【Ｃ Ｌ Ａ Ｉ Ｒ Ｖ Ｏ Ｙ Ａ Ｎ Ｃ Ｅ】

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

21st October 2019

Hannah

"Say Aaah," Jin sang with his soft melodic voice and I sighed, turning away. If serving food was his way of apologizing, I wanted him to know I still didn't forgive him yet. Well! Not any of them. Their promises were just like providing supplemental oxygen before dropping me into a sea of sharks.

Fuck their promises

They were as empty as the list of my admirers

Fuck myself for believing their bullcrap

"Seaweed soup is good for you. Come on, you haven't eaten anything except for those bitter shit of medicines. Don't tell me you have a weird interest in them or I will have to get you checked again," Jin blabbered and I looked everywhere except him, not giving an ear to his whines and tricks to have me speak to him.

"Hannah, listen," Jin ordered, not in a monotonous tone or he would have been dead with the daggers I shoot through my eyes. There was so much anger piling inside me that I so wish to lock them in a cage of African Cape Buffalos and have the key handing around one of their horns.

"I am so sorry. This was the third time I am apologizing and I am ready to do any number of times you want. I didn't mean to put you in such an ordeal and underestimated the other side's efficiency," he mouthed and I scoffed, rolling my eyes in annoyance.

And they call themselves an underground organization

"Hey hey, please. I don't usually plead with someone so bad so trust me, I am being genuine and repentant about what happened to you. Fuck! You weren't even supposed to take part in the mission in the first case," he grunted, running his long, sleek fingers through his glossy hair.

Wow! They had someone prepared to have their head under the guillotine before me

That person had luck slapping him/her twice

And death playing me the scene of cheese and mice.

In 8D, to be precise

"If Jisoo had not got an emergency, none of this would have happened. Ugh! That brat of a lady," Jin groaned and I cocked my brows in question. It's been days that I was partially breathing and partially on the verge of shuffling off this mortal coil and yet, these people talk about the names that I have never heard of as if I was their telepathist.

Maybe, someday I should start practicing clairvoyance too

Who knows I would be waking up in a pirate ship next time?

"Please Jin, I don't know who the fuck is Jisoo now. I can't accept your apology right now and if you think that I don't have a heart, I will not explain myself. Firstly, I wasn't even here on my will and I don't want to be a sitting duck in your whatsoever operations," I snapped at him, followed by a painful hiss with the sudden outstretch of my facial muscles on the spur of a moment.

"Hey, are you okay?" He panicked, checking on my face and I nodded, ignoring his warm gestures. I knew I was being too mean to him but the moment when all the men were mercilessly kicking me and hurting me, the time when they were taunting me for being alone and powerless was still beleaguering my mind. Nightmares were ghosting my sleep and though I wanted to convince myself that I was feeling okay and could get through this, I knew for sure.

I wasn't

I wasn't feeling okay

"Hannah, I wish Jungkook was here so that you would eat properly but he isn't. I knew what we did was very wrong and unacceptable. I know how many times you were bundled up in our messed-up missions but believe me for once, I don't like to see any bruise on you. I would be the first one to flip the tables away if they draw out such a plan," Jin affirmed with a straight face and sat down beside me, holding the bowl of seaweed soup carefully.

"I read Namjoon the Riot Act by Jin as well for doing that to you. You are not a sitting duck to me. Ducks are cute but you are more than just that. So, please be an obedient kid now and have this soup, no? For the sake of me making this thing in the kitchen, postponing a whole board meeting?" he pleaded, displaying a huge ass pout and I suppressed my smile at his way of persuading me.

"Say aah now," he drawled the words again and I parted my lips to slurp down whatever soup he shoves into my mouth. My eyes beamed as the hot delicious soup sparked up my taste buds, enlivening my will to eat and the warmth satisfying my throat.

Temptations are evil

Food is one of them

"You like it? I've added special spices for you and the flavors of Jinnie's touch," he flaunted his cooking skills and I chuckled at him calling himself with a nickname. One thing I observed about Jin was he never failed to create a cheerful vibe across the room but at the same time, he dwells somewhere in his mind silently.

