rich heirs!jeong jaehyun x reader (original character)
angst, slowburn
6,174 words
summary: Reality came crashing in like a cruel reminder. Jaehyun didn't reach her door that night. And she gave up, with the truth still folded—never spoken, never set free. Here you are watching Jaehyun's world crumble and him stitching it back together, piece by piece.
warning: Suicide attempt and mental issues. All names, characters, and events in this story are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
make sure you read part. 1 before continuing.
--
2 weeks before the wedding;
the night she walked away.
He tried. He ran everywhere. Thought she could be at their favorite bar. Maybe in their midnight cafe.
But no—he couldn't find her.
Because that night, she was the first one disappearing from his radar.
They took her first.
So he went back. The apartment was dark, save for the glow of the city spilling through Jaehyun’s windows. The skyline blinked—hospitals, offices, blinking towers that once meant legacy. Now? They felt like chains.
He sat on the edge of his bed, hands shaking, heart like a drum inside his chest. The document folders still lay scattered across the floor—the evidence (Y/n) had found. The betrayal he hadn’t meant. The war his father declared behind his back.
He hadn’t meant to hurt her. But he had. And the next week—she would marry Callum.
Unless he stopped it.
Jaehyun grabbed his coat from the back of the chair, snatched his passport off the nightstand, and slipped on his old trainers. No bodyguards. No staff. He needed no one to know.
The city streets were quiet, dim under yellow streetlights. He hailed a cab near the convenience store where he used to meet her.
His mind repeated one thing:
I’m not letting her go through that alone.
2:52 AM
The cab pulled up just two blocks away from the Grand Palais. He had it stop early to avoid being spotted.
He walked fast.
Hood up.
Pulse rising.
And then—
they were already there.
Three black-suited men stepped out from the shadows. One placed a hand on Jaehyun’s shoulder. “Mr. Jeong, come with us.” No hostility. Just practiced, cold instruction.
Jaehyun froze. His eyes narrowed. And then, the car door opened. His father sat inside, legs crossed and face unreadable.
“Get in,” he said.
Jaehyun stood still, jaw clenched. “You knew.”
His father exhaled through his nose, tone sharp and quiet.
“You disappoint me.”
“I’m going to her.”
“No. You’re not.”
Jaehyun took a step back. Another. One of the men moved in.
“I’m not your pawn. I’m not like you!”
“You’re worse,” his father snapped. “You’re weak. I’ve spent decades building our empire, and you would throw it away for a girl who doesn’t know her place.”
“She’s not yours to talk about!”
“She was promised to Wright. She’ll be his wife by tomorrow, and you will be thousands of miles away, far from the mess you’ve made.”
Jaehyun lunged, fists clenched, but two guards grabbed his arms. He shouted—fought them. But the third was already raising the needle.
“You’re not destroying everything for some girl,” his father spat.
And then—
Darkness.
--
A few hours before the wedding;
— Bridal Suite, Grand Palais Hotel
2:03 AM
The room was too quiet. Not the peaceful kind. The kind of quiet that echoed. The kind of quiet that hurt. (Y/n) sat on the edge of the bed in her ivory slip, her veil folded beside her like a napkin no one would ever use. Her fingers trembled around a teacup that had gone cold hours ago.
The city outside sparkled like it was celebrating. But inside the bridal suite, she was unraveling.
The dress was hanging by the window. Pressed. Immaculate. Cursed. It wasn’t hers. Not really. It belonged to the woman she was supposed to become. The bride of a future she never chose.
Callum had been gone since the rehearsal dinner.
Her mother had checked in earlier to “ensure she wasn’t having a meltdown.” Her father left behind a voice message, sharp and cold:
“Smile. Get through tomorrow. Then do whatever you want.”
Except… she wouldn’t have anything after tomorrow. Not her name. Not her dreams. Not Jaehyun. Her fingers hovered over her phone.
His contact lit up on the screen. But her calls wouldn’t go through. Her messages never delivered. Her last one was simple.
Typed. Never sent:
you:
“Are you still coming?”
Because a part of her still believed he would. A part of her clung to the idea that maybe—just maybe—he’d break through the guards. Push through the doors. Stand in front of her like a storm and say, “Run. With me. Now.” But the clock ticked. And nothing came.
2:46 AM
She stared at herself in the mirror.
No makeup.
No jewelry.
Just a girl with swollen eyes and a heart she couldn’t carry anymore.
“I’m tired,” she whispered.
Not to anyone.
Not to the room.
Just to the reflection that no longer looked like her.
“I’m so tired.”
Tired of smiling when her insides were breaking.
Tired of waiting.
Tired of fighting systems that never bent.
Tired of pretending that one more week wouldn’t crush her completely.
3:19 AM
She opened the window.
The air was cold.
But she welcomed it.
Let it chill her lungs.
Let it numb the ache.
In the distance, she imagined a plane.
His plane.
But she couldn’t tell if it was real.
Or just another hope taking off without her.
4:11 AM
She unfolded her veil slowly.
Lifted it gently from across the bed.
Not like surrender—but like goodbye.
Not the kind she wanted to write.
But the kind the world wrote for her.
One final look in the mirror.
She didn’t see herself.
Just a girl who tried.
And a future that never opened its door.
She whispered Jaehyun’s name—just once—
Like a lullaby.
Like a curse.
Like a wish too heavy to hold anymore.
Then, she stepped barefoot into the silence.
And the world would wake up
to find a dress without a bride,
a wedding without a heart,
and a love story left unfinished.
She sat beneath the ceiling lamp.
Looking up at it.
It was old. Beautiful. Hung low, with antique brass and crystal shards. The kind decorators pick for weddings because it photographs well.
But to (Y/n)—it felt like the only thing in the room that was real.
It hung like her hope, barely holding on.
She wrapped the long wedding veil in her lap, fingers trembling.
And then, she whispered, “Jaehyun… please.”
But the knock never came.
4:15 AM
She finally stood barefoot on the chair. The silk fabric trailed behind her like a river. She wasn’t angry anymore, just… quiet and peaceful. Like a song that ended before its last verse. She tied the veil—softly, methodically. Took one last look at the room. At the place where no one saved her.
And then—
with eyes swollen and heart silent, she stepped forward.
Everything slowed.
No one heard the sound of the lamp breaking.
But the walls did.
The air no longer moved. The silk veil had tightened against her neck. Her feet no longer reached the floor. The weight of her heart drifted upward.
But her mind—
her mind ran.
In those final 15 seconds, she didn’t see the headlines. Not the chandeliers. Not her father’s empire. Not the ceiling.
She saw him.
15 seconds left; the light dimmed around the edges of her vision. Her lungs begged. Her body shook. But in her head, a vision:
Jaehyun was standing under a summer sun, in Vienna,
hair messy, sleeves rolled, laughing at her poorly folded paper cranes.
That rich, deep laugh—boyish, warm, unguarded. She sees him.
“You really made this look like a broken bat,” he teased.
And she laughed too—because she had never felt more alive than in that exact moment.
No cameras.
No fathers.
No locked doors.
Just his smile.
Just his voice.
Just the version of her that was free.
10 seconds left; she saw the night they kissed in the back of the taxi.
He was laughing so hard from something she had said—his eyes scrunched, his dimples deep, his breath mint and wine-sweet as he pulled her in, grinning:
“Sorry,” he murmured.
She blinked up at him, dazed. “Are you?”
He grinned, slightly flushed. “Not even a little.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
5 seconds; she saw his laugh again. This time, in the rain, when they ran barefoot through a narrow cobbled street in London, her heels in her hand, his coat over her shoulders. The romantic night when they freed themselves from expectations and duties for once, or maybe twice.
“You’re insane,” he had said.
“So are you.”
And they had stood under a streetlamp, dripping wet, foreheads pressed together—
breathing in each other’s freedom.
2 seconds; now she saw Jaehyun, lying beside her on a creaky twin bed. One hand on her stomach, the other under his head.
“I’m trying,” he had whispered.
“I’ll break every chain for you.”
And she believed him.
Even now.
Even with no breath left.
Because as the world tilted—
as darkness flooded the edges—
as silence became the only thing holding her up—
She died hearing his laugh.
And for one tiny second,
She smiled.
Because in the final flicker,
before the world gave out—
She wasn’t in a hotel room.
She wasn’t in a cage.
She wasn’t a bride.
She was his.
For one last second. His, and only his.
--
3.15 PM; Vienna International Airport
Seonho:
“She’s gone.”
“They found her in the bridal suite.”
When his phone buzzed, the message came like a hammer.
Jaehyun dropped his phone. He stared as if he refused to blink, the words might rearrange themselves into something else.
His hands trembled.
His breath caught.
No.
It couldn’t be.
He was so close.
He was just about to book a ticket back after escaping his personal guard from earlier.
His father had tightened security, but he’d found a hole—through an old contact in Singapore. A plane seat was waiting. His escape was planned.
He just needed hours.
Just one more night.
She promised she’d wait.
She promised she’d hold on.
He didn’t even grab his shoes.
He bolted barefoot through the quiet Vienna flat—
Tripping over open suitcases, scattering his phone, his wallet and passport—
Grabbing only his coat and his desperation.
The concierge yelled as he tore through the lobby.
But Jaehyun didn’t hear anything except the thundering in his chest.
He didn’t have a ticket yet. He didn’t care.
He ran barefoot through the cold tile, ignoring stares, security warnings, shouts in German.
He didn’t even realize he was sobbing until his vision blurred.
His lungs burned, but his heart howled.
“She’s waiting,” he kept muttering under his breath. Tears welled up, though he tried to fight them back.
“She’s waiting—she promised—she said she would wait.”
He reached the counter.
Slammed his ID.
Begged. Pleaded. Paid extra.
The agent looked uneasy. “You’ll miss boarding. And… sir, are you alright?”
He nodded violently.
No words could explain what he was trying to outrun.
The gate was far. He ran. Blood smeared on the heel of his left foot from where he’d cut it on something at the curb. But he didn’t stop.
He couldn’t. Because he had to make it in time. He had to see her. He had to believe it was just a rumor, a lie, a cruel joke—
She wouldn’t do that.
Not without telling him goodbye.
Not without their last moment.
Not without his last chance to explain that he hadn't meant to hurt her, that he couldn't live without her.
He whispered her name like a prayer.
--
Nobody saw it.
Not her mother, busy selecting floral patterns.
Not her father, focused on politics and deals.
Not the stylists, who smiled politely as they powdered her cheeks.
Not the staff, trained to serve—not see.
But he did.
Jaehyun.
He always noticed the way her silence changed.
Not peaceful. Not shy.
Just… withdrawn, like someone sinking with a smile on their lips.
Sometimes she would look at her reflection like she wasn’t sure she was still in it. Sometimes she’d pick at her food, not out of habit—but punishment.
And when she cried quietly—he never asked “what’s wrong.”
He held her hand, pressed a kiss to her temple, and whispered:
“You’re precious to me. You know that, right?”
Because she didn’t.
Not always.
And he knew the fight she waged in her own mind.
He saw the shadows.
The almost moments.
Once, in the parking lot, when she sat too long in the driver’s seat.
Another time, at the rooftop of his building, where the wind pulled at her sleeves more than she did.
He never told anyone.
Not because he wanted to hide it—
but because she trusted him.
And he promised he’d always be there when it got heavy.
But that promise was why he ran that night.
He wasn’t going to beg for forgiveness just because of the business plan. He was going to save her.
The thought of her alone, in that suite, thinking she was unwanted—
it made him sick. It made him move.
And then, somewhere between Seoul and Vienna,
between that hotel door and the sedation drip—he failed her.
Not because he didn’t care. But because he knew… and still couldn’t get to her in time.
That’s what destroyed him most. Not just her loss, but the knowing. The helpless knowing that he could have saved her, if only they'd let him knock.
--
He landed to silence. No one greeted him. No press. No family. Just cold air and the too-clean sound of arrivals echoing off polished walls.
He ignored his phone and everything but the taxi driver he just found at the arrival.
“Take me to the hotel”, he rasped. “Now.”
3:39 PM — Grand Palais
The doors opened and Jaehyun stepped out, dizzy and pale, bleeding again through the heel of his sock. He limped through the lobby, heart hammering against ribs like a trapped bird.
People stared. Security recognized him. But no one moved.
Like they all knew—
And didn’t have the heart to stop him.
He pushed through the fourth-floor corridor. Past the room where they had once dreamed of escaping. Past the corner she’d whispered “I love you” in. To the suite with the white ribbon on the door.
Room 417.
He opened it.
The scent hit first.
Faded jasmine. Dust.
And something heavier.
The veil still hung crooked on the ceiling lamp.
The one she had chosen herself. And beneath it was a single shoe lying on its side. Abandoned.
He staggered in. Hands shaking. Knees ready to buckle. And then he saw the note, smeared with red lipstick.
Written in rushed, uneven script on the full-length mirror.
"I waited. I swear I waited. I just forgot how to breathe."
Jaehyun collapsed. He didn’t scream. Didn’t curse. He simply sat in the middle of the room, head in his hands, rocking slowly—whispering into the silence.
“I was coming. I was coming. I was coming.”
But time didn’t wait.
Not for boys who broke free too late.
Not for girls who learned too young that escape was a myth.
Not for lovers who thought love could outlast power.
The world kept spinning.
And (Y/n)—the girl who once danced barefoot in his shirt, who once smoked on the balcony with a fire in her eyes—was now a ghost in ivory.
That was when he broke.
“(Y/n)!!”
It wasn’t just a scream—
it was a rupture.
The sound that came out of him didn’t sound human.
It was torn from somewhere far beneath ribs and reason.
A noise that blistered in his throat and scraped raw through his teeth,
wild and primal, like grief being set on fire.
Jaehyun's eyes—once soft, once full of so much restrained grace—were now scarlet, bloodshot to the rims, tears streaming unblinking down his cheeks, eyes wide and mad with loss.
His pupils shrank, flickering.
The veins on his neck and temple bulged as if his pulse was trying to claw out of him. His jaw clenched so tightly it clicked, then trembled—his breath heaving like a man drowning in air.
“She waited for me—SHE WAITED!”
“I was coming—I was on my way—(Y/n)!!!”
He surged forward, but the guards pinned him back—
arms like anchors, but not strong enough to cage a heart that was shattering live in front of them.
His knees buckled.
The weight of the world, of too late, crashed down.
He dropped.
Not gracefully—
but like glass collapsing onto concrete.
His hands scraped the floor first, then the side of his face.
The veins in his arms throbbed as he twisted, trying to crawl—
toward the door. Toward her.
He thrashed.
He hit.
He clawed.
His fists smashed into the carpet, into the marble edge of the suite, into his own chest.
“I was gonna marry her—I had the ring—I had everything—she was gonna wear white for me…”
His voice collapsed into sobs so raw they burned through his ribs.
Every breath came in jerks, sharp and useless.
His face was twisted—red, wet, unrecognizable.
Anger.
Sorrow.
Regret.
Self-hatred.
All trying to exist in one man’s chest and failing.
He bit down on his own knuckles at one point—
trying to stop the scream building again.
He couldn’t.
His mother—shaking—reached out. “Jaehyun…”
But he didn’t see her.
Didn’t feel the trembling of her hands or the whispered prayers falling from her lips. His eyes darted again to the door, the one they wouldn’t let him open.
He lunged.
The guards caught him again.
“She’s still there—LET ME SEE HER!!”
He roared—
a final explosion that ripped straight through his vocal cords.
And then—the sting.
A needle, jammed into the back of his shoulder.
He blinked.
Everything swam.
The hallway tilted.
The door blurred.
But he was still whispering—
Through his bloodied lips,
through his clenched teeth,
as he was dragged backwards like a war casualty:
“She waited…”
“She waited…”
“She waited for me…”
And then—
darkness.
Gangnam, 2:03 AM – Three Days After the Funeral
The city pulsed on without her. But he didn’t.
He stood barefoot in Apgujeong Rodeo—a place once buzzing with polished heels and champagne laughs—now brought to stillness by the sight of a man unraveling under luxury lights.
His shirt, soaked in cold sweat, flapped open in the wind.
His eyes were bloodshot, rimmed in red, pupils pin-prick wide as if trying to see her in every flickering reflection.
He paced back and forth in front of glossy storefront windows,
his breath fogging the glass as he whispered to them—
“Check the mirror—please… she’s still writing.”
“I saw her. She was there—her finger moved.”
“She’s talking to me. Don’t clean it—please don’t wipe her away!”
A small crowd gathered.
Most stared.
A few filmed.
One man laughed nervously.
Another asked, “Isn’t that…?”
Someone offered him a bottle of water.
He didn’t blink.
Didn’t notice the shaking in his hands or the tremor in his voice.
Thirty minutes later, two police officers and a medical team arrived.
The headlines would later read “Former Jeong Group Heir Found in Distressed State.”
But they didn’t know the truth.
They didn’t know this was the second time his soul had died.
They sedated him again—
but this time, they didn’t take him to his penthouse, or to the Jeong estate.
They took him to a private clinic so far away, in Tuscany. A quiet place. Remote. This time, Jaehyun didn’t protest. He had nothing left to resist with.
--
One Month Later — Tuscany
Soft Tuscan light filtered through the shutters—thin, pale stripes across the parquet floor. There were no ticking clocks. No clinical coldness. Just aged wood, an open window, and two chairs across from each other.
Jaehyun sat in one of them, unmoving.
His posture was elegant still, instinctively dignified, but there was a slump in his shoulders—subtle but permanent. Like gravity had grown heavier on him than on anyone else in the world.
He didn’t look at the doctor.
Didn’t look at anything, really.
His gaze was fixed downward, toward his knees, as if words might be hiding there.
Dr. Bellini—a soft-spoken man in his sixties, with olive-toned skin and eyes that had seen too many kinds of sorrow—sat across from him with a notebook in his lap, untouched.
He didn’t start with a question.
He started with silence.
The kind that lets pain come out if it wants to.
After a full minute, the doctor finally spoke.
Warm. Italian-accented English. Unthreatening.
“Can I call you Jaehyun?”
No answer. Only a blink.
“Do you know where you are?”
Silence.
“You arrived three nights ago. Do you remember?”
Still nothing.
The doctor didn’t flinch.
He’d seen grief bury deeper than memory.
Then—finally—Jaehyun moved.
Not much.
Just a shift of his hand, fingers briefly twitching against the edge of the chair. And then, in a voice that sounded like it had traveled through smoke, “She waited.”
Dr. Bellini’s pen hovered.
“She… waited for you?”
A nod. Barely.
Then Jaehyun spoke again, more to the wall than the man.
“I was going to her. I was late. They took me. I fought them. But—”
He swallowed hard. The rest of the sentence disappeared somewhere in his throat. “I should’ve gotten there.”
The doctor leaned forward slightly.
“What do you believe would’ve happened if you had?”
Silence.
Then Jaehyun laughed. A dry, hollow sound.
Not humor. Not irony. Just… disbelief.
“She’d still be alive.”
Dr. Bellini paused, then asked gently:
“What tells you that?”
Jaehyun looked up for the first time.
And in his eyes—
Redness. Veins. Sleepless agony.
But also something else.
Certainty.
“Because I was the only one who saw it coming.”
Another breath.
“And they didn’t let me stop it.”
A long pause followed.
A sparrow chirped on the windowsill outside. Wind rustled through the cypress trees.
Dr. Bellini didn’t write. Not yet.
He simply said, “What you’re feeling… it’s called survivor’s guilt.”
But Jaehyun didn’t flinch at the words. He just repeated softly, almost like prayer, “She waited for me…”
And finally, “And I failed her.” His voice cracked.
"Patient is not unreachable. He is deeply fragmented but anchored by memory. There is love, not madness, at the core of this crisis.
He has not lost his mind—
He has lost his world.
Therapy must not push.
It must wait—as she once waited for him."
Signed,
Dr. Alessandro Bellini
Lead Psychiatrist, St. Araceli Sanatorium
The days passed like fog. He did not scream anymore. Nor did he cry.
He simply existed—quietly and in fragments. He rose when the nurses asked. He sat in the sun when gently led. He swallowed the pills they gave him without protest.
But he did not speak again. He did not look anyone in the eye.
He did not eat more than a few obligatory bites.
The staff noted he was compliant but distant.
“Mr. Jeong, how are you feeling today?”
Silence.
“Would you like to write something?”
A shake of the head.
“Would you like music?”
No response.
The only thing he seemed to respond to was light.
He spent hours by the window in his room, forehead leaned to the glass, watching the olive trees sway.
And sometimes—
just sometimes—
he would mouth her name.
But then, his mind takes over—staging its own show during a 13-hour sleep.
...They finally registered their marriage and had an officiant conduct a simple ceremony, surrounded by close friends in an intimate celebration.
“Now we’re real,” she whispered.
He kissed her temple.
“We were always real. We just finally have a piece of paper that says the world’s caught up.”
And that night, under the glow of fairy lights and the hush of crickets, two people who had once been born into chaos finally chose something simple; each other, forever, no drama. Just yes.
And when he woke—
he cried.
He pulled his knees to his chest, rocking. Grief came back with knives—worse than before. Because now, he knew what he’d lost. Not just her. But what they could’ve had.
That dream wasn’t a message. It wasn’t a sign. It was a wish—his last, most sacred wish.
She was supposed to open that door.
She was supposed to run with him.
They were supposed to live somewhere small, far from names, power, fathers, curses.
The dream gave it all back. But dreams are cruel, especially when reality came crashing in when he woke up. But dreams are not cruel forever.
A month and a half later
Again, he dreamed—but this one clung tighter, whispered louder, and felt just a heartbeat away from real.
It wasn’t vivid.
It wasn’t dramatic.
It was her.
Just (Y/n), barefoot in a sunlit kitchen.
A soft white dress swaying around her knees.
She was humming. Her hair slightly damp, cheeks flushed like she’d just come in from the rain.
She turned to him—
smiled.
“You’re so thin, love.”
She cupped his face gently, the way she used to.
“Are you punishing yourself again?”
He tried to speak but his throat caught.
Tears welled, but she brushed them away with the pad of her thumb.
“You kept your promise,” she whispered.
“You came. Just late. But I still felt it.”
She held his hand and guided him to a table.
There was bread. Soup. Wine.
She took a spoonful and raised it to his lips like they were back in the world that could’ve been.
“Eat,” she said softly.
“So I’ll know you’re still trying. So I’ll know you haven’t let go of the part of me that lived inside you.”
He took the spoon.
He ate.
In the dream—he swallowed without pain for the first time in weeks.
He woke up with tears soaking his pillow. Silently at first. No gasping. Just tears, falling so slowly, so quietly, they glistened like dew on his lashes before sliding into the corner of his mouth.
And then, the shaking began. Shoulders tight, back curled.
One hand clutching the blanket like a child lost in a storm. He didn’t scream. Didn’t sob loudly. Just wept, raw and honest, the way people do when they finally have nothing left to pretend for.
The nurse froze.
She had been told not to expect much. Not from him. Not after what happened in Gangnam. Not after the incident outside the hotel.
She took a cautious step closer.
“Mr. Jeong…?”
But he didn’t answer her. He was staring—through the window.
Out at the orange sky. And then he whispered. Raspy. Barely audible.
“She asked me to eat.”
The nurse blinked.
“I’m sorry…?”
He turned to look at her, eyes red, hollow, but—somehow—clearer.
“She told me… in the dream.”
“She said I had to eat.”
“She said that’s how I could still love her.”
The nurse swallowed hard, unsure if she was supposed to document that.
But then, his hand moved.
A slow lift. Trembling fingers pointed toward the breakfast tray near the window, untouched for nearly two weeks.
And then, one word—
“Please.”
That was all.
She blinked. Startled. Then nodded, quickly moving to warm up the food.
Behind her, Jaehyun sat up on his own.
No fanfare.
No strength.
But will.
He reached for the spoon with shaking hands and lifted a bite to his mouth. One spoon. Then another. Chewing like it hurt, like his body had to remember how to keep going.
But he did.
Because she asked.
And from that day on, he ate.
Not much. Not fast.
But a little more each morning.
Because now—
it was the only way left to love her.
A week later; she came again in his sleep.
This time, she didn’t speak right away. She was sitting under an olive tree. The light was golden. Warm.
He sat beside her, neither saying anything for a long time. Then she turned and leaned her head on his shoulder.
“You’re doing better,” she whispered.
“I’m proud of you.”
His voice trembled. “I still see you in everything.”
She smiled.
“That’s because I never left, Jaehyun.”
And before he could ask where she was going,
before he could beg her to stay—
She kissed his temple, and said,
“Keep going, love. I’ll wait. I'll wait for you, forever.”
Jaehyun began waking up with purpose again.
Not much. Just enough.
He’d open the window. Let the cold air brush his skin. He started drinking tea she used to like. Set out two mugs. Always two.
He took a few steps outside—just to the end of the garden. To the bench that faced the ivy-covered wall. Every morning, he’d sit there, hoping to find her in the hush of the wind.
He never called it recovery.
He called it… keeping his promise.
To live. To still see the sea. To breathe, even when it hurt.
As he walked back to his ward in the west wing, the corner of his eyes caught some familiar faces on TV. He looked up.
Breaking News: Calum Wright and Chairman Kim Arrested
The headlines flashed across every screen in the nation.
“BREAKING: Calum Wright and Chairman Kim Arrested for Money Laundering & Corruption.”
Inside a dimly lit interrogation room, the illusion of power finally shattered.
Calum Wright sat pale and grim, his once-polished demeanor stripped to sweat and stammering silence. Gone were the slick suits and smug arrogance—the carefully curated image of Seoul’s most eligible international fiancé.
Beside him: Mr. Kim, her father.
Handcuffed. Expression unreadable.
But to the world watching, that cold blankness looked a lot like guilt.
Jaehyun watched as he walked into the communal room.
The screen was muted, but he didn’t need sound.
He recognized the courtroom. The chains. The flash of disgrace in Calum’s eyes.
He watched until the video cut to (Y/n)’s name.
“She knew,” he murmured.
He had always wondered why she stayed quiet in those final days.
Why she didn’t scream. Or run.
Now he understood.
She was protecting something.
Even if she had no strength left to save herself.
And he smiled.
Not because he was healed.
But because justice had finally arrived.
Even if it came too late to bring her back—
it would carry her truth.
And that was enough to carry him.
A month later.
A new therapist came to visit him once a week.
She didn’t ask about the tabloids. She asked about her.
And that’s how he opened up.
He spoke of her smile. Her strange love for pouring milk before cereal. Her habit of humming unconsciously when anxious. The way her fingers shook when she was trying to stay strong.
Every sketch he drew was for her.
By the sixth session, he showed one to the therapist:
(Y/n) sitting on a bench, hand reaching toward the light.
She had no face—but he whispered, “You know it’s her, right?”
The therapist nodded.
Five months later.
She had once told him, “You should’ve been a pianist in another life.”
And for the first time in months, he touched the keys again.
One note. Then two.
Chords, broken and unsure.
Then—
a melody she used to hum in the car.
He cried the first time he played it all the way through.
But he played it again the next morning.
And again.
The clinic opened the door so patients could listen.
They didn’t know the song.
But they knew what it felt like:
grief being gently combed into beauty.
--
They came in black cars, of course.
Both of them, lined like shadows outside the clinic’s gates—
polished, impersonal, loaded with pride.
His mother stepped out first.
Quiet. Nervous hands clutching her purse.
She hadn’t been allowed to visit during the first three months, but she had begged. Pleaded.
And now, finally… they were here.
To see their son.
Jaehyun never left his room.
The nurses gently knocked.
“Mr. Jeong, your parents are in the visitor lounge.”
No response.
One nurse leaned in, hopeful.
“Your mother brought homecooked meals. She said you always liked it on hard days.”
Still nothing.
Inside, Jaehyun sat by the window—sketching (Y/n)’s profile from memory. Her smile. The soft tilt of her jaw. The same portrait he’d drawn twenty-eight times.
The paper trembled as he traced her name below it. Not for them to see. Not this time.
He spoke softly—his voice hoarse but sure, “Tell them to go.”
His mother’s hands curled tighter in her lap. She blinked fast, trying to understand. The doctor gave her a look of quiet pity.
“He’s… not ready. He doesn’t talk to anyone, really. Except her.”
Mr. Jeong scoffed. “She’s dead. She’s not coming back. He needs to grow up and return to the business.”
The doctor stood a little straighter. “No, Mr. Jeong. He doesn’t need the business. He needs space. And time.” His father rose, angry, unmoved. But his mother lingered, eyes teary.
“Just give him this,” she whispered, handing over a sealed envelope—
a family photo from before everything fell apart. The nurse brought it to him, placed it gently on the table beside his sketchbook.
Jaehyun never opened it.
He just stared at the photo for a while, then placed it inside his drawer.
Untouched. Quiet.
Like everything else that no longer mattered.
He said only once, to Seonho, his former assistant—over a rare, brief phone call weeks later.
“I don’t hate them.
I just don’t want their world anymore.
The only thing that felt real in it… is gone.”
And so, the visits stopped.
Not out of anger.
Not out of revenge.
But because he already chose who he’d belong to,
and it wasn’t his father empire anymore.
