Edges of Temptation | TAEJIN

Chapter 14

♪ - Somebody's me by Enrique Iglesias

Seokjin

“HYUNG!”

I snapped out of my thoughts, frustrated by Jungkook’s loud voice. “WHAT?” I looked at him in disbelief. He narrowed his eyes at me. “We’ve been sitting in the car for fifteen minutes. Do you plan on driving today?” I gulped, shaking my head internally, wanting to forget everything. It had been a whole day since what had happened. Taehyung and Jimin had left when I went to freshen up, and since today was Sunday, Namjoon was off work, so I was heading to his house for my first session.

Amidst all this, every detail from Friday was crystal clear in my mind. What on earth had gotten into me? How had I dared to even— I was dazed, strange sensations rippling in my stomach. My mind was a mess. I admit I was a little drunk that night. After getting Taehyung to sleep, I too fell asleep on him. Where had your guard gone, Jin? My body shuddered at the thought of waking up in his arms, seeing his morning face—it was so hot. I bit my lip. He was so close; we were so close. The sensations in my stomach intensified whenever I thought of his lips on my cheek. If he’d moved just a little to the other side, I might have lost my first kiss to him, which I wouldn’t have regretted at all.

Who knew his embrace could be so comforting? Who knew someone like him knew how to cuddle? And who knew we’d end up like that? What had we even done? No—what had I allowed? It was something I’d never get over because every second made it harder to move on. I was overwhelmed by so many emotions right now, and most of them were about that man whom I was supposed to keep boundaries with, not to cross any lines with.

“I guess we’ll be sitting like this for another fifteen minutes. Should I order lunch? You can think over it while we eat,” Jungkook sighed as I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at him with an apologetic expression.

“I’m so sorry, Jungkook-ah. I just can’t seem to think straight right now. Where did you ask me to drop you off?”

“At Yoongi hyung’s firm. He said they’re having a seminar on corporate law. It’ll be starting around eleven.” I nodded and started the car, heading out from the quarters.

“Hyung, you know you can tell me if it’s too much to handle. Do you like him even a little?” My heart skipped a beat at Jungkook’s last question. I pursed my lips.

“Great professors like me don’t dislike their students.” I added humor to the statement, smirking at Jungkook, who just scoffed and shook his head. Then his expression turned serious.

“You know why we call it feelings? It’s not always just one emotion. It involves several sentiments—be it hate, love, liking, longing, rage, and more. Now I want to hear your part of these. You can lie to me, hyung, but you can never lie to yourself.” I stayed quiet, processing the philosophy Jungkook had just shared as I exhaled helplessly.

“It’s just a passing phase, Jungkook-ah. Youngsters often have these fleeting attachments, and it wears off on its own,” I replied, trying to explain my messed-up theory.

“But I’ve seen it, hyung—the way he looks at you, the way you look at him. It’s not convincing enough to call it just a ‘passing phase.’ Both of you are equally unsure about your feelings—he keeps pursuing you without realizing what’s developing, and you, on the other hand, push him away and then act on impulse. It’s all messed up. Fine, I’ll go with your theory: if it’s a passing phase for him, was what happened that day a passing phase for you too? You’re not a ‘youngster.’ You’re just avoiding it, Jin hyung.”

I swallowed hard. Jungkook could read me like an open book, and I couldn’t doubt him. Every word he said made complete sense. “You telling me all this won’t change the fact that he’s my student, and any contact beyond that of a professor could ruin both our careers. Besides, your hyung doesn’t believe in violating norms. We should stick to what society expects of us.” I halted the car by the side of the road next to Yoongi’s firm.