Love Candidate - Pumpkin - Chapter 23

Taehyung held my hand firmly as we strolled into a high-end lounge with a few of his thugs in his usual furry coat while I wore a nude slit dress and glimmering crystal heels. We were in the lobby when a woman suddenly squealed in excitement as she hurried up to us with a beaming smile. She wore a flashy red tight off-shoulder dress with a deep v-cut neck, so I glanced at her natural dark hair and beautiful eyes with a curious expression. She's really pretty.

"Taehyung! It's been a while since we saw each other!" She gasped, leaning upward to kiss Taehyung's cheek as a greeting gesture. Taehyung unconsciously released my hand to grab her shoulders, clearly taken aback by her hasty approach.

"Oh. Yuna. You look great today," Taehyung smiled at her after she pulled away. I glanced at the fresh lipstick stain on his cheek with an unsettled feeling.

"Why haven't you contacted me lately? I missed our time together," Yuna smiled at him with a beaming smile. Why is she speaking so casually with Taehyung?

"Oh. I've been busy," Taehyung nodded as I stood by his side. I've never seen any women or his thugs converse with him in such an informal manner, except for Yoongi.

"Are you free tonight then? We should spend some time together. And who is this?" She shyly giggled with her hand over her lips, glancing at me with a curious smile.

"She's Hwang Jiyoung. My girlfriend," Taehyung nodded, placing his arm over my shoulder to pull me against him.

"Your girlfriend??? That's unlike you," Yuna eyed me with a startled look and glanced at Taehyung for explanations as I stood with my arm around Taehyung's waist.

"Annyeonghaseyo," I politely greeted her. Taehyung excused us after their brief conversation, so we strolled away from the lobby as she stood staring at me with a neutral expression. I glanced at Taehyung's cheek as he rubbed the stain with an unbothered expression, so I brushed it off and entered the private lounge with him. We weren't there on a date. Taehyung had scheduled a business meeting with his rival.

A moment later.

"Don't kneel for me. Taehyung is the boss," I exhaled as his rival mafia boss knelt at my feet. The man shakily inhaled and turned to face Taehyung, who was sitting on the couch with his legs crossed without a hint of emotion.

"I will not interfere with your operations again," The man promised with his head hung low. Taehyung scoffed at the man's words and leaned forward to face the man with a scornful smile.

"I didn't think I'd live to see my rival kneel before me like this. Araso. Considering we're running the same business... I'll withdraw the promotional strategy to play a fair game with you," Taehyung chuckled, reaching out to ruffle the buzz-cut hair like a little puppy. The woman Taehyung met earlier was apparently his rival's secretary. Yuna glared at her boss's pathetic submission in irritation but said nothing as she listened to his pleas while I stood by the couch with my arms crossed.

"Thank you-"

"Taehyung will equalize the market share with you... but you'll have to pay us 10% of your total turnover. And don't bargain, or I'll raise it to 25%," I sighed, smugly sitting down on the couch's armrest.

"Yah! You wanted him to kneel, so he did! Now you're shamelessly trying to rob us of our hard work as well?!" The woman snapped at my demand in irritation.

"It's either your mafia pays Taehyung 10% of your turnover or lose all your clients and go bankrupt. We're not here to negotiate," I exhaled, emptily averting my stony gaze to her.

"Did you think you could threaten us- just because your father is a powerful man!? You know nothing about the operations-"

"I used to be an experienced client before I worked for Taehyung," I shot back at her. The woman glared at Taehyung with an upset expression before storming out of the room. I exhaled and turned back to the man on the floor. The mafia boss was forced to agree with my terms after I cornered him, so Taehyung had to discuss in-depth conditions with him afterward. I left the lounge to use the bathroom, then walked out of the stall to find Yuna washing her hands at the sink. She stared at me through the mirror with her hawk-like eyes as I placed my purse on the sink with a straight face.

"Did he buy you that purse?" She muttered, glancing at my purse through the reflection.

"Yeah," I replied without looking at her.

"He got me the same one," She smiled as she rummaged through her bag, and sure enough, it was the same design. Except mine was a nude color, and hers was fiery red.

"What's your relationship with Taehyung?" I asked while rubbing my hand with hand soap to sanitize my fingers.

"The only time we're together is to have sex. So I guess we're sex partners?" She chuckled as she leaned toward the mirror to apply her glossy lipstick.

"You guys seem close," I muttered, keeping my eyes trained on my hands.

"Of course. I could've been Taehyung's girlfriend. We see each other very often since he favors me over his other women... because I can tolerate his needs and desires. He took me on dates and gift me lots of expensive items ranging from designer bags, clothes, and vacation tickets to jewelry and even weekly allowances. Actually, this necklace... He got it for me as well. I still remember the night he placed it around my neck... after we raw fucked each other until he cummed all over my bedsheet. Fun times," Yuna chuckled, slightly touching the red gemstones around her slender neck with a smug smile.

"Do you really think you're special because he got those things for you?" I scoffed while rinsing my hands with the warm water.

"He doesn't take women on dates unless he really likes them. He even showed up at my place once after I got mad at him. He got me this necklace as an apology. I thought we had something going on between us. Thought he'd make me his woman until he disappeared. He really chose a woman he barely knows over someone who's been by his side for a long time. I hope he's making you feel special... and I hope he won't discard you... like he did to me. I'm not telling you all this because I want to irritate you... or anything. I'm just warning you about men like him. They'll make you feel special until they're done using you. Of course, I'm a bit envious of you but be careful with him," She bitterly exhaled after placing the lipstick back into her purse. I stared at her through the mirror in silence, so she smiled and strolled out of the bathroom.

Taehyung took me home after the meeting and decided to stay over at my place. I got ready for bed in my loose long-sleeved nightgown while he was showering in my bathroom. Quietly, I glanced at the things Taehyung got for me with a gloomy expression until Taehyung stepped out of my bathroom in his shorts and a loose T-shirt. He grabbed my hair dryer to blow his hair before the mirror, so I glanced away from the gift boxes and turned to loosen my bun while sitting on the bed.

"What's the matter?" Taehyung questioned, walking to me with a questioning look while ruffling his fluffy hair.

"What do you mean?" I asked as he sat beside me to inspect my worn-out expression. Yuna's words wouldn't leave my mind. It's difficult to tell if a man has genuine feelings for you... or if they're only spoiling you with attention because they can benefit from you. Being a woman sucks. When we love... we love hard.

"Why the long face? What's bothering you?" Taehyung questioned, reaching out to hold my hand with a slight frown. I refused to reply right away and searched his uneasy eyes in silence, finally letting out a heavy exhale when I failed to read him.

"What's your plan with me?" I asked while staring at him with a discouraged expression. How do I know if this is real?

"What do you mean? You're my girlfriend-"

"No. I know I'm your girlfriend but this relationship- What is it all about? What do you plan to do with us? Where are we heading to?" I asked while searching his eyes for answers. Taehyung grew speechless with my questions, dumbfounded by my unexpected doubts. He finally scootered close to me with a sad gaze after comprehending the meanings behind my questions.

"You're making me nervous with your odd questions," Taehyung frowned as he gently brushed my hair with his fingers.

"What's the purpose of this relationship? Is it only because you love me? Because I'm your girlfriend? Your woman? That's it?" I exhaled, pushing his hand off my face. I have severe trust issues when it comes to men... and I hate being their toys.

"Presently, I am in love with you. And if you're asking me about my plan with you, then... there's more to it. I want to be by your side until I die. That's my answer. I'm not only with you... because you're my girlfriend. This relationship is not a pointless love affair. It's not a fling. I want to marry you. Have children. Raise our own family and grow old together. Is that what you're curious about? Whether I'm dating for pleasure or dating to marry you? Our relationship is definitely not temporary, Jiyoung, so don't be insecure, alright? Why are you having these thoughts anyways? I thought we already talked about it," Taehyng shook his as he held my hand. I stared at him dejectedly and glanced down in guilt. Why did I doubt him again? I'm just uncertain about our future, and it's scary. I thought Jimin and I were forever... but in the end... he still left. I just want something permanent. Why is it so difficult?

"The woman..." I muttered, awkwardly glancing away from him.

"Woman? Yuna?" Taehyung blinked at me in confusion.

"She told me she's close with you and that you would take her on dates. Yuna said she's your favorite partner... and that you'd buy her gifts. You even went to see her after she got mad. Everything you did with her... you did it with me too," I confessed anxiously. I shouldn't let another woman make me feel insecure about my own relationship... but I can't help it. What if he dumps me in the end? What will I do then? How many more men do I have to play love games with until I find my true love? Taehyung pursed his lips at my sulky mood, softly poking my pouty lips with his finger. 

"I didn't know you were this cute when you're jealous," Taehyung chuckled, reaching out to rub my cheek.

"Are you avoiding my question?" I grimaced, pushing his hand away again because I didn't want him to touch me.

