Together You and I

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 44

JUNGKOOK's P.O.V.

I couldn't take the image of Mae Noona walking away with another guy and so I turned around and decided to wait for her at the lobby while they attend their meeting. To kill my boredom, I brought out my phone to play games. A few moments later, a message from an unknown number appeared. With plain curiosity, I opened it. My eyes went wide as I felt the blood drain from my face. I immediately stood up and looked around the vicinity looking for someone suspicious but unfortunately I saw nothing. I want to dissect the place but I don't want to attract attention that could cause further damage. My eyes went back to the screen of my phone. I can't believe that someone stole a photo of us while we were walking side by side earlier. Luckily, nothing is more to it. Wait, what if there is more? I suddenly have an ominous feeling. I need to talk to that person!

I dialed the number that sent me the photo but unfortunately no one is answering. I tried several times but it was to no avail. My heart and mind is now clouded with worry. What if the image got released in public and makes another scandal and Mae Noona might get hurt again in the process? I shook my head and closed my hand into a fist. No! I will not allow that!

I was in the middle of texting a message to that unknown number when suddenly my phone started ringing. "Hello." I answered immediately. I heard a deep sigh before I heard my name. "Jungkook-ah! What's going on? I thought you were in a press conference for your upcoming drama at L7 Hongdae. Why are you in MBN alone?"

My brows furrowed. How did he even know that I am at MBN right now? I look around trying to see if Bang PD-nim is also around but I didn't see him. "How-" I was about to ask Bang-PD nim where he get that info when suddenly our BTS chat room turned chaotic because my notifications just keep on coming. The other members sent links for online articles and when I opened it, I tensed up. I bit my lip as I started scrolling through the articles completely ignoring my hyungs questions. There are more than 12 articles now saying that Mae Noona and I are a real couple and we finally get re-united after more than two years. The news are now spreading like wildfire on social media. I know that this problem will come up once I get back to Noona but I never thought that it will happen this soon.

"Hello? Hello? Jungkook-ah, are you still there?" I put the phone back to my ears. I almost forgot that I was talking to Bang PD-nim. "Yes, I am still here PD-nim." I answered. I heard him heave another sigh on the line. "Jungkook-ah," I can already hear the frustration on Bang PD-nim's voice. I closed my eyes and started massaging the bridge of my nose. "PD-nim, please help me control the news article." I begged. "I don't want Mae Noona to get dragged into this right now." I added. I know how those haters work. I am not worried about my career. I am worried about Mae Noona. She is just starting a new project. I don't want to ruin it. I am scared that this will push her away from me again.

"We will try the best we can. Can you get here in a few minutes? We need to talk to settle the issue." Bang PD-nim replied. I heaved another sigh and nodded my head even though I know he can't see me. "Yes, Bang PD-nim. I am on my way." I ended the call and walked towards the exit but then reporters started swarming around me before I could get a cab. "Jungkook-ssi, is it true that you are in a relationship with Mae Ramirez, one of your former staff?" One of the reporters asked but I didn't bother answering. Luckily, a cab stopped by and I took that opportunity to escape them.

I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as I took a seat on the cab. "Where are we going, sir?" The chauffeur asked through the rearview mirror and so I told him the office address and thankfully, he immediately sped off. I took my phone out and dialed Mae Noona's number to call her but then I realized something. I looked back to where I came from and there are a lot of reporters waiting at the entrance and Mae Noona is still in that building. I felt nervous all of a sudden. Can she handle them? Can she find a way to escape them?

"Excuse me, sir but can you please turn around and go back to where I came from." The chauffeur looked at me in the mirror in confusion but didn't say anything and just did what he was told. I started biting my nails in anxiety as I started dialing Mae Noona's number again and again.

It took multiple attempts before she answered the call. "Hello?" I know I should answer but I froze and got lost for words. I don't know what to say. I don't know where to begin. We just met again and another scandal broke. I don't want her to flee again. "Mae Noona." I breathed. There was a pause on the other line. After a few seconds she spoke again. "What is it?" she asked. "Is your meeting over?" I asked back. "Yes. Why did you call?" she asked in a low voice. "Noona, I'm sorry." I apologized sincerely. "What are you apologizing for?" She asked. I can hear the confusion in her voice. "I didn't expect there were any paparazzi in the building. I know I should have listened to you but I let my feelings take over because I don't want to lose you again-" I started spilling out everything I have in my mind in a rush.

"Wait, wait, Jungkook-ssi, what are you talking about? I can't understand you." She interrupted. I released another sigh and started massaging my temple. I am really getting a headache at the moment. There is too much to take in right now and I still don't know what to do to keep her safe. I took a deep breath to calm my fast beating heart as I spill the bad news to her. "There is an article about you and me. It was released just a few minutes ago." She suddenly turned silent but after a few seconds she asked with a quivering voice. "What did you say?" I brushed my fingers through my hair in frustration. "I'm sorry, Noona." was all I can say.

"No! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come back here." She apologized back with a crack voice. I felt my heart being squished after hearing the anguish in her voice. I shook my head. No! It is not her fault. She did nothing wrong. It was all because of me. I was too stubborn and selfish. All I cared about was my feelings. I should've listened to her. "Don't worry. I will clarify things." I can feel the determination her voice. This is one of the things I love about her. She is the type of woman who never backs down. She always faces problems head on.

"Sir, were here." The chauffeur announced loudly. It was probably because I was not moving to get out of the taxi. I don't want to enter through the main entrance and so I asked him to drive me through the basement. I will get in through the parking lot. I sighed as the taxi pulled to another stop.

"Where are you? Are you still in the building?" I asked just to make sure before I get out of the cab. There was silence. I am assuming that she is still in the building through her silence. "Meet me in the lobby. We are going to fix this together, you and I." I spoke with confidence before I ended the call. 

Before I got out of the cab, I asked the taxi driver to wait for me for a few minutes because I am just going to pick-up someone and fortunately he agreed without any questions. With Mae Noona's safety in mind, I rushed towards the elevator and punched the first floor where the lobby is. No matter what happens, I will never leave her alone. We are in this together. I don't care about the backlash I will receive from this issue. I am more worried about Mae Noona and the hate she will receive because of this. She doesn't deserve this. I just want her to be happy but with the memory of what happened years ago and what is currently happening I question myself. Can I make her happy? 

My footsteps slowed down as I came into that bitter realization.  I might've caused her pain. I might've suffocated her. I might be the reason why he left. I saw her a few feet away from me. And seeing her face made me feel calm and at peace. She is the only one who made me feel like this. "Jungkook-ssi," She called my name and smiled and that made my heart beat louder. All my previous thoughts vanished. No! I will not let history repeat itself. I will protect her no matter what the cost. I will never give her up. I love her and I will fight for her.