In another few days, Somi was ready to leave the hospital.

Dr. Kim, or Namjoon as I now call him, was impressed of her remarkable improvement in her strength and her injuries, and so gave the thumbs up.

Chanja and Chanmi were over the moon. Finally their mother was coming back home to them, that she did not have to be enclosed, enslaved in a hospital bed for weeks.

Hell, they didn't even let go when Namjoon tried to bid her a personal goodbye.

"Momma, let's goooo-"

"Momma, come on-"

"Girls," I scolded, taking their hands and practically dragging them to the entrance.

I looked back at the both, awkwardly standing next to the reception.

Namjoon said something, but unfortunately I was out of earshot.

Despite that, I wasn't blind.

I clearly saw the doctor, taking Somi's hand and planting a gentle kiss on the front.

Chanja gasped. Chanmi and I screamed.

"AY, YOU GO GIRL-"

"MAMA'S GONNA DO THE KISSY KISSY-"

The couple jumped from the girl's exclamation, Somi inching back.

Namjoon smiled sheepishly, quickly letting go of the woman's hand and locking his own behind his back.

Somi, giving the doctor one last smile, turned to leave, heading towards our direction.

A malicious smile played on my lips as I saw my now red-cheeked sister coming over.

We had teased her the whole ride home, back to my own apartment.

Of course, I wasn't letting her or the kids near their own home. I knew, that if they dared step foot in that shit hole, Chanyeok would do something I don't want to think about.

Even though it was cramped, we didn't mind at all, I sleeping on the couch and giving my queensize to Somi and her children.

I would say it brought all of us even closer if we weren't already, as now I saw my family every day rather than every week.

The timing couldn't have been better, as Christmas came round.

Presents were bought and wrapped, A tree was put up and decorated, and the smell of cinnamon hung in the air, engulfing my nose every time I entered the flat.

It wasn't too much of a special occasion. Somi prepared the roast dinner, whipping up some Christmas pudding while I went out to work. Then the rest of the night was spent watching cheesy Christmas movies, and Frozen at the end after an hour's worth of Chanmi's whining.

I didn't see Taehyung that day, as he went down to Busan to celebrate it with Jimin and Jungkook.

Although I was relieved that the two friends seemed to reconcile, a little part of me was upset of his leave.

The cheque he gave me as a Christmas present, however, made me feel far from sadness. 

How would it, though? It made me a millionaire overnight.

The gift was something I definitely didn't deserve. But Taehyung's persisting gave me no choice but to keep it.

Of course, I had to give something back.

And my mind, for once, helped, as an idea sprung into my head.

Although I couldn't execute the idea until five days later, a smile spread quickly on my face.

The idea was genius.

-

Taehyung's birthday came after five days.

The whole country, if not the whole world knew, and so wished it to him, whether it was through the news, through social media, or just threw random people shouting it on the street.

I was awake the whole night, the excitement of the idea keeping me up.

Fatigue didn't nip at me though, as I jumped off the couch, running to the bathroom.

I took a quick shower, getting out as soon as possible before running to my room.

Scowering my closet, I settled upon a baby pink blouse and jeans, and quickly put them on, making sure not to wake the others.

I took my bag dumped on the couch, slipped on my heels and shrugged on my coat, all in a frenzy.

Then, I headed to the headquarters.

I was there quickly, and after paying the fare, I got out, heading inside and quickly going to the specific room on the 20th floor.

Opening the photoshoot door, my eyes instantly fell on him.

The very man I came here for.

Taehyung was modeling, posing intently for the camera. He wore a black, velvety shirt, unbuttoned at the top to reveal the tanned skin of his upper chest. Leather pants and brown boots adorned his lower body.

His hair was a luxurious mess, cascading over his eyes, curling over his ear, his neck.

As I closed the door, his eyes snapped to where I was.

His hand raised. A sign for the camera man to stop.

They didn't argue, as they stopped the shooting, curious over the sudden stopping.

Taehyung, slow and sensual, strolled over to me, never taking his eyes off mine.

"I know what you're gonna say," he started.

He snapped his fingers. "Cameras!"

The photographers set their possessions on us, pressing play.

"Go on," he whispered, spreading his arms wide. "Say it."

A hideous grin burst on my face. "You dork."

Taehyung's smile strained. He gritted through his teeth, "Not really what I had in mind, sweetheart."

I made sure to give him a hard shove, that stupid smile still there. "Happy Birthday, asshat."

The man waved my arms away, a teasing little smile on his lips. "I would have preferred 'The kindest, generous, most handsome boss', but I guess that works too."

"You're only getting what you deserve," I said, mockingly shrugging.

"Ouch," he mused, faking a pout.