It was her.
And whatever came after.
He let the year dissolve like sugar in tea—quiet, hidden beneath warmth. When he left the sanatorium, it was as if he’d simply stepped out for air. No press. No trace. Only a sealed request: tell them nothing—let them keep their version of me.
He bought a small farmhouse in Tuscany with a single olive tree in the front. She once said, “I want to grow old somewhere where the sky looks like honey.”
He planted lavender under the windows, and hung her sketch above the fireplace. Locals knew him only as Mr. Jeong—the quiet Korean man who buys too many candles and never misses the sunrise.
He wrote in the mornings. He painted in the afternoons. And every night, he left a chair across from him at the dinner table.
On what would’ve been her 26th birthday, he stood beneath the olive tree at sunrise. He whispered:
“I’m still here.
I’m not whole.
But I’m not lost anymore.”
“I carry you.
In silence.
In music.
In everything I survive.”
And then he placed a single veil-white rose at the base of the tree.
Jaehyun didn’t move on. He moved with her. In sketches. In dreams. In soft-spoken days spent planting what the world once buried.
And when asked, years later, by a local child who peeked into his studio.
“Mister, who’s the pretty girl in all your drawings?”
He smiled.
Touched his chest, just above his heart.
“She’s the reason I still wake up.”
At long last—fourteen years, fourteen winters, fourteen aching waits—the day arrived, wrapped in the soft gold of a happy ending. The day he’d dreamed, begged, and bled for.
It was quiet.
The sun had just begun slipping through the sheer curtains, brushing golden light against the creaky wooden floors of the small farmhouse. The olive tree outside rustled softly in the breeze, leaves whispering secrets to the wind.
Inside, everything was in its place.
His sketchbook, open beside the bed.
Two cups of tea—one untouched.
A piano key softly pressed down by a falling lavender petal.
Jaehyun lay still in bed, one hand resting over his chest, where he had once tucked his last sketch of her.
A gentle expression on his face.
Like he’d just seen someone familiar.
Like he had finally exhaled.
The doctor would later say: heart failure in his sleep.
But those who knew him—really knew him—understood better.
He had simply followed her.
At last.
Somewhere not of this world; a sky that felt like home.
The air was soft, like music on skin. The stars above blinked like city lights in a memory too far away to chase. He stood barefoot under that olive tree again.
Only this time—she was there. Wearing white again. But not a gown. Not grief. Just peace. She smiled. Not sad. Not wistful. Just… full. Her eyes were bright. Her hands steady.
“You’re late,” she teased gently.
He laughed—hoarse, boyish.The laugh he lost when he lost her.
Then, without a word, he stepped forward and hugged her. Tightly. The way he didn’t get to. The way he had longed to, for twenty years.
She held him back. Firm. Real. Unshakable.
And then—the music started. Soft. Familiar.
That same melody he played alone for years. Only this time, it was surrounding them—floating through golden air.
She held out her hand.
He took it.
And under skies that never rained, on ground that never broke, they slow danced. Kissed like time had surrendered, bowed out, gone quiet.
No veils.
No ceilings.
No goodbyes.
Just him.
And her.
Forever—as it always should’ve been.
The End.
writer's note:
I truly appreciate every reblog, comment, and message you’ve sent about my work. Writing both of these stories took an emotional toll on me, and I poured a lot of heart into them, so your support means the world.
I’m sorry if updates take a while; thank you for being patient with me. I hope you enjoy my other works too.
Please stay healthy, stay safe,
and take care of yourselves always.
Lots of love,
jaefluenza xo
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hii ik u prolly havent checked ur masterlist in a while but do u mind deleting/removing taeils stories? sorry its js rly uncomfortable and weird to see that. have a great day!!
hi!!! omg yesss thank you so much for reminding me. yes trueee i haven’t checked my masterlist in sooo soo long because i mainly focused on writing with jaehyun characters only :( i got so many things to fix on this page sooo thanks for the reminder! will definitely remove anything related to him.
Hi! May I know when you will be able to release the 2nd part of your recent jaehyun au? Thank you!
Hellooooo! Thank you for asking. I have the draft ready but I might need more time to finish writing the whole thing. Please wait until the end of Sunday this week :)
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rich heirs!jeong jaehyun x reader (original character)
angst, slowburn, everything that makes you weep
13.300 words (one hell of a ride, huh?)
summary: an unexpected night of wine, laughter, and a kiss in the back of a taxi ignites a forbidden connection. behind closed doors, they begin a secret romance—each longing to escape the burden of legacy and fate. but love, in their world, is a dangerous game.
--
Tonight was supposed to be just another endless gala—tailored tuxedos, overcooked speeches, too much wine and far too little sincerity.
But as Jaehyun sat two tables away from his father, half-listening to a logistics minister speak about trade reform, his attention wavered. Something tugged at his focus like a thread slowly unraveling the night’s dull tapestry.
Her.
She wasn’t flashy. She wasn’t even smiling. Head slightly lowered, her eyes flicked to her plate occasionally like she was counting rice grains for comfort. Not once did she engage with the over-loud laughter or the shallow flattery that bounced across her table.
Two seconds. Then five. Ten. Jaehyun’s gaze lingered.
“Who’s that?” he leaned slightly toward his father’s secretary, barely masking his curiosity.
The secretary followed his line of sight. “Ah. That’s Miss (Y/n) Kim. Engaged to Mr. Callum Wright.”
Callum?
Jaehyun’s brows twitched.
Callum Wright. Of all people. His old dormmate from Cambridge—the one with the sharp suits and dull humor, the trust fund baby who thought misogyny was charisma. Jaehyun could still remember the way Callum used to joke about women like they were punchlines.
He shifted in his seat, suddenly colder.
And yet there she was—Callum’s fiancée—so clearly disinterested in everything around her. Not out of arrogance, no. There was something else. A quiet restraint. Like she was pretending to belong.
He watched her again. This time more carefully. Her left hand rested on her lap, absent of jewelry. Her fork moved, but she barely ate. When Callum leaned over to whisper something, she flinched—barely, but Jaehyun caught it. A subtle pull back of her shoulders. As if her body knew something she was too polite to say.
Jaehyun exhaled.
His father nudged him. “What’s got you looking like that?”
Jaehyun blinked and looked away. “Nothing. Just an old friend,” he replied. But it wasn’t Callum he meant. It was her.
Callum’s voice rose above the clink of cutlery.
“And she thinks Nietzsche was a romantic. Can you believe that?” he laughed, loud and sharp, practically elbowing the man next to him. “I told her, darling, no man who says ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ has ever dated you.”
The table erupted in awkward laughter, a few stifled, a few loud enough to mask discomfort.
Except hers.
She lifted her wine glass, lips pressing into the gentlest smile—a performance, and a good one. She let the joke pass without a single twitch in her posture. Then, placing the glass down, she stood.
“Excuse me,” she said softly, so calmly it almost sliced through the tension like silk. She didn’t wait for Callum’s response. She just walked.
Jaehyun sat back, eyes narrowing slightly. He wasn’t sure what bothered him more—Callum’s insufferable condescension or the way she handled it with such poised silence, like she’d been trained to endure embarrassment her whole life.
He rose a few minutes later, murmuring something about a phone call to his father. No one noticed—except maybe his father’s secretary, who gave him a look. But said nothing.
He spotted her on the far side of the marble hall, just past the long curtains that draped over the glass doors.
The balcony was dimly lit, open to the warm summer air. And there she was.
She stood there alone, arms crossed, her pale dress catching the moonlight. She lit a cigarette with steady fingers, exhaled slowly, and closed her eyes for a moment—as if she needed this breath more than anything else.
“You know that’s going to kill you,” Jaehyun said, stepping out onto the balcony.
She didn’t flinch.
“Maybe,” she said. “But at least it doesn’t talk.”
A beat. Then she turned her head, meeting his eyes for the first time that night. “You’re… Jeong Jaehyun, right? Chairman Jeong’s son.”
He nodded slowly. “And you’re Callum Wright’s fiancée.”
She gave a short, bitter laugh and took another drag.
“Unfortunately.”
He leaned against the railing beside her, watching the city lights stretch like a sea of gold beneath them. “I didn’t expect to see him tonight. Or you. Though I guess that was the point.”
Her shoulders dropped, a small sign of weariness.
“You knew him in Cambridge?”
“Unfortunately,” Jaehyun echoed, smirking. “He still thinks degrading women is a form of humor, I see.”
She didn’t reply. “I used to think I could fix that,” she murmured.
Silence settled between them. Not awkward. Not heavy. Just… honest.
He glanced at her. “You deserve better than to be the butt of someone’s punchline.”
She turned slightly, really looking at him now.
And Jaehyun… felt it. That quiet in her eyes. That storm behind the calm. This wasn’t going to be another predictable gala after all.
She took another slow drag, the glow of the cigarette briefly lighting the fine bones of her face. When she exhaled, it wasn’t just smoke—it was something deeper. Tiredness. Disappointment wrapped in elegance.
“Nice to meet you, Jeong,” she said, tone clipped but not impolite. Her eyes didn’t soften. “But I don’t need pity.”
Jaehyun let out a breath, half a chuckle. “That’s good,” he replied, unfazed. “Because I’m not offering any.”
She turned her head slightly, an eyebrow raised.
He continued, calm and measured, “I’ve just seen enough women shrink in rooms like these. Laugh along. Stay seated. You didn’t. That’s rare.”
She held his gaze for a moment, then glanced back out at the skyline. Her voice was quieter this time.
“Leaving a table doesn’t mean I win anything, Jeong.”
“No,” he said. “But it means you still know when to walk away.”
That got a real smile. Barely there, but unmistakable.
The wind tugged lightly at her hair. She tucked a strand behind her ear, the cigarette now forgotten between her fingers.
“Do you always follow strangers out of rooms?” she asked, almost teasing.
“Only when they look like they’re pretending not to break.”
She stared at him.
And something shifted. Not trust. Not yet. But a small dent in the wall she’d so carefully built.
“I wasn’t pretending,” she finally said. “I’m just good at breaking quietly.”
Another silence passed between them. This one different. Warmer. Quieter. Like a secret the stars were letting them borrow.
Then Jaehyun said, “Still. For what it’s worth, Nietzsche was a romantic.”
That drew a soft laugh from her lips. Genuine this time. It surprised even her.
She glanced at him sideways. “You might be the first person in this building tonight with actual thoughts.”
He shrugged lightly. “Comes with reading books instead of company reports.”
She stubbed her cigarette against the marble ledge, letting it die in silence.
When she looked at him again, the wind caught her hair just enough to make her seem a little freer.
“Goodnight, Jeong Jaehyun.”
He watched her go—head high, back straight.
And for the first time all evening, Jaehyun wasn’t just thinking about deals or names or family expectations.
He was thinking about her.
A woman with smoke in her lungs and quiet storms in her eyes.
--
The valet entrance was dimly lit—just enough for the gleam of polished cars and scuffed heels to glint under amber lamps. Most guests had long left the gala, but Callum and (Y/n) stood near the curb, mid-argument. Again.
"I said I’ll get a car myself, Callum," She snapped, stepping back from his reach.
“You’re being ridiculous,” he hissed, voice laced with booze and bruised ego. “Always making a scene. No wonder people—”
“I’m not making a scene. I’m trying to leave before you embarrass me further.”
Callum’s jaw clenched. He stepped closer, voice dropping to something darker. “You think you’re some kind of saint? You think just because you can quote philosophy, you’re better than me?”
When she didn’t respond, his hand twitched. Raised. Not high, but just enough to say I could.
That’s when the voice came.
“Hey, Wright! Fancy seeing you here.”
Callum froze.
Her eyes flicked past his shoulder—and softened.
Jaehyun was leaning casually against a parked black car behind them, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone. But his posture was deceptive. His tone wasn’t friendly.
Callum turned, schooling his face into a grin. “Jeong. Still lurking around the fringes of galas, I see?”
Jaehyun’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Hard to lurk when you’re the heir to the building the gala was held in.”
That shut Callum up, if only for a second.
Jaehyun slowly walked over, his gaze never leaving (Y/n)—checking her, scanning for tremors, for hurt. She didn’t say anything, but her eyes lingered on him a beat too long. Enough for him to see it. The flicker of fear she'd just buried.
“I didn’t know you were into vintage temper tantrums,” Jaehyun said, his voice laced with cold amusement. “They don’t really suit you.”
Callum chuckled tightly, shoving his hands in his pockets. “It’s a relationship. We argue. You wouldn’t understand.”
Jaehyun stopped in front of them.
“Oh, I understand arguing,” he said. “I just draw the line at fear.”
The weight of his words dropped heavy.
Callum looked at his fiancée then, clearly unnerved. “What, you running to your new savior now?”
She didn’t answer. She didn’t have to.
Jaehyun turned to her gently. “Would you like a ride home, Miss Kim?”
She hesitated. But only for a moment. “Yes.”
Callum stepped forward, “(Y/n)—”
Jaehyun turned slightly, his voice like ice now. “Try raising your hand again. See what happens.”
The silence cracked like thunder.
She stepped around Callum, chin lifted, heels clicking as she moved beside Jaehyun without a glance back. When she got in the car and the door shut, Jaehyun didn’t follow right away.
He stared at Callum one last time, jaw tight. “Your jokes were always trash. But this? This is a new low.”
And with that, he walked to the driver’s side, slid in, and drove her away. The city passed by in streaks of light.
Inside the car, silence reigned. Then, softly, she said, “You didn’t have to.”
Jaehyun kept his eyes on the road. “I wanted to.”
And for the first time in a long, long while… She believed someone meant it.
The car rolled to a gentle stop in front of a quiet, tucked-away building downtown—a place that didn’t scream luxury, but whispered exclusivity. No velvet ropes, no flashy signs. Just a narrow brass plaque on the door that read VIOLET HOUR.
She glanced out the window, unsure. “This isn’t my apartment.”
Jaehyun looked over at her. His expression unreadable, but calm. “It’s not.”
A pause. Then—
“Would you have a sip of wine with me? Just one. I have a place. Quiet. No Callum. No noise.”
(Y/n) blinked.
He wasn’t pushing. Just… offering.
She considered him for a moment. And then, maybe because the night already broke all the rules, maybe because she was tired of going home to silence—or worse, him—she nodded.
Inside, the bar was dimly lit, tucked behind velvet curtains and shelves lined with old books. The air smelled like aged oak and violet gin. A jazz trio played softly in the corner. And at the very back was a table reserved under “J. Jeong”—of course it was.
“I come here when I don’t want to be anyone,” Jaehyun said as he held her chair out. “No heirs. No cameras. Just good music and older wine.”
She settled in, eyeing the space like she wasn’t sure how real it was. “Do you bring women here often?”
He smiled faintly. “No. Just myself. And the occasional ghost of a good decision.”
She smirked. “That’s poetic.”
“I try,” he said, lifting a hand to the bartender. “Red or white?”
“Red,” she replied, then quickly added, “Dry.”
He nodded in approval. “Good choice.”
A few minutes later, two glasses of aged Bordeaux were placed between them.
They clinked glasses softly.
“To surviving galas,” he offered.
(Y/n) tilted her head. “To escaping them.”
They sipped.
And for the first time that night, she wasn’t guarding her every word.
“So,” she asked, swirling her wine gently, “what were you doing watching me at dinner?”
Jaehyun leaned back, glass in hand, eyes steady on hers.
“You looked like someone who needed someone to see her,” he said simply.
Her fingers stilled on the stem of the glass.
“You always talk like that?”
He smiled, slow and unhurried. “Only when I mean it.”
She looked down, then looked back at him—more curious now than guarded.
Maybe it was the wine. Maybe it was the warmth of a stranger who didn’t feel like one.
But she found herself asking, “And what do you see now?”
Jaehyun met her gaze, long and deep.
“A woman who deserves more than what she’s settling for.”
The jazz hummed. The wine warmed her fingertips. And (Y/n), for the first time in years, forgot what settling even felt like.
The wine crept into their veins like warm ink—slow and smooth, softening edges, blurring hesitations.
By the time they stumbled out of Violet Hour, the city had thinned. Midnight wind curled gently around them as they stood on the curb, his coat draped over her shoulders.
“You can’t possibly walk in those heels,” Jaehyun said, grinning, as she tripped slightly over a crack in the pavement.
“I’m floating,” She defended herself, squinting dramatically at the sidewalk. “There’s a difference.”
He laughed, then raised his hand to hail a taxi. A yellow cab pulled up like fate answering a dare.
They slid into the backseat, her body leaning toward his, knees brushing.
“Where to?” the driver asked.
She opened her mouth, but Jaehyun beat her to it. “Just drive for a bit. We’ll give the address later.”
The driver shrugged and pulled off.
Inside the cab, the lights of the city flickered through the window, gold spilling across her face. She turned to him, tipsy and untamed, her laughter still caught on her lips.
“You really ordered wine like you were naming your firstborn,” she teased, poking his arm lightly. “You said ‘2009 Saint-Émilion’ like it was a love confession.”
“That was a love confession,” Jaehyun said with mock seriousness. “To fermented greatness.”
She giggled, leaning her head back against the seat. “God, you’re so different from how I imagined you’d be.”
He looked at her, curious. “And how did you imagine me?”
“I don’t know. Cold. Bored. Born in a boardroom.”
Jaehyun smiled, quiet for a beat. “You bring out something lighter.”
She turned her head, eyes meeting his in the dark.
Neither of them was laughing now.
The taxi rolled over a smooth patch of road, quiet.
His hand was close. She didn’t move away.
And then it happened. A pause—one beat too long, one look too deep. Then, with a breath barely shared, Jaehyun leaned in.
Their lips met in a slow, quiet kiss that tasted like red wine and curiosity, like something they weren’t supposed to touch but couldn’t help reaching for. It was gentle at first, unsure. Then deeper, as if the space between them had always been meant to disappear.
Her fingers lightly curled around the lapel of his coat, holding on just enough to not feel like she was falling.
When they pulled apart, the only sound was their breath mingling, and the hum of tires on asphalt. Jaehyun rested his forehead against hers.
“Sorry,” he murmured.
She blinked up at him, dazed. “Are you?”
He grinned, slightly flushed. “Not even a little.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
Outside, the city kept spinning. But in the backseat of that taxi, it finally felt like something had stopped—just long enough for something unexpected to begin.
The taxi slowed in front of a quiet, upscale apartment building tucked behind rows of sleeping trees. The streetlight cast a soft amber glow over the sidewalk as Jaehyun looked out the window, then back at her.
“This is me,” (Y/n) whispered, voice low, like she didn’t want to admit it.
Their laughter from moments ago still lingered faintly in the air—fading like the warmth of the wine on their cheeks. The kiss hovered between them, a line neither of them had expected to cross, yet neither regretted.
Jaehyun leaned forward, signaling the driver to stop.
She hesitated. Her hand hovered at the door handle, but she turned to face him one last time. The buzz of the night still hummed in her skin, but her eyes were soberer now—too clear, too aware.
“You’re not coming up,” she said, more like a statement than a question.
Jaehyun shook his head slowly. “No. You’ve had enough noise for one night.”
She smiled softly at that. The kind of smile that held something unspoken. Gratitude. Tension. Maybe even disappointment. Or relief.
“Thank you for the ride,” she said.
“For the wine?” he asked, a playful tilt to his head.
“And that,” she said, eyes flicking briefly to his lips.
A silence settled. Not awkward. Just… filled with the weight of everything they didn’t say.
Then she opened the door and stepped out, the night breeze tousling her hair gently as she pulled his coat tighter around her.
Before closing the door, she leaned down.
“Goodnight, Jeong.”
He gave her a half-smile, hand resting against the seat where her warmth still lingered.
“Goodnight, Miss Kim.”
The door shut with a soft click.
She didn’t look back as she walked toward the lobby. Didn’t need to.
And Jaehyun… sat still for a moment before tapping the driver’s shoulder.
“Take me home.”
As the taxi pulled away from the curb and swallowed him back into the city night, Jaehyun leaned his head against the window, lips brushing into a quiet smile.
Whatever that was—it had just begun.
--
(Y/n) stirred awake to golden light spilling through her curtains, cutting soft lines across the bedsheets. She blinked slowly, the ceiling unfamiliar for a moment before reality returned like a slow tide.
Last night.
The wine.
The bar.
His voice.
That kiss in the back of the taxi.
Her hand moved to her lips almost instinctively—half in disbelief, half to feel if it had really happened.
She groaned, turning to bury her face into the pillow.
“What were you thinking,” she whispered to herself.
It wasn’t like her. She didn’t kiss strangers. She didn’t linger in bars past midnight. And she definitely didn’t fall for warm eyes and subtle wit over a bottle of Saint-Émilion.
But then again, he wasn’t a stranger, was he?
Not anymore. And maybe that was the problem.
Across town, Jaehyun stood by the window of his penthouse, freshly showered, shirt half-buttoned, coffee cooling untouched in his hand.
The skyline spread before him, glass and light and quiet Sunday haze—but his mind wasn’t on business, or the brunch his mother scheduled with some ambassador’s daughter.
His mind was back there—in that cab, in that kiss, in the soft way she’d said goodnight without looking back.
He hadn’t meant for it to happen.
He hadn’t planned any of it.
But her laughter—unfiltered, slightly wine-blurred—had felt like a thread tugging loose something inside him. And that kiss…
It was supposed to be harmless. But the way her fingers had curled around his coat? That had ruined him.
His phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
He opened it.
Unknown:
Did you leave your coat on purpose, Jeong? Or was it your way of claiming a second nightcap?
He stared at the screen for a moment—then smiled.
Wide. Quiet. Defeated.
And typed back.
Jaehyun:
Depends. Did you hold onto it for warmth… or for me?
Send.
He walked back to his coffee, finally taking a sip, as across town, she laughed softly into her phone. And neither of them could quite believe how much they were already in it.
The memory came back to her like a scent—subtle, warm, and out of nowhere.
She had just rested her head against the cold window in the back of the taxi, the wine making her thoughts soft and slow. Somewhere between the fading glow of the city lights and the hush between their shared laughter, she’d hugged herself against the creeping chill.
Then she felt it.
A shift beside her. The rustle of wool. And suddenly, Jaehyun’s coat was draped over her shoulders.
She turned her head slightly, eyes meeting his in the cab’s dim light. He didn’t say anything—didn’t offer some suave line, didn’t wait for praise. Just… reached over, adjusted the lapel gently, and leaned back.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world to take care of her.
She remembered how big it felt on her. How warm. How he smelled like cedar wood and something clean. How her fingers had curled into the collar without thinking—holding it like a fragile secret she wasn’t ready to let go of.
And when the taxi stopped in front of her apartment, he didn’t ask for it back.
He just watched her step out wearing it, like it belonged to her more than it ever did to him.
She sat up in bed now, that same coat hanging over her vanity chair like it had been waiting to be noticed.
Her eyes lingered on it for a long time. He hadn’t said a word about it when they said goodnight. Hadn’t asked. Hadn’t hinted.
Which only made her wonder more—
Had he meant to leave it?
Or had he known she would?
And somehow… that made it harder to breathe.
The sound of the front door slamming made (Y/n) jolt upright in bed.
She didn’t even have time to reach for the coat before—
“(Y/n)!” Callum’s voice tore through the apartment, heavy with rage.
Her bedroom door burst open without warning.
There he stood—jaw clenched, eyes wild, still in yesterday’s dress shirt with the collar undone and buttons half-missing, as if he hadn’t slept.
Her heart jumped to her throat, but she forced her voice steady.
“You can’t just barge in—”
“You left me,” he spat, stepping closer. “You walked out like a selfish little brat in the middle of everything!”
“I walked out before you raised your hand again,” she snapped, standing up, not bothering to hide the anger in her voice. “I warned you, Callum.”
He ignored her, his eyes flicking around the room until they landed—on the coat.
Jaehyun’s coat.
Hanging delicately over her vanity, still smelling like last night. Still whispering everything unspoken between her and another man.
Callum’s expression darkened instantly.
“What the hell is that?” he growled, pointing.
(Y/n) stepped between him and the coat. “It’s not yours. And don’t you dare—”
“You left with him.” He laughed, bitter and broken. “Jesus, (Y/n). I knew it. I knew there was something off. You flirted with him all night like a bored housewife looking for trouble.”
She didn’t flinch. Not this time.
“He noticed me. That’s all it took to feel like I was worth something last night.”
His nostrils flared. “So what? You sleep with him now, is that it? You going to run off and be Mrs. Heir of the Year?”
Her voice turned icy. “Nothing happened. Not that it’s any of your business anymore.”
Callum took a threatening step forward. “Oh, it’s still my business until this ring comes off.”
She didn’t move. “Then take it.”
She slid the ring from her finger and placed it flat on the table.
Silence hung in the air like smoke. Thick. Unbearable.
He stared at it—then at her. And for the first time, he looked small.
Weak. Exposed.
“You’ll regret this,” he muttered, voice lower now. But it wasn’t a threat—it was desperation. “He won’t want someone like you in the end. They never do.”
She stared at him. Her voice was soft, but ironclad.
“Then I’ll take that chance.”
He lingered for a second longer, eyes hard.
And then he turned and left—door slamming shut behind him like a final punctuation mark on something she should’ve ended long ago.
She stood there, alone. Shaken. Quiet. Then slowly, she walked to the vanity chair and pulled Jaehyun’s coat into her arms. And for the first time in months, she didn’t feel cold.
The Jeong household was always quiet in the morning—elegant, controlled, like everything else in their carefully curated rich people world.
But today, it was different.
Jaehyun walked down the grand staircase with a slight bounce in his step, sleeves rolled up casually, hair still a little tousled from sleep. He was humming—humming—a melody under his breath as he scrolled through his phone, a half-smile lingering on his lips like he was replaying a private joke in his head.
His mother, seated in the sunlit dining room with her tea and the business section of the paper folded neatly beside her, didn’t even look up at first.
Until he poured orange juice instead of black coffee.
Until he greeted the maid with an actual “Good morning,” instead of his usual distracted nod.
Until he sat down and—smiled—without any prompting.
That’s when Mrs. Jeong slowly lowered her newspaper.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You’re… chirpy.”
Jaehyun looked up from his phone. “Hm?”
“Smiling. Humming. Drinking orange juice like you’ve never tasted bitterness in your life.” She set her teacup down. “That only happens when you're hiding something.”
He chuckled. “Maybe I’m just in a good mood.”
“You haven’t been in a ‘good mood’ since your Harvard acceptance letter.”
“Cambridge.”
“Exactly.” She squinted at him. “Who is she?”
Jaehyun froze—just for a beat—but then took a sip of his juice, like he wasn’t at all caught off guard.
“There’s no ‘she.’”
His mother leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand.
“You’re humming, Jaehyun. At eight in the morning. That’s either love or psychosis, and frankly, I know your father's genes. So—who is she?”
He rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the grin that tugged at the corner of his mouth. “It’s not what you think.”
“So there is someone.”
He gave in with a breathy laugh, leaning back in his chair. “Let’s just say… she’s not someone you’d expect.”
Mrs. Jeong raised a perfectly arched brow. “Oh dear. Not a politician’s daughter, then.”
“No.”
“Not an heiress?”
He shook his head.
“Not someone who’ll say yes to our usual background checks?”
His grin widened. “Definitely not.”
Mrs. Jeong sat back, eyes thoughtful now. “Well, well. How refreshing.”
Jaehyun locked his phone and pocketed it, standing up and kissing her cheek.
“I’ll be out for a bit.”
“Tell her I said good morning,” his mother said casually.
He paused, amused. “I never said I’d see her.”
“You didn’t have to,” she replied, sipping her tea again. “You’re wearing that smile, darling. The kind your father only ever wears when he’s closing billion-dollar deals… or when he sees me in diamonds.”
Jaehyun laughed and walked off, already pulling out his phone.
And the first thing he did? Text her.
Jaehyun:
You still have my coat. I was thinking of trading it back… for breakfast.Or lunch. Or just another excuse to see you.
9:43 AM – Busy Heart of Seoul
Somewhere between the relentless buzz of traffic and the lull of weekend cafés, a table waited tucked under a striped awning in a little corner of Samcheong-dong—casual, pretty, nothing like the high-rise towers they both came from.
(Y/n) arrived first, Jaehyun’s coat folded neatly over her arm. Sunglasses perched on her nose, hair pulled back in a soft twist. She wore a white shirt half-tucked into light jeans—effortlessly simple. Her fingers tapped her phone like she wasn’t checking the time every other second.
Until—
“Miss Kim.” His voice.
She looked up.
There he was, slipping through the tables with that lazy sort of grace. Crisp linen shirt, a hand casually in his pocket, the other carrying two coffees he must’ve picked up on the way.
“I wasn’t sure if you drink americanos or flat whites,” he said, setting both cups down. “So I brought both. Judge me later.”
She tried to hide her smile. “A little early for charm, don’t you think?”
“It’s brunch,” he replied, sliding into the chair across from her. “The hour of unapologetic charm and poor decisions.”
She chuckled, finally relaxing. He glanced at the coat draped over her chair.
“So you did hold onto it for me.”
She arched a brow. “You left it on me. I assumed it came with conditions.”
