제14장 | And Sometimes They Go Wrong VII

제14장 | And Sometimes They Go Wrong VII

SERIN

I went out of my cottage dressed into some light blue ripped jeans paired with a white fit shirt and some grey cardigan. The sun is almost setting as the lantern lights that were displayed around the resort lit up giving such magnificent sight

I followed the staffs who were carrying some metal food-safe holders that you usually see on hotels and display their kitchen's famous delicacies. Knowing that it's for Junghee's party, I followed their trail to lead myself where the rest were

"Serin!" I arrived a big space of meadow field with rock pathways. Junghee was waving at me from a not so far distance. She was wearing an unfamiliar long-sleeved oversized shirt. I'm sure it's not Jungkook's, it's probably Jimin's. The shirt she was wearing were stripes, black in white. She was also wearing her favorite and Jungkook's favorite during our high school days, a pair of Timberlands.

And for the first time ever in my entire life, I just witnessed her wearing a skirt (she wore a skirt before but it's our uniform, but this isn't). "Wah, bless my eyes to see you wearing something rare" I joked as I hugged her. She slapped me on my back playfully

"Mom persuaded me to wear these to atleast make me look feminine" she utters as we retrieve from our hug. My eyes wander around me, resort's staff were arranging the area for it to look more presentable for the occasion and formal. "Jimin brought some rice cakes" she whispered behind my ear with a giggle. "His grandmother owns a rice cake shop near at school and he asks to pack some" she smiled

"My, you're love blindness is starting" I cooed, teasing her using her previous words when I was the one who has a crush on a guy- a guy named Jungkook. She gives me a disbelief face, speechless. "That's my line. Have some originality, will you?" she shots back as we both came into laughter

My eyes glistened a bit when it landed on the man wearing a white sweater and a baseball cap with the front shade part of it was placed on the back side of his head. "Oh~ what you look at that" I heard Junghee cooed, making me shift my gaze to her. "Hm?"

"Go to him. I could see it in your eyes girl" she nudges me forward to Taehyung who was busy grilling some barbeque with Uncle Junhyung, not knowing what just happened hours ago back at the waterfall. I'm not even sure if should I tell her that Taehyung almost killed me back then and how suspicious he was back at Chaejin's bookshop. My mind suddenly reminisces at the guy Taehyung and I hid from, he was stuffing something between the book pages

Thinking about it makes me shudder. Taehyung words suddenly ring in my head. 'It's dangerous, and before it tells itself, it'll be better for you to not know anything'

He's hiding something. That's for sure. What happened back at the waterfall makes me snap my mind wide open. There's indeed something crawling and hiding behind those intimidating, dark orbs of his. I need to know what it is. Not now, but soon enough

"Later. Can't I hang out with the birthday girl?" I chuckled and wrapped my other arm with hers. She scoffs, cringing before laughing as we walk around looking at people decorating the area. I look at Taehyung's direction time to time but he doesn't even give me a spare look. As if he doesn't care a bit and every memory that we share was just a joke

Time started to passed by like a speed of light as the sun already sets and the moon was magnificently present. "Happy Birthday to you~ Happy Birthday to you~ Happy 18th Jeon Junghee~ Happy Birthday to you~" we all sang for joy for my best friend who was clapping as well with a funny fake and force smile plastered on her face. She once told me that she doesn't want people to sing her a birthday song and clapping as if they're really close to her

"Blow the candle, sweety!" Aunt Haneul squeaked in excitement as she holds her phone up, taking some pictures of her only daughter. "Mom…" Junghee chuckled in embarrassment before blowing the small flame. On cue, cheers and snaps of pictures flooded the small area, giving Junghee some sweet greetings but I could see how much she just want to eat on the contrary. But it would be rude of her to just ignore the people giving her some blessings

"While we eat, Junghee would you like to open up your presents?" Aunt Haneul walks to her side placing an arm around her shoulder in affection. Junghee just nodded, immediately taking her plate and went to where the food was displayed

Everyone went to the food table as well as I just sat down on mine, waiting for everyone to be done so when it's my turn, it won't be that much crowded already. I felt something move beside me causing me to look at its direction. Jungkook was sitting down next to me, "Is this seat taken?"

