The evening breeze carried smoke into the air as Taehyung leaned against the rooftop railing, cigarette balanced loosely between his fingers. Rhea, sensing the break was nearly over, turned to leave quietly.
Just as her hand brushed the door handle, his voice stopped her.
"What's your name?"
She paused, glancing back. His eyes were on her now, steady, curious.
"Rhea," she said simply, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Rhea?" he repeated, as though testing the sound.
"Yes." She tilted her head, spelling it out for him. "R-H-E-A."
His lips curved faintly, approval hidden in the softness of his tone. "Nice name."
Her smile deepened for a second. "Thank you."
And with that, she walked away.
The rest of the shoot passed quickly, professionally, and uneventfully. Pack-up was called, and while the set buzzed with chatter, Rhea slipped away unnoticed. She returned to her little apartment, the city lights glowing outside her window. Another bath, another simple dinner, another night of lying in bed with the familiar heaviness of her heart pressing down.
Seven years, Jungkook… when will I stop feeling this way?
Sleep eventually claimed her, though the ache never did.
Elsewhere, That Night
Taehyung stretched across his couch, phone balanced in his hand as he connected to a video call. The screen split into three squares: his own, Jimin's bright grin, and Jungkook's sleepy face.
The brothers talked casually, teasing one another, laughing about old memories, the usual warmth of their bond filling the room.
Then, with a mischievous spark in his eyes, Taehyung leaned closer to his camera.
"Yaa, Jungkookah… I found an interesting girl today. Someone who loves you like crazy."
Jungkook's eyes narrowed immediately, suspicious. "What? What are you talking about, hyung?"
Jimin chuckled, already amused by Taehyung's antics.
But Taehyung's grin widened. "I'm serious. At the ad shoot today, there was this girl, a foreigner, who said she's from India. A decent-looking brown girl. Silent, minds her own business… but quite interesting. And today I found out she's been in love with you for seven years. Seven damn years, Jungkook. And guess what? I'm the only one who knows her secret." He laughed, clearly entertained by the thought.
Jungkook blinked, then gave him a disbelieving smile. "Yaa… hyung, are you out of your mind?"
Jimin burst into laughter, shaking his head.
But Taehyung raised a hand in mock offense. "I'm telling you the truth! Why would I lie about this? She admitted it herself when I asked if she was an Army. She said she listens to our music but is not a fan of all of us, just you. And honestly… she didn't sound crazy. Her love seemed… genuine."
Jungkook grew silent, staring at the screen, lips pressed in a faint glare. Taehyung only smirked wider.
"What's with that expression, huh?" Taehyung teased.
Jungkook shot back, voice sharp but playful, "Why are you so interested in that girl's love story, hyung?"
"Because she's interesting," Taehyung replied without hesitation. "A silent lover. Someone has been carrying her feelings quietly for years. Doesn't that sound unusual?"
Jimin leaned in closer to his own camera, skeptical but curious. "Yaa Taehyungaa, you're not just making up stories to tease him, right?"
Taehyung shook his head firmly, grinning. "Why would I? If you guys don't believe me, I'll get her contact tomorrow and prove it to you."
Jimin's eyes widened. "What?"
Jungkook leaned forward, his playful glare sharpening into a challenge. "Fine. Do it. Get her details. Let's see who this… lovesick woman really is."
Taehyung smirked like a man who had already won. "Deal."
And with that, the call drifted back into laughter and easy chatter, but the thought lingered with each of them, especially Jungkook, who couldn't quite shake off the idea of a stranger silently loving him all this time.