Zendaya's POV: Part 8

The next few days were wild. Fans were going nuts online over this love triangle with "Lizkook," and you just wanted to disappear. When some American news outlets got their hands on the Bts drama blowing up the internet, it was like, "Great, just bury me now."

Your girls' squad freaked out when they read about you and the BTS maknae. Kaia and Kylie were beside themselves. Meanwhile, your publicist was swamped, trying to handle all these rumours simultaneously. Your poor mother had to answer uncomfortable, scrutinized, and intrusive questions. You just told the paparazzi, 'No comment.'

Jungkook was busy finishing up his schedule in Hong Kong. They will attend their local MAMA Awards show as they will be in the Performance line-up. Just as everything hit the fan globally, you were stressed because Jimmy kept pressing for every single detail of your "relationship" with Kookie.

He was super suspicious. You just made up some story, saying you were old teen friends with nothing serious and that people in Korea were blowing it all out of proportion as usual.

Everyone knows that Korean kpop and knetz have a scandal problem, and people love to gossip and believe every rumour and not the truth. You can imagine the stress BTS is going through, especially with false rumours, but this time, Jungkook was caught in the dating scandal.

Your model friends were all hyped, and anyone who didn't know before was totally 'over the moon' about you possibly dating this global superstar in secret, though they already know you're in a relationship with Jimmy, who is not ready to let you go.

Even Tom was poking around for details about Jungkook on the Spiderman set. Because of your connection with Kookie, your co-stars looked at you with renewed eyes. Gossip was everywhere, and the tabloids were all over this supposed "Lizkook" dating scandal. You couldn't handle the piecing and intense looks of your colleagues.

After a long day shooting for Marie Claire's fall cover, you just wanted to crash at home. The winter is at hand. You turned down Jimmy's invite to spend the Christmas holidays in Italy with his family-another attempt to infuse you into his family life as if you had a future.

Now that he knows that his soulmate's baby wasn't his, he is free to love you. But you were just too drained from all the rumours and online drama with ARMYs and Blinks. Though surprisingly, ARMYs were super supportive. The fan wars were intense

You hated being tangled up in controversies, and part of you just wanted to strangle Jungkook and maybe Lisa, too, for being so reckless. They knew what they were doing. You liked Lisa, even if you couldn't help but feel a little jealous that she's the one with Kookie, now with everyone in their business, and now you were dealing with the drama, too.

Your day-to-day started feeling like a chore, and you couldn't figure out why you were getting so emotional. You sometimes find yourself crying for no apparent reason. A week after the dating news broke, even your mom was worried about your melancholic demeanour-she didn't know what to say, even though you were nailing all your schedules.

The thought of Jungkook and Lisa together was hitting harder than it should, and your soulmark was acting out. Meeting your soulmate was now a sure thing.

Whenever Jungkook's name popped up on your phone, you didn't have the energy to talk to him. One night, after dinner with the squad, you just wanted to curl up with a good book when you saw your phone light up again: Jimin. Strange.

Relieved, you sighed, glad it wasn't Jungkook. If you had to talk to him right now, you'd probably lose it and expose how you feel about him. You loved him so much, and speaking with him would make you behave out of character, so it felt easier to ghost him for a few weeks until the storm settled. The soulmark on your neck was aching, almost like frostbite.

You pick up the call. You were not expecting how to respond to the Maknaes-hyung.

Jimin's tone of voice was serious when he started talking. He cut right to it, asking you why you hadn't responded to Jungkook's calls or texts. He said Jungkook was devastated-confused, hurt, and a bit lost.

Jimin, "Zen, why aren't you talking to Jungkook? He's, like, totally lost. He thinks you're ghosting him. He's beating himself up over this," Jimin told you. "You've got him completely ghosted, and he feels like he's being punished."

You: "Jimin, I just need some space. This whole thi
ng...it's a nightmare, and it's not like that. I'm just...frustrated, okay? This whole thing has exploded, and now every part of my life is out there for everyone to pick apart. And the worst part? People call me 'the other woman' because of all these rumours. The one that will potentially break up is Liskook. It's humiliating.
You wanted to burst out in crying.

Jimin: "I know, I know. But it's killing him, seriously. He feels lost. He never meant for you to be dragged into this crazy fan war. It's not his fault; the fans just went berserk. He's caught in it too, Miss Fabulous. But it's not his fault! It just spiralled out of control. Now the netizens are split, but he misses you. He's hurt that you're cutting him off."

