Taeyeon kept staring at the green bottle in front of her, her elbow propped on the table, cheek resting in her palm. The bustling sounds of the bar felt distant and muffled as her mind drifted back to that day—to Jimin.

The way his eyes looked at her when Taehyung grabbed him by the collar—it hadn't just been fear. There was something deeper there, something vulnerable, like he was terrified of losing something precious. She'd seen worry in his eyes before, but this was different. The intensity of his gaze lingered on her mind, no matter how many times she tried to brush it off.

Was it just about his friendship with Oppa? She doubted it. The way he looked at her didn't seem like something a friend would do. There was something else, something unsaid.

And when Taehyung finally left them alone, she noticed a glimmer of relief in Jimin's chocolate brown orbs. It was as if he'd been holding his breath, only able to relax when it was just the two of them again. She found herself wondering what would've happened if Taehyung had overheard their conversation. Would Jimin have had to say whatever he'd been holding back?

Taeyeon sighed, her gaze unfocused as she absently tapped her fingers on the table. She thought about his words, his lingering glances, and the way his voice had softened, hesitant, just before he'd decided against telling her. That moment had left her restless, like she was standing on the edge of something big, something she wasn't sure she was ready to confront.

"What's on your mind, Taeyeon?" A familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

Startled, she looked up to see Ki-joo, her best friend, sliding into the seat across from her. "You looked like you were miles away."

Taeyeon tried to shake off her daze and forced a small smile. "It's nothing, really. Just... work stuff."

"Liar," Ki-joo teased, brushing Taeyeon's nose with her index finger. The playful gesture got a half-boxy smile from Taeyeon, softening her expression.

"You know me too well," Taeyeon sighed, her smile fading just slightly. "But really, it's complicated."

Ki-joo's gaze softened as she leaned in, crossing her arms on the table. "Let me guess... Jimin?"

Taeyeon's cheeks flushed a bit, and she let out a small laugh, trying to play it off. "Why would you think that?"

"Oh, please," Ki-joo scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I've known you long enough to tell that look. The 'I'm thinking about someone and won't admit it' look."

"Plus, you know when it comes to Jimin, you always use this term 'complicated,'" she added with a shrug.

Taeyeon chuckled, shaking her head. "You know me too well." She kept her hand away from her cheek and leaned back in her seat. After all, Ki-joo was the only friend who understood her better than even her brother did. It was no surprise that she could guess Taeyeon's feelings so easily. It wasn't like Taeyeon wouldn't share what she was thinking after a few shots, though.

"Yeah, I do," Ki-joo said, flipping her short hair sassily, making Taeyeon laugh.

"Alright, my Joo-joo, let's drink. I've been waiting all day to spend time with my best friend," Taeyeon said, her voice turning playful at the end, resembling a child eagerly awaiting their mother's return after a long day at school.

And Ki-joo fell for it every time, and she never held back that urge to squash those bread cheeks, which resembled Taehyung. "Oh, why do you Kim siblings have such similar faces with such cuteness?" Ki-joo teased, reaching over to squish Taeyeon's cheeks between her fingers.

"Yah, stop it! I'm not a baby," Taeyeon complained, shaking her head to break free from her best friend's grip.

Ki-joo laughed, leaning back with a satisfied grin as Taeyeon rubbed her cheeks, wincing while glaring playfully. "Are you squeezing my cheeks because I'm cute, or is it because I remind you of my brother?" Taeyeon asked with a smirk.

Ki-joo scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please, I just have a thing for cute things."

"So you're saying you have a thing for my brother, too?" Taeyeon interrupted, watching with delight as a crimson flush crept up Ki-joo's cheeks.

"Yeah, stop putting words in my mouth!" Ki-joo protested, fidgeting as she brushed her nose and looked away. "It's just... you two look cute, that's all. We all grew up together, and he's my best friend, just like you."

