⫣14⫦ In the Lair of a She-Dragon

We get some ice cream on the way into town, slandering through the streets carelessly.

I only know we're heading into the direction of Yeongsan-Gu, but I don't really mind where we are going. Only that we are getting further and further away from school.

Since Yongsan is one of the farthest districts from our house and the school, I am not too worried to meet someone who knows me. Seoul is a big city. I feel different with them than I do with anyone else. Lighter. I say what I think and don't put it through any filters.

To be honest- it shocks me the most- of who I am when I don't hold back and play good girl all the time.

The three of them are not shy to let out their honest opinions either, as if they cared just as little to reveal who they are and what goes through their heads. It makes me feel like I am part of them- like they trust me.

Jungkook excitedly tells Jimin about my acting in class and winks to me as he told me I did well. I just winked back and replied: "I know, I'm awesome!" which makes them laugh. And yet I can't help but notice there's a bit of a weird tension between Jungkook and Jimin today.It's the way the taller glances Jimin's way too often and with something resembling guilt flickering in his eyes.

Meanwhile, the smaller makes a clear point NOT to look at the maknae.

I sigh, curious again. And then: I figure why not just mention it?

But I never get to ask about their relationship, when Tae suddenly pushes me to the right, into a side alley and then comes to a stand in front of a large story building, Jungkook and Jimin following close behind.

I look up. There is simply nothing out of the ordinary with this building. Just a run-down, old multistorey apartment building with one or two cracked windows, the façade crumbling and loosing colour.

"Where are we exactly?"

Taehyung shoots me a goofy, rectangular smile when he goes for the door.

"We told you we're going to a party. Do you really want to turn up in your school uniform?"

I look down at the blue skirt, white blouse and striped tie. No- this really isn't the outfit to go party. Not that I own anything fit for a night of drinking and dancing. Perhaps more...

"So we're getting some clothes?"

He nods and points with his chin into the inside of the hallway. It looks old and in need of some renovation too, graffiti sprayed on the walls and the metal of the railing up the stairs rusting green and copper. The steps lead up at least five stories and several doors fall away from the staircases. A typical multi-story building for lower-middle class residence of Seoul. And most would be more than happy about a shabby place like this, only because, well, it was a roof over your head.

"Shouldn't we go into a clothing store instead?"

Jungkook, who enters as well offers me a secretive grin.

"Trust us, no clothing store can compare to her."

"Her?" I hear myself asking, but the others already make up their way and I have no choice but to follow.

The hallways is cold and reeks of stoic, stale air.

Of course whoever 'her' was, had to live on the top story floor!The three of them don't stop at the door to ring. Instead Taehyung just types in the passcode and it clicks open with a little beep. 'Her' is apparently someone they know well.

I step in after them a little hesitant.

I do gape a little then.

Because the inside of the penthous is about the exact opposite of this house. Modern but bright. The apartment looks homey, with a lot of seating areas and open space, dark wood and a colour arrangement of warm grey, beige and copper. It would almost look like the house of a celebrities- if it weren't for the clothes!Clothes everywhere, messing up the otherwise chic sense of the apartment. Hanging from hangers, draped over chairs or simply thrown into piles on the floor, the arrange of colourful cloth sprayed all around lends the place something wild and untamed.

"You're finally here!", a female voice exclaims and a woman appears from a door leading to the kitchen.

My jaw hits the floor.

She's absolutely gorgeous with long black hair like me and a rocking, curvy body beneath a skin-tight red dress. Her lips are painted in a dark shade of purple and her eye make-up is dark and sexy, wholly alluring.

I don't think I have ever seen a woman with so little clothing. Or one that has fully mastered the power of seduction, everything about her dripping with sex and lust.

She puts her long, painted nails on her hips and shot me a long, observing look. I stand there utterly still, feeling the weight of her stare like a thousand needles over my skin.Her eyes skip up and down and up again to my face again and then...her lovely features turn even more stunning as she smiles widely, her eyes sparkling with it.

"Well, isn't she a sweet looking piece of melon-cake?"

The boys low laughter fills the space.

"Trust me, this cake has many layers to her, and sweet is just the icing on top." Taehyung replies.I can't help the smile growing on my lips at his words- at what he thinks of me.

The woman smiles even wider and then steps towards me with swinging hips.She's the literal definition of sexual and I immediately envy the way she lets other's know that she knew that too. Confidence. Perhaps a little arrogant, but wielding it like a weapon.

"I'm Hwasa. Pleased to meet you, Lian."

The fact that she knows my name isn't lost on me, but since the boys simply let themselves into her apartment like it's their own, I suspect they must have told her.

I shake the hand she reached out. But instead of shaking it and letting go, she pulls me towards her. With a sensual smile, she runs her hand down my cheek. The sudden intimate touch has me so stunned that I just stare at her with an open mouth.

That seems to amuse her. With a click of her tongue she traces a line down the side of my face, her sharp, long nails leaving a lasting pressure as she grabs my chin and studies my face once more, turning it to all sides.

"Ah, I see. You have a lot of potential, melon-cake. So sweet and innocent. Leave her with me for an hour and you won't recognize her."

She finally lets go and steps back, crossing her hands in a self assured manner.

"Well, if that's the case, we'll pick her up at five," Jungkook replies and I turn to them with big, incredulous eyes.

"You're just going to leave me here?"

With her?, was left unsaid but it hangs in the air.

Jimin smiles and shrugs his shoulders.

"We need to get dressed too. And we wouldn't want to spoil your quality time with Hwasa."

I look searchingly at Taehyung, but he only gives me the same shoulder-shrug too and already turns to leave. He was doing that an awful lot and it's really getting on my nerves.

I want to protest, but Hwasa is next to me in a second, laying a single finger over my mouth, sushing me.

My mouth immediately snaps shut and a shiver takes control of my body at her proximity. I honestly never thought a woman could make me feel this way.

"Now, now. Let the boys do their business and me mine. I promise you won't regret it." Even her voice is sexy- low and luring.

"And boys, " she calls out and the three of them turn around one more time."Don't, for the love of God, let RM wear those horrible sunglasses. I already broke several of them and yet he keeps buying them!"

I can hear their answering chuckle even as the door clicks shut.

Then there is silence and I get the sudden feeling, I'd just been trapped in the lair of a she-dragon. Her apartment certainly looks like a den full of treasure. Hwasa clicks her tongue again and then starts circling me, her eyes ranking up and down my body.

I feel naked under that stare and swallow hard. She comes to a stop in front of me, and I swear to God, these people have never heard of personal space! And she smells- uh, she smells fantastic. But I don't step back- only level her stare until she breaks out into yet another smile.

"I like you," She proclaims.

I look back at her. I remember what my mother taught me to say to people who told me they liked me: 'I'm pleased to meet you too', 'I hope you take good care of me', or even "You're too kind'.

But my filtering system just isn't working around these people, so instead I say:

"And you're as scary as you are hot."

Her eyes widen at my boldness.And then she laughs out loud and melodic.

"I knew there is a reason BTS is so enthralled with you. I can see the fire in your eyes. You've got a lot of courage, little girl."

A warm feeling blooms in me at the compliment. No one- absolutely no one has ever called me courageous. And I never knew how much I wanted to hear it before today.

"It's Lian, not little girl."

She smiles and then just gives me a little bob of her head.

"All right then Lian. Shall we get started?"

_______________________________________

No... I am so not crushing on Hwasa... I would never...

She's ma mommy and no one can stop me.