The Forbidden Love - between a fangirl and idol (Jungkookff)

Chapter 13: Cracks in the Mirror

As the weeks passed, the warmth of that evening with Jungkook lingered in Y/N's heart like a flickering candle. But with each day, the outside world began to press in again, reminding her that love, no matter how pure, couldn't exist in a vacuum.

Work had become more demanding, and while Y/N tried to focus on her projects, her mind was often elsewhere. She had started to notice the curious glances from her colleagues, whispers that seemed to grow louder with each passing day. Though none of them dared to ask her directly, she could sense the speculation. Her frequent disappearances during lunch breaks, her sudden quietness—it didn't go unnoticed.

One afternoon, as she was preparing a layout for a new campaign, Sarah appeared at her desk. Her usual cheerful demeanor was replaced by something more serious.

"Hey, Y/N," She said, pulling up a chair. "Do you have a minute?"

Y/N's heart sank. She had always felt close to Sarah; she was one of her few true friends. But the look on his face told her that something was weighing on him.

"Sure," she replied, setting her stylus down.

She hesitated, glancing around the office before leaning in closer. "Is everything okay with you?"

Y/N blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Why do you ask?"

Sarah rubbed the back of her neck, clearly uncomfortable. "Look, I don't want to pry, but people have been talking. You've been... distant lately. And I've noticed you've been going out a lot, taking calls in private."

Her stomach twisted. So the whispers had finally reached him too.

"I'm just busy," she tried to brush it off, but Sarah wasn't convinced.

"Y/N, we've known each other for a while now. If something's going on, you can tell me. I'm your friend. I'm worried about you."

For a moment, she considered telling her everything—the whirlwind of emotions she had been caught in since meeting Jungkook, the fear of being found out, the pressure from her family. But the words stuck in her throat. How could she explain something so complicated?

"I appreciate it, Sarah," she said, trying to smile. "But really, everything's fine. Just a lot on my plate right now."

Sarah studied her for a moment, her eyes searching for the truth. Finally, she sighed. "Okay. But if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me."

As she stood and walked away, Y/N felt a pang of guilt. She hated keeping secrets, especially from someone like Sarah who had always been so supportive. But she couldn't risk exposing her relationship with Jungkook, not when things were already so fragile.

That evening, Y/N found herself staring at her phone, scrolling through the numerous articles and social media posts that had surfaced in the past few days. Though there were no direct rumors about her and Jungkook, the media was constantly speculating about his love life. Every woman he was seen with became the subject of tabloid headlines, and fans dissected every move he made, desperate to uncover the truth.

The pressure was suffocating.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Jungkook.

Jungkook: "Are you free tonight? I want to see you."

Y/N's fingers hovered over the keyboard. As much as she wanted to say yes, a knot of anxiety tightened in her chest. Every time they met, the risk grew greater. She knew that Jungkook had tried his best to keep things discreet, but she couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking on thin ice.

Still, the thought of seeing him made her heart flutter. Maybe being with him, even for a little while, would ease the tension that had been building inside her.

Y/N: "I can meet you later. Where?"

They met at a small, hidden restaurant in a quiet part of Seoul. The place was dimly lit and cozy, with only a handful of other patrons. Jungkook had chosen it carefully, knowing they needed somewhere where they could blend in, away from prying eyes.

When she walked in, he was already seated at a corner table, his hood pulled low over his face. But when he saw her, his expression softened, and the weight on her chest seemed to lift, if only for a moment.

"Hey," he greeted her as she slid into the seat across from him.

"Hey," she replied, offering him a small smile.

For a while, they talked about light things—his music, her projects, the mundane details of their daily lives. It felt almost normal, like they were just two people sharing a quiet dinner together.

But as the conversation lulled, Y/N couldn't keep her worries bottled up any longer.

"I've been thinking," she started, her voice quieter than usual. "About us."

Jungkook's expression grew serious, and he leaned in slightly. "What about us?"

She looked down at her hands, unsure of how to phrase the thoughts that had been swirling in her mind for days. "I'm scared, Jungkook. Scared of what might happen if people find out about us. Scared of how this could all fall apart."

His jaw clenched, and he reached across the table to take her hand in his. "I told you, I'll protect you. We'll be careful."

"I know," she whispered, her voice shaky. "But sometimes I feel like this is too much. Your life... it's not normal. And I don't know if I'm strong enough to handle it."

Jungkook's grip on her hand tightened, as if he was trying to hold onto her, to keep her from slipping away. "You don't have to do this alone. I'm here. We can figure this out together."

"But for how long?" The words tumbled out before she could stop them. "How long before the media finds out? How long before your fans turn on me? How long before your management tells you to end this?"

The questions hung in the air between them, heavy and unspoken until now.

Jungkook's face hardened, but there was a flicker of pain in his eyes. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice low. "I don't know what's going to happen. But I don't want to lose you because of what other people might think."

Y/N's heart ached at the sincerity in his words. She wanted to believe him, wanted to believe that love could conquer the chaos of his world. But the doubts, the fears—they were always there, lurking in the background.

"I don't want to lose you either," she said softly, tears welling up in her eyes. "But I don't know how to make this work without getting hurt."

Jungkook's expression softened, and he stood, moving to sit beside her. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close, as if that alone could shield her from the storm brewing outside.

"I love you," he whispered into her hair, his voice raw with emotion. "I don't know what the future holds, but I know that."

Y/N closed her eyes, leaning into his embrace. She loved him too—so much that it hurt. But the reality of their situation loomed large, and she couldn't ignore it forever.

For now, though, she let herself be held. Let herself feel safe, even if it was just for a fleeting moment.

Because deep down, she knew that soon, the cracks in their fragile world would start to show.