JEON JUNGKOOK

"You can't make my coffee because you don’t even know how I like it."

Her words replayed in my head all day.

It wasn’t meant to hurt, but it did.

Not because she said it cruelly—Arin wasn’t like that. It was just a fact. A simple, emotionless statement.

She was right, though. I didn’t know.

And for some reason, that realization weighed heavier than it should have.

The next morning, I woke up before my alarm.

The apartment was quiet, the early morning sun casting soft light through the windows. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, stretching before heading to the kitchen. I wasn’t usually one to pay attention to the small details, but today was different.

Today, I had a plan.

I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as I waited.

And right on time, Arin walked into the kitchen.

She didn’t acknowledge me, moving with quiet efficiency as she grabbed her favorite mug from the shelf. I watched as she reached for the coffee beans, measuring out just the right amount before grinding them.

Medium roast.

She worked quickly, adding a precise amount of sugar—two cubes, no more, no less—before pouring in just a splash of milk.

Not too much. Just enough to soften the bitterness.

She stirred counterclockwise—twice—before taking a slow sip, exhaling softly as if the first taste of coffee was the only good thing about her morning.

I memorized every step.

Every habit.

Every preference.

She still hadn’t noticed me, too focused on her coffee, her phone in her other hand as she scrolled through emails. And when she was done, she placed the cup in the sink and left the kitchen without a word.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.

Now I know.

The next morning, I woke up even earlier.

I moved around the kitchen quietly, mirroring her every step from the day before. Medium roast. Two cubes of sugar. Just enough milk. Two stirs counterclockwise.

When I finally placed the steaming cup on the counter, I felt a strange sense of accomplishment.

It was just coffee.

But it was her coffee.

And then, I waited.

A few minutes later, Arin entered the kitchen, her hair still damp from her shower, a loose sweater hanging over her shoulders. She barely spared me a glance as she headed toward the coffee machine—

And then she froze.

Her eyes flickered to the cup sitting on the counter. Steam curled into the air, carrying the scent of freshly brewed coffee.

Her eyes flickered between the cup and me, suspicion laced in her expression. "You… made this?"

I nodded, biting back a smirk. "Yeah. Figured I should know how you like it." I shoved my hands into my pockets, feigning nonchalance.

She eyed the coffee suspiciously before picking it up. I watched as she brought it to her lips, taking a careful sip.

For a brief moment, I saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes.

But then, just as quickly, she masked it.

She set the cup down, glancing at me. "Thanks."

That was it. No comment on how I got it right. No acknowledgment of the effort I put in. Just a simple, indifferent thanks.

And then she walked past me, sitting down at the dining table to eat her breakfast.

But I noticed the way she took another sip.

And another.

I might not have gotten the reaction I wanted, but I had won something. Even if it was just a sip of coffee.

And sometimes, that was enough.
I let out a small sigh, leaning against the counter.

She didn’t react the way I wanted her to.

But I noticed the way she took another sip.

And another.

I might not have gotten the reaction I wanted, but I had won something. Even if it was just a sip of coffee.

And sometimes, that was enough.

Atleast she drank the coffee.

That meant something.

Right?

The rest of the day, I found myself thinking about her more than usual.

What else could I do?

What small thing could I do next?

Because, if I was being honest, I wasn’t just doing this for her.

I was doing it for myself, too.

Because every little thing I did—every inch closer I got—it made me feel like I belonged somewhere in her world.

That night, I found myself adjusting the thermostat before she got home, remembering how she always turned it up a little because she got cold easily.

I left a bottle of water on her nightstand because I noticed she always reached for one before bed.

And even though she never said anything, I noticed the way she stopped adjusting the thermostat.

The way the water bottle was always empty the next morning.

She noticed.

She just never said anything.

And for now, that was enough.

   
    🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

Trust wasn’t something you could demand. 

It had to be earned, piece by piece, moment by moment. 

And Arin… she didn’t trust me. 

Not really. 

I saw it in the way she kept her distance, the way her eyes held hesitation every time I spoke to her. She wasn’t rude, wasn’t cruel—but she was indifferent. And that, somehow, was worse. 

So, I decided to change that. 

Not with words. 

But with actions. 

Because if I wanted her to notice me—if I wanted her to believe in me—I had to show her. 

That I am here. 

That I wasn’t going anywhere. 

That I could be the man she deserved.

The list of things I did for her kept growing.

I didn’t do them for a thank you.

I didn’t do them because I expected something in return.

I did them because I wanted to.

Because she deserved to have someone notice the little things.

Because even if she didn’t say it, I knew she needed someone who cared.

And maybe—just maybe—one day, she’d see that I was trying.

That I was learning.

That I was doing everything I could to be the man she deserved.

    🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

It started with something small.

The Late-Night Coffee

It was nearly midnight when I heard bedroom door creak open.

I was still awake, sitting on the couch, scrolling through my phone.

Arin walked past me, heading straight to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, I heard the sound of the coffee machine.

I frowned, getting up.

"Coffee? This late?"

