Standing before the mirror in the restroom, you're momentarily alone with your reflections, both literal and metaphorical. You recognize the need to distance yourself from the problems of others, to prioritize your own peace, yet the instinct to help, to intervene in the injustices you see, is intrinsic to who you are.
Right now, your thoughts keep circling back to Miyeon. Her situation, fraught with fear and suffering under Seongjae's shadow, seems unbearable. You can't help but feel that revealing everything to Taehyung would be her best escape. The power dynamics, so clearly skewed in favor of Taehyung and his connections, could be the key to freeing her from her ordeal. The thought of her continuing to endure such a life is intolerable, and you wish for nothing more than her liberation and happiness.
Simultaneously, your mind grapples with the revelation about your boss, Ahn Bo Hyun. The man you knew as simply the owner of the Itaewon branch of Caffe Latte is, in fact, the head of a significant business empire. His choice to keep this aspect of his identity hidden sparks a mix of curiosity and respect for his humility, but also frustration at the secrecy.
And then there's Jungkook. Seeing him again after so long, feeling the palpable distance between you despite the physical proximity, is disconcerting. The Jungkook you encountered tonight was a stranger in many waysâunbothered, silent, and distant. This change in him is worrying, leaving you to wonder what has caused such a shift in his demeanor. Yet, amidst all these swirling concerns, the sight of him also brought a surge of happiness, a reminder of the complex emotions and history you share.
As you stand there, lost in thought, you realize that these concerns, these people, and their troubles have woven themselves into the fabric of your life, for better or worse. The reflection staring back at you from the mirror is a person deeply entangled in the lives of others, yet also searching for her own path through the chaos. The challenge now is finding a balance, a way to help those you care about while not losing yourself in the process.
As you gather yourself, preparing to face the remainder of the evening with renewed poise you enter the hallway, the unexpected sight of Miyeon hastening towards you stops you in your tracks. The familiar urgency in her voice immediately draws you out of your reverie. "Y/N," she calls out, the tone and expression unmistakably the Miyeon you know, prompting an instinctive rush of concern and guilt from your side.
"Miyeon!" Without hesitation, you embrace her, the emotions bubbling up uncontrollably. "I am so sorry, Miyeon," you say, the guilt over not answering her calls weighing heavily on you."No, Y/N, it's not your fault, now listen to meâ" Miyeon insists, urgency lacing her voice as she attempts to convey something critical.
But you're already thinking of solutions, of escape plans. "No, I should have picked up your call. If you want, we can still escape. I can still get you out of here and take you homeâ" you offer, desperate to rectify the situation.
"Y/N!" Miyeon's groan, full of frustration and urgency, halts your planning. "You have to listen to me!" she emphasizes, grabbing your arms to ensure she has your full attention.
She then dives straight into the heart of the matter. "Do you remember who was the guy that was trying to kill you because they were after whoever mattered to Jungkook?" she asks a question that cuts to the core of past dangers and unresolved threats.
"I do not remember his name. I heard it just this one time," you admit, the details hazy in your memory.
"Well, that guy is now behind SeokJin's sister, and I have heard about him; he is very good at playing games," Miyeon reveals a statement that sends a ripple of alarm through you.
"Okay, but how is that concerned to me? He was after me because of Jungkook. Now me and him aren't even close-," you argue, struggling to connect the dots."
"He is after you," she states, locking eyes with you, a grave seriousness in her gaze that brooks no argument.
"Why still?" The question escapes you before you can fully process the implications.
"You are still safe because he doesn't know what you look like. He is not after you because of Jungkook but because ofâ" Miyeon's attempt to unveil the full truth is abruptly interrupted.
"Y/N" "We still have unfinished business" Raeyeon's voice, assertive and unwelcome, approaches you. Her intrusion not only cuts Miyeon off but also signals another layer of complexity about to unfold. The evening's revelations are far from over, and with Raeyeon's approach, you brace yourself for what's to come, the previous concerns momentarily sidelined by the immediate confrontation.
"Not her again" You roll your eyes. "Me and Miyeon are still talking!" "And I do not have time for you so you can escort yourself out of my sight" As Raeyeon interrupts, attempting to draw the focus towards herself and away from your urgent conversation with Miyeon, you quickly shut her down, emphasizing your priority. You assert, raising an eyebrow to emphasize your disinterest in Raeyeon's interjection.
"Shut up, Y/N" "I need you to stop following Jungkook" Raeyeon exclaims, her words slicing through the hallway's ambiance and attracting odd glances from passersby.
