Chp 45- The Sins of the Past #2
"Not another word," he murmured, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "We will go downstairs together, but on one condition; you give me a proper good morning kiss. Otherwise, I'm keeping you trapped right here."
"Why are you being so stubborn?" she protested weakly. "If we get distracted, we're going to run completely out of time."
"Just a kiss, sweetheart. Nothing else, I promise."
Jungkook searched his eyes, feeling the warmth of his hand still resting possessively against her thigh. Giving in, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
That was all the invitation Taehyung needed.
He instantly took control, deepening the kiss into something fierce and intoxicating, his tongue tangling with hers in a slow, demanding rhythm.
A sudden wave of heat pooled low in Jungkook's abdomen, making her shift restlessly against the edge of the marble counter.
A soft moan escaped her throat directly into his mouth.
Taehyung caught the signal immediately. His hand slid upward, his warm palm firmly cupping her sweet heat. Jungkook gasped into the kiss, her fingers digging tightly into his shoulders.
Her thighs parted instinctively for him. Taehyung didn't waste a second, while keeping her breathless with his lips, his fingers worked their magic below, massaging her delicate center in slow, agonizingly sweet circles before slipping a single finger inside her.
Breaching the kiss for just a breath, Taehyung looked up, his eyes dark with desire yet filled with concern.
"Is this okay?" he asked softly, his breath fanning against her skin. "Does it hurt at all? Do you want me to stop?"
Jungkook frantically shook her head, letting out a soft, needy moan. "No... don't stop."
The moment her permission echoed in the quiet space, Taehyung dropped gracefully to his knees before her. He buried his face between her parted thighs, his tongue laving over her most sensitive spot to taste her sweet honey.
----------
Having dressed for the day, Taehyung and Jungkook made their way downstairs, only to find the entire family gathered in the living room. Dadi's sharp voice cut through the air as she berated a group of unfamiliar faces.
"I made myself clear! We have no need
for extra help here," Dadi snapped, her voice heavy with authority. "We already have three maids and daughters-in-law to run this household. Leave at once!"
"Ma'am, please," one of the female workers spoke up defensively. "We were hired to come here. We didn't show up uninvited."
"No one hired you! It's a mistake. Now get out!"
Taehyung stepped into the room, Jungkook following closely behind.
"What's going on here?" Taehyung asked, stepping forward. He glanced at the workers. "And why are you so late? I explicitly asked you to arrive early this morning."
"Sir," the worker replied hurriedly, "we're only slightly behind schedule, but Ma'am here won't even hear us out."
Dadi turned to Taehyung, her expression incredulous. "What is the meaning of this, Taehyung? Did you hire these people? You know full well we have plenty of hands in this house."
"By 'hands,' do you mean my wife?" Taehyung's voice turned cold and firm. He turned to the new staff.
"No one is leaving. Go ahead to the kitchen and begin your duties."
Without another word, the workers hurried off toward the kitchen, eager to escape the tension.
"How dare you?" Dadi thundered, slamming her walking stick against the floor. "What is going on in my own home? Jungkook is the eldest bahu, managing this house and its chores is her responsibility!"
"Jungkook is not a servant," Taehyung declared smoothly, standing his ground.
"I didn't marry her so she could manage household chores; I married her to build a life together. And for your information, she will be joining our hospital at the end of this week. Before our wedding, she was an intern doctor there."
Dadi's eyes widened with outrage. "Abandoning her household duties to work outside like a man? How dare you suggest such a thing! Not while I am alive!"
"What she chooses to do with her career isn't up to you, and it isn't up to me, it is her decision," Taehyung countered coolly.
"She is returning to the hospital. That is why I hired the new staff. This week, Jungkook will train them on how to handle the house, and they will also assist in taking care of Jimin. Next week, she starts her shifts. That is final. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am leaving for the office."
Without waiting for a response, Taehyung turned on his heel and walked out.
Jungkook, who had been standing quietly with tears brimming in her eyes, followed him to the courtyard. Unable to hold back her emotions, she ran up from behind and threw her arms around his waist, burying her face into his back.
Taehyung froze in place. Feeling a damp patch spreading through the back of his shirt, he frowned softly, turning around to face her.
He found her looking up at him, her eyes glassy and overflowing.
"Hey," he murmured gently, "why are you crying? What's wrong?"
