If I Ain't Got You (vsoo...ft. liskook)

14.

Taehyung passed the tissue to Eunwoo with an icy calmness, but his gaze never left Jisoo. It was almost like he was marking his territory, silently letting Eunwoo know that he wasn’t welcome to get too comfortable. Eunwoo noticed Taehyung’s behavior but didn’t react much. He simply accepted the tissue, still with that same shy smile. Lisa and Jungkook exchanged knowing glances, both smirking inwardly. It was clear—Taehyung liked her. They’d known it for a while, but now it was undeniable.

"Why did you come today, Eunwoo?" Jisoo asked, her curiosity piqued. "It’s been so long since we last saw you. Is everything okay?"

Eunwoo chuckled, reaching into his bag and pulling out two invitation cards. They were a soft nude color, decorated with cute small bouquets, giving them a charming and delicate look. He handed one to Jisoo and the other to Lisa.

"I’m opening my own company," Eunwoo said, a little bashful but proud. "I’d be honored if you could come to the opening ceremony."

His gaze lingered on Jisoo as he spoke, his eyes full of hope. Jisoo smiled softly, her heart warming. She was genuinely happy for him, even if their relationship was purely friendly.

"That’s great, Eunwoo!" Jisoo responded with a bright smile. "We’ll definitely come. We’re so happy for you!"

Eunwoo’s smile widened, but it was still tinged with shyness. He didn’t say much else but offered a final nod to the group, his eyes lingering on Jisoo one last time. He had feelings for her—this was clear to everyone—but whether he would ever act on them was still uncertain.

With a final, "I’ll see you then," Eunwoo stood to leave, leaving behind the invitation cards and a bittersweet feeling in the air.

As Eunwoo exited Wanna Hangout, the group settled into a slightly more comfortable silence. The invitation was a clear gesture of goodwill, and while it was nice to see Eunwoo doing well, the unspoken feelings between Jisoo and Taehyung were growing louder with every passing minute. Both brothers could sense the shift in the atmosphere, and they could only wonder how long Taehyung would wait before finally acting on what was clearly becoming a deep and undeniable attraction.

---

The red ribbon was finally cut by the honored guest, marking the grand opening of Eunwoo’s new company. The crowd erupted into applause, and the elegant ceremony transitioned into a lively celebration as people made their way towards the party hall.

Jisoo and Lisa, standing side by side, approached Eunwoo to congratulate him. They handed him a beautiful bouquet, wishing him success for his company and future ventures. After the exchange of pleasantries, they were about to head towards the buffet hall when a group of Eunwoo’s friends arrived to wish him well.

"Congrats, Eunwoo!"

"Congrats, bro!"

One of his friends, noticing Jisoo standing beside him, called out with a teasing grin, "Are you Jisoo? Our junior?"

Jisoo simply nodded, unaware of the playful glances Eunwoo’s friends were casting toward him. Eunwoo shot a glare at the friend who had asked about Jisoo, clearly uncomfortable with the attention.

"Nice to meet you," the friend continued, addressing Jisoo. "I assume you’re here to wish your sunbae?"

Jisoo nodded again, giving a polite response, though she didn’t pick up on the teasing undertones. Eunwoo, flustered by his friends' antics, quickly changed the subject, ushering everyone toward the party hall through the getaway.

Meanwhile, Lisa smirked knowingly. She was aware of Eunwoo's feelings for her best friend, but at the same time, she didn’t want them to get too close. Lisa knew that when Taehyung liked someone, he would throw his whole heart into it, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to see Jisoo in a relationship with someone else, even if Eunwoo seemed like a gentleman.

"What are you thinking? Let's go," Lisa said, pulling Jisoo by the wrist toward the buffet hall, as the sound of the DJ grew louder around them. Jisoo just shrugged, unaware of the conversation that had transpired between Eunwoo and his friends.

The party was in full swing. Drinks of every kind, an extravagant buffet, and a dance floor for those ready to let loose. Jisoo and Lisa were thoroughly enjoying themselves. The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy, and many of Eunwoo’s college friends were complimenting both girls on their looks and outfits.

Lisa excused herself from Jisoo and made her way through the crowd. She had spotted Taehyung and, despite her initial doubts, knew that he was here. It wasn’t an illusion. He was really here.

She approached him from behind, patting his shoulder gently. When he turned around, his brow raised in acknowledgment.

"Lisa," Taehyung greeted her, his voice calm but his expression unreadable.

The man Taehyung had been speaking to glanced over at Lisa and smiled. "She is your girlfriend, Lisa, Mr. Manoban’s daughter, right? Mr. Kim told us you’re getting engaged soon."

"Yes, she is Lisa," Taehyung confirmed to the man, who looked her up and down with a smile that made Lisa uncomfortable. She forced a smile, though it was strained. It wasn’t that she disliked the man, but she didn’t enjoy being scrutinized like that, especially not in front of Taehyung. She wasn’t someone who liked to fake anything, but right now, with the engagement looming, it felt like she was living a lie.

"Nice meeting you," the man said, extending a hand for a handshake. Lisa took it, though she wasn’t particularly invested in the exchange.

Once he walked away, Lisa turned to Taehyung, but before she could say anything, Eunwoo and two of his associates joined them. Taehyung smirked, his iconic sneer appearing as he noticed the new arrivals.

"Thanks for coming, Mr. Kim Taehyung," Eunwoo greeted Taehyung, who simply nodded and gestured to his assistant to hand over a bouquet of flowers. Eunwoo graciously accepted it, showing his gratitude.

"Well, Mr. Cha, I’d like to have a drink with you," Taehyung said coolly, calling over a couple of waiters who were circulating with glasses of drinks.

He took two glasses from them, handing one to Eunwoo. They clinked their glasses in a silent toast, both gulping down the drink in one go, their eyes locked in an intense stare. The tension was palpable.

Eunwoo excused himself shortly after, his secretary calling him over to greet other investors. Taehyung, still holding his drink, glanced toward Lisa.

"Lisa... I’m here because my dad is an investor in your sunbae’s company," Taehyung explained, though his gaze never left the dance floor where Jisoo was chatting with some other college mates.

Lisa, who had been assuming Taehyung came because he was jealous of Eunwoo’s flirting, now realized that he was here as just another guest, a corporate guest. She felt a little disappointed but decided to tease him anyway.

"Oh, well, Jisoo and I are here to wish our sunbae, and I think I should join my best friend rather than staying with my boyfriend," Lisa said with a sly smile, making her way back to the corner where Jisoo was still conversing with other guests.

Taehyung watched her go, a strange sense of emptiness swirling inside him. He wasn’t just here because of his father’s investments. He had come specifically because he knew she would be here. After all the days of waiting and the few brief interactions, Taehyung had reached his limit. His patience was waning, and he needed to see her again.

When he had learned that she would be at this party, he was more than ready to attend. His mind had been consumed with thoughts of her ever since their last encounter at Wanna Hangout, but now, as he watched her from across the room, he couldn’t deny that his feelings for her had grown deeper.

Jisoo looked simple, with minimal makeup—just a subtle touch-up, yet in his eyes, she was the most beautiful woman in the room. Every glance she threw in his direction, every smile she passed, made him fall even harder. Taehyung had never been the type to fall this deeply for someone, but here he was, helplessly captivated by her presence.

He took another glass of drink and downed it, never once breaking his gaze from Jisoo. He could feel the pull towards her, his heart racing with every passing moment. No longer able to resist, he signaled for his assistant to leave.

Once the assistant left, Taehyung's focus shifted entirely to her. Like a moth drawn to a flame, he found himself moving toward her, unaware of anything else in the room.