4 hours.

4 hours, and Taehyung hasn’t heard a single word from you.

4 hours, he’s spent sprawled on his couch, laid sleepless on his bed, and now sits brooding in his study.

4 hours, his chest has been filled with the same agony he felt the minute he let you go.

He couldn’t think straight, he couldn’t relax, and barely managed to get food in his system. The house felt too boring, too quiet, too cold.

Too empty.

Taehyung has never felt like this before, where it feels like his chest is heavy, he can’t stop fidgeting, bouncing his leg and persistently overthinking.

Is this anxiety? Taehyung thought. I never get anxious.

It was near laughable how little Taehyung grew fretful over anything, and yet here he was; restless as he remained seated silently in his chair without a single thought that isn’t you.

He just didn’t understand what happened, didn’t know your whereabouts, if everything was okay, if everything’s been solved. All Taehyung had left to pass the troubling time was reading the unanswered text messages he’d sent you.

[8:27 pm] Ari, did you arrive at your office yet?
[8:58 pm] do you need me to come get you?
[9:15 pm] i can drive you home, get back to me when you can
[10:33 pm] are you okay? where are you?
[11:25 pm] i’m getting worried, princess, please answer me
[11:46 pm] come home to me, Ari

It was midnight soon, and he’d already attempted calling your phone 4 times, yet you remained MIA. Taehyung felt like his heart was beating too fast, physically felt his mind spiraling the more he considered what could’ve happened to you.

The human mind is a frightening place, Taehyung discovered, because all he could do was jump to dreadful conclusions that had his stomach churning. Did you really drive there safe? Was everything okay when you walked on the streets by yourself? Did you even make it to your office?

He had no telling clue when this happened, but he now realized he feels genuine fear when considering worrying realities about your wellbeing.

And for fuck’s sake, he doesn’t know what he’ll do if something really did happen to you.

When the fuck did I even get like this?, he questioned himself repeatedly.

Taehyung would usually assert he doesn’t understand why he’s worrying so much, even better, try to deny his pesky emotions; push them away into the crevices of his subconscious so he didn’t have to brood over their significance. He would say that he rarely worries because he’s the cool and collected one, so his current feelings are simply a momentary, fleeting lapse.

But to admit that would make Taehyung a lying man, because he was not the same man anymore.

All he wanted was a text, a simple call so he could hear your soft voice, assure him you’re alright. He even considered simply arriving at your workplace unannounced, but it didn’t sit right with Taehyung thinking he’d be impeding on your work, compromising the trust you and him had established before he let you go.

But as the clock ticked by, and his phone remained desolate of your contact name, near suffocating stress began mounting onto his shoulders. The kind that was heavier and more agonizing than any work stress, and Taehyung had called his friend Namjoon for any sort of clear mind.

“Dude, it’s only been 4 hours, you can’t file a missing persons report that quickly.”

“And why the hell not?”

“Because she may not be missing, Taehyung. She just hasn’t gotten back to you yet.” Namjoon reasoned.

Taehyung’s tone grew snippy.  “And how do you know that’s the case? What if something actually happened?”

“Look, from what you told me it’s a stressful situation, and Ari’s handling it, you should trust her.”

“Hyung, she wasn’t even in a state to drive, I don’t even know if she made it to her office or not.”

“I know it’s worrying, but you also have to consider that she’s in a situation where you’re the least of her worries, Taehyung. She’s dealing with work, she’ll be away from her phone.” Namjoon offered sensibly.

“I understand that, Namjoon, but how am I supposed to just trust the worst hasn’t happened?” Taehyung became unsettled, his mind drifting towards fearful scenarios again. “What if I made a huge mistake.. letting her go alone?”

“Taehyung-ah, don’t think like that.” Namjoon encouraged supportively. “Look, you know I get worried when my wife’s out late too, but she always comes home.Ari will be fine, you just need to wait for her.”

