As they posed beneath the lush floral arch, Youngsoon playfully scolded Seokjin, "Seokjin, you're not smiling at the camera!" The serene outdoor setting, carefully chosen by Youngsoon for their engagement photo shoot, had little impact on Seokjin's somber mood. He had been grumbling throughout the preparations – wardrobe, hair, makeup – every step of the way. The entire charade was a waste of time.

After his fraught conversation with Taehyung two days ago, Seokjin had decided to continue with the charade just long enough to give his cousin time to devise a solution. However, being close to Youngsoon felt like more trouble than it was worth. It would take a hell of an idea to solve this problem.

The photographer's rapid-fire instructions brought him back to the moment and only seemed to exacerbate his frustration. He shot the photographer a puzzled glance before turning away with a dismissive click of his tongue.

Youngsoon noticed her fiancé's growing irritation and intervened quickly. "Sorry, Daeho," she said apologetically. "My fiancé has been away in America for many years, and some of these Korean expressions are unfamiliar to him." Her gaze settled back on Seokjin's face. "He'd like to take a photo of us with our arms around each other."

Seokjin's irritation flared, but he bit back his retort, his jaw clenched in a silent scowl. He was well aware that he was expected to play along with the farce and pretend that their impending nuptials were genuine. He had to give Youngsoon credit – her acting skills were impressive enough to fool anyone. Her convincing display of affection and devotion had even started to make him wonder if she truly believed their engagement was real.

She sensed his reluctance to comply, and before he could protest, she swiftly took his arms and draped them over her shoulders. "If you don't make this look convincing, it will break Taehyung's heart," she warned, her eyes locked on his, "and I'll tell him it's all your fault." Her voice was low and even, but her words were laced with a subtle threat.

Seokjin raised an eyebrow, his expression incredulous. "If you keep pushing me, more than just Tae's heart will be broken," he warned. "I'm trying to be accommodating here. Don't read anything into it. This is supposed to be a pretend scene, but your behavior is bordering on obsessive. Stop playing the cliche nagging wife." He tightened his grip around the back of her neck, his fingers applying gentle pressure.

Youngsoon winced at the unexpected hold, but Seokjin's gaze never wavered. "How's that?" he asked the photographer, his tone neutral. "Is that close enough?" The woman struggled against him, her eyes flashing with annoyance, but Seokjin held her fast.

"That's...enough," she hissed, her voice strained. "I'll tell my father."

Seokjin' smirked as he surveyed the pose, his gaze lingering on Youngsoon's stiff posture. "Well, this has been great," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He glared at the perplexed photographer, who was no doubt struggling to keep a straight face. "Let's wrap this up, shall we? We've been at it for two hours. I'm sure you have some decent shots by now."

The photographer nodded hastily, gulping in agreement, and called his staff to pack away the equipment and props. Seokjin waited until the trio around them was distracted before turning to Youngsoon.

"I don't appreciate being threatened, Youngsoon," he said, his voice low and even, but laced with a hint of annoyance. "I'm doing this as a favor to you and Taehyung. If you keep acting like a lunatic, I'll treat you like one." His eyes narrowed as he leaned in closer. "And don't even get me started on your father."

Youngsoon's eyes flashed with defiance, but Seokjin cut her off before she could respond. "I don't care what your father will say," he interrupted, his tone cold and detached. "I'm two millimeters away from exposing this entire farce. By this time next week, I'll be back home, and you'll be with Tae or someone else. And honestly? I'm starting to lose interest."

Youngsoon's retort was weak and uncertain: "You said you'd make this engagement look real."

Seokjin raised an eyebrow. "Well, here's me making it look like I'm a real husband," he said dryly, his voice dripping with disdain. "Goodbye." He turned on his heel and strode away without so much as a glance back.

As he walked off, Seokjin's anger simmered just below the surface. He was fed up with everyone, and if his cousin didn't come up with a way to end it soon, he would take matters into his own hands.

