I wish I knew how to quit you...

__________

Soaking in that heated water, feeling it hug every inch of my skin so gently, breathing in the aroma of the bubble bath and scented candles. The scent ran to the bottom of my mind, and it got into contact with parts of my brain that process emotion. It was my heaven...My mini-vacation. A place to breathe deeply and let my inner peace return.

I got out of the bathtub and after a quick shower, I wrapped the velvety white towel around my body. Taehyung's shampoo smelled like Jasmine and the aroma of it was filling up the entire bathroom.

I stepped out of the bathroom and closed the door. As I turned around, I saw Taehyung sitting on his bed. My eyes swerved to the half glass of red wine by his side. He's been drinking. A flicker of concern crossed his eyes as he noticed me. He rushed towards me, grabbing my shoulder.
Taehyung: "Are you ok?"

I licked my lip, trying to ignore the fact that I was half-naked in front of him.
"Don't worry I'm fine."

His mouth pressed into a thin line. He watched me for a few seconds, unblinking before letting out a sigh.
Taehyung: "I am just so worried about you, Are you sure you don't need to see a doctor?"

"Yes, Tae really, It's nothing. I was just unconscious for a few minutes that's all."
I grabbed the towel tightly, preventing it from falling off my chest.

He stared at my neck and paused a little before sitting me down on the bed. He tucked a strand of my wet hair behind my ear gently.
Taehyung: "I thought It was because of the kiss, I was going crazy."

"No, I had an accident two years ago and it caused me a little brain damage. Since then I have a lot of side effects from it and actually, I've been really stressed out lately with everything. So yeah I think it's because of that." I tried to look somewhere else.
I was blushing under his strong gaze.

Taehyung: "You must've been through a lot of things." he whispered. I nodded without saying anything. I could see his expression was softening. He caressed my cheek with his thumb, making me paralyzed by his touch.

If he knew about my life he would still like me? He would still treat me like this? Or he would just be a total asshole like the others.
Treating me like some kind of alien who has been on a different planet for years. I knew how they would think about it. Being in a mental hospital wasn't a normal occurrence but it was just a misunderstanding. I didn't need to be hospitalized there. I was just so sad about my parents' death and everything was going upside-down like a roller-coaster.

Taehyung: "I see in your eyes that your brain has built some new walls with you, so lonely on the other side. If you'll give me a chance we can take them down brick by brick and start to feel together." he kissed the back of my hand.
Taehyung: "I can keep you safe Dallia."

I looked at his earthy orbs, gleaming like a star. Like those he had shown me that night. I could see the honesty of every single word that he said in his eyes. He wanted to help me.

"You're so sweet." I put my hand on his face.
He kissed the palm of my hand, smiling softly.

I placed my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes. I wanted to make sure that, this moment was not a dream. I wanted to feel him thoroughly, inch by inch. I wanted to stamp it on my heart. His eyes, his scent, his Slim and elongated fingers. He was so gentle. I couldn't get enough of him.

They say love is the wonderful shock of cool water embracing your body after a plunge, its sudden energy surrounding you, awakening every pore, causing a shudder.
It fills the mouth with vanilla orange. Sweet and warm yet bright, vibrant, and tangy. I didn't believe in love. I thought that was all just fantasy. A fairy tale. But I was starting to think of it. Was I falling in love with him?

We stayed like that for a while. I was wondering if Jungkook was back or not.
"Jungkook hasn't come back yet?" I said, feeling his lips on top of my head, kissing my hair.

Taehyung: "He texted me and said he'll be here in thirty minutes."

I lifted up my head unwillingly and sat straight.
"I should get ready before they arrive."

Taehyung: "I put some clothes on the drawer for you, I'll be in the next door in case you need me. Just let me know if you need anything."
He pecked my lips and left the room.

I breathed out as he closed the door and looked around. The room was like a perfect magazine cover. The couch was cream but inlaid with fine green silk; leaves embroidered so delicately that they might have landed there in spring and just sunk in, but I knew they took hundreds of hours to sew. I was sure it was from a high-end designer, but the name escaped me for the moment. The white curtains were linen, the kind of white that is untouched by hands and devoid of dust.

The photographs on the wall were black and white, not casual family snaps, but arranged to look like such by a professional. Many photos of Taehyung's sexy face. I wouldn't be bothered to stay here all day long and stare at these pictures.

Jazz music filled the air without effort, like the waves filling holes in beach sand. I smiled and put on Taehyung's yellow sweater with his grey trousers. I looked very small in his clothes but I didn't bring any of mine so it was the only choice that I had.
Actually, it was really comfy and smelled like Taehyung. So why not? I dried my hair and after a glance at myself in the mirror, I went downstairs.

****

?: "Uncle Tae!" a little girl shouted in excitement and threw herself in Taehyung's arms.

Taehyung giggled, ruffling her hair playfully.
Taehyung: "Hey Little one. I missed you so much."

