Hoseok considered himself a man of many talents.

Not only did he have the brains to succeed in his schoolwork and business, but he also had the acting abilities to bend people to his will. Sure he was no Leonardo DiCaprio, but Hoseok knew that no matter how much someone tried to resist, it was only a matter of time before he could woo them over with his charms. He had the riches, the all-charming personality, certainly the looks, and also the means.

Riches were the most essential part.

It allowed him to do virtually anything he could ever want. The secret into the hearts of every regular person out there was money. The key to getting them to bend to your every word was money. Anything could be fixed with money. Anything could be broken with money.

Money, money, money.

That's the only thing everyone cared about.

It was sickening how much of a chokehold a simple piece of paper slapped with a random man's face and painted green had on the common people.

"Darling, darling, darling," Hoseok singsonged, tracing his hand against Yoongi's cheek. "I know two days of acting lessons won't be good enough for the likes of you, but at least try to look like you're enjoying yourself with me."

Yoongi smiled sweetly. "Touch me again, and the next thing your parents are going to be paying is the damn hospital bills."

Hoseok burst into laughter as he removed his hand from Yoongi's face. "So you are feisty! And here I thought you were just a mommy pleaser. This will be fun then! I do hope you don't embarrass yourself, Yoongi, wouldn't want this perfect day to go completely off the rails."

Just seeing Yoongi's cheeks flush red in anger made Hoseok's mood soar to heights he never knew were possible. It was so easy to get Yoongi riled up. Yoongi was very clearly a loyal, passionate person, and Hoseok could almost practically feel the waves of responsibility coming off Yoongi's aura. The guy was reeking in burdens that Hoseok knew he'd never have to deal with, but who was Hoseok to care about Yoongi? At the end of the day, everything that Yoongi was doing was to amass great wealth for his family.

Hoseok could see right through him.

"Here we have the lovely couple!"

At the sound, Hoseok stealthily sneaked his arm around Yoongi's waist, discreetly bringing Yoongi close to him as they were approached by Hoseok's parents, who were quick to bring along with them a couple of shareholders. Perfect. Hoseok could only hope that Yoongi wouldn't mess this up.

"Hoseok, I haven't seen you this happy, ever," one of the shareholders, Sharon, said, smiling brightly. "Who's the lucky man that managed to woo your heart?"

A blinding smile split across Hoseok's features, and he turned to Yoongi, making sure to give the most convincing loving expression possible. Yoongi looked up at him with big eyes, ones that were riddled in suspicion laced in guard. Hoseok could tell that Yoongi was trying to guess Hoseok's movements, the slight hesitation coming from not knowing all the surprises that Hoseok had up his sleeve. Not that it mattered anyhow. No matter how much Yoongi had experienced in the businesses that they dealt with, Hoseok had been born into it. This was his territory, and Hoseok had to make sure to sell that to him.

Lights, camera, action!

"Does he even need an introduction?" Hoseok laughed cheekily, smiling so hard he felt his cheeks were going to burst. "This is Yoongi. Yoongi Min. Yoongi, this is Sharon. I've known her for as long as I can remember. She's a dear friend to the family." Lowering his voice, he said to Yoongi, "It is best to leave her with a good impression. Her voice travels everywhere."

"You know, I always imagined you falling for someone more...in our league," Sharon clicked her tongue, eyeing Yoongi up and down. Hoseok only chuckled, pulling Yoongi closer to him, praying that Yoongi would try not to embarrass him. "Though, I've heard the Mins have a breakthrough in technological advances. How does it feel, Yoongi, to have the opportunity to be with Hoseok?"

Yoongi remained silent for a moment, pondering, to what Hoseok hoped, was a good answer. A few moments ticked by, before Yoongi smiled, resting his head on Hoseok's chest.

"We just met at the right place, at the right time," Yoongi answered, eliciting laughs from Sharon and Hoseok's parents. "I don't think anyone would have imagined a pairing like Hoseok and me. It often catches me off-guard. How could someone such as Hoseok be interested in someone like me? Goes to show you, Sharon, that Hoseok and his family don't turn away anyone who isn't just like them."

Hoseok could almost scoff at Yoongi's answer but knew better than to do so. Sharon looked pleased by the answer, blissfully unaware of the shade that came along with Yoongi's statements.