“But I want her to be fine in front of me.” Taehyung stressed. “How do I know she’s safe? How can you tell me everything’s fine when it may not be? I can’t just eat and sleep normally when she may need my help and I’m not there to protect her.”

“Woah, Tae..” His friend was taken aback on the other end. “This sounds nothing like you. Are you really not okay?”

Taehyung sighed heavily. “Fucking no, Hyung. I don’t think I am.” He felt a growing headache as he massaged his heavy eyes, plopping down onto a sofa in his study. “I don’t understand why I feel like this, I don’t fucking get any of this.” Taehyung breathed frustrated, far more emotional than he usually is.

“Taehyung-ah, it’s normal. She’s your wife. Fake marriage or not, it’s always scary knowing a woman is out late at night and hasn’t contacted you, but you should just remember Ari is smart.”

“Namjoon, it’s not just about her being my wife anymore, it’s her.” Taehyung licked his lips uneasily, shaking his head. “I know she’s extremely capable, but she takes on the world all by herself as if she won’t get hurt, and I don’t want her to be alone anymore.” Taehyung practically beseeched, puffing out troubled air as he leaned back on the sofa. “I just want her to come home, I want to know she’s safe.”

“Taehyung…” His friend paused, considering his friend’s confession. “You’re never like this, man. I’ve never heard this from you.”

Taehyung remained quiet, an arm thrown over his eyes not exactly knowing what to say, only felt his mind raging with an abysmal storm inside.

“Taehyung-ah… be honest with me.” Namjoon suddenly perked up, seeming wishy-washy about what he’ll say next.

“About what?”

Namjoon paused, hesitating on the other end. “This.. doesn’t really seem fake anymore. Are you.. do you perhaps, feel something more for her?”

Taehyung automatically stiffened, utterly frozen. He felt like an error 404 not found code, malfunctioning as he attempted to digest what his older friend just asked him.

His lips perpetually remained in a state of starting a sentence, struggling for something even close to an answer. He was still blinking when he was interrupted by another incoming call, and caught sight of a name he didn’t even know could bring him such consolation upon reading it.

Ari ♡

“Hyung, I have to go.” He abruptly ended the call with his friend, answering yours in mere seconds. “Ari? Hello?”
___________________________________________________

“Dad..” You whined into the phone, complaining loudly as the sound of bar-goers drowned you out, not to mention the slight buzz in your own veins.

You knew at first dragging yourself to a bar after an already stressful 3 hours at the office was not a good idea, but after working so hard for so little, with no way out or a solution dawning on your team, alcohol seemed like the most optimal way of blowing off steam.

And especially complaining to your father while near trashed. “Please, you need to do something about Motherrr.”

“Ari, I would but you know I’m not in Korea right now.”

“I frickin’ know!” You shouted comically loud, whiskey and coke’s effervescent taste still on your tongue. “But I can’t do this anymore, dad. Why-why is she always like this? Why is it-does it always have to be me?”

“I don’t know, Ari, I don’t know what’s going on with her.” Your dad answered honestly, his last word interrupted by the sound of your co-workers clinking shots of Vodka, you knocking back the burning liquid like a champ.

“I can’t speak on her behalf, but I can speak for myself and your brother. You have us, Ari, and I can only ever hope that’s enough.” You downed another shot just for the fuck of it, chasing the hard liquor with some grapefruit juice while your father spoke earnestly. “We love you very much, you know that? And I hope everyday that makes up for what your mother puts you through.”

“I already know dat-that, dad, and I’m grateful.” You could feel the tingling effects of those two shots bubbling inside you now, suddenly eliciting an emotional response you otherwise would’ve kept hidden. “But.. why doesn’t she love me, dad? Why does she hate me so fucking much?”

You father sighed on the other end, hurt by the vulnerability in your voice. “That’s not true, Ari. She loves you by wanting the best for you, she just does it in a very different way.”

