DAHYUN's attention remained steadfast on her plate as the tendrils of discomfort wrapped around her. It was as if a magnetic force compelled her gaze downward, the clinking of cutlery against porcelain served as a background to her internal turmoil.
The weight of Taehyung's gaze bore into her which heightened her unease. Each glance in her direction seemed to fill her stomach with an inexplicable fullness. The delicate fluttering of butterflies seemed to take residence in the pit of her gut, their erratic dance mirroring the chaotic rhythm of her emotions.
Feeling the weight of Taehyung's gaze intensify, Dahyun, unable to endure the mounting awkwardness, discreetly nudged Jungkook's feet beneath the table. As her eyes met Jungkook's, a silent exchange unfolded, a choreography of glances and subtle lip movements conveying an urgent plea to escape the current scene.
Comprehending her non-verbal distress signal, Jungkook gracefully rose, seamlessly integrating his departure by excusing himself with a claim of needing the restroom. Meanwhile, Dahyun's agitation manifested in the gentle tap of her fork against the plate, a staccato rhythm marking the passage of seconds like a suspenseful drumbeat as she wait for a few moments to pass before she could excuse herself as well.
A torrent of self-doubt flooded Dahyun's mind as she mentally argue with herself. 'Is he truly staring at me, or is it a figment of my imagination?' she questioned, torn between curiosity and self-restraint. A brief inner dialogue unfolded, with one side urging her to steal a glance, prompting her to moisten her lips in preparation. However, her more-sensical-side of self pulled her back, a metaphorical slap reminding her not to indulge baseless assumptions.
'Dahyun, resist the urge to presume. He might be looking at Jennie-eonni, and you just feel like he's looking at you as you were sitting beside her,' a rational voice echoed within, attempting to anchor her thoughts amidst the sea of uncertainty.
The internal debate within Dahyun persisted. 'I won't feel at ease without confirming whom he's looking at. This is so awkward,' her internal monologue countered, wrestling with the uncertainty that hung in the air.
'Just a quick glance at him. If he's genuinely looking at me, I'll ask Jungkook for us to leave this place immediately. Otherwise, we'll stay,' she strategized, the mental choreography echoing the silent communication she had engaged with herself moments earlier.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips. The rhythmic tap of the fork ceased, leaving a lingering echo in the ambient sounds of the gathering. She mentally counted, a ritual to steady her nerves, before stealing a glance towards Taehyung.
Her movements were deliberate, a slow and cautious turn of her head, framed by a cascade of hair.
A sudden disruption pierced the air, resonating from Dahyun's forceful placement of her fork on the table. The metallic clatter echoed like an unintended exclamation, a consequence of her abrupt realization that Taehyung's gaze was indeed fixed on her.
Her heartbeat surged to a crescendo.
The room seemed to hush, the ambient chatter momentarily drowned by the clang of metal meeting wood. Dahyun's expression betrayed her, a mix of surprise and heightened anxiety etched across her features. It was as if time had momentarily suspended.
Jennie, sensing the disruption, turned her attention to Dahyun with concern etched on her face. "What's wrong?" she inquired, her words slicing through the momentary silence.
The younger sister, caught off guard by the unexpected attention, stammered in response. "Um, I... It's nothing," she mumbled, her ears turning shades of red in embarrassment.
Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Dahyun rose from her seat, seeking permission from the others to excuse herself for a moment. With nods of approval, she gracefully departed, attempting to mask the lingering awkwardness with a façade of calm composure.
Her exit, however, belied the storm of emotions within. She moved briskly towards the restroom. Despite her outward composure, her internal world seemed to tremble.
Upon reaching the restroom, her composed facade shattered. Leaning on the sink for support, her knees gave way to a flood of mixed emotions. It was as if the embarrassment, confusion, and the relentless pounding of her heart had conspired to rob her of stability. Her hands gripping the sink edge were the only tether preventing her from collapsing to the floor, as her knees wobbled uncontrollably. The intensity of her inner turmoil was
too strong, as if her heart threatened to break free from its confines.