"Why are you so good to me?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I must have done something wonderful in a past life to deserve a husband like you."
Taehyung's expression softened. He cupped her cheeks in his hands, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Silly girl," he chuckled softly, his tone taking on a dramatic flair. "You gave me a heart attack! I thought I said something to hurt you. Don't ever let me see tears in my wife's beautiful eyes again. I won't tolerate it."
A watery laugh escaped Jungkook's lips. She looked down, brushing away the tears on her cheek.
"Aren't you going to have breakfast?" she asked, her tone shifting to concern. "Wait just a moment, let me quickly make something for you."
"Absolutely not," Taehyung insisted gently. "I'll grab something on my way. It'll take you too long, and I have no intention of putting my wife to work first thing in the morning. Go back inside and rest."
"Rest? Why?"
Taehyung leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, velvety whisper as his fingers brushed through her hair.
"Have you already forgotten what happened between us last night? Because if you have... I'd be more than happy to refresh your memory."
A deep blush flooded Jungkook's cheeks. She swatted his hand away nervously.
"G-go! Aren't you getting late for work? Just go!"
Taehyung let out a low laugh. "I'm going, my love. Is that any way to send off your husband?"
He leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead. "Take care of yourself today. I'll be home a bit late tonight; office work is piled high."
Jungkook pouted slightly at the news, but nodded softly. "Take care of yourself too. Don't overwork yourself or you'll trigger a headache. Eat your lunch on time... and drive safely."
"Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say, Doctor Saheba" Taehyung teased, a playful glint in his eyes. "Though, before I leave, a goodbye kiss would be..."
Jungkook's face flared red again. She gave his arm a light push. "What are you saying?! Just go!"
"Just one kiss."
"Here? Out in the open?"
"Why not? Anywhere you like," Taehyung murmured, leaning in a fraction closer. "Besides, when I come home tonight, I intend to collect the full balance. Hurry up, I'm late."
Jungkook bit her lower lip nervously, darting a glance around the empty driveway. Seeing that the coast was clear, she stood on her tiptoes and lightly pressed her lips against his cheek.
"Drive safely," she whispered hurriedly.
Before he could react, she turned and darted back toward the house, her cheeks burning. Taehyung stood by his car, watching her retreat with a soft smile.
"Even after everything last night, she still gets this shy," he murmured to himself, chuckling as he got into the driver's seat. "I'm going to have my hands full breaking that habit."
________
Meanwhile, at the Jeon House...
It was Tzuyu's first morning at her in-laws' house. And honestly?, She wasn't impressed.
Not even a little.
She had woken up earlier than usual, mostly because she couldn't sleep properly in an unfamiliar room. Everything still felt strange. The room, the house, the people, even the silence that surrounded her whenever she was alone.
She slowly got out of bed and looked around the room, her face was still dull and slightly fallen. Yesterday, everything had happened so quickly. The wedding, the rituals, meeting everyone, coming to this house and now, suddenly, she was expected to behave as though this had always been her home.
Taking a small breath, she freshened up and quietly made her way downstairs.
As soon as she reached the kitchen, she found Mrs. Jeon and one of the maids, Lata, already busy preparing breakfast.
The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the kitchen, but Tzuyu barely paid attention to it.
She was still too occupied with figuring out how she was supposed to behave in this new house.
She hesitated for a moment before walking toward Mrs. Jeon,then respectfully, she bent down and touched her feet.
"Good morning, Maa."
Mrs. Jeon's face immediately softened, she placed a loving hand over Tzuyu's head and blessed her. "Good morning, dear."
Looking at Tzuyu's sleepy face, she smiled. "Why did you wake up so early? You could have slept a little longer. Anyway, nobody wakes up this early at our place."
Tzuyu looked at her in slight confusion, her eyes moved around the kitchen before returning to Mrs. Jeon. "But... you woke up early, didn't you?"
Mrs. Jeon blinked, then she laughed softly. "Oh, I usually wake up late too." She continued mixing the food while explaining,"But today is your muh-dikhayi ceremony. There are so many things to prepare, so I had to wake up early."
She suddenly paused and looked toward Tzuyu. "By the way, is Minho still sleeping?"
At the mention of her husband, Tzuyu's expression changed slightly. "Yes. He's still sleeping."
Mrs. Jeon shook her head with an amused smile. "Of course he is."
There was no surprise in her voice whatsoever.