[A/N: There are some scenes in this chapter that may trigger you, you can skip some paras from 🔞this sign.]

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Five years later. Toronto, Canada, 

  "Jeon Jungkook," A blonde boy in his mid-twenties came with two drinks, offered one to the addressed person, who denied with a shrug, so he drained them both, one right after the other, then dropped the empty glasses on the counter with a thud and looked at him, "See, I know your name. And something about you that makes you more attractive." 

  "Was it difficult to search for my name and things in my old files, Mister," Jungkook pronounced each word separately, "Jung Ho Seok?"

  "Woah!" A wide-eyed blinkless stare, "I thought I was the only one interested in you. Our feelings seem mutual, huh?" The blonde's lips stretched in a mischievous smirk when he popped open two front buttons of his dress shirt. Lowering his tone he said, "Uhmm, my room is a bit messy tonight. We could get it done in your room. We could discover many things about each other. Habits. Kinks…" He had no control on his tongue, his mother used to tell this countless times. He actually tried to sound cool, but realized he overplayed it when a punch, like a boulder, landed right beside his jaw, making him taste metallic in his mouth. "The fuck!" He jerked his head towards the person who was still holding the punch in the air. "Dude, you're homophobic!" 

  "Was it written on my old files too?" Jungkook pulled his hand back, but kept his gaze lingered on him. "Wipe off the drool, your face is looking messier than your room right now. I guess." 

  Hoseok groaned, wiped the back of his hand across the corner of his mouth. "You know," Took a second before speaking, "Just because my rank is lower than yours, you can't treat me like this. If I wanted I could have returned the favour with added ten percent interest. But I'm a nice guy, I know how to respect seniors." 

  Jungkook's eyes narrowed at the affronted expression on his face. "Showing unnecessary curiosity on someone who you don't know is not cool. Whether he's a senior or the person working under you." 

  "Taking the advice, although I'm not feeling like saying sorry after this." The smug smile returned on the blonde's face as he redid his buttons. "But I can offer you a drink, if you say yes." He winked at him.

  "I don't drink in an open bar, also, my job for tonight isn't over yet." Jungkook cupped his hand around the glass of water sitting beside and gulped it till its last drop.  

  It was one of the few boring bars of Lakeshore, Toronto; there weren't many stools to sit on, the owner was the bartender, who served only a few selected drinks. Nevertheless this place had become Jungkook's second favourite in Toronto after his little house in the Beaches, which he bought last year with all his savings. 

  He put down the glass carefully on the counter shoving a hundred CAD notes underneath and got up.  "See you, anyway." He waved his hand over his head, eyes on the exit but halted his forward momentum when being called from behind. 

  "Hey Jkay," Hoseok asked, low and gentle, "As long as we're working under the same organization and from the same country, we could get along, right?"  Jungkook turned with a frown. Before he could reply, Hoseok added, "Apart from babysitting the boss's daughter, I don't have anything else to do here, or have friends to talk with because my English kinda sucks. So I was wondering if we could- be- like- friends?" The corner of his mouth lifted and he waited for him to say something. 

  'I don’t need any more people in my life.' It was in Jungkook's mouth but didn't say it aloud. The word 'friend' was making him a bit uncomfortable. Strangers are better than friends—that's what he believed. Also, he found him a bit clingy— an outsider, who seemed like a trouble, sneak-peeking inside his closed book was annoying. So he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Sorry, I don't find you attractive enough."

  Hoseok huffed a laugh, disbelief showing on his features. Bracing his one elbow on the empty counter he yelled, "You will one day. Senior."

  Jungkook pushed open the door and came out. His perfectly tailored suit was jet-black tonight, matching his hair and the colour of his eyes which glinted under the glowy neon sign boards of the alley. 

  Right on time his phone buzzed. The interface showed him the name of his expected person. 'Boss.' He swiped up to answer the call. 

  "The traitor is taken to our forest sanctum. You know what to do next." Said the male voice through the phone. 

