Abyss - Kim Seokjin AU Fanfiction

i | The Rose Garden

The room was filled with the bustle of people shuffling inside. They greeted him with congratulations and smiles on his recent engagement. Each guest that passed had a warm, endeared look to their eyes along with a hint of confusion. Of course, they were confused. What future groom greets the guests without his bride?

Jin's eyes scanned the room for her. Nothing. She was nowhere to be found. Panic began to well from the pit of his stomach. There was absolutely no way she would miss this event. She wanted this. This was her idea. His mind began to enumerate reasons why he should scold her after the stunt she was pulling in her engagement party, he couldn't help but think maybe...

White anemones and light blue wisterias dangled from the ceiling - her favorite flowers. The cream, dried bunny tail bouquets at the center of the table stood out against the deep velvet green table cloth that Jin requested. Everything seemed to be in order. In fifteen minutes future bride and groom would have to say their welcoming speech. Where the fuck was she?

* * * * * * * 

Ela sat on the bay window with a bottle of her prescription medication on her lap. She let the bottle roll back and forth on the skirt of her dress. Shimmering fine silk draped over her body like water, deep green, leaning blue. She looked like Daphne, the nymph pursued by Apollo as she bathed by the river. She had a dreadful end too, and Ela thought maybe she would have the same fate.

She lifted the bottle, examining the contents. Patient: Elara Young. There were eighteen tablets in the bottle. If she downed three just to muster the courage to stand outside with Jin, then she would have little left for the week. She could not do this sober. Absolutely not.

Ela could not stand herself. Aside from the copious amounts of red wine she had been drinking every night, she managed to refill her pill bottle once more this week. She was progressively getting worse. Was she trying to kill herself? No, that was laughable. What she really was trying to do was get through the marriage process without being sober. She did not want to remember anything.

She looked out into the garden. Light drops of rain began to fall from the sky onto the rose bushes that hedged the estate. It was difficult to procure a property in the Western-style like this one, but Jin's family managed it. They had mentioned to their friends that their son would be needing this for their engagement party.

Ela had been sitting beside Jin's mother while they had dinner three weeks ago. His mother had caught her staring at the greenhouse fondly and thought it would be a beautiful venue for this event. On that same night, she had overheard Jin and his parents arguing about the engagement. Unable to stop herself, she leaned closer to the door to make the muffled voices clear.

"I don't see what the problem is Seokjin." His mother's tone is steady.

"The problem is, I didn't want it to be like this." His voice was raised, and Jin stomped his foot on the hardwood floor. "I had plans! I had an entire-"

"That's enough." His father interjected. "Whether you like it or not, you will marry her."

"Appa please-" Jin's voice croaked as if he had been punched in the gut. He continued, "Please I, just let me do this my way. I promise to do whatever you want. I am already preparing to take over the firm as you planned for me! Let me do this one thing on my own!" He demanded.

"Your mother and I worked very hard for you. And we will not be here for very long. Elara is a smart girl. She is good and will take care of you."

"Appa..." Jin's voice became distant as Ela walked away from the office doors. With one hand covering her mouth she stifled a cry, and bile that was rising up her throat. She ran to the nearest restroom and vomited what was supposed to be the risotto they had for dinner.

Ela shuddered as soon as that memory resurfaced. Without hesitation she opened the bottle and took three pills out. She moved to her vanity to pour herself a glass of water when the door to the bedroom opened and Jin appeared. The moment he saw the pills in her hand, he began to fume.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

She looked at him blankly, confused by his anger. Ela took a step back quickly taking the pills to her mouth, but Jin had already grabbed her hand. In two short steps, her back was against the wall, hands gripped to her sides. Her eyes landed on the three pills that were now splotches of powder on the area rug. 

"I needed those." She said calmly, turning her head to the side to avoid his gaze.

"For what?" He asked. "Couldn't you at least stay sober? Just one fucking day Elara."

Elara. Her name sounded different on his lips. There was a hint of disdain, bitter like whiskey, and somehow just as smooth as his voice reverberated in her ear. His breath grazed her cheek. Their foreheads were pressed together, and Jin's bangs fell over her eyes.

"Jin please..." Ela tried her best to break free from his grasp but it was no use. He pressed himself closer to keep her still. The more she moved, the lesser space there was between them. "I just need to calm myself down."

The look in her eyes could have fooled anyone. But he knew her, he knew the way her eyes flicked to the left when she lied, just as she was doing now. Ela remained steady not meeting his gaze. On top of the guilt she had, another emotion began to grow in her core. Desire.