Idol's Wife

Chapter : 21

The next morning, Jayti awoke to a strange warmth enveloping her. Her eyes fluttered open, only to find herself tangled up with Taehyung, his arm draped over her waist, his face inches from hers. For a moment, she felt a pang of confusion, wondering how they had ended up in such an intimate position.

The events of the previous day came rushing back to her.....the unexpected visit from Taehyung's parents, their shock upon learning about the marriage, and the quick decision she and Taehyung had made to pretend they were truly in love. The charade had required them to act as a couple in front of his parents, and as the night wore on, they had decided it would be safest to share a bed, maintaining the illusion.

But now, as she lay there beside him, the reality of their situation felt both awkward and oddly comforting. Taehyung's steady breathing tickled her neck, and she could feel the rise and fall of his chest against her back. Despite the tension between them, there was a strange sense of peace in the quiet morning light.

Jayti tried to shift away slowly, not wanting to wake him, but the movement caused Taehyung to stir. His grip on her waist tightened for a brief moment before his eyes blinked open, disoriented.

Taehyung's eyes met Jayti's, and for a second, neither of them spoke, the reality of their proximity sinking in. His expression softened, a rare moment of vulnerability passing between them before he quickly pulled away, sitting up in bed.

"Sorry," Taehyung mumbled, running a hand through his tousled hair. "I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay," Jayti interrupted, her voice still thick with sleep. She sat up as well, trying to shake off the lingering remnants of sleep. "We were just... playing the part, right?"

Taehyung nodded, but the awkwardness between them was palpable. They both knew this was more than just playing a part.....it was a glimpse of what could have been if circumstances had been different.

"Your parents won't change there mind, would they?" Jayti asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," Taehyung replied, rubbing his eyes. "They're staying for a month. We have to keep up the act."

Jayti sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "Right... the act."

The words hung in the air, and the tension between them grew. Neither of them knew what to say, how to bridge the chasm that had opened up between them over the past weeks.

"Let's just get through this," Taehyung finally said, his voice more determined. "We'll pretend everything's fine until they leave. Then we can figure out what happens next."

Jayti nodded, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her chest. "Yeah. Let's do that."

With that, they both got out of bed, the fragile peace of the morning already fading as they prepared to step back into their roles. They knew that the next few days would be a test of their ability to maintain the facade, but they also knew that once Taehyung's parents were gone, they would have to face the reality of their broken relationship. And as they braced themselves for the day ahead, both wondered how much longer they could keep up the act without losing themselves in the process.

After the tense morning, Jayti busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for Taehyung's parents as if everything was normal. She moved through the motions with practiced ease, trying to keep her mind focused on the task at hand. The weight of the charade they were both forced to continue gnawed at her, but she had no choice. Taehyung's parents had believed their marriage was real, and for the sake of their visit, Jayti had to play the role of the dutiful wife.

As she set the table and poured the coffee, Taehyung entered the kitchen, avoiding her gaze. They shared a brief, wordless exchange.....an unspoken understanding that neither of them was ready to address the growing tension between them. His parents came down shortly after, smiling warmly as they sat at the table.