The van pulled into the driveway of what could only be described as a mansion. My eyes widened as I took in the grand facade, complete with sprawling gardens and a gate that looked like it belonged to a palace. I tried to mask my shock, but judging by the amused glances from some of the guys, I wasn't doing a great job.

"This... is for me?" I asked, stepping out of the van and craning my neck to take in the towering structure.

"Agency's standard for high-profile artists," RM explained with a small smile. "You'll get used to it."

Get used to it? This house was big enough to host an entire village. I was still processing the sheer size of the place when Taehyung nudged me gently, his deep voice breaking through my thoughts. "Let's check it out. You can't live here without knowing where all the secret doors are."

"Secret doors?" I echoed, but he was already heading towards the entrance with Jungkook on his heels.

The inside was just as overwhelming. The living room was massive, with sleek modern furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a chandelier that looked like it was worth more than my entire life. There was a fully stocked kitchen, a home theater, a gym, and even a pool in the backyard.

"This place is insane," J-Hope said, spinning around with his arms outstretched in the living room. "Clover, if you ever feel lonely, just call us. We'll crash here."

"Yeah, we can have movie nights," Jungkook added, plopping onto one of the couches and bouncing slightly. "This is way nicer than our dorm."

"Don't get too comfortable," RM said, though his tone was light. "This isn't a hangout spot."

I followed them through the house, feeling a strange mix of awe and discomfort. The space was beautiful, no doubt, but it felt so far removed from the life I'd been living up until now. How was I supposed to make this feel like home?

We ended the tour back in the living room, where I tried to thank them for showing me around, but before I could say much, the doorbell rang.

Taehyung opened the door, revealing his personal manager, Han Minseok, who strode in with his usual air of efficiency. He barely glanced around the house before turning his attention to me.

"Clover," he said, his tone brisk but not unkind. "I wanted to let you know that in addition to managing Taehyung, I'll also be acting as your personal manager from now on."

"What?" The word escaped before I could stop it. "You're... my manager too?"

"Yes," he confirmed, adjusting the glasses perched on his nose. "Given the nature of your arrangement with BTS, the agency decided it would be best to assign someone who understands the situation thoroughly. I'll be overseeing your schedule, coordinating your work with the group, and handling any media or public relations concerns."

I nodded slowly, trying to absorb his words. Having a manager felt surreal enough, but sharing one with Taehyung? That was a level of closeness I hadn't anticipated.

Minseok gave a small nod, as though he could sense my hesitation. "I know this is all new to you, but I assure you, I'll do my best to make this transition as smooth as possible. If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to let me know."

"Thank you," I managed to say, though my voice sounded uncertain even to my own ears.

The guys didn't seem fazed by the announcement. If anything, Jimin looked amused. "Well, if Minseok-hyung is handling things, you're in good hands," he said with a wink. "He's the best at keeping Taehyung in line."

"Hey!" Taehyung protested, but the lighthearted teasing quickly dissolved into laughter. Even I couldn't help but smile, their easy camaraderie putting me at ease despite the whirlwind of changes happening around me.

As Minseok left to make some calls, the guys lingered a bit longer, filling the house with their chatter and energy. For a moment, it didn't feel so overwhelming. It felt... manageable. Like maybe I wasn't so alone in all of this after all.

The moment their group manager, Kim Soojin, stepped through the door, the energy in the room shifted. She was a no-nonsense woman in her mid-30s, with an air of authority that made even the most mischievous of them straighten up. Her sharp eyes scanned the room before settling on me.

She tilted her head, scrutinizing me with a mix of curiosity and amusement. Then, to my surprise, she clapped her hands. "Finally! A new face."

The guys erupted in laughter, and I stood there, unsure of how to respond. Taehyung, always quick with a comeback, grinned mischievously. "What's that supposed to mean, noona? Are you saying our faces are old?"

"Or too common?" Jimin added, pretending to look offended.

Soojinnie rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "You know exactly what I mean. It's just nice to see someone new around here. Keeps things fresh."

Their teasing continued, playful jabs and exaggerated reactions that had everyone laughing. Even I couldn't help but chuckle at the way they bantered, their chemistry as a group so natural and infectious. For a moment, I felt like I wasn't just an outsider peering into their world—I was a part of it.

