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                                      Hard to say goodbye,

                                         but I can't run

When Jungkook returned from his friend's apartment, he reflected on the day and his confession, sighing deeply as he strolled to the waiting elevator. Unbeknownst to him, his presence intrigued the guests in the lobby, igniting female interest. Jungkook shook his head calmly as he noticed the admiring glances he received from the hotel staff. His charisma and handsome looks captured their attention.

A faint snort escaped his lips as he remembered his times with Sullia - her jealous antics and how she would glare at every girl who admired him. He felt a little drained at this moment.

Right now, he needs a refreshing shower, and must call his fiancée, Sullia, his dear mom, and Eunjin before going for a well-deserved night's rest. He and his dear grandma will be leaving for her Marseille villa soon. He received awesome business deals and new interested clients for the formidable Jeon Shipping. He was so proud to have uplifted the company under his leadership.

He checked his watch; it was almost 6 pm because of the numerous notifications he received from his family, especially one from Nam-ra, his grandmother's PA, reminding him about the supper she scheduled for them. Nam-ra told him that no excuses would be accepted.

Jungkook sighed because he knew his grandmother's high-maintenance nature, uncaring in the least about his tight schedule. She doesn't care. She is a fierce businesswoman with a stern nature but a beautiful, loving heart. He knows his grandmother has no time for Sullia. She still believes that his fiancée is not his true match. She isn't suited to be next to Jungkook. Jungkook could laugh inwardly when he entered the elevator. His handsome features were reflected in the mirrored interior of the elevator. For him right now, the word love is overrated.

He was committed to an arranged marriage with his best friend, Sullia. He will prioritise the corporation's success without worrying about any romantic interludes. He will be content in his life. Even though his parents didn't have much affection for each other, their arranged marriage brought on three kids. He still reminisced about his father being pressured into a marriage by his very strict grandfather.

Notifying Nam-ra of his imminent arrival, Jungkook aimed to freshen up before his grandmother fetched him for dinner, smiling softly as he stepped into his hallway.

Jenna Pov.

You stood with apprehension in front of the presidential suite again, your stomach was fluttering with nervousness. After the intense heart-to-heart encounter, you didn't want to be in her presence again. Unfortunately, even if you feel a little reluctance, you cannot decline this supper invitation

When you went back to your room, various emotions stirred in you. You wanted to exude confidence, so you decided to dress yourself stunningly. You are dressed in an elegant and tailored dove grey two-piece pantsuit. It had a cheeky bare midriff section adding a touch of feminine charm to the designer piece.

Your makeup was beautifully administered, a smokey dark silver-grey eyeshadows with a fabulously matte coral-pink lipstick.
Your hair was elegantly styled in a glossy mid-ponytail, helping to complete the look. You add your expensive and trustworthy silver-grey Hermes bag.

With your renewed confidence, you were mentally prepared for the evening ahead.

You inhaled deeply and with your mind determined you knocked on the door.
You smiled brightly at Nam-ra respond and open the door. She politely greeted you and vanished to the kitchen after she lead you inside.

You greeted the matriach calmly and politely. Madam Somni looked like a elegant old world filmstar, expensive Redwing in hare well manicured hand and a lazy smirk, lounging backwards on the luscious sofa

"Good evening, Madam," you greeted with a respectful bow as she nodded in acknowledgement and gestured for you to sit. Your eyes widened at the tastefully decorated dining room with exquisite porcelain crockery, golden cutlery, crystal glasses, and candelabras with yellow and white candles.

Madam Som-ni signalled for Nam-ra to quickly serve you a glass of red wine, knowing well that declining was not an option in her presence. Adorned in a stunning silver and black evening gown with luxurious diamond and onyx jewellery, she exuded wealth beyond measure, even in her accessories.

You snort inwardly when you think about her flashy diamond rings that might as well cost more than your new apartment in Ilsan. You quietly took a small sip of your sweet drink, but than you furrowed your brows when madam Som-ni mentioned and ask Nam-ra constantly about some' idiot". It sparked your curiosity as to know with amusement who is the conduit of Madam Som-nis' hit list.

She smiled softly at you. "Song Jenna, you're a resilient girl. I hope you and my grandson find a way back to each other. You're his match, Jenna. I've never seen him as happy as he was with you; he misses you."

