A year later, Y/n POV
It's been a year since I last met Abeonim at the court.
The media has stopped reporting about his case ever since his sentence was declared.
Ten years in prison. It seems like a long time, yet it actually isn't, considering how many lives was lost & how much damage he's caused in our lives. His true punishment isn't the ten-year confinement, but the public's lost of trust & respect towards him.
His company is still up & running , although not as big as before. His lawyers called me to come back & continue his legacy. I refused.
I've had enough of being dictated on what to do, how to act for the past 20 years. Now, my wish is simple. I just want to be myself, find my own path & navigate through life with the people I love.
I've been continuing my study in my former university & life has gone back to its leisurely pace. Nothing exciting happens, but after all the drama, I thoroughly enjoy the mundanity of day to day life.
There's one little thing bothering me though..
Taehyung's popularity.
I knew that he was extremely popular with girls, even with older women. However, I only get to witness it with my own eyes ever since I started spending more time with him. And that makes me feel insecure.
Like right now..
I have just finished with my class & am walking out of the classroom when I see Taehyung standing near the building's entrance, chatting with a gorgeous long-haired girl. Her toned mid-section peeks under her black crop top, her slender long legs exposed underneath her short skirt, her perky breasts bouncing as she laughs heartily at whatever Taehyung is saying. A sunflower tattoo decorates her smooth upper arm.
Jealousy instantly burns inside me.
Who's that girl? Why is he smiling at her like that?
He waves & smiles at me when he sees me coming closer, but the only thing I notice is the girl's condescending gaze.
"Hey, I've been waiting for you. How was your day?" Taehyung snakes his arm around my waist & kisses the top of my head.
"It was ok." I mutter, feeling self conscious standing beside the supermodel-like girl.
"Are you alright? You look tired." Taehyung searches my face & places his palm over my forehead in concern.
"I'm fine. Can we go now?" I push his hand & begin to step away.
"Oh ok. Seunghee ya, we need to get going first. I'll see you tomorrow morning at the shop." He bids farewell to the girl & chases after me.
"Ya, why didn't you wait for me? Why are you in such a hurry?" He tries to wrap his arm around my shoulders but I dodge him.
"Who was that?" I ask sulkily.
"Who? Oh, you mean Seunghee? She's my customer."
"Why didn't you introduce us? Are you ashamed of me?" I know my action is very childish, but I'm too mad to care.
"What? Of course not! She's no one important so I didn't feel the need to introduce you." He exclaims.
"If she's not important, then why did you smile at her like that? Your eyes were literally twinkling." I stop & glare at him accusingly.
"Twinkling? I didn't- Ahh, I know why you are acting like this. You're jealous!" He chuckles.
"I'm not!" My cheeks blush a bright shade of red.
"You absolutely are!" He continues laughing.
"I'm not-" My phone rings all of a sudden, cutting my retaliation short.
Eomma?
"Hello? Yes, eomma. I'm fine, just got done with classes. You're coming tomorrow? 9 AM? Ok, I'll pick you up at the bus station tomorrow morning. See you soon."
"Eommoni is coming tomorrow?" Taehyung asks.
"Ehm hm.." I answer flatly, still angry at him.
"Let's go pick her up together then."
"There's no need to bother you. You have an appointment with Seunghee tomorrow morning, right? I have to clean my apartment now in case eomma wants to stay overnight. Goodbye." I avert my gaze & stubbornly stomp away.
"Y/n ah, I- Huh.. Fine, I'll see you tomorrow then!" He shouts at my back.
Another wave of insecurity inundates me.
Why is he giving up so easily? Isn't he supposed to follow me at times like this? Is he fed up with my childish behavior?
I bite my lower lip & turn around to steal a glance. He's already walking towards the opposite direction.
Where is he going now? To the shop? Or.. Ya Kang Y/n, have some faith in him. You guys have been through so much. He wouldn't be so easily swayed by other women.
