The next thing I knew was I was kissing the Kim Taehyung, his arms encircled around my waist and my arms around his neck.

He started kissing me softly and I soon started to respond back. It wasn't a kiss of passion, but rather of reassurance, of love.

My thoughts were soon brought to rest as I heard Guk sigh sadly through the earpiece.

He would've surely known what was happening here even if he wasn't physically present.

I was perturbed; I felt guilt. This was the moment when I realized one thing: that I had feelings for both Jungkook and Taehyung. Feelings and emotions are inevitable. They mess up big time.

The thought of Taehyung getting close to me brought me happiness. I knew, if I managed to win his trust, the mission will be a piece of cake.

I was excited; I was close to my mission.

Getting back home, I knew I had some undone explaining to do. As it was getting dark, we decided to head back to Taehyung's villa.

"Halmeoni, Yeji, I'm so sorry I lied about myself. You have been so kind and sweet towards me, I feel guilty of hiding this. I was going through a hard time, I couldn't live as the same person anymore, so I decided to take a new identity. Pose as someone else."

"We understand, unnie. And we know that pretending as someone else will not change who you really are. We know the real you and that's what's more important. Now stop being sad please!" Yeji comforted me by giving me a pat on my shoulder.

"B-but halmeoni....I'm so s-sorry I ruined your birthday."

"Nah sweetie you didn't ruin anything. It was so boring anyway, you just made it a bit more exciting!" She enthusiastically said making us all chuckle.

As Taehyung and I stood next to each other, our hands accidentally touched and looking at each other, we smiled embarrassingly. He then caressed my hand on purpose. These gazes and this light action of his didn't go unnoticed, because soon halmeoni and Yeji started teasing us for this small exchange.

"Halmeoni! Am I the only saw that?" Yeji smirked.

"No baby, I saw that too."

"You two are so meant to be! Oppa, I wouldn't mind if you two married because you're so meant to be!!" Yeji chirped and we awkwardly stood next to each other, looking down at our intertwined hands.

"Nothing hides from the eyes, Taetae. I told you I already felt something between you two." Halmeoni added.

I knew them seeing us as a couple meant good news for the mission. But it confused me completely. Not only I was guilty of lying to such a sweet family, that I was here to merely spy into them and perhaps steal a supposed lifetime achievement of their son, but also I was simultaneously thinking about Jungkook. I couldn't get him out of my mind.

Should I feel guilty for him? That's the question. Since he also kissed Sana it did enrage me.

But there was something in the back of my head running parallel to this. I was afraid.

Afraid that,

Will Guk ignore me just like I did? I knew he was a professional and he should be okay with this. But I knew, no matter what happens next, I don't think I can handle if Jungkook ignores me. After all, the kiss made me feel bad for him too, since it was him I was thinking about all the while.

"Yah hold your horses! We do have a lot of time for that!" I drifted back to the real world when I heard Taehyung's confused voice.

"That means you're considering marriage as an option! Send us the wedding card soon alright?" Yeji added a wink which got both of us flustered.

"We smell romance in the air, my boy. You really think you can fool us?" Halmeoni sounded like she would plan our wedding right then and there.

"Easy, ladies. We are taking these slow for now. We don't know if it will work out well between us and besides we have business to do. Am I right Lisa?"

"Yeah, right!" I nodded.

"Fine, we will start planning for the wedding some months later, if you insist." Halmeoni said, stressing on the word insist.

"Anyway, we have to hurry up with the packing. Our flight leaves next morning, we wouldn't want to be late." Taehyung explained.

For the rest of the night, I didnt talk to Jungkook. No, I wasn't ignoring him, I didnt want us to engage in an awkward conversation. It was better if he forgets about the kiss, just like I did. We weren't dating, but I already felt a stab in my heart, as if I was cheating on him.

Now since Taehyung was courting me, I had to get closer to him. I know it was difficult, since he just got out of a serious relationship, but I had to be careful. I needed him to want me, to consider a serious relationship with me, I needed him to trust me enough to let me into the labs.

The next morning:

The moment we landed in Korea, we found ourselves surrounded by a huge crowd of paparazzi at the airport, waiting for answers. Taehyung's security informers said they were trying to clear off the crowd, however the VIP entrance gates were also surrounded by the mediapersons.

Taehyung gripped my hand we started walking fast, trying to ignore all of the questions.

"CEO of Vantae Corp, Kim Taehyung spotted leaving the airport with business partner, Lalisa Manoban."

"Mystery girl Lalisa is reportedly the survivor of the Manoban family attack, which happened fifteen years ago in Hongkong."

