Ninaa

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ᴍᴀɴɪꜰᴇꜱᴛɪɴɢ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴠɪʙᴇꜱ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ʏᴇᴀʀ

[ninaanyun]

ᴀ ꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏᴍɪꜱᴇ

─────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────

some promises are inherited

A marriage decided long before they understood what love meant. Two people trying to be gentle in a life chosen for them. This is about duty, silence, and learning how to stay.

arranged marriage ⋆ slow burn ⋆ ReaderxJungkook

Chapter One — Autumn Light Chapter Two - Loose Ends Chapter Three - Meeting You Chapter Four - The Things We Leave BehindChapter Five - Celebrations Chapter Six - Bells

[ninaanyun]

♡ ̆̈ 𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Author’s Note: Hey everyoneeee!! 🫶 What a quick update compared to before lmfaoo. Please feel free to comment your thoughts and opinions! 💬💗 Enjoy! ✨📖

word count: 6k

🏠︎ ⬅ ➡

🔔 Chapter Six—  Bells

“I didn’t know we still had this…” you said softly as you looked down at the dress lying across your lap.

Your mother's wedding dress.

Your fingers traced the lace around the neckline and sleeves, noticing the small stitches that had come undone over the years. Being compressed inside a suitcase had done its own damage to what had once been a beautiful white gown. Now, the dress that had probably cost hundreds, if not thousands, was covered in a light yellow discoloration.

A part of you felt bitter. How could a dress that was as expensive as it was end up like this? Being packed away shouldn't have caused it to discolor... right?

“Sweetheart... it's a beautiful dress, but I'm sure your mother would have wanted you to get a new one,” Mrs. Jeon said softly, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder.

Mrs. Jeon had brought the dress out for you to see. She wanted you to know it was still there, hoping it might inspire you while searching for your own wedding dress. Every dress you tried on the other day wasn’t it. Too tight, too long, too loose, too folk like. Nothing fit, nothing worked and you started to feel helpless. 

Mrs.Jeon could tell you were tired and so she wanted to show you the dress, see if it could bring any ideas to what you want in mind.

Seul couldn't take her eyes off you. She could tell you were struggling. Old memories had resurfaced, pulling you back to a place that should have felt light, yet somehow only felt heavy.

“My mom would want me to get a new dress. I know that for sure,” you said quietly before letting out a single chuckle. “Her dress... isn't my dream, and she never wanted me to build myself around who she was. She wanted me to be my own person.”

She had always encouraged you to embrace who you were and never feel limited by life.

Which was a little ironic, considering hers had been cut so short.

Again.

There it was.

That bitter thought.

“But my parents aren't here on my wedding day...” you continued as your eyes slowly filled with tears. “It's stupid, but I feel like... wearing this dress would make me feel like she's here.”

Silence settled over the room, broken only by the quiet sound of your sniffles.

“I think we should custom make a dress.”

Seul's voice interrupted your thoughts.

Mrs. Jeon and you both turned to look at her. Your eyes were already filled with tears, while Mrs. Jeon's were fighting to keep hers from falling.

“It's such a beautiful dress, but... I don't think it's you,” Seul continued. “I think you should use this dress to make a new one. One that's you, but still has Aunt Haeji with you. Maybe use the lace and some of the silk.”

She knew you well enough to know that this idea was perfect for you.

But why hadn't you thought of it?

“That's perfect,” you said, looking over at Mrs. Jeon before offering an almost fragile smile. “I think I want to do that.”

You hoped she wouldn't mind you altering the dress.

“Yeah... I think that's a wonderful idea,” Mrs. Jeon replied softly before getting to her feet. “I actually have a tailor I can call to get everything started.”

You quickly wiped your tears before looking down at the dress again.

But this time, only one thought filled your mind.

"Hah..."

The quiet sound caught Seul's attention.

“You okay?” she asked, leaning forward.

“Yeah... it's just...” You turned toward her before continuing. “I went through all the clothes and... I never saw this dress. Where was it?”

You didn't really expect her to know the answer.

The surprising part was...

She did.

“Well... that day we were all packing, Jungkook found the dress in one of the suitcases. He took it to Mrs. Jeon. He thought maybe you'd want to consider wearing it.”

You blinked.

“But... Why not just show me? Or ask me? And how do you know this?”

Questions spilled out one after another.

“I'm not sure why he didn't tell you,” Seul admitted. “But I know because I saw him carrying the suitcase out. I asked him what it was, and he said it was your mom's wedding dress. He thought it'd be safer here.”

She gestured around the large house.

You hummed softly as you thought back to that day.

To his quiet gestures. To how naturally considerate he seemed. In a strange way, it warmed your heart. He had put the dress aside for you. Because if you really thought back to that day, you probably would have donated it.

Not because you didn't love it.

But because every time you looked at it, it reminded you that while your parents had chosen each other freely, you never felt like you had been given that same choice. Now that the idea of your choices settled, you could look at the dress more clearly and want to keep it. Even the remnants that will come after you create your own. 

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“Hey... Dad's asking if you want eggs.”

The voice that pulled you from your thoughts belonged to none other than Seul.

Yesterday, you had decided to stay at Uncle Jae's house. It made the most sense. He would be walking you down the aisle today, and Seul was your maid of honor. Being close to them felt comforting, and somehow, spending the night there had helped you slow down and breathe.

You thought the nerves were gone. You were wrong. The closer today came, the more nauseous you felt.

“Yeah, sorry. I'm coming,” you replied, getting to your feet before making your way to the dining table, where your aunt and uncle were already waiting.

You smiled at them before taking a seat and reaching for the kettle in front of you, pouring yourself a cup of tea.

“Big day today...” Aunt Nina said as she sat beside you, placing a few slices of toast onto your plate.

You couldn't help but laugh, shaking your head as you looked down at the table.

“Yeah... a little too big,” you joked.

“Listen... I know all of this is nerve wracking, but it'll go well. I'm sure this marriage will be one of the best things to happen to you,” she whispered softly as she stroked your hair before placing a gentle kiss against your temple.

You turned toward your aunt and smiled warmly.

You knew her optimism came from experience. She had arranged to marry your uncle.

Well... somewhat.

Their story had always been a little gray.

The two families had known each other for years, and everyone understood they were meant to marry one another someday. Naturally, feelings developed. After all, who else were you supposed to like at ten years old when you already knew you were expected to marry your father's friend's son?

“Thanks...” was all you managed to say.

There simply weren't any other words left.

At this point, everything you had been feeling had already been shared with someone else. You were exhausted from the emotional back and forth, from feeling okay one minute only to spiral the next.

“And if things don't work out, then I can just move in with you and Jungkook,” Seul joked as she placed the eggs in front of you before sitting down beside you. “I'll create the divide.”

You rolled your eyes playfully before taking a bite of your breakfast.

“Besides all the joking, we have a lot to do today,” Uncle Jae said as he took the last remaining seat at the table. “We have a wedding to prepare for.”

“Yes, but sweetheart, you focus on yourself,” Aunt Nina added encouragingly. “Getting ready. Making sure everything is okay.”

You nodded in response before taking a bite of your toast.

“So... is Mrs. Jeon coming today?” Seul asked, choosing her words carefully. “To help you get ready?”

“I don't think so,” you replied with a shrug. “I mean, I told her I didn't need help getting ready. I have you guys, so... yeah.”

You weren't entirely sure whether Mrs. Jeon planned on stopping by.

You were like a daughter to her, and everyone knew it.

While everyone felt a little uneasy about the arrangement and the circumstances surrounding your marriage, Mrs. Jeon seemed almost over the moon.

At least, that's how your family saw it.

Not in a bad way. Just in the sense that she had never hidden how excited she was. You didn't mind.

Seul did.

Ever since you returned home, Seul couldn't shake the feeling that Mrs. Jeon unintentionally acted as though you no longer had family.

Yes, your parents have passed away.

But you still had people who loved you.

They were sitting around this very table.

To Seul, it sometimes felt like her family was being overlooked, as though they weren't an important part of your life.

“You okay?” you asked, noticing that Seul had drifted off into her own thoughts.

“Huh? What?”

She blinked before quickly shaking herself out of it.

“You're the one zoning out this time.”

“Yeah... sorry.” She smiled sheepishly. “I guess it's just nice having you to ourselves today.”

“That is true,” Aunt Nina chimed in with a nod.

You knew everyone was on good terms.

But there was still a quiet bitterness lingering beneath the surface, simply because you had been placed under Mr. and Mrs. Jeon's guardianship all those years ago.

If there was one thing you were grateful for, though, it was that no one had ever taken those feelings out on anyone else.

They accepted the situation for what it was and chose to move forward with grace.

Which was exactly why you encouraged Mrs. Jeon to stay with Jungkook today.

To focus on her son instead of worrying about you.

Because you were home too. You were surrounded by family.

And somehow...

Both places still felt like home.

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“Now remember, son, you need to finish organizing all the files by tonight and email me the presentation for the conference, alright?” Mrs. Jeon said as she grabbed her keys from the side table in the Han house.

Your house.

“And remember to finish your book report and essay too, okay? Good grades will take you a long way,” she added as she slipped on her heels and headed toward the door after saying goodbye to your mother, Haeji.

Jungkook was staying over at your parents' house for a few days. He would be sleeping in the guest room while his parents attended a work conference alongside your father, Jihoon.

“Yeah, I'll make sure everything gets done,” he replied, as respectful as ever, before bidding his parents goodbye.

Haeji walked over to Jungkook and placed a gentle hand on the sixteen year old's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze before waving goodbye to her husband.

“Ugh... those two,” she muttered, rolling her eyes.

Jungkook turned toward her with a small smile, already knowing exactly what she was about to say.

“It's too much, son. All this homework you have to do, and they're piling company work on top of it? Come on, let's get dinner ready,” she said, leading him toward the dining table where his textbook and laptop already sat open.

“Y/N! Come downstairs!” she called toward the second floor as she set three plates onto the dining table, which was already covered with small side dishes waiting to be eaten.

“Coming!” you yelled back.

Haeji brought over the bowls of rice, the bulgogi, and the kimchi jjigae before helping Jungkook close his textbook and laptop. She carefully carried them over to the kitchen island to clear some space on the table.

“It looks really good, Mrs. Han!” he said, looking down at the food, his stomach practically rumbling with anticipation.

“Well, you better eat a lot! Growing boys need lots of muscle, so eat plenty of meat, okay?” she said as she placed a generous serving of bulgogi onto Jungkook's plate before serving your own.

“Oh... you're here?” you asked as you walked into the dining room, taking a seat beside your mother.

“Yeah. My parents and your dad went to a conference, so I'm staying here for a few days,” Jungkook replied before taking a bite of the bulgogi with some rice.

“Cool! Where's Junghyun?” you asked, looking around as if expecting him to suddenly appear from another room.

“He's at  university sweetheart. Remember?” your mother reminded you as she finally took her seat.

You nodded slowly, not really remembering, but accepting that your mother had probably told you at some point.

“Hm... I forgot.”

Haeji smiled to herself before turning back to Jungkook.“Jungkook, I can help you with your book report after dinner, okay?” she offered.

It wasn't really an offer. She already knew what his answer was going to be. Just as you were like a daughter to Mrs. Jeon, Jungkook had become like a son to her.

“It's okay, Mrs. Han. I don't want to bother you,” Jungkook replied politely, exactly as she expected.

“Nonsense,” she dismissed with a wave of her hand. “It's only a book report. It'll go by much faster if we do it together.”

Jungkook couldn't help but smile.

“Thanks, Mrs. Han.”

“You're welcome, sweetheart. Now eat before everything gets cold.”

He nodded obediently before taking another bite, earning a satisfied smile from Haeji as she finally began eating too.

"How many hours did your mom give you today?" Haeji asked as she scooped another spoonful of rice into her bowl.

Jungkook thought about it for a moment. "I have to finish the presentation, organize the client files, write my essay, and my book report."

Haeji finally took her seat, setting her bowl down as she looked at Jungkook, one brow raised.

"You're sixteen."

Jungkook blinked, unsure how to respond.

"You're supposed to be stressing over exams and after school programs, not presentations."

He let out a quiet laugh. "Dad says it's better to learn now."

"Your father means well," she replied gently. "But don't grow up too fast. Focus on making the basketball team. I know how much you love playing."

Jungkook smiled to himself.

"Actually... I made the team last week."

"You did?" Haeji's eyes lit up.

"And..." he scratched the back of his neck, looking a little embarrassed. "They made me captain."

You looked up from your bowl immediately.

"Captain? Really?" you asked, your eyes widening. Even though sports had never been your thing, you knew that was a big deal. Especially after you hadn't made the soccer team and spent weeks pouting about it.

Haeji's face broke into the proudest smile.

"Jungkook, that's wonderful!" she said, genuinely excited. "Congratulations, sweetheart."

He couldn't help but smile back.

"Did you tell your mom and dad yet?" she asked.

The smile on his face faded just a little.

"No." He looked down at his bowl, pushing his rice around with his chopsticks. "Dad doesn't really want me doing too many extracurriculars. He wants me to focus on my grades, so... they don't even know I'm playing basketball."

The table fell quiet for a moment.

Haeji reached across the table and gently patted the back of his hand.

"I'm really proud of you," she said softly. "Not because you're captain, but because I know how hard you've worked for it."

Jungkook looked up at her, surprised.

"You deserve to enjoy being sixteen too."

A small smile found its way back onto his face.

"So..." Haeji said with a playful grin, lowering her voice dramatically. "Until you're ready to tell your parents..."

She made a zipper motion across her lips.

"My lips are sealed."

You immediately gasped.

"Mom! You're helping him keep secrets?"

She laughed.

"I'm helping him celebrate first.

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People didn't know it, and they certainly couldn't see it, but when your parents passed away, a part of Jungkook died too.

There were many times when he looked at your mother as his own. Sometimes, if he was honest with himself, even more than his own.

Haeji helped him with his homework, reminded him to eat properly, and always asked about his hopes and dreams. She wanted to know what made him happy, what he wanted to do when he grew up, but most importantly, what kind of person he hoped to become. It was a kind of care he wasn't used to.

His own parents loved him. There was never any doubt about that. But their love often came in the form of expectations. Good grades. Company work. Preparing him for the future. The future that was already decided for him. 

Haeji simply wanted him to be happy.

When he was home, there was also Ms. Kim, the family's longtime housekeeper. She fussed over him just as much, making sure he had eaten, reminding him to rest, and quietly taking care of him in ways that often went unnoticed.

Jungkook loved his mother.

He always would.

But sometimes he wondered if he would ever have the same sense of comfort and security with her that he felt with Haeji or even Ms. Kim.

When your parents died, Jungkook grieved in silence. He cried when no one was looking. He missed them terribly.

But more than anything, he had to stay strong.

Strong for his own mother.

Mrs. Jeon had stopped eating properly. Some days she barely left her room, and others she simply sat in silence, staring into nothing. Losing two of her closest friends had broken something inside her.

So Jungkook buried his own grief.

If his mother was falling apart, then he had to be the one to keep her together.

Even if it meant carrying his own heartbreak alone.

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Jungkook took one last look around the house before slipping the keys into his pocket.

It still smelled new.

Fresh paint, polished hardwood floors, untouched furniture. Every room looked as though it had come straight from a catalogue, waiting for someone to finally make it feel lived in.

He had bought the house only a few weeks ago. Not because he needed a new place to live. Because if the two of you were going to start a life together, he wanted it to be somewhere that belonged to both of you. Somewhere neither of you had memories tied to. A fresh start.

His eyes wandered back toward the master bedroom.

The double bed he had originally ordered had been exchanged for a queen. A second dresser now stood opposite his, and nearly half of the walk in closet sat empty, waiting for your clothes.

It felt... strange.

Not in a bad way.

Just unfamiliar.

For the first time in his life, he had to think about someone else's routines. Someone else's belongings. Someone else's comfort. The realization made everything feel a little more real.

He stepped out into the hallway, passing neatly stacked boxes filled with kitchenware, decorations, and little things that still needed to be unpacked after the wedding.

Junghyun was waiting near the front door, scrolling through his phone until he looked up.

"You done?"

Jungkook nodded.

"I just wanted to make sure everything was ready." Junghyun glanced around the empty house before smiling.

"It looks good."

"I hope she likes it. But then again, if she wants to, she can change whatever she wants"

His brother looked at him knowingly. "I'm sure she will. Women always want to add their touch. Or make sure yours isn’t seen" He joked, letting out a laugh.

Jungkook let out a quiet breath and looked back toward the bedroom one last time. "I don't even know if she's going to sleep in there tonight."

Junghyun chuckled. "That's your biggest concern?" He asked, raising a brow. 

"I mean..." Jungkook rubbed the back of his neck. "We're getting married today, but we weren’t ever together romantically so... I don't want her to feel uncomfortable."

"So what are you going to do?"

"If she'd rather have the room to herself..." He shrugged. "I'll take one of the guest rooms. There's no rush."

Junghyun smiled to himself. "See? That's why I knew you'd make the right decision."

Jungkook frowned. "What does that mean?"

"You've been thinking about what she needs from the very beginning."

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“Oh... everything's just...” Sunhee whimpered softly, her voice catching in her throat before she could finish. Fresh tears welled in her eyes as she looked around the familiar home.

It had been two years since the Han family's accident.

A year earlier, you had moved to Toronto to start a new life. Knowing you had no plans to return anytime soon, Mrs. Jeon, Sunhee, had taken it upon herself to begin sorting through the Han house. Donating what could be donated, packing away what should be kept, and slowly preparing the house to be emptied.

No one had stepped foot inside since the day your parents died.

Everything had been left exactly as it was.

The framed family photos still rested on the shelves. Your father's reading glasses remained on the coffee table beside the newspaper he never got to finish. Your mother's cardigan still hung neatly over the back of one of the dining chairs.

It was as if they had simply stepped outside and forgotten to come home.

Sunhee's breathing grew uneven. Silent sobs escaped her lips as she sank to her knees, burying her face in her hands.

Jungkook looked down at his mother while his father gently rubbed circles against her back, trying to comfort her. Junghyun stood quietly nearby, his eyes wandering around the house, unable to find the right words.

Jungkook felt his own throat tighten. He held back the tears threatening to fall.

His mother was hurting. He needed to stay strong for her.

“It... it's all the same,” Sunhee whispered through her tears. “Everything's exactly the same.”

Jungkook closed his eyes for just a second. One tear escaped despite his efforts. He quickly wiped it away before anyone noticed and quietly lowered himself onto the dusty couch.

The silence stretched for several minutes. Eventually, Sunhee managed to steady herself. She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her cardigan, before taking a shaky breath, and giving a small nod.

“Let's... let's start packing.”

Her husband silently opened one of the empty cardboard boxes they had brought with them, folding the flaps into place before handing another to Junghyun.

Jungkook looked around the house once more.

Something about this felt wrong.

His eyes drifted from the boxes to the photographs on the wall. To your mother's favorite vase sitting by the window. To the staircase that led to your bedroom.

His chest tightened. ‘What are we doing?’

He understood why his mother wanted to help. He really did. But ‘Shouldn't this be Uncle Jae's decision?’ His gaze lingered on the staircase. ‘Or more importantly...Y/N's?’

Jungkook stood up, clearing his throat to catch his family's attention before making his way toward his parents.

"We shouldn't be doing this," he said quietly.

Sunhee looked up at him, confusion written across her face. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Jungkook glanced around the house before gesturing toward it."This... isn't our place." He paused, searching for the right words.

"This isn't our home. And as much as they were family..." His voice softened. "There are other people who should be doing this before us."

His father frowned. "Don't be ridiculous, son. If someone else wanted to empty the house, they would have. No one stepped in."

Jungkook knew where his father was coming from. He wasn't being insensitive. He was trying to protect his wife from carrying this burden alone.

"I know," Jungkook said gently. "Maybe they're just... not ready." He looked back toward the staircase. "But forget Uncle Jae." He swallowed. "What about Y/N?"

Silence settled over the room once again.

Junghyun lowered his gaze, unsure whether he should say anything.

Jungkook continued. "I know she's not planning on coming back and I know being here probably reminds her of the worst day of her life." His eyes wandered across the family photographs still hanging on the walls. "But that doesn't take away her right to say goodbye."

His voice dropped to almost a whisper. "Or decide what happens to her home."

Junghyun finally spoke. "Jungkook's right." Agreeing with Jungkook, he stepped towards him and gave a slight squeeze to his shoulder. 

"What if one day she comes back?" Jungkook asked. "What if she wants to keep some things? What if she wants to live here? We should give her that choice."He shrugged. "We can't make that decision for her."

Then, after a brief moment of silence, Junghyun added with a grin, "And... I'm pretty sure it's borderline illegal with the whole will situation."

The comment earned a small laugh from both of their parents, breaking some of the heaviness in the room.

Sunhee looked around the house once more. Her eyes landed on Haeji's cardigan still hanging over the dining chair. She slowly set the cardboard box back down."You know what..." she whispered, wiping away another tear. "You're right."

Mr. Jeon looked around the room before giving a quiet nod. "We'll leave everything exactly as it is."

He wasn't preserving a house. He was preserving a memory. 

Because if Haeji had left anything precious behind...It was you.

This was about making sure that when you were ready...You could come home one last time. .

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“You look beautiful…” Jae said, tears welling up in his eyes as he looked at you fully dressed, make up down and hair made. 

You looked exactly as your mother did when she was getting married and he felt like he was taken back in time. 

You slowly lifted your gaze to the mirror.

For a moment, you didn't recognize the woman staring back at you.

The gown seemed to catch the day light, its layers of soft ivory tulle falling effortlessly to the floor in a full, flowing skirt that moved with the slightest shift of your body. It was elegant without feeling overwhelming, almost as though it had been made to float rather than walk.

The bodice hugged your waist before blooming into the skirt, its sheer illusion fabric embroidered with delicate floral lace that climbed gracefully across your torso and sleeves. Tiny petals and embroidered vines stretched over your shoulders and down your arms, the intricate details making the dress feel timeless rather than extravagant.

Your fingers brushed over one of the embroidered blossoms near your waist. Some of the lace had been carefully taken from your mother's wedding dress.

The tailor had preserved every piece he could, weaving it seamlessly into the new gown. It wasn't immediately obvious to anyone else, but you knew exactly where those pieces were. A section of lace along the sleeves. Tiny fragments of silk hidden beneath the layers of tulle.

“I…yea I look pretty good.” You aligned softly, turning back and seeing your friends smiling widely as Seul realigned the veil, fixing it for you. 

Your uncle took a tissue from nearby and pressed it gently against his lower lid as he tried to contain himself. The little girl who he watched crawl, walk, run and had moments of being a menace, she was grown. Getting married and he couldn’t be happier for her. Knowing Jungkook, who he was. Your uncle knew he was right for you even if you couldn't see it yourself. 