"Why does he react this way? I deliberately did everything he despises, yet it only seems to draw more attention from him," Dahyun mumbled to herself. As she attempted to regain her composure, standing up and straightening her posture, a swirl of conflicting thoughts consumed her.
The reflection in the restroom mirror became an unintended confidant as she continued to vocalize her inner turmoil. "No makeup, dressed in black – all the things he dislikes. I spoke more than I should have during Halmeoni Kim's explanation of the pact. Yet, it's as if the more I defy his preferences, the more he fixates on me. What am I supposed to do?" she pondered, her eyes searching for answers in her own reflection.
Leaning against the restroom wall, her contemplation deepened. "Why is he acting like this? From volunteering to drive me home after the dinner with the Jeons to letting me sit beside him in the car, and now, showering me with more attention than he should," she grumbled, the frustration evident in her voice. The culmination of confusion and unexpected focus from Taehyung led her to lightly bump her head against the cool, tiled wall.
A revelation flickered across Dahyun's face as she suddenly adjusted her posture, a hopeful notion taking root in her mind. "Maybe that's it! Perhaps those intense stares are because I've done and embodied everything he detests! And that he's already murdering me inside his head," she exclaimed with an attempt at cheerfulness. However, the forced enthusiasm couldn't mask the tiny pang resonating within her chest.
Was it disappointment that lurked beneath the facade?
Perhaps...
Midway through her contemplation, Dahyun was jolted from her thoughts by Jungkook's voice calling out. "Dah, are you there?" The resonance of his inquiry echoed within the restroom, pulling her back to the present.
Dahyun moistened her lips, a subconscious preparation for what lay ahead, and ran her fingers through her hair, a quiet attempt to regain a semblance of composure. With a determined exhale, she set forth, each step carrying a weight of resolve as she walked towards the door where Jungkook was waiting for her.
Jungkook's concern was evident as he observed Dahyun's disheveled state, her cheeks adorned with a blush akin to the vibrant hue of bougainvillea. "Are you good?" As he inquired about her well-being, his eyes searched for an explanation, wondering why she had hastily sought refuge in the restroom rather than meeting him outside.
Dahyun's fingers instinctively ran through her hair, an attempt to restore some semblance of order.
Yes, Jungkook had waited patiently for more than two minutes, assuming they were to meet outside. Unbeknownst to him, Dahyun had initially intended to leave the restaurant promptly, a plan that had been disrupted by the chaotic internal struggle she found herself entangled in. Aware that she couldn't approach Jungkook without addressing the turmoil within, she steeled herself to share the unforeseen madness that had unfolded during her brief retreat.
"I just had to relieve myself quickly," she lied, attempting to mask the disquiet that lingered beneath her composed exterior. Her words, though seemingly ordinary, carried a subtle weight that only she could discern.
"Well then, where do you suggest we're going, JK?"
"There's this place---" Jungkook's suggestion hung in the air as a monotone voice disrupted their conversation.
Both Jungkook and Dahyun froze in place, their gazes converging on the source of the interruption.
The unexpected interloper was none other than Taehyung, his presence casting an unforeseen shadow over their plans. His expression remained enigmatic, a subtle challenge lingering in his eyes as he offered an alternative.
"If you're looking for some place out and away from here, then I have a place in mind," Taehyung stated, his voice cutting through the moment like a calm but unwelcome breeze.
Tension hung in the air like a heavy curtain, ensnaring Dahyun in yet another unexpected encounter with Taehyung, the very person she had intended to escape from.
"H-hyung, what are you doing here?" Jungkook questioned his cousin, his curiosity etched across his face as he shot a glance at Taehyung. Jungkook's eyebrows slightly furrowed in an attempt to decipher the unexpected appearance of Taehyung in their plans.
"It's boring in there. I don't want to stay there anymore," Taehyung replied, nonchalantly slipping his right hand into his pocket as he strolled closer to the perplexed duo.
Jungkook, with a hint of curiosity etching his features, prodded for more information. "And?"
Taehyung continued, "And, I noticed you two were planning on leaving, so I decided to tag along." His voice carried a casual tone, but the subtle movements of his hand in his pocket hinted at a deeper intrigue.