"Jisoo is my personal secretary. She was the one who nursed you and changed your clothes while you were unconscious. She is a nice one but pretty annoying at the same time," Jin spoke about his so-called secretary and I nodded. I remembered Jungkook mentioning her without revealing her name.

"I heard you met Jimin, Yoongi, and Hobi. How were they? Before you say Yoongi was silent and looked like a man of dark mystery, let me tell you. That's a shadow he portrays, you can ignore him just like a banana peel," he jested and I huffed out a breath. 

He's trying every way to make me feel light, to make me speak to him

He's trying too hard

Why is he so nice to me when all I wanted to do was be angry at him?

"Yoongi was fine. Hoseok was too friendly and Jimin was okay as well. The three talked to me well and I felt awkward when they knew so much about me and all I knew were their names, not sure which one belonged to whom," I briefed my abnormal interaction with the three humans who apparently caught me on time before I could showcase a grand appearance to hell.

I don't belong to Heaven

Lucifer is my type

"That's great. Jimin and Yoongi getting along with people usually creep me out but then, if it's with you, I don't have grave concerns," Jin muttered, gesturing me to open my mouth so he could feed me the soup. 

"Jin, is there a chance that I could part ways with Armor? Anytime soon?" I asked, desperate for an answer. This was the right time to get him to speak, considering the condition I was in. He was feeling penitent and was trying to do numerous things to get on good terms with me. If I could coax him a bit, then there could be a possibility to walk out of this place and lead my not-so-normal life.

Armor had all the men who could fit into tons of skills that I needed to sharpen to carry out my forage but at the same time, Armor was highly confidential and wasn't under me. I could exploit their resources to achieve my goals but I wasn't up for a risk, not forgetting the time I was almost caught by some mysterious person. 

It would be insane to engineer it in the right way since Armor would definitely try and pry over my personal life and I couldn't eradicate the probability of one of them playing a significant role in my parents' assassination. Their ingenuity and efficiency in dealing with people of prominence was anything someone would look for to cause chaos to an influential family.

I didn't happen to find anything that was connected to my parents' murder and the lifestyle of Armor's members but I didn't wish to erode away the minuscule fragment of my mind pointing fingers at them.

"Let's talk about it some other time. Now, have this last spoon," Jin's velvety voice was successful in breaking my chain of thoughts and I sipped the last spoon of soup. He smiled, probably feeling glad that he was successful in rerouting my question but he didn't. 

"You are precious to us, princess. So please be careful and think twice before you attempt something stupid. You don't want a ruckus when everything's going smooth, do you?" he asked, stretching his rosy lips thin, popping out a fond smile adorably. 

Look at me calling him adorable when he obliquely admonished me to not cause any trouble here

Kudos to you, dear princess

And what's with them and their nicknames, lately?

One associates me with poop and the other, with a royal title

A forbidden princess, perhaps

"We wouldn't treat you like this when we are potential enough to tear any kind of mob to shreds. Reason? None of us know but the least we expect from you is your loyalty. Don't betray us, Hannah," Jin spoke eloquently while rubbing off the liquid at the corners of my lips with a tissue and I simply nodded, anxiety triggering inside me incessantly, dancing salsa on the hot charcoal flakes. 

They are immaculately powerful and reek of riches, two great factors to cogitate about before busting a gut on something insane and futile. I never envisioned my fate being determined by the members of an organization whose existence was an ocean away from my place till a few days ago.

"Now, now, I've set all the Disney movies in the Tablet PC and you can watch them all day you want. I personally love Frozen and Tangled but you can watch the others as well. Time to be a real princess, " Jin cooed as if his other split personality woke up from a tiny power nap.

Now a forbidden princess got to watch the fairytale princesses

"I always dreamt of watching Disney movies with my daughter but life's like walking on an electric wire, not to forget with a stick in the hands to balance," he laughed, squeezing the tip of my nose and I scrunched in response. One thing I didn't fail to notice was his laugh which seemed half-hearted as if adorned by an inside pain.

"A family with kids is a bundle of joy that was too far to reach for any of us. But then, we are still a family as long as we are together and you don't look any less to a kid, princess," he tousled my hair lovingly, his endearing smile emerging again, complementing his cherubic face.

"Did I get emotional now?" He asked and I nodded.

