As Jungkook departs with Raeyeon, leaving a void where he once stood, you find yourself grappling with a mix of emotions. A scoff, born out of self-pity and disbelief at the turn of events, escapes you as you lean against the hallway wall and gradually slide down to a seated position on the floor. The hall empties around you, the echoes of departure of the other people resonating in the now quieter space, mirroring the emptiness you feel inside. Exhausted and overwhelmed, you're joined by Miyeon, who settles beside you with a casualness that belies the tension of the moment.
"I didn't think he would leave like that," Miyeon breaks the silence, her thoughts on Jungkook's unexpected exit. You find yourself unable to respond, the chaos of your thoughts drowning out her words.
"I am not ready to know what's going on outside between Tae and Seongjae-ssi," she continues, voicing a concern more to herself than to you. Her next words reveal a deeper worry, one that hints at the complexity of her situation. "He wouldn't get rid of Seongjae before having him sign the divorce papers, will he? I don't want to be a widow," she muses, pondering the possible outcomes of Taehyung's confrontation with Seongjae.
Her words, so earnest and laden with personal stakes, strike a chord within you, and an unexpected chuckle breaks from your lips. "It's funny that you thought. The priorities you've got," you comment, finding humor in the absurdity of worrying about legalities and titles in the midst of such chaos.
At first, Miyeon seems confused by your reaction, having spoken from a place of genuine concern. But as the irony of the situation dawns on her, she joins you in laughter. There, seated side by side on the hallway floor, you both find a moment of levity amid the storm, laughing together at the absurdity and complexity of your predicaments.
In this shared space of humor and understanding, you and Miyeon find a brief respite from the weight of the night's revelations and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Despite the laughter, the reality of your situations lingersâa reminder of the challenges you both face, yet also a testament to the resilience and bond you've forged in navigating them together.
As you call out to a catering staff member watching his pass by you two, you notice him carrying the leftover beer bottle and request him four bottles of beer from the tray he's carrying back. His response to your and Miyeon's unconventional seating arrangement in the hallway is a mix of amusement and bewilderment. "Sure," he complies not caring much, passing over the drinks with an expression that clearly says he's not quite sure what to make of the situation.
"Did you see his face?" Miyeon can't help but giggle as you manage to open the bottles with your teeth, a skill that adds another layer of amusement to the moment. "Can't blame him," you concede, both aware of how odd the scene must look. "Cheers," you raise your bottle, finding an odd comfort in this shared moment of levity amidst the chaos.
The beer seems to cast the evening's events in a slightly less grim light. "I just learned a billion disturbing things tonight, and your husband might be getting slayed out there somewhere," you remark, the absurdity of finding solace in this simple act of drinking together not lost on you. "This is somehow the best part of the night," you add, a sentiment Miyeon readily agrees with.
"Indeed. I hope Tae tortures him before he kills him," she muses before taking a sip, a dark wish that somehow feels justified under the circumstances. "He probably will," you agree, the grim realities of the night making such thoughts seem almost rational.
"So, are you and Tae going to be together or what?" you venture, curious about the future of Miyeon and Taehyung's relationship. "Eventually......he is probably going to be mad at me for hiding all of that from him for so long, but I'll handle it in my ways," she responds with a shrug, a plan forming even in the midst of uncertainty.
"What about you and Yeobin?" Miyeon turns the question back to you, genuine curiosity in her tone. "Oh damn, I forgot about him. Where is he at, lol?" you say, scanning the area as if expecting Yeobin to materialize from thin air. "Probably shitting his pants with Raeyeon, watching his brother getting the ass whooping," Miyeon guesses, prompting laughter from both of you.
"Well, we aren't together. We just came here together and roleplayed for like 3 hours. Although I do think he was a little into me. I could be full of shit though," you muse, the effects of the alcohol lending a humorous angle to your speculation.
"Damn, what is it with those Hwang brothers falling for you?" Miyeon teases, the laughter that follows serving as a brief reprieve from the night's drama. "Yeah, it's sad. Sorry your husband was crazy for me," you reply, both of you addressing the gravity of your situations with a casualness that only the liquor can provide. In this moment, the absurdity of it all seems almost bearable, the shared laughter and beer creating a bubble of normalcy in an otherwise tumultuous night.
"I miss my best friend so much," you sigh, the weight of the night's revelations and the alcohol combining to draw out a moment of vulnerability from you.
