In the Presidential Suite

The atmosphere in the opulent and luxurious grand suite felt overwhelming, a place where even your breath makes you feel trapped.

The golden hue of the big frosted glass light fitting in the suite was illuminating the dining room table across the huge, open suite. On the server desk was a spread of assorted sweet treats from the high tea menu and white and gold porcelain cups near an assortment of teas and coffees with a small hot water urn. Seokjin sighed deeply as he entered. He was the last one, as Noodle-Joo was already seated with an open seat next to her.

The Kim and Bae families were already seated with cups of tea and some treats in small side plates. The whole atmosphere was serious. No one was smiling. His Appa looked as formidable as the cold and manipulated man he was; his eomma sat with furrowed brows, an emotion in her eyes that spelt concern and worry for him. The Baes just looked thoughtful, but Noodle sat there with a subtle smugness that made his tummy churn nervously.

It looked like an ambush from all sides, where he alone was standing to fight the battle.

Seokjin inhaled deeply when his mom called him to take a seat across from her next to the smug familiar smile of Noodle. She was already refreshed and dressed in a white mini dress with yellow floral motifs. Her makeupwas beautifully done. His parents were already dressed for the final luncheon event that will be in 2 h.

Seokjin adjusted his red jacket and the cuff of his white shirt; his jaw was clenched and his eyes blank and emotionless.

He just bowedpolitely and took a seat quietly next to an equally quiet Noodle, facing his parents.

Mr. Kim, his appa, cleared his throat, his eyes were stern. "Seokjin, I'll get straight to the point of discussion. I'm glad you respect time. I don't want you to fight. I'll be meeting Bang PD next week, personally. It's time you made an informed decision. Bang must either release you from the BTS group, we pay the remaining penalties of the four years and training fees, or he must remove that ridiculous dating ban on his artist. At first it was a beneficial idea, but now not so much. It hinders you from doing real life. You and Joo-Hyun are a couple; we saw your affection for each other. She has been patient for weeks, but we can no longer tolerate your rebellion. The engagement should proceed—" He lifted up his hand like a traffic cop when Seokjin tried to interject. His eyes were wide with bewilderment and flabbergastedness. How could his dad be so cruel to force him? He was being forced into a marriage that he didn't want.

The words were like bombs falling with blazing fire. Noodle pursed her lips, and he looked at her triumphant expression as if she had won the war of emotions.

Mrs. Bae, in a soft tone, smiled politely, her hands folded on the table in front of her, the big pink diamond ring glowing in the light. "Seokjin, son... I know you have reservations and you are scared, but Joo-Hyun, your Noodle-Joo is so wholesome. She's pure, polite, and devoted. She'll stand by you through anything. She'll make an excellent wife; she's graceful, intelligent, obedient, and supportive. She loved you since her first year, when you started dating. "

It felt as if he was drowning in the subtle emotional manipulation. Do her parents know about her catty, selfish, evil, and vindictive character trait? One that will betray you without a blush.

Her father, Mr. Bae, leaned forward and said eagerly, "Exactly. We are aware that you and Seo-hyun want to start a Japanese restaurant business. We'll even refer you to some investors in the industry. And Joos' talent in graphic design will be a perfect plus to build your brand image. You'll be a power couple. We know you love your career, and she will support you until you disband in four years. You can be engaged for two years, complete your graduate studies, and get married."

Seokjin was fuming within. His eyes were fixed on the cup of green tea his mom poured for him; his knuckles were white around the handle of the delicate cup.

He looked up; his eyes darted from his parent back to the Baes. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm, contrary to his inner storm, but also tight with pressure.

"Appa ... I appreciate your plans for my life, but I'm part of the most hardworking group. BTS is part of me. We're a family out of a family. We sacrifice a lot during these three years after debut. We're finally getting recognition. Yes, we're already famous here in Korea. But we are getting a foothold in the global market. The West is finally letting us in to bring K-pop to the world. We've got collaborations with Puma, youth organizations, and international artists. I want to be part and stay part of BTS history." He said emotionally and with passion.

His appa sighed sharply, his eyes unyielding. "Son, BTS is still small. Your agency is not well known. It's like a little ant in the world of powerful locust players. BigHit is drowning in debt; I doubt the few international shows you had will save your agency. Bang is an idealist...you need to be practical. You're wasting your potential, your prime years chasing a dream that may collapse or fail any day. Corporate and entrepreneurship are the keys to sustainable wealth, my son. Think about building your name, your legacy."