"Arghh! Why is relationship so complicated? Whatever." I turn back around & continue walking towards the bus stop with uneasiness still tugging at the back of my mind.

The following morning
"Shit, I'm gonna be late." I check my watch & hurriedly grab my bag.
8:22 AM. I only have 38 minutes to get to the bus station.
"Aish, I should've accepted Taehyung's offer to fetch eomma together." I scold myself.
Right then, the doorbell rings.
"Ugh, I don't have time for this." I quickly tie up my shoelaces & open the door.
"Sorry, but I'm in a hurry-" I begin to apologize.
"What took you so long? I've been waiting for you downstairs for half an hour." Taehyung frowns.
"W-Why are you here?" I ask in surprise.
"To pick you up. I told you- Wait, what are you wearing?" His brows knit together into a deeper furrow as he looks at me from head to toe.
"J-Just my regular clothes." I embarrassedly cover my white off-shoulder top, which I paired with a blue mini skirt, with my large bag.
I actually bought that outfit a long time ago to wear on a date with Taehyung, but I was too shy to wear it since I don't normally expose my skin. Yesterday's encounter with Seunghee triggered something in me so I decided to wear that outfit today.
"You're gonna catch a cold wearing that. It's quite windy today. I heard that it's going to rain later in the afternoon." It's obvious that he doesn't like me showing so much skin, but I'm not going to back down.
"I don't think so. See? The sun is shining so brightly. Besides, I don't have time to change." I lock my apartment door & step towards the stairs.
He follows me from behind in silence, but I can feel his gaze boring my back.
Pssh, he likes seeing other girls wearing skimpy outfit, why doesn't he like it when I wear it?
"Get in the car." He clicks on his car key & says.
"That's fine. I'll take the bus-"
"Stop being so stubborn. You won't get there in time if you take the bus." He opens the car door for me & raises his brow.
"Fine." I roll my eyes, although I'm actually relieved that he's here, otherwise I'll be very late.
"We need to go back to my apartment first to grab my phone. It was charging so I forgot to bring it." He says as he buckles his seat belt.
"What?! No! We're gonna be late! We can grab your phone afterwards."
"Relax. It will only take a minute. I promise you we won't be late." He pinches my cheek.
"Ugh. Drive faster then." I cross my arms & pout.
We arrive at his apartment building in less than 10 minutes.
"Let's go." He turns off the engine.
"I'll just wait here." I take out my phone & start scrolling, but he snatches it away from me.
"Nope. You're coming with me. Come on, don't waste time. You don't want to be late, do you?"
"Huh.. ok ok." I click my tongue & reluctantly get out of the car.
We climb the stairs to the second floor where his apartment, which he is currently sharing with Taehee, is located.
"Hurry up. We only have 25 minutes left." I impatiently urge.
"Alright alright." He taps on the keypad & pushes the door open, but then he abruptly stops moving.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"There's a pair of men's shoes on the rack." He whispers.
"Aren't those yours?"
"Do I look like someone who would wear such dressy shoes?" He glances at me.
"Uhm.. no? Then, whose are they? Maybe, Taehee's friend? Is she home?"
"I don't know. She's supposed to be at work."
"Well, let's just go in & find out then." I walk past him into the living room.
"Ya, wait!" He hisses.

"Ommo!" I gasp in surprise as soon as I see the person in the living room.
"O-Oppa? What are you doing here?"
Jimin is standing on a stool, appearing to be changing the light bulb.
"Oh hi. You guys are here." His chuckle sounds fake & forced, like he's caught redhanded doing something indecent.
"Taehee ya, aren't you supposed to be at work? And what is Jimin doing here?" Taehyung's eyes widen in surprise.
"Uhm, it's my off day today. I was tidying up the room when the light bulb is suddenly blown. I didn't know who else to call so I called Jimin ssi." She explains in an instant. However, her flushed cheeks give her away. She's not telling the truth.
"And it just so happens that it's his off day too?" Taehyung asks in disbelief.