She turned slightly, not expecting me to be there.

"I have work to finish," she said, her voice quiet.

I walked over, watching as she poured the coffee into her mug.

"You should sleep."

She didn’t answer.

Instead, she took a small sip, exhaling softly.

I hesitated for a moment before reaching into the cupboard.

A few seconds later, I placed something on the counter.

She glanced at it.

A small plate of cookies.

"What’s this?"

"Something sweet," I said casually. "I noticed you always grab something when you drink coffee late at night."

She stared at the plate, then at me.

I waited for her to say something—anything.

Instead, she just picked up a cookie, took a small bite, and walked away.

---

Fixing Her Desk Lamp

She didn’t know I did it.

One morning, I noticed the flickering bulb in her desk lamp.

She worked late almost every night, sitting at her desk with that same dim, unreliable light.

She never complained about it. Never asked for help.

But it annoyed me.

So, while she was in the shower, I took the lamp apart, replaced the old bulb, and tightened the loose switch.

When she came out, I was sitting on the couch, pretending I hadn’t moved.

That night, as I walked past her room, I saw her working.

And for the first time, she wasn’t squinting under a faulty light.

She never mentioned it.

But she never had to.

-----
Winter came quietly, slipping into the city with biting winds and freezing mornings.

Every morning, I watched as Arin bundled herself up before leaving, rubbing her hands together for warmth.

She never complained.

But the next morning, before she woke up, I placed a small hand warmer next to her keys.

She never mentioned it.

But when I saw her slip it into her pocket before leaving, I knew she had taken it.

She never said a word.

But she didn’t have to.

        🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly as I stared at the case files spread across my desk. The dim glow of my office lamp barely lit the room, but I didn’t bother turning on the brighter lights. The silence stretched around me, but my thoughts were anything but quiet.

Arin.

No matter how much I tried to focus, my mind kept drifting back to her.

I found myself thinking about her more often than I should—more than was healthy, probably. But it wasn’t something I could help.

She was like gravity, pulling me in before I even realized I was falling.

I had been trying for so long. Trying to gain her trust, to prove to her that I wasn’t just some stranger she was forced to marry. That I wanted to be more than just Jungsoo’s father in name. That I wanted to be someone she could rely on.

She wasn’t someone easy to figure out, not like a case I could solve with logic and evidence. She was a puzzle with missing pieces, a book with pages torn out before I had a chance to read them.

But I wanted to.

God, I wanted to.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair as the memories started pulling me in again—memories of every little thing I’d done in the past few weeks, hoping she would notice. Hoping she would see that I wasn’t just here because I had to be.

I was here because I wanted to be.

**                       

It started when I noticed how late she had been coming home.

At first, I told myself it wasn’t my place to ask. We weren’t that kind of couple. But every night, when she walked through the door, exhausted, her shoulders slumped from the weight of the day, her shoulders tense with exhaustion, her eyes dull with fatigue. At first, I thought it was just a few long days at work. But then I realized—Jungsoo had been waiting in her office for hours before she could take him home. I felt something twist inside me.

She never asked for help.

And I didn’t like that.

So I gave it to her anyway.

So, One evening, after my shift, I drove straight to her office instead of home. When I walked inside, Jungsoo was sitting in the lobby, kicking his feet in the air, playing with one of his toy cars. His eyes lit up the second he saw me.

“Appa?”

I crouched down, ruffling his hair. “Hey, buddy. Want to go home with me today?”

Before he could respond, I heard her voice.

“Jungkook?”

I turned to see Arin standing in the doorway of her office, her eyes filled with shock.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, glancing between me and Jungsoo.

“I came to pick him up,” I said simply.

She frowned, arms crossing over her chest. “Why?”

I exhaled. “Because you’ve been staying late. Jungsoo’s been waiting here for too long. This way, he doesn’t have to, and you don’t have to rush your work.”

Her expression wavered, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. “But your work—Jungkook, you’re a detective. Your schedule is—”

“I can handle it,” I cut in. “Most days, I finish my shift around this time. And if I get called in, I’ll let you know.”

She hesitated.

And for the first time, I saw it—the worry. The genuine, unguarded concern in her eyes.

She was worried about me.

Even if it was small, even if it was just about my workload, it made my heart ache in a way I didn’t expect.

“I don’t want you overworking yourself,” she muttered, looking away.

“I won’t,” I promised. “But you need help, Arin. And I want to help you.”

She was silent for a moment. Then, finally, she sighed. “…Okay.”

That was the first time she let me stay.

It was the way she said it—quietly, almost reluctantly—that made my heart clench.

It wasn’t much.

But it was something.

That was the first time I realized she still cared, even if she wouldn’t admit it

Then I started making dinner too. The first night I made dinner, I didn’t expect a thank you.

But I also didn’t expect her to look so… startled.

When she walked into the kitchen, her steps faltered at the sight of the neatly set table. The aroma of kimchi stew and freshly cooked rice filled the air. She glanced at the food, then at me, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"You… cooked?"

