𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐄 |•𝐤𝐭𝐡

Chapter 5

Let's get started 💪🏻🤠

Y/N shifted downstairs after getting ready, adjusting the sleeve of her outfit as she descended the last few steps. The soft hum of voices drifted from the kitchen, followed by a burst of laughter.

She paused for a moment.

Her mother and Taehyung’s mom were inside, talking as they moved around the kitchen. The familiar sound of their laughter made Y/N’s lips curve into a small smile. It felt warm and peaceful in a way she hadn’t expected.

Shaking the thought away, she continued walking down the stairs.

In the living room, her father and Taehyung’s father were seated across from each other, deep in conversation. Papers and a tablet rested on the center table between them.

Y/N slowed her steps slightly, catching fragments of their discussion.

"…the expansion might look promising, but the market fluctuation isn’t stable yet," her father was saying thoughtfully.

Taehyung’s father nodded, leaning back in his seat. "True, but Taehyung’s been handling the numbers quite carefully. The last quarter’s growth was better than we expected."

Y/N almost laughed to herself.

Of course, she thought.

Her father was probably asking about the profits and losses of Taehyung’s business again. Business discussions seemed to follow him everywhere.

She finally stepped fully into the living room.

"Good morning, Dad," she greeted softly.

Both men looked up at the same time.

The serious expressions on their faces softened almost instantly when they saw her.

"There you are," her father said, a small smile appearing on his lips. "Good morning, beta."

Taehyung’s father smiled warmly as well. "Good morning, Y/N."

She returned the smile politely before walking a little closer to them.

"Were you both discussing business again?" she asked lightly, glancing at the papers on the table.

Her father chuckled, not even bothering to deny it. "What else do you think we are talking about?"

Taehyung’s father shook his head with a quiet laugh. "Your father is very curious about Taehyung’s company these days."

Y/N raised her eyebrows playfully. "Should I be worried?"

"Not at all," her father replied quickly.

From the kitchen, the sound of utensils clinking followed by another round of laughter reached them again.

Y/N instinctively turned her head toward the sound.

Her mother's voice floated through the hallway.

"You’re cutting the vegetables too small!"

Taehyung’s mom laughed. "Oh please, I’ve been cooking longer than you!"

Y/N couldn’t help but smile again.

They both are same.

She let out a small chuckle, the warmth of the moment settling comfortably around her. Just then, the soft sound of footsteps approached from the kitchen. Taehyung's mom stepped out first, followed closely by Y/N's mother, both still carrying the easy smiles they had been sharing moments earlier.

"Oh, Y/N! Good morning," Taehyung's mom greeted warmly, the brightness on her face making her look even more beautiful.

Y/N couldn't help but return the smile. "Good morning," she replied sweetly, her voice gentle as she greeted her mother as well with a quick affectionate glance.

The pleasant atmosphere lingered as Taehyung's mom clapped her hands lightly together. "Come, breakfast is ready," she called out, gesturing toward the dining area.

One by one, everyone moved toward the dining table. Chairs scraped softly against the floor as they settled in. The table had already been neatly arranged — plates placed carefully, steam rising from freshly prepared dishes, the faint aroma of warm food filling the air. Y/N too took her seat quietly.

As conversation resumed around the table, her eyes wandered for a brief moment — and that was when she noticed that one chair remained empty.

Her gaze lingered there slightly longer than it should have. She didn’t say anything, but the absence didn't go unnoticed by her.

Taehyung's mom, who had been watching everyone settle down, caught the subtle shift in Y/N's expression almost instantly.

"Oh.. Taehyung isn't here," she said lightly, her tone almost casual as her gaze lingered on the empty chair for a second. Yet the small curve of her lips and the brief glance she stole toward Y/N made it clear she had noticed the subtle change in her expression and was quietly teasing, but Y/N didn't notice it.

The table grew a little quieter.

Everyone's attention briefly shifted toward her.

Taehyung's mom seemed slightly uneasy under their gazes, clearing her throat softly before looking back at Y/N again.

"U-uh… Y/N, daughter… could you please call him for breakfast?" she asked, her voice hesitant, almost careful with the request.

Y/N offered her a reassuring smile before nodding lightly.

"Of course," she said politely.

She pushed her chair back and stood up, smoothing the fabric of her outfit absentmindedly before turning toward the hallway.

The house suddenly felt much bigger now that she was walking through it alone.

As she stepped further inside, her eyes moved from one corridor to another, briefly scanning the doors that lined the walls.

“Where is his room?” she murmured quietly to herself.

She had never actually been inside this part of the house before.

Slowing her steps, she glanced around again, trying to figure out which direction to take. Every door looked almost the same, and the silence of the hallway only made her feel slightly more unsure.

As she continued walking down the hallway, her steps slowed when she heard a sudden sound from one of the rooms — something faintly clattering, as if an object had just fallen.

Her eyes immediately shifted toward the door.

Maybe that's his room..

She walked up to it and stood outside for a moment, listening carefully. The house was otherwise quiet, which made the sound even more noticeable.

Raising her hand, she knocked twice on the door.

"Hello?" she called softly.

There was no response.

She waited for a few seconds, glancing briefly down the corridor as if expecting someone to answer from inside. But the silence remained.

After another moment of hesitation, she slowly pushed the door open herself, peeking inside.

But just as the door creaked open slightly—

"What are you doing?"

The sudden voice came from right behind her.

Y/N froze instantly, her hand still resting on the doorknob.

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