The Next Evening

Y/N arrived at the pub, dressed elegantly in a sleek, dark dress that highlighted her grace and sophistication. The moment she stepped inside, Jungkook's face lit up with a warm smile.

"Hey, Y/N!" Jungkook greeted, his eyes appreciating her appearance. "You look fantastic."

"Hi, Jungkook," she replied, returning his smile. "amm dinner you said?"

Jungkook's eyes lingered on her with genuine admiration. "! Let me just change into something more casual, and then we can head out."

He excused himself to the back, returning shortly in a stylish button-down shirt and jeans. He looked effortlessly handsome, and Y/N couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement.

"Ready to go?" Jungkook asked, extending his arm toward her.

Y/N took his arm, smiling. "I'm ready."

They walked outside to Jungkook's sleek black sedan. As they drove through the city, the lights of Seoul sparkled around them, casting a warm glow on their faces.

"So, how are you finding the city so far?" Jungkook asked, glancing at her with interest.

"It's beautiful," Y/N responded, looking out at the city lights. "I'm really starting to enjoy it. The food and the people have been great."

Jungkook chuckled. "Seoul does have a special charm. I've lived here my whole life, so I guess I take it for granted sometimes. But I love showing it off."

Y/N smiled. "It's been wonderful exploring. There's so much to see and do."

Their conversation flowed easily as they drove. Jungkook shared his favorite spots in the city and some funny anecdotes from running the pub. Y/N talked about her recent move and some of her experiences settling in.

They arrived at a cozy steakhouse with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The restaurant was dimly lit, with soft music playing in the background.

As they were seated, Jungkook looked at the menu with a grin. "You're going to love this place. They have some of the best steaks in town."

"I'm excited to try it," Y/N said, glancing at the menu. "Everything sounds amazing."

When their steaks arrived, perfectly cooked, Jungkook took a bite and savored it. "This steak is incredible. You have to try it."

Y/N took a bite of her steak, her eyes widening in delight. "You're right. This is one of the best steaks I've ever had."

Jungkook smiled, clearly pleased. "I'm glad you like it. They really know how to cook a steak here."

After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant. Y/N sat in the passenger seat of the car, her excitement building. As they drove, she leaned forward, whispering in Jungkook's ear, "Is there any reason we can't continue having a good time tonight? Maybe someplace a little more private?"

Pulling back slightly, Jungkook's eyes flashed with desire. He licked his lips before a seductive smile spread across his face, revealing his dimples. "No reason that I can think of. In fact, we could go to my apartment for a nightcap if you want. It's upstairs from the pub."

Y/N was surprised. "You live upstairs?"

Jungkook nodded. "Yep. It's just above the pub. I find it convenient."

"Wow, I'd love to see it," Y/N said, her curiosity piqued.

"I'd love to show it to you," Jungkook replied, nodding at her.

Once Jungkook parked the car, he turned to Y/N with a reassuring smile. "If you don't mind taking the stairs, it's only one flight up."

Y/N hesitated for a brief moment, then smiled. "No problem."

"Great. C'mon," Jungkook said, opening the door for her.

After Jungkook unlocked and opened the door to his apartment, he gestured for Y/N to enter first.

A large, open living room, dining area, and kitchen greeted her as she glanced around. A short hallway to the left had three doorways, and another to the right had two. Everything appeared neat and tidy, and the decor was definitely masculine. Earth tones made it warm and inviting. A huge flat-screen TV, at least sixty-five inches, was flanked by filled bookcases along one wall. An L-shaped couch and two recliners offered plenty of seating. The dining table could fit six people, and the spotless kitchen was a gourmet chef's dream.

Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. A sleek black-and-white cat sashayed into the room and made a beeline for Jungkook, circling him and rubbing against his legs. He set his beer bottle and Y/N's glass on the countertop between the kitchen and living room and picked up the cat, which nuzzled his chin and neck.

"This is Moe," Jungkook said with a smile. "I found him as a stray kitten in the alley behind the restaurant one night and was going to take him to the no-kill shelter. But before the sun came up, he'd already decided I was his owner."

"How do you know that?" Y/N asked, intrigued.

Jungkook set the cat back on the floor. "He managed to get out of the box I put in the bathroom with a towel and clawed his way up and onto my bed. I woke up with him curled in a ball on my chest, sound asleep and purring away. I figured that meant he claimed me as his own." The cat yowled loudly and stared indignantly at Jungkook. "That's his 'Why haven't you fed me dinner yet, slave?' meow. Give me a minute to take care of him."

After Jungkook set Moe's dinner down and the cat started munching away, Y/N wandered around the apartment. She noticed the photos and knickknacks scattered around, and one picture caught her eye. It was a beach picnic from their high school days in Busan.

Jungkook stood in the middle of a large group of teens, all of them sun-kissed and smiling from the fun day. At one end of the group, Y/N could see herself, partially hidden behind another girl's head, her own face barely visible but unmistakable.

Her anger and the alcohol from earlier combined into a powerful storm of emotions. As she glared at the photo, her resentment flared up, and she felt an urgent need to confront the past. Turning around, she saw Jungkook watching her with a mix of curiosity and desire.

Unable to control her emotions, she marched up to him, closed the distance between them, and threw her arms around his neck. Without giving it a second thought, she pressed her lips against his, driven by a storm of rage and longing.

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