Dahyun, caught off guard by this unexpected turn, felt a fleeting sense of disbelief. She stood frozen in place, grappling with the revelation that Taehyung, the same person she had attempted to avoid, now desired to join their escapade. The night's events had taken an unforeseen twist, leaving her with a sense of uncertainty and intrigue.
Jungkook, attuned to the palpable discomfort emanating from Dahyun, gently interjected, "It's not for you to decide, hyung. I think it's best if you just go back inside. We were kind of planning for just the two of us..." His voice trailed off as Taehyung leveled him with a raised brow, an enigmatic smirk playing on his lips.
Taehyung shifted his focus to Dahyun, crossing his arms assertively. "Dahyun, right?" he asked, intensifying her unease. "Do you know that Jungkook here has---"
"Hajima, hyung," Jungkook swiftly interrupted, a determined edge in his voice, effectively cutting off whatever Taehyung was about to reveal. The smirk on Taehyung's face deepened, a silent acknowledgment of the power play unfolding.
"You brought a car?" Taehyung asked.
"Yeah, but I'll drive," Jungkook declared, attempting to regain control of the situation.
Taehyung's smirk evolved into a triumphant grin.
As Dahyun observed the genuine smile that briefly adorned Taehyung's face, an unexpected ripple coursed through her emotions. 'Did he just smile?' she pondered internally. The stoic walls she had meticulously erected around her heart wavered at the sight, a realization dawning that those defenses were susceptible to moments of vulnerability.
"Okay then, where's your car?" Taehyung inquired, breaking the contemplative pause as he nonchalantly strolled past the two of them.
"Outside, of course," Jungkook responded matter-of-factly, a hint of pride in his tone. However, his confident assertion only earned him a sarcastic chuckle from Taehyung.
"JK, what the heck? Why did you let your cousin go out with us?" Dahyun questioned Jungkook, a hint of exasperation evident in her voice. She deliberately lowered her tone, ensuring Taehyung wouldn't overhear.
"Why not?" Jungkook responded casually.
Dahyun struggled to find the right words. "Because it's..." Her sentence trailed off.
Jungkook halted in his tracks, turning to face Dahyun with a direct gaze. "Will you be honest with me?" he asked bluntly, prompting her to confront the unspoken tension.
Dahyun, feeling a lump forming in her throat, swallowed hard, bracing herself for Jungkook's next words.
"Did you and Tae-hyung have a past that I didn't know about?" he asked, the question hanging in the air like a storm waiting to break.
"H-huh?" Dahyun stammered in surprise, caught off guard by Jungkook's astute observations and probing questions.
"I just noticed that your composure breaks when he's around. First, on the bar that night, I wasn't sure why you suddenly cried before, until we had a dinner with my family at home and then, tonight. I wasn't certain on my guess yet, but I'm sure that every time you lose your composure, Tae-hyung's always at the scene," Jungkook stated, allowing the weight of his words to linger before pressing on. "Could he also be the source of our argument before? Could it be the reason why you were outside of that building? Were you waiting for him that day?" He fired off questions in rapid succession, leaving Dahyun grappling with the torrent of implications.
Dahyun, at a loss for words, found herself unable to provide a coherent response. The unspoken tensions between them hung in the air, awaiting resolution or further unraveling as Jungkook patiently waited for her to open up.
Fortunately, Taehyung turned back towards them, his keen eyes discerning the building tension between Jungkook and Dahyun. He stepped closer.
"Hey, what's taking you so long? Aren't you going to get your car, Jungkook?" Taehyung interjected, effectively diverting Jungkook's attention away from Dahyun.
"Ah, yes, right. Sure," Jungkook replied, and without addressing Dahyun, he departed to retrieve his car.
Taehyung's interruption felt oddly timely, diffusing the charged atmosphere that had been building between Jungkook and Dahyun. As Jungkook left, Dahyun couldn't help but exhale the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The temporary reprieve granted by Taehyung's arrival offered her a moment to gather her thoughts, though the unspoken tensions still lingered beneath the surface.
Little did she know, every word Jungkook uttered had reached Taehyung's ears, weaving a narrative that piqued his curiosity and stirred intrigue about her.
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@Silent_Flower_