"Woah! Hey there, who said I did? Don't go Delulu~" he sang, followed by a tiny cackle and I tittered. Though he also made me the fish in a restricted aquarium like the others, he didn't give me the vibe of being filleted later on. 

I am just a pet in their waters

Jump out of it for air and I die

"Once I am informed that you can start eating all the varieties of foods, your room will turn into a restaurant," he winked, patting my head and I grinned. Too many shades of him were hard to take in and comprehend to conclude which emotion he holds along each line. But he wasn't unpredictable. Jungkook was so different when I first encountered him. He was spewing profanities like a shipwrecked sailor.

Jin is different

He is protective and willed

But he is harmless

"Shall I attend my board meeting now? I don't think it would be nice for a CEO to slack off his responsibilities," Jin uttered, a bit hesitantly but I was dumbfounded when he referred to himself as a CEO.

Isn't it Namjoon?

"I guess I forgot to tell you. I am the real CEO and Namjoon's a fake," he spoke and silence surrounded us for a second. And the next moment, I found him guffawing with his shiny white teeth full-on display.

Why don't they leave this dangerous job and work as models for commercials?

A tooth-paste commercial would suit him best

"That's a pretty good joke. You should laugh along," he jested and I wondered if he was always like that. But then, I still couldn't achieve the clarification from him. It also struck me that I shouldn't be bothering my hamstrung mind to know the real CEO. Being nosy only welcomes hassle, like it did when I snooped around in Soobin's business that night.

"Take care then. If you need anything, the guards will assist you. I arranged two of them outside your room so just call them without any hesitation," he assured me and I bobbed my head in acknowledgment. Why am I so precious to them that they even had to arrange two guards outside my room, both for keeping me confined and reassuring my safety?

Holding the empty ceramic bowl, Jin stood from his seat and left the room after patting my head like I usually do to my Max. Just as he closed the door ajar, I stretched my arms wide and let out a long yawn. Extending my arms lifelessly, my hands succeeded in reaching the Tablet that Jin provided me for entertainment purposes solely.

After a thorough search of almost all empty folders, I finally found the movies in a folder with a ridiculous label, 'Princess'. Tapping on the file that displayed a thumbnail of a blondie hanging in the air with her hair, not to forget the real character, the chameleon. I chuckled to myself, reminiscing the time I watched the movie along with my mother and sister.

"Don't be dummy, come to mummy. Motheeeeeeer knows BEST!"

───※ ·❆· ※───

"Jungkook, stop it now. Ugh!" I groaned and a few gales of laughter followed by, lighting the vibe of the pool area. Jungkook continued splashing handfuls of water on me tirelessly, eliminating my chances to strike a goal of water splash against him.

The warm waters brushing my legs eased my stress and loosened up my muscles. But then, it wasn't just my legs that were soaked right now and I would push all the blame on Jungkook. That little bunny monster was trying to prove his steadfastness in being the No.1 Water Splasher. 

Jungkook arrived early and simply carried me to the swimming pool area without even addressing a word. It wasn't like I would climb a tree on seeing water. I just didn't know how to swim and had a tragic memory with waters but that doesn't count me to schizz out on seeing a water body.

What touched my heart was him arranging a tray of pool snacks and drinks in advance, making sure that they could be consumed by this post-surgical patient. I was totally flattered by his warm gesture, resulting in mini-explosions and colossal flutters in my heart.

After chilling ourselves with the sour cold snacks, he convinced me to perch on the edge of the pool, promising me that he wouldn't pull any silly prank of plunging me into the water. Taking off his shirt and pants, he dunked himself into the pool with only his boxers and sleeveless undervest on.

God! Please spare these eyes for tonight

And then the remarkable fight of water splashing began and he adhered to his policy of 'I lose to none', rendering his services of drenching me with mammoth water-spattering.

The cold, sterile, lonesome aura that the mansion reflected until a few moments ago was brushed off with his exuberant presence and mood-uplifting acts. He was an ideal package, combined with the spice of visuals and the sweet of ardor, paving the path to a black hole of unanswered qualms and unsolicited affection.

I was smothered and contained in this place by these men and anyone could call it ridiculous for fancying one of them and giving in too easily but it wasn't always in my control to pull the brake every time there was a diversion directing towards my feelings. I wanted to walk through that lane and explore myself a little more. 

