Translation for Spanish words used in this chapter —

Boda — wedding
Chorizo — spicy and sweet Spanish sausage

—

Sir Jeon left the prison exactly a week after Jimin's departure.

He came back to the estate to gather up a few things, the remaining funds left in his drawers, and at last, the picture frame of Saraia Jeon, a girl who broke his heart and left it to wither for decades.

Jungkook tried to give him the picture in remembrance of his wife, but the old man only handed it back to his son — adopted son.

"I do not need her anymore, chico," he said, pressing the frame to Jungkook's chest. "I know her too well. It is you who does not know her enough."

They had not embraced in a touching fashion when it was time for Sir Jeon to leave. Like the businessman he was, he shook hands with the man, a curt action Jungkook wished had a little more feeling than he would have liked.

"You see Jungkook," the old man then explained, "I don't deserve your affection. Better keep formalities than uphold shallow relations."

And it was true. Incredibly sad, but true.

But when Sir Jeon took his final steps from the estate and journeyed away from his home, Jungkook felt a presence being missed.

He was the man in charge now. The head of an estate, and a prospering business.

Within the weeks, however, with great help of his amor, the two managed to run both things smoothly. Hoseok and Yoongi ran the more domestic duties of the house, along with being Jungkook's personal musicians, eager to help the couple in any way possible.

Jungkook even invited Taehyung, his now beloved friend, to join him in his estate and be his close second to the dealings of the vineyards. The latter could not believe his ears at first, but hearing the former's insisting on giving him proper shelter had Taehyung hugging the man till he nearly suffocated.

So, everything ran efficiently through the weeks that passed, each man responsible for a certain feature of the house or the business.

Aeri Alvarez assisted, but she had her own personal wishes. She very much wanted to dance again.

She wished to move her body along the music, whether it be a distant guitar tuning from neighbouring houses or the sweet melody Jungkook voiced to put Jihoo to sleep. She said not a word to the former of her wishes, though, and helped him as much as she could.

The flamenco dancer, however, did not need to wait long.

Because one day, when a hard knock on the door had Taehyung running towards the sound to open the gates, Gloria Hernandez greeted the boy and asked if La Amor of Seville resided in this home.

Taehyung nodded, grinning as he called for Aeri. The said woman, after dusting her navy skirts, reached to the door, surprised to see a woman she'd never seen before at her doorstep.

"Señorita," she welcomed, "How may I help you?"

Gloria, although Aeri did not know, stared at the woman, a bit awed and smug. "So Jungkook was talking about you, then."

Aeri, confused, raised a brow. "You know him?"

The former chuckled. "A bit too well," she said as she rolled her eyes. "All I know is that he's very lucky to be with such a remarkable girl."

Blushing, the dancer locked her hands in front. "You flatter me. Now pray, do tell why you've taken the pleasure to come here."

"You see, señorita, I have a wedding soon, and I haven't got a band, singer or dancer of any sort in the event, and I dearly wish to have one to entertain my guests. You know how weddings can sometimes be a bit of a bore.

"I have heard of you and your band of friends before, and listened to the wonders you create when you dance, and the harmony your friends produce when they make music. If I offer a generous commission, would you and your friends be so kind to perform at my wedding?"

Aeri Alvarez, a bit surprised, pondered greatly over such a proposition.

Taehyung looked at her incredulously. "What are you waiting for, tonta?" He whispered. "Say yes!"

The girl, after another moment of thought, agreed, sure that Hoseok and Yoongi would not reject it either.

"I'm so happy to hear that Aeri Alvarez is to perform at my wedding!" Gloria exclaimed. "I assure you, you will be rewarded grandly for taking the time to dance and play."

Aeri bid her goodbye after noting other details, telling the news to the musicians and Jungkook separately in his father's office.

The latter seemed pleased. "Flamenco dancing at Gloria's wedding? I think it's a great idea." His mouth soon replaced his smile with a small frown. "But I'm telling you, if you're too good, you'll have half the men chasing you after the performance."

"I'm a little offended that I could only attract half the men," Aeri mused, sitting upon the desk before Jungkook. "I think I'm capable to catch the eyes of every man there."

"Careful, mi amor," Jungkook cooed maliciously as he leaned forward, sliding his hands to her waist. "Or you'll have the very
groom doubting his marriage."

She locked her hands behind his neck. "I even have an idea on what to perform, actually."

"Care to tell me?"

"Hmm," she pondered, stopping an inch away from Jungkook's lips. "I'd rather keep it a surprise. Have you guessing like all the other men."

The man felt the hairs on his neck stand from her hushed voice. "Lucky for you, mi amor, I adore surprises."

"Well, you're going to adore this one."

