Chapter 45: 44.

The Empath And The Narcissist | JJKWords: 15827

After they leave, you find yourself frozen, your gaze locked on the dim interior of the closet. Time seems to stretch endlessly as you enter a rush of emotions, none of which you can fully understand or process. Yet, beneath the confusion and hurt, a fierce determination begins to brew. With a deep, steadying breath, you muster the courage to step out from your hiding spot.

The room feels different now, as if the air itself is charged with your newfound resolve. Descending the stairs, your movements are deliberate, cutting through the crowd with a newfound assertiveness. Your eyes scan the lively scene, searching until they land on him. Jungkook is there, the life of the party, surrounded by friends, laughter echoing around him, and a girl casually draped over his shoulders. This vision of him, so carefree and oblivious to the disruption he's caused within you, ignites something within you.

A cold and hard realization that changes you forever. You finally understood Jungkooks ways.

He didn't love you, he only feared losing control over you. He always made sure you kept loving him, just to feed his ego.

Well, that is all you are going to take away from him now.

You were now dying to see him hurting like you did.

You are now done hurting.

It's his turn.

You make your way out of that house, walking fast, fueled with vengeance and only vengeance.

***

As the first light of dawn filters through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow on the wooden island where you and Hyeyeon sit, the quiet of the morning is punctuated by the soft clinks of coffee mugs and the gentle hum of conversation. Hyeyeon, lost in thought, breaks the silence, her words carrying a hint of nostalgia mixed with uncertainty about the future.

"I miss Seoul, I want to move back to Seoul," she confesses, her gaze fixed on the dark liquid swirling in her cup, a mirror to her swirling thoughts.

"It's just that Jimin. I don't think he will be willing to leave everything behind," she muses, the weight of her concern evident in her voice.

Your response is immediate and unwavering "If you are important to him more than whatever his business is here, he will move. And if he doesn't, I suggest you not marry him. You should be the most important thing to him in this world, considering you sacrificed your whole life for him," you assert, your voice steady and firm.

The strength of your conviction strikes a chord in Hyeyeon, prompting her to lift her gaze from the comfort of her coffee to meet your eyes.

"The only reason I am here is your happiness. If you are not happy, all of this is nothing but just a load of crap," you conclude, your statement hanging in the air, a reminder of the unbreakable bond and the lengths to which you'd go to ensure each other's well-being.

You look at Hyeyeon and say, "If I was in your shoes, I'd say the same thing." She nods slowly, looking a bit unsure.

"What's up?" she asks, noticing something different about you.

"Nothing," you reply, but your tone is strong.

"If you really want something, nothing should hold you back. I'm just tired of seeing you always giving in." Your words are direct and full of conviction.

Hyeyeon looks at you, a mix of admiration and worry in her eyes. "Y/N," she says softly, "It's been a while since I've seen that look in your eyes."

She's referring to a time when things were really tough for you, the time around when you first met Jungkook, after a night that had changed everything for you. It broke you. After that night, it was only the flaws in yours that were brought out.

"I just decided to take charge of my life again," you state, there's a firmness in your voice.

She nods understanding what you are talking about after witnessing all the ups and downs you are going through and all the battles that you are fighting yourself.

"You talk to Jimin today about moving to Seoul," you continue, directing Hyeyeon with a seriousness that underscores the importance of the conversation.

She nods with a little uncertainly, signaling her dilemma.

"If you don't, I will," you add, locking eyes with her to ensure the message is received loud and clear.

"No, I promise I will," she assures you, her voice carrying a hint of determination now to which you nod.

"I will have to go back to Seoul tomorrow. I have things to take care of," you mention, staring into the emptiness of your coffee mug, lost in thought about the tasks that await you.

"You can't stay for longer?" Hyeyeon's question is laced with emotion, her need for your presence clear in her eyes.

You can sense her loneliness, the months without her best friend weighing heavily on her. "You want me to stay, I'll stay," you declare, ready to put her needs before your own.

Her chuckle breaks the solemn mood, a sound filled with relief and satisfaction. "I love you," she squeezes your hand, her gratitude palpable.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, Y/N," her voice wavers slightly, a testament to the depth of her feelings.

"Go take care of your things," she says, showing understanding despite her earlier plea for you to stay longer. "I'll be visiting mom next week anyway. I'll see you then," she adds, her acceptance of the situation shining through her words.

