ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ᴡᴇ?

Chapter 42: Healing Hearts, Finding Home

Soon Jungkook stopped the car in front of the main gates of his place, a large and elegant mansion surrounded by lush gardens. We both got out of the car, careful to take the silly bowl we had made earlier during our pottery class.

As we stepped out, the other driver approached, and Jungkook handed him the keys with a smile. The driver nodded and drove the car to the parking lot, leaving us standing at the entrance. Jungkook took my hand in his, and I felt a rush of warmth and excitement at his touch.

"Let's go," Jungkook said softly, leaning in to press a gentle kiss on my cheek. I couldn't help but grin, feeling a blush creep onto my cheeks as I playfully slapped his arm. He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief, before we walked hand in hand towards the front doors of the mansion.

Inside, the house was quiet, the only sound being our footsteps echoing in the marble-floored hallway. I glanced around, furrowing my brows in confusion at the absence of any staff or any family members. Jungkook squeezed my hand, a confusing glint dancing in his eyes.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity. He simply shrugged before gently removing his hand from mine and reaching for his phone. "I don't know... I was with you all the time," he replied casually. I let out a sigh as I watched him tap away on his phone, perhaps trying to reach Jimin or someone else.

Frustrated by the lack of response, he muttered under his breath before attempting another call. "Jimin isn't answering," he reported, shooting me a quick glance. "Let me check," he added before making his way to the kitchen. I couldn't help but smile as I tiptoed backwards, ensuring not to make a sound.

As Jungkook strode towards the kitchen, the lights suddenly flickered off, causing him to stop in his tracks. The dim light filtering in through the windows allowed me to trace his movements. "Y/n, the lights just-" He turned around halfway, only to realise I had vanished. He scanned the room, his puzzled expression almost comical. Suppressing a giggle, I covered my mouth with my hand to stifle any noise.

"Y/n? Hey, are you even listening to me?" Jungkook's voice grew louder, echoing through the room in search of me. Meanwhile, I tapped my fingers against my phone, deciding to call Taehyung for help. As soon as he answered, Taehyung instructed me, "Guess what, count till five and see."

We started counting aloud while Jungkook roamed aimlessly and attempted to call me, receiving no response. And at the count of "five," a burst of colour illuminated the room as balloons cascaded from the ceiling. In unison, we all shouted, "Happy Birthday, Jungkook!"

Startled by our unexpected surprise, Jungkook nearly leaped out of his skin, quickly placing a hand over his heart in shock. My mother appeared, holding a beautifully decorated cake with a grin, leading everyone in a rendition of the birthday song. Jungkook's smile grew wider as he locked eyes with me, and I winked playfully at him.

"You all almost gave me a heart attack," Jungkook stated, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he watched us erupt into laughter. His girlfriend, means I, approached him with a gentle smile, planting a light kiss on his jaw. "Happy Birthday, my love," I whispered, the warmth of of my words or smile made Jungkook's heart swell with happiness.

I wrapped my hands around his arm before taking him towards the couch. He sat down on the couch, surrounded by his brothers, my brother, Hana, mother.

They had all gathered in his small living room, balloons and streamers adorning the floor, to celebrate his birthday in the best way I knew how-with laughter, love, and a surprise cake that was waiting to be devoured.

I eyed Jimin for the knife and with a playful glint in his eye, he seized the opportunity to make the moment even more memorable as he dramatically presented a cake knife to Jungkook, declaring, "Here is your weapon, sir." His theatrical gesture elicited a chorus of chuckles from everyone, the sound filling the room with pure joy.