"I did all those things for her because she asked me to. The things I bought for her... I never picked it. I only gave her money, and Yuna would shop for it on her own. We went on dates because she asked. And I went to see her that night because I was upset with my parents. I had an argument with my mother, so I was really stressed... I ended up seeing her for sex... to distract my frustration," Taehyung smiled.

"The necklace? You bought her a necklace that night," I murmured.

"I bought the necklace for my mother that day, but we had an argument, so I didn't give it to her. I gave it to Yuna instead," Taehyung frowned at me.

"Oh," I whispered. What's the matter with me? Why did I suddenly get so jealous over all this?

"I might've been with her for a long time, but there was never love. I understand why you're upset over this, even if it's the past, but I want you to know... there's a difference between you and her. Okay? I never did anything for her. Our relationship was just sex and money. But with you? There's love. I personally picked the gifts for you. I made the effort to show up at your doorstep, but it wasn't to have sex with you. I showed up to sincerely apologize. Jiyoung, I love you. You know that, right?" Taehyung weakly smiled.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, lowering my face to stare at my hands in guilt. I knew that. I saw it. His efforts. I even acknowledged it... yet I foolishly let jealousy blind me over something so trivial. Taehyung was always open with me about his past sexual affairs with women, and yet I still doubted him.

"It's okay. I'm glad you were honest with me about your troubling thoughts. Don't hide your feelings and talk to me when you're uncomfortable, okay?" Taehyung exhaled, pulling me into a reassuring hug.

"I want to tell you everything now," I gulped, pulling away to hold his hand with an anxious expression.

"Everything?" Taehyung frowned at me.

"About my past," I swallowed. Taehyung's face suddenly turned pale at my words.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Taehyung frowned as he held onto my hands. I nodded at him and quickly crossed my legs on the mattress to straighten my back with a nervous expression. Taehyung worriedly watched my tense movement and pulled me into a comforting hug before releasing me from his embrace to nod at me. We sat on the bed facing each other as he held tightly onto my hands.

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Trigger Warning: Explicit & Excessive Sexual Harassment and Child Grooming.

Author's Note

I've decided to include these upsetting scenes for educational purposes only to help young girls or even adult women avoid a predator's hostile intentions. Please be aware of Child Grooming and Sexual Harassment, especially for young girls. I beg you seek help if you suspect you're being harassed, whether it's a sexual or physical offense. The predators are usually someone you trust, so please, be alarmed at all times and set boundaries even if they're your friends or family. 

Stay safe. 

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Flashback

My father passed away during my first year in high school after he got into an unfortunate accident on a rainy night. His sudden passing broke my heart. I was completely shattered and heartbroken because his death... also killed a part of my soul. I was never the same after he left me. Although eomma demanded that I live with her and her new husband since appa was alive... I never really stayed with them. Hell. I never even saw the man because he was always away on his business trips. Appa tried to convince me to stay with my mother, but I never listened and chose to live in our tiny home with him. The home he left behind for me. His tragic passing left me with no proper guardian, so I was forced to move in permanently with my mother at the villa.

That's when I met the man for the first time.

"Anneong Jiyoung-shi," Jaehyun smiled at the front door as I dragged my luggage toward the villa with my mother.

"Greet him. He's your stepfather," Eomma nudged my shoulder.

"Anneonghaseyo," I greeted him, politely bowing my head at the man.

"Welcome home," My stepfather replied. I nodded nervously at his kind gesture and strolled inside with him. The maids took my luggage, so I followed them and went to my room. I never really communicated with anyone in the villa and would stay in my room all day and night to grieve my father's death. I missed him. I'd cry for hours in my dark room until I'm drained of energy and ended up collapsing on my bed. The only time I left my room... was when Jungkook's family came to visit the villa. Jungkook would take me out to have fun whenever he came to see me with his parents. Well, I lived a secluded life for about half a year until I heard someone knocking on my door.

"Neh?" I opened the door to find my stepfather standing in my doorway.

"It's time for dinner," He smiled as he stood before me.

"I want to eat in my room," I muttered. I refused to eat with my parents, so the maid had to bring meals to my room.

"Jiyoung, sweetie. We're a family. It pains my heart to see you like this. You keep hiding in your dark room every day. It's unhealthy, love. How will you feel better if you keep pushing us away like this?" My stepfather crouched down before me and gently took my hands in his warm hand.

"But-"

"I know you're still mourning, and I respect your personal space. If your room is a safety bubble from the miserable world... then you can stay inside whenever you need comfort. But remember, you also have a family. Hmm? You might not be my birth child, but I'll love you like my own. So come and join us for dinner," My stepfather smiled, gently reaching out to caress my cheek with his thumb. I stared at his worried expression in difficulty and finally agreed to leave my room after hearing to his convincing words. He held my hand in his and led me down the stairs to join my mother in the dining hall. I was naive back then. A child in desperate need of a father's love, so I fell for his honeyed words. My stepfather was never forceful and was always patient with me. It took me a while but... I finally opened up to the man because he made me feel loved and safe.

"Do you like it?" Jaehyun smiled as the staff fixed my dress before the mirror. I smiled at the fluffy gown and turned to nod at him with a bright beam.

"It's comfortable," I nodded, happily twirling in the dress. Jaehyun placed his hand on my shoulders with a proud smile as we stood before the mirror to watch our reflection.

"Pack all the available colors for her," Jaehyun ordered, dismissively waving his hand at the store assistants. They immediately bowed at his request and hurried away to prepare my new dresses. My stepfather paid for the clothes, and we left the store hand in hand with the brand bags. 

Whatever I wanted... he got it for me. If I wanted shoes... He'd get all the available colors for me. If I wanted a toy... He'd let me get everything I wanted in the store. The man kept spoiling me with everything I desired. I was only 15 years old when I moved in with him, and by the age of 16... I was the wealthy chaebol's daughter. I had designer clothes... sneakers... jewelry... high-class food, and even a personal driver to drive me to school. The man always gave me more than I needed, and I was pleased with his endless gifts. I was very gullible... so I assumed it was a father's love. 

Little did I know... he had other intentions. I was being groomed.

"What are you doing up this late?" My stepfather appeared when he found me watching television in the dark living room in the middle of the night. The man was in his pajamas and had come down for late-night tea.

"I'm not sleepy," I mumbled as I sat on the couch with the remote clenched in my hand. My stepfather left to drink tea in the dining hall and finally returned to sit next to me on the couch.

"Don't you have school tomorrow?" Jaehyun asked, leaning forward to kiss my forehead before resting his arm over my shoulder to pull me against him.

"Can I stay home tomorrow?" I turned to look at him with my puppy eyes. Jaehyun quietly stared at my face, eventually nodding at me with an approving smile.

"Okay. You don't have to go to school tomorrow," Jaehyun smiled and lay down on the couch, so I turned back to stare at the screen while he played with my loose hair.

"Aren't you going to sleep?" I questioned, turning to look at my stepfather to find him sleeping on his side with his eyes fixed on the tv screen.

"I want to watch TV with you. Lay down with me- Your back must be sore from perching like that," My stepfather patted the space next to him. I didn't think much of his invitation and laid beside him to face the screen. Jaehyun gently slipped his arm over my waist from behind to pull my body against his. Still, I was dismissive of his suspicious actions, assuming he only wanted to hold me like my birth father. We both fell quiet while watching the movie in silence with my head rested on his bicep as he hugged my body from behind.

"Your breath is tickling my ear," I giggled when he suddenly shifted his face closer to my head as he clutched my waist.

"Your hair smells good," He whispered, gently pushing his face into my hair to inhale my scent.

"It's cherry blossom," I answered, unblinking staring at the movie. My stepfather shifted his arm from my waist to place it on my thighs over the gown fabric and gently rubbed my thigh with his hand. It made me feel slightly uncomfortable, so I grabbed his hand to stop him from caressing me. He gently interlaced my fingers with his and brought our hands up to my chest.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Jaehyun suddenly asked beside my ear, making me shiver at his tingling breath.

"No. Why?" I asked, unsurely turning away from the television screen to stare at him.

"Good. Don't waste your time with boys. I don't want anyone to break your heart," He whispered, sleepily staring at my face as we lay on the couch side by side. The man gently combed his fingers through my hair and leaned forward to kiss my forehead. I giggled and turned back to face the movie again until I fell asleep on the couch with him, but it wasn't a deep sleep. I woke up when I felt something grazing over my chest. I stirred on the couch, sleepily opening my eyes to find my stepfather lying beside me on his side with his forearm tucked under his head to watch me. His free arm was wrapped firmly around my waist.

"You're awake? Appa turned off the television after you fell asleep," Jaehyun smiled weakly.

"You must be tired. I'll head to bed now," I yawned and crawled off the couch to stroll up the stairs... leaving the man in the living room alone. I pushed open the door until I felt something wet on my silky gown. Unsurely frowning, I searched the fabric until I found a palm size sticky white substance staining over the silk covering my butt area.

