The Clandestine Us

Thirty

───── ❝ Jennie's POV ❞ ─────

I slowly began to open my eyes, stirred awake by the uncomfortable urge to pee. As I blinked myself fully awake, the familiar color and scent of the room settled in—Jungkook's room. The realization became even clearer when I felt a warm hand resting on my left breast. I wasn't surprised anymore when I turned my head slightly and saw Jungkook lying beside me.

My body felt heavy, exhausted, like I had been drained of all energy. Still, I ignored it and shifted carefully to face him. He was in a deep sleep, his breathing soft and rhythmic, lips slightly parted. His arm was now wrapped securely around my waist, anchoring me to him.

Despite the urgency in my bladder, I let myself linger a bit longer, simply watching him. There was something strangely comforting about the way he slept... so peaceful, so unaware of the storm in my chest. The heat of his body radiated under the blanket, and only then did I realize he wasn't wearing a shirt.

I tried moving slightly, testing if he would stir. When he didn't, I slowly and gently lifted his arm off me, moving with the caution of someone defusing a bomb. Once free, I carefully slid out of bed.

We had a company meeting today, and I couldn't afford to miss it. We were already frequently absent, being spread across different countries for our individual commitments. Now that we were finally all in one place, our attendance was mandatory.

Jungkook shifted slightly in his sleep, and I froze mid-step, holding my breath. If he woke up and caught me sneaking out like this... I'll be dead?

That's also when I realized I was wearing the top of his pajama set. I checked myself quickly—thankfully, I still had my panties on. I tiptoed over to the nightstand, grabbed my phone, and quietly slipped into his bathroom.

The screen lit up as soon as I unlocked it, dozens of messages and several missed calls from my manager and group members. I didn't bother checking each one. Instead, I quickly sent a message in our group chat: I'm getting ready now.

I placed my phone down on the sink and tied my hair into a messy bun with just my fingers, having no hair tie available. I splashed cold water on my face, then looked up at the mirror... and froze.

My hand flew to my mouth in shock.

Bright red marks. Dozens of them. All over my neck, behind my ears, under my jaw, and along my collarbone. The hickeys were big, aggressive, and impossible to miss, like someone had lost complete control last night.

Memories came rushing back in vivid fragments. The way his lips moved down my skin, how I clung to him, the desperation, the heat, the way I let it all happen.

Shame hit me hard.

How am I supposed to explain this to my manager?

I started pacing back and forth in the bathroom, checking my reflection repeatedly, as if staring long enough would make the marks disappear.

Then my phone buzzed.

Jisoo.

I swallowed hard before answering.

"Where are you? I'm outside your condo. Open the door," she said immediately, her voice sharp.

I hesitated, trying to steady my voice.

"Unnie... I'm not there. Can you pick me up?"

"What? You're not here?" I could hear her knocking on my door. "FaceTime me right now."

I answered the video call but only showed a corner of the bathroom wall.

"That's not your bathroom. Where are you?"