Run

Run... like a hare 🐇

A/N : This is a soft story that will hopefully give you comfort and makes your heart flutter, and  occasionally laugh. 

Story trailer on my IG profile

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C61rZToMw2D/?igsh=cGNsdGF4aXZjeXRv

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Taehyung walked through the almost empty reception hall and looked at the flower arrangements that were placed around the room. His stomach cramped with every step he took as he passed staff adding the final finishing touches to the tables where the guests were supposed to sit soon.

Taehyung felt like an invisible force wound its fingers around his throat, cutting his breath off slowly, and he opened the first button on his dress shirt. He also loosened his tie, but somehow it didn't help.

Min-Jung inspected the flower arrangement in front of her with a skeptical look and felt the leaves, like she wanted to test the state the flowers were in. She finally turned back to the employee and nodded approvingly.

"This is fine," she said, her voice somewhat snide, as if it was only acceptable but not perfect.

Taehyung could see how the employee exhaled in relief and plastered a strained smile on her face.

Why was Min-Jung making all that fuss? Just to please their parents? It couldn't be for herself and Taehyung, could it?

All of this was a big fat lie! A string of little lies that ended in a big, fat, life-changing lie.

Two employees carried another huge arrangement past Taehyung to flank the little stage and an overwhelming floral sweet scent hung in the air. It was almost suffocating him.

Min-Jung crossed the reception hall when she noticed him. She didn't smile when she reached him and instead swept another proofing glance around the room.

"What do you think?" she asked, and she sounded very business-like. Like this was only the fulfilling of a contract... and somehow it was.

Taehyung's eyes wandered around the reception hall. Everything looked posh and perfect for a propper wedding. Ready for two people who loved each other deeply.

"This is a mistake," Taehyung replied, and stared at the closest flower arrangement. He couldn't meet Min-Jung's gaze. His insides felt like they were in a tight grip, hurting profoundly with every passing second and he wondered if he was slowly dying inside.

"Should we have gotten the cream-colored ones instead ?" She asked in irritation and looked around again. "It's a bit late for that now, don't you think? The guests are arriving in two hours," Min-Jung hissed.

Taehyung looked down at the suit he was already wearing and tugged at the lapels. The fabric felt more uncomfortable by the second. Min-Jung's hair was already in a neat bun and artfully decorated with shining hairpins. A subtle make-up made her face glow, but she was wearing a wide pullover and pants.

"No," he answered and finally looked at her. "This here," he said and waved at the reception hall. "All this."

Min-Jung crossed her arms. "Are we going over this again," she questioned, almost bored. "Not now. We can talk about this after the wedding."

Taehyung looked at her in disbelief. "Are you listening to yourself?"

She pursed her lips in disapproval. "This is necessary to be free, don't you understand? This isn't just about you, Taehyung," she said, her voice shaking. "I have no choice either. If we do this, we both get out. Together."

Taehyung stared at her, feeling his face go blank but on the inside, his brain seemed to short-circuit.

"Free?!" He shouted and the remaining people in the reception hall stopped in their tracks. "Free? The fuck we are. This will only be a gilded cage."

"Be quiet," she tried to hush him. "We have to do this," Min-Jung pressed.

Taehyung felt his anger rise. His brain was firing an onslaught of emotions at him that seemed to fight the vice grip around his body. This wasn't right and it wasn't what he wanted. He didn't want to be imprisoned in a marriage he didn't want. A woman he didn't love. Hell... she was the wrong gender in general, and he wasn't her type either.

"I have to go," Taehyung whispered and a sudden relief washed over him when he spoke his mind. The invisible grip was somehow loosening.

"What?" she shrieked and panic washed over her face.

"I can't do this, Min-Jung," Taehyung answered and took one careful step back, bringing more needed space between them. "I won't do this," he continued and shook his head lightly.

"Taehyung," Min-Jung hissed urgently and took a step forward, like she wanted to grab him and he lifted his hands in defense. She wouldn't touch him!

Min-Jung stared at his hands and back up to his face, disbelieve clouding her eyes. Taehyung spun on his heels and started to walk away.

"Taehyung!" she shouted after him, but Taehyung walked on.

And with every new step, the grip around him got lighter and lighter. He could suddenly breath again, feel the much needed oxygen deeply in his lungs and he felt a power surge through him. Taehyung could feel life seeping back into his body and his heart was pounding with joy and nerves... and fear.

Taehyung stormed through the double doors and outside into the hall. He passed other people without looking at them, ignoring more shouts of familiar voices and hurried down the stairs, and outside the building.

The cold air hit his feverish face and he withstood the urge of looking back. He pushed a tiny sliver of doubt into the darkest part of his conscience.

The only thing he could do now was run.

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