Please... Love Me

43

Seokjin was reflecting on the sports complex he had built over the years, a dream he had always held close. It had taken hard work and dedication, but now it was a reality. The athletic swimming pool, in particular, was something he was incredibly proud of—state-of-the-art, and perfect for athletes of all levels. He had ensured the best instructors and lifeguards were part of his team to provide top-notch services and supervision.

One of the staff members approached him with a report.

"Sir, we've made sure that safety is our top priority. The children are always under constant supervision."

Seokjin nodded, satisfied, but still vigilant. "Good. And make sure all the CCTV cameras are functioning properly. We can't afford any lapses in security. Always double-check the locker rooms as well. We need to keep everything under control and secure for everyone's peace of mind."

The staff member acknowledged the order, and Seokjin watched, his pride for the facility mingling with his ever-present sense of responsibility. His sports complex was more than just a building—it was a sanctuary for health, safety, and growth. And he'd make sure it stayed that way.

Suddenly, a loud, frantic scream pierced through the air.

"Help!!! Somebody help!!!"

The voice was sharp with panic, and it was unmistakable—the sound of a child in distress. Seokjin’s heart skipped a beat as he turned toward the source of the cry. His eyes quickly locked onto a small figure struggling in the deep end of the pool. A child, no more than 8 or 9 years old, was flailing desperately, her face submerged as she gasped for air.

Without thinking, Seokjin’s adrenaline surged through him. His body moved on instinct, propelled by the urgency of the situation. He didn’t hesitate. He bolted toward the edge of the pool, his feet barely touching the ground as he sprinted.

Despite the luxury of his outfit—his Gucci shirt, designer pants, and expensive shoes—nothing mattered but the life of the child. His mind was focused entirely on saving her. In one smooth, fluid motion, he dove into the pool with full force, cutting through the water with precision.

The cold shock of the water barely registered as Seokjin’s hands reached the child, pulling her to safety with remarkable speed. His heart raced, the sound of his own breathing loud in his ears as he kept a firm grip on her tiny, trembling body.

The lifeguards were already on alert, rushing to the scene, but Seokjin had already done what needed to be done. He held the girl above the water, guiding her to the side where the staff quickly assisted.

"She's safe now," one of the lifeguards reassured him as they helped pull the child from the pool. Seokjin’s breath slowed, but his heart was still pounding. He couldn’t let go of the weight of what had just happened.

The child coughed weakly, gasping for air, but the lifeguards worked quickly to check her condition. Seokjin stood by, his pulse still racing, even as he realized that the worst had been avoided. He glanced down at his soaked, designer clothes. They clung to him, drenched and heavy, but in that moment, none of it mattered.

"Is she okay?" Seokjin asked, his voice steady but filled with concern. The lifeguard nodded, offering a reassuring smile.

"She’s going to be fine. Just a bit shaken up, but she’ll be alright."

Seokjin let out a relieved breath, his body slowly unwinding from the tension that had gripped him moments before. He looked around at his team—everything had happened so fast, but they had all reacted swiftly. The child was safe, and that was all that mattered.

As he stood there, dripping wet and still in his expensive attire, he couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride. His sports complex was more than just a facility—it was a place where safety was the priority, where every second mattered, and where lives were protected.

Just as Seokjin was about to turn and walk away, his ears were suddenly pierced by a familiar voice, filled with panic and disbelief.

"Jannie!!! Oh my goodness! What the hell is going on?!"

Seokjin’s eyes snapped toward the direction of the frantic shout. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the man storming across the poolside, clearly alarmed. The guy—whom Seokjin immediately recognized—was yelling at the top of his lungs, moving with an urgency that sent a ripple of tension through the crowd. The man rushed straight toward the child, who was now lying on the poolside, her tiny body being tended to by the lifeguards.

"Oh my God! I told you, sweetie! This is not a good idea! I never liked this sport for you!" the man exclaimed, his voice quivering with frustration and concern.

The child, Jannie, was still shaken but clearly relieved. She managed to sit up, though her tiny body trembled. "Appa, I’m okay… Someone saved me," she reassured him, her voice soft but filled with gratitude.

"Of course! It's their responsibility to save you!" the man barked, still clearly overwhelmed by the situation.

"Everything is alright, Appa," the girl said again, though her attention had shifted as she noticed someone standing nearby
"Hey, Mister Handsome! Thank you for saving me!" she said brightly, a cheeky smile spreading across her face. Her innocent words seemed to pierce through the tense atmosphere like a ray of sunlight.

—Seokjin. His eyes widened as they met his, a curious glimmer in his gaze.

Seokjin smiled warmly, though his gaze lingered for just a moment on the child. But before he could say anything in return, Jannie's father, still in a state of disbelief, turned to face Seokjin.

And then, everything seemed to stop.

"What -" Jungkook muttered under his breath. His eyes locked onto Seokjin as though the world had suddenly flipped upside down.  His mind racing.

There, standing right in front of him, was none other than the man he had spent 8 years trying to forget—Kim Seokjin. The same Seokjin who had once been a part of his life, who had faded from his world but never quite left his thoughts.

Jungkook couldn’t believe his eyes. Was this some kind of twisted coincidence? How was it possible that, after all these years, the man he had tried to erase from his life was now standing right there, looking every bit as handsome and composed as ever, despite being drenched in water and still in his designer attire?

Fuck! The Damn guy didn't even aged!

"Finally! We meet again Kim Jungkook"

The air between them seemed to crackle with tension as Seokjin, unaware of the storm brewing inside Jungkook, simply stood there, offering a faint, polite smile. Jungkook's mind raced, memories flooding back—both the good and the painful—and for a moment, it felt as though time itself had rewound.

Jungkook’s jaw tightened, a surge of emotion rising within him. He had to admit it—he had never expected to cross paths with Seokjin again, especially not in a place like this. He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he tried to push the whirlwind of feelings aside. "This can’t be happening," he muttered quietly to himself. "Not now… not here."

Jungkook straighten up his posture even though his knees are trembling

"Excuse me, it's Jeon Jungkook Mister-"
He looked at Seokjin up and down with his chin up, portraying an ever undefying look-
"Whatever! Excuse us! My child is not safe here anymore!"

But there was no escaping it. Their paths had crossed again. And whether fate had a hand in it or not, Jungkook knew that things were about to get a lot more complicated.