Song of the chapter:
Devil - Two Feet
As you entered the local library, a magnificent red brick Victorian building atop a lofty hill, you pushed open the heavy swing doors and stepped into a room adorned with a breathtaking tiled chessboard floor. The central reception area was surrounded by around fifty shelves, forming a captivating arrangement. Several individuals sat at tables, engrossed in their work. Among them, a man in a thickly knitted sweater was deeply engrossed in the world-renowned classic novel, "Jane Eyre."
Beyond the imposing chestnut doors lay a hidden sanctuary, concealed within the labyrinth of neatly aligned books. Thousands upon thousands of books stood tall, forming a haven of knowledge and escape from the world's troubles. The library's musky scent filled the air, a blend of dust, wisdom, paper, ink, and emotion, evoking a sense of comfort and familiarity.
As you wandered through the maze of shelves, one bookcase captured your attention. It stood out amidst the others, exuding an aura of literary passion. The intricate engravings depicted leaves, autumn berries, and birds in flight, as if created by a kindred spirit who shared your deep love for literature. Invitingly, your fingers traced the spines of the books, savouring their rustic and leather feel, appreciating their physical presence even if the stories inside were not real.
Your curious eyes roamed along the ancient bookcase, ascending to the top where your favourite horror books resided. Among the familiar titles like "Dracula" and "Flowers In The Attic," one book caught your attention: "Guilty Pleasures." A rush of happiness and excitement coursed through you, igniting a spark within.
But just as you reveled in the discovery, the chimes of the front door broke the silence, signalling the arrival of a new visitor to the library. Intrigued, you strained your eyes to catch a glimpse of the newcomer. Dressed in a loose, black silk shirt and trousers, the man possessed an allure that captivated your senses. His tousled chocolate hair exuded an air of effortless charm, and his mesmerising brown eyes held an enigmatic depth. With distinctive cheekbones and an angular jawline, he appeared devilishly handsome, making your heart race at the mere sight of him. It was Jeon Jungkook once again, your fated connection.
In an instant, your thoughts shifted, your previous interests fading into the background as the image of his face etched itself firmly in your mind. You felt an indescribable pull towards him, an unshakable belief that you were destined for each other, a divine gift from the universe.
Locking eyes with Jungkook, you found yourself momentarily paralysed, your cheeks aflame with heat. Swallowing the lump in your throat, you forced yourself to look away, pretending to be engrossed in the books on the shelf. Your heart raced, and your breathing became erratic as you sought to calm your racing thoughts. Amidst the countless titles, your gaze settled on a book that intrigued you—"The Black Goat's Egg." Although unfamiliar with its contents, the book's controversial reputation piqued your interest.
As you inspected the book's front and back covers, relief washed over you, realising that Jungkook had vanished from the front door. Taking a deep breath, you relaxed and focused on the book in your hands, ready to delve into its intriguing pages.
Suddenly, a gentle, icy touch caressed your fingers, sending a flutter through your pulse. You squeaked in surprise, reflexively shutting your eyes before turning around to face the source of the touch.
There stood Jeon Jungkook, towering above you, his lips curling into a faint, mischievous smile.
Startled, you managed to stammer, "um...hello?"
"The Black Goat's Egg," he remarked, nodding approvingly. With graceful movements, he took the book from your hands and examined the ornate gold embellishments on the cover. "Well, that's quite an interesting choice, especially for someone like you."
"Hmm?" You queried, raising an eyebrow. In his presence, words escaped you, leaving you off balance. Your cheeks flushed, and your heart raced with a palpable intensity. You had never interacted with Jeon Jungkook in real life before, so this encounter caught you completely unprepared. However, you knew you had to maintain your composure, at least for now.
"Have you read it before?" He inquired, his deep brown eyes locking onto yours. The way he scrutinised you only added to the heat that surged through your cheeks. Breathlessly, you shook your head, feeling a peculiar unease settle within you. "Do you even know what it's about?"
"N-No, not really," you responded, your voice barely a whisper. In his proximity, a sense of danger mingled with curiosity coursed through your body like a flickering flame.
"Ah, so without spoiling major plot points, the story delves into the relationship between a young man and his mother, a brutal serial killer known as the 'Black Goat'," he explained, still fixated on your face. The knowledge of this book being one of Jungkook's favourites, acquired through your persistent observation, fuelled your excitement when you first spotted it on the shelf. "Though he initially revolts against his mother's cruel actions, he slowly discovers that the same depraved impulses exist within him as well." A book that explored graphic violence and the protagonist's deteriorating mental state, Jungkook believed it was unlikely to align with your tastes. "It probably won't be your cup of tea."
"Are you serious?" You scoffed, snatching the book back from his hand. Confidence surged within you, though you couldn't fathom its origin. "I love how you assume things about me. I actually find this genre fascinating."
Jungkook arched an eyebrow, unable to hide his amusement. Since the moment he saw you at his best friend's café, sitting with IU, there was something intriguing about you. He felt an inexplicable desire to know you better, despite being perfect strangers—so he had initially thought.
He hadn't noticed you before, which was odd considering your face was not easily forgettable. With doe-like eyes, pouty lips, and flushed cheeks, you exuded innocence, and it enticed him to corrupt it.
