⋆ ˚｡⋆୨ Closure and Truth ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

8 December, 2024

The celebration night was in full swing, the atmosphere filled with chatter and laughter. Yeonjun found himself standing in a corner, a flute of champagne in his hand, watching as the other guests mingled and conversed effortlessly.

The room was adorned with elegant decorations, creating a sophisticated yet cozy ambiance. Soft music played in the background, adding to the overall relaxed and enthusiastic mood of the party.

Despite being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the event, Yeonjun felt strangely isolated. He took a sip of the champagne, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts about the upcoming project, a hint on unease in his heart from being in the same place as Jiwon and Jihan.

He would have preferred cuddling with Beomgyu right now, but work exists sadly.

While standing near the drink table, Yeonjun noticed a flash of a familiar figure in the crowd, Jiwon; engaged in a conversation with a group of colleagues.

He watched her for a moment, noticing how she carried herself confidently, her laughter ringing out every so often.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of something he couldn't quite identify. Was it nostalgia? Longing? Yeonjun wasn't sure. He shook his head, trying to push the feeling aside.

His thoughts were interrupted when Taehyun approached him with confused look.
"You seem a bit lost in thought.." Taehyun observed, as the question hung in the air.

Yeonjun tried to put on a nonchalant front, giving Taehyun a slight smirk.
"No, just observing the scene." he replied, taking another sip of his champagne. "These events can be a bit tiring."

Taehyun smiled slightly, knowing what was making Yeonjun like this. He expected it afterall.
"That's true" he agreed, glancing around the room as well.

"It's because of Jiwon, isn't it?" He asked, his voice a low whisper so only Yeonjun could hear him.

Yeonjun sighed, nodding in agreement. Taehyun knew him too well, he couldn't hide anything from him.

"How about you join me and Hyuka instead? I know you want Beomgyu, but for now compensate with us yeah?" He suggested teasingly, trying to lighten the mood, and it definitely worked; because Yeonjun rolled his eyes and chuckled, following Taehyun so he could join his assistant and his boyfriend.

As they approached Kai, who was chatting with one of VN's employees, Taehyun wrapped his arm around his waist, pulling him close. Kai turned to them with a smile, his eyes bright with warmth as he took in Yeonjun's presence.

"Look who's deigned to join us." Kai joked, his tone playful.

Yeonjun chuckled, feeling some of the tension in his shoulders ease. "Just had to escape all the small talk and networking for a bit."  he replied.

The three of them fell into easy conversation, the topic switching from work to personal anecdotes and back again. Yeonjun found himself gradually relaxing as he listened to Taehyun and Kai's banter, their friendly teasing and shared stories keeping his mind off of Jiwon for a while.

+×+

As the evening wore on and the alcohol started to flow more generously, everyone moved to their assigned tables for dinner. The atmosphere was a mix of professional and festive, with conversations flowing easily.

Yeonjun found himself sitting across Jiwon, Taehyun next to him. The food and drinks were in the center of the table, and a pleasant hum of chatter filled the air.

While they all enjoyed the meal, it was clear that the alcohol was starting to affect everyone. The laughter was louder, the jokes more playful, and the inhibitions less present.

As the night progressed, the scene at the table slowly shifted.

Kai and Taehyun were the first to excuse themselves, Kai carrying his boyfriend who seemed a little too quiet and clingy, waving at Yeonjun before Kai helped him walk away out of the room.

The contractors from FYGP and other employees also slowly began to make their exits, some clearly more drunk than others. Gaeul helped a couple of her colleagues to find a taxi, all of them giggling uncontrollably.

Jihan, who had been keeping a sharp eye on Jiwon the whole evening, also took his leave. He had a bit of a disgruntled look on his face as he muttered something about having "other meetings" to attend to.

The others at the table, with the exception of Jiwon and Yeonjun, were clearly beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol. Some had their heads down on the table, quietly dozing off, and others were slurring their words in a vain attempt to keep conversing.

Even Jaemi, Jiwon's usually poised secretary, seemed tipsy. She had her head rested on Jiwon's shoulder, her words now a little less coherent.

The once lively table was now mostly quiet, only a few murmurs and soft snores disturbing the heavy silence. Jiwon and Yeonjun were the only ones left consciously lucid, the alcohol having affected them as well, but not as severely as the other participants.

In the now quiet dining room, Jiwon and Yeonjun were the only ones awake and talking. The alcohol had made them a little less guarded and more loose-lipped, their words slurring slightly and punctuated by soft laughter.

Yeonjun leaned back in his chair, a slight smile on his face.

"You know what, Jiwon, I've always wondered," he started, his voice a little slower than usual. "Why did you do that to me... five years ago? If you didn't want to marry me, we could have stayed Bestfriends..."

Jiwon shifted in her seat, the alcohol making her movements sloppier than her usual composed and calm manner. She leaned her elbows on the table, her hands supporting her heavy head.

"I..." she started, her words a little mumbled at first.
"As if you didn't break your promise.." she chuckled bitterly, eyes drooping as she looked at Yeonjun.

"Look who's speaking. I broke the promise?" Yeonjun pointed his index at himself, as if offended and betrayed.

"Y-yeah. You did! You left!" Jiwon held her ground, leaning closer as well, pointing at Yeonjun, who just scoffed, taking one more sip of the alcohol.

"I wasn't the one who threw off our engagement ring and said they fooled me and used me!" Yeonjun whisper-yelled, eyes sparkling with tears, his voice clearly laced with longing and betrayal.

He wanted to know the reason, so bad. He needed a closure.

"I was... pressured, you know?" she admitted, her words a heavy sigh as she saw the tears in Yeonjun's eyes.

She couldn't keep it to herself anymore as well, it was suffocating, to hide the regrets and blame to herself. She wanted closure just as bad as Yeonjun, maybe even more badly, so she finally gathered her courage, and started speaking,

"My step brother... he made me..."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Hello Luvs!!! Another update to keep y'all on your toes😋😋

The tea is hot👀✨
Many of you might be able to predict it now, what are your theories??

Also, this book will be ending soon now, maximum 45-46 chapters and an epilogue...end is near y'all 😔🙏

Make this 30 votes and I update ahaha.
See you in the next one! Till then take care<333
-Rin💗