Taehyung nimbly maneuvers the motorcycle at such high speed that I feel like flying.
The wind gushes over my body, filling my eardrums with loud whooshing noise. I grab onto his jacket tighter, afraid that I'm going to be blown away by the strong gust. It's nerve-wrecking, yet exhilarating at the same time.
Taehyung hits the brake & switches off the engine after riding for about 30 minutes along the coastline.
"Close your eyes." He commands as he takes off his helmet.
"Huh? Where are you taking me?" I take off my helmet as well & glance along the abandoned beach. No one is in sight.
"Just close your eyes & hold my hands." He smiles & offers me his hand.
"Uhm.." I hesitate, cautious but not alarmed.
He won't try to harm me, will he? He did say that he wouldn't force me to do anything against my will.
"Are you scared that I'll kill you & dump your body into the ocean?" As if reading my thoughts, he raises his brow teasingly.
"N-No. I'm not scared. Let's go." I muster all my courage & close my eyes.
His long fingers intertwine with mine, our delicate skins scraping against each other.
Heat creeps to my cheeks at the intimate contact & I quickly lower my face, hoping that he won't notice my reddened face.
Come on Y/n, stop embarrassing yourself. You're 20 years old. No 20-year-old would blush when they hold hands with a guy.
"Don't be embarrassed. You look cute when you're blushing like that." He chuckles.
"Are you a mind reader or something?" I gasp at his sudden comment.
"No, it's just that you're quite predictable. Although you do surprise me at times. Anw, we're almost there. The road will be slightly rocky from here so hold on tight."
The ground does feel bumpier & harder than the sandy beach we walked on before.
Where is he taking me?
My instinct tells me to take a peek, but I don't want to spoil the surprise.
I'm such a moron. What if he lied & is actually bringing me somewhere obscure to kill me?
But I know he won't do that. Somehow, I trust him.
Soon, my feet step off the rocky ground & land on a soft surface which feels a lot like sand.
"We're here. Now open your eyes." He lets go of my hand & says.
I slowly open my eyes & gape at the breathtaking scenery in front of me.
"Wow, it's gorgeous. I never knew a place like this existed & it's so close to our town!"

"It's beautiful, right? I found this hidden beach by accident actually." He puts both hands in his pockets & stares at the vast ocean before us.
"By accident? This place is quite secluded from the main beach. What were you doing?" I mindlessly ask just to fill the conversation.
"Oh. I was chasing a butterfly & it led me here." He shrugs nonchalantly, yet there's a veil of sadness in his eyes, like he's recalling a bad experience.
I'm curious, but I don't want to pry so I pretend that I didn't notice that.
"Let's sit down. I don't want your princess feet to get tired." He signals me to follow him.
"I'm not that fragile, you know?" I frown.
"You sure, Virgin?" He throws me a glance & smirks.
"And stop calling me virgin. I have a name. My name is Y/n. Besides, I'm not-"
"Yeah, you're not a virgin anymore. I'm well aware of that." He turns to me & says.
Confounded by his straightforwardness, I instantly avert my gaze, but he catches my chin & turns me back to face him.
My breath hitches in my chest as I get lost in his deep dark brown eyes. Our faces are so close to each other that I can feel hot air escaping from his mouth on my skin. The smell of mint & smoke sparks another memory from that night.
Our first kiss.
I want him to kiss me now. The lust emerges without restrain.
The seclusion must have given me extra courage. Without realizing, I've closed my eyes, anticipating his lips to touch mine.
My pulse increases rapidly as I sense him moving closer. But then, his warmth suddenly disappears, replaced by an emptiness that leaves me yearning for more.
"Let's go for a swim." He calls out from a distance away.
"Swim?" I abruptly snap my eyes open & find him taking off his clothes & shoes before throwing them onto the ground.
His torso is covered with tattoos of various shapes & colors, which I hadn't noticed at all that night due to the dim lighting in the shed.
Now that we are under broad day light, they're all laid out in the open for me to see.
One specific tattoo that catches my eyes is a colorful half butterfly tattoo on his right chest because it looks slightly out of place & too feminine for him.

From there, my gaze travels to his muscular veiny arms, his well-toned abs, down to the sharp V line on his hips.
God, how can someone look so stunningly perfect? And I got to have him as my first.
I can't help but gulp at the thought.
"Are you coming?" His question snaps me out of my daze.
"Huh? But I don't bring any swimwear. How am I supposed to-"
"Sissy." He rolls his eyes.