Seokjin's head throbbed at his temple from inner stress.

He looked his dad square in the eyes. "Bang PD believes in us. He didn't let us drop out of college or school. HD encouraged us to grow beyond ourselves. And BTS and I believe in him. The boys are my family. It might not be important to this family, but to me it is."

His father's eyes widen in disbelief as his tone hardens, "And what about your real family? Are we not important? Are you ready to throw away your inheritance not only for her fleeting career but also for some foreigner girl who's already staining your name?"

Seokjin froze. What is Appa talking about? His eyes narrowed at his father. "What is Appa implying?"

The silence in the room was deafening. And then Noodle dropped her bomb with her syrup sweetness that fooled his family.

"Seokjin, sweetie... I didn't want to tell you, but you deserve to know. I know you want to experience other girls before we get married. I get that...but I can't stand aside and see you getting played by people you trust. Alia was at the bar earlier...with a very famous Chinese-Korean model. I saw them interact with my own eyes. They looked...closed. It seemed they knew each other 'intimately' because he invited her to his executive suite and even gave her a keycard." She looked unfazed, as if she were merely reporting news. But he could see her fake concern.

His mother gasped, covering her mouth in shock. "Oh dear Lord! ...Seokjin, this is humiliating. You can't be with a girl with loose morals. They might be exciting but not marriage or wife material. You must end things with her now...immediately, before it ruins us or reaches the press."

Seokjin shook his head and stared at a smiling Noodle in pure disbelief, who loved to have power in this situation. No way will his parents accept Alia.( Mia)

His mother gasped, covering her lips.

“You went that far? You followed Alia just to get footage of her..."

Noodle's eyes faltered, but she recovered quickly and tried to look innocent...the victim card. Her acting was superb, better than his, as her lips started to quiver.

"Seokjin... I love you. I don't want you to get hurt by a clout chaser. Alia is not good for you. I'm willing to look over that misstep of yours. I forgave you a long time ago. But we can fix our relationship." She fake pleaded.

Seokjin snorts in disbelief, "Seriously, Noodle...my misstep...and you forgiving ME? Please...stop pretending you care about me. All you care about is ruining my chances to meet my own and true soulmate." He scoffed.

His dad slapped his hand loudly on the wooden table so that the sound echoed through the room, even making his eomma startled.

"ENOUGH!!" His Appa's voice boomed.

"You'll end that ridiculous relationship tonight. We are past excuses, Seokjin. Joo-hyun's birthday is on the 14th of November, and then we'll announce your engagement secretly then. We'll take a trip to Austria, Vienna. The Baes has a beautiful villa there that is ideal for the engagement event, as Noodles' older brother is living there. One week will be enough to finalize everything."

Seokjin gulped painfully, his eyes wide as he felt his heart splitting in two. His appa is serious. This engagement will happen if he wants to save his family legacy and relationship. If he doesn't want to be disowned.

He said with a strangled voice, "Appa...I'm not ready for marriage. I want to experience life and build my K-pop and acting career. I...I want to meet my soulmate first...please. Noodle got her chance; let me also experience bonding—"

But his Appa snapped. Not adhering to his heartfelt plea.

"Seokjin, you'll be almost 24 years old in December..." His appa's voice came down harshly, which made the Baes nervous. "It's time you grow up and stop acting selfish and disrespectful toward our legacy. Think about your future...of our family. Soulmates are not important...but building wealth with a kindred partner who understood our social hierarchies...Joo-Hyun is perfect!"

Silence.

Noodle sat with a perfect victorious smile, drinking her tea unbothered. Her parents looked proud at Mr. Kim, who placed his son under subjection. Seokjin looked at his mom, eyes filled with betrayal. He at least thought she would stand by his side and make a stand against his appa, but she lowered her eyes, guilty. She couldn't. When she lifted her weary eyes, it was silently urging him just to obey and accept his fate.

Seokjin's breath became labored; he felt suffocated in that opulent atmosphere.

He suddenly and abruptly pushed back his chair, and you could hear a pin drop at the quietness of the moment.

Everyone was watching him cautiously. His cold eyes, his clenched jaws, and his balled white knuckles.

But he only said one thing in that charged atmosphere.

"I need air..."

He didn't wait for permission...he was deaf to his parents and Noodles shouting his name. He just walked out!

🕌🕌🕌🕌

When Seokjin reached the corridor outside the suite, he wearily leaned against the cold wall, his fist clenched. His heart was racing erratically in his chest as he stared down the hallway.  Fortunately there were only two presidential suites on this floor, opposite each other. And two private elevators. He already knew the access code to the elevator.

