Byunghyun stared intensively at the boy stationed across from him. Taehyung mirrored his actions. "Sorry I'm late." Arang rushed in and came to an abrupt halt at the booth. She altered glances between the two boys before she took a seat besides the latter. "What's with your expressions? You guys look like you're about to murder somebody." Nobody answered her. Maybe it wasn't such a grand idea for them to meet. Did she make a mistake?

Byunghyun was trying to resist the urge but couldn't hold back anymore. He blinked and Taehyung instantly slapped his palms onto the table and shot up from his seat. "You blinked first! I win!" He boasted with a wide grin, startling the girl next to him.

"Damn it! That wasn't fair! Arang messed me up! I want a rematch!" Byunghyun huffed, unwilling to accept his defeat.

"No way! I'm the champion! A deal's a deal. You're paying for lunch." Taehyung sang happily as he sat back down.

"What's going on? What are you guys talking about?" Arang questioned, baffled.

Taehyung turned her way. "We got bored waiting for you so Byunghyun proposed a wager. A staring contest. Whoever caved in first would have to buy lunch. And as you just witnessed, I emerged victorious. So order whatever you want because we're not the one spending money." He stated as he began to flip through the menu.

"You better not, So Arang. The maximum is fifteen dollars. Don't go overboard, Taehyung or else." Byunghyun warned. He thought he was going to win, he really did. He didn't think Taehyung was a strong opponent; he was wrong.

"Byunghyun? Taehyung?" She repeated. Why weren't they using honorifics? "Since when did the two of you get so close? This is the first time you've met." She pointed out with an eyebrow quirked.

"Since thirty minutes ago," Byunghyun chimed. "I thought I was going to hate Taehyung because of what I heard about him, but surprisingly enough he's not as big of an asshole as you said he was. He's actually a pretty cool dude."

"Right back at you, bro." The other boy agreed as he held out his fist.

Kim Taehyung a pretty cool guy? What universe was her friend living in? "This is weird." She announced bluntly. "I didn't think you were going to get along so well."

Taehyung leaned back against and smirked. "I told you I had a way with people, didn't I?"

"Oh please. You fell for my charms first." Byunghyun snorted, rolling his eyes. "I'm completely irresistible, even to the same sex."

Arang shuddered. "Great, now I have to deal with two egotists." She then looked up at the ceiling. "God, what horrible sins did I commit for you to punish me like this?"

After, she was hit in the face with a paper coaster. "Stop being overdramatic, Arang." Byunghyun snickered as he high-fived his new companion.

"Yeah, instead you should be asking how you got so lucky to be blessed with two gorgeous guys." Taehyung jumped in.

This time he invoked a loud scoff from the girl. "You've got to be kidding me." Individually speaking, Byunghyun and Taehyung were tolerable. Sure, they managed to get on her last nerves but she was always able to restrain herself from snapping their necks and being thrown in prison for manslaughter. Together, however, it was a different story. It was double the trouble. There was only so much madness a girl could take. How could they tag-team her so shamelessly like this, especially Byunghyun? Did he not understand what loyalty was?

More bullets were fired from both ends. Insults and derisions were exchanged in a light and playful manner. Although some outsiders might assume the trio was on the brink of a nasty war, the truth was mockery and taunting were their unique ways of communicating with each other.

The waiter approached them a few minutes later, forcing them to settle down. Byunghyun ordered kimchi stew; Taehyung decided on spicy pork with tofu and Arang got a stone-hot bibimbap with bulgogi, her absolute favorite. It was inexpensive, filling and packed with loads of vegetables. Nature called and she had to excuse herself.

When she was out of sight, Byunghyun figured now was his chance. "Taehyung, I've been dying to ask this question since I walked in here but I wanted to observe how the two of you interacted first." He paused, glanced around and leaned forward. "I know you're not really dating Arang, but since you guys are pretending and all, how is it?"

The idol cocked his head to the side. "What do you mean?"

Byunghyun shifted in his seat before he specified his inquiry. "I mean, how is she as a fake girlfriend? Ever since I became friends with her, I always wondered what kind of girl she would be if she was in a relationship. I know she might seem intimidating and inapproachable, trust me, I've been there, but deep down she's a good person. She can be rude and inconsiderate at times but that's just one part of her.

Honestly, even though I'd never tell her this, she's probably one of the most thoughtful and selfless people I know, especially when it comes to her family. She'd do anything for them." He paused and smiled. "I don't know if you were able to witness that side of her yet but if you start paying closer attention to her, you'll see what I mean. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Arang resembles a Pit bull. It sounds strange, I know. Let me explain.

People often perceive this particular breed of dogs, and a few others, as vicious and aggressive animals when in reality, scientific studies have proven that they aren't all that hostile. They can be rather cuddly and loving if they're treated right. I think it's the same case with Arang."

Taehyung's thoughts were in a whirlwind. His mind was suddenly consumed by everything that had happened between him and Arang up until now. He had to agree with everything Byunghyun was telling him. He didn't have any rebuttals because he, too, had to admit that although So Arang was hard and tough on the outside, on the inside she was as fluffy and soft as a marshmallow. Okay, so that was a bit of an exaggeration but you get the point, don't you?