"Ya! I'm not a coward!" I yell in annoyance.
"Then, prove it. Or maybe our little princess can't swim?" He says in an exaggeratedly mocking tone.
I'm definitely triggered by his provocation.
Fuming, I begin to unbutton my shirt while keeping eye contact with him. I know I've probably fallen into his trap, but I truly can't stand being insulted by him.
His eyes follow my fingers as they move lower & lower towards the waistband of my skirt.
I feel extremely self-conscious but I try not to show.
"Wow.." He blows a whistle when I've taken off all my clothings except my plain white cotton underwear.
"The last one to hit the water is a pussy!" I exclaim as I dash towards the sea.
"Yaaa that's not fair!" He runs after me.
The cold sea water splashes over my almost-naked body as I waddle away from the beach.
It's my first time ever swimming in the ocean & it's such a liberating experience. I feel so small & helpless, yet so free. It's like I can just swim out of here & leave my suffocating life behind.
"Gotcha!" Taehyung appears behind me out of nowhere & pulls me close to him, our bodies pressing against each other.
Swimming in the empty water, with no one else around, it feels like we are the only two people left in this world.
That lust sneaks out again, sending butterflies soaring in the pit of my stomach.
I look up at him & trace my fingers over his thick brows, high nose, & plump lips.
"You truly are fascinating." I mutter without further thinking.
He cups my cheeks with both hands & smashes his lips onto mine without warning.
The sensation of water lapping against my skin, his body rubbing against mine, & his soft tongue swirling inside my mouth drives me absolutely crazy.
I must be insane for feeling this way towards a stranger in such a short time, but I can't lie to myself.
I've become addicted to him.

-•-

We lie lazily on the beach, the grains of soft sand sticking onto our wet skin. His lips are firmly pressed on mine, while his hand gently cups my cheek.
I don't want this to end.
I want to just get lost in this hidden cove & stay in his arms forever.
Such a ludicrous thought, considering I don't even know who he is. But the taste of paradise that he's given me has made me lose all of my rationality.
Our lips part as he slowly moves his face away & I immediately resent him for doing that.
He rolls to the side, lying next to me with both arms behind his head, & heaves a deep sigh.
"What is it?" I lift myself up with my elbow & turn to him in concern.
"Nothing. I just wish that we could stay here forever & forget about everything else." He smiles, yet it doesn't reach his eyes.
"Me too.." I lay my head on his chest & make circles on the half- butterfly tattoo on his chest with my forefinger, hoping that he truly meant what he said.
"I think it's time for us to go. It's almost 2:30 PM." He raises his hand to check his watch.
"What?! Omg, I promised Hana that I would be back by 3PM. She must be worried sick." I instantly stands up in panic.
"Who's Hana?" He leisurely asks while patting the sand away from his skin.
"My personal assistant." I reply mindlessly as I hurriedly button up my shirt.
"So she knows that you're coming to see me? I thought you said she would report everything to your father."
"Well, she doesn't know exactly where I'm going. I only told her that I needed to go somewhere. Besides, she has no choice but to keep this a secret. I'm ready, let's go." I begin to step towards the rocky ground leading to the main beach.
"Wait!" Taehyung suddenly exclaims & snatches my wrist.
"What? Did I forget something?" I ask as I scan the area where we lied earlier.
"Yes. You forget this." He abruptly lifts me up & slams his lips onto mine.
My body melts into his as I wrap my legs around his waist. I bury my fingers in his curly locks, pull him tighter, and, because I feel a little braver, bite his lower lip.
"Ugh.. If you do that, I won't be able to control myself Virgin." He grunts & puts you back down to the ground.
"I told you my name is-" I protest, but he muffles my mouth with another kiss.
"Yes, Y/n. Although I like Virgin better. Let's go." He winks & holds my hand.
My heart flutters, warmth spreading throughout my body despite the breezy wind.
I've never been in love before, but I think what I feel towards him now is close to that.
What the hell are you thinking? He's been with so many women before, there's no way he wants to start a serious relationship with you. Maybe he's only playing with you, or find you amusing because he was your first. So stop whatever you're feeling right now before you get hurt.
I circle my arms around his waist & close my eyes, letting the loud rustle of motorcycle engines fill my head, clearing my chaotic thoughts.
In a short moment, we arrive at our university & a heaviness starts to weigh on my heart.
"So.. I guess this is goodbye?" I hesitantly ask as I hand him the helmet back.
