𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 ||𝐉𝐉𝐊||

35

AUTHOR POV~

As Noah disappeared from their view Jungkook's eyes bore into Y/N, making her avert her gaze down to the ground. The tension between them was palpable but Eunae was the one who quickly sensed it and .

Trying to ease the situation she said with a forced cheerfulness "Guyss.. Shall we all leave? Or Otherwise we'll be late until we reach Busan" she subtly gestured to Taehyun to join her , who caught on her gesture immediately.

"Yeah! Jungkook let's go. Y/N why don't you join ma and Eunae in our car?" Taehyun offered taking her out of the tensed situation his tone lighthearted but clear aiming to break the awkwardness.

She, eager to escape the weight of his intense stare quickly agreed. "Yes.. I'll come with you both" she said her voice slightly rushed.

But just as she was about to step forward she felt a firm grip on her hand. Startled  her eyes widened as she looked at jungkook who held her hand without thinking about anyone's reaction, she glanced around noticing everyone's shocked expressions.

Jungkook didn't bother his gaze fixed solely on her and he didn't release his hold. "She'll come with me" he said, his voice low and edged with barely contained frustration. "Right.. Y/N?!!" His teeth were clenched and his glare was impossible for her to ignore. His tone wasn't a request but a demand.

Feeling the pressure of his grip and the weight of his stare, she swallowed nervously. She didn't feel like she had much of a choice. "Yes " she mumbled nodding slightly. "Yes.. Eunae, Taehyun, I'll go with Jungkook. It'll be more convenient since you'd have to drop me off and head back."

Eunae and Taehyun exchanged glances both sensing the rising tension but choosing to nod in understanding same as  Minji and Soobin. "Alright, if that works for you" Eunae said softly though she wasn't fully convinced.

With a few brief goodbyes, Minji and Soobin departed in one car. Y/N felt a glimmer of happiness watching them go. At least something good had happened in this small trip.

She had rooted for Soobin and Minji for so long and when Soobin had finally told her in the hospital about their relationship she'd been ecstatic ever since. He had even teased her, saying,

"You're happier than Minji" making her embarassed.

Soon after, Taehyun and Eunae followed leaving Jungkook and hwr alone.

He held her hand as he led her to his car. Without saying a word he opened the passenger door for her and gestured for her to get in.

She nodded getting on the car. As he rounded the car to the driver's side she sat stiffly the silence between them growing heavier by the second.

He slid into the driver's seat, starting the engine but then he noticed she hadn't put on her seatbelt. With a quiet sigh he leaned over without warning, startling her.

Y/n instinctively flinched her eyes widening as his face came close too close. Her heart pounded in her chest.

He reached over to buckle her seatbelt, his fingers lightly brushing against her in the process. As soon as his hand made contact, his gaze instinctively locked onto hers.

For a brief moment, everything seemed to still around them. His heart skipped a beat, pounding harder in his chest as he took in her features the softness of her eyes, the slight flush on her cheeks and the way her lips glistened with lip gloss.

His breath caught in his throat as his eyes lingered on her lips the temptation tugging at him in ways he hadn't expected. It was as though time had slowed the air between them charged with an intensity that neither could ignore.