CHAPTER XV

**YERIN**

My heart was beating so fast, like it was racing through time, that I couldn’t help but clutch my chest to calm it down even for just a bit. And I perfectly know why I’m reacting this way. Not only are Taehyung and I alone in this room but also, I know there’s less than five percent of a chance that any person is going to come and save me from this awful misery I now call Yerin’s fate.

“Yerin,” Taehyung uttered my name once more as he deemed that he might not have caught my attention from the first time but trust me, he did. I just don’t know what to do up until now if I were to be honest.

I didn’t bother to respond but opted to acknowledge him with a nod instead and I could see a smile escape his lips after he breathed out the breath I didn’t realize he was holding in.

“Jin-hyung told me you were here,” he informed and I opened my mouth to clarify what hasn’t been confirmed in my mind yet after seeing a picture of him with the handsome school nurse. However, Taehyung beat me to it as he added, “We’re childhood friends- the seven of us.”

He gestured at the photo beside me on the table and I turned to take another look at it. It was only this time that I noticed Jungkook was there, in the middle of the gang. I barely recognize him with the funny-looking hat he was wearing. The photo was taken at a beach I don’t recognize. It’s not like I know a lot of beaches anyway. The only time I’ve been to such a place was when my mom’s best friend invited us for her birthday and it wasn’t even that fun since most of the guests were of their age and I couldn’t even relate to what they were talking about nor could I have asked them to take a dip in the sea with me since they preferred the shade more than the sun. I have to remind myself to take a day off in a beach once I get my pay. That would be a nice idea- an escape from reality where…

“Yerin!”

I flinched when I heard Taehyung clap his hands near my face in an attempt to get back my attention. He’s successful in doing so, I have to say.

“Could you please stop it with all these daydreams? What would halmeoni say if she sees I chose a crazy and delusional person as my fiancée?”

“Since your nurse friend said I’m not in good condition today, I’ll let that slip and won’t take it as an insult but the next time I hear those words again will be the last time you’ll be breathing in this world.”

It was supposed to be a threat but the grin that he gave me after was scaring the hell out of me.

I scrunched my face to question his reaction but he widened his grin even more.

“What’s with the face?” I asked.

“You’re back to your usual self which means you probably accepted my apology. Am I right?”

A snicker went past my lips. I can’t believe he’s grinning just because of that. He must have been awfully guilty throughout the past week although there’s also a bit of doubt in that statement considering Taehyung looks like the guy who doesn’t have a bit of conscience in him. But still, he put a great amount of effort in his apology. Not to mention the fact that he humiliated himself by wearing that costume. Come to think of it, how did he know I liked Pangyo?

“How sure are you that I already forgave you?” I teased, annoying him with the kind of smirk he usually gives me.

Taehyung made a pouty face in an attempt to act cute but I could say he miserably failed at that because what came out wasn’t cute at all. It was more funny than cute that I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“Yeah, laugh all you want,” he sarcastically commented when he noticed the part that I was now making fun of him. He now had his eyes narrowed at me, the previous act of being cute replaced with the hint of annoyance.

“That was worth taking a photo of,” I said while clutched my stomach to ease myself after my short-lived laughter. Taehyung’s eyes still glared at me but I could tell he wasn’t really angry. He was only making it look like he is but the smile that threatened to form on his lips was clearly evident. I mean if I were in his shoes, I’d laugh at my failed attempt at acting cute as well. He just has more pride in him to do that.

“Well, it’s a good thing your phone’s not really good at taking photos,” he said but a second after those words came out, he immediately covered his mouth as his eyes widened.

“That’s not what I meant,” he said in a flash but I only blinked. Was he supposed to have offended me in any way?

“What?”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I…uhhh…”

Taeyung fiddled with his fingers as he averted my gaze while trying to come up with words to say. I’m not entirely catching up with what he’s saying but whatever it is, it seemed to have stirred him quite a lot.

“Didn’t mean what?”

He looked at me in surprise to which I responded with a raise of an eyebrow. Was he expecting me to have a specific reaction? What was he so shaky about?

“You mean what I said didn’t insult you?”

“What did you say?”

His shoulders slumped when he realized I wasn’t able to catch up with him in our conversation and he acted fussy for nothing.

“I just insulted your phone and you mean to say you didn’t notice that?”

My mouth formed an ‘o’ as I just got what he was trying to say back then. He must have thought he offended me once more after that comment he had about my phone. Well, it’s not offensive though since it’s basically true. Even I think my phone .

“That part wasn’t insulting. You were merely stating a fact.”

He held his chest and heaved a sigh of relief. “That was close. I thought we’re back to not talking to each other once more. What would halmeoni thinks when she sees us ignoring each other at the family dinner this coming Friday.”

“Wait…did I hear you right? Your grandmother’s coming this Friday? And we’ll be eating dinner with her?”

“That’s right. My mom and dad will be there as well. I’ll be formally introducing you to them that day.”

“That soon?!”

He nodded casually as if it wasn’t something to be worried about when it fact, it should scare the living hell out of the both of us.

