It was amazing how quickly I'd reach the headquarters the next morning, bag and coat already tossed on the photoshoot chair.

Taehyung was there as per usual, awaiting my normally late presence.

Seeing me arrive so early had his eyebrow quirking.

"My, my," he purred, crossing his arms, "Maybe I should bring mom here often. It'll fix your tardiness in minutes."

"Shut up," I said, rolling my eyes at the mere thought of her. "The only reason she's still walking on two legs is cause she's your mother. I'd have given her a verbal lashing the second she accused me."

The man put a hand on his chest, just above where his heart beat, a little faster. "All that resistance to bury my mom six feet underground for me? I'm truly honoured."

I shot him a look. "I'm surprised you haven't thrown her out. You weren't exactly jumping with joy on her arrival."

A long pause emanated from him. "It's..." a sigh. "It's complicated. I'll explain it all in Daegu."

He looked to the green background of the photoshoot. "Showing you would be easier than confessing it all in words."

I shrugged, still a little wary of what he said. "Okay."

The designer called for the cameramen, assigning me on makeup with Hoseok as he set the scene up.

Finalising my winter attire, I walked up to the set, the thick boots thudding against the floor.

Fixing my hat, I braced my hands on my hips, eyes on the camera, willing my lips into a tease of a smile.

Just as Taehyung's order to start snapping photos went ahead, the door slammed open.

My eyes averted from the camera and to the door.

Oh for fuck's sake.

Standing there at the doorway, looking like an elite fashion icon, stood Mrs. Kim, her eyes instantly locking with mine.

A little smirk lingered on those blood red lips.

"Ah, so sorry I'm late, Taehyung," she started, strolling towards her son in an arrogant stride.

"Who brought you here?" He asked instead, exasperation clear in his voice.

Hoseok came hurrying to the door, making eye contact with me. He had a sheepish look on his face, as if saying, sorry I couldn't stop her.

I only gave him a reassuring smile, fading quickly as I turned towards Mrs. Kim. "What are you doing here?"

The woman dusted at her black fur coat, soon resting her intense gaze upon me.

And what a stare it was. The very gesture nearly had me hiding behind the green screen.

So this is where Taehyung gets his icy nature from. And that fucking glare of his.

"Seeing the apparent love of my son's life doing her job," she remarked. "Or is that illegal in this damned building?"

"You said you'd be in Daegu," Taehyung said, seeing the anger threatening to burst from my face and quickly taking over conversation.

"And here I am," she replied. "I just thought I'd see dear Sora doing a photoshoot."

She faced me, her eyes raking up and down my figure. "I heard she's a new bestseller."

"You seem surprised mother," Taehyung said, bracing his hands on the table behind him.

"Because I am." Grabbing a chair, the old woman sat down, folding a leg gingerly over the other. "But I can be wrong. Let's see what you got, girl."

Hmph. I had half a mind to throw her out the window, but it's my fault she's here in the end.

I made that stupid deal.

Fucking hell, maybe I should throw myself out that window.

"Sora."

My eyes snapped to Taehyung, his head bowed ever so slightly.

"Remember what I said before, a long time ago. Slay them all."

Of course, it was easier said than done. Mrs Kim looked ready to literally slay me into a million pieces.

Seeing the little smile on Taehyung's face, though, that small glimmer of reassurance...it was enough for me to brace myself, and nod at the cameramen, telling him to start.

They obliged instantly, the flashing of the cameras flickering at an alarming rate as they snapped every movement I made, every pose I struck.

I didn't dare look at the woman, even as I felt her beady eyes on me. I knew I'd break my stance if I risked a glance, and then a fight will occur for certain.

My eyes, as a result, were glued to the cameras, doing another rather cute pose before Taehyung gave the thumbs up.

Smiling at him, I was about to say something when Mrs. Kim beat me to it.

"You call that a photoshoot?"

I fisted my hands, honing my anger into them, and not onto my tongue where I know I'd use it unwisely.

"Honestly, Taehyung, I don't see how-"

"Mother," he snapped, cutting her off entirely. "You may have struck a deal with Sora, but you definitely haven't struck one with me, so quit pissing me off."

Taehyung strode over to where I stood.

He gave me a quick kiss on my cheek, despite the people in the room, his mother's reaction.

"You were marvellous," he assured me, smiling. "This winter look will sell even in the summer because you'll be the one promoting it."

I returned his smile, giving his hand a loving squeeze before turning to his mother.

Shocker, she was pissed.

Of course she was. She's making herself look worse in her son's eyes.

The woman fixed her hat, eyeing both me and Taehyung knowingly. "Sora dear, it looks like we're leaving for Daegu sooner than I thought."

I furrowed my brows. "What?" I demanded. "But I haven't even packed!"

"Well, this is the headquarters of a successful fashion designer-" a look towards Taehyung- "You should find enough clothes to last you just under a week."

"Don't worry, I expected this a while back."

Now it was my turn to look at him.

He snapped his fingers, a man wheeling two suitcases behind him.