"I'm glad you're back," she begins. "Can I ask you something? Will you give me an honest answer?" Her gaze is serious, prompting your curiosity and concern within you. You nod her giving her the go-ahead.

"About you and Jungkook... I don't want to pry into details or dig graves, but can you just tell me if anything is going on between you two?" Her question hangs in the air, heavy with anticipation for the truth.

You pause, considering how to articulate feelings you've wrestled with for so long. "I fell for an idea of him, one that never truly existed outside my own mind," you confess. "He-" "He never had those feelings for me. He was just obsessed with controlling me"

"To directly answer you, there's nothing between us. There never will be," you conclude, your words slicing through any lingering hopes for a different narrative.

"Y/N, I've been watching him closely for the past four months. There's been a change in him, a significant one. I'm not sure how to make you see it, but I'm convinced he has feelings for you," "He was very lost after you left and just in these 2 days, I have seen him change so much and that's only because you are here" Hyeyeon insists, her tone was very sincere. "Remember how concerned he was when you got hurt? He didn't just take you to the hospital; he was there for you in every way."

You interrupt her, your patience thinning. "Hyeyeon, even if, by some chance, you're right, and he does have feelings, it's simply too late. We've wasted years, and I'm done waiting. Besides, I don't have any feelings for him anymore," you state firmly, getting up from your seat.

"I'd rather we never discuss him again. You know I share everything with you, but this topic is off-limits for me. I can't do this anymore" you add, indicating your need for space and closure.

"Y/N-ah," Hyeyeon starts, attempting to reach out and calm you down, sensing the storm within you. However, before she can say anything more, you're already on your way out. That's when Jungkook steps out of his room, looking worn from the night before. The sudden encounter stops you in your tracks. The two of you lock eyes, yours filled with an unmistakable loathing. He takes in your expression, a silent acknowledgment passing between you before you turn and rush upstairs to your room, leaving him behind in the tense silence.

***

An hour later, you were engrossed in packing your bags, the action more than just a physical task—it was a statement, a declaration of taking back control over your life. The room echoed with the sound of zippers closing and fabric rustling.

Amid the chaos, a knock at the door momentarily halted your movements. Turning, you found Jungkook on the door, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Y/N," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, betraying a hint of hesitation.

"Are you leaving already?" His question hung in the air, an awkward attempt at initiating a conversation.

Without missing a beat, you responded, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "Did you have something to say to me?" Your tone was flat, devoid of any warmth, clearly signaling your disinterest in any form of small talk.

"Yeah," he replied, visibly taken aback by your directness. He seemed to brace himself before continuing, "I wanted to apologize for last night. I got carried away and forgot about you—" His attempt at an explanation was swiftly interrupted.

"That's okay, I have no grudges. It doesn't matter," you interjected briskly, your words sharp and final. "Anything else?" you added, your gaze piercing through him as you clutched the folded clothes tighter against your chest.

The simplicity of your dismissal left him momentarily speechless, a mix of regret and confusion flashing across his features as he grappled with the reality of your indifference.

He seemed really confused, asking, "Did I do something wrong last night? Say something off?" He was trying to figure out what had changed overnight.

You didn't say anything back, just kept on packing, your back to him. The night before kept replaying in your mind, hurting you all over again.

"Y/N, why are you so upset with me? Is that why you're leaving already?" he asked, sounding really worried.

You kept quiet, packing your things. It looked like your plan to keep things cool was working, even though inside, you were anything but calm.

He broke the silence again, asking softly, "Can't you stay a bit longer?"

Hearing that, you pause, the piece of clothing in your hand falling down. Turning to face him, your expression is unreadable. "That's the problem," you say quietly, "I've stayed too long already." "I should've left a while back," your words carry deeper meanings, and he senses it, his frown deepening as he realizes you're not just talking about the present moment.

As you approach him, your gaze locks with his, a mix of confusion and concern etched on his face. "Jungkook," you begin, inching closer, trying to bridge the distance not just physically but emotionally as well. "I'm sorry," you say, the words tinged with a sincerity that reaches his eyes. "I shouldn't be angry with you. It's not fair to blame you for not living up to an image I created in my head," you admit, your voice softening.