“Yes. I was supposed to inform you about it last week when my dad called to tell me about the plan but we weren’t in contact with each other during that time.”

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing was coming out. My mind can’t seem to process the right words to say as a response. I just went completely blank.

“Wait…I…Let me get this straight…You’ll…I mean I’ll be meeting your…your family?” I stuttered through the deep breaths I’m taking. This sudden news is too much to bear. It’s a good thing I’m not one to be easily knocked out.

“That’s the plan, yes,” he told me nonchalantly as if what he’s implying isn’t worth the effort of giving due emotion. I mean come on! Friday is four days away from now. He can’t just stand there and give me nothing but a deadpanned look.

I squinted my eyes and made a pout with my mouth, something that grew to become a habit of mine whenever I’m upset. Well, it’s the only thing I can do anyway since I’m sure no words I’m going to say could change anything. Everything was already set by Taehyung and his family. Who am I to complain?

Taehyung cleared his throat and looked away, turning his back on me as he covered his face with his hand.

What’s wrong with him?

“Stop acting cute. It doesn’t suit you.”

With that statement, he began to walk toward the door, planning on leaving me behind.

“Hey!”

I ran to catch up to him but he ignored me by averting his gaze from mine. Something is definitely wrong with this person.

**YUNA**

“What was all that?”

I narrowed my eyes at Jungkook as he sat in front of me, head bowed down. He knows what he did with Taehyung a few moments ago was against the school’s policy of disarranging the cafeteria tables for inessential purposes and he knew it well yet they did it anyway. Heck, Taehyung-oppa even used the tables as a makeshift stage.

“What was what?” he answered me, faking a smile as if he was innocent when he clearly isn’t.

“Don’t mess with me,” I said. Boyfriend or not, as part of the disciplinary committee here, I can’t just let their misdoings slip. “You know what you did and you know there will be consequences.”

He looked at me with pitiful eyes to which I scoffed at.

“That’s not going to work on me, young man.”

As his second attempt, he gave me a pout and tried to act cute but that doesn’t make me waver still.

“Nope.”

“Yuna-ah…” he called in the sweetest tone he could probably muster. That doesn’t make a difference though. They’re still going to have to do the cafeteria work as punishment.

“Don’t even bother trying. You know nothing’s going to change my mind on this one.”

“Will a kiss suffice, then?” he said as he grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me to sit on his lap. It was so sudden that I couldn’t help but let out a little squeal.

“Is a kiss from Jungkook enough to change your mind?” he added while he inched his face closer to mine. I could feel his hot breath and I swear holding a stern face at this moment is, by far, the hardest part of doing the job of a disciplinarian here in school. Damn him and my girly hormones.

“I think we all know silence means yes,”

I trained my eyes at Jungkook’s and when he came eye to eye with me, he gave a wink which caused my face to flush red deeper.

“You’re being silent,” he whispered as he leaned in closer. I swallowed the huge lump forming in my throat and shut my eyes for the contact. We’ve kissed before but why do I still feel this tingly?

“Yuju!”

I swiftly pushed Jungkook away and stood up in a matter of a second when I heard Eunha’s voice from behind us. To say I’m embarrassed would be understating it. Jungkook and I have never been the showy type as a couple. In fact, my friends and his haven’t even seen us be intimate with each other even once.

My face was still burning red. The only difference is now, it’s more because of the embarrassment from almost being caught making out. Yes, Eunha’s my best friend but still…it just doesn’t seem right for me if she ever did come a second later.

“Sorry, I…”

“No! No! It’s okay. We weren’t really doing anything. We were just...uhmmm…we were…”

“About to kiss.”

I hit Jungkook by the arm and threw him a glare. He really needs to shut up. I’m already embarrassed enough.

He shrugged his shoulders at me and raised a brow as if telling me he really isn’t doing anything wrong. Yes, he’s just telling the truth but Eunha doesn’t need to know that.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t know,” Eunha apologized as she bowed a few times to show her sincerity. She really doesn’t need to do that though.

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.”

I hit Jungkook for the second time and he acted all innocent again to which I just rolled my eyes at. There’s no use dealing with an idiot.

“I really am sorry. It’s okay. I’ll be taking my leave now. You go on and…uhmmm…continue,” Eunha said shyly as she tried desperately to avoid eye contact with Jungkook and I.

“No-”

“Bye!”

Before I could even protest, the door of the rooftop slammed and Eunha was no longer in sight, leaving me alone with Jungkook once more. I turned to face him and he had that sly look in his face as he wiggled his brows up and down with a huge grin forming on his lips.

“Where were we?”

“Oh, shut it.”

**YERIN**

“Where are you going? Aren’t you supposed to be in class by now? Lunch period is almost over,” I tried complaining as I quickened my pace to match that of Taehyung’s.

“Tell that to yourself,” he casually replied with his hands tucked in his pockets as he strode through the hallways which I remembered is supposed to lead toward the school’s main parking lot.

“Are you planning on skipping classes?!”

Taehyung abruptly stopped which cause