“Oh my gosh, this dress is stunning and you just look gorgeous” Maya said as came closer to give you a gentle hug and shortly after Jennifer joined as well, making it a gentle and light group hug. No one wanted to ruin the beautiful dress or crinkle it.

“Sorry to interrupt but it’s time!” The wedding coordinator interrupted, as they knocked on the door. 

It was time. You were ready. Almost at least. 

You took one last look at your dress and thought back, back to your mother. 

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A warm summer afternoon. The smell of freshly cut grass drifting through the open kitchen window. Your mother hummed quietly to herself as she folded laundry.

Then, without looking up, she smiled and said, "Everything happens for a reason, sweetheart."

You had groaned dramatically. "Mom... that's such an old person thing to say."

Haeji laughed. "Maybe." She folded another towel before looking at you. "But when life falls apart, don't spend all your time wishing it hadn't."

She reached over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear. "Take a breath." Her smile was as gentle as ever. "Then start picking up the pieces."

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"Sweetheart? "It's time." Uncle jae said, a small smile plastered to his face as the girls behind him smiled warmly in encouragement. 

You nodded slightly and hooked your arm with his. Getting ready to walk down the aisle.

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Jungkook stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve for what felt like the tenth time. The suit fit perfectly. Everything did.

The tie, the watch, the polished shoes.

Yet none of it settled the nervousness sitting in his chest.

His fingers paused over the cufflink. Almost instinctively, his mind wandered back years earlier.

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"Mom?"

The kitchen was quiet except for the gentle bubbling of doenjang jjigae on the stove. Sunhee looked up from where she was chopping vegetables. "Hm?"

Seventeen year old Jungkook leaned against the doorway, his school blazer slung over one shoulder.

"Can I ask you something?"

She smiled immediately. "When have you ever needed permission?"

He let out a quiet laugh before stepping into the kitchen. "Dad keeps saying that one day I'll be the man of the house."

Sunhee paused what she was doing. "And?"

"What does that even mean?" He shrugged, asking. This was something his father often said to him and Jungkook didn’t quite understand why he kept saying it and what it exactly meant. "Does it mean I have to make the most money?"

She smiled, holding herself from laughing at the naive young boy who was curious but dense at the same time.  "No."

"Then... does it mean I have to take over the company?"

She shook and nodded her head at the same time.

"No.. and yes. There’s going to be a day where you'll take over but that’s not what your father means."

Jungkook frowned. "Then what is it?" He asked, sitting down on the bar stool, leaning against the counter of his mothers kitchen.

Sunhee set the knife down before turning fully toward her son. "It means people should feel safe because you're there."

Jungkook looked at her, confused.

"I don't mean physically. A man doesn't become the head of a family because he's the loudest. He becomes someone people can lean on."

She smiled softly. "Someone who listens before he speaks."

She reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair from his forehead. "Someone who protects without making people feel weak."

Jungkook stayed quiet.

Sunhee chuckled at the young boy who still and clearly didn’t understand. 

"You know..." she said. "Your father thought being the man of the house meant carrying every burden by himself." She glanced toward the living room where Mr. Jeon was reading. "It took him years to realize he didn't have to."

“Well you  both seem to carry the burden. You both are stressed all the time!” He said, rolling his eyes jokingly. 

She laughed softly and shook her head, “we’re not! But what your father means to say…when you get married” She smiled knowingly. "...don't think your job is to lead your wife. It's to walk beside her."

Silence settled between them. 

Before she took a seat next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, continuing "You don't have to solve every problem. You don't have to pretend you're never scared. You just have to make sure she never feels like she's facing those problems alone." 

Jungkook sat quietly, letting her words settle. He understood them. At least, he thought he did.

But he was still just a seventeen year old boy.

Marriage felt like something that belonged in the distant future, a life so far away that he could not picture it. His mother's words were comforting, but they were also difficult to grasp when he had never loved someone, never built a home with another person, and had never carried that kind of responsibility.

So he simply nodded, tucking her advice away somewhere in the back of his mind.

"Now, enough of all this." She lightly flicked his forehead. "Go finish your homework before your father thinks I've turned you into a philosopher."

Jungkook laughed. "Yes, ma'am."

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

You walked down the aisle, looked around and saw everyone who loved and cared for you. Except two  people but you knew they were there. 

You looked down the aisle and saw him. Jungkook, standing there. You could tell he was just as nervous as you and for some reason, that made this easier. Made it easier going down that aisle and meeting him. 

Uncle Jae and you stopped in front of Jungkook and the minister. They exchanged a quiet look. No words were needed. In Jungkook's eyes, Uncle Jae saw a promise. In your uncle's, Jungkook saw trust. It was enough.  

Your uncle lifted your hand, handing it over to Jungkook as you placed your hand over his and held it softly before stepping up to the plaque where the minister began. 

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God and these witnesses to join Jungkook and Y/N in holy matrimony. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud... Love never fails.” The officiant said as he gestured to everyone around them and to the young soon to be married couple in front of him.

"Jungkook, do you take Y/N  to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in holy marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?” He asked, looking over at Jungkook.

Your eyes locked with him as he took a breath and nodded. 

“I do.”

"Y/N , do you take Jungkook ,  to be your lawfully wedded husband , to live together in holy marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor him, and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?” He asked once again but this time, to you.

“I do” You said, your voice gentle and shy.

“I understand the two of your prepared vows.” He said, giving Jungkook the floor first. 

“We did…but we dont want to say it out loud. We’d prefer to just exchange it to each other for now. ” 

Weird, this was a request that the minister or anyone had never heard of. Jungkook and you decided a few weeks back that for your vows, you would exchange them in a form of a letter because that’s what felt right. 

“I think that’s beautiful.” The officiant said, giving the two of you the floor, allowing you to turn around to Seul who passed you your neatly folded letter to Jungkook. While Jungkook took out the almost crumbled letter out of his tux pocked to hand to you.

Looking at the state of that letter, you laughed. It was the most boyish thing you’ve seen and it left weird butterflies in your stomach. 

The guests laughed along, Jungkook's mother shaking her head as she wiped her tears. 

“Can we get the rings?” The officiant asked, to which Jungkook's distant niece handed them the rings that sat on a soft pillow. 

Jungkook picked up the ring that was yours and gently slid it on your finger before you had done the same. Proceeding to hold hands. 

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride!” 

And there it was, your chest back in your throat. You didn't even know what to expect, so you swallowed the lump in your throat as you leaned in. Jungkook did the same.

Instead of your lips, he simply pressed a small kiss against your cheek.

Applause erupted throughout the venue as everyone rose to their feet. Smiles spread across familiar faces. Some wiped away tears. Others laughed quietly through them. They all knew the circumstances that had brought the two of you here. They knew this wasn't the love story either of you had imagined. Yet, as they watched you walk back down the aisle side by side...It somehow felt exactly like the beginning it was always meant to be.

[ninaanyun]

I was wondering, when are you going to post the next part of a forced promise, no pressure just asking out of curiosity...

I finished the next chapter already, and just need to edit it! The plan was to post it sometimes this week but I was so busy that I didn’t even get a chance to open up the story and edit it 😅😅 hopefully next week !

[ninaanyun]

the next chapter is almost done, and might I spoil a little?

loottttsss of flashbacks :')

IDK i was listening to golden brown while writing this!

[ninaanyun]

♡ ̆̈ 𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Author’s Note: Hey everyoneeee!! 🫶 Hope you enjoy the chapter! It's a bit of a filler chapter, nothing too crazy but feel free to comment your thoughts and opinions! 💬💗 Enjoy! ✨📖

word count: 8k

🏠︎ ⬅ ➡

🎆 Chapter Five —  Celebrations

Weeks had passed, and you were staring at the disaster in front of you. Half filled boxes were scattered across the apartment, clothes spilling out of open suitcases and draped over chairs like they were abandoned laundry piles. Your closet doors were wide open, and somehow, despite packing for days, it looked worse than when you started.

You let out a long sigh, rubbing your face before rolling your eyes at yourself. How did this even happen?

“Holy shit.”

You turned at the sound of Jennifer’s voice and immediately burst into laughter at the horrified expression on her face. Honestly, it mirrored your own reaction from earlier, except you had at least gotten used to the chaos after staring at it for hours.

Jennifer stepped carefully around a box near the doorway. “Did you not have a plan when you started this?” she asked, looking around in disbelief before crouching down to shove random items into a box. She wasn't organizing things properly at all, but at least she was helping.

“I did, but…” You glanced around the room before gesturing vaguely toward the mess. “Clearly it didn’t work out.”

“Clearly,” she repeated dramatically.

You dropped yourself onto a pile of clothes with a groan, leaning back against the side of your bed. The exhaustion hit harder now that most of your apartment no longer looked like home, but you started getting used to that idea.

Jennifer grabbed one of your sweaters off the floor and narrowed her eyes at it. “Why do you own seventeen versions of the same cardigan?”

“They’re different shades.”

“They are all beige.”

You gasped, dramatically. “That is extremely disrespectful. And they’re all different shades of beige.”

Jennifer snorted before tossing the sweater into a box labeled KEEP, even though you had very clearly made a separate DONATE pile.

“Jennifer.”

“What? You’re gonna miss your emotional support grandma cardigans.”

You could not even argue with that.

She shook her head before pulling her phone out of her pocket. “Nope. This is beyond me. I’m calling David and Maya.”

You sat up slightly. “Jen, you don’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I do. Because at this rate, you’re either going to miss your flight or accidentally pack your toaster with your skincare.”

“That happened one time.”

“And I still think about it.”

You laughed again, quieter this time, before your expression softened slightly.

The reality of everything still felt strange. In just a few weeks, your life had shifted completely. You went from cautiously meeting Jungkook for dinner to being engaged, planning a move back to Korea, selling your parents’ house, and now sitting in the middle of your apartment trying to decide what parts of your life fit into cardboard boxes.

It was overwhelming.

Exciting too, somehow, but mostly overwhelming.

Jennifer seemed to notice the shift in your expression because her teasing eased almost immediately.

“You okay?” she asked more gently.

You looked around the apartment slowly. “I don’t know,” you admitted honestly. “It just feels weird.”

“Weird bad or weird scary?”

You thought about it for a moment. “Both.”

Jennifer nodded like she understood completely. “Makes sense.”

You picked at the sleeve of your hoodie absentmindedly. “I’ve lived here for years. A lot of my life happened here. I met all of you…” Your voice softened near the end. “And now I’m just leaving.”

The words made your chest tighten more than you expected.

Jennifer walked over and sat beside you on the floor, shoulder bumping yours lightly.

“You’re not losing this part of your life, you know,” she said quietly. “You’re just taking it somewhere else.”

You looked over at her with a small smile.

“Wow,” you muttered. “That was actually really wise.”

“I know. Write it down before I go back to being funny.”

You rolled your eyes at her playfulness before getting back up and starting to pack again. 

Your flight to Seoul was in 2 days, most of your things were shipped out and all you had left were some clothes and personal items like skin care, your pc and other technology. 

There were plenty of things you were leaving behind, your bookshelves, dressers, bed, just to start with. And this decision wasn’t something you made on your own. 

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

“You okay?” Jungkook asked, just to check in since you were a little silent. He had called you to show you the house he found, and wanted to buy. You didn’t object to it, you weren't looking for much and frankly, you didn’t want anything too big but it was clear to you that he did. 

“Yeah..” You mumbled, looking down and around at your room. You had just started to pack and it felt overwhelming, not the whole getting married and moving thing but the fact that there was so much to take and you didn’t even know what was worth taking. 

“You’re quiet. I mean you’re always quiet, but something seems off.” He commented, to which you didn’t respond.

Jungkook sighed and shrugged over the phone, the two of you were on facetime and it was something you two agreed to try. You tried to talk once a week to get familiar with each other. You two were never close but talking would at least help bring you two closer? Maybe? “Okay...maybe I should go-”

“No!” You interrupted, realizing that you were being a little selfish right now. You were so caught up in your own head that you didn't even bother to put in a little effort with your conversation with Jungkook. 

“Well I’m not going to stay on the phone and just stare at you” He said, blatantly which he had every right to.

“Sorry, I’m stressed. I have these book shelves, my bed, my desk and dressers..and I dont know if I should ship them out or leave them here.” You explained, flipping the camera to show all the furniture that you began to empty out but didn’t know what to do with.

Jungkook looked at your room and felt that it wasn’t necessary for you to bring any of your furniture since he planned to purchase new furniture anyways. And it didn’t help that your bed was just a double, not big enough for the two of you. But he didn’t want to say he wouldn't fit in it. What if you had no intentions to sleep in the same bed as him. 

“It seems like a hassle to bring everything, we can get new things here.” He said, giving his thoughts without a trace of emotions. You couldn’t tell what he was really thinking or feeling.

“Wouldn’t it be a hassle to buy new furniture-?” You asked,

“Maybe but at least it’d be our furniture, not yours meets mine” He said. 

Men didn’t think twice about furniture and the way a house looked but it seemed to have meant a lot to jungkook. It was odd, really because what man actually cares about the theme of the house consistency with it?

“Are you sure?” You asked, building furniture itself was a little much for you and so you couldn’t imagine jungkook enjoying it, though men tend to enjoy these things more.

“My mom’s probably going to take the lead on it too, I don't know. She’s very excited and talked about how she’s adding some things to her cart for us” He said, shrugging as he leaned back on his couch.

“Your mom is more excited than we are” You joked, though was it a joke? You two weren’t dreading anything but you weren’t excited either.

“Sometimes I forget I’m the one getting married” He jokes back, letting out a soft chuckle.

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────────────────── “Helloo?” Jennifer waved a hand to your face, you were zoned out, just thinking about your conversation with Jungkook.

“Huh-?” You snapped out of your thoughts and looked at Jennifer who had questioned why you were zoned out. 

“Nothing, it’s just a lot to do in a short amount of time.” You said before starting to pack some of the clothes that were on your bed, dresses and interview clothes mainly. Things you weren’t planning to touch soon anyways. 

“Well Maya and David are on their way so I guess we do what we can and hopefully they can help out when they get here” She said before grabbing an empty box and starting to organize books inside.

“Oh thank god, I’m so over this” You said, sighing as you shut the full box and set it aside with some that were already filled and completed. 

“So are you getting a roommate or you want this to be your solo space?” You asked. Jennifer and you had met in university and once the two of you got close, you both decided to be roommates. You felt it was fitting since you went from a boarding school to university dorms and needed to get a new place right after. 

“I don't think so. I think for now, I’m just going to live alone and let that sort itself out. Besides, I couldn't imagine a roommate that's not you.” She joked, she obviously felt a little sad that you were leaving and she didn't expect this to be the reason. But she felt happy for you at the same time, even if you couldn’t be happy for yourself. 

Jennifer knew that something was always missing for you and it was family. In a way, you getting married and moving back home was going back to your family. Being around those who knew you as a family and as much as you made you peace here, Jennifer knew your heart was always somewhere else. 

11 pm and everything was finally done. You were packed and just had your essentials left which had to be done last minute anyways. You sat on the floor, finishing off your plate of food as the others were watching the movie quietly. You weren’t thinking about anything but the movie and your friends. It was nice that they were around and always were. Spending time with them always eased your mind and made things better because they were all truly the best friends you could ask for and on some level, you were sad to be leaving them. 

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

Jungkook had invited his friends over. With you coming back to Korea in two weeks, he figured it was best to tell them about his… engagement? Arrangement? Whatever it was.

He didn’t want them finding out through an invitation to some engagement party. No, he wanted to tell them himself, face to face. And he was ready. Or at least, he was trying to be.

“Dude, you suck. Give me the controller!” Taehyung complained loudly from behind Hoseok, who, admittedly, wasn’t great at games. Hoseok shrugged off Taehyung’s grabby hands, nudging him away with his elbow while keeping his focus on the screen.

Jungkook set two cases of cold beer on the coffee table before dropping onto the couch and grabbing the remote.

They were all there, Hoseok gaming, Taehyung pestering him nonstop, while the others talked and snacked like usual. The familiar chaos should’ve calmed Jungkook down, but it didn’t.

As soon as he got hold of the remote, Jungkook turned off the television, catching the attention of a now irritated but also distraught Hoseok.

Hoseok sat up immediately, annoyed, whipping his head to Jungkook. He thought he was finally making progress…he wasn’t.

“Why’d you do that?” he asked, frowning as he tossed the controller onto the couch and turned to face Jungkook.

Jungkook swallowed. “I have something to tell you guys.”

His chest tightened. He was nervous, more than he expected. He knew they’d support him… but what if they didn’t like it? What if they thought he was making a reckless decision?

Namjoon and Seokjin were the only ones married, and they’d done it the normal way. Meeting someone, dating, falling in love, and eventually settling down.

This… wasn’t that. It was traditional, old timey but modern at the same time? Weird. That was the word to describe it.

“About time,” Jimin said, flopping down beside Jungkook and reaching for a beer. “You’ve been acting weird for months.”

Jungkook huffed out a quiet breath, rubbing his palms against his jeans as he kept his eyes on the 6 boys who were all staring at him from different angles.

“Okay, but before I say anything,” he started, glancing around at them, “Can you guys just…listen to the whole thing?”

Taehyung snorted, already reaching for a beer. “That sounds serious. I don’t like it.”

“You never like anything serious,” Yoongi muttered from the armchair, not even looking up as he popped open his drink.

“That’s not true,” Taehyung shot back. “I take food very seriously. As one and anyone should.”

“That explains why you ate my leftovers last week,” Jin cut in, narrowing his eyes.

“They were in the fridge too long!”

“It was ONE DAY.”

“Time moves differently for food, hyung.”

Hoseok burst out laughing, nearly spilling his drink. “You’re unbelievable.You did the same thing when you invited yourself to my place. Messaging me for permission”

Taehyung grinned, completely unapologetic. “And you didn’t reply, so I took that as a yes.”

“That’s not how consent works,” Namjoon said, butting in and shaking his head with a grin plastered to his face. 

“See? Even Namjoon agrees. You’re a criminal,” Jin added.

“Wow,” Taehyung gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. “Betrayed by my own family.”

“Relax,” Jimin said, nudging him with his foot. “If you go to jail, we’ll visit you. Maybe.”

“Wow. Fake friends.”

“You ate his food,” Yoongi deadpanned. “You deserve worse.”

The room filled with laughter, the tension easing just a little. Jungkook found himself smiling despite everything, the familiar chaos grounding him.

But his grip on the beer bottle tightened.

“Alright, alright,” Hoseok said, clapping his hands once. “Can we focus? Jungkook literally turned off my game for this. This better be life-changing.”

“It is,” Taehyung added, pointing at Jungkook. “If it’s not, I’m turning the console back on.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes. “You weren’t even playing.”

“I was emotionally invested.”

“You were harassing Hoseok.”

“Same thing.”

Another round of chuckles rippled through the room, but this time Jungkook didn’t laugh.

Namjoon noticed first, his expression softening slightly. “Hey,” he said gently, leaning forward. “You good? What's going on”

That did it. The room quieted, not completely, but enough. Even Taehyung stopped fidgeting.

Jungkook exhaled slowly, his heart pounding harder now that all eyes were on him. This was weird, he never announced things like this and he never really had anything important, life changing or crazy to say.

“I…” He hesitated, then forced himself to continue. “I’m getting married.”

Silence.

Actual, real silence which was quickly broken by the loudest of the bunch, Taehyung. 

“What?” He asked, coughing as he choked on his drink from absolute shock. 

To them. Jungkook had no strings attached. Nothing about him and his lifestyle screamed that he wanted to ever get married so this news? Yea, it was news to them. So the question came to their mind, was it Jina?

“Yea, what the fuck-?” Jimin chimed in, just as confused.

Jungkook took the silence as his cue to speak and explain the situation. And so he did, he explained the contract, your relation to him and more. The boys sat there, quietly, listening to every word spoken. Luckily Jungkook's explanation came earlier than the boy’s asking if it was Jina. She was the last person he was intimate with so she had to be the most educated guess for them.

“So how’re you feeling about all this?” Hoseok asked, being the fist to break the silence. Jungkook’s friends were goofy and loud but they cared. Cared for Jungkook like he was a brother, like they did with each other 

“Pretty okay? I don't think I really care that much anymore” He shrugged, leaning back as the boys exchanged glances with each other before Taehyung spoke up “This is a pretty big commitment and you don't care?” He asked, making sure that not only did he hear right but also understood right.

“It’s not that I don't care. You guys know how this shit works. I’m supposed to be arranged with someone and it’s always been understood so whatever, now's the time I guess.” He explained. With more time to think about everything, Jungkook realized that this was inevitable. Whether it was with you or maybe someone else his family had partnerships with, he knew that his parents would be the ones to choose who he married. Even though they gave him a choice, Jungkook didn’t feel that they really did. 

“Well I guess we should celebrate then” Yoongi said, trying to lighten the mood, cheersing his beer with Jungkook. 

“Yeah I don't want a bachelor party of anything. But it’d be pretty cool if you guys were my groomsmen.”

The room went quiet for a second before Taehyung pointed at Jungkook."Hold on. You're asking us to be groomsmen before we've even met her?"  He asked, his brow raised as everything happening was backwards. In a normal situation, Jungkook’s best friends should have met you before he announced your marriage.

"That's actually a good point," Namjoon nodded, agreeing to his point.

"I know," Jungkook replied. "But you're my friends." He continued before being interrupted, "That doesn't answer the question," Jimin said.

"It answers enough."

"Not for me."

Jungkook rolled his eyes. Unable to keep up with the guys, He explained everything already and couldn’t imagine what else they wanted to know. 

Hoseok laughed. "Honestly, I'm more surprised you're getting married than the fact you're asking us to be groomsmen." "Same," Jin agreed.

Yoongi took another sip of his beer. "I thought we'd have to drag you to an altar." Implying that none of the boys ever really imagined Jungkook settling down. He wasn’t a playboy or anything but he didn’t really have any serious relationship.

"You probably still will," Jungkook muttered. That earned a laugh from everyone. It kept the moment light and airy. 

"So when do we meet her?" Taehyung asked immediately.

"You don't." Jungkook responded simply, shrugging as he took another sip of his beer. Finishing it off this time and placing the empty bottle down on the counter.

"What?"

"You don't need to meet her right now."

"We absolutely do," Taehyung argued. “Dude, you got engaged and you’ve CLEARLY been talking to her for a while so why don't we get to meet her?” He questioned him, rolling his eyes. A small part of him was offended since they’ve been best friends for years. 

Jungkook understood where he came from and could imagine the rest of the boys feeling the same. But the circumstances were different. You weren’t his girlfriend, it was weird to introduce you to them when he wasn’t completely himself with you. 

Before Jungkook could even explain himself, Namjoon leaned forward, completely pushing away Taehyung’s concerns, as valid as they were. It was a little childish for him to only think of himself.