“Only one,” he said, picking up his cup. “You’d have to see me again.”
A pause. The way her lips parted slightly, like she hadn’t expected him to say it out loud.
“Well,” she said softly. “Here I am.”
The waitress came by, and they ordered—eggs for him, ricotta toast for her, and something sweet to share, after too much smiling and “just pick one then.”
The city moved around them in a blur of footsteps and horns and chatter. But inside their little bubble, the pace slowed. Conversation flowed like they'd done this before. Like it was familiar. Easy. Strange.
He asked about her work—she barely answered. She asked about his family—he hesitated, then told her stories that weren’t in any news article.
Halfway through the meal, she looked up at him, fingers curled around her coffee cup.
“You’re not what I expected.”
“Let me guess,” he said, brushing croissant crumbs from his sleeve, “cold, controlled, probably soulless?”
“I was going to say... rehearsed.”
He smiled. “And now?”
“Still a little rehearsed,” she said. “But you improvise better than I thought.”
He laughed.
They lingered. Long after their plates were cleared, long after the staff began wiping down other tables. Neither moved. Like the moment might vanish if either stood.
Finally, he leaned forward.
“So… can I see you again?”
She tilted her head, lips curling into something dangerous and amused.
“You already are.”
Jaehyun grinned, heart thudding louder than he'd like to admit.
The city roared around them. And still—
She was the only sound he could hear.
--
The mood shifted days later—quickly, sharply. Like a sudden drop in temperature before a storm.
(Y/n) had just come home from a quiet lunch with Jaehyun, her cheeks still warm from the way he’d tucked her hair behind her ear like he meant it. Her phone buzzed before she could even kick off her shoes.
Dad:
We need to talk.Now.
She didn’t like texts like that.
That night, the Kim residence was colder than usual—despite the summer air hanging heavy outside the windows. The family gathered in the formal sitting room, where serious conversations had always happened. Not in bedrooms. Not over meals. Here. Among portraits and imported silence.
(Y/n) stood facing her father, her mother seated quietly on the velvet sofa, eyes darting from her husband’s clenched fists to her daughter’s defiant stance.
He barely looked up. “What did you do to Callum Wright?”
The air thinned.
She blinked. “I left him.”
“You humiliated him.”
“I left quietly. It’s not my fault if he—”
“Well, he’s making it your fault,” Mr. Kim said sharply, tossing a document onto the table. “Wright Holdings pulled out of the Busan logistics joint project. Said our team suddenly 'lacks professional integrity.’ He’s hinting at legal friction. He’s stalling payments to the suppliers to cause noise. Petty, intentional, and very, very public.”
Her stomach dropped.
She stepped forward, reading the email. Sure enough—Callum’s name, laced with vague threats dressed in polished corporate language.
“He’s trying to blackmail you,” she muttered. “He’s using your company to punish me.”
Mr. Kim leaned back, breathing hard through his nose.
“I warned you about him. I tolerated the engagement for business. And now it’s costing me everything I built.”
Her jaw tightened. “Then let me fix it.”
Her father scoffed bitterly. “How? By going back to him? Or running to your secret boyfriend and asking for favors?”
The words stung.
Mr. Kim set his glass down with a sharp clink.
“I know about Jeong Jaehyun.”
Her breath caught, but she didn’t move. “How?”
He scoffed. “The world watches chaebol heirs like hawks, (Y/n). You think I wouldn’t hear about you leaving a gala with him? Or that he sent you flowers at your office the next day?”
Her face flushed—rage, not shame. “So you’ve been spying on me.”
“I’ve been protecting my company!” he snapped. “Our name. Our reputation. And you—running around Seoul like a little girl caught in a daydream with the son of our competitor—”
“He’s not—”
“He’s exactly that!” her father thundered. “And worse, his existence gives Callum every excuse he needs to destroy what we’ve built. The Wrights are petty. Powerful. And now they’re furious.”
Mrs. Kim finally spoke. Softly. “Your father already met with Callum’s side. They’re willing to resume the contract… but under one condition.”
(Y/n) turned slowly.
“No.”
Mr. Kim didn’t blink. “Yes.”
“I said no.”
“You will go through with the arrangement. The engagement stands. The wedding will be private, swift, and diplomatic.”
“You can’t force me into a marriage to save your ego and call it business.”
Her father stood, his voice low now. Dangerous.
“You don’t understand what this family risks. This company is our life. Your brothers’ futures. Your mother’s security. Do you think Jaehyun will marry you and take on our debts if this falls apart?”
She stared at him.
Something in her chest cracked. Quietly. Like frost underfoot.
And when she spoke, her voice was even.
“So you’d sell me to a man who’s raised his hand to me just to keep your empire alive?”
Her mother looked down. Her father’s jaw flexed, but he said nothing.
She stepped back.
Tears threatened, but none fell. She wouldn’t give them that.
“I’m not a business deal, Appa.”
And she turned to leave.
But just before she reached the door, his voice called after her.
“If you walk out now… you are no longer a Kim in my house.”
She paused only a second.
Then kept walking.
And for the first time in her life, the name (Y/n) Kim sounded nothing like home.
--
The silence came suddenly. No warning. No soft fade-out. Just a wall.
One night, Jaehyun sent her a picture of a café that looked like the one they joked about opening someday—half-serious, half-silly, full of plans that weren’t quite real yet.
No reply.
The next morning, he texted again.
Jaehyun:
Lunch? I found a place that makes ricotta toast better than ours. Impossible, I know.
Still nothing.
By evening, he called. It rang four times. Then voicemail.
The next day?
Delivered.
But not read. He tried again.
Jaehyun:Did something happen?Are you okay?
Nothing.
Three days passed.
Four.
His messages turned shorter. Less playful. More desperate.
Jaehyun:
(Y/n).Just tell me you’re okay. Please.
Silence.
He scrolled through their old texts. Her voice lived there still—light, teasing, real.
“You’re not as rehearsed as I thought.”
“Then I’ll take that chance.”
What changed?
What happened?
She wouldn’t just vanish. Not her.
Unless someone made her.
Unless someone forced her to.
His eyes darkened.
His mother had warned him. “You’re smiling. That only means two things—love or trouble.”
Now both had arrived. And Jaehyun, for all his charm, power, and calm, had never felt so helpless.
But he knew one thing for sure. If she wouldn’t come to him—
He’d go to her.
The charity luxury bazaar was held in a grand hotel ballroom in Gangnam—walls draped in cream silk, golden chandeliers glinting over tables adorned with limited-edition designer items, curated perfumes, and exclusive art. Seoul’s elite milled about with practiced elegance, champagne flutes in hand, auction paddles tucked under their arms.
Jaehyun was barely paying attention.
He hadn’t planned to be here. He rarely attended bazaars like this unless dragged by his mother or forced by shareholders.
But the moment he walked through the entrance, he felt her.
Not heard. Not seen.
Felt.
Then he saw her.
Across the room, at a table for silent jewelry bids, stood (Y/n).
Hair tied in a simple black ribbon. Long navy dress hugging her frame. Her movements elegant, restrained. Her face—neutral. Cool. Almost unreadable. Almost.
But he knew her too well.
She was pretending.
And she hadn’t noticed him yet.
His chest tightened.
He made his way toward her slowly, carefully, threading through the crowd until they were just a few steps apart. Her back was to him, her attention on a vintage sapphire choker. She tilted her head slightly—graceful, composed.
And then—
“Didn’t think I’d find you beside something that steals the spotlight.”
She froze.
Her hand faltered ever so slightly above the bid card.
She turned, slowly, forcing her face into something neutral—polished, poised.
“Jaehyun,” she said. Like it didn’t ache to say it. “Didn’t expect you here.”
“I could say the same.”
“Your family’s hosting the wine booth. Of course you’re here.”
He stared at her. Searching. Studying.
“You stopped replying.”
Her eyes flicked away. “I’ve been busy.”
“That’s not a reason. That’s a strategy.”
She drew in a breath, jaw tightening.
“(Y/n),” he said, softer now, “why?”
People brushed past them in silk and scent, but their corner of the room suddenly felt carved out of time.
She turned back to the display, avoiding his eyes. “Because I can’t afford to see you.”
“Is someone stopping you?”
Silence.
“(Y/n). Is it your father? Is it—”
“Yes.” Her voice broke through like glass.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Talk to me. I can help. You know I can—”
She turned to him now, eyes glossy, face trembling despite her best efforts.
“You think I want this? That I chose silence over you?”
“Then why?”
“Because if I kept talking to you, Jaehyun…” her voice cracked, “I wouldn’t stop. I would’ve run to you, begged you to take me away, thrown away every plan, every duty—everything my family built.”
“And that’s wrong?”
“In their world, yes.” She swallowed. “In their world, I’m a bargaining chip. And you’re the competition.”
He looked at her—truly looked—and saw the war behind her eyes.
“You’re not theirs to trade.”
“No,” she said quietly. “But they’re still my family.”
He didn’t reach for her hand. Not here. Not now. But his voice dropped to something only she could hear.
“I’ll fight for you. You know that, don’t you?”
She blinked away tears. “I’m afraid… I’ll let you.”
A silence.
Then, through the hum of luxury and politeness, a woman called her name—Mrs. Wright, a lady from a British import firm, gesturing politely from across the room.
(Y/n) turned to Jaehyun one last time.
“I have to go.”
Later, at 6 p.m., all his texts were finally marked as read—followed by a few short, tightly packed reply bubbles.
(Y/n):
There’s a coffee shop in Sinsadong.
Sunday. 3 PM.
I don’t know what I’ll choose yet. But I want to see you… before I forget how.
--
Sunday – 2:56 PM – Sinsadong
The little café sat at the corner of a quiet street, bathed in soft July light. It wasn’t grand or exclusive—just a narrow space with floor-to-ceiling windows, a row of books by the counter, and coffee that smelled like memory.
Jaehyun arrived early.
Of course he did.
He’d been sitting at the corner booth for twenty minutes, one hand nursing an untouched espresso, the other tapping lightly against the wood grain of the table. His watch ticked. Every time the door chimed, he looked up.
But it wasn’t her.
Not yet.
He reread her note for the third time, now slightly crumpled in his pocket. “I want to see you… before I forget how.”
It killed him.
The fact that she even thought she’d need to forget.
Then—
The bell above the door rang.
She stepped in.
Hair tucked neatly behind her ears, long cream coat unbuttoned over a soft navy dress. No jewelry this time. Just her.
Real. Tired. Beautiful.
Their eyes met instantly. And the world quieted.
She walked toward him slowly, like every step was its own decision.
He stood up.
She didn’t speak until she sat down across from him.
“I almost didn’t come,” she said softly, setting her hands on the table. “I got out of the car twice.”
Jaehyun smiled faintly. “I came an hour early. Thought about leaving every ten minutes.”
They both laughed. Gently. Carefully. Like they’d forgotten how.
“I feel like I owe you a thousand explanations,” she whispered.
“You don’t owe me anything, (Y/n).”
“I do,” she said, firmer this time. “I left you in the dark. On purpose. And that’s not who I am. Not with you.”
He was quiet for a moment. Then he asked, “So why did you come?”
She hesitated.
Then said, “Because I still want you to fight for me.”
Her voice shook.
“I told you I was afraid I’d let you. But the truth is… I already have. Every time I don’t answer you, it hurts. Every time I pretend I don’t know you, it feels like I’m betraying something real. Something ours.”
Jaehyun’s jaw clenched as he fought the urge to reach across the table and pull her in. But he let her speak.
“My family’s already preparing for the engagement announcement. My father told me to smile when it happens, and to act like nothing’s wrong. But I’m not made for this, Jaehyun. I wasn’t built to belong to someone I don’t love.”
He looked at her then, eyes dark with something steady.
“I won’t let them take you.”
Her throat tightened. “They already are.”
“No,” he said, voice firm now. “They’re bluffing with fear. You said yes to meeting me. That means there’s still a choice.”
She swallowed hard. “So what do I do?”
Jaehyun leaned forward, lowering his voice.
“We do this carefully. Quietly. My lawyers—our family lawyers—they can review your father’s contract with the Wrights. We look for pressure points. You don’t have to go back into that house alone. I won’t let you.”
She looked at him like she hadn’t heard the word we in years.
“But if this goes public,” she whispered, “they’ll destroy you too.”
“I’ve faced worse,” he replied calmly. “Boardrooms are just battlefields with better tailoring.”
She almost smiled.
Almost.
He reached across the table then—gently—and placed his hand over hers.
Warm. Steady. Like home.
“No more running, (Y/n)”
She nodded, barely, eyes glimmering.
“Okay.”
And in that quiet corner café, while the world spun outside and fate clawed at the edges of their peace, they chose something terrifying—
Each other.
They started low-key, hidden, careful, quiet—but every stolen moment felt louder than anything in their public lives.
She kept her head down. At galas, she walked beside Callum with the right smile. In photos, she wore the ring her father wanted the world to see. To the world, she was the composed fiancée of the British heir, the dutiful daughter of a family driven by legacy.
But after the flashbulbs dimmed and the applause faded, she slipped into back doors, late-night taxis, and elevator shafts that opened straight into Jaehyun’s penthouse—her true refuge.
They didn’t talk about the danger.
They just… were.
9:42 PM, Jaehyun’s apartment
(Y/n) padded barefoot into the kitchen in his oversized shirt, hair slightly damp from the shower. Jaehyun leaned on the counter, sleeves rolled up, plating takeout dumplings like they were fine cuisine.
She stole a slice of pickled radish. He gave her a look. She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Your idea of dinner is always three hours late,” she said.
“My idea of love is always worth waiting for,” he replied.
She snorted. “You rehearsed that, didn’t you?”
“A little.” He smiled, handing her chopsticks.
Sometimes they slow danced in the living room without music. Sometimes she cried silently into his shoulder after a press conference with Callum. Sometimes they sat on his balcony in silence, watching the city below, knowing that no one really saw them.
2:11 AM, her locked dressing room after a fashion charity event
She leaned against the vanity, scrolling through Jaehyun’s text.
Jaehyun:
Room 804. Key in the drawer. I’m waiting. Don’t sleep angry tonight.
(You):
Can’t. I’m in a cage.
Jaehyun:
Then I’ll stay awake in mine too.
She smiled. It was sad. But real.
During the day, she played along. She attended brunches with Callum and politely pretended not to flinch when his hand touched hers. Her father praised her publicly for being “mature, patient, and poised.”
But every weekend, every off-script moment, was his.
Jaehyun and (Y/n) moved through the shadows of Seoul like they were building something sacred in secret. Dinner in disguised cafés. Hikes at dawn. Phone calls with the screen dimmed low.
She told him once, while wrapped in his sheets, “You’re the only place I don’t have to act.”
He kissed her shoulder and whispered, “Then stay here a little longer.”
But they both knew time was a luxury they didn’t control.
The world was ticking.
Callum was watching.
And her father was planning.
But in the stolen in-between, they were real.
And free.
Tuesday, 11:17 PM, Callum’s gala at a luxury hotel ballroom
She stood beside Callum, surrounded by CEOs and diplomats, smiling when prompted. Her wrist was looped loosely in his arm, and from a distance, they looked like the perfect couple.
But Callum leaned in and muttered, “Try not to look so bored, darling. They’re here to see a future Mrs. Wright, not a deflated prop.”
She swallowed her glare. Instead, she excused herself for some “fresh air.”
Upstairs, two floors above the party, in the executive suite he’d secretly booked just for her, Jaehyun waited.
She walked in without knocking.
He looked up from the couch, his tie loose, hands resting on his lap. He said nothing. Just watched her walk across the room, pull the pins from her hair, and finally—breathe.
Then she leaned her forehead to his chest and whispered, “Tell me I’m not crazy.”
Jaehyun’s arms wrapped around her.
“You’re not crazy.”
“You’re not trapped.”
“You’re here. With me.”
They didn’t kiss right away. Just stood there, hearts syncing in a room they didn’t belong to.
Until her lips found his—quiet, needy, desperate—the kind that only happens when you know you have to leave again soon.
Friday, 1:09 AM, Jaehyun’s car, parked on a hilltop overlooking the Han River
“I wish we could just… disappear,” She murmured, curled under his coat in the passenger seat. “Start somewhere new. Change our names. Open a bookstore in some village where no one cares about heirs and daughters and deals.”
He chuckled gently, brushing his thumb along her knuckles. “I’d be a terrible bookseller.”
“You’d charm the old ladies,” she smiled. “Sell out the poetry shelf every week.”
“And you?”
“I’d bake muffins and ignore gossip.”
Jaehyun looked over at her.
“I’d go anywhere with you,” he said.
She blinked fast.
“Stop that.”
“Stop what?”
“Talking like this isn’t going to kill me when it ends.”
He didn’t answer.
Just pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers one by one, like each one could hold onto time.
Sundays, when they pretended to be real
They had rituals. Small, quiet, hidden rituals.
She left a lipstick mark on his teacup on purpose. He made her playlists that only played offline. They shared a Google calendar labeled “Board Meeting” but filled with fake brunch reservations only they knew.
Jaehyun:
“Board meeting rescheduled. My office. Bring your face.”
(You):
“Your office doesn’t have a bed.”
Jaehyun:
“It does now.”
Sometimes they met in bookstores. Or laundromats. Sometimes in the back row of a quiet cinema, wearing masks and hats like fugitives.
They didn’t post.
Didn’t take selfies.
Didn’t speak of “someday.”
But every time they met…
…it felt like home.
But reality kept knocking. Louder every week. Callum grew suspicious. Possessive. Harsher. Mr. Kim started mentioning a wedding timeline.
And (Y/n)—She grew quieter at public events. More distant at home. More alive when she was with Jaehyun.
And he could feel it. She was unraveling in both worlds. One that demanded obedience. And one where she was finally herself.
And he knew—Their bubble couldn’t stay hidden forever.
But until it popped…They would steal every second like it was gold.
It began with a call from her father’s assistant. Short. Chilling.
“Mr. Kim would like you home for dinner. No excuses.”
That night, the dining room felt tighter than usual. No candles, no wine, just the weight of what was coming.
She sat straight as ever, silent between spoonfuls of guk. Her mother avoided her gaze. Her father? Calm. Too calm. Then he set his spoon down and spoke.
“The Wrights have agreed to an earlier timeline. Callum’s side wants the wedding this autumn. Before the fiscal quarter ends.”
Her chopsticks paused mid-air.
“…this autumn?”
“As in three months.”
She stared at him. “That wasn’t the plan.”
Her father nodded slowly. “It wasn’t. But it’s what they want now. And we—don’t say no to the Wrights right now.”
She turned to her mother. “You knew?”
Her mother’s lips were pressed into a thin line. “We’re trying to protect what’s left of our legacy.”
“This isn’t a legacy. It’s a prison sentence.”
Mr. Kim narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make this emotional. It’s business. You’re not being sold—you’re being secured. The press already favors this match. Callum has influence. Resources. If we lose him—”
“Then let me go.” Her voice cracked. “Let me out of this.”
Her father stood, slow and cold.
“I gave you time. I let you disappear with your little secret boyfriend behind closed doors, hoping it was just your rebellion passing through.”
She went still. Ice ran down her spine.
He knew.
Mr. Kim stepped closer.
“I had you followed, (Y/n). I’ve seen the late-night visits. The café meetings. The messages. Jaehyun Jeong is not the solution. He’s our competitor’s son. And worse, he’s sentimental. That’s dangerous.”
“Callum raised his hand to me,” she said quietly.
“And he apologized. And hasn’t done it again, has he?” her father snapped. “You think marriage is about love? It’s about alignment. Strategy. Power. This is how the world works, (Y/n).”
She stood up, shaking. “Then I want no part of your world.”
But he just looked at her with sharp, cruel disappointment.
“You don’t have a choice anymore. You’ve been indulged too long.”
That night, Callum sent a message.
Callum:
Heard the good news? Autumn in Seoul.
Better get your dress ready.
I’ll be a good husband. Just don’t make me work for your smile, darling. You’re not that charming.
She didn’t reply.
She just sat on her balcony, in the dark, holding her phone.
Typing.
Deleting.
Typing again.
Finally, she sent one message to Jaehyun.
(You):
I think the clock’s ticking faster now.
I don’t know what to do.
But I’m scared.
And within minutes, it lit up.
Jaehyun:
Then let’s burn the clock.
Just say when. I’ll be there.
We end this.
--
Two weeks before the wedding
The rain was soft that afternoon—just a whisper against the windows of Jaehyun’s penthouse. (Y/n) had spent the whole morning curled on his couch in one of his hoodies, sipping honey tea, head heavy with the decision she’d already made:
She was going to fight for them.
Burn every plan her father made. Cancel the wedding. Choose love over legacy.
For once, she would run toward something, not away.
Jaehyun was in the shower, and she was looking for his charger. That was all. Just a charger.
But his work laptop was open. Folders scattered on the desk. Charts. Names. Documents. Something about an internal family restructuring… and there—one tab still open.
Curious, she glanced at it. Her eyes landed on the headline:
Strategic Acquisition Plan: Phase II — Domestic Market Consolidation
She scrolled.
And saw it.
Target: Kim Industries
Subnote: “Undercapitalized. High debt-to-income. Current vulnerability post-Wright pullout. Predicted collapse with correct media pressure and phased divestment of suppliers.”
She blinked. What…?
She scrolled further. Jaehyun’s own name signed at the bottom of the executive recommendation. Dated just two weeks ago.
“Aggressive moves within next quarter. Full buyout possible within 6–9 months. Objective: Market sweep and erasure of former rival influence.”
She went completely still.
Her breath stopped.
Something inside her—a thin, shaking thread of hope—snapped.
Was this just… business?
Was she just a pawn in his war? Like Callum said?
Her fingers hovered over the trackpad.
There were notes. Attachments. Cold, clinical language. Graphs showing her father’s company crumbling like an inconvenient pillar in the path of Jeong Empire expansion.
Her father’s voice rang in her memory—
“Jaehyun Jeong is not the solution. He’s sentimental. That’s dangerous.”
Was he?
She stepped back from the desk like it had burned her.
(Y/n) stared out the window. The rain hadn’t stopped. But something in her had.
And from the bathroom, Jaehyun called out—
“Baby, did you find it?”
She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her body was still there. But her trust had already left. So, she left without a sound.
No slammed doors. No angry words. Only the quiet shuffle of her feet on marble floors, and the whisper of a hoodie slipping off her shoulders, folded gently on the couch where she had once felt safe.
She didn’t take her bag. Just her phone. Just her breath. Barely held in. Barely hers anymore. Her fingers trembled as she pressed the elevator button. Not from rage—But from grief. Not the kind that screams. The kind that drowns silently.
She didn’t look back. Didn’t wait for him to notice the air she’d left behind. Didn’t care if he saw the tears in her eyes as she walked out into the rain. The world blurred—Not from the downpour, But from the ache behind her lashes.
Her love, the escape, the heartbeat she’d clung to in secret—
It had plans. It had bullet points and projections. It had targets.
And her father’s name wasn’t just on that list. It was the list.
Everything she had fought to protect, he had quietly plotted to dismantle. And whether it was calculated coincidence or merciless timing—to her, it felt like betrayal.
So she kept walking.
And walking.
One hand clutching her coat to her chest,
The other wiping at the tears that finally won.
Not because she stopped loving him.
But because she still did.
The rain didn’t let up. It soaked her sleeves. Her shoes. Her spirit. (Y/n) didn’t know where she was walking—only that she had to walk. Had to keep moving before the pain fully caught her. Before the memories caught up.
Of Jaehyun brushing his thumb over her cheek when she was too tired to speak.
Of him whispering "Stay here a little longer."
Of that café in Sinsadong, where they’d made a world no one else could touch.
It was all unraveling now. Not because he didn’t love her—she knew he did. But because love wasn’t clean. And Jaehyun wasn’t just the boy who kissed her forehead in quiet. He was also the son of a business empire. He was raised to conquer. Even if it meant stepping over the world she came from.
Back in the room, Jaehyun noticed immediately.
The silence.The stillness. The way the air shifted the second he stepped out of the shower.
“(Y/n)?” he called, towel drying his hair, voice casual at first.
No answer.
He walked into the living room, still damp, expecting her to be curled up where he left her.
Empty.
No coat. No scarf. No shoes by the door.
Just the hoodie she had worn. Neatly folded.
Like a final act of grace.
His eyes narrowed. His heart dropped.
He scanned the room—his desk. His folders.
Then it hit him.
Oh God.
He lunged toward his laptop.
And there it was.
The open tab.
The war plan.
Her father’s name.
The cold-blooded summary.
Everything exposed. Everything wrong.
His chest tightened.
Not with guilt—he’d kept his family’s interests close. Always.
But with fear.
Because he had never wanted to hurt her. And yet…
He ran.
Meanwhile, she sat in a quiet train station.
Her wet coat draped over her lap. Her hair stuck to her cheeks. Her phone, heavy in her palm, lit up again.
Jaehyun:
(Y/n), please. Talk to me.I didn’t mean for you to find it like that.It’s not what it looks like. Let me explain. Let me—
She turned the screen off.
Her body shook, but she held it in.
Tears, rage, grief—every emotion bottled so tight it felt like her ribs might snap.
Because he wasn’t just Jaehyun. He was Jeong Jaehyun. The heir. The strategist. The man who made plans.
And she—she was never just a girl in his arms. She had always been part of the board. Even if he didn’t mean to, He’d made her a chess piece in a war she never agreed to play.
Jaehyun stood in the parking garage, car keys shaking in his hand.
Rain soaking his shirt. His heart pounding. He didn't care about the acquisition. Not anymore. Not if it meant losing her.
And he whispered into the dark,
"I was going to choose you over everything…"
"Why didn’t you let me explain?"
But she was already gone. And all he had left was her silence.
--
The days that followed felt like a waking funeral.
(Y/n) went silent.
No more secret meetings. No more messages. No glances across crowded rooms or lipstick stains on borrowed teacups.
She became a porcelain version of herself—poised, perfect, untouchable. (Y/n) Kim, the bride-to-be. The symbol of alliance between empires.
But up close, the cracks were obvious.
Her eyes were dull. Empty in the mornings. Red and swollen in the evenings when she thought no one was watching. Her makeup team started arriving earlier, whispering softly among themselves. Her mother grew more distant. Her father grew more controlling.
Callum, however, was thriving.
Smug, satisfied, victorious.
The tighter the ring fit on her finger, the looser his leash became. And still, she said nothing. Did nothing. Only followed the schedule: fitting, press interviews, venue inspections, a pre-wedding magazine cover shoot where she smiled like a ghost.
And meanwhile—
Jaehyun was losing his mind.
At first, he texted. Called. Waited outside her apartment. Sent notes through mutual friends.
Nothing.
Then his numbers were blocked.
His assistant was informed—politely, officially—that Mr. Jeong was no longer permitted near any Kim family event, nor would any of his representatives be welcome at the ceremony.
Even his private security clearance to her neighborhood was revoked.
Every door slammed shut.
He called her stylist. Her florist. Her driver.
No one answered.
He showed up at her bridal boutique in person. But her mother stepped out instead, perfectly poised, and met him at the door.
“You need to stop this,” she said coolly.
“I need to see her.”
“You’ve seen enough.”
“She’s not well.”
“She will be,” her mother replied. “After the wedding, when this storm passes.”
“You’re marrying her off like she’s a headline,” Jaehyun hissed. “You’re killing her.”
Mrs. Kim’s eyes flickered, and for just a second—just a second—the mask cracked. A mother flickered through.
But then she straightened.
“And you’re breaking her in a different way. She loved you. You turned her world upside down. And now she has to live with the pieces.”
Then she turned and walked back inside.
And Jaehyun—powerful, brilliant Jaehyun—stood outside, soaked in the cold of early fall, fists clenched and helpless.
Inside, (Y/n) stared out the bridal suite window, unaware of the scene below.
Or maybe not unaware. Just too numb to react.
Because love wasn't safe anymore. And betrayal had left its fingerprints on the only place she'd ever felt free.
Four days before the wedding.
(Y/n) stood on the raised platform in her final gown fitting—dressed in white satin and silence. Seamstresses circled her, pinning and smoothing, chirping about veils and sleeve lengths like she was a doll, not a person.
She barely heard them.
All she saw was the mirror in front of her.
And the stranger staring back.
Eyes tired. Skin pale. The lace at her collarbone looked like a chain.
Her mother entered a few minutes later, complimenting the fit, reminding her to smile for the rehearsal dinner tomorrow.
“I’ll try,” she murmured.
“Don’t try,” her mother replied without missing a beat. “Do.”
Meanwhile, Jaehyun sat in his father’s office.
Behind him, Seoul glittered. In front of him, Chairman Jeong—calm, sharp, exact.
“I thought I raised a strategist,” his father said coldly, “not a poet.”
“I never planned for her to be part of it,” Jaehyun said through clenched teeth. “You put your emotions where your mind should’ve been,” the chairman snapped. “We don’t lose deals over women.”
“I’m not losing her like this.”
“She left you, Jaehyun. She's not coming back.”
Silence.
Then, “I’m going to that wedding.”
His father raised a brow. “To crash it?”
“To remind her of who she was before she became a weapon.”
