"Life went on without you. Of course, it did. Of course, it does. It was just an ending, they tell me, not the end."    - Lang Leav

Finding Hoseok's photo studio didn't take me long considering it was situated in a rather hidden and narrow street, away from the large and bustling boulevards. I spotted the not so noticeable sign on the door. "Photo Studio Hopeworld" it said, underneath the name, there was another sentence written in a slightly smaller font.

"Smile for the camera".

I picked up my pace towards the door, trying my best to remain as determined as I was when I left my place heading there. I entered cautiously, mentally praying that there were no customers.

"There you go, ma'am." I saw Hoseok beaming at a chubby old lady that seemed completely infatuated with his gorgeous smile and the rays of sunshine that his eyes illuminated.

"Thank you so much, sweetie." The lady smiled, endeared. "They're wonderful!" She exclaimed, taking a look at the photos Hoseok had just handed her over.

"I'm so glad you like them, Mrs. Park." Hoseok chimed happily and I immediately understood why probably all of his customers were so enchanted by him and his business was blooming. "See you again soon!"

The lady waved him goodbye, turning around to walk towards the exit.

Hoseok's smile widened even more from ear to ear the moment his eyes fell upon me, noticing me standing beside the door.

"Y/N!" He greeted me cheekily and I was slightly taken aback from his enthusiasm. I couldn't help but wonder if it was really genuine. My mind leaned towards the negative, remembering how well he fooled me with his act the other day when me and Taehyung ran into him at the coffee shop.

"What a pleasant surprise." Hoseok shakes my hand, gesturing for me to sit on one of the armchairs he had thoughtfully placed next to the door so that his customers could wait for their photos. "What brings you here?"

"I have a question to ask." I say vaguely, trying to keep my composure as nonchalant as possible. Hoseok claps his hands cheerfully.

"Okay! What is it about? Do you have an event you need a photographer for? I can make a discount for you, you know." He winks at me, his fabulous smile not leaving his face.

"Actually, it's about something else." I pause as I cross my legs slowly, Hoseok watches me questioningly.

"How long have you been making fake IDs for?"

Hoseok's face suddenly darkens, his wide smile slowly disappearing.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He smiles again, this time the feigned smile doesn't reach his eyes. There's no memory of the cheerfulness in his voice a while ago.

"Really? Playing dumb?" I raise one eyebrow, my fingertips tapping on the armchair.

"Cut the crap and answer the question, or else I'm calling the police." I was amazed and shocked by the coldness in my own voice at that moment.

Hoseok scoffs depreciatingly, but I see his body going stiff with anxiety.

"I'll be in a lot of trouble if you did. Who told you?"

"Doesn't matter." I lower my voice. "I won't tell a thing if you answer me one question."

"Isn't this blackmail?" Hoseok narrows his eyes at me.

"No, it isn't, because I'm not asking you for money." I roll my eyes in annoyance.

Hoseok nibbles on his lower lip and glances at the door nervously.

"Okay. What do you want to know?"

"Did you make fake IDs for Jungkook?" I stare intensely at the brunette's face.

He grunts loudly, leaning back in the armchair, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"I'm not supposed to say." He utters finally.

"Okay then." I pull out my phone from my purse. "I have a friend who's a Junior Criminal Investigator at the police department. I'm sure he'll be thrilled by what I'm about to tell him."

Since I didn't have Jin's number, I started dialing random numbers, hoping Hoseok wouldn't call my bluff.

"Ugh, okay," he caved finally and I suppressed a sigh of relief. "I did. Is that all?"

My heart throbbed anxiously at his confession, even though in my mind I already knew his answer.

"Why?" I asked under my breath, then cleared my throat. "I mean, did he tell you what he needed them for?"

Hoseok's forehead frowned, forming deep wrinkles. His eyes glistened with hostility.

"Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you." He huffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Jungkook made it very clear he wanted this to stay between us. And I respect my clients' confidentiality." He boasted somewhat satisfied, as if he was proud of what he was doing.

I fidgeted with my cellphone in my hand, drawing Hoseok's attention towards it. I raised my eyebrows, mentally assuring him that I haven't given up on my intention to call the cops on him. He inhaled deeply.

"Okay, Y/N, I really don't know anything more. When Jungkook came to me he seemed like he was in a hurry. He- he insisted on an express order. And that was it. That's all I know."

"So you didn't ask him what he needed them for?" I asked in disbelief.

"Of course not. Why would I?" Hoseok shrugged his shoulders.

"He's your friend, for fuck's sake!" I exclaimed, starting to lose my temper. Hoseok had the most innocent expression in the whole world.

"Y/N, I don't ask my clients such things. Yes, Jungkook is my friend, and that is all the more reason for me to keep his privacy and mind my own business." He blurted out, his calm tone starting to get on my nerves.

I formed my hands into fists, my nails digging painfully in my skin.

"And, to be completely honest," Hoseok suddenly added, looking casually at his nails, "So should you."

I threw him the coldest glare I was capable of. The boy raised his eyes to meet mine.

"I mean, if he really cared for you, he'd tell you what he was doing, right? Or where he was going." Hoseok flashed me a sardonic smile and my heart ached at his sharp tone. I looked away, incapable of hiding my frustration.

"Honestly, Y/N, are you even sure Jungkook loved you? Obviously, he hasn't been honest with you. Would you turn your back on the one you love and light-heartedly leave them?" Hoseok's words pierced like little poisoned arrows through my heart and I gulped loudly.

"Ah, seriously, maybe you should stop looking for Jungkook and just move on with your life." The boy stood up, placing his hand on my shoulder in a comforting manner but I could see right through his fake concern. "It would be better for you, I promise. Being this pathetic doesn't suit your pretty face."

I yanked off my shoulder as I stood up to face him, staring at his face contemptuously.

"You're so desperate to find him it's annoying. Maybe he doesn't want to be found." Hoseok rolled his eyes.

"You really have no fucking idea what you're talking about." I bark, holding back the urge to punch him in the face.

Hoseok simply shrugs his shoulders.

"Perhaps you're right. I'm just giving you friendly advice." He smiles slyly, no trail of friendliness in his expression.

"You're not my friend, Hoseok." I spin on my heel, headed towards the exit, but he grabs me by the wrist and I turn around.

"Here. Have my card." He hands me over a little piece of paper and I shiver at his touch, displeased. "If you ever need... my services."

I scoff loudly and drop the little card on the ground, stepping on it heavily so that it would tear apart.

"This is what I think of your services." I spit, turning my back against Hoseok, picking up my pace towards the door.

I go out in the chilly spring evening, the sun already starting to set behind the horizon. I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat, as I fight back the tears that were beginning to water my eyes.

The clacking of my heels echoes through my head as I walk as fast as I can towards my car, feeling Hoseok's eyes burning holes through my back.