Our intertwined fates 💜

chapter 24

ari pov 

As Jungkook read the message on his phone, a grin spread across his face, and I couldn't help but feel curious. "What's up?" I asked, leaning closer to get a glimpse of the screen.

"It's a confirmation from the guys. They're all in for the dinner tonight," he exclaimed, excitement lacing his voice.

My heart skipped a beat at the news, a surge of excitement rushing through me. "That's great!" I replied, unable to contain my enthusiasm. "I can't wait to see everyone again and meet their soulmates too."

Jungkook nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "It's going to be a great night," he declared with a grin.

As we shared in the excitement of the upcoming dinner, my mind started buzzing with all the preparations we needed to make. "We'll need to get some groceries and ingredients," I said, already mentally making a list. "And we should make sure the penthouse is ready for guests."

Jungkook nodded in agreement, his expression determined. "I'll take care of the penthouse. You focus on the food," he said, already formulating a plan in his mind.

"Thanks, Kookie," I replied, feeling grateful for his help. With us both on board, I knew we could pull off a memorable evening.

But before we could dive into the preparations, I had another idea. "Hey, Kookie," I began, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "Would you mind going with me to the market? I'm not really sure where everything is around here."

Jungkook's eyes lit up with enthusiasm at the suggestion. "Sure thing. But let's get changed first," he said, already heading towards the bedroom to swap out of his current attire.

I followed suit, quickly selecting a casual outfit that wouldn't draw too much attention. Meanwhile, Jungkook rummaged through the closet for hats and masks, ensuring we had some extra disguise to avoid being recognized.

As we got ready, we discussed the importance of staying under the radar. "We'll have to be careful," Jungkook reminded me, adjusting his cap in the mirror. "The last thing we need is to end up all over the tabloids."

I nodded in agreement, pulling on a pair of sunglasses to complete my look. "Definitely. It's crazy how quickly rumors can spread," I replied, double-checking my mask in the mirror.

With our disguises in place, we made our way out of the penthouse and into Jungkook's car. The streets were bustling with activity as we drove through the city, but with our hats pulled low and masks on, we blended in seamlessly with the crowd.

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The trip to the supermarket was uneventful, and we quickly gathered all the ingredients we needed for the dinner. But as we made our way back home, I noticed Jungkook's expression growing more serious as he scrolled through his phone.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, a hint of concern in my voice.

Jungkook sighed, his brows furrowing in frustration. "It looks like some fans may have recognized me at the supermarket and managed to snap some pictures," he explained, showing me the screen.

My heart sank at the news, a knot of worry forming in my stomach. "Oh no," I murmured, my mind racing with thoughts of potential consequences.

Jungkook's phone buzzed with notifications from concerned fans and curious reporters, adding to the chaos. When his manager, Sejin, called to discuss damage control, Jungkook's expression grew more serious as he listened to the rapid-fire questions.

After a tense conversation, Jungkook ended the call and turned to me with a sigh. "Sejin-hyung has been working hard, and he's almost cleared the tabloids of the pictures," he said, a hint of relief in his voice. "We won't need to meet him tomorrow."

I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that the situation wasn't as dire as we had feared. But the worry still gnawed at the back of my mind, and I couldn't help but voice my concerns.

"But what if they find out who I am?" I asked, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "What if this ruins everything?"

Jungkook pulled me into a comforting embrace, his arms warm and reassuring. "Don't worry too much, Ari," he said softly, his voice gentle. "The company will likely release a statement soon about not just me, but also about my hyungs and their soulmates."

His words offered some solace, but I couldn't shake the nagging worry that lingered in the air. The media had always been relentless in their pursuit of information, especially when it came to BTS. I remembered how they would speculate about the meaning behind the members' tattoos, unaware of the deeper significance they held.

"But what if they find out before then?" I pressed, my voice tinged with anxiety.

Jungkook brushed a stray strand of hair from my face, his gaze filled with determination. "We'll deal with it together," he promised, his tone unwavering. "But for now, let's focus on tonight and enjoying the time we have with our friends."

His reassurance brought a measure of comfort, and I nodded, grateful for his unwavering support. As we continued to prepare for the dinner ahead, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for having Jungkook by my side.

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Later, as we worked together in the kitchen, I couldn't help but marvel at how natural it felt to be cooking alongside Jungkook. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and playful banter, and the scent of our culinary creations filled the air.

"You know, Ari," Jungkook said, a playful glint in his eye as he watched me frosting the cake. "I could get used to seeing you like this. Cooking in my house, baking up a storm... It feels like we're already building a future together."

His words filled me with warmth, and I couldn't help but smile. "I feel the same way, Jungkook," I replied, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. "I can't wait to see what the future holds for us."

As I focused on putting the finishing touches on the cake, I felt a sudden burst of flour hit me from behind, causing me to gasp in surprise. Turning around, I found Jungkook standing there with a mischievous grin, his hands covered in flour.

"Hey, what was that for?" I exclaimed, trying to suppress a giggle.

Jungkook chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I couldn't resist," he replied, his grin widening. "And besides, it's more fun this way!"

Before I could protest, he reached for another handful of flour, and soon we were engaged in a full-blown flour fight, laughing and joking as we covered each other in white powder. By the time we were done, the kitchen was a mess, but our spirits were light and carefree.

As we stood amidst the chaos, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of happiness wash over me. In that moment, with flour covering every surface and Jungkook's laughter echoing in my ears,