"My heart shattered", Chaerin continued, tears rolling down her eyes. "Because I had the biggest crush on you. That day I came to ask you out. But all you were doing was sitting and discussing why I should read Vogue instead of a business magazine. Years passed and I forgot about it because I figured it was the immature side of you that spoke and that you became a better person. You helped me through things and I wanted to be a friend that was there for you. But turns out you are still as shitty. You conveniently want things when they please you. I became 'beautiful' according to society standards and all of a sudden you began flirting with me, trying to whisk me out on dates. Perhaps, getting into my pants would have ultimately soothed your ego?"

"ITS NOT LIKE THAT", Taehyung yelled. "IT WAS NEVER LIKE THAT"

"What was it then?", Chaerin shot back. "Are you going to deny saying those words now? You think lying will get you out of the shitty things you said?"

"I said it", he stated, feeling guilty. "I said it not because I meant it. Not because I thought you were ugly. But because I didn't want any of them dating you. And they wouldn't have left you alone if I didn't convince them that you weren't worth their time. It was a shitty thing to do but it was the only way out"

"And so you made me sound like a dirtbag? Like an ugly ogre that everyone should stay away from", Chaerin shot back. "You said this about a 14 year old. About an innocent 14 year old who only wanted to ask her crush out. Is this the best your 17 year old, studied at the top school in the world brain could come up with? And who even were you to keep them away from me? Why the heck did you think you could control things around me?"

"BECAUSE I LOVED YOU", Taehyung yelled and Chaerin was taken aback as she heard this. "Because I loved you...", he repeated at a lower tone. "Ever since the day I saw you with Alison for the first time, wearing that pink unicorn dress, having a butterfly clip in your head and with glitter shoes that squeaked when you walked. When you called me slow, pushed me out of my chair to solve math problems. Ever since that day...."

Chaerin was out of words as she heard this, not knowing how to react to this confession.

"No fuck it", Taehyung continued, as tears rolled down his own eyes. "I still love you. Have been in love with you all these years. And will probably keep loving you because I am a sore loser and my heart wants what it wants. I have no control on it. I tried dating other women, slept around, even went on potential marriage matches. But for some reason...", he paused to chuckle sadly. "Its always been you. I run out of words when I see you. My vision gets tunnelled when you are around. Its like anything I am doing, I want to look up to catch a glimpse of your face. The world outside becomes hazy", he paused.

"But you know what else I have been all these years? A coward. A coward who was so scared of hearing a 'no' that he would have never recovered from it. So for the fear of losing, I never took the plunge. And I absolutely hate that I have to tell you this now, to defend myself but Chaerin... you... you were to me the most beautiful woman and will always be one"

"So you flirted with me shamelessly", anger spewed from Chaerin's voice. "Just because you didn't have what it took to ask me out. You didn't even try Taehyung. YOU DIDN'T EVEN TRY. All these years I suppressed a crush that hurt every last of my feelings and now that I am finally happy with Jungkook, you cannot stand seeing it. So why didn't you do anything when you had the chance?", she softly spoke the last bit.

"It is my biggest regret", Taehyung answered. "And my biggest mistake. Can we still give it a shot—"

"No", Chaerin immediately cut in. "No"

Taehyung's heart shattered as he heard the cursed word. The word he had been trying to avoid all his life.

Chaerin looked down at her feet, trying to string together words to speak. "Maybe if you had more courage before Taehyung, things would have been different today. But its too late now. I like Jungkook. And I like him a lot"

"I see", the man replied, after a long pause, his voice cracking. "And I respect all your wishes. I want to see you happy and if being with Jungkook is happiness, I wouldn't want it any other way. Can we still be friends?"

"I don't think that is a good idea", she quietly answered. "We both need time to heal. You, more than me. Maybe its best we keep some distance until we can be in one another's presence without unsaid feelings getting the best of us"

"Chaerin, I—"

"I think that's the best idea Taehyung", Chaerin didn't want him trying to argue it. "Its not fair for me to keep being around you when I know how you feel. That will just hurt you more, trying to pretend you are okay with me and Kook dating when your heart is saying something else. And the last thing I want to do is hurt you. You are a dear friend of mine Tae, and that is why I am doing what I can to salvage the friendship. Time heals everyone and everything. And that's what we need"

Taehyung couldn't say anything as tears rolled down his eyes. It felt like the end even when he knew it wasn't the end. He nodded his head, too overwhelmed to speak. "I am sorry Chae.."

"I am sorry too Taehyung", the woman replied, tears of her own staining her cheeks. "You will find a woman, who is going to love you like you are her everything. Who will one day realise how much love you have within you and give it back to you tenfold. And you deserve that. You deserve to be happy. Very very happy..."

"Can I hug you for one last time?", he quietly asked. Chaerin didn't say anything but stepped ahead and took him in a tight hug. The man was stunned before he closed his eyes and hugged back. Something about this hug felt different to both of them. Chaerin cried quietly and so did Taehyung. Taking one hand, he stroked her head quietly.