He inhaled deeply under his breath, his eyes troubled as he whispered, looking back at the suites' door.

"They've already decided my life for me."

He straightened, and with a deep breath, he walked towards the elevators. He wasn't going to be manipulated into something he is not ready for. He is not going back to that suite. Not tonight.

He stood with closed eyes in the elevator. The enclosed space is giving him some warmth from the war that is raging inside of him.

When he reached his and Noodles' suite, he quickly showered and dressed in his smart designer tracksuit; he will dress later for the luncheon. He got his small luggage bag and quickly packed up his personal belongings. Making sure he didn't forget anything, and with a last look at the suite, he left his keycard on the dresser and walked out.

When he reached the desired floor, he decided to take the escalator downstairs to the private reservation desk. He placed his sunglasses on and took his bucket hat out of his jacket and placed it on his head and walked with confidence toward the reservation desk. The older man smiled brightly when he quietly booked a suite, which was surprisingly still available in the Executive Towers of the Lotte hotel.

Mia and Alia were booked in there. He just booked two floors above in the Royal Suite. A businessmanwho wasn't affiliated with the Legacy club just booked out. The suite was his for tonight. It was pricey, but with the legacy discount, he charged it to his black card under Kim Sugwon.

When he took another elevator to the Executive wing he could finally relax. When he entered his room, he shakily breathe out , place his bag on the marble floor and walked around the small royal suite. It was cosy and very luxurious.

He stood with his arms stretched out on the panoramic windows looking down on the street far down, it looked like a small colony of ants.

"Freedom...at least for a few hours."

He quickly showered , dressed in his smart casual clothes, that was neatly packed. He place his Gicci sunglasses on. He won't put on a jacket. He looked so good, his hair was still damp but he styled it with hair mouse and  some gel. His tall frame looked exquisite.

Before he decided to leave for the luncheon, he sat on the edge of the bed and failed a number.
His cellphone was on mute, and the notifications from his soulmate broke his heart. Four to five missed calls.

He was so under pressure and distressed that he forgot his emotions were affecting his soulmate. Mia must've been so worried about him.

His hands trembled slightly when he whispered.

"Mia... it's me."

🕌🕌🕌🕌

In Samiya and Alias Suite

Mia and Alias Suite

The suite smelled of fresh makeup and expensive floral perfume. Alia was applying the finishing touches of her makeup while Samiya fussed over her hair.

She and Alia went to the beauty spa in the hotel. Alia was uncharacteristically cheerful at the spa, and Mia wondered why she was a little over the top but didn't think anything of it, as Alia loved beauty. She even suggested that the beauty therapist give them full facials, makeup, and hair, and even manis and pedis.

You felt pampered, but she was gobsmacked by your new wavy hairstyle. Alia suggested that you must look like a true Indian beauty queen. Your hair was blown out of your wild curls and into smooth, glossy waves. You couldn't believe how long your hair had grown, cascading down your back.

You were in awe as you looked at yourself. It almost felt like that glorious night under the glittering lights of the national Miss India stage. Where you took the crown at 21 years of age. A milestone that defined your life and catapulted you into celebrity status and stardom.

The room smelled of fresh makeup and perfume. Alia was applying her lipstick while you fussed over her hair.

You turned in front of the wall mirror, admiring your beautiful, perfect reflection. You were dressed in the sleek black cocktail dress hugging your curves perfectly, sleeveless, your caramel honey tone shimmering in the glowing light, and the silver Jimmy Choo heels sparkling under the soft lights. Looks like glass slippers. You looked very much like Miss India again.

Alia grinned softly, but her eyes were clouded. "Sami, you're so beautiful; you look like you could win the crown all over again. Seokjin will get a heart attack." She caressed the ends of your raven, glossy mane.

You looked at her under your long lashes; your warm brown eyes were smoky, and it looked so mysterious.

"Ali, stop flattering me. You look just as attractive in your bright red mini dress. Those curves will leave many unrated men dazed. Look how you are glowing. However, you haven't shared what occurred at the bar earlier. You've been quiet after you came back."

Alia bit her red glossy lips; she hesitated at first, sighed deeply, and took a seat on the soft sofa. Her eyes looked troubled.

You looked at her questioning, "You only sent the text about 'change of strategy.'Did Noodle find out we're deceiving her?" Your heart raced.

Alia shook her head. "I met him...Vin Zhang."