I shrugged, drying my hands with a dish towel. "Yeah. Thought you might be tired."

She blinked. “You didn’t have to.”

"I know," I said simply. "But I wanted to."

She hesitated before walking over and sitting down. I watched her as she took a bite, her face unreadable.

Jungsoo, oblivious to the tension, happily chewed on his food.

After a long pause, Arin finally muttered, “It’s… good.”

I smirked. "Of course it is. I used to live alone, you know."

She shot me a look, but there was something softer in her gaze. A moment passed, and then she said, almost casually, "The vegetables are a little too soft."

I tilted my head. “Noted. You like them crispier?”

She nodded but didn’t say anything else.

That night, she didn’t thank me.

But the next night, she didn’t protest when I cooked again.

And the night after that, she actually told me she preferred her rice a little drier. This continues until her schedule got back to normal.

And, That was the first time she let me in.

***

One night, I was sitting on the couch, mindlessly scrolling through my phone, when I heard soft footsteps.

I looked up to see Arin walking into the living room with a cup of tea.

She never did that.

Usually, she went straight to her room after dinner.

But this time, she sat down across from me, her hands wrapped around her mug.

For a few moments, she didn’t say anything.

Then, quietly, she murmured, "Work has been exhausting lately."

I raised a brow. “Yeah?”

She nodded, sighing. "One of my projects got delayed. Someone messed up the reports, and I had to stay late fixing everything."

I leaned back, watching her. "Sounds frustrating."

She scoffed. "You have no idea."

"Try me," I said, tilting my head.

She hesitated.

And then she talked.

Not much. Just little complaints about her job, her deadlines, her exhaustion. But she talked.

And I listened.

That was the first time she let me in just a little more, more than just a presence in her life.

I let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of my neck.

All these little things—these small moments—felt like nothing at the time.

But now, looking back, I realized they were everything.

Every act, every silent effort, had been my way of showing her what I couldn’t put into words.

That I wasn’t here out of obligation.

That I wanted to be someone she could trust.

That I wanted her.

Not just as Jungsoo’s mother.

Not just as my wife in name.

But as Arin.

As the woman I had fallen for in ways I never expected.

I sighed, glancing at my phone.

A part of me wanted to text her. To ask if she was doing okay.

But I knew she wasn’t there yet.

So instead, I did what I always did.

I waited.

Because somewhere between the cold glances and quiet silences, between the guarded walls she had built and the space she kept between us, I had fallen for her.

Hopelessly.

Irrevocably.

And maybe, just maybe—one day, she’d let herself fall too.

     🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

The morning air was crisp, the autumn breeze carrying the scent of fallen leaves and city dust. The streets were quieter than usual, the world just beginning to stir.

I had just dropped Jungsoo off at his kindergarten, but instead of heading straight to the station, my hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as I made a different turn.

I found myself driving back home.

I pulled into the underground parking of our apartment complex, my fingers drumming absently against the wheel as I navigated towards my usual spot. But just as I was about to park, my gaze flickered toward a familiar figure standing near one of the cars.

Arin.

Her posture was stiff, one hand resting on her hip, the other running through her hair—a sure sign of frustration.

Without a second thought, I parked swiftly, shutting off the engine before stepping out. My feet carried me toward her before my mind could catch up.

“Hey,” I called, shoving my hands into my pockets, playing it casual. “What’s with the frown this early in the morning?”

She glanced at me, startled for a second. But then, her expression smoothed into something unreadable—something distant.

“Nothing I can’t handle alone,” she replied, stretching out the last word just enough for me to catch it.

Alone.

The word should have stung. But I had learned not to take her walls personally.

Instead, I let out a soft laugh, tilting my head. “That’s good, though. So amazing. So strong of you, so independent of you.” I teased, feigning admiration. “Handling everything alone and all.”

She narrowed her eyes, unamused. She shot me a sideways glance, probably expecting sarcasm.

But I wasn’t being sarcastic.

Because, in my eyes, she really was strong.

Still, strength didn’t mean she had to carry everything alone.

I smiled. “But, you know… sometimes people really do need help. Doesn’t make them any less strong.”

She exhaled, glancing away for a second before muttering, “I don’t have time for this, Jungkook.”

I shrugged. “For what? Basic human kindness?”

She sighed heavily, like she was debating something internally. And then, finally—finally—she spoke.

“My car’s not working.”

I raised a brow. “What’s wrong with it?”

“I don’t know.” She ran a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated. “I checked everything. Battery’s fine, fuel’s fine, no weird noises… but it just won’t start.”

She gestured to the phone in her hand. “I was going to call the car company to send a mechanic. I need to get to the office—there’s an important project I can’t be late for.”

I hummed, nodding thoughtfully. “Sounds serious.”

“It is.”

“Then let me take a look.”

She blinked. “What?”

“Let me check it.” I stepped closer, stuffing my hands into the pockets of my coat. “Might save you the hassle of waiting for a mechanic.”

Her lips parted slightly, hesitation flickering in her eyes. “Jungkook, you’re a detective. Not a mechanic.”