"What the fuck is she talking about?" you sarcastically turn to Miyeon, your frustration with Raeyeon's unfounded accusations spilling over. "Do you ever stop talking out of your ass?" you confront Raeyeon, stepping towards her as the tension between you escalates.
Her response reveals more than she might intend, exposing her own insecurities and the impact of your past relationship with Jungkook. "I just need you to stop. I fucking love him. I don't know what happened between you two, but he's changed since then. He doesn't even look at me right or even let me touch him, and I think it's all because of you," she exclaims, laying bare her distress and jealousy.
Caught off guard by her blunt admission, you're momentarily stunned. The complexity of the situation, intertwined with your past with Jungkook and Raeyeon's evident distress, casts a new light on the dynamics at play. Yet, the unfairness of her accusation, the assumption that you wield such influence over Jungkook's actions, ignites your temper.
"Raeyeon," Miyeon intervenes, her voice a warning, but the escalating tension is beyond a simple resolution. Fueled by a mix of anger and incredulity, you confront Raeyeon's unfounded claims head-on.
"You know what? Maybe try dating men who are actually into you. Maybe stop using your goddamn body to make a man stay and let them fall for your personality. Oh wait, you don't have one, do you?" you retort sharply, moving close to her in a threatening way, your words cutting through the charged atmosphere.
Raeyeon, visibly wounded and angered by your comeback, reacts impulsively. "What the fuck did you just say?" In a flash of hurt pride, she pushes you, her hand reaching out in an attempt to grab your hair.
But you're quick to defend yourself, catching her hand mid-air and twisting it behind her back, immobilizing her with a maneuver that leaves her wincing in pain. "Leave me! Y/N! Fuck off!" Raeyeon's cries fill the hallway, her voice a mix of pain and fury.
The sudden commotion draws immediate attention, silencing the surrounding area as everyone turns to witness the unfolding drama. "What the hell is going on?" The commanding voice belongs to none other than Jungkook, his presence, along with Taehyung's, marking a pivotal moment. They approach, their arrival cutting through the tension, prompting an abrupt cessation of the conflict.
Caught in this highly charged confrontation, with emotions running high and past grievances surfacing with new intensity, the appearance of Jungkook and Taehyung adds another layer of complexity to an already intense evening.
"Raeyeon, Y/N, this is not the place," Jungkook interjects, his voice strained as he attempts to keep it low amidst the curious gazes of onlookers. His actions are swift; he grabs your hand, removes it from Raeyeon's, and positions himself as a barrier between the two of you.
Taehyung, meanwhile, tries to disperse the growing crowd with his smiles and apologies, his demeanor aiming to defuse the situation.
"Why don't you keep control of your girlfriend then?" The words escape your lips, your anger now redirected at Jungkook. The night's accumulated tensions and revelations find an outlet in your frustration, aimed at anyone who dares to intervene.
"You do not talk to me like that," Jungkook counters, moving closer, his height and fierce gaze imposing over you. His proximity and the intensity in his eyes signal a rising anger to match your own.
"Or what?" you challenge, stepping closer, refusing to back down, your eyes locked with his in a defiant stare.
"Back off, Y/N, right now!" His voice is no longer just stern; it carries a warning, a clear indication that his patience is wearing thin.
"You don't tell me what to do anymore, remember?" you retort with a smirk, though anger still pulses through your words. At your response, Jungkook momentarily closes his eyes, as if to contain the anger brewing within him.
"Go fucking find your boyfriend and tell him to get you out of here, or else I am going to lose my mind andâ" Jungkook's threat hangs in the air, his temper teetering on the edge.
"And hit me again?" you interject sharply, your words slicing through the tension and startling not only Jungkook but also Raeyeon, Taehyung, and Miyeon. "You're going to slap me again?" The accusation, heavy with implications, leaves a palpable silence in its wake.
"Raeyeon, does he abuse you too, to keep your mouth shut? Is that his thing now?" Your scoff is biting, a deliberate provocation aimed at uncovering uncomfortable truths. Peeking at Raeyeon from behind Jungkook, you quickly refocus on him, your eyes meeting his in a confrontation brimming with unresolved anger and pain.
"You've hit her before?" The question, loaded with shock and accusation, causes a palpable shift in the atmosphere. Miyeon, usually reserved and carrying her own burden of pain silently, steps forward with a sudden intensity. She positions herself almost between you and Jungkook, embodying a strength and fierceness you haven't seen in her before. It's as if the mention of violence has awakened her own traumatic memories, compelling her to intervene, to prevent you from experiencing the pain she knows all too well.