I shake my head, "No"

He nods. Unknowingly, my head searches the area. I haven't seen Taehyung after Junghee and I went back to start her birthday party. "If you're looking for Taehyung, he's at the waterfall"

"What?" My head snaps at Jungkook. "I said, if you're looking for Taehyung, you can find him at the waterfall" he utters without giving me a look. "You're obvious" he stated chuckling. I bit my tongue

A fog cloud of silence coats the both of us, chilling me, making me shudder slightly at the awkward atmosphere. "Do you like hi- "

"Serin!" Jungkook's sentence was cut short when Junghee called me from her table and gesture me to come over. I honestly thank her for this one. I could really predict what Jungkook was going to ask me and I have no courage to answer that one

"Excuse me," I smiled at him and stood up, heading towards Junghee. "What did my brother tell you?" she said after pulling me down to sit beside her. I gave her an are-you-serious look. She slumps her shoulders, frowning before explaining. "Look, he must've said something to you about me or… Jimin" she lets out a breath

I gave her a reassuring answer, "No, he didn't. He just sits beside me probably because he doesn't have anyone at the moment. I mean, I'm the only friend he has in this time" I told her. "He only told me about Taehyung staying at the waterfall if I was looking for him" I added, giving her a full honest answer for her to be satisfied and won't be so bombed about it on her special day

"When… When are you going to talk to him?" I ask catching a small glimpse of Jungkook looking at our direction, alone at the table. "Me? Why me? Was I the one who called him a 'stupid bitch'?" her arrogant side overlaps her whole attitude. "Plus, it wasn't just me he talked trash to, he also spoke bad things about Jimin, his own best friend" she sighs before drinking some iced tea that was on her table

"Anyway, enough about that. Tell me, any updates about you and Taeboy" she wiggles her eyebrows teasingly. I bit my tongue inside my mouth secretly. "Uhm…" I scratch my neck getting more nervous as ever. If I could just tell her 'Taehyung almost killed me back at the waterfall' but I wouldn't just tell her that so casually, especially when we're surrounded by people at the moment and plus, I don't think I could tell her that just yet without talking to Taehyung about it

"Just the same, just the same ol' ginger tea" I said

"Is he not like, the sweet type? If he is, you could've said 'honey lemon tea' instead of 'ginger tea', I hate the taste of it" she said

If only she knew about what I'm suspecting about

Luckily, Uncle and Auntie called for Junghee to greet her guests, well not 'her' guests. That leaves me alone once again, but this time on Junghee's table. Realizing that I haven't eaten yet, I went to the food table and grab some plate, utensils and start to get some savory delicacies my eyes couldn't take away from

NARRATIVE

Serin savored all the substance she placed on her plate in content. With the skills of Aunt Haneul managing the kitchen earlier, surely it would bring the best and satisfying food. That sums up why Junghee has the skills to food as well (but not in cooking)

Still sitting on Junghee's table, she didn't notice Jungkook frown while staring at her. Of course, what does he expect? That after Junghee called her she'll go back and sit next to him? Well, why not? It's not like they fought like Junghee

Or probably because she's just closer to his sister rather to him

But why does it feel like there's something else. Could be something that was once mutual? He shakes his head. 'Impossible' he thought. Serin would never

Eating all alone, he felt a gentle pat on his shoulder and saw his father sitting right next to him, the seat that was once sat by Serin. "You're all alone" his father commented. "I'm not surprise" he replied, "I fucked up"

"You should talk to her" Jungkook paused his actions after hearing his father's words. How did his father know?

"You should talk to her before it's too late. She's your sister, kook. Your both sharing the same blood" Junhyung added. Jungkook breathes after realizing that his father was referring to a different girl

"I don't think I could talk to her, dad. You know how Junghee is, remember?" he sighs

"I do. When a guy who gave her a letter just told her it was a dare and that she's ugly? Took like a month before she could go to school and move on from that. Only Serin persuaded her to" the old man chuckled reminiscing old memories and that her once a princess and baby girl was is 18, makes him realize that time surely run fast

Jungkook sighs

"Are you sure you won't regret anything until you leave? Does your sister know, though?" Junhyung asked his oldest. His son shakes his head as an answer, "I didn't tell her. I don't want to see her cry especially today was a very special day. But I guess, I already did" he admits, feeling guilty. The scene of her sister in front of him crying hurt by his words causing a sharp pain right through his chest

Junhyung frowns for his son. "But don't worry dad, I maybe regret something. But I know I wouldn't regret it so much and would overthink of it, wanting if I could go back through time and change my decision" He faces his dad with determination. He has to go, either way. Whether he like it or now, he has to

His dad just nodded and gave him a warm side hug before taking a sip of his brewed coffee. He wouldn't regret telling her, especially her

"Always be careful, my son. Your mom and I are always proud for the both of you" Junhyung smiles as he saw his wife looking at their direction in pure adoration and warmth

