Fake

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Jungkook's POV

I took a deep breath and glanced over at John Andrew. His smirk was as infuriating as it was unsettling. "I have a girlfriend, and I cannot do this," I blurted out, feeling like I was swimming in a sea of deception. My brain screamed, Lie, lie, lie! but my mouth refused to cooperate.

John Andrew's eyes widened, but the smirk never left his face. He leaned back, clearly amused by the sudden turn of events. My father's frown deepened as he stared at me, as if trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. In my late twenties, I was still a stranger to love, always dodging relationships like they were landmines.

"Really?" Dad finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I wasn't aware of any girlfriend in your life. You've been quite the recluse when it comes to these matters."

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of a thousand unspoken truths pressing down on me. The irony was almost too much to bear. Here I was, pretending to be in a relationship I'd never had, while my father looked at me as though I'd just told him I was secretly an alien.

John Andrew chuckled, the sound of it like nails on a chalkboard. "A girlfriend, huh? That's rich. Tell me more about this mystery woman who's apparently managed to keep you so captivated."

I wanted to retort with something witty, something to cut through the tension like a knife. But all that came out was a forced laugh. "Oh, she's wonderful. A real treasure. Loves long walks on the beach and... um, avoiding awkward family gatherings."

John Andrew raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by my struggle. "Sounds fascinating. I'd love to meet her someday. Until then, let's just say I'm skeptical."

The sarcasm in his voice was thick enough to cut with a knife. My nerves were on edge, and the tension was almost palpable. I was trapped in a web of my own making, and John Andrew's amusement was a sharp reminder of how deeply I was entangled.

Dad's gaze softened slightly, but the concern was still there. "Well, if you're so committed to this 'girlfriend,' I suppose we'll have to take your word for it. But remember, Jungkook, honesty is always the best policy."

John Andrew's laughter faded, but his gaze remained as piercing as ever. "Indeed, honesty is key. Though, I must say, I'm intrigued by your imaginative storytelling."

I nodded, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. "Yeah, well, imagination can be a powerful thing. Just like... my so-called relationship."

As I turned away, I couldn't help but think about how absurd the situation had become. My life was a mix of sarcasm and deceit, and John Andrew was all too happy to play along. At that moment, I realized that lying might be easier than telling the truth, but it was never going to be less complicated.

timeskips~

Jungkook's POV:

I walked out of my favorite late-night spot, the noodle shop that had been my favorite place since high school. There was something comforting about its neon glow and the steam rising from the bowls of chicken noodle soup. I took a deep breath, savoring the crisp midnight air as I strolled along the footpath. Seoul looked beautiful under the moonlight, a city of dreams and secrets.

As I walked, I noticed a young couple arguing on the sidewalk. The boy, in his early twenties, was visibly enraged. His face was flushed, his fists clenched, and he towered over the girl, who looked significantly younger and much more fragile in comparison. My instincts, honed over years of navigating dangerous situations, flared up immediately.

The girl's eyes were wide with fear, and she seemed to shrink under his glare. I felt a knot form in my stomach as the boy raised his hand, his anger threatening to escalate. My blood ran cold at the sight. Without thinking, I intervened, stepping directly into their confrontation.

I moved in front of him, my heart pounding as I grabbed his wrist, halting the impending violence. "Hey," I said, my voice steady but laced with an edge. "Let her go."

He turned to face me, his eyebrows crashing together in a scowl. His anger flared, and I could see the rage boiling just beneath the surface. His teeth were gritted, and his eyes were hard as steel.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "This is none of your business."

I kept my grip firm, meeting his glare with one of my own. "It became my business the moment you decided to act like a bully. She doesn't deserve this."

His gaze shifted to the girl, and for a moment, I saw something in his eyes—a flicker of hesitation, perhaps even guilt. But it was quickly replaced by a hardened resolve. "Mind your own damn business," he repeated, his voice rising.

"Listen," I said, stepping closer, my face inches from his. "I've seen enough to know when someone's in danger. If you don't walk away right now, I promise you'll regret it."

Just as things seemed to spiral out of control, the girl, her eyes wide with panic, tugged at my shirt. "He's my brother!" she pleaded, her voice trembling. "Please, don't hurt him!"

Before I could fully process her words, I saw her brother reappearing from a distance, his face set in a grim line. And in his hand, he held a baseball bat.

Panic surged through me. Without a second thought, I grabbed the girl's hand. "Come on, we need to get out of here!"

We sprinted through the streets, the city lights a blur around us. Her breathing was ragged, and I could hear her panting heavily as we ran. I led her to the nearest park, its quiet serenity a stark contrast to the chaos we'd just fled. I finally stopped, catching my breath, and turned to face her.

Why had I run away with her? I wasn't sure myself, but the urgency of the moment had pushed me into action. Now, with the immediate threat behind us, I looked at her, a mix of confusion and determination in my eyes.

"Okay, look," I said, trying to catch my breath. "I need you to answer me honestly. Will you be my fake girlfriend?"

Her eyes widened, and her expression shifted from fear to sheer disgust. "Are you serious?" she exclaimed. "You drag me out of danger, and now you're asking me to pretend to be your girlfriend? What's wrong with you?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "Look, I know it sounds insane, but I need a cover story. If your brother comes looking for us, I need a reason for why we're together. It's the only way to buy some time."

She stared at me, incredulous. "So, you're telling me you're using me as a decoy? And what if I say no? What then?"

I could see the anger and frustration in her eyes, and I understood her reaction. I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I get it. It's a lot to ask, and I'm sorry. But I need to think of something fast, and this is the only idea I have right now. You can leave if you want, but I'll be in serious trouble if your brother catches up to us."

She hesitated, her anger mixing with something else—reluctance, perhaps. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Fine. I'll play along. But just so you know, this doesn't mean I'm happy about it."

"Thank you," I said, relief washing over me. "I appreciate it. Let's just keep a low profile until things settle down."

As we sat down on a bench in the park, the silence between us was heavy. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much larger mess. But for now, all I could do was hope that this flimsy cover story would buy us the time we needed.

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