"As much as we would love to chat, Sharon," Hoseok smiled easily. "Yoongi and I have to make our rounds. It was a pleasure."

"The pleasure was all mine," Sharon responded, smiling back at Hoseok. "Yoongi seems like a fine gentleman for you. Knows his worth."

Excusing herself, she led Hoseok's parents away, and Yoongi and Hoseok were left alone again— at least, as alone as they could be given they were hosts.

"Congratulations, Yoongi," Hoseok clicked his tongue, leading Yoongi around the venue. "You managed not to make a fool out of yourself. Did you have to be so self-degrading though?"

An irritated expression flashed through Yoongi's face. "Sharon obviously wanted me to put myself beneath you. You didn't bother to correct me either. Why would you? Isn't everyone beneath you in your eyes, Hoseok?"

"If that's your attempt at getting me to break my character, you're going to have to try harder than that," Hoseok chuckled, letting his fingers graze through Yoongi's hair. "I have the leg up right now. It's in both our interests to be well behaved, no? Can't have me running out in tears, right? Oh look, here's Mr. and Mrs. Rys! Show them how civilized you can be."

"Hoseok!"

Hoseok let Yoongi go, quickly hugging the Rys couple, affectionately welcoming them to their dinner, before gesturing to Yoongi. Yoongi smiled at them, shaking each of their hands before dutifully returning to Hoseok's side, looking almost ready to burst. Hoseok had struck a nerve. It was obvious in the way Yoongi introduced himself to the Rys family, that he was three seconds away from coming at him, but that didn't really matter to Hoseok.

"Jenna, hi!" Hoseok greeted enthusiastically. He let Yoongi go momentarily, embracing Jenna and her husband, before getting back to Yoongi's side. "It's so lovely to see the two of you. I had feared the worst when I heard the rumors of you two splitting."

Jenna smiled brightly. "Alex and I have had our fair share of troubles, but nothing is more important than our love for each other. Lord knows I only love one man in this world, and it's him. I see you have someone by your side! Who is it?"

"This is my boyfriend, Yoongi," Hoseok said, smiling brightly.

"I should have known you would only be attracted by someone with promise and ambition, Hoseok," Jenna laughed, looking Yoongi up and down. Hoseok quickly noticed Yoongi shifting his weight from one leg to the other, cursing silently as Hoseok knew that Yoongi had no idea that he was showing his clear discomfort. "He dresses the part, at least."

"Thank you," Yoongi said, a bit sharper than Hoseok would have liked. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"Now, if you'll excuse us, we must greet the other guests," Hoseok said, guiding Yoongi towards a more open space. Once they were out of earshot, Hoseok hissed, "Can't you keep your bruised ego in check? You think they can't tell that you're taking everything they're saying so literally."

"You're not seriously siding with them are you?" Yoongi looked up at Hoseok incredulously. "They're pretty much insulting me!"

Hoseok let out a laugh, saying, "Not pretty much. They are, Yoongi. They're letting you know where you stand in my world. Don't take it offensively."

Yoongi abruptly took himself out of Hoseok's gold. Hoseok raised an eyebrow, looking at him both in a warning and in curiosity. He discreetly motioned to the crowd, before sliding his finger across his beck. Yoongi's jaw clenched, and eyes narrowing, he got close to Hoseok, placing both of his hands on Hoseok's hips.

"I'll be back, sweetheart."

The voice, dripping in venom sent thrills down Hoseok's spine. So Yoongi was learning. Good. That's what he needed to do. Yoongi pressed a kiss on Hoseok's cheek, before letting him go and almost stomping out of the venue. Hoseok watched him go with a haughty smile. It was evident that Yoongi needed a place to calm down.

At least, Yoongi left without causing a scene.

Everything seemed like it was coming together. Though Yoongi had only been introduced to two families, Hoseok knew that by the end of the night, Yoongi would be acquainted with most of them. He would have to, because, by tomorrow morning, there would only be one headline that would light up every press and media around.

Hoseok grabbed a flute of cider and sipped it, surveying all the guests with a smile.

"Cheers to me," he murmured, taking a sip. A blissful sigh escaped his lips, at the taste of his prominent victory.

Now that was a taste only the richest could afford.