SERIN

"I'm so full~" I groan at myself, slumping at the back support of the chair as I give my tummy a small rub to soothe it a bit. I think It'll explode like a time bomb soon enough. Junghee was nowhere to be found after she left me here and my first prediction was, she's with Jimin

So fascinating that people doesn't even notice that the celebrant was missing in the scene. It's like the main character of the movie was missing and yet people don't even notice it

I let out a small sigh

Jungkook words suddenly ringed in my head. 'If you're looking for Taehyung, he's at the waterfall'

Question is, is he still even at the waterfall at this time? Did he even eat? I shake my head once again to waken my thoughts. Why should I even think about it when he almost killed me not so long ago

He's been circling around my tiny head for a very while now. And it scares me, knowing that I'm starting to fall into something deep, deeper than a grave hole. But part of me also wants to let myself fall into that pit

I stood up, making a not so confident decision. I head towards the same path I walked to until it led me to Taehyung. To my surprise, he was still there, sitting on a large rock, facing the soothing sound and view of the waterfall. I took some time to just look at him for some seconds and breathe

My mind is flooding chaos. I could feel myself trembling a little. "Serin?" my eyes snapped at Taehyung who just noticed my presence. Shivers immediately crawled on surface of my skin. He still looks breathtaking as usual

"What are you doing here?" he asks standing up on his feet. "I… uh…" I immediately look or an excuse as he went closer every step. "I was just… just passing by" I swallow a gulp in silence, knowing that only an idiot would believe in my excuse

My eyes connect with his intimidating and dark ones who holds such… unexplainable meaning, like it has been saying a message that I couldn't understand. "What are you doing here? You should be at Junghee's party…" I said to change the subject. This feels like the time when I first encounter him back at Chaejin's bookshop. I was a nervous wreck

"How did you know I didn't show up at Junghee's party?" he said in a deep voice making the flow of electricity in my nerves increase making me shudder in such feeling. "Jungkook told me…" I didn't hide the truth. His eyebrows linked together, before he could say anything, I use all of my courage to talk "I also wanted to talk to you"

I bit my lower lip in anxiety. "I want to know why you did it" his face still remains monotone, but I continued. "Maybe you have a reason why you did it and I want to know. I'm all ears, I'll listen" I quiver getting teared up bit by bit as fear starting to overwhelm my chest

He didn't say anything, he just looks at me with a non-expressional look. His at it, again. His wearing that mask again. "C'mon, Tae" I said getting a little eager. He blinks, he just blinks. "Tae- "

"You only called me 'Tae' back at the Ferris wheel" he said

I look at him as if finding something that I could somehow read in those eyes. Out of everything I said, he's only going to say that? "Tae- " I was cut off

My body froze still as air leaves my lungs. My heart stopped beating. I feel numb and shock as if lightning just struck my whole body as my soul left it completely lifeless. I couldn't move a single inch as my eyes stayed wide open still not believing what was happening right in front of me

He moves his lips softly against mine with his eyelids shut close. This isn't real. When I felt his hand travelled and encircle my waist gently and soothingly, my heart started to work again as I can feel it pump more blood faster. The feeling was so pleasurable that my eyes closed on its own loving the sensation of his lips and against near mine

I let him caress my lip with his soft and thin ones as my hand unconsciously went to his shoulders, gripping on the clothing he wore. He's so undeniably sweet. It tastes like fresh strawberry with a hint of coffee aroma breathe making me drunk at such flavor

Took us a while to break free when we felt the need to breathe and let go at each other's lip, breathless. A hot shot went through my face, I could already feel myself blushing and even possibly more when I could feel his dark gaze above me. Even though his lips left mine, the taste and feeling are still lingering making me bit my own unconsciously as I heard him taking such husky breaths

That was my first kiss...

I swallow a huge bile in my mouth feeling my mouth water all of the sudden. The side of waist where his hand was rested was tickling me in a sweet manner. Everything was so foreign and… good. "U-Uh…" I left speechless

"Why didn't you kiss back?" he asks, I don't even know if this is possible but his deep and dark voice became deeper and hot giving me the tingles. My palms that were on his shoulder were sweating as his hands were still resting on my waist making me stay on my spot close to his body. "I don't know… how to…" I look away not wanting to melt anytime soon under his dark gaze

He moves one of his long fingers to gently place them on the chin to make me face his. I swear my face is in full heat. He gave me a full kiss on my cheek then to the other one as his lips feels burning on my skin. "I'll tell you later, tonight. My cottage" he speaks before slowly releasing me under his hold and walked away leaving me cemented on my spot

It took me more than 2 minutes to comprehend everything until it slowly made progress in my small brain. "Oh my God"