Love or Destiny

Hearts Across Oceans

Jennie couldn't stop thinking about V. Soon, he would be hers or so she hoped. She hadn't expected her father to announce their engagement so publicly but surprisingly, she felt a rush of happiness. She went to him, curiosity tugging at her.

"Hey, Dad," she greeted as she entered his study.

"Hi, dear," he replied warmly.

"I wanted to ask...how did you know I liked V?" she asked, tilting her head.

He chuckled lightly. "I have my ways, Jennie. You'll see."

She smiled at him. "I love you, Dad."

"And I love you too, my dear," he said, his eyes softening. "But I also did some digging. His father is a top-10 businessman in Korea, very wealthy. But I wonder, why did he come here?"

"He said cars were his dream and he wanted to design his own cars. So, that's probably why he came," she explained.

"Hmm...I see," he said thoughtfully. "Well, don't you have to go to the office today?"

"Actually, V is on leave, so..." she trailed off.

"Oh, okay," he said, smiling.

"I'll go now. I need to meet Lisa. Bye, Dad."

"Bye, dear."

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At Lisa's house, Jennie was greeted by the maid and led inside. There, she found Lisa curled on the couch, tears streaming down her face. Her heart sank.

"Lisa! What happened? Why are you crying?" Jennie asked, kneeling beside her.

Through her sobs, Lisa whispered, "Jennie..."

"Tell me, what happened? Is it your parents?"

"No," she hiccuped. "It's...Bambam. He broke up with me."

"What? But why?"

"You remember that night at V's place, I got a dare that I had to break up with him for 24 hours?" she said, sniffling. "Well...he thought I was serious. The next day, he was already seeing another girl. Now he refuses to continue our relationship."

Jennie's anger flared but she tried to stay calm. "What?! That asshole! Didn't you tell him it was just a dare?"

"I tried," Lisa sniffled. "But it was too late."

Jennie hugged her tightly. "Don't cry, Lis. He doesn't deserve you. Let's go shopping. It'll cheer you up." Slowly, Lisa's sobs quieted and they left for the mall.

As the day passed by, their laughter slowly replaced the heartbroken Lisa's tears.

────୨ৎ────

In South Korea

Jisoo was lost in her thoughts in the office when a knock interrupted her. She looked up to see Yoongi entering.

"Oppa! How are you? You didn't come to meet me last week," she said softly, motioning for him to sit.

"Sorry, something came up," he replied. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. And you?"

"I'm good," he said. "Rosé isn't with you?"

"She was here but she had to leave. Why?"

"Jimin has been trying to reach her. She hasn't called him for two days."

"Oh, I'll ask her to call him," Jisoo said quietly.

A moment of silence followed, until Yoongi broke it.

"So... that jerk called you?"

"Oppa, don't call him a jerk," she said, frowning.

"I will try and don't dodge my question. Answer me."

"No," she whispered, a deep sigh escaping her.

He leaned forward, his expression gentle but firm. "Jisoo, if I ask you something, will you answer me honestly?"

She nodded. "Yes. What is it?"

"Why do you love Taehyung?"

Jisoo froze. Yoongi had always treated her like his own sister and he cared deeply for her. She knew he wouldn't let this go without an answer.

"Oppa...you remember?" she began, her voice trembling. "Back in school, Grandpa had a huge financial loss. Investors and business rivals were against him. I had to change schools and hide my identity. That's when I met Taehyung. I loved him even then."

Yoongi nodded, silently urging her to continue.

"After things settled, Grandpa transferred me again. I never revealed my identity to Taehyung. Years later, I tracked him down but I didn't know what he looked like. That night...when some goons harassed me, someone saved me. I felt something strange...something I couldn't explain. I investigated and to my surprise...it was Taehyung."

She paused for a moment. "I told Grandpa everything. When I met him at a party, I saw him again. I wanted to talk to him, to be with him...but he just signed the marriage certificate his father prepared and returned to the USA. He didn't even meet me properly. I was angry...upset...and I decided not to contact him. I wanted to see how long he would ignore me. But oppa...I can't live without him anymore. I love him more than anything."

Tears streamed down her face and Yoongi, who had been quietly listening, moved closer. He gently wiped her tears away and hugged her, wordlessly offering comfort.

"Oppa...I love him. Please understand me," she whispered.

He held her tighter and nodded. "Okay, Jisoo. But promise me, from now on, you won't cry over him anymore. Not even once."

She smiled through her tears. "Okay," she said, feeling the weight of her heart lighten slightly under his care.