Compared to other women he had encountered, you were different, and this feeling was new. Yes, the maddening desire to possess you lingered, as it did with most women in his life who threw themselves at him. However, with you, it was not solely that. You were an enigma, unreadable—like a torn and frayed book, indecipherable.
As he observed you, he absentmindedly ran a thumb across his lower lip. What was this unfamiliar sensation coursing through his veins? Infatuation? For a stranger? Your eyes met, and a small smile played on your lips. "Hey! Earth to Jungkook..."
Shaking himself out of his reverie, Jungkook returned to reality, allowing your words to sink in before a sudden realisation hit him. "Wait...you already know my name?"
Oh crap!
"Um, yeah...who doesn't? You're Mr. Hotshot Author, after all!" You let out a nervous laugh. "Plus, I'm friends with Ji-eun, and she seems to really like you." You emphasised the word "friends," knowing that the truth was far from it.
"More like Mr. One Hit Wonder," Jungkook sighed wistfully, running a hand through his hair. Your heart skipped a beat at the sight. "Ah, so you've actually read my book," he said, flashing you a cheeky, boyish smile that sent your heart racing.
"Well, I mean, who hasn't?" You rhetorically asked, leaning against the bookshelf. "It's a New York Times bestseller. You're quite the worldwide phenomenon."
Jungkook's smile faltered for a moment. "It's all fun and games until your publishers start demanding more and more from you," he confessed. "I feel rusty, unsure of what I want to do next. And about my debut novel, I'm curious—what did you really think of it? Be completely honest with me."
You pondered your response carefully. "Well, it was... good," you said, slightly hesitant.
Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "Good? Come on! You can be honest with me," he urged.
You took a deep breath. "Okay, then. I believe you could have done better."
"Oh?" Jungkook's eyebrow shot up higher, disappearing into his tousled hair. "Please, enlighten me."
"Well...for a first book, it was pretty good, especially since it was supposed to be a classic romance," you began. "But it did feel a bit cliché at times. I found it somewhat...boring, to be honest. It didn't stand out, nothing special."
Jungkook nodded in agreement, surprising you. "I know. Fun fact that I don't usually share—despite its success, I absolutely hated it. The characters, the storyline, it was all just one big mess. And it's refreshing to finally hear someone tell me the truth."
"It's not so much the truth as it is my personal opinion," you replied honestly. "Everyone has different preferences, and mine just happens to lean towards books that are different, with an element of darkness. Something that captivates me instantly, that has an air of mystery and enigma."
"Something that enraptures you," Jungkook mused.
"Exactly," you affirmed, a wide grin spreading across your face as you held up The Black Goat's Egg. "Books like this. I love genres that are intriguing, unconventional."
Jungkook smiled, his teeth on display. "You know, [Y/N], it's really weird. Even though we've never met before, I feel strangely connected to you," he admitted.
"Well, maybe it's because I was probably the only person who was ever truly honest with you about your book," you suggested, your heart racing at the intensity of his gaze. "Wait...you still remember my name?" Your eyes widened.
"Of course I do," Jungkook answered. "You're the same girl who ran away from me, after all."
"Ah," you nervously rubbed the back of your neck. "I'm...really sorry about that. I did have somewhere I genuinely needed to be at the time, though."
Jungkook chuckled, playfully brushing his hand against your shoulder. The touch sent electric currents through your body. "Don't worry about it. I thought it was quite cute," he said, winking at you. Your heart threatened to leap out of your chest.
"Um...I..."
"It's really strange that I've never seen you around here before," Jungkook stated, his voice filled with curiosity. "I mean, you're not exactly a face that you'd forget."
"I prefer to keep myself hidden, that's probably why," you replied truthfully, trying to steady your racing heart. "I'm also quite the introvert, you see."
"A pretty face like yours should never be hidden," Jungkook remarked, his voice filled with a hint of sincerity.
Your heart fluttered at his words, and you found yourself drawn even closer to him, as if by an invisible force. There was an undeniable magnetism between the two of you, a connection that seemed to transcend mere words.
The air crackled with anticipation as a moment of silence settled between you. Your heart raced, and you could feel the intensity of his gaze piercing through you. It was as if time stood still, and you were completely entranced by him.
"I'll see you around," he whispered, his warm breath grazing your skin. And just like that, he turned and started walking away, leaving you in a state of dizzy dissonance.
As he glanced over his shoulder one final time, you couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. There was something about his gaze, something that hinted at a deeper connection, a hidden desire. It sent shivers down your spine and stirred something within you that you couldn't quite comprehend.
"There's just something about you," he whispered to himself, his words barely reaching your ears. "[L/N] [Y/N]. You're different, an enigma. I want to get to know you, but I also want to destroy you. I want to shatter everything that makes you, you. I want to ruin you. So who are you?"
His words echoed in your mind, leaving you both intrigued and apprehensive. You couldn't deny the pull he had on you, the way he ignited a fire within your soul. But there was also a sense of danger, a darkness that lurked beneath his captivating exterior.
As you stood there, caught in the whirlwind of emotions, you couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. The path before you seemed uncertain, filled with both excitement and trepidation. But one thing was clear: Jeon Jungkook had left an indelible mark on your heart, and the journey that awaited you was bound to be anything but ordinary.