Struggling to hold back tears, you inhaled deeply. "Madam Som-ni, Jungkook, and I are finished. Despite any lingering feelings, that chapter in our lives is closed. He despised me, and you know how much his mum hates me. I've accepted it.

"We both moved on"

You knew deep down that you are blatantly lying to yourself. You haven't truly moved on. Just by mentioning Jungkooks' name makes old feeling reemerged, knowing with certainty that he is still alive and well in your heart, and he was sure planning to use it like a wrecking ball , flat out destroying you.

With the overwhelming emotional overload, your eyes were brimming with tears as Madam Som-ni took your trembling hand gently," My dear. You and Jungkook still has so much love between you, you both been affected and scared by the unfortunate event. Why don't you just be open and honest with him. Inform him, just what you told me. He truly deserves to know. Do you truly want to loose him just like that, you miserable for the rest of your lives and...him trapped in a loveless and passionless marriage. "

You just shook your head, while Sniffling your sobs away, it's too complicated and if he has to find out know , the truth would turn his world on its axis. Madam Som-ni assured you that she would expose the darkest secret that held you prisoner for almost three years.

"He... he loathes me, Madam Som-ni. They've hurt me deeply these past three years. He made me resign from the company I loved and alienated me from my friends. I'm a social pariah in their lives. Our ship sailed and wrecked in the sea of forgetfulness," you explained, wiping away the tears, careful not to ruin your makeup.

Offering a tissue, Madam Som-ni consoled you. "Gukie may seem happy, but he's carrying deep pain, knowing the girl he gave his heart to deceived him. Just talk to him, Jenna. It'll be better for both of you."

Shaking your head, you replied, "What's done is done. He's marrying 'her,' so..."

Before you could finish, a soft greeting at the door interrupted. Both you and Madam Som-ni looked up in shock as a man entered, leaving you both astonished. The unexpected guest left you speechless, staring at Jungkook, who seemed equally surprised.

"Grandma...?" He gasped, struck by your presence, looking at you in disbelief. Madam Som-ni greeted him warmly while Jungkook's gaze fixated on you, frozen in his tracks.

He was speechless. What on earth was happening?

He was taken aback when he observed your fresh and mature beauty. Seated there, looking stunning in a dove-grey suit with a bare midriff, he felt his breath catch. Why was she here, of all places, in his grandma's presence? How and why?

Madam Som-ni stood up with a wide smile. "Guks, you kept us waiting!" She moved slowly towards his frozen stance. His gaze fixed on the girl, who seemed to have transformed him into the stoic and cold man he was now.

Shaking his head, he gazed at your sudden pale face, causing your legs to feel paralyzed in his unexpected presence. His sheer masculinity left you breathless, your mouth feeling as dry as a desert at such virility. He looked handsome in a striped suit jacket, a few buttons undone on his black silk dress shirt, black pants, and an expensive Rolex watch adorning his wrist. The shock was evident in his stoic expression.

You looked horrified, jumping up and swiftly grabbing your silver-grey Hermes bag lying nearby on the sofa, determined to leave. Jungkook looked at his smiling grandma with an open enquiry.

Did she invite this shameless gold digger, knowing he would also be present? An ice-cold emotion returned to his expression as he narrowed his eyes.

Seeing your abrupt movement, Madam Som-ni raised her brows and gestured back to your seat. "Sit down, Jenna. And Jeon Jungkook, stop looking at the girl as if she's a cheap hooker. Sit! This hotel's chefs made dinner especially for us. Both of you are invited. Behave." She gestured at the dining table.

He breathed hard, feeling betrayed by his grandma's unbothered attitude. Madam Som-ni took her seat at the head of the table and gestured with her eyes for both of you to take a seat.

"Jungkooks eyes widen as he. scrunched up his small button nose in disgust. He looked at you with sheer disgusted as if you were a dirty rag," Granma! Please enlighten me, what the flippen hell is she doing here with you!!"he yelled.

Madam Som-ni looked at him with a fierce face," Jeon Jungkook! Would you mind your language. Respect my guest.!"

You looked at him with pure inner fury. Who does this entitled brat thinks he is?,"Oi, she has a name...your bloody Moron!"You seethe through your teeth.

Your nerves were on edge in Jungkook's presence. He sat with his arms folded across his torso, exuding Jeon's arrogance. You wished you could strangle him.

