Fateful Alliance ∞

Ⅹ

That night, after a delightful dinner with the family, filled with lively chats and fun gossips, Jungkook and Taehyung headed upstairs to their bedroom. The warm glow of the chandeliers illuminated the hallway as they ascended the staircase, the soft hum of their laughter lingering in the air. Each step felt like a continuation of the stories shared and the moments cherished.

As they reached their bedroom door, Taehyung held it open, gesturing for Jungkook to enter first. The room welcomed them with a serene ambiance, the gentle glow of bedside lamps casting a soft radiance across the space. The air was laced with a mix of familiarity and the promise of quiet moments together.

Jungkook walked over to the large window, drawing the curtains aside to reveal a moonlit night sky. The city lights below twinkled like distant stars, creating a backdrop for their own private world. Taehyung joined him by the window, and for a moment, they stood side by side, silently appreciating the beauty outside.

Breaking the silence, Taehyung spoke, "Today was wonderful. I feel like I got to know you even better, Jungkook."

Jungkook turned to him with a soft smile, "I'm glad. I enjoyed our time together too. It's nice to share stories and moments with you."

Taehyung's mind suddenly clouded with something. His face turned into a frown as he looked at Jungkook staring outside the window with a serene face. The room was filled with a comfortable silence, yet an unspoken tension seemed to linger.

"Can I ask you something?" Taehyung finally broke the quiet, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern.

Jungkook shifted his gaze from the window to Taehyung, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Of course, what's on your mind?"

Taehyung took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I noticed earlier when Ji-eun mentioned BamBam, your expression changed. Who is he? Was he... someone important to you?"

Jungkook's smile faded, and he sighed. "BamBam is... was my ex-boyfriend. We broke up before this whole arranged marriage thing. It's complicated."

Taehyung frowned, "Were you forced to break up with him because of this marriage? Jungkook, I need you to be very frank with me and tell me the truth, no matter how harsh it is. Do you... do you still love him? Because if you do, I don't want you to force yourself into this relationship and make it work if you love someone else. Then, our relationship will have no meaning. You have to be happy for this relationship to work."

Jungkook took Taehyung's hands in his and looked him in the eyes. "Listen... I am telling you the whole story, the full truth. Frankly, okay? I don't want any secrets or misunderstandings between us."

Taehyung nodded, his eyes fixed on Jungkook, ready to hear the unfiltered truth. The weight of the conversation hung in the air, both of them aware of the importance of this moment in their budding relationship.

Jungkook's voice quivered with raw emotion as he recounted, "I started dating him about two years ago. He was... a good guy. I liked him, and we had a pretty good relationship. I was happy. Then, a few days ago... Dad came and dropped the bombshell that he had arranged my marriage with Kim Taehyung, the richest and coldest CEO. I was furious. I was devastated. I didn't want to marry some random guy, especially a rich one who would probably be arrogant because of his wealth. I had a massive confrontation with my dad. After the heated argument, I stormed out. I ran straight to Bambam's house. I poured my heart out, telling him everything. I proposed that we would face my dad together, fight for our relationship, and make it clear that I wouldn't marry some random guy.

"The response I got from him shattered me. He said he couldn't do it. He was scared of my dad, claiming my father had too much power for him to defy. He insisted he couldn't confront my dad; it would ruin his future. I pleaded with him to find a solution, even begging on my knees. All I got was a promise that he would figure something out.

"The day of the wedding arrived. I penned him a heartfelt letter, ensuring it reached him along with the wedding invitation. In that note, I bared my soul, urging him to come and rescue me from the impending marriage. I asked him to meet me in my room while I got ready, and together we'd elope. That way, he wouldn't have to face my dad, and my dad wouldn't even know with whom I ran away.

"I waited anxiously that day. But he never showed up. All I received was a cold, heart-wrenching text. One word. Sorry. And there I was, forced into a marriage I never wanted. My mother's warnings echoed in my ears—commands to obey your every wish. Clean, cook? I would comply. you wanted to fuck me? I would let you do it.  that's what I had been warned. Yet, I would never accept you as a husband. I would let you fuck me forcefully, do everything you demanded, but I would never speak to you. I would never look at you. My heart would harbor resentment for the rest of my life."

The intensity of Jungkook's words hung in the air, leaving a profound impact on the atmosphere.

Jungkook's tone softened as he continued, "However, when we exchanged vows, and you chose to kiss my forehead instead of my lips, a glimmer of hope flickered. Then, we came home, and you said that no one could touch me without my permission. Not even my own lawful husband. That erupted butterflies in me. No one in my whole life had ever made me feel so safe and secure, not even my own family, not even Bambam. And then you cooked for me because you had noticed I didn't eat much during the wedding. No one had noticed these things about me ever.

"It was in those small, unnoticed gestures that I started to see you differently. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to you than what met the eye. That's when the internal conflict began. I had vowed to hate you, but you were slowly chipping away at my resolve. I didn't want to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else, but somewhere along the way, you managed to carve a space in my heart that I wasn't ready to acknowledge."

Jungkook's gaze shifted to Taehyung, his eyes revealing a complex mix of emotions. The room fell silent, the weight of unspoken sentiments lingering between them.

Jungkook continued, his voice holding a newfound determination, "Yesterday night, when you were in the kitchen, cooking for me, I was thinking about everything. And I realized many things. You held the door for me, like a gentleman. And I realized, why was I settling for someone like Bambam? I have written books full of characters like Damon Sokolov, so why was I settling for less? I deserved better, and you were giving me better. I decided to myself that I will give this relationship a genuine chance and try to form something with you. I deserved that.

"Why was I settling for BamBam, who couldn't even fight for his love? You showed me more care and consideration in a short span than he did in our entire relationship. Maybe it's time I reevaluate what I want and deserve. So, here we are, figuring this out together."

As Jungkook spoke, he observed Taehyung's reaction, searching for any signs of understanding or misgivings. The room held a sense of vulnerability, both of them sharing a moment of truth that could reshape the course of their relationship.

Taehyung finally spoke, "Thank you."

Jungkook looked up into Taehyung's eyes to see a teary-eyed Taehyung.

"Thank you for giving me a chance, and thank you for being honest with me. I may not be that good, but I promise to try to be like your book boyfriends. I will try, really hard."

Jungkook smiled through his tears, "Just trying is also enough for me. It means a lot to me."

Taehyung asked vulnerably, "Are you sure about this? I would get it if you don't want to give this marriage a chance...?"

Jungkook replied, "I am sure! You know, I was contemplating the whole night yesterday, even while we were chatting about different things. I was contemplating if you were really worth it? But then those doubts disappeared. Today, we went to the cafe, and you were willing to try reading books... for me? after 15 years? That is effort. And then in the car? You listened to me rant about my book for half an hour with a smile on your face? No one has ever listened to my book rant for me! Even Bambam used to get bored. I just assumed it was because he was not much of a book guy. But neither are you! That is taking effort! And for me, the most important thing is not being perfect; it is taking effort. All relationships in the world—whether of friends, family, mother, child, siblings, romantic—they depend of efforts. and you are willing to take those. so yeah... I am sure."