READ THIS CAREFULLY

I’ve been noticing that a lot of new readers are adding my book to their reading lists and following the story, which I truly appreciate. It means my work is reaching more people. But at the same time, the engagement—especially votes—is not matching that growth.

Earlier, I used to set small targets like 30–35 votes for updates. But now, seeing how many of you are reading, I’m increasing the target

To 50 Votes.

I hope you understand why. It’s not a big number compared to what many authors ask for—some set targets of 100+ votes—and those books grow because readers support them actively. Meanwhile, I’ve been keeping the target at the bare minimum for a long time.

I’m not asking for money. I’m simply asking for votes and engagement. That’s the only way I know you’re actually enjoying and supporting my work.

So yes, I’m being clear this time:

If the target is not achieved, the update won’t come.

Also, I’ve been receiving messages on Instagram from readers saying they can’t access my book or asking if I’ve deleted it. Let me make this clear again—I haven’t deleted it. But I do take action when needed.

If I find out that someone is reading my book without engaging at all—not voting, not following—while actively supporting many other authors, I will block them. And I don’t do this immediately. I always give time. When I notice a new reader, I wait 3–4 days, hoping they’ll engage if they genuinely enjoy the story. If there’s still nothing, then I take that step.

So far, I’ve blocked around 200 readers. That’s 200 people who were reading without any support. And I don’t think it’s unfair to expect basic engagement in return for the effort I put into writing.

I know this may sound strict or even rude to some of you. But from my side, it feels unfair when my work is consumed without any acknowledgment. I put time, energy, and emotion into every chapter—and all I ask in return is simple support.

If you’re truly enjoying the story, please show it through your votes and interaction.

That’s all I’m asking.

By the time they reached Incheon International Airport, the city was no longer quiet. Morning had fully taken over—cars moving in steady lines, people rushing with luggage, announcements echoing faintly even before they stepped inside.

The airport itself stood vast and gleaming, glass walls catching the early sunlight, reflecting a world already in motion. Jungkook parked with practiced ease, stepping out without wasting a second, his movements precise, controlled—like everything about him.

Selene, on the other hand, stepped out and paused for a moment, her eyes instantly widening as she took in the sheer scale of the place, her excitement rising all over again like it had never settled in the first place. She hurried to his side, adjusting her bag, her gaze darting everywhere at once.

“It feels different,” she said, almost to herself but loud enough for him to hear.

“Like—this is it. We’re actually going.” Jungkook didn’t respond immediately, just reached for their luggage and started walking toward the entrance, expecting her to follow. She did—but not quietly.

“Do you think we’ll have time to explore the airport? I heard there are like luxury lounges and crazy food places and—oh! what if there’s something weird to try? Like those fancy desserts that look like art but taste confusing—”

“Selene,” he cut in without looking at her, his tone already warning. She stopped for half a second… then continued anyway.

“And also, I want coffee. But not normal coffee. Something aesthetic. Like with foam art.”

He exhaled slowly but said nothing more as they entered inside. The cool, conditioned air wrapped around them instantly, the sound of rolling suitcases, distant announcements, and low conversations blending into a constant hum.

Everything moved smoothly—almost too smoothly—just like Jungkook preferred. Check-in was quick, efficient, handled mostly by him with minimal words and maximum clarity.

Selene stood beside him, watching, occasionally leaning in, occasionally whispering unnecessary commentary like,

“You look like you do this every day,” or “They’re being extra polite to you,” or “Is it because of your face? I think it’s your face.”

Jungkook ignored most of it, though there were moments—brief, fleeting—where his jaw tightened just slightly, irritation brushing the surface. Security check passed without issue. Boarding passes ready. No delays. No chaos. Everything in place. Exactly how he liked it. But Selene’s energy didn’t match the calm order of the airport. She kept talking—about destinations, about flights, about how different everything felt.

At one point, while they waited briefly before boarding, she leaned closer to him and said, “Do you think clouds look different from above? Like—are they fluffy or just… disappointing?” Jungkook didn’t even turn his head.

“You’ll find out.”  he replied calmly.She huffed softly but smiled anyway. When it was finally time, they were escorted—not to the usual crowded boarding gates—but through a quieter, more exclusive path. Selene noticed immediately.

“Wait,” she whispered, glancing around. “Why is it so empty here?” Jungkook didn’t answer directly.

“Keep walking.” And then she saw it. The aircraft waiting for them wasn’t like the others. Smaller. Sleeker. Private. Her steps slowed for a second as realization hit.

“You’re joking,” she breathed. “This is ours?” He didn’t confirm it with words. He just kept walking. Which was confirmation enough. Selene let out a soft, disbelieving laugh under her breath, shaking her head as she followed him inside.

The moment she stepped in, she froze again. The interior was nothing like the commercial flights she had imagined—no rows of cramped seats, no loud passengers, no chaos. Instead, it felt like a luxury lounge in the sky. Wide, plush seating. Soft lighting. Clean, elegant design.

Everything quiet. Everything… unreal. “Okay,” she said slowly, turning in a small circle as she took it all in.

“I take back every complaint I’ve ever made in life.”

Jungkook placed their things down calmly, already settling into his seat like this was normal for him—which, perhaps, it was. Selene, meanwhile, moved around a little, touching the armrest, peeking at everything, her excitement spilling over again.

“This is insane,” she murmured. “Like actually insane. We’re flying like this?” He glanced at her briefly. She eventually dropped into the seat beside him, still looking around like a child seeing something magical for the first time.

As preparations for takeoff began, the quiet hum of the aircraft shifted. The subtle vibration beneath them grew slightly stronger. Selene’s excitement dimmed—just a little—replaced by something else. She sat back, her fingers resting on the armrest… then tightening. Jungkook noticed.

Of course he did. He didn’t say anything. Not yet. The aircraft began to move slowly, taxiing along the runway. Selene swallowed, her earlier confidence fading as reality settled in.

