𝑬𝑵𝑺𝑵𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑫 | JUNGKOOK

78. Realization

Jungkook's POV

I stood outside the hotel, my pulse pounding in my ears. The cool evening air brushed against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the fire coursing through me. Taehyung's words echoed in my mind like a loop, each one stoking the anger building in my chest. I clenched my jaw, fists curling at my sides. How dare he? How fucking dare he?

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay steady. Now wasn't the time to lose it. Not here, not yet. I needed to keep my head clear. Turning sharply, I started walking, my steps brisk and purposeful. I needed to talk to someone. I needed to let off steam before I did something I'd regret.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, slicing through the fog of my thoughts. I paused, yanking it out. A message from Namjoon hyung lit up the screen.

Joonie: Where are you?

Me: Hotel. Why?

Joonie: Just saw Jimin yelling at his girlfriend.

My blood turned to ice.

Joonie: Seemed pretty heated.

Me: What did he say?

Joonie: No idea, but judging from his body language and hers, it wasn't good.

A new wave of anger surged through me. I had to find her.

Me: Where is she?

Joonie: In the break room, crying her eyes out.

"Fuck." I shoved my phone back into my pocket and broke into a jog. Why did Namjoon even know this? And why was he telling me? Was he trying to stir something up? My head spun with questions, but I pushed them aside. Focus. I needed to get to her, now.

I reached the elevator and stabbed the button impatiently. My thoughts were a jumble of anger and confusion, fueling my determination. Why was Jimin doing this? He told me to stay away from her, so why was he the one hurting her?

The elevator doors finally slid open, and I stepped inside, jamming the button for the floor where the break room was. My fists clenched, nails biting into my palms.

When the doors opened, I strode out with a renewed sense of urgency, my steps echoing down the lobby. Without a second thought, I shoved the door to the break room open. Conversations halted mid-sentence, heads turned. A few people stood up, eyes wide in shock.

Ignoring them, I scanned the room, spotting her. Aina and Farim were huddled around her. Her face was buried against Aina's shoulder, while Farim gently rubbed her back, murmuring softly to her. My steps faltered, anger morphing into something colder as I watched.

I took a step forward. Felix, her friend also a bartender, standing nearby, turned sharply, stepping in front of me. His hand came up to my chest, his expression hard. "What the hell are you doing here?" he barked.

The room went silent, every eye on us. "I need to talk to her," I said, keeping my voice steady and low, though the storm inside me raged on.

"Jungkook?" Her voice cut through the tension, and I looked up. Her eyes met mine, a mixture of shock and pain.

"Alba, I'm sorry," I said, my voice trembling, barely able to hold it together. "I'm so sorry."

She frowned, her brows knitting together in confusion. Her gaze flicked between me and Felix, who stood guard with a scowl that could have cut through steel.