Reveal

NJ stood there, seething with frustration, watching as Jin left the room like it was just another day. While Jin headed straight for NJ's office, Jungkook—always the one to try to ease the tension—approached NJ, a friendly smile on his face.

Jungkook: Jinshii, should we grab lunch? 

He asked, eager to get the mood lighter.

NJ: No, I have plans, NJ responded curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Jungkook hesitated, clearly taken aback by the cold response, but tried to push on.

Jungkook: Okay... then. I ha--

NJ: I have work to do. Bye now. 

Without waiting for another response, NJ quickly turned and left Jungkook standing there, dumbfounded, unsure of what just happened.

Author Pov

Determined to fix things, NJ raced toward Jin, Today, he was set on talking to Jin—apologizing for everything, especially the mess with the project theft. He had to make things right. He didn't care about the awkwardness or how complicated their situation had become; he needed to clear the air.

NJ: Hey—can we grab lunch together? 

His voice was tentative but firm, hoping for a chance to talk. Jin didn't even look up as he responded, his voice cold and dismissive.

Jin: No. I'm not going with you.

It was exactly what NJ had expected, but that didn't make it sting any less. NJ stood frozen for a moment. He opened his mouth to argue, but just as he did, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Before they could react, the door to the office creaked open. In a blink of an eye, Jin felt a familiar, warm presence behind him—a pair of arms wrapping around his waist from behind. Jennie had returned, leaning into him with a smile.

NJ's heart dropped, and a wave of annoyance and panic washed over him. His mind raced with thoughts of what Jennie might have heard, what she might think if she realized the tension between him and Jin.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Jin, visibly shocked, stiffened, unsure how to handle the situation. His eyes darted toward NJ, who was glaring, clearly uncomfortable, and more than a little frustrated.

Jennie, however, remained blissfully unaware of the brewing tension in the room. Her smile widened as she leaned into NJ's back, unaware of what had just transpired between the two men.

Jin, regaining his composure, slowly turned to face Jennie, gently detaching her arms from around him. His expression was calm, but his mind was racing.

Jin: What do you want? he asked.

Author POV

Jennie's voice broke through the tension like a ray of sunshine, too bright and too unwelcome in the heavy air. She smiled at Jin, her arms still wrapped around him.

Jennie: It's lunch, why don't we talk it over lunch?

NJ's glare could have burned a hole through Jin, and Jin noticed it, his eyes flicking to NJ with a flicker of confusion. 

He misread the situation entirely. His brow furrowed as he thought perhaps it would be best to appease Jennie, despite the tension in the room.

Jin: Alright, he said, agreeing to go along with it, despite NJ's glare. We'll go out for lunch.

It was NJ's turn to be shocked. Before he could process what just happened, Jin had already turned toward Jennie, heading for the door. Without thinking, NJ grabbed Jin's arm and yanked him forcefully into a hidden corner of the room, his chest heaving with frustration.

NJ: What the hell are you doing? His voice was low and sharp, the anger barely contained.

Jin: What? He jerked his arm out of NJ's grip. She's your girlfriend, right? I didn't want to let her down. Who knows how angry you'd get if I treated her wrong. Don't worry, I'm not going to tell her anything.

NJ's eyes blazed with fury, his hand tightening around Jin's wrist again. He pulled him closer until their noses brushed, the heat of the moment making the space between them feel unbearably close. 

Jin's cheeks flushed a deep red, like ripe strawberries, the heat spreading down to his neck.

NJ: She's not my girlfriend. 

The words slipped out sharply, like a confession he never meant to make. 

NJ: I don't have anything to do with her. Don't make fucking decisions in my life. You have no right. You... don't... know me.

Jin flinched, the weight of NJ's words sinking in. His pulse quickened.

Jin: I'm not a mind reader, Jin retorted, his voice growing quieter but no less firm. 

Jin: I don't know what's going on with you. Let me settle this, alright? 

He winced as NJ's grip tightened around his hand. 

Jin: And you're hurting my hand... let me go.

As NJ stood there, the heat of the moment still heavy in the air, he suddenly became aware of the pressure he had been placing on Jin's wrist. His grip had been tight, too tight. He slowly released Jin's hand, his fingers trembling slightly as they pulled away.

When Jin stepped back, NJ's gaze fell on his hand. The skin was bright red where NJ's grip had been, a clear mark of his earlier frustration. . He opened his mouth to apologize, but the words caught in his throat. Before he could say anything, Jin gave him a small, almost amused smile—a look that NJ didn't fully understand.