She kissed him on his cheek and cupped his face with her little hands cutely. I smiled at the sight.
?: "No I missed you more. Daddy wouldn't bring me here. I'm sorry," she said with her sweet voice.

Taehyung: "Oh Baby. I'm gonna kill him because of not bringing my little Mishil to me." he stroked her beautiful long black hair.

Jungkook: "I definitely broke my back." he was pulling a lot of bags full of snacks and a cute pink suitcase behind himself.

I went to help him and took one of the bags from him.
Jungkook: "Thank you." he said showing me his bunny smile.

I placed the bags in the kitchen and went to sit with others. I sat down next to Jungkook and took a glance at Taehyung and the little girl who was sitting on his lap, talking in her tiny voice.
Mishil: "Promise me you won't go to America again."

Taehyung: "I promise," He wrapped his pinky around hers.

As she noticed me, she jumped out of his arms and ran towards me. She hugged me so tightly.
Mishil: "Wow, Auntie Dallia you're so beautiful."

I was pretty shocked. Did she know me? I patted her back and a few seconds later she faced me.
Mishil: "I'm Mishil by the way. Nice to meet you, Auntie."

I giggled at his cuteness and shook her hand, "Hey, Mishil I'm happy to see you."

She had put on a blue dress with yellow flowers printed on it. Her black hair was like a fall laying on her shoulder.
Mishil: "I was so excited to see you. Uncle Tae told me a lot about how pretty you are but you're even prettier in person."

"Oh, he did? Well, you're much prettier than me." I said, glancing at Taehyung who was staring at me shyly.

She brought her mouth to my ear and whispered.
Mishil: "Can we go to the room?"
I looked at her gorgeous eyes which were resembling Jimin's eyes. I could say she was so much like her father.

"Ok let's go, Jungkook please help Taehyung preparing dinner and we'll be back in a few minutes."
He nodded and we went to the guest room which we prepared for her to stay in.

I placed her luggage on the bed and sat on the sofa near the bed.
Mishil: "I'm sorry for bringing you here."
She had a very polite attitude and I really liked her. I've never seen any child like her in my life.

"No, It's ok. Tell me what is it?" I leaned closer as she sat down on the bed.

Mishil: "Can you please braid my hair?"
She tilted her head, looking at me cutely.

I laughed at her face and caressed the back of her small hand, "Of course I will. Turn around."

Mishil: "Thank you." she said enthusiastically, turning around.

Her silky hair was slipping between my fingers but I managed to make it look as good as possible. I wasn't really good at this stuff.
"Mishil your name is so beautiful just like you."

Mishil: "My Mom chose my name."

I wondered where her mother was. Shouldn't have she been at her birthday party? I didn't ask her anything because I wasn't that kind of person to interfere in people's lives. She would've told me if she wanted to.

Mishil: "Auntie Junia never braids my hair."
She took a strand of her hair, playing with it.

"Why?" That asshole... Don't remind me of her.

Mishil: "She hates me. She thinks I ruined my Dad's life."

How can someone be so mean towards a kid? She was her Aunt after all. I was getting a little tense by thinking about it but I maintained to remain calm. I couldn't even think about how she can say no to this gorgeous creature.

"I'm sure she loves you. Maybe she's been tired when you asked her. All Aunties love their nieces." what a lie. Well, I couldn't just say yeah she hates you, duh... That would be really cruel...

Mishil: "I don't think so, maybe she's right. If I wasn't born Dad would've been happier"

"Nonsense. Your Dad loves you so much and he's so proud of you. He raised a wonderful girl."

I didn't really want to make her feel like what I felt when I was a little girl. I knew with every single cell in my body what it felt like to be rejected by everybody. I tried to satisfy everyone around me but they kept telling me that I wasn't good enough. Those toxic people.....

Mishil: "You should help Uncle Tae." suddenly she spoke out of the blue.

"Help?" I asked suspiciously.

Mishil: "You know he's so sad. I want him to be happy. Daddy told me that he was happy back then but not anymore." her tone was a bit unhappy.

"Why is he sad?" I tied the end of her braid and made her look at me.

She lowered her head, playing with her dress.
Mishil: "They don't tell me but everyone's talking about it all the time. I even heard on the phone Uncle kookie said to my Dad that Uncle Tae was crying last night."

It was so obvious that he had been crying. Why? This man was the biggest mystery in my life. I knew something was off in his behavior but I couldn't find out what.

"How can I help him if I don't know what's wrong with him? " I said, chewing my lower lip.

Mishil: "Because I know he really likes you. Maybe he would tell you about his problems. Just talk to him."
Wow, she wasn't talking like a six years old girl!

"Ok I will try to talk to him and you promise me you won't doubt your Dad's love towards you anymore. Deal?"

She fist-bumped me and hugged me again.
Mishil: "I promise. Thank you Auntie Dallia."

"You're very welcome cutie," I tapped on her nose and stood up, "We should head back now."
With that, we went downstairs, while she was holding my hand.

