Jeongguk had already left as Cecilia hurried to make herself presentable. She wanted to look good for her boyfriend and after how much she had disappointed him, she knew she had to make it up to him. Jeongguk's fears were still fresh in his mind so she had to work hard to make him trust her as his partner. She looked at herself in the mirror, biting her lips lightly as she thought about whether he would like it or not. She wore a black dress that hugged her figure and paired it with black denim to add a more casual look. The high boots were necessary and she nodded as it felt better after the completed look. 

Black was Jengguk's favorite color and he liked it even more when she wore it. The thought of his eyes staring at her in the crowd made her blush as she snapped herself out of it and made it to the venue, not seeing the package outside the apartment. 

Cecilia was directed to another entrance as she stood in the front line waiting for the boys to take the stage. She clutched the ARMY bomb in anticipation as the adrenaline kicked it. This feeling was something she could never get enough of as supporting the boys made her the happiest. They were her light in the darkest of days and growing up with them was the best gift bestowed upon her.

**********

The light dimmed around and the stage lit up as the members filed through one by one. Jeongguk had been holding his breath as he ascended the stage. Cecilia had promised to come but what if she forgot again? People always slipped away from their passion for things especially when it came to idols. He didn't mind that people left the fandom or found other things that made them feel more at peace but he wanted Cecilia to love them no he wanted her to love him. He didn't want to let go not again and his thoughts died out as he spotted the girl of his dreams in black. His heart raced as he smiled brightly, his nose crinkling in delight as he was so happy to see her. She made it. Of course, she did because this was his woman and she proved it to him once more.

He had always adored the color black but seeing her wear it yielded a different feeling entirely. She was so breathtaking and he was so tempted to tell the whole world that she was his and no one else. Their eyes met momentarily and Jeongguk noticed the blush on her cheeks he mouthed 'I love you' to the crowd yet stared at her, making sure she got the message.

The performance began as he was determined to do better than he usually does. The song started off as he got immersed into the song. lip-synching until he waited for his part and he kept stealing glancing, looking at Cecilia who had been doing the fan chants in the crowd. No one in the crowd would be able to distinguish her from a real fan which she just happened to be. He never thought someone would support him like this but here she was changing his whole world in one day. Her bright eyes he could get lost in as he sang his part, her attention diverted all to him. He could feel her bright eyes and the way she swayed to him. He loved having this effect on her. She was his with each breath she took. 

As the performance came to an end, the screen changed as it flashed "Jeongguk's secret ".

Jeongguk stared confused and realized it must be the people who threatened his girlfriend. He signaled to the staff who quickly went to intercept but Cecilia was already on the screen as the crowd silenced and looked at her.

This wasn't supposed to happen and though the images were off-screen, the speculation was there and looking at Cecilia's eyes, it was clear this was not the right time.

"I would like to say I'm sorry as this wasn't the way I wanted to inform any of you," Jeongguk started off and for the first time, he found it hard to speak up as Taehyung being closest to him, rubbed his back. 

Cecilia couldn't just watch from the crowd. An apology was something he should be getting not giving as she made her way onto the stage and smiled at Taehyung. 

"Thank you," Cecilia said as he gave her the mike.

"Jeongguk shouldn't be apologizing but getting one but he has always been pure-hearted," Cecilia started off. "Yes, the picture you saw means that I'm his girlfriend and we were not planning to announce this because I am a busy uni student. I know how the media will twist my words and even his but you need the truth now and I'll tell you some of it as I know his real fans would always respect his privacy. I am an ARMY just like all of you who got to know Jeongguk for who he is through a coincidence. I'll tell you more of our story with time but what I will say is that we became good friends in a short time. Jeongguk was anything but happy when I met him. The breakup is not my story to tell but I want to ask you all to listen to him with an open mind and ask you all to respect our privacy going forward. I don't want to see Jeongguk or even the other members get hurt."

Jeongguk was stunned as he listened to Cecilia talk. She had always been able to say things where he found himself unable to speak.

"Thank you, princess," Jeongguk whispered as he held her hand. "I know people will think I jumped into a new relationship too fast and with someone who is completely different, but that's the thing she is different, and in no way is this relationship some kind of rebound. She isn't just my girlfriend but a very good friend to me. Without meeting her, I would have ended up more miserable. Not all relationships are what they seem and I would never blame Yun hee for what happened either. we slowly fell apart in a way that couldn't be fixed. Getting into a new relationship hasn't been easy but I am happy now and I hope that you all can accept her."

Jeongguk was surprised by how positive the reaction was. They could be faking it but knowing how much they respected him only made him smile as Cecilia squeezed his hand.

"I am so proud of you," She whispered and kissed his cheek which only made him smile wider. He fell in love with her all over again on stage and he was grateful she came today. There were so many things he had to work on before he would feel completely confident yet moments like these made him forget about the demons that ate up his mind. There was peace in his mind today and it was all thanks to his wonderful girlfriend.