Chairman Jeong exhaled, leaned back in his chair. “You walk into that ceremony, and you start a war.”
Jaehyun stood.
“Then I hope they’re ready.”
Wedding Eve.
The ballroom was filled with chandeliers, imported roses, and tension so thick it tasted metallic.
She stood on the balcony of her suite, overlooking the rehearsal dinner as Callum entertained guests below. She clutched the railing, chest tight. A sea of people was cheering for something she was no longer part of.
She heard a knock.
A soft knock. Three taps. Familiar.
Her heart nearly stopped. She turned. But it was only a staff member, delivering her wedding shoes. White. Elegant. Cold.
And when the door shut again, she let herself finally break. Tears rolled silently. Down her cheeks, down her dress.
She whispered to no one, “I miss him.” Not just Jaehyun. Herself.
The version of her that had dreams, coffee dates, wind in her hair and poetry in her heart. The version that rebelled.
She missed that girl.
And she didn’t know if she’d ever see her again.
But across the city—in the stillness of his apartment—Jaehyun packed one suit.
Not for business. For battle.
Because in less than 24 hours, she’d be walking toward a man who never deserved her. And if no one else would stop it—
He would.
Five hours before the wedding. 3:02 AM.
The suite was silent. The flowers were fresh. The veil was steamed. The dress hung like a verdict.
But (Y/n) couldn’t sleep. She sat on the edge of the bed in her robe, bare feet on the carpet, heart thudding so loud it echoed in her ears. Every tick of the wall clock was a countdown. Every blink, a whisper of, "This is it. This is it. This is it."
And then—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Soft. Urgent. Impossible.
Her head jerked up.
No one should be knocking now. Not her mother. Not her planner. Not anyone. She moved toward the door slowly, quietly. Pressed her eye to the peephole.
Her breath caught.
Jaehyun.
Dressed in black. Rain in his hair. Wild eyes. He held up a key card like some poor thief in a suit. (Y/n) hesitated. Then opened the door—just a crack.
“What are you doing here?”
He exhaled, like seeing her physically hurt. “I couldn’t let the sun rise without trying. Without telling you everything.”
Her voice was barely a whisper. “How did you even get in?”
“I stole a card,” he said. “Bribed the valet. Lied to your security. I don’t care.”
She opened the door just a little more, one hand gripping the handle like it was the only thing keeping her upright.
“Jaehyun…”
“I never meant to hurt you,” he said immediately. “That file—that plan—I didn’t make it to destroy you. I didn’t even know your father’s company was still on it. It was old—approved by my board before us.”
Her eyes glistened, but her face stayed stone.
“I was going to remove it. I swear to you. The minute I knew you were in my life, I started undoing everything. But I was slow. I was careful. And I lost you before I could finish.”
“You could’ve told me.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
She shook her head, eyes burning. “Don’t you dare say that.”
Jaehyun’s throat tightened.
Then—he sank.
Right there, in the hallway of her bridal suite, on the marbled floor…
He dropped to his knees.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me tonight,” he said, voice trembling. “I’m asking you to remember who we were. What we had. What we still have if you want it.”
She stared down at him.
The man who had taught her freedom.
The man who broke her without trying.
And yet, she still felt her heart throb at the sight of him. On his knees. Begging like a sinner at the altar.
“I would burn everything for you,” he said. “I already have. I pulled the deal. My father threatened to cut me off. I said fine. The plan is dead. I don’t care about the company. I only care about you.”
Silence.
She dropped her gaze, lips trembling.
“You think love can fix everything, Jaehyun,” she whispered.
“No,” he said. “But it makes the fight worth it.”
Tears finally fell.
And she hated that she still loved him this much.
“I’m getting married in five hours,” she said, almost choking on it.
“Then run with me in four.” His eyes never left hers. “I’ll wait. Even if it means watching you walk down that aisle. I’ll wait until the last second for you to choose us.”
And then he stood up. Stepped back. Pressed her hand softly before walking away. “Just open the door,” he said, “if you still remember who you are without them.”
And then—he was gone. Leaving her alone. With a choice.
A clock. And a heart still beating for him.
4 hours later. One hour before the wedding. 11:00 AM.
The bridal waiting room was bright—too bright.
Gold trimmings, soft floral wallpaper, and large mirrors reflected her a thousand times over. A princess in a white hanbok-draped wedding gown. Hair flawless. Skin porcelain. Smile… absent.
She sat stiffly on the cream velvet bench, bouquet limp in her hands. Her shoulders were heavy with everything.
People kept coming in. Extended relatives, shareholders, family friends. Each one with a phone. A smile.
She nodded. Numb. Distant. Like a doll in a case.
They sat beside her. Took pictures. Laughed. Left.
One after another.
Her mother poked in occasionally, adjusting the lace. “Pull yourself together, people are watching.” Her father paced the hallway with pride. “Finally, our family is aligning with real power.”
But she didn’t hear them.
Not really.
Her hands trembled slightly in her lap. Her heart beat fast—but not for him. Not for Callum. Not for the gold. Not for the flash. Not for this illusion.
She kept checking the door. Every few seconds. Half-hoping it would open again. Half-dreading it might.
Then—
The door did creak slightly. Just a bridesmaid.
“Ten minutes, Miss Kim,” she said. “Make sure your veil’s ready.”
Ten minutes. She couldn’t breathe.
Outside the hall, music was being tuned. Chairs filled with silk and diamonds. Callum was probably checking his hair, smug and confident, certain he had won.
She looked at herself in the mirror. So many people had fought to make her look like a bride. But no one had asked if she felt like one.
And that—
That’s when her gaze dropped to the drawer beneath the vanity.
The one the hotel had labeled “emergency supplies.”
She opened it with shaking hands.
Inside: safety pins. Perfume. Band-aids. A pen.
And a hotel notepad.
She blinked.
Then—slowly—picked up the pen. And began to write. Not long. Not perfect. Just real.
"I'm sorry. I can't marry someone I don’t love. I’m done being traded. I’m choosing me."
She folded it. Stood. Her knees nearly gave out from the rush of adrenaline. But her heart—was finally hers again.
She took one last look in the mirror. Pulled off the veil. Dropped it onto the floor. And walked toward the back exit. Not as a runaway bride. But as a woman finally waking up.
--
11:17 AM.
The string quartet outside played something elegant. Light chatter filled the grand wedding hall. Rows of guests sat waiting, sipping champagne, unaware that the bride had vanished like breath on glass.
Inside, Callum stood at the altar. Hands folded. Jaw tight. He was smirking just a little—not for love. For victory.
He leaned toward the wedding planner, already annoyed. “Where the hell is she?”
Back in the bridal room, a bridesmaid opened the door only to find the bench empty. The veil abandoned. The bouquet slightly wilted. The notepad, sealed with trembling pen, sitting like a bomb.
A scream followed.
Staff panicked. Calls were made. Her mother cried out, “Check the restroom! Check the stairwell!” Her father demanded the exits be sealed.
But it was too late.
11:34 AM. Seoul back streets.
She, the bride, ran.
Wedding dress bunched in her arms, lace dragging against concrete. Sneakers—borrowed from a stylist—scuffed and soaked. Her lungs burned. Her chest felt cracked open. Her heart beat like thunder.
But she was free.
And she had one place to go.
Meanwhile, Jaehyun sat in his parked car across the Han River.
He hadn't gone home. Hadn't changed clothes. Hadn’t moved since he left her door 4 hours ago.
He stared at the clock. 11:39 AM.
Five minutes past ceremony time. He whispered into the silence, “Come on, (Y/n)…”
His phone buzzed. Unknown number. He froze, then picked it up.
“Where are you?”
Her voice. Breathless. Real.
He blinked fast, disoriented. “(Y/n)—? Are you—?”
“I’m in a cab,” she panted. “I—I ran. I left. I don’t know what I just did but I left.”
Silence on his end. Then, “You’re insane,” he breathed.
“I know.”
“Where are you going?”
“To you.”
He didn’t even respond. He just turned the ignition and drove.
And then—there she was.
Wedding dress half destroyed. Makeup smudged. Heart in her eyes.
They stared at each other.
And he walked to her slowly, step by step, like she might vanish if he moved too fast.
When they were just inches apart, she whispered, “You waited.”
Jaehyun smiled—heartbreaking and full. “You came.”
Then her hands reached for his collar, and his arms wrapped around her waist, and they crashed into a kiss.
Not a fairytale.
Not a scene.
A collision of two broken, desperate hearts that chose each other anyway.
People on the street slowed to stare. But neither of them cared. Not anymore. They had lost everything—Power. Approval. Control. And they had found each other. She leaned her forehead against his.
“I don’t have a plan,” she said softly.
“Good,” Jaehyun whispered. “Because I burned mine for you.”
And under Seoul’s noon sun, with the chaos they left behind, they smiled for the first time—not in secret. But for real.
--
They left the café after an hour, Jaehyun giving his jacket to cover her gown as they slipped into a rented car with tinted windows. He drove without saying where, one hand always on the wheel, the other reaching for hers every now and then, like he needed to feel she was still there.
He took her up a hill, away from the city, toward a small modern house tucked between trees and sky.
A house with no name.
No photos.
Just peace.
“Whose is this?” she asked softly, stepping into the quiet.
“Ours,” he said. “I bought it last year. Never told anyone. I didn’t know why then. I think I do now.”
She turned toward him. “Jaehyun…”
“I can’t give you a throne,” he said. “I can’t promise you won’t lose more before you heal. But I can promise this—freedom. No press. No company. No war. Just you, me, and time.”
Silence.
Then she exhaled, took a few steps forward, and wrapped her arms around his middle. “I think I’d like to stay here a while.”
He kissed the top of her head.
“You can stay forever.”
And with it, peace.
No headlines, no invitations, no staged photoshoots. Just quiet mornings in thick sweaters and mismatched socks, with her sipping warm tea beside frosted windows, her cheek resting against Jaehyun’s shoulder as he scrolled through a book of Korean poetry he once bought and never opened—until now.
And while her father refused to speak publicly, sources whispered that Kim Industries was bleeding slowly—left fragile after the broken alliance with the Wrights. Callum had returned to London, bruised pride and all, leaking bitterness in high society circles.
Meanwhile, Jaehyun was officially removed from several boards under his father’s control. He’d stepped down willingly, leaving behind a legacy not worth holding onto without her.
Endings. Beautiful ones.
After months of living off-the-grid, Jaehyun sat at their small kitchen table one afternoon—sunlight streaming in, laptop open beside a half-eaten bowl of doenjang jjigae—and finally let himself dream again.
Not for a boardroom.
Not for his father.
Not for the Jung family name.
But for himself.
And for the future he was building with her.
He called it "Funnel 1912."
A clean, modern business funnel system tailored for small businesses and independent creatives. A platform that focused on authenticity, minimalism, and scalable brand storytelling.
She had laughed when he told her the name. “That sounds like a warship.”
He grinned. “It’s the date my great-grandfather opened his first noodle cart. A legacy—but mine now.”
She helped him design the UI. Clean layouts, intuitive tools, no corporate fluff.
Funnel 1912 offered smart e-commerce integration, real-time analytics, and built-in brand voice templates.
It wasn’t just another startup—
It was a rebellion dressed in white space and code.
It quietly launched in beta across local business networks. Artists. Café owners. Small brands tired of being swallowed by giant platforms.
And slowly—
It took off.
Not because of hype.
But because it worked.
It became the tool for dreamers who didn’t want to sell their souls to grow.
Jaehyun worked on it from a small study in the back of their house—surrounded by sketches, code drafts, books, and post-it notes from her that read things like:
“Don’t forget to stretch.”“The soy milk expired three days ago pls don’t die.”“You’re brilliant.”
He wasn’t a rich heir anymore. He was something more dangerous. A man who had lost everything the world thought he needed—and found everything he actually wanted.
Summer crept in quietly.
Thick, slow evenings hummed with cicadas and the scent of her favorite sandalwood candle. Their small home—half wood, half glass—was wrapped in stillness, like the world had paused just for them.
That night, the lights were dim. The windows were open. The curtains swayed with the warm wind. And inside, there was only them.
She had just stepped out of the shower, damp hair falling over her shoulders, one of Jaehyun’s old white button-ups barely hanging on her frame. She padded barefoot into the living room where he sat on the floor, working late again—laptop open, notes scattered, glasses low on his nose.
She leaned down, wordlessly, and kissed the top of his head.
He looked up slowly, eyes softening the moment they met hers.
“You smell like rain,” he murmured, brushing her thigh lightly with his fingers.
She hummed. “You smell like overworked genius.”
He chuckled, closing the laptop with one hand, the other resting on her hip. “I can’t think straight when you wear that.”
“It’s your shirt.”
“It’s my weakness.”
She straddled him without a word.
The quiet between them wasn’t awkward. It was familiar. Sacred. Safe.
The kind of silence that had been earned.
Jaehyun let his hands trail up her thighs, slow, reverent.
He kissed her collarbone like he was reading a poem there—
Soft, slow, patient.
Like time didn’t matter.
“You left a wedding for me,” he whispered against her skin.
She smiled, tugging his glasses off. “I left a life for me. You just happened to be the best part of what came next.”
And then—they let everything else fall away.
The past. The politics. The pain.
Because in that room, with only the sound of the wind and their breathing, they remembered what love looked like—when no one was watching.
His hands on her waist. Her breath hitching as he kissed lower. The way she whispered his name like a promise. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t wild. It was slow. Certain.
Like two people choosing each other again.
And again.
And again.
Until the only thing left was warmth, tangled limbs, and Jaehyun brushing damp hair from her forehead with his thumb, whispering,
“Still the best decision I’ve ever made.”
And her, half-asleep against his chest, whispered back,
“Still the safest place I’ve ever landed.”
They finally registered their marriage and had an officiant conduct a simple ceremony, surrounded by close friends in an intimate celebration.
“Now we’re real,” she whispered.
He kissed her temple.
“We were always real. We just finally have a piece of paper that says the world’s caught up.”
And that night, under the glow of fairy lights and the hush of crickets, two people who had once been born into chaos finally chose something simple; each other, forever, no drama. Just yes.
A memory he holds onto dearly,
just before Jaehyun wakes up.
--
The walls were too white.
The air too quiet.
No clocks ticked here—time didn’t pass in this place. It just sat.
Jaehyun hadn’t spoken in eight days.
Before that, he’d screamed.
The night they dragged him off the street in Gangnam barefoot, shaking, begging strangers to "check the mirror—she’s still writing."
He fought the staff.
Tried to run.
Collapsed outside the old hotel, whispering her name into the pavement until his voice bled out.
Now—he sat in silence. Motionless in a padded room, thin sweater clinging to his bones, bandages wrapped around both hands (he’d clawed through glass trying to find her reflection in a mirror that wasn’t there).
The doctors called it a psychotic break.
But to him, it wasn’t that.
It was grief refusing to be buried.
It was the echo of a promise broken by time.
What had happened?
10.15 a.m. The day of the wedding.
It was raining.
Not the cinematic kind—
Not dramatic thunder or mournful drizzle—
But quiet, grey rain. Soft enough to muffle footsteps. Heavy enough to drown secrets.
The ballroom was set. Rows of cream orchids curved like broken halos. Gold-rimmed name cards. A menu hand-pressed in French.
And in the center, an altar no one would ever reach.
The staff had been whispering for a week.
The bride hadn’t been seen. No rehearsal. No hair trials. No laughter.
Just locked doors. Strict instructions. Silence.
They had assumed it was nerves. Or tradition. Or power.
Until someone knocked on the bridal suite that morning—and no one answered.
It was the youngest staff girl who opened it. Barely nineteen. Too young to understand death. Old enough to feel it before she even saw it.
The room was still. No music. No scent. No bride.
And then—she looked up.
The white veil swayed first. A fragile echo, twisting gently from the ceiling lamp—tangled in a torn cord, no longer meant for light.
The dress was untouched. But the girl inside it—gone. Her bare feet hung inches above the marble floor. A single heel tipped sideways under the vanity.
She stumbled backward, hitting the edge of the vanity, shattering a bottle of perfume.
“Help!” she choked out, throat raw. “Someone—she—she's—”
“you didn’t mean it… but all it took was just the longing look on his eyes for you to realize; you missed him too.”
-ˋˏ✄- - - - - - - ♡
The club pulsed with life—neon lights flashing, music thundering through the air. You swayed on the crowded dance floor, a cocktail glass loosely gripped in your hand. Your friends cheered you on, laughing as you twirled around, inhibitions completely long forgotten.
“One more drink!” someone shouted, and you giggled, stumbling toward the bar. The world spun, but in a fun, dizzying way that made everything seem brighter, louder, and just a little more reckless.
You turned, leaning back against the bar to scan the crowd, eyes catching on a tall figure near the edge of the dance floor. His face was blurred by the haze of alcohol and lights, but something about him seemed… familiar. Your heart skipped a beat, though you couldn’t quite place why.
He looked your way, and your eyes locked.
Without thinking, you pushed off the bar and walked toward him. Your movements were fluid, mind foggy, but one thought blazed clear: he’s gorgeous.
“Hi,” you said, voice louder than usual to compete with the music.
He raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a smirk. “Hi.”
There was something in his tone—a teasing familiarity that tickled the edges of your memory—but you ignored it. Before you could second-guess yourself, you reached up, cupping his face, and kissed him.
It wasn’t a soft, hesitant kiss. It was bold, fueled by liquid courage and the heady rush of the moment. The stranger froze for a fraction of a second, then kissed you back, his hands lightly resting on your waist.
The world seemed to tilt, the music fading into the background. For a moment, it felt… right.
But then he pulled away, his lips hovering near yours as he whispered, “(Y/n)?”
Your eyes shot open, the sound of your name slicing through the drunken haze. You blinked, staring up at him. The neon lights painted his face in shifting colors, but now, with him this close, you definitely couldn’t mistake him.
“Jaehyun?” you breathed, voice barely audible over the music.
His expression was unreadable, a mix of shock, amusement, and something deeper you couldn’t quite name. “I thought you recognized me,” he said, his tone teasing, but his eyes betrayed something more intense.
Your hands flew to your mouth, cheeks burning. “Oh my God. I didn’t—I wasn’t—”
He chuckled, though there was an edge to it. “Didn’t expect to run into you here. And definitely not like this.”
You stepped back, suddenly hyper-aware of the people around you and the fact that your ex-boyfriend—the ex-boyfriend—had just kissed you back.
“I need… I need to go,” you stammered, spinning on your heel.
“(Y/n), wait.” Jaehyun grabbed your wrist gently, his touch sending an electric jolt through your body. “It’s been a while. Can we talk?”
You turned to face him, your heart pounding. “Talk? Now?”
He smiled softly, the kind of smile that used to make your knees weak. “Maybe after you’ve had some water first.”
You hesitated, torn between the urge to run and the pull of old feelings you thought you’d buried. “Fine. But just to talk,” you said, trying to sound firm despite the wobble in your voice.
Jaehyun nodded, his hand lingering on your wrist for a moment longer before letting go. As he led you to a quieter corner of the club, you couldn’t help but wonder if this accidental kiss was the universe’s cruel joke—or its way of reopening a door you thought was forever closed.
-ˋˏ✄- - - - - - - ♡
He found a quieter corner tucked away from the blaring speakers and the crush of bodies on the dance floor. You sank into a booth, Jaehyun sitting across from you. A waiter appeared with water, and Jaehyun handed you a glass.
“Drink,” he said, his voice gentle but firm.
You gulped the water down, grateful for the coolness that cleared some of the fog in your head. You set the glass down, but your hands wouldn’t stop fidgeting—twisting the rim, picking at a napkin, avoiding his gaze.
“I didn’t mean to kiss you,” you blurted, breaking the heavy silence between the both of you.
Jaehyun leaned back, his eyes studying you like he always did—calm, calculated, as if he could see right through you. “I figured as much. But it still happened.”
You looked up at him, the soft lighting of the booth casting shadows across his sharp features. “What are you even doing here?”
“Same reason as you, I guess,” he said, shrugging. “Needed a break. Didn’t expect to run into… someone I used to know.”
You winced at his phrasing. “Someone you used to know?” you repeated, voice tinged with hurt.
Jaehyun’s expression softened. “That’s not what I meant, (Y/n).” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “You were never just someone to me. You know that.”
The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, you forgot where you both were.
You sighed, breaking eye contact. “We broke up for a reason, Jaehyun.”
“And I’ve regretted it every day since,” he said, his voice low but steady.
Your heart stuttered. You hadn’t expected that.
“Don’t,” You whispered, shaking your head. “You don’t get to say that now. Not after everything.”
He reached out, his hand brushing yours lightly before you pulled away. “I know I hurt you. I know I wasn’t… enough for you back then. But seeing you tonight, (Y/n)…” He paused, his jaw tightening. “It made me realize I still care about you. A lot.”
Your chest ached, the sincerity in his voice cutting through you like a knife. But you couldn’t afford to go down this road again.
“We’re not the same people anymore,” you said, voice trembling.
“Maybe not,” Jaehyun admitted. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t start over.”
You laughed bitterly. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not,” he said firmly. “But maybe it’s worth it. Maybe you’re worth it.”
The words hung in the air, heavy with possibility and pain. You stared at him, mind racing. Part of you wanted to walk away, to leave the past where it belonged. But another part—a stubborn, reckless part—couldn’t help but wonder if this was fate giving you both another chance.
“I need time,” you finally said, voice barely above a whisper.
Jaehyun nodded, his gaze never leaving yours. “I can give you that. As long as you promise not to disappear on me again.”
You looked away, lips pressing into a thin line. “No promises, Jaehyun.”
But even as you said it, you couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight was the start of something you weren’t ready to name.
-ˋˏ✄- - - - - - - ♡
The walk back to your apartment was quiet at first, the city buzzing softly around them. The cool night air brushed against your flushed skin, grounding you slightly. Jaehyun walked beside you, his hands tucked into his pockets, his strides calm and unhurried.
“You didn’t have to walk me home,” you said, breaking the silence.
“I wanted to,” Jaehyun replied simply, glancing down at you.
Your heart did an uneasy flip. The streets felt emptier than they were, the world narrowing to just the two of you. Every now and then, your arms brushed, and each time sent a spark shooting through your already fragile resolve.
As moments passed after Jaehyun walked you inside your apartment building, you paused in front of the entrance, hesitating. You fished your keys from your bag, hands shaking slightly. “Thanks for… tonight, I guess,” you said awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.
Jaehyun chuckled softly. “What are you thanking me for? Walking you home after you kissed me in a club?”
Your cheeks burned. “You didn’t have to say it like that.”
He stepped closer, his presence warm despite the cool night. “Why not? It’s the truth.”
You looked up at him, your annoyance melting into something softer. His gaze was steady, intense, and far too familiar.
“Jaehyun—” you started, but the words caught in your throat as he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from your face.
“Can I come in?” he asked, his voice low.
Your breath hitched. The air between you grew heavy, and yourbmind raced with a hundred reasons why this was a bad idea. But when you looked into his eyes, you saw the same longing that mirrored your own.
Without answering, you turned and unlocked the door, pushing it open and stepping inside. You glanced over your shoulder, catching Jaehyun’s hesitant expression. “Are you coming or not?”
He followed you in, the door clicking shut behind him.
Inside, your apartment was dimly lit and quiet, the faint hum of the fridge being the only sound. You set your keys on the counter, your back turned on him. You could feel his presence behind you, his closeness magnetic.
“You really didn’t have to walk me home,” you repeated, more to fill the silence than anything.
“I know,” he said softly, his voice closer now.
You turned around, only to find him mere inches away. Your breath hitched as his gaze captured yours, a blend of hesitation and longing flickering within.
“Jaehyun…”
Before you could say anything else, he closed the distance between you two, cupping your face in his hands and kissing you. This time, it wasn’t a drunken mistake or a spur-of-the-moment impulse. It was deliberate, slow, and full of unspoken emotions that had been buried for far too long.
Your hands found their way to his shirt, clutching the fabric as you kissed him back. The world outside the apartment ceased to exist as Jaehyun pressed you gently against the counter, his lips trailing from your mouth to your jawline.
“Are you sure about this?” he murmured against your skin, his breath warm and uneven.
You pulled back slightly, gaze meeting his. For a moment, you wavered, torn between the past and the present, between caution and desire. But as your eyes met his, all you could sense was the heavy silence of unspoken words and the emotions you had kept locked away until this moment.
“Yes,” you whispered, voice trembling but certain.
Jaehyun exhaled sharply, relief and hunger flashing across his face before he kissed you again, this time with a fervor that left no room for doubt.
The rest of the night blurred into a haze of intertwined bodies, murmured apologies, and rekindled closeness. By the time he laid you gently on your bed, the city outside stirred to life, but within the apartment, it felt like the dawn of a second chance.
-ˋˏ✄- - - - - - - ♡
You lay on your side, back turned to Jaehyun, staring at the faint glow of the city lights filtering through the curtains. The room was quiet except for the sound of both you and Jaehyun’s breathing, uneven and heavy in the aftermath of what had just happened.
You clutched the blanket closer, mind racing. What had you just done? You could still feel his touch, his lips, the weight of his presence lingering like a ghost you couldn’t shake.
Behind you, Jaehyun shifted, propping himself up on one elbow. His fingers ghosted over your shoulder, hesitant at first, before he let them rest there.
“(Y/n),” he said softly, his voice a low murmur that sent a shiver down your spine.
You didn’t respond, lips pressing into a thin line as you squeezed your eyes shut. You didn’t quite trust yourself to speak, not yet.
He sighed, his breath warm against the back of your neck. “I miss you.”
The words hit you like a blow, the weight of them sinking deep into your chest. Your eyes opened, and for a moment, you just stared at the wall, heart pounding.
“Don’t,” you whispered, voice breaking slightly.
“Don’t what?” he asked, his tone gentle but insistent.
“Don’t say things like that,” you said, turning to face him. Your eyes searched his, looking for something—anything—that would make this easier.
Jaehyun looked at you, his expression raw and unguarded. “Why not? It’s the truth.”
You shook your head, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes. “Because it doesn’t change anything. We broke up for a reason, Jaehyun. Saying you miss me doesn’t fix what happened.”
“I know,” he said quietly, his hand reaching out to brush a tear from your cheek. “But it doesn’t mean I stopped feeling it.”
His touch was soft, comforting, and it made your heart ache even more. You closed your eyes, letting out a shaky breath. “Why now? Why tonight?”
You hesitated, subtly aware of his hand still resting on your cheek. “Because seeing you again brought back everything I tried to bury. And kissing you…” His voice faltered, thick with emotion. “It made me realize I never truly let go.”
Your chest tightened, and you bit your lip to keep from breaking down completely. “I don’t know if I can do this again,” you admitted, voice barely audible.
Jaehyun leaned closer, resting his forehead against yours. “I’m not asking for anything right now, (Y/n). I just… I needed you to know how I feel. That I never stopped caring about you.”
A tear slipped down your cheek, and you let it fall, too tired to wipe it away. “I missed you, too,” you confessed, the words tumbling out before you could stop them.
Jaehyun’s breath hitched, and he pulled you into his arms, holding you as if he were afraid you might disappear. You let yourself sink into the embrace, walls crumbling piece by piece as you clung to him in the quiet stillness of the night.
characters: jeong jaehyun x reader, jungwoo, taeyong, mark, winter, giselle
3,890 words
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃˚.⛰️⋆☁️
The sky above the mountain was a deep, clear blue when two hiking groups set out on their journey. The sun beamed down on the verdant trails, promising a day filled with adventure. Little did they know, the mountain had other plans.
Jaehyun, Taeyong, Jungwoo, and Mark were the epitome of camaraderie as they led the charge up the trail. These four were seasoned hikers, their banter and laughter ringing out like a steady drumbeat as they navigated the rough terrain.
Not far behind them was you, Giselle, and Winter. The three of you were no strangers to adventure, having tackled trails from the rugged to the serene. But today, something felt different—there was an edge to the air that none of you could quite place.
“We should catch up with the boys,” Winter suggested, glancing back at you and Giselle as you paused at a scenic overlook. “It’ll be fun to hike together, don’t you think?”
Giselle smiled mischievously, “Or maybe we just want to hear more of their ridiculous stories. Mark’s got a new one about Taeyong and a goat, apparently.”
You chuckled, rolling your eyes. “I’m sure that’s exactly what we need on this hike. Besides, I think they’re trying to outpace us.”
The three of you pushed on, determined to close the gap. The trail wound through dense forests, each step a rhythm in the heartbeat of the mountain. The air was crisp, the scent of pine mingling with the earthy aroma of the soil beneath your boots. But as you climbed higher, the trees thickened, and the sky became less visible through the canopy.
Unbeknownst to any of you, dark clouds were gathering in the distance.
Jaehyun slowed his pace, allowing the others to walk ahead. Something about the shifting wind didn’t sit right with him. He paused, scanning the horizon, noticing the ominous clouds creeping over the peaks.
Taeyong caught Jaehyun’s gaze. “What’s up, man? You see something?”
“Yeah,” Jaehyun replied, his brow furrowing. “Weather looks like it’s about to turn. We should be careful.”