"Well, yeah.." Jimin steps down from the stool & sheepishly scratches the back of his head.
Then, I notice the faint lipstick mark on his collar, his unusually disheveled hair, and his slightly swollen lips.
Shit, we must have interrupted them.
I quickly scan the room, find Taehyung's phone on the table, & grab it.
"Here's your phone. Let's go, we're late." I hand the phone to Taehyung, who's still staring suspiciously at Taehee & Jimin, & drag him towards the door.
"Wait, I'm not done talking to them-" He protests.
"We can talk to them again later. Bye guys! Good luck- err.. fixing the light bulb!" I cheerfully wave at them & close the door behind me, ignoring Taehyung's sullen expression.
We get back into the car & he starts driving.
"I can't believe it." He scoffs after a long stretch of silence.
"Can't believe what?" I act stupid.
"Oh come on. I'm sure you noticed it too. They were making out, weren't they?"
"So?"
"So? I mean, Taehee & Jimin. Jimin & Taehee. It's- It's weird."
"I don't see anything weird. They're both single & available, so why not?"
"I know that Jimin is your precious oppa, but I just can't see Taehee being with him." He says with a rather mocking tone.
My blood instantly boils at his remark.
"May I ask why?" I try to keep my voice as calm as possible.
"Well, don't you think it'll be awkward after everything that happened between me & him? Besides, I can't trust him."
"Then, is it awkward for us to be together too after all that happened between us?" I return the question back to him.
He is stunned for a moment & says nothing. The sound of air con fills the tense atmosphere.
"You're missing the point. We're different. I love you, have always been. But-"
"But you still flirt with other girls." I cut him off.
"For fuck's sake Y/n, is this about Seunghee again? How many times do I have to tell you that she's just a client? Can you stop being so petty?" He raises his voice in frustration.
"Oh, so I am petty? You are the petty one. Why can't you accept the fact that Taehee likes Jimin oppa? You're just jealous of him because he's better than you!"
I regret saying those words the second they left my lips. Taehyung freezes, jaws clenched, stunned by my outburst.
Feeling guilty, I avert my gaze & look out the window. The sound of air con fills the tense atmosphere & we stay silent until we arrive at the station.
I quickly get out of the car & check the arrival board. Eomma's bus is arriving in a few minutes. I step out to the platform to wait for her & a strong gust of wind blows at me, making me shudder & wrap my arms around myself in reflex.
"Are you cold?" Taehyung appears beside me & asks.
"No." I stubbornly reply & instantly lower my hand.
Not long after, rain begins to sprinkle from the greying sky.
"The forecast was right." Taehyung extends his palm & catches a drop of rain.
So he wasn't lying about the forecast. He was being attentive, yet I misread it as him being controlling & overprotective.
I clear my throat to disguise my embarrassment & pretend that I didn't hear him.
Suddenly, I feel something falls onto my bare shoulders, covering them. I glance sideways & find that Taehyung has taken off his cardigan & put it on me.
"I don't want you to catch a cold." He smiles thinly.
"T-Thanks." I stutter, feeling even guiltier.
"That's eommoni's bus." Taehyung points to the bus that's stopping a few meters away from us.
"Y/n ah!" Eomma waves excitedly at me once she's gotten off the bus.
"Eommaaa!" I rush forward & hug her tightly. It's been a month since I last saw her & I missed her so much.
"Why do you have so many luggages? Are you going to stay for a few days?" I ask in confusion.
"Well, I packed up some food for you & Taehyung. Taehyung ah, ommo, you look even more handsome than I remembered." She pats Taehyung's arm cheerfully.
"Annyeong hashimnikka eommoni. Let me take the luggage." He bows at her & grabs the bags in her hands.
"And so polite. Y/n is so lucky to have you."
"Ehm.. Eommoni, let's quickly go to the car before the rain gets heavier." Taehyung shyly says & hurriedly strides towards the car.