The concept of marriage scared him yet looking at her right, he would marry her in a heartbeat. Maybe what they said about the right person is true because looking at Cecilia, he realized what it means to want to spend the rest of your life with someone.

***********

"All the articles are out," Taehyung said as he looked at everything.

"Trouble?" Cecilia asked as she held Jeongguk's hand tightly. They had all decided to gather as they had wrapped up all the performances.

"Not necessarily," Namjoon replied."It's a mixed opinion that's for sure but the ARMYs are defending both of you. There will always be haters and people who twist your words so I think the best thing to do was live your life and if you don't want things to be so public, they don't have to. At least now you won't have to hide and worry about people finding out."

"Hyung is right," Jeongguk kissed her head. "We can live our life how we want now that some things have settled and revealed. The girls got caught and if we are lucky we can get a confession to stop the others as well."

"I'm not worried Gukkie," she smiled at him. "I know it will be fine sooner or later. I would say I'll stay out of it but honestly, I am always so curious so I'll see what people are saying. It will be different now and I don't expect everyone to like me."

"They will princess," Jeongguk squeezed her hand. "We all got to know you and think you are a great person. They just don't know you yet."

Cecilia nods, feeling unsure as the aspect of being so exposed didn't feel as rewarding. She was scared of messing up or being treated too differently but this was Jeongguk's life and he loved his fans. The man she fell in love with has always been in the public eye and getting in a relationship with him meant comparisons and people looking at her differently. Nothing can be achieved without sacrifice and the last thing she wanted Jeongguk to feel like was that he made a mistake. They didn't just love each other but understood each other and that was the most important thing in this all.

"We should get back to celebrating," Cecilia stands."Enough with all the drama for one night."

"I agree," Taehyung stands up as they both high-five before grabbing drinks.

Taehyung and Cecilia had grown close friends in terms of matching each other's energy which made Jeongguk feel a bit jealous. He had nothing to worry about when it came to both of them, but a part of him didn't like sharing what was his.

"Jealous?" Jimin teased as he handed him a drink as well.

"No," Jeongguk said almost too quickly.

"You are," Jimin laughed as he ruffled his hair. "No one is stealing your girl."

"I know that but does she have to smile like that to him too?" Jeongguk groaned.

"I haven't seen you like this in so long," Jimin smiled to himself. "It's nice to have you back."

"Do you think things will change?" he asked while looking at everyone having fun.

"No," Jimin looked at him once more. "I have a feeling that things will only get better from now on."

"Gukkie, come dance with me," Cecilia walks over and tugs on him.

"Me too," Jeongguk smiled as he got up and pulled her close to him. "Are you drunk princess?"

"Nope," Cecilia giggled. "I only had three glasses."

"Definitely drunk," Jeongguk laughed as he twirled her around and pulled her close.

They swayed to the beat as Jeongguk rested his hand on her back to steady her. She loved to dance and he loved watching her. There was something so genuine in the girl in front of him. She was always so honest and upfront about her feelings, it wasn't hard at all. He was more of a puzzle than she was and he smiled so wide as she tried out a new dance move she asked him to teach her.

"Am I doing it right?" Cecilia asked as she felt dizzy.

"Perfect, " Jeongguk smiled brightly. "everything you do is perfect my love."

She smiled brightly and hugged him tightly.

"Let's go home," She looked at him with bright eyes and he always wondered why she hated her eyes as they shined brighter than any stars in the sky. He could drown himself in those eyes and be content with life.

"Home," He smiled brightly, waving everyone goodbye as he took her back to their apartment.

Cecilia had fallen asleep on the way as she mumbled something about how it was unfair he looked so hot which only made him laugh. He safely tucked her into bed as he couldn't help but admire this moment right now.

It was crazy how much of their lives has changed and there was no looking back into past relationships as they wanted to move forward. This was no beginning to an end as he had thought but an end to a new beginning. Things were about to change from today, but he wasn't so scared anymore. This was the beauty of finding real love. It made you feel like anything was possible and as he gets dragged into bed unexpectedly, his thoughts are silenced once more.

"If you are going to stare at me might as well kiss me," Cecilia whispered, catching him off guard which only made her smile.

"Where are my manners?" he smiled as he leaned close to her and sealed his life away with that one kiss. 

He was hers and she was his.

************************

I can't believe I wrote the final chapter. The epilogue is next and this story has come to an end. I  never thought this story would end up taking so much time and maybe now I would have done some things differently, but we all start somewhere right? I'll always love this book and what I was able to do so hope you all enjoyed the journey. The epilogue will be next week if I don't get too emotional.

Thank you to everyone who stuck around and constantly gave me the courage to keep going. 

Take care,

Sera