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"You have so much power over me to make me happy or sad.

Yet the only thing you've ever done has been the latter by saying no."

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Seokjin pov

When speaking on the phone, Seokjin sounded agitated. "Seok-Joon, please stop being so awful! I'm headed in that direction. I did make a promise, didn't I? I'm sorry, but I'll be there soon. You are visible to me. Just be patient while I show up."

As he turned and parked his newest Aston Martin Lagonda EV behind his brother's black Mercedes-Benz, he switched off his latest phone. It's "cake tasting" day today. Because he had a hangout meeting with the Bangtan boys at one of Yoongi' penthouses, he is hoping it would happen fast.

Seokjin quickly glanced around the little bakery/coffee shop.

Near the entrance, Aera and Seok-Joon were holding hands, while Aera's younger sister appeared to be standing nearby, looking bored.

Seokjin smiled, "Wow, so this is the famous Dilly Dally shop. It resembled a restaurant in Switzerland. Very eclectic."

When they entered, he made a polite bow, greeted the eldest brother, and displayed interest in the area.

Already after hours, the shop is heavenly smelling from all the freshly baked treats being prepared for the following morning.

They were met by a lovely woman. He assumed they were partly friends because Aera was being her cheerful self and hugging the girl.

The girl is incredibly good-looking, and you could see it when Aera introduced her to you. The group chuckles as they believe the girl was mesmerized by the Youngest Kim's alluring appearance. She anxiously bowed before them as her face flushed blazing red.

As she spoke openly with his brother and fiancé, Seokjin grinned, nodded, and then focused his eyes in her direction. She seems somewhat familiar, but he does not recognize her. Has he ever met her? She was quite lovely. Why does he feel like he has known her forever?

She leads them through a charming meeting space that has four platters of cake samples on a little table.

The girl named Emmy or Emilia briefs them on the various flavors and ingredients. As they began to remove the plastic wraps on their platters, Seokjin grinned broadly. The cake tasting began right away.

"Oh, my goodness! The tiramisu and pistachios are both outstanding." Seokjin puckers his lips and enjoys the flavor. He was laughing as he exchanged words with his young sister-in-law.

But the decision ultimately rests with the engaged couple, who battled to select.

Aera's brows furrow as she peers at Emilia. "Oh, Emmy, everything tastes so good. Please, let's see Ms. Kang. Put bluntly, we are unable to decide."

"Ah, I see. You two can set a record by having four wedding cakes." The couple's poor cake picks made Seokjin giggle with his windshield laughter.

Emilia nods and bolts out of the room with a somewhat nervous expression.

Emilia reappeared with the cake designer after a short while. She focused her attention on the couple's ranting about how they were unable to select because they loved practically three flavors, to which they all bowed in her direction.

As Seokjin fixed his attention on Ms. Kang's posture, his heart began to beat rapidly. She is beautiful, yet something about her brings up an old memory.

Though she seems strangely familiar, he was unable to identify her. Her full lips and flawless skin... Oh my goodness. Can it be? No, but yes. No!!!

His lips were slightly ajar, and his eyes widened!

Kang, Mayla, ...Mayla Kang, May-may...puppy face!

Oh my gosh, 'puppy face.'Her, indeed! But she took precautions to keep out of his sight. He couldn't help but stare at her; his eyes were wide.

She has transformed into a gorgeous, alluring woman, my…my. She was stunning.

He recalls the shy freshman who was so assured in her attempts to get his attention despite having plain clothing, short boy-cut hair, big glasses, and an unremarkable appearance. He recalled how frequently she had asked him out.

She was a little freshman and tenacious. She was relentless in her quest for him. Even though she was quite cute—nerdy cute but not his type—he couldn't understand why she was so determined to chase him.

Even while he and his friends were playing basketball on the college court, she was his biggest cheerleader and would lavish him with fascinating treats. She was well-versed in his schedule. He was very irritated by that. He had to turn down every one of her advances because he detested the constant taunting from his friends.

Her confidence grows as a result of his rejection. The fraternity appreciated her a lot because they enjoyed her delicious snacks. At the Culinary Arts Academy in Switzerland, she was among the best first-year culinary students.

The eight years of maturity had done her well, as evidenced by his admiring glances over her posture. She was stunning yet cold.

When he contemplated his graduation week and the out-in-public humiliation that shattered her soul, his eyes became dejected. The next day he couldn't find her to apologize to her, but what really shattered his heart was learning that her anchor, her father, had passed away that week. The following week, she returned looking so different that the entire campus took notice. She was very quiet, and she lost her spark. And it bothers him.

Before he left after graduation, she was avoiding and hiding from him, but on that day, as she stood in front of his dorm door, he was able to witness her deepest agony.

After eight long years, he couldn't believe he had finally tracked her down. What had happened to her? He was curious. He returned home to Seoul following his graduation and unexpectedly received a modeling contract from a very prominent idol agency.

Global success on the runways of fashion resulted from it. His lucrative contracts with Giorgio Armani are only a few examples of the many magazine covers and commercial appearances he made.

After spending a year traveling the world as a model, he later made the decision to continue his graduate studies in business administration with his friends before opening his Japanese restaurants.

He discreetly looks at her ring finger, but it is bare. She is still not wedded. His puppy face" is unattached. However, she suddenly seems so strange, like she's aloof and indifferent.

When he observed her polite demeanor, he experienced an unexplainable emotion in his heart. She has drastically changed.

The bridal party had just finished tasting cakes, and everyone appeared relieved that the couple had made a decision and that a reasonable solution for the cake presentation had been found. As they all gathered, they all began to greet one another and give thanks to the cake designers. as they all followed Emilia out, Turning around, Seokjin spoke softly in his little sister-in-law's ear.

