Jungkook's pov

I stare at the envelope. It had been waiting for me in the mailbox this morning. There's no stamp, only my name on the front, written in his handwriting. Jungkook.

He must have hand delivered it. He'd been that close-just downstairs-and I hadn't known. I'd been here in my apartment, stress cleaning or ironing or doing whatever other semi-productive thing I could during the days, waiting for my work contract with Ryu to start.

I don't know what I would have done if I knew he'd been downstairs, to be honest. If he'd texted me and asked me to come down. I'd have been panicked, of course. Excited. I want to see him-it's like an itch under my skin, the lack of communication between us, even if I'm the one initiating it.

Am I being a fool for needing space?

The envelope is lying innocently on my coffee table. Despite my staring, it's not giving me any answers. Jimin, who has taken to staying over several times a week, gives me a disapproving shake of the head. "Are you actually going to open it? You've been staring at it for half an hour."

"I'm not sure I want to know what it says."

He sits down opposite me. "What do you want it to say?"

I look at the envelope again, at my name scribbled across the top. He'd called several times after I walked out of his office. I hadn't answered a single time.

"I don't know," I say.

He shoots me a crooked smile, like he doesn't believe me. "You want it to make things better between the two of you."

"Yes. But I can't see how it could. What happened..."

"Was seriously messed up," he fills in. "And it's perfectly understandable that you're still upset about it."

"Yes."

"Your self-confidence was hurt."

"Yes," I say again, weaker now.

Jimin leans forward and puts a hand on my knee. He's just put a loaf of bread into my oven, and the scent in my apartment is divine. Thank God for being in betweenjobs when you also have a best friend who mostly works nights.

"And I get why. We both do. But what happened wasn't like with Eun Ilsung. Taehyung didn't try to cut you out of his project. He didn't imply to companies around the city that you made improper advances. He is suing that asshole for slander."

"I know that."

"You do rationally, but you're in exactly the same state as after you were fired from Eun. Worse, actually."

I roll my eyes. "Thanks."

"I'm a harsh friend, I know. But you love it, and frankly, you need it at the moment. This whole thing hit you right where you're weakest. Punished for your ambition. Your looks made out to be something dirty. And Taehyung and you... well, I'm guessing you allowed yourself to be vulnerable with him. And then it all came crashing down, and the issues are mixing in your head, when they're actually very separate things."

I look up at the ceiling and feel hollow inside, like I've been emptied completely. "When did you get so wise, huh?"

There's a smile in his voice. "People talk to bartenders a lot. More than they should, probably. And I've known you a long time."

"I know what I don't want the letter to say. That he's saying goodbye for real."

"See? Progress!" The sofa dips as he sits down next to me. "Do you miss him?"

"Of course I do."

"From what you've told me, he was very concerned about not crossing any lines, right?"

"Yes." I think of his body against mine, of my promise to him that I wouldn't regret sleeping together, that I was in this with him. I had messed this up, too. Other memories flood back. His laughter as we walked along the beach.

His hair wet from the ocean. He'd let me into a piece of his world, his mind, his soul. And when we were found out, I'd retreated.

"I've been an idiot. Not news, exactly."

"No, you've been afraid. There's a difference." Jimin nods at the coffee table. "And I think it's time you stop."

He's right. I need to find the version of me who sent a drunken application letter to a high prestige architecture firm. Who showed up to the interview determined to take any chance he got. I reach for the envelope, pulling out the letter with a trembling hand. It's long, written in Taehyung's neat hand.

My heart is a war drum in my chest as my eyes scan through it. "Oh," I sigh in relief. "It's good."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Maybe I still have a shot."

"Of course you do. He's wanted you since you two met. Tell me what it says."

So I read it out loud, Taehyung's words filling my small apartment.

Jungkook,

I'm glad you're reading this, that you didn't throw my letter out, and with it any chance of us. Thank you for that.

You've asked for distance, and I've tried being respectful of that. But I also want to make a few things very, very clear. Maybe these are things you've been thinking about and maybe not. But for a long time, you and I communicated in riddles and games. That's been more fun than I can express, but this is too important for that.

I did not hire you for any other reason than I thought you had potential, and I didn't like the idea of Eun Ilsung getting away with ruining someone's career.

I did not hire you to piss him off. I did not bring you to the Founders' Gala to show you off to him. Most importantly, I did not hire you to sleep with you.