Taking your seat at the beautifully decorated dining table, you felt breathless, wondering how you'd relax in his presence. You wished you could vanish into thin air. What were Jeon Som-ni's plans? She knew the two of you were not on good terms. Did she want to witness a confrontation?

Jungkook observed you with an unidentified expression. His eyes roamed over your flawless beauty as you sat with your head downcast, fixated on the silky tablecloth.

He knew you were nervous around him, a sly, smug smile playing at his lips as his eyes caressed you. His heart raced unexpectedly as he stared at your features; those luscious coral-pink lips brought hidden feelings and desires that threatened to overwhelm him. Jungkook lips were tightly pursed in a tight pout, trying very hard to suppress those boiling emotions. What was his granma thinking.

It felt like ants were crawling around your body when you felt his piercing and intended stare. Dinner was going to be a very awkward and tense affair. You wish the torture could end so that you can leave this tense dinnertable. The last thing you envisioned was to be in the young Jeons' heirs presence.

The tension between you and Jungkook was filling the atmosphere with a strangled energetic that made the observant Madam Som-ni faintly smiled with an amused gleam in her eyes.

She could still sense that the two youngster still has a lot of unanswered questions or lingering, unresolved feelings for each other.

Madam Som-ni clicked her fingers to the chef who stood in the corner with a stoic expression waiting. One of the waiters swiftly brought more wine to the table and the food buffet was exquisite. It was what each of the guest preferred. There were succulent steaks, spicy roast vegetables, different garden salads,  appetizers of snails in garlic sauce,fresh buns etc.

Madam Som-ni  know that her grandson just love meat and his steaks was to be meticulously prepared in a medium rare manner.

Firstly the chef presented the succulent and crispy prepared portion of roast chicken , King prawns and the spicy roasted veggies. The portion looked massive and with the young heir across from you ,you lost half of your appetite. He made you feel unsettled.

Jungkook just sat there like a spoiled brat, arms folded over his torso. Madam Som-ni led the supper by giving grace as felt a slight tremble in your hands as you tried to enjoy your starter of garlic snails. You and Jungkook both nibble on your food, your eyes sternly fixed on the beautiful ornate plates.You just couldn't relaxed  under his narrowed calculated gaze. You just can't even seem to enjoy your Greek salad and roasted veggies cause of the growing discomfort. Jungkook tried hard to suppress his emotions.

You both just ate your food quietly. You tried to gulp down that lump in your throat,  especially your heart that is aching because Jungkook still very much hates you...no resents you. Your felt a slight burning sensation behind your eyelids, ready to cry.

A sudden sound made you both abruptly looked up and look at Madam Som-ni,  she had an agitated expression after she throw done her cutlery in her plate. Looking at you with a intense glare she seethe, " Am I my own guest tonight around this table? I wasn't aware that our supper was served on a battle ground!"

You breathe in deeply as your face started to get flustered, p,acing a roast veggie quickly in your mouth as if your enjoying your supper, " Oh my gosh! Apologies Madam Som-ni I must say the food is super delectable. Thank you so much," you said with an appreciative tone, trying to swallow the piece of broccoli with a delightful moan.

"The food is awesome gran," Jungkook nodded, swiftly with a fierceness cutting a piece of his succulent steak, it clearly exposed the conflicting within him. He pop the piece in his mouth and smile in his grans direction.

His grandma smile and she looked pleased that her guest had a bit of life inside of them., with a warm smile she pick up her cutlery and resumed her supper," Great...because all these dishes are specially prepared for you. Enjoy, because there is so much to talk about."

Say what! Fear and dread entered you as your eyes flickered to Madam Som-ni,  who looked very pleased. Omg! Will she tell Jungkook about what you disclosed this afternoon? Your heart suddenly beat erractically in your chest.

Madam Som-ni just sat there with a faint smile on her cherry red lips. Jungkook looked at his grandmother with apprehension. Then, his eyes suddenly widen as he nearly choke on the piece of meat. Starting to let out small cough, his hands was clutching his throat. The sudden inhalation of breath followed by a audible gasped made both women looked at him in shock. Their attention was immediately drawn to his red face.

Furrowing your brows, annoyance flashed in your eyes, thinking he was mocking you until you realised Jungkook was having trouble breathing.

Oh my gosh! Jungkook is wheezing uncontrollably.

