~ And Time's Forever Frozen Still ~

* Y/N'S POV *

Lights. Mesmerizing lights all across the city. But there is always darkness in my heart. And in front of me. I absentmindedly touch my cheeks and wince slightly. 

"Everything alright, ma'am?", the chauffeur asked as he drove me to the venue. 

I nodded and offered him a smile and went back to focussing on the lights that lit up the entire Times Square. It was a busy evening and tons of people shopped and laughed while I could only stare at their smiles and envy them. Their happiness was what I yearned for. Instead, all I got was purple and black bruises, which I had to cover. 

I put my cheek against the cool glass window and closed my eyes. I hated being thrust into the spotlight. But no matter how much I protested, all of it fell onto deaf ears. And if I was unlucky enough, another bruise would be added to my body. 

I didn't want to trouble Jimin. I knew he would take some drastic action against Chris and it would lead to even further debts of our company. 

So, all I could do was get married to Chris and let everyone be at peace. 

"We've arrived ma'am. If you please.", the chauffeur said as he stopped the car in front of the entrance and the car door was held open by one of the attendants. 

As soon as I got down, I was blinded by the camera flashes and deafened by the yells of the reporters hurling their questions at me. "This way, ma'am.", one of the attendants in complete black garb escorted me into the brightly lit and extravagantly decorated hallway straight out from some 16th Century rom-com. 

"Park Y/N.", I said to the man with the guest list at the entrance. Behind him two glass doors gave a preview of what the entire ballroom might look like. 

"Have a great evening, ma'am. It is our pleasure to have you over.", the doorman said as he held the door open upon getting the nod of approval from his superior. I offered him a small smile as I stepped into the extravagantly decorated room with dazzling lights and everything set in brown and gold. 

I searched around to spot either my brother or Chris, but couldn't find either. I had the horrible feeling of being thrust into an ocean filled with people with no life support to hold on to. I hated going to elite gatherings and having to put on a false smile throughout the evening. I'd trade my social status anyday with another girl. Money was a temporary and wanton possession. It changes hand the very next minute. 

"Y/N.", I heard someone utter my name from behind and the very next minute a sharp pain shot up through my upper arm as that same person gripped it tightly. I turned around to find Chris towering over me with a cold expression. 

"C-Chris!", I squeaked as I winced slightly in pain. A smirk formed on his lips as he squeezed the injured place even further. 

"It hurts, doesn't it? This better be a reminder for any future stunts you were planning to pull off.", Chris said with suppressed anger in his voice as he let go of my arm. "Now, behave in front of my parents. Smile and be pretty. That's all you're capable of. Otherwise, you're a useless piece of shit.", Chris said scornfully as he looked at the crowd and smiled. 

I tried to stop the tears from spilling out and fixed a fake ass smile on my face. I had to play the role of the perfect fiance today. If I fail to do so and let a crack form in my composure, Chris wouldn't let it go easily. 

"Chris darling! How lovely to see you!", a middle aged lady suddenly stood in front of us both. I quickly put on a smile as I saw her hug Chris. A middle aged man too stood next to her and was the next one to exchange the same form of greetings. 

"It is good to see you too, mother and father.", he said as he smiled at them, his smile similar to the brightness of his blond hair. "Mother. Father. This is Park Y/N, my beautiful fiance.", he said as he rested his hand at the small of my back and smiled down at me. I smiled back at him and bowed slightly at his parents. 

"From the Park Enterprises, I suppose?", Mrs. Jenson asked as she scrutinised me from head to toe. 

"Yes, Mrs. Jenson.", I said as I tried to keep the small smile on my face intact, my facade not slipping for even a second. After a few minutes, she nodded in approval and placed a slight kiss on my cheek. "Welcome to the family, my darling daughter-in-law.", she said with a smile that mimicked the diamonds that shone on her neck. 

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Y/N.", Mr. Jenson said as he lightly kissed the back of my hand.

"The pleasure's mine, Mr. Jenson.", I said with a tight smile. He chuckled as he nodded at Chris, meaning that I had got his approval as well. Well, this round goes to me, I suppose. 

"We've heard so much about you from Chris. But nothing can compare to what we see in front of us.", Mr. Jenson said as he smiled at the two of us. I grimaced internally. 

"Father. Let's sit at our table and continue our conversation. The other attendees must be already over there.", Chris said as he lead the way whilst pulling me along with him by the arm. I winced in pain as I tried to keep up with him. I felt like I was a dog on a leash. As we neared our table, I saw that Jimin and Hobi were already seated. A few women were also present, but none that I knew about. I suddenly realized my lack of social acquaintances and how little I knew about Chris and his people. 

