Little (Under Editing)

Chapter 22: The Truth of Engagement

Chapter 22: The Truth of Engagement

Jungkook entered the restaurant, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. The entire space had been transformed into a romantic haven, a testament to his father's elaborate plan. Petals of crimson roses were scattered across the polished floor, their velvety softness whispering promises of passion. A grand chandelier, its crystals catching the faint light filtering through the windows, cast an ethereal glow over the tables draped in pristine white linen. The walls, adorned with bouquets of red roses, seemed to pulse with unspoken desires.

Jungkook, clutching a bouquet of lilies, a stark contrast to the red theme, felt a wave of unease wash over him. He couldn't help but feel like a pawn in his father's game, a mere instrument in his ruthless pursuit of power. Yet, he couldn't deny the charm of the setting.

As Yun Seong entered, her presence radiating warmth and grace, Jungkook stood up, his hand reaching out to gently take hers. He pecked the back of her hand, a gesture that felt more like a ritual than a genuine expression of affection.

"Good afternoon," he said, his voice laced with a hint of forced cheerfulness. "These are for you." He handed her the lilies, their delicate fragrance filling the air.

Yun Seong accepted the flowers with a gracious smile, her eyes betraying a flicker of sadness. "I'm sorry I'm late," she apologized, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I had some things to take care of."

"It's okay," Jungkook replied, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he sat down. "I just arrived myself."

The silence that descended upon them as they settled into their seats was deafening. The only sound was the soft tinkling of the chandelier, a constant reminder of the charade they were both playing.

"Do you want to order something to eat?" Jungkook asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Oh, sure," Yun Seong replied, her smile a little too bright, a little too forced.

Jungkook rang the bell on the table, and a waiter, dressed in a crisp white uniform, approached them with a menu. "Just order whatever you like," Jungkook said, his voice devoid of enthusiasm. "I think Father has already taken care of the bill."

"Really? That's so nice of him," Yun Seong giggled, her laughter echoing in the silent restaurant. Jungkook forced a chuckle, his heart sinking at the thought of his father's machinations.

As they placed their orders, the silence returned, heavier than before. The air grew thick with unspoken words, unspoken truths.

"Is there anything else you want to do?" Jungkook asked, his voice tinged with desperation. "We can go somewhere else if you want."

"No, it's fine," Yun Seong replied, her smile fading slightly. "Jungkook..." she began, her voice soft and hesitant.

"Yes?" Jungkook responded, his gaze fixed on her, his heart pounding in his chest.

"You don't have to force yourself," she said, her voice barely audible.

"Huh?" Jungkook looked at her, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"It's okay, you don't have to do this to please your father," Yun Seong continued, her voice gaining strength. "I know you don't like to be here with me, and that's fine. You can go to him, you know, Kim Taehyung?"

Jungkook's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?" he whispered, his voice barely a breath.

"Well, I heard a lot before I saw him at the party," Yun Seong replied, her voice laced with understanding. "And I could tell how much you cared for him. I don't think he's just a friend of yours. He's someone more than that, right?"

Jungkook's gaze dropped to the table, his heart aching with a mixture of guilt and relief. "Uhh, he's someone I really wanted to be with," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "But you see, I had to do this because I'm not yet financially stable. And even if I were to oppose this, I fear what would happen to him."

"I see," Yun Seong muttered, her eyes filled with empathy. "Then, we can act together until you have the guts to end this. We don't have to continue the engagement because we would just torture ourselves. So, once we can do it, let's end this right away. We deserve to find and love the right person for us."

"How about you?" Jungkook asked, his voice laced with concern.

"We're just in the same situation," Yun Seong replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "I'm in no position to oppose this shitty proposal, and I had to get along with it as well. It was exhausting, you know." She took a sip of the expensive red wine, her eyes reflecting a deep weariness. "They wouldn't support me being an artist. I didn't want to be the heir of the company, but they still forced me and told me that they would support me if I agreed with this engagement. I had a dream I wanted to become true so I had to do this. But to be honest, I don't want to get married, and it makes me uncomfortable that they would tell me to give them grandkids." Her voice laced with disgust.

"I'm sorry," Jungkook muttered, his heart heavy with sympathy.

"It's okay, it's not your fault anyway," Yun Seong replied, her voice softening. "But Jungkook, if you really love him, fight for him. Not gonna lie, Kim Taehyung was indeed the most gorgeous person I could even think of. You better protect him at all costs, do you understand?" She chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I will," Jungkook giggled, a genuine smile finally gracing his lips.

"Well, let's just finish the food," Yun Seong said, her voice regaining its usual cheerfulness. "It's a waste if we didn't finish them, right? Besides, I need to hurry up as well, Ashley is waiting for me."

"Sure," Jungkook replied, his heart lighter than it had been all evening.

After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, the silence of the evening broken only by the gentle hum of the city. Jungkook insisted on driving her back to her place, but Yun Seong declined, telling him that she had somewhere else to go. Jungkook helped her hail a cab, and she thanked him before stepping inside.

Jungkook drove back to Taehyung's place, his heart filled with a mixture of relief and anticipation. He couldn't wait to see Taehyung, to feel his warmth, to tell him about his conversation with Yun Seong. He parked his car in the garage and rushed towards the front door, his fingers trembling as he knocked.

The door opened, revealing Taehyung, his eyes wide with surprise.

"What's the matter, Jungkookie?" Taehyung asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Nothing," Jungkook replied, his voice filled with emotion. "I just missed you so much." He threw his arms around Taehyung, burying his face in the crook of his neck.

"I missed you too," Taehyung replied, his voice soft and soothing as he stroked Jungkook's hair. "I've been waiting for you."

"Can I... can I kiss you?" Jungkook asked, pulling back from the hug, his eyes filled with longing.

Taehyung's cheeks flushed crimson, his eyes darting to the floor. He nodded shyly, his heart pounding in his chest.

Jungkook's hand, trembling slightly, reached out to cup Taehyung's cheek, his thumb gently stroking the smooth skin. Taehyung leaned into the touch, his breath hitching as Jungkook's gaze burned into his. The space between them seemed to shrink, the air thickening with anticipation.

Jungkook's thumb traced the line of Taehyung's jaw, his eyes lingering on the soft curve of his lips. He felt a surge of desire, a yearning so deep it took his breath away. He leaned in slowly, his lips brushing against Taehyung's in a feather-light touch.

Taehyung's eyes fluttered closed as Jungkook's lips finally met his. The kiss was a symphony of soft sighs and gentle pressure, a tender exploration of their desires. Jungkook's tongue traced the seam of Taehyung's lips, a silent plea for entry. Taehyung, his heart pounding in his ears, parted his lips, granting Jungkook access to his world.

Their tongues danced a slow, sensual waltz, a passionate exploration of each other's tastes and textures. Jungkook tasted the sweetness of Taehyung's lips, the faint hint of mint from his breath, and the intoxicating scent of his cologne. Taehyung, in turn, savored the warmth of Jungkook's lips, the gentle pressure of his hands, and the intoxicating scent of his woodsy cologne.

The kiss deepened, a silent declaration of their love and longing. They held each other close, their bodies pressed together, their souls intertwined. It was a kiss that spoke volumes, a testament to the unspoken feelings that had simmered between them for so long.

As the kiss finally broke, Jungkook and Taehyung gazed into each other's eyes, their hearts overflowing with a love that knew no bounds. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the magic of their shared moment.