Till death do us part [ j.jk × p.jm ]

chapter 27

Namjoon stood in the bustling aisles of the supermarket, his brows furrowed in concentration as he scrutinized the array of wine bottles before him. He had already collected a few groceries in his basket, but the decision of which wine to choose weighed heavily on his mind.

Lost in thought, Namjoon was jolted from his reverie by the sound of his name. Turning around, he was met with the unexpected sight of Mr. Kim, a familiar face. Despite the surprise, Namjoon couldn't help but chuckle at the chance encounter.

"Mr. Kim!" Namjoon greeted, a smile spreading across his face. "What a pleasant surprise to see you here."

Mr. Kim returned the smile, his warm demeanor putting Namjoon at ease. "Likewise, Namjoon. Are you also facing the dilemma of selecting the perfect wine?" he inquired, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Namjoon nodded in agreement, a sigh escaping his lips. "Indeed, it can be quite a challenge. With so many options available, it's hard to determine which one is truly the best."

Understanding Namjoon's predicament, Mr. Kim offered his assistance. With practiced ease, he navigated the shelves until he found the ideal bottle of wine. Holding it up for Namjoon to see, he spoke with conviction. "This one, Namjoon. Trust me, it's the finest you'll ever taste."

Grateful for the guidance, Namjoon accepted Mr. Kim's recommendation, placing the chosen bottle into his basket. As he did so, Mr. Kim couldn't help but tease him. "Ah, hosting a visitor today, are we?" he remarked with a knowing twinkle in his eye, eliciting a chuckle from Namjoon.

Namjoon chuckled at Mr. Kim's jest, a wistful expression briefly crossing his features. "Well, not always, Mr. Kim," he admitted with a shrug. "Mostly, I find myself enjoying a glass or two on my own."

Mr. Kim's smile softened, understanding shining in his eyes. "Ah, the solitary pleasures of wine," he mused. "But tonight, why not share a meal with an old friend? Consider it a chance to enjoy good company and even better wine."

Namjoon hesitated, the idea of socializing outside of work stirring a mix of apprehension and longing within him. "I appreciate the invitation, Mr. Kim," he began, his tone tentative. "But I'm not sure if..."

Before Namjoon could finish his sentence, Mr. Kim interjected with a reassuring smile. "No need for hesitation, Namjoon. I insist. It'll be a delightful evening, I promise."

Caught off guard by Mr. Kim's persistence, Namjoon found himself relenting, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Well, in that case, how can I refuse?" he conceded, his resolve wavering in the face of Mr. Kim's warmth and hospitality.

As Namjoon and Mr. Kim finalized their plans for the evening, their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Taehyung. Taehyung approached them with a shopping cart, a look of mild frustration on his face.

"Hey Dad, I can't seem to find the basil for the pasta recipe," Taehyung exclaimed, his brows furrowing in confusion. "I think I'll just grab some cilantro instead."

Mr. Kim waved off his son's concern with a dismissive gesture. "No worries. Cilantro will work just fine," he reassured him, before turning his attention back to Namjoon.

Namjoon's heart skipped a beat as he watched Taehyung, approach. Despite his best efforts to appear composed, a nervous energy thrummed through him, his palms growing clammy.

"Ah, Namjoon, allow me to introduce you to my son, Taehyung," Mr. Kim said, gesturing towards Taehyung with a warm smile. "Taehyung, this is Namjoon, the neighbor I told you about."

Namjoon managed a polite smile as he extended his hand towards Taehyung, his pulse racing with anticipation. As their hands met in a tentative handshake, Namjoon couldn't help but notice the softness of Taehyung's palm against his own, sending a shiver down his spine. Despite the nerves that threatened to consume him, Namjoon knew he had to maintain his composure, determined not to let his feelings betray him.