  "Yes." Jungkook unlocked his car which was parked under a lamppost, and closed the door silently. 

  The voice hummed, "Good." 

  Good? 

  There was nothing good in that act he was going to perform. 

  "Wanted to ask you something." Jungkook bit his inner lip, waited for a moment before asking, "Can we spare lives?"

  Silence, then a low laugh, "Of an innocent, yes." The laughter dissolved into a low grumble, "But a traitor, never." A pause, "But you can make it quick. It’ll be merciful, compared to letting them suffer for a long time."

  Understood. 

  "One more thing," Jungkook pressed his palms on the steering wheel, eyes focused, "How to kill someone without being guilty?"

  It was apparently a good thing to ask— they'd know what was bothering you, eating you inside, they'd try to find an answer or at least your question would be transferred to their mind and pushing them to think along. 

  "You're smart." The voice through the phone said calmly, "You'll figure it out." The call disconnected with a bleep and the screen glowed a faint blue colour. 

  'You'll figure it out.' This wasn't going to be easy.

  The black Mustang drove forward, winding its way through the lights of Lakeshore Boulevard expressway, bypassing the tall buildings of high rise condominiums, a few small supermarkets, amusement parks, and petrol stations. At two in the morning the streets were mostly empty; only a few cars and silence.  

  A road accident might have occurred nearby. Two patrolling police cars with an ambulance rushed towards the South. Maybe someone's father, brother or daughter had been injured or had died on the spot—he didn't care to know. Tho a thought that ghosted in his mind made him breathe out a deep sigh. What if his life were going to end like this; far away from home in a foreign land, where people didn't even know his name! He was nothing but a mysterious stranger, more like invisible here. Nobody would be there to mourn after. Nobody would know Jeon Jungkook was no more. 

  This wasn't desired. 

  The life of an average teenager with a peaceful, happy and a decent family was long forgotten and the dreams veiling the eyes were crushed before he was aware of it. Everything had changed after meeting Min Sun, the most dangerous, notorious man of Seoul, the underground gangster who used to run an illicit trafficking organization. He had his connections with many filmmakers and producers, some high profile politicians and more. Jungkook was found in his most atrophied state, asked to join hands with them, in return they'd provide him security and take care of his expenses. He was a fool, thought he could save his best friend, save himself if he did so. 

  But alas, he failed to save either of them. 

  Left his country when it became unsafe to stay there, ventured all the way to Canada and started working under Min Sun's half brother, Min Kyung-hoon, also known as the godfather of the Korean community in Toronto. He was no better, of course. But he was a man of his own words— the only thing Jungkook liked about him. 

  The loud honk of the truck behind brought him back from the memory lane. He was breathing. Till now. 

  The car left the expressway and drove through a narrow mountain road between the woods. If it were daytime Jungkook could see the gorgeous display of fall colours; red, orange, green and yellow leaves covering the treetops, hundreds of birds singing, fluttering wings under the mosaic of the sun and shadows, but now only the darkness was wrapping around like a python and the low groan of his car's engine matching the chorus of the crickets. 

  Half an hour more on the stony driveway, he could see a glimmer of light from the broken windows of an old abandoned warehouse.  Two shadows coming out of the door, perhaps hearing the noise of his car.  He climbed out and walked on the narrow muddy road that ended in the entrance of the warehouse. 

  "Where's the money?" One of them asked him. 

  "In the car." Jungkook coldly replied. 

  "Thought we are fools? Show us the money first." Said the other guy who was taller, bulky and bearded. 

  Ignoring their squinting eyes Jungkook continued walking towards them. When he was about to pull something out of his pocket, they frowned and pulled out their pistols and pointed at him, glanced at each other confusingly when Jungkook showed them the small thing in his hand. 

  "Relax, it's just my keys. Don't you want your reward?" He held it up in the air, then jerked it back as the bulky guy reached for it. "First I need to be sure that she is alright."