I grinned. “And you’re an architect, not a car expert, but here you are diagnosing problems like a pro.”

Arin raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You sure?"

I let out a low chuckle. "Arin, I might be a detective, but I know my way around fixing things."

Something about my words made her pause.

Maybe it was the weight behind them, the meaning buried beneath the surface.

Fixing things.

It was what I’d been trying to do for months now.

She scoffed but didn’t argue. Progress.

I took that as my cue and moved to the driver’s seat. “Pop the hood for me.”

She watched as I crouched, inspecting the engine, fingers moving with ease. It wasn’t my first time fixing a car—after all, I’d done it before.

But....

The engine of her car remained silent, the problem yet to be solved, but I wasn’t particularly interested in fixing it .

Not when a much better solution had already formed in my mind.

Arin exhaled sharply, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Leave it, I’ll just call the car company and have them send a mechanic. I need to be at the office soon.”

I tilted my head, pretending to consider something before letting out a dramatic sigh. “Or…” I drawled, stuffing my hands into my pockets, “you could just let me drop you off.”

Her brows furrowed instantly. “What?”

“I said I’ll take you to work.”

She scoffed. “That’s unnecessary. I can manage.”

“Of course you can,” I said, nodding in fake seriousness. “You can do everything alone, right? Because you’re strong and independent.”

She narrowed her eyes at me, already sensing where this was going.

“But,” I continued smoothly, “why go through all that trouble when you have a perfectly good husband who can drop you off and pick you up?”

Arin let out a short laugh, shaking her head. “No need, Jungkook. And besides, you have work. How are you supposed to—”

I smirked, cutting her off. “I can make time for my family.” I let my voice drop a little, gaze locking onto hers as I added, “Especially my wife.”

Then, with perfect timing, I winked.

Arin’s breath hitched, eyes widening for the briefest second before she quickly masked it with a neutral, uninterested look.

But I saw it.

That tiny flicker of surprise. The way her fingers twitched slightly, as if caught off guard. Her hair was slightly messy, the way it always was when she was stressed. Her fingers tapped against the car hood—a nervous habit. And her lips, which she always pressed into a firm line when she was frustrated, had softened just a little.

God, she is beautiful.

Not just in the way that made heads turn.

But in the way that made my chest ache.

And damn, was that reaction satisfying.

She exhaled sharply, looking away. For a moment, I thought she would argue more, but instead, she muttered, “Fine. Just this once.”

I bit back a victorious smile.

Because this wasn’t just once.

This was the start of something.

And I wasn’t about to let it slip through my fingers.

That tiny reaction. That flicker of something in her eyes.

And just like that, I knew.

I had found my new favorite thing.

Arin, flustered.

She could hide behind her indifferent expressions, her sharp words, and her constant insistence that she didn’t need me.

But her body told a different story.

And if a single wink could shake her that much?

Well, I’d just have to make it a habit.

I grinned to myself, feeling lighter than I had in months.

Because this—this was progress.

And even the tiniest step forward was still a step in the right direction.

---

The moment Arin settled into the passenger seat of my car, I felt a ridiculous sense of accomplishment.

It was a tiny thing—just a ride. Just a small moment in the grand scheme of things.

But to me?

It felt like winning a battle I hadn’t even realized I was fighting.

As I pulled onto the main road, the soft hum of a song filled the car through the speakers. A familiar tune. One that instantly lifted my mood.

Without thinking, I started humming along.

But, other than that the silence in the car stretched longer than I would’ve liked.

I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel, glancing at Arin out of the corner of my eye. She was staring out the window, her expression unreadable, as always.

I cleared my throat. “So… big day at work?”

“Mm.”

Not exactly an answer, but I’d take it.

I tried again. “You seem busier these days. Is there a new project or something?”

“Something like that.”

I hummed, waiting for her to elaborate.

She didn’t.

I smiled to myself, shaking my head. Typical.

Arin never made things easy.

But I wasn’t the type to give up easily, either.

“Jungsoo’s been talking about you a lot,” I said, hoping to get a reaction. “He said you read him a story yesterday at office. The one about the dragon and the lost prince.”

That finally got her to glance at me. “He liked it?”

“Loved it. He wouldn’t stop talking about how brave the prince was.”

Her lips twitched slightly, just the faintest ghost of a smile. But just as quickly, she masked it again. “That’s good.”

A small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

I was about to ask her something else when she suddenly turned to me, eyes sharp.

“By the way,” she said, her tone casual—but I knew better than to be fooled. “Why were you in the apartment parking lot?”

My grip on the wheel tightened slightly.

Shit.

I forced myself to keep my expression neutral. “What do you mean?”

“You dropped Jungsoo off at kindergarten,” she pointed out. “Shouldn’t you have been at work after that?”

I could feel her gaze burning into me, sharp and observant.

She had caught on.

Think fast, Jungkook.

I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head. “Ah… I thought I forgot my ID card at home,” I said smoothly, glancing toward the backseat as if that proved my point. “I came back to check, but then I saw it there.”

