It's been nearly a month since that party. Since I stood in a room full of his friends and realized I didn't belong there.
After that night, I stopped showing up when Yoongi invited me. Group dinners, studio visits, casual late-night drinks—I declined them all. No drama had spilled out into the public, thankfully. No cameras. No rumors. But I didn't need a scandal to feel the fracture.
Especially not with Jimin's girlfriend around.
I just wanted peace. Distance. Privacy.
At first, Yoongi seemed to understand. He didn't push. But now, it's been a full week with nothing. No messages. No calls. Not even a random meme or voice note. Just static.
Until my boss casually mentioned it over tea.
"They're flying to Hong Kong this weekend for MAMA," she said, flipping through receipts. "Big performance. Heard they've been rehearsing day and night."
I nodded, forcing indifference. Good for them. Good for him.
I don't need to check in on a man who hasn't even checked on me.
We're not a couple. I'm not his girlfriend. I don't owe him anything—and he clearly doesn't owe me, either.
He's fine without me.
"Hello? Earth to Rhea. You okay?"
I blinked. My fingers were still mid-air over the point-of-sale system. Across the counter stood a familiar face with bold sunglasses on her head and a knowing smile.
"Selena?"
From the office behind me, my boss popped her head out. "Selena, darling! What are you doing here? Aren't you busy with your own events?"
Selena smiled and stepped around the counter holding a paper bag and a bouquet of cheerful yellow dahlias. "I brought cake. And flowers. Jin told me you loved these, and I spotted them on the way over."
"You're such a sweetheart." My boss came out and wrapped her in a hug. "Come, let's catch up in my office."
Selena hesitated, glancing at me. "Actually, aunty… I came to borrow Rhea. I want to surprise Jin at rehearsal before they leave."
My boss raised an amused brow. "Ah yes, I heard he's been skipping class for rehearsals."
Selena grinned, "With permission."
My boss waved toward me. "You can head out early, Rhea. It's nearly closing time anyway."
I glanced at the clock. 6:07 p.m. I hesitated.
Selena caught my wrist. "Come on. I need you."
I nodded, slowly. "Let me change in the back."
But the moment I was alone, my chest tightened.
Why am I anxious?
I changed into black cargo pants and a soft sweater. Checked my phone. Still nothing from him. Not even a double tap on my latest story.
Maybe I should go just to make sure he's okay. Or maybe I should go to remind myself he doesn't need me.
Outside, Selena was waiting, her outfit totally not bike-friendly—white crop top, flowy beige skirt, ankle boots.
I raised a brow. "You sure you're riding like that?"
"Unfortunately, this was not planned with bikes in mind."
"I've got yoga pants in my locker. Want to borrow them?"
"Please," she said instantly. "Save my dignity."
Five minutes later, she emerged like she owned the pants. "I feel scandalous in these," she muttered, smoothing the fabric.
"They look good on you." I tossed her my spare helmet.
"Why do you have a spare?" she asked suspiciously.
"Force of habit."
She sniffed the helmet. "Hmm. Smells like Yoongi's cologne."
I narrowed my eyes. "You two hang out often?"
"Jin and Yoongi are always together," she shrugged. "Don't worry—I like my men loud and dramatic."
I taught her how to hop on. She clung tightly as we sped through the city. She gave me directions and within minutes, we were in front of a modest-looking gray building with tinted windows.
"This is their company building?"
"Yep. They're in the practice room on the third floor."
"We're just showing up unannounced?"
"I've got it arranged. Staff inside already have food waiting. This is just a surprise for the boys."
"Surprise rehearsal check-in. Got it."
Inside, my heart was pounding far too fast for a simple visit. What am I nervous for? It's been a month. He's probably doing just fine. He's probably…
He hasn't called.
Selena stopped near the elevator and turned to me. "You okay?"
"Do I look okay?"
"You look hot. But can I—?" She gestured toward my hair. "Your jawline's insane. Let me tie your hair back so they can see it."
I nodded, letting her gather it gently. Her fingers were calm. Mine were shaking slightly, so I clasped them together.
"There," she smiled. "You've got that forest-witch thing going on. Green eyes, high cheekbones, mysterious aura. If you weren't already intimidating, now you definitely are."
We reached the practice room door. Even outside, I could hear music thumping through the walls. Shouts. Laughter. Stomping feet.
Selena leaned close. "They're really working hard. This is their first MAMA nomination in a while. I think they're trying to prove something."
I nodded, my breath catching.
I haven't seen Yoongi in a month.
The last time we spoke, I was walking away from a party like I was walking out of a chapter.
Now I'm back, not as a girlfriend, not even as a friend.
Just a girl with shaking hands and silence where his name used to be.
***
"What if I don't want to stay away?" he said, voice low. "What if I don't care about your tattoos and shit, Rhea?"
"Then I'll stay away."
She moved closer, her face now just an inch away from his.
Her breath ghosted over his lips.
"After this."
And then she kissed him.
A full, unapologetic kiss.
Yoongi didn't move at first, stunned by the fire and ache behind it. But then his hand found her face, fingers slipping into her hair.
He kissed her back.
***
Rhea shook her head.Why am I remembering this again?
Selena gently pushed open the door to the practice room. The first thing Rhea saw was Suga—Yoon-gi—standing in the center, bent over slightly, sweat dripping down his temples. A woman stood in front of him, casually wiping his face with a towel, her touch a little too familiar.
