✔️Mafia's Lover, Enemy's Prey

9. Strange Things

The restaurant was warm and inviting, with a cozy ambiance that set the perfect mood for the evening. Namjoon and Hoseok sat across from Raejin and Jungkook, the latter seated closely next to Raejin, his hand possessively holding Raejin’s under the table. Jungkook’s grip was firm, as if Raejin might slip away if he let go for even a moment.

Noticing the strong love bond between Namjoon and Hoseok, Raejin smiled. Raejin initiated conversation with Hoseok, his voice casual. “So, Hoseok-ssi, Namjoon tells me you work with flowers?”

Hoseok’s face lit up. “Yes! I own a flower shop and tend to a garden where I grow them all myself. It’s my little sanctuary. You should come by sometime. I’m always expanding with new plants.”

Raejin’s eyes gleamed with interest. “That sounds incredible. I’ve always had a soft spot for plants and gardening, though I don’t have the green thumb for it. I’d love to visit.”

Jungkook, sulking quietly as Raejin and Hoseok bonded over their shared interest, leaned in with mock annoyance. “This was a bad idea. I bring you on a date, and now you’re more interested in Hoseok-hyung’s flowers than me.”

Raejin chuckled, squeezing Jungkook’s hand under the table. “You’re acting like a kid. We can have our time later. This is my first time meeting them, so it’s only polite to talk.”

“But Namjoon-hyung gets to be with Hoseok-hyung all the time,” Jungkook pouted, sounding almost childish. “They live together. What about me?”

Raejin raised a teasing brow. “So what? Do you want me to move in with you?”

Jungkook’s eyes sparkled mischievously as he shot back, “Why not? Let’s get married.”

Raejin blinked, surprised at first, before bursting into laughter. “Whoa, slow down! Kook?”

But Jungkook wasn’t joking. He shrugged, deadly serious. “Why take it slow when I know? Even if it takes 10 years, my decision won’t change.”

Raejin paused, locking eyes with Jungkook. The sincerity in Jungkook’s gaze took him aback. “How can you be so sure?”

Jungkook’s expression softened, his voice low but resolute. “Sometimes, you just know.”

Raejin’s heart swelled with warmth. “You’re something else, Kook ah”

Their quiet moment was interrupted as the waiter arrived with their food. Raejin reached for his chopsticks, but Jungkook still clutched his hand tightly, making Raejin laugh as he tried to figure out how to eat one-handed.

“Are you going to let me go, or do I have to feed you?” Raejin teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

Jungkook grinned, unfazed. “I wouldn’t mind if you did.”

Raejin obliged, feeding Jungkook a bite with a grin. Laughter spread around the table, and even Namjoon and Hoseok couldn’t help but join in.

After dinner, Jungkook led Raejin outside toward his motorbike, which gleamed under the streetlights.

Raejin’s eyes widened. “You expect me to ride on that? Where am I supposed to sit?”

Jungkook smirked, confident as ever. “You’ll have to hold on tight to me. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.”

Raejin huffed, crossing his arms. “I’m a professor, Jungkook, not a university student looking for thrills.”

Jungkook shot back, “And I’m your boyfriend. That means you get the full experience.”

Raejin chuckled, shaking his head. “I didn’t know saying yes to a date meant signing up for wild rides on motorbikes.”

Despite his words, Raejin climbed onto the bike behind Jungkook, his arms wrapping tightly around him. They zoomed through the city, the bright lights fading behind them as they ascended into the hills. The landscape unfolded before them, bathed in soft oranges and pinks as the sun set. The view from the hilltop was breathtaking, the city a twinkling mass below while the sky was a canvas of melting twilight hues.