Wild Obsession | Taekook

EPISODE 36

Edited~

As we drove away from the clock tower, the weight of the night still hung in the air. Taehyung sat next to me, resting his head against the window, his body visibly drained. The others were in the car behind us, making sure everything was secure with the police. But even though Taehyung was right here beside me, alive and safe, my mind was still racing, replaying everything Hazel had said.

Hazel had a crush on Taehyung? I never knew. Not once had Taehyung mentioned it. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I stared at the road ahead, trying to process it all.

"Jungkook..." Taehyung’s soft voice broke the silence.

I glanced over at him, and he was watching me, his brow furrowed in concern. "What’s going on in that head of yours?"

I swallowed, my thoughts jumbled. "It’s just… Hazel. I didn’t know she felt that way about you. You never told me."

Taehyung sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he sat up straighter. "I didn’t think it was worth mentioning. It wasn’t important."

"Not important?" I echoed, glancing at him in disbelief. "She kidnapped you! She tried to have me killed, Tae. How is that not important?"

Taehyung’s gaze softened as he reached over, gently placing a hand on my arm. "Jungkook, listen to me. Hazel’s feelings… they were never mutual. I never gave her any reason to think we were more than colleagues. She started acting strange when we worked on that drama together, but I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I thought she’d move on."

I stared ahead, trying to make sense of it all. "But why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped. I could’ve—"

"I didn’t want to worry you," Taehyung interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. "I thought it would pass, that she’d realize I wasn’t interested. And then everything between us was so good, I didn’t want to bring any unnecessary drama into our lives."

I shook my head, my thoughts still a whirlwind. "But she... she was obsessed with you, Tae. She had this whole plan to make me disappear so you’d have no choice but to be with her."

"I know," he said softly, his eyes filled with guilt. "And I’m sorry. I never imagined she would take it this far."

For a few moments, silence filled the car, the only sound the hum of the engine and the occasional distant car passing by. Taehyung’s hand remained on my arm, his thumb gently rubbing circles in an effort to soothe me, but my mind was still spinning.

"Do you… regret not telling me?" he asked after a moment, his voice cautious.

I exhaled, my shoulders slumping slightly. "I don’t know," I admitted. "I just feel like if I’d known, maybe I could’ve stopped this before it got so dangerous. I could’ve protected you."

Taehyung’s lips curved into a sad smile. "You did protect me. You saved me tonight. And we got through it together. That’s all that matters."

I glanced at him, meeting his eyes for a long moment. There was a quiet strength in his gaze, a love so unwavering that it made my heart ache. Despite everything that had happened, despite the danger, the fear, and the confusion, Taehyung was still here—by my side.

I took a deep breath, loosening my grip on the steering wheel. "I just… I hate that I didn’t know," I said quietly. "I feel like I should’ve seen it."

Taehyung shook his head gently. "You couldn’t have known, Jungkook. Hazel hid her feelings well. She was always professional in front of others. But I never encouraged her. I only ever wanted you."