Seokjin had to admit that he was more nervous than he let on as he walked toward the door of the private party room in the restaurant. Luisa's 25th birthday hovered before him like the proverbial green light. He was ready to walk toward her and tell her how he felt. They had waited long enough. He still vividly recalled the first time–well, the only time–they'd been intimate with each other after college graduation. As much as he played it down, his friends were right. He'd never gotten over her. In fact, in the intervening years, as he'd gotten to know her better, he'd realized that she was the one for him.

He stood staring at the elaborate wooden door, holding the small gift box tightly. He had made up his mind since Yoongi and Selina's wedding. When he saw her that night, his heart almost popped out of his chest. She was a vision of loveliness. If he'd been asked what wonderful meant, he would've pointed directly at her. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. When they danced together as best man and maid of honor, his arms longed to pull her tightly against him and whisper his words of love in her ear. His lips yearned to touch hers. His heart seemed to be repeating "love you" with every beat.

It was terrible what happened to her father that night, but it was serendipitous that he was there and able to assist her. He had never shared with anybody his secret access to money.  He himself sometimes even forgot his background. But he had not hesitated in the least to book the expensive tickets and accompany her to her father's side on that redeye flight. She held his hand the entire time, and he hoped that he had provided a semblance of comfort. He wanted to be the one she would always turn to in times of need.

The second time he'd flown down to see her, he made it a point to be charming to her family. He wanted them to like him and accept him. He wanted Lu to see that he was a man worthy of her love and attention. The break-up with Lydia had been inevitable, and he was glad that it was long over. Now he could direct his energy to building his relationship with Luisa.

He took a deep breath and opened the door. He couldn't control his smile as Luisa walked up to greet him. Once his eyes left her face and took in the rest of her, he gulped nervously, and his hands started shaking. What was she wearing? He couldn't stop blinking.

"Hello, Seokjin," Luisa said. "Come in."

He continued staring at her until Megan, whom he'd not seen standing next to Luisa, cleared her throat.

"What's up, Seokjin?" Megan asked in a playful tone. "Cat got your tongue?"

"Uh, hi, Lu," he said quickly. "Happy birthday. Here." He brought up the gift so fast that he pushed it into her chest. With a sharp inhale, he immediately retracted his hand while Megan chuckled.

Another deep inhale.

"I mean, I hope you like it," he said, his voice steadier. This time, he passed the box to Megan, who chuckled again and walked away.

"Sorry. Too much caffeine, I guess," he said with a shy smile. "You look amazing," he said softly. "You grow more stunning every birthday. At this rate, you will be a goddess looking down on us mere mortals." He realized that he sounded like an idiot and tried to laugh it off. "Anyway, happy birthday, Lu."

Luisa looked at him for a few seconds before nodding. "Thank you. Come in and sit down."

"Can I wish you a proper happy birthday?" he asked before he could stop himself.

She leaned her head to the side. "What do you mean?"

He leaned down and gave her a lingering kiss on her cheek. "Happy birthday." He looked into her eyes before walking toward his friends at the tables. He strained to hear what the girls were talking about.

"Look at you two," Selina said. She'd rushed over after seeing Seokjin's loving gesture. "I told you that dress would do the trick. Sometimes men just need a little reminder that the woman they love is also a ravishing creature. He won't let you get away this time, my dear."

Luisa shook her head. "I don't think it matters."

"What? Why not?" her petite friend asked. "He's insane for you. I've known it since the wedding. You need to open your eyes. That man is dying for you. Think of everything he did for you during your father's emergency."

"He would've done that for anybody," Luisa protested.

"He did that because it was you," Selina persisted. "Now, stop being silly and go sit your hot body next to him. I'd like to see him melt into putty in real time." Megan came up to them. "Meg and I have a bet going."

Luisa tried to slow down her steps as Selina pushed her along. "What? So, which one of you bet that nothing will happen?"

Megan laughed. "Neither of us. Our bet involves how fast Seokjin will take you out of here tonight." She winked. "Now, go turn on the sexy and claim your man. We'll still have dinner even if you two run off to have your dessert first."

The two women laughed loudly and pushed her toward the table.

"He's not...Stop..." Luisa protested then stopped talking when she found herself standing next to Seokjin.

He smiled to think that Luisa was going to turn on the charm. He pretended he was engrossed in what Yoongi and Hoseok were saying before turning toward her, his dark eyes staring into her own. He licked his lips before breaking into a sexy half-smile, half-smirk.