  "Dude, are we nuts that we would go against ahjussi(uncle) Min's order?" The shorter guy who seemed to be the gang leader snorted and then started blathering on about his boss, "If he told us to keep her unscratched, would we dare to lay a finger on her? You must know we don't play tricks when it comes to business, especially with ahjussi Min."

  "Enough." Jungkook handed him the keys, "Get the money and fuck off."

  They smiled wide smiles that did light their eyes. They rushed to the stilled headlights of the car like moths. It was time to go home.

  Jungkook took two deep breaths. Stepped in and closed the door. 

  "Andrea," He whispered to the only person present there. She was a woman in her late thirties, short but well built, her worn-out dress shirt was blemished with dried blood stains, head slightly bent over her chest, brown hair falling on the face making it indiscernible. As he approached, he saw that her wrists were secured with plastic ties behind the chair. 

  "Jkay," Lifting her head she smiled at him, "I was waiting for you." Her voice was light and melancholic, Jungkook's gaze locked with hers for just a moment before she tore the gaze and beckoned him to take the other chair in front of her. 

  "How did you know I'll be sent here?" Jungkook wasn't really angry though, just disappointed. 

  "I've served Kyung-hoon all my youth. I know every inch of him." The melancholic smile didn't  leave her face. "And you're his right-hand man now, it's obvious he trusts you more than others."

 "Why did you do this?" Jungkook gripped the back of the chair, not sitting, "What came up that you had to sell your soul to them?"

  "If I say, you won't understand?" 

  "Try me." Jungkook slightly bent over and murmured, "I'm the last person to hear you anyway." 

  She nodded and waited until Jungkook slid onto the wooden chair and looked at her attentively. "Yes I've sold our," She bit her tongue inside her mouth, "Pardon, your boss's official documents to his rival group. Not in an exchange of money, but my love." She shut her eyes closed and opened them slowly to her empty lap, "A week ago they kidnapped my husband Lorenzo and blackmailed me that they'll kill him if I don't give them those papers. I made the decision knowing that betraying Min Kyung Hoon means only death."

  Sharp intakes of breaths, Jungkook's eyes were steeled on hers. 

  "My life costs nothing." She shook her small head, "I am not scared of dying. I didn't run away from his office to save my life but went to Ottawa to save my innocent husband who got killed just before I could reach him." Her voice broke, Jungkook assumed she was pushing herself to continue speaking,  "It felt like my heart was being ripped off my chest when I took him in my arms for the last time. His body was still warm but lifeless, coated in blood. That was so horrible, I couldn't breathe. He was gone. I couldn't save him. I couldn't save both of us."  Although she was keeping herself steady, tears couldn't stop flooding her cheeks. 

  "Andrea," He could see the moment in his mind like an animation, the weight of the tragedy shifted a painful lurch in his chest, his voice became heavy with it.  "I am sorry."  To misunderstand her. 

  He remembered the moment they met; the young and elegant  boss's secretary, smarter than the other people he met here. She wasn't the one who would come and talk with a newcomer who could barely manage to speak broken English— that's what Jungkook thought. But she did. She approached nicely, asked him whether he was uncomfortable here or not, and assured him that everyone was going to treat him well. Jungkook definitely wasn't happy but began to feel comfortable because of her. 

  "Please don't be." She raised her chin and said, "You didn't know anything. Do it quickly Jkay, I've served Kyung Hoon all these years. At least I can expect a painless death."   

  Jungkook couldn't wipe her tears out even though he was wishing to. His mind again took him to the first time she asked him to call her Noona(older sister) after learning some basic Korean words from him, and the superfluous happiness in her big blue eyes when she showed him the picture of her newborn baby. 

 "What are you waiting for?"  Said Andrea. Her voice was sedate yet strong, just like her appearance. "Not executing the boss' order also means betraying him. And you know what happens after." 

  "I'm not afraid of dying, either." Said Jungkook. 

  "But I want you to stay alive. I have one last wish and you are the only one who can fulfill it."

