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I'm quietly drawing out your face that I long for
Memories of the past make the tears flow

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You gulped painfully as you stared at Taehyung's piercing face, inhaling heavily as you clutched your arms firmly, trying to keep yourself from shuddering in front of him.

"Er...yes, we were in the car together," you clear your throat, gathering the strength to answer the most pressing question." I know you won't believe it, but we were respectful and polite to one another. We all travelled to the New York Museum to celebrate the successful completion of the Egyptian exhibition. Ms. Jessica Lee coordinated the unique event for all of the curators. So we had to return to the hotel...but it was getting late, and several of our museum staff who had come with us had already left the building since we had to meet with some museum owners from Italy and my employer from Copenhagen--" you exhaled slowly, unable to complete his gaze. Everything you just mentioned is accurate. Taehuyng's eyes squinted as he tried to process the information.

Your nerves were frayed, and you hoped he wouldn't question about the same hotel where you had stayed. Jimin was supposed to conceal that section so no one knew you shared the presidential hotel suite. You moved into his suite because he wanted his fiance with him, even though you were initially booked into an executive suite to hide from his friends. However, after they heard of your engagement, they understood.

That evening, Jimin and Jungkook attended the event.

Taehyung bit his bottom lip, his brow wrinkled. "So, what brought us together in the same car?" He seemed puzzled. You were baffled as to why Jimin didn't tell him.

"Well, I was waiting for my Uber outside in the rain, and you were a gentleman and offered me a ride to the hotel where we both had bookings. Then, there was a roadblock on our way, so you had to turn around and take another route. We were unfamiliar with the route, and the storm was heavy that night, so we didn't notice a car abruptly veer into our lane, and you make way only to slide off the wet, slick road...into something." When he cautiously neared you and stood in front of your tense demeanour, your breathing became laboured. He was staring at you intensely, and his apprehension was evident because of your demeanour.

"Cha-Young, why do I feel you're not telling me everything...? What are you not telling me, Choi Cha-Young?" Your breath hitched in your throat when your gaze moved up into his. You could look at his gorgeous face, those glossy black curls you used to caress and stroke your fingers through. How you yearn for his comforting arms and loving touch. He was so close that you could feel his breath fanning your face as his mesmerizing gaze caught you, nearly hypnotizing you into unlawful confessions.

You blink a few times to hide your feelings, which you know will show through your stoic exterior. "It's the truth, Mr Kim," you say, lifting your chin and standing firm." Why do you think the staff was so welcoming and accommodating? They recognized that our working relationship was based on mutual respect."

Taehyung took a long breath as he looked into your nervous eyes for any deceit, but your face and eyes were strangely emotionless. "So, we were polite to one another. How many hours did we work together?" He moved a bit backwards out of your personal space, giving you the essential room to breathe a sigh of relief.

You wrinkled your brows and looked at him, puzzled, "What do you mean?" Your tummy fluttering made you uneasy, and your breathing grew a little shallow as you stared at him.

You despise lying to Taehyung in this way, but what can you do? You spend more time together after work. Driving out of the city, exploring, viewing movies, eating lunch and dinner in the privacy of your apartments, having long conversations in front of the fireplace, and strolling beneath the cherry blossom trees, especially when it rains, the world surrounding you was covered in a pink carpet of blossoms.

You could spend hours in one another's arms, kissing each other fervently, relishing in each other's love. Even if his mind forgets to tell his heart about your enduring love for Taehyung, your love for him will never wane.

Taehyung snorts, "If we had been so respectful, I would have taken you to America. We must have worked well together. "He raises one eyebrow as he stares you in the eyes.

Your fidgeting tells him the fact that you are withholding something. He's baffled as to why he thought your relationship was more complex.

You nervously chewed your lower lip, "Regular working hours...like staff working hours. You asked me and two of your senior employees to join you since Mr. Hansen and the Danish team were also planning to attend, and you wanted me to meet with my employer and plan another show for the future."

He silently examined you as you stood there with a poker face, a deep scowl formed between his brows. Then he turned around and moved to his desk, sitting on the edge of his black, shiny desk.