"Sources say that they were romantically involved, the reason behind the breakup of the power couple TaeSana."

"Do they have something going on between them? Sources yet to confirm."

"Please respond to us, Taehyung-ssi."

"Is it true thatㅡ"

My mind was puzzled hearing such comments flying around. I turned my head around to look back when we were just about to leave in our car, when suddenlyㅡ

When suddenly, three hard and sharp bullets pierced through me and loud gunshots were heard. I felt an extreme pain in my abdomen and my head started spinning.

"LISA!" I heard Taehyung shout before my vision faded out and I collapsed.

Author's pov;

"Welcome to today's headlines. Our sources report that one of CEO Kim Taehyung's business partners and close friends, Lalisa Manoban was shot outside the airport, a few moments ago."

"A witness claims to have spot a black jeep speeding away just moments after gunshots were heard. Was someone trying to assassinate Lalisa?"

"Could the target be aimed at Taehyung and Lalisa took the bullet? Is someone planning a controversy against Vantae Corp and Lalisa is an accidental victim? We are yet to confirm. Shes currently undergoing emergency surgery at the Seoul National Hospital. We wish her a fast recovery. Thank you for watching the news."

The news of Lisa getting shot flooded the headlines of almost every news channel. Most of them assumed that Taehyung was getting targeted and the revolutionary drug was at great risk.

But was it truly a planned attack on the Vantae Corp? Or was it someone conspiring against Lisa?

(A/N: scroll down and read ahead lol I'm so bad with suspenses wtf)

Lalisa's POV;

A few hours later, at the hospital.

"She's really lucky Taehyung-ssi. The bullet passed just near through her abdomen so none of the vital internal organs have faced a major damage. She miraculously survived the impact and certainly has a guardian angel watching over her."

"Can I go see her please, Doctor Eunwoo?"

"She has just got consciousness. You may now meet her. But please make sure she gets enough rest. She's still weak and wounds need some time to recover."

"I will make sure of that doctor. Thank you."

I heard some faint voices outside my room and Taehyung entered the room, while I was trying to get up.

He quickly rushed towards me and fixed the bed so that I could sit upright.

"Hey...its a really irrelevant question to ask. But are you feeling better now? I hope I'm not disturbing you? I'll go back and wait outsideㅡ"

He sat on the chair beside the bed as he held my hand, and frowned at the sight of the drip attached to my hand.

"N-no, just feeling a bit nauseous and little pain down there." I replied in a raspy voice. He suddenly got tensed.

"You're not feeling good! Shall I send in for the doctor to check up on you again?" He tried to get up by I caught his hand just when he was about to turn.

"Just sit beside me Tae."

"Oh...okay." He started rubbing my cold hand gently with his warm ones.

"And relax, Mr Kim. I'm fine. You should be glad that at least I didn't die haha."

I laughed it off as a joke but I wasn't sure he did take it as one as his expression turned grave serious.

"Yah! Please don't joke around like that. For a moment I thought I had lost you, Lisa. And it's all my fault. I should've been more careful. I think the news circulating on media is right." He admitted with a defeated tone.

"Media? What happened?"

"They say someone planned to assassinate me but you got shot instead. A witness also saw some black car speeding away just after the attack from the opposite lane. You're here because of me. I'm sorry...."

"Don't be sorry, Tae. All of this was unexpected. It isn't your fault."

"M-maybe you're right. But I still won't forgive myself Lisa. I can't see you in a state like this. I feel pained somehow."

He got up and suddenly planted a kiss on my forehead. He caressed my cheek as he intently stared into my eyes.

"Halmeoni kept calling me asking me about your condition. I'll talk to her, and also you need rest so I won't waste enough energy of yours. I will come check on you tomorrow. Take rest, okay?"

I just nodded as I saw him leave the room with a sigh. Taehyung cares for me, who is just a stranger in his life. Can such a big hearted man like him be narrow minded to take over the world?

If he turns out to be innocent, how will he react when I break his heart? When he gets to know it's me who's fake?

Moreover, who was the one who tried to assassinate me?

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Who do you think might have conspired the attack? Is it Sana, a person who might despise Taehyung, or someone... from the mafia?

I read through your comments and some of them said that you want Jennie as a character in this story. Now I haven't planned her as a character in the plot, but now I'm maybe considering a Jennie plot in the story, but she will only appear towards the end, and she might not be a significant character. I hope you are okay with it?

Stream 'The Album' y'all! It screams Album of the Year 2020!!

Please vote and drop a comment if you enjoyed reading, I appreciate it a lot :)

Until next update
Authornim.