When his sight returned along with the shock quickly subsiding, Taehyung wasted no time glaring angrily at Arang. "Yah!" He seethed as he held his aching jaw. "Why are you always abusing me?"

"Why are you always popping up out of nowhere and bothering me," she countered wittingly without even skipping a beat. When it was silent, she scoffed and clucked her tongue. "That's what I thought. Touch me again and you can expect much worse to happen to you. And yes, that is a promise I will keep. Now leave me alone."

As she swiveled around and started stalking off, Taehyung chewed on his bottom lip. He was contemplating with himself on what he should do next and when he had reached his decision, he raked his fingers through his hair and inhaled a deep breath. Pulling his mask over his mouth and nose, he quickly adjusted his baseball cap and chased after Arang. 

Thankfully there weren't too many people at the mall today therefore the chances of his identity being revealed and discovered (yet again) were pretty slim. "Wait." The way he said it made it sound more like a command than a request and the girl kept moving. Even if he got down on his knees and begged her to stop it wouldn't make a difference.

Taehyung flexed his jaw and restrained himself from cursing like a sailor as he continued to trail her from behind. Then he groaned realizing how stubborn she really was and that she had no intention to make things easy for him. So he lurched forward and snatched her arm. "Are you deaf?" He growled as he yanked her back, forcing her to lock eyes with him.

Arang's tolerance level was beginning to rapidly decline while her blood boiled. She scowled and wrenched free from his grasp. "What the hell do you want? Should I knee you in the crotch again?" Taehyung's eyes bulged out of their sockets as he took a step back and placed his hands in front of his crotch, afraid that she would actually perform the antagonizing deed a second time around without any kind of reluctance.

"Try it and I'll sue you for making me unable to have children." He threatened.

"Gross," Arang sneered. "Who would ever want to produce an offspring with someone like you?"

"Hundreds of girls!" He shouted in defense, trying to protect his pride.

"Who are all mentally insane and simply blinded by your stardom. I'm positive that if they found out what a horrid and atrocious being you really were, they'd discard you like yesterday's trash." She proclaimed as she crossed her arms against her chest. The corners of her lips were hiked upwards forming a smug and cynical smirk.

"As if you're any better." Taehyung snarled.

"Boohoo, you hurt my feelings." Arang feigned hurt before her expression went stoic. "Is that the best comeback you've got? What grade are you in? Third?" She taunted with both of her eyebrows arched. Never in his life had he encountered someone so irritating. Someone who had the ability to agitate him in less than two minutes but now here she was. The only person able to easily aggravate Taehyung. Of course Arang made him pissed. It was like that was her second job or something. But Taehyung knew he had to control himself. At least for the time being. Because although he hated her guts, he needed Arang. He would never, not even in a million years, ever admit that to anyone.

She was the only person who could clear his tainted name. He didn't know how he was going to do it but he was going to get everything fixed. It wasn't only his reputation and name at stake. He had to think about his members as well. If Taehyung didn't get anything under control, Bangtan Sonyeondan could be history. He couldn't allow that to happen, especially not if there was something he could do to prevent such an undesirable fate. "Look," he gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. "I didn't come here to bicker with you." He pointed out.

When he didn't hear her say anything, his eyes snapped open. Arang was no longer planted in front of him and as he scanned around, he finally spotted her sauntering over towards Ben and Jerry's. "Aish. Why did I have to run into such a girl?"

"Hi, welcome to Ben and Jerry's. What would you like today?" The boy questioned politely. Arang eyed the menu and hitched her lips to the side.

"I'll have a Berry Frenzy smoothie with whip cream." She replied.

"One Berry Frenzy smoothie with whip cream coming right up." He beamed.

After waiting a good five minutes, Arang received her order and moved down the line to pay the amount due to the cashier. "Your total will be 5, 025 won." The other boy stated.

"Hold on," Arang said as she pulled out her wristlet. Just as she was rifling through the bills she heard the boy say "Thank you. Have a nice day." She immediately glanced up and her eyes rounded at the sight of Taehyung tucking his wallet into his pocket. "Did you just pay for me?" She inquired.