"Did I sit on milk?" I muttered as I felt the slimy substance between my fingers and walked into the bathroom to get changed when I noticed the buttons over my chest were loose. Huh? Did the buttons slip? Shrugging, I pulled off my gown to wash the weird stain from my dress and got changed into another gown. Little did I know... The substance on my stress... was my stepfather's semen after he ejaculated from jerking himself while I was asleep. I might not have been conscious... but the man undid my chest buttons to watch my breast while I was unconscious in his arms.

Flashback

Third Person POV

The underage child slowly drifted to sleep on her stepfather's arm while watching the screen and slumped back against his pulsating chest after falling unconscious. The man averted his eyes from the television and gently leaned over to check her peaceful expression. Carefully, he took the remote control from her hand to switch off the tv and laid back in the dark living room. The man slowly tugged her face in his direction to examine her soft mochi skin and slowly glanced at her pink lips in silence. He softly ran his thumb over her lips, then pushed his fingers into her mouth to feel her moist and warm tongue until he let out a lustful moan at how smooth the inside of her mouth was. Jiyoung suddenly stirred and turned her head away, so he quickly withdrew his soaked fingers from her tongue to stare at her wet spit on his fingers. The man licked his fingers, slowly averting his perverted eyes to his stepdaughter's collar bones... and carefully lowered his fingers to graze her neck. 

The man lowered his hand to unbutton Jiyoung's buttons until her chest was exposed. He gently tugged the fabric aside to expose her maturing breasts but didn't touch her as he lay beside her. He stared at her in silence until he felt the intense arousal between his pants, so he scooted closer to press his hump against her buttcheeks. Breathing unsteadily, he rubbed his hardened part against her gown as he clutched her waist to hold her still while struggling to contain his lustful desire to have her body. The pleasure was so intense... he moaned against her head and turned to kiss her ear until Jiyoung stirred again. He froze in silence to watch her, but she was still asleep, so he slowly reached his hand under his pants to slip out his private part and quietly jerked himself against her. The man grunted in difficulty as he sexually harassed his stepdaughter until he grew impatient, so he grabbed her floppy hand to wrap it around his meat. He impatiently used her fingers to rub his sensitive area until he ejaculated all over her gown and slumped back against the couch in exhaustion. He immediately covered her chest with the loose fabric before she woke up. Jiyoung stirred again and finally opened her eyes to find her stepfather staring at her... and slowly sat up to rub her sleepy eyes after the brief nap.

Fast Forward

Sunghoon pulled away from my flustered cheek after giving me an innocent kiss on my right cheek as we stood in the crowded street. He invited me to a karaoke room after school, so I went with him, and we had a fun time together. I shyly smiled at him until he pulled me into a comforting hug but abruptly pushed him away when I found my stepfather standing on the side of the road with his arms crossed.

"What's the matter?" Sunghoon blinked at my startled expression.

"My father is here! I'll see you at school," I smiled at him and hurried toward my stepfather. Jaehyun didn't speak with me, so I nervously got into the back seat with him. The driver drove forward after I buckled my seatbelt. 

"I told you to head straight home after school. I've hired a tutor to teach you," Jaehyun grimaced as I dismissively typed on my phone screen to chat with Sunghoon.

"Can I drop the tutor? School is too overwhelming," I muttered with my eyes fixed on the screen.

"What do you mean? I send you to school to study- not to meet boys after school!" My stepfather furiously snapped, snatching my phone out of my grip.

"Appa! Give it back-"

"Who's this!? Moh? I love you? How can you be this foolish?!" My stepfather frowned as he read my exchanged texts with Sunghoon.

"Appa! He's my boyfriend!-"

"I told you not to see any guys!" Jaehyun turned to glare at me in disappointment.

"I'm almost an adult now! Why can't I have a boyfriend!? You keep restricting my life- It makes me feel like hell- AH!" I screamed at him in the backseat when he suddenly slapped me hard across my face. The driver nervously glanced at us through the mirror as I gripped my stinging cheek with a shocked expression. It was the first time... he struck me.

"I gave you everything! A house! Money! Education! Food! Allowances! And yet you dare scream at me? How dare you claim your life is hell after what I've given you!?" He bellowed in my face. I gulped in fear and lowered my face to rub my cheek until warm tears slipped down my cheeks. I hastily stepped out of the car as soon as we arrived at the villa and stormed up to my room without speaking with anyone.

"What's wrong with you?" Eomma questioned when she noticed my puffy eyes and turned to look at my stepfather in confusion. I slammed my door shut in anger, weakly slumping down on the bed to cry in distress. I refused to see my family after Jaehyun's violent outburst until he showed up again.

"Jiyoung, sweetie, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have hurt you, but I was too upset- I lost myself," Jaehyun apologized as he sat at my bedside to rub my upper arm. I was leaning against the bed head in a sitting position to face him with a blank face.

"I'm not hungry," I whispered, glancing at the meals he brought for me.

"Appa is terribly sorry for my harsh reaction. I was just worried about you. Guys your age will only break your heart. You know I always want the best for you," Jaehyun exhaled, reaching out to grip my hand with his anxious eyes fixed on my wary expression. I stared at him in silence and finally exhaled in defeat.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"It's okay. I know it's young love, but I need you to listen to appa. I care about you. Your mother cares about you, so don't break our hearts," He gently squeezed my hand. I weakly nodded at him. He sighed and pulled me into a comforting hug after we made up.

My stepfather got me a new designer bag to apologize for the pain he inflicted on me... but I was still secretly seeing Sunghoon until... he got injured. I went to school one day... only to find out Sunghoon was severely injured after an accident, so I went to visit him at the hospital. He broke up with me that day... on his medical bed... for no valid reason. He claimed he never wanted to see my face again and told me to leave him alone. I sulked at his harsh words and returned home crying that day.

"I told you boys your age are fools," Appa sadly exhaled, pulling me into a crushing hug to comfort me. Little did I know... it was appa who hurt my boyfriend. He sent men to beat up Sunghoon and threatened him to break up with me. But I wasn't aware of my father's dirty schemes until much later. My father isolated me from all guys after transferring me to an all-girls private school. 

The only guy allowed to see me was Jungkook, so I was pretty much detached from any male's affection. Jaehyun made me focus on my studies, so I did. I studied hard to make the man proud. He even hired a tutor to teach me. His name was Dongmin. A university freshman with all perfect scores on the entrance exams. Dongmin would visit the villa every afternoon to teach me, and it didn't take long... for us to grow close... too close. I was desperate for a male's love... you see. I was still a minor... 17 years old, and Dongmin was roughly 19 at the time.

"Hah~ Are you alright?" Dongmin moaned on the chair as I sat on his boner to dry hump him.

"It feels good~ Oppa~ I like it," I whispered, leaning down to make out with him as he gripped my waist. I gently rubbed my soaked panties over his underwear while facing him on the chair. Dongmin moaned in distress as he supported my hips while we had dry sex in my room. I was still a minor, so Dongmin refused to penetrate me but allowed me to do as I pleased with his body. We kissed and made out every time he came to teach me but never had penetrative sex. Our secret romance was a wild and thrilling fling until my father caught us. He was very infuriated by our actions and even beated Dongmin with his belt.

"APPA! DON'T HURT HIM!" I screamed, shielding Dongmin in horror when my father violently lashed the belt at him.

"ARGH!" I screamed in pain when he struck my back.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO BE WITH ANYONE, YET YOU DARE DO INAPPROPRIATE THINGS BEHIND MY BACK? UNDER MY ROOF?!" Appa roared, angrily beating the both of us. 

Dongmin was badly hurt that night, and I was wounded as well. Bright red bleeding slashes appeared all over my body... I couldn't stop crying for hours while enduring the pain. Eomma had to ask the maid to apply creams on my back and legs. The wound was so painful... I had to sleep face first on the mattress for a week. Dongmin disappeared after the incident, and I couldn't reach him either. I was shattered. Jungkook found out about my severe wounds and got very upset, but I begged him not to confront my stepfather because I was afraid he'd hurt Jungkook too.

Again. The man showed up to apologize for hurting me. And again. I fell for his lies.

"Please don't touch me-" I flinched when he suddenly reached out to hold my hand.

"I won't hurt you. I promise," Jaehyun sighed as he knelt before my bed while I sat on the edge of the mattress in my nightgown.

"I can do it on my own," I whispered as I watched him squeeze the cream on his fingers.

"I was too harsh on you. I'm sorry. I'll take care of you until you recover," Jaehyung exhaled, pushing the gown to my knees and gently applied the cream on my shin. I stared at him in silence as he knelt before me with a concentrated expression.

"I'm sorry," I muttered out of guilt.

"It's alright, but you have to stop provoking me. You know I can't control my temper when I'm upset, so don't provoke me, and be a good girl. Alright?" My stepfather exhaled, looking up at me with his apologetic eyes. I nervously nodded as he applied the cream to my skin, carefully massaging my legs to ease my stiff muscles.