"Mr. Jung. Mr. Park. It is our greatest honour to have you here.", Mr. Jenson said as he shook hands with them. "We both offer our sincere thanks for the honourable invitation, Mr. Jenson.", Jimin said while Hobi nodded. 

"Y/N. I want you to meet Mr. Jung Hoseok. He's one of the most influential businessmen of our country. He is one of Jenson Corporations shareholders as well.", Mr. Jenson introduced me as I was seated between Chris and Jimin. 

"It is my pleasure to meet him, but I'm afraid that I'm already acquainted with him.", I said as I looked at Chris to continue. "He's her cousin, father.", Chris said as Mr. Jenson's eyes widened in shock. "Oh! I seem to have made a terrible mistake. Pardon me.", Mr. Jenson said as Hobi smiled his beautiful smile at Mr. Jenson. 

"Y/N. I would like you to meet Chris's childhood friend, Leah Benjamin. She's like a daughter to us.", Mrs. Jenson said as she looked at a young girl sitting right beside Chris. Funny enough, I had not noticed her earlier. 

"It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance.", I said pleasantly, although I felt just the opposite. 

She looked at me and scrunching up her nose, she said in a monotone,"Likewise. Please take good care of Chris. He's a precious friend." I smiled at the last bit, which must've looked more like a grimace, and for that, Chris kicked me in the shin to make me realize my folly. I winced almost inaudibly as I looked straight out in front of me and balled my hands into fists to control the tears. 

"I'm sorry that I'm late.", a thick accented voice came as distraction the very next minute. I looked up to find Taehyung dressed in a semi-formal attire while he sported his eccentric blue hair to all present. 

"And who might you be?", Mr. Jenson asked with a frown. 

"Mr. Jenson. He's Y/N's and my distinguished friend from Korea. I hope you don't have a problem that he's attending the ceremony as well.", Jimin stepped in as the stewards put an extra chair to accommodate the newcomer. 

"I see. May we have the pleasure of knowing your name, good sir?", Leah asked from across the table. 

"Kim Taehyung. It's a pleasure to meet you.", he said as he didn't spare me even a side glance while all I could do was gape at him. 

I looked at Jimin who merely shrugged and whispered,"Enjoy it while it lasts."

"He's the guy with you on the tabloids, isn't he?", Chris whispered as he tried to keep his smile on, his pretense never fading. But it was his eyes that betrayed him. 

"Y-Yes.", I whispered back as I kept my eyes trained at the empty dish plate in front of me. 

"Well, I guess there's still some honesty left in you.", Chris said as he relaxed into his chair and started talking to Leah. I turned to find Jimin and Hobi conversing with Mr. Jenson while Mrs. Jenson attended to her various acquaintances, each belonging to one corporate family or the other. 

The only people who weren't involved in any conversation was Taehyung and I. But I didn't dare to try and begin a conversation with him. Chris wouldn't let me see the end of it. And who knows if he harms Taehyung or destroys his career? I couldn't let that happen to Taehyung on my account. It's better if we kept our distance. 

Suddenly, one of my earrings became loose and fell on the floor. I tried to pick it up whilst sitting, but my fingers were way too short. Something I had in common with Jimin. I looked around the table to find everyone engaged in their own little conversations and taking the opportunity, bent down swiftly and went underneath the table. But what came into my view was something I had not expected to see in a million years. I averted my eyes from the scene and quickly scooping up my earring I sat up straight, biting my trembling lips. My heart raced as tears formed in my eyes. Could people be so hypocritical? My limit had been exceeded for the evening. I needed to escape. I needed time to compose myself once more. 

"Please excuse me, I need to visit the ladies room.", I said softly as I stood up and looked at Chris who hadn't even spared me a second glance. He was engrossed in whatever Leah had to say and in brushing of strands off hair from her face. 

With whatever dignity I had left in me, I refused to see my fiance and another woman acting in a affectionate manner. 

As I walked down the halls, my heels clicking against the floor, the tears spilled out of my eyes. I threw open the door of the ladies room and slumped down on the floor, not bothered about spoiling the dress which would've cost me an arm and a limb to buy under normal circumstances. 

Seconds later, I heard the door being opened again and fear struck in my heart. What if someone had followed me in here. I had nowhere to escape to. And I looked a crying mess with mascara running down my cheeks spoiling the makeup which had taken an hour to do. I turned my back to the person who had entered, hoping they'd leave quickly. 