His smirk was soon back, as he waved at his cameramen to have a break. "Now tell me, where's my present? I don't see it in your hands."

"All that money you possess, and you still ask me." I tsked. "You really are shameless, aren't you."

Taehyung's smile looked like a sin. "You don't even know half of it," he purred.

Smiling nervously, I turned the subject to a lighter note, saying, "I have actually thought about your present. However, you must come with me to see it."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" The man grabbed my hand, already leading me to the door. "Let's go!"

"Woah, woah, buddy," I said, laughing. "Just finish the photoshoot, okay? After all, good things come to those who wait."

Taehyung pursed his lips. "Then your surprise better be mind blowing. I am not a patient man."

-

About four hours later, Taehyung was finished with his shoot, squeezing in a sandwich in between breaks like I'd told him to.

I'd also instructed him to wear extra layers when he met up with me, as tonight was predicted to be the coldest day of the year.

I'm glad I listened to my own advice for once, as the big, brown-furred coat I wore just managed to keep me warm.

Darkness had fallen upon the sky, all black save for the street lights illuminating the roads and the headquarters in front of me.

Thankfully, I didn't have to wait for long, as the birthday boy came through the glass doors of his building, strolling over to where I stood.

I smiled as I caught sight of him. He was bare faced, the ash grey curls I'd grown to love hidden in a black beanie.

He wore an off white jacket, buttoned to the near top to reveal a black polo neck sweater, nearly touching his chin.

My eyes went down to his jeans, to his black timberlands.

His eyes followed mine to his shoes, and he turned his foot, showing a white signature underneath the tree-like logo.

"A Christmas present from Jungkook."

I looked up at him, brow raised. "So you like him now?" I asked starting to walk towards the place.

Taehyung fell into step beside me. "He apologised at Jimin's Christmas Party. I figured him doing so showed he still cared."

"I see," I said, though I really didn't. He didn't even need to apologise. Taehyung was just being a jealous prick.

I tried to erase those thoughts for now. It's his birthday after all, Sora. Let the man live.

We didn't talk much after that, only walked to the destination I was so keen for Taehyung to see.

In all honesty, I didn't know whether he would like it or not. I had read in a magazine somewhere that he liked this activity a lot, but I know better than to believe in tabloids.

This time, I risked it, as I turned a corner, the very place right in front of us.

Taehyung looked up at the sign.

Central Ice Rink.

The man's eyes widened.

I hoped to God it wasn't in horror, as I plastered a smile. "Don't just stand here gawking. Come inside."

I led him inside to the reception, where I'd specifically booked it for the two of us.

The price was hefty, but having the open rink to ourselves seemed worth it.

The woman got out our ice skates, showing us where to put them on, but not without winking at Taehyung as she went back to her desk.

I looked to the man, who still looked like he'd seen a ghost.

As I put the straps on, I asked, "Taehyung, is everything okay?"

He finished putting his skates on, getting up from his seat. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'm good."

I tried getting up as quickly as him, but that only had me stumbling.

Hurriedly, I went to the edge of the ice rink, sagging against the wall so I don't fall.

I looked to Taehyung, who stepped onto the ice.

My eyebrows furrowed. How could he do it so easily?

Making my way to the entrance, I pulled my leg over to ice. One foot landed.

Then I did it to the other leg, pulling myself into the rink.

"Woah-"

My feet instantly started skidding, trying to find a solid grip on the slippery surface.

I made sure my hands didn't leave the railing, or I knew I was going to fall.

Goddammit, why did I decide on fucking ice skating?

"First time?"

I looked over my shoulder, catching Taehyung, standing perfectly still on the ice.

I scrunched up my nose in unnecessary envy as I slowly turned myself to my front. "Definitely not for you."

Taehyung only gave me a little smile, just short of his natural cruelty.

Then, he skated over to me, hands in his pockets, as chill as the ice I wobbled on.

My mouth dropped open as he neared me. "Oh, that is unfair!"

"Practice makes perfect, dear Sora," he mused.

He stretched out his hands.

I looked at them intently. "What?"

"So you intend to be stuck here all night?" he drawled, giving me an incredulous look.

"So what if I am?" I snarled, gripping the railings harder.

Taehyung shook his head, his smile widening. "I'm not letting you leave this place until you've done a whole lap of this ice rink."

He grabbed hold of my wrists.

Then, he leaned in close, not two inches away from my face.

His breath was like a frost mist on my lips as he whispered, "Do you trust me?"

I very much wanted to say no, but it seemed that words had failed me.

The man had probably figured out my answer from my face as he let out a breathy chuckle.

His lips hovered over to my ear. "Well that's too bad."

And then I was pulled.

"AAHH-"

My hands were free of the railings, now desperately looking for something to hold on to.