—

In the week, Gloria's wedding descended upon the group.

The bride has hosted her special day at the groom's mansion, which looked more like a palace than a home. Especially in the nighttime, the whole architecture glowed with a happy light, as if the structure knew of the couple's joining.

Aeri, Hoseok and Yoongi had left long before to prepare for their performance, so Jungkook arrived with Taehyung and Seokjin, all the men darkly suited and leather booted, Jungkook's growing curls hiding his line of sight.

The Da Silva garden stretched far beyond their vision, littered with flowers and white confetti. Lines of pastel coloured chairs sat daintily upon the barely visible grass, most already filled with other guests. The groom stood in front of the flower-filled altar, patiently waiting for the one woman to complete him.

Jin tutted as his eyes frantically searched the seats. "Dios help those who tie the knot."

Long ago, Jungkook would have agreed with his friend. But when he too, searched for a certain woman among the crowd, he found himself against his opinion.

Soon, everyone quieted down when music started playing, courtesy of Hoseok and Yoongi. Aeri was nowhere in sight, so Jungkook settled himself down near the front vacant seats, giving Jin the chair next to Namjoon. Taehyung slumped in the seat on his right, grumbling for a snack.

Heads suddenly turned when the back door opened. Out stepped Gloria Hernandez, dressed in the finest white lace, wedding gown large and flowing over the grass. Her father accompanied her, slowly walking to the altar along with the melody.

Jungkook hid himself as the father and daughter passed, fairly sure that if the old man saw him he'd give him a second chase. After dropping his child in front of the groom, he sat down two rows in front next to his wife.

The priest began the speech, and it was all a dream after that. The exchange of vows, of rings, of shy glances which had some of the ladies awing.

In a worse case, Jungkook even saw himself on that altar, gifting those shy glances to Aeri, but he knew his amor wouldn't wear such a dowdy dress. Nor return him his stares for fear of looking too desperate in front of all these people.

But maybe she would. After all, hadn't he gained her affections?

If only she told me. It'd all become so much clearer.

"Why are you glaring at the poor couple?" Taehyung murmured to him.

Jungkook perked up at his mentioning. "I'm not!" he whispered back harshly.

"Is this what Aeri's going to have to deal with for the rest of her life? Poor chica."

"Piss off, Tae."

The words came to a close when the priest pronounced them husband and wife, and sealed their endearments with a kiss. Cheers went around the crowd, euphoric smiles on the newlywed's faces as everyone bid them congratulations.

Stars shone brighter as night continued, a feast splayed out on the tables. All the boys gorged themselves on the food, rich and delicious as it touched their tongues, and downed the complimentary champagne as everyone toasted to the couple's happy marriage.

During the celebration, a willowy stage was set up, donned with red and white roses and veiled curtains to hide the dancer as she prepared herself. It was settled in the middle of all the tables, giving everyone a perfect view.

Jungkook, slightly tipsy, leaned over to Taehyung as he took another bite of his chorizo. "Tae, mi amigo, do you know what Aeri's performing?"

The boy giggled deeply as he chewed on the spicy sausage. "Si, si. Do you wish to know?"

"Well I wouldn't be asking if I knew, would I, stupido?"

Taehyung pouted mischievously, downing his champagne. "I'm not telling you anymore, you're an asshole."

Jungkook couldn't keep his desperation leashed anymore. "Come on, Tae, please?"

"Fine, I'll tell you two things about it." The worker finished his sausage, and reached for another. "Uno! Aeri wrote the lyrics herself."

"Original song?" Jungkook sipped his drink. "And the second?"

Suddenly, small fires lit around the stage as the curtains rolled back, pedestal exposed. The guests cheered at the event, and even more so at who stood upon the white floor.

Jeon Jungkook stopped breathing.

Aeri Alvarez looked exactly as the first time he saw her. Her wondrous hair tied up tightly in a large bun, rose pins scattered in her locks. What differed from her ruby red flamenco dress was instead of the colour of blood, it was the colour of snow, pure and untouched. White ruffles trailed to the stage floor, heels elevating her height and her stature.

Her lips, though, possessed a red so sinful Jungkook wondered whether she was at a wedding or a midnight dancing, destined to end in a sleepless night. A sudden urge felt the need to wipe that bold colour with his own mouth.

Dark lashes fluttered to the crowd, castanets lifted as Aeri shifted into a starting pose.

Taehyung grinned at Jungkook's reaction. "Dos, mi amigo. The song is written in Italian."

He raised his champagne glass. "It is called Casanova."

At the exact same time, Aeri moved.

Music flowed through the garden as La Amor of Seville, of his heart, started dancing, castanets clicking softly as Hoseok and Yoongi began singing a story.