Then, Soojin's gaze flicked across the room, her brows knitting together. "Wait... where's Yoongi?"

The rest of the guys froze, as if only just realizing it. "He was right here earlier," J-Hope said, gesturing to the empty seat beside him.

"Maybe he fell asleep somewhere," Jungkook offered, earning a round of laughter. It wasn't an entirely unreasonable guess, given Suga's legendary ability to nap anywhere.

But before anyone could speculate further, the door opened again, and in walked Yoongi. He was carrying two large plastic bags, each bulging with what appeared to be... bottles of soju.

"Really?" RM said, raising an eyebrow as Yoongi set the bags down on the coffee table. "What's this?"

Suga shrugged nonchalantly. "I wanted to drink."

Jungkook smirked, leaning back against the couch. "What a nice way to welcome Clover, hyung. So thoughtful of you."

Yoongi shot him a flat look, his forehead creasing. "It's not for her. It's for me."

The room burst into laughter again, and even Suga's lips twitched in what might have been a suppressed smile. He began pulling out bottles, arranging them on the table with the precision of someone who took his drinks very seriously.

"Alright," RM said, grabbing a couple of glasses. He turned to me, his tone casual. "Want to join us, Clover? Just one drink to celebrate?"

I hesitated, feeling their expectant gazes on me. My heart gave an uncomfortable twinge, a reminder of the very real reason I couldn't drink anymore. But I couldn't exactly tell them that. It wasn't something I was ready to share—not yet.

"Ah, I don't drink anymore," I said, keeping my tone light. "I kind of... outgrew it, I guess."

"Outgrew it?" J-Hope echoed, tilting his head. "You make it sound like it's a hobby."

The others chuckled, but they didn't press further, much to my relief. Instead, Taehyung reached for one of the bottles, pouring drinks for those who wanted to partake.

As the glasses were raised and the guys began their toast, I sat back and watched, a small smile playing on my lips. Their laughter and easy camaraderie filled the room, making the oversized house feel a little less intimidating. Even though I wasn't drinking, I still felt included, as if their celebration wasn't just about welcoming me but also about solidifying the strange, unexpected bond we were starting to form.

Yoongi, ever the enigma, caught my gaze for a moment across the table. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that almost seemed like approval—or at least, less suspicion than before. Then he looked away, raising his glass in a silent toast before taking a sip.

I leaned back against the plush couch, exhaling softly. This wasn't the life I'd imagined for myself, not even close. But maybe, just maybe, it was one I could learn to embrace.

As the night wore on, I couldn't help but voice something that had been bugging me since we started talking. Leaning forward, I looked around the table, catching everyone's attention. "Wait a second," I said, my brow furrowing. "Are you guys seriously speaking in English this whole time? Because, as far as I know, whenever I watch your videos—like Run BTS or other stuff—you're almost always speaking Korean."

The room went quiet for a beat, and then Jungkook's lips curled into a soft smile. "That's true," he admitted, his voice warm. "When it's just us, we almost always speak in Korean."

"Then... why English now?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Don't get me wrong—it's impressive! But isn't it tiring for you?"

Jungkook glanced at RM, who chuckled and leaned back in his seat, taking a sip from his glass. "Well," Jungkook continued, "you're part of the family now, Clover. And since none of us can really speak Filipino—except for a few words or phrases—it felt natural to use English whenever you're around."

Jimin nodded enthusiastically, his smile lighting up the room. "It's easier this way. We want you to feel comfortable, and English is something we're all used to speaking when we need to connect with people from other countries."

Taehyung tilted his head, his deep voice chiming in. "Plus, it's fun. We're learning more by speaking it. It's like practice for us."

"That, and it's a challenge," RM added with a grin. "Which you probably know I enjoy."

J-Hope laughed, clapping his hands. "It's not just that! We want to make sure you don't feel left out, Clover. If we're all chattering away in Korean, you'd probably just sit there wondering what we're talking about."

I felt their words sink in, a mixture of gratitude and relief washing over me. "Wow," I said, a little overwhelmed. "That's... really thoughtful of you. I didn't expect you to go out of your way like that."

"Of course, we would!" Jimin said, his voice warm. "You're part of the team now, Clover. And besides, we're used to adapting. It's kind of what we do."

