Chapter 21 : Perfect Illusion
The next day, YN arrived at the event venue, ready to check on the final touches for the party setup. Her eyes roamed over the elegant decorations, soft lighting, and neatly arranged tables, all carefully planned to create a night of sophistication and elegance. She wandered from table to table, mentally noting adjustments and small details to make sure everything looked flawless. But as she moved through the space, she noticed Taehyung himself, overseeing every element of the setup with the same attentiveness she was giving.
A bit surprised, YN walked up to him. "Mr. Kim... why are you here?" she asked, genuinely curious. "I mean, you're the boss. We're all here to handle everything, right?"
Taehyung looked at her with an amused smile, his eyes warm.
"YN, you don't understand. The person coming tonight...
he's no ordinary guest. To me, he's like a god. And for him, I'm certainly not any kind of boss. He's my BOSS," he emphasized, a touch of reverence in his voice. "I want everything to be perfect for him-so I have to see to it myself."
YN's curiosity grew with every word. Who was this person Taehyung seemed to idolize? She could sense just how much respect and admiration he had for his friend, and it surprised her to see a side of Taehyung that was so dedicated, so sincere.
She had known him as a boss, polite and warm, but this side of him was different-humble, reverent, and clearly devoted.
Watching Taehyung quietly from a distance, YN found herself admiring his features and demeanor. His gentle nature was striking there was something captivating about the way he moved, always thoughtful and graceful. And the way he spoke to people, full of warmth and understanding, was a rare sight. Not like Namjoon... she thought, almost surprised at how the comparison leaped into her mind.
Namjoon was everything Taehyung wasn't-imposing, ruthless, and brash. Where Taehyung's kindness invited trust, Namjoon's coldness built walls. Taehyung's smile was soft and reassuring Namjoon's smirk was a reminder of his arrogance. Taehyung made people feel seen; Namjoon made her feel like she was nothing but a pawn in his game.
But then, a voice inside her heart whispered, reminding her of the painful truth: "Even with all his flaws, you still love him, don't you?"
She clenched her fists, pushing the thought away.
"No."She couldn't let herself fall into that trap again. She'd given Namjoon everything, and he had done nothing but hurt her, used her until she broke. She couldn't let herself feel weak for him, not anymore. She took a deep breath, willing herself to keep her resolve.
As she pulled herself back to the present, she noticed Taehyung watching her from a few feet away. He approached her, his gaze gentle. "You're doing great, YN. But you don't have to stay here all day. You should take some time to get ready for tonight's party."
She smiled softly, thankful for his thoughtfulness. "Thank you. I'll head out soon-I actually need to shop for something to wear tonight."
Taehyung chuckled, shaking his head. "There's no need for that. I already chose something for you," he said, his voice both warm and assured. "I don't want to take any chances tonight, and I want you to look perfect. Besides..." His voice softened a bit. "You're my friend now. I want you to feel special tonight."
She felt her cheeks warm slightly at his words. A dress, just for her? She looked away, feeling a bit shy under his gaze. She was unused to such kindness. Gesturing to one of the staff, Taehyung motioned for a member to retrieve the dress. When it arrived, he handed it to her with a gentle smile.
"Go home and rest a bit. I'll see you tonight," he said, his voice holding a kindness she hadn't experienced in a long time.
YN left the venue with the dress in hand, a mix of emotions swirling within her. She glanced down at the elegant packaging. a pang of sadness settling over her heart. She remembered how she had once dreamed of such moments with Namjoon-how she had longed for him to surprise her, to make her feel cherished. But he had never done anything like this for her. Instead, it was Taehyung, a man she had only recently met, who was doing all of this with such thoughtfulness and sincerity.
She arrived home and placed the dress on her bed, tracing her fingers over the fabric, admiring the exquisite detail. There was something surreal about it all. A part of her was grateful, touched by Taehyung's care, yet another part of her couldn't shake the lingering ache that it wasn't Namjoon showing this kindness. She lay down for a moment, letting the day's emotions settle, and drifted into a light sleep, the exhaustion of the past few days catching up with her.
The sun was dipping low by the time she woke up, and the evening light cast a warm glow across her room. She slowly sat up, her gaze falling on the dress Taehyung had chosen for her.
She picked it up gently, holding it up to admire its elegance a deep, luxurious shade that seemed to shimmer in the fading sunlight. The dress was perfect, and it reflected Taehyung's impeccable taste.
After a deep breath, she got ready, carefully putting on the dress, adjusting the fit, and letting herself feel the fabric against her skin. She glanced in the mirror, her breath catching as she took in her reflection. She looked... beautiful. For the first time in a long time, she felt like herself again confident, graceful, and a bit enchanted by the evening ahead.
She reached for a small jewelry box, pulling out a delicate necklace, a gift from her parents. She hadn't worn it in ages, but tonight felt special enough to bring it out. With a steady hand, she fastened it around her neck, feeling a sense of peace as she looked at her reflection. In the mirror, she saw someone she hadn't seen in a while-a woman strong enough to start again.
The excitement for the party slowly started to settle in. She couldn't deny that Taehyung's kindness had been a source of comfort, a balm to the wounds left by Namjoon. And though her heart still ached, tonight felt like a step forward, a chance to start fresh.
She took one last look in the mirror, allowing herself a small, hopeful smile, and left for the party, ready for whatever the night had in store.