"Seriously though. Do you like her?"

The question caught Jungkook off guard.

The room became noticeably quieter. Everyone became interested in this question. They all wanted to know.

"I don't know," he admitted honestly.

That answer seemed to surprise them.

Jungkook wasn't the type to dance around questions. If he liked someone, he'd say it. If he didn't, he'd say that too. "She's nice," he continued after a moment. "Easy to talk to…and I know her. I’ve known her for a long time and even though we were never really close, there is a part of her that’s close so..there could be someone worse out there?” He said. Shrugging. 

Some of the boys nodded, understanding him a little better. Jungkook was a simple guy, not complex, and didn't have many barriers. At least not with them. 

Jin raised his beer. "To Future Husband Jungkook."

Everyone lifted their drinks.

"To Future Husband Jungkook."

Jungkook groaned as six beer bottles immediately clinked, not including his empty bottle.

Despite himself, he laughed.

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

“Oh! You look absolutely gorgeous!” Mrs.Jeon said as she placed a hand over her mouth, tearing up ever so slightly. 

No. You weren’t getting married. You were standing in the guest room, your hair wavy, half up and half down while your silk dress flowed down your body nicely. The silver tone to the dress complimented the minimal make up you did for the occasion. The diamond earrings and necklace set that was passed down to you from your mother at a young age tied the entire look together.

“You turned around and gave Ms.Jeon a small smile before walking towards her and shaking your head “Oh please, look at yourself”

Mrs.Jeon looked beautiful. She was an older lady but you could never really tell her age. There was something so youthful about her that words almost couldn’t explain. Mrs.Jeon let out a soft laugh and waved off your compliment before turning around to walk out, giving you space to get ready. 

Weeks had passed and here you were. Getting ready for your engagement party. The moment you got back to Seoul, Mrs.Jeon had already been planning the wedding and engagement. It was surprising and overwhelming but also comforting. In a weird way, you were glad that the responsibility of an engagement and the wedding wasn’t thrown at you though you didn't expect to have an engagement party. 

The party was being held in the Jeon family’s backyard. It was huge, and they got a florist to come in, bring flowers and decorate the place as well as other decors, furniture providers. Everything was set. Round tables were covered in sage velvet cloths while the chairs had silky sage bows tied to the back. 

You could see the view from the window, Mr.Jeon directing the caterer’s and Mrs.Jeon adding some finishing touches. Aeri and Junghyun helped as well. 

“Wow..” 

You snapped out of your thoughts and turned around, your eyes meeting Jungkook’s. He looked handsome. His hair parted in the middle and just slightly gelled but it didn’t leave a greasy presence. It looked like he had spent a while getting ready but you knew that wasn’t true. Jungkook was effortlessly handsome so he didn’t need to do much. He stood in front of you, making his way towards you. He wasn’t overly dressed, just wearing a white dress shirt, no blazer on top. He was definitely done getting ready, his wrists had cufflinks and that was the final touch for most men. 

“Hey..” You said, awkwardly. In the weeks that you’d be back, you hadn’t really spent time with Jungkook all that much. He was busy with work and you? You were wedding planning, well more like assisting his mom. 

“You look nice” He said

“Thanks” You responded as your cheeks slowly tinted red though he couldn’t really tell since you had already applied blush. “You look well put together” You joked, poking his arm to which he laughed. 

“That’s it? You get nice and I get well put together?” He joked back, arching a brow.

“Getting nice is…well nice but it’s not the most flattering compliment!” 

“Better than well put together!” 

You shook your head, laughing before putting your hands up in defeat, “Fine fine, you look handsome.” You said, tilting your head to the side before flashing him a smile.

“That’s better” He said, letting out a cocky chuckle before turning around, inviting you to come down with him. 

These were the small moments that you got to joke around with him. Everytime you see him, it starts with an awkward interaction but the two of you slowly learn to push it aside. 

You took one final look in the mirror and nodded before making your way down, guests had begun to arrive and half of them you didn’t even recognize. They were mostly extended families or people that the Jeon’s were close to. 

Once you stopped walking outside, in the backyard your eyes immediately landed on Jennifer, causing you to smile widely. 

Your friends were by far the most supportive people you’d ever met. They made the trip all the way down to Korea for your wedding and you honestly didn’t know if you’d be able to get through this emotionally without their support. 

You made your way directly to them, waving at Maya, David and Jennifer. They all waved back and through their laughter, you could tell they were about to tease you. 

“Here comes soon to be brideeee” They cheered, loud but not loud enough for others to hear. You laughed softly and rolled your eyes before giving a playing smack to David on his arm.

“Oh please, stop.”

“This is crazy. I mean, we knew this was happening but holy shit. Being here right now? Witnessing it? I guess I didn’t accept it until now.” Maya said, taking a look around at the elegance around them. Families meeting and greeting. This was so unlike the girl they knew. You were minimal, middle class, you had your own vibe for aesthetics but the fancy wine glasses around and the flowers. They never saw this side of you. Granted, you didn’t even know this side of you still lived. 

“Yea i guess now it’s starting to feel a little more real” You nodded, agreeing. “But, how’s the trip so far? I mean I know you guys primarily came for the wedding but this is a chance to explore Korea”

Jennifer was from China while Maya and David were from Colombia so a pact was made. You all agreed to visit each other's home countries together and now you weren’t so sure if you’d have the chance to join your friends in going to China or Colombia but at least you were all in Korea together. Your home town. 

“Pretty awesome. We went clubbing the other night and oh my gosh, the scene is sooo much better here” David said while taking a sip of his wine that one of the waiters had served. 

You couldn’t help but laugh, knowing what he was talking about. You weren’t big on clubbing but the others were so naturally you went to clubs as well. The scene in Seoul was definitely different.

“Of course that's the first thing you mention.”

“It was memorable,” David defended.

“How are you finding it?” you asked Maya.

Maya smiled warmly. “Honestly? I love it here. Everyone's been really nice, the food is amazing, and your cousin took me shopping yesterday.”

You immediately turned to Seul who had joined your group of friends a few minutes after, smiling a little since you felt happy that your cousin took the liberty of taking your friends out to explore. Seul was aware that you were busy and frankly, you weren’t as familiar with Korea as you were when you were younger.

“You took her shopping?”

Seul nodded. “She spent more money than I did.”

“Because you took me somewhere dangerous,” Maya replied.

“It was a skincare store.”

“Exactly.”

Jennifer pointed dramatically, joining the two’s conversation. “See? She gets it.”

You rolled your eyes.

“Coming from the woman who sent me a four-page shopping list?”

“It was three pages long.”

“It was front and back.”

“It was detailed.”

“Insane,” you corrected.

Jennifer grinned before shrugging teasingly. You had been so caught up with your friends that you completely forgot about where you were until Mrs.Jeon joined your group, greeting Jennifer, Maya, David and Seul. 

“Oh, guys! This is Jungkook’s mom. She’s like..a second mom to me.” You smiled awkwardly, introducing her to your friends. 

“Hi, it’s so nice to meet you” Jennifer greeted, extending her hand to shake Mrs.Jeons as the rest of the group did the same. The only person already familiar with her was Seul obviously. 

“Its so nice to meet you all, are you staying in Korea for a while?” She asked, creating a nice open conversation with your friends which you really appreciate. They didn’t feel left out or isolated from anyone, everyone was kind. Greeting one another and all. 

“Oh yes, we’ll be staying for about another 2 weeks?” Maya answered, smiling widely. Mrs.Jeon’s english was limited, though she knew a little here and there.

“It’s beautiful and if you need help or anything, ask me.” She said, smiling. She knew that they weren’t familiar and so of course she wanted to offer herself. It was probably since she knew you wouldn’t get the chance to take them around. 

The small talk quickly ended once Mrs.Jeon realized that Jungkook had been lingering around his friends the entire time, occasionally talking to some relatives, but mostly his friends. “I must go, but please. Enjoy the party and have fun” She said warmly, once again before giving a slight head dip and making her way to her son, leaving you with your friends.

Meanwhile, Jungkook stood awkwardly while the boys talked about the plans for the wedding. How they decided who would stand right behind Jonghyun and so on. 

“Boys!” Mrs.Jeon greets, smiling widely as she makes her way to them. 

“Oh! Hey Mrs.Jeon!” They all called out, smiling just as wide before bowing in a respectful manner.

“My…do you ever stop growing?” She laughs, commenting on how tall they are before placing a hand on  jungkooks back, acknowledging that he indeed was, tall too.

“Well there's no such thing as being too tall,” Jimin joked, which was ironic since he was the shortest of them all. 

“Well you don't grow, I need one of you to stay my height” She said, laughing softly before turning to Jungkook and back to the rest of the group. 

“Have any of you met Y/N yet?” She asked, fully knowing that they hadn’t. She knew Jungkook didn’t bother to introduce you because as much as he was a gentleman at times, he was also a ditz. It’s important for the soon to be bride and groom to go around and introduce each other and since you weren’t doing it, she decided to slap some sense into Jungkook. 

“No we haven’t, though we keep pestering him to introduce us.” Namjoon said, a grin plastered to his face before Taehyung butted in

“Yeah! We told him to let us meet her, since we’re going to be her brother in laws” 

“Jungkook… introduce the girl for gods sake” She said, scolding him rolling her eyes. “And go around, meet each other’s families. You know that's what the engagement party is for” She added, continuing to scold him right in front of his friends who did nothing but snicker. 

Jungkook let out an awkward chuckle, not giving a verbal response but nodding before he turned around and headed towards you, where you were actually talking to your uncle and some of your other cousins.

“Yea! I actually spoke to Jason and he’s onboard!” You said, a conversation flowing while you explained some future plans.

“That's sick, i’ll be the first one there,” Dohyun said, your distant cousin.

The small group laughed softly which quickly died down when Jungkook made his way right to you. 

You gave Jungkook a small smile before turning back to your family “Oh, guys. This is Jungkook. I mean you guys already know him but. I figured I'd introduce him anyway.” You said almost right away. 

Jungkook was familiar with everyone in your family. Given that your families and his were close, he had attended many dinner parties that your parents hosted when you two were younger. 

They all greeted him, asking how he was doing. The conversation didn’t last long since there wasn’t much for them to catch up on. Everyone knew that Jungkook worked for his parents company, along with yours so Jungkook didn’t have much to say. Besides most of them saw him the day you were packing up your parents house, or your house. You still didn't know what to call that unfamiliar place. 

“Is it okay if I steal her for a minute?” He asked the group of young adults who nodded, some saying ‘of course’ while others oohed and awwed in a teasing manner. You laughed softly and rolled your eyes when Julie wiggled her brows. 

“What's up?” You asked, following Jungkook as he was leading you to his friends, which you weren’t aware of.

“Well, my mom wants me to introduce you to my friends. They’re also my best men for the wedding so…”He said, quietly and awkwardly. A small part of you was disappointed, you hadn't introduced him to your friends but you surely planned to. And so when Jungkook mentioned that it was his mom who encouraged him to introduce you to his friends, it left a small bitter feeling in your heart. Though you also felt as if you were looking too deep into it.

“Hey guys, this is Y/N. My fiance.” He said, introducing you the moment the two of you made it in front of the group. The boys were chatting lively until you two joined them, so this was definitely awkward for you.

“FINALLY” Taehyung, again, being the first to break silence says as he waves at you happily, the others joining as well. You let out a soft laugh and waved back. 

“Hey, it’s nice to meet you all.” You said, you weren’t shy because well, at this point you got used to meeting people you didn’t know. 

“Likewise, Jungkook mentioned you a few times and we’ve been pestering him to meet you. We just didn’t think it’d take this long” Namjoon responded, earning an eye roll from Jungkook. 

“Oh? Well it’s been a little crazy lately. WIth the planning and the moving. But I’m glad we get to meet before the wedding” You excused, nodding. “I’m sorry, there’s so many of you. Can I get your names?” You asked, hoping that you didn’t offend them. Jungkook literally never talked about them. You tried to probe, ask questions about him but he was a closed book.

“Oh yea sorry. This is Namjoon, Yoongi, Jin, Hoseok, Taehyun and Jimin.” Jungkook introduced them one by one, each other smiling, flashing you an eye-catching smile as their names were spewed. “We went to college together, and we were all in our college basketball team which made us closer” He continued, giving you a little context of how they knew each other, where they met. 

“Wow thats pretty cool, I didn’t realize you played basketball” You said, turning to jungkook. 

“Oh yea! He’s really good!” Jimin butted in, none of the boys realizing how embarrassed jungkook was feeling. 

“Yea we don't play much anymore. But I played a lot in college, "he explained.

It was awkward. But is that really surprising? You were standing there awkwardly next to your fiance. No hand holding, no hand on the back. Just…standing.

“So Y/N, what do you do?” Hoseok asked, trying to break the ice a little. Making you feel comfortable.

“Oh, I’m an optician. Well..unemployed right now but I plan to open my own store soon so that’s pretty exciting!” 

“What about hobbies?” He probed, the boys wanted to get to know you better. They knew Jungkook felt overwhelmed at times about everything so they automatically assumed that you would have felt the same.

“Oh I like clubbing..though that's not a hobby.” You laughed, earning soft laughs from the boys as well. “But I love to play games. Board game, video games..any game really. I’m not picky. I love hiking as well and just being outdoors. I don't think I have many hobbies” You admitted sheepishly to what Jungkook was able to laugh about. 

“Oh we love hiking and playing games too. Well most of us aren’t too picky about doing things. We’re very open.” Namjoon said. 

The conversation between you and the boys flowed well until there was a glass being tapped, everyone was silent and turned to face the front where Mrs Jeon stood, happily with a microphone in her hand.

“Everyone! The buffet is set up so please help yourselves to some food and take a seat to enjoy” She said, before handing the microphone cause to one of the waiters and making her way to you and Jungkook and the rest of the boys. 

“Start digging in okay? Make sure you eat a lot!” She said, gesturing to the food that had been set up for everyone to dig in. You noticed your friends lined up with plates in their hands, talking as they waited for their turn. You realized that eating with them would be the perfect opportunity for Jungkook to meet your friends. 

“Jungkook? Are you okay to sit with me and my friends? I want you to meet them.” You asked, letting out a shy smile before pointing over to your friends. 

Jungkook was a little touched, at least that's what he could describe the feeling as. “yea of course” He said, smiling before gesturing to you to go ahead and following you after you said goodbye to the boys. 

“The steak is really good, you should try it” Jennifer said, cutting another piece for herself as Maya shook her head. “Nah, I’m pretty happy with the chicken, I don't know, I’m just not in the mood for steak” She commented, taking a spoonful of rice into her mouth as David laughed.

“Yeah probably because you ate steak the last 3 days, wherever we went, you kept eating steak. You’re probably sick of it” He pointed out, earning an eye roll from Maya. 

“Oh shut up! Besides, how do you go to steak houses and not get steak?” 

You made your way to the table your friends were sitting at and placed your plate down, waving jungkook. “Hey guys” You started, before glancing at Jungkook and smiling. “This is Jungkook”

They all turned their heads to look behind you as Jungkook walked over with food on his plate, placing it right next to yours before smiling softly. “Hi, I’m Jungkook,” he greeted before bowing slightly . They all turned their heads to look behind you as Jungkook walked over with food on his plate, placing it right next to yours before smiling softly.

And it was quiet..not awkward, not that anyone was trying to be rude but your friends were shamelessly staring. Maya and Jennifer pupils had basically dilated into a heart form as they looked at him. They’ve seen pictures of him but this was their first time seeing him up close and he was extremely well dressed so you could understand that they were very much attracted to him. And while they were checking out Jungkook, David was looking at the two girls next to him, his brow raised at their silence. These two had to be the loudest, most annoying girls (in a friendly way of course) yet, one look at your fiance had them shutting up. 

You resisted the urge to smack to smack them. It was David who recovered first, blinking twice before turning to jungkook, giving him a friendly smile and extending his hand out, snapped the toher girls out of their daze. “Oh! Sorry, I’m David” He said, chuckling softly as Jungkook laughed softly, shaking his hand. 

"Maya," Maya introduced herself next, giving a small bow knowing that it was respectful in Korea and so Jennifer did the same. "Jennifer," Jennifer said with a grin, shaking his hand a little too enthusiastically. "I've heard a lot about you."

You nearly choked.

"No, you haven't!" You yelled, almost defensively. You didn’t want Jennifer to yell out how you confided in her about Jungkook. You weren’t just thinking about the wedding, the will, your life but also the fact that Jungkook was drop dead gorgeous and you felt a little out of his league. While Jungkook? You didn’t know what he thought about you, did he even find you beautiful? Those times he complimented you, were they genuine or out of respect and courteous. 

Jungkook looked at you, amused. Definitely interested in where this conversion was heading.

Jennifer ignored your panic state and laughed as she continued, “okay not a lot, but enough!”

Maya and David join in by nodding and agreeing. 

The embarrassment was reaching you. Your ears were red while your cheeks followed along as well. You covered your face with your hands, taking a seat and shaking your head. "Oh my God."

Jungkook let out a quiet laugh before taking a seat beside you. And that somehow made everything worse because now the four of them were staring again.

You looked around.

"What?"

Maya shook her head, a smile plastered to her face. "Nothing."

David looked down at his plate, trying and failing to hide his grin while Jennifer wasn't even trying.

You groaned. "Stop being weird."

This…this was just embarrassing. You just wanted to disappear at this point.

"We're not being weird," Jennifer argued. "You absolutely are." You bit back, shooting a glare at them.

David laughed, shrugging as he leaned back in his chair. "Sorry for being curious about the man you're marrying."

Jungkook nearly coughed on his drink and that was it. You really wanted to disappear. You closed your eyes, mumbling softly. "I hate all of you."

"No, because seriously," David said, looking at Jungkook. "We've known her for years, best friends, hanging out 24/7  and suddenly she calls us one day and says she's engaged."

"I did not say it like that."

"You did."

"I didn't!" You exclaimed.

The scene had Jungkook laughing almost shamelessly. He was worried that it would be awkward, just like everything was but your friends made it feel the opposite. Made him feel welcomed into their little circle, though you didn’t feel the same. You just felt embarrassed. 

“Okay okay enough!” Maya said, laughing in between and shaking her head before turning to look at Jungkook. 

“It’s really nice to meet you though, treat her well okay?” She said, with a genuine smile on her face to which you couldn't help but let out a soft smile yourself. 

“Yeah, she’s special,” Jennifer said, adding in. Your friends were protective, they’d been there for a lot of your life, and if not there then they were aware of your struggles. The grief of losing your family, home, and everything along with your first relationship. 

“I’ll do my best” Jungkook responded, simply as he glanced over at you and smiled slightly to which you returned as well. 

The evening continued, your plate was empty while Jungkook was eating some fruit that had been set out with dessert, along with cake but Jungkook wasn’t a big cake fan. You weren’t hungry, the meat had filled you up well that another bite would just make you nauseous. 

You had spent a good hour talking to your friends with Jungkook, letting them get to know him. Ask questions, it was fun seeing as you were learning new things about him too. You weren’t even aware that Jungkook was into painting. You weren’t very artistic and seeing Jungkook, you never expected that from him either.

“So Jungkook…now that we’re properly acquainted..” Maya started, all eyes on her. Before she could even continue, David slapped his face with the palm of his hand, shaking his head. “Whose…the tall guy with blonde hair-” She asked, gesturing towards Taehyung. Jungkook’s friend who had been laughing loudly with the other boys. 

Jungkook looked back and grinned before turning to Maya, raising a brow. “A friend.. Why?” He asked, playing into her game. He knew why she was asking,Taehyung indeed handsome, he was charming in a whole different way but the one thing he really had going for him? His height.

“Oh no reason, he’s interesting…” She said, too shy to admit that she was interested in him.

“Oh interesting? And how so?” Jennifer asked, poking her side as she teased her. 

When Jungkook introduced you to his friends, Maya was shamelessly checking out taehyung, she practically announced to the people around them that she had dibs. 

“Oh just..you know..” She couldn’t continue as her cheeks began to tint into a bright red. 

“Well yea, he’s my friend. Taehyung.” Jungkook said, nodding as he turned back to take another look at the guy who was practically spitting wine while laughing with his friends. How did she find him attractive? Jungkook couldn’t tell, but nonetheless, he knew Taehyung was a good guy and Maya was most probably his type as well. “He’s single too..”He said teasingly while glancing back at her. 

You couldn’t help but laugh softly, knowing that Jungkook was so clearly teasing her but was serious at the same time. You hadn’t seen this side of Jungkook, yes you two joked around a little but it looked like he was really easing up. 

“Oh just talk to him for her!” Jennifer practically yelled, rolling her eyes as she grinned. “She’s not gonna ask you to do it, so I might as well” She continued. 

You turned to Jungkook and nodded, agreeing with Jennifer almost immediately. 

The amusing conversation on the table was interrupted by a familiar voice behind you and Jungkook. 

“Hey Kook, we’re gonna go out for a smoke. Wanna come?” Yoongi, who you were familiar with and already acquainted with asked, one hand in his pocket while the other held a lighter. 

“Is it cool if we steal him for a little?” He asked with a small smile to his face. You let out a soft laugh and nodded. “Go for it, I kept you hostage for too long” You joked, nodding to Jungkook, encouraging him to go with his friends.

Jungkook said goodbye and thanks to your friends. Mentioning that he was happy he got to meet them before heading out.

The moment he was out of earshot, Jennifer slowly turned her head towards you, flashing a teasing smile "...I like him."

"So do I," Maya admitted right away. 

David nodded as well. "He's way more normal than I expected."

You didn’t think they’d dislike him, but you also didn’t expect them to like him so soon? As friends, you imagined them to be more skeptical and judgemental of him but they warmed up pretty quick which was quite surprising to you.

"What exactly were you expecting?" You asked, raising a brow.

"I don't know," David shrugged. "A rich CEO."

"He is a rich CEO." You pointed out.

"Yeah, but..." He gestured vaguely toward where Jungkook had disappeared. "He's...normal and chill. Most business guys are either douche bags or they have a stick so far up their ass, it's practically coming out of their mouth."

"He laughs," Maya added. “ANDDDD it’s not a business, weird kind of laugh. Like a genuine one”

"He’s also very attentive. It doesn’t look like he has a gun to his head" Jennifer chimed in.

David almost spat out his drink, laughing at Jennifer’s comment. “What?! I’m just saying,. You’re both in this…situation and it’s pretty nice that he seems open and optimistic about it.” She shurgged. 

Everything they were saying made you realize that you weren’t giving Jungkook enough credit. He genuinely is a good guy. He showed up to your house, helping you pack when you sold it. He called you many times when you were away to ask how things were coming along. He was trying more than you were and at this point, you felt as though he deserved more. 

“Yeah, he’s pretty…cool” You said, almost mumbling.