"Ahah! It tickles!" I weakly giggled when he suddenly kissed the base of my feet.

"It feels good, doesn't it?" He smiled, gently kissing my feet again as I sat over the bed.

"It's very ticklish," I nodded with a nervous smile. The man started kissing his way from my feet... up my shin and slowly pushed my gown up my legs to kiss my inner thighs.

"I'll soothe your injury, so relax your body. Take off your gown and turn over... I'll apply the cream on your back," Jaehyun whispered, drawing his face away from my exposed thighs. I anxiously stared at his tempted gaze as he gently rubbed my thighs with his creamy hand.

"I'll just ask the maid-"

"They're busy. It's alright... take off your dress," Jaehyun reassuringly smiled. I gulped unsurely and slowly turned around to let him unzip my dress. He lifted the dress off my head, leaving me in my panties and bra, so I uncomfortably covered my body after he turned to fix his gaze on me.

"Appa- I don't feel comfortable..." I whispered.

"I'm your father... don't worry. Lay face down on the mattress," He smiled, gently brushing my hair behind my ear. I swallowed and slowly did as he instructed. I turned over on the bed to lay face first on the mattress and hugged my pillow tightly.

"Thank you," I whispered, slowly closing my eyes when I felt him applying the cream to my injury. He carefully massaged the cream over the damaged skin while kneading my tense back muscles to ease my pain. I calmly breathed against my pillow until I accidentally fell asleep... but not for long.

"Appa?" I sleepily whispered, lifting my head off the pillow to turn around when he quickly grabbed my head to turn my face away.

"Don't look. It's alright. I'm helping you feel good," Jaehyun whispered. I frowned in confusion as he firmly held my face sideways on the pillow while I remained face-first on the mattress.

"Why do I feel so... wet?" I muttered when I felt the heavy weight over my body. The mattress was shaking. I felt constant movements rubbing over my lower back... specifically my butt area.

"I'm just massaging your body- I'm almost done- Ugh-" He replied as I remained on the bed. I felt this warm thing slipping and sliding over my buttcheeks as appa hump me from above.

"Appa... my back is sore-"

"Stay still!" He snapped. I gripped my bedsheet in panic when he suddenly raised his voice at me. I gulped and remained quiet as he groaned and grunted over me from behind until I felt the uncomfortable thing under my panties. It was sliding over my buttcheeks, but I didn't dare complain. Little did I know... My stepfather was rubbing his private part over my butt to pleasure himself. I was scared of his actions, but I didn't feel any pain... so I assumed he was just massaging me.

"Ugh~!" My stepfather groaned in difficulty. He suddenly stopped moving over me. The man panted heavily over me until I heard him scrambling off the bed, yet I didn't dare budge an inch.

"Are you done?" I asked, unsurely lifting my head.

"Yeah... I sweated on you. You should shower," He exhaled, so I turned to find him fixing his belt as he stood at the foot of my bed. I slowly sat up on my bed to find weird milky stains all over the bedsheet and glanced down at my panties. It was soaked with the slimy paste.

"Shower? But you just applied the cream-

"I'll get the maid to do it for you. Go and shower," Jaehyun nodded, dismissively walking out of my room. I sighed and got up to shower after wiping the stain from my bed sheet.

"Huh?" I frowned when I reached inside my pants to find more slimy liquids. I shrugged and washed my panties in the sink before stepping into the shower to rinse my body. 

He didn't penetrate me but still used my body to please himself. I wasn't aware of his disgusting actions, so he kept coming back to do it until I got really uncomfortable and told my mother about it. She was shocked to hear my confession, and I heard her arguing with my stepfather that night. I didn't know what was happening, but he was very furious with me after I told my mother. The abuse... escalated after my mother confronted him. He'd beat me with his belt over the littlest things. Bruises after bruises would appear all over my body. He'd pin me down to do nasty things to my body whenever my mother wasn't home and threatened me to stay quiet. And he'd beat me repeatedly with his belt... sometimes... I'd fall unconscious from the severe injury. My mother tried to stop him, but it wasn't much help because he kept threatening to kill me if she tried to stop him. 

I finally had enough of his bullshit and ran... I ran away from home at 19.

End of Flashback

Present

Jiyoung's POV

I casually walked into the hospital lobby with Taehyung and Namjoon after receiving the shocking news from my father's secretary. Namjoon checked with the reception desk to request visitor passes before heading up to the VIP suite of the hospital and finally found my stepfather's guard sitting outside the room. We entered the medical room to find Seokjin and his parents sitting on the couch facing my... injured stepfather. He was resting on the medical bed, and my mother was sitting by his side with an anxious expression. The man was unconscious on the bed with thick bandages around his head and torso. 

Taehyung gently placed his arm around my waist, slightly pulling me closer to him with his empty eyes fixed on my stepfather's health condition without a hint of empathy. My stepfather got into a car accident the night before, after leaving his office. He suffered a severe head injury and three broken ribs from the fatal accident. Taehyung softly scoffed under his breath, cheerfully turning away after seeing my stepfather's deserved condition, and walked out of the room with me. We got into his car and headed to his apartment after leaving the hospital because he needed to discuss business matters with Yoongi.

I undressed my body in Taehyung's bathroom before stepping into the hot tub by the wide window to slip under the warm water and leaned back against the slanted headrest. Taehyung really hurt my stepfather for me. I savored the calming peace within my soul while gazing at the city night view until the bathroom door slightly opened. Taehyung poked his head inside with a curious look to search for me but halted when he realized I was sitting in the tub.

"I was looking for you. Can I join?" Taehyung exhaled, pushing the door open to lean against the doorway with his arms crossed as he eyed my bare body with a weak smile.

"The hot tub can fit more than one person," I smiled while patting the water surface to invite him. Taehyung chuckled at my action and closed the door behind him before walking towards the drawers to take out a scented body gel. He poured a generous amount into the plain pool and finally slipped his shirt over his head to reveal his beefy muscles. Smiling, I watched him strip himself until he was fully naked with my unblinking gaze as he carefully lowered his body into the pool with me. I watched him slide toward me, softly chucking at his touch when he lifted me under the water by my waist to make me sit facing him on his bare thighs.

"How are you feeling?" Taehyung smiled as I traced my finger over his thick eyebrows with a weak smile. He rubbed my bare hips under the water with his sexy dark brown pupils fixed on mine.

"Don't you think it was a bit too much? I only wanted to break a few ribs," I whispered, slightly leaning forward to press my breasts against his bare chest.

"I was very upset after you told me the truth. Whatever pain he inflicted on you, I'll repay it tenfold," Taehyung shook his head darkly as he raised his hand to stroke my cheek.

"He might die if you keep hurting him," I lightly shook my head.

"Can't I kill him? I'd do it without hesitation," Taehyung whispered, lowering his finger to rub the side of my moist neck.

"Not yet," I muttered, leaning forward to kiss him. Taehyung slipped his arms down my spine curve to hold my back as I sat on him in the tub, and we made out before the dark city view. We eventually pulled apart to bathe ourselves and played in the water.

"It's snowing..." Taehyung whispered as I scrubbed his back with a body sponge. I turned to look at the view, and as he claimed, little white specs were drifting over the city. We sat in utter silence to watch the first snow with our stunned gaze on the beautiful scenery. Weakly smiling, I back-hugged Taehyung into the tub with my chin rested on his shoulder.

"Make a wish," I whispered as I gently rubbed his soaked upper arm with my eyes fixed on the breathtaking winter gesture.

"Please stay by my side forever. I can feel your boobs rubbing against my back by the way," Taehyung whispered, making me chuckle at his jokes. I turned to look at him with a bright smile, so Taehyung shifted his position to face me.

"Is that your wish?" I questioned, tenderly searching his soft gaze. He gently took my hand and brought it to his soaked chest.

"I don't wish. They never listen to our prayers when we're in desperate need, so I'll ask you instead. You'll listen to me, right?" Taehyung shook his head as he squeezed my hands. I pursed my lips to stare at his firm skin in silence until my chest stirred with affection for him.

"Of course, I'll listen," I smiled. Taehyung softly chuckled at my response and pulled me close to him. We held each other tightly and turned to watch the first snow with our soothing love warmth.

Fast Forward

"You said I'd get my own office!" Taehyung cutely whined as we stood in Namjoon's president's office.

"You're not ready yet, so be grateful I'm personally coaching you! Stop complaining!" Namjoon frowned at Taehyung's upset expression. Namjoon refused to provide Taehyung his personal office and requested the maintenance team to install another working desk in his office instead. Namjoon asked me to join Taehyung as well because he claimed I had hidden potential. I eventually agreed to attend the sessions with Taehyung at Namjoon's office. I have nothing better to do anyway.