"I always have a bag packed for emergency catwalks or business meetings, but I made a spare one for you in case you have to come with me or in case my mom pulls a stunt like this."

I clapped for him. "Hats off to your quick wit, Taehyung."

He grinned, mocking a bow. "I do love to impress a pretty lady."

Mrs. Kim cleared her throat, catching our attention once again.

"Once you're done flirting shamelessly, we have to go." She gave me a menacing stare. "The longer we stay here, the less time Sora has to prove herself."

"Okay, we get it," I muttered. "Lead the way."

She did, walking out the photoshoot room, nearly pushing Hoseok out the way.

The redhead glared after her. "What a bitch-"

After glancing at Taehyung though, he quickly replaced, "Uh, I mean what a 'mean old woman', am I right?"

The millionaire swiped his hand in reassurance. "I really don't give a shit, Hoseok."

The makeup artist stopped. "Really?" Fury marred his features. "Then can I just say she is one bitchass, motherfucking-"

"Got it, Hobi," I said, stopping him before he cusses over Mrs. Kim even more.

"No, I'm just angry, you know?" He ran an aggravated hand through his hair. "She can't boss you both around like that. Someone has to put the foot down."

"Don't worry," I said, patting his shoulder, "When I win this bet, I'll tell her to stop bothering us for the rest of our lives. We just have to struggle for another six days."

Hoseok sighed, giving my hand a hard squeeze. "Wherever you go, just make sure she doesn't skin you alive and make you into a coat or some shit."

Taehyung made a disgusted sound. "Christ, man, my mom isn't that sadistic."

"I can already hear the screams, Taehyung," he continued. "Fuck, you should have stayed in Paris. Ran your own bakery or a nude workshop."

A loud snort escaped me. The man beside me whispered, "The latter does sound very tempting."

I only whacked him on the arm. "And you called Hoseok disgusting," I muttered.

"You love it really."

"Does she, though?" Hoseok piped up.

"Did I ask, though?" Taehyung snapped.

I grabbed my suitcase, shrugging off my winter attire and went into my normal auburn coat. "Right, we're gonna go before Mrs Kim comes for our skin."

Hoseok hugged me tightly, murmuring in my ear, "Don't worry, sweetie, you'll wreck that old woman. I can already feel it."

Chuckling, I thanked him before leaving with Taehyung, the former blowing air kisses as we went out.

Exiting the headquarters, the man beside me slipped on some shades, looking for his Ferrari in the car park.

He spotted his mother next to it, waiting for me and him to come so he could open it for her.

"Goddammit, Taehyung, you didn't have to say goodbye to all your staff," she drawled.

"Don't get me started, mother," he only warned, going to the driver's seat and opening the door.

He was about to enter when Mrs Kim swooped in.

She closed the door on his face.

"You're sitting beside me."

After some furious cursing, Taehyung nearly ripped open the passenger door, hopping in and slamming it shut.

I then sat in the back, thankful I wasn't sitting next to that damned woman.

"Don't get your boxers in a twist, boy," Mrs. Kim started. "You won't even know where Kim Manor would be."

"Of course I know where it is!" the man shouted. "I lived there nearly my whole life!"

"It's been years since you've gone," she said, starting the car. "It's but a memory now."

"You can't assume that," Taehyung hissed. "You can't just say that I haven't been, cause then you'd be wrong."

The woman shut up for once, as she swerved around and drove onto the main road.

After that, the entire three hour ride was silent, no one bothering to speak with each other.

I didn't mind it much. Taehyung and his mother were both pissed, and I didn't feel like trying to make a conversation with an angry person.

So I just texted Somi the whole there, informing her of what's happening and my sudden leave for Daegu.

She only wished me luck, sending me a picture of the girls smiling and giving me four thumbs up, making me return the former gesture.

Time went slowly, but surely, and soon enough, I felt the car stop.

I looked up. The both family members got out, the younger opening the door for me.

Getting out the car, my eyes darted around the surroundings.

And marvelled.

My eyes feasted upon the estate, dark and humongous. A brick arc greeted us first before walking towards the great mahogany doors, at least twice my size.

Although the manor looked old, it didn't look filthy. It had a vintage vibe to it, with the dark plating, the black stained glass windows scattered among the exterior.

It looked like a castle among the famous Daegu hills. Truly spectacular despite its appearance.

Mrs Kim fished out the keys, unlocking the doors with a toiled click!

She put her hand on the doors, looking back at us.

Giving us a suspicious look, she pushed the doors open, revealing the inside of the mansion.

"Welcome to Kim Manor."

-
Hey guys!

Today is an extremely special day.

No, it ain't Christmas, sorry y'all

But today, ya gal here hit 1 0 0 K

tHatS riGhT

SO LIKE I JUST WANNA SAY OMFG THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THIS OH MY GOD I HAD NEVER DREAMED THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN ACK IM SO HAPPY RN

But like I wanted to give you a bombastic chapter, but I feel like my writing's been lacking recently :/ hey, at least brownie points for me cause I wrote this all in one sitting amirite

Anyway, please do vote, and tell me your opinions on this chapter. It'll mean the world :)