 "Yes please tell me what can I do for you?" Jungkook eagerly looked at her and saw the shimmer was back into her eyes. 

  "You have a big responsibility Jkay." She looked confident and sure when she spoke, "From today, you are going to take care of my heart, my daughter Elisa. She is sent to Milan, my mother in law is taking care of her now, but she's old and sick, she can't be with my Elisa for long. I've already told her about you because I can't trust anyone other than you-" 

  "Your daughter," Jungkook said before she finished, "Is now my responsibility, noona. I will  protect her till my last breath." 

  His expression reflected the honesty that she was expecting to see, still, "I don't have any money to give you."

  "You're giving me your heart, your treasure. More valuable than anything in the world." A tangible weight lifted off his chest. At least he could be the reason to make someone feel safe. 

  "You're always been out of the league." Andrea smiled. A slow smile, a proud one,  "You're different, not like us. Find a good person and get married to them. You deserve all the happiness my brother."

  "Noona-" He pressed his eyes closed briefly, "That's….." Never gonna happen. He'd already decided not to ruin anyone else's life because of his selfishness. And now after hearing her story, he got a solid reason to stick with his decision. 

  "I know I'm taking too much of your time."  Andrea thought the younger must be bored. She knew the value of their time. A deep breath and she said, "Do it now."

  Jungkook's heart thudded. It was the time. He felt a strange pressure when he set out his gun and unlocked it. 

  "Do it Jkay. I'm ready." Her smile reappeared looking outside the window, at the endless shadows of the sky she was searching for a familiar figure. "Can't wait to meet my Lorenzo there. He must be waiting for me."

  Jungkook lifted his hand which had begun to waver. That subtle frown on that apathetic face was the only mocking reply he could give to his twisted and brutal fate right now.

  "May your soul," For the second time in his life he hesitated before pulling the trigger, "Rest in eternal peace."

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Seoul, South Korea, 

  "Annyeong ladies and gentlemen Welcome to another episode of Hot-talk! Today we're going to have some hot-hot talk with the hottest and the most handsome actor of Korea, Kim Taehyung.'

  The sound of applause through the television speaker erupted into the living room. Taehyung's gaze halted on it. 

 'Taehyung-ssi we've heard you're donating to an NGO to prevent child labour in several Asian countries. Is it true?'

  'Ah yes. But it was supposed to be a secret, the media have made it a big deal.'

  'Because it is a big deal. You're one of the highest paid actors of South Korea, and the most popular hallyu star and also very down to earth. Just tell me why won't the fans go crazy after you!'

  Another round of applause mingled with crazy fan cheers rolled and Taehyung scoffed at it. "The host had exaggerated everything." 

  "I don't think so." 

  He turned his attention to the person underneath, brown eyes shining with gratification, "Like you know everything."

  "I do." Kwangjin said as he thrust inside him, slowly, "You are the most handsome client I've ever had." A smirk curling in the corners of  his mouth, which made the other roll his eyes. 

  "Shut up." Taehyung arched his body in a graceful flex of muscle, fingers threading through his dark brown hair as he rocked his hips with slow, unhurried movement. The couch under his legs was soft, his knees almost vanished in it. 

  In the bright light of his living his naked body lustered like a marble figure. 

  "Seriously," Said Kwangjin, a bit out of breath because of his body's constant movement, "The first time I met you, I didn't know you would look so pretty in person. I thought it was the makeup that made you appear handsome on the screen." He kept looking at Taehyung, but Taehyung's eyes were trained on the television.

  The Kim Taehyung inside the 65" box was talking about his latest drama which turned out boring as hell. However the navy wool suit he was wearing that day was eye-catching. The limited edition Louis Vuitton was gifted by his manager— may have cost him thousands but Taehyung never asked why he spent all his salary on the worst boss he was working with. He at least could do the same, cover his pretty manager with all the pretty clothes he deserved to wear. But he didn't. 

