Chapter 2~

...The Reunion...

The invitation sat on Jungkook's desk for three days.

A charity gala hosted by one of Korea's largest foundations.

Business leaders.

Artists.

Celebrities.

Investors.

Normally, Jungkook would have sent someone else in his place.

But this time was different.

Because one name appeared on the guest list.

Kim Taehyung.

The name alone was enough to keep him awake at night.

For five years, Jungkook had imagined this moment.

What would he say?

Would Taehyung ignore him?

Would he hate him?

Would he have someone else?

That last thought hurt the most.

Jungkook closed his laptop and stood from his chair.

No matter what happened, he was going.

Five years was long enough.

...----------------...

The night of the gala arrived.

Luxury cars lined the entrance.

Camera flashes illuminated the evening sky.

Reporters crowded around celebrities as they walked across the red carpet.

When Jungkook stepped out of his car, flashes immediately turned toward him.

"CEO Jeon!"

"Look this way!"

"Congratulations on the acquisition!"

He smiled politely.

The perfect CEO.

The perfect businessman.

The perfect mask.

Inside, however, his heart was racing.

His eyes immediately searched the ballroom.

Not for investors.

Not for reporters.

For him.

But Taehyung wasn't there.

At least not yet.

Across the city, Taehyung adjusted the cuffs of his black suit.

His manager looked impressed.

"You clean up nicely."

Taehyung rolled his eyes.

"It's a charity gala, not a fashion show."

His manager smirked.

"You know who's attending tonight?"

Taehyung sighed.

"Probably everyone important in Korea."

"Jeon Jungkook."

Everything stopped.

The room suddenly felt too small.

Too warm.

Too loud.

Five years.

Five years and hearing his name still affected him.

His manager immediately regretted saying it.

"Taehyung..."

"I'm fine."

But he wasn't.

Not even close.

Because for the first time in five years, there was a possibility that he would see Jungkook again.

And he wasn't prepared for that.

By the time Taehyung arrived at the gala, the event was already underway.

People immediately recognized him.

Collectors greeted him.

Fans asked for photographs.

Investors wanted conversations.

Yet Taehyung barely noticed any of it.

Because standing on the opposite side of the ballroom—

Was Jungkook.

Their eyes met instantly.

Five years disappeared.

The crowd disappeared.

The music disappeared.

Everything disappeared.

Except him.

Jungkook looked exactly how Taehyung remembered.

And completely different.

More mature.

More confident.

More powerful.

But his eyes were still the same.

The same eyes Taehyung had fallen in love with years ago.

For several seconds, neither moved.

Neither breathed.

Neither looked away.

Then someone bumped into Taehyung.

The moment shattered.

Reality returned.

And suddenly five years of pain stood between them.

Jungkook watched as people surrounded Taehyung.

They laughed with him.

Talked with him.

Touched his arm.

Stood too close.

Something ugly twisted inside Jungkook's chest.

Jealousy.

A feeling he had no right to feel.

Taehyung wasn't his anymore.

Hadn't been for years.

Then another man approached Taehyung.

Tall.

Handsome.

Confident.

The stranger placed a hand on Taehyung's shoulder.

Taehyung smiled.

Jungkook's jaw tightened immediately.

"Who's that?"

Jimin appeared beside him.

"Who?"

"The man with Taehyung."

Jimin followed his gaze.

"Oh."

The assistant suddenly looked nervous.

"That's Vincent Choi."

The name sounded familiar.

"Director Choi's son?"

Jimin nodded.

"The same family your mother wants you connected to."

Jungkook stared.

Vincent.

The wealthy heir his family adored.

The perfect future son-in-law.

The perfect businessman.

And apparently—

The perfect man standing next to Taehyung.

Jungkook suddenly hated him.

Meanwhile, Vincent smiled at Taehyung.

"You seem distracted."

Taehyung forced a smile.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

Vincent followed his gaze.

His smile disappeared.

Because he immediately understood.

Jeon Jungkook.

Vincent knew exactly who he was.

Everyone did.

More importantly—

Vincent knew exactly who Jungkook had once been to Taehyung.

An ex.

The ex.

The only man Taehyung had never forgotten.

Vincent had spent two years trying to win Taehyung's heart.

Two years of dinners.

Flowers.

Patience.

Friendship.

Yet Taehyung's heart remained locked behind a door only one person had ever opened.

And unfortunately, that person had just walked into the room.

An hour later, fate finally intervened.

The gala organizer invited Taehyung to speak about his artwork.

As he stepped onto the stage, the room quieted.

Jungkook couldn't look away.

Taehyung stood beneath the spotlight with effortless confidence.

Beautiful.

Elegant.

Untouchable.

His speech was brief.

Simple.

Honest.

Everything Jungkook remembered about him.

The audience applauded.

But Jungkook noticed something else.

One of the paintings displayed behind Taehyung.

A painting he hadn't seen before.

A lonely figure standing beneath city lights.

Waiting.

The title made his chest ache.

If We Meet Again.

The same title as Taehyung's newest collection.

The same title repeated throughout the exhibition.

And suddenly Jungkook wondered—

Had Taehyung been waiting too?

After the presentation ended, Taehyung escaped to a quieter hallway.

He needed air.

Distance.

A moment to think.

What he didn't expect was to find someone already there.

Someone leaning against the balcony railing.

Someone he hadn't been alone with for five years.

Jungkook.

For a second, neither spoke.

The silence felt endless.

Then Jungkook turned around.

Their eyes met.

Closer now.

No crowd.

No cameras.

No distractions.

Just them.

And every memory they had tried to bury.

"Hi."

The simple greeting nearly broke Taehyung.

Five years.

And that was all Jungkook could say.

Hi.

Taehyung laughed softly.

A sad laugh.

"Aren't you supposed to be good at speeches?"

Jungkook smiled.

The familiar smile hit harder than expected.

"I wasn't prepared for this one."

Neither was Taehyung.

Neither had prepared for the possibility of seeing each other again.

The possibility of realizing that some feelings never truly disappear.

The possibility that five years hadn't changed nearly as much as they thought.

And as they stood beneath the city lights, neither of them noticed Vincent watching from a distance.

His expression dark.

His jaw clenched.

Because he had already realized something dangerous.

The story between Jungkook and Taehyung wasn't over.

Not even close.

And if Jungkook wanted Taehyung back—

Vincent wasn't planning to make it easy.

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