Luo-Yong smiled, watching the young couple as they embraced. This was what he wanted, exactly what he was looking for.

He painted what he felt, the young woman was wearing jeans and a jumper but instead he imagined her wearing a dress and even though several other couples had joined the exhibition it was only them he could truly see.

Li Na kindly escorted Y/N to the bathroom after the exhibition was over, insisting she take all the time needed to freshen up as Taehyung spoke with Luo-Yong.

One look in the mirror and she groaned, maybe Taehyung would walk home with her before dinner so she could get changed.

The thought of Taehyung made her blush, remembering the way his lips had captured her own only moments before.

It was a perfect moment.

"Everything okay?" Li rapped her knuckles on the door a couple of times before slowly pushing it open and popping her head around, a duchenne smile pulling at her plump crimson lips.

"I'm supposed to be having dinner after this and look at me." Y/N chuckled, fingers tugging at the knots in her wet hair, lips pulled down at the corners.

"Maybe I can be of service." Li smiled, gliding gracefully through the door to stand behind Y/N.

"Wow, that dress is gorgeous. Are you going out somewhere?" Y/N couldn't help but stare, Li was insanely beautiful.

The striking black gown seemed to hug against every curve, tapering in at the waist before flaring out with the hem reaching just above her slender ankles.

Y/N was enraptured and she didn't even look at women that way, yet something about Li could tempt even her to experiment and she blushed at the thought.

A soft chuckle broke her reverie, Li now standing beside her as she applied another coat of lipstick.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Y/N asked, brow furrowed apologetically.

"I said that Luo is taking me out for dinner tonight before we head to the airport, he wishes to celebrate another successful exhibition. I also offered my assistance, you seem in dire need of a new outfit and a hairdryer." Li smirked as Y/N shuffled nervously from one foot to the next, water in her boots squelching.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, incredibly romantic to stand beneath the rain and share a kiss with Taehyung but now she wasn't so sure.

She was drenched from head to toe.

Not exactly glamorous or appealing.

"You really don't have to help me, I wouldn't want to make you late for your dinner."

"Nonsense, Luo won't mind when I explain what kept me and besides he's probably doing the same for your date. I think you're about my size, I have my luggage with me as we're leaving for New York after dinner for the next exhibition. I'm sure one of my outfits will be perfect for you, there's one I've got in mind already."

Y/N shook her head, the offer was incredibly generous but she couldn't accept.

It was too much.

"That's so kind of you but I couldn't accept that, why would you want to help me anyway?"

Li didn't even know her, why the sudden desire to help?

Why did she always get anxious in situations like this?

"Not everyone has an ulterior motive, sometimes a person can want to help and besides." Li paused, soft hands on her shoulders as she turned Y/N around.

"You remind me a little of myself when I was your age, far too self conscious when you certainly don't need to be."

Y/N was surprised to hear that someone like Li could ever feel self conscious, she appeared so well put together but then again you can never truly know what a person feels if they hide it well enough....she should know, she was an expert especially since the accident.

"I don't know your story but what I do know is that you're incredibly beautiful and shouldn't be afraid to show it, a woman isn't defined by what she wears or the man on her arm." Li places a finger under Y/N's chin, applying a gentle pressure and smiling once their eyes finally meet.

"Keep your chin lifted, shoulders back and walk out of here like you own the whole damn world. It's 'that' which makes people pay attention, they certainly will never forget a woman with confidence regardless of what she looks like."

Y/N felt her heart swell with something she wasn't quite sure of but managed a nod as Li opened her case.

"Time to get you ready for that date."

~

Taehyung watched with a smile as Li escorted Y/N to the bathroom, it seemed like a perfect romantic notion at the time. The two of them kissing in the rain was definitely a moment to remember but now he was standing in wet clothes,  ash coloured hair sticking to his forehead.

Yet he couldn't bring himself to care because that kiss was everything he hoped it would be, everything he imagined and more.

It was perfect.

Y/N was perfect.

"There's another bathroom just down the hall if you want to use it." Luo-Yong smirked, watching with amusement dancing in his dark eyes.

"I'll take you up on that offer, was hoping we could discuss something first though." Taehyung approached the easel, eyes widening when they fell across the canvas.

"That's incredible, that's how you imagined us?"

Luo nodded, looking back at the canvas.

"I like to create my own interpretation, paint what I feel and not necessarily what I see in front of me. I take it your an artist too?"

"What makes you say that?" Taehyung cocks a brow quizzically, eyes finally moving away from the canvas to look at Luo.

"It's only something another artist would notice, the paint around your nails." Luo smiled, motioning to the faded sage which Taehyung thought had washed off earlier in the shower.

"I wouldn't exactly call myself a professional, amateur really when it comes to painting but I do own my own tattoo studio."

"Tattoos are art too, don't sell yourself short."

"I suppose you're right, art can be expressed in many different ways. I'm Taehyung by the way, Kim Taehyung and I've been a big fan of yours for a while now." Taehyung offered his hand, offering a polite smile as Luo got to his feet.

