The Second Choice

Time Bomb

It was the launch day of Kojae Media's Paris branch, and Y/N was wide awake, already halfway through her makeup routine. She stared at her reflection, brushing on the finishing touches with steady hands. Despite the whirlwind of emotions she had been experiencing over the past few weeks, today she was determined to focus. The Paris launch was important, not just for the company, but for her—and for Taehyung.

As she carefully applied mascara, she heard a faint knock on the bathroom door. Looking up, she saw Taehyung leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed as he admired her with a soft smile. There was something so reassuring in his gaze, a kind of warmth that made her heart race in a different way than Jimin ever had.

"You look beautiful," he said quietly, pushing himself off the frame and walking towards her. Y/N felt her pulse quicken as he stood behind her, watching her reflection in the mirror. She smiled shyly, still a little nervous around him despite everything they had been through together recently.

"Thank you," she murmured, setting down her brush. Taehyung bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, lingering for a moment longer than usual. His affection felt pure, sincere—something Y/N had found herself craving more and more as she tried to distance herself emotionally from Jimin. She hadn't told Jimin outright that she was done, but her silence had spoken volumes. She wanted to move forward, to give herself fully to Taehyung, yet the shadows of her past still loomed.

Without saying anything, Y/N turned around and pulled Taehyung into a tight hug. Surprised by her sudden affection, he wrapped his arms around her in return, holding her close. For a moment, everything felt right—like maybe she could finally let go of the confusion and heartbreak that had been haunting her.

After a few seconds, she pulled back and gave him a soft smile. "Ready for the big day?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Taehyung chuckled, his confidence unwavering despite the significance of the event.

Once they were both dressed and prepared, they headed out to the Kojae Media building in Paris. The grand launch was buzzing with energy, and the excitement was palpable as they entered the sleek, modern space. Y/N spotted Emery and Savannah near the refreshment table, chatting and grabbing some snacks before the event started.

As Y/N approached them, she suddenly felt a prickle at the back of her neck. She instinctively glanced over her shoulder and saw Jimin entering the room with Jungkook. Her heart gave an involuntary jolt, but she quickly looked away, knowing that Savannah was nearby. Jimin had lied to Savannah about his relationship with Y/N being over, and so far, Savannah didn't suspect a thing. Y/N felt a strange sense of relief that she hadn't spoken to Jimin in days—it made it easier to focus on Taehyung and what they were building together.

Jimin, on the other hand, spotted Y/N almost immediately. His chest tightened at the sight of her, but he quickly masked his reaction, keeping his face neutral as he exchanged pleasantries with others around him. Savannah was at his side, and though he managed to play it cool, his mind was racing. He had convinced Savannah that his relationship with Y/N was long over, but seeing her here—looking stunning and happy with Taehyung—sent a surge of jealousy through him.

As the crowd mingled and exchanged greetings, Taehyung stood a little apart, mentally practicing his speech for the event. Y/N could see the slight tension in his shoulders and walked over to him, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze.

"You'll do great," she whispered. Taehyung smiled down at her, the nervous energy easing from his face.

When the event officially began, Taehyung was the first to give his speech. He walked up to the podium with calm confidence, glancing once at Y/N before addressing the crowd.