Soon enough the conversation trailed elsewhere. You got a chance to go around, meet family and most importantly thank everyone for coming. One by one of course and slowly the night came to an end. 

You were in the guest bedroom in Jeon's house, where you were staying until you and Jungkook moved in together and after you showered, you laid down on the bed and turned to your side, looking at the wardrobe that carried your wedding dress. 

In 24 hrs, you would officially be Jungkook’s wife and the thought of that had your heart reaching your throat. 

[ninaanyun]

♡ ̆̈ 𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Author’s Note: Hey everyoneeee!! 🫶 Okay this took a while and I promiseeee the next chapter will come out much faster. I got caught up with work and I kept writing and rewriting but here we are!! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Please leave your thoughts and comments below! 💬💗 Enjoy! ✨📖

word count: 7k

🏠︎ ⬅ ➡

🌙 Chapter Four —  The Things We Leave Behind

“Are you sure?”

Junghyun’s voice was calm, but there was something careful underneath it, something that made the question feel heavier than it sounded.

Jungkook didn’t answer right away.

He stood by the kitchen counter with one hand resting against the marble surface, his phone lying face down beside him. After the dinner, Jungkook had gone over to his brother’s place, wanting him to be the first to know about his decision. It was extremely late and a little inappropriate to show up unannounced, but he needed to talk to someone.

“Yes,” he said finally.

Junghyun studied him from across the counter, picking up the glass of water he had poured for himself and taking a sip. “You don’t sound unsure,” he noted.

“I’m not.”

That alone made Junghyun pause.

Because Jungkook was not impulsive. He wasn’t one to  rush decisions, especially ones that would affect the rest of his life. If anything, he overthought them, weighing every outcome and considering every consequence. So hearing certainty in his voice, real certainty, meant this was not a passing thought. This was something he had already fought with internally and came out the other side of.

Still, Junghyun asked, “This isn’t because you feel responsible, right? You’re not doing this just because you think you have to?”

Jungkook shook his head once. “No. If I felt forced, I wouldn’t agree to it. I told you that already.”

“How did the dinner go? Besides making a choice.” Junghyun had not gotten the chance to ask earlier. The moment Jungkook stepped into the house, the first thing he said was, “I’m going to marry her.”

“Not bad. It was awkward, but I didn’t mind it too much. I didn’t expect us to hit it off or joke around the whole night,” Jungkook said. He didn’t go into too much detail, but he wasn’t being vague either.

“What did you two talk about?”

“I asked some questions, she asked some. And then we just… agreed. We talked a little about what she does and stuff, but otherwise, it was pretty uneventful,” he said bluntly, shrugging.

Junghyun couldn’t help but snort, rolling his eyes. “Uneventful? You left your place single and came back engaged, and you call that uneventful?”

Jungkook let out a small chuckle, knowing his brother was just teasing him.

“Yeah, well…” Jungkook’s voice trailed off as he shrugged, not quite sure what to say.

“What do you think about her?” Junghyun asked.

Junghyun had always seen you as a little sister, and after you moved away, more like a cousin. Either way, he cared. He knew you were a good person, but did Jungkook?

“I don’t know. She’s okay,” Jungkook said flatly, shrugging.

He wasn’t hiding anything. He genuinely didn’t know what he felt about you yet. Sure, he thought you were kind and beautiful, but he had only really sat down and talked to you properly today. He had never done that before, not even when you were children.

“Just okay?” Junghyun raised a brow, clearly unconvinced.

“I don’t know. It’s too soon to have an opinion,” Jungkook replied, grabbing his keys from the counter and heading toward the door. It was late, and he had to get home. He was supposed to meet his parents tomorrow to talk about the dinner and all. 

Jungkook had invited you. He thought it would be a good idea to tell them together, but you weren’t able to join. You had things to sort out with the realtor and had already made plans to have dinner with your uncle.

“You’re heading out?” Junghyun asked, standing up and following him toward the door.

“Yeah. I have a long day tomorrow, so I can’t stick around. Besides, it’s late anyway,” Jungkook replied simply before opening the door and stepping out.

He said goodbye to his brother before heading to his car, letting out a quiet sigh as he got in.

The next day felt different from all the others. You were technically engaged and no one was aware. The night you got back to your hotel, you crashed out almost immediately, no time to stay up and overthink, you left that for this morning. 

The piping hot tea sat in front of you, the steam brushing your face as you leaned back against the couch and crossed your legs, just thinking. How you got here, what happened and if you were really sure. You could technically still back out, Jungkook wouldn’t be upset. You knew this given everything you knew about him, and even though it was little, jungkook really carried himself as a nice and understanding person. He came off cold  but that wasn’t his interior. 

You had doubts, you weren’t sure if this would work and you also questioned what you would do. Of course you had to move to Korea now, open a store here? 

Buzz…buzz..

The sound of your phone buzzing next to you, interrupted your thoughts. You glanced down to look at Jungkook’s name displayed. Why was he calling you in the morning? Maybe he changed his mind, you thought. 

“Hello?” you answered, your voice was received softly and it almost came off as if you were still half asleep.

“Hey, I hope I didn’t wake you” He said, it was flat. His tone almost had no expression, he was sometimes hard to read. 

“Oh no, I was already awake.” You responded, letting out a dry laugh. It was quiet between the two of you. You didn’t know what to say, but to be fair, you weren’t the one who called. 

“So I want to ask if you’re free for dinner tonight” He asked, 

Jungkook was nervous, he didn’t show it through his voice but he kept picking at the loose skin on the side of his thumb. A habit he had as a child which he carried to him now. 

“Oh? Yea I’m free for dinner.” You said, you bit down your lower lip, feeling a little anxious. In a weird way, your heart was beating fast and your face slowly turned red. Was he asking you out? It kind of made sense, maybe he wanted to try and establish a real relationship between the two of you.

“I wanted to invite you over to my parents house. I thought we could talk to them and tell them about our decision, your uncle too” 

Oh-, you clearly jumped the gun and almost face palmed yourself. You felt embarrassed, it wasn’t like Jungkook knew what you were thinking and you didn’t exactly voice your assumption but the mere fact that you had thought so deep into his initial question had you cringing. But besides the embarrassment, he was very mindful.

It only made sense to tell his parents and your uncle together and at once, it would make it easier for all the questions and logistics to be sorted out as well. 

“That sounds good. Yeah, I’ll let him know. What time should we arrive?” You asked

“7? Is that alright?” He asked, he knew you had plans to meet with the realtor and figure things out, that’s why he suggested dinner after all.

“7 is perfect. I’ll see you then” You responded, to which he gave his goodbye over the phone. 

And there you were again, just thinking. How this dinner was going to go  but also how the rest of your life was going to go.

By the time evening came around, you were in the car with your uncle, the city lights passing by in a blur.

“I see you dressed up,” your uncle teased. You couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh before shaking your head, denying it. “Oh please, I always look nice.” you joked, knowing that he was only pulling her leg. 

It was safe to say that you were nervous, though you weren’t sure why. Everything was decided, and now you needed to build the courage to live the life that’s now decided for you. Wow, just saying that made it feel more nervewrecking.

“ So you have two more days left, what’s your plan? “your uncle as well looking straight ahead as he drove. He could tell that you were nervous and what works  best for you is a distraction, hence his question. 

“There was an offer on the house, I guess I need to work out the kinks…I need to go through the stuff in the house. Get rid of things, donate. Stuff like that.” You said, while looking out the window, watching the cars pass by. 

“You could sell some of the furniture” Your uncle suggested, there was definitely a lot of furniture and it seemed like a good opportunity to make some money, money you could use towards the shop. But did you really need it? When you marry Jungkook, technically, you’ll be wealthy. So selling the furniture wasn’t that intriguing to you. 

“I don't think so.” You started, “I think I'd rather donate. And I’m sure there’s people out there who could really use some of the stuff.” You said before turning to face him, nodding. Reassuring yourself that it was the right choice. 

“That’s a good way of thinking, and you’re right. It’s probably better that way, "he agreed. He couldn't help but let out a slight smile. You were exactly like his sister, your mother. The thoughtfulness and consideration that you carried. It was a miracle that you even carried those traits given that you lost your parents at a younger age. Most people who lose their parents at a young age, they get lost but somehow, God only knows how, you didn’t. 

“Are you going to accept the offer?” He asked, he needed to catch up and wanted to help in any way he could.

“Yeah actually. I am. So I think tomorrow I’ll accept the offer and then go through all the stuff. Did you want to come with me? Maybe you can go through dad's clothes, and take out whatever you want.” You offered. You planned to keep some of your moms clothes. Looking back at the pictures and memories, you remember your mother having some of the most beautiful dresses and overall higher quality clothes. You always admired her clothes when you were younger and you weren’t ready to give them up.

“Tomorrow I’ll stop by around 5? I’ll bring Seul as well, she recently finished her semester so she’s been staying at home, doing nothing but watching tv and playing games. I think she needs to get out and do something.” He said, rolling his eyes playfully at his daughter. 

Seul was about 2 years younger than you, hence the reason the two of you were close. You remember playing with her when you were younger and when you were moving away, she cried. She was mad for weeks and didn’t call or talk to you. It wasn’t until one day, she for some reason decided to talk to you and hear you out and so the two of you worked out the little tiff. Since then, you made sure to call every week. Sometimes even 3 times a week. 

“Yea we should put her to work!” You joked, sharing a laugh with your uncle that soon subsided when you both arrived at the Jeons. 

You unbuckled your seatbelt and didn’t wait a second to open the car door once your uncle parked. You could see Jungkook’s car in the driveway as well, you knew he had already arrived and for some reason you were glad. You didn’t want to arrive on time, and have to stall the conversation and questions that would wait for you while Jungkook were to arrive late. 

“Ready?” your uncle asked while holding a box of confection treats that the two of you had picked up on the way over.

You only nodded before going ahead and ringing the doorbell.

It took just a few seconds before the door opened, and Ms. Jeon stood there, possibly with the widest smile anyone had ever seen plastered to her face.

“Y/n! Oh dear, you look beautiful!” she said, ecstatically, before pulling you into a tight embrace. Uncle Jae couldn't help but laugh at the little encounter. He could see that you felt just a little flustered from the sudden hug, and he nodded, telling you that it was okay. Both you and your uncle knew that Ms. Jeon was friendly and that she absolutely adored and loved you like her own, so in a way, her embrace was comforting.

“Oh! Ahaha, thank you.. and you look great too,” you said awkwardly, to which Ms. Jeon didn’t notice.

“It’s good to see you, Suni,” your uncle smiled, giving a small bow before entering their house once Ms. Jeon made way for the two of you.

“It’s great to see you too. I know we talk on the phone, but it’s been a while since seeing you,” she said.

“I know. I’m glad we were able to be together for this. Whatever it is, at least,” he chuckled, to which she responded with her own laughter.

You didn’t tell your uncle your decision. You and Jungkook decided to tell your families together, and you wanted to respect that. The two families didn’t know the verdict, besides Junghyun, of course, so your uncle didn’t really know what to expect today.

He recommended selling some of the furniture so that you would have money set aside for your shop. He had a feeling that maybe the two of you weren’t moving forward, and he couldn’t imagine you saying yes because, realistically, he could never bring himself to say yes to something like this if he pictured himself in the situation.

Ms. Jeon led the two of you to the dining room, where the plates and dinner were already set. It was beautiful, fancy china out and two different bottles of wine on the table, one white and one red, giving you a choice of whichever you’d prefer. You couldn't help but look around. You wanted to spot Jungkook and greet him, respectfully, of course, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Y/n,” you heard, turning around to be greeted by Mr. Jeon, well… your soon-to-be father-in-law. You smiled softly and made your way toward him, dipping your head down in a respectful bow, to which he just nodded with a small smile on his face.

Uncle Jae didn’t hesitate to go to Mr. Jeon and pay his respects, greeting him and thanking him for inviting him to their home. Mr. Jeon let out a laugh while shaking your uncle's hand. “Well, it was Jungkook who invited himself and everyone here,” he joked, causing himself and your uncle to laugh.

“Where is Jungkook?” you asked, looking around. You had seen Junghyun, Aeri, Ms. Jeon, and Mr. Jeon, but still no Jungkook to be found.

“Oh, he’s upstairs. He got a call from work, so he had to take it,” Aeri said, giving you a very welcoming smile.

“Oh, okay.” You nodded before walking over to the seat that Ms. Jeon was leading you to. You sat down with your uncle next to you, and slowly everyone sat down. About a minute or so after, Jungkook came down, apologizing for being a little delayed and going straight to your uncle. He bowed and shook his hand respectfully before nodding toward you and giving you a slight smile, which you only responded to with a smile.

You couldn’t tell if you were ready for this. Everything started to feel more real now that the two of you were meant to announce your decision. In a weird way, you felt nauseous. The idea of announcing your sudden engagement to a childhood acquaintance was pretty crazy to you since you showed that you were pretty against it in the beginning. Once Jungkook took his seat, right across from you, everyone decided to dig into the food. No one wanted to ask the reason for this sudden gathering. They had an idea. They knew a decision was made, and they felt it was only right for either Jungkook or yourself to bring it up.

Jungkook glanced at you, dipping his head down just slightly. His movement asked the question “ready?” without having to say it. It felt nice and almost touching. It’s as if he was able to tell that you were nervous and unsure of what to do, which, to be fair, he could. The moment Jungkook came down, he noticed how reserved you seemed. The confident girl he met that night for dinner was nowhere to be seen, and he saw your other side, just as authentic but a little more sheltered. He noticed how you played with your fingers a little and looked around a lot, almost begging to find a distraction from whatever was happening or about to happen.

You couldn’t help but let out a small smile. It was comforting to you that he basically asked your permission, and to that, you nodded, giving him permission to speak first.

Jungkook cleared his throat, earning everyone's attention before speaking. “So... obviously I set this dinner up so that we could tell you guys our decision.”

Ms. Jeon put down her cutlery, giving all her attention to her son as he spoke, while your uncle, not in a shocking manner, but in a way that showed it was hard to pay attention while eating, did the same.

“We decided to go ahead with this. We’re going to get married,” he said, flat and blank, with no hesitation but a little bit of nervousness. You looked around, trying to see everyone’s reaction. Their reaction could tell you everything, and that’s exactly what you wanted. You wanted to know if people were thrilled or unhappy.

“Really?” Ms. Jeon asked, a wide smile plastered to her face. She clearly couldn’t hold in her excitement. The woman didn’t even bother to seem somber, and in a weird way, it kind of made you slip out a laugh, which you quickly covered with your hand. Jungkook rolled his eyes, trying to hold back a grin himself. It was just as funny to him, his mother being the happiest at the table, and both of you knew she would be.

Your uncle, on the other hand, was harder to read. You made eye contact with him, and you could just tell that he wasn’t completely sure if this was right or wrong.

“This is what you want?” he asked. He didn’t bother to make this conversation private, seeing as it technically wasn’t. Jungkook announced it to everyone, so it made sense to question it right then and there.

You sat there for a brief moment before nodding. “Yeah... after thinking about it for a while, I feel like it’s the right decision,” you said, with no stutter in your words, despite a wave of nervousness. You were sure.

Uncle Jae could only nod, giving you a supportive smile before Mr. Jeon spoke. “To Jungkook and Y/N,” he said, lifting his glass of wine. Your uncle smiled slightly and lifted his glass, saying the same as everyone raised theirs. You felt awkward, weird, as if you jumped to a part of your life and missed a few episodes, but quickly enough, that awkward feeling went away the moment that Ms.Jeon said “When are we planning this wedding!?”. Everyone bursted out into a laugh, it was so clear that she was ready and wanted this to happen and so you couldn’t help but shake your head with a smile. 

“Mom please, calm down.” Jungkook urged, patting his mothers shoulder as you slowly ate your food. 

“Oh, a mother can’t be excited?” she asked, feigning offense, placing a hand over her chest dramatically.

“You can be excited,” he replied, letting out a small laugh, “just not… this excited.”

“That’s impossible,” she shot back immediately, shaking her head. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this?”

You couldn’t help but laugh softly, lowering your gaze to your plate for a moment as the attention shifted away from you. The tension that had been sitting in your chest since you arrived slowly began to ease.

Mr. Jeon cleared his throat, though there was a faint smile on his face. “Let them breathe, at least for tonight,” he said calmly, glancing between you and Jungkook. “There’s time to discuss everything properly.”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Jungkook added, leaning back slightly in his chair.

Mrs. Jeon waved a hand dismissively but didn’t push further, though the excitement in her expression didn’t fade.

Your uncle set his glass down and looked at Jungkook this time. “Have the two of you talked about… how this is going to work?” he asked, his tone careful but direct.

It was a fair question. One you knew was coming eventually.

Jungkook glanced at you briefly before answering, as if silently checking whether you were okay with him speaking. “A little,” he said. “Nothing too detailed?” He continued, his words slowly fading away as he glanced at you, almost asking you to continue for him.

You nodded in agreement. “We didn’t want to overwhelm ourselves, this whole thing is..pretty life changing for both me and Jungkook and so some things are decided but not everything. 

Your uncle hummed, leaning back slightly. “That’s good. Just make sure you’re both on the same page moving forward.”

“We will,” Jungkook replied, his tone steady.

There was a brief pause before Mrs. Jeon spoke again, softer this time. “So what’s decided?” The question was straightforward, there was no harm or other intentions behind it.

“Well…my initial plan was to…open a shop with the clinic in it. When we met for dinner and decided to do this, we talked about just…moving forward as soon as possible so that I don’t have to put my goals on hold.” You said, slowly. Hoping that Ms.Jeon in particular could pick up on the fact that you weren’t looking to take your time on these things and you just wanted to do it, nothing lavish or big. 

“Obviously I have to move back here.” you continued, “and so…I’ll be going back to Toronto and officially giving a two weeks notice, take a month or so to pack up and stuff. Finalize some things..” You finished, leaning back on the seat. At some point you felt weird, it was like you were rushing to get this done. As if the faster you married him, the faster you could divorce him. But that wasn’t the case, you didn't want to linger in the thought of what your life is to become, but wanted to move on and just do it. Focus on professional goals. 

Jungkook could tell that you were feeling a little shy and decided to step in. “While she’s in Canada, I think we’ll start with planning. There's other things we need to talk about but…we’re gonna do that” He said, putting it forward that there were some decisions that still needed to be made but something they could start on was planning.

“Just let us know what you need. We’ll help out as much as we can” Jonghyun said, to which everyone nodded. Agreeing and offering the same. 

It's funny, both you and Jungkook felt a weight lifted off your shoulders and as much as you were anxious about everything, you were slowly coming to terms. At least for now. 

The dinner was smooth sailing, from stories about you as a child to stories of Jungkook now. His parents pointing out that he was a workaholic was funny. You weren’t going to lie, it was definitely attractive. It showed that Jungkook never really relied on his parents' money but really wanted to work hard on his own. Make a name for himself. 

Once everyone ate some dessert, people were sitting by the living room, your uncle was engaged in a conversation with both Mr and Ms Jeon and so Jungkook took this chance to approach you, asking you to accompany him to the front porch. You accepted his invitation and excused yourself before following him out.

Quiet, Awkward. Those were the only two words you could use when describing any interaction with Jungkook. He didn’t speak much, well not to you. And you? You were shy. Didn’t know anything about him, so you didn’t know when and how to crack a joke now and then.

“I want us to figure out everything right now” He said, being the first of the two of you to speak. 

You nodded slowly “Okay..where do you want to start?” 

“Well for starters, how do you want us to plan things? I mean my mom will take charge in planning but it’s…your wedding so I’m sure you’d have some opinions about it.” He asked

This was weird, so weird. This entire conversation didn’t feel real. But then again, none of this did.

“I think you guys can start and I’ll help out when I come back? I mean…I’ll be busy with other stuff.” You replied, a little in your head. You were trying to make a mental note of all the things you had to get done but everything felt a little overwhelming.

“Okay…and uh…I know that this isn’t ideal for either one of us.” He said. You could tell that he didn’t know how to word things but was trying. You could pick up what he was trying to say and so you interceded as he stopped. 

“Look, this is weird. Honestly I kind of hate this. I imagined my life differently and now I need to shift my goals into something else so I can see that this probably affects you a lot too. But I’m also walking into this willingly. No one is forcing me to do this and no one is forcing you. I just want us to try. We don’t need to be a real couple but…we need to acknowledge what we are to each other…” You said, your words drifting off as you hoped he caught on. 

Your words and intention were driven by the conversation you had with Jennifer this morning. Yes, you and Jungkook agreed to tell your families together but Jennifer wasn’t family. She was your best friend and just as importantly, she was your roommate. She deserved to know since you co signed a lease with her. 

“How’d it goooo?” Jennifer asked, teasingly as she normally would. She made it sound like you’d gone on a date, which technically you had. Though it never felt like one. 

“It was fine, nothing special” you reassured her, rolling your eyes as you laughed. “But..something did happen and I feel like you have the right to know” You spoke, quite early actually. Before she could even respond herself. 

“Oh? What happened, have you guys decided on what you’re planning to do?” She asked, her voice could tell you that she already came to that conclusion. If it was a no, you would have said it right away but the fact that you hadn’t, it told her otherwise. 

“Yeah, we’re gonna go ahead with it.” You said. Flat, open, blunt. There was no other way to say it. 

“Oh…so…” She didn’t know what to say. A large part of her hoped that it wouldn’t happen because she knew that it would mean losing her best friend. You weren’t leaving her on purpose, but leaving to live in Korea hurt her a little. 

“I’m sorry…and I’m going to pay off my share for the year…I promise.” You said, specifying their shahid apartment. Technically Jennifer's name was on the lease and you have been paying her half of the rent.

“We can figure that out later…How’re you feeling?” 

You let everything out. Every concern, worry, doubt and hopes. You let out your genuine hopes to build your dreams here and make the most of it. 

Opening up led to joking around, Jennifer made jokes about how you were no longer going to be her problem, you and your OCDness (as she called it).

“This whole thing sounds straight out of a fanfic, or drama. It reminds me of that one drama we watched together, remember?”

“Huh, what?” You asked, confused and couldn’t recall but again, she didn’t give any specifications.

“You know, the one where that guy was forced to marry the main girl, and then he was cheating on her. And then he was a baby daddy to this other hoe” She explained, and then it hit you. 

This was far fetched but could Jungkook potentially have someone? 

“I don’t get what you’re saying..” he said, 

You wanted to face palm yourself, not because of him but because this conversation was awkward to have.

“You’d be my wife and I’d be your husband. That’s what we would be to each other” He said, raising a brow. 

“Yes…Okay I’m just overthinking right now but I hope you understand that even though this whole arrangement was barely our choice..that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t be faithful to each other..” You said, your words slowing down as you looked away. 