“You know that’s not true, dad. It’s.. okay.” Raw emotion caught the back of your throat saying this, tears pricking your eyes as the alcohol made your feelings transparent. “I know she hates me, you can just admit it, it doesn’t hurt me anymore.”

“Ari, don’t do that to yourself.” Your father chastised you softly. “You don’t need to act like something doesn’t affect you, okay? If something hurts, it simply hurts, and you’re allowed to not be okay.” Your father said pacifyingly as if he’s reiterated this multiple times, in such a supportive tone it was easy to feel your throat clog up, tears brim your lash line threateningly.

But you instead swiped a shot from Yeji’s hand, downing it without a care in the world for your reckless alcohol consumption.

You just wanted everything to go away.

“Whatever, I don’t want to talk about her anymore.” You fixed yourself, waving off Yeji’s drunken protests about her shot. “Just help me, dad. I know I won’t-don’t ask for your help ofen-often, but please, please help me with this. This project.. I got it fair and square and I know she colluded with Yun & Ryu, please do something.” You hiccupped to your father like a child.

You could hear your father agreeing on the other end, or so you thought. The alcohol was hitting you hard, leaking into your bloodstream like everyone’s favourite worry-removal poison. “I’m sorry your mother did that. Don’t worry, okay? I’ll be back in Korea in a few days, and I’ll for sure sort something out for you, I promise.”

“Thank you, Dad.” You expressed your gratitude whole-heartedly, feeling a sudden wave of depression straight Vodka usually spelled for you. “I’m… I’m sorry I bother you so much. I’m sorry I’m an ungrateful daughter who makes everything worse for you.”

Your father grew soft. “Why is my wonderful, hard-working and resilient daughter apologizing? She has nothing to apologize for.”

“Because..” You felt your mind spinning with emotion, with overbearing thoughts alcohol only seemed to magnify. “I’m… not a won-wonderful daughter, Dad.” You sniffled.

“Ari my dear, don’t say that, alright? You and your brother Yoongi are my greatest prides, never think you are worth any less.” Your father reassured, making a small, intoxicated smile grace your face.

“I love.. you, Dad.” You hiccupped, cheeks beyond flushed.

“I love you too, Ari. Your dad’s always here.” You were still smiling like a sad idiot, circling your emptied shot glass mindlessly until your dad suddenly perked up. “And Ari, I know you’re drinking right now.”

You blinked, eyes bugging out like a deer caught in headlights. “W-what? I’m.. I wouldn’t drink, dad. You’re hearing things.”

“I may be old, but I’m not stupid. Just remember to slow down, please? And get home safely, I don’t want you out this late at night.”

“Pft, what? I’m fine, dad.” You hiccupped again. “How-why do I nweed someone to kick-pick me up? I’m not drinking.” Your words bled together in ways a sober person’s wouldn’t, your father unconvinced.

“Ari, I know you have a low tolerance for alcohol. Where’s your husband right now? Is Taehyung not with you?”

And that’s when your eyes went wide, mouth falling agape near comically realizing you’re incredibly stupid.

“Oh my God, Taehyung!” You smacked your forehead, and honestly quite hard. “I never called him back! I’m so sorry dad, I have to go, I’ll call you later.” You quickly pressed the end call button that really seemed to be splitting into two as this point.

With a spinning mind, you blinked incessantly sifting through your contacts until you located Taehyung’s name, not even comprehending how you so easily forgot to call him when his cologne from his gigantic clothes constantly comforted you all day.

You clicked his contact multiple times, your co-worker Yeji complaining next to you when you tapped the call button. “Ari, who are you calling now?”

“My Taehyung, I mean-husband.” You lightly hiccupped.

“Pft, imagine having a husband to call, Mary.” Yeji intoxicatingly nudged your project leader, who was scarfing down another shot.

“I have a husband, guiness-genius.” Mary corrected. “But definitely not one that’s the Kim Taehyung.”

