Tangled Love || Kim Taehyung || Jeon Jungkook

CHAPTER 10 : TANGLED LOVE

][ Present ][

Third person's Pov

After putting Taera to sleep, Aera glanced at the clock. It was almost 10, and she knew Jungkook was definitely waiting for her. She hurried, but as she stood up, ensuring that Taera was sound asleep, her gaze fell on the scattered photos beside her on the other side of the bed. A small monkey plushie was wrapped in Taera's arms, held unconsciously.

Nostalgia washed over Aera as she looked at the photos, memories flooding her mind, bittersweet and vivid. They were pictures of the five of them—Taehyung, Aera, Kiara, Jay, and Yeonjun. Her eyes lingered on the solo shots of Kiara. She picked up one of them, her heart aching. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gently caressed the picture, regret and love coursing through her. Kiara's gaze seemed to stare straight at her from the photograph.

"I'm sorry... I miss you so much," Aera whispered softly, her voice trembling as she muttered more apologies to the friend she had lost.

After setting Kiara's photo down, her fingers brushed against more pictures. She came across old photos of herself, and then, one of her and Taehyung together. They looked so carefree. She was smiling widely in the picture, gazing at a much younger Taehyung who was goofing around beside her.

Curious, Aera turned the photo over and noticed something attached to the back—a letter neatly tucked behind the photograph. She opened the letter and to tell you, she regretted ever opening it.

"My dearest Taera, you've grown up, haven't you? I'm sure you have your dada's features. Tell me, baby, does your dad still sleep with three or four pillows by his side like a baby? I'm leaving this letter for you, and your dada doesn't know about it, so don't tell him, ssh !

My princess, I'm sorry, but mamma is going to have to leave you and dada soon. But don't you cry whenever you see my photos, okay? Mamma is always with you in your heart. Mamma and dada love you the most!

Today, I want to tell you about someone who was just as lovable to us as you are—Aera. Yes, the girl you see in the picture is her, our dear best friend. By the time you read this, you'll be old enough to understand what I'm about to say. She and your dad were best friends before I came into the picture. We all became close, and during those college days, your dada and I fell in love. But Aera fell in love too... it was unrequited, because I was in the middle.

Yes, Aera loved your dad even before I did. I was just lucky—your dad loved me back. As the years passed, Aera left us, and on that day, I realized something. Perhaps I had come between Taehyung and Aera, between two best friends. Aera's silence told me everything. She loved your dad very much. And I—I couldn't love him as much as she did. After that day, she neither called nor wrote to us. She disappeared from our lives completely. I knew she loved him, but I was selfish for my own love.

Your dad treasured her. She was his best friend. He used to say, 'Love is friendship.' Yes, I became his friend, but I could never be his best friend.

Dear, I know your dad well. He's lonely, but he won't tell anyone that. He needs a friend, and he needs love. That friend is Aera, and that love is Aera. Bring Aera back into your dad's life. Help her find her first love. They were made for each other—that is the truth. And that is my dream.