Chapter 2

One week later.

"Chae, I'm getting married." Lisa talks from the other line. Chaeyoung widens her eyes while covering her mouth with her palm. Chaeyoung just finished her job as backup singer for J-Hope North America tour. His last stage took place in Toronto. She's just about to change to her everyday clothes to have a flight back to LA. Chaeyoung was shocked because Lisa just broke up with Jungkook three months ago, so who'll she marry?

"With whom? Are you getting married? Because you sound not so excited." Chaeyoung suspicious of Lisa since they talked about almost everything everyday since her departure for her contract with Atlantic Records.

"Uhm, actually I'll marry Jungkook. BUT! it's convenient, Chae. I'm about to be deported and i need someone to make me stay here so you can't tell Chanyeol about this!" Lisa said. Chaeyoung still couldn't believe it and was hyperventilating. Lisa is about to be married to the love of her life. She bet it'll not be convenient. It seemed like a disguise of their own feelings because love is still there, they're just too embarrassed to admit it because both of them were hurting.

"I just want to make sure to tell you because Jungkook said I should since you're my best friend." Lisa tries to explain but what makes Chaeyoung more curious is how she can meet Jungkook in New York again. What Chaeyoung knew was that Jimin and Jungkook were supposed to go back to Chicago like three months ago after Lisa and Jungkook were breaking up.

"Lisa, how can you meet Jungkook again? Where did you guys meet?" Lisa on the other line is gritting her teeth, she doesn't know if it's good news or not. "Actually, Chae. Jungkook and Jimin have been transferring here. They got a promotion and got a chance to manage their branch here." Lisa replied.

'He finally got a job there?' Chaeyoung couldn't speak, she's statue where she's standing. If ever they still get together, they both will be going to stay there happily, she hopes. God, right now she's a little bit regretting what she has done. She thinks twice again, maybe comparing a chance to be with a famous artist going on tour, fulfilling her love will be more exciting. To be honest, Chaeyoung sometimes feels lonely there because everybody just focuses on getting the music done. She can stay up all night just to record a melody or a sample. There's a non-stop practice.

The tour is the most exhausting part of the schedule. They got to go to other cities immediately after the concert finished, there's more packing and unpacking all over.

"There's going to be a holy matrimony, we know it's wrong but at least our marriage will be blessed somehow. We just invite close friends like you, Jennie unnie, Taehyung oppa, Yoongi oppa, and Jimin." Lisa is hesitant to say it but she should, at least Chaeyoung knows the situation.

Chaeyoung blinked her eyes when she heard his name. Jimin. She's just too affected by the name, it makes her heart skip a beat for a moment. "Chae, if you don't want to or you can't, don't force me to come here okay? you're busy and you're happy there. I'm glad." Lisa said.

But she knows what Lisa meant, it means Jimin will make her uncomfortable. She still can't forgive him for cheating on her although deep down she knew it was an accident but still how come he can be that reckless, Jimin never gets drunk until he paralyzed. Somehow she blamed herself for making him do such a stupid thing but that can't justify what he had done.

"Lisa, it's okay, I will try to make it. I'm in Toronto right now, I will see what I can do, okay? Love you." Chaeyoung said. She hangs up her phone and starts searching through an app to find an early flight to New York. She doesn't need to think twice because it is her best friend's wedding. Maybe it's not a real wedding but clearly Lisa is going through something hard and she needs to be there to support her no matter what.

Chaeyoung goes to the operational staff room in the venue, she knocks first and opens it. There's three staff on shift today. One of the staff looked at her first and started to talk. "Hey, Roseanne. What do you need?" Chaeyoung closes the door and approaches him. "Actually, I would like to inform you that I won't be joining the staff to go back to LA. My friend is getting married tomorrow. She surprised me earlier and I couldn't miss it." Chaeyoung said.

"Sure, sure, that's fine. Do you want me to change your flight destination? I can do that for you." The staff said. Chaeyoung nods and gets out of their room to continue packing her clothes. When she turns around after she closes the door she bumps into someone. It's Chanyeol.

"Hey, Roseanne. Why did you come out of that room?" He pointed to the room earlier she got in. Chaeyoung and Chanyeol stay friends but she can clearly see Chanyeol always takes advantage in every situation just to be with her. Chaeyoung hasn't felt anything for him since she broke up with Jimin. She just feels like Chanyeol is not good enough for her because she always sees the news about him partying with a bunch of girls and there's a photo of them all over him. She thought it's disgusting even if Chanyeol sometimes can be sweet for her but still she is scared to make the same mistake again.

"Oh, hello, oppa. I just came by to let them know I won't be going back to LA for days because my best friend is getting married tomorrow in New York." Chaeyoung explained. Chanyeol widens his eyes and takes another opportunity to let him be close with her. "Oh, that's great. Do you need a plus one to come to their wedding? I can accompany you." Chanyeol said.