Jin: I'm fine, don't worry about it.

Without another word, Jin turned and walked away, leaving NJ standing there, guilt and confusion swirling in his chest. He felt like a fool, but the last thing he expected was Jin to walk away with that small, knowing smile on his face. 

NJ wanted to call after him, but he didn't. He couldn't. Somehow, Jin found himself at lunch with Jennie anyway, his mind still rattling from the earlier encounter. The restaurant was quiet. Jennie sat across from him, poking at her food but not really eating. Jin stared at his plate, his thoughts a whirlwind, barely registering anything she said.

The silence stretched on, making Jin feel even more uncomfortable. Jennie was the first to break it, her voice cutting through the stillness.

Jennie: Why did you agree to have lunch with me? Aren't you angry with me now?

Jin blinked, taken aback by the question. He had no idea how to answer, especially not know the history between them. He couldn't tell her the truth. Not now. Instead, he just shrugged, not meeting her eyes.

Jennie studied him for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to read him. But before she could say anything more, Jin's voice cut through the tension.

Jin: Jennie... His voice was firm, and the sharpness in it surprised both of them. I agreed to lunch with you, but just to remind you—we're done. Remember that we broke up. Quit being around me.

Jin's words hung in the air like a finality, like a door slamming shut. Jennie blinked, her face going pale for a moment as the weight of his statement sank in.

Jennie opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. She just stared at Jin for a long moment, as if seeking some sort of answer, She was staring at her hands now, her eyes glossed over with unshed tears

Jennie: I know... I'm leaving for LA tonight. Her voice trembled slightly, but she pressed on. 

Jin: What about you acting career here ? 

Jennie: It was parttime somehow, I wanna continue my studies. I'll visit my parent timely for breaks.I just want to say sorry, for everything I messed up. I'm sorry for cheating on you... I know that after everything you went through with your parents, and how much you were grieving, I— 

she choked on her words for a moment before continuing, 

Jennie: —I was cheated on you. It was a terrible thing to do, and I know I can't ever make it right.

Jennie: But Yoongi told me that if I brought him the quotation file, he'd give me a chance to rekindle things with you. I was stupid enough to believe him. And in the end... I was just used by him, and hated by you. 

Her voice cracked. 

Jennie:  I'm not telling you this because I want forgiveness. I don't deserve that. 

She let out a shaky breath.

Jennie:  I'm telling you because I want to warn you. Stay away from Yoongi. He's plotting something. I can see it. And I don't want you to get caught up in whatever game he's playing.

Jin's mind raced, his thoughts spinning out of control. The business dealings, the manipulation, the sudden changes in everything around him. 

Jennie's confession wasn't just a tearful apology—it was a warning. Jin stared at her, shocked. 

Jin: "What? You took the file? And I knew about it?"

Jennie's voice softened. "Oppa, are you okay? You're the one who said you wouldn't press charges. Are you changing your mind now? Please, don't do anything. I'll leave tonight. I'm really sorry."

Jin stood up, his arms opening as he pulled her into a hug. "Take care of yourself," he whispered. "I'm not pressing charges. Just... live an honest life. Don't let anyone manipulate you."

Jennie cried softly against his chest. "I loved you," she said through her tears. "Cheating wasn't a mistake—it was my choice, and it was wrong. Thank you for taking care of me all this time. I'm so sorry for everything."

She pulled away, reached into her bag, and pulled out a ring. "If I hadn't cheated on you, or if your parents hadn't died, maybe we would have been married by now. "

Jenni: "But sometimes, letting go is the right thing to do, even when it's hard."

With that, she placed the ring on the table, kissed Jin gently on the cheek, and walked out of the restaurant without looking back.

Jin's emotions began to overwhelm him. It had been an exhausting day, and part of him wanted to confront NJ about everything—ask the questions burning in his mind. But another part of him didn't know what was stopping him. Do I still have feelings for him? he asked himself. 

No way. In that moment, his mind replayed the words he'd shouted during the meeting earlier that day. They crashed through his thoughts like waves, leaving him unsettled. 

He went back to the office, hoping to return the ring to NJ, but when he arrived, he couldn't find him. Jin hesitated. 

Maybe it's better not to meet him right now. 

He sighed and decided to head home instead, hoping a little rest might clear his mind. Jin pressed the doorbell of his apartment, putting on a smile as he prepared to greet Tae when he opened the door. But when the door swung open, his smile faltered, replaced by disbelief.

Jin: "You?"