Mark, ever the optimist, laughed. “It’s just a few clouds. We’ve handled worse.”
Jungwoo shrugged, but Jaehyun’s unease lingered. The group continued on, their conversation growing quieter as the sky began to darken.
By the time your group caught up with them, the first rumbles of thunder echoed through the mountains. You could feel the change in the air, a tension building with every step. The lighthearted atmosphere from earlier was replaced by a collective sense of unease.
“Looks like we’re in for a storm,” you remarked, drawing closer to Jaehyun. His expression was serious, his eyes fixed on the clouds that now dominated the sky.
“Yeah,” he nodded, his voice steady. “We should think about finding some shelter soon, just in case it gets bad.”
Winter glanced around nervously. “Do you think we’ll make it back down before it hits?”
Giselle looked up at the sky, biting her lip. “Maybe, but it’s a long way back. We could be caught in the middle of it.”
Just then, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the trees, sending a shiver down your spine. The storm was coming fast, too fast. The six of you exchanged glances, silently agreeing that the best course of action was to keep moving, but at a quicker pace.
As you continued up the mountain, the storm descended. What began as a drizzle quickly turned into a downpour, the rain relentless as it soaked through your clothes. The wind howled through the trees, making it hard to hear anything but the storm’s fury.
It wasn’t long before the trail became treacherous, the ground turning into a slick, muddy mess. The once steady rhythm of your steps faltered as each of you struggled to keep your footing. And then, as if to emphasize the mountain’s power, a bolt of lightning cracked through the sky, followed by a deafening boom of thunder.
Panic set in as the realization hit: you were all in serious danger. The storm was far worse than anyone had anticipated, and the trail was quickly becoming impassable.
“We need to find cover!” Jaehyun shouted over the wind, his voice barely audible. “We can’t stay out in this!”
The group scrambled to find shelter, eyes darting through the rain-slicked trees. But in the chaos, it was hard to stay together. The rain obscured your vision, the storm disorienting, and in the confusion, you were separated from the others.
You looked around frantically, trying to locate your friends, but the storm was too strong. The rain pounded down, the wind whipping your hair into your face. You couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of you.
Then, out of the corner of your eye, you saw a figure moving through the trees. You called out, and when they turned toward you, you recognized Jaehyun. Relief washed over you as he made his way toward you, his expression mirroring your own concern.
“We got separated from the others,” he shouted over the storm. “We need to find some kind of shelter until this passes!”
You nodded, trusting him to lead the way. The two of you pushed forward through the storm, your hearts pounding in your chests as you searched for anything that could provide some cover. The storm was relentless, the wind so strong it felt like it could knock you off your feet at any moment.
After what felt like an eternity, Jaehyun spotted a small cave nestled into the side of the mountain. He grabbed your hand, pulling you toward it. You stumbled inside, grateful for the temporary respite from the storm.
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃˚.⛰️⋆☁️
The cave was small, but it was dry, and that was all that mattered. You collapsed against the wall, catching your breath as Jaehyun crouched beside you, his gaze still wary.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice softer now that you were out of the storm.
You nodded, though your heart was still racing. “Yeah… I’m okay. Just… I didn’t expect it to get this bad.”
“Neither did I,” he admitted, running a hand through his wet hair. “But we’ll be okay here for now. We just need to wait it out.”
The storm raged outside, the wind howling like a wild beast. You could hear the rain hammering against the rocks, the occasional rumble of thunder echoing through the cave. But in here, it was almost peaceful—safe, even.
As the adrenaline from the escape began to fade, you became more aware of your surroundings. The cave was dark, the only light coming from the occasional flash of lightning outside. You could feel the chill seeping into your bones, your wet clothes clinging to your skin.
Jaehyun noticed your shivering and immediately shrugged off his jacket, offering it to you. “Here, take this. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.”
You hesitated for a moment, but the cold was too much to bear. “Thanks,” you murmured, accepting the jacket and wrapping it around yourself. It was warm, carrying the faint scent of pine and something distinctly Jaehyun. It helped, but the cold wasn’t the only thing making you shiver.
There was a tension between the two of you now, a silent understanding that you were alone together, isolated from the rest of the world by the storm. The cave, small as it was, felt intimate, and you couldn’t ignore the way your heart skipped a beat when Jaehyun’s gaze lingered on you a little too long.
To break the silence, you forced a smile. “Well, this is one way to make a hike memorable.”
Jaehyun chuckled, his smile easing some of the tension. “Yeah, not exactly what I had in mind when I signed up for this, but I guess we’re getting the full experience.”
“Surviving in the wilderness with just our wits and whatever we can scrounge up?” you teased. “I feel like we’re in one of those survival reality shows.”
Jaehyun grinned, his dimples appearing. “Except without the camera crew. We’re on our own here.”
The storm raged on, but the conversation brought a sense of normalcy to the situation. Jaehyun’s presence was comforting, his calm demeanor grounding you. Even as the wind howled and the rain pelted the cave entrance, you felt a little less afraid knowing he was there with you.
After a while, the conversation died down, and the two of you sat in companionable silence, listening to the storm outside. Your mind began to wander, thoughts drifting back to the rest of your group. You couldn’t help but worry about them, hoping they had found shelter as well.
Jaehyun seemed to sense your concern. “They’ll be okay,” he said softly, as if reading your thoughts. “Taeyong, Jungwoo, Mark… they’re all experienced. And your friends are tough too.”
You nodded, but the worry lingered. “I know. It’s just… this storm came out of nowhere. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Me neither,” he agreed, his voice thoughtful. “But storms like this can blow over quickly. Hopefully, it’ll be gone by morning, and we can find the others.”
His optimism was infectious, and you found yourself hoping he was right. For now, though, there was nothing to do but wait.
As the storm continued its relentless assault outside, you and Jaehyun both realized that spending the night in the cave was inevitable. The temperature was dropping, and the cold, damp air was beginning to gnaw at your bones.
Jaehyun, always practical, decided it was time to do something about it. He reached for his backpack, which had somehow remained mostly dry, and began rummaging through it.
“Let’s get a fire going,” he said, his tone determined. “We’ll need it to stay warm through the night.”
You nodded in agreement, though you weren’t sure how he planned to start a fire in such conditions. The rain had soaked everything, and it seemed impossible to find anything dry enough to use as kindling.
But Jaehyun seemed undeterred. He pulled out a compact, waterproof case from his bag and opened it to reveal an array of survival tools. There was a small hatchet, a flint striker, and even a few packets of tinder.
“Wow,” you remarked, impressed. “You came prepared.”
Jaehyun chuckled, glancing up at you with a grin. “I’ve done a few hikes like this before. It pays to be ready for anything.”
As he began to arrange a small pile of tinder and sticks, you knelt down beside him, eager to help. “What can I do?”
“Here,” he handed you the flint striker, showing you how to use it. “Try getting a spark going while I find some more dry wood.”
You took the striker, feeling the cool metal in your hand, and began striking it against the flint. It took a few tries, but eventually, a spark caught on the tinder, and you blew on it gently, encouraging the small flame.
Jaehyun returned with more wood, which he carefully placed around the growing fire. The flames crackled to life, filling the cave with warmth and a soft, flickering light. You both sat back, watching as the fire grew stronger, casting long shadows on the cave walls.
“Not bad,” Jaehyun complimented, smiling at you. “You’re a natural.”
You smiled back, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “I’ve always been good at following instructions.”
The warmth from the fire was a welcome relief, and you could already feel the chill fading from your bones. You both moved closer to the fire, sitting side by side as the flames danced between you.
For a while, the two of you sat in comfortable silence, the fire providing a sense of security in the midst of the storm. The flames flickered, casting a warm glow on Jaehyun’s face, highlighting the thoughtful expression in his eyes. There was something different about this moment—something that felt more personal, more intimate.
You shifted slightly, feeling the need to break the silence. “You know, I’ve been thinking about our first year in college together. Remember that time we both got detention?”
Jaehyun chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “How could I forget? We were both late to Professor Kim’s class.”
You laughed, the memory bringing a smile to your face. “Yeah, we thought we could sneak in without anyone noticing. But then the door creaked, and everyone turned to stare at us. I thought I was going to die of embarrassment.”
Jaehyun shook his head, still smiling. “And then Professor Kim decided to make an example of us. Detention for both of us—right after class. I remember you were so mad.”
“I was,” you admitted, shaking your head at the memory. “But it turned out to be one of the best detentions ever. We spent the whole hour just talking about random stuff. I learned so much about you that day.”
“Like what?” Jaehyun asked, his tone playful, but there was a genuine curiosity in his eyes.
“Like how you can’t stand the sound of people chewing with their mouths open,” you teased, earning a laugh from him. “Or how you have a secret talent for drawing, even though you never show your sketches to anyone.”
Jaehyun smiled, his gaze softening as he looked at you. “And I learned that you’re a night owl who survives on coffee and late-night study sessions. And that you’re one of the most stubborn people I’ve ever met.”
You pretended to be offended, but the warmth in his voice made it impossible not to smile. “Hey, stubbornness can be a good thing. It’s what gets me through those tough classes.”
“It’s one of the things I like about you,” Jaehyun said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone.
Your breath caught in your throat at his words. The fire crackled between you, but the atmosphere had shifted, the lighthearted conversation giving way to something deeper.
“Jaehyun…” you began, but he cut you off, his gaze intense.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “I’ve liked you for a while now. I just… I never found the right moment to say it.”
His confession hung in the air, the weight of it making your heart race. You had always sensed there was something more between you two, but hearing him say it out loud made it real—tangible.
“I slowed down my pace earlier on the trail,” he continued, his eyes never leaving yours. “I wanted to be near you, to make sure you were okay. I kept an eye on you and the girls because I care about you. And when the storm hit… all I could think about was finding you.”
The vulnerability in his voice, the honesty in his words, made your heart ache in the best possible way. You reached out, your hand finding his in the flickering firelight.
You could feel Jaehyun’s gaze on you, his eyes warm and intense as they traced your features. The way he looked at you made your heart race, and despite the warmth of the fire, you felt a different kind of heat rising within you.
“Jaehyun,” you whispered, your voice barely audible over the crackle of the fire.
He leaned closer, his breath warm against your skin. “Yeah?”
For a moment, you hesitated, your heart pounding in your chest. But the look in his eyes, the way he was so close you could feel the heat radiating from him, made you brave.
You reached up and gently placed your hand on the side of his face, feeling the warmth of his skin under your fingertips. You could see his breath hitch, his gaze flickering down to your lips. The tension between you was palpable now, a magnetic pull drawing you closer together.
“Can I…?” you began, but Jaehyun didn’t let you finish.
He closed the distance between you, his lips meeting yours in a soft, tentative kiss. It was gentle at first, a question in the way he kissed you, as if he was giving you a chance to pull away if this wasn’t what you wanted. But when you responded, pressing back into the kiss with equal tenderness, it was like a dam broke.
Jaehyun’s hand came up to cup the back of your head, his fingers threading through your hair as he deepened the kiss. His lips were warm and soft, moving against yours with a sweetness that made your heart swell. The world outside ceased to exist; there was only the two of you, the warmth of the fire, and the feeling of Jaehyun’s lips on yours.
The kiss was slow, unhurried, filled with the emotions that had been building up between you for so long. You could feel everything he was trying to say in the way he kissed you—the longing, the care, the affection that he hadn’t been able to put into words until now.
When you finally broke apart, both of you were breathing heavily, your foreheads resting against each other’s as you tried to catch your breath. You could see the way Jaehyun’s chest rose and fell rapidly, the same way yours did, and the sight made you smile.
“Wow,” you whispered, your voice still a little breathless.
Jaehyun chuckled softly, his thumb brushing over your cheek in a tender gesture. “Yeah… wow.”
For a moment, you just looked at each other, the firelight reflecting in his eyes, making them look even warmer than usual. His smile was soft, his dimples appearing as he looked at you with an expression that made your heart flutter.
“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” Jaehyun admitted, his voice low and filled with emotion. “But I never knew if you felt the same way.”
You smiled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I did… I do. I’ve liked you for so long, Jaehyun. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”
He sighed softly, pulling you closer so that you were nestled against his chest. “I guess we were both too afraid to say anything. But I’m glad we finally did.”
You nodded, feeling the steady beat of his heart under your ear. It was comforting, grounding you in the reality of the moment. This was real—Jaehyun’s feelings, your own, the warmth of his arms around you. It was all real, and it made you feel like you were exactly where you were meant to be.
For a while, you stayed like that, wrapped up in each other, the warmth of the fire and the intimacy of the moment making everything else fade away. The storm outside was still fierce, but inside the cave, with Jaehyun by your side, it felt like nothing could touch you.
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃˚.⛰️⋆☁️
The next morning, the storm had finally passed, leaving the forest drenched and glistening under the pale morning sun. The air was crisp and fresh, the sky a clear, brilliant blue that felt like a promise of better things to come. The birds were singing again, and the world seemed to have come back to life after the chaos of the previous night.
You and Jaehyun had slept in short shifts, keeping the fire going and listening for any signs of the storm easing. As dawn broke, you both packed up what little you had taken out, dousing the remnants of the fire with water from Jaehyun’s canteen.
Despite the trials of the night, you felt lighter, a warm glow in your chest from everything that had happened between you and Jaehyun. There was a new kind of closeness now, a bond forged in the heart of the storm and sealed with the gentle kisses you had shared.
“Ready to head back?” Jaehyun asked, shouldering his backpack and giving you a reassuring smile.
You nodded, smiling back. “Ready. Let’s go find the others.”
The hike back to the base camp was much easier now that the storm had passed. The trail was muddy, and the ground was slick in places, but with Jaehyun by your side, it felt like a walk in the park. You both moved quickly, eager to reunite with your friends and let them know you were safe.
It didn’t take long before you started seeing signs of other hikers—muddy footprints, a few discarded wrappers, and the sound of distant voices.
“Over here!” a voice called, and you turned to see Winter waving frantically from the edge of the camp. Giselle and the boys—Taeyong, Jungwoo, and Mark—were with her, all of them looking a little worse for wear but otherwise unharmed.
“There you are!” Giselle shouted, rushing over to pull you into a tight hug. “We were so worried when we got separated!”
“We’re okay,” you reassured her, hugging her back just as tightly. “Jaehyun found me, and we took shelter in a cave. What about you guys?”
“Once the storm hit, we all hunkered down in our tents,” Taeyong explained, walking over with a relieved grin. “We stayed put until morning. But when we realized you and Jaehyun weren’t with us, we started to worry.”
Mark smirked, glancing between you and Jaehyun. “Looks like you two had quite the adventure.”
You felt a blush creep up your cheeks, but before you could respond, Winter’s eyes widened as she seemed to piece something together. “Wait a minute—are you two…?”
Jaehyun, ever composed, wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close with a grin. “Yeah, we’re together now.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, and then the camp erupted into cheers and laughter. Jungwoo clapped Jaehyun on the back, a wide grin on his face. “About time, man! We’ve all been waiting for this to happen.”
Giselle’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she nudged you. “So, a stormy night in a cave, huh? Sounds like the perfect setup for romance.”
You laughed, shaking your head at her teasing. “It was… unexpected, but it brought us closer. We finally admitted how we feel about each other.”
“And now they’re officially a couple!” Winter cheered, clapping her hands in excitement. “This trip really was a success in more ways than one.”
Taeyong, always the leader, stepped forward with a proud smile. “Well, I’d say this hiking trip turned out to be quite the matchmaking adventure. Who knew a storm could bring two people together like this?”
Mark grinned, slinging an arm around Taeyong’s shoulders. “Maybe next time we should plan for a storm on purpose. Might help more of us find our soulmates.”
The group burst into laughter at Mark’s suggestion, the mood light and celebratory. It was clear that everyone was relieved to be back together and safe, and the fact that you and Jaehyun had finally confessed to each other was the icing on the cake.
As the group gathered their gear and prepared to head back home, Mark couldn’t resist one last comment. “So, how are we going to top this on our next trip? It’s going to be hard to beat a stormy night romance.”
Jaehyun chuckled, squeezing your hand. “I think we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. But no matter what, I’m just glad we’re all safe and that I got to be with someone special.”
You smiled up at him, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. “Me too. This was definitely a trip to remember.”
He was the type of person whose presence could light up a room without him even trying. His smile was warm, his voice gentle, and there was something about him that drew people in. He was kind, patient, and generous in ways that made him seem almost otherworldly. Everyone who knew him admired him, and I was no exception.
My life had always been one of quiet contentment. I was the sort of person who avoided conflict, preferring instead to keep the peace and offer a helping hand where I could. My friends often described me as wise beyond my years, always ready with advice or a comforting word. I liked to think of myself as someone who gave more than they took, finding joy in the happiness of others.
But Jaehyun was different. He stirred something in me that I couldn’t quite understand, something I had never felt before. It wasn’t just admiration or respect; it was a deep, unyielding desire. I wanted him in a way that was almost overwhelming, a way that made me feel both exhilarated and ashamed.
It started innocently enough. I would visit his café every morning, a ritual that had become as essential to me as breathing. The smell of coffee, the taste of a freshly baked croissant, and the sound of Jaehyun’s voice as he greeted me by name—all of it combined to create a sanctuary from the world outside.
“Good morning,” he would say with that smile that could melt glaciers, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Good morning, Jaehyun,” I would reply, trying to keep my voice steady, trying not to let him see the effect he had on me.
We would talk about everything and nothing—books we were reading, music we were listening to, the weather. It was all so ordinary, yet every moment felt charged with an undercurrent of something more, something unsaid.
Then there was the way he would look at me, sometimes lingering just a moment longer than necessary. It was in those moments that I would wonder if he felt it too, this strange pull between us. But then I would remember—Jaehyun had a girlfriend. She was beautiful, kind, and from what I could tell, she made him happy. The way he talked about her, with a softness in his voice and a light in his eyes, made it clear that he loved her.
But that didn’t stop the desire from growing inside me, a desire that I tried to bury, but it always found its way back to the surface.
One evening, I found myself alone in the café, long after the last customer had left. The soft hum of jazz music played in the background as I sat at my usual table, lost in thought. Jaehyun was behind the counter, cleaning up for the night, his movements slow and deliberate. The light was dim, casting long shadows across the room, and the air was heavy with the scent of coffee and something else—something bittersweet.
“Do you need anything else?” Jaehyun’s voice broke the silence, gentle and considerate as always.
I looked up, meeting his gaze. There was a softness in his eyes, a warmth that made my heart ache.
“No, I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just enjoying the peace and quiet.”
He nodded, but instead of going back to his work, he walked over to my table and sat down across from me. I could feel my pulse quicken, the air between us thick with unspoken words.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, concern lacing his tone.
I hesitated, unsure of what to say. How could I tell him that the reason I was sitting here, long after everyone else had left, was because I didn’t want to leave? Because I wanted to be near him, to bask in the warmth of his presence for just a little longer?
“I’m fine,” I lied, offering him another smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
He studied me for a moment, his gaze piercing in a way that made me feel like he could see right through me, see all the desires and longings I had tried so hard to hide.
“You know,” he began, his voice soft, “you don’t have to pretend with me. If something’s bothering you, you can talk to me.”
I wanted to laugh at the irony of it all. Here he was, offering me comfort, being the kind, generous person he always was, and all I could think about was how much I wanted him. How much I wanted to reach across the table, take his hand in mine, and tell him everything.
But I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t be that person who ruined something so pure, something so good.
So instead, I shook my head. “I’m just tired,” I said. “It’s been a long day.”
He didn’t push further, just nodded and offered me that same gentle smile that always made my heart skip a beat.
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As the days passed, I tried to keep my distance. I would still visit the café, but I would leave as soon as I had my coffee, not allowing myself to linger. But it was impossible to avoid Jaehyun completely. He was always there, always kind, always making me feel things I didn’t want to feel.
Then came the night that changed everything.
It was late, and the sky was dark, heavy with the promise of rain. I was walking home from the bookstore, the cool air a welcome relief from the thoughts that had been swirling in my mind all day. As I rounded the corner, I saw Jaehyun standing outside the café, his hands shoved into his pockets, his head tilted back as he looked up at the sky.
Something about the sight of him standing there, so serene, so beautiful, made me stop in my tracks. I felt a wave of emotion wash over me—longing, desire, and something deeper, something I couldn’t quite name.
Before I could think better of it, I found myself walking towards him, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Jaehyun,” I called out, my voice sounding strange to my own ears.
He turned, his expression softening when he saw me. “Hey,” he said, his voice warm and inviting.
For a moment, we just stood there, the silence between us filled with the sound of the wind rustling through the trees and the distant rumble of thunder.
“I… I don’t know how to say this,” I began, my voice trembling. “But I need to tell you something.”
He watched me, his gaze steady, as if he already knew what I was going to say.
“I… I care about you,” I said, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “More than I should. More than I want to.”
For a moment, there was only silence. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, about to fall into the unknown.
Then, Jaehyun took a step towards me, closing the distance between us. He reached out, gently taking my hand in his, and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me.
“I care about you too,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “More than I should.”
My breath caught in my throat as I looked up at him, the world around us fading away until there was only him, only this moment.
“But I can’t…” he began, his voice filled with regret. “I can’t do this. I have someone, and I can’t hurt her. I won’t.”
I nodded, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. I had known this would be the outcome, had known it from the moment I first realized my feelings for him. But hearing the words still felt like a knife twisting in my heart.
“I understand,” I whispered, pulling my hand away from his. “I just… I needed you to know.”
He nodded, his expression one of deep sadness. “I’m glad you told me,” he said. “But I don’t want to lose you. Our friendship means a lot to me.”
“I won’t go anywhere,” I promised, even though I knew it would be hard, even though I knew that staying would mean living with this ache in my heart.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
We stood there for a few moments longer, the silence between us filled with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. Then, without another word, I turned and walked away, my footsteps echoing in the quiet night.
As I made my way home, the first drops of rain began to fall, mingling with the tears that I could no longer hold back. I had always prided myself on being wise, on making the right choices, on putting others before myself. But in that moment, I felt anything but wise. I felt raw, exposed, and vulnerable in a way that I had never felt before.
But despite the pain, there was a strange sense of relief in having finally spoken my truth. For so long, I had kept my feelings hidden, locked away where they couldn’t hurt anyone. But now, even though the outcome wasn’t what I had hoped for, I felt a sense of peace in having been honest with myself and with Jaehyun.
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The days that followed were difficult. I still visited the café, but the dynamic between Jaehyun and me had shifted in subtle but undeniable ways. There was a carefulness in our interactions now, a mutual understanding of the line we could never cross. Our conversations, once so easy and free-flowing, were now laced with a delicate tension. Every smile, every lingering glance carried the weight of what had been confessed and what could never be.
Jaehyun was still the same warm, generous person he had always been, but there was a sadness in his eyes now, a shadow that hadn’t been there before. It hurt to see it, knowing that I had played a part in dimming the light that he so effortlessly radiated.
But I kept my promise—I didn’t go anywhere. I continued to show up at the café, day after day, because as much as it hurt, being away from him hurt more. I told myself that I could handle it, that I could be content with the friendship we shared, even if it meant swallowing down the longing that never seemed to go away.
And for a while, I managed. We fell into a new rhythm, one that was careful and considerate, but also tinged with the unspoken. The moments of silence between us grew longer, more comfortable, as if we were both trying to find a way to reconcile what was with what could never be.
But the desire I felt for Jaehyun, the deep, unyielding want, was still there, lurking beneath the surface. It was a quiet ache, one that I carried with me everywhere I went. I would see him, standing behind the counter, his smile lighting up the room, and I would feel it—a pang of longing so sharp it took my breath away.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky turned shades of pink and orange, I found myself alone in the café once again. The last customers had left, and it was just Jaehyun and me, the soft strains of music playing in the background. He was wiping down the counters, his movements slow and methodical.
I sat at my usual table, staring down at the empty cup in front of me, the weight of everything pressing down on my shoulders. I had thought I could manage, that I could keep my feelings in check, but the more time I spent with Jaehyun, the harder it became. Every smile, every kind word, every touch of his hand as he passed me my coffee—it all added to the weight, making it harder and harder to breathe.
“I think I need to take a break,” I said suddenly, my voice breaking the silence.
Jaehyun looked up, surprise flashing across his face. “A break?” he repeated, setting down the cloth he had been using. “From the café?”
I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. “I just… I need some time to figure things out.”
There was a long pause, the air between us heavy with the words we weren’t saying.
“I understand,” Jaehyun said softly, and when I finally looked up at him, there was that same sadness in his eyes, the same shadow that I had come to know so well. “I’ll miss you, though. This place won’t be the same without you.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. The thought of not seeing him every day, of not hearing his voice, not feeling the warmth of his presence—it was almost unbearable. But I knew that staying, that continuing to pretend everything was okay, would only make things worse.
“I’ll miss you too,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I think it’s what I need to do.”
Jaehyun nodded, his expression one of understanding, but also of pain. “I’ll be here when you’re ready,” he said, his voice gentle. “Whenever that is.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The lump in my throat was too big, the emotions too close to the surface. I stood up, my movements slow and reluctant, as if my body was resisting what my mind knew had to be done.
As I reached the door, I hesitated, my hand hovering over the handle. I wanted to turn back, to look at him one last time, to hold onto this moment for just a little longer. But I knew that if I did, I might never be able to leave. And I was awfully right.
As I stood at the door, debating whether I should turn back to say something more, the weight of all my unresolved emotions became unbearable. Without fully thinking it through, I found myself walking back toward Jaehyun. He was still there, behind the counter, his gaze following my every movement with a mix of curiosity and concern.
“Jaehyun,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
“Yes?” His voice was soft, encouraging, but also laced with a hint of something I couldn’t quite decipher—hope, maybe, or perhaps apprehension.
My heart was pounding so loudly in my chest that it drowned out every rational thought. Before I knew what I was doing, I reached out, gently cupping his face in my hands. His skin was warm beneath my touch, his breath hitching as he looked at me with those deep, dark eyes that had haunted my thoughts for so long.
“Wait—” he started, but the words caught in his throat as I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against his in the lightest, most hesitant kisses.
For a moment, time seemed to stop. The world outside the café faded away, leaving just the two of us, suspended in a bubble of quiet intensity. The kiss was soft, and tentative, as if we were both afraid to push too far, to let the moment slip away.
Jaehyun’s hands came up to my waist, his touch hesitant and unsure. There was a second of hesitation, a moment where I could feel him battling with himself. But then, as if something inside him gave way, he kissed me back. His lips moved against mine with a gentle urgency, a tenderness that made my heart swell with something I could only describe as pure, unfiltered emotion.
The kiss deepened, our breaths mingling as the world outside ceased to exist. There was no past, no future, just this moment—just us. My fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer as if I could fuse us together, as if this kiss could make everything right, even if just for a moment.
Jaehyun’s lips moved against mine with a hunger I hadn’t expected, and a thrill of triumph shot through me. He wanted this—wanted me—just as much as I wanted him.
In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the consequences, not the boundaries we were shattering, not the people we were betraying. All that existed was the heat of his body pressed against mine, the way his hands roamed my back, pulling me closer, as if he couldn’t bear to let go.
I could feel his heart pounding against my chest, matching the wild rhythm of my own, and a sense of power surged through me. Jaehyun, the man I had admired from afar for so long, the man who was always so composed, so careful, was unraveling beneath my touch. And I was the one who had brought him to this point, the one who had made him forget everything else, if only for a moment.
We pulled apart, just enough to catch our breath, our foreheads resting against each other’s. His eyes were dark, filled with an intensity I had never seen before, and it sent a shiver down my spine.
“Jaehyun…” I whispered, but I didn’t know what else to say. Everything I felt—everything we both felt—was too overwhelming for words.
He didn’t respond, not with words. Instead, he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me again, deeper this time, as if he were trying to pour all the things he couldn’t say into that kiss. And I let him, losing myself in the taste of him, in the way he made me feel like I was the only thing that mattered in the world.
“Mmmh,” a soft sound escapes my lips before I can stop it.
My hands tangled in his hair, tugging him closer as I pressed my body against his, feeling the heat of him through our clothes. I wanted more—needed more—and the fact that he was giving it to me without hesitation, without regret, only made me crave him even more.
I could feel the tension in his muscles, the way he was holding back, as if he were afraid that if he let go, if he gave in completely, there would be no turning back. But I didn’t want him to hold back. I wanted all of him, every part of him, and I wanted him to know that I wasn’t afraid of what that meant.
“Don’t stop,” I murmured against his lips, my voice low and breathless. “Please don’t stop.”
He pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes searching mine as if he were looking for any sign of hesitation, any hint that I might regret this later. But there was none. I knew exactly what I was doing, and I wasn’t going to back down now.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice rough, strained, like he was barely holding himself together.
In response, I kissed him again, hard and unyielding, letting him feel exactly how sure I was. And that was all the encouragement he needed. With a low groan, he lifted me onto the counter, his hands sliding down to grip my thighs as he pressed himself against me once more.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him closer as our kisses grew more frantic, more desperate. It was as if all the pent-up tension, all the unspoken desires, were finally being unleashed, and there was no stopping it now. And I didn’t want to stop it. I wanted to let it consume us both.
