Closer Than This...(vsoo)

When Taehyung returned from his shower, Jisoo's heart skipped a beat. His hair was wet, his figure draped in a simple grey t-shirt and sweatpants, yet he looked effortlessly handsome, the kind of man who seemed to own the room with a single glance.

She didn't know whether to look away or let herself indulge in the brief moment of vulnerability she felt as he moved around the room.

Snap out of it, she told herself. He's just a man, and I'm not here to fall for him.

Looking away she rush in washroom, ignoring her betraying eyes.

But when she tried to change out of her wedding dress, the zipper got stuck. Frustration flooded her, and she reluctantly called for his help. She didn't want to owe him anything, but the zipper wouldn't budge.

His voice came from the door. "If you tell me what to do, I might be able to help."

Damn it, Taehyung, she thought. Why does he have to be so difficult?

After some hesitation, she agreed, telling him to come inside. The moment he stepped into the room, his presence seemed to fill the space. He looked at her in the mirror, his dark eyes soft yet intense.

"You look beautiful in that dress," he said, his fingers lightly brushing the zipper.

Jisoo felt the warmth of his touch as he carefully moved the zipper down. Despite herself, she was aware of every small sensation-his proximity, his touch, his quiet focus on her.

"Go easy," she murmured, guiding his hand as she felt the tension rise between them.

When the zipper finally came down, Taehyung's gaze lingered on her reflection in the mirror, and Jisoo couldn't help but wonder-Was that a blush?

She wasn't sure, but the moment was broken when he turned and left the room, leaving her alone to finish her bath. When she returned to the bedroom, he was asleep-peaceful, almost childlike in his stillness. His wet hair clung to his face, and for a moment, Jisoo couldn't resist the urge to reach out and gently move it aside.

What am I doing? she thought as she looked at him.

I'm married to him.

We're married.

The weight of it all settled in, and as she turned away to get into bed, she couldn't shake the feeling that the night was only the beginning of what was yet to come.

Jisoo sat up in the bed, her head feeling heavy from the lack of sleep. She had spent the entire night tossing and turning, restless from nerves.

Her husband's presence, even while asleep, kept her on edge. His arms would drift toward her, his breath would brush her neck. Tiny distractions that prevented her from finding any peace.

"I'm so tired," she muttered under her breath, glancing over at Taehyung. He was sleeping soundly, his face still youthful in sleep, a stark contrast to his usually cold and calculated demeanor. She sighed and quietly slipped out of bed, trying not to wake him.

The mansion was still, save for the soft clatter of workers downstairs. She made her way to the kitchen, hoping the warmth of a hot breakfast would help shake off the heaviness in her chest.

The staff were already up, going about their chores. A few of the older women greeted her with warm smiles, offering her water and ginseng soup, which she graciously accepted. It was clear they had noticed the tiredness in her eyes.

"Good morning," one of the workers said, glancing over at Jisoo with a knowing look. "I bet you didn't sleep well, huh?"

Jisoo chuckled softly, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Good morning," she replied, taking the water they handed her.

As she observed the kitchen, the usual chatter among the workers gave her a sense of normalcy in this foreign situation. Yet, just as she started to feel more at ease, the door opened, and she was caught off guard by the arrival of her Taehyung's uncle.

"Good morning, my dear," he said, patting her gently on the back. She blinked, surprised by his sudden appearance.

"Good morning, Chairman Kim." Jisoo replied, bowing respectfully. He handed her two tickets, which she took with confusion.

"You should take a few days off. You've just been married. A honeymoon is in order," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Jisoo's stomach twisted. She hadn't expected this. She had plans, work obligations, and truth be told, she wasn't sure she was ready to be alone with her husband. But before she could protest, Taehyung entered the kitchen casually, looking as though he had no care in the world.

"We will go," he said without any hesitation, much to Jisoo's dismay.

She opened her mouth to object, but before she could get the words out, he interrupted her. "We're going to Melbourne. The same place you're going for business."

Jisoo's eyebrows knitted together. "I told you already, I have a fashion event to attend this week. I can't just leave."

But Taehyung wasn't listening. He just nodded, seemingly unbothered by her concerns. "We'll go. Don't worry about it."

Jisoo felt a pang of frustration. "Why did you agree then? You know I can't leave now."

He simply shrugged, not offering an explanation. "If you'd told me sooner, I would have understood," Jisoo muttered as she walked upstairs, feeling more irritated than she had anticipated.

By the time they both returned home from their respective work, the tension between Jisoo and Taehyung was palpable. They hadn't spoken much, both distracted by their phones. The silence between them seemed to stretch on forever, each of them caught in their own thoughts.

At dinner, the awkwardness only deepened. His uncle, never one to miss an opportunity to meddle, began questioning their plans.

"Why Melbourne and not Switzerland or Paris?" he asked, his gaze flicking between Jisoo and Taehyung.

"We both have not seen Melbourne yet," Taehyung answered, intertwining his fingers with Jisoo's as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Jisoo froze, unsure of what to do. His uncle was not so easily fooled. His gaze flickered to Jisoo's face, as if expecting her to confirm their "romantic" status.

"Is it true?" he asked, leaning forward. "Were you dating your secretary before this marriage?"

Jisoo's heart sank. She didn't want to get into this, not now. She had heard the rumors, and she wasn't about to let them ruin her already complicated life.

"No," she said, her voice steady despite the rising tension in her chest. "There was nothing between us."

But Taehyung's eyes flicked to her for just a moment, an unreadable expression crossing his face.

His uncle smiled slightly, sensing the discomfort in the air. "It's common for business alliances like yours to be solidified through marriage. But don't worry, I'm not here to pry." His uncle spoke before retreating to his room.

Jisoo felt her stomach churn. She wanted to escape from the conversation, to retreat into a quiet corner, but instead, she forced herself to sit through the meal. As soon as she could, she excused herself.

"I'm not hungry," she muttered, standing up abruptly.

"Don't be like that," Taehyung said, his voice calm but frustrated. "We're just trying to make the best of this."

But Jisoo couldn't hear him anymore. The weight of his words, the rumors swirling around her, Jungkook's confession, the pressure from his family-it all felt suffocating.

"Leave me alone," she snapped, retreating upstairs to her room, leaving Taehyung alone in the dining room.

She had no idea what she was supposed to feel anymore. But one thing was clear: this marriage, this life-it wasn't what she thought it would be.