"He's such a nice guy, isn't he?" She links her arm with mine & follows Taehyung.
"Yeah.. uhm.. Eomma, what suddenly brings you here? Do you have something to attend to?" I quickly change the subject before she talks more about Taehyung.
"Jimin told me to come. He said he has an important announcement to make. I was supposed to come tomorrow but I missed you too much so I came one day earlier. Did he tell you anything?"
"No. I haven't talked to him in a while." Come to think of it, the last time I met him before this morning was almost a month ago.
"Oh speaking of which, I have to tell him that I'm here already." She pulls out her phone & starts texting.
What is oppa going to tell us?
"Ah, he replied. He says that all of us should have dinner together tonight. Excellent. I brought a lot of ingredients, so how about we invite him to your apartment?"
"Sure. My apartment is not that big, but I'm sure it'll fit the three of us." I nod.
"Three? Five. You forgot to count Taehyung & Taehee. You're free for dinner tonight, right Taehyung ah?" Eomma asks Taehyung, who's busy placing all the luggages in the trunk.
"Huh? Ah yes, I'm free tonight." He answers as he closes the trunk.
"Good. Tell your sister to come too. I'm going to cook for you all. You must haven't been eating right, you look like you've lost a few pounds. Don't worry. I'm going to teach Y/n how to cook so that she can take a better care of you."
"Eommaaaa.." I whine in embarrassment.
The drive back to my apartment isn't quiet & awkward thanks to eomma who fills the conversation with her stories about the people on the island.
Once we arrive, Taehyung brings all the bags up to my apartment & excuses himself.
"Eommoni, I need to go back to the shop to do some work. I'll be back again for dinner later."
"Ah yes, of course you have a job to do. Thank you for picking me up. I'll see you again soon, ok?" Eomma pats his back & smiles.
"Uhm.. here's your cardigan. Thanks." I take off his cardigan & hands it to him.
"Ok. See you later." He nods at eomma & walks out of the apartment.
"Are you guys having a fight?" Eomma asks as soon as Taehyung is gone.
"No.." I sheepishly reply.
"Don't lie to me. You look so tense. What's wrong?"
"Well.." I tell her about my insecurity & jealousy that led to my outburst. She listens to my ranting without interrupting.
"I know I shouldn't be so childish, but I can't help it! He's surrounded by so many beautiful girls. I feel like a potato compared to them." I sigh in frustration.
"But you shouldn't have said that Jimin was better than him. I can imagine how hurt he must be." Eomma frowns.
"I know I know. I regret it so much but I couldn't bring myself to apologize. Do you think he hates me now for saying that? Do you think he'll leave me?"
"Y/n ah, both of you have gone through a lot to be together, so I doubt he'll leave you over such trivial matter. I understand your insecurity, but you shouldn't blame him for that. Have you ever seen him cheating on you with your own eyes?"
"No.."
"Has he ever compared you to his beautiful clients or acquaintances?"
"No.."
"See? It's all in your head. Be confident. I'm sure Taehyung loves you for who you are, otherwise he wouldn't have fought so hard to be with you. Besides, I can see it in his eyes that he truly cares for you." She strokes my hair & says.
"Do you think so?"
"I know so. So stop being stubborn & apologize to him later, ok? Now help me unpack, we need to start cooking." She rolls her sleeves & starts unzipping the bags.
"Why do all of you keep calling me stubborn?" I pout & mumble to myself.
"Btw, why was Jimin dragged into your argument? What made you say that Jimin was better than him?"
"Oh.. that.." Taehee's lipstick stain on Jimin's collar flashes inside my mind, but I quickly chase it away.
"I forgot. Hahaha. Woah, is this your famous marinated crab? I've been craving for this. Can I have some now?" I abruptly change the topic.
"Of course. Eat a lot. I brought a few boxes of it for everyone." She chuckles.
It's not my place to tell her. Jimin will tell her himself when he's ready. Let's just pretend that I didn't see anything.