Namjoon scheduled our session in the afternoon after his work hour, but we were required to be at his office full-time to complete his assigned tasks. I thought Namjoon would be as lenient as Secretary Yoo, but he wasn't. He was very strict with our performance and even tasked us with heavy workloads, so we'd be occupied the entire day at our desks.

I sighed in relief after completing my work and closed the file when I noticed Taehyung fast asleep with his head rested on the table. I smiled at his adorable yet exhausted face and gently patted his head. Taehyung is struggling to reach his brother's expectations. He's often scolded for failing to complete his task. Carefully, I slipped Taehyung's file from under his arm and turned to complete his work in silence.

"I prefer to be a mafia boss..." Taehyung muttered in a bored tone after he woke up from his nap. He didn't sit up and kept his head on the table to watch me skim through the document.

"You are a mafia boss," I chuckled without looking at him.

"Double work is killing me," Taehyung groaned, weakly turning to smack his forehead on the desk. I chuckled softly when Namjoon suddenly walked into the room after his meeting.

"What's with your posture?! Sit up!" Namjoom grimaced at his little brother.

"Hyung-nim~ Don't you have anything better for us? Something more exciting?!" Taehyung whined as he stretched his arms in the air.

"Ohoh? Look at you! Get yourself together!" Namjoon frowned at Taehyung, who was pouting at his brother.

"Whatever," Taehyung grumbled when his phone started ringing, so he picked up the call to speak with Yoongi. He finally placed his phone away and turned to stare at me, so I raised my eyebrow at him with a questioning look. He fired me a flirty wink to tease me, making me smile at his playful behavior.  

"I'm taking a vacation for a few days at eomma's villa in Gangwon-do Chuncheon. You guys can come along," Namjoon muttered as he sat at his desk.

"Oh? You're going there?" Taehyung turned to look at his brother in surprise.

"Yeah. I miss the lake and mountains, so I'll go hiking there," Namjoon nodded.

Taehyung left the corporation early that day because he had to head back to his mafia building to handle a contract with Yoongi. I stayed behind to complete my work and finally strolled into the elevator after an exhausting day. Someone suddenly grabbed the elevator door right before it closed and quickly strode inside with me. I glanced at Seokjin in surprise, immediately stepping aside to make space for him. He briefly glanced at me but didn't say anything, so I leaned against the wall in silence. Seokjin strode out before me after we landed. I exhaled and strode out after him when Hoseok suddenly approached me with a bright beam.

"Are you free today?" Hoseok smiled.

"Yeah. Why?" I nodded at him.

"Wanna grab a drink?" Hoseok questioned, lifting his eyebrow with a bright smile.

"Sure," I agreed. Taehyung is busy with work anyway. I'll just hang out with Hoseok. Hoseok took us to a pub after a short drive from the building, so we sat down with our appetizers and beers to chat. The conversation was initially related to our old days in high school until it gradually shifted to business-related topics.

"You're really dating Kim Taehyung?" Hoseok smiled.

"Wae?" I chuckled at his red face. Hoseok is already tipsy over a glass of beer?

"Well... you radiate the innocent energy. I thought you'd prefer Seokjin over Taehyung, so I was stunned by your bold taste in men. What happened? I heard your parents initially planned for you to be with Seokjin," Hoseok shook his head.

"Seokjin is a decent man, but I don't quite-"

"It didn't click? Yeah?" Hoseok laughed.

"Yeah. We didn't click," I agreed, weakly smiling and turned to drink my beer.

"I can't believe he joined the corporation. Was it your idea?" Hoseok scoffed, referring to Taehyung.

"Yeah. I advised Taehyung to buy the shares," I nodded. Hoseok quietly chewed the fried onion ring after hearing my words.

"You don't have a good relationship with your stepfather," Hoseok nodded after a moment of silence between us.

"How did you know?" I questioned in surprise.

"Everyone knows you ran away from home. I was really surprised when Taehyung bought the shares, even if it was against his parents' will. Of course, it all made sense once I realized you're behind his back. I always knew you're a competent person," Hoseok sighed, proudly smiling at me.

"What are you trying to say???" I smiled at Hoseok unsurely.

"You know I'm the anti-corruption committee chief. If the reason you're using Kim Taehyung is to establish your dominance in the corporation to defy your stepfather... we should work together. I'll help you disable the chairman," Hoseok sorely looked at me.

"I'm not using Taehyung, but you're right. I want to get back at my stepfather," I exhaled, firmly denying his claim. I'm not using Taehyung for my own advantage.

"Well. I'm investigating the accident case since the trial is a hot sensation. Surprisingly, there's another hidden evidence to it. I'm trying to retrieve the information," Hoseok shrugged.

"Taehyung is innocent," I muttered.

"Until he's proven guilty. I'm not telling you this because I want to waver you but be careful, Jiyoung. Don't let your guards down around Kim Taehyung. I'm not scared of Seokjin or Namjoon... but Kim Taehyung? Everyone is afraid of him," Hoseok worriedly stared at me. I grew hushed at his expected warnings about my own boyfriend. Why is everyone so scared of Taehyung? They keep telling me the same things.

"Why are you after the Kim if you're against my father?" I questioned unsurely.

"The accident is somehow related to your stepfather. Be cautious, Jiyoung. I'm sure Kim Taehyung didn't tell you the entire story... because I recently found out... not one... but two people died that night. I may not have enough information yet, but there's something suspicious about it," Hoseok shook his head. I pursed my lips uneasily and turned to look at the beer with a blank expression. Two people died? Taehyung definitely didn't tell me this.

Hoseok offered to take me home afterward, but I denied it and chose to head back home on my own. I didn't really go home and went back to the hospital to visit my stepfather because I wanted to ask him about the Kim's accident. Jaehyun claims he's well-informed of the Kim's affairs... so maybe he'll tell me the truth. The bodyguard politely bowed and stepped aside to let me in... so I pushed the door open... only to hear weird gagging sounds in the room. I froze in my place when I noticed someone standing over my stepfather's body with his hands gripped tightly around the man's throat.

"Taehyung...?" I whispered, startled by his unexpected presence in the room. My stepfather glared angrily at Taehyung as he struggled to shove Taehyung's hands off his neck.

"Fucking die-" Taehyung sneered dangerously, roughly applying more pressure around my stepfather's throat until his face turned pale. I couldn't react to the situation and stared at Taehyung's back with my mouth hanging open, petrified by the scene before me until I remembered the traumatizing memories of the night Taehyung killed the government official in his apartment. The way... Taehyung ruthlessly strangled the man with a rod string until the rusty metal cut deep into his flesh. His bulging bloodshot eyes... foul saliva dripping from his tongue and disturbing gurgling sounds... Taehyung's sinister energy... pricking my skin with chills.

"Taehyung! What are you doing?!" I gasped, finally snapping out of my thoughts and rushed toward him in panic. Taehyung didn't seem to hear me, so I gripped his tensed muscular arm in an attempt to yank it off my stepfather's throat.

"Die-"

"Taehyung! Stop!" I snapped, finally yanking his hand away from my stepfather, who was hyperventilating on the bed in distress after the rough release.

"Jiyoung! Let me go! I'm going to kill that piece of shit!" Taehyung gritted as he furiously fought with me to reach my stepfather's bed again.

"Baby! No! Listen to me! You can't hurt him!" I snapped, pushing his strong body back when he tried to walk past me. My stepfather suddenly stopped coughing and collapsed weakly onto the bed. The medical alarm suddenly went off, causing my heart to race in panic.

"He fucking hurt you-"

"We'll get caught! Please! This isn't the right time!" I begged, gripping his angered face between my palms to keep his outraged eyes off my stepfather. Taehyung stared at me in tears as I anxiously held him back when the door wildly flung open... and the guard poured inside the room with a doctor.

"What happened?!" My mother appeared, hastily rushing towards the bed with a bewildered look as the doctor inspected my stepfather's condition.

"He started- having a seizure," I gulped as I held Taehyung back with a nervous expression. Taehyung fumed intensely by my side until I felt him tightening his grip around my hand. I nervously patted his stomach to keep him calm before turning to look at my father's helpless state. The nurses quickly set to work to stabilize my father's condition as my mother worriedly stared at my father, so I hastily dragged Taehyung out of the room before he lost control again. He could've been caught! Why did he come to see my father without me knowing?! Taehyung followed my lead out of the hospital with an uptight frown but didn't resist and let me drag him away.

"Why would you strangle him!?" I snapped in frustration once we arrived in the parking lot.

"Because that sick fucker harmed you! He deserves to die!" Taehyung snapped at me in frustration.

"You can't kill him! I told you-"

"MY HEART HURTS! ALRIGHT?! I CAN'T REST KNOWING THAT SCUMBAG IS LIVING WELL WHILE YOU'RE SUFFERING FROM THE PAIN HE INFLICTED ON YOU! IT'S FRUSTRATING TO WATCH MY WOMAN- THE PERSON I LOVE MOST LIVE WITH HER PAIN! A FUCKER LIKE HIM DESERVES TO ROT IN HELL!" Taehyung roared at me in anger. I pursed my lips at his glowering eyes and gently reached out to hold his hands. 

