Second Chance (Taekook)

CHAPTER - 23

Love in the Limelight

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Taehyung stood in front of his closet, contemplating his outfit for the evening. He could feel the anticipation bubbling inside him—a mixture of excitement and mischief. Tonight wasn't just any birthday party; it was the stage for his grand performance, the unveiling of his carefully crafted plan.

"I don't understand why you're getting ready as if you're going on a date. It's just Mi Kwan's birthday party," his mother questioned.

"Mom, I wouldn't have put in so much effort if it was just a simple party. I'm Jeongguk's date, Mom. Jeongguk's. I want to look good; I have to look good. Now tell me how I look!" Taehyung replied, panicking.

"You look beautiful, Bear. Jeongguk is definitely going to fall for you," his mom said, winking at him, which made him turn red.

"Mom! Don't tease me. Go, Dad is calling you," Taehyung whined.

"Okay, I'm going, but Bear, you really do look good. Just trust me," his mom said sincerely before leaving the room.

After a little while, Taehyung received a message from Jeongguk saying he was outside, waiting for him. He dashed downstairs, shouting a quick "bye" to his parents, who scolded him for running on the stairs. As he reached the door, his heart raced, and his palms grew sweaty. Nerves began to creep in, but he took a deep breath, steadied himself, and opened the door.

Jeongguk stood outside, leaning against his car, waiting for Taehyung. Dressed all in black, as usual, he looked effortlessly cool. His coat hugged his frame, revealing hints of his muscles. Tattoos peeked out from beneath the fabric, and his multiple ear piercings gave him the allure of a handsome model. The small mole under his lip and the scar on his cheek were especially tempting to Taehyung.

Do you believe in magic? Taehyung didn't, not really. The moment he first laid eyes on Jeongguk upon returning to this life, he found himself believing in magic after all.

The emotions he experienced at that moment mirrored those he felt now, seeing Jeongguk standing there. He felt destined to love Jeongguk with a passion he couldn't quite articulate. Taehyung was grateful for his cursed past life that had drawn him back to Jeongguk; for him, it was a blessing.

At times, this journey of time travel and rebirth felt like a wild dream, but if it were a dream, he wished for it to become reality. It all seemed so impossible—that he could return, that he could find Jeongguk again, the one person in the world who fit him so completely and made him feel ecstatic and loved.

Taehyung would occasionally glance over to admire Jeongguk as he engaged in seemingly inconsequential activities when they were together. Those little moments sparked an unexplainable warmth in Taehyung's heart.

He couldn't believe he was the lucky one sharing these small, seemingly insignificant moments with Jeongguk. He never imagined this would be the essence of his wildest dreams, but he was so grateful they had come true.

When Jeongguk heard the sound of a door opening, he looked up from his phone and suddenly felt as if he couldn't breathe.

Taehyung wore a white shirt beneath a tailored black suit, with a red scarf tied elegantly around his neck. His messy hair added a unique charm to his look, making him utterly beautiful.

For Jeongguk, calling Taehyung simply beautiful was an understatement. Taehyung was as stunning as the final rays of sunset, illuminating an endless ocean—a painted masterpiece that could drive an artist exasperated with the realization they could never create anything so perfect.