“It’s… starting,” she muttered, almost to herself. No response. The speed increased. The engine grew louder. The movement stronger. And without thinking—without even looking at him—she reached out and grabbed his hand. Tight.

“I don’t like this part,” she admitted quickly, her voice lower now, slightly tense. Jungkook glanced down at their hands. Her grip was firm. Uncertain. Nervous. But he didn’t pull away.  The aircraft picked up speed rapidly now. Selene’s grip tightened more.

“ I’m serious—this feels—why is it so fast—” And then—lift. The sudden shift. The ground leaving. The pressure. Selene inhaled sharply, her eyes squeezing shut as her nails dug into his hand—hard. Very hard. A sharp scratch followed as her grip turned almost desperate for a second. Jungkook felt it. The sting. The pressure. The way her nails pressed into his skin. But he didn’t react. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t pull away. He just let her hold on.

The plane climbed higher. The motion steadied. The intensity eased. But Selene didn’t let go immediately. Her breathing slowed gradually, her grip loosening little by little as the fear passed. After a moment, she opened one eye cautiously. Then the other.

She exhaled. “Okay,” she whispered. “I hate takeoff.” Jungkook glanced at her again. .” Only then did she realize—she was still holding his hand. And… she had definitely scratched him. Her eyes dropped to his hand.

There were faint red marks where her nails had pressed. She blinked. “…Oops.” He looked at his hand briefly. Then back at her.

“You’re done?” he asked She hesitated… then nodded slowly.

“Yeah.” He gently pulled his hand back—not abruptly, not coldly. Just… calmly. Like it wasn’t a big deal. Which somehow made her look at him for a second longer than necessary. “

The tension dissolved. And just like that—her excitement began creeping back in again.

The moment their flight touched down in Paris, something inside Selene simply refused to stay calm. Even before the plane had fully stopped, she was already unbuckling her seatbelt, peeking out of the window like an excited child, her eyes shining as the soft glow of the city lights stretched endlessly into the distance. The night outside looked magical—golden lights, quiet elegance, and a strange calm that felt nothing like the chaos she carried inside her.

“Jungkook… look,” she whispered, almost breathless, her fingers lightly gripping his sleeve without even realizing it. “It’s so… pretty. Like a dream.”

Jungkook glanced out briefly, then back at her. The city didn’t surprise him. Her reaction did.

She looked like she had just stepped into a fantasy she never thought she would live.

The ride from the airport to their hotel was quiet on his side, but for Selene, silence didn’t exist. She kept turning her head from one side to another, watching every passing street, every glowing café, every couple walking under streetlights.

“Do people actually live like this?” she murmured softly, almost to herself. “Every night looks like a movie here…”

Jungkook didn’t reply immediately. His gaze shifted to her again, observing the way her face lit up with every small thing.

“People live everywhere,” he said finally, his tone calm. “They just don’t notice it like you do.”

She blinked at him, then smiled faintly, leaning back into her seat—but her eyes still remained glued to the window.

---

The next morning, the sunlight spilled softly into their hotel room, but Selene was already awake long before it. She had been waiting for this moment.

By the time Jungkook stepped out after getting ready, he found her sitting on the bed cross-legged, holding a paper in her hand, her hair slightly messy but her energy already overflowing.

The second she saw him, she jumped up.

“Okay listen!” she said quickly, rushing toward him before he could even speak. “I made a list.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“A list?”

“Yes, a list,” she repeated, unfolding the paper dramatically and holding it in front of him like it was some official document.

“These are all the places we’re going today. No arguments.”

Jungkook took the paper slowly, scanning it. His eyes moved over the names—cafés, streets, landmarks—all scribbled in slightly messy handwriting, with little hearts and stars drawn beside some of them.

His lips twitched, but he controlled it.

“You planned all this… overnight?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” she said without shame. “So I planned our entire day. Efficient use of time.”

He looked at her properly now.

She was already dressed.

And for once… she looked different.

Selene had chosen a soft, elegant outfit—something that matched the city around her. A fitted pastel dress that fell gracefully to her knees, paired with a light coat, minimal accessories, and her hair styled neatly. She still carried her natural innocence, but there was an effort today… a conscious attempt to belong.

To impress.

To not look out of place.

Jungkook, on the other hand, stood in a crisp white silk suit, the fabric catching the morning light effortlessly. The clean lines, the structured fit, the effortless authority he carried—it all made him stand out without trying. His presence alone felt expensive.

Selene looked at him for a second… then blinked twice.

“Why do you look like you own the city?” she muttered.

“I don’t,” he replied calmly, adjusting his cuff. “

She stared at him, then shook her head. “You’re impossible.”

---

The café she had chosen turned out to be far more than she expected.

As they stepped inside, Selene’s steps slowed down almost immediately.

The place was elegant—no, it was refined in a way that felt almost intimidating. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm golden glow across the room. The furniture was polished, delicate, perfectly arranged. People sat in quiet conversations, dressed in tailored outfits, sipping coffee like it was an art form.

Everything was… controlled.

Perfect.

Selene’s fingers instinctively reached for Jungkook’s arm, clutching it lightly as she leaned a little closer to him.

“Why does this place feel like different from I saw in pics?”

she whispered under her breath.

Jungkook didn’t react outwardly, but he noticed.

Of course he noticed.

A staff member approached them, greeting them politely in French, his tone smooth and practiced. Selene blinked, trying to understand, but the words completely flew over her head.

She forced a small smile. “Uh… English?”

The man continued in French.

Selene looked at Jungkook helplessly.

Without a word, Jungkook stepped forward slightly and replied fluently in French, his tone calm and precise. The staff member nodded immediately, shifting his attention respectfully toward him before guiding them to their table.

Selene stared at him the entire time.

