Still My Venus

2. Hopeless hope❤️‍🔥

Taehyung knelt on the cold floor and unzipped the large suitcase. Inside lay rows of brand-new, carefully folded clothing, every piece pristine, tag still attached, arranged with crisp precision.

Slowly, he began hanging them up in the spacious wardrobe, a desperate attempt to keep his spiraling thoughts grounded.

Once the last jacket was hung, Taehyung stood motionless, staring into the dark wood of the open closet.

Every single garment was designer, high-end, and expensive. But instead of comfort, they brought a bitter ache to his chest.

The irony mocked him ruthlessly, he was wrapped in luxury,

living under a grand lie,

draped in a new identity,

designed solely to hide a broken soul.

'A luxury mask over a life on the run..'



With a heavy sigh, he slid the wardrobe doors shut, cutting off the view.

He turned towards the bed, pure exhaustion weighed heavy on his limbs. Rest felt like a privilege he couldn't afford right now. All he wanted was a single night of peace -

No sudden noises.

No lingering shadows.

No nightmares creeping into the dark.

He walked over and sank onto the edge of the mattress. Slowly, he swung his legs up and lay flat, staring up at the plain white ceiling above.

He closed his eyes just for a second, only for a vivid wave of memories from a few nights ago to rush back, cold and terrifying.

His eyes snapped open instantly, he swallowed hard against the sudden lump in his neck.

He NEVER, EVER imagined his life would change to a night like this.

Trapped in a golden cage, surviving on borrowed time and a stolen name.

He can breathe. That is enough.

He rolled over, clutching the heavy blanket tightly against his chest. For hours, he tossed and turned, as his racing mind fought against his body's desperate demand for escape.

But eventually, the tension drained from his shoulders, his breathing slowed, and Taehyung finally slipped into a deep, slumber.



It was the only sanctuary he had left.

✨___________________✨

The next day, the first thing he did after waking up was walked over to the sleek wooden bedside table.

There lay the brand-new smartphone Yoongi had left behind, resting beside a medium-sized black box embossed with a golden 'V'. As his hand glided over the surface, a sudden rush of old memories brought a bittersweet smile to his lips.

This secret box was the sole surviving piece of his past, 'the only thing left untouched by ruin', anchoring him to a time of innocent childhood joy. No matter how chaotic and lethal his life had become, he refused to lose it.

'It was a beautiful, hopeless hope.'



Unlocking the compartment beneath the table, he slid the box safely inside and turned the key. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, drawing a breath before reaching for the new phone and SIM card.

Carefully, he aligned the SIM card into the slot and pushed it back into the device.

Taehyung unlocked the phone and immediately tapped on the contacts icon.

The list was starkly bare.

An empty canvas of a stolen identity.

Except for one single entry saved in the memory.

No full name, no profile picture.

Just two bold, solitary letters:

'JK'



Taehyung didn't know the number or the person but he knew one thing for sure that those two letters were the only anchor he had left.

'In case of danger, call this number immediately.'

Yoongi’s dark, serious voice echoed in his mind.

Who is JK? Why this specific number? What aren't you telling me? The desperate urge to call to demand every hidden truth Yoongi had shielded him from, rippled through his chest.

But not now.

He didn't want to be a burden.

He needed a job.

He needed a fresh start here.

At least he could try.

✨____________________✨