IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ABSENCE

CHAPTER 13

The soft light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains of our hotel room, casting a golden hue across the bed. I slowly blinked awake, feeling the warmth of Taehyung's arm draped protectively over my waist. His steady breathing filled the quiet room, and for a moment, I simply lay there, taking in the peacefulness of the morning.

I carefully turned to face him, his features softened in sleep. Even in the stillness of the early hours, there was something comforting about his presence, like the world outside could wait just a little longer. I smiled to myself, my heart swelling with contentment.

Careful not to wake him, I slipped out from under his arm and tiptoed to the window. The view outside was breathtaking, the city slowly coming to life with the rising sun. The streets below were quiet now, only a few people wandering about, and the air seemed crisp and fresh.

Stretching my arms above my head, I took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze from the slightly cracked window. The serenity of this moment felt like a dream, one I never wanted to wake from.

A soft murmur from the bed caught my attention. I glanced back to see Taehyung stirring, his eyes fluttering open. He blinked a few times before focusing on me, a sleepy smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Morning..." he mumbled, his voice still husky from sleep.

I walked back to the bed, sitting beside him as he stretched lazily. "Morning. How did you sleep?"

He grinned, reaching out to pull me back into the warmth of the blankets. "Better with you next to me." His arms wrapped around me as he buried his face into my neck, making me laugh softly.

"You're impossible in the mornings," I teased, but I didn't pull away. Instead, I let myself sink into his embrace for a few more minutes of quiet, before finally untangling myself from him.

"Come on, let's get ready. We have a whole day ahead of us, and I ordered breakfast," I said, running my fingers through his hair playfully.

"Mmm, breakfast sounds perfect," he said, reluctantly letting me go and rolling out of bed.

After freshening up and changing into more comfortable clothes, we made our way down to the cozy hotel dining area where a warm breakfast awaited us. The smell of freshly baked pastries and brewed coffee filled the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation.

As we sat down for breakfast, the sunlight streamed through the large windows of the dining area, casting a warm glow over the quaint setup. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filled the air, making my mouth water.

Taehyung picked up a piece of toast, munching on it thoughtfully. "So, I've been meaning to ask," he said between bites, "you never talk much about your family. What's the story there?"

I hesitated for a moment, my fork pausing mid-air. Taehyung had been so understanding about giving me space to open up, but I knew this question would come eventually. Taking a deep breath, I decided to be honest.

"Well... my family is involved in some things," I started, glancing at him from the corner of my eye. "You know the Parks of Europe?"

Taehyung's eyes widened slightly, his hand freezing with the fork halfway to his mouth. "Wait, what?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

I nodded, feeling the weight of the revelation sink in. "Yeah, I'm part of that family. The Parks of Europe... We're pretty much a big deal in the mafia world over there."

Suddenly, Taehyung choked on his food, coughing as he reached for his glass of water. His eyes were wide as he gulped down the drink. "Wait, you're telling me your family is involved in the mafia?" he sputtered, looking completely taken aback.

I couldn't help but laugh a little at his reaction, even though the topic was serious. "Yeah. That's why they sent me to Korea. They wanted me away from all the dangers. No enemies here for them. They stayed in Europe, keeping all of that... chaos far from me."

Taehyung blinked at me, still processing the information. "The mafia? And you just... casually mention that over breakfast?"

I shrugged, taking a sip of my coffee. "I never liked any of it. It's part of the reason I stayed away and made a life for myself in Korea. It's just... not me."

Taehyung stared at me for a long moment before bursting into laughter. "You're full of surprises, Y/N. I had no idea I was dating a mafia princess."

"Please don't call me that," I groaned, rolling my eyes. "I've been running from that life for a reason."

He shook his head, still smiling, though his expression softened. "Well, you don't have to worry. Whatever your family is involved in, I'm here for you, not them. We're in this together."

His words sent a warm feeling through me, and I found myself smiling back. "Thanks, Tae."

After breakfast, we decided to continue our exploration of the city. The crisp morning air carried the scent of fresh bread and flowers as we wandered through the winding streets of Europe. Each corner held something new—a quaint café, a hidden alley filled with street art, or a bustling market selling local trinkets.

As we walked, Taehyung turned to me with a playful grin. "What do you say we split up for a bit? You explore your way, and I'll explore mine. We can meet back here in a couple of hours and share our adventures."

I smiled at the idea, loving the spontaneity of it. "Sounds perfect. Let's do it!"

We shared a quick kiss before heading off in separate directions, excitement bubbling inside me at the thought of discovering something on my own.

I wandered through the streets, my eyes soaking in every detail—the vibrant colors of the buildings, the small bakeries lining the roads, and the chatter of people enjoying their day. I felt an incredible sense of freedom, as if I could get lost in this city and it would be okay.

After strolling through a quiet lane, I found myself captivated by a small park filled with blooming flowers. As I was about to cross the street, I suddenly collided with someone coming around the corner.