DARK SIDE

22

(AUTHOR POV)

In the dead of night, Taehyung's eyes snapped open to an unsettling emptiness. He reached out, feeling the chill of Jennie's absent warmth beside him. His gaze swept the darkened room, expecting to find her silhouette in the bathroom or perhaps lost in thought by the window. But she was nowhere to be found.

With a growing sense of unease, Taehyung tossed off the covers and padded softly out into the night, his heart beating in sync with the questions racing through his mind. Where was Jennie? What drew her out of their bed at this forsaken hour?

As Taehyung wandered the hallway, a sliver of light caught his attention. The piano room door stood ajar, inviting him to uncover the midnight secret. What drew Jennie to the piano at this hour? He pushed the door open, his footsteps silent, and peeked inside.

Taehyung entered the room, and his gaze fell upon Jennie, nestled in the sofa. Her eyes shone with a soft, warm smile as she gazed at the box Kang had given her. A delicate paper slipped from her fingers, its creases hinting at repeated readings. The midnight hour seemed to fade as Taehyung witnessed Jennie's heartwarming intimacy with Kang's words.

Jennie's fingers wrapped around the paper, holding it close to her heart as if it contained the universe's secrets. Then, with reverence, she opened the box, revealing a breathtaking diamond ring. Her eyes sparkled as she slid it onto her finger, the gem glinting in the soft light. With tender affection, she pressed her lips to the ring, her love and gratitude palpable. She closed her eyes in bliss.

Taehyung's sudden presence made Jennie's heart skip a beat. She jerked slightly, her eyes darting to his, and found herself trapped in his intense gaze. Soft, yet piercing, it probed the depths of her soul. Panicked, Jennie swiftly concealed the paper, but Taehyung's surprise turned to annoyance, his dark eyes flashing with unspoken questions.

"What are you doing here, Jennie?" Taehyung's deep voice, measured and calm, belied the turmoil within.He reined in his fierce instincts, tempering his words with an untypical softness, a deliberate contrast to his usual rugged demeanor. silence. He struggled to tame his sharp edges, softening his tone to an unaccustomed gentleness, a fleeting departure from his rugged nature.

"Nothing!"

"'What are you hiding?" Taehyung's voice tightened, his eyes narrowing as he reached for the paper. Jennie's grip tightened, refusing to relinquish it. Her defiance sparked a fire within him, fueled by the suspicion that Kang was behind her secrecy. A stranger to her evasiveness, Taehyung's frustration mounted.

"Nothing. I just couldn't sleep that is why I came here. But why did you come here?" She asked trying to change the topic. Taehyung gets it that she doesn't want to share it now so he lets it go easily which is weird.

"I noticed you were gone, so I checked where you were," Taehyung said, his gaze drifting to the ring on her finger, a subtle hint of curiosity sparking in his eyes.

"My apologies for keeping you awake." Jennie said softly, standing up. Taehyung mirrored her movement, his fingers intertwining with hers. He guided her to the bedroom, where the plush bed beckoned. As they settled in, Taehyung's strong arms wrapped around Jennie, drawing her near. His warmth and presence soothed her, and together they surrendered to the night. His steady heartbeat lulled her into a peaceful slumber.

Here are some modified versions with a non-romantic tone, expanded and employing robust vocabulary.

As Taehyung emerged from slumber, the aromatic scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped him, inviting him to start his day. Upon turning, he noticed Jennie's absence, a familiar sight indicative of her morning routine. Assuming she was immersed in culinary preparations, he sat up and indulged in the rich flavors of his coffee, reveling in the tranquil atmosphere.