"OH MY FUCKING GOD-"

My feet lost control and I fell-

"Woah, woah, woah," Taehyung breathed out.

I looked up.

And realised that my hands now held on to Taehyung's arms, my body sagged against his own.

Gripping him tighter, I tried to stand up, Taehyung holding me the entire time.

I didn't let go of him as I achieved my little goal. "Taehyung, I can't do this, I can't-"

"Sora," he said.

Pleadingly, my eyes begged his, wanting for this whole thing to be over.

"Don't worry. I'm here." his hands travelled to my waist. "I've got you."

Breathing in heavily, I looked down at my feet, barely managing to stay still on the ice.

"Right," Taehyung said, starting to move again. "Just repeat after me."

He slid one foot. "One." He then slid the other. "Two."

I repeated his steps, my moves now smoother and less knee wobbling. "One...two..."

"That's it," he said, his hard, granite body right behind me as he now continued a faster pace.

I was still really slow, but he didn't seem to mind, just reminding me how to glide every time I skidded or nearly toppled over.

Seeing him teaching me so well had me asking, "How do you know ice skating so well?"

Taehyung paused, gripping my waist harder. "My dad...he taught me."

"Ah..." I said, not wanting to go any further. I could tell he didn't want to either.

So instead, I said, "I'm sure you could do more than just slide around."

I could feel his smirk. "You're not wrong, sweetheart. I do know some impressive moves."

As he took me to a railing, he jeered, "Assess. Admire. Applaud."

He turned around.

That's when he properly boosted through the ice, gliding halfway across the rink when he swung his leg up in the air.

He vaulted, pressed himself tightly as he spun, and to my absolute shock, landed perfectly on one foot, curving forward back to the middle.

I made sure to clap, the man bowing at my loud cheering.

When he looked back at me, he had a smile.

The open ceiling revealed the twinkling light of the stars, and the way it trickled on Taehyung's face made his smile so much more beautiful. Almost magical.

I could not help but smile back.

He skated over to me, the boy positively glowing. "You should have been an ice skater," I declared, earning a chuckle from him.

"I've thought about it, actually, but it seemed I was destined to inherit my father's company."

"Still," I said, propping my elbow on the railing. "You're figure skating is breath taking."

Taehyung's smile faltered slightly. "Thank you."

There was a long moment of silence between us. I thought it comfortable, but when he spoke again, that light aura faded instantly.

"My dad...he...he used to bring me along to ice rinks every week."

I glanced at him. He had a little smile looming on his lips.

"I loved it. So much so that every year on my birthday he'd make sure I did nothing but ice skate the entire day, without any disruptions.

"This...went on for fifteen years," he continued. "All those days, I'd come to a certain rink, skate to my heart's galore, and come back with dad around midnight, each birthday better than I'd thought it'd be."

Taehyung put his hands in his pockets, his smile fading. "It...it stopped when I was twenty. There was...no one to take me, to see me be the happiest man in the city, if not the world."

Six years ago. When his father died.

Oh God. What have I done?

I bit my lip. "I'm sorry."

The man looked to me, eyebrows knitted in confusion. "For what?"

"I...I don't want to take your dad's place." my hands held on to the railing behind me. "Now it seems I'm stealing a memory that should have been made with him."

Taehyung's mouth parted, ever so slightly. "Oh, Sora."

Suddenly, I felt warm hands on my arms. They pulled me to the man in front.

I tilted my head back to look into his eyes; so dark, so deep, so never ending.

"Sora, my darling, you haven't stolen a precious memory," Taehyung said. His lips trembled. "You've...you've revived it.

My breathing. It hitched.

"And...and you better realised how much I'm... thankful for it."

I did realise, as the thanking was brought to me by his lips, enveloping my own with a sweet kiss

Oh God. I was sure the flush of my cheeks wasn't due to the cold anymore.

It was slow, a soft kiss, that would have taken all the time in the world.

He soon broke it though, as he twisted his lips maliciously at me.

His hands went to cup my cheeks softly. "Maybe this can be your early birthday present."

Blushing, I stammered, "Sh-shut up."

"Don't worry too much though," he murmured, his nose grazing against mine. "I've got my own grand surprise for you tomorrow."

A smile made its way onto my face. "Well it better be grand. I am not a patient woman."

Taehyung's answering grin was well worth the mocking comment.

-

Hey guys! 2800+ words! The most I've done for this whole book.

I hope you all didn't get bored cause I did drag it a lot. I actually wanted to update quickly cause it had been a week, you know?

And plus, I might write another update just before my birthday two days later. Who knows ;)

Anyway, please do vote y'all, and tell me your thoughts on this chapter. It shall be appreciated :)

P.S. This chapter was inspired by this gif. Enjoy ;))