Dinner time
Taehyung has arrived a few minutes earlier & is helping eomma in the kitchen right now. He's chatting animatedly with eomma, yet he hasn't said a word to me.
Is he angry at me? Should I just say sorry now?
I'm staring at his broad back & agonizing on how to apologize to him when the doorbell rings.
"I'll get it!" I hastily run towards the door & open it.
Jimin & Taehee are standing in front of the door, looking awfully awkward.
"Hey, we're here. I mean, we met downstairs & walked up together." Jimin explains as Taehee's face starts to blush again.
They can't be more obvious.
"Please come in." I smile assuringly & open the door wider for them.
"Ah 아들 (adeul=son)! I missed you! Ommo, you look thinner too. You have to eat a lot tonight, I've cooked all your favorites. Sit down. Oh Taehee ya, please sit down too." Eomma enthusiastically greets them.
"Annyeong hashimnikka eommoni." Taehee bows & sits down next to Jimin.
I notice Taehyung staring at them with a stony expression, so I quickly nudge him to divert his attention.
"Could you help me set the table?"
"Oh, sure." He walks back to the kitchen to get the utensils.
Thankfully, the dinner goes well. Taehyung manages to keep his staring at minimal, although sometimes he looks like he's about to pounce at Jimin. I have to keep calling his name & including him in the conversation to shift his focus.
Once everyone has finished eating, Jimin clears his throat & starts speaking.
"Uhm.. I have an announcement to make to all of you." His voice is shaking slightly, which is very unlike his usual calm self.
"Ah yes, you told me that you have something important to tell us. What is it, son?" Eomma leans forward, giving him her full attention.
"This may come as a shock to some of you, but Taehee & I have started dating since about two months ago. I feel like I should tell you this due to our complicated past." He takes Taehee's hand & hold it without daring to even look at Taehyung.
The room goes silent after he drops the bomb. Eomma's eyes are widened in surprise, her mouth ajar as if time stops in the mid of her gasp. Taehee tries to cover up her face with her long hair, her fingers tightly intertwined with Jimin's. I nervously glance at Taehyung, who's rubbing his knuckles, jaws clenched, brows furrowed.
"Congratulations! I'm happy for you!" Eomma exclaims all of a sudden.
"You are?" Jimin asks skeptically.
"Yes, of course. But Jimin ah, you have to promise me that you'll take a good care of her. Don't break her heart. I wish you both happiness." Eomma reaches across the table & squeezes Jimin's hand.
"Thank you eommoni. Thank you." Jimin nods repeatedly at her.
"T-Thank you eommoni for your blessings." Taehee timidly nods as well.
I breathe a small sigh of relief, but there's still another obstacle to overcome. Taehyung.
"W-What about you?" Jimin stutters as he turns to Taehyung. Jimin never stutters, so it goes to show how nervous he is right now.
The relationship between Jimin & Taehyung has always been tense even after everything was settled. Somehow, they still hold some resentment against each other. Thus, Taehee dating Jimin surely puts both of them in an even more awkward situation.
Taehyung lifts his gaze & says nothing, only staring at Jimin right in his eyes.
Now, even Taehee squirms in her seat, scared of her brother's reaction.
"Huh.. as long as she is happy, I have nothing to say." Taehyung finally breaks the silence.
"Really? You're not mad?" Taehee asks in disbelief.
"I admit it's difficult for me to accept it, but I figured I should support you if he can make you happy." Taehyung shrugs.
"Thanks Taehyung ah." Jimin mutters.
"Don't thank me. She's my only family in this world so I do want the best for her. So promise me that you'll treat her right." Taehyung extends his hand at Jimin.
"I promise." Jimin readily takes Taehyung's hand & shakes it.
"Phewww.. I think I need a drink after that." Eomma wipes her forehead exaggeratedly, prompting everyone to laugh.
I turn to Taehyung & mouth a silent "thank you" to him, which he only responds to with a thin smile.