Later that evening, Seokjin's phone buzzed with a text from Taehyung.

"I'm sorry the photo shoot didn't go as planned," it read.

Seokjin shook his head as he typed out a response. "I expected as much. Do you have a new plan in mind?"

Taehyung's reply came quickly: "Yes, I'll discuss it with you tomorrow. Lunch at 1 pm?"

Seokjin sent a thumbs-up emoji and tossed his phone onto his bed. Lost in thought, he decided to call Luisa. Thinking about her sent a jolt through his body, and he decided to take a quick shower to cool off his lust. But his reverie was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Assuming it was one of the servants, he called, "Come in." As he undid the buttons on his shirt and peeled it off, he was surprised to hear Youngsoon's voice.

The sudden intrusion caused him to spin around, catching his breath. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone laced with surprise.

Youngsoon closed the door behind her, her eyes fixed on Seokjin's half-undressed form. "The maid told me I could come up," she said, her voice steady.

Seokjin shrugged on his shirt. "You shouldn't be here," he said firmly. "You know we're not actually getting married. You're Taehyung's girl."

She approached him, her eyes focused on his exposed chest. "What if I told you I've had a change of heart?" she said, her voice husky with uncertainty.

Seokjin watched her walking toward him, and his gaze dropped to hers, his expression darkening with a mix of emotions. "Soon, what has changed your mind? If you're willing to admit this charade is absurd, then I'm willing to —"

But she didn't let him finish. She rose onto her toes and pressed her mouth to his in a bold, impulsive kiss.

Seokjin's eyes flashed wide with surprise as he stumbled backward, his hands instinctively reaching out to push her away. "Don't," he growled.

Undeterred, she closed the distance between them once more, her breathing quickening as she gazed up at him with an uncharacteristic boldness. "What if I say I want to?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Everyone treats me with deference. Even Taehyung sees me as a fragile, delicate thing. But you... you're different. You don't treat me like a princess. I don't want you to treat me like a princess."

As she reached out to touch his chest, Seokjin's resistance faltered, his gaze locked on hers as if mesmerized by the unspoken challenge in her eyes.

Seokjin's eyes fluttered rapidly as he deflected Youngsoon's arms, holding them firmly in place. "I'm not sure what you're doing here, but I think it would be best if you left," he said, his tone firm but laced with a hint of discomfort.

As he met her gaze, he was struck by the flash of pain that darted across her features, and he felt a pang of regret. "Youngsoon, please don't misunderstand," he said, his voice softening. "I'm not trying to hurt your feelings. Taehyung genuinely cares for you. He's willing to do whatever it takes to be with you, even if it means getting involved in the family business. He thinks your father will come around once he's more invested in the company, and I'm just...a temporary placeholder to ensure you're not sold off to the next highest bidder."

Youngsoon's teeth sunk into her lower lip, her eyes flashing with determination. "I know it's what I agreed to," she said, her voice trembling, "but I don't think I want that anymore." Her gaze dropped for a moment before she lifted it to his, her eyes burning with intensity. "I want you," she whispered, her words barely audible as she threw her arms around his midsection.

Seokjin's arms remained stiffly at his sides, refusing to surrender to her advances. He let out a frustrated sigh and threw his head back in despair. "Youngsoon, I have a girlfriend back home," he said, his voice laced with regret. "We're planning to get married. My father called me back to Seoul, but I'm only staying out of obligation, not because I want to stay." He gently but firmly placed his hands on her shoulders and moved her away. "And even if I did stay, I wouldn't marry you. Taehyung loves you, and you love him."

But Youngsoon's words were lost in a torrent of tears as she began to sob. "I changed my mind," she wailed, her body wracked with sobs.

Seokjin's voice trembled as he tried to comfort Youngsoon. "No, don't cry," he said, his awkwardness evident as he patted her back. "It's just a misunderstanding. Let's forget all this happened. Why don't you go into the bathroom and clean your face? Then I think it would be best if you went home and said nothing about this, okay?"