I want to know what I want apart from the revenge

I want to sway a little

I wasn't sure if it was Jungkook's ambiance or the ultimate fucked up version of life I stepped into that was luring me into these thoughts but I desperately needed a break, an aversion to breathe normally again. I was positive that V would haul me to the ring and recommence his ruthless training once I recover completely.

I wish I could refuse

But V isn't as nice as Jungkook and Jin

"Yo! Poopy Coopy? I just gave a chance to you but then you were floating somewhere else. I am still not taking that as an excuse so here I go," he tittered and continued sloshing water at me clumsily while tried dodging his attacks, using my hands as a defense.

"ARE YOU TWO CRAZY?"

A sharp yell made me jerk out of blue and I turned to see V glowering at us. Jungkook picked himself quickly and got out of the pool while I stood up, trying to presume his reason of anger, and probably sought out a reasonable excuse as well. But then, I didn't have much time to circle around my presumptions.

 I glanced at V sauntering towards us and then at Jungkook, who looked equally confused at the older's sullen, searing expression. He looked so angry that I could imagine dazzling smoke on his sides like they show in the animated movies.

Fuck! I shouldn't have spent all my day watching Disney cartoons

"Are you out of mind, Jungkook? Don't you know Miss Cooper's hand was injured and should not get in contact with moisture? And what do you think the time is? What if she catches a cold?" he yelled at Jungkook fiercely and Jungkook lowered his head.

"I am sorry but I set the water warm. Even then, I know it's not good for her. I just wanted to help her fix her mood," Jungkook muttered and V flicked his hair furiously.

"She had always been reckless but I didn't expect this from you. Jin hyung would skin you alive if he gets to know about this," V let out a frustrated sigh and tapped his legs vigorously, clenching his jaw in evident displeasure. 

"Just go and check on those five little shits. They caught the men who were involved in child prostitution and pimping," V ordered and Jungkook nodded, rushing his steps in the direction where he left his clothes before giving me a small apologetic smile.

"Teach them a nice lesson before you hand them to the cops," V added and Jungkook showed a thumbs-up in return.

"Did Jimin hyung and Yoongi hyung return as well?" Jungkook asked and V shook his head in negation. I was wondering when they started practicing talking about their jobs so openly in front of me. Even Jin mentioned his board meeting in the morning. This was utterly new and eerily strange.

"Kyung Mi isn't feeling well so Jimin left early to his place. Yoongi hyung wanted to stay late as he had some unfinished works. Jin hyung and Namjoon hyung had arrived and were inspecting the CCTV footage like usual. We left Hobi hyung at the gas station when he was ordering us a take-out. He is on his way in a cab with our dinner as well as a long-ass emotional confrontation," V presented the whole scene of their current states and Jungkook chortled at the last part.

Who is Kyung Mi now?

Why would they leave someone at a gas station?

Why that person and not me?

"Help her back to the room. I will go and take care of the filth," Jungkook muttered and left the place, not even bidding a small bye. That wasn't the serious concern anyway. Leaving me all along with this spine-tingling tower of an arrogant jerk, enhancing chemical reactions in my stomach.

"To think like you are a five-year-old," he mumbled and held my shoulders, tugging me in front of him gently. I stayed silent for a moment waiting for him to spit a blunt and bitter remark but nothing except the sound of the soft breeze and the light water patters coursed through my ears.

I froze when I felt something warm was draped over my body and didn't dare to turn around. His masculine, veiny hands adjusting the fabric just right around my shoulder had my breath hitched for a moment. V caring about me abruptly was an odd combination of foreign and familiar feelings, like a deranged gunman with the right aim.

"Are you sick of staying in that room already?" he asked as he strode his steps ahead. I hummed and followed his trail. I remembered the way back to the room as I landmarked a few notable lamplights and variant color schemes with each passing hallway and doorways that probably lead to massive chambers.

"We will go out tomorrow. I have an off so I will be taking you tomorrow. Jin hyung told me that it is not healthy to have you boxed up in a room all day," he mouthed without exchanging a glance and my ears perked up at his words. Going outside seemed amusing but going outside with him showed me the signs of an awful day ahead, right in front of my eyes.

