His Cold Heart J.JK

Chapter 20: Facing shadows

The evening air was filled with anticipation as Yoonji stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of her sleek black dress. The elegant fabric hugged her figure perfectly, and she felt a mixture of excitement and nerves bubbling in her stomach. Tonight's business party was a significant event, and she was determined to make a good impression.

Jungkook entered the room, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit that accentuated his physique. His dark eyes sparkled with confidence, and he offered her a warm smile that sent a flutter through her. "You look stunning," he said, his voice smooth and sincere.

"Thanks," she replied, trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. "You look handsome yourself."

As they made their way to the venue, Jungkook chatted about the night's agenda, his enthusiasm infectious. Yoonji felt herself relaxed, appreciating how much he cared about making her feel included.

The venue was an upscale hotel ballroom, shimmering with golden lights and filled with elegantly dressed guests. Yoonji took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. She hoped to make a good impression, especially with Jungkook by her side.

As they entered the room, Jungkook's presence seemed to command attention. Colleagues and clients greeted him with respect, and Yoonji felt a swell of pride being by his side. However, beneath her smile, a gnawing sense of anxiety lingered. The feeling of someone watching her every move, but she ignored it and went back to focusing on Jungkook.

The evening progressed smoothly. Yoonji mingled with guests, impressed by Jungkook's ability to navigate conversations with ease. Just as she began to feel comfortable, however, her heart dropped when she spotted a familiar face across the room.

There, standing amidst the crowd, was someone she had desperately tried to forget. It was her cousin, Taehyung—the last person she expected to see at an event like this. Memories flooded her mind, each one more painful than the last. She froze, panic gripping her.

"Yoonji?" Jungkook's voice cut through her haze, but she barely registered it. She could feel her heart racing, the world around her blurring as the memories of her past rushed back. The shame, the fear, the choices she had made to escape her family's darkness—they all swirled in her mind.

"Yoonji, are you okay?" Jungkook's concern deepened as he noticed her pale face.

Before she could answer, the room began to spin. She felt the walls closing in on her, the laughter and chatter fading into a distant echo. "I... I can't breathe," she gasped, gripping the edge of the table for support.

Jungkook's eyes widened in alarm as he instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist. "Hey, hey, look at me," he urged gently. "Focus on my voice. You're safe."

But Yoonji's breaths came in shallow gasps, her vision narrowing as the panic consumed her. All she could see was Taehyung's familiar smirk, a reminder of everything she had tried to escape. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the memories to go away.

"Yoonji!" Jungkook's voice pierced through her panic, grounding her in the moment. He moved closer, his presence reassuring. "Take a deep breath with me. In... and out."

Slowly, she matched her breathing to his, trying to steady the racing of her heart. Gradually, the chaos in her mind began to quiet.

After what felt like an eternity, Yoonji opened her eyes, meeting Jungkook's worried gaze. "I'm... I'm sorry," she stammered, feeling the weight of embarrassment wash over her.

"Don't be," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to apologize for feeling this way. Just tell me what you need."

She glanced back at Taehyung, who was now approaching them, an easy grin on his face. "What's going on here?" he asked, his tone light, but Yoonji could sense the underlying tension.

"I think it's time we leave," Jungkook replied firmly, keeping his arm protectively around Yoonji's shoulders.

As they stepped outside into the cool night air, Yoonji took a deep breath, allowing the calmness to wash over her. With Jungkook by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope, but the anxiety of Taehyung's presence lingered. She didn't want Jungkook to know the truth about her past, fearing it would change how he saw her.

"Let's just forget about it," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'll be fine. We can focus on having a good time at the party."

Jungkook studied her for a moment, concern etched on his face. "You don't have to pretend with me, Yoonji. I'm here if you want to talk."

She shook her head, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Really, I'm okay. I just need to clear my head." Inside, however, she felt a deep conflict—a desire to open up to him clashing with the instinct to protect herself. As they walked towards the venue, she resolved to keep her past buried, no matter how hard it became.

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