"She misses you too, a lot, especially now that she is getting married," Miyeon responds, dropping a piece of news that jolts you back to sobriety.
"SHE IS GETTING MARRIED?" Your reaction is immediate, sitting up to face Miyeon with wide eyes, the shock clear in your expression.
"Well yeah? You were there when Jimin-ssi proposed to her. You propose to someone only if you're going to get married, don't you?" Miyeon looks at you as if questioning your grasp on reality, her casual mention of the proposal igniting a flurry of emotions within you.
"Well, I didn't think they were getting married so soon and that too without me?" The sense of offense is palpable in your voice, the idea of being left out of such a significant event in your best friend's life striking a chord.
"Well, she did put off getting married for a while since you weren't there, and her parents didn't want to be part of this marriage, you know," Miyeon explains, adding layers to the situation that you hadn't been aware of.
"Well, what's changed? I'm still not there?" you question, folding your legs and turning to face her more directly, seeking answers.
"Jimin-ssi convinced her parents. They were suddenly fine after seeing his wealth and power. They forgot about the crimes so fast," Miyeon reveals, her tone carrying a mix of sarcasm and disbelief at the fickleness of her friend's parents.
"What about me?" Your voice pitches higher, a sense of urgency creeping in as you grapple with the implications of being excluded.
"Well, she was very close to showing up at your doorstep or even calling you to tell you about her marriage, but she couldn't. She didn't want to burden you to come back to the world you tried so hard to leave. She knew you wouldn't say no to her," Miyeon explains, her words painting a picture of a deep, considerate friendship strained by circumstances.
"Okay, get up. We are going to Busan right now," you declare, determination setting in as you stand and reach for Miyeon's hand, ready to act on impulse.
"Wait, what? We are not going to Busan this late; we'll go tomorrow if you want to go so bad. Plus, we're drunk; we can't drive so far without breaking a bone or two," Miyeon counters, her practicality putting a halt to your spontaneous plan.
"Well, okay you're right, we're going to Busan tomorrow," you concede, the resolve to reconnect with your best friend solidifying despite the delay. The prospect of facing the world you left behind, even for a moment as significant as your best friend's marriage, brings with it a mix of apprehension and a deep-seated need to be there for her, no matter the personal cost.
***
Walking through the streets with a slight buzz, the both of you found more beers to lighten the mood further. As you walked, an unexpected chuckle escaped you, catching Miyeon's attention. "What?" she asked, matching your stride.
"Just thinking about Taehyung-ssi ditching you like that. Where did he think you were going go? Definitely not back to your husband's place for sure," you laughed, shaking your head at the thought.
"No, he knew I'd end up with you," Miyeon replied, hinting at her plan to stay with you, which seemed to have formed without any formal invitation.
"And what makes you think you're coming with me?" you teased her, amused by her assumption. Her response was to point out the obvious, "Well, aren't we walking to your house?" This made you stop and look at her, the alcohol making the whole situation feel even more absurd.
"No? My place is in the complete opposite direction," you said, the realization hitting you with a mix of confusion and amusement. "Y/N, why are we walking this way then?" Miyeon suddenly freezes in her step asking, now equally puzzled.
"Because we're heading to my boss's house," you declared with a sudden surge of determination. "He's a big big big liar, and I'm about to call him out on it," you explained, your words slurred but your intent clear.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Miyeon warned, her sense of sobriety briefly returning at the thought of what you were proposing.
"I need answers," you persisted, undeterred by her caution. "That's his house," you pointed out, gesturing towards a grand residence that spoke volumes of your boss's wealth.
"No wonder he has such a big house," you mumbled, almost losing your balance.
"Hey, hey, hey," Miyeon steadied you, her concern evident. "We're not going to his house; we're going back to yours," she insisted, trying to guide you back.
But you were on a mission, your determination outmatching Miyeon's resistance. "Sajang-nim!!!" you shouted as you neared the house, ready to demand the truth from your boss, the alcohol in your system fueling your boldness.
In this unexpected journey, fueled by revelations and beer, the two of you found yourselves caught between the need for answers and the absurdity of the situation, the night transforming from a series of dramatic revelations to an spontaneous adventure with an uncertain destination.
As you approach your boss's house, Miyeon makes a last-ditch attempt to stay out of the fray. "Oh, you know what, do your thing. I'll wait right here at the gate," she says, attempting to blend in with the gate's shadow. However, your determination sees no ally in solitude.