“You speak French?” she whispered once they sat down.

“i speak 3 languages.”

“You never told me.”

“You never asked.”

She frowned, then looked around again, suddenly more aware of everything—the way people held themselves, the quiet environment, the soft clinking of cutlery.

For the first time since morning…

She felt nervous.

The menu was placed in front of her.

Selene picked it up casually at first—but the moment her eyes landed on the prices… her expression froze.

Her eyes widened.

She blinked once.

Twice.

Then she slowly lowered the menu, leaning toward Jungkook.

“We should leave,” she whispered urgently.

He looked at her, unbothered. “Why?”

“This place is expensive,” she said, her voice dropping even lower, like she was revealing a secret. “Very expensive.”

He glanced at the menu, then back at her.

“This is the café you chose.”

“I didn’t know it was this kind of café,” she whispered, panic slowly creeping in.

“I thought it was normal. This is not normal. This is rich people normal.”

Jungkook leaned back slightly, watching her.

And for the first time…

He decided to tease.

“This is what happens when you act without thinking,” he said calmly, his tone carrying a faint edge. “We can’t leave now. It would be embarrassing.”

Selene froze.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the menu.

“Oh…” she murmured, her voice small now. “I’m sorry.”

The words came out softly, genuinely.

She lowered her gaze and opened the menu again, this time carefully scanning the cheapest items, her excitement from earlier completely gone.

“I’ll just order something small,” she said quietly. “It’s okay.”

Jungkook watched her.

The way her shoulders had dropped.The way her voice had softened.

The way her energy… dimmed.Something shifted inside him again.

A small, unfamiliar discomfort.

He leaned forward slightly.

“Selene.”

She looked up.

“Order whatever you want.”

She blinked. “What?”

“I said order whatever you want,” he repeated, his tone steady.

She stared at him, unsure. “Are you joking?”

“No.”

There was no humor in his voice.

Only calm certainty.

He leaned back again, his gaze steady on her.

“Your husband earns more in a day than this place probably makes in a year,” he said casually.

“So stop worrying about the price and eat properly.”

Selene’s mouth opened slightly.

Her eyes widened even more.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

She searched his face for a hint of a joke.

There was none.

And slowly…

Her expression changed.

From doubt…

To shock…

To something dangerously close to excitement.

“…So I can order anything?”

“Anything.”

That was all she needed.

Within seconds, her entire mood flipped. She leaned forward, flipping through the menu again—this time with bright eyes, her earlier hesitation completely gone.

“Oh my God, this one looks good… and this too… and this—wait, can I order two?”

Jungkook exhaled quietly, but there was the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes now.

“Order.”

And just like that…

Selene was back.

Smiling.

Excited.

Alive.

And for some reason…

Jungkook didn’t mind it at all.

By the time the evening settled over Seine River, the city had transformed into something softer, quieter, almost intimate. The golden glow of street lamps reflected on the slow-moving water, and the distant hum of conversations, laughter, and music blended into a peaceful rhythm.

Couples walked side by side, some holding hands, some lost in their own worlds, and in the middle of all that—Selene walked like she belonged there completely, while Jungkook walked like he was just passing through.

Selene had been talking non-stop for the past ten minutes, her voice full of wonder as her eyes kept moving from one sight to another

. “Do you see that bridge? It looks like something from a painting… and those lights! Why do they make everything look so pretty? Even normal people look romantic here. If we had this in our city, people would just sit and eat ramen on the side.”

Jungkook walked beside her with his hands in his pockets, his pace steady, his expression calm. He wasn’t really replying, just listening… or pretending not to. But his attention was still there, quietly following her words, her tone, her energy.

“And look at that couple,” she continued, lowering her voice slightly but still loud enough.

“They’re just standing there doing nothing… and still looking happy. How does that work? If we stand like that, you’ll probably say ‘move, you’re blocking the way.’”

Jungkook exhaled softly through his nose, almost like a silent reaction, but he didn’t say anything. His gaze moved ahead, but for a brief second, it flickered toward her—just to see her expression.

She was smiling.

Completely at ease.

As if the world was simple.

Then suddenly, Selene stopped walking.

Her eyes had caught something.

A small street food stall stood near the walkway, glowing under a warm yellow light. The smell of fresh crepes and grilled snacks filled the air, mixing with the cold evening breeze.

Selene’s eyes lit up immediately.

“Oh my God… that smells so good,” she whispered, almost to herself, before turning to him.

“Jungkook, can we try that?”

He didn’t even look at the stall.

“No.”

She blinked. “No?”

“It’s street food,” he said simply. “Not hygienic.”

Selene stared at him for a second, then turned her head slowly toward the stall again, then back at him.

“Do you think these people are eating poison?” she asked flatly.

“They might be,” he replied calmly.

She scoffed. “You’re unbelievable. You eat in five-star restaurants only, is it?”

“Yes.”

She folded her arms. “So you’ve never eaten anything like this?”

“No.”

Selene tilted her head slightly, studying him like he was some strange subject.

“You’ve never stood on a street… held food in your hand… and eaten while watching people?”

“No.”

There was no hesitation in his answer.

For a second, she just looked at him—then shook her head in disbelief.

“Your life is very boring,” she declared.

“It’s disciplined.”

“It’s boring,” she repeated, more firmly this time.

And before he could respond, she grabbed his wrist.

“Come.”

“I said no—”

But she But she was already pulling him.

Selene dragged him toward the stall with surprising determination, her grip firm despite her smaller size. Jungkook frowned slightly, clearly not pleased, but he didn’t pull his hand away this time. Instead, he followed, his steps slower, reluctant, but present.

She ordered quickly, her voice bright and excited as she pointed at items she didn’t even fully understand. The vendor smiled, nodding, preparing the food with practiced ease.

