THE RELENTLESS GAZE

3.

"I love you not because of anything you have, but because of something that I feel when I'm near you."

...

For an entire week, Jeon Jungkook was consumed by thoughts of Yoon Ah-ra.

His obsession had reached a fever pitch. "She is mine," he repeated to himself, the words echoing through his mind with a possessive fervor that was both exhilarating and unnerving.

The once unflappable businessman now found himself at the mercy of his emotions, a rarity that even he could not ignore.

Jungkook turned to the one person he trusted implicitly-his grandfather, the patriarch of their illustrious family.

Meeting in the stately drawing room of their ancestral home, Jungkook's expression was a mix of determination and vulnerability.

"Grandfather," Jungkook began, his voice steady but his eyes betraying his anxiety, "I want to marry Yoon Ah-ra."

His grandfather, a man of considerable age but undiminished vigor, looked at him with a mixture of surprise and approval.

The old man's eyes twinkled with a rare warmth as he nodded. "Jungkook, this is quite unexpected. But I must say, I'm pleased to see you taking such an interest in marriage. It's about time."

The elder Jeon immediately set about arranging a formal marriage proposal, crafting a letter that spoke of honor and respect, of two powerful families coming together in a union that would benefit both.

Meanwhile, Ah-ra was blissfully unaware of the whirlwind that was brewing in Jungkook's world.

She was engrossed in her latest relationship with Juhung, the influencer who had captivated her for the past month.

Known among her friends for her frequent changes in partners, Ah-ra was considered a "play-girl" in her social circle.

Her light-hearted approach to romance had kept her from ever settling into a serious relationship.

As she and Juhung dined at a trendy restaurant, their conversation was lively and flirtatious, typical of their interactions.

(Ah-ra like always barely ate anything and fortunately again juhung ignored it.)

Ah-ra was radiant, her blue eyes sparkling with the thrill of new love.

"Juhung, you know how much I enjoy our time together," she said, her voice playful.
"But sometimes I think you're the only one who can keep up with me."

Juhung grinned, his dark eyes shining. "Is that so? I'm flattered. I guess I must be doing something right."

Unbeknownst to her, her father, Mr. Yoon, had received the marriage proposal from Jungkook's grandfather.

As a strict businessman, Mr. Yoon's priorities always leaned heavily towards his company's growth.

When presented with the opportunity to align with one of the wealthiest families in South Korea, the prospect was simply too tempting.

Without consulting Ah-ra, Mr. Yoon accepted the proposal, eager to leverage the alliance for his business's benefit.

He viewed it as a strategic move rather than a personal decision.

Thus, while Ah-ra was enjoying her latest romance, her father was setting the stage for a major shift in her life, one that would intertwine her future with that of the enigmatic Jeon Jungkook.