Arin followed my gaze, looking at the backseat for a second before turning back to me with a slightly raised brow.

“And then you just happened to see me?”

I nodded. “Exactly.”

She didn’t look fully convinced.

For a few agonizing seconds, she simply stared at me, as if trying to read my mind.

Then, finally, she just nodded. “Alright.”

I let out an internal sigh of relief.

I had no idea if she actually bought my excuse or if she was just letting it go for now.

Either way, I’d take it.

But damn.

She was sharp.

Maybe even sharper than me.

As I drove, sneaking a glance at her from time to time, I couldn’t help but smile.

She might not have realized it yet…

But she was paying attention to me.

And that was all the motivation I needed.

The ride to Arin’s office was quiet after that. She didn’t question me any further, and I didn’t push her for conversation. But something inside me felt lighter.

She noticed me.

She paid attention.

Maybe it was just suspicion, but still, it meant I wasn’t invisible to her.

Small steps, Jungkook. Small steps.

As I pulled into the parking lot of her office building, Arin reached for the door handle. But before she could step out, my hand moved on its own.

I caught her wrist, holding it gently.

She froze.

Her head turned slowly, eyes narrowing as she glanced between my face and where my fingers lightly curled around her wrist.

“What?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

I swallowed, my mind scrambling for the right words. I had acted purely on instinct, but now that she was staring at me, I had to make it count.

“Your car,” I finally said, clearing my throat. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.”

Arin blinked. “What?”

I loosened my grip, but I didn’t let go completely. “Just give me your keys. I’ll get it checked out and fixed while you’re at work.”

She hesitated. I could see the gears turning in her head.

I knew her well enough to predict her first reaction—independence, pride, the need to handle things herself.

And sure enough—

“I can do it myself, Jungkook,” she said, her tone firm but not dismissive.

I smiled. “I know you can,” I replied, my voice soft. “You can handle everything by yourself, Arin. I never doubted that.”

She looked at me, as if waiting for the ‘but.’

“But,” I continued, my grip finally loosening, “just because you can doesn’t mean you have to.”

She didn’t say anything.

I watched the battle in her expression—the part of her that wanted to refuse, to push me away, to insist she didn’t need me.

And then, slowly, reluctantly…

She reached into her bag and pulled out her car keys.

I didn’t even try to hide my grin. “Good choice.”

She sighed, handing them over.

She reached for the door again, but before she could leave, I added, “I’ll pick you up on time, okay?”

Arin paused, glancing back at me.

She didn’t argue this time.

She just nodded.

That small, wordless agreement sent a warmth through my chest that I couldn’t quite explain.

She got out of the car without another word, and as I watched her walk away, I couldn’t help but smile like an idiot.

“Bye, Arin,” I called out playfully.

She didn’t turn around, but I swear I saw the slightest shake of her head.

I sat there for a few seconds, fingers lightly tapping against her car keys.

She trusted me.

Even just a little.

And for now, that was enough.

I twirled Arin’s car keys between my fingers as I leaned back in the driver’s seat, watching her disappear into the office building.

She didn’t fight me on picking her up.

She didn’t fight me on fixing her car.

That was progress. Small, but progress nonetheless.

A sigh left my lips as I ran a hand through my hair. It had taken months to get here, to get her to even acknowledge my efforts without outright rejecting them.

But I wasn’t done.

I wasn’t giving up.

With that thought, I started the car.

     🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

As I drove away from Arin’s office building, I smirked to myself, The corners of my lips curled into a knowing smirk as I gripped the steering wheel, effortlessly maneuvering through the city’s evening with satisfaction. She had no idea. No idea that everything had gone exactly as I had planned.

If only she knew.

If only she knew that the very reason she had to rely on me today—the reason she had no choice but to sit in my car, let me drive her to work, let me pick her up—was because of me.

Because I made sure her car wouldn’t start.

This morning, when she had sighed in frustration over her broken car, I had barely managed to keep a straight face.

Because I was the reason her car wouldn’t start.

A chuckle slipped past my lips as the memory played in my head like a perfectly executed scene in a movie.

The apartment was silent, save for the distant hum of the city beyond our windows. I slowly peeled the covers off, moving with practiced ease to avoid waking Arin and Jungsoo. The soft sounds of their breathing filled the dimly lit bedroom.

I bit back a smile.

This was it—the perfect time.

Slipping into a hoodie and sweatpants, I grabbed my phone and keys before stepping out into the hallway, my heart pounding with anticipation.The cool night air nipped at my skin ,my footsteps muffled against the concrete floor.

As I took the elevator down to the parking lot, I felt a strange thrill race through me. Excitement. Mischief. And something deeper—something I wasn’t ready to name.

Arin’s car sat there in the dim garage, its sleek black exterior gleaming under the fluorescent lights. My little obstacle.

Her car sat in its usual spot—untouched, undisturbed, functional.

For now.

I crouched beside it, pulling out a small flashlight, illuminating the engine with a practiced flick of my wrist. I wasn’t going to destroy it, no—that would be excessive.

