chapter 16

Meanwhile…The grand doors of the luxurious hotel swung open, revealing a striking figure clad in all black. His entrance was effortless, commanding attention without a single word. A sleek black suitcase rolled behind him in one hand, while a smaller leather bag rested against his waist. His posture exuded confidence, an unbothered ease, as though the world itself bowed to his presence.Dark brown locks fell messily over his forehead, only to be brushed back in one elegant motion. Even that simple gesture seemed deliberate, practiced—something that could make hearts stutter without effort.As he walked, someone passing by greeted him, and with the air of a man accustomed to both power and courtesy, he gave a small bow in return, his lips curving into a faint yet enchanting smile. The onlookers stood frozen, their gazes shamelessly following him.Why wouldn’t they stare?His beauty was almost intimidating—sharp jawline, flawless skin, and those dark, unreadable eyes hidden behind his sleek sunglasses. His aura was magnetic, a pull that made it impossible to look away.But did he care?Hell no.Park Jimin was used to the attention, used to the admiration and the lingering, lustful gazes. It was nothing new, nothing out of the ordinary. He barely spared them a second glance as he made his way toward the reception desk."Hello, sir! How may I help you?"The receptionist greeted him with the utmost professionalism, yet the slight tremble in her voice betrayed her internal struggle. Her heart was racing at the sight of him, and Jimin knew it. He had seen that look countless times before—the mixture of awe and nervousness.A smirk ghosted over his lips as he leaned slightly forward."Hotels are meant for staying, aren’t they?" His voice was smooth, playful. "So, I believe there should be a reservation under the name Park Jimin."(We are whipped for our mochi 😭)The receptionist’s face turned a faint shade of red at his teasing tone."Ah—y-yes, let me check, sir!" she stammered, quickly scanning through the system.Jimin tapped his fingers lightly on the counter, waiting with an air of lazy amusement. A hint of mischief danced in his eyes, though hidden behind his shades.Finally, the receptionist found the booking and quickly straightened up."Room No. 105, reserved under Mr. Park Jimin. Here is your key, sir. Have a pleasant stay!"Jimin took the key between his fingers, nodding with a small, polite smile before turning away. The moment he left, the receptionist clutched her chest, her heart still hammering against her ribcage."Damn, man. His presence is so effective," she muttered under her breath.Shaking her head, she slapped her own forehead, trying to rid herself of the thoughts flooding her mind. But could she really?Jimin stepped into the elevator, leaning against the back wall as the doors slid shut. His composed expression faltered, replaced by something more subdued—exhaustion, maybe. He glanced at his watch and clicked his tongue. Late again.When the elevator chimed, he stepped out, his strides purposeful as he made his way down the quiet hallway. His mind was already on the meeting ahead, running through the points he needed to address.But then—he paused.A sound drifted through the air.Soft. Melodic.A hum, barely loud enough to be heard over the silence, but somehow impossible to ignore.Jimin turned his head slightly, drawn to it without meaning to be. It wasn’t just the sweetness of the tune—it was the way it felt. There was something beneath the notes, something unspoken.Not just a song.A story.He lingered, listening. Was it sadness? Longing? He couldn’t quite tell.For a fleeting moment, he considered staying, standing outside like some fool just to hear a little more, to decipher whatever emotions lay hidden in that quiet melody.But time wasn’t on his side.With a quiet sigh, he adjusted the strap of his bag and forced himself to keep walking. Still, as he reached his door and turned the handle, a single thought stayed with him."I hope I hear it again."-----Later That Night…Jungkook returned to the hotel, the weight of the day’s meetings pressing heavily on his shoulders. It was already past 8:00 PM, and all he wanted was some peace, yet as soon as he turned down the hallway, a familiar group caught his eye.Three people stood near the entrance of their rooms, chatting casually. Recognizing them instantly, Jungkook called out."Leena!"The three turned toward him. Leena’s eyes lit up, and she rushed toward him, her excitement evident."Kookie! Where were you?" she whined. "You know I really wanted you to join us!"Jungkook sighed. "Leena, I’m here for work, not to wander around." His voice held a firm finality. "Never mind. Where were you all?"Before Leena could answer, Zaid stepped forward."Hyung, we went to the poolside. I asked Y/N noona to come with us, but she said she had a headache."Jungkook’s expression shifted slightly. His brows furrowed."She has a headache?"Zaid nodded, his lips forming a slight pout, clearly disappointed.Jungkook didn’t say another word. He simply turned on his heel and strode toward their shared room, leaving the others standing behind in silence.Leena exchanged a glance with Bora, who only raised an eyebrow."Let's go, guys. I’m tired and hungry now," Bora mumbled."Nothing new," Leena and Zaid said in unison before walking away, leaving Bora standing there, gaping at them."The disrespect," she muttered, stomping her foot like a child before following after them.