Imagine spending time with a stone

Or a human Sunbear

"Save the blazer, it's Versace. Change your clothes and dress up warm. I will send a nurse to assist you with the dressings and Yeonjun will get your dinner. Yeonjun was never involved in the decision-making so don't be mad at him like you are at us," he spoke and I nodded, stepping inside the room without emitting a sound.

I was supposed to be angry at him

Not silent

───※ ·❆· ※───

22nd October 2019

"Enjoy the date," Jin cheered and I nudged his elbow to stay quiet. He was overexcited for nothing, gifting me a light pastel-shaded dress, combing my hair, and dolling up my half-deformed face with minimal make-up. 

A few cheek muscles were tweaked in angle, crowning me the best hideous face but Jin continuously called me pretty and beautiful, taking a short break of insignificant five seconds in between. At this point, I could no longer be indignant towards this man. 

Surprisingly, Jin was in the mansion the whole morning, telling the tales of his achievements that included the noteworthy Best Visuals, Best Rant, Best Chef, Only Prince-looking man in the organization, Best Player in Rock, Paper, and Scissors, and Best Payer for all the dinners. The list continued and my memory power kneeled down in defeat.

He made a wholesome breakfast and I relished his masterpieces soulfully. He also promised me that he would teach me his recipes if I take an interest in cooking any time. We then watched Frozen together.

No, I must rephrase it

I was forced to watch Frozen

He was an emotional wreck at the sisters' reunion and bragged about his spectacular skills of mimicking Olaf, the snowman. Jimin arrived in between and just peeked at us, leaving the room before throwing a dirty stare at Jin and letting out indecipherable sighs.

At around one, V appeared at the door of my room, leaning on the frame with his blazer folded, resting halfway on the forearm. His sleeves rolled up below the elbow, the first two buttons undone and the white pressed shirt tucked perfectly, revived the definition of flawlessness in front of me.

His hair was styled to the left, gelled and sleek and his bare face caught me off guard. I had never noticed V's characteristics well enough to praise his immaculacy fairly. He was no less than a paragon to mankind and despite that, he had his eyes disappeared into slits, unveiling his fatigue.

If he is tired, he could just rest, right?

"Why are you standing like a statue? Go, have fun," Jin's high-pitched voice startled me and I realized I was staring at him, right at him. V glanced at me and then at Jin, quirking their brows at each other and then nodded, together.

"See you in the evening. Treat her well," Jin squealed and I mentally facepalmed myself for having him tagged along till I reached the parking lot. V's silver Bugatti Centodieci halted right in front of me and my jaws dropped at the world's sexiest entity, glimmering on my face.

Well!

At least I got to see my dream cars here

"No explosives inside. I got it checked thoroughly," Jin confirmed and V nodded, turning his gaze towards me. Jin took the job of being a gentleman and opened the door for me, in a very dramatic manner, to be honest. I giggled and settled myself in the car, checking myself twice in the rear-view mirror if I was looking presentable or not.

Having my face warped a bit is making me feel insecure about myself

"You look pretty, princess. Now, enjoy your..." Jin paused after his words of assurance and leaned down to my height, his face popping inside the window to reach my ears.

"Date.." he whispered and quickly pulled pack before I could throw my hands at him. I turned to V whose face and muscles stiffened while gripping the steering. Jin winked at me and V nodded at him, and then, Jin waved his hands like a father dropping his daughter off at her school on the first day. 

There, we drove off and I smiled, seeing Jin's image in the mirror getting tinier and tinier, and yet he had his hands in the air.

I miss Dad

───※ ·❆· ※───

I hummed softly, feeling the soft leather on my back as I shut my eyes tight, basking and wallowing in the dreams of sleeping for eternity, boundless and everlasting. It was cozy, the scent, a mixture of rosemary and amber and the breeze, soft and rightly cold to caress me down to heavenly sleep.

With the inordinately gratifying feeling embracing me, I snuggled down and then tried to splay my legs, feeling uncomfortable with the previous position but hit something hard that bid a sad farewell to my peaceful siesta.

I fluttered my eyes open, parting my lips to let out a cavernous yawn but it turned into an unending oval in utter horror on finding V's face an inch away from me. All the laziness and sluggish feeling withered away in a jiff.

