Yours (COMPLETED)

epilogue: yours

Five Years Later...

The soft clatter of cutlery and low hum of conversation filled the cozy restaurant. Golden lights twinkled above, casting a warm glow on the table where Jungkook and Chaeyoung sat, mid-celebration.

Her phone stood propped up between a flower vase and the salt shaker, live-streaming the moment to thousands of viewers. The camera framed them perfectly as Chaeyoung glowed with joy in her graduation sash while Jungkook in a crisp shirt looking at her with a subtle grin playing on his lips.

"Thank you, everyone.", Chaeyoung said, beaming at the screen. "Yes, I did it. I finally graduated!"

Hearts flooded the screen. Comment section flooded with congratulations:

"So proud of you, Chaeyoung!!"
"CONGRATS!!!"
"Your man looks like he's about to cry OMG!"

Jungkook leaned in slightly, just enough to be in frame. "She didn’t just graduate.", he added, his voice full of quiet pride. "She graduated with distinction."

Chaeyoung gave him a playful nudge, "You weren’t supposed to say that!"

"I’m proud of you. That's why."

The viewers sent more hearts.

Chaeyoung turned back to the camera, her tone softening. "Honestly, five years ago, I wouldn’t have believed I’d be here. I thought my story was stuck on pause. But, guys...my decision to go back to school, to get my degree and graduate...it's all worth it now."

She paused, glancing at Jungkook, who reached over and laced their fingers together on the table.

"I’m not sharing this to show off.", she continued. "I’m sharing this because someone out there might be in the place I was. Feeling lost. Feeling like it’s too late. But it’s not. You’re not too late."

The chat overflowed with encouragement, clapping emojis, and teary messages.

Chaeyoung looked away for a moment, grounding herself. When she turned back, she was smiling again.

"Anyway..", she said, raising her glass of sparkling cider. "Here’s to new beginnings, second chances, and the people who believe in you even when you don’t."

Jungkook raised his glass too, "Here's to you, baby. My number one girl."

They clinked glasses, a gentle cheers echoing softly before they sip their drinks.

"Okay, I’ll be right back. Please watch over my man for me."

Chaeyoung put her sash on the chair and stood, kissed Jungkook's cheek, and walked off toward the restroom.

The moment she was out of sight, Jungkook turned to the phone with a conspiratorial smile. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red velvet box. Quietly, he placed it on the table near her plate.

He glanced at the camera and brought a finger to his lips.

"Shhh, don’t tell her yet.", he said with a grin.

Then, he leaned back, heart pounding, as the chat exploded in silent screams.

And the camera kept rolling.

A few more seconds passed. The chat was a frenzy of heart emojis, shocked faces, and wild guesses.

"IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING??"
"OMG, what's going on?!!"
"I’m screaming but silently 😱😱"
"MR VP, YOU SNEAKY LEGEND!"

Jungkook chuckled under his breath, nervously drumming his fingers on his knee. He checked the box again to make sure it was positioned just right near her plate, where she wouldd see it the moment she sat down.

Then, the sound of heels clicking on tile.

He straightened up. The chat slowed slightly as if holding its breath.

Chaeyoung returned with her hair tucked behind her ear and that ever-familiar, curious squint toward the camera.

"Did I miss anything?", she asked as she slid back into her seat.

Jungkook shrugged, trying to act casual. "Nothing much. Just your fans still freaking out about your graduation."

She laughed, reaching for her drink but then, she paused.

Her eyes landed on the box. She blinked. Slowly.

"What..is..this?", her voice was smaller now, more cautious.

Jungkook leaned forward, his hands folded in front of him, eyes locked with hers.

"Chaeyoung...I've seen you grown so much since the first day I know you. When I saw you that day, I realized who you are. The social media influencer I've been following for a while. But there were more than that the longer I know you. You're a courageous woman despite all the hurdles you've gone through.", he said gently.

"Love, what are you doing?", she whispered, her eyes glossy already.

Jungkook picked up the box that he had kept for five years into his hand, "Chaeyoung, five years ago...you asked for time to be ready for this moment. I knew then, you weren't ready for this because you've got a lot more to do in your life. You were still figuring out life with Haneul, healing from your past and allowing me to stay around. Well, thank you for not pushing me away."

The live chat was now unreadable. It became an endless stream of virtual cheers and teary emojis.

Chaeyoung's eyes shimmered, but no tears fell. She was not breaking, she was glowing.

Jungkook reached out for her hand and gently put the box into her palm.

"If you’re ready, Chaeyoung…open it."

Her hand trembled just slightly as she lifted the lid. Inside, a simple, elegant ring gleamed under the soft restaurant lights.

She gasped, eyes darting to him, wide and unbelieving.

"I hope my timing is right..", he said, his voice calm and ready for anything that will happen next. "I just...wanna be yours and...hoping that you want to be mine."

Silence wrapped around them for a second.

Then, Chaeyoung smiled. A full, radiant, certain kind of smile.

She reached across the table, took his hand, and said just what Jungkook wanted to hear...

"Yes...I want to be yours, Jungkook."

And somewhere between the applause of strangers online and the candlelight flickering between them, she knew this was not just another chapter.

This was her beginning. A new beginning to happily ever after. A new beginning to a deserving love she had waited for.

♡♡♡

Hi, guys!!! The epilogue is here and it's now officially the end of Yours. I'm happy I finally completed writing it and I hope you all enjoyed it till the end. 😊😊