Jungkook could not understand due to the barrier of languages, so he turned to Taehyung, eyes on the dancer still. "What are they saying, amigo?"

Taehyung looked to his friend, smiling at his curiosity. "They speak of a young man through a girl's point of view. Rash, reckless, an absolute pain in the arse. She thought him a nuisance, and another blow in her dysfunction of a life."

Aeri, castanets clicking, twirled and twirled, Yoongi's soft verses progressing in the next stage. "This Casanova irks her to no end, until one evening, on a rainy day, this girl flies into the skies and found him joining her among the clouds. He watched her dance..." Taehyung squinted, listening to Yoongi's retelling. "...and she became intoxicated with his awe-filled eyes."

Jungkook felt himself still in his seat. The Tomatina night. When I saw her let herself free. When I first kissed her senseless.

Taehyung drank his alcohol, continuing as he watched his dear friend dance like stray leaves on a rapid wind. "She felt bubbles of emotion after that fateful encounter, but as you can see from her actions, she hid them into a dark crevice inside of her so they could never see the light of day again.

"But that was the problem. The Casanova desired to see the darkest parts of her. He wished to reside in her chaos, and unravel its origins."

Jungkook, with shaking hands, pressed them on his lap, staring and staring at this girl who exposed her truest, rawest feelings through prose and movement.

"One night, the girl stole the stars and devoured them, and in turn the Casanova stole her heart . A living thing for a living thing. He touched her hand to interrogate her, and she burst into a myriad of stars."

Jungkook hitched in a breath. Aeri whirled on her heels, and faced him, castanets raised as she panted slightly, mouth parted as she beheld his desire-filled gaze.

Taehyung saw their exchange, eyebrows raised as he listened to Hoseok's verse, a sweet tune to the ears. "It was like dancing with another for the very first time. Her emotions, surprised, new, raw, afraid to take the first step, scared of facing the partner which now sneakily danced his way into her heart. For he was the notorious Casanova. The man who had left girls like an unwanted possession, and she, too, feared that she would be used."

Aeri closed her eyes, and with each whirl of her skirts sent Yoongi and Hoseok spilling her story faster, slower, in tune to her movements. Taehyung's voice faltered a little at the next words. "But the boy slithered his phantom hands around her waist, and guided her. He taught her that solitude can never amount to the merging of two people through melody. With his quick steps, firm hold and long stare, he showed the girl that living in isolation would be her ruining.

"So he waltzed them through her chaos. He whirled them through the calamity of her years, of the destruction caused by the men she once trusted, twirled her into corners so dark even the boy's living flames could not light them. He did not stop their dance, though. They carried on, pulled her close because he was not finished.

"He would not stop dancing with her till she leaves the confinement of her own self. Till she, with her own hands, wrenched free from the darkness of her past."

Jungkook sensed his vision blur. His eyes became too heavy, and when he closed them, he felt the cause stream down his cheeks.

Crying. After so many years, I am crying.

The worker, after a long stare, turned to the flamenco dancer, who looked as if she was about to start weeping as well, as she brought her arms close to herself, then with castanets, clicked into a further direction. "And maybe that is what this 'love' is," Taehyung declared, voicing Hoseok's Italian verse. "A shy request of a courting. A dance made only for two, for both to pour their hearts into till the two souls wither into the pages of affection. A waltz so perfect people are afraid to ever partake in it.

Taehyung smiled at the words uttered next. "That is why the girl began to fall for the Casanova. Because he dared offer her the dance of love, and never ended it. Because the Casanova, the heartbreaker of his city, cherished the girl truly, far before she ever thought to reciprocate the feeling."

Jeon Jungkook, at last, opened his eyes.

With one last, fateful twirl of her petite frame, Aeri Alvarez arched her neck back, arms to the stars, and stood to a standstill.

The whole world erupted into applause.

Cheers hooted around the whole garden, a pandemonium of delighted shouts and aggressive clapping as the guests didn't stop the praise.

Even the bride and groom wiped their tears as they clapped. The trio bowed to all sides of the room, Aeri lingering as she offered her thanks to Jungkook's side of the garden.

Her eyes widened when she saw his eyes glistening with tears. She had never seen him cry.

Hoseok and Yoongi dragged her back before she could approach him, scolding her to help them clear away their instruments before making any suggestive moves.

The man himself, along with Taehyung, stood up instantly, gulping down his last glass of champagne. "Let's take our leave."

"What about the Seokjin fellow?" The latter inquired, searching for the said person.

"Most probably trying to seduce Namjoon," Jungkook said bluntly, causing Taehyung to snicker. "Let's go home."