  Kwangjin's hand trailed up to his thighs, to his narrow waist, across his honey-soft skin, "Not just your face, your body is so beautiful." 

  "Shut up!" Taehyung rolled his eyes up to the dangling white crystals of the glass chandelier, high on the point he wasn't even hearing the interview.

  "Only," Kwangjin's thumb brushed the old wound which had turned into a small brown scar, "This scar on your smooth waist looks so ugly. Why don't you get it removed? My plastic surgeon is an expert in this thing. I can-"

  Before he could tell him the name of his great surgeon, a hard hand across his face made him silent. 

  "Told you to not fucking touch it." A rough voice roared. Taehyung's feet landed on the floor, forthwith pulling himself out off him as if he were snaked by a frisson of electricity. 

  "Hey," Kwangjin raised on his elbow to look at his face, "I was just joking." 

  Taehyung didn't answer, instead fisted his hands on his side. His cheeks were flushed and his lips pressed in a thin line, whole body was shaking with the crazy breaths he was taking. 

  "You do this every time." Said the man, frustrated, "What's your issue with this scar? Everytime I touch it you get mad and ruin the mood."

  "You don't fucking need to know it." Shouted Taehyung. It didn’t matter if he were being  pretentious, somehow an occult string of his body was triggered, the clang was apparent. 

  "Fuck! I was so close." Kwangjin groaned and got up. He was still hard, disappointment  showing on every feature. 

  Taehyung glanced around the floor, picked up the scattered clothes one by one, excluding his pink pajamas, and threw them over the other male, "Wear them and leave."

  Kwangjin couldn’t seem to get his order. He stood there perplexed bracing his clothes,  "Taehyung, can we-"

  "No," Taehyung pulled out a thick bundle of Korean currencies from his drawer and threw them on his face, "Not anymore. I'm done with you." Before the man could catch it  or get dressed properly he reached to the door and opened it wide, "Get out of here and never show your face again."

  Kwangjin put on his clothes quickly, stepped closer to the door but halted before him, "I've been with you for all these months. It was me all the time who was keeping your truth a secret to the world."

  "I've hired you for that." Taehyung's voice was viperous, cold. "Paid you enough to keep your little mouth shut."

  "Maybe,"  Kwangjin said bitterly, "But you've broken one rule. If a client attempts to assault a worker, he has every right to file a case." Eyes never leaving his, he rubbed his face where he was being slapped, "Kim Taehyung, I'll remember this. But you should also know  that popularity never lasts. You'll fall the way you rose when your real face will come out. Those millions girls who call you 'oppa' and dream to get laid by you, will spit on your posters when they'll come to know their perfect oppa is nothing but a queer who has an ugly gunshot wound at the side of his body." He tilted his head and took a step back. "It's a pity, Kim Taehyung won't last long in this industry."

  "Keep your bitchy remarks to yourself." Taehyung pinned him with a deadly glare. He definitely wasn't expecting this from a mare escort. It was, he realized, a terrible idea to take him lightly. "It is your job to keep your clients' secrets to yourself. If you reveal anything, dare to forget that, your job will be at risk first, then mine."

  The door slammed shut before he walked to the bathroom, disposed of his condom, splashed cold water on his face, brushed his teeth, and collapsed on the couch, unwilling to wear anything.

  The interview continued after an advertisement break. The host welcomed the audience again, that annoying chaos of loud cheer and clapping followed. Taehyung lit a cigarette. 

  'So Mr. Kim, the rumour in G-town is that you're secretly dating the chaebol daughter Kim Sungmi and next year you're going to walk  the aisle in Japan with her!'

  Taehyung's eyes tightened at the screen. 

  'Who spread these rumours, I had no idea about it.' The Taehyung inside the screen shrugged, smiling his professional smile which didn't reach his eyes. 

  'Followers of both of the sides have spotted you together and her Instagram page is filled with tiger emojis which represent you. Some fans are already shipping you with her.'

