"Alison"

"Hmm"

"Did something happen?"

"No. Why?"

"You seem awfully quiet"

Alison turned to the side to see Chaerin looking at her. "I am all right, why do you say that?", with that she popped a popcorn in her mouth.

"I don't know", the other woman shrugged her shoulder. "Something feels off. I have known you long now. I can even sense when you are breathing differently. And right now you are very silent and its not a comfortable silence"

Alison laughed a bit. "I swear, its nothing crazy. I am just feeling mentally exhausted. Taehyung kinda told me to get more serious about my career and professional life. He gave his serious 'big brother' talk. That is just what is on my mind"

"Are you sure?", Charein asked, turning her body sidewards to completely face Alison. The movie rolled in the background as the friends conversed. "I mean he has done it before a number of times and every time you have just casually dismissed him"

"This time it was different. There was no playfulness to it. And now I am getting older and about to graduate. So I should really think about it"

"Are you really fine? You know you can talk to me. Whatever it is. We have practically no secrets. For gods sake, I have seen you take the nastiest dump of your life", Chaein made a disgusted face. "Nothing can be worse"

"Hey! I told you not to bring it up. I was just constipated that day because I had one too many cashew pies", she shook her head. "And I am sure Chae, it is nothing worrisome"

"Okay then. So what do you want to eat for dinner? I'll make it for you. How about the Spicy garlic noodles that you love? Its been so long since we had it. Let's eat that"

"Uhh", Alison shook her head. "I am not sure. I am—I am on a diet. Really gotta work on this fat", with that she sighed at the belly rolls that popped when she sat down.

"Uh miss, you have broken your diet a lot of times for those noodles. So don't act mighty about it now. I know you want it baby girl", with that Chaerin seductively bit her lip and winked at the girl. "Let those noodles give you a good time"

"You look like a creepy pervert I'd pepper spray on the streets", Alison broke into a laugh. "If that is how you attempt to seduce men, I am surprised you are not in jail yet. Anyways, let's eat the noodles. Been a while"

Chaerin chuckled. "Yesss! I'll go make it. And I'll make them extra buttery, just the way you like. Oh wait, I have some rice lying around as well. I'll make delicious Kimchi fried rice on the side too!!! With mozzarella!! Just the way you like it"

Alison watched as Chaerin skipped her way through the room and to the kitchen. A smile formed on her face at the woman who literally looked after her like a mother. She pulled the pillow in her lap closer, feeling a pang of emotions. Of course she was still carrying the feelings from a couple of days ago when Jungkook and Chaerin went out. But after that, she had seen the duo FaceTime on two different occasions.

She knew the direction in which this was going to escalate. She knew how amazing her best friend was. No one could resist her charms and genuine personality. She ran a hand over the pillow taking a deep sigh. Shaking her head, she tried to dismiss those thoughts. If Chaerin wanted to date Jungkook, she was always going to be supportive of her.

———•••———

"Jungkook"

"Yes Bryan"

"Can I talk to you in my office quick?"

The man nodded as he followed his boss. Opening the cabin door, he stepped in as he took a seat. "HR just gave me a call", the guy named Bryan began. "Did you file for a relocation?"

Jungkook nodded, embracing himself to have a conversation he was dreading to have with his boss for a while. "Last week I did. I filed for a relocation to the LA office"

"Do you really want to leave NYC and go to LA? You are on wall street right now. The hub of finance. You are letting go of valuable opportunities by moving away from here"

"The west coast presents a learning opportunity of its own", the younger answered. "I have been here two years now. I want a change and so I filed for a relocation. Plus the manager at the LA office offered me a promotion as well"

"Leaving New York won't be good for you", the older leaned into his chair, crossing his arms in defense. "If you want to see yourself wanting to make a million dollars in the next 5 years, sticking around in a big city is your best bet. The upper management won't be pleased knowing that you are leaving. If you go once, it may be hard to come back to the NYC office again"

"Bryan, I don't know if you know this. Maybe you don't since you just transferred here 6 months ago. My father runs a private equity company of his own back in Seoul. Nothing too big, just a $50 Billion private fund with a portfolio of 60 companies, 6 of which are valued above $1 billion. Trust me a million dollar salary is the last thing on my mind. And I was going to leave New York in the next 2-3 years anyways to take over that company. So honestly, I don't really care about my career that way"

Bryan was startled as he heard this. But he wasn't oblivious to rich kids like these anyways. He had in his career seen the sons and daughters of wealthy individuals gain experience at top companies before ultimately joining their fathers. It wasn't new for him.