His entire persona lured you in, and you gulped at the sight of him. Coming back to Seoul was the biggest mistake you'd ever made. Your heart palpitated in your ribs as your love for this man tried to overwhelm you.

Taehyung's lips scoff slightly as he notices your unease in his presence. So, she and his maknae-line assume he is not busy investigating the events that led to the scenario right now?

Why would he suddenly construct a mansion after breaking up with his girlfriend, Dilraba? Buying other galleries.

He received the Cartier Topaz necklace and bracelet he requested and a receipt for an engagement ring he had previously ordered. But where is the ring? He couldn't find the ring in his home safe or safety deposit box at the security company.

"Look, I understand it's hard to believe, and I know you don't want us to work together again. I know. Can I at least handle Mr Hansen's job for the next two weeks--" You glance at him pleadingly, your eyes moist from the stress you experience. Being in his presence for so long may expose you because you are now nervous, which may lead to nausea.

Taehyung shook his head, not believing a word you said. "Okay, but I can only agree to work with you for a week, no longer than that--" he pursed his lips tightly.

He doesn't trust her and would rather not have her in his Gallery; Mr Hansen doesn't need her here with him.

Your breath tightens as you stare at him with saddened eyes, "You...you truly don't want me here, do you?"As you looked at his stern and icy expression, there was a small crack in your voice.

"Cha-Young, you baffle me, and it's hard for me to comprehend our friendship. I'm sorry. We've been loathing one another for almost four years-just no! I really can't pretend that everything is perfect between us. I can't trust you, and your being in my immediate vicinity makes me feel trapped." He took a big sigh and looked at you with regret.

"I understand," you replied softly as you picked up your laptop bag, your heart bleeding, "I'll inform Mr Hansen as quickly as possible to have Hansel sent out to Seoul, and...I'll leave at the end of the week." You gulped as you saw his cold, stoic expression. The anguish in your heart began to worsen...just as you turned to face the door, a light knock was heard. Taehyung drew his brows as he signalled for the person to enter.

His PA Soo-ah looked wide-eyed, scanning the room from Mr Kim to you.

"What exactly is it, Soo-Ah?"

Mr. Kim inquired hurriedly. As Soo-Ah breathed deeply, you just concealed your painful expression.

"Sir, Ms Dilraba - your lunch date. Is it too late to send her in? It's almost 11 a.m." She inquired slowly. Mr. Kim and Ms. Choi were having a lengthy conversation.

Taehyung sighed as he rose from his desk and took his keys from the table. "It's okay," he said as he shook his head." I'm going to meet her..." He stared at the expressionless Cha-Young, who gave him and Soo-Ah a slight bow.

"I'm going to leave, Mr Kim. Mr Hansen will receive the email today. Best wishes for the exhibition." When both of you came to the door, you turned and smiled at Soo-Ah.

Just then, a beautiful chocolate-haired brunette leapt up from where she was seated on the soft red chairs, legs crossed. She looked up when she sensed Taehyung and...

"Cha-Young! What the hell are you doing here?" she uttered a soft gasp and looked shocked. Her eyes moved in disbelief from you to her "boyfriend," demanding an answer. You could see her nostrils flare slightly as she glanced at you with hatred.

Soo-Ah pursed her lips tightly to conceal her amusement at the bewildered look on Mr Kim's annoying "girlfriend face. ".The entire gallery staff knows her frantic effort to win Mr. Kim's heart back, but he hesitates to resume their prior relationship.

Most staff believed that Ms Choi and Mr Kim had a secret relationship, which nobody could prove because he would secretly follow her whenever she had to work in the Archives.

What was happening among the artefacts was merely a hunch for them. Nonetheless, it was extraordinary to discover that he had forgotten everything and that he and Ms. Choi were again at war, like when she came to work for them.

Soo-Ah snuck behind her desk, spied on the drama, and kept herself busy.

Taehyung sighed heavily as he observed Dilraba's shocked appearance. Next to her ex was a stunning girl who wreaked havoc in her and Taehyung's lives.

Dilrabas glared at Taehuyng for answers with her lovely wide eyes in frigid slits and her crimson-red lips squeezed together.

