𝐌𝐘 𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐔𝐒𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃 ✔

t h i r t e e n

It had been a few days since the incident with the monkey and Jungkook's injury. Things between us had settled into an uneasy truce. We were trying to find common ground, but the chasm between us still felt vast. One evening, Jungkook suggested we go out for dinner. He wanted to take me to a fancy restaurant he had heard about. I agreed, mainly because I didn't want to stay cooped up in the apartment any longer.

We arrived at the restaurant, and it was indeed luxurious. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and elegant decor. As we were shown to our table, I couldn't help but feel a little out of place. Jungkook, however, seemed completely at ease. He pulled out my chair for me, a small gesture of chivalry that I acknowledged with a nod.

As we settled in, the waiter brought us menus and took our drink orders. Jungkook tried to start a conversation, but I continued to give him short, dismissive answers. I knew it wasn't fair to him, but I couldn't bring myself to open up more. My mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts and emotions that I couldn't quite articulate.

The waiter returned with our drinks, and we placed our orders. Jungkook had chosen a steak, while I opted for a simple pasta dish. As we waited for our food, Jungkook made another attempt to engage me in conversation.

"Jisoo, do you remember the first time we met?" he asked, a soft smile playing on his lips.

I looked at him, feeling a pang of guilt for my cold demeanor. "Yeah, I do," I replied, my tone neutral.

He nodded, as if satisfied with even that small response. "I was so nervous that day. I didn't know what to expect, meeting you and your family."

I remained silent, unsure of what to say. The truth was, I remembered that day too, but it was a memory tinged with the weight of familial obligations and expectations.

Just then, our food arrived, and I was grateful for the distraction. We began to eat in silence, the clinking of cutlery the only sound between us. I could feel Jungkook's eyes on me from time to time, but I kept my focus on my plate, determined to maintain my distance.

Halfway through the meal, I heard a familiar voice calling my name. I looked up and saw Eunwoo, a friend from college, walking toward our table. My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't seen him since I had to leave college, and seeing him now brought back a flood of memories.

"Jisoo!" Eunwoo exclaimed, a wide smile on his face. He reached our table and without hesitation, pulled me into a tight hug. "It's been so long! How have you been?"

I was caught off guard by his enthusiastic greeting. "Eunwoo, it's good to see you," I replied, my voice a little shaky.

Eunwoo then turned to Jungkook, offering his hand. "Hi, I'm Eunwoo, Jisoo's friend from college."

Jungkook shook his hand, a polite smile on his face. "I'm Jungkook, her husband."

The word "husband" seemed to hang in the air for a moment. Eunwoo's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly let go of my hand. "Husband? Wow, I had no idea! Congratulations!"

I forced a smile, trying to mask the discomfort I felt. "Thank you, Eunwoo."

Eunwoo sat down in an empty chair at our table, clearly eager to catch up. "So, how have you been, Jisoo? What have you been up to?"

I glanced at Jungkook, who seemed to be watching the interaction with quiet interest. "I've been... busy," I replied vaguely. "A lot has happened since I left college."

Eunwoo nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I heard you had to leave because of family issues. I'm sorry about that. But it's great to see you again. We should catch up more often."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. It was nice to see an old friend, but the timing and circumstances made it awkward. Jungkook remained silent, allowing us to talk, but I could sense the tension in the air.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Eunwoo excused himself, saying he didn't want to intrude on our dinner. He hugged me again, this time a little more cautiously, and left us to continue our meal.

Jungkook finally spoke up after Eunwoo had left. "He seems like a good friend."

I nodded, feeling the weight of the evening pressing down on me. "Yeah, he is. We were close in college."

Jungkook didn't push for more details, and I was grateful for that. The rest of the meal passed in relative silence, the earlier camaraderie between us now replaced by an uncomfortable quiet.

As we left the restaurant, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Seeing Eunwoo had stirred up emotions and memories that I hadn't dealt with in a long time. Jungkook seemed to sense my mood, but he didn't say anything, respecting my need for space.

We walked back to our apartment in silence. Once inside, I headed straight for the bedroom, needing some time alone to process everything. Jungkook didn't follow me, giving me the space I needed.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind racing. The encounter with Eunwoo had brought back a lot of memories—memories of a time when my life was simpler, when I had dreams and aspirations that weren't overshadowed by familial obligations.

As I sat there, I realized that my life had taken a turn I never expected. I was married to a man I didn't love, living a life that felt foreign to me. And yet, there were moments—like the ones we had shared recently—that made me question my feelings. Jungkook was patient and kind, and despite the circumstances, he was trying to make things work.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Jungkook stood in the doorway, his expression concerned. "Jisoo, are you okay?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He walked over and sat down next to me, the silence between us heavy with unspoken words.

"You know, you can talk to me," he said softly. "I'm here for you, Jisoo."

I looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. For a moment, I considered opening up, sharing the turmoil of emotions that I was feeling. But the words wouldn't come, and I simply nodded again.

Jungkook sighed, his disappointment palpable. "Alright. Just know that I'm here, whenever you're ready."

He stood up and left the room, closing the door gently behind him. I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

The evening had been a stark reminder of the complexities of our relationship. We were trying to make it work, but there were so many obstacles in our path. I didn't know what the future held, but for now, I needed to take things one day at a time.