Y/N's POV:

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Reaching over I grabbed my phone from the nightstand Jungkook gave me beside the bed and hit the power button to check the time again. The bright screen blinded me for a moment before I was able to see the clock reading three AM.

Something was wrong. I didn't know what, but I couldn't calm my worried soul. A feeling of heaviness had been pressed against my chest, and my stomach was in knots. I know I shouldn't be so up tight, but after the way things went earlier, and knowing the time now... I couldn't help it!

Earlier I had run that errand for Jimin. When I came back, he informed me that Jungkook had left suddenly for a meeting. Jimin ended up taking me home and said that Jungkook should be back tonight sometime but he didn't know the exact time.

I had tried waiting up for him, but I figured he would be home soon. So I made something to eat and put it away just in case, and cleaned a bit, took a shower, even read a little bit. Then I decided to climb into bed and tried to get
some rest.
Yet here I was, three hours later and still wide awake.
And alone.

Should I try to call him again? I did earlier, but it went rang twice then went straight to voicemail. Was he avoiding me? Honestly I was just making sure he was okay. I never knew meetings to run this late, and if by chance they did run a little late, he always called me or texted me to let me know.
Now he was ignoring me all together.

I sighed. This was stupid. This damn nagging in the pit of my stomach was just too much. I had to try harder. Lifting the phone to my face I pulled up Jungkook's number and just about hit it when a small crash was suddenly heard from the kitchen. I sat up and froze. Eyes wide, fear filling my body I waited to see if I could hear any other movement.

Was someone breaking in?... Could it be that man again?
A faint sound of someone cursing traveled into earshot. I quickly but quietly pulled the covers back and threw my legs over the side of the bed. I used my phone as a light as I carefully went to Jungkook's bedside table and pulled out the loaded gun that he kept in there. He had told me where he kept it in case of an emergency.
Luckily, I did know how to use it.

Now armed just in case, I quietly made my way to the bedroom door and opened it slowly. As soon as there was enough space I slide through, keeping my eyes open and the gun up. My heart was beating a hundred times per minute, but I had to stay calm.

Random shuffling and what sounded like glass being moved around came from the kitchen. I walked down the hallway and got to the edge. Stopping, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, preparing myself. Okay, I needed to look now. I had to see if someone really was breaking in.
Gathering confidence I didn't know I had I peaked around the corner and instantly let out a sigh of relief.

I lowered the gun as I saw Jungkook's large frame standing in front of the sink with his hand under running water.

"Jungkook, what happened?!"

I moved towards him, sitting the gun on the counter and coming up to his side. That's when I saw the broken glass and the fact that his hand was bleeding.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

His voice came out hard and sharp. I flinched a bit at the sudden harshness. Jungkook didn't even look at me as he focused on his bleeding hand under the cold water. Shaking it off I reached out to check to see just how bad it was, but he quickly pulled away from me. His brown eyes and glaring features finally looked at me.

"I said I'm fine." he pressed again.

Stab one to my heart.

My hands came back to rest at the bottom of my shirt. They then began to fiddle with it. Damn my nervous habit.
I watched as his eyes instantly went to his gun on the counter.

"You thought I was breaking in?" he questioned.

I looked away from him and focused on the gun as well.

"It's three AM and I heard a crash. I wasn't taking any chances." I informed him.

He scoffed and then mumbled to himself, going back to wash his hand.

"What was that?" I raised a brow, now a bit agitated at his attitude. He went and made me worry, and now is being rude for no reason!?

Sighing, he frowned.

"I said, next time, don't be stupid and just stay put and call the cops."

What in the world!? Now he was seriously starting to be an ass.
Now more angry than anything, I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him with a stern expression.

"Where have you been?"

"Is that really any of your concern?"

"I didn't realize I had to tell you everything."

Stab two to my heart.

Swallowing past the lump in my throat as I wanted to give in and scream at him, I kept my head for a moment before I got a huge whiff of alcohol from him as I moved closer. I gasped.

"Have you been drinking!?"

Jungkook turned off the water and growled, causing me to actually move back a step. He was angry too. I had never seen him like this before, not this drunk and not this angry.

"Damn it woman! Seriously, I said I was fine! You're not my mother, or my caregiver-"

"That's right! I'm not them! I'm your wife!" I cut him off with the same loud tone he took.

☼︎☼︎☼︎☼︎☼︎

Jungkook's POV:

My wife? No. She wasn't my wife.

She was a beautiful woman standing in front of me and I had no claim to her. She didn't bare my name and didn't love me. If I told her the real truth she would probably be relieved and leave me.

Just like everyone did.

I was burned and broken and had more baggage than she needed to bare. Sure, she knew most of it, but she still didn't know how I could be. I had nothing to offer her. This marriage, as much as I hated to admit it, was the only thing tying us together. I was sure she would leave me...
why would she stay?

She never said anything about loving me. We were friends. That was it.

Sure, there was some romance, but hell, living with a beautiful woman like herself for as long as I have and of course stuff would happen. That didn't mean anything.
I was such a fool for opening myself to her. This hurt so much more than I thought it would.

The words Jimin had told me earlier came back to try and push the doubts away... ugh.. this was so stupid.

Earlier:

"Jungkook... you're not married to Y/N."

The words came as a very sharp knife to my chest. No. This wasn't right. This couldn't be. Y/N is my wife and I wanted her to stay that way.

"You have to tell her."

"No."

Escaped my mouth before I even thought about it. He furrowed his brows in confusion and agitation as I sat frozen in place. My brain was not processing this right.

