The Art of Revenge

Chapter 3

For the brief, quiet moments after you stepped into Jungkook's foyer, your nerves slipped away as you forgot why you were in his home at all. As mentioned, you hadn't gotten a good look at the inside of the house the one and only time you had been there. You had a tent, and only entered through the mudroom to use the toilet and - if you were lucky - the shower.

But now, walking through the front door, and stepping into the main space bathed in the bright, warming light of the sun, you were awe-struck. The entire interior was made of poplar wood - from the live-edge wall planks, the trunk beams, to the paneled ceiling. The natural orange shade of the wood wasn't over-bearing or too rustic - perhaps because Jungkook's furniture and decor was so airy and light. Most rooms opened to each other, yet were divided by a slight change in elevation, with the main hall acting essentially as a catwalk between them all. To the right was the living room, which was about three stair steps below where you stood. Its West-facing wall was nothing but tall glass windows. The North wall, of course, had a large, stone fireplace that looked as if it should have several antlers displayed above it. The back of the living room was lined with some more stairs - two-steps up to the kitchen area, and five-steps up to what you assumed was some sort of dining room nook. There were so many windows. So much natural light.

You peered ahead through the hall, and noticed a few more doors and openings - all also trimmed with stair cases that either took you up or down. Although you couldn't see much of it, the space at the end of the hall was pure white, and de-elevated a bit deeper than the rest of the rooms. You assumed it was his studio - there was no other reason to cover up such beautiful architecture if it weren't for functionality. Your eyes followed another set of stairs upwards, and you noticed there was a partial second level. Just a straight hallway, leading to what you assumed were two bedrooms and maybe a bathroom. It was lined with wrought iron banisters, which overlooked the many rooms below.

"Victoria's Secret?" You were suddenly jolted out of your trance, jumping slightly as you were reminded that Jungkook was standing just behind you.

"Sorry?" you twisted around, looking at him confused.

"Your bag," he nodded to the wide, stiff paper shopping bag you had clutched in your hands. "You did a little shopping?"

"Oh!" you looked down to see the company's name scrolled across the paper, which at one point only housed your wedding lingerie. "I, um, didn't really go home after... everything. This is my suitcase for now, I guess," you shrugged.

"Makes sense. There's not a lot of those types of fancy stores on the way up here."

"Yeah," you smiled, thinking of how difficult it was to find even a discount store. "Sorry to disappoint. If things were different, I would have come... better prepared."

Jungkook's mouth curved, and you liked what it implied. He was thinking about you... and lingerie... and you liked how the image it painted reflected in his eyes. He stepped towards you, slowly and casually - not in any way aggressive or threatening. But - it felt threatening as he closed the space between you. Threatening in a thrilling way. You once again became hyper aware of his size, of his tall legs and broad shoulders, feeling like you were being dwarfed by his physicality as well his mere existence. His eyes were on yours, glinting with a touch of mischief as he stepped just too suggestively close to you. Then he bent slightly at the waist, and you felt his fingers brush over yours as he grabbed a hold of the string handles of your bag.

"Lemme help you with your suitcase, then" he said, a wry grin teasing his lips as he curved his tongue around the words, and slipped the bag out of your hands - respectfully leaving your purse with you. He had brains.

You exhaled a smile, realizing he was teasing you - and also realizing that somewhere within the past few seconds, you had been holding your breath. "I didn't know you were such a gentleman."