"So... are you going to kill for me?" I questioned, sadly staring at his upset face.

"I will do anything to tear that fucking son of a bitch into shreds-" Taehyung lowered his face to sneer at me. I seized the opportunity to grip his face and gently kissed his lips. Taehyung halted in confusion as I softly brushed my lips over his with one hand over his racing heart. I took a deep breath and finally pulled away to stare at his agitated frown. Taehyung swallowed speechlessly as he stared at my anxious face, so I gently took his hand in mine... and led him to a bench under a tree.

"I know you're frustrated. I understand, but you can't kill my stepfather," I whispered, firmly gripping Taehyung's hand. I want the man dead... but I can't let Taehyung kill for me. My past isn't his responsibility. I told him everything that night because he deserved to know the truth about me.

"Why not?! He fucking-"

"I don't want you to kill for love. Please. Taehyung, I know your mother used love as an excuse to make you kill for her, but that's not love," I shook my head.

"It is love," Taehyung argued while clenching his jaw.

"No, it's not. It's your desperation to receive love. It's unhealthy, alright? I won't let you kill for me. Never. You don't have to drench yourself in blood to prove your love for me," I stubbornly shook my head. Taehyung stared at me in frustration. He looks as if he's about to burst at me.

"But it's so frustrating-"

"The reason I hesitated to tell you the truth... it's because I knew my trauma would also bleed on you. Every time I tell people about my past... It's like sentencing them with eternal guilt, even if it wasn't their fault. I only need you by my side through this. I'm fine. I really am. Just stay by my side and hold me... I'll be at peace. You're all I need," I gently patted his hand. Taehyung suddenly pouted and leaned against my shoulder to whimper in distress after I scolded him.

"I should've been there with you. Where was I when the love of my life needed me? I wish- Why didn't we meet earlier? Maybe... I could've protected you from him," Taehyung cried weakly against my shoulder. I tightened my arms around his shoulders and gently patted his head. 

This is exactly what I'm worried about. Just like Jimin and Jungkook... Taehyung is holding himself accountable for the tragic incident he wasn't even aware of. They keep blaming themselves for failing to save me, and I hate it. The longer they watch the man live freely... The more restless they'll feel and the more frustrated they'll become. 

They're all guilty of a crime they didn't even commit.

"Hey. It's not your fault. Everything is in the past, and you're not responsible for it, okay? I'm glad you found me now. At this very moment. I'm lucky to have you with me," I shook my head, gently pulling away from Taehyung to wipe his warm tears. Taehyung stared at me in pain and finally nodded with his tearful eyes.

"I will never let anything happen to you again," Taehyung firmly gripped my cheeks with a troubled expression.

"Okay. I'm assured," I weakly nodded. Taehyung leaned forward to press his lips against mine as we sat under the tree and finally pulled away to smile at one another after exchanging an innocent kiss.

"Let's eat. I'm hungry," I giggled after getting onto my feet to grab Taehyung's hand, and tugged him off the bench. We left his car at the hospital's parking lot and walked down the busy street, hand in hand... as the light snow drifted over us. Taehyung agreed with my suggestion after arguing over the food we wanted to eat and entered a BBQ restaurant together when someone suddenly waved at us.

"Oh! Jiyoung?" Jungkook waved from a table in the corner of the restaurant. He was sitting alone with a flushed face.

"What are you doing here alone???" I gasped in surprise, rushing up to him in confusion. Jungkook's face is bright red and he's waving the chopstick between his fingers with a dazed expression.

"Oh. You brought your mafia boyfriend," Jungkook laughed at us. I frowned at Jungkook's drunk condition and turned to find Taehyung staring at Jungkook unsurely.

"Let's sit with him," I sighed, grabbing Taehyung's arm to make him sit with Jungkook.

"Would you like a drink?! Aigo~ Nice to meet you!" Jungkook chuckled, reaching over the table to grab Taehyung's hand and shook it without his permission. Taehyung was too taken aback by Jungkook's action- He awkwardly shook Jungkook's hand with a tense nod.

"What's the matter with you???" I frowned at Jungkook after requesting additional plates and utensils.

"Hyeri asked for some space- I think she will break up with me," Jungkook shrugged. What? Why? What happened between them?

"Who's Hyeri?" Taehyung leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"His girlfriend. The one we met before," I replied, keeping my bitter gaze on Jungkook.

"Why did she break up with you?" Taehyung suddenly asked Jungkook out of curiosity.

"Oh? He's a nosy one," Jungkook funnily scoffed at Taehyung.

"I'm taking precautions so Jiyoung won't break up with me," Taehyung shrugged. I turned to look at Taehyung's blunt response with a startled expression.

"Stop it! He's not in his right mind-"

"The reason she broke up with me- It's because of Jiyoung. Ironic, isn't it?" Jungkook huffed before taking another gulp of soju to numb his sorrow.

"Moh?! Me!? Wae?" I frowned at Jungkook in shock. Why would she dump Jungkook over me? Our food arrived shortly, so Taehyung lowered his head to eat with disinterest as I stared at Jungkook with a puzzled expression.

"Because I chose to prioritize you over her. I went to you that night you were hurt... instead of staying with her," Jungkook grumbled as he bitterly poked his vegetable with the tip of his chopstick.

"You were hurt?" Taehyung dumbfoundedly turned to look at me with the noodles halfway stuffed in his mouth.

"He found me the night we fought," I nodded at Taehyung.

"Hey... come to think of it... All my girlfriends broke up with me because of you! It's so frustrating! No woman wants to be with me because of you! Ajusshi! I know you're doing this on purpose to ruin our love life, so I'd end up marrying her!" Jungkook whined as he glared up at the ceiling. Taehyung coughed at Jungkook's complaints and glanced at the smoky roof with a baffled expression to search for whatever imaginary person Jungkook was speaking with.

"Why would you marry Jiyoung???" Taehyung asked, lowering his gaze to frown at Jungkook with puffy cheeks.

"Because I promised her father before he passed away," Jungkook burped and suddenly dropped his head on the table. I quickly reached out to cushion his face before he slammed into his food in shock.

"Shit- We have to take him home," I gasped, quickly getting onto my feet to stabilize Jungkook's weak body as I struggled to hold up his heavy head.

"Taehyung!" I snapped when I turned to find Taehyung perching stiffly in his seat with an offended expression.

"Oh!" Taehyung snapped out of his thoughts and quickly got up to grab Jungkook's weak body. We couldn't finish our food and had to leave the restaurant after Taehyung went to get his car from the hospital. Taehyung heaved Jungkook down the corridor, so I hurried towards Jungkook's penthouse to scan his card and pushed the door open. Taehyung hauled Jungkook's body onto the couch just as I switched the lights on and quickly turned on Jungkook's diffuser to ease his discomfort.

"Can you stay with him? I'll head to the mart real quick," I turned to look at Taehyung as he scanned the penthouse.

"Oh? S-Sure," Taehyung nodded as he unsurely observed Jungkook's neat apartment. I quickly rushed out of the building to grab a few hangover drinks and medications from the pharmacy before sprinting back inside the penthouse to find Taehyung sitting on the opposite couch with a photo album on his lap.

"Where did you get that?" I questioned while taking off my jacket and walked toward Jungkook's unresponsive body.

"On the bookshelf. You've known each other since you were young?" Taehyung asked as he flipped through our childhood pictures with a curious expression.

"Oh. We've been friends since we were young," I nodded after placing the bag away and turned to unzip Jungkook's jacket because he was covered in cold sweat.

"Have you guys dated?" Taehyung questioned.

"We have. In middle school, it was platonic. We didn't even kiss. Jungkook asked to break up on our 100 day," I shrugged while placing a cooling patch over Jungkook's forehead to stabilize his body temperature.

"He broke up with you? Wae?" Taehyung mumbled quietly.

"We were young back then. Jungkook didn't want to ruin our friendship," I answered, gently pushing Jungkook's shirt over his torso and pulled it off his chest to reveal his hard-built pecs and muscles. Taehyung suddenly grew hushed, so I turned to find him staring at me with a dull expression as he watched me undress Jungkook on the couch.

"Do you... often... undress him like this?" Taehyung suspiciously narrowed his eyes on Jungkook's body muscles.

"Only when he's drunk like this. It's nothing because I'm used to it. He walks around shirtless all the time," I nodded, dismissively standing up to put Jungkook's dirty shirt away before entering Jungkook's bedroom to grab a clean shirt. I walked back into the living room to find Taehyung getting onto his feet with a blank expression.

"Should we head home?" Taehyung asked as I carefully slipped the shirt over Jungkook's torso and sat down to uncap the hangover drink.