Taeyeon raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, making Ki-joo gulp and fidget even more. "Besides," Ki-joo said, attempting to regain her composure, "I already told you—I'd rather..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Taeyeon teased, crossing her arms. "You'd rather marry a raccoon than my brother, right?"

Ki-joo rolled her eyes, grabbing the green bottle of soju with a scoff. She poured herself a shot and gulped it in one go, while Taeyeon shook her head, grinning.

"Calm down, girl, I'm just joking," Taeyeon teased, holding back a laugh.

After a while of drinking and chatting, Taeyeon explained what had happened yesterday and how Taehyung suddenly barged in and grabbed Jimin's collar out of the blue, giving them the feeling that Taehyung had overheard their conversation. How Taehyung then nags about Ki-joo's teasing by showing his drunken video, which was sent by Jimin.

Additionally, they believed Taehyung had heard their conversation because of the way Jimin looked at her when he grabbed his collar and the reflection in Jimin's eyes after Taehyung had left. How he behaves with her in the office.

Ki-joo listened intently, her eyebrows raised as Taeyeon recounted the entire scene. "So let me get this straight," she said, pouring them both another round. "Taehyung showed up out of nowhere and grabbed Jimin by the collar because Jimin sent me his drunken video, and I'm teasing him with that? But you guys have no idea of that, and then Jimin looked at you like you were the last person on earth."

Taeyeon nodded, feeling her cheeks warm as she replayed the moment in her mind. "It was just... intense. For a second, I was sure Taehyung had overheard our conversation. But thank God he didn't." She took a sip, then continued, "But after he left, the look Jimin gave me was different. Like he was relieved or... I don't know, maybe something more."

Ki-joo tapped her chin thoughtfully, clearly intrigued. "Interesting. And he's been acting weird at the office too, you say?"

Taeyeon sighed. "Yeah. It's like he's always staring at me or trying to get close whenever he gets a chance, but when I try to bring it up, he either shrugs or pretends it's just about work."

A knowing smile crept onto Ki-joo's face. "Sounds like Mr. Guest Artist is catching feelings."

Taeyeon's eyes widen, and she waved her hands in protest. "No way! Jimin... catching feelings for me? We're just colleagues. And he's only here temporarily!"

"Also, don't forget that he is my brother's best friend, and that Tokyo night, on the other hand," Taeyeon added, looking away.

Ki-joo leaned in, her grin widening. "Oh, come on, Tae. That 'just colleagues' excuse isn't fooling anyone. And yeah, maybe he's Taehyung's best friend, and this whole Tokyo thing complicates things... but you can't deny there's something going on between you two. Temporary or not, there's a spark, and you know it."

Taeyeon clicked her tongue, scrunching her nose as she turned to Ki-joo, who was leaning on the table with her hand propped up. "Ki-joo," she began, placing her hand on the wooden surface.

"There's a policy, you know? Not just in our company—most companies have this kind of rule, I think. Employees aren't supposed to get involved in anything personal with guest artists. If they do, the policy mandates immediate termination of employment," she said, her gaze drifting off.

"If anything like that happened, I'd be the one in trouble. I was honestly relieved that the night in Tokyo went unnoticed. But there's still that fear. What if someone saw us? That kind of rumor could ruin me. I can't risk my career, my passion, not to mention Taehyung's trust, just for something that could cost me everything I've worked for."

"Taehyung, as my older brother, gave me so much support," Taeyeon continued, her voice softening. "When my parents were against me becoming a manhwa artist, he was the only one who stood by my side. He even got ready to leave his passion if our parents won't allow me to follow mine; you knew it right."

Ki-joo nodded in agreement; she knew Taehyung was willing to give up his passion if their parents did not allow Taeyeon to pursue hers, for which their parents let her do whatever she wanted, even if they did not like it.

"And it's because of him that I kept pushing myself... even after finding out who Jimin really was." Taeyeon continued drawing Ki-joo's attention back.

