VENOM | TAEHYUNG

49

Draped in the warmest piece of clothing I owned, I made my way to the address he had given me.

My mind was in chaos. What would I say to him? How do I speak without crying? Should I speak? Should I turn and head back to the convent? Do I truly deserve this chance? I had no clue how to word what I felt in my heart. It was too much to express — I just knew I was going to mess this up.

The sound of dogs howling in the distance, made me quicken my steps. It was way past midnight, I wondered if he were even awake. The inn didn't really look like a place he'd stay at , because the Kim Taehyung I remembered was living in a fancy apartment. I glance down at the note before heading to the door number. I was nervous! It's been 7 months. I couldn't even get a word out in the chapel — how would we decide our future. Reaching up, I couldn't bring myself to knock. What was I so afraid of? My past imperfections were weighing me down. I had moved away to start afresh — he should do the same. I step back and drop my hand , ready to turn and leave — but the door opens and I freeze as our eyes meet.

"You weren't planning on coming in, right?", he raised a brow. I blink before furrowing my brows. You know what? Fuck it. I dash against his shoulder as I entered the room. If was small , just a bed , stove and wooden table— definitely not his style. "I'm glad you came , ana" , he shut the door. I inhale , gathering my thoughts before turning to face him. He part his lips to speak but I raise a hand to stop him. "I want to go first ", I say. "Ofcourse baby. I'm all ears", he smiled. I felt the heat rush from my cheeks to my ears. "I moved away for a reason, Taehyung. Everything about what we shared was toxic. You had met me in a club, giving other men lap dances. I was drowning in debt and you used that against me ,just so that we could have sex. I'm not blaming you for the choices we made but everything about us was a facade. I cheated on your brother, I broke your parents trust. I don't have a family, I'm an orphan. I moved here to start a new life. I would have expected you to do the same,  instead of searching for me", I vent. Taehyung just leaned against the shut door, arms crossed over his chest and eyes on me.

"We are not good for each other. You deserve better. You've always deserved better" , I whisper. "I'm not the one for you, taehyung. If we get back together, what if something bad happens to you again ?", my voice fades. "I won't be able to forgive myself or bear the pain of losing you again", the tears began to trickle down my cheeks. He was in a coma because of me , he could have died because of me— I don't know if I even forgave myself yet. The pain of losing him was too much— it was too heavy to carry. "I attract negativity. You shouldn't be around me, taehyung. You've got another chance to live. Do it right this time. Go find someone worth your time", I fist my hands around the material of my coat. Uttering those words were worse than being whipped with a metal belt.

Silence.

It was awkward silence. I couldn't even hear us breathe.

"Are you done?", he asked. "Yeah", I nod and clumsily wipe my cheeks. "Do you love me?", he asked. I stare at him, dumbfounded. "Do you? It's not a hard question, Anastasia ", he repeat. "No", I lie. "Do you love me?", he shift, pacing toward me. "No", I step back. "Do you love me?", he gripped me by the arms , pulling me closer to him. "Anastasia, you can say no a million times. That will never change how much I love you", he whispered. "Loving you is like oxygen. Without you, I'd simply perish ", he clasped my face in his warm palms. "Yeah, we met in an awkward situation. We built a relationship based on lust but Anastasia, we found pure love in the darkness which was consuming us. We've been through too much for me to drop you and find someone else. Ana, I don't want anyone else. I love you", he pressed his forehead to mine and I almost whimper.

"We aren't perfect. I have never asked you to be anyone but yourself. I saw the real you, Anastasia. I fell inlove with the real you. Not the fucking facade you parade to Jungkook. I have never loved anyone in my life , until you", he confessed. "Don't leave me again,  Ana. I won't allow it. I don't care if we have to move someplace else, I don't give a fuck about my family. I cut ties with them once I found out what they had done to you when I couldn't save you", he exhaled softly. He pulled back , staring down at my crimson face. "You are not a bad omen, Anastasia. You saved me", he smiled. "Do you not believe I love you? Do I have to get down on my knees and ask you to marry me? Because , I will. I want to spend the rest of my life with you", he stroked my cheeks. "You're so beautiful, baby. You have never been worthless in my eyes. The first day we met, I knew you were a little firecracker. So beautiful and feisty ", he chuckled. "In that moment, I knew I had to have you. I wanted to claim you as mine", he whispered. "But, I'm begging you. Please, claim me as yours", he plead. "I want to be yours, ana", his warm eyes glistened with tears.

"Please don't say that you don't love me", his lips quivered and I break — lifting a hand and placing it over his mouth. "I do love you ,silly. Taehyung, I have loved you before I even realized I did", I sniffle. He laughed as the tears cascade down his bread cheeks. "I love you and I'm so sorry for putting you through so much of stress", I apologize and wrap my arms around his neck as he embraced me. "I'm so sorry", I sob. "Don't be sorry, baby. I'm never letting you go again— never", he whispered.

—

"I'm not going back home", I whisper while laying in his arms. We've been silently laying in bed for the past hour — I even lost track of time. "I never asked you to return", he kissed my head. "I've gotten used to this place. Besides, there's a little girl who's sort of attached to me. I can't abandon her , taehyung " , I lift my head to make eye contact. "I never asked that much of you. We will stay wherever you are happy" , he stroked my cheek. "What about your life in New York?", I ask. "I'd have to return home, maybe for a week. I'd sort out my belongings and then come back to you my love", he pulled me closer , pressing his lips to mine. He tasted of wine — I was far too familiar with the scent and taste  of wine. "You'd leave everything for me?", I whisper against his lips. "You know I would", he respond.

"I'd never understand why", I playfully poke his nose. "I don't expect you too. Just know that I will never abandon you. I'm going to love and cherish you for as long as we both shall live", he smiled. "Already rehearsing vows", I teased. "Marry me", he blurt. "No", I pout and laugh loudly as he shift, pinning me to the wobbly mattress. "Marry me", he pressed a kiss to my collarbone. "No", I snort. "Marry me", he whispered against my neck,  his hot breath sent a rush of shivers down my spine. "Taehyung ", I wriggle. "I'm not asking you in the spur of the moment. I search for 7 months. I want to be your husband and not the man you met at the club", he stared down into my eyes. "Let me be your husband ", he kissed my cheek.

When I walked into the vip booth for the first time. I never thought I'd be looking at my future man. I thought my life would always revolve around debt and working my ass off to pay something that I didn't create in the first place. My mother had disowned me — I never thought I'd experienced such a warm love ever again. I always felt worthless, despite being in a relationship with jungkook. I always believed he was too perfect for me and he'd run the second I opened up about who I truly was behind the happy mask I wore.

My life was an endless struggle and rollercoaster. There were moments when I wished for death and once even tried to take my own life — I was ready to give this life up. It had become too much to carry on my shoulders.

But— I met a man who would give me his love without questioning how I'd cherish him. He was willing to give his heart and life to a woman who doesn't deserve it. The venom that I thought was poisonous — had become an addiction.

"Anastasia, marry me ", he stroked my cheek.

I pull him closer, peppering his face with tiny kisses before whispering —

"Make me your wife, Taehyung "...