𝑬𝑵𝑺𝑵𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑫 | JUNGKOOK

18. The Balance

Alba's POV

As you stepped into the restaurant, your eyes scanned the elegant interior. The soft lighting cast a warm glow over the polished surfaces, creating an intimate atmosphere. You took a deep breath, steadying yourself and reinforcing your resolve to stay in control of the situation.

A hostess approached with a welcoming smile. "Good evening, ma'am. Do you have a reservation?"

"Yes," you replied confidently.  "I'm meeting someone. It should be under the name Jungkook."

The hostess nodded. "Of course. Mr. Jungkook has already arrived. Please, follow me."

As you weaved through the tables, your heart rate quickened slightly. You repeated your earlier mantra: "I am strong. I am resilient. I am in control."

As the hostess led you through the restaurant, your nerves were on edge. You noticed you were heading toward a more secluded area. The intimate and private setting made you uneasy, but you repeated your mantra once again.

You reached a table in a closed-off section where there were no other customers. Your heart raced as you spotted Jungkook seated at the table, casually yet impeccably dressed. He wore a tailored navy blazer over a crisp white shirt, paired with dark jeans and polished black tractor boots. The outfit exuded effortless elegance and wealth.

As you approached, the hostess called out softly, "Mr. Jungkook, your guest has arrived."

Jungkook looked up from his phone. His eyes locked onto you, His eyes traveled from your face down to your outfit. His expression was intense, almost predatory, as if you were the main course he'd been waiting for.

You felt your heart skip a beat. The way he looked at you made the air around you feel charged, as if it had suddenly become a few degrees warmer. His gaze made you feel both flustered and exhilarated.

"Alba," he greeted, standing up to pull out your chair. "You look stunning."

You felt your cheeks heat under his scrutinizing gaze. You tried to maintain your composure as you sat down across from him, your heart pounding in your chest. The air seemed to thicken around you, making it hard to breathe.

"Thank you," you managed to reply, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. "You don't look bad either." You retorted tried to cut the heat.

He left a throaty chuckle making you more flustered despite your state. As he sat back down, the hostess addressed him, "What drink would you like to start with, sir?"

He turned his attention to you, his eyes softening slightly. "How about a glass of red wine? Or would you prefer something else?"

"Red wine sounds perfect," you replied, keeping your voice steady despite your racing heart.

"A bottle of your best red wine, please," he instructed the hostess, who nodded and left you to their privacy.

For a moment, there was a charged silence between you. You took a deep breath, reminding yourself to stay in control.

"So," he began, leaning slightly forward.

"So?" you replied finding your voice.

"I have to admit, I was surprised by the private setting." you said looking around.

His smile widened. "I wanted us to have some privacy. I hope that's alright?"

"Its fine," you assured him, though you still felt a bit off-balance. "It's just unexpected."

"I understand," he said, his tone sincere. "I wanted to make a good impression." He said grinning.

"I thought first impression is your last impression?" you regretted it as soon as the words left your mouth. Because covering the awkward moments with humor is kind of your habit.

"Then I'm glad you decided to come to give me another chance." he replied with a serious face as you couldn't read his expressions.

You took a deep breath. "I'm here, but let's get one thing straight. I'm not here to play games, Jungkook."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Fair enough." The intensity of his gaze made you feel exposed, but you were determined not to let him see your nerves.

"Why the sudden interest?" you asked, meeting his eyes head-on.

He sighed, his expression softening slightly. "You want the real answer or the..."

"The real answer, of course," you said too quickly.  

He smirked at your hasty response, his eyes glinting with amusement. Leaning back in his chair.  "I've been intrigued by you," he admitted. "You have a way of getting under my skin. And I don't just mean physically."

You swallowed hard, trying to control your racing heart. Despite your reservations, his words were starting to affect you.

He chuckled softly, clearly amused by your response. He leaned back in his seat, his gaze never leaving yours. "You're different from the women I usually meet. You're headstrong, independent, and you don't take any bullshit from me." He paused, his expression growing more intense. "And I find that insanely attractive."

Your heart raced at his confession. You hadn't expected him to say something like that, and it threw you off balance for a moment. You tried to keep your expression neutral, but you couldn't help the flush that rose to your cheeks. "Is that the only reason? You just find me 'attractive'?"

He smirked, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on you. "No," he said, leaning closer. "It's not just the physical attraction. It's the fact that you challenge me. You keep me on my toes." He paused, his gaze growing more intense. "And I don't mind it at all."

You swallowed hard, feeling the heat between you both grow even more intense. You tried to maintain your cool, trying not to get lost in his gaze. "So, you're looking for a challenge, then?" you asked, your voice coming out a little breathy.

He chuckled, leaning even closer to you. His voice dropped to a low, seductive murmur. "You could say that. And you, sweetheart, are the biggest challenge I've come across in a long time. And I find that...exhilarating."

Before you could respond, the waitress returned with the wine. She poured you each a glass, you took a grateful sip of your wine, hoping it would help you regain your composure. The rich, smooth liquid slid down your throat as Jungkook continued to watch you with those intense eyes.

The waitress left you alone once again, and the silence between you two grew thicker by the second. You could feel the tension in the air, like a live wire just waiting to spark.

Jungkook broke the silence, his voice low and sultry. "So, you were saying something about not playing games...?"

You took another deep breath, trying to steady your racing heart. You knew you had to stay in control of the situation, even though everything about him was making it harder and harder to do so. "I was," you replied, meeting his gaze head on. "And I meant it. I'm not here to be a plaything for you, Jungkook."

He chuckled again, clearly amused by your determination. "I never intended to treat you as a plaything, sweetheart." He took a slow sip of his wine, his gaze never leaving yours. "But I have to admit, it's cute how you think you can resist me."

You scoffed, trying to mask the way your body reacted to his words. "I can resist you just fine, Jungkook. I'm not some swooning, weak-kneed girl who falls at your feet."

You glowered at him, irritation mixing with the heat pooling in your core. "I can resist you just fine," you lied, knowing deep down that you were losing the battle.

The way his eyes twinkled with mischief and his lips curled into a cocky smirk made your stomach flutter. He smirked, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Is that so? Then let's test that theory, shall we?" He leaned even closer to you, his presence making you feel even more flustered than before. "Let's see how long you can keep that resolve of yours, sweetheart."

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