You didn’t want to look at his face and based on his expression, it was probably good that you didn't. 

He was most definitely offended. He couldn’t expect you to know what kind of man he was but at least give him the benefit of the doubt.

“You think I’d cheat on you?” He asked, and his voice was laced with an offended tone.

“I mean, I’m not saying you would! But I just mean that…I don't know if I want to be intimate and I know that you’re a man..you have needs and …yea” You said, turning to face him. Hoping that he understands where you were coming from. The matter of Jungkook potentially cheating on you had come from your conversation with Jennifer but it also came with past trauma. From your ex, which Jungkook wasn’t aware of. 

“You think I can’t keep it in my pants?” He bit, he was annoyed and irritated. He wanted a cordial conversation but here you were, accusing him of something before you two even got married. 

“I’m sorry, I don't mean to upset or offend you but this arrangement is weird and there’s these Kdramas and stories about husbands and wives who cheat on each other because they were arranged and…and I just wanted to make it clear that I have no intentions to be intimate with other people because we’re married and I’d be faithful to you and so I expect the same.” You hadn’t even noticed that you were rambling.

For some odd reason, Jungkook couldn’t help but soften. You rambling made him realize that as much as you didn’t know him that well, he also didn’t know you. He at this time needed to reassure you of your worries because to him, realistically, this would never work without a certain level of trust. He even appreciated the fact that you chose to communicate with him rather than sink into your own imagination. 

“I don't plan to have any other kind of relationship with anyone. Aside from you.” He said. 

Aside from you, those words stood out the most. To you, it seemed like he was leaving room open to options and possibilities. Like as if the two of you could have a deeper relationship than a contractual one?

“I’m sorry. It came out so wrong..” You said, cringing at yourself because this was indeed embarrassing. 

“Dont be. But I actually wanted to talk about other things.” He notes, leaning back to get comfortable. 

You nodded at him, letting him know your attention was fully on him and you were listening. 

“I have an apartment and well …it’s more of a bachelor pad so I think I’m interested in buying a house.” He said, pausing for you to think about his words carefully. Buying a house was commitment, commitment to the community and a certain life. He wanted to understand if you had any preferences. 

You nodded and took a moment before speaking, you didn’t see anything wrong in what he wanted and frankly, you thought it was a good idea. Moving into his apartment didn’t feel like the idea of home to you, but that you were living at someone else’s place and you wanted to get a different place to begin with. 

“I think that’s a good idea. Where did you have in mind?” You asked

“Here..Seoul. The company is here and it just makes it easier for me.” 

You nodded, agreeing with him. You were flexible, it wasn’t like you found a space for your store. And Seoul was huge, busy and perfect for what you wanted. 

“That works for me.”

“So how should we do this? Do you want to find it together after? Or have it prepared before we get married?”

“Well I’m going to finish off some business tomorrow. With my parents house so I think maybe while I’m gone to Toronto, you can find a place? I’m okay with anything really.I’m not too picky.” You reassured him.

“Okay, I’ll get right into that. I think my mom’s gonna take over the whole wedding planning and stuff” He joked, letting out a laugh to which you responded back with a laugh. 

“Well I don't hate that” You joked back. 

It was quiet..again and boy were you tired of it. You started to think ‘is this what marriage will look like?’ 

“What are you planning to do tomorrow?” Jungkook broke the silence fist, again.

“Oh well, I took some of my moms clothes that I want to keep and since I’m selling the house,I plan to go through some of the appliances and see what I want to keep and what I don't. It’s gonna be a lot since I’m leaving soon.” You said, keeping him up to date with your plans. You wanted to keep some of the appliances since they were in good condition and there was no reason to get more or new ones if you could just keep the ones from your parents home. You felt it was a great way to save money and more efficiant. 

“It seems like a lot in a short period of time. I have work tomorrow so I don't think I’ll be able to help but when you leave, if there's anything left to do then I can help your uncle.” He offered

It was selfless and kind of him. He looked cold but the more he spoke, the softer he seemed. 

“That’d be great actually” You sighed in relief, it was a huge burden taken out and your heart almost squeezed at the idea of him helping your uncle. It was respectful and maybe because you had been single for so long, you weren’t hating the idea of marrying him. 

The two of you continued to talk. You mentioned that you wanted to open a boutique kind of store and wanted to manage it as an optician. You went over the many things you dreamed of and explained what you were looking for in your ideal space. 

One conversation to another and you both found yourself laughing at some childhood memories. Memories of Jungkook and Jonghyun fighting and how you used to get scared that it would get physical as a child. 

It was a nice night and slowly the time drifted. The two of you were mid laugh before your uncle came out, letting you know of the time and reminding you that it was time to head out. 

You thanked Jungkook and his family for the delicious food and made your way out with your uncle. 

Things went well, you were glad and overall really happy with the outcome of things. Slowly this weird thing started to feel normal. 

The next morning felt livelier, like things were settling down and you had a game plan. And in an odd way, you felt pretty good. Motivated and ready. 

You stood in the kitchen of your parents’ house, arms loosely crossed as you looked around.

It was dusty. Nothing was touched, everything was left as is and it was weird. Did no one think to clear the place out? You weren’t upset by it but you had thought someone would have done it. You couldn’t help but smile a little, it was like this life, what you left behind was still yours and you were the one who got to decide what to do. It was a comforting thought. 

“Okay,” Seul said, clapping her hands as she walked in behind you, interrupting your thoughts. “We’re starting here. Kitchen first. It’s the easiest.”

Seul decided to join you first thing in the morning, your uncle planned to come later on but you couldn't do everything alone and it was nice that Seul offered to come because being asked to. 

You turned to look at her. “The kitchen is the easiest?”

“Yeah,” she said, already opening cabinets. “Emotionally unstable areas like bedrooms come later. We build resilience first.”

A small laugh escaped you, the sound surprising even yourself. “You sound like a therapist.”

“I watch a lot of TikTok so I’m pretty experienced,” she joked.

You shook your head, following her anyway, grateful for the way she filled the silence before it could settle too heavily.

The two of you started pulling things out one by one. Plates, cups, random containers that had no lids, and lids that belonged to absolutely nothing.

Seul held up a chipped mug. “Keep or toss?”

You stared at it for a second before pointing to the trashcan.

“Toss it.” You said flatly. Living in Toronto, in a small apartment, you get used to not having much , so looking around at all the plates, mugs, bowls, appliances. It was a little overwhelming. 

Seul nodded and threw out the mug almost immediately before going towards the empty boxes they brought alone with them. 

You took a moment to look around and gather your thoughts before speaking, telling Seul exactly what you wanted to keep and what you wanted to throw. 

“Okay honestly, espresso machine, ice machine, tupperware, and that full dinner set are a must keep. Regular plates, bowls, cups and glasses maybe, and honestly…everything else is to donate.“ You said, decided to only keep the things that had value to you. Or mostly things that you would use later on.

“Wow..” Seul said, nodding as she followed your lead, taking out the things that were meant to be kept and starting packing them in boxes.

“Wow?” You asked, confused as to why she was wow-ing her being decisive and moving things around

“Well I guess…I don't know, I expected you to have a harder time with this.” She said she didn't want to make the moment uncomfortable but she couldn’t shake the fact that you seemed to have been handling this well. 

People weren’t aware, but you had a harder exterior. It was hard to be vulnerable around people and the only person you were able to do that with was Jennifer. When the two of you met, she didn’t know anything about you and slowly, it was easier to talk about your life with someone who had no ties to it. Talking to the Jeons and your family was hard because you knew they were going through exactly what you felt, but it wasn’t a good feeling. It felt like the burden to comfort them while you grieved too. You weren’t good with your emotions, you’re well aware of it but you weren’t a total disaster.

“I don't know, I knew I had to do this at some point so I had a lot of time to mentally prepare myself.” You said, Seul nodded along, understanding that you had been thinking about everything so even if you couldn’t grieve or anything now, it was probably because you were too busy for it too. 

The two of you spent the day getting rid of things, sectioning things and luckily your cousins and uncle came to help out about 2 hours after you and Seul. Before you knew it, everything was almost done and you were starving. Yeah everyone snacked and had a few drinks while working cleaning up and organizing things but no one really had a full meal. It was too hectic to even think about food. And just as you thought about it, you could smell pizza. 

“Hey! I brought pizza” A familiar voice called out, you turned around along with your uncle to see Jungkook standing there, with an awkward smile to which you couldn’t help but let out a laugh. 

“Hey..I didn’t know you were coming. I thought you were busy” You said, smiling as you walked over to him. Your uncle thanked him as if he would have died. Maybe he would have, he was just as hungry as everyone else, if not more so given that he had a bigger appetite. Jungkook was holding a total of 6 boxes, to which uncle Jae grabbed 3 from his hand, placing it on a dining table that had just been wiped clean. 

“Sorry I showed up unannounced. You mentioned that you were gonna be busy doing this and I figured that maybe I could help out” He said, walking towards the dining table to set the boxes down as you followed behind.

Jungkook didn’t need to help, you were grateful but there were plenty of people here to help. It was comforting to know that he was making even just a little bit of effort, supporting you and in a weird way, it sort of made your heart jump. But then again, you were in a weird place. Back home, sorting through family heirlooms, getting married soon. Everything was weird. 

“Oh thanks..I really appreciate it. Even though we’re mostly done” You laughed, grabbing a napkin before opening the box of pizza and taking a slice out for yourself as the others thanked Jungkook and dug in.

“My bad, I got stuck at work and I figured you guys were hungry so I grabbed some pizza before heading over.”

“You’re a life saver. I was about to pass out” Minjae said, patting Jungkook on the back. Minjae was your other cousin, a distant one in all honesty so you weren’t as close to him as you were with Seul but he was still family. 

No one was aware of what was happening except for Seul and Uncle Jae. They didn’t bother telling anyone else because why should the world know all this, when it doesn’t change anything. Everyone else in the room knew Jungkook. Were they close to him? No, but they knew him well from all the different get-togethers your family would have growing up. 

The night went smoothly, nicely, and most importantly comfortably. Jungkook wasn’t aware but him coming to bring those pizzas without being asked meant a lot to you. It showed that this wasn’t just an arrangement to him but a choice, just as it was for you.

[ninaanyun]

♡ ̆̈ 𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Author’s Note: Hey everyoneeee!! 🫶 Sorry for the delayed post but I got extremely sick and it was a little hard to get on and edit my work!! Nonetheless, here we are! Thank you to everyone who has stuck around and I hope you enjoy the chapter. Please leave you thoughts and comments below! 💬💗 Enjoy! ✨📖

word count: 5.9k

🏠︎ ⬅ ➡

💭Chapter Three—  Meeting You

“Dude, go towards the alley and I’ll go the other way.”

Jimin’s voice echoed through Hoseok’s living room, eyes glued to the TV as he leaned forward on the couch, controller clenched tightly in his hands. Namjoon sat beside him, just as focused, thumbs moving quickly as their characters darted across the screen.

“No, that’s stupid,” Namjoon replied without looking away. “If we split up, we’re dead.”

“We’d have a better chance at covering all grounds,” Jimin argued back.

Jungkook laughed at the two bickering while they played video games to “relax,” when it only seemed to make them both more stressed.

Jungkook usually spent his Saturdays with his friends, most of the time at least, and no, they still were not aware of the situation he was in. There were a few reasons why he didn’t tell his friends about everything.

One, Jungkook was a private person in general. Opening up had never been easy for him, so if there was information that didn’t need to be shared, he didn’t bother. That went for both his friends and family.

Two, nothing was set. It wasn’t one hundred percent certain that the two of you were getting married. Even though Jungkook had infinite questions he wanted to ask, a big reason for meeting with you prior to making a decision was to see if this was right for him or for you. Marrying someone meant inviting them to be a part of your life, and Jungkook wasn’t ready for that. But if he was going to put himself into something like this, he needed to make sure you didn’t carry the qualities he hated.

Three, he had unfinished business. Well, kind of.

“How’re things with you and Jina?” Namjoon asked, wiggling his eyebrows as Jungkook could hear the teasing in his voice.

Who was Jina to Jungkook? Just his personal assistant with benefits. Jungkook and Jina had been sleeping together for a while, with the mutual agreement that it wasn’t going anywhere. They were both consenting adults and didn’t need to feel shame, but at this time, only his friends knew he was sleeping with her.

“Nothing is going on. I told you. It’s not serious,” he said, shrugging before taking another sip of his beer.

“You’ve been quiet for the past few days. I figured something happened between you two,” Namjoon replied, putting down his drink and leaning back against the couch.

Jungkook’s friends believed their agreement would eventually lead to more. They thought that at some point, Jungkook would reveal that the two of them were in a relationship and that things were getting serious.

“We stopped sleeping together,” Jungkook said. It was true. The moment he told his mother that he wanted to meet you, he ended things with Jina. He didn’t think it was right to engage in any intimacy with someone until everything was sorted. It was easy for him to end things since he didn’t have any feelings toward her, but Jina, on the other hand, didn’t take it too well.

“Did I… do something wrong?” she asked, looking down, disappointed.

“No,” Jungkook said, looking up at her as she stood in front of his desk. For a brief moment, it was silent. He cleared his throat and let out a sigh before speaking again.

“We agreed that this was just what it was. Nothing more. At some point, it had to come to an end, and now is the time.”

“Can I ask why? I mean, this is so sudden…” she mumbled, fidgeting with her fingers before looking at him. Directly in his eyes this time. He could see the devastation in her gaze, and it made him feel uneasy. He wasn’t sure if she had feelings for him or if she just really loved his dick.

“I don’t think that’s something I want to share,” he responded, flat and blunt.

Jungkook didn’t want to give any sympathy to the situation. He felt bad, but he wanted to remain neutral to avoid any misunderstanding. He needed to make sure she knew this was a decision he had made and that it was final. He may have come across as intimidating, but it was better than being easy to talk to. He didn’t want a relationship with Jina, or even a friendship for that matter.

With that, Jina nodded and left his office.

Jimin cocked his head to the side, fingers still moving over the controller as Jungkook’s words finally registered.

Namjoon blinked, then looked over at him. “You what?” He paused the game immediately. Multitasking had never been his strength, and this definitely required his full attention.

“We stopped,” Jungkook repeated, quieter this time. He set his bottle down on the coffee table and leaned back against the couch, eyes fixed on the ceiling. “It just felt like the right thing to do. And honestly… I think she was starting to get attached. So it’s probably better for her this way.”

Jimin frowned, setting his controller aside completely. “That’s sudden,” he said carefully. “I kind of thought… you might’ve liked her too.”

Jungkook let out a short laugh and shook his head. “No. She’s hot, and she’s kind, but she’s not my type.”

Yoongi scoffed from where he was sitting. “What is your type then? Ugly and a mess?” he deadpanned.

Laughter broke out across the room, even pulling a smile from Jungkook as he shook his head again.

Hoseok reappeared from the kitchen, bowls of snacks in hand. “What did I miss?”

“Apparently Jungkook’s entering his monk era,” Jimin said, dramatic as ever.

“I’m not,” Jungkook shot back. “Relax.”

Hoseok raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but didn’t push. He set the bowls down and dropped into the armchair. “Alright. I’ll pretend that wasn’t suspicious.”

Namjoon unpaused the game, though his attention wasn’t fully there anymore. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked, voice casual but observant. “You’ve just been… off lately.”

Jungkook watched the screen without really seeing it. “I’m fine.”

It wasn’t a lie. Not entirely. He just didn’t know how to explain the constant pressure in his chest, or the strange clarity that came with it. Like everything in his life was waiting on a single decision he hadn’t made yet.

“If you say so…” Namjoon murmured, turning his focus back to the game.

“Why did you end things?” Yoongi asked, almost whispering, not sure if it was private or not.

“Just..things. I’ll explain later, not now.” He responded. He knew that he couldn’t hide this forever but at this time, he needed to. 

Yoongi only nodded before looking back at the tv, watching the two boys play. The room slowly settled again. Jimin and Namjoon resumed playing while the others talked, laughed, and passed snacks around, the easy familiarity grounding in a way Jungkook hadn’t realized he needed.

Nearly two hours later, after what was somewhere between an early lunch and a late dinner, Jungkook’s phone buzzed in his hand. His brother’s name lit up the screen.

He stood. “I’ll be right back.”

“Hello?” he answered, the word carrying an unspoken question.

“Just checking in,” Junghyun said lightly. “You’ve got your date tomorrow, right?”

Jungkook rolled his eyes, smiling despite himself. “Very funny. But yeah. I do.”

He glanced back toward the living room, then stepped into the bathroom for privacy. “I’m picking her up and taking her to La Yeon.”

There was a pause. “La Yeon?” Junghyun whistled softly. “That’s expensive.”

Junghyun knew their family’s wealth better than most, but after choosing to teach, he’d learned to be careful with money. Jungkook still worked for the family. He didn’t have to think twice about spending, even if he usually did.

“Well, I’m not taking her to a three-star restaurant.”

Junghyun chuckled. “I don’t think she’d judge you if you did. But that’s not the point. Are you nervous?”

Jungkook leaned against the sink, staring at his reflection. “I think I’m past the nerves. It took a while, but… I’m ready for this dinner. However it goes.”

It was close enough to the truth.

“Good,” Junghyun said gently. “I just wanted to check in. I hope whatever’s meant to happen, happens. And whatever it is… it’ll be for the best.”

Jungkook exhaled slowly. “Yeah. Thanks.”

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

“Well, well, well, look who it is!” Seul said as she opened the door, revealing you standing just outside with a wide smile plastered on your face.

You laughed softly. “Missed me?”

She didn’t answer. Instead, she pulled you into a tight hug, squeezing you, she hadn’t seen you in years. The two of you were always close growing up and continued to stay close even when you moved. The two of you would text and video call every so often. But this felt so much better seeing her in person.

 “You got taller,” she said immediately, pulling back to look at you.

“I didn’t,” you replied, amused. “You’re just dramatic.”

“I also forgot you didn’t end at just a torso” She joked before grabbing the bags you had on the floor and helping you come inside the house. 

The house brought back so many memories, the way it looked so different and the same at the same time. It was comforting in a way that made your chest ache. Although you spent a lot of time at the Jeon's house growing up, that didn’t mean you didn’t spend a lot here. Your uncle was always kind and welcoming to you. He loved you dearly, as if you were his own daughter. 

“You’re late,” Seul noted as she took your coat and hung it up. 

“Yeah, I was meeting the realtor earlier today and so that kind of took up a lot of time for me.“ You said, thanking her with a nod as she helped you unload and carry the gifts to the dining room table. 

“Everyone’s outside, it’s a backyard party.” Seul said while leading you out back before stopping herself and turning to face you.

“How’d it go?” She asked, knowing that once you go out, she may not get the chance to talk to you.

“Not bad, he did say that he’s doing to put the house up and um..I’m gonna have to..pack or sell everything? I don't know. Just a lot.” You responded, not wanting to get into it because today you just wanted to reunite with family and enjoy their company.

“We’ll talk about it later,” Seul said, almost reading your mind before leading you out and yelling, “She’s here!!” 

Everyone outside turned to face you and smiled widely. Most of them came straight toward you, eager to greet you right away, while others hung back, giving you a bit of space. You definitely felt overwhelmed, but more than that, you felt happy. You were genuinely excited to see your family again and wanted to reconnect with them, to see how they were doing.

The night went on with you greeting everyone one by one. It was the same conversation repeated over and over. What have you been up to? How’s everything? You were tired of explaining your profession, your goals, and your dreams again and again, but you knew it came from a place of care, so you did not mind.

“The next time we came, we made sure we had vanilla ice cream. When we asked him to make the milkshake, he said they ran out of milk,” Dojung said, laughing hysterically as he shared the story with you and the rest of your cousins sitting nearby.

You laughed along, not only because it was funny, but because you could vividly imagine it happening.

“You were never meant to have that shake, and I think that was the day God proved it to you,” Seul joked before taking a sip of her wine. Laughter rippled across the yard.

“Did you ever end up getting that shake?” you asked, lifting a brow teasingly.

He only shook his head and waved his hand dismissively while taking a sip of his beer, trying to hold his laughter in and making sure he did not spit it everywhere.

An hour or so later, you were alone with Seul again. Some people had headed home, while others were scattered around, still chatting and engaging.

“So… I kind of heard that something is happening?” Seul said slowly. She was not sure how to say it, how to ask about you and Jungkook, or where your mind was at. Seul was the only one to know briefly about everything, and this was purely because of your uncle. He was as aware as the Jeon’s were so it was clear that he would share this with his daughter.

“Not yet. I’m meeting him tomorrow night, so we’ll see from there,” you said simply before shrugging and sighing. You were tired. It had been a long day, and you were also deep into a food coma.

Seul opened her mouth, about to ask another question, until she was interrupted by a slight cough. It was your uncle, her father.

“Seul, are you alright if I speak to Y/N? I just want to catch up with her,” Jae said before taking the seat across from you and smiling gently.

Seul nodded and excused herself, joining her other cousins across the yard and leaving the two of you alone.

You had not really gotten a chance to speak to him properly. You had greeted him, of course, but there was no time to talk about everything.

“How’s everything going?” He asked, softly but honestly too. His tone didn’t seem as if he was hesitating on asking anything but it was clear that he was curious about your well being.

“Fine, I guess. It’s a lot,” you said right away. There was no point in avoiding the conversation or beating around the bush. You knew he wanted to make sure you were okay with everything happening. The Jeons and him were not very close, but because he was your only uncle, they made sure to keep him informed about anything involving you, including the will, which he had not been pleased about. He was against it but also understood why it happened.

There was a brief moment of silence as you lifted your glass of wine and took a sip. There was a lot on your mind, and for the last few years, one question had always lingered. One question you tried to push away, yet it always came back.

“Can I ask you something?” you asked hesitantly, unsure if it was a good question to ask or if you should even bring it up.

“What is it?” he replied with a slight smile, welcoming and comforting, easing you into the conversation.

“Why didn’t they choose you?”

He blinked, unsure of what you meant. “What do you mean?” he asked, wanting to fully understand before responding.

“You’re my uncle. I’m your blood, and I’ve always been close to you, Seul, and Aunt Nina. So why didn’t they leave you as my guardian? Why the Jeons? Isn’t family more important?” you asked honestly. One question after another, not giving him a chance to respond. You wanted an answer. You wanted to understand the logic behind it, and wanted to feel free from all these questions that clouded your mind for years.

“Your father was close to Dohyun, and my sister wanted me to be your guardian. But with your grandfather’s will and the company, they chose Dohyun and his wife,” he explained, shrugging. To him, there was no reason to question it anymore. Nothing would change. He had been upset about it for a long time and eventually learned to live with it.

“They didn’t bother to… I don’t know, question the validity of the will? With a lawyer at least?” you asked. You knew it was a sensitive topic, but you needed to know.

