Four hours later, we'd already sent down three loads of bags and boxes. We were running out of room in the car to put stuff and I was exhausted. Taehyung, on the other hand, looked completely in his element. He just kept throwing pants and shirts and skirts and accessories at me. He'd give me a pile and snap his finger toward the dressing room while still looking through the racks. Every item I tried, I had to get his approval on. I didn't get to choose anything.

To be fair, though, he had a great eye for fashion. By the time we'd been to all the stores on the list he kept to himself, he had developed the ability to know whether or not something would look good on me without me even having to try it. Which, I was grateful for. Especially as I stood in the mirror at the last store and looked at the haggard, old-looking woman staring back at me.

My brown hair was a mess of waves and frizz and the dark circles under my green eyes could probably be named and put on a register for geologic features at that point. My cheeks were sunken and my normally pale skin was borderline gray, especially under the harsh dressing room lights. I sighed and tried to smooth the frizz at my crown.

"You okay in there?" Taehyung's voice was more impatient than caring.

"Yeah. I'm fine. I don't know if this is how this thing is supposed to look. It feels wrong, though."

Taehyung groaned and mumbled something under his breath before he grabbed the door knob and started to turn it. "Unlock the door so I can come in."

"Um... I don't know if you should. This is little more than a bra. And it's see-through."

"It's supposed to be. Just open the fucking door."

Apparently, he was getting tired after all. I unlocked the door and covered my breasts as he stepped inside. He gave me a deadpan look. "I've seen tits before. Yours are nothing special."

I sighed and looked away as I dropped my hands by my sides.

"I don't see a problem. It's a balconette bra. It's supposed to push your boobs up like that."

"So you want me walking around all day in a bra and nothing else?"

"You've got pants on."

I rolled my eyes. "Look, I've not said anything about any of the other clothes you've put on me today, but this is a little far. I won't be comfortable walking around showing this much skin."

Taehyung groaned and rubbed his forehead before disappearing through the door. He came back a minute later and handed me a sheer black shirt. "Here, is this better?"

I threw the shirt over my head and looked in the mirror. It didn't cover much, but it was better than nothing. And coupled with the high-waisted, fake leather leggings and pointy high heels he had me in, even I had to admit it looked good on me. "Yeah, I guess."

"Great. Leave it on and throw Kook's shit in a bag. We'll get you some jewelry and we'll be ready to go. I'm starving." At the mention of food, my stomach rumbled. He looked back at me and grinned. "And it sounds like you are, too."

"Always," I deadpanned.

"I have reservations for us in a few minutes, so let's hurry." Taehyung grabbed some rings, earrings, necklaces, and a watch and handed it all to me.

"You want me to wear all of this?"

"You're representing our crew. Yes. I want you to wear all of it. And I have a pair of sunglasses waiting at the counter. Your hair and facial appointment is scheduled after we eat."

My shoulders fell. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful or anything, but really? Could we not just brush out my hair and slap some makeup on me?"

Taehyung wrinkled up his nose. "Ew. No offense, but no. But if it makes you feel better, you'll be sitting down the whole time."

"I guess that's better than this."

"Good girl. Now come on, little lamb."

By the time we walked the short distance to the restaurant, my feet were already killing me in the heels. I wasn't used to anything more than beat-up, ill-fitting tennis shoes, but I didn't want to complain anymore, so I kept my mouth shut and dealt with it. To Taehyung's credit, the restaurant was fantastic. I ate my food in silence and watched, with only a tinge of jealousy, as he flirted mercilessly with the wait staff that fawned all over him. It was like every beautiful girl in the whole complex had come in, thrown on a white shirt, and grabbed a plate or a glass to bring to the table. Even I had to admit Taehyung was gorgeous, but they were acting like he was a living god sitting in front of them. It was kind of creepy.

"You okay," he asked once he'd paid the bill.

I plastered a fake smile on my face. "I'm fine. Why?"

"You look more pained than usual."

"You know what my 'usual' is already?"

"I'm an excellent judge of character," he answered smugly.

I rolled my eyes and nodded, hoping to let the subject drop. "So is that your job in the gang? You sit around and judge people?"

The depth and richness of his laughter caught me off guard. I mean, his speaking voice was like velvet, but his laugh did things to me. I suddenly had the desire to make him do it again.

"No. Not quite."

"So what do you do?"

He leaned forward on his elbows and clasped his hands in front of his face. "I'm the sniper."

And the chill was back. I sat back and looked over this beautiful, seductive, charming man and tried to imagine him taking someone's life from the other side of a scope. It just didn't compute.

"Can't see it, can you?"

I shook my head. "Not really, no."

"And that's what makes me so good at what I do. Nobody expects someone like me to be good at something like that. Sometimes being underestimated or written off as "the weird guy" has its benefits."

I sat back and thought about that statement. He had a point. "So you don't like letting people get close to you. Right?"

Taehyung licked his lips as he stared at me long enough to make me uncomfortable before sliding his chair away from the table and standing. "Come on. You're going to be late for your makeover."

