The man who stood in front of me didn't look human at all, that was a fact.

I could feel my skin prickle, and my throat dry out. Bitter emotions laced through me, as I looked at the red haired Gem.

The skin around his face was smooth like silk; no pore or scar noticeable. Most people in my town had scars and marks all over their skin, displaying the pain and fights we endured in our lives. But his face was flawless, as if he was crafted by an artist, with how perfectly symmetrical and smooth his skin appeared.

I could've sworn he was a child of Aphrodite, from how incredibly ethereal this man looked.

But his deep black eyes expressed something completely different. It was almost...human. They had a distant fire in them, trying to tame and control itself, but also begging to be let out, as they roamed my thin, starved figure.

It felt like he was analyzing my soul, and I couldn't help but glare. I knew the red haired boy was above me, being the next-in-line of the seven rulers of the Order. Yet his eyes made it so obvious it made me want to projectile vomit, particularly right at him.

I slowly placed the ring back on the dresser, watching the boy in front of me carefully so that he wouldn't attack me. I wasn't going to lie, his black eyes were burning into mine and it was rather intimidating.

"Who the hell are you?" He seethed, eyes fearful but irritated. I could tell that we was afraid of me, from seeing his hands in fists and his chest heaving.

"Juliana," I said bitterly, maintaining my glare.

His eyes widened with realization at the name, "Ah, so you're the new slave," he smirked. "I'm not surprised." His eyes roamed my figure again in pure disgust, and he looked away.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed at the rude gesture, "and you must be Kim Taehyung," I responded with the same cockiness. "I'm not really surprised either." I smiled sarcastically, as I watched him send me a glare.

"About what?"

"The spoiled tendency. It seems to run in the family," I said confidently, watching him release a deep exhale.

He's annoyed.

Taehyung chuckled, then quickly folded his arms across his chest, "I see boorish manners seem to run in your kind."

I raised an eyebrow in irritation, meeting the challenge he was clearly posing.

Two can play at this game.

Before I could say anything more, he interrupted me. "You know the rules right, human?"

"Yes," I said simply, folding my arms. "I may be human, but I'm not stupid."

He turned around to face me, a small, proud smirk on his face once again. "Then why are you talking back to me if you know the rules and aren't stupid?"

My eyes narrowed, and I leaned forward a fire burning in my eyes. This attitude was definitely something I wasn't use to. Everyone usually backed off in these situations, but he didn't seem like he was going to and neither did I.

But assuming I was stupid was a whole new low, despite how right he was. So, Mr. Kim Taehyung needed to be put in his place.

"Because you're an asshole, and are unaware of it." I said sternly, picking up my bucket and mop, then stomping out of the room.

I didn't even spare him a glance.

I sighed in relief as I escaped into the hallway. I desired nothing more than to leave that situation before I would unleash hell on a member of the Order, and become what they all feared—a wild animal. That was the last thing I wanted. However, it grew harder since Taehyung was an obvious irritation; the equivalent of taming a smart mouthed ass-wipe.

I just had to make it through with my pay so that I could get back home and see my family, and help them financially.

I was pulled out of my trance when I collided with something hard, throwing me off balance, while splashing soapy water all over me.

"Shit!" They cried, wiping the soap from their fox-like eyes.

My jaw tightened as I noticed the person in front of me. Their lavender hair was disheveled, and they sat on the ground coated in water, much like myself.

Once the Gem looked up, they moved away in fear. "Y-you're-"

"A human," I finished harshly. "I know."

The Gem looked down and avoided eye contact with me, their bottom lip trembling. If he weren't a Gem, I would've said he looked like an innocent child. He looked so scared with his round cheeks puffing out, and small hands gripping the floor.

"You must be Taehyung's new slave," he commented before standing up.

I rolled my eyes at the hideous word. Slaves were a direct reference to where humans were slaves for the Gems. The humans were forced to conform, and were viewed like objects.

I hated it.

I turned away. "If that's what I am."

"I'm Jimin, next-in-line at the Order." He said, "I'm also Taehyung's friend."

My body tensed at the mention of his name, the encounter from mere minutes ago leaving behind a resentful stain in my mind. I hated him, and truly wanted nothing to do with him.

Yet, the only challenge I faced was having to speak to Taehyung daily.