"What the fuck!" I gasped, taking deep breaths while holding my chest as I reclined towards the car door, maintaining a safe distance between him. And then, I realized the position I was in. 

Why the hell is this seat titled horizontal?

"I see you are awake," V muttered as he helped me angle the seat to its original position.

"You were sleeping so I thought angling the seat low would help you nap better," he explained, tugging a small smile and I ignored him. He wasn't the one to act friendly, forget about being all sweet and genial. 

"I know you are angry at me and I will let you be. You would blow up and dig my grave with your hands if I snatch your right to be angry at me as well," he mouthed, cornering a smirk and I clenched my fists, trying my best to shove away the thoughts of impaling him.

"Where do you think we are?" He asked, pulling out a tiny comb from his pocket. I scoffed as he began styling his hair with the help of the rear-view- mirror's reflection, fixing few strands with his hands in between.

"Do you think I am some Google Maps or something to know where I am?" I spat at him and he chuckled, tapping my nose playfully. I felt a sense of déjà vu, recollecting the words I spoke a few seconds ago, with the same ardor and emotion.

"This time, you don't sound annoying to me," he muttered, his lips pressed firm as if trying to suppress a smile and I started cudgeling my brains to know what kind of drug V consumed today, unable to trust my eyes at the sight of his hearty smiles, blinding like that of the stars.

"We are at the beach. It's 3 PM already and you must be hungry. There's an alfresco dining service, just a few meters away. It's a comfortably walkable distance," he stated and I didn't waste a moment to open the car door and stepped out, all ready to treat my rumbling stomach.

"Wow!" I exclaimed and spread my arms wide as the cool winds brushed my face, fanning my skin pleasantly. I retreated my pose back to its original one, hearing the sound of the car door closing, and turned to face him, only to know the directions.

"Walk beside me, not behind," he directed me and I tiptoed to stand beside him, looking at the ground. Though the clear road beneath me was the most uninteresting thing to stare at, I wanted him to know that it was doing better than him.

I trailed my steps beside him, following him and adoring the whole place like an amused puppy, taken for a walk after centuries of being on a leash. I wanted to wave my hands and dance in the air but I would appear like a clown to V and the people around, eventually causing me to barricade my childlike fantasies.

We reached the spiffy restaurant in a few minutes and I already caught their vibe of rolling in money when I traveled in the cars that I saved in my Instagram, months back. Normally, people would be taken aback by the grandiose of the place but it wasn't that astonishing to me anymore.

They were showering in jewels

Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by the authentic French interior, walls bathing white embellished with patterns in light rose pink and lilac, promoting a glamorous, sophisticated environmental lift.

A waitress quickly rushed to us and V showed his phone to her. Another waiter appeared and ushered us to the dining area, which had a lovely covered patio for open dining. The beach view was extravagantly magnificent and I couldn't hold myself from hastening my steps towards the edge, appreciating the beauty of the clear noon sky shading beautiful blues with the waters below.

"Order whatever you want. It's on me," V offered, pushing the menu card towards my direction and I scuttled myself to the table, totally ignoring V's complacent smile. There weren't many people around since people weren't usually the fans of mid-afternoon sun though it wasn't that blazing hot here.

I took the liberty of V's words and ordered a wholesome meal. V crosschecked my orders, canceling out some with the reason of them not being healthy for a post-surgery patient. For every cancellation, I sighed aloud and finally quenched my inner gastronome's heart when I was allowed to choose whatever dessert I wanted and in any number.

"In case you don't know, you can order them while in the mansion and you will still get it," V informed as a matter of fact and I shrugged my shoulders, not wanting to have a conversation with him. He didn't utter another word, wary of my overwrought disposition and I played with the satin tablecloth, plucking out the threads at the ends and degrading the beauty of the cloth's finesse.

After a few minutes that felt like million years, the food arrived and my stomach started playing jingle bells with the enticing aroma. With a wide grin, I tapped my feet vigorously like a reindeer excited to lead the one-horse open sleigh.

I didn't know I ordered an enormous amount of food till I saw the number of plates and bowls in front of me. V's order was simple, a Chicken Cordon Bleu meal and chilled lemonade. I would eventually shove some food into his plate once he's done but then, I also knew I was still mad at him.

