chapter 19

The sky over Busan was painted in shades of burnt orange and deep indigo as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city. Park Jimin had just returned from a long and tedious business meeting, the very reason he had come to his hometown in the first place. The familiar streets, the scent of the ocean, and the bustling evening crowd brought a sense of nostalgia, yet he had no time to dwell on it.After a quick shower and an even quicker lunch, he decided to take a walk, inhaling the salty air as he roamed the streets of the city that once held all his childhood memories. His life had changed drastically over the years—now, he was Park Jimin, a well-respected CEO, admired by many. Yet, there was a part of him that longed for the carefree days of his youth, when responsibilities were minimal, and life wasn’t just about business deals and maintaining a public image.Unlike many heirs forced into business, Jimin had a choice. His family had never imposed their expectations on him, always supporting his decisions. If he had chosen a different path, they would have accepted it wholeheartedly. But he wasn’t one to turn away from his responsibilities. He knew the weight of his father’s hard work, the legacy that had been built from the ground up. And so, he embraced the business world—not out of compulsion, but out of duty and respect.Now, here he was. A famous, hot, and charming CEOGirls drool over him and guys questions their sexuality because of him(☠️) that's what actually a real Park Jimin is,loves to travel. But despite the attention, Jimin remained unattainable, a mystery to those who tried to claim his heart.Tonight, however, he wasn’t here for business or social obligations. He was in Busan, his hometown, the place where he had spent most of his childhood—where his grandfather had lived until he passed away two years ago. The loss had hit him hard. Out of all his family members, Jimin had been closest to his grandfather, the man who had taught him everything from how to ride a bicycle to how to navigate life with wisdom and grace. His absence still left an empty space in Jimin’s heart. As always life goes on! On the other side of the city, five individuals found themselves at a luxurious resort, standing near the pool area, only to be met with an unexpected sight. The place was far from empty—it was lively, filled with people dressed in elegant attire, holding glasses of expensive champagne, engaged in conversations that carried an air of wealth and sophistication. The entire area was adorned with warm fairy lights, the water in the pool reflecting the golden glow.It looked like a celebration, an extravagant one at that.The three cousins accompanying Jungkook seemed intrigued by the sudden festivity, exchanging glances before disappearing into the crowd, eager to enjoy the party.But Y/N, standing beside Jungkook, felt her chest tighten with discomfort. Social anxiety. It was something she had always struggled with, and this overwhelming crowd only amplified it. Her fingers clutched the fabric of her dress tightly as she swallowed the lump in her throat.She didn’t belong here.Jungkook, standing beside her, noticed her tense posture immediately. While his face remained impassive, his sharp eyes took in every detail—her stiff shoulders, her uneven breathing, the way her hands trembled slightly.Before he could say anything, the manager of the resort, a middle-aged man with a pleasant demeanor, approached them with a welcoming smile. His gaze shifted toward Jungkook, and a flicker of recognition crossed his face.“Mr. Jeon!” he greeted warmly, his tone laced with admiration. “It’s a pleasure to see you here. I must admit, I’m quite surprised to have such a distinguished guest staying at our resort.”Jungkook gave a polite nod, his expression neutral. “Same here, Mr. Min. Your hospitality has been excellent, as expected.”The manager beamed at the praise before glancing at Y/N, his curiosity piqued.“And who might this lovely lady be? Your friend?”Before Y/N could react, Jungkook casually slid his hand into his pocket while responding with an answer that left the manager surprised.“She’s my wife.”Y/N’s breath hitched, not because the statement was untrue—it was the truth—but because Jungkook rarely ever acknowledged their relationship in front of others. Their marriage had always been a mere contract, an obligation rather than a union built on love.The manager’s eyes widened slightly before softening with genuine admiration. “Ah, Mrs. Jeon! It’s an honor to meet you. You are truly beautiful.”Y/N gave him a timid smile, bowing slightly. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you too.”She felt her cheeks heat up at the unexpected compliment, though she was more grateful that the dim lighting masked her flustered state.Mr. Min continued, “By the way, tonight’s party is in celebration of my daughter’s birthday. I’m delighted that you both are here to join us. Mr. Park is also attending. Would you mind coming with me?”Jungkook hesitated for a second before glancing down at Y/N. For the first time, he was giving her a choice.“Wanna come with me or stay here?”Y/N blinked up at him, startled. He had never asked for her consent before. Usually, he made decisions without sparing her a second glance. Her fingers unconsciously gripped the fabric of her dress tighter as she whispered,“W-Where are the others?”