⫣50⫦ Party Crasher

We make our way down the hallway again, our hands interlocked and my heartbeat still erratic.

I did my best to look respectable again, but I can't do anything about my rosy cheeks or my glassy eyes. Taehyung is no better. He made the best of his hair and his suit and tie looks perfect again, but just like me, he still looks a little out of breath. Suddenly he stops, like a thought just appeared to him. "Shit, are you still on the pill?" I stop and stare too. Do I even want to know how he knew I was? My gynecologists described it to me about a year ago when I felt like physically dying that time of he month and the pill had helped me regulate my cycle. When I see his horrid expression, I nearly burst out laughing. "Don't worry. I still do. Why? Don't wanna have a baby Tae running around on the camp?"

It's supposed to be a joke, but Taehyung turns awfully pale. "I-" He starts, his voice grave like he's searching for the right words. My heart falls. I know he only gets like this when his past is involved. I want to smack myself for my comment. Just when I'm about to play it off and crack a joke, he answers. "I don't know the first thing about being a father. Mine only ever caused me pain." My heart hurts for him. I wish I could do something to lesson the despair. And maybe in some ways I do, but I know he can never be free from it. Never run fast enough to escape whatever painful memories he held. I step closer, reaching up to lay a hand on his cheeks. "It's okay Tae. I meant what I said. You never have to tell me about your past if you don't want to."He sighs heavily."I want to- it's just- I.. I can't." "And that's Okay too. It doesn't matter to me. What matters is who you are now." He lets out a little relieved breath and shakes his head as if to shake his dark past away. When he glances up at me, his grin is wide and mischievous again. "You ready for some more fun?" I smile right back at him. "Nothing will be more fun than what we just did," I exclaim, making him chuckle. I can see him wanting to reply something, but we have already reached the base of the staircase and some people are around, watching us. I don't care what they think we did up there, but it means playing our little roles again. I nod at them politely as Taehyung leads me back into the crowd. My eyes immediately land on our target. As predicted, a tech guy is in the midst of setting up a large projector and white screen, fumbling on the keys of his laptop. I feel the little shove of Taehyung's hand as he nudges me forward, nodding encouraging.