“Well… I don’t know,” he said, letting out a soft, nervous chuckle that you immediately noticed.

Your brows furrowed as you placed your glass down and uncrossed your legs, leaning in. “It doesn’t sound like you don’t know,” you said bluntly, but respectfully.

“Okay. They did go to a lawyer and were going to question the validity, but your mother and father had a change of heart,” he admitted, sighing. There was no point in hiding it. Your mother had wanted to keep it to herself and take it to the grave, which she technically did, but that did not mean your uncle had to.

“Your parents knew you weren’t interested in taking over the family business, and they were okay with that. They wanted to support whatever you wanted as a teenager. But… your mother found out she couldn’t have any more children. There were complications after having you, so your father wanted to make sure there was someone he could leave the company to. Jungkook was like a son to him, so he was the best option. But he didn’t want to take the business away from you completely. After all, it’s your family business, and no matter what, you always have a part of it.”

He paused to take a sip of his beer before setting it aside and clearing his throat.

“So your parents thought that maybe marriage wouldn’t be a bad idea. They hoped you would make the right choice, which to them meant marrying Jungkook. But they didn’t want to pressure you too much, so they never told you that the family business wouldn’t have an heir if you didn’t get married,” he said, looking at you softly. You felt as though he was pitying you, almost.

Even though you had decided you would marry Jungkook if he chose to, that didn’t stop the pressure settling in. What once finally felt manageable now felt heavy. Again.

“So… if we don’t get married, what happens to my parents’ business?” you asked quietly. You didn’t want to assume anything if there were logical answers.

“Well, the company won’t be left to you. It’s twisted but the fact is that if you don’t marry him then Dohyun would take over.. Or have it. Your parents wanted the company to be yours but…they needed someone who worked closely with the business to oversee everything.” he explained, hoping you understood that he meant Jungkook. You did.

Even though Jungkook worked for his own family’s company, he had helped your father a lot. When your father passed, Jungkook took on responsibilities he was never obligated to handle for your family. You didn’t know exactly how close Jungkook was to your parents, but from the way they spoke about him, you could only assume he was the son they never had.

Silence settled between the two of you. You didn’t know what to say or what to do.

“I didn’t know my mom couldn’t have any more children,” you said quietly. Guilt crept into your chest, even though you knew none of this was your fault.

“Listen, I know you didn’t ask for my opinion, but I think you’re making the right choice,” he said, placing a gentle hand on your head. “Whether this is a choice or not, what you’re doing is good.”

“I know,” you said softly. “It’s fine. I agreed to this, and now Jungkook will decide too. I just have to take things one step at a time.”

He smiled at you, not out of pity, but pride. Pride in your maturity at such a young age.

The night continued on, and the reunion remained fun. Despite the heavy conversation, you enjoyed yourself and even caught yourself thinking that moving back home might not be so bad.

Seul eventually dropped you off at your hotel, making sure you got there safely before saying her goodbyes, promising she would see you again soon, most likely before you left.

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

You took one last look at yourself, turning side to side, making sure that not only did your dress fall naturally but your hair wasn't askew. 

Today was the day you were meeting him for the first time in years, Jungkook. It was clear you were nervous. You had changed your outfit three times in the last two hours, contemplating what kind of look you wanted to present. Casual? Formal? Fancy? You weren’t exactly sure, given that you had no details about the meeting besides the fact that he was picking you up.  You had no idea where you were going, the two of you hadn’t spoken nor texted and frankly, you preferred it that way. Everything would unfold today.

You finally settled on a formal dress that hugged your body, not in a revealing way but in a way that complemented your figure. The sleeves went all the way down your arms, providing warmth. You had chosen a plain dress, nothing with too many patterns, just silk. Minimal was your style, and you hoped he would notice.

Your hair was straightened and tucked behind your ears, revealing the small studs on your ears, three piercings up the lobe and one on the cartilage of your left ear. You had put a lot of thought and care into your appearance, not to impress him but out of respect. You always believed that when someone took time for you, you should make an effort to be presentable. It was common courtesy, and you hoped Jungkook would appreciate and reciprocate it.

When you received a call from the lobby informing you that someone was here to see you, you assumed it was him. You hadn’t exchanged numbers, but surely he would have gotten yours from his mom. You turned off the lights, grabbed your purse, and made your way down to the lobby.

Jungkook was waiting, nervous in his own way. He hadn’t spent hours getting ready, but he had spent those hours talking to himself, rehearsing what he planned to say. The moment he heard the elevator doors open, he turned to see you walking out, scanning the lobby until your eyes met his. You gave him a small, gentle smile as you approached. Jungkook took his time, admiring your beauty. He hadn’t known what to expect, but he certainly hadn’t expected this.

Clearing his throat, he offered a small smile and extended his hand. “Hey, it’s been a while,” he said awkwardly. You let out a soft chuckle and took his hand, shaking it slowly. “It has,” you replied.

There was a brief, awkward silence. Neither of you knew who should speak first or suggest leaving. Eventually, Jungkook guided your hand to his and led you toward his car, parked just outside the hotel. He opened the door for you, allowing you to get in comfortably before taking his own seat. “Ready to go?” he asked, buckling his seatbelt. You only nodded, giving him the green light to start driving.

Today was the day you were meeting him for the first time in years. Jungkook. And it was clear that you were nervous, you had changed your outfit 3 times in the last 2 hours, contemplating on what kind of look you wanted to present to him. Casual? Formal? Fancy?.  You weren’t exactly sure given that you had no details of this meeting besides the fact that he was picking you up. You had no idea where the two of you were going, you hadn’t spoken and frankly, you preferred that as well. Leave everything to the day you meet, which is today. 

You finalized on a formal dress that hugged your body, not in the revealing way but in the way that complimented your figure while the sleeves of the dress completely went down your arms, providing warmth. You had chosen a plain dress, nothing with too many patterns, just silk.  Minimal is what you are and so you hoped that by looking at you, he would be able to tell. 

Your hair was straightened down but tucked behind your ears to reveal the small studs on your ears. Three piercings up the lobe and one on the cartilage of your left ear. You put a lot of thought and care into what you wore and made sure to look presentable. Not because you wanted him to say yes but because it was respectful. You always believed that when someone was to take time out for you, then you make sure to be presentable. It was common courtesy and you hoped that Jungkook would reciprocate. 

Upon getting a call from the lobby, informing you that someone was here to see you. Again, Jungkook and you hadn’t exchanged numbers but you had automatically assumed that he would have gotten your number from his mom. You turned off the lights and grabbed your purse, hanging it on your shoulder while leaving your hotel room to meet him down at the lobby. 

Jungkook stood by the lobby and waited for you to come down, it was safe to say that he was nervous, he didn’t know what to expect. Jungkook hadn’t spent hours getting ready but he spent those hours talking to himself, practicing what he planned to say. 

He turned around the moment he heard the elevator door open, revealing you walking out and looking around to spot him before landing right at him. You gave Jungkook a small and gentle smile while making your way towards him. Jungkook took his time, looking at you and admiring your beauty. He wasn’t sure of what to expect but he certainly didn’t expect you to be as beautiful as you were. 

Jungkook cleared his throat and offered a small smile, before taking his hand out for yours to shake politely “Hey, it’s been a while” He said, awkwardly not shy but just awkward. You couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle before taking his hand and shaking it slowly while nodding, agreeing to him. “ It has been,” you responded. 

There was silence, it was again awkward. Neither of you knew who should speak first or last. Who should make the suggestion to be on their way, or were they meant to have a small conversation in the lobby. Ask about each other's day? Nonetheless Jungkook managed to take your hand, which you had politely allowed him to and guide you towards his car which was emergency parked right outside the hotel. He opened the door for you and allowed you to get it comfortably before going to the driver's seat and taking a seat himself. “Ready to go?” He asked before starting the car and buckling his seat belt. To which you only nodded, giving him the green light to start driving to their destination. 

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

Dim lights and very light music while the sounds of cutlery hitting the ceramics filled the restaurant. You couldn’t remember the last time you were at a fancy restaurant. It was ages ago and the memory was faint. You walked to your seat which Jungkook had pulled out for you and sat down, clearing your throat awkwardly before taking the menu that was offered to you by the waiter and opening it. 

“It's..really fancy” You said softly before letting out a soft laugh, hoping to break the ice and step out of the awkward silence that the two of you had been in since you entered his car. 

Jungkook returned the laugh and nodded, “I’m sorry, I didn’t really know what kind of restaurant would be right for this kind of meeting” He explained, not that he needed to. But he was leaving a good first impression. It was clear that he gave this a lot of thought and had been nothing but a gentleman since you came down from your hotel room. 

“It’s okay, I’m actually starving. I haven’t eaten much the whole day so I plan to pig out” You joked before taking a look at the menu, scanning it right before your eye landed on their signature steak. 

“Feel free to order the entire menu” Jungkook responded back, jokingly of course. His tone was light and airy which made you feel more comfortable being with him. 

“I might take you up on that” you nodded while keeping your eyes on the menu as a smile was plastered to your face. 

Seeing your smile made Jungkook feel a little lighter. He had been carrying the weight of a million questions and your smile made him feel like he could breathe. It made him realize that the conversation didn’t need to be as stressful as he was making it out to be. 

The waiter had returned to your table, taking both yours and Jungkook orders as well as pouring a glass of red for the both of you. You graciously smiled and picked up the glass to take a sip before setting it back down and looking at Jungkook. 

“You look very beautiful” He said, he wanted to compliment you at the hotel but he didn't feel that it was the right time. Now that you and him broke the ice, he knew it was the perfect time to acknowledge the time you had put together to get yourself ready.

“Thank you, and you’re...very handsome” You responded shyly.

Silence, again. Who was going to bring up the conversation? You felt that Jungkook should be the one since he did say that he wanted to meet you before making a decision, and Jungkook felt the same but had a hard time speaking up. You could tell that he was debating on bringing it up now or waiting and to make it easier on him, you spoke.

“So…you..had some questions right?” You said, smiling warmly to offer him an open space to speak freely. 

Jungkook let out a laugh, the simple question had depicted exactly what his mother told him about you. How you were straight to the point, honest and blunt and frankly, he liked those qualities. 

“I do..” He started before taking a breath. “Listen, I know that there’s a lot riding on this for you but it’s also a big decision for me, so I need to be sure.” 

You could only nod, leaning back into your chair, inviting him to continue.

“My parents are okay with…taking care of you financially…and from what I’m aware, you get to keep your house so when you sell it, you’ll have money. I don’t mean to sound rude but, is money the reason you want to do this?” He asked, he didn’t know how to better word it because he wasn’t great with words to begin with. 

“Money isn’t what I want…it’s hard to explain but I guess it’s a sense of loss for me. I lost my parents and that night…I was just…broken, in denial and I remember staying with my uncle until the lawyers and social workers told me that I was meant to be in your parents custody. I guess..having to live with them made me feel lost and alone.” You stopped briefly, you could feel yourself choking a little bit. It’d be a while since you spoke about this because you had hidden these feelings for a long time but right now, Jungkook deserved honesty and the truth, just as you did. How could you deny him that when that's all you’ve wanted. 

Jungkook let out a sad smile, feeling empathetic but choosing to stay quiet, giving you that time to speak and open up in your own way.

“I went back to my home several times, I wanted to sleep there but every corner I turn, I see my mom. And I can hear my dad. I know this sounds stupid but I didn’t want to be surrounded by that. So I moved. But losing the company…it’s all I really have of them. Losing that will mean that I will have really lost them in any way possible. It was everything to them and so to me…it’s important.” You finished, picking up the glass of red again to take a sip. Trying to fight away any tears that threatened to fall. 

“But you have their house”

“But why would I want to live in a big empty house alone, surrounded by the ghosts of my parents? Being in that house just..makes me sad and I don't want to feel that.” You said, you didn’t take offence to his question knowing that everyone would think differently and this is how you think. 

“That’s fair” He said, nodding in acknowledgement before continuing, “we don’t really know each other. You’re okay jumping into something like this?” 

“I don't know. But in a way, this is kind of their dying wish. Not to mention my grandfather’s as well.”

There was silence for a brief moment before you spoke again, “My parents loved you like you were the son they never had. No offence to Junghyun” You laughed, joking again and Jungkook couldn’t help but laugh along before nodding.

“And I love your parents…so I guess it’s not the biggest risk in the world. You know? If they want this then maybe they’re onto something” You shrugged.

And those words hit him, you were right. His parents didn’t pressure him but only encouraged him to consider you. He loved your parents, your father. He always looked up to him as his second dad and looking back, he knew that they knew him best and what was best for him. 

Quiet again. Only this time, the silence was interrupted by the food being placed in front of the both of you. You looked down at your steak and picked up your cutlery to cut right into it while speaking

“I have a question. You don’t lose anything from not marrying me. Yet you’re still considering it, can I ask why?” You asked before putting a piece of steak into your mouth, trying not to be distracted by how amazing it tastes. 

“I’m not sure, I didn’t want to make a rash decision so..I thought there was no harm in meeting you.” He said softly before digging into his food himself. 

“You don’t need to say yes, I would understand if you didn’t. I just..I’m open to this, and I've come to terms with it honestly. But that doesn’t mean that you should be forced into something you don’t want.” 

Jungkook softened at your words, the kindness and consideration that you carried for him which he’s never seen from anyone beyond those closest to him. “What if..I’m not what you want. In a husband?” He asked, insecurely. He wasn’t sure if he’d be a good husband. He wasn’t sure if he was going to say yes but didn’t stop him from considering this. 

“I don't know. I guess if we did go ahead with this then…when the time comes, we cross that bridge. I can’t promise you that I’ll be the best wife in the world..but I can promise that I’ll try.” You answered honestly and wholeheartedly. 

At this time, no one spoke. You knew that Jungkook wasn’t thinking about his decision and although you were sure of yours, you couldn’t expect the same of him. 

“Okay.” 

What? You thought, you basically made it up in your head that he would say no and politely reject you but this caught you off guard.

“I’m sorry?” You asked, leaning it to make sure you’re understanding him correctly.

“I want to marry you. I think that we can do this. There’s logistics to figure out but I’m sure that we can work it out.” He said, confident this time. He made up his mind and he knew there was no going back. 

[ninaanyun]

♡ ̆̈ 𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Author’s Note: Hey everyoneeee!! 🫶 Thank you to everyone who liked my first chapter and for those who reblogged, thank you thank you!! The story does start out a little slow but it will start to pick up soon! This is just to set the tone and the story! Please comment below your thoughts 💬💗 Enjoy! ✨📖

word count: 5k

🏠︎ ⬅ ➡

🪢 Chapter Two —  Loose Ends

“Man, I’m gonna miss you. It’s gonna be so boring here,” Jennifer huffed while plopping herself down on your bed as you continued to pack.

Mr and Mrs Jeon had asked that you come to visit them. They informed you that they had spoken with Jungkook, and while no decisions had been made yet on his end, he wanted to meet you.

You couldn’t say no. It was fair. This was affecting him just as much as it affected you, so if he wanted to meet you before making a decision, you were happy to oblige. You wouldn’t mind meeting him too. If this was going to move forward, then you wanted to set expectations and talk about it.

“It’s just for a week. I think you’ll be fine,” you said, laughing while shaking your head at your overly dramatic friend.

“Yeah, and if you get married, then it’s just forever,” she replied nonchalantly before getting up and shifting herself to the chair by your desk, opening your computer.

You couldn’t help but glance back at her, your brows furrowed. “What are you doing?” you asked while continuing to fold the clothes on your bed and place them neatly into the suitcase.

“Well, the guy runs a huge company in Korea. Might as well check and see what he looks like. I need a face to all your stories,” Jennifer replied while searching up Jungkook’s full name, not finding much besides his LinkedIn.

“Oh, found something!” Jennifer said excitedly before clicking on the link to show his profile.

He was wearing a suit and laughing in the picture. It was a candid photo, and it really displayed his handsome and soft features. You couldn’t help but turn around and walk over to the computer as well. You were just curious to see what he looked like now. All you could remember was how he looked as a kid.

“He’s hot,” Jennifer said while scrolling down to see his work background before turning to look at you cheekily.

“He is,” you responded, agreeing with her. There was no shame in it either.

You turned back around and continued to pack before Jennifer closed the page and turned to face you.

“Did you tell Minji?” she asked while snacking on the chips she had brought earlier to your room.

“Not yet. I didn’t tell anyone except for you because I don’t really know what’s happening, and it doesn’t make sense to tell everyone when nothing is set in stone,” you explained before closing the suitcase shut and sitting down on the bed.

“Fair enough, but if it does happen, everyone’s gonna be shocked. Like, just yesterday you were single, and now you’re engaged,” Jennifer couldn’t help but laugh. She thought everything that was happening was so out of the ordinary that she almost wanted to advise you to sell the rights to your story. Maybe someone could make a Netflix show about it.

“Okay, okay, enough of this. I don’t even want to think about it anymore. It’s making me nauseous,” you said.

“So what’s your plan?”

“Well, when I get there, I think I’m going to stay in a hotel. Probably get a package deal or something. I have to visit my cousins. I already told my uncle that I’m visiting, so he’s planned a big dinner party. Just family, my cousins, aunts, uncles, and yeah. I also have to sell my parents’ house. I’ve been holding it off since it’s property and money, but now is a good time to tie up those loose ends,” you answered, replying as you thought about your plans.

It was a lot to do for one week, but nonetheless, everything had to be done.

“That’s a lot. Are you sure you have enough time?” Jennifer asked, making sure that you weren’t doing too much in such a short period of time. She knew you were very capable, but even capable people needed to take it easy.

You leaned back against the headboard, letting out a long sigh. “I’ll manage. I always do,” you said, trying to sound confident, though a tiny knot of nerves had settled in your stomach. “It’s just… a lot of emotions wrapped into one week. Meeting him, seeing family, handling the house. Everything all at once.”

Jennifer tilted her head, studying you for a moment. “Are you nervous about meeting him?” she asked softly, no trace of teasing this time.

You paused, considering the question. “A little,” you admitted. “I mean… I don’t really know what to expect. What if it’s awkward? What if we don’t even click?” You shrugged, trying to brush off the anxious thoughts. “I guess I’m just hoping for clarity. For both of us.”

Jennifer nodded, picking up your hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Well, you’ve got this. And honestly… he sounds like a good guy. If he wants to meet you before deciding, that’s a good sign, right? He cares enough to actually think about it.”

You smiled faintly, feeling some of the tension ease. “Yeah… yeah, you’re right. I just need to stop overthinking everything.”

Jennifer clapped her hands together, practically bouncing on her toes. “Okay, serious question now. Gifts. You’re going to your uncle’s house. Are you bringing anything? Traditional families are very particular about this stuff.”

You pointed to the small suitcase in the corner with a proud smile. “I picked up some high-end chocolates and handcrafted soap for everyone,” you said, feeling genuinely pleased with your choices.

Jennifer’s eyes went wide, and she gasped dramatically. “Soap? Are you serious right now? Handcrafted soap?”

“What? It’s really nice! And honestly, whatever you buy here, you can find in Korea anyway. Korea isn’t exactly some third-world country,” you said, rolling your eyes as you explained yourself.

Jennifer shook her head, laughing so hard she almost fell back into the chair. “Okay, fine. I’ll allow it. I’m just relieved you’re not showing up empty-handed. Though I still can’t believe soap made the cut.”

She grabbed the suitcases and helped you carry them to the front door, still chuckling. “Your flight’s tomorrow, right? I want to make sure I’m up and ready to save you from yourself at the airport.”

“Yep. I guess I should call it a night since the flight’s early in the morning,” you said, heading toward the bathroom. Jennifer nodded, giving you a mock salute.

Before you left, the two of you joked about what might happen on the trip and went over the plan for your return. Jennifer promised she would be waiting at the airport, armed with snacks and a long list of questions about how everything went.

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

The taxi slowed to a stop in front of the hotel, and you pressed your face to the window, taking in the bustling streets of Seoul. Neon signs flickered in every color imaginable, and the sound of horns and chatter filled the air. The city felt alive, overwhelming, and completely foreign all at once.

“This is it,” you murmured to yourself, trying to steady your racing thoughts.

You paid the driver and grabbed your suitcase from the trunk, feeling the weight of it in your hand. Your heart pounded a little faster with each step toward the hotel entrance. This was more than just a trip. This was the start of something that could change everything.

The lobby was polished and modern, with floor to ceiling windows reflecting the city lights. A bellhop in a crisp uniform immediately approached, bowing politely.

“Good evening. Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, under Y/N L/N,” you replied, fumbling slightly with your passport. Your hands shook with a mix of exhaustion, anticipation, and nerves.

As the receptionist checked your reservation, you let your eyes wander across the lobby. The polished marble floors, soft lighting, and the gentle hum of conversation made the space feel both luxurious and alive.

Finally, he handed you your room key. “Your room is on the twelfth floor. Enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you,” you said, forcing a smile. You were extremely exhausted and hungry. All you wanted to do was get inside the hotel room and order room service. You were too tired to go out and get food, and given the time, it was best to just get something from the hotel.

The room was spacious, minimalist, and modern, with floor to ceiling windows that gave you a sweeping view of the city below. You kicked off your shoes and sank onto the bed, letting out a long sigh. The weight of travel, the excitement, and the anticipation all pressed down on you at once.

You set the suitcase down and pulled out your essentials, unpacking slowly. Toothbrush, toothpaste, travel sized shampoo, the carefully wrapped chocolates and handcrafted soap. You made sure to keep them safely placed on the side table, ensuring they were easily accessible.

You walked over to the window and stared out at the city lights, your reflection staring back at you. Tomorrow, you were meant to meet the Jeons. They had invited you for dinner, and from what you were aware, Jungkook was not going to be there. Not because he did not want to, but because other plans had gotten in the way.

After scanning the city, you picked up the menu that had been set aside when you entered the room, looking over what you wanted to order for dinner.

“Oh, there’s so much here,” you mumbled while scanning the menu before landing on the kimchi jjigae and some japchae. You figured the servings would be pretty large, so it would be a great way to have something for lunch tomorrow as well.

You placed the order over the phone and headed toward the washroom, taking a quick shower as the food was being prepared.

That night was peaceful. It was simple. You did not explore the city, but you were able to rest after a long flight, and the stew was very comforting. It was just what you needed.

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

Today was quite uneventful. You were not able to sleep at night because of the jet lag, so you stayed up watching Netflix, mindlessly letting episodes play one after another, before finally falling asleep around 5 a.m. That alone explained why you woke up at 3 p.m., groggy and disoriented, unsure of what day it even felt like.

Once you finished your morning or afternoon routine, whatever you wanted to call it, you slowly got yourself ready for the day. You had about two hours to kill before heading over to the Jeons’, and instead of staying cooped up in the hotel room, you decided to roam the city a little. Do a bit of shopping, especially skincare. Skincare was much cheaper in Korea than in Canada, and Jennifer made sure to write you a detailed list of things she needed and wanted, complete with notes and brand names scribbled beside each item.