There it is, what Chaeyoung really hates about him. He is always so forward until he can't give her a personal space. It's her business and her occasion, why can't he wait for her if she wants to take him or not? If he wants her to be noticed at least try to have a friendly talk with her, not just openly ask her out every time.

"Oh, there's no need because it's only a quick trip." Chaeyoung decided to not stay long because of Jimin. She's afraid to face him. She doesn't want to open an old wound anymore, she's trying to forgive him for over six months. Chaeyoung tries to write happy songs instead of diving into her feelings. It makes her more relaxed but of course there's hidden lyrics in her diary, many of them. It's about Jimin, break up, and cheating. But she never dared to let that develop, it only stayed as a word in her diary and nothing more.

She's trying to get out of this conversation so she excuses herself. Suddenly there's a text from Lisa.

LALISA:

Chae, you don't need to book a hotel. Stay at my apartment, okay? I have been trying to be a roommate with Jungkook for some time and my apartment is empty. The key is on the usual spot. XOXO.

Chaeyoung sighed. She can save her money but she is scared that if she gets comfortable in her old apartment, she will stay longer.

After taking some time to pack, she got out of the venue and took a cab. The operational staff already gave her an email about her new flight schedule and destination. She's more glad the company pays it because she's about to save her money to buy a car in LA. Taking a bus is the most exhausting way to live. Moreover, a taxi is really expensive because it's a long commute. Her parents are only regular lawyers so she doesn't want to be troublesome.

.

Jungkook drinks with Jimin and Taehyung at a bar, considering it as a last night Jungkook will be a bachelor. Jungkook begged Jimin and Taehyung not to go to a strip club because this isn't a real wedding.

"So, how's your feeling?" Taehyung asks while scanning around a crowded bar.

"Just usual." Jungkook casually replied.

"Liar, there's something still going on with you and her." Taehyung said.

Jimin just chuckled because right now Taehyung and Jungkook just got into an argument about Jungkook's feelings towards Lisa. Jimin is surprised when Jungkook announces his marriage and to even more surprise it is with Lisa and it's to help Lisa not get deported from the country. "I think his wounds on his stomach make butterfly got in because it makes him all over Lisa again to willing to tie the knot with her that easily." Jimin jokes.

Jungkook just stays quiet and makes Jimin and Taehyung widen his eyes while looking at each other. "You still love her?!" Jimin yells with a little bit of whispering. "I don't know. We don't talk about feelings anymore. All we talked about was how the marriage is going to benefit her to not be forced to leave the country, that's all." Jungkook whined while putting his face on his palm. Clearly Jungkook is confused about his situation or his feelings.

"Dude, you have to talk to her." Jimin nudged him.

"Yeah, at least have a conversation about feelings not to confess just casually admit something it is or it isn't anything inside your heart." Taehyung added.

Jungkook looked at his bottle for a moment and stood up. "Okay i'll do it now, tomorrow is the wedding day. Goodnight guys, see you tomorrow." Jungkook waves them goodbye. Jimin and Taehyung just chuckle and raise their bottles. There's a silence for a moment but Taehyumg finally speaks up. "So, will your ex come here?"

Jimin sighs, "I don't know, I wasn't asking Lisa nor Jungkook about her. But she seemed busy with Jungkook's cousin tour, i think she won't be here." That's right, Jimin isn't expecting Chaeyoung will be here considering all news in gossip website spotted J-Hope touring around North america. He doesn't know she is already in New York tonight.

Jimin slumped his body to his bed in his new apartment. He can't believe his best friend gets married to his ex, it's complicated in many ways. But, he knows Lisa is great for Jungkook so he hopes a little bit somehow along their marriage they'll figure out again about their feelings. He knew Jungkook was only hurting to be oblivious about anything. Love doesn't wash away that easily from anger, it dies slowly when they're hurting over and over. Jungkook only felt betrayed, even though it's a big thing but they're decision to break up was made out of hopelessness. One thing he is sure about is when Jungkook decided to run away from his family for good, from their tv show, inheritance, and his relationship with his grandpa, there's a chance Jungkook was trying to get back with Lisa. If he already broke up with her, he still can forgive what grandpa did to him and try to move on. Probably someday he'll accept one woman that gets his heart and try to fit into his family, because he's fond of them. But with all things he did, it's not an impulsive act out of anger, it's love. Jungkook still had to recover from family ties, to try to build a new one, and he is so sure that's with Lisa. This marriage only makes it easier for him to dive in again to his feelings to be more sure he still loves Lisa, it never fades away.