Jungkook stood beside her, his posture stiff, his gaze scanning the surroundings. Everything about this felt unfamiliar to him—the crowd, the noise, the casualness of it all.

This wasn’t his world.

Selene took the plate the moment it was ready, her face lighting up as if she had just received something precious.

“Look at this!” she said, turning to him, holding it up proudly. “Doesn’t it look amazing?”

He looked at it.

Then at her.

“It looks… risky.”

She rolled her eyes. “You are impossible.”

Without wasting another second, she took a bite.

And instantly—her expression changed.

Her eyes widened, her shoulders relaxed, and a small, satisfied sound escaped her.

“Oh wow… this is so good,” she mumbled, already taking another bite. “You are missing out on life.”

Jungkook didn’t reply.

He just stood there, watching her.

Watching the way she ate without hesitation, without overthinking, without caring about how she looked or what anyone thought.

And somewhere in his mind… a thought formed.

He had never done this.

Never stood on a street like this.

Never eaten food like this.

Never… allowed himself something so simple.

His gaze dropped slightly to the food in her hand again, then back to her face as she made a small scrunched expression while chewing something hot.

He frowned slightly.

“You’re making faces.”

“It’s hot,” she said quickly, fanning her mouth. “But it’s still good.”

She took another bite anyway.

Then suddenly, she turned toward him, holding the food closer to his face.

“Try.”

“No.”

“Just one bite.”

“No.”

Selene narrowed her eyes slightly, then stepped closer.

“It’s tasty.”

“I’m not eating that.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“I’m being careful.”

She sighed dramatically, then looked at him with exaggerated disappointment. “You’re really going to go your whole life without trying something new?”

“I’m fine with that.”

She stared at him for a second.

Then softly, more quietly this time, she said, “Just one bite.”

Something in her tone changed.

It wasn’t teasing now.

It was… simple.

Genuine.

Jungkook held her gaze for a moment.

Then exhaled slowly.

“…Fine.”

Selene’s face lit up immediately.

“Really?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he leaned slightly forward.

She held the food carefully, her eyes watching him like this was some major event.

And when he finally took a small bite…

She froze.

Waiting.

Watching.

His expression remained neutral as he chewed slowly, analyzing the taste.

Selene leaned closer. “Well?”

He swallowed.

“It’s… acceptable.”

Her mouth fell open.

“Acceptable? That’s your reaction?” she said in disbelief. “This is amazing!”

He looked at her, calm as ever. “You’re exaggerating.”

“I am not!”

She laughed softly, shaking her head, then took another bite herself, happier now for no reason other than the fact that he had tried it.

And for a while…

They just stood there.

No arguments.

No tension.

Just her eating happily… and him standing beside her, watching.

Not annoyed.

Not irritated.

Just… there.

And strangely—

It didn’t feel wrong anymore.

The next day in Paris unfolded like a page out of a dream—only this time, Jungkook was no longer just walking beside Selene; he was… participating, even if quietly.

The morning began with something Selene insisted on—cycling through the streets—and surprisingly, he didn’t refuse.

The cool breeze brushed past them as they rode side by side, Selene slightly ahead, turning back every few seconds to say something, to point at something, to simply make sure he was still there.

“Look at that street corner! It looks like a painting,” she called out once, slowing down just enough for him to catch up. Jungkook glanced briefly, then at her, noticing how her hair moved freely with the wind, how her laughter didn’t feel forced anymore.

He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t look away immediately either. They passed by street performers dancing on cobblestone roads, and Selene stopped without hesitation, clapping along, even trying to mimic a step, which made a few strangers laugh kindly. Jungkook stood a little away, watching her, his hands in his pockets, but there was no irritation this time—just quiet observation.

Later, inside an art museum, she walked slower, surprisingly calmer, tilting her head at paintings like she was trying to understand stories hidden inside them.

By afternoon, the city felt warmer, more familiar, and that was when Jungkook suggested something himself for the first time.

“We’re going shopping,” he said simply while they walked out of the museum. Selene blinked at him

. “You? Shopping?” He gave her a look.

“I need a few things.” She smiled immediately.

“Then I also need things.” He didn’t argue.

The car dropped them in front of a grand boutique—Dior—its glass exterior reflecting elegance and quiet power. The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted completely.

Soft lighting, polished marble floors, the faint scent of luxury perfumes lingering in the air, and staff members dressed impeccably, greeting them with practiced grace.

Selene slowed down instinctively, her eyes scanning everything—the displays, the mannequins dressed in flawless outfits, the silence that somehow felt expensive.

Jungkook, on the other hand, walked in like he belonged there.

A staff member approached, greeting them politely in French, and Jungkook responded with ease, his tone calm, controlled. Selene watched the exchange again, still not used to this side of him.

“You just switch personalities depending on location, don’t you?” she muttered under her breath. He ignored that, already moving toward the men’s section.

What followed was… almost fascinating to watch.

Jungkook didn’t browse.

He selected.

His movements were precise, his choices quick yet calculated. He picked up a blazer, checked the fabric with his fingers, glanced at the stitching, then handed it to the staff without hesitation. Another shirt. A pair of trousers. Shoes. Everything matched, everything aligned, everything intentional.

Selene stood a little behind him at first, watching like she was observing a different species.

“You don’t even think twice?” she finally asked.

“I already know what I want,” he replied.

“That’s scary,” she said honestly. “You choose clothes like you’re signing business deals.”

He glanced at her briefly. “Efficiency.”

She shook her head, amused.

After he was done, he turned to her. “You can pick whatever you want.”

She blinked. “Anything?”

“Yes.”

That one word was enough.

Selene stepped forward, but unlike him, she didn’t move with precision—she moved with curiosity. She touched fabrics, held dresses against herself, turned toward him for reactions every few minutes.

“This one?” she asked, holding up a soft beige dress. Jungkook looked at it, then at her.