"You never were ugly", he spoke softly. "It was not your face that made you beautiful. Of course you are very pretty but it was your authenticity, your intelligence, your ambition and your goodness that made me fall head over heals. You are a gem Chae, an invaluable gem. And I feel privileged that you let me be a part of your life. Even when it was as a friend. I'll wait for you Chaerin, even if it means waiting a lifetime", with that he parted from her as he slowly kissed her forehead. Without a word he walked away, not having the courage to look one last time at her.

———•••———

Present

"Ofcourse I remember", Chaerin answered, recalling the last confrontation they had. "I just didn't know it left a scar like this"

"Oh man Hyung was scary that day", Jungkook mindlessly replied. "Did you hear from him after? He barely talks to anyone except Jimin. Hobi kept complaining about how we never see him"

"I haven't heard from him either. Alison told me he moved back to Seoul a week after the whole thing went down. She doesn't mention him because it gets awkward between us. And last I heard from Jimin, Taehyung was busy working with his father on expanding their business. I guess he is doing good"

"Did you guys have a nasty fight that day. I know you don't like talking about it"

"Yeah", Chaerin answered. "We had some unsaid things, some misunderstandings to solve. We sorted it out and I figured it was best if we not talk for a while"

"I am sorry", Jungkook took her in a side hug. "I know somewhere or the other I played a role in your friendship ending"

"Its not your fault. It could have been anyone and yet me and Taehyung would have this nasty confrontation. It was bound to happen. But I am glad you have been supportive. I don't see other men entertaining a triangle like this"

"I had to", Jungkook smiled. "Hyung's been in love with you almost two decades now. I had to give him time to sift his feelings. That's the least I can do as a friend"

Chaerin looked down, dejected as she was reminded of this again. Not wanting to upset her further, Jungkook changed the topic. "So, we start at our business school in three months. Ready to get hand over the title of highest scorer to me Chae? Don't worry you can always come second", he smugly added, pulling her cheek gently to instigate her.

The woman scoffed as loudly as she could and Jungkook laughed knowing he had really irked her. "Me and come second? Honey I don't think you know this about me", with that she put her chin on her palm and leaned ahead. "I ranked first every year when I was school and held a 4.0 for every semester in my university. I don't know what coming second is nor do I intend to experience it anytime soon. If I need to study 20 hours everyday to keep my title, I'll do it. I don't think you understand how competitive I am so don't mess with the nerd"

"Agree my looks scream more fuckboy than nerd but I too held 4.0 every semester in the most competitive college in the world", Jungkook smirked. "I am not going to let you off this easily. Its each man or woman to themselves. This is a competition and we are not a team Chae"

"Good", the woman chuckled. "Its not fun competing with losers actually. I like a heathy challenge. And what happens if I win, graduate top of the class and with a gold medal?"

"Let's do this. After two years if you graduate top of the class, you marry me. And if I do, I get to marry you", he casually stated. "How's that for a challenge?"

Chaerin was stunned as she looked at him wide eyed. "Jungkook what!?"

"No no I am not proposing", he laughed. "Not yet. But I am promising you. When we are done with our MBA, I am going to wife you up. You have two years to think it through"

"Promise me!? I mean I—"

"With this", he cut her off and removed something from his pocket. Chaerin saw a box in his hand. Jungkook opened the case which revealed a beautiful little heart pendant made out of diamond resting on a rich purple velvet fabric. Besides it lay another necklace which had a heart frame, meant to encase the diamond onto it. They were couple necklaces. The woman watched the jewellery, her eyes not leaving the beautiful delicate stone which lay perfectly preserved.

"It took me 2 weeks to select this and multiple visits to stores across the country to finally settle on this one"

"The business trips...", Chaerin gasped.

"Weren't business trips. They were really just find my Chae the perfect necklace trips. So I went to New York, Chicago, Miami and finally back to New York before returning to LA"

"I have no words..", the woman smiled. "Did you really do this for me? I mean Jungkook don't get me wrong, this is beautiful but I don't think you should have bought something this expensive. We could have just got matching rings off Etsy"

"I am all for supporting small businesses but I am not going to give my girlfriend anything less than a rare diamond", he chuckled. "Sothebys have been trying their ass off to get this victorian necklace set which I managed to whisk from under their noses. Because its perfect for us. And only less than 30 real red diamonds exist in this world, so one of them has to be for the most unique woman I know"

Chaerin laughed at her cocky boyfriend who never let go off an opportunity to flex.

"I know you don't like expensive gifts but just this once, make an exception", he smiled. Chaerin nodded and he removed the necklace before stepping closer. He pushed her hair out of the way as he clasped the necklace around. The woman felt the cool silver chain touch against her bare skin as she picked the gem to observe it closely.

"It was almost as if....", Jungkook stepped away to get a better view "this was made only for you", he smiled.

Chaerin picked up his necklace as she opened the lock and put it around his neck. Taking her own pendant, she attached it to Jungkook's. The couple watched as it latched into place, connecting the two of them. The duo smiled as the resistance came from trying to move.

"If you try to run away from me", he began, putting his forehead gently to her before nuzzling their noses. "I am going to superglue these necklaces"

"And if you try the same, I will go Love Quinn from YOU crazy on you", she laughed. "Maybe not that crazy, but definitely crazy in a scary way"

"I will never give you that chance", he replied. "You better not", the woman giggled.