A sense of satisfaction washed over me as I realized just how much control I had over him in that moment. Jaehyun, who was always so composed, so in control, was completely at my mercy, and the thought made my heart race with exhilaration. I had him—truly had him—and I wasn’t about to let that go.
“I’ve wanted this for so long,” I confessed between kisses, my voice trembling with a mixture of passion and triumph. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted you, Jaehyun.”
His response was a deep, throaty moan as he trailed kisses down my neck, his hands gripping my waist tightly as if he were afraid I might slip away. “I shouldn’t want you like this,” he murmured against my skin, but there was no conviction in his words, only raw, unfiltered need. “But I do. God, I do.”
The admission sent a thrill of satisfaction through me, and I arched my back, giving him better access as his lips continued their descent, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. I had won. In this moment, he was mine, and I reveled in the power that came with that knowledge.
“Then don’t fight it,” I whispered, my voice low and sultry, urging him on. “Don’t hold back, Jaehyun. I want all of you.”
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The night had blurred into a haze of heated kisses and whispered confessions, a whirlwind of emotions that neither of us had been able to resist. Somewhere between the dim light of the café and the shadows of Jaehyun’s apartment, the world outside had ceased to exist. We had given in completely, surrendering to the desire that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long.
Now, as the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, I found myself nestled in Jaehyun’s bed, his strong arms wrapped around me. The room was quiet, the only sound the steady rhythm of his breathing and the soft rustle of sheets as he shifted beside me.
Jaehyun was already awake, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as if he were lost in thought. When he noticed me stirring, he turned his attention to me, his expression softening into something unreadable. He reached out, his fingers gently threading through my hair, playing with the silky strands as if he were trying to memorize the feel of them.
“I was unproblematic before I met you,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with a mix of frustration and something deeper, something more tender. “Now, you’ve become my problem.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine, but there was no regret in his tone, only acceptance of the undeniable truth we had both tried so hard to ignore. I looked up at him, my heart fluttering at the way his eyes softened when they met mine.
“I could be your little secret, Jaehyun,” I whispered, my voice carrying a hint of mischief, a promise of something forbidden. The idea thrilled me—the thought of being the one thing he couldn’t resist, the one temptation he couldn’t walk away from. The truth is, I was never this kind of person either.
He sighed, his fingers still playing with my hair as he considered my words. “You don’t deserve to be a secret,” he said softly, almost as if he were speaking more to himself than to me. “But I don’t know how to let you go.”
I smiled, leaning into his touch as I felt a surge of satisfaction. “Then don’t,” I replied simply, my voice laced with confidence. “Don’t let me go, Jaehyun. Keep me close, even if it’s just like this.”
His hand stilled in my hair, and he turned to face me fully, his gaze intense, searching. “You make it sound so easy,” he said, a trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “But it’s not.”
“Nothing worth having is ever easy,” I whispered back, my hand reaching out to trace the lines of his jaw, feeling the rough stubble beneath my fingertips. “But you know as well as I do that some things are worth the risk.”
Jaehyun closed his eyes, his forehead resting against mine as he let out a deep breath. “You’re dangerous, you know that?” he said, his voice tinged with both admiration and resignation.
“Only to you,” I teased, brushing my lips against his in a feather-light kiss.
He let out a low chuckle, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. “I should be pushing you away,” he murmured, his lips grazing my temple. “But I don’t want to.”
“Then don’t,” I urged, my voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t think about anything else right now. Just let this be what it is.”
Jaehyun’s arms tightened around me, and I could feel the tension in his body slowly melting away as he surrendered to the moment. He kissed me then, soft and slow, as if sealing a promise that only we could understand.
As the morning light grew brighter, the reality of what we had done, of what we were doing, began to creep back in. But in that moment, wrapped up in Jaehyun’s embrace, I didn’t care about the consequences. I didn’t care about the complications or the secrets we would have to keep.
All that mattered was that he was mine, even if just for now.
But then, my eyes flew wide open at the sound of the door swinging open with a sharp bang. I’m certain his did too.
“What the fuck?!”
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epilogue - 3:00 am, 5 hours ago
As we lay there, Jaehyun’s hand absentmindedly traced patterns along my naked arm. There was a calm in the air, but underneath it, I could feel the weight of something unspoken between us. His fingers stilled, and he looked at me with an intensity that made my breath catch.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he began, his voice low, almost hesitant. His gaze never left mine, as if he were searching for the right words, or perhaps the courage to speak them.
I stayed quiet, sensing the importance of the moment, my heart pounding in anticipation of what he was about to say.
“I never meant for any of this to happen,” he continued, his eyes softening. “I never meant to feel the way I do about you. It just… happened. Slowly, quietly, before I even realized what was going on.”
He paused, his expression a mix of vulnerability and resolve. “At first, I tried to ignore it. I told myself it was just a fleeting attraction, something that would pass. But the more time we spent together, the harder it became to deny what was happening inside me.”
He shifted slightly, his hand moving to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing softly against my skin. “I started looking forward to seeing you every day. The way you’d smile when you walked into the café, the way you’d laugh at something silly I said—it all started to mean more to me than I wanted to admit.”
His gaze grew distant for a moment, as if he were reliving the memories he was sharing. “There were times when you’d be talking to me, and I’d catch myself staring at you, completely lost in how you made me feel. I tried so hard to keep it a secret, even from myself, but it was impossible. Every little thing about you drew me in deeper.”
I felt a warmth spread through my chest, the truth of his words wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked softly, though I already knew the answer.
Jaehyun sighed, his hand slipping down to take mine, intertwining our fingers. “Because I was afraid. Afraid of what it would mean, afraid of what we’d have to face if I admitted it. I didn’t want to complicate your life—or mine.”
“But you couldn’t help it,” I whispered, a small smile tugging at my lips.
He shook his head, a rueful smile on his own. “No, I couldn’t. The more I tried to distance myself, the more I realized that I couldn’t escape it. I couldn’t escape you. And the truth is, I didn’t want to.”
His thumb stroked the back of my hand as he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “I fell in love with you in secret, because I didn’t know how to do it any other way. You were everything I wasn’t supposed to want, but I couldn’t stop myself. And now… I don’t want to hide it anymore.”
Tears welled up in my eyes at his confession, but they were tears of relief, of joy. “Jaehyun…” I started, but he gently shushed me, leaning in to press a soft kiss to my forehead.
“I know it’s complicated,” he said quietly, his lips lingering against my skin. “But I don’t care anymore. I don’t want to pretend that I don’t feel what I feel. I love you, and I want to be with you, no matter what we have to face.”
“What about her?” I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper. The question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of reality we both knew we had to face.
Jaehyun’s expression faltered, the light in his eyes dimming as the gravity of the situation settled in. His hand tightened around mine, as if he were afraid to let go, afraid of what my question might mean for us.
He sighed deeply, his gaze drifting away for a moment, lost in thought. When he looked back at me, there was a sadness there, a regret that made my heart ache.
“I don’t want to hurt her,” he admitted, his voice filled with a quiet pain. “She’s been nothing but good to me. But I can’t keep pretending that everything’s the same when it’s not. I can’t keep lying to her—or to myself.”
I nodded, understanding the turmoil he must be feeling. It was a difficult situation, one that was bound to leave scars no matter how carefully we navigated it. But we both knew that continuing to live a lie would only make things worse in the end.
“I don’t want to be the reason for her pain,” I whispered, my voice tinged with guilt. “But I also can’t change the way I feel about you.”
Jaehyun reached out, his hand cupping my cheek as he looked at me with a tenderness that made my heart ache. “This isn’t your fault,” he said gently. “You didn’t ask for this any more than I did. But I have to be honest—with her and with myself. I owe her that much.”
There was a long pause, the silence between us heavy with unspoken emotions. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the struggle between his sense of responsibility and the undeniable pull he felt toward me.
“I’ll talk to her,” he finally said, his voice steady, though tinged with sadness. “I owe her the truth, even if it hurts. It’s the only way forward.”
My heart ached for him, for the difficult conversation he was about to face, but I knew he was right. We couldn’t build something real on a foundation of lies, no matter how much we wanted to.
“I’m here for you, Jaehyun,” I said softly, reaching out to take his hand in mine. “Whatever happens, I’m here.”
“when you do your best, hell, that’s all you can do. you, me, and anybody else. so they always start talking.”
they were an unlikely pair, at least according to the outside world. people had opinions, as they often do, murmuring about how she was too reserved, too quiet, too damaged. they said he was too good for her, that he could do better, that he was wasting his time on someone who could never fully heal.
but jaehyun didn’t care about any of that. he loved her for who she was, not for who the world thought she should be. he saw the strength in her vulnerability, the beauty in her resilience. he admired the way she faced each day, even the hard ones, with a quiet determination that spoke volumes about the person she was.
there were days when people demanded too much of her, bombarding her with endless conversations that left her drained, quiet, and withdrawn. In those moments, her insecurities loomed like heavy shadows, their grip on her all too real. but jaehyun never wavered. he was there to fill the gaps in her tangled thoughts, effortlessly bridging the silence. all that mattered to him was how their days would end—lost in easy chatter, wrapped up in each other, nestled under her favorite fluffy beige blanket, finding solace in the warmth of their shared moments.
she, in turn, found solace in his steadfastness. He was her anchor, the one person who never wavered, never doubted her. with him, she felt safe in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time. and in the safety of his love, she began to heal, little by little, the cracks in her heart slowly mending.
their life together was simple. they didn’t need grand gestures or extravagant gifts. Instead, they found joy in the small things, the everyday moments that others might overlook. they cooked dinner together every night, a ritual that became sacred in its simplicity. he would chop vegetables while she stirred the pot, their movements synchronized like a dance. they talked about their days, about the little things that had made them smile or the challenges they had faced. and when the meal was ready, they would sit together at their tiny kitchen table, enjoying the food and each other’s company in comfortable silence or easy conversation.
“so, here comes my 9,978th question: how’s your day?” he asked, his dimples making an appearance alongside that irresistible smile.
she knew he’d ask—after all, it was their unspoken agreement to check in on each other’s day. “it was good. pretty good,” she replied. “the kids behaved, and i bravely took on a cockroach today. isn’t that impressive?”
he put on an exaggeratedly amazed face—the one that always made her chuckle—as he replied, “oh wow! guess that’s one less task for me, then.”
she twirled her chopsticks, teasingly asking, “and what about you, mr. handsome? did you make all your customers happy today?” of course, he had to dive into the funny stories he’d collected, and just like every evening, their dinner was filled with laughter, lively conversation, and love.
on weekends, they would walk through the park near their apartment, hand in hand, talking about everything and nothing. sometimes they would sit on a bench, watching the world go by, content just to be together. she loved these moments the most, the quiet intimacy of simply being with him, no expectations, no pressure, just the two of them and the world at a distance.
“we’re getting there, i think,” jaehyun mused, a smile tugging at his lips as he gazed out at the panoramic view before them. “with everything we’ve achieved this year, I’m confident enough to say our dream is within reach, babe.”
“you mean the house by the beach?” you teased, a soft chuckle escaping your lips. “you really think it’s possible?”
“yeah, why not?” he turned to you, his eyebrows arching in that reassuring way you loved.
“what about your café? i’ve always adored your barista life. and wouldn’t living by the beach get a bit…boring? we can always visit when we need a little ocean breeze, you know.”
“nothing’s boring when i get to live it with you, hun.” ah, that sweet talk—he always knew just what to say.
he had a way of making even the mundane feel special. he would leave little notes for her to find, simple messages that told her she was loved and appreciated. he made her laugh with his silly antics, like when he would dance around the living room just to see her smile. he brought light into her life in a way that no one else ever had, and for that, she was endlessly grateful.
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
“when no one’s around me, you lost and found me. i was surrounded with open arms. i’m so devoted.”
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
she was the kind of person who carried the weight of her past in her eyes. there was a heaviness in her gaze that spoke of battles fought and wounds still healing. she had known pain, the kind that burrowed deep and left scars, the kind that made her cautious, wary of the world and the people in it.
but jaehyun, with his warm smile and easy laugh, had a way of dissolving the shadows that lingered around her. he was kind in the simplest and purest sense of the word, always ready with a joke to lighten the mood or a comforting word when she needed it most. his presence was like sunlight streaming through a window, illuminating even the darkest corners of her soul. there were days when her past would creep up on her, when the memories would be too much to bear.
“and without him, what would you be?” his words cut like a blade, each one designed to chip away at her confidence. she swore that every time he tried to belittle her like this, she had to hold herself together, fighting not to shatter.
“i won’t let you get into my head, kun,” she shot back, each trembling word feeling like she’d just dodged a bullet. she knew she had to brace herself for these encounters whenever he was around. kun was always difficult, just like her mom, dad, and everyone else who seemed to weigh her down. in a world where she felt surrounded, there was only one person who could be her sanctuary—the one guy she’d never trade, not even for the stars.
"take that back, you douchebag. how many times do I have to tell you to leave her the hell alone?" jaehyun’s voice thundered from behind, cutting through the tension between you and kun. "this is my town, and if you don’t disappear in the next second, I won’t hesitate to call the cops on you. seriously, just fuck off." his words were a roar of pure intimidation, aimed straight at the person she once called her ex—the one who played a role in shaping who she is now.
on those days, jaehyun would hold her close, his arms a refuge from the storm. he didn’t try to fix her, didn’t tell her to move on or get over it. he simply loved her through it, giving her the space to feel whatever she needed to feel, knowing that she would come back to him when she was ready.
and she always did. no matter how dark things got, she knew that he would be there, waiting for her with open arms and a gentle smile. his love was a constant, a beacon of hope in a world that had once seemed so bleak.
in time, she began to believe in herself the way he believed in her. she started to see herself not as broken, but as someone who had been through hell and survived. she realized that she was stronger than she had ever given herself credit for, and that she deserved the love that he freely gave.
the rain poured down in heavy sheets as she stepped off the bus, the last remnants of her old life dissolving with each drop that hit the pavement. she pulled the hood of her jacket tighter around her face, hoping it would shield her from both the storm and the memories chasing her. the town was unfamiliar, a small coastal escape far from the toxic grip of kun, the man who had held her in a suffocating embrace for far too long.
her suitcase rolled unevenly behind her, its tiny wheels struggling against the cracked sidewalk. the town was quiet, save for the sound of rain slapping against rooftops and the occasional car splashing through puddles. she hadn’t planned much, only knowing that she needed to be somewhere—anywhere—away from him. the air smelled of salt and wet earth, a refreshing change from the stifling city she had left behind.
as she rounded a corner, her heart nearly stopped. standing across the street, partially hidden under an awning, was kun. his presence was unmistakable, his broad shoulders hunched against the rain, scanning the streets as if searching for something—or someone. panic surged through her, her pulse quickening as she instinctively ducked into the nearest doorway. her hand fumbled for the handle, desperate to escape his gaze before he could spot her.
the door swung open, and she stumbled inside, her breath coming in ragged gasps. the warmth of the room enveloped her immediately, a stark contrast to the cold dread that had taken root in her chest. she hadn’t even looked at where she was; all she knew was that she needed to stay hidden.
the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods filled the air, calming her just enough to take in her surroundings. it was a café, small and cozy, with soft lighting that cast a golden glow over the wooden tables and cushioned chairs. a few patrons sat scattered about, their conversations low and relaxed, creating a serene bubble that felt worlds away from the chaos she’d just escaped.
“hey, you okay?”
the voice startled her, and she looked up to see a man standing behind the counter, his expression one of genuine concern. he was tall, with dark hair that fell slightly into his eyes and a warmth in his gaze that made her feel, for the first time in what felt like forever, safe. she nodded quickly, but the tremble in her hands betrayed her.
he glanced out the window, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he’d caught sight of kun too. without another word, he moved from behind the counter and approached her with careful steps, as though she were a frightened animal he didn’t want to spook.
“you don’t have to say anything,” he said quietly, “but if you need a place to sit for a while, you’re welcome here. i’m jaehyun.”
she hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to keep moving, but there was something about jaehyun’s presence that anchored her in place. the café felt like a sanctuary, a place where the outside world couldn’t touch her. and right now, she needed that more than anything.
“thank you,” she managed to whisper, her voice barely audible over the pounding rain.
jaehyun offered her a small smile and gestured to a corner table, tucked away from the windows. “take your time. i’ll bring you something warm.”
she moved towards the table, her legs feeling like jelly beneath her. as she sat down, she kept her back to the door, unwilling to risk even a glimpse of the outside world that had tormented her. the tension in her shoulders began to ease as the minutes ticked by, the sound of the rain against the windows slowly fading into the background.
true to his word, jaehyun appeared moments later with a steaming cup of tea and a plate of cookies. he set them down in front of her with a gentle smile. “on the house,” he said before retreating back to the counter, giving her the space she so desperately needed.
she wrapped her hands around the mug, letting its warmth seep into her cold fingers. she hadn’t realized how much she needed this—just a moment to breathe, to collect herself. the tea was fragrant, a blend of herbs that seemed to calm her nerves with every sip. the cookies were sweet, their buttery softness melting on her tongue. for the first time in days, she felt a small flicker of peace.
“i’m so devoted to you,” she whispered, their legs tangled beneath the weight of the blanket. his left hand gently cradled her, holding her close as if he couldn’t bear to lose the warmth of her skin tonight.
“they say without you, i’m nothing. and they’re not wrong. i am nothing without you, jaehyun.”
his breath danced across her arms before his lips found the curve of her shoulder, planting a soft kiss there. “and they never said how much luckier I am to have you, my love. they’ll never know, no matter how much I try to tell them.” no one ever warned her that his voice could feel like the warmest embrace.
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
"no matter what come between us, i decided
i'm forever ridin', you're forever guidin'"
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
the ocean stretched out before them, a boundless expanse of shimmering blue that seemed to touch the sky. the waves whispered secrets as they kissed the shore, their rhythm steady and eternal. it was here, in this quiet, secluded place, that jaehyun had built the house, a sanctuary that would hold all the promises he intended to keep.
the house stood on a gentle rise, just beyond the reach of the highest tides. it was a simple structure, modern in design, with large windows that opened up to the sea, allowing the sunlight to pour in and the salty breeze to dance through the rooms. jaehyun had poured his heart into every detail, from the smooth wooden floors to the whitewashed walls, each element chosen with care, a reflection of his love for her.
she stood at the edge of the property now, her feet sinking into the cool sand, her eyes fixed on the horizon. the wind played with her hair, pulling it free from the loose braid she always wore. she looked peaceful, lost in the sound of the waves, the sight of the endless ocean.
jaehyun watched her from the porch, his heart swelling with an emotion so deep, it almost took his breath away. he had loved her for as long as he could remember, a love that had grown and deepened over time, becoming something so powerful, so consuming, that he knew he could never let it go.
he approached her slowly, his steps quiet on the sand. she turned when she heard him, a soft smile lighting up her face. her eyes, those beautiful eyes that held so much warmth and kindness, met his, and for a moment, the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them standing on the shore, surrounded by the endless sea and sky.
jaehyun reached for her hand, his fingers brushing against hers in a touch so gentle, it sent a shiver down her spine. he held her hand, his grip firm yet tender, and she felt the strength in him, the quiet resolve that had always been a part of who he was.
“i built this for you,” he said, his voice low and steady, the words carrying on the wind. “for us.”
she looked at the house, then back at him, her eyes searching his, trying to read the emotions that played across his face. “it’s beautiful, jaehyun,” she whispered, her voice filled with awe.
“it’s not just a house,” he continued, his gaze unwavering. “it’s a promise. a promise that nothing and no one will ever come between us. that no matter what happens, we’ll always have this place, this sanctuary, a place that we call home.”
he paused, taking a deep breath, as if gathering the courage to say the words that had been on his heart for so long. “i want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he said finally, his voice soft but resolute. “i want to be yours, forever.”
her heart skipped a beat, the magnitude of his words sinking in. she had always known he loved her, but hearing him say it like this, with such conviction, such certainty, made her feel like she was standing on the edge of something vast and wonderful.
“jaehyun…” she began, but he cut her off, resting his warm hand gently over her smaller one.
“let me finish,” he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “i know life hasn’t always been easy. i know there have been times when we’ve both doubted, both feared what the future might hold. but here, in this place, with you, i have no doubts. i have no fears. i only have love. a love that is strong enough to weather any storm, that is deep enough to fill every corner of this house, of our lives.”
he dropped to one knee then, still holding her hand, and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, velvet box. her breath caught in her throat as he opened it, revealing a simple, elegant ring that sparkled in the sunlight.
“i’m asking you to marry me,” he said, his voice trembling slightly with the weight of the moment. “i’m asking you to be my wife, to share this life with me, to build our future together, here in this house, by the sea. i’m asking you to be mine, forever.”
tears filled her eyes, blurring the world around her, but she didn’t care. all she could see was jaehyun, the man she loved, the man who had built her a home, a life, a future. she had always known he was the one, but in this moment, she felt it more deeply than ever.
“yes,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “yes, i will marry you. i will be yours, forever.”
he slipped the ring onto her finger, his hands steady despite the emotions coursing through him. then he rose, pulling her into his arms, holding her close as the waves crashed against the shore, as the wind carried their laughter out to sea.
they stood like that for a long time, wrapped in each other’s arms, feeling the weight of the moment, the enormity of the promise they had just made. and in that moment, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting the world in a golden glow, they knew that they had found something truly special.
this house, this place, would be their sanctuary. a place where they could build their lives together, where they could weather any storm, face any challenge, knowing that they had each other, that their love was strong enough to carry them through.
as the sun set over the ocean, turning the sky into a canvas of pinks and oranges, they stood on the shore, hand in hand, ready to face the future together. the house behind them was more than just a home—it was a testament to their love, a promise that no matter what, they would always have each other. and in that promise, they found their forever.
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
"drew my favorite color, now you seein' every shade of me"
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
jaehyun had always seen the world in vibrant hues—each day painted with the rich colors of his café's coffee beans, the bright glint of sunlight filtering through the leaves, and the warm glow of the people he cherished. but nothing compared to the spectrum of shades he saw in her. she was a living canvas, a blend of every color imaginable, and jaehyun treasured every shade she revealed, even the ones that appeared during the darkest times.
one crisp autumn afternoon, the first signs of trouble appeared. jaehyun noticed the faint tinge of sadness in her eyes, a dull grey that contrasted sharply with her vibrant sparkle. something was wrong, though she always managed to brush off his concerns with a gentle smile.
“everything okay?” jaehyun asked, sliding a cup of tea towards her. he tried to keep his tone light, but worry showed in his eyes.
she accepted the tea with a grateful nod. “it’s just… my family,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “they’re trying to get in touch, and i don’t know why.”
jaehyun’s heart clenched. he had heard the stories—how toxic her past was, the constant pressure and judgment from those who should have supported her. it hurt to see her struggling, to see her happiness overshadowed by her family’s darkness.
“i’m here for you,” he said firmly. “whatever happens, you don’t have to face it alone.”
days passed, and the intensity of her family’s attempts to reach her grew. unsettling messages and frantic phone calls took their toll. jaehyun could see how her vibrant personality began to dull, replaced by heavy, oppressive colors of stress and anxiety. yet, even in this turmoil, jaehyun remained steadfast. he saw her for all that she was—the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the broken.
one evening, as the sky turned a deep indigo and stars began to twinkle, the storm arrived. her family showed up at the café, their presence a harsh splash of black in the otherwise warm and inviting space. they barged in, their eyes sharp and accusatory.
“there you are,” her mother said, her voice dripping with disdain. “hiding away in this place.”
jaehyun saw the strain on her face, her shoulders hunched as if trying to make herself smaller. he could almost see the colors of her distress mingling with the dark clouds of her family’s judgment. it was painful, but it reminded him how much she needed him.
“please leave,” jaehyun said calmly. “she doesn’t want to see you.”
her father, whose presence felt like an oppressive storm cloud, sneered. “and what makes you think you have any say in this?”
jaehyun stepped closer, meeting the man’s gaze steadily. “she’s found happiness here. you don’t have the right to take that away from her.”
the confrontation was tense, each word a brushstroke on a canvas of conflict. but jaehyun stood his ground, unwavering. he wasn’t just protecting her; he was embracing every shade of her, including the dark ones.
as her family eventually left, their retreat marked by bitter silence, jaehyun turned to her. she was visibly shaken, tears shimmering in her eyes. he wrapped her in a gentle embrace, feeling her body tremble against his. the embrace was a palette of warm hues—comforting and protective. it was a sanctuary amidst the chaos.
“i’m sorry you had to go through that,” jaehyun whispered. “but i need you to know something. no matter how dark the shades get, i will always be here. your colors—every single one of them—are beautiful to me.”
she looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the soft light of the café, and managed a small, grateful smile. in that moment, the oppressive darkness seemed to lift just a little, revealing the vibrant, hopeful colors jaehyun cherished so deeply.
in the weeks that followed, the storm slowly abated. jaehyun continued to see every shade of her—every moment of sadness, every flicker of hope, and every burst of joy. he became her constant, the canvas on which she could express every color of her emotions.
one quiet evening, as they sat together in the café’s cozy corner, she leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder. the room was bathed in the warm glow of fairy lights, casting a golden hue over their surroundings. the shadows of the past still lingered, but they no longer held the same power over her. jaehyun could see her slowly rediscovering the vibrant shades of her spirit, even as she continued to heal.
“this place,” she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude, “it’s more than just a café. it’s where i found a piece of myself i thought i’d lost.”
jaehyun’s heart swelled with love. he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. “and you’re more than just a canvas to me. you’re the artist, painting your life with every color imaginable. i’m just here to support you through every shade.”
as they sat together, wrapped in the warmth of their shared moments, jaehyun knew that no matter what shades life threw at them, they would face it together. the darkest hues only made the vibrant colors shine brighter, and in the end, it was her full spectrum of emotions that made her all the more beautiful to him.
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
"locked in for life, on god, no replacin' me
consequences, repercussions, karma keep on changin' me"
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
jaehyun had always imagined that introducing her to his family would be a joyous occasion, a blending of the vibrant world he had built with the people who had shaped his past. he had spoken of her often, his eyes lighting up with affection whenever he mentioned her.
the sun was setting as they arrived at jaehyun’s family home, a charming house nestled on a hill with a panoramic view of the rolling countryside. it was a place where childhood memories were etched into every corner, where laughter and love had always been in abundance.
they were greeted warmly at the door by his parents, their smiles wide and genuine. jaehyun’s mother, with her kind eyes and welcoming embrace, immediately made her feel at ease. “it’s so lovely to finally meet you,” she said, guiding them inside. “jaehyun has told us so much about you.”
his father, with a hearty handshake and a jovial laugh, welcomed her with equal warmth. “we’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”
as they settled into the living room, jaehyun’s siblings joined them, their chatter lively and full of curiosity. everything seemed perfect, a dream come true for jaehyun. but as the evening progressed, the atmosphere began to shift. a subtle tension lingered in the air, an undercurrent of disapproval that seemed to come from some of the relatives who had joined the gathering.
it was jaehyun’s aunt and uncle who first expressed their discomfort. they had heard the rumors—the whispers of her past that painted a picture of a woman who had once been married and had left her hometown under tragic circumstances. “so, i hear you left your hometown in quite a hurry,” his aunt said, her eyes narrowing slightly. “was there something you were trying to escape?”
jaehyun’s heart sank. he could see the glances exchanged among the relatives, the barely concealed judgment in their eyes. she stiffened beside him, her fingers tightening around his. he squeezed her hand reassuringly, his own discomfort turning into determination.
the words stung, but she held her head high, refusing to let their disdain show. jaehyun, however, was visibly agitated. his face was flushed with anger, his protective instincts flaring. “aunt nari, you’ve heard a lot of things, but let’s be clear,” jaehyun said, his voice rising. “she’s not here to be judged or to relive her past. she’s here because she means a lot to me. if you can’t respect that, then maybe you should leave.”
his aunt raised an eyebrow. “but isn’t it true that she left her hometown under less-than-ideal circumstances?”
jaehyun’s face hardened. “yes, it’s true. she’s faced challenges, but that doesn’t define her. she’s a strong, compassionate person who’s built a new life with courage and resilience. i will not tolerate anyone treating her poorly or questioning her character.”
the room fell silent, eyes darting between them. she felt the sting of the words but chose to address them with calm dignity.
“my past is a part of who i am,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension. “but it doesn’t define me. everyone has a history, and i’ve worked hard to move forward and build a new life.”
jaehyun stepped closer, his support evident. “she’s here with me because she’s someone special. i care about her deeply, and i won’t stand for her being judged based on rumors.”
his mother, sensing the growing discomfort, approached with a warm smile. “we’re all here to welcome her, and it’s important to remember that everyone deserves respect and kindness.”
the tension in the air was palpable, but jaehyun’s stance had made an impact. his uncle and aunt exchanged uncomfortable glances before muttering their apologies and retreating to a corner of the yard. the atmosphere slowly began to warm again, though the sting of the earlier comments lingered.
jaehyun turned to her, his eyes filled with concern. “i’m so sorry about that. i didn’t realize how bad it would get.”
she shook her head, her smile trembling but genuine. “it’s not your fault. i know everyone has their own opinions, but it’s hard to ignore the hurtful ones.”
he pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. “i want you to know that i’m here for you. no matter what anyone says, you’re important to me. i won’t let them make you feel less than you are.”
as they left the gathering, jaehyun’s hand found hers once more, their fingers intertwined. the drive back was quiet, but the weight of the day’s events settled between them with a mix of resolve and tenderness.
