Chapter 36 - The Unexpected Encounter

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Taehyung's POV

"See, isn't it the best view?" the real estate agent said with a practiced smile, his voice brimming with the confidence that comes only from showing this exact apartment to dozens of potential buyers before me.

He slid open the glass door to the balcony with a smooth motion, revealing the breathtaking ocean view stretched before us, the waves crashing against the shore with a soothing and eternal rhythm.

I stepped closer, drawn by the pull of the scene outside. The salty tang of the sea breeze hit me first, followed by the sight of endless blue meeting the horizon.

We were on the twentieth floor, high enough to feel detached from the world below, yet close enough to hear the distant sounds of children laughing and seagulls calling.

I pictured how it would feel to live here. I imagined hanging white sheer curtains over the sliding door, their delicate fabric catching the cool breeze and billowing inward, filling the room with an airy, ethereal beauty.

The thought of waking up to this view every morning, with the soft rustle of curtains and the gentle whisper of the ocean as my alarm, was undeniably tempting.

But practical thoughts crept in, breaking the spell of the moment. "Hmm," I mused, turning back to the agent. "Isn't the monthly maintenance cost a bit high?"

He smiled, a flash of perfectly whitened teeth. It was the smile of someone who had heard this question many times before and had a rehearsed answer ready. "I understand your concern, but think of it as an investment in your quality of life. The amenities, the security, and of course, this view," he gestured grandly toward the ocean, "are all part of what makes this property so special. It's not just a home, Isn't it a paradise?"

No

I nodded, half-listening as he launched into a detailed description of the building's features, from the gym to the rooftop infinity pool that overlooked the sea. But my mind drifted back to the balcony, to the feeling of the wind in my hair, and the soft flutter of those imaginary curtains. The view was perfect, almost too perfect.

"I will think about it," I said, my voice steady but noncommittal as I tore my gaze away from the view. The agent's smile didn't falter.

"Of course," he replied smoothly, as if he hadn't expected anything less. "Take your time. A place like this... it's worth thinking over." He stepped back, giving me space as I turned for one last look at the balcony, the ocean beyond.

I nodded, my mind already swirling with possibilities and doubts. I had always dreamed about buying a place for myself, a sanctuary that was truly mine.

And in my dreams, it was a place exactly like this-perched high above the world, with an endless view of the ocean, where the sky met the sea in a seamless horizon.

"I'll be in touch," I added, more to myself than to him, as I walked away from the balcony, back toward the reality of the polished floors and neutral walls. The sound of the waves faded behind me as the agent led me to the door.

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This Sunday felt like a waste of time; the apartment visit dragged on longer than I anticipated, consuming half of the day I had hoped to spend relaxing.

I sighed, frustration bubbling up, but quickly decided to make the most of what was left.

I grabbed my phone and texted Jungkook, asking if he wanted to join me. Visiting Aria seemed like the perfect way to salvage the day, to turn the disappointment of a lost morning into something more fulfilling.

It had been ages since I'd seen Aria. Adulthood had a way of claiming everyone's time, pulling us all into our own busy lives. I could hardly believe it had been a whole year since we last made our weekly trips to Blue Moon.

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