Closer Than This...(vsoo)

10.

The heavy silence in the room lingered long after the contract was signed. Taehyung's assistant quietly gathered the papers, bowing before leaving them alone. Jisoo stood, clutching her bag tightly, refusing to let him see how shaken she felt.

"This is just the beginning," Taehyung said, breaking the silence. He stepped closer, his towering presence both commanding and suffocating. "Let's hope you can keep up, Chairwoman Kim."

Jisoo met his gaze head-on, her chin lifting defiantly. "I'm not the one who needs to worry about that, Mr. Kim."

She turned on her heel and walked out, her heels clicking against the marble floor with determined precision. As she exited the building, her phone buzzed with a message from Jungkook.

"We need to talk. Now."

She stared at the screen, the weight of the day pressing down on her. Jungkook's timing couldn't have been worse, but she knew she owed him an explanation.

Jisoo sat on the couch, the weight of her decision sinking in. The contract she had signed with Taehyung was no longer just a piece of paper-it was now a looming reality.

The words kept echoing in her mind: just a business deal, just an alliance. But the deeper she thought about it, the more suffocating it felt. She couldn't escape the feeling that she had been backed into a corner, forced to make a choice with little room to breathe.

Jungkook had been quiet since they entered her office. He noticed the change in her demeanor, the far-off look in her eyes as if she was a million miles away.

He had been patient, waiting for her to speak up about what had happened after her meeting with Taehyung, but now he was growing concerned.

"Jisoo," Jungkook's voice broke through the silence, his concern evident. He took a step toward her, but she didn't even look up. "Are you sure you're alright? You've been zoning out ever since you came back. And I can tell something's bothering you."

She finally turned to face him, the strain visible in her eyes. "I'm fine," she muttered, though the lie was obvious.

"Don't lie to me," he said, sitting next to her. "You've been like this all day, and it's not just the anniversary preparations." His tone softened. "What happened? Did something happen during the meeting with him?"

Jisoo let out a shaky breath, her hands resting on her lap. She had kept so much inside, bottling it up for hours, but now she couldn't hold it back any longer.

"I... I signed the contract, Jungkook." Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, the gravity of her words sinking in with each syllable. "It felt like I had no choice. Taehyung made it clear that if I didn't agree, there would be consequences for me and for Bliss."

Jungkook's expression darkened, and he leaned forward. "You signed it without even knowing what it would mean for you? Jisoo... I told you that he's dangerous. He's not the kind of man you can trust. If he's threatening you already-"

"I know," she interrupted, shaking her head. "I know. But I don't have a choice, Jungkook. If I back out now, the consequences will ruin everything. I can't do that to Bliss, not after everything grandfather built." Her eyes welled with unshed tears. "I feel like I'm losing myself in all of this."

Jungkook's hand gently cupped her cheek, his gaze soft but filled with concern. "Jisoo, listen to me. You're not losing yourself. You've always been strong, and I know you can handle this. But you don't have to carry this alone. Whatever happens, I'll be right here with you. We'll figure this out together. You don't have to sacrifice your happiness for this deal."

Jisoo's heart ached at his words, at how much he cared for her. "I don't know what to do anymore," she whispered. "I'm supposed to be leading Bliss, but I'm just... lost. I don't even know where I stand anymore. Not with the company, not with this partnership, not with Taehyung... Everything is just... out of my control."

Jungkook sighed deeply, his expression full of empathy. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. It's okay to be uncertain. Just take one step at a time. Focus on the anniversary first. Let's get through this. You'll find your way, Jisoo. You always do."

Jisoo leaned into his touch, grateful for his unwavering support. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Jungkook. I'm not sure I can handle all this pressure, but you make it easier."

Jungkook gave her a small, reassuring smile. "You don't have to do it alone. We've been through worse, right? We'll get through this too."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation still hanging between them, but somehow a little lighter now. Jisoo wasn't sure where this road would take her, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like maybe-just maybe-she wasn't completely alone in the battle ahead.

The quiet hum of Jisoo's office did little to soothe her mind as she stared out of the window. The weight of the recent events, the contract, the engagement, and her own inner turmoil, clung to her like an unwanted shadow. It had been a long day, but the call she was dreading was about to come.

Her phone vibrated sharply against the desk, its bright screen showing the name Chairman Kim. With a deep breath, Jisoo hesitated for a moment before picking it up. She couldn't avoid him forever.

"Hello, Chairman Kim." she said, trying to keep her voice neutral, but her frustration leaked through just a little.

"Jisoo," Taehwan, taehyung's uncle voice boomed through the phone, authoritative and cold as always. "I hope you're not wasting time. The engagement rings need to be chosen, and I expect you to be prepared for the announcement during Bliss's 50th anniversary."

Jisoo's stomach churned at the thought. She had been trying to block out that particular detail, not wanting to believe that her engagement would be announced at the same event meant to celebrate her grandfather's legacy. But Chairman Kim, taehyung's uncle wasn't giving her any choice.

"Yes." she replied, her voice laced with a mixture of resignation and annoyance. "I've already made plans. I was just about to head out to pick them up. I'll handle it."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, then a sharp, disapproving click of his tongue. "You're going to do this right, Jisoo. You're representing Bliss now. The whole world is watching."

Jisoo felt her pulse quicken at the weight of his words. "I understand," she replied, biting back the anger that threatened to spill over.

"Good," Taehwan said, sounding satisfied. "Also, don't forget...Taehyung will be with you. He'll be expecting you to make the right choice. We want everything to be perfect."

Jisoo's mind froze at the mention of Taehyung. Of course, he would be with her. He had to be.

"And," taehyung's uncle added, "I expect you to send me updates as soon as you've finalized your decision cause my nephew doesn't understand such things. I'll be waiting for your report."

She gritted her teeth, hating the feeling of being so controlled. But what could she do? Backing out wasn't an option. "I'll send it to you, Chairman Kim." she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Good and call me uncle now." Taehwan said again, satisfied with her compliance. "We'll speak later, my child. "

Before Jisoo could say another word, he hung up abruptly. The cold click of the phone line cut through the tension in the air, leaving her standing in her office, hands trembling slightly.

She exhaled slowly, staring down at the phone in her hand. So, this is it.

She had no choice but to go through with it. The engagement. The business. The constant pressure to live up to expectations.

And worst of all, the man she was supposed to marry-Taehyung-would be right there beside her.