I just needed it to be… unusable for the day or— maybe more.

Carefully, I worked on the engine, disconnecting a few wires here, tweaking just enough that the car would refuse to start in the morning. Nothing too serious—just enough to ensure that she had no choice but to rely on me.

I exhaled slowly, closing the hood with a soft click, the thrill of victory already warming my veins. A rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

I wiped my hands on a cloth, stepping back to admire my work.

By morning, when she realized her car was useless…

She’d have to come to me.

Tomorrow morning, she’d be stuck.

And I would be there.

Like a knight in shining armor.

I grinned, shoving my hands into my hoodie pockets , excitement bubbling in my chest as I made my way back upstairs.

I had just tilted the scales in my favor.

-----

I bit my lip to suppress a smile as I thought about how flawlessly everything had played out. The way her brows had furrowed in frustration this morning when her car wouldn’t start—adorable. The way she had hesitated before handing me her keys, as if debating whether to trust me—tempting.

And then the moment she had finally sighed in defeat and given in… priceless.

Arin had hesitated but ultimately accepted my help. She had sat beside me in the car, a little flustered, a little annoyed—but she had let me take her to work.

My plan was working.

I wasn’t just her husband in name—I was making myself indispensable to her. One small step at a time.

And now… now I had  to stretch this out.

Maybe a week

A week of driving her to and from work. A week of subtle flirting. A week of getting closer.

I sighed in satisfaction, leaning back in my seat as I navigated the Seoul streets. My plan was working, and that only fueled my determination.

With renewed motivation, I shifted my focus back to work, finishing my tasks early so I could leave on time.

Because tonight, I had another opportunity—to pick her up.

And I wasn’t going to miss it.

I was going to make damn sure she didn’t want to go back to driving herself.

And that was enough for me for now.

I didn’t just do this to win.

I did this because I liked having her close. Because every moment with her felt like an addictive, slow-burning fire, threatening to consume me entirely.

And I was more than willing to let it.

    🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

The clock on my desk ticked painfully slow, each passing second dragging on like an eternity. I’d wrapped up my work early, making sure there wasn’t a single reason to delay my departure. After all, I had somewhere important to be.

By the time 7 PM rolled around, I was already out of my chair, grabbing my keys, and heading toward the parking lot.

The thought of seeing Arin again, of watching her walk out of that office with me waiting for her—it sent a thrill through my veins.

Was it ridiculous? Maybe.

Did I care? Not one bit.

------
I strode through the grand lobby of Kim Corporation, nodding at the familiar greetings from staff members. Over the past few months, everyone had learned exactly who I was—not just a detective, but also the Jeon Jungkook.

The younger son of Kim Minho, company’s founder.

The husband of CEO Kim Arin.

The brother of the President  Kim Taehyung of Kim Corporation.

Powerful titles, but none of them mattered to me as much as that last one. Her husband.

Even if I didn’t officially work here, my presence commanded attention. Employees greeted me with polite bows and murmured “Good evening, sir” as I passed.

I acknowledged them with a subtle nod, but my mind was focused elsewhere.

On her.

The ride up the elevator felt agonizingly long, but when the doors finally slid open, I made my way to the executive floor, where the air felt heavier with importance. As I stepped out of the elevator onto Arin’s office floor, the familiar sleek interiors of Kim Corporation greeted me. The quiet hum of evening activity filled the space—employees wrapping up their tasks, murmuring in hushed voices, fingers clacking against keyboards.

And then, just a few steps ahead, I spotted him.

Kim Taehyung.

My older brother.

Dressed in his usual tailored suit, he exuded that effortless authority he was known for. His sharp gaze flickered up the moment he noticed me approaching, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Look who decided to show up,” Taehyung remarked, his deep voice carrying a teasing lilt.

I let out a breathy chuckle, shaking my head. “Hyung.”

His hands were tucked into his pockets, posture relaxed yet commanding as always. “Here to pick up Jungsoo and Arin?”

“Yeah,” I confirmed, adjusting the cuff of my jacket. “Figured I’d save my wife the trouble of finding a ride home.”

Taehyung arched a brow at the way I stressed the word ‘wife,’ his smirk deepening. “How considerate.”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “What can I say? I’m a good husband.”

Taehyung let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “You’re really putting in the effort, huh?”

I tilted my head slightly. “Effort?”

“Oh, come on,” he mused, adjusting the cuffs of his expensive suit. “You’re going out of your way to spend more time with her. It’s kind of admirable, really.”

I let out a small laugh, shrugging. “I call it being a good husband.”

There was a brief pause before he eyed me knowingly. “You’re really going all in with this, huh?”

I met his gaze, my expression unreadable. “Wouldn’t you?”

His smirk faded just a little, something softer settling in his eyes. “Yeah. I would.”

For a moment, there was nothing but quiet understanding between us.

Then, as if snapping out of it, Taehyung exhaled sharply and clapped a hand on my shoulder.  He gave me a knowing look before walking past me, leaving me to continue my mission.