"Oh, sure. Let me give him this first," I answered and gently slipped my arm under Jungkook's neck to help him sit up on the couch.

"Ugh- My head hurts," Jungkook grumbled while shaking his aching head.

"I got you a hangover drink," I muttered, gently pressing the glass bottle against his lips. Jungkook emptied the entire bottle with one gulp and groggily turned to look at me with a weary expression.

"Can you- make- that beef soup? The one you usually make for me?" Jungkook weakly whispered. I pursed my lips at his sick expression, then turned to find Taehyung leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.

"Sure. Get some sleep first," I nodded, so Jungkook slumped back down with his forearm over his forehead.

"Should we leave?" Taehyung asked again.

"You should head home first. I'll leave after I help Jungkook relieve his discomfort first," I apologetically walked toward Taehyung. Taehyung swallowed with a sore expression and glanced at Jungkook again.

"Alright. Call me when you're done. I'll pick you up," Taehyung sighed. I smiled and leaned upward to kiss his cheek. I took him back to the ground floor and waved at him until he left. Jungkook was fast asleep, so I rushed into the kitchen to heat the stove and cooked him the beef soup. I woke Jungkook up after it was ready. He slurped the warm soup without speaking to me.

"He left?" Jungkook grumbled, turning to look at me with his puffy face.

"Yeah. Should I talk with Hyeri to clarify the misunderstanding?" I frowned at Jungkook.

"No. It's fine. I'll talk to her," Jungkook whispered hoarsely. I anxiously stared at his discouraged expression and decided to stay with him overnight to ensure he was stable. Jungkook felt better the next day, so I left his place in the morning without informing Taehyung since I didn't want to disturb him. It's still early, so he might be asleep at home.

"Oh?" I whispered when I found Taehyung's car parked at Jungkook's parking space. I hurried toward the car in confusion to find Taehyung sleeping in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Taehyung??? What are you doing?!" I gasped while knocking on his window. Taehyung suddenly jerked in his sleep and sat up to rub his sleepy face, so I quickly got into the passenger seat with a bewildered expression.

"You're done taking care of him," Taehyung mumbled as he started the engine without looking at me.

"I told you to head home! It's freezing cold! Why would you sleep in the car???" I grimaced at him as he slowly pulled out of the parking lot.

"You said you'll leave his place, so I thought I should wait. Whatever. At least you were warm in his apartment while I froze to death in my car waiting for you," Taehyung suddenly spoke in a sulky tone as he drove down the street.

"Taehyung-"

"I hope you had a good night's sleep with your hot guy best friend," Taehyung rudely interrupted me with a slight frown. I grew hushed at his irritated face.

"Are you mad? Jungkook is my best friend. He did the same for me when I'm sick, so I had to return the favor-"

"Oh! Sure! You guys are best friends! Lovely best friends! So lovely- his girlfriends dumped him because they're jealous of you! Oh! It's totally normal, right? To care for your best friend who promised your father to marry you! It's totally normal! Nothing strange at all!" Taehyung suddenly raised his voice, cutely ranting at me while waving his hand over the steering wheel. I pursed my lips uneasily and slumped back on the seat with my arms crossed.

"Drop me at home," I muttered in an upset tone. Why is he so sensitive? I wouldn't have stayed over if I knew he was waiting! He could've called me!

"Araso!" Taehyung snapped, hastily steering the wheel in anger. I didn't want to argue with him, so I held back, slumping against the seat in defeat with my fists gripped tightly. I want to scream at him, but I'm not in the mood to deal with a fight! Taehyung dropped me off at my gate and drove off without saying goodbye. I scoffed at his attitude and entered my house to find Jimin watching TV, so we talked for a bit, and I left to rest in my room. 

Taehyung did not contact me for three days after the foolish fight. I was upset at first... and refused to contact him, but guilt eventually consumed me after I reflected on the incident. He should be upset. I got upset over Yuna just because she was his sex partner in the past. He waited for me in his freezing cold car while I cared for another man. He should be mad.

Me: See me at the park at 5:00 PM.

I sighed deeply after sending Taehyung the text and went down to the kitchen to prepare food and packed it in a heat bag. I should apologize to him because I was very inconsiderate of his feelings. Anyone would be upset if their lover left them in the freezing cold night to be with another person. Let's not make a big deal out of this. I'll apologize. I saved a serving of the meal for Jimin after his tiring mission in Daegu. I took the taxi through the chilly city and sat on the bench under the light snow with my lunchbox. 5:20 PM.

Me: See me at the park at 5:00 PM. Message Seen.

"He saw my text. Maybe he'll be here soon," I mumbled as I rubbed my hands together to keep my fingers warm while waiting for him as the sky grew slightly darker. A mother and a few kids showed up at the park to play with their duck-shaped snowball maker toy, so I left the food package on the bench and joined the children at the park. 

"The duck is so cute!" I shrieked at the little girl as she made her snow duck.

"Try it, noona!" A little boy handed me his toy. I chuckled at his kind offer and made a few ducks with the snow. The kids cutely shrieked at one another as we played snowball fighting with the little ducks. I had fun with them at the park until their mother convinced them to head home because it was freezing cold. My eyeballs were stinging from the frost... so I gently placed my warm palms over my eyelids to keep them warm.

"Annyeong!" The kids cutely waved at me. I smiled and waved back at them, then turned to stare at my food package with a heavy feeling. I sighed heavily and pulled out my phone to check the time. 7:10 PM. It's getting dark. I slowly approached a hoeori gamja stall (Korean tornado potato street food) to purchase it after grabbing a corndog. Smiling happily, I sat back down on the bench to eat the warm snack. I wanted to eat my home-cooked food with Taehyung, but he's taking too long, and I'm too hungry.

"Is he seriously not coming?" I frowned, sighing in frustration after checking the time again. 8:30 PM. The sky is completely dark by now, and I think the food I prepared is frozen. I'll wait a bit longer. I sat stubbornly to wait for Taehyung until the stalls at the park started closing and people began leaving the area.

"Whatever," I huffed in frustration after realizing it was already 10:30 PM. I tried to make it up to him! I left the food on the bench and stormed away in anger.

"I'm freezing! The audacity to ghost me like this!" I gritted under my breath as I crossed over the thick snow on the ground. The wind was oddly strong tonight, so I had to pull my beanie over my ears to keep it warm and slowly hopped on the snow to stamp my footprint. My frustration unconsciously subsided when I forgot about Taehyung and started giggling in silence as I played in the snow on my own.

"Hop! Hop! Hop!" I giggled under my breath as I leaped over the snow, finally turning to look at my trail with a bright smile, but stopped abruptly when I noticed the oversized footsteps over the snow track.

"Huh? Why's my footstep so big?" I mumbled, retracing my path backward to compare my small shoes with the giant footstep.

"What the hell?" I frowned in confusion and hopped backward to compare my shoe size with a few other footsteps... and it was all bigger than my feet. I crouched down on the snow to examine the footprint in confusion and glanced at the empty park with a questioning look. Sighing, I got up and turned to hop again when I bumped hard into someone. The impact sent me tilting backward. Flop.

"AH!" I gasped in panic when I landed flat on the thick snow with my limbs spread out at an awkward angle. Fuck. I groaned under my breath and slowly pushed my body off the ground while rubbing my forehead as I struggled to sit up in thick layers of clothes until I noticed a pair of giant sneakers standing before me. I glanced at the footstep beside it... and it was exactly... the same size. I frowned at the sneaker size and turned back to the trail on the snow with a startled expression. Oh!? Carefully, I reached out to measure the length and width with my fingers before hovering my hand over the fresh prints to confirm my suspicion. I was too engrossed with the shocking discovery... I couldn't help but lower my face to take a closer look at the sneakers. 

"Oh? It's your footstep!" I gasped, looking up at the person with my finger pointed at his shoe while crouching at his feet... but halted in shock when I found Taehyung standing over me with a weak smile. His cheeks were rosy pink and his hair was filled with snowflakes.

"Aren't you cold?" Taehyung asked. I slowly stood up to face him with my red nose and pale expression as the fine snow fluttered between us. My smile faded away at his presence until I felt an upsetting stir in my chest.

"I'm going home," I grumpily mumbled and tried to walk past him, so he took a step in my direction to block my path.

"Did you just ask me to come all the way here... just to leave like this?" Taehyung blankly stared at me.

"I asked you to come at 5:00 PM!" I snapped, pushing him aside to stomp forward when he gripped my hand and gently pulled me back.

"At least I showed up!" Taehyung frowned.

"What time is it now?" I snapped at him in irritation.

"Does it matter?" Taehyung glared at me.

"It matters to me! Go away!" I whined, pushing him away again, but he immediately blocked my path again. I gripped my fists in irritation and tilted my head upward to glare at his face as he towered over me.