"Very well then, but tell me one thing. Why Los Angeles of all places? If you like California, there is an office in San Francisco that performs much better. And if not California, there are multiple major offices around the country that you could go to if you wanted 'change'. Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, you name it. Why pick on that one particular location?"

Jungkook just shrugged his shoulder. "No particular reason for this. Just felt like it"

———•••———

"Hi mom"

"Taehyung sweetie, are you eating well?", a worried voice spoke from the other side. "Where have your cheeks gone?"

Taehyung chuckled. "What do you mean mom? I am not a baby. I am obviously not going to have chubby cheeks anymore"

"I know Taehyung-ah, but still. Eat well. You insist on taking those cooking lessons back in Seoul so you better be cooking yourself hearty meals. You know how I feel about eating outside everyday"

"I am mom, eating well. And I'll come back to Seoul next month after wrapping up work here so you can feed me to your heart's content"

His mother laughed on the video call. "So what is your sister upto? I hardly catch that young lady on a call. Does she still party everyday?"

"Its not as crazy as when she was 19 but she still goes out often. Don't worry", the man assured. "I know she is getting responsible now. Give it 2-3 years and she will grow out of it"

"I hope she does. Your father doesn't approve of those ways. LA is LA but Seoul's a different story. She cannot act the way she pleases here. Every little thing you both do can impact the business or our reputation. So be a little more careful"

"I know mom, I know", he sighed, having heard that same dialogue numerous times before.

"And that reminds me", the woman hesitantly continued. "Your father wants to know—"

"Stop it mom!", he snapped. "NOT THIS AGAIN. I told you! I am not ready"

"TAEHYUNG! You have been dodging this for two years now. You are turning 26 soon. We need to think about your marriage. If you have a girlfriend, just be honest. We will get you married to the woman of your choice. But if not, let us know so we can find a good woman from a good family for you"

"I don't have a girlfriend and I don't want to get married", he gritted his teeth. "Just leave me alone and don't bring this up. Jin Hyung's not married either, why does no one bug him?"

"SeokJin's marriage is for his parents to worry about. We will worry about our kids. Either you find a girl for yourself or tell us if you can't. Either ways you are getting engaged before the end of next year"

Taehyung was furious as he cut the call on his mother's face and threw his phone to the side. With a groan he fell back on his bed. His eyes stung as he tried his best to not bawl his eyes out. Taking his phone, he opened his contacts. He scrolled down the list, looking for someone to talk to. Hesitantly he opened one contact. He pressed on it and the familiar ring was heard.

"Hello", a sleepy voice spoke from the other side.

"Chaerin, are you asleep?"

"No Taehyung I was going to Area 51 to find myself a pet alien. Would you like one?", she spoke in her groggy voice.

Taehyung chuckled. "I thought you must be awake. But I am sorry, go to sleep"

He did not hear anything for a few seconds but later she spoke. "are you okay?"

He was taken aback as he heard this. Before he could respond, he saw a request to FaceTime from her. He quickly wiped his eyes as fast as he could and picked up.

"Hey, its all right. Go back to sleep. I am sorry for waking you up"

"You don't sound all right", the woman spoke, rubbing her own eyes to remove any hit of sleepiness. "What happened Taehyung? Why are your eyes red? Were you crying?"

"No—No I wasn't. I am fine. I was just bored and was hoping someone would be awake to chat"

"Taehyung", she just called his name once. "Its all right. You can tell me. Or should I call Ali?"