-----

As I neared Arin’s office, my jaw clenched.

There he was.

Jake.

Arin’s new assistant.

The guy hadn’t done anything wrong, really. But that didn’t stop the irrational irritation from bubbling in my chest.

Because every time I saw him, he was always doing something for Arin.

Fetching her coffee.

Carrying her files.

Having conversations with her in that polite, friendly tone that she always responded to so sweetly.

And I hated it.

The moment Jake looked up and spotted me, he straightened. “Good evening, Mr. Jeon.”

I barely inclined my head. “Jake.”

That was it. No warmth. No friendliness. Just a cold, clipped acknowledgment.

The guy blinked but recovered quickly, offering a polite smile before returning to whatever work he was doing.

I knew I was being unreasonable.

But I couldn’t help it.

Because I wanted to be the one Arin relied on. I wanted to be the one she talked to in that soft, sweet tone. I wanted to be the one who had her attention.

And the fact that some other guy spent more time with her during the day than I did?

Yeah. It didn’t sit well with me.

With a measured breath, I lifted my hand and knocked on the sleek wooden door of Arin’s office.

A brief pause.

Then, her soft yet firm voice responded from inside. “Come in.”

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, my gaze instantly landing on her.

She was seated at her desk, brows slightly furrowed in concentration as she neatly stacked some documents. The soft glow of the office lamp cast a warm halo around her, accentuating the gentle curve of her features.

Even after all these months, she still had that same effect on me—like the world dimmed when she was around, and she was the only thing in focus.

Jungsoo, on the other hand, was sprawled comfortably on the couch, playing with one of his toy cars, his tiny fingers guiding it over the armrest as he hummed to himself.

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Hey, bud.”

Jungsoo’s head snapped up, and his face lit up instantly. “Appa!”

He scrambled to sit up, abandoning his toy car as he grinned up at me.

Arin finally looked up from her files, her eyes meeting mine briefly before flickering away. “You’re early.”

I shrugged, leaning casually against the doorframe. “I wanted to make sure I was on time. Don't want you both to wait for me longer.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t take the bait.

Instead, she exhaled softly and reached for another set of papers. “I just need a minute to finish arranging these files.”

I nodded in understanding, then made my way toward the couch, sinking into the seat beside Jungsoo.

The little boy wasted no time in climbing onto my lap, showing me his toy car with excitement. “Look, appa! My car is fast!”

I chuckled, ruffling his hair. “Really? Show me.”

Jungsoo eagerly demonstrated, making his tiny car zoom across the couch cushions with exaggerated sound effects. I played along, pretending to be amazed, though my attention kept drifting toward Arin.

She worked with quiet efficiency, her delicate fingers flipping through pages, occasionally pausing to jot something down.

She was so focused. So serious.

And yet, so effortlessly beautiful.

A few more minutes passed before she finally sighed, setting the last of her files aside. “Okay, I’m done.”

I glanced at her, smirking. “Took you long enough.”

She shot me a glare but didn’t respond, instead turning toward Jungsoo. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home.”

Jungsoo nodded eagerly, hopping off my lap as we all made our way out of the office.

As we walked through the building, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

Arin, Jungsoo, and I—leaving together.

Like a family.

It was such a simple thing. But to me, it felt like another step forward.

Another victory.

Because no matter how much she resisted, no matter how many walls she tried to keep between us—

I wasn’t going anywhere.

And eventually, neither would she.

----

I led them to the car, unlocking it smoothly before opening the backseat door. “Alright, little man. In you go.”

Jungsoo climbed into his baby chair with practiced ease, letting me buckle him in. His small feet kicked in excitement as he babbled about his day at school, telling me about a friend who brought a new toy and how he wanted one too.

I listened attentively, nodding at all the right moments, before finally shutting the door and making my way to the driver’s seat.

Arin had already settled in beside me, fastening her seatbelt.

I slid into my seat, started the engine, and pulled out of the parking lot.

For a few moments, there was nothing but the quiet hum of the car, the soft rustling of Jungsoo shifting in his seat, and the distant glow of city lights flickering to life outside the window.

And then, as I merged onto the main road, an idea struck me.

I glanced at Arin. “What do you think about getting takeout for dinner?”

She blinked, turning to look at me with mild surprise. “Takeout?”

I nodded, keeping my tone casual. “Yeah. Something simple. We could stop by that Italian place near our apartment.”

Arin frowned slightly, shaking her head. “No, it’s okay. I have groceries at home. I’ll just cook.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could, a small voice piped up from the backseat.

“But Eomma,” Jungsoo whined, dragging out the last syllable. “I wanna eat something from outside!”

I hid my smirk, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. Good timing, kid.

Arin sighed, clearly torn. “Jungsoo, we had takeout just the other day—”

“But I want pizza,” Jungsoo pouted, his big round eyes staring at her with the kind of innocent pleading that could melt anyone’s heart.

I decided to add the final push.

“Come on, Arin,” I murmured, keeping my voice low and persuasive. “It’s been a long day. Let’s just pick something up and eat together. No dishes, no clean-up.”