"Good day, Dil. Ms. Choi is in town to act on behalf of her museum in Denmark". He acknowledged your presence by nodding. Dilraba's eyes narrowed as she slid under Taehyung's arm and grinned, but it didn't reach her eyes as she stared at you with a look of intense hatred. Her pale arms were snaked around his waist.

You merely sigh deeply and bow slightly.

"Good morning, Ms. Shimada. Please excuse me...Mr Kim...Soo-Ah," you said hurriedly. You nodded to the two females as you walked briskly to the elevator. You gave Taehyung a fleeting glance and clutched your laptop.

You noticed your heartbroken and pale face in the reflection of the mirrored elevator door as you entered the elevator. You knew you were about to burst into tears as a stinging sensation formed behind your eyelids.

You realize that seeing Dilraba for the first time in almost two years is what finally makes you accept the truth of losing Taehyung. His memory will never come back.

You hurried outside to the closest restroom when the elevator abruptly halted at a random floor.

You snuck into the restroom next to the door and puked up your breakfast from earlier that day.

You were heaving on the floor, ready to pass out. You gathered some toilet paper, cleaned your mouth, and threw it in the trash can.

You sat calmly on the toilet seat after struggling to stand up on your jelly legs to catch your shallow breath.

Your stomach is emptied, and you keep thinking about how you'll tell Mr. Hansen about Mr. Kim, who will cut your stay short. How will you expose your boss, who is counting on you? You're going to be fired from your job as a curator.

After this trip, you and Olive were meant to become one of the two senior curators. You know Mr Hansen will favour Olive and Hansel for the top positions.

Once the stunning model was back in his life, you knew nothing could keep you in Seoul. The love of your life completely dismissed you and reconnected with his ex-girlfriend.

Dilraba was as gorgeous as ever. Her skin was immaculate, and her large, onyx-black eyes resembled those of an anime character. She emerged energetic and vibrant in contrast to the frail body you were walking with.

Plagues with shoulder pains, your fingers that are even painful to move sometimes. Your life will be cut short not as a result of the numerous scars on your body but the silent killer in your head that you manage to live with by grace. You have three months to three years to enjoy life before you can die suddenly.

You try to control your breath as you leave the stall after flushing. After rinsing your face, you go to the Gallery and return home. Although it is still early, this is not the time to be here. As you can already feel the beginnings of a painful migraine, it is best to treat it at home.

Indecisive and trembling, you ran a hand through your long hair while considering what to do.

You grab your laptop bag and head to the gallery cafeteria, where Olive and some staff congregate to eat or unwind. Your face doesn't even convey the stress or turbulence you are experiencing.

....

Meanwhile...

Dilraba was grilling Taehyung about her nemesis's presence. They were going to one of Gangnam-gu's opulent high-end restaurants in Taehyung's sports car.

"Why, Taetae, did you permit her to return and work with you? She turned your life into a nightmare. Do you trust her? Well, I don't! Her innocent face is deceiving. She is a sly girl. Let her go now, please. "She was going off on a rant.

Taehyung turned to face Dilrabas' tirade, "We are adults, Dil. I can put up with her for the duration of the exhibition." He scoffed somewhat.

Dilraba raised his eyebrows and said, "Tae, she is dangerous. What if she ruins your exhibitions and our lives?"

Dilrabas quivered a little bit. A slight tremor ran through her body as she recognized the girl who gave her daily reason to clench her teeth.

Cha-young and Taehyung had a strong chemistry in college, so they played elaborate pranks on each other.

She was insecure since Cha-Young was the only other University girl who could keep Taehyung's interest, even if it was negative. He would frequently complain about her or rant and rave about her. This wretched girl was always on her mind.

She used to envy Cha-young, but this time, she and Taehyung will be getting married. To be near the man she had loved for more than four years, she returned to Seoul.

Dilraba will make sure that she does not meddle in their idyllic lives.

Taehyung clenched his jaws tightly, wondering why he suddenly felt a deep melancholy spirit as if he had just lost something precious in his life...

.........

a/n Taehyung and Cha-Young are far from reconsiling.

A big shout out to all the readers' shadow readers and the constant commentators and voters. Thank you.

1. Do you think Cha-Young must fight for Taehyung or return home and continue her life?

2. Will Taehyung fall for her the second time now that Dilraba is back?