The Clandestine Us

Forty-one

───── ❝ Jungkook's POV ❞ ─────

Life is starting to feel better again. I've gone back to doing everything I can to make Jennie feel special, maybe even more than before.

I know she's still at her mom's house, but that doesn't stop me. I've been sending flowers to her place in the city, with little handwritten notes. I want her to come home to something soft... something that reminds her how deeply I care, even when I'm not beside her.

After that talk with my brother, I stayed at home until we rang in the New Year together. I didn't even get to celebrate Taehyung's birthday properly, I just sent him a greeting and stayed low-key.

All I could think about was Jennie. Seeing her. Holding her. Telling her how much more I love her now.

Because the truth is... I fall harder for her every single day. It's like I wake up and realize I love her more than the day before. And it's a kind of love that makes life feel much more exciting again.

What still gets me is how she continues to treat me with warmth... after everything I did. The way she responds. The way she shares updates. The way she stays... kind.

My brother was right, he still can't understand how someone like me managed to pull someone like her. Jennie could've turned cold, distant, unforgiving. She had every right to.

But instead, she stayed gentle.

They say we're all just figuring things out in this one life we're given, but if I'm being honest... I must've done something really good in a past life to deserve this kind of love from her in this one.

It's too early to say it out loud, but in my heart, I already know... I want to end up with Jennie.

In this lifetime, and every lifetime that comes after.

━━ •⩊• ━━

It's the second day of the new year and my schedule's still light. I messaged her good morning and told her I was just in my room, missing her like crazy.

Then she replied.

And suddenly, my heart jumped and my hands started sweating.

She invited me to dinner... With her mom.

I was excited—so excited—but also... I was terrified.

I've performed in front of thousands, stood through high-pressure interviews, handled live broadcasts and chaotic award shows, but nothing—nothing—has ever made me this nervous.

It wasn't even lunchtime yet, but I was already pacing back and forth in my room, trying to figure out what to wear, what to bring, how to act.

Jennie told me to just wear something I was comfortable in. She told me my presence was enough. But that didn't stop my brain from going into full panic mode.

So naturally, I called the first person I could think of.

"JK, calm down," Taehyung said, the second he picked up.

"How can I calm down? I'm meeting her mom. How is that something you just calm down from?" I answered, already frustrated with myself.

"Why don't you ask Joshua? He met her mom tons of times," he said casually, with that smug grin I could practically hear through the phone.

"How do you even know that? And why would I talk to the enemy?" I snapped.

"1995 babies stick together," he replied like that was the simplest explanation in the world. "Also, what enemy? They're literally friends, you brat."