"Jungkook, what is Y/N talking about?" Taehyung, equally alarmed and concerned, joins the fray. His voice carries a mix of confusion and a demand for clarity, aware that the implications of your statement are severe and deeply troubling.
"Answer them, Jungâ" you begin, intent on pressing Jungkook for a response, but Miyeon's sudden, aggressive interjection cuts you off. "How dare you hit her?!" Her voice is sharp, her actions decisive as she grabs Jungkook's shirt, pulling him towards her with a force that belies her usual demeanor.
The action catches everyoneâTaehyung, Raeyeon, Jungkook, and youâoff guard. Miyeon's outburst is uncharacteristic, a stark departure from the composed facade she's maintained. Her anger, directed squarely at Jungkook, is a manifestation of her own experiences, a mirror reflecting her internal struggle and condemnation of violence.
"Do you even know how that feels?" Miyeon's words, though aimed at Jungkook, carry a weight that resonates with her personal suffering. The question hangs in the air, a challenge to Jungkook's understanding and empathy regarding the impact of his actions.
As the confrontation unfolds, Taehyung's observation of Miyeon's behavior, coupled with your accusation against Jungkook, begins to paint a picture he hadn't anticipated. The realization dawns slowly, the implications of Miyeon's reaction and your bold statement weaving a complex tapestry of personal pain, unresolved issues, and the need for accountability.
"Miyeon, it's okay, it was just a slap," you try to downplay the situation, an attempt to diffuse the rapidly escalating tension after realizing the potential consequences. You gently pry Miyeon's hands from Jungkook, aiming to calm the storm brewing in the hallway.
"No, Y/N!" Miyeon resists, pulling away from you with a swift motion, her eyes brimming with tears. "That's how it starts!" Her voice carries a desperate edge, a warning born from painful experience. The intensity of the moment resonates deeply, your heart pounding in echo to hers, as the gravity of her statement sinks in.
Your gaze shifts between Miyeon and Taehyung, him beginning to piece together the implications of the unfolding scene. As understanding dawns, his expression transforms from confusion to shock, a silent alarm at the revelations being hinted at.
"What are you talking about?" Taehyung's approach is cautious as he steps closer to Miyeon, his concern palpable in the charged atmosphere. Miyeon, momentarily caught in the grip of her trauma, seems to realize the magnitude of what she's implied. The sudden attention, the focus shifting onto her, causes a visible reaction, goosebumps spreading across her skin as the reality of her situation becomes the center of everyone's attention.
"That's how it starts?" Taehyung repeats her words, seeking confirmation, his voice is laden with a dawning horror. "You've been there before?" The questions continue, each one a step closer to uncovering a truth Miyeon has kept hidden. "Miyeon, has Seongjae ever raised his hands on you?" With these words, Taehyung takes control of the situation, his focus now entirely on Miyeon, pushing the conflict between you and Jungkook into the background.
The confrontation has shifted dramatically, no longer about you and Jungkook's past interactions but now centered on Miyeon and the possibility of her suffering at Seongjae's hands. Taehyung's involvement marks a pivotal turn, his protective instincts and genuine concern for Miyeon bringing a new urgency to the revelations at hand.
"No, I was just standing up for Y/N," Miyeon insists, her voice betraying the lie she's trying to uphold. Her retreat, a step back, is a clear display of her vulnerability and reluctance to confront the truth openly. Her body language, lacking in confidence, speaks volumes more than her words ever could.
"Y/N, what is she talking about?" Taehyung's focus shifts to you, recognizing Miyeon's inability to withstand his probing. It's evident to you now that the moment for half-truths has passed; Miyeon's outburst, though framed as a defense for you, was indeed a silent plea for rescue from her own dire situation.
"The scars and bruises on her body, hidden under that fabric, speak for themselves," you confess, the weight of the secret you're disclosing pressing heavily on you. A tear escapes, tracing a path down your cheek as you meet Taehyung's gaze, the truth laid bare between you.
"No, Y/N," Miyeon interjects, a desperate attempt to halt the revelation, but the truth cannot be unsaid. Taehyung's reaction is immediate and visceral. The knowledge of Miyeon's suffering, now confirmed, ignites a fury in him that's palpable. Tears threaten to spill from his eyes, not just from sorrow but from a boiling, uncontrollable anger. His body trembles, a physical manifestation of the storm raging within.