“It’s fine.” She frowned. “Fine is not helpful.” He exhaled slightly.

“It suits you.” That was enough for her to smile again.

She moved to another section, picking up bags this time.

“This one looks classy… but this one is cuter,” she said, comparing two designs. Jungkook stepped closer, his gaze briefly assessing both.

“Take both.” She stared at him.

“You say that like money grows on trees.” “It doesn’t,” he replied calmly. “But I have enough of it.”

She blinked again, still not fully used to statements like that.

As she moved through makeup and perfumes, she slowed down a little, her excitement shifting into something softer. She picked up a small perfume bottle, smelled it, smiled faintly, then placed it aside carefully. Jungkook noticed. “You liked it,” he said. “I did,” she admitted, “but I don’t need everything I like.” He didn’t reply. He simply picked it up and handed it to the staff.

Selene watched him for a second… then looked away, hiding the small smile that appeared.

As her shopping continued, something else changed too.

She started picking things for others.

“This would look good on Mom,” she said softly, holding a silk scarf. “And this… Noah will like this jacket, he pretends he doesn’t care but he does.” She moved to another section.

“And something for your mom too… she likes elegant things, right?” she asked, looking at him for confirmation. Jungkook nodded slightly. She selected carefully, not randomly—thinking, imagining, choosing with intention.

“For your dad?” she asked.

“He doesn’t need anything.”

She looked at him. “Still.”

She picked something anyway.

Then she paused for a moment, holding a small gift box in her hand.

“And… something for your friend,” she added casually. Jungkook raised an eyebrow.

“Jimin?” “Yes,” she said.

“He seems like he’d complain if you didn’t get him anything.” Jungkook almost smirked.

By the time they were done, the counter was filled.

Bags. Boxes. Carefully wrapped luxury items.

Selene stood there, looking at everything, then at Jungkook. “This is too much,” she said quietly.

“It’s not.”

She hesitated. “I’ve never… spent like this before.”

“I know,” he said.

There was no judgment in his voice.

Just a statement.

She nodded slowly, then smiled again—soft, grateful, but still very much herself.

“Okay,” she said lightly. “Next time, we go somewhere cheap to balance this.”

On the third day in Paris, the city felt different to both of them—not because the streets had changed, but because something between them had. The morning started slower, calmer, without Selene dragging him out of bed in chaos. Instead, she sat near the window for a while, sunlight falling softly on her face as she looked outside, already planning the day in her head.

When Jungkook stepped out after getting ready, he found her unusually quiet, holding her phone but not scrolling, just thinking.

“Where today?” he asked, adjusting his watch. She looked up, a small smile forming. “Everywhere,” she said simply.

They began with Louvre Museum, where Selene walked with more patience than before, stopping not just to look—but to feel. She didn’t rush this time. Jungkook noticed that.

“You’re quieter today,” he said as they stood in front of a painting.

“I’m observing,” she replied, her eyes still on the artwork.

“You should try it. It’s nice.” He didn’t respond, but he stayed beside her longer than he needed to. After that, they walked through the gardens near Notre-Dame Cathedral, where street artists sketched portraits and musicians played soft melodies. Selene stopped to watch a painter, asking questions, smiling, completely at ease with strangers.

Jungkook stood behind her, hands in his pockets, but this time—he didn’t look out of place. If anything, he looked like someone quietly accompanying her world.

They passed by Montmartre later in the afternoon, where narrow streets, small cafés, and local art made everything feel alive. Selene walked ahead, occasionally turning back to check if he was still there.

“You know,” she said suddenly as they climbed a small street,

“you’re different here.” Jungkook raised an eyebrow.

“How?” She shrugged lightly.

“You don’t look like you’re tolerating me.” He almost scoffed. “I wasn’t tolerating you.”

“Oh really?” she said, amused.

“Then what was that face you made on day one?” He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, after a pause, he said,

“You talk too much.” She grinned. “And you’re still here.” He didn’t deny that.

By evening, the sky turned into shades of deep blue and gold, and Selene’s excitement returned fully because she had been waiting for this part all day—their visit to Eiffel Tower.

As they approached it, her steps slowed, not because she was tired, but because she wanted to take it in properly. The tower stood tall, glowing softly as lights began to shimmer across its structure. Selene looked up, her eyes wide, her expression almost childlike but not careless—just pure. “It’s… bigger than I imagined,” she whispered.

Jungkook watched her more than the tower.

They went up together, the elevator ride filled with soft murmurs of other visitors, but Selene stood close to the glass, watching the city rise beneath them. When they finally reached the top, the view was breathtaking. Paris stretched endlessly—lights scattered like stars across the ground, roads glowing, buildings standing in quiet elegance. The air was cooler up there, brushing gently against their skin.

Selene stepped forward slowly, her gaze moving across the city.

“It looks like a dream,” she said softly. “Like… everything is calm from here. No noise, no rush… just light.” Jungkook stood beside her, following her line of sight.

He didn’t reply.

Instead, he noticed something else about her.

She had already taken out her phone.

Within minutes, Selene was clicking pictures, adjusting angles, capturing the skyline, herself, the lights, everything. She moved around naturally, not shy at all, smiling, posing, recording short clips. “I need this lighting,” she murmured, fixing her hair. Jungkook watched her, realizing something he hadn’t fully noticed before

—Selene wasn’t just expressive in words, she lived through moments and preserved them.

“You post everything?” he asked. “Not everything,” she said, still focused on her phone. “But most things. I like remembering.” He nodded slightly. That made sense.

Then suddenly, she turned to him. “Click my photos.”

He blinked.

“What?”

“Photos,” she repeated, handing him her phone. “Come on.”

Before he could respond, she slipped off her jacket.

And for a brief second—

He paused.

Underneath, she wore an off-shoulder crop top paired with a fitted mini skirt, boots completing the look. It wasn’t vulgar—but it was bold enough to stand out. Her shoulders were bare, her posture confident, her expression completely natural like she didn’t even realize the effect it had.

