Bridge To My Heart

Part 23 - 1 Year Later

*** 1 YEAR LATER ***

"Yes, Mr. Lee. Mr. Kim will be there on time. I know what happened the last time, but I can assure you, he'll be there. I will make sure of it myself." You cut the call and grit your teeth where a bunch of white lies had just escaped. The sound of water hitting the tiles echoed from the bathroom into the adjoining bedroom, and you knocked on the door in urgency.

"Joon, I am so close to cutting off the water supply! For God's sake, get done already! You're gonna be late. Again!"

Finally, the water stopped beating and Namjoon stepped out of the bathroom, towel hanging ever-so-low on his broad hips. "Where are your fucking clothes?"

He chuckled as you spun to look away. "I was in a hurry and forgot to pick out any."

You rushed to his wardrobe and threw the doors apart, quickly deciding on a staple black on black suit with a crisp white button shirt and slim black tie. You practically tossed his clothes at him without looking his way, annoyed, impatient and anxious for him.

"You could have fooled me with how long you spent in there."

"I'm a single man who just woke up-"

"Blah blah blah. That's enough information." you chanted as you pressed your fingers to your ears. You couldn't help but giggle to yourself as you heard the shuffle of clothing, and the familiar groan from the only man you knew who did not know how to tie a knot. Shaking your head, you turned and walked up to him, stood on your tiptoes and fixed his tie.

"Thank you sweetheart." He popped a small kiss on your cheek.

"Flattery." you rolled your eyes, "Won't work on me."

"I know. That's why it's fun watching you get worked up."

"You're the one who should be worked up! We have two days until the launch, but here you are, faffing around like you couldn't care less."

"That's because I have you to handle everything." Namjoon chuckled as he sat on the edge of his bed to put his socks on.

"And what if I wasn't here?"

Namjoon shrugged and stood up again, "Wouldn't want to think about it."

"About the launch, would you mind if I invited an extra person?"

"Yoongi?"

You nodded, keeping your head down to stare at your wringing hands, "I thought it would be, I don't know, nice. Your book launch is important to me Joon, and Yoongi was important to me, once."

"Are you sure you'll be okay meeting him today?"

"It's been over a year Joon. I consider him a friend now."

It was true. The whole divorce was a mess, and you had been messier. Namjoon had been there through the roughest months, and even though he knew your heart was torn over Jin, he was afraid that remaining in contact with your ex husband would only unearth the feelings of pain and heartbreak. You were nervous to meet Yoongi later today, but just like everything, time gave you the strength to move on. At least, to put on a brave smile and pretend, well enough so that nobody suspected that a year later, your heart still pined for the love you once experienced.

"Here," Namjoon handed you an invitation card, "Tell Yoongi and Areum I said hi."

Namjoon met Yoongi a few times during the divorce proceedings. He knew Areum from the few video calls over the past year, but neither you nor Namjoon had met her in person, except for that one time when you bumped into her and Sunmi in the park.