Whenever he sees Jungkook and Lisa's relationship timeline, he can clearly see the differences between him and Chaeyoung, which is there's no way and it's hard to get back together and it's a right choice to break up. His possessiveness and her vulnerability can bring chaos, he can make Chaeyoung feel suffocated because she's into her dream so much. He knows there's a risk to every path they take, but he is never ready if it involves a relationship. He can't travel a long distance, he can't see other guys all over his girlfriend, and he can't see anyone hurt, especially because of him. His possessiveness involves sacrificing himself. It's complicated to elaborate but what he meant is even though Chaeyoung was hurt by him, it was torturing him to see her cry that day. He wants to set her free from pain even if the reason is him. That's why that day he didn't fight again, the ball was in her hand. He's willing to give the world to her even if it means the world is without him, that's how much he loved Chaeyoung. To think that way, he doesn't realize he still loves her. So much.

Jimin just fell asleep through his wonderment. He just let tomorrow happen the way it will be.

Jimin fixes his tie in a waiting room. Right now, Jungkook and Jimin are waiting to make an entrance to the church at 10am. Right now, it's 9.45am and Jungkook got nervous. Jimin got an idea when he saw Jungkook's cold feet.

Jimin suddenly held tight both Jungkook's shoulders. "Okay, bro. If you want to be a runaway groom, I'm here with you all the way. You don't have to do this if deep down you have second guesses, you never love her and never will be! there's so many hottest models out there.". Jimin cups both his cheeks to make Jungkook focus on him. He finally grinned because of his skit, he can't stand not to laugh.

Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows and shoved his hands away. "Not funny. I just nervous if i get stuttering and make it awkward."

Jimin arches his eyebrows, "Oh so you're not getting a second guess for marrying Lisa? you already see this coming?" Jungkook rolled his eyes. This guy is non stop.

"Don't twist my words, you know what I meant." Jungkook said. Jimin just chuckled and opened the door for Jungkook to lead the way.

...

Lisa stands in front of the entrance door to the church hall. She's fixing her gown and taking a deep breath while holding her bouquet. She's alone with no wedding organizer, parents, nor bridesmaids. Suddenly someone taps her shoulder when she turns around and she's widening her eyes.

"Excuse me, is this a holy matrimony for soon-to-be Mr and Mrs Jeon?" The girl speaks.

"CHAEYOUNG! you're here!!" Lisa squealed and hugged her immediately. "Of course I'll come to my best friend's wedding even if it's last minute and a benefit wedding." Chaeyoung smirk makes Lisa smack her arms. "I know! you don't have to rub it in my face." Chaeyoung chuckled and kissed her cheek.

Lisa scans her dress. "Wow, to attend a last minute and not a real wedding, you're overdressed."

Chaeyoung wears a zimmerman super eight ruffle gown, it's a combination of yellow and purple flower pattern and cut out on the back, she ties her messy hair on the back.

"Who knows it'll be your last wedding? I had to bring out my best." Chaeyoung grin. Lisa just scoffed and turned around to face the door. They hear a piano to cue both of them to walk on the aisle. "Let's go." Chaeyoung offers her arms to Lisa to hold it.

"I may not be your dad but I'm your best friend to give you away to my ex's best friend. It's a tough day today, I'm proud and heavy to let you away." Chaeyoung put a fake sad face on her face, Lisa could only laugh.

They both open the door with their free hands. When it opens, people in the room turn around.

...

"I think you're about to peed yourself, man." Taehyung jokes around. Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung just stand in front of the priest who waits for the ceremony to start. Jimin will stand beside Jungkook and Taehyung has to sit down but they got five minutes before it starts.

Jimin notices Jungkook's hands are trembling. "Wow dude, you're clearly nervous. You couldn't wait for the wedding night." Jimin added and made him and Taehyung laugh even more but they had to whisper because it's echoing the whole church.

"Oh come on! be serious. Marrying a girl you love so much is thrilling in a good way. But marrying a girl for a damn visa it's scary." Jungkook replied.

"Why didn't you say 'girl you don't love' for a bad one? you clearly didn't deny there's love." Jimin said. These two aliens can't stop playing around with him. Jungkook just rolled his eyes. They are hearing a piano is playing so they quickly get on their spots. When they turn around to focus on an aisle, Jimin widens his eyes.

In the end of the hallway there's Lisa with a fitted silk wedding gown with a beautiful vail and she is being escorted by a girl. A girl from his dream. It's Chaeyoung.

She escorts Lisa along the aisle with a beautiful gown with a smile. Jimin's breath got hitch and there's two people who got starstruck, it's Jungkook and Jimin. After seven months long to overcome his feelings, today is the day Jimin admits his feelings. It never left out in his heart and mind all this time. It was always there and only pressed pause when it needed to. But now, everything is turning on again because she's there.

Meanwhile, he noticed one thing. Chaeyoung never took a glance at him. Even when they're standing across from each other when Jungkook and Lisa do the vows. 'Is she still hating me until now? Did she decide to make me invisible in her life?' Well it's cruel but he deserves it.

