His Ultimate Obsession

16.Heart on Fire

After the party, Taehyung's behavior towards Ragini shifted ever so subtly. At first, it wasn't something that stood out, just small, almost imperceptible changes. He was still the friendly, charming Taehyung she had gotten close to during the collaboration. But there was a newfound hesitation in his actions-longer pauses before he spoke to her, more thoughtful glances that lingered just a little too long.

When they met for coffee or at the office, his usual playful demeanor softened. The teasing jokes they shared were still there, but now his words carried an undercurrent of something else, something unspoken. He'd hold her gaze just a bit longer, his smile more subdued, like he was weighing his emotions.

During their conversations, Taehyung would listen more intently, his eyes studying her face as if searching for something he hadn't noticed before. When Ragini would mention Jungkook in passing, he grew quieter, his easy-going manner giving way to a more serious tone. It was as if something had shifted between them after he'd seen how Jungkook had acted at the party-how quick he was to save her, how deeply protective he seemed.

Taehyung didn't know the full story between her and Jungkook, but his instincts told him there was more to it than what met the eye. And now, every time he saw Ragini, he couldn't shake the feeling that his connection to her was starting to change-no longer just friendship, but something deeper, something he wasn't sure he was ready to confront yet.

As the days passed, Taehyung found it harder to ignore the growing shift in his feelings for Ragini. He had always seen her as a close friend, someone he could laugh with and confide in, but ever since the party, something had changed. He wasn't sure if it was the way Jungkook had rushed to her side or the quiet tension he sensed between the two, but it had left him feeling uneasy.

One afternoon, they were working late together in the office, reviewing some final details for a project. Taehyung glanced up from his work and caught Ragini's eyes for a moment longer than usual. He noticed how tired she looked, yet she still had that same spark in her eyes, the one that always made her so captivating to be around.

"Hey," he said, breaking the silence, "you doing okay?"

Ragini smiled, brushing off the concern. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind lately."

Taehyung nodded, though the weight of his thoughts made him feel more conflicted. He had always prided himself on being easy-going, never one to get too caught up in complicated emotions. But now, every time he saw her, something stirred in him, making it impossible to ignore.

On the other hand, Jungkook was still a looming presence in his mind. He hadn't brought it up with Ragini yet, unsure of how to even broach the subject. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable, but the curiosity-and perhaps jealousy-was eating at him. He needed to know what was going on between them. He couldn't deny his own growing feelings for Ragini, but he also didn't want to make things more complicated than they already seemed.

"Want to grab something to eat later?" Taehyung asked casually, trying to keep the conversation light.

Ragini looked up, surprised by the offer. "Sure, that sounds nice."

He smiled at her, but the question lingered in his mind-how deep did her connection with Jungkook go? And did he even have a chance to change things between them before it was too late?

During their lunch break, Taehyung and Ragini made their way to a cozy café near the office, the warm aroma of coffee and pastries filling the air as they sat down. Taehyung felt a bit more at ease, but the curiosity and uncertainty were still there, lingering beneath the surface.

She playfully teased him, "Come on, Tae, you're unusually quiet today. What's going on in that head of yours?"

Taehyung gave a soft chuckle, trying to shake off the unease that had been bubbling up since the party. "Just thinking... you know how it is," he replied casually, but Ragini could sense something was different.