Jungkook’s grip on the phone tightened slightly.

“ We’re in public,Selene wear that jacket “he said, when he found mens eyes on her .his tone lower.

Selene tilted her head. “And?” she said casually. “I’m posing in front of my husband.”

That… shut him up.

She stepped back, striking a pose naturally.

“Click properly,” she instructed. “Not like passport photos.” He exhaled slowly, then lifted the phone.

“Stand still,” he said. “I am standing still!” she replied, shifting slightly.

“That’s not still.” “

.” “You’re not serious enough.” “Just click!”

Despite himself, he did.

One picture. Then another.

“Wait, wait—this angle,” she said, turning slightly, brushing her hair back. “And one like this.” She laughed lightly, changing poses, her energy effortless.

Then she looked around and suddenly grabbed a stranger nearby. “Excuse me, can you take one photo of us?” she asked politely. Jungkook frowned slightly. “Selene—” “Just one,” she insisted.

Before he could refuse, she pulled him closer.

“Stand properly,” she whispered.

“I am standing properly.”

“No, you look like you’re attending a meeting.”

The stranger clicked the picture as Selene leaned slightly closer, smiling brightly.

Then—without warning—

She turned and kissed his cheek.

Quick.

Light.

But enough.

Jungkook froze.

Selene pulled back immediately, laughing softly at his expression. “Relax,” she said. “It’s just a photo.”

He didn’t say anything, but his jaw tightened slightly, his eyes narrowing—not in anger, but in something else he wasn’t ready to define.

After that, she moved again, closer to the railing, looking down. The height was dizzying, the city far below.

She leaned slightly forward.

“Selene,” Jungkook’s voice came sharper this time. “Step back.”

“I’m just looking—”

“Step back.”

His tone made her pause.

She turned, slightly surprised. “You’re acting like I’m going to jump.”

“You’re careless,” he said, walking closer, his gaze serious now. “This isn’t a place to play around.”

She frowned slightly, her mood dipping just a little. “I wasn’t playing,” she said quietly.

For a moment, silence settled between them.

Then she stepped back anyway.

“Fine.”

Jungkook exhaled slowly, his irritation fading just as quickly as it came. “Just… be careful,” he added, his tone lower now.

Selene looked at him for a second, then nodded.

The moment passed.

They stayed there for a while longer, quieter this time, standing side by side, looking at the city.

And somewhere between the lights, the silence, and the space between them—

Something had changed again.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

But enough to be felt.

When they finally walked back down, the night air felt different—not cold, not distant, but closer.

Like Paris had done its work on them.

The room welcomed them with a soft hush the moment the door closed behind them, the distant glow of Paris still slipping in through the tall glass windows like a quiet reminder of the night they had just lived.

But Selene didn’t carry that stillness with her. The moment she stepped inside, she exhaled loudly, like she had been holding in all her energy at once, and then—just like that—she unraveled.

Her jacket came off first, not carefully, not folded—just shrugged off her shoulders and tossed somewhere behind without a glance. Underneath, the off-shoulder top exposed the line of her collarbones, the fabric sitting loose yet striking against her skin, paired with the short skirt that moved slightly as she walked.

She didn’t notice the effect, didn’t pause to adjust herself—she never did. She just moved like she always did, careless in a way that wasn’t thoughtless, just… free.

“Oh my God, my feet are done,” she groaned dramatically as she reached the bed, dropping onto it without grace. Sitting at the edge, she bent forward and tugged off her boots one by one, not bothering to place them properly.

One slid a little too far, hitting the leg of a chair, the other landed somewhere near the side table. She didn’t care. She just pushed them away with her foot before leaning back, half her body falling onto the bed while her legs still hung off the edge.

“This day was too long,” she muttered, staring at the ceiling, her voice still carrying that familiar restless energy.

“But also too short. How does that even make sense? I feel like I’ve lived ten days in one… and still not enough.”

Jungkook stepped in a moment later, closing the door behind him with a quieter movement, his eyes automatically finding her. He paused there for a second, just looking.

At the way she had already taken over the room.

At the way things were already slightly out of place.

At her—half on the bed, half off it, talking to no one and yet filling the space completely.

He let out a soft sigh, not annoyed… not really.

Just used to it now.

He moved forward, slipping off his jacket with more control than her, placing it aside before loosening his watch and setting it down carefully on the table. His fingers moved to the collar of his shirt next, undoing the top buttons, easing himself out of the stiffness of the day. Unlike her chaos, his movements were slower, deliberate—but there was less rigidity in him than before.

“You say that every day,” he said finally, his voice calm but not distant as he glanced at her again.

“Because every day is like that,” she replied instantly, turning her head slightly to look at him upside down from where she lay.

“Today especially. I mean, the tower, the view, the people, the lights… and you—” she paused, narrowing her eyes slightly as if remembering something.

“You,” she repeated, pushing herself up a little on her elbows, “in my photos… you look like someone forced you to be there.”

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, walking closer now. “Maybe I was.”

Selene gasped, sitting up straighter.

“Excuse me? That was culture. That was romance. That was experience.”

“That was chaos,” he corrected, but there was a faint ease in his tone now, something that didn’t sound like dismissal.

“It was life,” she shot back. “You’re welcome.”

He almost smiled at that.

Almost.

She watched his face carefully, catching the slight shift even if he didn’t fully show it.

“See? That expression. That’s the one. Half annoyed, half pretending you’re not enjoying.”

“I wasn’t pretending.”

“You were.”

“I wasn’t.”

“You were,” she insisted, leaning back again, her voice lighter now. “You just don’t know how to admit it.”

Jungkook didn’t respond immediately. He just looked at her for a second longer, then shook his head slightly, like arguing wasn’t even worth it anymore.