"Lu, I hope that we'll have time to talk tonight," he said, his voice deep and steady.

Luisa shook her head slightly. "We can talk now. Uh, let's sit down." She pulled a chair out and plopped down into it before he could respond.

He glanced at his friends before nodding and sitting next to her. "Sure. How are things at work? Have the first few weeks been bearable?"

She shrugged. "I suppose. No problems yet." She paused. "You know, Seokjin, I have always wanted to believe that people are good and decent inside. Maybe that's why I've had so many issues with men."

His brow furrowed. "Yeah. I'm sorry you've had to deal with things like that. You are indeed very trusting, but a kind person like you can't change overnight. I know that your trust in people will pay off. You've got your good friends around you who are always willing to support you."

"Do I?" she said, staring directly into his eyes. "Are you one of those good friends? Can I count on you?"

He smiled. "Of course. You don't even have to ask. Lu, you know I will always be here for you, no matter what."

"And no matter who?" she asked.

This time, his smile was tinged with confusion. "I...I don't know what you mean."

She leaned toward him, placing her hands on his thighs. "You don't, do you?"

His desire for her was tempered by the cold look in her eyes. He welcomed her touch, but he didn't feel it was meant to be seductive.

She slid her hands slowly down his thighs to his knees before moving back in her chair. "You want to sleep with me, don't you?"

He inhaled sharply, shocked at her words. "Uh, Lu, I-I don't know why you're saying that. That's...not why I'm here."

"So, you're not imagining me out of this dress right now?" she whispered. "You're not thinking about leaving this party and having sex with me all night long?"

He clenched his fists tightly now that she'd put the image in his mind. What was she playing at? He was turned on and wary at the same time. The look she was giving him was not loving. It was aggressive, almost angry. Why?

"Hey, I said I didn't come here for that," he replied evenly.

"I wish I could believe you..." her voice trailed off. She looked down and sighed before looking at him. "I trusted you. I wanted to believe in you. I dressed myself in this ridiculous outfit because...because—ah! It doesn't matter. You know what? Just continue the way you are," she hissed. "Just go on with your cheap meaningless affairs. That's what you like, isn't it? I will not be part of that. Ever. You should know that very well by now."

His mouth dropped open in shock. What was she talking about? "What? Cheap...affairs? What affairs? Lu, I don't know what you mean, but you seem to have it all wrong."

"I don't think so," she replied, rising out of the chair. Yoongi and Hoseok stopped talking and turned in their direction.

Megan and Selina came to Luisa's side.

"Lulu, is something wrong?" Megan asked, glancing between her and Seokjin.

"No," Luisa said. "Nothing's wrong. Let's go ahead and order dinner, shall we? Everyone's hungry." She glanced at Seokjin, who was still gaping at her, stunned. "I'm sure Seokjin has worked up quite an appetite before coming here. He's always craved a lot of food after he's been...busy with his many affairs."

Seokjin watched her walk away with her friends, certain that they were just as befuddled as he was.

What did she mean? Of course, he'd been busy at work before arriving at the restaurant. He hadn't even had time to go home and change. What did that have to do with his being hungry? He got to his feet before a hand pulled him around.

"What's the matter?" Hoseok asked him. "Is she angry at you?"

Seokjin shook his head. "I don't know. I swear I don't know what any of that meant. Does she think I'm having an affair with someone? I swear to God I don't know what she's talking about. I've been looking forward to today so that I could tell her how I feel about her." He turned to look at his friends. "I swear there's no one else for me. You know I've not even looked at another woman since I broke up with Lydia. I just...don't understand."

Yoongi patted his arm. "Look. Just calm down. Maybe she's going through something right now or she got some wrong information. I'll get the story from Sel. Don't worry, Seokjin. I'm sure it's a misunderstanding."

"Oh, who's that?" Hoseok's question directed their attention to the door.

Luisa was hugging a slender young man with tousled, blond hair. He smiled at her, his eyes half-closing, before hugging her again. She twined her arm with his, led him to a table, and sat next to him.

Seokjin's inhaled angrily. Who the hell was that? Why were they sitting so close? Why was Luisa so friendly with him?

Then the guy put his hand on Luisa's knee, still laughing. Seokjin didn't know who he was, but he was ready to kill him.