I take a deep breath and walk over to him, letting my hips swing and taking long steps to show of my leg through the slit of the dress. He is maybe in his late twenties, nerd glasses on his face. There is nothing particular interesting about him: plain face, dull eyes and medium height. Maybe that's why his eyes widen when he sees me directly head for him. "Hey there," I greet him, battling my eyelashes and turning my voice innocent and shy. His mouth drops open as his eyes scan my body, that dress and then stop for a second at my lips which have drawn up into a brilliant smile. "M-me?" he chokes out, and I have to admit, looking so startled almost makes him cute. "Yes you. Who else would I mean, silly?" I tease a little. His eyes fly open even wider. "Can I help you, ma'm?"I nod, my hair bouncing with my head. "Actually, you can," I start and from the corner of my eyes, I see Taehyung walk seemingly directionless in the direction of the PC desk. "I have this problem with my phone, you see. And I thought a smart looking technician like you might be able to help me out?" He seems to consider it for a moment, looking from his laptop to the phone in my hand and back to the laptop. My heart is racing, adrenaline rushing through my body. I have to get him away from that desk for at least a few seconds. But to my great relieve, I see his eyes swing back to me and then his head bobs vigorously. "Of course, of course, anything you need." He makes the mistake of his life as he walks down from the raised desk and stands next to me. I try to explain the problem, pretending to be really stupid and at loss with technology while I try not to look up to see whether Taehyung already inserted the video file. I keep my focus on the tech guy as he goes through the non-existing problem with me. Then suddenly there is a hand on my back. I jump, a little surprised yelp escaping me. "Are you having problems with your phone again, sweety?" Tae asks, playing the perfect snob as he adds: "I will just get you a new one. Why bother with this?" He points at the poor boy in front of me. He has turned a deep shade of red, both insulted and wishing to be anywhere but besides the arrogant male who now holds me protectively with one hand, clearly stating who I belong to. I doubt he is acting much on that part. I try not to show anything on my face as I look up at my fiancé with a radiant smile. "You're probably right darling. Thanks so much for your help anyway," I say as a way of good-bye, turning on my heels and already heading for the servants with the food trays. Taehyung follows close behind me, grinning to himself as I already help myself to some delicious cake and put it in my mouth. I'm fucking starving! "Nah, nah, is that any way for a lady to behave?" I stick out my tongue, then make sure no one stands close enough to overhear us. "Does it matter now? In a few minutes hell is gonna break loose anyway." He smiles, nods and then grabs a piece of the chocolate cake as well. "You're right." "I'm always right." "Your always a pain in my ass," he jokes back with a snort. Okay, maybe I'm feeling particularly nasty today as I smirk, shifting my weight to one foot and say:"Mhh, maybe I'll let you be a pain in my ass someday. But let's take it one new experience at a time, shall we?" I just love how he chokes on the cake. Then he bursts out laughing, shaking his head. "God, I should get used to that dirty mouth of yours, but I just can't. You surprise me every time." "And I'll make damn sure it stays that way." "You're going to send me to an early grave with that kind of talk." "Death during sex does sound badass on a gravestone though." He chuckles again, then pulls me close. I watch him with wide eyes as he reaches up and wipes away some left over chocolate from the edge of my mouth, then holds my gaze as he licks it off his fingers. My breath falters and he grins wildly. "Some things never change." I narrow my eyes and push him away, pretending to sulk. I know he referred to my inability to speak whenever he does something sexual like that. I'm about to reach for another piece of cake to literally swallow my anger when a voice sounds behind us. "I see you are enjoying the offerings quit a bit, Mrs. Lee." My head snaps around at the same time Taehyung's does. I force my lips into a fake smile. "I really do, Mr. Cheng. The chocolate cake is just delicious." He laughs brightly with those wrinkle around his eyes. Ugh- how can a despicable person like him look this friendly? "That is a relieve to hear. I'm actually about to show some of my recent developments in Gangnam." He turns to Taehyung. "I was hoping you might be interested to go into business with me, Mr. Cho." Taehyung turns all business, shaking his hand. "It would be a great honor, Mr. Chen. My fiancé and I have actually gone to see the new buildings in Seoul already. I have to say, we were very impressed." ' I grin, gifting Mr. Cheng a brilliant smile. "I was so astonished at what humanity is capable of. You should get all the credit you deserve." While my words are sweet, they bear such a darker meaning. But of course Cheng has no idea as he looks truly flattered. "Well," he waves it off with a shrug "I have tried my best." "So you have." Taehyung agrees, then pulls me into a sideways hug as he continues: " We can't wait to see the presentation. It will certainly be the best part of the evening." Nope, that already happened, I smirk to myself. But it would still be hell of an entertainment. This pathetic piece of shit has no idea which kind of predators he has let into his house, but I can't wait for him to find out. "Please, follow me. You will get a front row seat then of course." Oh yes please! A dark thrill runs through my body as he guides me and Taehyung through the crowd and shows us to the front. "Oh, Mr. Cheng," Taehyung calls, just before the businessman is about to stand on the raised plateau behind the beamer. He turns, looking down with an unsuspecting smile. Taehyung doesn't let anything on his face slip even as he says: "You should know that both my fiancé and I are absolutely invested in this project of yours. Coming here has been a long plan of ours." Cheng does seem a little confused at the odd choice of words, but then nods vigorously. "I'm looking forward to doing business with you." "So do we," I answer for him. I have to admit, Cheng does catch the attention of everyone as he starts his speech, making everyone feel welcome and important while also boosting his own ego. He reminds me a little of my father: charismatic, charming, and a pathological lying piece of shit.The projector is turned on. My heart races. "This is my newest development site in Seoul," Cheng announces. For a second, there really are the collages of the new skyscrapers, all modern and fancy and most likely unpayable for normal folks. Then the screen blinks white once, the slide show turning into a video recording, the person filming shaking slightly. Outcry and gasps of shock ripple through the crowd as they realize what they are seeing. Even I can't help myself. At least the identity of the girls had been protected, their faces blurred out but not making it any less horrendous. And the man doing it barley comparable to the nicely tailored, smiling man in front but undeniable the same person.

He is in a club, making use of woman crying and wailing around him while he himself is laughing viciously at their pain.

The video shifts to a blank black screen with a voice recording. I watch Cheng as he pales, starts shaking, hearing his own words over the loud speaker.

His voice is slurred, obviously drunk as he boasts about the despicable things he has done. And everyone is listening as his own words damn him. "Turn it off!" Cheng screams, running over to the PC desk. With a scream he pulls the plug, ending the voice. The people around the room have turned absolutely silent, their expressions frozen in shock and disgust as they stare at their host. Cheng- he looks shattered for a second, desperate as if searching for an explanation. He shoots up suddenly, his face red and flustered. "It's not true! I'm being framed. Someone must have faked it. I would never do anything like that! " he shouts, his voice angered and scared at the same time, his hands flying wide. The room is silent for another minute. Then the whispers begin.

