Fated by 'I Do'

Chapter 44: Timeless Love

The next morning, Taehyung and Jungkook, dressed casually in comfortable clothes, began their journey to Gyeonggi-do. They were heading to inspect the warehouse and manufacturing units of Jeon Corp, which had recently expanded its operations internationally. Ensuring the quality of production was essential, and they planned to stay for two days to oversee everything thoroughly.

The weather forecast predicted a storm later in the day, so they decided to leave early to avoid it. Following GPS navigation, Taehyung chose a forest road that served as a shortcut, saving them hours of driving. They wanted to reach Gyeonggi-do before the weather turned harsh.

The journey started pleasantly, with Taehyung teasing Jungkook and sneaking in playful flirtations that made Jungkook blush and shy away. They laughed and talked, enjoying the quiet intimacy of their time together. However, after half an hour, Jungkook dozed off, exhausted from the hectic schedule of the past two days.

Taehyung glanced at him fondly and let him sleep, careful not to disturb him as he drove through the winding forest road. The drive was peaceful for a while, but about thirty-five minutes later, the sky darkened ominously. A sudden, violent storm hit without warning.

Thunder roared, lightning flashed across the sky, and rain poured down in heavy sheets, obscuring visibility. The winds howled, and the road was soon littered with fallen branches and debris. Taehyung's grip tightened on the steering wheel as he carefully navigated through the treacherous conditions.

Jungkook stirred awake, shivering despite the thick winter coat and mufflers he had wrapped around him like a burrito. The storm’s intensity seemed to seep into the car, making the air unbearably cold. Concerned, Taehyung reached out to check Jungkook’s hands, which felt icy. He touched Jungkook’s cheeks and forehead, noticing his skin turning pink from the cold.

“Jungkook, are you okay?” Taehyung asked, his voice laced with worry. Jungkook only mumbled weakly in response, his teeth chattering.

Taehyung immediately pulled over and turned to assess the situation. Jungkook’s temperature felt dangerously low, and his body wasn’t warming up despite the layers of clothing. Panic surged through Taehyung as he realized they couldn’t stay in the car under these conditions.

He tried driving further, but the road ahead was blocked by a massive fallen tree, making it impossible to proceed. With no choice, Taehyung decided to turn the car around and take the long route out of the forest. Maneuvering the car through the narrow, rain-soaked road was challenging, but Taehyung’s priority was getting Jungkook to safety.

It was early morning, around 4:30 am, and the storm showed no signs of subsiding. Jungkook was shivering uncontrollably, despite Taehyung wrapping him in his own jacket for extra warmth. Desperate to find shelter, Taehyung searched for hotels along the new route.

He found a few listings but, to his frustration, every hotel was fully booked. The weather had driven many travelers to seek refuge, leaving no rooms available. As the minutes ticked by, Jungkook’s condition worsened, and Taehyung’s anxiety grew.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Taehyung spotted a small, ancient guest house tucked away from the main road. The structure looked old but sturdy, with a faint light glowing from its windows. Without hesitation, Taehyung pulled into the driveway and parked the car.

As Taehyung knocked on the door of the guest house, the elderly man, in his 50s, peeked through the window. Upon seeing the soaked young man and his shivering husband, he hurriedly opened the door. "What happened, young man? Are you okay?" he asked, his concern evident in his wrinkled face.

Taehyung, drenched and shivering, replied as steadily as he could, “Yes, Ahjussi, actually, my husband is shivering badly. He’s in the car. I just wanted to know if there’s any room available,” Taehyung explained, his voice shaking from both the cold and the anxiety.