But Youngsoon didn't respond, instead hurrying into the bathroom and slamming the door shut behind her.

Seokjin let out a deep breath, his mind racing with frustration. This situation was spiraling out of control. He would have to tell Taehyung that the deal was off — and fast. He couldn't continue indulging Youngsoon's fantasies. She was taking things too far. He was already risking so much without adding conflict with his cousin into the mix. He massaged the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on.

The bathroom door creaked open and Youngsoon emerged, clad only in her underwear. Seokjin's eyes widened in shock. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice strained.

Youngsoon's gaze locked onto his, her eyes burning with determination. "I want you, Kim Seokjin," she whispered. "I want you to be my first, and I always get what I want."

Seokjin turned away, his face twisted in revulsion. "Get dressed," he growled. "Now."

But Youngsoon didn't move, her eyes focused on him. "I'll make a deal with you," she murmured, taking a step closer.

Seokjin spun back around, his voice firm. "No more deals. Please just get dressed and go home. I trust you'll say nothing of this to Taehyung."

Youngsoon's eyes flashed with determination as she took another step closer. "If you make love to me, I'll never talk about this again. We don't have to get married. I just want the honeymoon. I want my first time to be with you."

Seokjin's face contorted in disgust. "Are you insane?" he spat. "Get dressed and get out. Now."

Youngsoon shrugged, her voice husky. "Maybe I am crazy," she said, her eyes never leaving his. "But I know I've never wanted any man the way I want you. From the moment I saw you at dinner the other night, I knew I had to have you."

For the first time since their conversation began, Seokjin felt a flicker of uncertainty in his chest. He tried to push it aside, but it lingered as he repeated his demand: "Get dressed and get out."

Youngsoon stood before him, her eyes burning with an unspoken challenge. "You want me, don't you?" she whispered. "That's why you're telling me to leave." She leaned into his body, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper: "Just once, don't think. This will be our secret."

"Don't do this." Seokjin's words tumbled out in a desperate plea. "I have a girlfriend," he repeated, his voice laced with shame. He didn't even push her away when she ran her hand delicately down his chest to his stomach. His body seemed to be betraying him, responding to Youngsoon's advances despite his better judgment. No, he couldn't do this. This was wrong on so many levels. Taehyung loved Youngsoon, and Seokjin had no right to lead her on.

But as he closed his eyes, his thoughts were hijacked by the memory of Luisa, waiting for him back home. He felt a pang of guilt and longing, knowing he was torn between his love for her and the lust in his body at the moment. He had to go back to her. He had to go back home.

The thought of leaving Youngsoon's arms was becoming difficult as he imagined Luisa in her place, but Seokjin knew he couldn't continue. He couldn't hurt Luisa like that. Not after all they had been through to be together. He missed her so much, and the thought of being with another woman was unbearable.

Youngsoon's breathy voice broke into his thoughts, her words husky with desire. "You're thinking again, aren't you? Don't think about anything else. Just focus on right now."

"No," he protested. "We can't do this." He tried to tear his eyes away from her.

"I can tell by the way you're looking at me that you want to," she continued, her voice low and smooth. "You want it just as much as I do. I don't just want to make it look real. I want to feel it. I want to feel you. Just this one time, that's all I ask. I'll never bother you again."

Seokjin's eyes instinctively turned away as Youngsoon's arms wrapped around his neck, her lips inches from his. He felt a surge of discomfort and resistance, but her whispered words sent shivers down his spine: "I'm yours for tonight. Do whatever you want with me. Anything. Everything. I'm begging you. I'll never say a word about this. I'm all yours." The intimacy of her declaration sent a jolt through him, making it harder to resist. "Close your eyes if you'd like."

As she pulled him down, her lips meeting his in a hungry kiss, Seokjin felt his resolve weakening.

He shouldn't be doing this, he thought, but his body seemed to have a mind of its own.

When he didn't pull away, Youngsoon smiled inwardly, sensing victory.