Lesson in Desire

chapter 6

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cream-white silk gown that skimmed just above my ankles. The off-shoulder design with delicate lace straps adorned with tiny roses gave it an elegant, timeless feel. My makeup was light, accentuating a natural glow, while my hair cascaded down in loose curls, framing my face. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the flutter of nerves.

Mom entered the room, her eyes soft with pride as she took in my appearance. She wrapped her arms around me, her embrace comforting. "Is this the right decision, Mom?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She pulled back slightly, her hand soothingly rubbing my back. "It is, dear. Everything will be alright," she assured me, her warm smile easing my doubts.

We walked downstairs to the lounge and into the garden, which was decorated for an intimate engagement ceremony, fairy lights twinkling above and delicate floral arrangements adding a romantic touch. Mr. and Mrs. Kim greeted me with smiles and kind words, and I returned their warmth with a polite nod.

Once all the guests had gathered, my father stepped forward, announcing the start of the ceremony. I spotted Jimin and Sharon standing off to the side, offering encouraging smiles. I joined Taehyung at the front, feeling the weight of the moment settle over us as our parents handed us the rings.

As I slipped the ring onto Taehyung’s finger, my hand brushed his. His fingers felt warm against mine, and though it was brief, a spark flickered, leaving me slightly breathless. The moment passed in a flurry of applause, and guests came forward to offer congratulations. Sharon hugged me tightly, followed by Jimin, whose reassuring grin felt like a grounding force.

Taehyung's POV:

Sitting on the sofa, I glanced toward the entrance just as she stepped into the garden, walking beside her mother. She looked... ethereal. The gown complemented her perfectly, and for a moment, I found myself staring, caught off guard by just how beautiful she looked. Get it together, Taehyung, I thought, mentally scolding myself.

As we exchanged rings, her fingers brushed mine—a small, simple touch, yet something sparked within me, leaving a warmth I wasn’t expecting.

---

After the ring ceremony, I found myself in the corner of the garden with Jimin and Sharon, who immediately launched into their teasing mode.

“So, Mrs. Kim, how does it feel to be officially claimed?” Jimin waggled his eyebrows playfully, nudging me.

“Oh, stop it!” I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t help but smile.

Sharon grinned mischievously, leaning in. “Come on, Y/N, admit it! Were there any sparks when you touched his hand?”

I laughed, trying to play it cool, but I could feel the warmth creeping up my cheeks. “No sparks. Just a… regular ring exchange.”

“Uh-huh, sure,” Sharon teased, mimicking my serious tone. “Regular, right. Then why are you blushing?”

Jimin gasped dramatically, clasping his hands together. “I bet she secretly has a diary where she’s written Mrs. Kim all over it!”

“Oh, please!” I shoved him lightly. “You two are the worst!”

Just then, Taehyung appeared beside us, looking between the three of us with a curious smile. “Did I miss something?”

I nearly jumped, caught off guard, and my friends exchanged a look, stifling laughter.

“Oh, nothing,” Sharon said innocently, nudging me. “Just giving Y/N here some, uh, friendly advice.”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a subtle smirk. “Advice? Now, this sounds interesting.”

“Actually,” Jimin leaned toward him, still grinning, “We were just wondering if you felt any, you know, *sparks* during the ring exchange.” He winked at me, clearly enjoying this far too much.

Taehyung’s eyes flickered toward mine, his smirk turning into a soft smile. “Maybe a few,” he said casually, hands in his pockets, his deep voice making it sound far too genuine.

I shot Jimin and Sharon a quick, exasperated look, but they just burst out laughing, clearly satisfied with the results of their little game. Taehyung’s knowing glance didn’t make it any easier, but despite the teasing, I felt a warmth I couldn’t ignore.

As the evening dwindled and most of the guests had left, I found myself sitting alone on a bench, taking a quiet moment to breathe. But my solitude didn’t last long; Taehyung appeared beside me, settling down with his usual composed grace.

I hesitated, unsure whether to speak, but the silence weighed heavy. Gathering my thoughts, I finally said, “About the other day… when you took me to the hospital after my ankle sprain, in front of all the students…” I trailed off, feeling my cheeks warm at the memory. “Rumors started spreading the next day. Everyone was staring at me like I’d done something scandalous. You said you’d handle it, but what if they find out about our engagement? I’ll be the talk of the campus. You have no idea what some people—girls, mostly—would say. It’ll be humiliating.”

I glanced at him, brows furrowed, feeling the frustration bubble up. He met my gaze calmly, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Tell me,” he said, voice deep and steady, “did you hear any rumors two days after your return?”

I paused, caught off guard. “No… I mean, I assumed…”

He chuckled softly. “Exactly. And you’ve gotten engaged, not caught in some scandal. Why worry so much? I meant it when I said I’d take care of it. You just need to trust me.” His voice dropped, warm and reassuring. “Do you trust me, Y/N?”

I nodded slowly, his words somehow easing the tension that had been gnawing at me. “Yes, I do.”

“Then don’t worry. From now on, you’re protected by me.” His eyes lingered on me, and for a brief moment, the butterflies in my stomach went wild. I was certain he noticed the faint blush coloring my cheeks.

Sensing my embarrassment, he chuckled, leaning in just a little closer. “Cute,” he whispered, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.

I looked away, biting back a smile, feeling flustered but strangely safe in his presence.