Destiny's love

Part-51

Later – Small café near the studio

The table between them was cluttered with coffee cups and a small plate of pastries. Hayoung picked at a croissant while Rohan kept the conversation light — work stories, funny mishaps on set, even a compliment about her latest campaign. But every so often, he slipped in another carefully crafted sentence.

"You've been carrying so much lately."
"I just wish you had people who made things easier for you."
"You shouldn't feel guilty for working hard."

Each one landed like a quiet reassurance, wrapping around her tired mind.

She found herself smiling at him once or twice, and hating herself for it — because she knew Jungkook wouldn't like this. Nayoung wouldn't like this.

But right now... Rohan was the only one who seemed to understand.

Rohan's eyes softened. "You deserve someone who understands your dreams. Someone who doesn't get jealous of your time. Someone who knows that what you're doing isn't selfish — it's building the life you've worked so hard for."

She shifted uncomfortably. "Jungkook's not... bad. He's just..."

"He's human," Rohan finished for her. "Humans want to feel important. But sometimes, their need to feel important comes at the cost of your peace."

His words landed too easily, sliding into the cracks of her doubts.

"And Nayoung?" he added casually, watching her reaction carefully. "She's been distant too, hasn't she?"

Hayoung's brow furrowed. "She's... busy."

"Busy, yes. But still making time to warn you about me, I imagine?" His mouth curved slightly, but there was no humor in his eyes. "You know, people project their own insecurities onto others. Maybe she's worried you'll outgrow her. Maybe she doesn't like that you have someone else in your corner."

Hayoung opened her mouth to defend Nayoung, but the words stalled. The last few conversations they'd had had felt like arguments waiting to happen.

"You don't have to choose sides," Rohan said softly, sensing her hesitation. "But you do have to choose yourself. And I'm telling you now — I'll always support you. Even if it means sacrificing my own convenience. Can they say the same?"

Hayoung's POV (alone that night)

Back in her apartment, she sat on the couch, the TV playing some mindless show she wasn't watching. Her phone lay on the coffee table, screen dark. No new messages.

She thought about calling Jungkook. Thought about texting Nayoung. But both ideas made her stomach twist. She didn't want another lecture. She didn't want to defend herself again.

Her mind wandered back to the café, to Rohan's steady voice telling her she deserved to put herself first.

Maybe... maybe he was right. Not about everything. Not entirely. But about this — she was tired of feeling like she was failing everyone.

Maybe it was time to stop apologizing for working hard.

Scene: Nayoung's Apartment – Evening

The rain outside blurred the city lights into soft, trembling smears. Nayoung set three mugs of coffee on the low table in front of the couch, the steam curling into the warm air of her living room. She sat opposite Jungkook and Taehyung, folding her legs beneath her.

Jungkook's hair was slightly damp, like he'd walked here in the drizzle without caring. His jaw was tight, hands clasped so hard on his knees that his knuckles were pale.

Taehyung glanced between them, his usual calm a thin veneer over something sharper.

"Alright," Nayoung started, leaning back. "You called me here saying it's about Hayoung. What happened?"

Jungkook didn't answer immediately. He stared into his coffee, then exhaled hard. "We had a fight. A bad one."

Nayoung frowned. "Because?"

"She's been gone for a month," Jungkook said, his voice rough with frustration. "Always working, always busy. And I get it — her career is important. But she barely texts, barely calls. When she's here, she's exhausted. Two days before night, I..." He ran a hand through his hair. "...I lost it. I yelled."

Nayoung's expression darkened. "You yelled?"

"I didn't mean to," he said quickly, meeting her eyes. "But I've been holding it in for weeks. I feel like she's slipping away from me, and I don't even know why."

"Maybe she's just overwhelmed," Taehyung offered, though his tone wasn't entirely convinced. "But... I've noticed something too. When we last saw her, she didn't feel like the same Hayoung. It's not just exhaustion. She's... different."

"Different how?" Nayoung asked, leaning forward.

Taehyung's eyes narrowed slightly. "Guarded. Like she's measuring what she says. And whenever the topic of her boss comes up, she changes the subject fast."

Nayoung's mouth tightened. "Rohan Sharma."

Jungkook looked up sharply. "You think it's him?"

"I've always thought there's something off about him," Nayoung said, her voice clipped. "He hides it well, but he's too... interested. And I don't mean in her career."

Jungkook's fists clenched. "If he's messing with her—"

"You can't just barge in and accuse him," Taehyung cut in. "That'll only push her closer to him. If he is manipulating her, then he's probably making himself look like the only one who understands her right now. And given you two fought..."

Nayoung gave Jungkook a pointed look. "You might've handed him the perfect opportunity."

The guilt hit Jungkook like a weight. "I was just—" He broke off, shaking his head. "I didn't think."

"That's the problem," Nayoung said, her tone softening slightly. "Right now, she's vulnerable. He's probably feeding into that, making you and me look like the ones holding her back."

Taehyung leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "We need to play this smart. No accusations. No more fights. If we want to help her, we have to be patient. Make her feel safe coming back to us."

Jungkook exhaled, rubbing his forehead. "I don't know if I can just... sit and wait while he—"

"You have to," Nayoung interrupted, her eyes hard. "If you push her now, you'll lose her. And trust me... that's exactly what he wants."

For a long moment, the only sound was the rain against the windows.

Finally, Jungkook nodded, though his jaw stayed tight. "Fine. I'll wait. But I'm not letting him take her away from me."

Taehyung exchanged a look with Nayoung — both of them silently agreeing that waiting wouldn't mean doing nothing.

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