From Reluctance to Desire: A Mafia Story [JJK]

✨TANGLED HEARTS✨

The soft morning light filtered through the windows, casting a golden glow over the room. My eyelids fluttered open, my body still warm from the lingering heat of the night before.

And then I felt it. The weight of a strong arm draped over my waist, the steady rhythm of another person's breathing.

Jungkook.

My breath hitched. My heart pounded as flashes of last night played in my mind—his slurred confessions, his desperate grip on me, the way he whispered his pain into the dark like I was the only one who could hear it.

"I don't know what I'm feeling."

"I wanted to kiss you, but I didn't."

"I hate this life... but not for my wife."

A shiver ran through me at the memory, my chest tightening.

I carefully shifted, trying to slip away without waking him. His grip tightened for a moment—an instinct, like even in sleep, he didn't want to let go. My heart clenched.

But then, as if it had never happened, his fingers loosened, and I managed to pull away.

I stood beside the couch, staring at him. His face was peaceful, his usual sharpness softened in sleep. How could someone who looked so innocent right now be the same person who carried so much torment within him?

Did he even remember?

He has to remember... right?

I bit my lip, shaking off the thought as I made my way back to my room. The shower was meant to clear my mind, but the more I tried to push away the thoughts, the more they clung to me.

Why did he say those things?

Why did he hold me so tightly?

Why did it feel like, for just one night, he let me see the real him?

And most importantly—

Why does my heart hurt so much thinking about it?

I forced myself to get dressed, willing my emotions to settle. I was being ridiculous. He would remember. And when he did, I'd pretend like I didn't care.

That was the plan.

Except... reality had a different one.

By the time I came downstairs, Jungkook was gone. The couch where we had slept together looked untouched, as if last night had never even happened.

Julia was in the hallway, carrying a small tray.

"Looking for Jungkook?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I hesitated. "Did you see him?"

She nodded. "He woke up earlier. Said he was drunk last night and doesn't remember anything. Asked for something to help with his headache."

I froze.

"He doesn't remember anything."

The words rang in my head, over and over, like a cruel joke.

I stared at Julia, my fingers clenching at my sides. No. No, that's not possible. He's lying, right?

She handed me the tray. "Could you take this to him?"

I barely nodded, my mind spinning.

Why?

Why doesn't he remember?