"Hell no! You're coming with me. He is huge. I might need help," you assert, pulling her along towards the porch with a mix of courage and a dash of liquid confidence.
"Are we kidnapping him and taking him to the dungeon in your house?" Miyeon half-jokes, half-questions, her voice tinged with a seriousness that suggests she wouldn't be entirely surprised if that was the case.
"I wish," you respond, momentarily lost in a daydream about your boss, revealing a bit more about your feelings than intended.
"Oh, you are into him?â" Miyeon begins, but her question is cut off by your loud banging on the door and your shouts for "Sajang-nim!" The sudden uproar from the neighboring dog sends a jolt through both of you, the night's silence shattered by the animal's barking.
Just as the commotion reaches its peak, the door swings open to reveal a shirtless Bo Hyun, his expression one of annoyance that shifts upon recognizing his late-night visitors. "Oh shit," you and Miyeon utter simultaneously, taken aback by his unexpected appearance.
"Y/N," Miyeon nudges you, wanting you to listen to what she has to say.
"Hm?" you manage, still somewhat dazed by the sight before you.
"Why is he kinda....." Miyeon trails off, her tilting gaze lingering on Bo Hyun, taking in the sight of his well-defined abs.
"Pretty?" you offer, trying to complete her sentence, but Miyeon's attention seems fixed on more than just his face. Her eyes going down past his abs..
"Pretty big," she finally says, her eyes openly admiring his physique. The comment sends you into a silent fit of chuckles, struggling to maintain composure as Bo Hyun begins to fully wake up and realize who has come knocking at his door so late.
"Y/N," Bo Hyun says, his tone mixing surprise with a hint of curiosity, as he stands there, the embodiment of your late-night quest for answers, now turned into an unexpected and somewhat embarrassing encounter.
"Bail. Bail. Bail," you chant under your breath, suddenly finding Bo Hyun's shirtless and imposing figure a bit too much to handle. You're about to make a hasty retreat when Miyeon, far less inclined to flee, catches your arm, holding you in place.
"She has something to say to you, Mr.....Mr. Boss," she stumbles over her words, clearly struggling with addressing Bo Hyun properly.
"Y/N, what are you doing here at this time?" Bo Hyun asks, stepping closer, his concern evident even through the surprise of your unexpected visit.
"You are tall," Miyeon blurts out, her inhibition lowered by alcohol, as she assesses Bo Hyun from head to toe.
Her comment breaks the tension momentarily, but you're quick to scold her, "I'm telling you off to Taehyung-ssi. Stop ogling other men."
"They say, just because you can't eat the food doesn't mean you can't smell it" Miyeon throwing her comeback at you.
Your admonition comes just as the alcohol decides to remind you of its presence, making you sway precariously. You nearly stumble down the stairs, but Bo Hyun is quick to react, catching you and pulling you against him to prevent a fall. "Y/N, are you drunk?" he asks, eyeing you with a mix of concern and incredulity.
"No?" you reply defiantly, even as you take another sip from your beer. Bo Hyun's patience seems to wear thin at that; he snatches the beer from your hand and tosses it into the bushes, effectively cutting off your supply.
"NOOOOOO!" both you and Miyeon protest in unison, dismayed by the loss of your alcoholic companion.
"Stop screaming!" Bo Hyun's groan is more of a command than a request, and he places his hand over your mouth to silence you. The sudden quiet forces you to mumble through his hand, your eyes locking with his. "What?" he asks, unable to understand your muffled words.
"Liar Liar pants on fire," you manage to repeat more clearly once he removes his hand. "What are you talking about?" Bo Hyun's confusion grows, but his attention shifts as he notices the goosebumps on your skin. "You're not even wearing a jacket," he observes, his concern for your well-being momentarily overriding the bizarre nature of your visit.
"He is so caring," Miyeon whispers, half in jest, half in genuine admiration. "I know who you are. I know your reality," you declare grabbing the cross chain dangling around his neck and pull his face closer to yours, your words slurred but loaded with the intent to confront him about the secrets you've uncovered.
The seriousness of your accusation catches Bo Hyun off guard, his eyes widening as he braces for what might come next. In your inebriated state, you're oblivious to the tension that ripples through him, your focus narrowed to the task of exposing the truths you've learned, unaware of how your words land in the cool night air.
____________
A/N: give me a person to imagine Hyeyeon as. I was thinking Kim Yoo-Jung?