Only a few at first, as if afraid to even speak, then more and more, louder and louder, until it sounds like a nest of wasps. Meanwhile Cheng is still furiously denying all accusation. I look to my left at Tae. A dark grin forms on our lips. We turn to Cheng at the same time. "Truly the highlight of the evening, Mr Cheng," I murmur, only loud enough for the enraged man in front of us to hear. His head snaps to us. Whatever he sees in our expression makes his eyes fly wild- then narrow in absolute hatred. "You! You did this?" I can't help but to laugh loudly and melodic. Tae chuckles darkly too, pulling me a bit closer. "We told you, Mr. Cheng. We've been interested in your case for a very long time. Truly astonishing what human scum like you is capable of." The man is shaking with rage now, his eyes furious. "How dare you? Who do you think you are? I'm Song Cheng! You think this can ruin me? I'll make sure I destroy you!"

"Nah, Nah, Mr Cheng," Taehyung teases with a click of his tongue. "Is that any way a gentleman like you should speak? And you may try to come after us. But I'm afraid you will be a little caught up with going to prison and all that." His eyes widen again, his mouth gaping open. I grin, showing the monster beneath. "You really think we haven't thought it through? Tonight was only to humiliate you. But-" I stop, holding a finger to my mouth. Perfect timing I think to myself as the sirens draw closer, heading straight for this house. Cheng's anger turns into fear, horror at the realization of what is waiting for him. "Hmm. I suppose you'll get another sort of visit tonight. Just not one you'll like." It all happens so fast, I barely have time to blink. Cheng shoots forward, aiming at me. But he doesn't take three steps before Taehyung is in front of me, his expression dark and scary, his lips drawn into snarl. Cheng aims a blind punch at him, but Taehyung is prepared, catching his wrist. There is a cracking sound and Cheng screams in agony, holding his broken wrist. He falls on his knees and Tae kicks out a foot, knocking him in the face, blood spraying from his nose as he grunts and falls flat on the floor.The violence should scare me- disgust me, but I cannot look away from his bloodied face, of the way Taehyung stands in front of him with an unapologetic expression. I know he deserves it. The sirens have thankfully diverted the attention from us for the seconds it took to knock Cheng out. They must be in front of the house now, and Taehyung pulls me to the side. "We should probably go now, I think the party is over." I nod, looking around the chaotic room, just as the first men in police uniform storm the house. There is more screaming and crying from others, but Tae pushes me skillfully through the crowd, somehow avoiding the police like he has done this many times before. I'm in awe of him again as we turn left and right, then down some steps. "Where are we going?" I ask him in a hushed voice. We end up in a sort of garage as we take another staircase down. "Wow," I breath, as I stare at the thirty or so cars. "Are those from the guests?" Taehyung shakes his head. "No. It's Cheng's personal collection." Then he turns to me with a grin and a wink. "I'm sorry it's not roses, but a man should never take a girl on a date without giving her a gift. So," he exclaims, throwing his hands wide with a devilish grin. "You choose." "A car?" "No, a teddy bear. Yes! Of course a car." "But what about the Ferrari?" I pout. I love the Ferrari. Tae chuckles.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure the Ferrari makes its way home safe. Now, chose a car. Any you like." My mouth gapes open, staring at him, and then the arrange of cars behind him. There is so much to choose from, one more expensive than the other, shining in all colors of the rainbow. I start forward into the rows of cars, letting my hand glide over their engine hoods, their sleek profile and smooth surfaces. I let myself be lead by instinct since I don't know much about cars. My eyes widen as I come to stop in front of a silver one, the same shade of my dress. I let out a breath. "This one," I tell him with admiration. Tae has come to stand behind me, arms on my arms as he lets out an appreciative whistle. "My girl has taste. Lamborghini Veneno. It has an Aventador's 6.5-litre V12 and generates a power output of 750 PS at 8,400 rpm. It's one of the most expensive and fastest cars in the world, easily making it Cheng's most treasured possessions." I smile wildly. "I want it." He lowers his head to my neck, kissing the exposed skin and I shudder. He opens the door, still looking like a rich gentlemen in his suit, but with dark, glittering mischief in his eyes.

"Then you'll get it."