"I am going to kill him today," he vows, the words more a promise to himself than to anyone present. Without another glance at Miyeon, without waiting for any further explanation, Taehyung turns on his heel and strides away, propelled by a singular, devastating purpose: to confront Seongjae.
"Jungkook, stop him. He is going to kill my brother," the urgency in Raeyeon's voice is palpable as she turns to Jungkook, her hands clutching at him in desperation. She pleads, her fear for Seongjae's life breaking through the tension. Jungkook and Miyeon, however, remain rooted to the spot, the shock of the unfolding events rendering them momentarily immobile.
"Y/N," Miyeon's voice, soft yet laden with emotion, cuts through the chaos, drawing your attention back to her. The sight of tears streaming down her face underscores the gravity of what she's about to disclose, a vulnerability and honesty that you've never seen from her before.
"The second thing I wanted to tell you was....." Miyeon pauses, her still being in the current of revelations, gathering the courage to continue. "The threatening calls you've been receiving, warning you to keep your distance from Jungkook, they were all from Seongjae. He's developed an obsession with you. Inside his house, there's a room dedicated entirely to youâfilled with paintings he's made of your likeness and candid photos he's snapped without your knowledge. He's been shadowing you, compiling this collection for years."
The revelation sends a chill down your spine, the extent of Seongjae's obsession laid bare in a confession that borders on the unbelievable.
"If he could, he would have forced you into doing several things that I can't even say and you cannot even imagine. He couldn't do it because he knew Jungkook was protecting you and that he wasn't any more powerful than Jungkook," Miyeon continues, the implications of her words painting a horrifying picture of what might have been had it not been for Jungkook's silent guardianship.
The weight of Miyeon's revelation hangs heavily between you, the realization that Seongjae's fixation on you has been both longstanding and dangerously close.
The stakes are suddenly, and terrifyingly, real, with each revelation shedding light on the dark undercurrents that have influenced your lives from the shadows.
The revelation from Miyeon sends a shockwave through you, loosening your muscles, and making you stumble in place. "Y/N," Miyeon reaches out, concern etched on her face, but you raise a hand, signaling her to keep her distance. Your gaze shifts to Jungkook, who seems frozen, his eyes locked on Miyeon, still grappling with the weight of her words.
His eyes, typically alive with intensity, now seem distant, as if retreating into the depths of his own thoughts, trying to process the gravity of what he's just learned. The revelation that Seongjae has been obsessively threatening and stalking you, under his nose, visibly shakes him, challenging his perception of control and protection over those he cares about. His face is suddenly unreadable, not letting you into his mind anymore. Something shifts in him as if he all of a sudden remembered something.
You do not take your eyes off him until you start getting overwhelmed and find it a little hard to breathe. Your gaze shifting to the ground, endure your ache in your chest.
"All this time I thought it was Jungkook following me, looking out for me" you talk to yourself in mumbles.
Jungkook still struggling to recover from the new information finally speaks. "Raeyeon," his voice calm yet detached, entirely focused on Miyeon. "Let's go, I'll drop you home," he declares, sounding like a person you barely recognize. This change in him, this indifference, leaves you feeling cold and isolated as if the ground beneath you has shifted.
The Jungkook you thought you knewâthe one who would have reacted with fierce protectiveness, who might have even sought vengeance on your behalfâseems to have vanished. Instead, he appears ready to retreat, to distance himself from the conflict and from you. It's a distinct departure from the person you believed would always stand by you, ready to set the world on fire if it meant keeping you safe. Now, that sense of security and understanding seems to have dissolved into the air, leaving you feeling more alone than ever.
"But what about my brother and Taehyung?" Raeyeon's question breaks through your thoughts, a plea for her brother's safety amidst the chaos."I do not care, it is not my problem anymore," Jungkook responds with finality, his decision made. Taking Raeyeon's hand, he begins to lead her away, his actions underscoring the distance he's placing between himself and the situation, between himself and you.
Watching them leave, the realization sinks in the unwavering support and protection you once felt from Jungkook, the belief in an unspoken bond that could withstand any threat, has crumbled. In its place is the emptiness taking over, a strong reminder of how quickly things can flip, leaving you to navigate the aftermath of revelations and altered perceptions alone.
____________
A/N: gave you what y'all wanted :)
PS: I'm curious to know if you found me on Instagram originally or Wattpad? Lmk!