"I did." He confirmed confidently. He expected her to show her gratitude towards him but instead she just spun around on her heels and left him behind. His jaw fell open as he shook his head in disbelief. This was really going to be harder than he had initially thought. Again, Taehyung found himself pursuing Arang. People were sending him peculiar glances and judgmental gazes but he couldn't care less. "I need a favor from you." He panted as he fell into step beside her.

"Sure you do." Arang replied. "Get lost."

"I'm serious," he huffed.

"So am I." She rebutted.

"Look, Ms. Useless, I know you and I aren't the best of friends." He began.

Arang then interrupted him. "That would be the understatement of the century."

"Okay I should have seen that one coming. But I'm being sincere here. The fate of BTS is in your hands. If you don't..." Taehyung hesitated to finish the sentence because if he did, it meant that he would be verbally admitting that he needed Arang's aid. But he had to do it. He had to toss his pride aside for the sake of having a bright future. The future he had always dreamed about obtaining.

"Look, I don't really care about you or BTS. So please do me a favor and leave my life for good." She answered bluntly.

Taehyung couldn't deny that he felt hurt. He didn't know why it felt like his heart was being suffocated and bit on his tongue. "Please," he murmured right as Arang took a step forward. She stopped but didn't glance back. "We're people too. I understand you hate me but can't you consider the other members? They didn't do anything to you. They didn't do anything wrong. They don't deserve to suffer and miss out on their dreams. Please, I'm... I'm begging you."

For some unknown reason, Arang felt waves of guilt crashing into her subconscious. She could hear the desperation and sincerity in his voice and although she might regret it later, Arang turned around and sighed. "What do you want me to do?"

★ ★ ★

"You didn't have to wait for me, you know." Arang pointed out after she had signed out. Taehyung shot up off the bench and stretched out his legs.

"It's fine. It's easier than me coming back and forth or you getting lost on the way to the company." He explained.

"Okay but I have to use the bathroom first." She stated.

"Cool, I'll just wait here then." He nodded. Once Arang was gone, he couldn't help but smile in satisfaction. They were going to be saved after all! He didn't explain the details to her but promised he would as soon as they were with Director Wan. Then his phone started ringing and he answered.

"Did you find the girl? What'd she say? Did she say she'll help us?" Namjoon questioned anxiously.

"Don't worry, hyung. I got it under control. At first it was a little difficult since she was being stubborn but after working my magic and wooing her with my winsome charms, I got her to agree. This whole thing will be over by tonight. I can guarantee it. God, you should have seen my acting skills. Maybe I should talk to the director and convince her to let me try acting." Taehyung snorted cockily.

"Just don't screw it up." He heard Yoongi shout.

"I won't, I won't. I've practically got her wrapped around my finger. Who knew a girl like her could actually feel guilty?" He cackled.

"Alright then. We'll see you at the studio in a bit then. Be careful and please avoid stirring up anymore scandals." Namjoon warned before he hung up. Taehyung put his phone away and started whistle long a happy tune. It looked like everything was going to work out after all. So he had to manipulate and lie a little but it was for a good cause. He wasn't going to feel bad about fooling Arang. Why should he?

"I didn't know I could feel guilty either." Arang spoke coldly, surprising Taehyung. He whipped around and stumbled back at the view of Arang glaring viciously at him.

"Ho-how long have you been standing there." He stuttered. "I thought you had to go to the bathroom."

"I do." Arang answered as she approached him. "I came back to tell you to wait for me outside so we could get this matter sorted out quicker but after everything I just heard, I think I've changed my mind. You're on your own, asshole. I knew I shouldn't have trusted in you."

Taehyung gawked at her as she swiveled around and marched away. He was so close! He couldn't mess up. Not now. Not fret he had just assured his members they'd be okay. God, why did he brag? He was such an idiot! "No wait! Listen to me." He pleaded as he ran after her. He was about to seize her arm again but this time she was prepared. As soon as his finger brushed against her skin, she grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. He yelped in pain and Arang shoved him away.

"You dug your own grave, Kim Taehyung. Now you have no choice but to lay in it. And here is a tip for the future. When you're feeling lonely again go rent some adult films instead of trying to watch older women try on floral blouses, pervert."

After Arang disappeared her words echoed in his mind. His eyes then widened and doubled in size. He had read those words before. "No fucking way."