Selene turned to her side then, adjusting herself on the bed, pulling one of the pillows closer and fluffing it absentmindedly as she continued talking.

“Also, that couple near us? Definitely fake. No one smiles like that naturally. I swear they were practicing before coming there…”

Her hands moved automatically as she spoke, fixing the pillows, pressing them, shifting them into place without really paying attention.

“…and the way she kept leaning on him like that, I mean—”

Her hand slipped.

The pillow flew out of her grip, backward—

And hit Jungkook straight on the face.

Everything paused.

Selene froze mid-sentence.

The pillow slid down slowly from his face and dropped to the floor.

She turned her head, eyes widening slightly.

“…That,” she said carefully, lifting one hand as if to defend herself already, “was not intentional.”

Jungkook looked at her.

Not sharply.

Not coldly.

Just… steadily.

“Careless,” he said.

Selene frowned immediately, pushing herself up on her elbows. “I just said it wasn’t intentional.”

“You threw it.”

“I didn’t throw it, it slipped!”

“It didn’t look like it slipped.”

She stared at him, disbelief rising fast now.

“Oh, so now you know what it looked like better than the person who did it?”

“I’m just saying what I saw.”

“And I’m telling you what happened,” she snapped, irritation slipping through. “Why would I throw a pillow at you for no reason?”

Jungkook tilted his head slightly. “You do things without reason all the time.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“That’s not true.”

“It is.”

“That is not true,” she repeated, her tone firmer now.

He didn’t argue loudly.

But he didn’t back down either.

“It didn’t look accidental,” he said again, quieter, but enough.

Selene let out a small scoff, shaking her head. “You know what? Fine.”

She grabbed another pillow from beside her.

And this time—

She hit him.

Properly.

The sound was soft, but the intention was very clear.

Jungkook blinked once, slightly taken aback now.

Selene crossed her arms immediately after.

“That was intentional.”

A brief silence settled.

Then Jungkook bent down, picking up the pillow that had fallen earlier, his movements slower this time, his gaze still on her.

Selene watched him, expecting him to just drop it or say something again.

But instead—

He stepped closer.

And hit her back o

Not hard.

But enough to make her react. The pillow fell down after hitting her shoulder.

Her eyes widened instantly. “You did not just do that.”

“You started it,” he said, and this time, his tone carried something new—not cold, not distant… just normal.

Real.

Selene stared at him for a second.

And then grabbed another pillow without warning and swung it toward him, but this time Jungkook caught it mid-air, his grip firm, his reflexes quicker than before.

“Selene, stop,” he muttered, his tone shifting now—less accusing, more worn out, though there was still a thread of irritation underneath.

“Oh really?” she shot back instantly, not backing down even for a second. She reached for another pillow and hit him square on the shoulder, the impact soft but deliberate. “Make me.”

That did it.

Something in his expression changed—not anger, not exactly—but a quiet decision.

Before she could react, he moved forward.

Fast.

The space between them disappeared in an instant, and in the middle of the chaos—of her trying to swing again, of him trying to stop her—his hand caught her left breast grabbing it tightly.

Too sudden.

The contact wasn’t planned. It wasn’t intentional in the way it landed—but it happened.

Selene froze.

Her breath hitched, not from pain, but from the sheer unexpectedness of it. For a split second, everything stilled—the fight, the movement, the noise.

Jungkook realized it just as quickly.

His hand withdrew immediately, like he had touched something he wasn’t supposed to. There was no hesitation in that reaction—just instinct, sharp and immediate.

But the moment had already happened.

Selene blinked, processing it, her expression shifting from surprise to something sharper.

And then—

she hit him again.

“Don’t touch me like that!” she snapped, her voice carrying more force now, though it wasn’t fear—it was instinctive defense, a line drawn quickly.

Jungkook looked at her, caught off guard. For a brief second, something flickered across his face—something close to apology, something almost uncertain.

“I didn’t—” he started, but didn’t finish.

Instead, he reached for her wrist again—not roughly, not aggressively—but enough to pull her back into the moment, back into something less fragile than what had just passed between them.

And just like that—

the fight resumed.

Not the same as before.

Something had shifted.

The movements were still quick, still chaotic—but now there was a strange awareness beneath it. Every touch, every grab, every push carried a little more weight than it had seconds ago.

Selene tried to twist free, but Jungkook’s grip steadied her just enough to throw her balance off. In one fluid motion, he stepped back—

and fell onto the bed.

The mattress dipped beneath him, and before she could recover—

Selene followed.

She landed over him, her hands bracing against his chest instinctively, her knees settling on either side of his waist as she caught herself.

The pillows were still clutched in their hands like weapons neither of them had remembered to drop.

For a second, they both tried to continue.

She lifted the pillow again, aiming for his face

but he caught her wrist.

Again.

This time slower.

Less reactive.

Their movements stalled.

Selene shifted slightly, trying to free her hand, but his grip didn’t tighten—it just stayed there, steady, unmoving. Not controlling. Not forceful. Just… present.

“Let go,” she said, though her voice had lost some of its earlier sharpness.

“Then stop hitting me,” he replied, quieter now.

“I will if you do.”

“I didn’t start it.”

“You continued it.”

“And you didn’t stop.”

“Because you didn’t—”

Her words faltered.

Not because she didn’t have a reply.

But because something else was happening.

The fight was still there.

But it was fading.

Slowly.

Their breathing had changed—less rushed, more noticeable in the quiet that had begun to stretch between them. Her hair had fallen forward, strands brushing against her face, slightly messy from all the movement. She didn’t fix it.

Didn’t move at all, actually.

Jungkook’s hands had loosened around her wrists without fully letting go. Not restraining. Not holding her in place. Just there, like he hadn’t decided yet whether to release or not.

She was still sitting over him.

Close enough to feel the rise and fall of his breathing beneath her palms.