You sighed deeply, "I was furious, Jimin. I'm not going to lie: TMZ, Page Six, E! News, US Weekly -every Flippen American tabloid is talking about me right now like I signed up for this.They are calling me this 'mystery woman' in Jungkook's life. My publicist must keep putting out fires, and my whole schedule leaked. Now they're saying I'm sneaking off to Busan next year to 'meet him'. And to make it worse, I have a Commercial shoot in Busan early next year.It's so messed up!"

Jimin was smirking a little at the other side, "Well, are you and our Kookie really not sneaking around?"

You: "Really Jimin. Gosh, no! Seriously! But now Jimmy's booked a flight to go with me to South Korea. He's freaking out too. He's jealous of Kookie and doesn't trust this situation at all. I dread telling him that even Lisa and Jungkook are just my friends. I don't think he'll even believe it." You sigh.

Jimin's voice spoke softly, "You know...Jungkook wants to see you. I mean, maybe it would help if you two just talked it out. I get it. Look, why don't you FaceTime Jungkook? He wants to explain himself to you. It might make things easier. Please give him a chance."

You hesitate. "Fine. I'll talk to him. But I'm still mad. And honestly, how is he doing through all this?"

Jimin laughs lightly, then sighs. "It's exhausting. The agency wasn't thrilled either-they even punished Jungkook for getting caught. Management forced him to end things with Lisa, but you know him. He's so stubborn. He likes her a lot and still seems to be in contact with her in secret. So, honestly, I don't even know if they're over."

You greeted each other and hung up.

---

Then, a few moments later, you opend the app online-just in time for Jungkook's account number to emerge again for a video call, and his cute face fills the screen a second later. When Jungkook's handsome face appeared on your screen, he looked so relieved, like a weight had been lifted just by seeing you in front of him.

There was a strange, almost magnetic feeling between you when you looked at each other through the screen. You both recognised something but didn't want to say it. You could see the apology in his eyes even before he spoke.

Jungkook: "Hey, you answered." He sighs, looking genuinely relieved, "You have no idea how worried I've been about how you'll be taking all these online fan wars. " he seems a bit startled, admitting that he was. It felt like both your soulmates were on their way-a connection you could sense but not fully grasp yet.

You: "Yeah, well, I've been overwhelmed. My life's been torn apart by all this drama, Jeon Jungkook. The U.S. BTS Army is all over this, and I'm in the middle of it. This was never supposed to happen. Jungkook, it's been too much. My whole life's out there, all because of this scandal. Everyone wants to know what's going on between us. And now Jimmy's flying to Busan with me to keep an eye on us! He's so paranoid, even if nothing's going on."

Jungkook looks away, hurt, "I know. I never wanted this. If I could take it all back, I would, Zen. So...we won't see each other anymore? I didn't realize it would blow up like this. I feel terrible. Please forgive me." He runs a hand over his tired face, "And are you sure you can't come to Busan now? We could meet up as promised."

You look away, "I can't, Jungkook. Jimmy's coming with me and will be watching me like a hawk. He has some Asian friends from Texas who live in Seoul. He's already suspicious enough, especially with all these rumours saying I cheated on him during your U.S. shows here in NY"

Jungkook looked sadly away, "Yeah, I get it. But...can we at least talk about this? There's been so much I haven't had a chance to say. I...I had to break things off with Lisa because of the agency, but she keeps calling, wanting to make up secretly. And now...well, it isn't obvious. All of it."

You noticed his discomfort and how rubbed his shoulders. "Are you okay? You keep touching your shoulder. Is it...your soulmark acting out?"

Jungkook looks surprised, then nods slowly, "Yeah...strange. It's like something's finally happening. Do you feel it too...our soulmates are on their way, aren't they ?"

You: "Yes. It feels like my soulmate is getting close,too" you observe his expression,"But, you know, Kookie, you'll always have a special place in my heart."

When you told him, he suddenly seemed so sad, and you felt a pang of something deeper between you. He was biting his cheek inside as he watched you with an unidentified emotion flashing in his eyes. He wasn't really ready to see you with your real soulmate. You both didn't really accepted your current partners in each other's lives.

