Chapter 10:  A New Beginning

The cabin was quiet; the only sound was the crackling fire and the gentle sigh of the wind outside. Taehyung lay in bed, his body still weak from the fever, but his mind was clear, focused on the man beside him. Jungkook sat beside him, his hand resting gently on Taehyung's forehead, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity. Jungkook brought him to his place because he was afraid that someone was lurking around Taehyung's house.

He asked his colleague to investigate Taehyung's place, and he was told that his colleague was able to confirm that there was indeed someone spying on the house. But that someone planted a hidden camera around Taehyung's house, which Jungkook was unaware of as well. His colleague then told him that they would further investigate to find out who was the culprit.

“Why did you bring me here? Are you okay with me being here?” Taehyung asked, ashamed of himself.

“It's not like it's your first time here, you should stay here for a moment so I can watch you over. Every time I would tell you to take care of yourself, you would always push yourself to your limits that why you're often get sick.” Jungkook stated, running his finger through his hair.

He blamed himself that he didn't realize that Taehyung wasn't feeling well. He knew he, himself was busy, but he should at least be able to take care of Taehyung. Taehyung usually took care of him every time he visited his house and would always understand that he was a busy man. But still, they'd been together for quite a long time, and he couldn't read him. He couldn't help but get frustrated himself; he felt like he had neglected Taehyung all this time.

“You're feeling better,” Jungkook said, his voice a soft murmur. “The fever's gone.”

Taehyung nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “I'm much better,” he whispered, his voice still a little hoarse. “Just a little tired.” he barely gets a rest, after all.

He looked at Jungkook, his heart filled with a mixture of gratitude and a newfound clarity. He had been so lost in his own pain, so focused on his own hurt, that he had forgotten to see the pain he had inflicted on Jungkook.

“I'm sorry,” Taehyung said, his voice thick with emotion. “I was so lost, so blinded by my own grief that I didn't see how much I was hurting you.”

Jungkook's hand tightened slightly on Taehyung's forehead. “It's okay,” he said, his voice a gentle reassurance. “It's understandable. We both made mistakes.”

He leaned closer, his eyes meeting Taehyung's, a silent understanding passing between them. “But we're here now,” Jungkook said, his voice a low rumble. “And we can fix this.”

Taehyung felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had been so afraid of losing Jungkook, of losing the connection they had built.  But Jungkook's words, his unwavering gaze, filled him with renewed hope.

“We can fix this,” Taehyung echoed, his voice filled with a newfound determination. “We can rebuild what we lost.”

He reached out, his hand gently taking Jungkook's. “We can start over,” he whispered, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. “We can build something stronger, something better.”

Jungkook's grip tightened on Taehyung's hand. “Yes,” he said, his voice filled with quiet confidence. “We can.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the warmth of their hands intertwined, the unspoken promises hanging in the air. They had both been hurt, and both had made mistakes, but they were choosing to forgive each other, to rebuild their connection, to start anew.

The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows on the walls of the cabin. The wind howled softly outside, a reminder of the storm they had weathered. But inside the cabin, a new warmth was blossoming, a love that had been tested and tempered, but had emerged stronger, more resilient.

The air in the dimly lit room was thick with tension. Milan's heart hammered against her ribs, each beat echoing the fear that clawed at her insides. She stood before a figure shrouded in shadow, the only illumination of a single, flickering candle casting grotesque shapes on the wall.

“You failed,” the voice that emerged from the darkness was a chilling rasp, devoid of any warmth or emotion. “You were supposed to deliver him, not let him slip through your fingers.”

Milan's knees buckled, and she sank to the floor, her head bowed. “I... I tried, Boss. Those detectives, they came out of nowhere. I didn't expect it.”

“Excuses are for the weak,” the voice hissed, the shadow shifting slightly, revealing a glint of something sharp and cold. “You know the consequences of failure. You know what happens to those who disappoint me.”

Milan's body trembled. She knew what the Boss meant. His punishments were legendary, brutal, and swift. She had seen it happen to others, their screams echoing in her nightmares. She would be next.

“Please, Boss,” she pleaded, her voice a desperate whisper. “I beg you, give me another chance. I can get him back. I can make it right.”

The silence stretched, thick and suffocating. Milan held her breath, her eyes fixed on the shadowed figure. Finally, the rasping voice returned, laced with a chilling amusement.

“You have one more chance,” the Boss said, his voice a whisper that sent shivers down Milan's spine. “One more chance to prove your worth. Get me Kim Taehyung. This time, I want him delivered to me personally. No more mistakes, no more excuses. Fail again, and you will face the consequences.”

A wave of relief washed over Milan, quickly replaced by a surge of cold determination. She had been given a reprieve, a chance to redeem herself. She would do whatever it took, whatever it cost, to get Taehyung. She would make him hers, even if it meant sacrificing everything else.

The Boss's words echoed in her mind, a chilling reminder of the stakes. She would succeed, she would get Taehyung, or she would die trying.