"No? What the hell do you mean by 'No'. You have to tell her! She'll understand and then you guys can really start over-"

"No!"

I barked, throwing myself to my feet, giving him a very harsh glare.

"Y/N can't know. Not yet. If I tell her now, there will be nothing left holding us together... she'll leave."

Jimin gave off a sarcastic laugh and shook his head.

"You're funny."

"I wasn't being funny, Jimin."

His body went stiff again.

"I don't understand what your thought process is. She won't leave."

It was mine turn to laugh bitterly.

"Really now!? What makes you think that she won't!?"

Jimin took a deep breath and calmed himself. He was trying to do what was best for me, I knew that. It was part of his job and being my friend. But the thought of actually having to tell Y/N that we weren't married and she was free to go made me scared.

I've never felt this way before. I was panicking. My god. What the hell was wrong with me!?

"Because she loves you."

he replied with softly. I wanted to deny it, but I knew that, even if she didn't really love me, she did at least feel something for me.

But could someone like Y/N really love me?

Unconditionally?

I was huge. I was rough around the edges. I was scarred, I had baggage. I was in the public eye. I was a beast.

Could this beauty really love a beast like me?

Did she actually want to be married to me? Have a family with me?

"I don't know to do, Jimin." I whispered.

"I'm actually afraid of what she'll do. If she leaves..."
I trailed off. Wow. Her leaving was officially worst fear.
How did that happen?

I watched as Jimin raised his brows in surprise.

"Jungkook... you love her too, don't you?"

"Of course I like her. Don't be stupid."

"No."

he sighed.

"You love her... like, you are in love with her."

Present :

I swallowed hard and tried my best to push away all those unwanted feelings. I found myself staring at Y/N despite that though. Her long auburn wild hair was everywhere. Her body dressed in in only a pair of shorts and a tight tank top. Every curve of her body was outlined for my view.

Oh god.

Everything in me wanted her. All of her.
I couldn't lose her.

Tracing her body once more and regretting what I was about to do, I found her face. Her tempting lips, her soft skin, and even though she had washed off all her makeup, the natural beauty she had radiated out. Then I found them. Her rare and hypnotizing grey eyes. Never had I witness such a kind, alluring pair of eyes.

Her angry rigid body didn't move. Her eyes a bit narrowed at me. Yet, I couldn't control myself. I had to do this. One foot moved towards her. Then another.
With just two steps I had reached her. I had to look down at her but that didn't stop her from continuing to try and display her anger. I deserved it though. I was such an asshole.

Damn it all.

I reached out and gently cupped her cheek. I watched her suck in a breath and her defenses started to instantly come down. Grey eyes no longer glaring, I took in the soft texture of her face.

I loved her.

It was true. I couldn't deny it. I fucking loved her more than anyone else in the world. She was all that mattered anymore.
My work, my money, all of it was nothing compared to her.

Why did it have to be like this? Why did I have to have all I need within my grasp but now might lose it all?

"Jungkook?"

Y/N's sweet alluring voice called out in a small whisper. I couldn't take this anymore. I had to do this. I had to do what was best for her.

I leaned down and kissed her.

A small groan escaped my throat as I took in the taste of her lips. The feeling was electrifying and I wanted nothing more than to keep this contact. Her arms reacted and wrapped around my neck pulling me into the kiss more.

No. Please don't do this to me, Bee.

Giving her my heart and soul in that moment, I quickly pulled back and leaned my forehead against hers. I closed my eyes and listened to her trying to catch her breath. The pain in my chest and sickness that I felt in my stomach was almost at it's max. Still, I couldn't stop now.

"You're free now, Lee."

A small confused gasp escaped her. I pulled back and looked away.

"Wait- What!?" she questioned.

"You held up your end of the deal. You're free to go."

God I felt sick.

A hard smack landed on my cheek.

Silence filled the space between us. I still didn't look at her. Finally after another moment, I couldn't stand it anymore. Although my they felt like lead now, I moved my feet and walked towards the bedroom.

"D-Do you want me to go?" her voice stopped me.

The alcohol was making me hear things and making it so much more difficult, I swear. I was dizzy and was going to pass out soon. The sound of her voice was shaky and I thought I heard a desperation in it.

"Don't make this hard, Bee." I swallowed hard and then threw my fist against the nearest wall.

"This is for the best."

"Says who?"

I went against my better judgement and looked behind me to see her. Tears already running down her cheeks I felt my heart drop. The one thing I hated was seeing her cry. I didn't answer her.

"Well?" She pressed again, her grey eyes now showing determination through the tears. I didn't know what to say. I'm pretty sure I would screw up anything I did finally speak. I stood frozen as I watched her walk closer. Quickly I turned my head and closed my eyes. This was supposed to be easy.

This was supposed to be painless.

She was supposed to be happy.

I felt my skin go hot as I felt her hands come over and press against my chest, actually pushing my large form against the wall. If I hadn't had so much to drink before I came here I could have put up more of a fight, but yet, maybe not.

I opened my eyes to instantly close them again as Y/N threw herself against me and pressed her lips against mine once again.
Head swimming, heart racing, body hot, I didn't hesitate to throw my arms around her and pull her even closer. Her small body making me crave her even more.

A few minutes passed and finally she pulled back slightly. We both breathed heavily and tried to recover. I didn't know what to do though when she buried her head into my chest.

"You're an idiot."

she scolded me as a small sob escaped her. I agree. I am an idiot.
I wrapped my arms around her small frame and held her. Her hand rubbing my cheek over the stubbles where she earlier slapped the sense out of me.

"I'll work on that."