Recalling Affection

Chapter 22

The soft hum of the engine was the only sound accompanying the silence in the car. Jungkook’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, his knuckles pale against the leather. His jaw was clenched, tension radiating off his body like heat waves, while in the backseat, Saga rested her head gently on Jimin’s shoulder, her eyes half-lidded in quiet fatigue.

Jimin watched her with aching tenderness, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his heart squeezed painfully between selfish longing and bittersweet gratitude. She wasn’t his. His princess wasn't his. But he will be always his. Still she never had been his. But she was here—safe, cared for, loved.

By Jungkook. Her Kookie.

Jungkook exhaled sharply and grabbed his phone, quickly dialing. The phone ringed and was recieved in minutes.

“Mr. Lee,” he said, his tone sharp as the line connected.

“Jungkook?” his manager answered. “What’s wrong? You sound—”

“I need you to prepare my apartment. Right now. Everything should be ready before I reach. Saga is coming to live with me.”

There was a beat of stunned silence. Then—

“What?” Mr. Lee’s voice rose with disbelief. “Wait, what did you just say? You’re bringing a girl to live in your apartment?”

“She’s not just a girl. She’s—” Jungkook’s jaw clenched. “She’s everything to me. Prepare the apartment, Mr. Lee.”

“I can’t do that,” Mr. Lee snapped. “Are you out of your mind? Do you even realize what you’re saying? You’re an idol, Jungkook! A Star. The company has strict rules against this kind of thing. The media—”

“To hell with the media!” Jungkook shouted, slamming his hand against the steering wheel, startling even Jimin. “This is Saga we’re talking about. If I am the star, she is the Universe to which I belong. She’s staying with me. End of story.”

“Are you seriously asking me to break protocol?” Mr. Lee’s voice turned cold with authority. “Do you realize what will happen if someone finds out? Jungkook, this could damage your entire image, your career—”

“Then let it,” Jungkook growled. “If my career comes at the cost of her suffering, I don’t want it. If the company wants to strip me of everything just because I chose love and responsibility over image—they can go ahead. I don’t care.”

Mr. Lee's tone turned sharper. “And what about your fans? They won’t take this lightly, Jungkook. This could explode—”

“Let it explode!” Jungkook shouted, startling again Saga in the back seat. “Let the whole damn world burn if it has to. She’s all that matters now. And if the company wants to fire me for loving someone, let them. I’ll walk. If my fans hate for loving someone who is my whole world, let them. I'll accept it.”

Mr. Lee went silent again, clearly stunned by the sheer defiance.

Jimin gently rubbed Saga’s shoulder, calming her trembling frame as she looked up at Jungkook’s tense profile. “Kookie?” she whispered, worried.

“Shh, baby. It’s okay,” Jimin whispered back, even though it wasn’t. Not really.

“You’re making a huge mistake,” he warned finally. “The company won’t be pleased.”

Jungkook’s jaw flexed, his voice low and cold. “They don’t have to be. I don’t need anyone’s approval to protect the woman I love.”

Mr. Lee sighed deeply, frustration evident. “Fine. I’ll arrange it. But this is on you, Jungkook. If it blows up, don’t expect the company to shield you.”