YN was adjusting her earrings, taking one last look in the mirror, admiring the way her dress flowed and shimmered. Tonight, she felt elegant and confident, as if she were stepping into a new chapter of her life. The gentle honk of a car horn outside pulled her from her thoughts, and she glanced out the window to see Taehyung waiting for her.
As she descended the stairs and stepped outside, Taehyung's face lit up with a smile. "I thought you might not come," she said playfully as she approached the car, giving him a grateful smile.
Taehyung chuckled softly. "I couldn't miss the chance to be with you tonight," he said, a gentle wink adding a dash of charm to his words. "You're just as important as the party."
His words were warm, and YN felt her cheeks heat up just a little.
The drive to the venue was a mix of light conversation and comfortable silence, but YN felt a strange sense of calm with him, like everything would be okay tonight. When they finally arrived, YN stepped out of the car, taking in the stunning decorations and the enchanting atmosphere.
"Taehyung," she said, genuinely amazed, "this is beautiful. The decor, the ambiance... you really have an eye for detail."
Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks tinged pink. "You like it? I just wanted everything to be...perfect." His shyness made him even more charming, and she couldn't help but smile at his sincerity.
Inside, the lights cast a warm, golden glow, and YN couldn't shake a sense of anticipation in the air. As they entered, they were greeted by various guests, all eager to meet Taehyung. YN found herself introducing him and shaking hands, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the crowd but comforted by his presence beside her.
Suddenly, the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, calling for everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, before our esteemed guest arrives, we'll start the night with a little dance! But let's make it interesting-grab an eye mask!
We'll dance with mystery partners to really get into the spirit."
YN found herself in a corner, hesitating, feeling a bit out of place. Taehyung noticed and walked over to her with an encouraging smile. "Come on, YN," he coaxed, holding out his hand. "Dance with me."
She shook her head, smiling nervously. "I don't really know how, Taehyung..."
His hand stayed extended, his smile unwavering. "Then let me teach you. Come on, trust me."
She felt herself give in, placing her hand in his, feeling his fingers close gently around hers as he guided her onto the dance floor. Just as they reached the center, an employee handed them each a black eye mask. YN felt her heartbeat quicken as she tied it around her head, the world instantly darkened. She felt the warmth of Taehyung's hand as he guided her, his touch steady and calming.
"Ready?" he asked, his voice warm, a hint of playfulness in his tone.
"Ready," she replied, her heart racing.
The music started, a slow, seductive beat filling the air. They began to move together, and she found herself focusing on his steady movements, trusting him to lead her. She couldn't see him, but she felt his gaze on her, intense and unwavering.
"So, is it always this hard to get a dance with you?" Taehyung teased, his voice low.
YN laughed, a little nervous but charmed by his lightheartedness. "Only when I don't know the steps," she replied with a soft smile.
"I don't believe that for a second," he murmured, his tone flirtatious. "With a little practice, you could steal the show, you know."
A light blush warmed her cheeks. She felt herself relax, trusting his rhythm, feeling almost weightless as they danced. For a few moments, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment, the safety in Taehyung's arms, his warmth melting away her guarded exterior.
Suddenly, a signal sounded, and YN found herself released from Taehyung's grip as everyone began to switch partners. She reluctantly let go, sending Taehyung a quick smile as she moved to the next person. She stepped forward, prepared to meet someone else's hand, when she felt a strong, firm grip close around her waist.
The grip was different-possessive, unyielding. She felt a shiver run down her spine as her hands found their way to his shoulders, her heart beating wildly. She wanted to ignore the voice in her head, but something in her gut told her that she knew this touch, this energy.
Slowly, she lifted her head, even though the eye mask kept her from seeing him clearly, those dragon eyes.
But his intense presence was unmistakable she felt his breath, warm against her cheek, and a wave of shock coursed through her body.
"Namjoon?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The man didn't answer but tightened his hold on her waist, pulling her close. She could feel the possessiveness of his hand, the steady, confident beat of his heart, and the subtle hint of cologne she remembered so well. She staggered back slightly, her hand pressing against his chest, as if trying to ground herself. The shock, the memories, everything flooded back with overwhelming force.
She pulled away, the spell breaking, and rushed out of the room, her heart racing as she made her way through the crowd and out into the garden, desperate for air. The cool night breeze hit her face, and she took in a shaky breath, trying to clear her mind.
"No, no, it couldn't be Namjoon," she murmured to herself, her voice trembling. "Stop imagining him, YN. He's nothing but a trap. You can't let yourself fall for him again." She wrapped her arms around herself, whispering a litany of self-reassurance, trying to convince herself she was safe, that she was imagining things.
But then, in the quiet stillness of the garden, she felt a pair of strong hands wrap around her waist from behind, pulling her close. She froze, her breath catching as she heard a familiar, deep voice murmur in her ear, low and mocking.
"Are you lost, babygirl?"
Her heart dropped, and she felt herself go numb. There was no mistaking that voice, that possessive tone that only belonged to one person.
She slowly turned around, her eyes widening as she came face-to-face with Namjoon, his gaze locked onto hers, intense and unyielding. Her breath hitched, her mind spinning, torn between anger and disbelief. She wanted to speak, to demand answers, but words failed her as she stared up at him, unable to look away from those piercing, dragon-like eyes that had haunted her dreams.
To be continued
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