Your team all reveled at the mention of his name once again, having already hooted, hollered and teased you for the dark hickeys on your neck, mussed hair and near drowning in clear men’s clothes. They were all whistling again through intoxicated laughter and comments, oddly observing Alex among everyone didn’t join their noise.

Weird.

Anyway, you became all giggly under everyone’s suggestive scrutiny, really thinking about having a husband like Taehyung, and then the realization hit you like you were a giddy high-schooler.

The Kim Taehyung, one of the most prestigious, wealthiest CEO’s in Seoul, was your husband.

Right then and there, you heard his deep voice pulling you out your reverie through your phone. “Ari, hello? Are you listening to me?”

“Taehyung!” You lit up excitedly, Yeji winking as she slid over another shot to you, slamming the glass back down on the counter after a triumphant swig.

“It’s my Taehyung, everyone! My husband Kim-Tae-hyung.” You reiterated his name by each syllable, comically loosening up. “Such a fucking cool name, isn’t it? He’s the most powerful CEO ins-in Seoul..” You slurred addressing everyone. “He was one of Korea’s most elibigle-eligible bachelors too, but not anymore! He’s on Forbes Youngest and most.. handsome? No, wait, successful-?”

“Yes, it’s me, Princess. Where have you been? Are you not at your office?” His voice sounded worried, making you pout at what you considered his overreaction. “Why didn’t you text me back?”

“I was busy, okay! N-Nary-I mean, Mary, she was.. she had this idea..” Your speech lost cohesion, snickering with your co-workers at the way you said Mary’s name wrong. “Uh.. what-what I was saying again?”

“Ari.. are you drunk?”

“Why does everybody keep saying that? I’m fine!” You slammed your palm against the counter like a child, tone high-pitched.

“Oh, really, you’re sober? Why do I hear sounds of a bar on your end, then? Didn’t I tell you to be safe?” He had a disappointed lilt to his tone, clear shuffling on his end of the call.

“I… um, I wasn’t, our company has a bar, g-genius” You tried offering straight-forwardly, but it clearly didn’t work.

Taehyung sighed heavily on the other end. “Princess, where are you? Do you know the name of the bar?” 

“Yeah, pft, of course I do. Just hold your handsome face up, Casanova.” You drawled into the phone, turning to mindlessly yell at the entire bar much, much louder than you anticipated. “Does ANYBODY know the name of this bar? I am asking for SCIENTIFIC purposes.”

You swore you heard Taehyung smack his forehead over the phone, your lips falling into a little ‘o’ forgetting to cover your phone’s receiver. Your face instantly heated up listening to the guffaws from the bar, shrinking into the smallest thing possible in your chair.

“We’re at McGill’s, Ari.” Alex answered kindly, flashing a comical thumbs up to him for his help.

“Was that Alex just now? He’s there too?”

“Yessir, is that a problem, Prince Charming?” You teased, giggling at the end of your remark.

You could practically feel Taehyung rolling his eyes, moving around on his end. “Fuck this, I’m coming to you. Please stay at the bar, I’ll be there right away.” You then heard the telling sound of keys clinking, soon the door of your home being opened.

“Noo, I’ll just take an uber homee.” You whined, feeling guilty for disturbing him. “You don’t have to leave the house for me, you should.. be resting.” You hiccupped, hand just barely holding your phone to your ear anymore.

“I can’t rest until you’re home, Princess. Just wait for me, I’m coming for you.” You heard his Merc roar to life, his voice far more sweet and soothing than it should’ve been.

And you acquiesced.

“Okay.” You replied with a visible pout, ending the call as your nimble fingers clambered for another shot.

________________________________________________

Ohhh hello there my dear readers author nim is finnally back...
Tomorrow is my last exam... That's actually pretty easy so i thought why not a update.
I missed you guys so much. I hope you are doing fine.
And also thank you for understanding me when I was in hiatus.
Love you all. ❤️