Food can't be wasted

Especially, free food

"Just finish how much ever you can. The rest, we will have it parcelled," he spoke, discerning my vivid facial expressions and I started munching down the delicacies without any worries. V had some bites from my plates nonchalantly and cut the meat into smaller pieces to my ease in between.

Why is he so homely today?

After finishing three-fourth of the total food, a very loud and embarrassing burp burst out of my mouth, making me want to strangle myself to death in shame. V's expression was blank. He spoke nothing and just paid the bill, thankfully disregarding my disgusting sound effect, sound and clear.

I scurried towards the car and was about to get in but stopped when V placed the food parcels in the car and closed it, without getting in. I blinked twice, contemplating if it's right to get into the car without being told. It's his car and I didn't want to be chided at for stupid reasons.

"The breeze's pleasant, shall we go for a walk?" he asked and I stayed silent.

"We just had lunch, a walk along the shore would be perfect to end this short date," he muttered and I touched my ears, worried if my eardrums were malfunctioning.

"Date?" I asked, befuddled at the usage of a romantic term for something so casual.

"Yes, wasn't Jin hyung telling the same? A fake date, with no ounce of romance," he replied coolly, tapping my head and walked ahead, chuckling at the end.

Fake Date?

What's wrong with him today?

Is this way of trying to make up?

"I will make sure to protect you from now on, Miss Cooper"

His deep voice resonated in my mind, reminiscing the time when I was about to fall asleep beside Jungkook. V was feeling remorseful and though I wanted to badly disagree with my own conscience, his actions were proving me right. 

He is not the one to act sweet

He is doing this as an apology

It didn't shower me with happiness and satisfaction but a part of me appreciated the efforts

"Are you coming?" he yelled and I shook my head, snapping out of my thoughts and hurrying towards him. We walked for a distance with me tapping my flats and choreographing a silly dance move with every few meters while V, straight and barely noticing my oddball activities.

It feels so good to walk freely

Without being scared of someone attacking me 

Or taking part in a dangerous mission

Fake Date or whatever, this short amount of time made me feel normal again

"Finally," I exclaimed as we reached the shore. It was a densely crowded area, favoring greatly to my comfort. Closing my eyes, I smiled to myself, inhaling the ocean air. The sea was a rippling blanket of Pacific Blue, the waves rolling to the sand, low from high, and the air, pregnant with the smell of salt. 

The horizon was edged with a silver tint and a flock of birds flew across the sky, patterning the stretched surface of the sea far out from the shore. The oeuvre of the sea and the music of the waves caressed my heart. Armor had drained my spirits all these days and the sea seemed an enchanting paradise.

"That time when you were stuck in the train," V started, halting his steps and facing me.

"That time when you looked blank when the doors were closing. That time instilled a fear in me. Fear that something could happen to you before I could reach you," he spoke and I stared at him, clueless of where the conversation would lead to.

But then, was he really scared if something would happen to me?

"Remember the time I was calling you continuously and shouting hyung on the other side as well?" he asked and I nodded, the awful memory stringing in my mind once again.

"I was shouting for Yoongi hyung to hack the train. I was panicking and Yeonjun was surprised to see me like that," he mouthed, taking a step towards me and I stood, frozen, trying to decipher his words and actions. 

"I didn't know it would get you into such a predicament or I would have never allowed you to participate in the mission. You weren't fully trained so I would have stopped you if your role involves dealing with the enemies. I am really sorry that you had to go through that. I am really sorry that we arrived late," he apologized, looking at the ground and I gulped down my throat.

Why is he taking a step down his ego?

"I didn't expect you to protect me either," I lied, not wanting to fall for his apology but his tone was enough to call it sincere. V had never talked to me like this and I doubt he'd ever will. He apologized to me before but he looked much guilty this time as if he...

He cares?

"You are no harm to Armor, Miss Cooper and as long as you remain the same, I want you to know this. I care. I do care and I am not ignorant towards your well-being," he spouted and I started fidgeting with my fingers. His sudden confession about his affection towards me is making my heart flip like crackling popcorn.

"Miss Cooper," he called, his voice deep and embracing. He was about to hold my hands but I stepped back. It was overwhelming to hear those words from him, it was challenging for me to believe him, after what I went through and how horrible he was towards me a few days before, how he tried to detain me unjustly every minute.