"No don't tell Alison", the man quietly responded. "I just wanted to talk to someone. I don't know about what. But just wanted company because I wasn't feeling well"

Chaerin furrowed her brows. This was so unlike Taehyung. Granted they were good friends but never had they shared a bond strong enough to show their emotions to one another. But she was grateful he trusted her enough to bare his soul.

"I just feel overwhelmed", he continued. "I don't know why. Its this deep pit in my stomach which is making me uneasy. I cannot even pinpoint the feeling. But I feel sad. And I can't explain it. Its almost as if I have everything but at the same time I have nothing. It seems I am being dramatic", he paused to laugh. "But its just how I am feeling"

"I know this feeling", Chaerin replied. "A little too well. The feeling of emptiness. When an unexplainable sadness takes over you. I have been there. You don't have to think you are being dramatic. You are being real. Sadness doesn't always come with a concrete reason. Sometimes you are just not feeling it and that is okay. Don't be this harsh on yourself. Be gentle with your heart. It has been hurt it seems. Grieve with it. Cry it out if you have to. I know you are holding in"

"I am not holding it in. And I don't want to cry. I am just—"

"Pretending to be strong", Chaerin completed. "What for? Why? Why do you feel the need to keep your guard up? Its okay to cry. There is no shame in letting those tears flow. It takes a lot of emotional strength to acknowledge your fears and insecurities. It is okay to cry when it gets too much to bear. You know the clouds rain when it gets heavy too, right?"

The moment those words left her mouth, hot tears rolled down Taehyung's cheeks. He just couldn't help it as be broke down right in front of the girl. Chaerin seemed to have a painful knot in her throat as she watched him. She had never seen Taehyung this way. She was so used to his bubbly cheerful and shamelessly flirting self, it made her realize how much the man was putting a strong front. In that moment she realized she hadn't been a good friend to him for failing to see through the facade.

"No one can fight your battles for you Taehyung. Only you have the power to heal yourself. I know it is tough for you right now. I think there is something bothering you and its okay if you don't want to tell me. But whatever it is, I pray that it works out and you get what you want"

Taehyung looked up as he saw her smiling through the screen. For a second he said nothing as he kept looking at her.

"Tears don't look good on that handsome face of yours"

He smiled. "So you do think I am handsome?"

"I am not blind Taehyung. Of course I think you are handsome. You'd have to be sick in the head to deny those visuals"

He chuckled as another wave of silence fell upon them.

"Why don't you go to sleep? You look tired and drained. Rest your eyes"

"Yeah I think I should sleep. I am sorry for waking you up like this. And thank you for listening to me and saying those kind words. I'll go now—"

"No don't apologize. A lot of people think they are a burden to someone when they ask for help. No, they are not. Most of us don't even realize how relieved our friends or family are when we tell them about what makes us sad. Because it gives them a chance to help. To share the pain so you don't have to go through it alone"

Taehyung nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. How was he to tell her that she was the reason of both his pain and happiness? That he was seeking shelter under the same sky that rained on him?

"I'll remember that Chaerin. Thank you. I'll go to sleep now"

"Wait Taehyung", she stopped him. "Put the phone on the side and sleep. Don't cut the call. Once you sleep, I'll end it"

"What? Why?"

"Do as I say yeah"

He placed the phone on the side as he laid down. Pulling the blanket on him, he clapped his hand which shut the lights. Honestly he was so drained that it took him a minute to drift off to dreamland.

Chaerin put her head between her palms like a child as she watched over Taehyung sleep. Only when she heard soft snores did she proceed to pick up her phone to end the call.

"Good night Tae, sleep well"

A/N: Its a little weird drifting from a comic/action/thriller genre that I have always written in to dabble into a coming of age or contemporary genre. With the previous genres I have the liberty to write whatever fictional shit I want to but with more real world books, you have to be cautious as to make the characters seem more human.

Anyways writing emotional chapters like this is so draining. But Taehyung's character is so close to my heart. I love pure characters like to much.