“i’m proud of you,” she said softly. “it means a lot to know you stood up for me like that.”
jaehyun’s eyes softened. “i’d do it again in a heartbeat. you deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. and i’m going to make sure you get that, no matter what.”
the ocean breeze danced through her hair, lifting it lightly as they walked onto the porch. jaehyun’s fingers brushed against her cheek, and he leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. the kiss was gentle at first, but as the warmth between them grew, so did the intensity.
the kiss deepened, growing more urgent as the warmth between them ignited. the ocean breeze seemed to dance along with their embrace, carrying the sound of their kiss over the rhythmic waves.
their breaths quickened, and the kiss became more insistent. jaehyun’s lips traced a path along her jawline, his touch sending shivers down her spine. she leaned into his touch, her fingers tangling in his hair, holding him close.
“let’s go inside,” jaehyun murmured against her ear, his voice husky and filled with longing.
she nodded, her pulse racing as they moved inside the house.
jaehyun guided her to the living room, his hands never leaving her. the room was softly lit, the glow of the lamps casting a warm light on their faces. the curtains fluttered slightly, allowing the distant sound of the ocean to drift in, a calming counterpoint to the heat of the moment.
as they stood in the center of the room, jaehyun’s lips found hers again, his kisses becoming more fervent. she responded eagerly, her fingers tracing the contours of his face. he guided her to the couch, his hands never leaving her. his hands roamed over her body, exploring every curve with a reverent touch. she responded with equal enthusiasm, her hands exploring his chest, feeling the firm strength beneath his clothes. their kisses grew more urgent, the desire between them palpable and electrifying.
they paused for a moment, their foreheads resting together, breaths mingling in the warm, dim light. jaehyun looked into her eyes, his expression a mix of love and desire. “i want you,” he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity.
she smiled, her heart swelling with affection and longing. “i want you too,” she replied, her voice a breathy whisper.
jaehyun’s lips captured hers again, and so the night wore on, their connection growing stronger with each passing moment. the world outside was forgotten, replaced by the electric bond they shared. the sound of the waves, once a distant melody, now became a comforting reminder of the beautiful night they were experiencing together.
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
"Through the ups and downs and all the heat
Take a turn and tell you what it be"
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
she was alone in the bathroom, staring at the small white stick in her hand. the world seemed to pause as she processed the two pink lines that confirmed what she had feared. her heart raced, a frantic drumbeat in her chest that threatened to drown out everything else. she sank to the floor, the cool tiles pressing against her as tears blurred her vision.
the realization of being pregnant hit her like a tidal wave. her mind raced through the list of all the reasons she wasn’t ready for this—her past traumas, the insecurities, the overwhelming weight of becoming a mother. she had always imagined a different path for herself, one free from the shadows of her former life. and now, with this news, everything felt out of control.
her hands trembled as she clutched the pregnancy test, a sob escaping her lips. it wasn’t just fear; it was a deep-seated panic. could she be a good mother? would her past haunt this new life? questions swirled in her mind, each one more daunting than the last.
she heard the front door open and jaehyun’s familiar footsteps approaching. her breath hitched, a mix of relief and dread. she wanted to tell him, but the thought of his reaction made her heart ache. she wasn’t sure how to face him, or how to face this future she hadn’t planned for.
jaehyun’s voice, warm and soothing, called out from the hallway. “hey, are you okay? i thought i heard you cry.”
she tried to compose herself, but her voice cracked as she responded. “i—I’m in the bathroom.”
she heard him stop outside the door, his footsteps hesitant. “do you want me to come in?”
the simple question broke something inside her. she pulled herself up, her face wet with tears. “yes, please.”
jaehyun gently opened the door, his eyes softening with concern as he saw her sitting on the floor, the test clutched in her hand. his expression shifted from confusion to worry as he knelt beside her. “what’s wrong?”
she couldn’t find the words, only the image of the test and the overwhelming fear it represented. “i—jaehyun, i’m pregnant.”
his eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his surprise with a tender look. he took the test from her shaking hands and studied it for a moment. the silence was heavy, filled with the unspoken fears and uncertainties that hung between them.
“hey,” jaehyun said softly, placing the test aside and pulling her into a comforting embrace. “it’s okay. we’ll figure this out together.”
she buried her face in his shoulder, her sobs muffled against him. “i’m so scared. i don’t know if i’m ready for this. my past… everything just feels like it’s coming back to haunt me.”
jaehyun stroked her hair gently, his voice a soothing balm. “i know this is overwhelming. but you’re not alone in this. we’ve faced tough things before, and we’ll face this together.”
she pulled back slightly, her eyes red and wet. “what if i’m not a good mother? what if i mess this up?”
jaehyun cupped her face in his hands, his gaze steady and full of love. “you are stronger than you know. we don’t have to have all the answers right now. what matters is that we’re in this together. you’re going to be an amazing mother because you care so deeply. and i’ll be right by your side through it all.”
his words were a balm to her frayed nerves, a reminder that she wasn’t alone. she let out a deep breath, her fears slowly melting away under the warmth of his support. “i don’t know what i’d do without you.”
jaehyun leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “you don’t have to. i’m here, every step of the way.”
they sat together on the bathroom floor, wrapped in each other’s arms. the weight of her fears was still present, but it was now shared with someone who loved her unconditionally. as the initial shock began to fade, she felt a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.
jaehyun’s unwavering support became her anchor. he attended appointments with her, held her hand through the sleepless nights, and made sure she felt loved and valued.
he had always been a man of calm resolve, but the moment he learned they were expecting a child, a new spark ignited within him. his days became filled with a quiet excitement, a growing anticipation that colored his every thought.
it started with small things—he found himself daydreaming about future diaper changes, late-night feedings, and the first steps of their child. each time he thought about it, a smile crept across his face, his heart swelling with a mix of joy and wonder. he began to imagine their baby’s tiny fingers wrapped around his own, their laughter filling the house, and the warmth of family moments.
jaehyun’s excitement grew as he prepared for the arrival of their child. he eagerly researched everything from parenting tips to the best baby products. he was a constant source of encouragement for her, his enthusiasm evident in every conversation. when they talked about their baby, his eyes lit up, his voice filled with a genuine excitement that was impossible to miss.
one evening, as they sat together on the porch, jaehyun turned to her with a beaming smile. “i can’t wait to be a dad,” he said, his voice full of warmth. “i keep picturing all the little things we’ll do together. i’ve even started thinking about what kind of stories i’ll read to our baby.”
her heart swelled at his words, seeing his genuine joy and commitment. he reached over, gently placing his hand on her growing belly, and closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the connection. “i’m so excited for this new chapter,” he said softly. “i know it won’t always be easy, but i’m ready for it. i want to be there for every moment, every milestone.”
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
"i gotta let you go, i must
but you're the only one that's holdin' me down"
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
when the time finally came to go to the hospital, jaehyun rushed to get the car ready. he helped her into the vehicle, his hands gentle yet firm, making sure she was as comfortable as possible. the drive was a blur, the city lights streaking past as they made their way to the hospital. she squeezed his hand, trying to ground herself amidst the chaos of the contractions.
once they arrived, the medical team moved swiftly, their voices calm and professional as they guided her to the delivery room. jaehyun stayed by her side, his presence a steady anchor in the storm of emotions. the room was filled with the hum of medical equipment and the murmur of nurses as they prepared for the delivery. she could see the concern in their eyes, but she drew strength from jaehyun’s unwavering support.
the labor was grueling, each contraction feeling like a mountain she had to climb. she fought through the pain, pushing with all her strength, her body trembling with effort. time seemed to stretch on endlessly, the hours blurring together in a haze of exhaustion and determination. she was fighting for both herself and the baby, her body and mind pushed to their limits.
when the final push came, it was the culmination of everything she had been through. she gave it everything she had, her body straining with the effort, her breath coming in ragged gasps. and then, amidst the pain and fatigue, she heard the cry of their baby—a sound so sweet, it made all the struggle worth it.
jaehyun’s eyes filled with tears as he looked at their newborn, his heart swelling with pride and love. he leaned down to kiss her forehead, his voice trembling with emotion. “you did it,” he said softly. “we did it.”
she managed a tired smile, her body collapsing against the pillows as the exhaustion took over. but even in her weariness, there was a deep sense of accomplishment and joy. the baby was placed in her arms, a tiny, perfect bundle that made all the pain and struggle fade into the background.
however, there was a shift in the atmosphere—a sense of urgency as the doctors and nurses moved with quickened steps. the monitors began to beep more erratically, their sounds piercing through the haze of pain.
her breaths came in sharp, pained gasps as the medical staff worked around her. jaehyun was at her side, his grip on her hand firm and unyielding, his eyes never leaving her face. “we’re losing her,” one of the nurses said, her voice urgent. the words cut through the room like a knife, and jaehyun’s heart sank. he looked at her, his eyes wide with fear. she was pale, her breaths shallow and uneven. it was clear that something was seriously wrong.
his mind raced, his heart pounding in his chest. he had never felt so helpless. “stay with me,” he pleaded softly, squeezing her hand. “you’re strong. you can do this.”
her eyes fluttered open briefly, meeting his with a look of sheer exhaustion and fear. the life that had once been vibrant in them was now dimmed, and it tore at his heart. the seconds felt like hours as he watched, helpless, as the medical team fought to save her.
the pain she was enduring seemed to reach a new, unbearable level. her body tensed, and the room seemed to close in around them. jaehyun could barely breathe, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. he tried to focus on her, to give her strength through his presence, but the fear of losing her was overwhelming.
“please, don’t leave me,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “we need you. our baby needs you.”
jaehyun’s heart ached as he watched her fight against the encroaching darkness, his own tears blurring his vision. after what felt like an eternity, one of the doctors approached him, a look of cautious relief on her face. “we’ve managed to stabilize her,” she said, her voice calm but serious. “it was a close call, but she’s going to be okay.”
tears filled jaehyun’s eyes as he looked at the doctor, his relief mingled with an intense gratitude. he turned back to her, his heart aching at the sight of her pale, exhausted face. “you’re okay,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “you did it.”
she managed a weak smile, her hand squeezing his in a gesture of reassurance. the journey had been perilous, but they had come through it together.
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
"'cause you're the only one that's holdin' me down"
✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
in the end, it didn’t matter what anyone else thought. all that mattered was that they had each other, that they loved each other in a way that was true and honest and unwavering. and in that love, they found everything they needed to be happy.
their story wasn’t a fairytale, but it was real, and that made it all the more beautiful. they had each other, and that was enough.
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Hello! Do you have any plans or continuing “don’t leave” with hendery? 🥺🥺
aw i’m sorry for keeping you waiting 🥺 okay so here’s another part of “don’t leave” with hendery.
here’s part 1 !
You Never Know — Hendery (ft. Lucas)
You never come out of the house. You keep the house clean everyday, while at the same time taking care of everything on your own. Your pregnancy does not being a good help either, your backache starts to happen often as you belly bulge along with the growth of your baby.
You wait for Hendery everyday. You hope he’d come back some day, even though the light of that little dream started to blink off. He’s the father of your child after all, but he only needs to know.
And, of course, you can’t really keep your sanity well without any help. Lucas, his friend, has been helping you secretly since you told him that Dery left the house. You wanted him to not let everyone know about him and your pregnancy. He was so angry when he knew that you’re pregnant, but when you told him that it is no one’s fault that he had no clue, he promised to help you with anything and he has been keeping his promise until now.
Like, now. “Oh, hi baby, this is uncle Lucas speaking, again.” He chuckled, as he knelt in front of your belly to communicate with the tiny thing inside. “Your mom was being naughty again by not drinking her vitamin pills, I guess you should punish her by kicking your tiny legs.”
You punched his shoulder lightly, lips pouting after you heard him planning some evil things with your baby. “Don’t teach bad things to my baby.” “You’re the one teaching bad things, Y/n. Take your vitamins everyday, now I’m starting to get tired telling you every single day.” He ranted. “Don’t be, you’re all I have, Xuxi.”
His eyes softened at your words, the sadness comes in like a wave in his chest along with the anger for his stupid friend for leaving you alone with his baby. “I know, I’m all you have.”
.
.
.
His anger continued every single day, actually, since he meets him almost twenty four seven for being in the same workplace. Hendery may not know why Lucas keeps on drifting away from him and their friends but when he does, he will probably regrets his life choices like a mad man.
But what does actually anger him is... this kind of conversation at the office.
“You know what, our afterparty will be even bigger this time. They actually invited some girls!” The boys excitedly talked about the company afterparty tonight. “Nah, bro. I’m not interested.” Hendery smiled cockily. Lucas narrowed his eyebrows five meters in front with his back facing them.
“Damn, what’s going on here? So Mr. Wong has a girl to keep his loyalty to?” One of them asked.
“Yeah, I got a hot date later.”
Still dealing with the printer, Lucas can’t help but to feel upset about the news. His hand curled up into a ball and he’s ready to punch his old friend to oblivion but no, he can’t do that.
“So you’re not going?” “Yeah I’m going, but I’ll probably leave early.”
“What about you Lucas? Will you attend?” Hendery asked a little bit louder for Lucas to hear. Lucas turned his head a little bit, eyes cold making the guys with Hendery shiver in fear. “Oh, I’m not the one who play around with girls, Mr. Wong. I might not have the time to do so. I got an appointment with someone more important, actually.”
Hendery rolled his eyes in annoyance. “Mr. Wong? So we’re doing formalities now huh?”
The other friends hum in awkwardness, ended up telling Hendery that they will catch up with some work before the finishing hours start. After they leave both of them alone, Hendery tilted his head in confusion. “What’s actually up with you, Lucas? You have been pretty away lately and I don’t think the problem is me. But if you have something against me, you should just tell me, bud, no need to be so petty like some schoolgirls like this.”
Lucas holds his entire emotions, trying to keep his composure as well as he hoped. “Listen, when I said I don’t have time for some bullshits, I really do, Hendery. So please cut it out and keep the crap all to yourself, cause I’m not hearing any single of it again.” He spit out.
.
.
.
Not gonna lie, the way Lucas acts around him has been bothering him the most. They were the best of friends in the previous times, and now Lucas doesn’t even join the office afterparty. He doesn’t know why, but he’s going to find out.
That night, instead of going to the event, he goes to where Lucas would go. Driving a few meters from his friends car, Hendery can’t help but to wonder, isn’t this the route to his abandoned ex-girlfriend’s house? Is he dating her now?
A lot of questions are turning into a big bubble in his head but before he got the chance to solve the puzzle, Lucas gets off his car.
“Hey! Look, baby! Uncle Xuxi is coming!” He heard your voice very clearly, but the sight which makes his eyes pop out... is your belly.
“What the freaking heck?!” Hendery bursted out of his car, running angrily to the front porch of the house.
Your eyes widened in shock as the one and only father of your baby showed up unexpectedly like this.
“Have you been walking away from me and our friends because you’re hiding something and it is the fact that you get my ex-girlfriend pregnant?!” He asked, eyes full of rage and disbelief.
“Hendery...” you mumbled.
“Oh, believe me, Hendery. You have nothing against me! And so do I! Now that you already see what’s going on, take care of your own shit and thank me later!” The bubble in his chest finally bursted and Lucas went out of the house.
“W-what exactly is going on here...?” Hendery mumbled.
You sighed. “Hendery, he’s not my boyfriend, and... he’s not the father of my child either.”
Hendery blinked, “S-so who’s the f-father?”
“The person who just stepped on my front porch right now, looking so... angry?” you bit your lips, feeling nervous that you had just told him and wondering how he will react.
“What?” His gaze soften at the sight of you fiddling with your fingers nervously, and now that he knows the truth, guilt starts to trip over his body. “I..” he stuttered.
“Wait, Hendery.” you hold onto his hand, preventing him to leave even though he doesn’t even have the thoughts of running away again just like what he did in the past. “Are you going to leave again? N-now that you found out...”
“Cause I’d rather not telling you all these things and keep trying to live well all by myself than you leaving again-”
That’s when he knew what to do. He grabbed your waist, not too hard cus he didn’t want to hurt the baby, and pulled you closer to put his lips on yours.
You froze. This... is what you wanted! Finally you got the answer and you can’t believe that all you needed to do was coming clean to him about the baby. Your tears fall down through the kiss, and as soon as he’s aware of that, he pulled out.
“Y/n... I’m, I’m sorry that I left you, alone with our baby. I.. I can’t believe I made such big fatal mistake by leaving you alone and now, I’m not sure if I deserve you.” He looked down on the floor, feeling so guilty.
You try to reassure him, “Baby,” his eyes shake when you called him that. “All you gotta do is stay.”
And he ended up staying for you and your little one.
🔅 fluff, overseas student!characters and more fluff!!!
🔅 youtuber!jung jaehyun x reader
🔅 warning: i didn’t proofread this :(
Hey! It’s been so long since I write on this platform. I hope you guys still like my work cause I’ve been working hard to get the desire to write again. Things has been rough for me mentally that makes me kinda lost the feeling of writing. But I decide to write again, yay! Oh and this work was inspired by an admirable travel vlog by Valspire Family where he went on a roadtrip with a stranger. I’ll put the link to the video at the very end of this work. Hope you like it, and I’m sorry that it’s not gender-neutral but you can use your own imagine from this one i guess :) love y’all.
Jaehyun swam through his e-mails. Okay, no more AdSense pouring in... He wondered. It seems like he needs to create a new content. So, Jung Jaehyun right here is a travel youtuber, where he often travels from place to place, all by himself. He loves traveling. He did it even before he discovered a whole new thing called YouTube. Yeah, that time, he travels by the help of his parents. As an abroad student, he relied a lot on his parents back in their hometown. So he saved some money to travel from close places to places before he eventually wanted to travel overseas as well. Jaehyun learned that he can’t keep using his pocket money to travel forever, he needs to look for a better way.
So when his friends told him to start a YouTube channel, he didn’t even hesitate. As luck sides with him, he started to look through his old memory card where he put all of his videos and photos of his traveling journey. He was so glad that he kept all of them, even though he would reminisce on how he almost drop his camera on a cliff while doing a cheap vlog. Jaehyun uploaded the videos that he edited at 2 am, after doing the assignment he got from college. Such a model student, indeed... And guess what? People love him! His first video got 10,000 views and 167 comments about how he captured the moment beautifully. He even gained 450 new subscribers on his first day of being YouTuber.
Now, after two months of uploading his old local travel videos, he gained more than 23,000 subscribers and thousands and thousands of views, he finally gained independent money from all the ad-sense he received from his videos. So, he’s ready for a new level of adventure, of course, on his own. “Where would I go....?”
He dives through the mailbox again as he only looks randomly at the screen, and suddenly a notification pops up to his surprise. “Y/n (surname)?” He clicked the new e-mail right away, unbothered to look at the subject line first.
“Hey, do you want to go on a roadtrip with me, I guess? this my number, 0xxxxxxxxx text me 🤙”
“Holy shi-” Jaehyun almost cursed before he closes his mouth, shocked by the new thing he discovered on the Macbook screen. A stranger, asking him to go on a roadtrip? Wait, is this real? Well, it has been one of his goals to travel with a stranger, but when he actually goes through it, his head feels like falling into the floor.
He typed the number on the dial pad and add the new contact on his phone. He clicked the message app but before he’s even able to type what he’d want to say, his hand shakes in nervousness. I mean, this isn’t the first time he’s talking to a stranger. He has several moments where he needs to ask some other students he doesn’t know because he has to finish the group project given, but this one feels so different. The thought of going with someone you don’t know if it’s a he or she, spending time with them in the coldness of the night, holding hands with them when you reach the top of an abandoned tower, or holding on an urge to kiss them when it gets too warm in the car... Well, Jaehyun is now thinking so hard when he doesn’t need to. “Okay, okay, let’s get this done. Ask her what’s up and you’re done,” He reassured himself.
“Hey, it’s me Jaehyun. I saw your mail. What’s up?” Sent.
“Okay, okay. That’s good, you did it. Now let’s just eat some chips before they actually reply-” A familiar notification pops up and he can’t push his head away from his phone anymore.
“Omg hi! That was such a fast response! Thank you so much for texting me, I’m such a fan! Uh anyway, i’m (y/n). I want to know if you’re interested to go to the national flower festival with me which is happening in 10 days and if we’re heading there by a van it will be a 4 days travel and we still have 5 days to prepare and tour around the city.”
“Fantastic. Sure. So when do we meet tho?”
“Tomorrow, I guess?”
“Sure. See ya!”
“So, what makes you so excited today, Mr. Jung? I’ve never seen you this cheerful around college since the first day of your youtuber life.” Johnny chirped at the young man. “I’ll be meeting someone new today,” he replied. Johnny rubbed his ears together to listen more carefully simply because he doesn’t believe that his friend’s gonna meet, possibly a new girl?
“I don’t know, john. They could be a he or a she. They only sent me a mail.”
Later that evening, Jaehyun finds himself waiting in the restaurant where she told him to meet up. He glanced at his watch as he waits patiently and he naturally feels like he’s going on a blind date. He holds himself not to order anything until the person’s arrived.
“Oh my god, it has been only 15 minutes but why do I start to feel like I’ve been scammed?” Almost a minute after he said that, a cheerful young lady walked towards his table and asked, “Jaehyun Jung, am I right?” Damn. This is real. “Uh yeah. Hi! Nice to finally meet you, (Y/n.)” He nervously reach out his hand for a shake and she gladly shakes his hand in return.
“So, guess we now have to set some plan, do we?” Jaehyun said. Afterall, suggesting a plan making seems to be a meaningless idea because when the girl explained the route plan to the festival, he only got mesmerized, lost in her excited eyes. “Hey, are you listening?” Her gentle accent got him right back into his senses and he only laugh while scratching his nape awkwardly. “Woah, I can’t believe a famous travel youtuber like you aren’t that prepared for a kinda long roadtrip like this. Are you even experienced?” She teased him a smile.
“Hey, that’s mean,” he pouted. “I’m ready, more than ever, if you would know. But, well, this traveling with stranger thingy is kind of new to me so... bare with me, please?”
She smirked, “Hell yeah. It’s my first time, too.”
The two then decided to go buy the things they would need in the van. (Y/n) was the one to rent the van and it was decided when the two agreed that they can only afford an old small camper van fit for two people to sleep in the back seats. So they got almost everything such as blankets, sleeping bags, some little decorations to set the mood, and of course, some snacks and beverages. “I’m surprised that you hate redbulls.” Jaehyun teased the younger lady.
“Dude, me being overly happy doesn’t mean that I drink redbulls... I only drink eight shots of coffee.”
“Damn, that makes sense, too,” he replied with a cheeky smile.
On the first day of a long drive through so many lonely highways, things weren’t going awkward, thank goodness. She comfortably talks to him like he’s an old friend, and he only replies with grins and smiles. It’s all good, until things got deeper as the sun emerges down the ground.
“Alright, let me set my other camera before we grab dinner.” Jaehyun shot up from his camping chair to the van after he set the campfire to warm them both. “Sure, indie boy.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“But you are.. an indie boy.”
“Okay, you won’t stop calling me that, huh?”
(Y/n) put her hand under her chin, looking blankly at the fire, reflecting so hard about how she actually starts to enjoy this trip, when she only meet him yesterday. “Hey, what makes you look so serious like that?” The man sat back on his chair after he successfully brought her back into her senses real quick.
“Nuh-uh, do you really want me to think out loud?” “Oh, no thanks. Now I regret for worrying.” She chuckled lightly.
“You know what, when I told you that I’m a fan of your channel, I really meant it. I’ve been a subscriber since you only have, uhm, from what I remember, 242 subscribers, I guess? And fun fact, I’m actually in the same major as you but you won’t notice me, anyway. I’m too quiet.” Jaehyun nearly drop his foldable cup when he heard that. “What? Seriously? You’re in the same college- no, same major as me? How could I- Oh don’t worry, I also am way too quiet for my own being. I don’t really make a lot of friends at college. No one really knows who I am if it’s not for my public channel.”
“I can see that you have such a nice personality. I always love how you expressed your hidden feelings through your vlogs. They’re beautiful.”
“Is that a way to say that I’m pretty?” He winked. “Oh come on, (Y/n). Just diss me like you’ve been doing for the past two days of us knowing each other better.” Again, she laughs.
“Do you know what’s the coolest thing ever in this trip?” She asked. “What is it?”
“It is how I made one significant rule in this trip, that is... to not fall in love with each other.” And somehow, Jaehyun lost his smile for awhile. “Oh, really? Well, it’s not quite hard,” he faked a smirk. “You’re mean.”
“Huh, actually, what makes you think that?” He asked sheepishly. He doesn’t want her to catch what’s happening, like how he actually doesn’t really agree with the ‘significant’ rule. “I don’t know. It’s just, my actual purpose of this trip was just to... you know, gain a friend. And that friend turns out to be you! And falling in love means you’re going to lose someone at the end and I hate to lose a friend I just gained from this trip.”
“Ah... that makes sense. But love doesn’t always goes into an end, Y/n.”
“It does,” she smiled with a visible hint of pain, and Jaehyun hates that. “I had the experience. I’m not trying to act like a sad bitch or something, but falling in love sucks. It means you’re ready for a freaking goodbye and farewell.”
He was going to say something but she cuts him up by getting off her chair, possibly ready to cook instant ramen for dinner. “Alright, my stomach’s grumbling. I’m boiling the water, and you, mister, help me open up the packs, please?” And when he looked at her pair of watery eyes, he decided not to say something and replied with a smile. “Yes, maam.”
The night gets colder and now both the youngsters are heading to bed– the back uncovered seats in the van. “So, this is where we’re going to sleep. As you can see, (Y/n) over here is alread inside her sleeping bag. This is going to be such a great sleepover, I guess?” He snickered. “Don’t lie, Jung. I’m gonna put a bug inside your bag tonight when you’re asleep.”
He turned the camera off and lay down beside her sleeping bag, dropping more blankets around him to cover his body better. “This is our first sleep, you know?”
“That’s true. We might wake up like dead.” She said something gibberish after that along with a yawn. “It’s getting hot in here.” She added. (Y/n) wriggled out of her sleeping bag to get more cool air but Jaehyun only looked at her with a weird look. “I’m curling my body into a ball like a caterpillar and you said it’s getting hotter? You’re unbelievable.”
“You clearly haven’t found yourself getting stuck in a snowstorm in Everest, have you?” “I am not that experienced yet. Have you either?” “Nah, I would die.” “Gosh.”
Jaehyun keeps his glances trained at the younger lady, wanting so much to feel the warmth of her body next to him, to warm him- or maybe each other. “Are you sure you’re not cold?” He asked. “Yeah, I’m getting comfortable- not really, actually. Urgh, what am I talking about...”
He chuckled. “Come here. There’s only both of us here, so practically, I am your heater. Besides, it kinda sucks that we cannot afford a van that has a cool heater inside. Uhm.. what I mean is.. do you want to cuddle?”
(Y/n) turned her body to face him. She actually shifted closer but Jaehyun caught the signs that she actually doesn’t want to show her consent. “Come here,” he said gently. “B-but, what about the rule?”
“Cutie, we cuddling doesn’t mean that we’re falling in love. We only need warmth.” Jaehyun put his arm around her without hesitance and she accepted his secure arms. She found herself getting sleepier than ever and now the screen in her sight went black. Jaehyun smiled at the peaceful sight, and he carressed her cheeks gently, not wanting to wake her up, as he says, “Now I’m actually glad that we get this non-heater van. I can become your warmth everytime.” That night, he slept with a smile plestered on his face.
The sun rises on sight better than yesterday as it prisms over the medium-sized windows of the van and light starts to fill in the narrow space, replacing the coldness. She wakes up first, feeling the ray hits her face warmly. Oh my, it’s already morning...
As cliche as it looks like, when she wants to get up she could feel a pair of strong arms securing themselves around her body. Well, she’s not that stupid to not realize who’s the owner, the only guy she has been with over the past few days. She wanted to wriggle out of his arms, but her brain failed to command her body when the heart does what it wants. And it gets what it wants.
(Y/n) feels something different when she’s about two centimeters away from his face, and it surely feels so different when it comes to only seeing him through her iPad screen. But she doesn’t get it. Why is he... so gorgeous? She was about to stare longer but then he opens his eyes beautifully. “Why are you staring at me?” She flinched, not because she was shocked when he woke up, well actually that’s one of the reason, but, actually, because of his raspy morning voice. They sound kind of.. angelic.
“Wake up, let’s see the sunrise.” She finally wriggles out of his arms and goes to open the door. The cool breeze started to hit her lightly, almost makes her flying aesthetically, as she wished that she could wake up breathing this kind of air every morning. “Well, I didn’t know the sun could look this pretty, and we paid for nothing at all.” Jaehyun stood behind her while doing some stretches because his arms were stuck cuddling her last night, not something he could complain about, though.