Exploring Korea was not at the top of your list. You knew you could come back another time to truly enjoy it, and you already planned to do so next year, but this trip was not meant for sightseeing. It had a purpose, and you reminded yourself of that as you moved through the crowded streets, careful not to let yourself get too distracted.

About two hours passed, and you managed to get almost everything you needed. Your shopping bags were already heavier than you expected. There were just a few more things left to cross off, but you figured you could do that another day. Once you were back in the hotel room, you set everything down and took a moment to look at yourself in the mirror. You touched up your makeup, fixed your hair, and took a quiet breath before calling an Uber.

Mrs. Jeon had offered to pick you up and insisted, but you respectfully declined. You knew she probably had a lot to do today, especially with hosting dinner. Truthfully, you could also use the quiet Uber ride to prepare yourself mentally before seeing the Jeons. The thought alone made your chest feel tight. Before, when they saw you, you had choices and options. Now you did not. Everything rested in Jungkook’s hands, and that realization made you nervous in a way you did not quite know how to shake.

Before leaving, you made sure to grab the box of handcrafted soap and the sweets you picked up while shopping. You did not want to come empty handed. It felt wrong to show up without something, especially after everything.

When you arrived, you couldn't help but smile. The house was the same. The same house you used to play in when your mom would visit and when your dad would be busy working. Nothing had changed, not the gates, not the driveway, not even the familiar shape of the windows. The Jeons’ house was fairly large, just like yours had been, and both homes carried the quiet weight of luxury. It was a stark contrast to your small apartment in Toronto, but it didn’t feel foreign. It felt familiar.

You knocked on the door, and it opened almost immediately to reveal Junghyun.

“Hey, it’s so good to see you,” he said cheerfully.

You remembered that about him. He had always been like this, warm and bright, so effortlessly friendly that it left a lasting impression. It reminded you of when you were younger, when he would playfully hide your things just to watch you search for them, laughing the entire time.

“It’s been some time,” you said, letting out a soft laugh.

You didn’t feel awkward, and it helped that Junghyun didn’t either. He stepped aside, making room for you to enter, and gently took the bags from your hands as you slipped your shoes off at the door.

“Is she here? Is that Y/N?” Mrs. Jeon called from the kitchen.

Moments later, she appeared, practically fast walking toward you with the widest smile you had ever seen. She didn’t hesitate before pulling you into a hug, holding you close as if you hadn’t seen each other in years, when in reality it had only been about a month.

“How are you doing?” you asked as you reciprocated the hug, smiling widely.

She pulled away and gently led you toward the living room. “I’m doing well. I’ve been doing chores all day, so now I can finally have some peace of mind,” she said before taking a seat on the couch beside you.

“Oh? Well, if it helps, the house looks amazing,” you replied, glancing around. Everything was spotless, not a speck of dust in sight. You also noticed the table set with her fine china, carefully arranged and ready.

“How was your flight, dear? And your day?” she asked as Junghyun brought you a glass of water, setting it down on the coffee table in front of you.

You thanked him with a nod and a smile before speaking. “The flight was exhausting. It was a small plane, really cramped. And there was this kid kicking the back of my seat again and again.” You rolled your eyes, took a sip of water, then set the glass down before continuing. “When I arrived, I got some food and watched TV. I just wanted to lie down and take it easy. And this morning, I did some shopping.”

“What did you buy?” Junghyun asked, joining the conversation as he took a seat next to his mother.

“Oh, not much. Mainly skincare and some clothes. Nothing else, really,” you said with a shrug, pausing briefly as you thought about it. “Oh, but I did bring something for you all,” you added, remembering the gifts.

You pulled out the first box, revealing an assortment of desserts through the packaging, setting it down on the table before bringing out the box of soap. “I got these from a local shop close to where I live. I personally love their soap and wanted to bring some for you,” you said excitedly as you opened the box to reveal the assortment of flower based soaps, cozy and elegant at the same time.

“Oh, these are beautiful. They will look perfect in the guest bathroom,” Mrs. Jeon said, her gratitude genuine and warm.

You were so engrossed in conversation with Mrs. Jeon that you had not even noticed Junghyun’s wife joining the three of you on the couch.

“Oh, Y/N, this is my wife. I don’t think you two have met. This is Aeri,” Junghyun said, realizing he had forgotten to introduce you.

You flashed her a warm smile and extended your hand before bowing your head slightly out of respect. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Y/N.”

“Nice to meet you too,” she replied softly, her tone calm and welcoming. “How are you finding everything?”

The conversation stayed light, drifting from memories of childhood to updates about everyone’s lives now. Mrs. Jeon laughed as she recalled how you used to follow her around the kitchen, asking endless questions, while Junghyun added his own exaggerated commentary that made everyone laugh.

Aeri listened quietly, smiling as she watched the dynamic unfold. “It’s nice hearing all of this,” she said softly. “It feels like I’m getting to know a part of the family history.”

Mrs. Jeon nodded fondly. “We’ve known her since she was little. It’s hard not to feel emotional seeing her now.”

You smiled politely, a warmth settling in your chest despite the knot of nerves still lingering beneath it all.

“So..Jungkook isn’t coming tonight right?” you asked, all of a sudden and out of the blue. You just wanted confirmation because getting a surprise visit from him.

“Yes, he’s not able to make it tonight. He said he had to stay late for work and wanted to go home right after.” Mrs Jeon explained. “You’ll meet him soon enough. Tonight is just family.”

Before you could respond, she stood and clapped her hands softly. “Alright, dinner’s ready. Let’s move to the dining room before everything gets cold.”

Everyone began to rise from their seats, and just as you reached the doorway, footsteps approached from the hall.

Mr. Jeon entered the room, adjusting his sleeves before looking up and smiling warmly when he saw you. “There you are,” he said. “I was hoping I’d get a moment to greet you properly.”

You bowed your head slightly. “It’s good to see you again.”

He gestured toward the dining room. “Come, sit. You can tell me all about your trip while we eat.”

The dining table was already full by the time everyone sat down. Plates were passed around, bowls of steaming food placed carefully at the center. The familiar clink of chopsticks and quiet murmurs filled the room, easing some of the tension you had been carrying since arriving.

Mr. Jeon was the first to speak. “So tell us. How was the trip really?”

You smiled politely as you reached for a bowl. “Long. The flight felt endless, and I barely slept, but I’m glad I made it safely.”

Mrs. Jeon nodded sympathetically. “Jet lag is awful. You look better than I expected, though.”

“That’s generous,” you said with a soft laugh. “I slept through most of today.”

Junghyun grinned. “That explains it. Mom was worried you might fall asleep at the table.”

Mrs. Jeon waved him off. “She’s tired, not rude.”

Everyone laughed lightly, and the tension eased further. You took a bite of the food, immediately recognizing the familiar flavors.

“This tastes exactly the same,” you said quietly. “I missed this.”

Mrs. Jeon’s eyes softened. “I always make it the same way. Some things should never change.”

Mr. Jeon glanced at you as he ate. “How is life in Toronto treating you? The clinic, your work?”

“It’s good,” you replied. “Busy, but fulfilling. I was thinking about it and maybe I won't open the clinic alone. I don't know, there’s a lot of kinks to work out”

“That suits you,” he said. “You’ve always liked helping people.”

Junghyun leaned back slightly in his chair. “You were always organized too. I remember when you used to arrange your toys a certain and god forbid if i moved something, you’d scream”

You laughed. “Well to be fair, you would do it purposely to upset me!”

“I bet all of that transferred over to your work huh?”

“Yeah, well i guess i’m a bit of a neat freak” You couldn’t hold back your laughter when thinking about it because you were always being teased. 

Aeri smiled at the exchange. “You seem to really enjoy your work”

You paused for just a moment before nodding. “Yea well, when something you like. Make something out of it right?”

Mrs. Jeon studied you quietly before speaking. “Are you managing everything alright? Being back here, I mean.”

You met her gaze and answered honestly. “It’s strange. Familiar, but distant at the same time.”

She nodded as if she understood perfectly. “That makes sense.”

“So what are your plans?” Mr Jeon asked, glancing up at you from his food

“Tomorrow I have a family gathering, uncle Chae is hosting a big family..barbeque I guess? So I'm pretty excited about that. I get to see my cousins, I’m also meeting with a realtor tomorrow about..the house” You said softly, your sentence slowing down because you weren’t sure how they’d react. You didn’t want them to feel offended that you were selling your parents house. It was your house and you had every right but your parents were close to the Jeons and with the amount of times they came over, they must feel quite attached to the house.

“I think that’s a good idea.” Mr Jeon being the first to speak after what you said. 

Your heart softened as a breath of relief came over you as you let out a slow smile.

“It’s no good having a house and living alone. You can use that money towards your clinic” He said while nodding at his own thoughts, reassuring you that you were making the right choice. 

The conversation drifted again, this time to lighter topics. Food, work stories, small memories that surfaced naturally. Mr. Jeon talked about recent changes at the company without going into detail. Junghyun complained about grading exams. Aeri shared stories about her job, making everyone laugh.

For a moment, it felt almost normal.

Yet beneath the warmth, you could feel it. The unspoken weight sitting quietly at the table. Everyone was careful, measured, as if avoiding a topic that hovered just out of reach.

Eventually, Mrs. Jeon spoke again, her voice gentle. “You’re staying at a hotel, right?”

“Yes,” you replied. “Just for the week.”

“If you need anything at all, you know this house is always open to you,” she said. “No expectations.”

You smiled, grateful. “Thank you.”

Mr. Jeon cleared his throat softly. “We are just glad you came.”

You nodded, taking another bite, knowing that while tonight was meant to be simple, and that’s exactly what it was.

You were glad that no one asked about the will and your decision. They knew that you and Jungkook were going to figure out what to do and they respected your wishes by staying silent.

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

For the last month, Jungkook’s mind had been elsewhere. He had not been focused on work or anything for that matter. Ever since the night his parents told him about you and the will, Jungkook had felt out of it.

He felt conflicted about his emotions. A lot depended on him, and that was exactly why he did not take this decision lightly. He did not want to be the reason you lost everything, but he also did not feel it was fair to either of you to rush into a marriage like this. He had always imagined himself falling in love and having a family. Something simple. Something natural. The bare minimum. The standard now.

Just then, Jungkook’s thoughts were interrupted.

“Hey, are you planning on sleeping here tonight?” Jimin said, peeking into Jungkook’s office.

Jimin was Jungkook’s subordinate, but more importantly, his best friend. Jungkook had six close friends in total, all part of the same group. They met in university and naturally bonded over shared interests, growing together and becoming inseparable. After graduation, Jungkook was given the department manager position in the accounting department at his family’s company, Jeon Works. When he was later promoted to head of creative campaigns, he offered Jimin his old position, knowing Jimin was looking for something new. Many staff members viewed it as unfair, but the truth was that no one else interviewed was qualified enough. Jungkook wanted to leave the department in capable hands, and Jimin was someone he trusted completely. Working together brought them even closer. While all six were his best friends, Jimin was like a brother.

“Huh?” Jungkook asked, looking up and squinting his tired eyes, genuinely confused. “What?”

Jimin raised a brow, teasing him. “ Huh Wha,  What’s wrong with you, man? You’ve been out of it for a while now.”

“Sorry,” Jungkook said, rubbing the back of his neck. “A lot’s been going on. Family things. Why are you still here?”

Jungkook stood up from his desk, shutting down his computer before grabbing his keys. He glanced around the office. Everyone else had already left. Jungkook staying late was normal, but Jimin staying back was not.

“Last minute things,” Jimin replied. “One of the junior accountants made a mistake, and I forgot to check it before leaving. I had to fix it.”

Jungkook nodded as they walked out together, one hand in his pocket and the other holding his keys. The walk to the parking lot was quiet. Jungkook had a lot on his mind, and Jimin had not seen him like this in a long time. What stood out the most was that Jungkook usually confided in him, almost without hesitation. This time, he had not.

“Family things, huh?” Jimin asked, glancing over. “Everything okay?”

Jungkook hesitated. He did not want to tell anyone what was going on. There were many reasons for that, but mostly, it was because he did not even understand it himself yet. There was no point in explaining something he could not make sense of. He wanted to keep it to himself until he figured it out.

“I’ll tell you later, okay?” he said. “I just need to sort some things out.”

Jungkook unlocked his car and paused with the door open. “I’ll see you next week?”

“Yeah,” Jimin replied, nodding. “I’ll see you next week.”

Jimin waved as Jungkook got into his car, each of them heading home with thoughts they did not voice.The drive home was quiet.

Jungkook kept the radio off, the city lights blurring past his windshield as his thoughts looped back to the same place over and over again. You. A name that had suddenly taken up space in his life without warning. A person tied to his family, his future, and a decision he now has to make.

He pulled into his apartment garage and sat there for a moment longer than necessary, hands resting on the steering wheel. Normally, this was the part of the night where his mind replayed meetings, deadlines, creative ideas. Tonight, it was a memory he barely remembered. A quiet girl trailing behind the adults. Polite smiles. Soft laughter. Someone who always seemed observant, like she was listening more than speaking.

Someone who now had everything riding on his answer.

Inside, his apartment was dark and silent. He kicked off his shoes, dropped his keys onto the counter, and loosened his tie before heading straight for the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water, staring at nothing as he drank it, hoping it might somehow calm the tight feeling in his chest.

It did not.

He moved to the couch and sat down heavily, elbows resting on his knees. His parents’ words replayed in his head. The will. The company. The choice you had insisted on giving him. That part lingered the most.

You did not have to do that.

You could have said yes and let it be decided for him. You could have protected yourself without caring how he felt. But you did not. Instead, you made sure he had a way out, even if it meant risking everything you had left.

That alone told him more about you than any story his parents could have told.

His phone buzzed on the coffee table.

Mom.

He stared at the screen for a second before answering. “Yeah?”

“We just wanted to let you know she arrived safely,” his mother said gently. “She’s settled into her hotel.”

Jungkook swallowed. “Okay.”

There was a pause. “You do not have to rush anything,” she added. “We meant what we said. This is your choice.”

“I know,” he replied, quieter now.

“So...when are you meeting her for dinner?” his mother asked, this question was on everyone’s mind and they didn’t want to ask you because they knew that at this time, the whole topic was a little overwhelming. You didn’t say it but your facial expression didn’t hide you emotions well. 

Jungkook nodded as he responded. “The day after tomorrow, I’ll be picking her up from her hotel.” He mentally noted the date, knowing that he had to prepare a reservation and make sure that any questions he had, he could ask them right then and there. He didn’t want to end the dinner before all questions were answered. 

His mother sounded relieved. “That’s good, I hope it goes well sweetheart.”

After the call ended, Jungkook set his phone down and leaned back against the couch, staring up at the ceiling. 

He exhaled slowly.

Whatever this was, whatever it was going to become, he owed it to both of you to face it properly. No assumptions. No pressure. Just honesty.

For the first time since that night at his parents’ house, Jungkook felt a little steadier.

And just a small part of him felt ready to meet you. 

[ninaanyun]

♡ ̆̈ 𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Author’s Note: Hellooo! 🫶 This is actually my very first story, and I’m putting a lot of love, time, and effort into it because I want to get it just right. Please be patient with me when it comes to updates 🕊️ I want to make sure I’m sharing something I’m truly proud of. Thank you so much for reading, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments 💬💗 Enjoy! ✨📖

word count: 6.3k

🏠︎ ⬅ ➡

🍂 Chapter One — Autumn Light

The evening sunlight spilled across the floor of your apartment, soft and amber, like honey melting over glass. Toronto had just begun to cool in preparation for autumn; the maple trees outside your window were turning a deep, almost painted red. Inside, the faint hum of the kettle filled the quiet as you tidied the small living room, movements restless, distracted.

You were nervous and refused to admit it.

You hadn’t hosted anyone in months, certainly not them. This would explain the number of times you rearranged the pillows on your couch. What was it? There was no explanation. You never understood why you wanted to impress them, often questioning yourself but never finding an answer.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeon. Old friends of your parents, at least that’s how the email had described them. “We’re visiting Toronto on business and would love to see you. It’s been far too long.”

You had reread the message three times before replying, ultimately setting the date for today. You had invited them for dinner and made sure to arrange your plans accordingly—working in the morning and ensuring that Jennifer, your best friend and roommate, would be out of the apartment.

Their names lived somewhere in the background of your childhood memories. Your father had mentioned them occasionally, always with a smile, as if their friendship were something sacred. But you had moved to Canada at the age of sixteen, and after your parents’ accident, you hadn’t really looked back, and had decided not to.

Despite the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Jeon were legally, officially, your caretakers.

Once your parents had passed, the will had named the Jeons as your guardians. Not your extended family. Not your cousins or uncles, people you’d grown up around, people who felt familiar and close in ways the Jeons never quite had.

Your parents had chosen them instead.

The decision had always felt cryptic… almost unsettling. As if your parents had known something you didn’t. As if they’d predicted their own passing and planned for a future you were never meant to fully understand.

Glancing at the time, 6:28 p.m. you felt a familiar pressure in your chest. That same nervous flutter that would occur before parent-teacher meetings or family gatherings back home. They were almost here.

It’s okay. There’s no need to be weird or awkward, you thought, trying to bring yourself some comfort—failing to do so.

You adjusted the collar of your cream blouse, smoothed your hair, ran a lint roller over your long black skirt, and reminded yourself: They’re just family friends.

A knock came at the door.

When you opened it, Mrs. Jeon stood there with the kind of grace that filled a room. Her hair was a deep chestnut, pulled neatly into a bun, her smile warm enough to melt through the Toronto chill. Beside her, Mr. Jeon looked kind but worn, tired eyes, a gentle voice, a man who had probably seen much of the world but never lost his softness.

“Y/N,” Mrs. Jeon said, stepping forward to pull you into a hug. “It’s been too long. You’ve grown into such a beautiful woman.”

She held your shoulders after pulling away, looking at you with unmistakable love in her eyes. You knew Mrs. Jeon had always adored you. There had always been something there. When your mother would drop you off at her house, she’d let you help in the kitchen, giving you easy tasks, peeling potatoes, stirring soup.

You smiled shyly. “It’s really nice to see you both properly.”

“It’s been far too long, and we’re very excited to catch up,” Mr. Jeon said, placing his hand gently over your head,  quiet gesture of respect and affection. Though you’d never truly thought of the Jeons as family, they had always looked at you as a daughter. Maybe it was because they never had one of their own, or because they’d watched you grow up. Maybe it was because you were the daughter of Mr. Jeon’s late best friend. You didn’t know, didn’t fully understand but you accepted it graciously.

Dinner was simple but cozy. Korean-style short ribs you’d spent the entire afternoon preparing the day before marinating overnight and cooking once you got home, small side dishes, jasmine rice, and a bottle of wine you weren’t even sure they’d drink. Conversation flowed easily. They asked about work, Canada, how you’d been managing on your own.

“The clinic is amazing,” you said. “I mean, I dread going to work sometimes, but once I’m there, I really enjoy myself.”

You went on to explain your day-to-day life at the clinic, how you helped patients fit glasses and contact lenses, how much you liked the quiet moments spent with them, how you were saving up to open your own shop someday.

Mrs. Jeon’s eyes softened as she listened. “That’s wonderful, dear. Your parents would have been so proud.”

The words hit gently, but they still stung. You smiled faintly, fingers brushing the rim of your glass.

“I like to think so… but of course, me saying that doesn’t make it any easier. I’m really glad I completed my master’s. I thought about doing my PhD, but I decided to opt out,” you said. “I think opening a clinic is what’s right for me. Besides, I have so many friends who are doing their PhDs and are almost there, so I’ll probably team up with them.”

You explained it all with crescent-shaped eyes, speaking about your goals and your future. The future you chose for yourself. But it was also a way of changing the subject. Talking about your parents was still touchy, too close to everything you’d spent years trying to suppress. Maybe it was unhealthy, but you couldn’t help it.

There was a pause then. Not an awkward one, but one filled with unspoken memories.

Mr. Jeon cleared his throat. “You know, your father used to talk about that dream of yours. Even before you moved here. He said you had your mother’s hands, careful, steady.”

“Did he?” you asked softly.

“He did.”

For a brief moment, it felt almost like family again. Laughter, stories, warmth. The kind of evening that reminded you of home, even though you hadn’t called Seoul that in years.

“I guess I’ve always been passionate about this,” you said as they spoke about your childhood, how you’d always wanted to do something beneficial and rewarding. Becoming a doctor had once been the dream, and although being an optician wasn’t quite the same, it was close enough to the field you’d always imagined yourself in. Somewhere along the way, you’d found a different path. The right one.

Then, almost casually, Mrs. Jeon set down her chopsticks.

“You know, our son Jungkook has been working at Jeon Media Works recently,” she said brightly. “He’s in charge of creative campaigns now. He’s quite talented.”

Her pride was evident. She spoke of him easily, fondly. He was exceptional.

You couldn’t say you were close to Jungkook. The two of you hadn’t spent much time together growing up, he was three years older, and you’d always been reserved, both as a child and even now. But that didn’t mean you hadn’t heard of him. Your parents had always spoken highly of Jungkook, how intelligent he was, how kind. There was a certain charisma about him that your parents had completely fallen for.

You smiled politely. “Oh, really? That’s impressive. Though I’m not too surprised, he’s always been one to overachieve.”

You recalled the many times your parents had fawned over him. You knew he’d gone to school for business, though you were never quite sure what exactly he did.

But you knew that he was going into the family business, so it made sense that he was good at his job. It was in his blood.

Mrs. Jeon’s tone was airy, teasing. “He’s around your age too. Handsome, kind, caring… I might just be biased.”

Mr. Jeon chuckled, giving his wife a side eye. “You make it sound like you’re advertising him.”

“I’m not,” she said lightly, though her eyes glimmered with something just a little too intentional. “I’m just saying, Y/N has been on her own for so long. It wouldn’t hurt to meet someone who understands the kind of world she came from.”

You blinked, caught off guard and just plain confused about where this was heading. “Ah… I don’t really, I mean, I haven’t thought much about dating, honestly. Work’s been busy.”

A lie. That was a lie, the one and only lie you told that evening. You had thought about dating and, in fact, had been in a relationship a little over a year ago. A three year relationship that hurt and broke your heart, leaving you numb at the idea of even considering another. Sometimes, even now, the thought made you feel nauseous. Men. You wanted to put yourself out there, to move past the pain, but found it hard to enter a space where you would need to be vulnerable and open again.

“That’s understandable,” Mrs. Jeon said, smiling as if she had expected that answer. “Still… perhaps someday. You two would get along well, I think.”

The air shifted just slightly. Not uncomfortable, but charged with something you couldn’t quite name.