"Wah~! What's with your attitude?! You asked me to see you-"

"I asked to see you at 5:00 PM because I wanted to apologize! I wanted to tell you I'm very sorry for not being mindful of your feelings! I even prepared warm food for you- but you didn't show up until now! It's 11:00 PM! The food is frozen like a rock! I waited six hours for you in the cold!" I screamed at him in tears when I felt my chest twisting uncomfortably.

"I waited for you the entire night," Taehyung replied shortly as he scanned my angered expression.

"Whatever! We're even now!" I snapped, stomping forward as tears slipped down my cheeks. I took a few steps forward until I felt his firm arms encircling my waist from behind. I whimpered and tried to shove his hands off my body, but he refused to let go and pulled me against his warm chest. Taehyung exhaled and buried his face on my shoulder as he stubbornly back-hugged me.

"I was waiting for you since 4:00 PM," Taehyung whispered, tightening his grip around me.

"Stop lying!" I snapped while fighting to free myself from his arms. Taehyung sighed at my resistance and pulled me into a crushing hug with one hand behind my head and the other placed on my lower back to hold me against his body after I turned to glare at him.

"You looked too cute in thick clothes, so I couldn't help but admire you from afar. I wanted to approach you... when you started playing with the kids. So I stayed back to watch you. I wanted to approach you again, but you left to buy food... and you looked really adorable while eating your potatoes. Your rosy cheeks were cutely stuffed like a hamster. Your lips were glossed with the warm oil. And you looked like a plump pumpkin in your puffy coat," Taehyung whispered, gently combing his fingers through my hair until I felt an intense ache in my chest.

"YOU'RE SO MEAN!" I screamed in tears, repeatedly smacking his chest and cried even harder until I felt my eyeballs stinging in pain.

"Why are you screaming?! I'm telling you the truth! I was dying to see you for the past few days and rushed here as soon as I saw your text to wait for you!" Taehyung gasped, sternly pulling away to grip my shoulders as I bawled at his face in frustration.

"YOU CALLED ME A FAT PUMPKIN!" I shrieked in distress. Why would he call me a fat pumpkin?! Is that supposed to make me feel better?!

"M-Moh? I didn't! I said plump pumpkin- YAH!" Taehyung stuttered at me in horror, so I wailed at the top of my lungs and suddenly dropped onto the snow to throw a tantrum.

"FAT PUMPKIN!? YOU'RE SO MEAN!? WHAT KIND OF A BOYFRIEND ARE YOU!?" I screamed, frantically kicking my legs in frustration with my fists clenched. Taehyung stood over me in shock to watch at my childish attitude with a horrified face as I screamed and thrashed on the snow like a child. The passerby suddenly stopped to watch us until Taehyung's face flushed red in embarrassment.

"Araso! I'm sorry! Jiyoung! Stop! Get up! It's cold!" Taehyung quickly knelt down to pull me off the snow, but I refused to let him touch me and screamed even louder.

"AH! PUT ME DOWN! PUT ME DOWN, YOU STUPID MAN!" I screamed in tears when he suddenly threw me over his shoulder, hanging me upside down like a potato sack. I smacked his back in distress as he carried me across the park to avoid the embarrassing attention.

"Hajima! I'm sorry! I didn't know you were this sensitive!" Taehyung whined as I repeatedly thrashed on his shoulder until he sat me down on the public bench.

"Go away! You mean-" I sobbed when he suddenly grabbed my cheeks and leaned forward to kiss me. I immediately grew hushed when I felt his warm lips stroking mine, so I closed my eyes and gripped tightly onto his coat. Taehyung let out a deep exhale against my face after I calmed down and pulled away to stare at my tearful doe eyes with an apologetic expression. I glanced at my snot over his face and pursed my lips in embarrassment.

"You're a mess. Stay here, okay? I'll be right back," Taehyung exhaled while crouching before me with a worried expression. He gently reached out to wipe my tear stain, so I pouted at him and stubbornly shook my head.

"You're going to abandon me again," I mumbled in tears.

"I won't. I'll be back. I promise," Taehyung leaned forward to peck my lips and hurried off. I sniffled weakly and sat on the bench in tears until Taehyung returned with my lunch box and a bag of snacks. He sat down beside me and gently pulled out a pack of baby wipes he bought to wipe my snots and tears.

"Your face is stained with... my snot," I murmured. Taehyung wiped his face with an unbothered expression and placed the wipes away.

"I'll heat this up at home, so we can eat together," Taehyung nodded at my lunchbox as he took off his scarf to wrap it around my neck. I lowered my face to stare at our shoe size in silence.

"I hate you," I whispered as he sat beside me.

"I love you too," Taehyung smiled at me.

"You're so annoying!" I snapped at him. Taehyung chuckled at my adorable attitude and pulled me into a deep kiss again.

"Are you calm now? I want to show you something," Taehyung muttered, unsurely turning to look at me. I stared at his anxious face without answering him, so he stood up and gently pulled me onto my feet. Taehyung took my hand in one hand while carrying my lunchbox in his other hand. We walked side by side through the park until Taehyung turned to block my path.

"Hold this and close your eyes," Taehyung placed the lunchbox in my hand. I did as he instructed and stood in silence, so he gently held my hand again, and we carefully strode over the thick snow with my eyes closed.

"What are you-"

"Stay here. Don't move... alright? Don't open your eyes until I tell you to," Taehyung firmly gripped my shoulders.

"Okay," I nodded as I stood with my eyes closed. The wind was very subtle, but the cold was still very frosty, even if I was dressed in thick layers of clothes. I heard Taehyung stomping over the snow and stood in the pitch darkness for a tense five minutes until I grew impatient.

"Babe?" I asked when I couldn't hear anything besides the gusting wind.

"I'm here! Don't open your eyes! Take ten steps forward without looking okay? And leave the lunch box there!" Taehyung responded from a distance. What is he doing???

"Alright," I nodded, dropping the lunchbox on the snow, and carefully walked forward. Finally came to a halt at the tenth step. I could feel Taehyung's presence standing right before me because of his warmth.

"Open your eyes," Taehyung instructed. Slowly, I opened my eyes to find Taehyung standing before me with a dazzling smile. He was holding a bouquet in his arms filled with colorful flowers.

"What's this?" I questioned as he stood before me.

"Look around you," Taehyung smiled, stepping aside to show me everything. We were standing on a plain field covered in snow. My eyes landed on the flickering candlelights around us... so I slowly turned around to find the romantic lights aligned on the cold snow.

"Huh?" I weakly smiled as I blinked at the flickering candlelights until I realized we were surrounded by the bright sparkles. We're standing in a heart-shaped candlelight.

"I couldn't use a real candle because of the wind, so I used charged candle lights instead," Taehyung muttered as he stood behind my back.

"It's not valentine's day," I smiled, turning to face Taehyung with a questioning look. He gently handed me the bouquet, so I took it with a warm smile.

"I didn't search the internet this time. It's all my idea... I even hand-picked all the flowers for you," Taehyung nodded at me. I glanced down at the strange flower combination and glanced up at him with a slight frown. I'm so touched. Did he feel sorry about the fight too?

"I love you," I smiled at Taehyung as he stood before me with a fond expression.

"I love you too. And that's why I want to take our relationship to the next level," Taehyung exhaled while I fondly smiled at the flowers. I unsurely glanced at him for explanations after he finished his sentence. 

"What do you mean?" I tilted my head to the side with my eyebrow raised. Taehyung weakly smiled at me and slowly crouched down before me with his hand in his pocket. I froze in my position at his unexpected action and stood over him with a dumbfounded expression.

"Lee Jiyoung," Taehyung exhaled, pulling out a small velvet box as he knelt on one knee.

"T-Taehyung... you stupid man," I whispered in shock when I felt a bolt of shock tingling all of my nerves with an overwhelmed sensation.

"Will you marry me?" Taehyung smiled, opening the box to reveal a glimmering diamond ring in the case. I stood before him with a flustered face, utterly shaken by the situation. I was too paralyzed by his proposal... I couldn't move but stand before him with my eyes wide open as we stood within the glowing candle lights... over the vast plain of fallen snow... under the glistening snowflakes. I blinked at Taehyung's longing gaze as the frosty wind numbed our skins, but my heart was pounding so much... I could no longer feel the chills... instead... my heart was blooming with love and warmth. I slowly averted my eyes from the ring to Taehyung's patient yet gentle expression to examine his rosy red cheeks and fluffy wild hair in absolute silence.  

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HAHA! Don't touch me! I'm so soft right now uwu! Tell me! Did you enjoy this chapter??!! Hmm? Did you enjoy it?!!! How are you feeling so far? XD I'm sorry for updating a bit late because I've been occupied with school but don't worry! I made up for it by writing this super long chapter for y'all! Thank you everyone for supporting Love Candidate! Please state safe! <3 I love you!

Ps. I don't know if you've noticed it but I've been dropping subtle hints about something ;) I will not tell you anything but it's there! All over the story! Haha! Good night!