I don't want to believe him

I don't want any false hopes

"Don't" I rasped, taking steps away from him but he was quick enough to catch my pace.

"Don't what?" he question, looking perplexed.

"Don't give me false hopes. I don't believe you. You guys lie so great," I snapped at him, moisture hazing my vision with each passing second. I didn't know why I was getting emotional. I didn't know how I turned so vulnerable that even having some hope distresses me now.

I want someone to hold me

I want Jungkook to be here before I break down

"Yet you want to," he held my wrist, blocking my way by standing in front of me. Lifting my chin with his long index finger, he forced me to look into his eyes, 

"Yet you want to believe me, believe someone. You want to lean on a shoulder and rely on someone. You feel weak, fighting everything by yourself but doesn't want to accept that. Not everyone can be strong, Miss Cooper, and it's okay to be like that. You are vulnerable, Miss Cooper and I can see through you," he voiced out, releasing me and I quickly wiped my tears.

Why does he always do this?

Make me speechless

Know about me more than I do

"You are just fine, Miss Cooper, and it's okay to have those emotions tumbling you upside down. Don't contain them all at once, it turns you into a being that you would never imagine. Pain should be felt, not suppressed," he spoke, tucking a dampened strand of hair behind my ear.

"Why?" I cried

"Why do you know about me more than me?" I cried loud and he smiled, caressing my hair.

"It's okay to cry, it's okay to cry," he mumbled, pulling my head to land on his shoulder blade while I sobbed out loud, let out all the emotions that were bottled up inside for a long time. I needed more escape and didn't expect this moment will be the one. I wasn't prepared to do this. 

I wasn't sure if believing him would be the right thing to do

"Believe your hunch, Miss Copper. Don't fall for the sweetness and flattery, they are not always what they mean," he spoke, patting my head, while I continued to drench his shirt with my tears. I despise myself to have my feelings unguarded with him but at the same time, he always had the right points to slap me with, to pull out the fragility in me.

"You can rely on me, Miss Cooper"

───※ ·❆· ※───

After the awkward fake date with V and the unforeseen emotional outburst, that included shocking confessions and confrontations, I didn't utter a word. The prickling silence felt  than the stabbing conversations. 

The car ride was silent and when we returned to the mansion, I ran straight to my current room without glancing at Jin and Jungkook, who were calling my name continuously. I closed the door in haste and took a deep breath.

Why do I lose my shit in front of him?

Holding my hair, I shook my head vigorously, mentally cursing myself for being wretched, miserable in his presence, for letting my pent-up feelings be embraced in his subtle warmth.

Ugh!

Such a weakling I am

Hitting all the invisible flies in the air, I plopped on the bed, insanely disappointed at myself. After a relentless groaning and muttering of obscene remarks about my personality, I noticed my tablet beeping with notifications.

Isn't it unlinked with all kinds of communication networks?

Holding the device in my hands, I unlocked it to find the messaging service enabled. Dumbfounded at the new detail, I quickly opened the messages app and my breath hitched at the first message.

Ready to hold a secret?

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Clairvoyance

the supposed faculty of perceiving things or events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact

A/N: 7000+ words......

Hello Everyone, I am really sorry for the super delay so this long update. This was to be posted four days back but workload got a hang of me, hammering my head. I am really finding it hard to find time nowadays and also have my exams ahead. I am drained bother physically and emotionally right now. Sorry for the infrequent updates

I thought of many titles for this one as there are so many scenes, like Princess and Poop, Forbidden Princess, and Subtle Caress but Fake suited it much better, relating to two(or maybe more) scenes in the chapter

One thing I want you guys to observe is the dates, this happened before the last chapter so it's obvious that Aeri witnessed the two at their (Fake) Date. 

I also hope you get the transition of emotions, she was creating a liking towards Jungkook on one side, getting used to Jin's affection, and is slowly seeing the other face of V. I am sorry if it turned out to be confusing somewhere. I just wanted to have my character think like a normal person rather than a perfectionist. 

Also, to all who are taking time to read, vote, and comment on my story, I owe you a lot guys. Thanks for being my ultimate support and motivation. I'd try my best to keep up the same flow till the end.

Please do share the story if you like it (~not compulsory though)

Thank you for giving me a chance