Ki-joo knew how much Taeyeon had faced with her family and how Taehyung stood up for her, but whenever Taeyeon talked about Jimin, her face lit up, and no matter how much she hid it, Ki-joo always caught it. Ki-joo, as the closest friend who has always been with her, has never seen Taeyeon like this, confused between her feelings, work, and her brother. But one thing here is clear to Ki-joo: Jimin has feelings for Taeyeon, even though Taeyeon doesn't admit it with her.

But Ki-joo also knew it was too early to tell what Taeyeon was truly feeling. What if all that light in Taeyeon's eyes was just admiration? After all, Jimin was her favorite artist, someone she'd looked up to for years. Perhaps that explained her excitement. That is also possible.

But then again, about Jimin, there were moments that Ki-joo couldn't ignore. The way Jimin had once said, "Why would he play with the feelings of his loved one?"—those words had struck her.—he said loved one, and while his tone was playful, it was also serious. He came to help Taeyeon when she was being followed by some men. He stayed by her side all night when she passed out that day. She can say that Jimin has feelings for her, which Taeyeon hasn't realized because of the Tokyo night.

Moreover, Taeyeon has a point too—the company rules. No matter who was at fault, it was always the employee who had to face the consequences. Taeyeon had been right to be wary; one misstep could put at risk everything she had worked for. 'Jimin, you better stay away from my friend.

Ki-joo sighed, running a hand through her hair, her thoughts becoming increasingly 'Jimin, if you truly care about her... then maybe it's best if you stay away before someone ends up getting hurt.'

But Ki-joo wasn't about to let the atmosphere get too heavy. She clapped her hands together and forced a bright smile on her face, hoping to change the subject.

"Alright, enough of this serious talk!" She chirped, leaning forward with new energy. "I'm here to spend time with my best friend after a long day at work, not to dwell on drama." She said, bringing her soju glass into the air in a toast.

Taeyeon blinked and then chuckled, raising her glass to clink with Ki-joo's in a toast. "Fine, fine," she said.

They talked and laughed late into the night, enjoying each other's company and forgetting about their troubles for a while.
______________________________________________________________

"What?!" Namjoon yelled, looking at Jimin as if he had committed a crime. Jimin just shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "What?" Jimin repeated with a smirk.

Namjoon ran his hands through his chestnut hair in frustration, trying to process what Jimin had just said. "Are you serious right now?" Namjoon exclaimed, disbelief evident in his voice. Jimin's smirk widened as he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the reaction he was getting.

"Cut that out, Jimin. Tell me what happened next. Did Taehyung hear what you both were talking about?" Namjoon asked while tapping his leg on the floor in anticipation.

Jimin chuckled and shook his head. "No," he replied shortly, getting on Namjoon's last nerve.

"What do you mean by no? If he didn't, then why did he grab you by the collar? Namjoon asked if there was a hint of frustration behind his deep voice.

Jimin sighed, turning back to his hyung, who is glaring at him, as if he is ready to throw his hands up if he keeps him in suspense too long. "He didn't hear us. The reason he grabbed me like that is I sent his drunk video to his friend," Jimin explained with a sheepish smile. Namjoon's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why would he do that just for a video?"

"Because the friend I have sent that video to isn't just a normal friend; she is so close to him from his childhood," Jimin paused, standing up from his chair.

"And they grew up together, bickering with each other like there was no tomorrow, and she kept using that video to make him do whatever she wanted." He continued tucking his hand into the pocket of his sweatpants.

"Just for that, he grabbed your collar." Namjoon said, tilting his head, scrunching his nose in disbelief. Jimin chuckled, "Yeah, he's always been a bit dramatic when it comes to her." With a shrug.

Namjoon sighed and glanced at Jimin while Jimin walked to the shelf where Namjoon's books were placed, his finger tracing the spines. Jimin often visits Namjoon's place as if it belongs to him, and Namjoon is careless about it; after all, they are close friends.

