Till death do us part [ j.jk × p.jm ]

chapter- 42

The morning after the storm, Taehyung and Jin found solace in the quiet hum of the kitchen. The air was fragrant with the rich aroma of coffee, a comforting contrast to the night’s tempest. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting gentle, golden hues over the room.

Jin lifted his cup, savoring the warmth before setting it down. His eyes softened as he turned to Taehyung. "It's been a while since we had a moment like this. What's been going on with you?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Taehyung sighed, a trace of weariness in his expression. "Not much, really. I started working at Hoseok's father's restaurant. It keeps me busy. How about you?"

Jin waved a dismissive hand, a casual smile playing on his lips. "Oh, the usual. Juggling projects, staying busy." He raised his cup to his lips again, but something outside the window caught his attention. His hand paused mid-air, eyes narrowing. "Who's that man helping your father in the garden?" He glanced back at Taehyung, curiosity evident.

Taehyung followed Jin's gaze to the garden, where a man was working alongside his father. "That's Namjoon," he explained. "He's our neighbor. He often help my dad around the house. He's also Jimin's manager."

Jin's eyebrows arched in surprise. "Namjoon, huh? He seems quite capable." His gaze lingered on Namjoon and Mr. Kim as they worked in harmony.

Taehyung noticed how Jin's eyes stayed fixed on Namjoon, a flicker of something undefinable in his expression. A pang of jealousy twisted in Taehyung's chest, sharp and unexpected. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, taking another sip of his coffee in an attempt to mask his unease. The room, once filled with comforting silence, now seemed heavy with unspoken emotions.

Taehyung tried to sound nonchalant. "Yeah, Namjoon is really helpful."

Jin nodded appreciatively. "It's good to have someone reliable around." His eyes returned to Taehyung. "How long have you known Namjoon? He seems like a great guy." A slight smile curved his lips as he took another sip of coffee.

Taehyung answered with an air of casualness. "Oh, we've known each other for a while. He's been around since he moved in." He avoided Jin's gaze, feeling a subtle tension in the air.

Their conversation meandered through familiar topics, but Taehyung couldn't shake a growing restlessness. Why did it bother him so much that Jin was interested in Namjoon? Across the table, Jin's curiosity about Namjoon seemed to deepen as he watched the man work alongside Mr. Kim in the garden.

Taehyung's mind wandered, questioning his own feelings. He took another sip of his coffee, hoping to drown out the confusing emotions swirling inside him. Outside, the sun continued to shine, casting long shadows that danced with the breeze, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing in Taehyung's heart.

Outside, in the garden bathed in the soft morning light, Mr. Kim and Namjoon worked side by side. The remnants of the storm lay scattered around them—broken branches, uprooted plants, and puddles of water that reflected the clear blue sky above.

Mr. Kim straightened up, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Yesterday's storm was quite something, wasn't it, Namjoon?" he remarked, surveying the damage with a sigh.

Namjoon nodded, his hands busy untangling a fallen vine. "Yes, it was. I'm just glad it didn't cause more damage. We'll have this place looking good as new in no time." His voice was calm, but there was a quiet determination in his eyes.

Mr. Kim smiled appreciatively at Namjoon. "Your help is invaluable, you know. I don't know how I'd manage without you. Taehyung and I are grateful."

Namjoon paused and looked up, meeting Mr. Kim's gaze with a humble smile. "It's nothing, really. I enjoy helping out. It's nice to be able to give back, especially after how kind you and your family have been to me and my father."