"Well, yeah. Why? Miss me already?" He bobs my nose & chuckles.
"No. Goodbye Kim Taehyung. Don't come bothering me again." I pretend to be cool about it to hide my disappointment & walk away.
I'm secretly waiting for him to call my name & tell me that he's joking. That this is not goodbye. That he will help me escape from my golden cage.
But the sound of his accelerating motorcycle makes me realize that I was holding onto an invisible thread & that thread has just been severed by Taehyung.
Told you. He was just playing with you.
Dejectedly, I rush to the library & see Hana pacing back & forth near the entrance.
"Hana ssi, I'm back." I pant heavily.
"Miss Y/n! Omg! I was so close to calling Sajangnim & confessing my wrongdoing. Where did you go?! You promised me to be back at 3, it's 3:17 now!" She exclaims in panic.
"I'm sorry. Did Abeonim look for me at all?"
"No. But I'm certain he's already suspicious now. The driver has called me multiple times & I don't dare to pick up. Wait, why is there sand all over your hair?" She furrows her brows & stares at my hair in confusion.
"Shit. Can you help me clean them up? Let's go to the restroom." I motion her to follow me but she stands still in place.
"What's wrong?" I turn around & ask her.
"Miss.. You've never cursed before." She seems to be in a state of shock, which makes me laugh involuntarily.
"Get used to it Hana ssi. Now move."
Hana helps me clean my hair & clothes in the restroom. I can almost hear the questions in her head out loud due to her suspicious gaze, but I remain quiet.
No one should know about Taehyung.
Her phone rings all of a sudden, startling both of us.
"Oh no, the driver is calling me again. We need to go now." She rejects the call & says.
"Did you get everything?" I examine myself in the mirror one last time.
"I think so. Let's go Miss, before Sajangnim calls the whole police department to look for you." She hurriedly pulls me out of the restroom & dashes to the university's front gate.
Park Heejin, the driver, is already waiting for us inside the black sedan.
"Hana ssi, where have you been? Why didn't you pick up my calls? Sajangnim has already called me twice!" Heejin exclaims furiously as we get into the car.
"Sorry, my phone was charging & we were in the library so I put it on silent. What did he say?" Hana asks, fear lacing her voice.
"He only asked about where I was. Didn't he call you?"
"No.." Hana exchanges a glance with me & I realize that we're doomed.
Abeonim must be suspicious of Hana too, that's why he didn't call her.
"Heejin ssi, it's pointless arguing with each other here. Just step on the gas & bring us home as fast as you can." I try to sound as calm as possible, although my palms are already drenched in cold sweat.
"Yes, Miss." Heejin nods.
On our way home, I organize my thoughts, trying to find the best excuse for my lateness.
Before I'm ready, we've arrived at the mansion.
I take a deep breath & quickly compose myself.
Wear your best poker face Y/n ah. You can't show any weakness.
I lift my chin, straighten my back, & slowly walk into the house.
As expected, Abeonim is already waiting for me in the living room.
"I'm home, Abeonim." I bow at him.
He lowers his book & look at me with a stare as cold as ice.
I wish I could run away & throw myself into Taehyung's warm embrace again. Sadly, he doesn't want me, so I have to continue enduring this mental torture from my own father.
"How did your research go? Have you finished your assignment?" He asks casually, but every question has a hidden trap & I have to think ten steps ahead before answering.
"I had a little bit of difficulty so I spent a little more time than intended." I reply.
"Oh, do you need me to find a professional who can help you with the assignment? What exactly is it about? Philosophy, you said?"
The first trap.
I'm sure he remembers what I said this morning & only pretends to remember wrongly to test me.
"No, Abeonim. It's Political Science. I'm writing something about Presidential vs Parliamentary democracy. There's no need to bother you, I can do it on my own." I say with a straight face.
"Ah I see. Please forgive your old father.
My brain is not as good as it used to be. Hana ssi, were you with her the whole time?" He addresses Hana all of a sudden while still keeping eye contact with me.
"Yes, Sir." Hana bows & answers.
"Good. Now go on, do what you need to do." He picks his book up again, a sign for us to leave.
I breathe a huge sigh of relief inwardly, thinking that I've passed the test.
But then, Abeonim calls out to me again.
"Oh, I forgot. I was going to tell you to be more careful when you walk next time. Those leather shoes cost a small fortune & I hate to see it getting scratched by sand. Hana ssi, please bring them to the cleaner right away."
Fear instantly creeps from my head to my toes.
He knows.