriously anxious for my final results tomorrow and I wrote for the whole day today so that I could keep myself calm.

Anyways, I hope to publish Chapter 4 and 5 sooner because I have already drafted 500+ words of Chapter 4 and 1000+ words of Chapter 5 (my favourite chapter hehe). Just a small information, Chapter 5 will be longer *wink*. I'll try (not guaranteed) to complete this book by 10th of April because I'll be offline for a week after that.

I hope this chapter was worth it. And pray for me tomorrow *crying*.

Stay tuned. 💜