Author Prov

(A Month Later)

The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the small, cozy cafe as the faint hum of chatter grew louder. Evening was setting in, casting warm golden hues through the large windows. Jungkook wiped his hands on his apron, preparing himself for the inevitable rush. The cafe had become his sanctuary over the last month—a place where he could temporarily forget the complexities of being in Lunar, of waiting endlessly for a mate he wasn't sure he even wanted.

He glanced out the window, watching passersby, his mind wandering again.

"Jeon Jungkook!"

The sharp voice startled him, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned to see Yeonjun standing by the counter with his arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Yeonie, you scared me!" Jungkook pouted, crossing his arms in mock anger.

Yeonjun rolled his eyes. "I've been calling you for two minutes. You were daydreaming again. What was it this time? Imagining your mate sweeping you off your feet?"

Jungkook's face flushed pink as he shook his head fervently. "I wasn't daydreaming!"

"Uh-huh," Yeonjun said, placing a tray of cakes in the display. "And for the record, you look nothing like a bunny when you pout."

Jungkook ignored the jab, instead watching Yeonjun work with a curious expression. Finally, unable to hold back, he asked, "Yeonie, how did you feel when you met Soobin for the first time?"

Yeonjun sighed dramatically, leaning on the counter as if he'd heard this question a million times—which he had. "Jungkook, you've asked me this a hundred times. And need I remind you that you once said, and I quote, 'I don't care if I never find a mate'? Hmm?"

"Yeonieee," Jungkook whined, his cheeks turning red.

"Alright, alright. But this is the last time I'm answering. Meeting your mate feels like—"

"One Americano," a gruff voice interrupted, pulling their attention to the counter.

Jungkook immediately straightened, smiling politely at the customer. "Your order will be ready shortly," he said with a bow.

The man smirked, his eyes roving over Jungkook in a way that made his skin crawl. Jungkook looked away, focusing on the task at hand. This wasn't the first time he'd been on the receiving end of such looks, and Jin's earlier warnings echoed in his mind. He gritted his teeth, determined not to let it bother him.

As the man left, Jungkook sighed quietly. "Why haven't I found my mate yet?" he muttered to himself, leaning against the counter. "Maybe they don't need me... just like no one on Earth needed me."

Yeonjun overheard but said nothing, his heart aching for his friend.

-------------------------

Meanwhile, in the towering Vantae Enterprises building on the other side of Lunar, chaos reigned in the CEO's office.

Taehyung's office was a testament to his authority—sleek, modern, and intimidating. The walls were lined with dark wood, and the large windows behind his desk offered a panoramic view of Lunar's glowing skyline. The faint hum of the city below seemed to mock the tension inside.

"Mr. Kim, I—I apologize for the error," stammered the employee standing before Taehyung's desk. His voice quivered as he clutched the stack of papers he had been sent to revise. "I'll correct it immediately—"

"You should've gotten it right the first time," Taehyung interrupted, his voice cold and sharp. He leaned back in his leather chair, fixing the employee with a glare that could freeze a flame.

"Sloppiness isn't acceptable in my company," he roared.

The man flinched under the weight of Taehyung's words, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the papers. "It won't happen again, sir," he managed, bowing deeply before scurrying out of the room like a frightened mouse.

The door closed with a soft click, leaving the office in tense silence. Taehyung exhaled slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. He hated this feeling—the gnawing frustration, the emptiness that lingered no matter how much power or success he achieved.

"Was that really necessary?"

Taehyung glanced up to see Jimin standing by the door, arms crossed and an unimpressed look on his face. Unlike the employee, Jimin wasn't afraid to call him out.

"He made a mistake," Taehyung replied flatly, returning his attention to the computer screen in front of him.

"And you acted like he burned the entire building down," Jimin said, walking further into the office. He perched himself on the edge of Taehyung's desk, his expression softening. "You know, not everyone operates with your level of perfection."

Taehyung didn't respond. Instead, he opened another file on his computer, his jaw tightening. Jimin sighed, watching his friend silently battle whatever storm was raging inside him. "Tae, you've been wound up like this for weeks. Months, even. Do you ever stop to wonder why?"

"I don't have time to wonder, Jimin," Taehyung replied curtly.

"Maybe you should," Jimin shot back. "You're not just stressed—you're angry. At everyone, at everything. And we both know why."

Taehyung's eyes flicked up to meet Jimin's, his gaze narrowing slightly. "You're waiting, Tae. Waiting for something you can't control. But you can't take that out on everyone else. It's not their fault the Moon Goddess hasn't... blessed you yet."

Jimin's words hit their mark, but Taehyung masked his reaction well. He stood abruptly, shrugging on his suit jacket. "We have a meeting at four. Let's go."

Jimin sighed but followed him out of the office. As they walked down the sleek corridor, the silence between them was heavy.

Finally, Jimin spoke again, his tone lighter. "We're stopping for coffee on the way. No arguments."

Taehyung didn't respond, but the faintest twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement.

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