Jungkook looks a little pained, "I just... I wish things were simpler for us. I wish we weren't both tied down like this with other partners. Maybe we could've still...see each other discreetly. I don't want a soulmate now if you find yours."

You pause, finally asking, "Jungkook, unfortunately, it's inevitable. We will meet our soulmates soon. My soulmark is acting up now, and Jimmy doesn't want to accept it. But if I might ask... how do you feel about me? And Lisa?"

Jungkook sighs, conflicted, "I... I don't know. I like you both; I do, but I can't even figure out my feelings right now. Everything's so intense, so messy...Lisa is in pain right now." he leans closer to the screen, "Please don't abandon me, Zen. I...I need you. Just promise you'll still be there for me. Please meet me for the last time in Busan to find closure...please."

His bunny eyes look so sad that it want you to get emotional. A conflicted expression enter your face. How can you reveal to him your deepest emotions. Both of you made a pact to forget your real feelings and the night you shared under the stars.

You smile and whisper, "Kookie, we must accept that our soulmates might not want us to be friends because of our history. You made them feel intimidated. No one feels comfortable competing with you. You had millions of girls that practically are irrevocably in love with you. I feel so much pressure, Kookie. I need time to sort this out. I'll give you an answer after my family vacation in Switzerland. But for now...let's both take a breather, okay?"

Jungkook nods, looking a little more at ease, "Okay. Thank you for talking to me. But please meet me, Zen. We will have our local Award season, so we have many performances scheduled right now. Enjoy your Christmas Holiday with the family. Can I text you?"

You grinned happily, "Of course, my little favourite Kookie in a jar. You can text me anytime. "

Jungkook's eyes lit up," Awesome, Ms. Fabulous. Jimin says he can't wait to see you, so you have to come. "

You both say your goodbyes and hang up. You watch, unseeing at the dark screen, signing. And with a soft voice, you murmur.

"I love you, Kookie...

......

A week later, before the Christmas holidays, you and some of your model friends were invited to attend a Marie Claire event that took the stress from you. Although the rumours and online scrutiny had subsided, you couldn't be more happy for the turn of events.

You know that your time with Jimmy is ending, but he doesn't want to accept the reality that your soulmark already indicates that you might be red-gold in the future.
He was praying that your soulmark string must be yellow string so that he can still date you.

Your family had a marvelous time in Switzerland at a very luxurious Ski-resort. You connected so well with your twin-step siblings, even your stepmom was a pleasure to be around with. Your mom and her new producer boyfriend were also part of the family dynamics. Your dad even gave your mom a thumps up with her new guy and how well she was adapting in a new relationship status. It always amaze you about your parents cordial connection. No jealousy, pettiness or competition.

Your dad even open a special place for you at his record studio to come and help with his music production business. Your future is in music production, if you didn't chose your love for the ramp, you'll definetly opt for a musicians full time acting career.

After an exhilarating ski-adventure you all come home to relaxed before heading to a Christmas festive atmosphere in a nearby village for dinner.
The snow was like a thick blanket and it made you feel so nostalgic.

Inside your room, after changing in a different outfit that fits the occasion, you just sat on your window sil and gaze out over the little ski town. It was already twilight and you can't wait to take more photos for your Instagram page.

The Hadid sisters are spending time in Dubai, the Kadashians ( Kendell and Kylie attended a family wedding in Jordon). All your friends were out of the country for the festive season.

Your phone chimed on your side table as you fiddled with your cute knitted beanie.

You almost choke in your saliva when you saw the caller ID.

...Lisa, Jungkooks now ex-girlfriend.

A/ n : Zen at last talked to Jungkook.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter,

A big shout out to all my faithful and loyal Sparkles.

Thank you for loving the soulbound series up till now.
Your constant votes, reads and comments always excites me and wants me to work harder in giving you exciting content.

Remember the characters lifestyles in these books are not real or accurate in their personalities, but I try my best to write about real-life situations.

1.Do you think Zen has reasons to be mad?

2. Do you think she is truly ready to dump Jimmy?

3. Do you think they've deliberately dismiss the sudden pull through the screen?

4. Will Jimmy be a nuisance in Busan?

5. Must she meet up with Jungkook?

6. Why do you think Jungkook felt sad that Zens' soulmate is on his way?

7. Do you think Jungkook will be able to chose between the girls?

Enjoy the Awards!😄

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