From Reluctance to Desire: A Mafia Story [JJK]

✨THE RETURN✨

It had been a week since Jungkook left.

The days felt hollow, stretching endlessly as I waited for a sign, a call, anything. Each morning I woke up hoping that today would be the day he'd return, but the silence in the house was my only companion.

This evening was no different. I sat in the living room, the glow of the setting sun casting long shadows on the walls. Julia and the other workers were finishing up for the day, their soft chatter and footsteps fading as they left. Soon, the house was silent again, save for the faint ticking of the clock.

I stared at my phone, the screen lighting up in my hand as I dialed his number for what felt like the hundredth time. The line was busy. I sighed, the frustration and hurt building up in my chest. Why won't he just talk to me?

I was about to give up for the day when I heard the faint sound of the front door opening. My heart skipped a beat. I shot up from the couch, hope and nervousness mingling in my veins.

Then I heard his voice. Jungkook.

He was talking to someone on the phone, his tone sharp and commanding. I edged closer to the hall, trying to catch his words.

"It's him, Dad," Jungkook said, his voice low but laced with authority. "I confirmed it. We'll finish it off tomorrow."

My heart sank at the coldness in his words. Finish it off? I knew what that meant in his world, and it sent a chill down my spine. He hung up, shoving his phone into his pocket before turning toward the living room.

Our eyes met.

He looked... different. His features were sharp, his jaw tense, and his dark eyes burned with anger. I felt my feet move toward him instinctively, but before I could reach him, he turned away, walking past me without a word.

"Jungkook," I called softly, but he didn't respond.

I stood there, stunned. Was he still angry about our fight? Was this about something else? My thoughts raced as I followed him to the bedroom, determined to get answers.

He was already in the room when I entered, his back turned to me as he unbuttoned his suit jacket.

"Jungkook," I said again, louder this time.

"What?" he snapped, not even bothering to look at me.

I flinched at his tone. "Why are you acting like this?"

"Like what?" he asked coldly, tossing his jacket onto the chair.

"Like you're angry with me," I said, my voice trembling. "I haven't seen you in a week, and you won't even talk to me."

He finally turned to face me, his eyes narrowing. "You don't understand, Y/N. I don't have time for this right now."

"Don't have time for what? For me?" I asked, my frustration bubbling over. "You disappeared for a week without a word, and now you come back and treat me like this? What did I do, Jungkook?"

He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "It's not about you," he muttered, turning away again.

"Then why are you angry with me?" I demanded, stepping closer to him.

"I'm not angry with you," he said, his tone clipped.

"You're lying," I said, crossing my arms. "I can see it in your face. If it's not me, then what is it? Talk to me, Jungkook."

He whipped around, his eyes blazing. "You want to know what's wrong? Fine. I'm dealing with something bigger than us, something you wouldn't understand. So stop asking fucking questions and just—just leave it alone, Y/N."

His words stung, and I felt my throat tighten. "Is that what you think of me? That I'm too naive to understand your world?"

"This isn't about what you can or can't understand," he said, his voice softening slightly but still distant. "This is about me trying to protect you."

I shook my head, tears brimming in my eyes. "Protect me by shutting me out? By making me feel like I don't matter?"

His gaze faltered for a moment, but he quickly looked away, grabbing a fresh shirt from the closet. "I don't have time for this, Y/N."

"Stop saying that!" I shouted, my voice breaking. "You always say you don't have time for me, but you have time for everyone else. Your father, your men, your precious Black Rose—everything comes before me."

"That's not fair," he said quietly, his back still to me.

"What's not fair is how you're treating me right now," I said, my voice trembling. "I love you, Jungkook. I've stood by you through everything. But you don't get to shut me out like this."

He didn't respond. Instead, he grabbed his phone and walked toward the door.

"Where are you going now?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.

"Out," he said curtly.

"To do what? Kill someone?" I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth, but it was too late.

He froze, his hand on the door handle. Slowly, he turned to face me, his expression unreadable.

"Be careful what you say, Y/N," he said, his voice dangerously low.

I swallowed hard, tears streaming down my face. "You're pushing me away, Jungkook. And I don't know how much longer I can take it."

He didn't reply. Without another word, he opened the door and left, slamming it shut behind him.

I stood there, my heart shattering into a million pieces.

The house felt even emptier than before. I sank onto the bed, clutching my knees to my chest as sobs wracked my body.

Why does loving him hurt so much?