Mr. Jeon added gently, “It’s funny, you know. Our families go back so far, and yet you and Jungkook have never really engaged in any conversation. Your parents and we used to joke that the two of you would grow up together, maybe even…”

He trailed off when his wife nudged him under the table.

You tilted your head, confused again. Genuinely confused. “Maybe even what?”

Mrs. Jeon waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, nothing serious. Just old family talk. You know how parents can be.”

It was quiet and awkward. You knew this conversation was more than just old family talk.

The clink of chopsticks against ceramic filled the space between you, polite but distant now. You couldn’t help noticing the subtle glances passing between Mr. and Mrs. Jeon. Not tense, exactly, but careful. The kind of look people shared when they were hiding something.

You were pretty good at reading people. Not perfect, but good. It came with the job. When you spent all day helping others choose glasses that fit their faces, you learned to notice the smallest details, where someone’s eyes lingered, how they fidgeted when uncomfortable.

Right now, Mrs. Jeon was fidgeting.

You set your spoon down gently. “Can I ask you something?”

Both of them looked up.

Mrs. Jeon smiled. “Of course, dear.”

You leaned back a little, trying to sound casual, though the words pressed against your throat. “It’s just… I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me. You mentioned Jungkook, and then Mr. Jeon said something about our families and…” You paused, hesitating only for a second. “It just sounded like there’s more to this dinner than catching up.”

For a moment, there was silence. Even the quiet hum of the refrigerator felt louder.

Mrs. Jeon’s smile faltered slightly. “Y/N, it’s nothing for you to worry about. Truly.”

“Then why does it sound like you’re avoiding something?”

There it was. The blunt honesty. You couldn’t help it. You had spent your whole life with people dodging around difficult topics. Your parents’ death. The inheritance. The way your relatives treated you like you were made of glass.

You weren’t a child anymore.

Mr. Jeon sighed, exchanging a glance with his wife. His tone was gentle when he finally spoke. “You’re right. There’s more to it than just dinner. But it’s not something we wanted to overwhelm you with.”

“Overwhelm me with what?”

Mrs. Jeon’s expression softened, the kind of look that said she didn’t want to hurt you, but knew she might have to. “Y/N, your family and ours go back decades. Your grandfather and my father in law, Jungkook’s grandfather, built their companies side by side. They had dreams… plans to someday unite what they built.”

While frowning slightly, you asked, “Unite? You mean… the business?”

“Yes, business,” Mr. Jeon said, nodding. “But more than that. They believed family was at the heart of everything. Loyalty. Legacy. They wanted to build something lasting, something shared.”

Your brow furrowed. “Okay, but what does that have to do with me?”

Mrs. Jeon hesitated, tracing the rim of her cup with one finger. “You’ve grown up far from home. Maybe it’s unfair to bring this up now, but… there’s always been this understanding between our families that one day, the bond would be made official.”

“Official?”

Mr. Jeon’s voice was quieter now. “Through marriage.”

For a few seconds, the world seemed to still. The ticking of the clock on the wall grew impossibly loud.

You stared at them, half expecting one of them to laugh, to say it was just a joke. An old tradition. A passing comment. But neither of them smiled.

You could feel your heart beating faster by the second as you tried to understand what this meant.

“Wait,” you said finally, a half laugh escaping your lips. “You mean like… me and Jungkook?”

Mrs. Jeon tried to soften it. “It’s not an order, sweetheart. Nothing’s decided. It’s just… an idea. One that was mentioned a long time ago, before your parents passed. Your grandfather and Jungkook’s grandfather thought…”

“That their grandchildren should get married someday,” you finished, incredulous. “You’re serious?”

Another soft chuckle slipped past your lips, as if waiting for them to laugh with you and say this was all a joke.

Mr. Jeon’s expression was patient, though a hint of guilt shadowed his eyes. “It wasn’t meant to sound the way it does now. It was their dream. Two families, one legacy. We thought maybe, someday, you’d meet and see if there was a connection.”

You laughed under your breath, shaking your head. “This feels like something out of a drama.”

A large part of you hadn’t even accepted what was happening. It sounded like a sick story, a joke, or an unaired episode of a drama your mother used to watch. Maybe that was where they got the absurd idea.

Mrs. Jeon reached for your hand, her touch warm but firm. It brought no comfort. “We know how it sounds, dear. But it came from love. From people who adored you and wanted to keep you close to a family that would care for you.”

You felt like you were suffocating. Your chest tightened, breath shallow. You didn’t know what to say. They meant well, you could tell, but the idea felt surreal. Marriage, to a man you had never even spoken to properly.

Subconsciously, you withdrew your hand gently, offering a small, polite smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. “I appreciate you telling me.”

Mrs. Jeon nodded, sensing the distance but respecting it. “We didn’t mean to unsettle you. We just thought it was time you knew a little of the history.”

The clock continued ticking as you stared at them, trying to make sense of what you had just heard. “You’re saying my family and your family wanted me and Jungkook to get married? I don’t want that, and I’m sure he probably feels the same way. We don’t know each other, and as you’ve said, he’s a handsome man, so I believe he will easily find someone else.”

You blurted it out without thinking. It was an instinctive refusal, a flat no. Mr. and Mrs. Jeon exchanged a look, the knowing kind. There was clearly more you didn’t know, and you could feel a storm approaching.

Mrs. Jeon hesitated. “It wasn’t quite that simple.”

Mr. Jeon sighed, his expression kind but grave. “There’s something else you should know, Y/N. We weren’t sure when to tell you. Your grandfather left instructions in his will.”

You froze. “Instructions?”

Who could have been prepared for this? Your inheritance had been blocked, held back. The Jeons had told you it was a trust, something you would receive once you turned twenty five. You were almost there. But now there was something else. Something tying your inheritance to this.

He nodded. “Your parents handled things as they thought best when they were alive. But when they passed, a portion of your inheritance was held under our family’s supervision. It was your grandfather’s wish. He trusted us to protect what he built until you were ready.”

You blinked, trying to process it. “I didn’t know that.”

Mrs. Jeon offered a small, sympathetic smile. “It wasn’t hidden to hurt you. You were so young, and the lawyers advised against overwhelming you. But your grandfather wanted you to have everything he worked for. His company. His shares. His legacy.”

Mr. Jeon looked at his wife, then back at you. “There’s a letter. It was written just before he passed. It explains everything better than we ever could.”

He reached into his briefcase, pulling out a thin, cream colored envelope sealed with a red wax stamp. The handwriting on the front made your throat tighten. You would recognize that looping cursive anywhere.

To my granddaughter, Han Y/N.

Your hands trembled as you took the letter. “You’ve had this the whole time?”

Mrs. Jeon nodded gently. “We promised him we’d give it to you when we felt the time was right.”

You swallowed hard and carefully broke the seal. The paper inside was old, the ink slightly faded, but your grandfather’s voice rose from every word as you began to read.

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

My dearest Y/N,

If you are reading this, it means my time has passed, and you are old enough to walk your own path. You are the light of this family, even if you do not realize it. But light needs direction, and sometimes it needs others to help it shine brighter.

I built Haneul Creative Group from the ground up with dreams far greater than business. Your father and I wanted to create something that meant connection between people, between families. The Jeon family shared that same dream. Jeon Hwan-woo was my closest friend, my brother in all but blood. We promised each other to always be a family, no matter what was to divide us, and so we decided that one day, our families would become one, not through contracts, but through love and trust.

If you wish to inherit what I have built, to hold the company and everything tied to our name, you must not do it alone. You are strong and brilliant, Y/N, but the world we built is not kind. I know this burden is heavy, and that is why I have chosen to entrust you to someone who understands the weight of legacy. Jeon Jungkook.

This union is not a prison, my dear. It is an opportunity. You are not being asked to surrender your dreams, but to share them. Together, you and Jungkook can create something new, something neither of us old men could ever imagine.

I know that I made this decision not out of control, but out of love. For you, and for the generations that will follow.

Live freely, but remember where you came from.

With all my heart, Han Dae-hyun

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

You stared at the letter long after you finished reading. The words blurred and reformed as your mind spun. Inheritance. Company. Marriage.

You felt as though this was a sick joke. The letter was meant to make everything okay, but instead, this letter, barely half a page long, left you with more questions.

Mrs. Jeon spoke softly. “Your grandfather wanted to ensure his company stayed in capable hands. You’ve built a wonderful life here, but you never learned the business side of Haneul. Jungkook grew up in it, and he knows that world.”

Mr. Jeon added quietly, “You wouldn’t have to give up your dream, Y/N. You could have both. Your clinic, your freedom, and the legacy your grandfather wanted you to carry on. Together, the companies could finally merge. It’s what both families wanted for decades.”

Your hands tightened around the letter. “So, if I don’t marry Jungkook, I don’t get my inheritance?”

They hesitated, and that silence was answer enough.

You leaned back, exhaling shakily. “This is insane. Everyone just thought this was okay? Are you serious?” You covered your face with your hands as tears began to form. You were hurt and frustrated, and it was overwhelming. Not only had your parents left you, but it felt like they had left you with nothing. In that moment, you couldn’t help but feel alone and uncared for. It was clear that you didn’t want this marriage, this union.

Mrs. Jeon’s voice softened. “You don’t have to decide anything now. Just think about it. Read the letter again when your heart is calm.”

“Well, it almost seems like I don’t have a choice,” you said in panic, hurt, and worry. “I’ll be left with nothing. How am I supposed to pursue my future without the funds for it?”

Mr. Jeon shook his head and leaned back. “Darling, if you reject this union, we are still your caretakers, and nothing will change. I will help support you and help open your clinic. But I personally would love this union to happen. I’ve never imagined anyone else for my son. He is a gentleman. He knows how to take care of and love a woman.” His voice was calm and gentle. This might have been the first time he had spoken so much, and you could tell he was passionate.

“Hon, this is your company,” Mrs. Jeon said softly. “I understand it’s hard to enter this with an open mind, but think about it.”

You looked down at your grandfather’s handwriting, the familiar, loving script that once signed your birthday cards, report cards, and acceptance letters.

For the first time, it didn’t feel comforting.

It felt like a weight.

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

After some tea, the Jeons left. It was already late, and they were exhausted.

“We’ll be here for one more week. If you have any questions or want to do this, we’re just a call away,” Mrs. Jeon said at the doorway, offering a soft smile filled with worry and love.

“I’ll keep in touch,” was all you said before hugging them goodbye and waving as they headed to the elevator.

You ran a hand through your hair, which you let loose the moment they left, replaying the entire conversation again and again as you sat on the couch with your knees pulled up and your tea close to your chest.

You needed another cup to help swallow everything that had happened today. It was bizarre, unfair, unreal, and almost laughable. Everything felt like a joke, and the funny part was that none of it was.

You were used to being challenged. From your parents passing, to moving to Canada, to adapting and surviving a toxic relationship that crushed your self confidence. And now, just as you had recovered and learned how to cope, another test appeared. It felt like you were on the fifth season of a show that the producers refused to end because it made them more money. Unreasonable and unnecessary.

A knock at the door revealed Jennifer as she stepped inside. “I’m back! I hope you saved me some food,” she said, dropping her bags and heading to the kitchen before stopping. You hadn’t greeted her, which was unlike you.

“Hey. Are you good?” she asked, waving a hand in front of your face.

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” you said, shaking your head and taking another sip of tea.

“How’d the dinner go?”

“It was okay. We just talked and caught up,” your voice trailed off.

“I get the vibe that something else happened,” Jennifer said, raising a brow.

You repositioned yourself on the couch to face her and sighed. You told her everything, from the dinner to the letter, you explained what your grandfather had planned for you while laughing from frustration before ending with the question you couldn’t answer. “What should I do?”

“Wow,” Jennifer said softly. “That’s a lot.”

“I don’t know what to do, Jenn,” you whispered, tears filling your eyes. Feeling completely exhausted and upset.

“I can’t make the decision for you,” she said gently. “But if you don’t want to do this, why didn’t you say no?”

“It’s a lot to lose. I need this to open my clinic,” you mumbled.

“Bullshit,” Jennifer said. “You planned to open it in a year. You’ve always been independent.”

You looked down at your hands before speaking up softly. “It’s my family’s company,” you admitted. “It’s the only thing I have left of them. I got the house but..i chose to leave it behind because all I see are pictures of them hung up but..not them. They aren’t there and I don't wanna be there alone. I can’t live there. And the inheritance, I don't have that anymore. Technically, all I have left is that company. That’s all I have of them. ” You finished off with a sigh, feeling relieved that you were able to let this out but the weight of the decision was heavy and you couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Jennifer placed a hand on your knee. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

“What would you do?” you asked.

“...I would do it,” she said honestly. “To honor my family. But I don’t know. I’m not in your situation. Maybe if I was in the situation, it’d be different.”

You stood and poured yourself a glass of water, feeling nauseous. When you returned, you paused, then said, “I think I have to do this. But I’m not forcing it on him. It’s his decision too.”

Jennifer let out a sad smile, she was glad that you came to such a decision and that even though it seemed fast and quick, there was a timeline on this stuff. Realistically, you needed to make a choice because your future was in this. 

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

“I’ll do it,” you said.

Your voice trembled, but your words were firm.

“Yes,” you continued. “But on one condition. I want this to be as much of a choice for Jungkook as it is for me. I don’t want either of us to feel pressured.”

Mrs. Jeon smiled softly. Mr. Jeon nodded.

You knew what you were risking. Giving Jungkook the freedom to say no could mean losing everything. But you couldn’t bring yourself to care.

“I don’t want anyone to feel like they never had a choice,” you said quietly.

“We promise,” Mr. Jeon said. “He will decide for himself.”

You nodded, relief and uncertainty tangling in your chest.

Whatever happened next, at least his choice would be honest.

──────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────────────

Jungkook hadn’t planned on staying long.

Dinner at his parents’ place was usually predictable. His mother insisting he eat more, his father asking about work, the quiet comfort of routines he had known his whole life. He expected nothing different as he parked outside his parents’ house, turning the engine off and sitting there for a moment longer, glancing at the other car that was parked in the driveway. Junghyun must have arrived just before Jungkook.

He grabbed the box of pastries he’d picked up on the way and headed inside.

The house smelled like home. Warm broth, garlic, and something simmering on the stove. His mother’s voice floated from the kitchen.

“You’re early,” she said when she saw him, smiling.

“Traffic was better than usual,” Jungkook replied, returning the smile while slipping his shoes off and setting the box on the counter. “Thought I’d bring dessert.”

She glanced at it, then at him, her smile lingering just a bit too long. “You didn’t have to.”

His father appeared from the dining room, nodding in greeting. “Sit. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Jungkook did, loosening his tie as he settled at the table, where Junghyun was already sitting, scrolling through his phone while his wife was in the kitchen. Junghyun had been married for about three years now, and even though both sons moved out, it was agreed that the boys would come home every Thursday and have dinner with their parents.With the exception of the last 2 weeks with his parents travelling to Canada.

Junghyun didn’t work for the company. He never had interest in it. Even though he had a share, he left the work to Jungkook and Mr. Jeon. His passion was never with the family business, and he stood by that. Choosing a different path, Junghyun worked at their local high school, teaching science.

“So,” his mother said lightly as she poured soup into bowls, “how have you been, really?”

Jungkook looked up at his mom and flashed her a gentle smile. “Fine. Busy.”

“Busy is good,” his father said, though his tone carried weight. “But you work too much.”

Jungkook huffed a quiet laugh. “That’s rich coming from you.”

His mother smiled, then took her seat across from him. “You’re at an age where balance matters. Work isn’t everything.”

He met her gaze. “I know.”

Jungkook was confused. Where was this coming from? And while he continued to think about this short and awkward conversation, everyone was silent. Chopsticks clinked softly against porcelain. The silence stretched just long enough to feel intentional.

His father cleared his throat. “We had dinner with Y/N recently.”

Jungkook looked up, raising a brow.

“Oh?” he said casually, though his attention sharpened. “How is she?” He was very curious. Although he never truly grew up with her the way everyone would describe it, he remembered her parents. How Mr. Han used to help him with his homework while Jungkook would be in the company, waiting for his dad to go home with him, or how Ms. Han would put way too much on his plate and say that he needed to eat more even though he was plenty full.

“She’s doing well,” his mother replied. “Independent. Strong. She’s built a life for herself.”

He nodded, unsurprised. That sounded like what he remembered. Someone who stood on her own, even when the world made it difficult.

His mother continued, her voice gentle but deliberate. “It made us think about how much time has passed. How little you two actually know each other, despite everything.”

Jungkook frowned slightly. “Everything?”

Junghyun glanced at Jungkook to see his reaction. Nothing was revealed, but it was obvious where this conversation was going, at least to him. Junghyun recalled when his father had told him about everything regarding the will just last month. A large part of himself wanted to thank his parents for birthing him before Jungkook, which of course he couldn’t. You were a beautiful and intelligent girl, but Junghyun was just happy that he had a choice in who he picked to love and devote his life to.

Jungkook’s parents exchanged another glance, while Junghyun hid his face behind his utensils, trying to hide the awkward grin plastered to his face. He wasn’t great at expressions, and in the worst times, he’d find himself laughing. And right now, this was not the time.

His father set his chopsticks down carefully. “There’s something we need to talk to you about.”

Jungkook straightened slightly, shoulders tensing on instinct. He glanced once at Junghyun, who was suddenly very focused on his bowl of soup, then back at his parents. “Okay.”

His mother folded her hands together on the table. She looked calm, but there was a nervous energy beneath it, something Jungkook had learned to recognize over the years. “We didn’t plan on bringing this up tonight, but after seeing Y/N… it felt like the right time.”

“The right time for what?” Jungkook asked, his voice even, though his jaw tightened.

His father spoke slowly, choosing his words with care. “You know how close our family was with hers. How long Hans and the Jeons have been connected.”

Jungkook nodded. “Of course.”

“That connection was never just personal,” his father continued. “It was business, legacy, and promises made long before you or Y/N were old enough to understand them.”

Junghyun shifted in his seat, finally looking up. “You should probably just say it,” he muttered, not unkindly. Jungkook turned to face junghyun, a little shocked but mostly confused, that everyone in this table wasn’t lost, it was just him. 

His mother shot him a look, then turned back to Jungkook. “Your grandfather and Y/N’s grandfather made an agreement years ago. One that tied both families together.”

Jungkook frowned. “An agreement?”

“Yes,” his father said. “One that involved the future of both companies. And the future of the family.”

The room felt smaller suddenly. Jungkook leaned back slightly in his chair, processing. “You’re being very vague. Please get to the point.”

His mother exhaled softly. “Because it’s complicated. You need to understand the background and intentions before we can just—”

Junghyun let out a quiet breath through his nose before interrupting his mother, unable to stay silent any longer. “They wanted you and Y/N to get married.”

The words landed heavy, unmistakable. Mrs. Jeon facepalmed before shaking her head and rolling her eyes. This was not how she wanted things to come out.

Jungkook stared at his brother, convinced he must have misheard. “What?”

His mother winced slightly. “Junghyun…”

“What?” Junghyun shrugged. “It’s better if he hears it straight.”

Jungkook looked back at his parents. Neither denied it.

“You’re serious,” he said, disbelief creeping into his voice. “You’re talking about an arranged marriage? Are we back in the 50s?”

“It was never meant to feel forced,” his father said quickly. “It was an understanding, a possibility. Something to be considered when the time is right.”

“And you think the time is right now?” Jungkook asked.

His mother nodded slowly. “Y/N is older now. She’s built her life, and so have you. We thought it might be time for the two of you to finally talk, to see if there’s something there. Besides, she plans to open a clinic, and it’s better to sort this out before she settles her life and this isn’t in the cards.”

Jungkook ran a hand through his hair, letting out a short laugh that held no humor. “You want me to marry someone I barely know because of a promise made decades ago?”

“It’s not just about the promise,” his father said. “There are legal matters involved. Her grandfather’s will.”

That caught Jungkook’s attention. “What about it?”

Junghyun spoke again, quieter this time. “Her inheritance is tied to it. The company. The marriage.”

Junghyun and Jungkook had a very strong brotherly bond. Junghyun took care of Jungkook, and seeing him like this hurt. He hated that his parents were beating around the bush about something that would also affect his life.

Jungkook went still.

“So if she doesn’t marry me,” he said slowly, “she loses everything?”

His parents didn’t answer right away.

“That’s insane,” he said, his voice firmer now. “You can’t seriously think that’s fair.”

His mother’s eyes softened. “She didn’t take it lightly.”

“You told her already?” he asked.

“Yes,” his father replied. “She knows everything.”

Jungkook leaned back in his chair, staring at the table as the weight of it settled in. You, sitting across from his parents. Hearing all of this alone. Being asked to make a decision like that. He felt many emotions: anger, sadness, confusion, but also worry. He wasn’t ready for something like this, and he was sure that you weren’t either.

“What did she say?” he asked quietly, not making eye contact.

His mother hesitated. “She agreed to consider it.”

Jungkook looked up sharply, baffled. “Consider it?”

“Well, she had one condition,” his father added. “That you be given a choice. A real one.”

Junghyun glanced at him then, expression unreadable, while his wife looked at the two brothers. She was sitting there, silently observing, feeling both awkward and sad. These kinds of situations were almost unknown in this day and age, so seeing something like this made her feel horrible. Not just for Jungkook, but for you as well, even though she didn’t know you.

“She didn’t want you to feel trapped,” his mother said.

Something twisted in Jungkook’s chest.

“So this,” he said, gesturing vaguely between them, “this dinner, this conversation… you’re asking me if I want to do this.”

“Yes,” his mother said softly.

The room fell silent again.

Jungkook exhaled slowly, rubbing his thumb against the edge of the table. He thought of the girl he remembered in fragments. Quiet. Observant. Always polite. Always a little distant. He thought of the life you had built on your own, far from all of this. Did you want to marry him for your inheritance? That couldn’t be it. It didn’t make sense. Otherwise, you would have just said yes, not given him a choice. Not that he ever lacked one. Two people had to consent for them to be married, so the question was, why did you make it clear that you wanted to leave this to Jungkook?

Jungkook battled multiple questions in his head before snapping out of his thoughts and sitting up. “I need to meet her,” he said finally.

His parents looked at each other.

“Not to decide anything,” he continued. “Not yet. But if I’m being asked to make a choice that affects her life as much as mine, then I need to hear it from her. Not through you.”

His mother nodded, relief flickering across her face. “That’s fair.”

His father gave a small smile. “Very fair.”

Jungkook pushed his chair back slightly, his appetite completely gone. Whatever he had walked into tonight, it was no longer just family dinner.

The rest of that evening was quiet. Jungkook didn’t have the energy to converse or be part of the lively discussion after that. He sank into his defeated thoughts, mentally preparing himself for what was to come next.