When Jungkook and Lisa are asked by the priest to kiss each other, Jimin and Taehyung can only squeak out hilarious things. They stare at each other while holding their laugh and it only earns Taehyung a smack from Jennie.

After the ceremony, Jungkook and Lisa invited them to Marquee at night. It's kind of like a little reception but there's no slow dance, instead they'll be wildly dancing around the dance floor. Jungkook and Lisa got a VIP booth for all of them, it's more convenient and special for what happened today. When Jimin approaches the booth, he can't see any girls in there, he only sees guys sitting in their booth drinking so much.

"Hey guys, where's the girls?" Jimin asks once he approaches them. Taehyung points to the center of this club and there they are, dancing so hard with each other following the music. Chaeyoung, Jennie, and Lisa hold their drinks in their hands while moving their hips.

Jimin arches his eyebrows and turns his head to the guys. "You guys didn't join?" He asked.

"Nope, i have to take care of my girl. When she gets drunk, she can be more wild and guys could take advantage of her. I'm afraid I'll start a fight if I get drunk instead of separating her away from the guys." Taehyung explained. Meanwhile his gaze turns to Jungkook and he notices it.

"What? Don't you feel like dancing? I want to drink the night away." Jungkook raises his glass of shot and sips it right away.

Chaeyoung noticed from her spot, Jimin arrived late. She sees him laughing with the guys in their booth. She really tries to avoid him all day but she can't help taking a glance one to two times. This morning at church she can't help but hold up her tears when Jungkook and Lisa start reading their fake vows. Even if they don't mean it, it's beautiful. She can see they both put their hearts to it but try to not mean it when they read. She can feel his gaze on her through the ceremony, it kills her to not take a glance and when he turns around, Chaeyoung scans his figure. He looks fine in a suit, it's hot. When Chaeyoung starts daydreaming, Jennie nudges her.

"Hey! don't think about him! here! drink this." Jennie hands her a tray full of shots. Chaeyoung widens her eyes. Lisa already got drunk and danced the night away, so she's long gone. It left with Chaeyoung and Jennie.

"Where did you get these?" She asks while being amused by Jennie. There's like 8 shots on a tray she's holding.

"I steal it from a waiter who is supposed to bring it for the guys when he's walking to our booth." Jennie giggled. "Four for each okay? Let's go!" Jennie and Chaeyoung start drinking shots one by one and Jennie throws the tray to a waiter who's passing by.

Chaeyoung could feel the alcohol start to kick in, three of them just wildly dancing on the dance floor. Chaeyoung started getting dizzy and couldn't spot Jennie nor Lisa clearly, she just danced by herself.

Jungkook notices Jennie giggling with Lisa and hardly stands up straight so he just nudges Taehyung. "Dude, your girl." Taehyung turns his gaze where Jungkook is pointing. He took a sip of his drinks and stood up. "Okay, that's the cue. I should go get my girl and go home. See you around, guys!" And he just left with Jennie's purse sling around his body and got Jennie out of the dance floor. Not a seconds later, Jungkook takes his last sips and scoot to Jimin.

"Dude, Can you do me a favor? Could you bring Chaeyoung home? She's staying at her old apartment which is Lisa's current apartment. Lisa stayed with me for now on, I couldn't bring two girls by myself." Jungkook said.

Jimin is taken aback by his request but he doesn't have a choice because Jungkook is right, he can't handle two drunken girls all by himself. Jimim just nodded and stood up along with Jungkook. When he approached Chaeyoung, she didn't notice his presence so he just grabbed her wrist and turned her around.

"Chaeyoung, let's go home, okay? You're drunk." Jimin said but it only makes her giggle at him.

"Hi there, Jimin. Is nice to see you here after months." She smiled. Jimin looks at her and sighs, he hopes her smile is sincere. It's the most beautiful smile he has ever seen. But when Jimin tries to drag her slowly to get out from the crowd, Chaeyoung holds back.

"No! I want to dance! i haven't been partying for a long time." Chaeyoung pout.

Jimin tilted his head. Doesn't she live in a city full of celebrities and she's around one everyday? She must be going to a couple of events held by her record label.

"You can do it some other time in LA, Okay chae? come on." Jimin starts pulling her again but it only earns a whining from her.

"NO! I don't want to! I don't have any friends there! I can't dance around like this, I miss this!" Chaeyoung is about to cry and instead pulls Jimin close to her to join her dance.

Jimin widens his eyes. Is it true? She doesn't have any friends there? But she looks so happy at several concerts she's into. Did she have a hard time?

"Chae, you can dance again tomorrow, I promise you, okay? Jennie and Lisa will accompany you, if you want i'll be there, Okay? let's go." Chaeyoung gets intrigued with Jimin's offer so she just starts following him.—————————————————————————

Sincerely, Matcha💖