Jimin & Taehee leaves after a few drinks, while Taehyung stays behind to help me clean up.
"Y/n ah, eomma will take a shower first. Can the two of you finish cleaning up by yourself?" Eomma asks.
"Yes. Don't worry about it, we'll finish this."
"Ok." She walks into the bathroom & locks the door.
My heart pounds since they are only the two of us left in the room now.
Why am I so nervous? It's just Taehyung. Maybe I should apologize to him now? Uhm.. maybe later.
I take the last few dishes on the table & turn around, without noticing that Taehyung is right behind me.
"Ommo!" I yelp, as the remaining of the sauces in the dishes spills onto Taehyung's clothes.
"Shit, I'm so sorry. I'll get you something to change into. Wait a minute." I immediately rush to my room to get a T-shirt for him.
When I come back, he's in the process of taking off his shirt. His sun-kissed muscly torso glistens under the light, his sculpted arms stretch as he lifts his shirt up.
How can he look so hot? I inadvertently gulp & look away.
"H-Here's the T-shirt. I-I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking. This is the biggest T-shirt I could find. I think it'll fit you." I hand him the T-shirt while avoiding his gaze.
"It's ok. Hey-"
"I should've looked before I turned around. I'm sorry for being so clumsy. Do you need a towel? Or maybe-" I continue talking to cover up my nerves.
"Hey, look at me. It's ok." He grabs my shoulders & shake them.
Startled, I look up at him & meet his deep dark eyes.
"I-I'm sorry. For everything. I didn't mean to say that Jimin was better than you. I was just frustrated & insecure. Seeing so many gorgeous women flocking at you, I feel like I'm inadequate compared to them. So, I'm sorry." I say everything rapidly in one breath before I lose courage.
"You don't have to apologize. It was partly my fault for making you feel jealous & insecure. I should've maintained a distance with those girls. But one thing you have to remember is that I love you & only you. You are my 'once in a lifetime'. The only one who will live eternally in my heart. We have overcome so many obstacles just to be together, so I will never ever give you up." He cups my cheeks & says.
"O-Ok." I stammer, my brain losing all its ability to form any other words & my heart feeling like it's about to pop out of my chest.
He leans closer & kisses my lips passionately as he guides my arms around his torso. The warmth radiating from his body melts me into a puddle of wax. He holds my body closer to prevent me from falling, but that only makes my knees become weaker.
"Ommo! I'm sorry. I didn't see anything. Please go on." Eomma's sudden yelp startles us, causing us to instantly push each other away & pretend to tidy up the kitchen.
"Have fun!" She giggles before she goes into the bedroom.
Taehyung quickly puts on the T-shirt & we continue cleaning in silence.
"Uhm.. I have something for you." Taehyung reaches into his pocket once we're done.
He takes out a black velvet box & opens it, revealing two silver rings inside.
"What is this?" I widen my eyes in surprise.
"These are couple rings. Yongsan told me that girls love to wear these with their boyfriends. I thought we could wear this so that people know that we belong to each other. Do you like it?" He shyly asks.
I'm deeply touched by his thoughtfulness. He must've bought it to reassure me.
"I love it." I smile at him, tears glistening in my eyes.
"Would you like me to help you wear it?"
"Yes, please." I nod.
He slides the smaller ring into my right ring finger & the bigger one into his own.
"It's beautiful." I gasp.
"I promise I'll buy you a more expensive one when we get married."
"M-Married?"
"Yes, I'll marry you once I've made enough money to provide for you & our future babies." He bops my nose.
"B-Babies? Aren't you planning too far ahead?" I chuckle.
"You think so? Then should we get a head start then?" He raises his brows teasingly.
"What do you mean? Ahhh, put me down!" I yell as he carries me onto the couch.
"Shhh.. not too loud. Your mom will hear." He whispers.
Both of us glance at the bedroom door & giggle.
"I love you Y/n. Now & always."
"I love you too Tae."
영원히..

-Fin-