Hearts Aligned || Jungkook × Reader✔️

Chapter 31:Evoke

16th March, 2025

[At your home]

YOUR POV

"How much pepper should I put in it?" I muttered, scratching my head like the dumbass I am. I stood in the middle of the kitchen, staring helplessly at the scattered spices on the countertop.

Chicken dumplings-they sounded easy enough when I looked up the recipe, but now it feels like I've signed up for a culinary marathon without training. I regret not taking cooking classes from grandma. Now that she's fallen sick, I have no choice but to figure things out on my own, and I'm struggling miserably.

The sharp ring of the doorbell pulled me out of my thoughts. Wiping my flour-streaked hands on a dishcloth, I shuffled to the door, expecting my friend who's supposed to come. But when I opened it, the sight before me knocked the air out of my lungs.

Jeon Jungkook stood in front of me.

My mouth parted slightly as I gaped at him, stunned. He stood on my doorstep, dressed in a perfectly tailored white shirt and black vest; a black coat slung over his right arm.

"Hey," he greeted with a smile.

"He-hello! Jeon-ssi!" I stammered, scrambling to collect myself. My voice sounded shaky, even to my own ears.

"How are you doing?" he asked casually, his gaze held warmth.

"I'm doing good," I managed, stepping aside awkwardly. "Please, come in. Don't stand outside."

He walked in, his presence somehow making my small living room feel both brighter and impossibly smaller. My heart raced as I watched him. The gift basket in his hands registered a second too late.

"This is for you," he said, holding it out with a small smile.

"Thank you." I accepted the basket while my mind tried to process his sudden appearance.

Jungkook moved to the couch and sat down with a casual ease, draping one arm over the backrest, he briefly glanced at his watch before undoing the top two buttons of his shirt.

I stood frozen, trying not to stare at the exposed skin of his collarbone. But my body betrayed me, my face heating up like a teenager who's secretly watching an erotic movie.

Jungkook crossed one leg over the other and patted the space beside him. "Sit," he said simply.

I obeyed like an obedient puppy. My heart thudded in my chest as I sat down. His lips curved into a smile, the look in his eyes is amusing, the one that sent a wave of electricity down my spine.

Then, to my utter disbelief, he lifted his hand and brushed his thumb on my cheek. His touch is light, like he's touching a delicate flower.

His eyes locked onto mine, sharp and unwavering, and I can feel the room growing warmer as I stared back into his dark chocolate orbs.

His expression unreadable but somehow... inviting. The intensity in his gaze reminded me of the kind I'd only seen in movies like fifty shades- the kind that screams forbidden desires.

"How did you get flour on your cheeks?"

"Huh?" I blinked, his words snapping me out of my daze.

"There was some flour on your cheek," he said, pulling his hand back.

I feel so dumb right now.

"Oh, umm... I was trying to make dumplings. Maybe that's when I accidentally got it on my face," I mumbled, feeling like the most stupid person to exist on the planet.