You furrowed your brows in deep thought. The name rings a bell, and then your face lights up in recognition.

"You mean...the Vin Zhang...the one guy that humiliated you, the one you fought the whole shooting weekend with...the hot model. Oh my word! What is he doing here?"

She nodded, her hands entangled together. "Yeah. The same one that destroyed my peace in Hawaii?" She sighed deeply. However, his reappearance seemed to slightly unsettle her.

You looked at her with a serious expression. Alia was unsettled. What really happened?

"Ali ...what really happened there? You looked very heartbroken when you came back. Did he do something to you..." You asked cautiously.

Alia inhaled and looked down, her voice trembling slightly.

“Sami rubbed me off badly the first day we met. It started off as hate... real unapologetic hate. We fought constantly during the shoots...especially our shoots together. He tried to get under my skin. He knew a lot about me and my past. He called me a “player girl.’ With a big heart for lots of guys. I told him off, saying that he was an arrogant jerk. He just had that condescending smirk and cool arrogance. Gosh, I hated his guts. But that last night the crew and models had a beach tiki night—” she swallowed hard as if the mere thought of that day pained her—“we all got drunk at the beach party. Gosh, I lost my cool, Sami. For the first time, all I wanted was to be free, relax, and relish my youth, free from the burden of engagement. The live music, the roaring waves, the firelights … I let my guard down badly.”

You listened quietly with furrowed brows as she continued. Her voice was low and filled with resignation. You knew she was affected by her tone.

“Sami...we danced, and then he pulled me towards him. He kissed me with reckless abandon. Passionate as it was, nobody has ever kissed me like that; I felt as if I were drowning in passion, and I didn’t stop him. I didn't want to. We run to the dark area of the beach discreetly, behind huge rocks. As events unfolded, I found myself waking up behind the rocks early the next morning, naked in his arms. I felt so ashamed, Sami.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“He...he said I came on to him. We argued again, and I told him he kissed me first. I felt filthy and so ashamed. How could I let him touch me like that? My reckless behavior confirmed every cruel thing he said about me before... that I'm a loose girl." Tears fell from her cheeks as she carefully wiped the wetness under her eyes.

You quietly reached over and gave her a side hug. Her hands were trembling.

You looked her straight in the eyes. “You made a mistake, Alia. It doesn’t define you... You always made sure you didn't fall into worse situations. Your first serious boyfriend...whom you first gave yourself to didn't appreciate you, but you stood up for yourself. Just forget the jerk…do you like him?"

She nodded faintly and stood up.

“I wish I could forget him. Yes, Sami. I fall truly in love with someone who doesn't truly like me. He is part of the Legacy club, because now Noodle followed me and saw us arguing at the bar. She’s taken footage of me slapping him. If she uses it, we can no longer pretend everything is fine. She told me Seokjin's parents will see it that I'm a cheater. Our plan’s already compromised. I disappointed Seokjin. How will I now protect you two?"

You sighed. They just need to carry on as though nothing happened.

“Don’t worry. Then we’ll change the plan and restructure. Play his girlfriend as though you both forgave each other. We’ll fight back, but smartly. Noodle thinks she won the war, but she only won the first battle."

Alia smiled weakly and gave you a big hug.

“You sound just like your Jin.”

Your heart truly ached at the mention of him. He called you earlier and told you about his family meeting. His dad's unyielding stance, his disappointment in his mom, and the Baes' social climbing strategy, as well as Noodles' lies and manipulation.

He told you to pack an overnight bag. You're going to spend the night together. Alia will give you the signal.

You smiled softly, “Maybe we both learned from him.”

Alia  chuckled and reach for a small red box and took out your Miss India crown. You smile as she position it on your head, and help you to slip on your sash.

Now, Miss India...go and dazzle the Legacy Club with your beauty and eloquence.

You just giggle , you both grab your Chanel clutchs and left the suite, where Vidhan and Suja stared at you in awe...jaws dropped to the ground.

🕌🕌🕌🕌

A/n: Seokjin had a tense confrontation with his family. 

Thank you so much for all your loyal support. Don't stop reader and voting.

1. Do you think Seokjin was right by walking away and not confronting his family?

2.How do you feel when Noodle dropped the bomb?

3. If you were in Seokjins' place would you choose freedom , love or family?

4. What do you think about Alias' confession? Was it reckless or understandable?

5. What was your favourite scene?

6. Who was your favourite character in this scene?

7. Who was the worse villian in this scene. Mr Kim or Noodle?