  'She's just one of my family friends, not even close. Change the topic please.'

  Taehyung pressed the red button of his remote and threw it somewhere behind. The smoke and his breath hung in the lungs for a moment before he released it with a huff. Cursed a monosyllabic word and got up. 

  The phone was sitting beside the television, he took it in the hand, intending to call the host of that talk show, but dialed his manager instead. 

  "What is this, hyung," He said the moment the call was connected, "You told me they're omitting the rumour part but they didn't." He ran his hand through his hair, fisting a handful, breathing wildly. "They showed my close up face while talking about Sungmi. And that bitch," He swallowed the curse that played on the tip of his tongue, "If it weren't my dad who forced me to go on a date with her, I couldn't even know her name. And she's using it against me, fueling her fans' delusion by posting stuff about me. Agh!" He groaned, "I hate women who have no dignity."

  "I was-" His manager, Kim Seokjin said from the other side, "On the line with their CEO a moment ago. You know what he said?" A pause which according to Taehyung was for testing his patience, "He said it's a one hour long show and Kim Taehyung didn't  stay there for an hour. They were helpless."

  Taehyung scoffed. "Is this what they had to say?"

  "Yeah."  Said Seokjin, "But seriously, how could they include those parts when you've personally asked them to edit it out! They could've shown a short documentary about your journey till now as the filler." 

  "Exactly!" Taehyung  mumbled, "I hate men who have no common sense as well." His expression tensed, "It’s a trick. Hyung, I'm telling you. The rival production house is bribing them to spread this rumour."

  "Yeah maybe. We can't trust anyone in show business."

  "Another thing," Taehyung sucked the slim white stick one last time, feeling his chest with fire before dumping it in the ashtray. "Kwangjin has threatened me to reveal everything." 

  "What the-" Seokjin almost yelled but controlled his voice, "Why?"

  "I slapped him." Which he deserves— he clicked his tongue inside his mouth as he presumed what was coming after.

  "You slapped him? But why? You've never hurt anyone physically before. Aish! I keep telling you to get rid of such people, but never listen. If I weren't with you all the time, your life would be messed up, you know that right?" Seokjin continued telling him how childish he was, how he should think rationally and so on.

   He could do that— 

  It's been five years since he was with him like his shadow, endured his temper throughout, embraced his anger, embraced him when he was at his lowest, took care of his diet, skincare, schedules, health. In other words, the motherly care of Seokjin healed Taehyung. 

  So Seokjin could only scold him without getting fired.

  "Alright." Finally Seokjin gave up not getting any answer from the younger, "I'll take care of this thing. You also have to promise me that no more escorts you're bringing into your house."

  Taehyung froze for a moment. The word 'promise' tugged an obscure memory—a familiar face with bright doe eyes pinged his mind. That was a different story. He shook his head and calmly said, "I don't believe in promises, please—"

  "Okay." Seokjin grumbled softly. The raspy deep voice and the term 'please' was a signal for him to change the topic, he knew it very well. "I've sent you a message about today's scene being rescheduled, I guess you haven't seen it."

  "No. Why?"

  "Because the director can't wait anymore to see my handsome face." Seokjin intended to say it jokingly but his voice betrayed and Taehyung caught a glimpse of his shyness through it. 

  "What's going on? Are you two mindfucking each other or is it something more than that?"

  The person on the other side made no remarks on it, "I'm picking you in ten minutes. Be prepared."

  Ten minutes! 

  "No way.  I'm not dressed yet." Taehyung persisted, "Can't you postpone the shooting?"

  "Do you want that director, Kim Namjoon, to eat up my head?"

  "Let him," Taehyung didn't hide his laugh, "You're useless anyway."

  "Not so funny, stop this. Just get ready like a good boy." 

  "Fine." Taehyung stopped before his wardrobe, pulled out a black t-shirt and hauled it over his head. "Just remember to buy a bottle of mint spray on the way."