Namjoon met Jimin when he was studying at Arts and Business University. Jimin was quite a student back then, always at the top of his class and involved in various extracurricular activities. When Namjoon went strolling on the campus, he found Jimin in an empty drawing hall, painting a beautiful landscape.

Namjoon was immediately drawn to painting. They struck up a conversation, and Namjoon got to know Jimin's passion for art and his aim to become a manhwa artist, which he chose to be his art style and how he used it as a form of expression. 

Jimin got to know Namjoon is the grandson of K-Toon Factory, a well-known manhwa publishing company. They both became friends. Despite Namjoon being a year older and in a different group, they got close, sharing their thoughts and experiences about art and life. Jimin even showed Namjoon some of his sketches and asked for feedback because Namjoon is good at reviewing, and Namjoon even offered to introduce Jimin to some contacts in the industry to help him achieve his goal of becoming a successful manhwa artist.

After Taehyung, Namjoon is the closest one to Jimin. And for Namjoon, Jimin is still the same Jimin who he met in the drawing hall quietly painting the canvas. Jimin kept avoiding everything after his breakup with his ex-girlfriend, but Namjoon was always there to listen and offer support, understanding the struggles Jimin was going through.

Yet Jimin wasn't fully convinced to move on until that night, when he first met Taeyeon. After like four years, Jimin finally started moving on, accepting the offer from Namjoon to work under his company as a guest artist.

But Namjoon was little disappointed with it; Namjoon always wanted Jimin to work with him. Namjoon had hoped that Jimin would eventually join his company as a permanent member, but he respected Jimin's decision to start as a guest artist.

But now he is regretting that decision. He couldn't believe when he got to know the company's best employee, the best writer and artist, Kim Taeyeon, is the woman that Jimin met on that night. And moreover, she is Jimin's best friend Kim Taehyung's sister, who is also a famous photographer, not to mention the most protective brother.

Namjoon couldn't get it. Was Jimin just playing off to move on from his past, or does he truly have feelings for her? 

"Hyung," Jimin's soft tone snapped Namjoon out of his thoughts. "If Taehyung had heard about us yesterday, he would have surely freaked out." Jimin said, turning his head to Namjoon.

"Freaked out; he would have killed you at that moment." Namjoon mumbled under his breath; he could visualize Taehyung's reaction at that moment. Jimin chuckled softly, "Don't worry, Hyung. I'll handle him if it comes to that."

"Handle him?" Namjoon said, raising his eyebrow and shaking his head, "Idiot, he wouldn't even give you a chance to think before he's already on top of you."

Jimin chuckled, "I'll make sure he understands." Jimin's chuckle made Namjoon frown. 'What's so funny?' he thought.

"Jimin, listen, it's not just about Taehyung; it also risks Taeyeon's job too, I have been warning you from the start," Namjoon warned. "The company rules, and board members won't take any chances with this kind of issue." Namjoon said.

Jimin knew what Namjoon was trying to say, and he knew it; after all, he had collaborated and worked with many companies, and he knew the rules too well, mainly the most improbable one, that no employee should maintain any kind of personal relationship with their guest artists. This would keep Taeyeon in a difficult position.

"Can you even handle the consequences if this gets out?" Namjoon asked, his expression serious. Jimin opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out of his lips, leaving him momentarily speechless. 

The confidence that he had at the start when he said he doesn't care rules was fading a littleby little not because of namjoon's warning but people he work with escpically with Minji. She have been acting diffent from what taeyeon describes when they got topic about teammates. She asked him if he had been to tokyo or not, and even asked if he knew taeyeon before. and Do-yoon who always tires to interrupt them. And they both are not sure if anyone saw them togater that night. 

He knew he couldn't do anything to prevent the situation from getting worse if is got out or if they get in relationship. But this would only happen when all the details were revealed. What if he kept in touch with the feelings for Taeyeon just until the project was completed? This way, he could avoid any serious consequences that can put Taeyeont at risk.