Your eyes widen as you jumped up swiftly," Omg Madam Som-ni,  he is experiencing an allergic reaction," you quickly poured a glass of cold water from the crystal water jug on the table  and placed it in front of Jungkook.

Unable to speak and still gasping for air, with watering eyes he took the glass with trembling hands and taking small tiny sips from it. His grandma sat with wide bewildered eyes as you looked at her with a frantic demeanour .

" Madam...he is allergic to shellfish...I think he consumed some,"as your eyes peek with furrowed brows to plate, you notice the mushroom sauce poured over his steak. Omg! He ate his steak the whole time before but than poured some sauce over it and the reaction started.

"Oh my, my special mushrooms  sauce had shellfish extract in it..Jungkook poured some over his steak.", her eyes widen in disbelief

With shocked Madam Som-ni called the chefs who were getting dessert ready, and Nam-ra who run out to see the sudden commotion. She told them to call for help, while both of you tried to assist Jungkook.

You slipped your arms under his muscled arm and lift him up, he wasn't oppose to your help as expected at first.

You didn't care if he protested when you helped him with his grandma's assistance. He attempted to push you away, but your kind nature wouldn't allow you to be vindictive. Ensuring his well-being was your priority. His face contorted, and he coughed intermittently.

Gosh, what a stubborn fool.

As he opposed your proximity, you grabbed him around the waist while he resisted, struggling with his grandma to get him onto the more extended sofa, "Stop being so unreasonable, Jungkook. We need to get you to the sofa... Cooperate! Gosh," you scolded him despite his piercing glare. Your nerves were still thinly strung from the sudden reaction. It was the fourth time witnessing such an intense response: twice at university and once on vacation four years ago.

Jungkooks breathing was labored were he laid on the sofa, he was bending over in a fetal position, grabbing his painful stomach," Ahhh! My stomach...he'll it hurts!" He yelled out in pain, his face red and flustered. Sweat was starting to cover his skin under the distress. Seems like he was suffering from severe food poisoning.  His head was dizzy and the room was spinning.

Namra leaned over him as she assisted you and his gran to make him comfortable,"Just relax...I'll get you more water," she sat running to the table with his glass. He was groaning loudly , you could see his teary eyes and the overwhelming coughs that came in sessions.

Just then the hotel manager arrived flanked by their in-house medical, who immediately rush to attend to Jungkook. The doctor gave him a quick shot, administer the nasal spray and in between ensuring the onlookers that Jungkook will recover in a few hours time.  You sigh of relieve.

Jungkook appeared flustered, a fever brewing.

Lying on the soft sofa cushions, he breathed deeply, eyes closed. The manager handed his gran a few compresses as Nam-ra took some to cool in the fridge.

His grandma appeared exceedingly concerned. "Doctor, he's sweating profusely." She dabbed a compress on his forehead. You and Nam-ra stood awkwardly, observing his grandma wipe his face.

She turned to you, pressing a compress into your trembling hands, exclaiming, "Jenna, come take over here." She pulled you down next to Jungkook, instructing you to help.

Inhaling deeply, you felt uncertain but followed her lead, gently dabbing the cold compress on his sweaty forehead. His eyes remained closed, but his nose scrunched up as you leaned in closer, and your fragrance seemed to reach him. His intense, dark eyes flew open when your hand brushed his damp hair away from his feverish skin.

Frozen mid-action, your hand still holding some strands of his hair, your other hand still softly pressed on his chest, your eyes locked for a few tense seconds...

Unable to pull away, your eyes locked in a silent exchange, echoing with raw emotions that unveiled a distressing truth—suppressed feelings were clawing their way back to the surface, demanding acknowledgement.

a/n Jungkook had a severe allergic reaction.

Happy holiday, all the Kookie-stans! I hope all of you are well rested and enjoying time with family. Did you enjoy the update treat? I hope so. So please don't forget to 'vote and comment a lot. I appreciate your long-term loyalty to the CEO book sets. A massive shoutout to all the readers, shadow readers, and those who constantly voted and commented on the book.

1. Do you think Madam Som-ni will make Jenna tell Jungkook?

2. Will Jenna open up to a hateful Jungkook?

3. Will Madam Som-Ni convince her grandson to give Jenna another chance?

4. Do you think that Jenna and Jungkook can mend broken bridges?

Next chapter: Jenna finds herself in a very uncompromising situation.