The admission hangs between you, a confession of misplaced anger and expectations. "I've lost whatever feelings I had for you," you continue, your eyes searching his for understanding.

"You're just not the person I thought I needed, and that's why I was upset." You pause, collecting your thoughts before adding, "I want to apologize for being harsh towards you. You've done so much for me, and I'm grateful for that. But moving forward..." You take a deep breath, hesitating as your eyes drift from his gaze to his lips and back again, a silent struggle evident in your posture.

"Do you want to be friends with me, Jungkook?" The question hangs in the air, a fragile offer of peace and a new beginning, waiting for his response.

His question, "Friends?" echoes with disbelief, his expression shifting rapidly from confusion to frustration. The concept seems absurd to him, given the depth and complexity of your shared history.

"We can never be friends, Y/N," he states, the anger in his voice a sharp contrast to the vulnerability you had just exposed. His reaction stings, but you're resolved, knowing well that the dynamics between you have irrevocably changed.

"Well," you begin, your voice steady despite the turmoil within, "it's either friends or nothing." You assert this boundary with a clarity that surprises even yourself, stepping back to put physical distance between him and you.

You turn away from him, unable to bear the weight of his gaze any longer. "If you don't want to be friends with me," you continue, your voice trailing off as you speak into the empty space between you, "then it won't be hard for me to close all doors to you in my life. I don't feel those things for you anymore." Your words have drawn a line, signaling the end of one chapter and the uncertain beginning of another.

"Fine then," his voice carries a finality that chills the air. Almost immediately, you're startled by a loud bang against your door, a definitive sound that marks the end of your confrontation. The heavy footsteps receding away from your room confirm his departure, leaving you alone with the echo of the door's protest and the silence that follows—a silence that speaks volumes of the chaos and distance now firmly set between you.

***

As you navigate the road back to Seoul, your thoughts drift away from the recent confrontation, focusing instead on the anticipation of someone waiting for you back home. The road stretches ahead, a metaphor for the new path you're about to embark on, one that promises significant changes in your life. Clutching the steering wheel tightly, you're determined, each mile closer to Seoul bringing you nearer to a future you're ready to shape with your own hands.

Arriving in Seoul, you find yourself in front of a house that's become unexpectedly familiar in just a few short days. With a quick knock, you step back, feeling your heart race with anticipation. It's only a moment before the door swings open, revealing BoHyun. He stands in the doorway, clad in a simple white t-shirt, his expression one of calm recognition rather than surprise at your appearance.

Standing there, your nerves are on edge, and the adrenaline coursing through you makes it hard to even keep the conversation going. With a rush of courage, you confront him directly, "You didn't kiss me back," you declare, your voice firm despite the fierce pounding of your heart.

Hearing this, BoHyun casually shoves his hands into his pockets and steps closer, his approach calm and deliberate. "Because you were drunk, and I didn't want to take advantage of you," he explains softly, maintaining eye contact. His straightforward response and steady gaze only serve to heighten your nervousness.

Standing before you, BoHyun halts, close enough for you to feel the warmth radiating from him. "Y/N," he begins, his voice low and earnest, "I'm not the type of guy to just kiss someone, to make out and leave. If I kiss you back, it means you're mine, and I'm yours. It means we're starting something serious, something that, in my mind, ends with us getting married." "So, tell me what it is that you want" His words resonate with you, echoing sentiments you've waited too long to hear, perhaps not specifically from him, but the sincerity in his declaration is undeniable and unexpectedly compelling.

"Kiss me," you say, making a decision to embrace the future he imagines for the two of you. Ready to love and be loved, you stand firm in your choice. He responds by moving even closer, his grip on the belt around your waist firm yet gentle, pulling you closer without ever breaking eye contact. His focus shifts down to your lips, while you continue to look up into his eyes, captivated by the intensity and depth you find there. His height adds an element of awe to the moment, making him seem even more compelling.

He tenderly explores your lips with his, each soft interaction fueling the longing in your heart. As the kiss concludes, he remains close, observing you with your eyes shut and a faint smile gracing his lips. When you open your eyes, you're met with his affectionate gaze. Gently holding your hand, he leads you inside, both of you eager to deepen this newly formed bond. In the privacy behind closed doors, you embark on a journey of mutual discovery, igniting a chapter in your life brimming with anticipation and joy, unlike anything you've experienced before.