Bridges and Boundaries / Kim Taehyung

Chapter 25

The sun filtered through the large windows of the office building, casting warm rays onto the polished floors as Taehyung made his way through the bustling corridors. He had just started a new project at work, and though the pressure was on, he found solace in the routine and the familiar faces around him. It was a welcome distraction from the lingering tension with Y/N after the incident with Seungmin.

As Taehyung entered the break room to grab a coffee, he noticed a woman standing by the counter, her back turned to him. There was something vaguely familiar about her—the way she stood, the way her hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders. It tugged at a distant memory, but Taehyung couldn't quite place it.

The woman turned around, and the second their eyes met, Taehyung froze in place, his heart skipping a beat.

"Mia?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

The woman's eyes widened in recognition, and a bright smile spread across her face. "Taehyung! Oh my God, is it really you?"

Taehyung couldn't help but grin as he stepped closer, his surprise giving way to joy. "Mia Casey! I can't believe it. How long has it been?"

Mia laughed, a light, musical sound that brought back memories of their school days. "Too long, clearly. What are you doing here? I thought you moved to the city with your family."

"I did," Taehyung replied, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that his old best friend was standing in front of him. "But life has a funny way of bringing people back together, doesn't it? What about you? How did you end up here?"

"I transferred here a few months ago for work," Mia explained, her smile never faltering. "I didn't expect to run into anyone I knew, let alone you."

They moved to a small table in the break room, catching up on the years that had passed since they last saw each other. Mia told Taehyung about her career, how she had climbed the ranks in her field and eventually landed this new position in the city. Taehyung, in turn, shared some of his own experiences—how he had started working for Y/N's family, the ups and downs he had faced, and how he was now in a much better place.

As they talked, Mia couldn't help but notice how much Taehyung had changed. He was more mature, more confident, but he still had that same warm smile she remembered from their school days. The one that had always made her heart flutter, though she had never mustered the courage to tell him how she felt back then.

"And what about your personal life?" Mia asked casually, though her heart pounded a little faster. "Anyone special in your life?"

Taehyung's smile softened, a fond look crossing his face. "Actually, there is. I'm married now."

Mia blinked, taken aback. She hadn't expected that. "Married? Wow, Taehyung, that's amazing. Congratulations! Who's the lucky person?"

"Her name is Y/N," Taehyung said, his voice filled with warmth. "She's everything I could have ever asked for. We've been through a lot together, but it's only made us stronger."

Mia's heart sank a little, though she kept her smile firmly in place. "She must be a wonderful person if she's captured your heart like that."

"She is," Taehyung replied, his eyes lighting up as he talked about Y/N. "I can't imagine my life without her."

As they continued talking, Mia couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Back in school, she had always admired Taehyung from afar, convinced that he would never see her as more than a friend. She had missed her chance, and now, seeing how happy he was with Y/N, she knew that her feelings had been right all along Taehyung was never meant to be hers.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling of what might have been. The "what if" lingered in her mind, stirring up old memories and emotions she had thought were long buried. But as she listened to Taehyung speak so lovingly about his wife, Mia knew that any lingering feelings she had for him needed to stay in the past.

"So, when did you get married?" Mia asked, genuinely curious now. She wanted to know more about the woman who had captured Taehyung's heart.

"A few months ago," Taehyung replied. "We actually had a bit of a whirlwind romance. There were so many obstacles, but we got through them together. And now, well, we're just trying to figure out this whole marriage thing."

Mia nodded, though a part of her felt a twinge of sadness. "I'm really happy for you, Taehyung. You deserve all the happiness in the world."

"Thanks, Mia," Taehyung said sincerely. "It means a lot, especially coming from you."

As they wrapped up their conversation, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of closure. Seeing Taehyung again, hearing about his life, and realizing how deeply in love he was with Y/N made her realize that her old feelings, though real, were a part of the past. She was genuinely happy for him and knew that it was time for her to let go of any lingering "what ifs" and fully embrace the future.

"I'm glad we ran into each other," Taehyung said as they stood to leave the break room. "It's really good to see you again, Mia. Let's keep in touch, okay?"

"Definitely," Mia agreed, smiling up at him. "Maybe we can all grab dinner sometime—me, you, and Y/N. I'd love to meet her."

"I'd like that," Taehyung replied, giving her a warm smile. "Take care, Mia."

"You too, Taehyung," Mia said softly. As she watched him walk away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace. Seeing Taehyung so happy had brought her a sense of closure she didn't even know she needed.

As Taehyung returned to his desk, he felt a mix of emotions. Running into Mia had brought back a lot of memories, but it also reminded him of how far he had come. His life was different now, filled with love and challenges he couldn't have imagined back in their school days. But he wouldn't trade it for anything.

He sent a quick text to Y/N, telling her that he missed her and couldn't wait to see her after work. Y/N responded with a heart emoji and a sweet message that made him smile.

No matter what life threw at them, Taehyung knew one thing for certain he and Y/N were meant to be. And nothing, not even the unexpected appearance of an old friend, could change that.