But the actual question is, can he control his emotions and keep up the act until then? Only time will tell. and also it's not like he is sure that taeyeon have same feelings that he has for her thought it's obvious that she gets flustered by him it's doen't totally says that she like him back. 

"Fine," Jimin opened his mouth finally, deciding to go along with the plan for now. "I won't do anything to risk Taeyeon or the project." With a deep breath, he pushed aside his feelings for Taeyeon and focused on the work at hand. He knew he had to stay focused until then.

'Not until I see this project through to the end,' he thought to himself. Only then would he allow himself to talk about his feelings for her.

Namjoon raised his eyebrows in doubt. "Really?" he asked skeptically. "Are you sure?"

Jimin nodded his head firmly, determination shining in his eyes. "I'm sure," he replied confidently. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect Taeyeon and the project." Namjoon nodded in approval, seeing the resolve in Jimin's eyes.

"I hope you will keep your word," Namjoon said, getting up from the couch. There is still some doubt in his heart. But he knew if Jimin said it, then Jimin would.

He will right?

__________________________________________________

Taeyeon's POV:

"Argh!" Taeyeon screamed in horror, seeing the wall clock showing that it was already 10 AM. She was going to be late to work. She turned to her side where Ki-joo was sleeping soundly on the other side of her bed. She knew she had to wake her up and get ready quickly.

"Han Ki-joo, Yah, wake up!" Taeyeon shook Ki-joo awake, but Ki-joo, being a sleepyhead, groaned and buried her face deeper into the pillow. Taeyeon sighed in frustration, realizing she would have to get ready on her own if she wanted to make it to work on time. She quickly got up and started getting dressed, hoping Ki-joo would eventually wake up and get back to her work.

Before leaving her room, Taeyeon left a note for Ki-joo that she has already gone to work and that she should catch up with her later. Taeyeon grabbed her bag and rushed out the door.
Damn! I'm so late!

As she hurried to catch the bus, after reaching the company, she rushed into the company, not caring about the stares she was getting from people around her. Taeyeon knew she had to make up for lost time and get straight to work as soon as possible.

As the lift dinged open on her floor, Taeyeon quickly stepped out and headed straight to her cabin without wasting any time. She knew she had a lot to catch up on and needed to focus on her tasks for the day, completing the backgrounds and scripts to other chapters.

The papers on her desk are in the same mess as she left before going... She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face as she set her bag down on the chair. Taeyeon glanced at the mess on her desk—the scattered papers, half-written notes, and sketches that seemed to have multiplied overnight.

"Great. Just what I needed," she muttered under her breath, rolling up her sleeves to dive into the mess. She began sorting through the papers, stacking them into neat piles, trying to bring some in order.

"Good morning, Taeyeon-shii," came a cheerful voice. Taeyeon turned around to see Minji leaning casually against the doorframe, her ever-present smile lighting up her face.

Taeyeon offered a polite smile in return. "Good morning, Minji-shii. You're here early."

Minji stepped inside, her gaze flitting over the piles of papers. "Looks like you've got your hands full this morning," she said, tilting her head and raising her eyebrow. "Need any help?"

Taeyeon hesitated for a moment before shaking her head with a half smile. "Thanks, but I've got it. Just some cleanup before starting work."

Minji nodded, her smile never faltering. "Well, don't overwork yourself. You know, stress shows on your face," she mocked lightly before adding, "By the way, Jimin-shii was asking if you'd reviewed the sketches he sent last night."

Taeyeon's hands stopped for a moment, a faint frown creasing her forehead. Jimin never passed messages like this. He usually approached her directly, no matter how minor the question. Something about this felt... off.

"Did Jimin-shii ask you to tell me?" She asked, her tone carefully neutral as she resumed stacking the papers.

