FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT| JJENINII

4.

Taehyung had been buried in spreadsheets and merger documents for hours, barely noticing the time slip from afternoon to late evening. 

The office had grown quiet, the hustle of the day dying down to the occasional shuffle of papers and distant footsteps. 

It wasn't until he paused to stretch his arms, glancing around his spacious office, that he remembered he wasn't alone.

But the couch where Jennie had set up her makeshift workstation was empty. 

Her laptop was closed on the coffee table, her papers neatly stacked, but no sign of Jennie herself. 

Puzzled, Taehyung stood, intending to ask his secretary if she'd seen Jennie leave. 

However, as he rounded his desk, he noticed Jennie asleep on the couch, curled against the elevated armrest, a file still clutched in her hand.

For a moment, he just stood there, watching her sleep peacefully. A strange feeling tugged at his chest—a mix of concern and something softer, warmer. 

Shaking off the feeling as just a reaction to the unusual day, he gently pried the file from her relaxed grip and placed it on the table. 

Not wanting to wake her but also not wanting her to catch a chill, he quietly removed his blazer and draped it over her as a makeshift blanket.

With Jennie now comfortably covered, Taehyung returned to his work, though his thoughts occasionally drifted to the sleeping figure on his couch. He found himself checking on her every so often, ensuring she was still resting comfortably.

Two hours later, as the office clock neared 9 PM, Jennie began to stir. 

She blinked open her eyes, momentarily disoriented by the soft lighting and the unfamiliar comfort of the couch.

It took her a second to register her surroundings, and when she saw Taehyung sitting further down the couch, laptop still open and working, she bolted upright.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep. I just—" She started, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"It's okay, really. You needed the rest," He interrupted, closing his laptop and turning to face her fully. "You've had quite a day."

Rubbing her eyes, she nodded, pulling the blazer tighter around her shoulders. "Thank you, for the blazer... and for letting me crash here. I guess I was more tired than I thought."

"It's fine." Taehyung smiled gently. "We all need a break sometimes."

"I can't believe I turned your office into a makeshift bedroom," she joked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she sat up, properly this time.

"Actually, you looked pretty peaceful, like you were avoiding a return to the wild office gossip," He teased, then grew more serious. "How are you holding up with all that, really?"

"It's overwhelming," She admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Everywhere I turn, there's a new rumor. It's exhausting trying to keep up a fake engagement."

"I can only imagine," He sympathized, then after a brief pause, he ventured cautiously, "That actually leads to something I've been thinking about—about how we can manage this situation better."

"Oh? What do you have in mind?" She raised her eyebrows, curious.

"Well, it's about the living arrangements. I think it might help if you moved in with me temporarily, just until things settle down or become more manageable." He took a deep breath before outlining his thoughts.