"Good to meet you Taehyung, your support is much appreciated." Luo took Taehyung's hand in a firm hold before letting it drop back by his side.

"You had a question for me?"

Taehyung gave a nod, hoping they could come to an arrangement.

"The piece you created this evening, once you've displayed it at your final exhibition would you be willing to part with it for the right price?" Taehyung didn't struggle for money but he wasn't exactly rich either, hopefully the price wouldn't be too expensive.

"I'll tell you what, I'll give you the piece for an affordable price if you can do two things for me."

Taehyung furrowed his brow, intrigued as to what these two things could possibly be. Luo continued on before he could even ask....

"The two of you come along to my final exhibition in Seoul next month so those invited can see the inspiration for the piece in person and second....you allow me to lend you a suit for tonight."

Taehyung cocked a brow, did 'the' Luo Yong just invite him along to his final exhibition? That was a huge deal and dream come true for him, he would definitely fanboy about that later but first....

"What makes you think I need a suit?"

"My assistant mentioned that you were on a date this evening, not just any date either but a first date.  I admire your spontaneity, stepping out from beneath the umbrella like you did has helped me create something for my final exhibition. It's only fair that I now lend you something dry to wear, we seem to be a similar height and size. I'm heading to the airport after finishing up here, have another exhibition in New York so have my luggage with me. What do you say Kim Taehyung, we can talk about this tattoo studio of yours too."

Taehyung was planning on changing before his date with Y/N, it wouldn't take him long to walk back to her place before heading to his own but he found himself accepting Luo's generous offer and besides it was also a chance to discuss his own work and he wasn't about to pass that up.

~

"Well, look at you." Li clicked the lid back on her lipstick, eyes falling across Y/N.

"You sure this doesn't show too much skin? I've never worn anything like this before, it's so glamorous and I'm the complete opposite." Y/N stared at her reflection in the mirror, eyes widening.

She couldn't wear this, maybe it wasn't too late to go home and change.

"You're overthinking and there's no need." Li hushed the younger woman, fingers slowly pulling her hair back so it fell in waves down the exposed part of her neck.

"You like him right?"

Y/N gave a nod, of course she did....who wouldn't like someone like Kim Taehyung.

"I do, I really do."

"I can tell he likes you too, the way he looks at you." Li smiled.

"How does he look at me?" Y/N asked, intrigued.

Li tilted her head, smiling as she stepped back to admire her work.

"Like you're the only woman in the room."

~

Taehyung thanked Luo for his help, promising to return the suit when he attended his exhibition the following month and now he stood nervously by the doors waiting for Y/N to make her appearance.

He wondered what was taking so long, did he make her feel uncomfortable with the kiss.

Why was he suddenly nervous?

"Taehyung." The sound of her voice, soft and a little hesitant got his attention and he turned.

His breath hitched

His heart raced

And in that moment he believed what Namjoon said, that it was entirely possible to fall in love within a short period of time.

Y/N nibbled nervously on her bottom lip as Taehyung moved closer.

"Captivating, bewitching, enchanting and not for one second do I want you doubting that." Taehyung breathed out, lips ghosting over her own as their foreheads came to rest together.

"You look very handsome." Y/N finally spoke, voice wavering slightly from the nerves.

"I want to kiss you but the moment I do.....I simply won't be able to stop." Taehyung took her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it.

What was she doing to him?

"You ready?" He asked, linking their fingers together.

Y/N nodded, ready to follow Taehyung to the ends of the earth if that's what he asked of her.

~

Luo watched as the couple left the exhibition hand in hand.

"Oh no, I know that look." Li chuckled as she approached her friend.

"What would that look be exactly?" He smirked, brow cocked.

"It's the look you get when inspiration strikes."

"You know me too well." Luo chuckled, eyes falling across his friend. "You look fabulous by the way."

"Stop trying to butter me up, what do you want?" Li smiled, moving her arm through his when he offered.

"I don't want anything, just decided to change some things around at the final exhibition." Luo guided them through to the exit, he was well aware his friend  had questions but he wasn't about to reveal anything just yet.

He had his reasons for helping Taehyung and for insisting Li did the same by lending the girl a dress.

Li knew Luo was struggling with what to include in his final exhibition, the two had spent many sleepless nights going over different ideas to no avail so this revelation certainly came as a surprise to her.

Is this why he insisted on helping the couple tonight?

"Oh, you've finally come up with an idea?"

"Indeed." Luo smirked, refusing to give anything away just yet but one thing for was for sure....it was going to be his best work yet so long as Taehyung kept his promise.

(( I'm so sorry guys! This ended up soooooo long compared to what I normally post and I'm going to have to separate this and the date 🤣 the date will now be the next chapter, which I'm currently working on. I hope you liked this one! Hit that star button if you did and please leave your thoughts! What promise did Taehyung make to Luo?! What will the final exhibition include? What did you think of Luo and Li, would you like to see more of their characters? Thanks so much for your patience, more updates for all my stories will be coming tonight and tomorrow. 💜❤💜❤💜❤💜❤))