DARK SIDE

25

(AUTHOR'S POV)

The next morning dawned, eerily routine. Taehyung woke up alone, the silence broken only by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee on his nightstand. He savored the rich flavor, his thoughts still reeling from the previous night's revelations. The video's haunting images lingered, fueling his determination to protect Jennie.

Downstairs, Jennie stood at the stove, lost in thought as she expertly flipped pancakes. Her gaze drifted off, her mind elsewhere. The sizzle of bacon and the warmth of the kitchen couldn't shake off the shadows.

Taehyung entered the kitchen, his footsteps quiet on the tile floor. His eyes locked onto Jennie, drinking in the sight of her. For a moment, he forgot the darkness that lurked beneath their seemingly ordinary life. He admired the way the morning light danced through her hair, the gentle curve of her neck.

He crept up behind her, his presence unseen. "Morning," he whispered, his husky voice low and intimate.

Jennie's hands flew to her chest, her heart racing as she spun around. Her eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of fear dancing across her face. The spatula clattered to the counter.

Jennie's hand still pressed against her chest, her eyes wide with a lingering alarm. "You're going to give me a heart attack one of these days with your stealthy appearances!" She tried to laugh, but her voice trembled.

Taehyung's gaze never wavered, his eyes drinking in her flustered expression. His face, chiseled and serious, softened ever so slightly at her adorable scowl.

"As if I'd ever let harm come to you," he whispered, his deep voice low and solemn. His words were a promise, a vow.

With one deliberate step, he closed the distance between them. Jennie's eyes darted up, her pupils dilating as she retreated, her back grazing the counter.

Taehyung's movements were fluid, purposeful. He hemmed her in, his arms bracketing her, palms flat on the countertop. Jennie's breath hitched, trapped between the warmth of his body and the cool granite.

"Don't be frightened, Jennie," he murmured, his breath whispering against her ear. "I'd never hurt you."

Jennie's pulse was still racing, so she tilted her head, meeting Taehyung's intense gaze. For an instant, time suspended, leaving only the thrum of tension between them.

Their gazes met, the tension between them palpable. Taehyung's eyes searched for any sign of pain, any hint of the horrors she'd endured. Jennie's eyes, though guarded, held a glimmer of trust.

"Tae-Tae, you're scaring me with your...behavior," Jennie said, her voice trembling slightly. Taehyung's intensity was unnerving, his gaze piercing through her like a shield.

Since last night, he'd been different. Too affectionate, too loving. His eyes followed her everywhere, his touch lingering on her skin. It was as if he feared losing her.

Taehyung's face inches from hers, his warm breath caressing her cheek. "What's wrong, Jennie? Don't you want me close?" His voice is low, husky.

Jennie's heart skipped a beat. "It's just...you're being overwhelmed." She tried to step back, but Taehyung's hands bracketed her, trapping her.

"I'm just ensuring you're safe," he whispered, his lips grazing her ear. "After what I saw...I can't let you out of my sight."

Jennie's eyes searched his, seeking answers. What had changed? What drove this sudden possessiveness? What did he see?

Jennie's unease grew as Taehyung's gaze bore into hers, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her skin prickle. She felt trapped, unable to look away from the depths of his emotions.