She exhaled slowly, contemplating.

Jungsoo, ever the opportunist, took full advantage of the moment. “Please, Eomma?”

Arin shot me a look.

I gave her my most innocent expression in return.

She sighed again, finally relenting. “Fine.”

Jungsoo cheered from the backseat, and I couldn’t help but grin in satisfaction.

When we reached the Italian place, I parked the car and turned to Arin. “I’ll go in and order. You two stay here.”

She raised a brow. “I can go with you—”

“Nope.” I smirked. “Stay with Jungsoo. I got this.”

She hesitated but eventually nodded.

I stepped out, walking toward the restaurant, a slight bounce in my step.

Because tonight, I wasn’t just bringing back food.

I am bringing  another moment. Another memory.

Another inch closer to making her mine.

------

The drive home was quiet, save for Jungsoo’s occasional humming in the backseat, still high on excitement from getting his way with dinner. Arin sat beside me, flipping through her phone absentmindedly, completely unaware of the tiny storm I had so carefully orchestrated.

As we pulled into the apartment parking lot, I could already feel the anticipation thrumming beneath my skin. The moment she stepped out of the car and turned to me, her brows furrowed in thought, I knew what was coming.

“Jungkook,” she started, arms crossing over her chest. “What about my car?”

Ah. Finally.

I let out a dramatic sigh, schooling my features into an expression of regret, though internally, I was grinning like a madman.

“About that…” I exhaled heavily, dragging a hand through my hair as if the weight of the news was too much to bear. “It’s… pretty bad.”

Her eyes widened. “Bad? How bad?”

I pursed my lips, letting the fake sadness deepen in my expression. “Bad enough that it’ll take a week to fix.”

Her jaw nearly dropped. “A week?!”

I nodded solemnly, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from smirking. “Yeah… The mechanic said it’s gonna take time to get the parts they need.”

Lies. All lies.

But she didn’t need to know that.

She stared at me in disbelief, her mind clearly trying to process the inconvenience. “But—why so long? It wasn’t that broken this morning!”

I laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck as if I, too, was frustrated by the situation. “What can I do, Arin? That’s what they told me. Some internal system failure or whatever.”

She exhaled sharply, placing a hand on her hip. “That’s just great.”

I nodded in fake agreement. “Yeah. Super unfortunate.”

She sighed, glancing away as if trying to think of a solution. “I guess I’ll just take a cab to work until it’s fixed.”

And there it was.

Before she could get another word in, I stepped forward, cutting her off smoothly. “You don’t have to do that.”

She frowned. “What?”

I tilted my head, letting a slow, knowing smile creep onto my lips. “Why would you take a cab when I’m here?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she already sensed where this was going.

I leaned in just enough to make my words linger. “After all, I am your husband.” I stretched the word, letting it roll off my tongue with deliberate emphasis.

She blinked.

Then she scoffed. “Jungkook—”

“Nope,” I interrupted, straightening up and slipping my hands into my pockets. “You’re not getting out of this one. You’re my wife, and I will be taking you to work.”

“Jungkook, that’s not necessary—”

“I insist,” I said, my voice dropping an octave, firm but not overbearing. “I mean… what kind of husband would I be if I let my wife struggle with cabs when I can drive her myself?”

Her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, she looked at me as if I was a puzzle she couldn’t quite solve.

I waited, watching the internal battle flicker across her face.

Finally, she sighed. “Fine. But only until my car is fixed.”

I fought back the victorious grin threatening to take over my face. “Of course. Just until then.”

Another lie.

Because I had no intention of letting that happen anytime soon.

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer, before turning toward Jungsoo and reaching for his tiny hand. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you changed.”

Jungsoo yawned but obediently followed her inside.

I watched them disappear into the apartment, waiting just long enough for the door to fully close before—

Yes. YES.

I pumped my fist in the air, doing a small but enthusiastic happy dance right there in the dimly lit hallway.

She had agreed.

My plan was working perfectly.

I would get to drop her off  every morning. Pick her up every evening.

More time together. More chances to make her see what she meant to me.

One step at a time.

One small victory at a time.

And someday soon… she’d be mine, completely.

Grinning to myself, I exhaled deeply, shaking off the excitement before stepping inside.

Now, time to freshen up.

And maybe—just maybe—start planning my next move.

Author’s Note:

Hey, lovely readers!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter filled with Jungkook’s little schemes and his hopelessly romantic (and slightly mischievous) side! Seriously, this man is out here sabotaging Arin’s car just to spend more time with her—if that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is!

The slow-burn tension is building, and let’s be honest, Jungkook is in way too deep at this point. His internal monologues are practically screaming “simp” at this rate, and I love it.

But what do you guys think? Is Arin slowly catching on to his little tricks, or is she still oblivious? And what do you think Jungkook’s next move will be?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Your feedback seriously means the world to me. And don’t forget to vote if you’re enjoying the story—it keeps me motivated to bring you even more Jungkook antics!

See you in the next chapter!
—StarlitWings ✨💜