"Selena?" Jin called out, his surprise quickly melting into joy as he saw his girlfriend. The others followed his gaze, except one. Yoon-gi looked up—and the moment his eyes met Rhea's, he froze like he'd seen a ghost.
She just stood there. Watching. Letting it sting.
"Rhea," he called, almost breathless.
Selena turned to her. "Hey, I think the surprise worked. Where are you—"
"I left something on my bike," Rhea said quickly, not waiting for approval before spinning on her heel.
She had forgotten something: the shirt Yoon-gi lent her the night she'd gotten drunk—kissed him—and promptly puked on her own clothes. The sight she'd just walked into stung more than she expected, but the perfect excuse was in her compartment. Some air wouldn't hurt either.
The night breeze greeted her like an old friend, cooling her cheeks and calming her nerves.
But before she could reach for the seat compartment, a warm hand caught her wrist and gently turned her around.
Yoon-gi stood there, sweat-soaked and panting. He let go of her hand slowly.
"Where are you going?"
She looked him in the eye, calm and unreadable. "Getting the shirt you lent me."
She lifted the seat, grabbed a small paper bag, and pulled out her clean shirt too. Without saying a word, she placed the paper bag in his hand—then stepped closer.
"This is your shirt," she said softly. "And this is me wiping your sweat."
She rose on tiptoes and used the hem of her sleeve to gently dab his forehead. It was intimate, fleeting, and achingly quiet. Then she stepped back, tucked her own shirt into the seat, and closed the lid.
"What happened to 'stay away'?" he teased, voice low and breathless.
"Wasn't my idea," she replied. "Selena kidnapped me from work. Said it was a surprise for Jin. And, well… how could I say no to her?"
Yoon-gi gave a soft chuckle, then turned toward the building. "Come on. I'm freezing."
He took small strides this time, subtly slowing his pace until Rhea was beside him again.
Inside the practice room, the rest of the boys were crowded around a laptop, watching footage of their rehearsal. Jin was feeding Selena cake with a fork, the others snacking or chugging water between exhausted laughter.
Yoon-gi led Rhea to a seat in the corner. She sat beside Selena, who handed her a small tray.
"I saved you a slice of cake and a water bottle," Selena said, her warm smile soothing. She bent down and placed the bottle beside Rhea like a big sister doting on the youngest sibling.
Rhea returned the smile and began eating. As she lifted the fork, part of her Dexcom peeked out from beneath her shirt.
"Ooh, what's that?" Selena asked, curious.
"I'm diabetic," Rhea said. "This helps monitor my blood sugar levels."
"Oh no, are you okay? That sounds painful."
"It's actually not," Rhea replied. "It's super sensitive. It syncs with this—" she tapped her smartwatch "—and alerts me if my sugar spikes or drops."
She glanced at the screen. 129 mg/dL.
Strange. She hadn't eaten anything yet.
Selena noticed her frown. "Is something wrong?"
"My sugar's high for some reason. And now it just dropped to 90. That's… fast." Her brows drew together.
"How do you check it?"
"I'll have to prick my finger, just to be sure." Rhea looked around the crowded room. "I'll step outside for a bit."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"I'm good, really. Most people are squeamish about blood."
"I'm not 'most people,'" Selena said, standing up.
Rhea chuckled. "Okay, just don't faint on me."
They headed to the restroom, and as Rhea set up her glucometer, voices echoed in from the hallway. They were speaking in English—clear enough for Rhea to catch every word.
"I heard they're flying to Hong Kong. Is Jimin taking you with him?" a girl asked.
"No, but I'm going with Selena—Jin's girlfriend," another replied.
Rhea tensed. The second voice was unmistakable.
Lila.
"She's pretty," the first girl continued. "I heard her business blew up just because someone rumored she's dating Jin."
Their voices drifted closer, followed by the door opening. Rhea met Lila's gaze through the mirror. The girl's smile was sugary sweet, her eyes sharp.
"Unnie," Lila said, switching to Korean now. "What are you doing here? I heard you surprised Jin oppa today."
Selena didn't flinch. "Yes, and I think it went well."
Rhea ignored them and pricked her finger, placing a drop of blood on the strip.
"Ew," one of Lila's friends muttered. Rhea didn't even blink.
"So?" Selena asked, brushing them off. "What's the verdict?"
"90. Still normal. Just means I need to eat something."
"Alright," Selena smiled. "Then let's get back. I've got cookies."
As they walked out, Selena asked questions about the Dexcom and how Rhea handled her condition. Rhea mentioned how Yoon-gi helped her set it up and even bought it for her. Selena seemed genuinely touched—curious, not disgusted.
Back in the practice room, the boys were mid-routine again. Rhea sat quietly, nibbling cookies, mesmerized by their sharp movements and sheer precision. They were so good. And Yoon-gi—no matter how many times she saw him dance, it never got old. He moved like music lived in his veins.
When the choreographer finally called it a day, staff members swarmed the room to help clean up and cool them down. But Yoon-gi brushed past them, grabbing a towel and wiping himself off. Then he made a beeline for Rhea.
She was mid-sip from her water bottle when he approached—and promptly took it from her hand, draining the rest in one gulp.
"Did you just put your mouth on that?" she asked, brow raised.
A smirk tugged at his lips. "What? It's not like we—"
Rhea shot up and clamped a hand over his mouth, flustered. "Okay, smartass, that's enough TMI."
He laughed behind her palm. And for a second, it felt like nothing had changed.
Just enough tension to keep them tiptoeing.
Just enough comfort to make her want to stay.