After bidding farewell to Gloria and Paolo, they both exited the palace-like home, leaving Aeri with Hoseok and Yoongi to finish off and collect the commissions.

The whole carriage ride Jungkook could not think of anything else but the song performed that night. The confessions encrypted so explicitly yet seemed as if only he could understand.

That is why the girl began to fall for the Casanova. Because he dared offer her the dance of love, and never ended it.

She'd said it in her own words. That she'd loved him. With her whole heart, she had indirectly declared it to the whole world.

It made Jungkook feel as light as a feather. As giddy as a helpless drunkard. As intoxicated as he was the first night he tasted her lips.

Taehyung watched his friend descend seventh heaven of delight. "Careful, you'll ruin the seating," he mused.

"I can't believe she wrote all that," he only replied. "I...I can't believe it."

The boy only crossed his arms, spreading his boots before him. "She may not say it, amigo, but she does love you. Sometimes, she tells me of the things you've done for her, and she said the same thing to me too. That she couldn't believe you'd do everything for her.

"And I told her the same thing I told you. That Jungkook loves you."

And with that, Jungkook dreamed further, counting the lucky stars which blessed him tonight.

—

Jeon Jungkook had to wait till midnight to hear the trio enter the estate as the iron gates creaked open.

Hoseok and Yoongi had living quarters outside in the gardens, so he heard only light footsteps climb the stairs.

With every step he felt his heart thump harder. When Aeri finally opened the bedroom door and saw Jungkook sitting on the edge of the bed, she caught the slight shine in his eyes again.

A sad smile caught on her lips. "So you didn't like the surprise much."

A small tear stained his cheek. "You really meant everything in that song?" Us dancing. Me somehow leading you out of the darkness. You loving me more than I thought imaginable.

Aeri, in her white flamenco dress, looked suddenly so small as she nodded. "Every single word."

She walked to where the man sat, shoulders sagging, and settled right next to him, their sides touching. "I meant it all."

Another tear escaped him, and he barely suppressed the sob threatening to choke out of him.

Surprised, Aeri's expression melted into concern. "Hey," she murmured, raising her hands to cup Jungkook's face. With slow, smooth strokes, her thumbs wiped the tears from his cheeks.

It was like Dia de los Muertos, when Jungkook erased Aeri's tears, but tonight, the roles were reversed. Tonight, it was the cold girl, who now wiped the tears of the Casanova.

The now changed man, through his tears, gazed at her with a love lasting millennia. "I love you, mi tesoro."

The flamenco dancer, the amor of his heart, leaned upwards, grazing those sinful lips against his own. The previous desire stirred shamelessly within him.

Aeri smiled against his mouth, as if she knew the lust which grew in him. "I love you too, bastardo."

Sliding her hands around his neck, she dove deeper, fully enveloping his lips with her own. The glorious feeling of Jungkook's hands grabbing her waist and pulling her to his lap was indescribable.

Just as he began to slide down her dress sleeves, she pulled away, reddening at the sight of her lipstick staining Jungkook's mouth like an abstract artwork. "Over the tears so soon?" She uttered in a breathless tone.

His red-rimmed eyes darkened, all sadness losing to the battle of his desires. "Maybe you shouldn't have kissed me like that."

"Fine, maybe I won't," she teased, beginning to slide off when the hands, the hands which had waltzed her into the light, now whirled her into the sheets.

"Not so fast, mi amor," Jungkook declared, mouth skimming over her neck. "We are not over yet."

"Indeed not," she only said, before she shut the man up with a kiss and let actions do their talking instead.

Throughout the whole night, Jungkook thanked all the celestial beings, superior forces, anything beyond his control for blessing him with a woman as fine as the one he indulged in so willingly.

This Aeri Alvarez had become a life force for him. The heartthrob of Seville, and no doubt Spain if she wishes to nationalise, was a beacon of life Jungkook followed like a disciple. He knew now that everything he would do would link with this girl, this spark of evergreen life he had engulfed like a drug, and that whatever the future offered him he would only accept if Aeri Alvarez was there with him.

Because Aeri Alvarez was the girl he offered the dance of love. Stood his ground when he truly saw her origins, her calamity behind the flamenco facade, and would dance with her till his very legs give up on him. The girl who had trusted him with her heart, strong yet so very fragile.

The girl who he vowed to love for the rest of his life.

—

Hey guys! Y'all I was so nervous about this chapter you have NO IDEA

Two more chaps left :') I can't believe I actually have to f i n i s h Casanova this is a sick joke !!

But anyway folks, please do vote on this chapter and tell me your thoughts. Please do let me know if it was effective enough ! I wish to make your hearts flutter 🖤