I saw Taehyung and Jungkook were watching the news on the TV and They were so focused that they didn't even notice us coming down.

"A young woman is found hanging nude from the mansion’s balcony, police ruled it a suicide. They said a tragedy days before triggered Hwang Iseul to take her own life, but her family claims suspicious evidence led to foul play.

It's not the first murdering case of this year in Seoul. We've been witnessing that the number of killings is increasing really fast. Since two years ago this is the ninth murder in the city.

The 24-year-old college boy was last seen walking home after a night out with friends in Gangnam, before his body was found at the side of Road in the early hours of February 11th last year.

The case was closed immediately and the family was left without answers as to who was responsible for his death. No further charges have been laid.

Several dozens of people have claimed credit for the high-profile crime. The FBI, which helped local authorities investigate at the time, said it ran record checks on potential suspects and conducted interviews across the nation. However, none of the confessors appeared to be telling the truth, and the case has gone unsolved."

Suddenly Taehyung noticed us and immediately turn off the TV.
Taehyung: "Oh you're here. I was about to call you. Let's eat."
He got off the couch hastily and went to the kitchen.

I shrugged it off and went to help him. We had dinner mostly in silence. Taehyung and Jungkook were oddly quiet and didn't say anything. I tried not to think about the serial killer. I was somehow panicky by the news. What if something would happen to Deiji or Uncle Haeyoon? Even just the thought of it was appalling. Obviously, it was a psychopath killer. I breathed out as I shake the thought off of my head.

Jimin: "Hey,"
I looked over the counter and saw Jimin standing with a gift in his hands.

****

Mishil: "Snowball fight!" she yelled and in that instant, Jungkook knew he had a whole stack ready to pelt her with.

In seconds of the warning, the air was thick with snowballs so compacted that several feel solid and icy. The ones from the freshly fallen flakes bursted open on impact, showering crystalline fragments that glint in the wintry light.

Seconds later Mishil was behind his Dad's black Audi Q7, gloved hands in the snow, frantically making a stockpile to retaliate with.
Jimin: "You're gonna lose, Taehyung!" he shouted from behind a garden wall.

Taehyung: "Yeah, Jimin? Wanna bet?" came the still out of breath voice of Taehyung.

Jungkook: "Game on! You're all going down!"

When a snowball exploded from the front of my parka, I knew the fight was on, duck and cover, building a stash, keeping my head down. My woolen gloves picked up snow like they wanted to snowball themselves, frozen crystals dangling from wild loose fibers I'd never normally noticed.

Already the coldness of the snow had deep chilled my fingers to a point where they no longer wished to bend. But cold or not, a snowball fight was a snowball fight and I wasn't going to give in, ever.

Soon another icy ball hit the side of my car I was hiding behind and another whistled through the air just above my hood. There was a stupid grin plastered over my face as I took my first snowball and whipped my arm back to send it flying towards Jungkook.

My lips tinged blue a while ago and my fingers were almost immobile with cold. But I didn't care really. I was enjoying my time with them. Actually, I thought when Jimin was going to be here, it was gonna be so awkward and annoying. But it turned out he was such an energetic and nice person. I couldn't believe he was the one who slapped me. We didn't talk though. This way was more comfortable.

Suddenly I felt something flicked behind the trees. I looked over the garden to see if someone was there but I didn't see anything. My heart was beating like crazy. I was terrified again. I tried to ignore the fact that I was damn sure I saw something moving at the end of the garden. I felt someone was watching me.

Since I got distracted with that, I wasn't aware of a snowball coming directly to me. It hit me as I slipped on the icy ground and fell down. My elbow hit the ground and I hissed in pain.

Jimin rushed over to me and sat on the ground, helping me to sit up.
Jimin: "Holy shit. Are you ok Dallia?"

I looked at his concerned face as he was panting from running too fast. Since when Park Jimin was worried about me?

Taehyung reached out to me cupping my cheeks.
Taehyung: "Did you get hurt? Stupid Jungkook!" he said, looking angrily at Jungkook.

Jungkook on the other hand was so embarrassed and concerned. He grabbed my hand, caressing it gently.
Jungkook: "I'm so sorry Dallia, I didn't mean to hurt you." He said regretfully.

"Guys, I'm ok you're overreacting. I just hit my elbow. Nothing serious."

I got up and smiled at them. Jimin stared at me for a moment and looked away immediately. I clearly saw he was so much scared when I fell down. This family was getting more strange day by day. Or was I being paranoid? Ugh...

Mishil: "Yeah you think my Auntie Dallia is weak? Nope! In your dreams." she held my hand, looking up at me with her elegant eyes.

"So, who's gonna lose the game first?" I said challenging, throwing a snowball at Taehyung.

________
3091 words

A.N:
🤔🤔🤔🤔
Well, you know what?
I'm gonna beat the hell out of Junia.
♥️♥️👀
Don't forget to vote for your cherry.
🍒
Any thoughts on the story?

Creepy Prodigy 💜