From offering her seat up to the elderly to sacrificing her own lunch in order to buy beverages for Taehyung and his friends. So Arang was always conscious of those around her. She could be distant and aloof but so what? Everyone was different. If everyone was conformed and carried no flaws then the world would be a boring and bland place to live in. That was no fun.

She wasn't the best fake girlfriend.

She wasn't the worst either.

She was somewhere in between.

She wasn't all that terrible.

She was pret—"What's with your blank expression?" Arang sat down and shot him a disdainful look. "Did that brain of yours finally give out and shut down on you?"

Snapping out of his daze, Taehyung sucked his teeth and turned away. On second thought, having So Arang as his fake girlfriend wasn't anything worth bragging about.

The food arrived shortly after and each plate was placed in front of its respective owner. Arang picked up her chopsticks and dropped one onto the floor. "Take mine." Taehyung stated without reluctance before he waved their waiter over to request for another set. Arang didn't think too much about it unlike Byunghyun who kept a close eye on the two of them.

Taehyung took a bite of the succulent pork and spat it back out because it was burning hot. He yelped and fanned his tongue. "Idiot," Arang laughed as she handed him his water.

He took a swig and glared at her. "I'm hungry, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah." She nodded. "You have to wait a bit for it to cool down. Here, have some of mine." To ensure that the meat wouldn't damage his taste-buds, Arang gently blew onto it and held it to his mouth. "Try it. The bulgogi at this place is the best." Taehyung did as he was instructed. Food was food, how could he resist? While he was chewing, his eyes rounded in amazement. She wasn't lying. It was scrumptious! He couldn't wait to find out what the pork tasted like.

Throughout lunch Taehyung and Arang were sharing their entrees and keeping their quarrels to a minimum. Byunghyun felt a little left out but he didn't necessarily find it a bad thing. This gave him the opportunity to observe them more thoroughly. For a couple that was supposed to be fake, they seemed extremely realistic in his opinion. The way they reacted to one another was natural and didn't look forced. If he didn't have prior knowledge of their sticky situation, he would have assumed that their feelings were sincere and genuine.

Then it hit him like a ton of bricks.

Arang and Byunghyun parted from Taehyung since they had to go to work. On the trip to the mall, Byunghyun secretly stole glimpses of the girl through his peripheral vision. She was fixated on her phone which set off alarms in his head. In the past Arang never spent much time on that thing. So what could she be possibly doing? "Is it Taehyung?" He questioned.

"Mhm, he's telling me to be careful at work. A lot of fans have been dropping by lately and he's afraid a sasaeng will appear and try to hurt me." She informed.

"I see. You know, Arang, Taehyung seems like a nice guy. I approve." The bus arrived at their stop and they climbed out the back door.

"What?" Arang blinked.

"It's nothing." Byunghyun lied. It wasn't his place to tell her. She would have to figure it out on her own.

• • •

Snapshots of Taehyung were plastered all over the walls. Hearts were scribbled everywhere along with numerous imprints of a pair of lips coated in a dark, fire brick shade of red gloss. The owner of the room pinned another photo of him up but this time he wasn't alone. It was a picture she had personally taken at the press conference. Taehyung looked smashingly handsome that day and she just had to ruin everything.

The girl, who had been shamelessly holding hands with her lover, had her face scratched off completely and replaced with a cut out. To say So Arang was an eyesore would be an understatement. That she-devil from the fiery depths of hell was like the black plague manifested in the flesh. She caused nothing but misery and pain.

There was no way that her Taehyung would ever willingly date someone as inadequate as that child. Then again, men had their phases. Arang must be one of those. It was the only plausible explanation she could think of.

Even if Arang was simply a passing breeze, why couldn't he see her?

She was the one for him.

They were meant to be together.

How long was it going to take him to realize that she was the only one worthy of his love and affection?

As soon as her eyes had landed on Taehyung, she knew that he was the one she was destined to spend the rest of her life with. His smiles, laughs and hearts were all directed to her. The first time they ran into each other she felt the whole world stop. She could remember it like it had just happened yesterday.

She waited years for her soulmate and now that she had found him, he was snatched away by some sly and manipulative vixen? Could fate get any crueler? Every time she saw Arang, she wanted to strangle her. However, because she didn't want to raise any alarm, she resorted to threats instead. From what she knew, her so-called opponent was the type of person who didn't like to rely on anyone else but herself.

The prideful snot would soon meet her demise which would be caused by the very qualities she carried. How ironic and yet so pleasantly satiating.

Suddenly a phone started to go off. She glanced at the caller and the corners of her lips curled upwards, forming a wicked and sadistic smile. Getting rid of So Arang was as easy as taking candy from a baby. Once she was out of the picture, Taehyung would be hers.

All hers.

If anyone posed as an obstacle to their relationship, she was going to annihilate them without mercy. 

  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  

author's note

» dun, dun, dun! the bromance is so cute! frozen frames: byunghyun and taehyung having a staring contest, the three of them laughing and teasing each other, Arang feeding Taehyung the bulgogi and then Byunghyun slightly surprised at the end, the room with all the photos of Tae and finally the wicked smile of the stalker!