"Y/N...are you ok?", a male's voice sounded behind me as he put a hand on my shoulders. I panicked at the close proximity and screamed with my hands over my head and eyes shut tightly,"Please don't hurt me! Please don't hurt me, Chris! I'll do anything for you!" If it was truly Chris, he would be carving a few more bruises on my back. That was the only place that he had yet not adorned with his cruelty. 

"It's not Chris. It's me, Taehyung.", the male's voice spoke again as he turned me around and pried my eyes open and made me look at his deep brown irises. 

"T-Taehyung...", I said as I heaved a sigh of relief while fresh tears appeared at the corner of my eyes. He cupped my cheek in his hand and said,"What is it, Y/N?" 

"I-I...it's nothing. I'm just slightly feeling out of place.", I lied as I didn't want Taehyung to know the real reason of my tears. 

"Is that why you shouted those words? Did Chris hurt you?", he said as he kept a firm grip on me and had me cornered against the wall albeit in a sitting posture. 

My eyes widened. I grimaced internally trying to find a lie to cover it up with. 

"Does he hurt you physically, Y/N? Answer me truthfully.", Taehyung said sternly. I felt like a deer caught in a hunter's trap with no possible way of escape. If Taehyung knew the truth, he would alert Jimin and Hobi about it and they'd take steps which would affect their companies in many ways. One shouldn't make enemies with the Jensons unless their lives aren't precious to them.

"N-No! W-Why would he!?", I said in a nervous manner, trying to keep the trembling out of it. Taehyung stared at me for a whole minute before he said,"Stand up. Ask no questions." 

"T-Taehyung...what is the matter?", I asked, frightened by his tone. He didn't answer as he stood up and held his hand out to me. Taking it, I stood up, my eyes never leaving his blank and masked expression. What was exactly going on in that brain of yours, Kim Taehyung? 

The very next minute, he spun me around and pushed me against the wall. He then undid the zip of my gown and pushed it down from my shoulders, exposing my upper arm where the bruise was. Where the...bruise was...

My eyes widened as I realized his intentions. If I wouldn't tell him what ailed me, he would find out himself. He spun me around once me as I pulled the gown up so that it covered my breasts. Not that those could be called breasts. Taehyung chuckled at my pitiful attempt. Of course...if he wanted he could rip my gown into shreds. He examined my shoulder and touched the bruised area while I bit down on my lower lip, a metallic taste on my tongue. 

"Did Chris do this to you?", he asked softly as he finally looked at me. 

"Y-Yes...", I said as I averted my eyes from his face. "Please don't tell Jimin and Hobi!", I added. 

"Fuck, Y/N! Since when has he been doing this to you!?", Taehyung asked as he ran his fingers through his hair. 

"S-Since I moved in with him.", I confessed in a meek voice. The last person I wanted to tell this to was Kim Taehyung. Knowing the fact that he's over-protective of me makes this a hundred times worse. 

He sighed as he looked at me. "Did you take some medicine for this?" I shook my head which made him scowl. 

"This isn't right, Y/N. You have to talk to Jimin about it. He's breaking you.", Taehyung said as he pulled me close to him. 

"Please don't tell Jimin or Hobi. Please, Taehyung.", I said as I buried my face in his chest. I didn't want either of them to know about this. 

"Y/N...you're asking a lot from me...", Taehyung muttered in my hair, tightening the embrace further. 

"Please, Taehyung...I'll deal with it soon enough...", I lied, not even having a clue how I'd get out of this vicious cycle. 

I heard him sigh and after a minute or so, he said,"Fine. 2 weeks. That's how long I can keep my lips sealed about it. How dare that fucking bastard inflict such pain upon you!?" 

"Thank you, Taehyung. Thank you so much.", I said with gratitude. Taehyung smiled at me as he zipped up my dress and said,"Apply some medicine, Y/N. I can't bear to see you hurt like this." I nodded at him as I left the ladies room. I don't even know how long I was in there. But most likely Chris will not miss me. He's way too enamoured with Leah. Suddenly, I saw his figure walking down the hallway towards me. I sucked in a sharp breath and tried to calm my racing heart as I walked in his direction. 

"Where were you!? The ceremony is about to begin!", he whisper shouted at me as he dragged me back into the hall. Back into the prison of the elites. 

At this point, I missed only one thing. 

The warmth of Taehyung's arms.

Or merely, just Taehyung. 

A/n: 2797 words :) A lot, but if you've read it all, ily bye <3

P.S : That's Y/N's dress in the header 

- Logging off for now...

- 💕Moonie💕