“They probably went to enjoy themselves. Staying here alone isn’t a good idea. Come with me.”His voice was softer than usual, holding a gentleness she wasn’t accustomed to. It made her chest tighten for a different reason this time.With a hesitant nod, she agreed.Going with Jungkook was far better than standing here alone, drowning in her own anxiety."B-but I don't know anyone here." Jungkook glance down at her shaking hands, before intertwining it with his. His actions not even her but also himself put into a big dilemma. There is no way he give a thought before doing this. Y/N’s breath caught in her throat.His grip was firm, steady, yet not forceful. It was as if he was telling her—"You’re not alone. I’m here."Her heart pounded against her ribs, unsure how to process the unexpected warmth of his touch. It was so unlike him, yet strangely, she didn’t dislike it.Mr Min smile warmly at their lovely interaction. Only if he knew the reality of their relationship. As Mr. Min led them toward the VIP section, Jimin was already standing there, visibly annoyed as an overly enthusiastic woman clung to him like a leech. His sharp jaw clenched in irritation, his patience running thin.But his frustration vanished the moment he saw them.Jungkook.And beside him, a woman.His wife.Jimin had heard about Jungkook’s marriage, but this was the first time he had seen the woman who held that title. His gaze immediately fell on their intertwined hands, an eyebrow arching in mild curiosity.Interesting.Mr. Min clapped his hands together. “Ah, Mr. Park! I hope I didn’t take too much of your time. But look, I found someone you might like to meet!”Jimin forced a polite smile. “No worries.” His gaze flickered to Jungkook before settling on Y/N."Hlo Mr Jeon! It's nice to see you here." Jimin greeted Jungkook with a polite smile, extending his hand for a handshake. His grip was firm but not forceful, a perfect reflection of his personality—confident, composed, and effortlessly charismatic.Jungkook, mirroring his professionalism, shook his hand briefly. Unlike most, he wasn’t intimidated by Park Jimin’s status or presence. They weren’t friends, but there was mutual respect between them.Jimin knew Jungkook through his father. Their families had crossed paths in the business world long before either of them took over their respective companies. When Jimin’s father used to handle their empire, he had often discussed potential partnerships with Jungkook’s father, and over the years, they had signed multiple contracts. However, after Jimin stepped into the CEO position, they hadn’t personally interacted much—except for a brief encounter at a Park family gala, where his father had officially passed down the reins to him.Since then, their relationship had remained neutral—neither hostile nor particularly close.Jungkook, always one to keep things direct and concise, tilted his head slightly and spoke first. "It's been a long time. How have you been?"A small smirk tugged at Jimin’s lips. It wasn’t often that Jeon Jungkook displayed even the slightest bit of warmth, and seeing that rare, almost-smile on his face was interesting."Perfectly fine," Jimin replied smoothly, tucking his hands into the pockets of his tailored suit. "And you?"Jungkook gave a short nod. "Same here." His tone was even, devoid of unnecessary pleasantries.For a moment, there was silence—nothing awkward, just two powerful men assessing each other, both aware of the influence they carried. They weren’t rivals, but in a world where trust was a luxury, neither of them made the mistake of assuming loyalty where there was none.Before the conversation could go any further, an all-too-eager voice cut in, shattering the moment of silent understanding between them."Jeon Jungkook, the famous businessman, at my party? What an honor."Lia, Mr. Min’s daughter, made her presence known,her voice dripped with feigned sweetness as she flashed a wide grin, her eyes shamelessly raking over Jungkook from head to toe. Her gaze lingered a little too long, as if she were trying to undress him with her eyes.Jungkook mentally chuckled, unfazed. He had dealt with women like her far too many times—opportunistic, calculating, and quick to switch sides when it suited them. Just minutes ago, she had been cozying up to Jimin, but now, seeing a bigger fish in the room, she had turned her attention elsewhere. How predictable.Keeping his expression neutral, he responded coolly, "Just a mere coincidence. But happy birthday, nonetheless."Lia’s eyes gleamed with something unreadable, her smile growing wider. "Well, it just became even more special seeing you here," she purred, batting her lashes.Jimin, who had been silently observing the exchange, rolled his eyes, unimpressed. He knew Lia too well—she wasn’t subtle, not even in the slightest. Huffing under his breath, he downed the rest of his wine in one go, then smoothly placed the empty glass onto a passing waiter’s tray.Lia, still very much absorbed in her mission, finally turned her attention to Y/N, who had been standing quietly by Jungkook’s side. Her expression shifted slightly, eyes narrowing just enough to make Y/N feel the change in atmosphere."And who is she?" Lia asked, her tone laced with faux curiosity, though her scrutinizing gaze betrayed her real thoughts. "A friend of yours?"Y/N stiffened slightly, feeling the weight of Lia’s gaze. It wasn’t just curiosity—it was the kind of look that made someone feel like they were being assessed, judged, and dismissed all at once.Jungkook, catching onto the shift in Y/N’s demeanor, smirked. Without a moment’s hesitation, he slid his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his side. The sudden contact sent a jolt of warmth through her body, but more than that, it sent a clear message to everyone around them.Lia’s eyes widened in disbelief, her lips parting slightly as she awaited his response.Jungkook didn’t disappoint."Let me introduce her," he said smoothly, his voice carrying an edge of amusement. His dark eyes locked onto Lia’s as he delivered the final blow."Meet my wife… Jeon Y/N."Lia’s jaw nearly hit the floor. The confident smirk on Jungkook’s face only deepened.Are you ready?We gonna have some fun in next chapter? 😁How was it? After so long I updated finally!Share your opinion about this chapter 🤩