  "Ah," Seokjin sounded like remembering something, "You'll need it before the kissing scene!"

  "Not for me." He slid the cloth down his torso and pulled out an off-white trouser for the bottom. "For that new actress. I can't bear her bad breath."

  "Tae! How could you,"

  "See you, hyung."

  "Sound. Lights. Speed. Camera roll. Take seven."

  The director gestured. and the camera zoomed in on the couple sitting on a lone bench in the park. The night behind them was dark and quiet, only the faint sound of background music floating in the thin air around them. 

  "Why are you doing this to me? Why are you leaving me alone?" Said the man in his deep velvety voice, soft sorrowful eyes bored on the woman sitting beside her. His long, finely articulated fingers like feathers grazing on her cheek, smudging the teardrop instead of wiping it clean. 

  "I have to. Kangshin,"  The woman whispered, "Forgive me." 

  "How am I supposed to live after this?" Said the man. The camera captured the shine of his eyes which were wet. He was crying but the tears weren't falling from his eyes.

  "Forgive me, I—" The woman shook her head and lowered it on his shoulder as he embraced her in a gentle hug. 

  "I wish I could stop time and hold you in my arms forever." The man sighed, held her chin very delicately and raised her face towards him. 

  The volume of the background song rose as the camera focused on their faces.  The affectionate stare, the tremulous quiver of their lips were thoroughly captured when they ascended towards each other until they met; slowly, softly moved in a gentle rhythm as if the time had stopped between them. 

  The movement halted very awkwardly midway and the man pulled away, heaved himself off the bench,  "I can't do this."

  "Cut." The director shouted from his chair,  "What happened now?"

  Taehyung exhaled roughly and glanced at the woman sitting on the bench, "Why don't you ask her?"

  The people in the set looked at each other for the answer then at the heroine whose eyes were  wide open with tension. 

  "I think," Seokjin grinned, "He needs more mouth freshener," He headed toward his boss, trying to lighten the tension but halted when he was shot with a dark glare. 

  "I don't—" Taehyung muttered coldly, "Need more freshener. But she urgently needs a boyfriend who'll teach her how to kiss." 

  Still astonished, Namjoon, the director, beckoned the hair and make-up team for the touch up which the lead actor declined by raising his hand. 

  "S-sorry, Taehyung-ssi," The heroine, Minah gulped and got up, "I was distracted."

  "Distracted by what?" 

  "You."

  "Me?" Taehyung scanned her face, one eyebrow raising.  "Oh right! You want someone else to replace me here?"

  "No no no, I didn't mean it."  She gave him a shaky smile, blushing, "It was my dream to kiss you, I mean to work with you. And when it finally came true, I couldn't suppress my excitement." 

  "So you acted like a statue every time so that I'd kiss you again and again to make your dream come true?" He rasped, irrationally irritated by her lack of concern for her job. "Take my suggestion, quit this drama and go back to that theatre where you came from. There won't be any Kim Taehyung to distract you so you'll work freely like a professional."

  "I'm sorry." She started to cry. 

  "No, Miss," He yelled at her face, "You're trying to make me feel sorry with these fake tears of yours which is an effect of applying too much glycerin."

  Before the matter could get out of hand, Namjoon stepped between them, shielding the heroine with his tall broad chest, and said worriedly, "Taehyung, why don't you change your hair and have some tea in the meantime she gets mentally prepared for the scene? It's her first drama and the first kissing scene with a bis star like you," He grinned suggestively, "Try to understand." 

  "I'm not blaming her for her bad acting." His statement brought more tears in the heroine's eyes which cracked his self-control, but he tried maintaining a calm tone, "It happens in the beginning, I know. But she's not taking her job seriously, when we're in the fourth episode already.  It was supposed to be a single-take scene, but she forced it to retake more than seven times. Wasting so much of our time and energy."

