Till death do us part [ j.jk × p.jm ]

chapter 25

The low hum of the air conditioner filled Namjoon's apartment, a stark contrast to the tension crackling in the air. With a careful hand, Namjoon extended a steaming cup of hot chocolate to Jimin, who sat curled up, swathed in a blanket. Jimin accepted the gesture with a murmured thanks, his voice tinged with fragility.

Seated across from Jimin, Namjoon couldn't help but notice the weight pressing down on his friend. Searching Jimin's face for answers, Namjoon prodded gently, "So, what happened?"

Jimin's silence spoke volumes, his gaze fixed on the swirling depths of his drink, fingers dancing nervously atop the cup's surface.

"I know something's wrong, Jimin. You don't just show up like this without a reason," Namjoon pressed, concern etching lines into his brow.

A hesitant pause lingered before Jimin finally spoke, words heavy with resignation, "I don't know if I can keep going like this, Namjoon. I feel trapped."

Sensing Jimin's distress, Namjoon inquired, "Is this about the wedding? Do you want to avoid it?"

Jimin's anguish was palpable as he confessed, "I wish... I wish there was a way out of all of this." Namjoon listened intently as Jimin poured out his heart. "It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for Jungkook."

Namjoon's concern deepened at the mention of Jungkook's name. Straightening in his seat, he probed, "What did he do?"

Jimin's gaze remained fixed on his drink, a shield against the vulnerability threatening to spill forth. "Nothing.. Forget it. I don't want to stir up trouble, especially since I've already spoken to my parents."

Despite Jimin's attempts to deflect, Namjoon persisted, his furrowed brow a testament to his skepticism. Though his brows remained furrowed, Namjoon couldn't shake the feeling that Jungkook was somehow involved. "Jimin... If he's done something to you, hurt you in any way-"

"No," Jimin cut him off, frustration evident in his tone. "Let it go."

Reluctantly, Namjoon relented, though a nagging worry lingered in the back of his mind, unresolved and unsettled.

As Jungkook bid farewell to his friend Hobi and closed the buffet door, a cup of coffee warming his hand, he made his way toward his car, only to halt abruptly in surprise. "You? What are you doing here?" His voice carried a mix of irritation and astonishment as he locked eyes with none other than Manager Kim Namjoon standing before him.

Namjoon, his arms folded firmly across his chest, met Jungkook's gaze with unwavering intensity. "You know very well why I'm here," he retorted, taking measured steps closer. "Jimin paid me a visit yesterday." The weight of Namjoon's words hung in the air, and Jungkook braced himself for the impending confrontation. "And he didn't seem alright," Namjoon continued, his gaze piercing.

Jungkook didn't need further explanation; he knew exactly what Namjoon was implying. "What do you mean?" Jungkook's brows knit together in defiance, refusing to be intimidated. He wasn't one to cower in the face of authority.

"I'm saying, if you so much as lay a finger on him or cause him any harm," Namjoon jabbed a finger at Jungkook's chest, his tone unyielding. "Then mark my words, it'll all come back to you. You have no idea what Jimin has been through, kid." With that final warning, Namjoon pivoted on his heel and strode away, leaving Jungkook to grapple with a whirlwind of confusion and unresolved tension."

Jimin's heart raced as he recounted the events to the policeman. "My manager tried to look at the footage as well, but the cameras were disabled," he mumbled, frustration evident in his voice. He wracked his brain, trying to come up with any leads to aid the investigation.

"Do you have any idea who could be behind this? Or...do you have any enemies?" the policeman inquired, his tone sympathetic yet probing. Jimin hesitated, the image of Jungkook flashing in his mind. He was the only one who challenged him, but there was a flicker of doubt. He couldn't bear the thought of accusing his fiancé without concrete evidence.

Shaking his head, Jimin met the policeman's gaze. "No... I can't think of anyone," he replied, his voice heavy with uncertainty. The policeman offered a reassuring nod. "Alright. We'll find out something, and we'll do what we can. We'll definitely find whoever is responsible for all this. For now, take care."

Jimin managed a nod, gratitude swelling within him. "Thank you. You too," he murmured, watching as the policeman retreated, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the unsettling mystery looming over him.

Jimin was engrossed in his work, the rhythmic tapping of keys filling the air as he focused on the task at hand. As the clock struck noon, he gathered his belongings, ready to take a well-deserved lunch break. However, just as he reached the stairs, he was intercepted by one of his coworkers, a figure who always seemed to linger on the periphery, quiet and unassuming.

"Hey, Jimin," the coworker greeted, his voice carrying an unfamiliar edge.

Jimin glanced up, mildly surprised by the interruption. "Oh, hey there," he replied, adjusting his bag on his shoulder.

The coworker's eyes widened slightly as they met Jimin's, a hint of something unreadable flickering across his expression. Ignoring the subtle shift in demeanor, Jimin maintained his professional demeanor.

"Is there something you need?" he asked, his tone polite but distant.

The coworker hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice slightly strained. "Actually, I was wondering if... um, you'd like to grab lunch together sometime?" he ventured, his words tinged with nervousness.

Jimin raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the unexpected invitation. "Oh, uh, thanks for the offer, but I usually prefer to eat alone," he replied bluntly, his tone leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Undeterred, the coworker persisted, his demeanor shifting from awkwardness to a more confident facade. "Well, how about dinner then? I know this great place nearby," he suggested, a faint hint of desperation creeping into his voice.

Jimin sighed inwardly, growing increasingly uncomfortable with the situation. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not interested," he stated firmly, hoping to put an end to the conversation.

To his dismay, the coworker chuckled, his smile bordering on predatory. "Come on, I've seen the way you look at me. You can't deny there's something between us," he insisted, his words laced with arrogance.

Jimin's jaw clenched, his patience wearing thin. "I don't know what fantasy world you're living in, but let me make this crystal clear: I'm engaged," he declared, his tone sharp and unequivocal.

The coworker's expression faltered for a moment before he recovered, a smirk playing at his lips. "Funny, I don't see an engagement ring on your finger," he retorted, his gaze flicking pointedly to Jimin's bare hand.

Jimin's temper flared, his patience finally reaching its limit. "Whether you choose to believe it or not is none of my concern. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than entertain your delusions," he snapped, pushing past the coworker and making his way down the stairs, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease.