Translation for Spanish words
used in this chapter —

Cambio — change
Finalmente — finally
Mi chiquito — my little boy

-

Jeon estate, for the first time in decades, felt that it would not crumble under the tension between father and son.

Its obvious reason would be that the father wasn't here anymore. Gone from his home and stuck in an underground cell.

The very thought of Sir Jeon in chains, possibly singeing himself in anger, brought a smile to the boy's mouth.

Finalmente. Finally he has gotten what he so rightly deserved.

Smiling to himself, he laid in his hammock, guiding the sway of it with his foot. It had been another couple of weeks since the trial, and just like this he had been incredibly giddy.

He even expressed this joy to the nurse hurrying towards him, looking quite the opposite of her son.

"Chico!"

Jungkook shifted straighter upon the hammock, smile fading at the sight of her distress. "Mamá what's wrong?"

"Mi chiquito!" The nurse exclaimed. "Where is Jimin? I've been waiting to ask him for his departure, but I haven't seen him for weeks!"

The moment that name was mentioned Jungkook felt himself stiffen all over.

That damned man. That fucking man, damn him to hell, is vexing me even now.

"I've worried about him," the woman confessed, wiping her hands with her apron. "He has eaten nothing I've given him, and ever since the imprisonment he hardly comes here."

Good riddance, Jungkook only thought over that. The next words, however, made him think anything but that.

"And...my darling Aeri..." the nurse started, melancholy clear on her face. "She has not visited us either...I wonder if she's okay."

The boy, silent, settled back in his hammock, feeling heavier in it than before.

He, too, wondered, if she fared well.

It was shocking behaviour for the boy, not even bothering to check up on the city's favourite dancer, but in reality he dared not.

Although Jimin himself had left him, his word had not. In fact, they stayed rooted within Jungkook's mind until it was all the latter could think about.

Bastardo. Bastardo. Bastardo.

A word so irrelevant. A word which had never bothered him since he stooped to senseless whoredom and polluted enjoyment.

But why so now? Why does this one word break him every time it gets chanted?

"Jungkook!"

His hazy eyes flickered to the nurse, hands akimbo as she assessed the boy.

"Your mind wonders beyond the city, child. Tell me, what is the matter?"

Jungkook continued the events in his head. "Nothing."

But it was not nothing. Avoiding Aeri, daydreaming sadly, and pondering over Jimin's confrontation day and night had brought him to near ruination.

But what could he do? Park Jimin may have lied so in court, but he certainly didn't lie to him in the dining room two weeks ago.

He had been a hypocrite. He had treated his past lovers atrociously, some to say even like animals, kicking them out of his life when they were not satisfactory to his desires. Even though his attraction with Aeri was an entirely different matter, the words Jimin spat had scared him.

What if he exploited Aeri just the same? Would he ever be able to forgive himself? Thinking about it then gave him ice-cold shivers.

Never. I'd never forgive myself.

If only he donned this mindset with the past women in his life. Maybe he wouldn't turn out to be such a mess now.

And to think I can't do anything about it...

"Oh, Jungkook, before I forget!" The nurse fished for a letter inside of her apron pocket, handing the soft violet envelope to him. "This is from Lord Hernandez."

The boy creased hearing the name. "Wasn't he the old bag who chased me down the streets with his slipper?"

Lightly slapping him on the head, she urged him to open the letter. "It's not like your father is here to do it!"

Obliging hesitantly, Jungkook, ripped open the envelope, sliding out a frilly invitation.

"Dear Sir Jeon," he read out in a monotone, "You are invited to the wedding of Paolo De Silva and my daughter Gloria—"

Jungkook did a double take, shooting up in his hammock.

"Gloria Hernandez?!"

The nurse chuckled, turning on her heel. "Dios Mio, Jungkook. Another one settling in? When is going to be your turn?"

"Not now, Mamá," Jungkook said in exasperation.

Gloria? The last girl I've slept with, eh?

Before he could think any further, his more sensible thinking set him straight.

She's settled down now, after you used her for sex! What else could she do, in judgemental Spanish society!

Jungkook was ready to drown in her misery when he had an idea. A simple, a bit too simple, but an idea of an action he should have done the moment he thought of fucking her.

"Mamá," he declared, already out of the hammock and striding towards the doors, "I'll be back in the evening."

-

Hernandez Manor looked just as glamorous as Jungkook remembered it to be in the summer.

Huge dark walls contrasted with white columns on the entrance, windows scattered like great stars upon the bricked galaxy. The grand mahogany doors looked welcoming, fencing keeping hold of the gorgeous front garden littered with baby hedges and hundreds of varied flowers. Smoke arose from the chimneys, and the roofs glittered from its fresh repainting, a true beauty amongst the real estates in Seville.

It sent chills down Jungkook's spine as he tied Coco to a near post.

Reminiscing on its memories didn't exactly bring a smile to his face. He'd seen only the daughter's chambers and possibly every goddamned bathroom, due to his personal preferences of fucking in the shower.

"Dear Dios," he murmured, stepping just before the doors.

He rung the grand bell, a servant opening both doors before bowing.

Jungkook inclined his head. "Is Lady Gloria present in the house?"

"Indeed, señor."

"And, um, is the Lord of the house here, too...?"

"Who is it, chico?"

Oh dear Lord.

Before he could think another word, the doors opened wider, revealing his last fling.

The girl was dolled up in the lushest indigo gown overflowing in its drape, ruffles along the cuffs of her sleeve and loose decoration on her neck. The pretty girl herself had her hair in an impeccable updo, a few ringlets curling from the sides.

The face of Gloria Hernandez exposed utter shock at seeing Jeon Jungkook upon her doorstep.

"Ay Dios Mio!"

Jungkook flinched, clearing his throat as he locked his hands behind his back, feeling the weight of his rich attire all the more. "Gloria. Miss Hernandez." He gasped, correcting himself once more. "I mean—"

"Not yet," she only said, not leaving her eyes off him. "Mendes, to the kitchens."

The servant left in a hurry. It was the two of them now.

"Jeon Jungkook," she declared, her mouth curving upwards, "So keen to get smothered by Papá's slippers?"

A surprising scoff escaped him. "Please don't tell me he's here."

"Lucky for you, he's gone for business." She stopped speaking, only gazing at the boy. "What brings you here?"

Jungkook could barely dampen the chanting. "May I...may I come in?"

Even more shock etched her features. She stayed rooted to the spot for a few moments before opening the door wider.

"Of course."

He stepped past the lady, already greeted by that bloody staircase, glistening as its grand stairs escalated upstairs. The banisters almost winked at him, remembering the first experiences of sliding down them.

Those were some nasty days.

His boots clicked against the marble floors, following black heels until they reached the living room, where a bell rang to prepare tea.

"Por favor, do sit down," Gloria urged, settling down herself within her excess of skirts. "Mendes! Don't forget the biscuits!"

She faced Jungkook, ankle-on-knee, leaned back with his head in his hand, elbow propped upon the arm of the couch.

She noticed him dazed. Present with her here, but not really present at all. He seemed trapped within his own mind, which once used to fill her with great awe.

"Jungkook?"

At last, his eyes settled upon her, heavier than she had ever seen them. Curiosity ate her insides, insisting to ask him what made him want to escape reality so much.

"Why did you come here today?"

The boy, after a heavier sigh, fixed his position, propping his elbows upon his knees as he thumped both feet upon the floor. His curls, longer than she'd remembered, framed his face to make him almost angelic.

She nearly laughed. Jungkook? An angel?

Falser words could not be spoken.

"I..." He started, locking his hands together. "I heard you are to be married. I just received your invitation."

Chuckling, she played with the ruffles of her sleeve. "Paolo de Silva. Son of the Mayor of Barcelona." She tilted her head in thought. "I guess he's handsome? Can not for the life of me stand his moustache." She smiled. "Nice man, but he does not have your sense of humour."

Jungkook returned it slightly. "You certainly inflated my ego every time you laughed at my jokes."

The sound of a tea tray resonated in the great room, a frail girl pushing the tray right next to the table facing the sofas.

She made to pour the tea for Gloria and Jungkook before scurrying away from the both.

The former head the cup of tea to Jungkook, who took it from both hands. "Gracias."

"You still haven't told me why you came here," she said again. "And don't say it is to congratulate me on my wedding! You and I both know you give no care for it."

"That's not true!" He countered, taking a sip of his tea. "I did care for you, Gloria."

The girl drank some more tea before setting him with a stare. "Then why did you leave me?"

There we go.

The very question which haunts them all.

Jungkook gulped his beverage, setting it down on the saucer with a clink! "That's what..." a sigh. "That's what I'm here about."

He set the teacup down, locking his hands together once more.

"You see, Gloria...I...the reason I came here today is..."

Gloria did not look too impressed. "Spit it out, hombre!"

But why couldn't he? Why does his tongue decide to mute him now, when he needs his voice the most?

"You were not the one to stay silent, Jungkook," she muttered. "What happened to you?"

The boy looked at her and locked her gaze.

"A girl, Gloria. A girl happened."

He let out a shuddering breath. "After us, I was acquainted with this...girl. I cannot say who. And she...Dios, Gloria, she's really made me fall. Harder than before.

"And I really do want her. I want to whisk her away from the atrocities she's been through, away from Seville where I can show her everything she's desired to see."

Gloria studied the boy, surprised to find him not being able to stop talking.

"A-and she's a wonder. She's like...a splash of colour upon the blandest painting, an angry storm threatening to sink a ship. She makes me watch my step, second guess my every motive, she...she's so bitter, but sweeter than the purest nectar hiding in the flowers."

Jungkook lunges for the tea cup, taking a long sip of the liquid. After he set the saucer down he closed his eyes, aware of the curses spat in his head.

"I love her, Gloria."

The girl nearly dropped her teacup.

"What?"

Jungkook glanced her way.

"I love her." He sat up straighter. "I...I love her, Gloria."

The said-lady blinked, setting the cup on the table. "Wow." A small smile. "You've never said that about a girl before."

A scoff. "It is why I'm so nervous."

"But what are you so nervous for, though?" She asked. "Are your feelings, for once, not reciprocated?"

Jungkook bit his lip. "It's not that...I actually don't know, I haven't asked, but..."

Deep breaths, man, deep breaths.

"Gloria, I think everyone knows how many people I have wronged. Especially women...just like you, I enjoyed my flings for a few months, then left them without an explanation to thirst on a new, unfortunate soul...

"I can't..." He leaned into the comforts of the lush sofa. "I cannot do that to her. The girl I love. I cannot treat her like the shit stuck to my boot or I may not ever be able to forgive myself."

Gloria didn't doubt his warning. Raising her brow, she sipped her tea, assessing this strange change within him.

"Well, if you know how to act with her, then what is the hype?" She jerked her head towards the door. "Go get her, then."

"There is...something else."

Jungkook, never taking his eyes off his last fling, heaved off the couch, walking slowly to where Gloria sat. Settling himself down next to her, he took her off guard by taking both her hands, clasping them in his own.

"Gloria."

His stare. His stare could make the speed of light stop to a standstill.

The voice that left the boy was of no playboy.

That voice belonged to a man.

"I'm sorry, Gloria. For everything."

Those smooth hands did not tremble. "Never once did I think to treat you with respect. Not just the mutual respect between lovers, but the respect a woman deserves. I had foiled each right you harboured, and used you like an animal.

"Confessing about my love wasn't the main reason for my visit here. I came here today to beg for your forgiveness."

The boy did not even let out a shuddering breath.

It made Gloria's shock all the more clear. She nearly burst out laughing.

Jeon Jungkook? A boy who thrived on heartbreak of dozens? A dashing spark of life never in his own home but resting in the bachelorettes' bedrooms?

Jeon Jungkook? Apologising for his behaviour?

"I—" Gloria felt the tight grip of his hands. "Jungkook—"

"No, no, no, it's okay," he blurted out, instantly letting go. "You don't have to forgive me. I understand completely."

He shot up from his seat, scratching his neck.

"Listen!"

With a jolt, he found Gloria reflecting his move, straightening her skirts.

"It's true, I'm flabbergasted at your sudden declaration. Both that love confession and your apology.

"But you know what that shows me, Jungkook?"

Finding no answer on his face, she explained.

"It shows me you've changed."

This time, it was Gloria who took Jungkook's hands in her own. Held them to show what she understood.

"I may have moved on quickly, but your concern today has warmed my heart. Of course I forgive you."

A grin hinted at her lips. "I am known to be an angelic soul, but the very fact you were guilty for your actions shows you will not commit them again."

Jungkook, eyes widened still, burst into a smile. "Ay Dios, girl, you have no idea what relief just washed over me!"

"Hey, I'm not a mean old crone! I was going to move on eventually." She then let go of his hands, instead nudging him with her elbow. "You were pretty easy to forget, anyway."

He did not chuckle at her comment. Only conjured up a smile so pure Gloria wondered where all his malice had gone. How the biggest man-whore in 19th century Seville managed to look purer than the angels themselves, maybe she'd never find out.

"I must go, Gloria," he said at last, eye smile dimming down. "I have a dozen other girls to visit too, and apologise."

"Oh my, Jungkook, and just when I was starting to feel special."

This time he did laugh, eyes crinkling at the corners.

The lady led him to the front doors, the boy stepping out and facing her once more.

No, Gloria thought. Not a boy.

But a man.

Jeon Jungkook has finally become a man.

"Hey Jungkook?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"The girl you mentioned many times...she is very lucky to have a man like you fall for her."

Gloria wished that the unnamed girl saw the man's face when she said those words. She could have sworn she saw his eyes glistening.

"You must tell her," she added. "And soon."

Jungkook nodded, taking a step backwards. "I will, chica, I will. Sooner than you think."

He bowed, to Gloria's remaining surprise.

"I will see you at your wedding."

And off he went, on a mission to be forgiven.

-

Unfortunately for him, not every woman he'd involved himself with was as forgiving as Gloria.

Most cursed at him in front of their new families, some didn't even bother opening the door.

A few of the angrier victims were on the beginnings of taking off their slippers before Jungkook took the hint and fucked right off their property.

He wasn't too disappointed, though. At least he had tried to make amends, and the amends made with Gloria were the ones that truly made him hopeful.

It made him believe that he could truly strive for the better if he tried.

And that's what he did.

He followed the trail of betterment. Upon Coco he sat, urging her to lead him to the one place he had been desperate to go since the moment he ever laid eyes upon it.

The familiar shanties greeted him once more, night joining in with the welcoming as stars, the guests of the black sigh, bade the man on a mission good luck from their twinkling.

Jungkook smiled at them, riding until he spotted Hoseok's house. He got off Coco, hurrying her to stay near before hurrying to where it stood.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! His heart bellowed, threatening to burst out of his chest. He willed the fiery organ to stay inside, striding up to the shabby door.

His fists were too loud as they banged on the cracked wood. His heart was too loud as it waited for the one thing to arrive.

Jungkook could hardly breathe. He had to say sorry first, for being such a bastard—

Bastard. Bastardo.

Jungkook now felt his heart stop.

You will leave. You will run away.

"No!"

You will leave as if you were never involved—

"No!"

Because that's who you are.

"I'm not!" The boy whimpered.

You are, you are, you are.

A—

The Jimin in his mind misted when the door creaked upon.

And to Jungkook's both utter delight and horror, found the Amor of Seville, of flamenco and his heart and soul upon the doorstep.

Aeri Alvarez.

-

[ U N E D I T E D ]

mFFFFSSSS YALL IM SCREAMING IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS !!

Everyone hold onto your weaves for chap 34 I'm bout to bu$$ it open for the readers y'all I'm so excited I feel like I'm on crack right now omfg !!!!

Warning though I haven't written it yet but it's probably gonna be a l o n g a s s chapter lmfao if y'all think 3000 words is bad,,,,

But anyway! Enough bout me being a literal crackhead, please do vote on this chapter and tell me your opinions. Do you think Jungkook's change is too quick, or is it put rightly? If y'all thinking what I'm thinking, is the next chapter the p e r f e c t time ;) do let me know ! I love you all 🖤