Close enough to notice the way his gaze had shifted.

Not sharp anymore.

Not defensive.

Just… steady.

Watching her.

Selene swallowed slightly, her fingers pressing a little more firmly against his chest—not pushing him away, not pulling closer either.

Just… grounding herself.

The room had gone quiet.

Too quiet compared to the chaos from moments ago.

The laughter had disappeared, replaced by something slower… heavier.

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them spoke.

Selene blinked first.

Then exhaled softly, the tension in her shoulders easing as she leaned back slightly, breaking just enough of the moment to breathe again.

“…You’re heavy,” she muttered, even though she was the one sitting on him.

Jungkook’s lips twitched—barely.

“You’re the one on top.”

“I know,” she said, shifting a little, but not getting off yet. “Still your fault.”

Slowly getting off his waist she lay sprawled on the bed, her hair slightly messy, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. Jungkook lay beside her his own breathing heavier than usual,

Selene turned her head toward him, a tired smile still playing on her lips.

“I can’t believe you actually fought,” she said softly, her voice no longer teasing, just… real.

Jungkook exhaled lightly, running a hand through his hair as if trying to process it himself. “I didn’t fight,” he said, though his tone lacked its usual firmness.

She let out a quiet laugh. “You did. And you lost.”

“I didn’t lose.”

“You were under me,” she pointed out, raising an eyebrow slightly.

“That doesn’t mean I lost.”

“It definitely does.”

He almost argued again—but didn’t. Instead, he shook his head slightly, a faint smile threatening to form but not fully appearing,

Selene shifted a little, turning onto her side to face him more properly, her energy finally calming down.

“You’re not as boring as I thought,” she murmured.

Jungkook glanced at her. “You’re more trouble than I expected.”

“That’s not a bad thing.”

Another pause followed—but softer this time.

Selene’s eyes lingered on his face for a second longer than usual, like she was noticing things she hadn’t before. Not just how he looked—but how he felt… how he reacted… how he had changed, even if just a little.

“You had fun,” she said quietly.

Jungkook didn’t answer immediately.

He could have denied it.

He almost did.

But instead, after a moment, he said, “…Maybe.”

That was enough.

Selene smiled faintly, something warmer settling in her expression now. Slowly, without making a big deal out of it, she moved closer—just a little at first. Then a little more.

And then—

She rested her head gently against his chest.

The movement was natural.

Unplanned.

But it changed everything.

For a brief second, Jungkook went still.

Not because he wanted to pull away.

But because he wasn’t used to this.

Her arm slid around him lightly, not tight, not possessive—just… there. Like she had found a place and decided to stay without asking.

Selene exhaled softly, her body finally relaxing completely after the long day, the warmth of him grounding her in a way she hadn’t expected. It was unfamiliar—being this close, hearing the steady rhythm of someone else’s heartbeat beneath her ear. It wasn’t loud, but it was there… constant, calm.

She noticed it.

Focused on it.

And slowly… something shifted inside her too.

A quiet warmth spread through her chest, something softer than excitement, deeper than amusement. Her fingers curled slightly against him, not consciously, just instinctively, as if holding onto that feeling.

Jungkook felt it.

Every small movement.

Every shift of her breath.

The way she settled closer without hesitation.

It did something to him—something subtle but undeniable. His body, usually so controlled, felt different under that closeness. Not tense… not uncomfortable… just aware.

More aware than he had ever been.

He didn’t move away.

He didn’t interrupt it.

Instead, after a second, his hand lifted slightly—hesitating for the briefest moment—before resting lightly against her arm. Not holding. Not pulling. Just… there.

Selene noticed that too.

A small smile touched her lips, unseen against his chest.

“I like you like this,” she said softly, her voice almost a whisper now.

Jungkook’s gaze dropped slightly toward her, his expression unreadable for a moment.

“Like what?” he asked quietly.

She shifted just enough to get more comfortable, her cheek pressing a little more firmly against him, her voice slower now, honest in a way she didn’t usually allow.

“Not… controlled,” she murmured. “Not distant. Just… normal.”

He didn’t respond immediately.

Because he didn’t know how to.

Or maybe—he just didn’t want to ruin the moment by saying the wrong thing.

Selene continued, her voice softer, sleepier now, but still clear enough to reach him.

“You smile more than you think,” she added faintly. “You just hide it.”

A small pause.

Then, almost unconsciously—

“…I didn’t hate today,” Jungkook said.

Selene smiled again, her eyes already closing.

“That’s your version of saying you liked it,” she mumbled.

He didn’t correct her.

Didn’t argue.

Just let it stay.

The room grew quieter after that.

The city lights still glowed faintly through the window, but inside, everything had slowed down completely. Selene’s breathing evened out, her grip loosening slightly as sleep began to take over. But she didn’t move away.

Not even a little.

Jungkook remained still beneath her, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling for a moment before lowering again toward her resting form. There was something unfamiliar in his chest—not discomfort, not confusion… just something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Something steady.

Something warm.

He didn’t name it.

He just let it exist.

And for the first time—

He didn’t feel the need to pull away from it either.

He moved forward, slipping off his jacket with more control than her, placing it aside before loosening his watch and setting it down carefully on the table. His fingers moved to the collar of his shirt next, undoing the top buttons, easing himself out of the stiffness of the day. Unlike her chaos, his movements were slower, deliberate—but there was less rigidity in him than before.

“You say that every day,” he said finally, his voice calm but not distant as he glanced at her again.

“Because every day is like that,” she replied instantly, turning her head slightly to look at him upside down from where she lay.

“Today especially. I mean, the tower, the view, the people, the lights… and you—” she paused, narrowing her eyes slightly as if remembering something.

“You,” she repeated, pushing herself up a little on her elbows, “in my photos… you look like someone forced you to be there.”

Jungkook raise