I'm a man of my word. When I say I'm going to do something or someone, I don't stop until it's done. Hobi and I left the restaurant after her and her friend. I learned his name was Jimin after being invited to hang out with them and some more people who will join us at a bar down the street. I'm not the social type, it's Friday, and Hobi desperately wanted to go.

I could fucking hang myself.

We sat around the table, them making small talk and me ignoring everyone. She would stare until I gave her a malicious one back, making her lower her head and dismissing me as if I cared. A few of Jimin's other friends soon filtered in, one of them being Min Yoongi.

Fuck. My night just got better. "Kim? Didn't expect to see you here." He smirked.

"Oh? You two know each other?" Jimin asked the moment Yoongi spoke. He was obviously watching the interaction already.

Era watched me in wonder, which piqued my curiosity. What's her connection with Yoongi? How is she affiliated with these bozos? It doesn't take much to realize that I don't care for the company she keeps. Just knowing this will make me piss off Yoongi just for the fun of it. "Yeah. I work with him." Yoongi's voice didn't hold a care, and he changed the subject quickly. Smart move, Min. She's still staring at me. Her eyes looked troubled as if she worried for me. I stifled a laugh at that thought. I'm sure she has better concerns. Why should she worry about me?

Jimin called her attention, and she turned to him quickly. I gritted my teeth as my chest burned, watching this. The feeling brewing while observing them slowly irritated me. This wasn't very clear. I could give two shits about who she talks to, but maybe I wasn't ready for her to look away. Perhaps I wanted more of her gaze on me.

To rile her up, of course, and nothing more. The way Jimin looked at her made me wonder what was there. Telling me, they're just friends is bullshit.

This is nuts. My mind is thinking stupid shit. I have to get the fuck out of here. I leaned into Hobi and told him I was leaving. He seemed pretty comfortable and didn't need me around.

"It better not be because of Tai," he whispered back.

It wasn't, but I didn't let him think otherwise. Her eyes met mine upon my departure. I wonder-if I were to test a theory right now, what would be the odds of it being a total success? Only one way to find out.

After walking out of the bar, I leaned against the side of the building, taking a few puffs and blowing my grape scented smoke into the night air. I waited. Conflicted thoughts played a tug of war in my brain. Part of me wanted to leave while scolding myself for being stupid, but there was something in me that whispered for me to be patient. I listened to the whisper. I may regret this later.

"Why do you hate me?"

A hard thump in my chest almost made me choke on the smoke as I put my Juul away and turned to the voice that was obviously directed at me. That same worried look glared at me, waiting for a response. Those eyes-cinnamon, deep-seated and warm as before, staring back at me. A light from a passing car highlighted and showed the shimmer in them. Another thump caught me by surprise, but I coughed it away. "Lady, I don't even know you," I muttered.

"Era. My name is Era, Taehyung. Why are you pretending that we've never met?"

Taehyung, I replayed her voice in my head. Over and over. That sweet voice that I didn't want to remember is now resonating in my thoughts like a broken record. So much I almost forgot what she asked me. Maybe leaving would have been best. "I don't know you, Era." I heard the stutter in her gasp when I said her name. It mimicked the thump I felt again in my chest. I shook the feeling away. Too much to drink tonight is making me feel weird things. "Which, why did you help me and not the man I beat senseless that we left on the ground?" I've been wondering about this for some time.

Era held herself close and shrugged. "I don't know. You just seemed like you needed it more."

I could feel my brows knitting. "Are you saying I was some desperate cry for help?"

"Your words." She responded.

I leaned away from the building and turned toward her. I walked closer to her until she found herself back against the wall and lifted my arm over her. "Do I look like a cry for help now?" I spoke low between us.

She seemed frightened of me and shook her head. Good. She should be. "Hmm..." I hummed, drinking in her fear. Maybe this could make her dislike me as much as I dislike her. I had two choices-I could leave like I initially planned and go home, forgetting tonight never happened, or I can keep this charade going to shake up the intensity of this situation more.

Decisions. Decisions.

I was closer to her than I probably should be, enough to inhale the floral scent steaming from her. I grinned while letting my thoughts simmer. She looked so tiny with me hovering over her. How can I even feel threatened by her? Maybe I should keep this going. I reached in my pocket and pulled out my keys, dangling them between us and presenting her with them. She slowly lifted her hand, but pulled back in hesitation. I nodded for her to go on. Once they were in her grasp, I leaned away, watching her take a deep exhale as if she was holding her breath. She stared at me in wonderment at what I was thinking. Truthfully, I don't know myself, but if she's curious, she will follow my lead.

Just like Alice. Follow the white rabbit Era, dear.

"Let's go," I spoke and began walking down the sidewalk towards my parked bike. I heard her small footing strolling behind.

↣ ♡ ♡ ↢

↣ ♡𝒸𝓊𝓅𝒾𝒹♡ ↢