“Get your camera out, bud. This will definitely get you hundred thousands of view, I’m sure.”
They ended up playing under the warming sun around the van, the camera only watching them. It feels like they are owning the world and she feels so wonderful. She feels so blessed, and it amazes her that she could have this happening with a complete stranger, a young man that starts to fill in her empty insides. She was reassured that impossible things could happen.
“So where are we heading now?” Jaehyun put the camera on the dashboard while he stole a glance at the driver besides him. “We’re passing a small city near here and we’re gonna walk around to see if there’s anything fun to visit.” (Y/n) was so glad that she’s the one driving, otherwise she wouldn’t have any other reason for not looking back at his eyes.
“Or maybe we can just rely on Google.” Jaehyun added. “Nah, that’s just not fun. We still have 14 hours of free times before we have to catch up to the festival.”
“So, yeap. I think we’re being super rebellious right now, slowing down our trip, or maybe (Y/n) right here loves to stay longer with me- Ouch!”
They drove past the yellowish trees and even though it’s in the middle of the day when the sun’s supposed to be up right above the van, the yellowish sky around them doesn’t support the cool breeze Jaehyun feels whenever he put his hand out of the window.
“Okay, I’m trying to wake myself up! Ready?” Jaehyun chuckled before he wobbles his head lightly, preparing himself to press the play button. The girl nodded excitedly, trying a little bit hard to not get so excited because she’s driving. Jaehyun pressed the button and the rock and roll song starts to fill in the car. She laughed at how he vibes so hard to the song, and honestly, she never had anything like this. Chilling past the long highway with yellow trees and the hidden sun makes the whole day so calming. She truly feels so blessed.
“Hey, look!” Jaehyun pointed at a petite tea shop across the street when they both walked around the small city to take a break. The little shop looks very nice with a cute vintage look interior which is visible from the outside. “Do you want to have some tea, like the british?”
“Nah, we should just take some pictures there. I’m going to go get redbulls.” “Seriously?”
After nearly four hours of driving, the both of them finally comes to the hours of the sunset. They pulled over and set the camera to the angle where they can get better view of them chilling under the sunset, or maybe just playing around the van like they did in the morning.
“You know what, I think it’s gonna be pretty cool if we climbed on top of the car and pose to get some footages?” Jaehyun suggested. “Are you crazy? We can’t scratch the car, otherwise we will get charged,” she argued.
“Nah, who the hell cares? It’s not like they will bother themselves by checking all over the car. Come on, I’m gonna go first.” Jaehyun climbed through the back of the van and she only laughed as a response. Sometimes, he’s unbearable.
“Okay, you should climb up now.” Jaehyun reached out both of his hands to help her get to the top of the van, and when she did, she didn’t regret doing his suggestions at all cause, the view is so goddamn pretty. “Woah,” she murmured. They both sat down and try to enjoy the view despite the less time that they have right now.
“What made you want to go on a roadtrip with a stranger?” Jaehyun asked. “Um, I’ve taken a semester off this year, and I don’t really have any friends at the moment to spend time with, so... decided I could go out and gain some randomly.” She chuckled bitterly. “I wanted to do something fun. I wanted to go on a roadtrip, but that’s not very fun alone. So I was like, who is the most spontaneous person I can think of... and so I asked you.”
Jaehyun laughed with his whole heart. “It’s really crazy.” His dimples are showing through and she swears, they are driving her crazy. “And you followed through!”
“I can’t believe we’re doing this.” “I know!”
Jaehyun encouraged himself to look at her, this time with deeply moved eyes, and he now realizes that he really admires her young and free figure. “So, are we friends now?” She asked.
When she turned at him, there she goes, with those pair of eyes, looking through his eyes in return. Jaehyun flinched, shocked by how mesmerized he is by her every movement. Like how her hair moves along with the evening breeze, and how her eyelids stutter beautifully, also how her lips turned into a little smile when she opened her mouth. And he smiled back, “Yes, we are.”
Three days have passed and now they are gonna arrive at the city which is the final destination where the national flower festival will be held, how amazing is that. They visited random cities while taking a break, grabbing lunch at a motel in the middle of nowhere, and stopping by at midnight just to lay down on the empty big road to see the stars.
As strangers, both of them have been going through a lot of things together, only in a few days. Though the ‘significant’ rule was not so forgotten throughout the trip, they can’t help but feel flattered by each other. The young man, who has been broken inside, admitted deeply inside that she had never experienced anything like what she has been doing with the complete stranger, and neither does the young man.
Jaehyun knows that she is straight up serious about what she said. It was that one significant rule that keeps him held back, to not fall in love with each other. It kinds of frustrating him that he couldn’t touch her like his brain told him to. He respected her without a doubt, and breaking or hurting her would be the least thing he ever wanted during this trip.
The most ironic thing Jaehyun has ever think of is, how his main goal of this trip was to gain a friend. Now he doesn’t want to be just friends. He wishes for more than that. He fell in love with her.
“I can’t believe it! We’re almost there! I can’t wait to see all the beautiful flowers!” She holds the camera up to his face as he drives to the final destination in the city. “Do you really like flowers that much?” He asked.
“Yeah, they’re beautiful, calming, and entertaining. Whenever I pick one, I always got reminded that wherever you are and whatever you’re being, you can still look pretty and graceful. I mean, sometimes people step on some petite flowers on the street but that doesn’t mean they’ll look uglier and unworthy.”
“That’s true. I mean, look at you, still shining even though your surroundings are dark.” He instinctively moved his fingers to the side of her face, gently brushing her hair aside and she only stuttered nervously.
“Jaehyun,” she faintly murmured. “Okay okay, I know that you have made the one significant rule in this trip and I want you to know how much I respect you for that. I’m also very glad that I’m able to gain a friend like you but... during this trip,” he sighed. “I can’t help but think about you... more than I think I should do.”
She keeps her mouth close, not knowing how to respond to the sudden confession. It’s not like she didn’t expect this to happen, anyway. When it comes to the first time she saw him at the cafe, her insides turn upside down. However she kept it in her heart that she signed up for this not to look for a boyfriend or someone to sleep with, but a friend.
“What if I do the same too?” She replied with her consciousness. With that one sentence, Jaehyun steps on the brake so hard that their things in the back almost sprung themselves to the front and (Y/n) cursed. “What the heck, are you trying to get us dead?!”
“Shit, I’m sorry,” he said breathlessly before pulling over in the middle of the long road. “Gosh, what did you say earlier?”
“I said, are you trying to get us dead?”
“No, the other one before that,” he pleaded.
“Huh? W-what if I do the same too?” She tilts her head.
“So you’re saying... that you like me too? No, that’s too soon. Are you thinking of me too?”
She can’t help but chuckle when she saw his eyes grew big with excitement and... a little bit of expectation. “Yeah,” she replied. There’s a long silence after that and doubt starts to grow inside her heart but then... “So, can I?”
“What-”
He immediately attached his lips to hers, heart pounding so hard that it feels like he’s going to die because of the thrill. For the girl, his lips taste like... excitement? Happiness, and perhaps love?
A few people that she thought would give her sunshine and happiness actually have never been anything like this. She’s actually glad that his kiss made her close her eyes to the feel. No matter how much she keeps saying it, never in a way that it gets her bored to say no one has ever made her experience something like this. Kissing in the middle of nowhere, under the burning rays of sun, nothing other than the camera witnessing what’s happening between the two of them and it really, really feels like they are owning the world.
Nice. Now they’re in a motel near the festival as tomorrow is the exact time they would open the gate to all the flowers collected from all over the world. (Y/n) loves flower so much that she decided to check into a motel that has a flower pattern on its wall.
“You can’t just choose this one just because they have a flower pattern on the room’s wall! The review is just so-so!” Jaehyun complained.
“Hey, didn’t you say that wherever I go, you’ll go, and wherever I’ll be, you’ll be?”
“But I won’t be at the same place as you if it’s not guaranteed that they don’t have any bugs at all.”
Booking a room for two which has a twin bed, both of them entered the room, though Jaehyun had to insist to book a room with a queen bed, but failed miserably.
“I’m going to shower first.” (Y/n) goes to prepare her bathing kit and of course, her clothes. “Yeah, sure.”
While she showers, the man wondered if he should officially ask her out, since she said she’s gonna transfer schools soon which means that he might not seeing her again after the roadtrip so maybe an official relationship will make it easier for him to contact her often.
“Should I really do it, like, tonight? I don’t think I should,” he kept the promise ring he bought yesterday at a little jewelry shop when they stopped for a restroom break.
Before they went to sleep, they spare some time to get a little cute footage for Jaehyun’s travel vlog. “So this is my bed, and that one’s (Y/n)’s bed. I chose this one because it’s quite far from the bathroom since I hate bugs. But you know, I don’t really trust her with keeping me from bugs and- Okay! Okay! I’m sorry don’t hit me with the pillow!”
“Pffftt! Pillow fight!!”
“No! Don’t- my camera!”
A goddamn eyecontact. Hands tangled against each other, eyes both stuttered in shock, as the girl with the pillow accidentaly fell on him. Jaehyun’s free hand instinctively hold her to prevent her from getting hurt, though his brain listens better to his heart, as he feels his heart pounding like crazy against her body.
“I’m... sorry.” “That’s okay.”
“Do you want to sleep with me tonight?” He asked, and later that night, the idea of booking a twin bed room seemed to be a meaningless idea, either.
“So everyone, here we are today aaat... not the exact final location we wanted to go to at the first place, let me tell you the story. When we checked out from the flower pattern motel we immediately leave to the national flower festival which was supposed to be held just 15 kilometers from where we stayed the other night, aaaand guess what?” he paused and you can hear her faint laugh in the background. “Yeah, there is no festival at all. HAHAHAHHAHAAA- Ouch stop hitting me! Are you that embarrassed?”
“That was what happened, everyone. It turned out that the festival was held at December 16, 2019 and before we started this roadtrip, she read only the date and the month, wow. How can you be so cute and stupid at the same time... I am sooo mad!”
“Well, they put the year 2019 sooo small and my minus eyes couldn’t see it- stop giving me that look!”
“Okay, so because miss (Y/n) over here was quite angry that-” “Really angry.” “Okay, she was really really angry for not being able to see the flowers so, I decided to take her to somewhere as an alternative destination. Am I being too good for you?”
“Yes, you are,” she replied with a smile. “Stop paying attention to the flowers! I’m also here, yo,” he pleaded, somehow nervously. “Why-”
“And this is why I kept insisting to take you to a place with lots of flowers... to pick one among all the pretty petals out here, the prettiest petal I’ve ever seen. So, be mine, please?”
the end of video.
a/n: thank you for reading. honestly, I didn’t know whether to post this one cause it’s really been a long time since I write and it really worried me about how much you guys will like it... also, i’m really really sorry for those who put a request into my ask box since I haven’t completed all of them, like trust me, it worries me every single day bcs I feel like I have a debt to pay lol but don’t worry, I promise you I will complete all the requests but please give me a lot of time! once again, big thanks from me.xoxo
Valspire Family - I Went on a Roadtrip with a Stranger
No Jaehyun, you did not put up a fight at all. You sure know how to tug on the heartstrings, and it was very clever of you to combine the ideas together, even though I didn't get my fluffy ending T-T Thank you so much for writing my request, your writing is just <3
Oh my god 😨 I’m sorry I didn’t get that you requested for a fluffy ending 😭 My bad! I’ll make it for you in the future if you requested! Thank you so much for the feed back 💚
Thank you for opening up your request box! Can I request Jaehyun + 7 & 8 (angst)? Maybe you can set it at university? Thank you again!
Hi! Thank you for requesting! I see you made another good request as well! Thank you for the ideas, so I will combine the two into one shot and I hope that will be okay with you <3
And bro i swear angst 7,8 are pretty famous they’re all over my submission box 🥺💚
(Angst)
7. “I’m not her.”
8. “Your parents didn’t fancy the idea of us.”
(Suggestive)
3. “Now I know Aphrodite is real.”
4. “Your dress kinds of making my knees go weak.”
8. “Trust me, baby.”
word count: 2,529 words
“Have you know that the famous Jung Jaehyun is about to get engaged with the also famous Rosèanne Park? Damn, they look good together.”
“I just heard that! But look, I also heard that he already has a girlfriend. But is she truly his girlfriend though?”
“Probably just a hook-up, bruh. There’s no way anyone is as gorgeous as Rosè anyway. She’s probably just one of those girls he fucked every weekend.”
Sigh. This is getting heavy. You knew this would come, anyway. Being Jaehyun’s girlfriend has been a pain in the ass but you still dealt with it anyway. It’s been six months of dating him and you can’t help but falling into his charms more than you did at first.
That Rosèanne girl, you knew her. Well who wouldn’t know her? Known widely as the famous pretty youtuber on college since her high school days, she became the heartthrob for both boys and girls in college. Sometimes, people who don’t come from your university would come just to see her walking around to school or just to follow her around to ask for pictures.
Your boyfriend himself, is unfortunately one of her close friends, and you just found out two weeks ago. But you just didn’t mind. As long as he gives you love and affection like he usually does, you don’t mind.
But the thing is, Jaehyun somehow made an agreement that he will not be known as your boyfriend until he’s ready. And you agreed, you agreed to whatever he’d say. That’s how much you love him, but it somehow ended up you feeling like you’re just being one of the girls that went for his pants.
He always promises you that he will introduce you to everyone one day, but you have no high hopes. Jaehyun is a heartthrob, every girls except the nerds in college would fall into their knees if he looks at them in the eyes. So you just simply think if everybody knows that you’re in a relationship with the famous guy, you would be a dead meat. So staying lowkey was probably a good idea.
But not now. God, it hurts every time you hear them talking about how your boyfriend and that famous girl are good together. It hurts every time they would telling each other information about how they saw the allegedly enganged couple hang together in a cafe. You tried hard to believe that it’s not real, but you’re too afraid to ask him, scared that he will get mad at your trust-issues.
Well, it turns out that it’s true.
“What is this, Jae?” You handed him your phone as the screen shows a news of him, the famous businessman’s son, being engaged to another rich heir, Rosèanne Park.
He looks at it for a minute, and you swear you could see a little bit of horror in his eyes. “Answer me. Oh, do I not deserve an answer?”
“It’s not like that.” He massaged the bridge of his nose, looking frustrated. “So?”
“It’s true that my parents arranged me to date her, so that it will be beneficial for both our company and theirs. I didn’t agree, but I didn’t try hard enough yet.” He looks at you with indescribable look and you just frown in anxiety, starting to scared to lose him.
“No, you won’t lose me. I love you, kay?” As if he can read your mind, he answered nonchalantly, as if they were automatically out of his mouth to reassure you.
“Jaehyun, did you even tell them that you have a girlfriend?” “I did.” “And what did they say?”
“They didn’t care.”
His words stabbed you in the heart. They haven’t even met you yet.
“Your parents didn’t fancy the idea of us.” You uttered with an invisible frown.
“Don’t worry, okay? I’ll take care of this. Will you be strong for me?” He put his hand in yours and give it a tight squeeze, his sweet dimples slightly putting you at ease. You nod, without knowing what would happen in the future.
A week later, Jaehyun informed you that he will be hanging with her more often for clouts and that you don’t have to be jealous because it’s just nothing but something fake. But still, you worry.
Every walk to campus is heavy, as you would stare at him and her with a hint of sadness, unlike everyone who literally rooted for them. None of your friends know that you’re the secret girlfriend of Jung Jaehyun because you committed to him that you both won’t tell anyone about this relationship so your friends also talking about them really hurts you to the core.
And then come the most despicable event for you, the prom night. You simply hate it because the unnecessary euphoria of looking for hot dresses, or girls judging each other’s dress. But that doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t come, anyway.
You came with your friends, after being informed that your boyfriend will come with his alleged fiancée. It hurts, indeed, to see your loved one going with someone who’s not you. But what can you do anyway?
Hugged in a skimpy black dress, bought by the help of your reliable friends, you walked into the huge grand hotel hall with a fake smile.
“There you are, y/n. Looking like a snack!” One of your guy friends exclaimed in excitement, and you just spin around to flex your dress more for the fun and everyone laughed. Everything was fun and games and you forgot your pinch of heartbreak when you mingle with your friend, until a guy comes in your direction.
Nah, he’s not your Jaehyun. But this guy has been frankly declaring his feelings for you, and your friends know that. You can’t just accept him and date him because oh, someone wouldn’t like that obviously. “Hey. You look good tonight,” he smiled at you. You smiled back at him, regretting that his kindness will never get returned, as your feelings only belong to the one and only Jung Jaehyun.
“Thank you. You look nice as well.” Twenty minutes later, he ended up being by your side, getting you food and beverage, until you feel a hot stare directed to you from a distance.
You turn your shoulder to look at the source of the ambiguous vibe, and they turned out to be the pair of eyes you usually see at night. You smiled lightly before tilting your head in confusion when his flat expression didn’t change. ‘What’s wrong?’ You mouthed, and he immediately mouths back in response.
‘Follow me.’
You ended up being in the elevator to his hotel room after following him out of the grand hall.
“Having fun with that guy?” He broke the killing silence while keeping his hand in yours while you both almost reached the floor where his room belongs. “With who?”
“Acting innocent now are we?” You swear his smirk could kill your shaking body right away. “I don’t understand. That Eunwoo guy? He’s nobody.” Your pupils shake in nervousness when he turned at you. “Really? Then why did I find him putting his nasty hand around my girlfriend at the party?”
You rolled your eyes, “He didn’t know I have a boyfriend. Nobody knows.”
“Wow, didn’t know you acting bratty could tingle something in me like this.” He drags you closer by pulling his hands on your waist as you can smell his deadly cologne. “J-jaehyun,” you muttered.
“Your dress kinds of making my knees go weak, baby.” He murmured against your neck. You moan a little when he pressed a wet kiss into your sensitive skin but then the elevator door opened and unfortunately, no one was there.
Jaehyun keeps his body close to you as he pulls you into the second door in the hallway. “Come in, baby. I just want to spend some time alone with you,” he smiled as he takes off his coat and you gladly put your arms around his neck for a kiss.
After making himself half naked just in front of the bathroom door in the huge hotel suite, he drags you to the bed and you immediately squeal in excitement. Before he was able to feel your body more intimately, you asked him a quick question. “Jaehyun, are you having fun with her tonight?”
His face changed from lust into a frown, why would you ask something like this when he was just about to mark you his. “What are we getting at this time?”
“No, I just have to make sure that you’re still all mine tonight despite the amount of attention you both got from everyone.”
Jaehyun smiled slightly at the sound of your desperate phrases before giving your cheek a light kiss as he secures you beneath him, between his muscular arms. “Trust me, baby.”
He played with the end of your dress before confessing a warm and fuzzy sentence, “I’m all yours.”
After spending time on marking each other and giving each other the ultimate love you both thrive for, he spared a few minutes to cuddle you and feel you longer in his arms. He kisses your hair and his mouth continues to trail on your forehead and then your nose and goes to your lips. You giggle at the feeling and somehow the moment makes you feel loved even though you know that this utterly feels just like a dream.
“We have to make it before the announcement, though. I need to know who’s gonna be the king of prom.”
“Of course it’s gonna be you.” You smiled against his lips as he gives you a not-so-last kiss to end the magical moment. He helped you wear your dress before putting on his own outfit. You checked yourself in the mirror for the last time and he only glanced from a distance.
“Now I know Aphrodite is real.”
“And I’m glad you decided not to rip my dress apart, or ruin my make up.” You chuckled. He hugged you from behind, immediately giving your neck some kisses, before murmuring against your skin, “You’re so beautiful.”
“And the prom King of the night is... Jung Jaehyun!” The MC declared and everyone cheer for him loudly. “And we’re also, of course, going to have the prom Queen of the night which is... Rosèanne Park! What a perfect pair!”
Your eyes follow the steps of the crowned prom queen as she walks so gracefully to the stage, going excitedly to your boyfriend’s side. You can’t help but imagine if you’re the one up there, hand linked to him perfectly, everyone rooting for you both, and how he proudly has you by his side, and that bubble of imagination hurts you more than the things that you went through even though you were being intimate with him just about twenty minutes ago.
Eunwoo walked to your side, nudge your blank figure and you came back to earth. “Hm?”
“It’d be really nice if you were the prom queen,” he flashed you his gummy smile and you responded with a bitter smile. I think so too.
“And I’m the king.” He continued coyly. “Oh...” you muttered, not expecting him to actually say that but you can’t really blame him.
A week after the party, you keep reaching out for Jaehyun, but he’s always absent. His presence becomes a dream to you, which something that you think of at night to become a dream, so that you will meet him through the night. His face is everywhere, along with the pretty girl he was engaged with. It hurts, and it hurts even more when you can do nothing about it.
He sees you lesser and lesser every week, he doesn’t even look in your way, his focus stays on her. You want to be confused, but you still believe on everything he had said, that he will take care of this and probably, do something that you expect him to do.
But after becoming a silent for almost eight months of being his girlfriend, you’ve had enough. It almost feels like you’re nothing but a stranger to him. Was he that busy to even text you?
“Jaehyun, we need to talk.” He narrowed his eyes to you when everyone stare at you both, after you boldly approached him in public, gaining attention from everyone who was there. Rosèanne gave him a nod as she knew what’s going on, and leaves his side immediately to walk to her friends.
“What is it?” He gives you a cold look, probably mad because you talk to him out of the agreement, but you just don’t care. “Not here, somewhere private.”
So you ended up being at the back of the library of the campus as he pushed his hair back in frustration. “Why the fuck did you have to pull such a scene like that?! That’s fucking dangerous!”
“What’s dangerous, Jaehyun? I only approached you just like any other human being, not as your actual girlfriend if you forgot already.” He groans, “Yes! But not in front of Rosè and all those people! Are you mad? Did you forget our agreement?” And you laugh bitterly, “Oh, am I the mistress now?”
His face changed when you uttered the mattered fact. “I swear, y/n, that’s not the case.”
“Yes it is, Jaehyun. Unfortunately, I’m not her. I’m not someone who brings you benefits as much as she does. Hell, I can’t even compare myself to her. Don’t you think so, Jae?”
You don’t want it to be cliche by crying in front of him as you tried your best to hold the threatening tears to fall but you failed. You wiped them harshly before Jaehyun even tried to reach out his hand to do it for you. “Never ever I have, Jaehyun, to try to hurt you behind your back. I didn’t expect anything out of you, but at least please clear things up for me.”
Unexpectedly, he spilled his tears. He’s crying, and the sight broke your heart even more.
“Now, I only became the girl you fucked in the weekend, just like what everyone talked about.”
He shakes his head in denial, “No, baby. No, that’s just fucked up wrong. I.. I love you, okay. The night when I first met you, I feel it. I know that it’s fucking real when I want you. P-please.”
“But things change, right? I know you’re gonna do your best in everything, Jaehyun, even without me. That girl is the best choice for you. I’ll be fine on my own, and it’s okay if we can’t be just friends. That will help me to move on real quick.”
Jaehyun watched your back disappeared that day, and from that he never heard about you ever again. He’d watch with heavy heart when you’re around with your friends, even though his fiancée is also around. He regrets everything, but just like you can’t do anything, he’s pretty much the same. Maybe you both were not meant to be, or did he even put up a fight for you and the relationship? He didn’t, and he just realized that.
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hi can i request a angst where jaehyun and his s/o is an architect will live korea to pursue their dreams while also jaehyun focuses on his idol career
5. “i will support you even though i’m far away”
2. “i cant let us fade away” + “you’re the best part of my life”
Hi! Thank you for requesting! This idea is brilliant that I immediately write them down 💚 Ooh and this will be 85% fluff and 15% angst I’m sorry 🥺
(Angst)
5. “I will support you even though I’m far away.”
2. “I can’t let us fade away.”
(Fluff)
1. “You’re the best part of my life.”
word count: 1,2k words
You looked down at the envelope in your hand. The things written on the paper will change your life forever. You weren’t ready to open it, but not gonna lie, you really waited long enough to know the result of your hard work.
You open the lid nervously, taking out the white official paper inside before unfolding the paper to see what’s written on it.
‘Dear Ms. Y/l/n,
I am delighted to inform you that the Committee on Admission has admitted you to the class of 2021.’
You squeals in happiness when you finished reading the first sentence of the letter. “Mom! I’m admitted!!!” You run out of your room to your mom who’s cooking in the kitchen.
After a mini celebration with your family, you went back to your room, looking back at the letter, feeling proud. Sketching buildings and houses have been something you’re good at, and one of the reasons why is because of your desire to build a dream house for your family to live in. You want your family to live comfortably and happy, with your own design.
While you daydream about what’s going to happen in your upcoming life chapters, a notification pops up from your phone. You peeked into it to see who texted you and you smiled. It’s him.
Jaehyun <3: Hey, are you free for a date night?
You: “Hey baby! Yes, I’m free and I have something to tell you ~
Jaehyun <3: I’m excited! I’ll pick you up at 11, love. See you later ~
“I miss you so much!” Jaehyun hugged you so tight that you have to hold your breath with a smile drawn on your face. “Stop, I can’t breath!”
“Oops, sorry. I can’t help it.” He puts his hands back on the steering wheel and you leaned forward to give him a kiss. After all, you both can only date in his car to avoid getting caught by paparazzi and being careful not to hurt his fans.
Now that his car is parked in the middle of the park, he leaned closer to you while playing with your hand, squeezing it a little bit and your cheeks
“So, what is the thing you want to tell me, hm?” He asked.
You sighed. You were actually afraid that this might not end well because pursuing your dream job means leaving him and that you will be miles away from him without being able to come back home often.
“Well, the thing is... this.” You take out the letter you brought along to show him nervously, a small smile drawn on your face while expecting his reaction.
“Hm?” Jaehyun opened the letter you passed to him and a minute after he read the first paragraph, his eyes lit up in happiness. “Baby, you got admitted!” Before you got to reply he engulfed you in a hug again, slightly moving your body along with him in excitement. “Y-you’re happy?” You asked, voice muffled by being pressed to the crook of his neck.
“Of course! I know this means a lot to you. Going to this university is a dream and now you’re going for it! I’m so happy for you.”
For a moment, you feel like all the worries you have been thinking of were useless. Of course, he would be supporting and happy for you and stuff, but the fact that you both are going to be far away from each other still bothers your mind.
“Thank you for kindly supporting me, hon, but this means I’m going to be far far away from you.” You uttered sadly and he quickly sighed.
“I know. Remember when you first told me that you’re applying and I whined and told you I’m gonna be so sad if you got admitted? I am now. I feel like, you’re already going even though you’re still here with me and your departure will be in like two months?”
You can’t help but feel sad at what he said. A drop of tears slip out of your eye and you quickly wiped it off your cheeks and he immediately panicked. “Oh no, I made you cry! I’m sorry! This waas supposed to be a happy moment for you but I ruined it! Shit, I’m a terrible boyfriend,” he ranted.
“No, Jae. You’re the best part of my life. You’re not a terrible boyfriend. I love you, a lot.”
His look soften when you confessed just like that. He pats your back lovingly while you try to wipe the wetness on your cheeks. “It’s okay, we shall make sure that we will cherish every moment left to make up all the time we’ll be away from each other.”
He runs his fingers through your hair, brushing them against your hair to feel your beauty longer than he usually does. You smiled while keeping the eye contact before speaking out to him, “I will support you even though I’m far away. I will always be your number one fan, Jae.”
“I know it, I know for sure. We’ll keep in touch, right?”
You nod, and when you both hug it makes you sadder than it was already been that you cried on his hoodie that night, feeling sad and happy all mixed together, with him by your side.
The last two months ended with you two spending time more often than usual. His manager made it possible and he was being considerate enough to make his schedule worked for both of you to hang out. He meets you after his drama filming and often offers you to help you preparing your things before you move. Everything was going well and for a short moment, it made you forget that you’ll actually be leaving your family and loved one in a few hours.
Jaehyun stayed by your side before you have to check-in. He waited next to your family while you talked to your other family and friends, him being covered in a mask and a hat. He promised himself not to cry on the day when he would send you to the airport, but he thinks he’s going to fail. And he’s right.
“Aw, look at him, he’s already crying!” One of your family points up at him and he immediately wiped out the tears, embarrassed that your family gets to see him cry.
You smile bitterly as you approach him to give him a tight hug. He hugs you tighter, inhaling your scent before he’s going to miss your presence in the time beings. “I’m going to miss you, for real.” He mumbled against your hair, feeling a little bit relieved when your family left you both to give more privacy.
“Believe me, I’m going to miss you too, more than what you can imagine. Promise me to always work hard and achieve what you dream of, Jaehyun. We’re going to support each other, right?”
He nodded, as he rubs his hands against your back lovingly, before the announcement played on the background, reminding you of how little time you got before actually leaving the country to pursue your big dream.
“I can’t believe you already have to leave,” he sniffles. You laugh in tears, “Yes, I have to, by now. Stay healthy, baby. I’ll call you when I arrive.”
“Goodbye, love.” You waved to him as you drag your carrier with heavy steps, entering the other side while making sure you still see his figure through the transparent automatic slide door until he vanished completely out of your sight.
