FREVOR

09

Jin ah pov:

As I slowly blinked my eyes open, the events of last night flooded back into my mind with startling clarity. Taehyung's sudden appearance, his intense gaze, and the demand he made—it all felt like a surreal nightmare that I couldn't shake off.

I lay in bed, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room. But despite the peaceful surroundings, my mind was in turmoil, replaying every moment of our encounter over and over again.

I couldn't believe he had the audacity to demand such a thing from me, to expect me to comply with his wishes without question. But even more than that, I couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that his presence evoked—the way he seemed to see right through me, to the core of my being.

With a sigh, I pushed myself upright, running a hand through my disheveled hair as I tried to shake off the lingering remnants of sleep. But no matter how hard I tried to distract myself, Taehyung's face lingered in my mind, his words echoing in the silence of the room.

I knew I couldn't avoid him forever, that eventually I would have to face him and confront whatever twisted agenda he had in store for me. But for now, all I could do was try to push aside the uncertainty and focus on the day ahead.

As I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, I made a silent vow to myself. I wouldn't let Taehyung's presence dictate my life or my emotions. I was stronger than that, and I wouldn't let him break me—not again.

The memory of Taehyung's kiss and his intense demand played on a loop in my mind. I knew I needed a break—a day to myself to process everything and brush off the unsettling memories of Taehyung. As I lay in bed that morning, I made a decision: today would be my day off.

I called my boss, Jimin, and explained that I needed some time to recover. He was understanding, albeit a bit worried about the chaos from the day before. After assuring him I was fine, I got up and began my morning routine.

I chose a casual outfit: a soft, oversized sweater and a pair of jeans, paired with comfortable sneakers. I pulled my hair into a loose ponytail and decided to forego makeup. Today was about relaxation and simplicity.

As I walked downstairs, the familiar sounds of my family’s morning routine greeted me. My mom was bustling around the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast.

"Good morning, sweetheart," she said, glancing up as I entered the kitchen. "You're up late today."

"I decided to take a day off," I replied, grabbing a piece of toast. "Just needed a break from work."

My mom's eyes softened with concern. "Are you okay, Jin-ah? You've been working so hard lately."

"I'm fine, really," I assured her, forcing a smile. "Just a little tired. Thought I'd take a day to relax."

As I sat down at the kitchen table, my younger brother, Niki, plopped into the chair across from me. He was scrolling through his phone, as usual, but he looked up when he noticed the bandage on my hand.

"What happened to your hand?" he asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

"Just a small accident at work," I lied smoothly. "It's nothing serious."

My mom turned to look at me, concern etched on her face. "Are you sure you're okay, Jin-ah?"

"Yes, Mom. It's really nothing," I said, hoping to end the conversation. "I just need some rest."

After breakfast, I decided to call Minji, my best friend. She had always been my confidante, but today I didn't want to burden her with the truth about Taehyung.