When The Tiger Lilies Bloom | Taekook

30. Hearts On Fire

The night was a calm harmony; even though the dark clouds made it difficult to see the stars, the rain brought a chilly feeling to the surroundings, and everything looked fresh.

The roads were clear, the water droplets shining on the leaves, the streetlamps stood tall and blurry with raindrops sticking on them- everything was so in the right place that he felt his inside brimming with peace that he couldn't explain through words.

It all made sense because nature is the best healer, and this time, he could feel it from within. The canvas in front of him showed two different pictures, two emotions, and two eras.

But all he could focus on was the eyes. Something twitched inside him as he looked straight at the painting he had made of Prince Kim Hansung and Student Council Secretary Kim Taehyung.

They both looked surreal, so beautiful, and out of the world. It made his heart crack. He couldn't stop his eyes from staring at the art. He scanned around the room for a moment before touching the portraits of both that he had made, caressing the paints, scared not to get any stains on his fingertips. The brush strokes felt so real that he wanted to touch each of the strands of colours he used in both pictures.

God, they looked so beautiful.

There was a little voice in him that echoed like a madman, a voice he never thought of listening to, but still, he kept it with him. He wanted to remind himself of everything at once and forget everything at once.

He glanced at his wristwatch and sighed. Time flies fast. Another thing that was out of his control. He was about to leave the paintings there and walk out of the room when his phone rang, showing a very familiar contact name on the screen, and his eyes sparkled.

A wave of something unknown hit his nerves as he took the call and held his breath tight.

He heard no sound at first, but then the voice thrummed in his voice as if it was from a pub. The loud noise gave him a headache, and the frustration started to build inside him slowly. He voiced out a small hello and waited for the reply from the other side.

"Is this Jeon Jungkook?"

"Yes, speaking."

"The owner of this phone told me to contact you. Please come to Club Hanbam."

His first instinct was to say no, but he bit his lips, realizing that blaming the bartender would be no good idea, especially if the culprit was someone else. He sighed audibly, letting the pent-up frustration go and mumbled against the phone.

"I'll be there. Please don't let the owner of the phone disappear from your eyesight. "

Once he heard the reply from the other side, he pocketed his phone and walked out of the room. There goes his peaceful night, stumbling between the loud noise and sweaty bodies, destroying the calmness he had gathered very preciously.

But he can't leave the one who asked for the favour that late at night hanging like that, can he? The rush of his car said the beating of his heart and the urgent need to reach the destination. That was his needed answer.

~🍂~

The bar's wooden sign creaked in the gentle breeze, beckoning passersby into its warm, golden glow. Inside, the atmosphere was alive, a sensory tapestry woven from jazz melodies wafting from the vintage jukebox, seducing patrons with sultry saxophones The sweet, rich aroma of fine whiskey and freshly brewed coffee swivelled in the air.

He burst through the swinging doors of the bar, eyes scanning the dimly lit room, the music busting in his ears. The air reeked of stale beer and worn leather, but he didn't care about anything at that moment, even his hate for places like that.