Taehyung gave a soft chuckle. "Don't be too surprised, though. If Jin were here, he'd probably tell us to just speak Korean and let you figure it out."

The mention of Jin brought a momentary pause, the group's laughter softening into fond smiles. "He'd probably tease us for being too nice," RM said with a wistful smile. "But knowing him, he'd also sneak in a joke about how much better his English is."

Everyone laughed, except Yoongi, who sat back silently, his arms crossed. It wasn't hard to notice that he hadn't joined the conversation much—well, not with me, anyway. His gaze flickered my way briefly, then back to his drink, his expression unreadable.

The others didn't seem to notice the tension—or if they did, they didn't let on. "He'll be back before we know it," J-Hope said optimistically, raising his glass.

"Yeah," Jungkook added, his smile returning. "And when he is, we'll have to explain to him why speaking English became our thing."

I nodded, trying to focus on the warmth in the room instead of the cold shoulder Yoongi was clearly giving me. It wasn't exactly surprising—he'd been distant since the press conference, his blunt distrust of me still lingering in the air. It stung, but I couldn't blame him for feeling cautious. After all, I was the outsider here, suddenly thrust into their world. Winning him over would take time—if it ever happened at all.

As the night wore on and the soju bottles began to empty, Taehyung, ever the lightweight when it came to alcohol, started showing signs that he'd crossed into the realm of tipsiness. His face turned a soft shade of pink, a telltale sign that his alcohol tolerance was no match for the steady stream of drinks. He became slower in his movements, his usual animated energy melting into a relaxed and somewhat spacey demeanor.

Leaning against the back of the couch, Taehyung let out a soft laugh, seemingly amused by something only he understood. His flushed cheeks, coupled with his far-off gaze and occasional hums, were enough to draw a few chuckles from the group. Jimin, who was seated beside him, nudged him gently. "Here we go," he teased. "Tipsy Taehyung is in the building."

"Ah, leave him," Jungkook said with a grin. "This is the best part of the night."

Taehyung, oblivious to their comments, suddenly turned his attention to me. "Clover," he began, his deep voice softer than usual but tinged with mock seriousness. "You know, I've been meaning to ask you something."

I raised an eyebrow, unsure of where this was headed. "What is it, Taehyung?"

He paused, his head tilting slightly as if trying to gather his thoughts. Then, with all the gravity a tipsy man could muster, he blurted out, "Why didn't you reply to me?"

The room went quiet for a second before breaking into laughter. Even RM, who had been quietly nursing his drink, chuckled. "Here we go," he said, shaking his head. "I was wondering when he'd bring that up."

Taehyung's face turned even redder—not from embarrassment, but from the alcohol—as he waved his hands dismissively at the group. "I'm serious!" he exclaimed. "Do you know how weird it was for me to get that message from you and then... nothing?"

I couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity of the situation hitting me all at once. "Taehyung," I said, shaking my head, "you're still hung up on that? That was ages ago!"

"That doesn't matter," he replied, his voice slightly slurred but no less dramatic. "It's the principle. I even replied to you! I said your name was funny in the best way, but you... you just left me hanging."

The group burst into laughter again, and I joined in, unable to contain myself. "Oh my God, Taehyung," I said between laughs. "Can you please let it go? I didn't mean to ignore you—I was just... overwhelmed. But look at me now! I'm here, aren't I? With you. With all of you."

Taehyung blinked at me, processing my words for a moment before breaking into a wide, goofy grin. "Yeah," he said, nodding slowly. "You're here now."

"That's the spirit," J-Hope said, clapping Taehyung on the back. "Now drink some water before you start quoting poetry or something."

Taehyung waved him off, his flushed face glowing with an affectionate smile. "I'm fine," he said, though his slightly wobbly attempt to stand up and grab another bottle said otherwise. Jimin caught his arm and guided him back down, laughing.

Meanwhile, Suga stayed silent in his corner, observing the exchange with a faintly raised eyebrow but saying nothing. His aloof demeanor only stood out more against the boisterous atmosphere, and I couldn't help but notice the subtle glance he threw my way, as though silently judging the entire scene.

Despite that, the night felt warm and inviting, and Taehyung's playful antics made me feel a little more at ease.