Minji tilted her head innocently, her smile unwavering. "Oh, well, he mentioned it casually when we bumped into each other earlier. I thought I'd save him the trouble of coming all the way here." She shrugged, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Taeyeon nodded slowly, not entirely convinced but unwilling to press the matter further. "I'll take a look at them after I finish up here," she said, her voice steady but far off.

"Did Jimin-shi and you caught with any disagreements?"

Taeyeon's eyes flickered up, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected question. She quickly masked her reaction, with clam expression. Why would she ask that?

"Disagreements?" Taeyeon repeated, her voice light but her mind racing. She tilted her head slightly, as though buying time. "There was nothing like that. Why do you ask?" she added, keeping her tone casual. And also, there was really nothing that happened between them; they never had any disagreements or arguments. Taeyeon wondered if there was a reason for the sudden question.

"Nothing, Just asked out of curiosity," the woman replied with a small smile, but Taeyeon could see the darkness lurking behind her eyes, but she shrugged it off. She has been observing this since Jimin came into the company, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Minji. But she always brushed it off just like now. After all, Minji was always friendly, always smiling, right?

"Well, I've got to get back to work," Minji said, breaking Taeyeon's thoughts. She straightened up, still smiling. "Don't overwork yourself, Taeyeon-shii. See you later."

As Minji left, Taeyeon let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Why did that feel so... strange? She shook her head, focusing back on the papers in front of her.

It took Taeyeon another 20 minutes to finish sorting the papers, a task she knew would have only taken her half that time if Minji hadn't stopped by. She couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that something was off with Minji today. Every word, every look seemed just a little too pointed, a little too deliberate.

You're overthinking, Taeyeon. She scolded herself internally. It's nothing. Minji's just being Minji.

But there was something in Minji's tone when she'd asked about Jimin, not just today but every time she mentioned him in front of Taeyeon, something subtle but sharp, as if she knows something about them. And that slight hint of something darker in her eyes when she'd smiled... Why does it feel like Minji's hiding something?

As Taeyeon's thoughts spiraled, her heart suddenly dropped. A single thought stood out like a flashing warning sign: That Tokyo night.

She clutched her head as the memory surged back. The day Minji had casually asked if Jimin had been in Tokyo last year. At the time, Taeyeon had dismissed it as random curiosity, but now, the pieces began to feel like they fit in.

Does she know about that night?

The possibility sent a cold chill through her. She couldn't understand how Minji could know—unless... had she seen something? Or was it just a coincidence, and her mind was jumping to conclusions?

Taeyeon took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn't let her thoughts spiral out of control. Whatever Minji knew—or thought she knew—Taeyeon needed to stay composed. After all, there was no concrete evidence that anything had happened. And besides, Minji didn't seem like someone who could use something like that against her. At least, Taeyeon hoped she wasn't.

She pushed all those thoughts aside and opened the sketches that Jimin sent; a soft gasp left her lips, which was not new to her. His sketches never failed to take her breath away. Going through the storyboard and all the sketches, Taeyeon nodded in approval, satisfied with his work. Without hesitation, she sent a quick message to Jimin's inbox: Looks great. Everything's perfect as always. Thanks!

Time passed faster than she realized. The office buzzed with its usual activity, but Jimin never came to her cabin—not even once. It was unusual. Every time her cabin door opened, her eyes would dart toward it, hoping to see him standing there with a smile as he does every day.

But it was always someone else. A teammate or Do-yoon, to ask about the script and editing process. Never Jimin.

The thought nagged at her. Did he come to the company today? she wondered. He has sent everything through mail or text, which was unlike him. Her brows knitted slightly as concern crept in. Is he avoiding me? Or... is something wrong? She leaned back in her chair, her mind recalling their recent interactions, trying to put together if she had missed anything.

But nothing felt out of the ordinary. I hope he's okay, she thought, her fingers lingering over her keyboard as she debated sending him another message—this time, something more personal. But before she could decide, the door to her cabin opened again. This time, her breath hitched. Would it finally be him?