Nothing ever happened between my previous assistant and me. She got too attached, and I felt it interfered with her ability to do her job effectively. I informed her about it, and she agreed, deciding it would be best to end her contract. She left with an excellent recommendation.

You have asked me repeatedly why I invited you to my brother's wedding, and why I agreed to the contract with you. The truth is simple. I wanted your company. That was selfish, I'll admit, and I'll never forgive myself for the way it ended. I regret what it led to, with that picture. But I can't find it in myself to regret the weekend itself or what happened between us, and I hope you don't either.

I'm sorry for not making that clear earlier. For not being more careful. For hiring Kang-min all those years ago. For not letting you know that the risk you were taking was worth it-that I always wanted something long-term with you. I'm sorry for not following you out of the office the day you left. For not giving you enough space afterwards, or for giving you too much space. I know I've fucked up, Kook, and if you want to yell at me for it, you know where I live. You're very welcome.

I would very much like to be a part of your life going forward, and I'll accept whatever terms you set for me. Give me a contract if you want-I'll sign it blindly.

PS. Ryu has kept me informed about your employment. I understand you're starting your new job next week. I'd wish you good luck, but I know you won't need it. You're the most talented architect I know.

Taehyung

I release another shaky breath and lean my head back on the couch, closing my eyes again. He addressed every single point I'd been thinking about, even the banal ones, the small ones, that I hadn't been able to get out of my mind at night.

Jimin hyung was right. This wasn't the Eun Ilsung situation all over again. We weren't doomed because of the way things went down at the office. With the exception of Terri and Ryu, I wasn't planning on seeing most of those people again. Who cared what they thought? Kang-min was an asshole, but in the end, he wasn't right at all.

Taehyung and I had begun as a mess. Messier than either of us were used to, and far too messy for my taste. A forbidden office romance. Assistant-boss relations. Project deadlines, co-workers, family.

But that didn't mean the connection we had was a lie. It had just happened inconveniently. And when has inconvenience stopped either of us from going after what we wanted in life? Suddenly, all of my feelings of shame or fear make no sense at all.

"Well?" Jimin prompts. "What do you feel?"

"Like I need a shower and a plan."

His smile is glorious. "You're going to see him?"

"If he'll see me, yes. Hell, even if he won't, I'll make him."

I don't let myself overthink it, either. That's been my mistake for these past few weeks, when I've been stuck in my head and in my memories. I fish out my phone from behind a cushion and find his number immediately. The last text we'd exchanged was mine, when I'd told him I needed space nearly three weeks ago. Looking at it now makes me feel uneasy. Yes, there had been a power imbalance between us, but we'd spent a weekend together... and then I'd pulled away without any explanation.

I text him a single, simple sentence.

Jeon Jungkook: Can I see you today?

To my infinite pride, I don't toss my phone away from me, either. I put it down calmly on the coffee table and bow to Jiminie's theatrical little applause.

"Now, off to the shower," I declare, and he shoots me a thumbs up. One quarter of my deep conditioner later, I emerge to freshly baked bread and Jimin hyung smiling from ear to ear. "He responded," he says.

"He did?"

"Yes. Your phone beeped and I looked. You know I can't help myself." He hands me the phone and I read the response, just as sparse as mine.

Kim Taehyung: Yes. I can come over?

Something inside me relaxes, at the same time as new nerves emerge. He's never been in my apartment.

Jeon Jungkook: Meet me near my building. Let's take a walk?

It's the coward's way out, but he agrees, and we set a time. I put my phone down and look over at Jimin, who is still smiling at me. "I can't wait to meet him," he says.

"Jiminshii!"

"Not today, of course. But from the way he sounds, and the way you're all in knots over him... I'll meet him one day." He opens my fridge in search of butter. "Of that I have no doubt. You two are basically soulmates."

I watch him in silence as he cuts two thick slices of bread for us both. His words are hyperbolic, but they're spoken with sincerity, and something in them rings true. With my ex, I never had this feeling, the desire to integrate our lives into one. To share our friends, our family. I'd met Taehyung's entire family before we'd ever even shared a bed. And every step of it had felt right.

"Well," I say, reaching for one of the slices of bread. "Maybe you're right about that."

"I know I am."

-

-

To be continued

We are nearly done ...
Always remember communication is a key ..to end the war and it's just a turmoil of fate.

Are u gonna miss the update s and me??!😗👉👈