Billionaire's Bargain || Kim Taehyung

A Long Lost Forever

Kira looked out, gaping at the beautiful scenery beyond the windows of the train. The hustle of the city had slowly transitioned into pure green pasture. She'd seen it every year but each year, it made her fall in love with nature more and more.

She slowly looked over at Hobi, who had got lost in his music. Namjoon sat next to him, his face buried in a book. Beside her, Jin stirred momentarily and went back to being motionless. She looked over at his peacefully sleeping face, a tinge of sadness washed over her.

They could have easily taken a car or a chopper but going on train brought back so much memories that they just couldn't let go. They'd been doing this for almost fifteen years now and each time they did, images of the two crying boys always flooded back to her.

Fifteen years ago, Jin's parents had met with a tragic accident. Like all deaths, it had come as a shock to all of them. Kira's parents had been distraught at hearing the news. Jin's father was almost like the other half of her own father. Close friends who had worked hard to raise a better future for their children.

Every year, they went to an island to visit them.

The sea glinted pale blue serving as a breathtaking contrast to the green elevated land. Cold breeze blew as the four stood by the two stones in silence. A few moments later, Jin knelt down and kept a single white bloomed flower on each stones, followed by Hoseok.

Kira sat on the low-built wall overlooking the sea. She observed the gentle waves as darkness slowly drained its bright colour. She'd been sitting there for hours, listening to music and getting lost in her own thoughts. She always felt that Jin and Hoseok wanted some time alone and she made sure that she gave it to them. They always seemed to go silent when they came here and Kira couldn't blame them. These were the only times they could grieve in peace and she respected that.

She twitched as a gentle poke brought her back from her reverie. She looked over her shoulders to find Namjoon. He was wearing one of his old oversized hoodie; his favourite yellow. He said something but Kira couldn't hear him. She yanked her earphones out to hear "...here?" She assumed he wanted to sit there and nodded.

They both sat in comfortable silence, watching as the waves lapped gently against the rocks. Kira remembered this scene like that of a déjà vu. A few years ago, they'd both sat there similarly. It seemed like nothing had changed but it amazed her how everything had changed.

"How are they holding up?" Kira asked.

"They're both distracted with cooking." He replied.

"Good." Kira nodded, it was like a routine they had when they came here.

It wasn't long before Namjoon and Kira got drifted away from their silence, talking their heart out, covering up bits and pieces of what they'd left out in the few years of his absence.

"Oh my god, those were some crazy nights." Namjoon said, barely controlling his laughter. "I've never had a normal trip with Taehyung and Jungkook which didn't end up in all three of us getting arrested."

"Taehyung did mention something about that." Kira laughed along.

"Ah, I've missed you." Kira said. She had said it before but she couldn't say it enough.

"I've missed you too." Said Namjoon, swinging an arm over her shoulders. They both went quiet, enjoying each other's presence.

"Did you find anyone? You know, after I left..." Namjoon asked slowly. The tone of his question hinted his intention.

Kira breathed deeply. "I went on a few dates but I've not exactly found anyone worth it...yet."

"Yet." Echoed Namjoon.

"You?"

"It's the same for me too." He replied.

There was an uninvited silence in the air.

"I've been wondering.... do you ever think about... I don't know if I, what if..... I just..." He stammered. He wasn't making any sense at all.

"What?" Kira was completely clueless.

Namjoon looked deep into her eyes, reading her oblivion. Without warning, he leaned in and softly kissed her lips. Kira's brain stopped functioning for a good three seconds as her lips pressed against his. And then, it kicked in, the memories that had been threatening to spill out, rained down the roof.

Flashes of images skipped briefly through her mind. An empty college library with just them sitting side by side, his dimples that mimicked the brightness of a sun, a warm hug as her teeth chattered in the cold rain, a soft kiss similar to this one, late night conversations, heartfelt confessions, abundance of laughter with tears along the way, silent cuddles, passionate moments of burning love, and the promise of a long lost forever.

Neither of them knew how long they sat there, playing an unfair game with fantasy. A while later, she pulled away breathless. Kira was a little surprised. All this time, she'd been afraid that her feelings would come rushing back, crushing her. Oddly, it didn't. In fact, her heart felt at peace as if it got a closure.

"I am sorry. I just had to find out. I wanted an answer." He whispered. Namjoon felt dizzy.

Kira nodded. "Did you get one?"

Namjoon shook his head. "I don't know. Did you...?"

Kira paused for a while, looking away from him. She could still feel his gaze upon her. She just didn't know how to put it. "Namjoon-ah, a few years ago, we were so deep in love that I couldn't even dream of imagining a future without you. When we broke up, even though it was for the best of us, it took everything in me to just hold on. I was broken beyond repair....."

He was staring intensely at her. His eyes had a suspicious gleam to it which made it even more emotional for Kira to talk but she continued. ".... I thought it was the end and I had lost faith in everything. I know it would have been worse if we had not left in good terms but each time I heard your voice, it- it made me explode and I hated it. Work was my only distraction. It was slow and painful but it finally helped me get over that empty feeling. I finally feel like I am no longer lost, like I have hope to be found."

Kira could see as a tear slowly trickled down his cheek, a few more followed its suit. She gently wiped them away. "I am not sure I want to put myself through that again. Even if we did...."

"Even if we did, I'll probably have to leave again. We'd be caught in a never-ending loop." He completed.

Kira nodded, a sad smile glimmering across her face. They were silent for a while.

"Are you going to be okay?" She asked slowly.

"In a while." He nodded. "When did you become such a smooth talker?" He wiped his eyes, a chuckle escaped his mouth. Kira chuckled along with him, relieved at his smile.

"They're probably waiting for us." Namjoon said, checking his watch. Kira nodded and they both headed back to the mini-mansion for dinner.

It was a quiet night.

A/N: I really do want you to be happy and so, double update! If this made you smile, if this improved your day by at-least 1%, I will consider myself a happy writer because ultimately that's what matters: A smile on your faces.

P.S: You have no idea how long I have been waiting to publish this particular chapter. :)