  "Ah, I know but," Namjoon paused and turned at the weeping noise and saw Minah, covering her face with her palms, slipped out the spot towards her dressing van. Her manager went after her. When she was gone inside the van, Namjoon narrowed both eyebrows at Taehyung,  "You didn't need to be rude."

  Taehyung flashed him an are-you-sure look. 

  "Being rude is one of his assets." Jimin, the second lead of the drama, came from behind and held Taehyung by his shoulder, bringing their heads closer. Taehyung sighed though didn't pull away. Jimin was shorter compared to him with a well maintained body and curvy features, glowing fair skin and short black hair that made his face seem like a child. He looked admiringly at his friend and said, "You know, he looks sexy when he's mad." 

  Taehyung, Ignoring his comment, looked at Namjoon for his answer, "She needed a hard push to get back on the track. Hope this'll make her strong and she'll do better in upcoming episodes."

  "Don't worry about that, I'll talk with her." Namjoon's assuring tone couldn't melt the ice. 

  "If this project flops," Taehyung's eyes flashed a glare when his index finger pointed at him, "I'm telling you, Kim Namjoon, I'll sue you first, then her."

  Jimin whistled at the extremely sexy avatar of his friend. 

  "What did I do now?" Namjoon asked in surprise. 

  "Bad casting."

  "Agh!"

  Seokin dumped the mint spray on an empty chair and came rushing with an open water bottle, "Have some water and talk, your throat must be drying with all the yelling." 

  Taehyung's annoyed eye roll couldn't prevent Jimin from giggling. 

  "Why are you laughing? A frown creased Taehyung's brow. "Does my face seem funny to you?"

  "Not funny," Jimin winked, "Sexy." 

  "Shut up.'' 

  The weather was getting crisp at the end of September. Taehyung slipped his hands into his pockets. He was always so comfortable around the cast and crew, the sets were his second home. Cameras enthralled him, freeing his mind from anxiety, depression. It wasn’t always a pleasant experience on the sets. His mood wasn't always stable. People called him by names behind his back and there were only a few who genuinely admired him. Nothing could stop him however. He was going to do his job anyway. Acting was the only thing he could do. The only truth of his life; his dream, his euphoria, his salvation. 

  Averting his eyes at Namjoon he saw him mouthing something to Seokjin and Seokjin did a hand gesture swiping his hand before his neck. Jimin was just smiling at them like he was well aware of their unspoken conversation. 

  "What are you talking about in sign language? What Is it?" He asked, judging their hesitation. 

  "We're going to Toronto next week." Namjoon spilled it finally, half-smiling. 

  "Toronto?" His voice sounded loud to his own ears so he lowered his tone down, "You said we're filming in Paris for the next twelve episodes?"

  "I said." Namjoon scratched the back of his neck while looking at Seokjin, "But the producer had to cut costs because he's already paying you,"  

  "Is that so?" Taehyung huffed annoyedly, "I signed this role because we were staying in Paris for a month."

  "His business isn't going well also." Said Namjoon eyeing Seokjin who was trying to make his face poker but lost it. 

  "Oh!" He'd planned to spend his evenings at Eiffel Tower, but it seemed like he'd have to wait for his Christmas holiday. 

  "Does it matter which city we're going to?" Jimin let out another of those eye and mouth grin to cheer him up,  "In the beautiful valley of Leslieville, you'd be romancing with your heroine."

  "And you'd be stalking us." Taehyung huffed out a low laugh, matching his. At least Jimin would be there with him. 

  "Can't help it." Jimin smugly said, "That's my character in this love-triangle." He held his hand and said, "In Toronto I've already chosen our dinner date places, and will send you all the images tonight."

  "Ok." Taehyung's eyes softened, "Let's have fun there."

  "Shall we finish the scene first?" Said Namjoon and he agreed. 

  "Sound. Speed. Camera roll. Take eight….."

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A/N: We're going to witness Taekook reunion in the next chapter. Excited? 

Please try to understand Taehyung. Keeping escorts is not a big deal when he was alone all this time.

Take care my dear friends, borahae💜