"Don't wait outside for me. I only need to briefly discuss a proposal with the designer for my restaurant" When her eyes began to twinkle teasingly, he informed her right away.

Immediately after giving a nod, she left. He quietly approached Mayla, extending his hands to lightly touch her shoulders while she stood with her back to him and took a breath. Under his touch, he could feel her tense up.

"Hello, May-may... it's been a while since we've seen each other..." Her wide eyes met with his as she twisted her head sideways.

He notices how nervous she becomes as she looks into his eyes intently.

"Hey, Seokjin." She gave a wary smile.

"It's been eight years," Seokjin smirked. "What happened, 'Puppy Face'? You look...wow. I lack the words. You are quite different and mature."

She only grinned a little and said, "Yeah, life happened. You also appear to be very mature."

She whirled around and silently began to stack the platters on top of one another.

He is not quite sure where to begin going back to the beginning, so he says, "May-may...I --."

She shook her head and looked him in the eyes before raising a perfectly manicured hand to stop him.

"Don't, SeokJin. It is in the past; I let go, forgave, and forgot. As I promised on the final day of your graduation, I won't ever disturb you again." She scowls bitterly. "I recognized that I needed a reality check. I'm sorry if I've been a pain in the butt. I became aware that I was somewhat self-centered, overbearing, and" He noticed her pulling her brows together as she visibly looked down. She found it difficult to express her feelings.

"May-may... I deeply regret all that occurred. I saw the footage, and I'm so, so sorry I wasn't there to defend you," he says regretfully.

"Why would you stand up for me, Seokjin?" she asked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She appeared despondent. "Your girlfriend was/is Sung-Kyung. She was honest. I wasn't your adorable puppy face. I was chasing after someone who wouldn't even give me a second glance, even if they were blind, and I was the ugly lapdog."

"Don't say that," Seokjin said, looking dejected. "Never have you been an ugly lapdog. You were known as my "puppy face" to everyone. Even though you were intrusive, you were my sunshine. I cherished all the treats and your thoughtfulness. I am aware that I rarely show my gratitude. However, I was grateful—"

"I was unhealthily obsessed with you, Seokjin," she shook her head. "It frightened my family and friends, my best friends, and even me because of my obsession with you. I apologize. Because I had been hopelessly in love with you for two years, I did it. I'm extremely sorry for making your life a misery, especially in relation to your girlfriend Sung-Kyung. You won't need to worry about me, Seokjin, because I've grown up a lot and will keep my promise to leave you. So you may relax knowing that a bothersome girl is dealt with. She has permanently left."

She tried to leave the room, but his heart severely tightened. Now that he has found her again, how can he just leave and forget about her? She was a constant in his life, irritating though she was. Because he was used to her radiant grin, the new girl in front of him lost her essence. What has become of her?

"Mayla... never did you make me miserable; only uneasy. I apologize for this. Sung-Kyung did it to you. I apologize for always ignoring you." His soft eyes were fixed on her large, wet eyes. He just couldn't take his eyes off hers. Even with her spectacles, she was adorable, but now...

"I would truly appreciate it, Seokjin," she said with pursed lips and a detached voice after briefly closing her eyes.

"Please don't approach me, please. I...had a really hard time forgetting about you and running into you again...so...handsome... I would never heal, and I don't want to break my commitment to you." She had a glum expression. By gently squeezing her shoulders, he made her turn around.

"That promise is irrelevant to me. I will make amends for my mistake." Vehemently, he spoke. She gave him a shocked face.

"Please stay away from me," she begs. "Please don't. Please, Seokjin. Just...just leave me alone." She began to sound icy. "I'm not willing to let myself fall into your charms once more if you aren't there to catch me. So, goodbye. It was nice seeing you again." And quickly leaving Seokjin speechless behind, she exits the room after giving a small bow. Thousands of questions were racing through his head.

Something caused his "puppy face" to change. With her, he was suddenly more than just intrigued.

He sighed when Emilia walked into the conference room wearing a very anxious expression. She appears quite wary.

Observing Emilia, Seokjin says, "I also remember you. You were Mayla's best friend," he gives her a wave.

Emilia nods, "Yeah, Seokjin. Just don't get involved with Mayla' life again. I don't want to pry, but please don't. She came far in an effort to put the past behind her. And when she saw you again, the past came crashing back with a brutal force."

"What happened in the last eight years, Emilia?" He asked puzzledly as he stared at the open door where Mayla had vanished, "She lost her brightness... her bright demeanor."

"She grew up," Emilia said with a deep sigh. "Can I make a request to you?"

Seokjin creases his brow. "Yeah."

"Just keep away from her, please." Emilia gave him a serious glance while being completely enthralled by his good looks. "Just let her be. Forgetting about the past will be better for you both. You know the exit. Goodbye, Seokjin."

More than the unfortunate turn of events, Seokjin is horrified. He cannot completely ignore her. She was his beacon in Switzerland, and he was adamant about getting her back to how she had been. Whatever happened, he wants to help her.

He will by no means let her leave his sight now that he has found his "puppy face." Whatever she is going through. He will make up for every tear she sheds because of him and...Sung-Kyung, his ex-girlfriend.

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A/N Another chapter just for you. I hope you'll give this last book in the Ceo-series some serious love. Kindly vote and comment.

Thank you for all your support.

Question 1: Do you think Mayla will let Seokjin in?

Question 2: Will she open up to Seokjin?

Question 3.Mayla became cold and aloof...why do you think that happened?

Question 4: Do you think the tables have turned?