"I'm Juliana," I replied. "Sorry for-"

Jimin waved his hand in dismissal, "i-it's fine," he spoke nervously. "I can change clothes." He said with a smile, gesturing to his coloured pyjamas.

I nodded with pursed lips at his outfit, which made him look life a five-year-old. I wanted to smile and laugh, but the air filled with tense silence was hard to ignore.

He smacked his lips together awkwardly, before speaking again. "I'll see you around?" Jimin asked quietly, but still carefully.

I folded my arms across my chest, "I'll be working, but yeah, sure." I replied flatly. Though he may have appeared to be kinder, and gentler compared to the one I met earlier---he was still a Gem. The experience made me skeptical of his decisions and actions, even if they seemed genuine.

Jimin nodded, before sticking his hands in his pockets and turning to walk down the hallway.

***

Taehyung's POV

I had nothing to say, other than sit there watching as she walked out of the room.

I had never been told that before.

I was always used to the submissive types of slaves; mainly because of my title, and who I was. Throughout my life many were afraid of me, making it hard to befriend anyone other than my six counterparts.

However, this human was the first of her kind.

I jumped a little upon hearing light, feather-like footsteps enter my room. I turned, finding a head of lavender locks, and a warm face I was all too familiar with.

Jimin.

I've known him for as long as I can remember, ever since we started school together. Slowly, I met the others throughout, and the seven of us found comfort within each other. It was a difficult childhood, existing in the spotlight; people being fake and nosy.

I sighed, and turned away from Jimin. Talking to someone was the last thing I wanted to do right now, especially after that embarrassing encounter with the slave. "Jimin hyung," I said quietly, as he walked toward me.

"What happened?" He observed, coming closer to sit on the end of my bed, while I stood by the window, maintaining a fair distance between us.

"My dad is what happened." I scoffed, combing my hands through my hair. "He shouldn't have hired that slave," I muttered.

But Jimin---being himself---heard my words loud and clear. "Why?" He asked, eyebrows furrowed with curiosity.

"She doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut." I said, her words tattooed in my brain. It was so foreign, like a shot to my gut that I wasn't ready for. Living in such a plastic life where kindness is all an act, I was baffled by the dirty words and blunt honesty.

Jimin raised his eyebrow, "She was very different compared to when I met her. She said 'sorry' to me, when it was totally my fault. I was appalled."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't believe it Jimin. They are uncivilized, and don't know right from wrong. That's why she said the things she did earlier,"

Jimin smiled smugly, as if he knew what I would say. "like what?"

"N-not the point..." I stuttered, swallowing the large lump building in my throat.

Ground drown me now.

He chuckled, "we're not an exception for showing kindness, you know."

I folded my arms across my chest. "At least we don't live like animals in wooden huts. They kill people down there, without any rules or restrictions. She's one of them. You have no idea what they're like." I argued.

Jimin sighed in irritation. "Neither do you. Just because of what happened-"

He stopped abruptly as my eyes shifted down.

I could feel my whole body grow tense, as my head began to burn with stinging sweat that beaded on my temples. The memories flushed in; the darkness of the room, the curtains, the smashed window from ten years ago.

It was all a nightmare.

I closed my eyes, hearing Jimin's quiet voice. "I'm sorry,"

I could feel the blinding emotions of pain and grief start to rush through me, the same ones I experienced that night. I closed my eyes to shut them out, but they dragged me back like a fish on a wire.

"Get out." I spat like venom, not daring to look into Jimin's eyes. I couldn't let him see me like this, not when my emotions are getting the best of me.

Emotion is weakness. I repeated in my head, suppressing the painful memories and images flowing through my mind.

Jimin nodded, heading toward the door. "Please don't push me away, Tae. You can talk to me, I'm your friend."

I kept my gaze to the floor, and ignored him, fiddling with my thumbs. I sighed upon hearing Jimin close the door, and I was blanketed in a painful silence.

[A/N]

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was so hard to write, I rewrote it like a couple times because I hated it. Honestly, I still kind of dislike it. I don't know why I struggled with it so much 😖 BUT we got to see more of Tae like I promised 😌

Also, I will be putting this book on hold until after the holidays, which isn't going to be too long, hopefully. I just really don't want to stress over writing. Thanks for understanding 💜