***

It was already night by the time we hobbled in the door to the house. I was so ready to just lay down and crash, but Taehyung grabbed me by the shoulders and spun me around.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I jerked my thumb towards Jungkook's room. "To take a shower and pass out."

He shook his head. "Nope. No time for that. I had your dress couried over already. It should be in Kook's room. Put it on and don't touch your hair and makeup."

"Wait. The auction is tonight?"

Taehyung gave me a confused look. "Yeah. Didn't you hear what we were talking about at breakfast? Or did you forget? That's why we did all this."

"I thought we were just shopping today! I'm exhausted. I just want to sleep." The more I thought about it, though, I did remember Namjoon saying something about it the night before. I just didn't want to admit that.

"Sorry. You'll just have to suck it up. The auction is tonight and you're making your big debut."

I felt like crying and started to whine some more when shoes clicking on the floor behind me caught my attention.

"Why aren't you two dressed," Jin asked.

I spun around to face him and nearly dropped my jaw. He was fastening the cuff links of his tux shirt and not really bothering to look at me. But when he did, his jaw dropped.

"Holy shit. She looks like an actual person now."

I winced. "Wow. Thanks."

He at least had the decency to blush. "I'm sorry. That came out wrong. I just mean it's a big change from before." He stepped forward and started to touch my hair, but I flinched and backed away. His eyes narrowed, but he didn't try to touch me again. "They cut off quite a bit, didn't they?"

My hair had been past my butt before the stylist had cut it off to the middle of my back. She put some dye on it, which made it glossier than before, and did God-only-knows-what to my face and body. I was still sore from the waxing, but whatever she'd applied afterwards had at least taken care of the redness.

"Yeah, but I think she did a great job," Taehyung said like a proud mother.

"I agree," Jin replied softly, still looking down at me curiously.

"Well, if it's okay with you, I'd like to get out of this uncomfortable situation and get ready for the next one," I mumbled.

"Of course. Go on. The cars will be here in thirty minutes to take us to the auction house."

I nodded and retreated as fast as my aching feet would let me. I hurried through the bedroom door and closed it, leaning against it and trying my best to work up the desire to continue with this stupid arrangement. Absently, I wondered if I could open a window somewhere and just make a run for it, but then I reminded myself that I had nowhere to run to, so it would be stupid. Resigned, I pushed off and went looking for the dress that Taehyung had made me get for the night.

I found it right where he said it would be. It was a deep, jewel-toned green satin sheath dress that hugged my body and dipped low in every place imaginable. Taehyung had apparently intended on making me look like an escort in a very overt way. My stomach knotted as I hoped I wouldn't have to actually act on that façade, even though my body seemed to be perfectly okay with the thought of being with any one of the men. The damn, traitorous, whore. My mind and my body were rarely on the same wavelength.

Just as I was trying to figure out how to button up the crystal buttons at my ass, Jungkook walked in. He stumbled a little and started to back out of the room, mumbling a "sorry" as he did, which totally caught me off guard.

"No, wait! I could use your help," I shouted, reaching out for him. Without meaning to, I let a little of my power slip and slammed the door behind him. He looked at the door and back at me. Then smirked.

"If you wanted to be alone with me, all you had to do was ask."

I gave him a sarcastic look. "I need your help with these damn buttons. I'm going to get a kink in my neck trying to do them up myself."

"I'll help you with your kinks if you help me with mine."

"My God. Does that ever actually work on a girl?"

He laughed and walked over to me, pushing my shoulder away so I would turn around. His fingertips brushed the bare skin of my back, making me shiver. "Sometimes, actually."

"You must go for the low-hanging fruit, then."

"A means to an end, sweetheart. Means to an end." When he finished, he stepped forward and traced his hands up my arms. Goosebumps popped up all over my skin. I wanted to flinch or run, but something held me rooted in place. My body apparently wanted something else. Desperately. "Though, I'll admit, this works better."

I could feel the heat of his body against mine and I realized how much taller he was than me. His fingers traced up to my shoulders so he could brush my hair away from my neck. Without even thinking, I dipped my head to the side, baring my sensitive neck for him. He bent down and barely touched his lips to my skin. It felt more like a breath, but my body reacted like he'd set me on fire instead. My breath caught in my throat as he kissed a little harder, opening his mouth against me so that his teeth could brush against my flesh. I let my head fall back against his chest and shuddered when his fingers trailed up over my stomach and then higher, the feeling somehow intensified through the thin satin fabric.

"Kook! How much longer? The cars are here," Namjoon called from downstairs.

I jerked away from Jungkook and thrust my elbow back out of reflex. He doubled over in surprise and pain.

"What's going on up here," Jin asked, as he opened the door. He looked from Jungkook, doubled over and groaning, to me looking like a deer in headlights.

"I'm sorry, I--"

"It's my fault, hyung. I was helping her with her dress and spooked her."

Jin narrowed his eyes between the two of us and pursed his full lips together. He wasn't sold. "Whatever. Let's just go. We can't be late to our own auction."