---Inside the Room…Y/N had just stepped out of the washroom, running a towel through her damp hair, when the door suddenly flew open.She flinched, startled.Standing in the doorway was Jungkook, his eyes scanning the room before landing on her. His usual composed expression was laced with something unfamiliar—concern."Zaid was saying you had a headache." Y/n frowned at his weird question. Since when did he started to care about her well being? And why is he looking so tensed? "Y..yeah! But it's fine now." She said dismissively. It was a lie. A simple, effortless lie that slipped past her lips before she could even think twice.Because the truth?The truth was that Y/N didn’t want to be around anyone. Not right now. Not when everything felt too heavy, pressing against her chest like an invisible weight. Sometimes, the only thing that made sense was solitude—being alone in a space where she didn’t have to pretend, where she didn’t have to force a smile or answer questions she didn’t want to.Was it selfish? Maybe. But for once, she didn’t care.Sometimes, being selfish wasn’t a crime.She had spent too much time prioritizing others, putting their comfort, their feelings, their needs before her own. And what had it ever given her? Nothing but exhaustion. Nothing but the quiet ache of loneliness even in a crowded room.No, there was no guilt in wanting space. No shame in choosing herself, even if it meant weaving little white lies just to get it.After all, wasn’t that what life was supposed to be?Living for yourself, not for others."Did you take medicine?"Jungkook’s voice was firm, but there was an underlying edge to it—something close to frustration, maybe even worry. He took a step closer, his dark eyes scanning her face, searching for any sign of discomfort.Y/N blinked at him, startled by his persistence.Why did he care?He wasn’t supposed to care.Jungkook himself didn’t understand what was wrong with him. Before this—before her—nothing like this ever mattered to him. He never paid attention to these little details, never wasted his time fussing over someone else’s well-being. And yet, here he was, standing in front of her, feeling this strange, restless urgency in his chest over something as simple as a headache.It didn’t make sense.Why did it bother him so much that she was in pain?Why did the idea of her suffering—even in silence—make his stomach twist in a way he couldn’t explain?He clenched his jaw, his own thoughts frustrating him.Was something wrong with him?Or was it her?The way she made him feel things he didn’t want to feel. The way she made him notice things he never noticed before."N-no! There wasn't any actually. But it's fine now. You don't have to worry. It's not a big thing. You must be tired,take rest."She said nothing more as she placed the wet towel on the chair, her fingers gripping the fabric a little too tightly. Right now, she didn’t want to face him—not when her heart felt this way. It was strange, frustrating even. Talking to him shouldn’t hurt, yet somehow, it did.Maybe it was because she knew this wasn’t real.Maybe it was because, deep down, she wished it was.Jungkook let out a quiet sigh, raking a hand through his hair. He wasn’t blind. He had noticed it—how she had changed after that fight.She wasn’t the same with him anymore.Before, she would have smiled, even if faintly. Before, her voice wouldn’t have carried this cold, distant edge that made his chest feel too tight.But now?Now she barely looked at him, barely acknowledged him unless necessary. And it was his fault.What was he even expecting? That she would continue being sweet to him after everything he had said?His jaw clenched at the memory.He had hurt her. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he had.So, of course, she wouldn’t expect this sudden concern from him. Why would she? He had never been the kind of husband who asked if she was okay, who noticed the little things like headaches or cold tones in her voice.And yet, here he was, standing in the middle of the room, feeling like something inside him was breaking at the way she wouldn’t even look at him."Should I order coffee for you? You'll feel better."Jungkook’s voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant, as if he wasn’t sure how she would respond.Y/N froze for a moment, her fingers tightening around the edge of the towel. Her eyes flickered up to him, searching his face for any hint of insincerity, but all she found was something… unfamiliar.Concern.Was this really her husband, Jeon Jungkook?The same Jungkook who barely acknowledged her existence? The same man who treated their marriage like an obligation, something to endure rather than cherish?Why was he suddenly acting like this? Like he cared?She swallowed, forcing herself to look away before she let herself hope for something that wasn’t real."Y-you don’t have to do these things," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I’m not someone important. Tomorrow is your meeting, you should focus on that."Jungkook felt something in his chest tighten at her words.I’m not someone important.His fingers curled into fists at his sides.Why did those words sting so much?Why did they feel like a punch to the gut?She didn’t say them with bitterness or anger—just quiet acceptance. As if she had already convinced herself that she didn’t matter. As if he had convinced her of that.Jungkook swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched her grab a pillow from the bed, her movements slow and almost robotic. She placed it on the couch, adjusting it with careful precision before draping a blanket over herself.She wasn’t looking at him anymore.She wasn’t waiting for him to say anything.She had already made up her mind.And for the first time, Jungkook realized something—She wasn’t just distancing herself from him.She was preparing herself for the day when she wouldn’t have to be in his life at all.The thought sent a sharp pang through his chest, unfamiliar and unsettling."What are you doing on couch?" "Eomma is not with us,so we don't have to pretend. I know you feel uncomfortable sleeping with me so as long as we are here,I will not disturb you."Y/N kept her head down, unable to muster the courage to look at him. If she did, she feared she might waver.Because of her lowered gaze, she failed to notice the way Jungkook’s hands curled into fists, his jaw tightening as he fought against the unfamiliar frustration building inside him."I hope for once I am not being a problem. Good night." Her voice was barely above a whisper, heavy with emotions she refused to show. Without waiting for a response, she turned away, pulling the blanket over herself as if it could shield her from the ache settling in her chest.She clutched the pillow tightly, her fingers digging into the fabric as she bit the inside of her cheek to hold back the tears. But one escaped anyway, sliding down her cheek in silent betrayal.It's become too hard when you are broken but still have to wear fake mask of being tough and emotionless. To pretend you are okay while in reality your heart is being ripped apart every second.Jungkook stood frozen, watching her back, his chest tightening in a way he didn’t understand. The room felt colder, emptier, and for the first time, the distance between them wasn’t just physical—it was something far deeper. Something that, no matter how much he tried to ignore, he could feel pressing down on him.And he hated it.It was the first time they were sleeping separately.And it would be a lie if Jungkook said he didn’t miss her warmth.Even when there had been distance between them in bed, an unspoken barrier neither dared to cross, her presence had always been there—steady, warm, familiar. The faint rise and fall of her breathing, the way she curled up on her side, the subtle rustling of the sheets as she shifted in her sleep. It had all become a quiet comfort he never realized he needed.But tonight… tonight, there was nothing.The bed felt too big, too cold. The silence was heavier than it should have been, pressing down on him in a way that made his chest tighten. No warmth. No soft murmurs as she drifted off. No quiet goodnight, even if she had stopped saying it a long time ago.Just emptiness.And for the first time, he truly felt it—like everything was slipping through his fingers, falling apart, and no matter how much he tried, he had no control to stop it.Especially when he had been the one to break it in the first place.Jungkook lay still in the dark, his hands clasped over his stomach, eyes fixed on the ceiling. The room felt different tonight. Colder. Quieter.The steady hum of the air conditioner filled the silence, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the restless thoughts swirling in his mind.He turned his head slightly, barely able to make out the outline of Y/N on the couch. She was facing away from him, curled up under the blanket, her breathing soft and even.For the first time in months, there was an empty space beside him.He told himself it didn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter.But it did.He exhaled slowly, shutting his eyes.This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? Distance. To stop pretending.Then why did it feel so wrong?Jungkook tried to sleep. He really did. But no matter how many times he shifted, adjusted his pillow, or pulled the blanket higher, the unfamiliar emptiness gnawed at him.A sigh slipped past his lips as he threw an arm over his forehead. His mind kept replaying her words."I’m not someone important."His jaw tightened.What made her think that?Did she really believe she didn’t matter? That she was insignificant in his life?Jungkook’s fingers curled into the sheets.A part of him wanted to get up, to walk over and tell her she was wrong.But he didn’t know how.So he did nothing.Minutes stretched into an hour. Maybe more.And still, sleep didn’t come.Finally, with a frustrated sigh, Jungkook sat up. He ran a hand through his hair, glancing toward the couch again. Y/N hadn’t moved an inch.Was she sleeping?His brows furrowed slightly. He hesitated for a moment before swinging his legs over the bed and standing up.His steps were quiet as he walked over.The closer he got, the more he could see. The faint glow from the window illuminated her face, her features soft in sleep. But something about the way her fingers clutched the blanket made his chest ache.Was she really asleep?Jungkook crouched beside the couch, studying her expression.And that’s when he noticed it.Her lashes were damp.A sharp pang struck his chest.Had she been crying?Jungkook’s fingers twitched.He wanted to wake her up. To ask her. To tell her not to cry alone.But instead, he reached for the edge of the blanket, carefully tucking it around her shoulders. His touch was light, almost hesitant, as if he was afraid she would wake up and pull away.When she didn’t stir, he exhaled softly.This was wrong.This distance between them.He didn’t like it.Jungkook stayed there for a moment longer, his gaze lingering on her face.Then, without thinking, he reached out—just barely—fingertips brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek.Y/N shifted slightly, her lips parting in sleep.Jungkook froze.His heart pounded against his ribs as he quickly pulled his hand back, rising to his feet.He stood there for a second, staring down at her.Then, with a quiet sigh, he turned away.As he lay back in bed, facing the ceiling once more, he realized something.Tomorrow, things couldn’t stay the same.Because for the first time in a long time—He didn’t want distance. He didn’t want to pretend.He just wanted her.Park Jimin our new character is here 😆Are you ready for something big ✌️Tell me ok 🥺Your Coconut 🥥