#ambwkpop

Giana decided to go because her best friends, Chaiya and Seriya, had begged her to join them. The tickets were a birthday gift from her parents to Seriya. She agreed to go, as Seriya was her best friend, and she couldn’t say no to her adorable pout. As they rode in the taxi heading to the arena, Giana’s mark began to glow and itch. One for each bond fate had assigned her.

Soulmates, people said. A divine connection. A blessing. To Giana, it felt like a curse. The person who made her think that way was her mother. Gianas parents were soulmates, also two peas in a pod. After her father’s death, Giana’s mother took to drinking and started verbally and physically abusing her.

She vowed never to believe in fate again. She made a promise to herself to guard her heart fiercely, refusing to let anyone in who might hurt it like her despicable mother had done. Giana stands between Chaiya and Seriya, heart thudding louder than the bass through the speakers.

“This is happening! Do you see them?! That’s—oh my god—that’s NI-KI!” Chaiya screamed over the crowd.

“I can't even hear myself think! Giana, are you good?” Seriya asked, looking at her best friend in the middle.

Giana nods, stiff. She clutches the sleeve covering her forearm, her fingers digging into the fabric. “Yeah. I mean—this is a lot.”

“It’s amazing, though, right? Come on, even you can admit that!” Chaiya replied, beaming with excitement.

She tries to smile, but her chest feels tight. Her eyes flick up to the stage lights, hazy from the crowd's heat.

“I just… don’t get why everyone wants this kind of connection so badly.” The young woman responded, shrugging her shoulders.

“You mean soulmates?” Seriya questioned, linking her arm with Giana’s.

“Yeah. Everyone talks about it like it’s this magical, beautiful thing.” Giana claimed, looking down at her lap. She fiddles with the end of her sleeves before quietly saying, “But what if it just... hurts?”

Chaiya gently grabs her hand and squeezes it. “If having multiple soulmates hurts, it’s not meant to be. It won't hurt forever if having soulmates is meant for you.”

Giana looks at her, unsure how to respond. The lights shift, and the next song's intro starts—low, slow, powerful. Slowly but surely, Giana swayed to the music as Enhypen made their grand entrance, making fans go wild. Giana was having a good time in her way until she glanced up, and Heeseung’s eyes met hers.

It felt like time had frozen, with Heeseung and Giana standing at the center of the arena, seemingly the only two souls present. Heeseung’s voice, though momentarily wavering, carried an undeniable weight of emotion. Across the stage, Sunoo faltered mid-spin, instantly recognizing that he experienced the same profound feeling. The fans murmured among themselves, curious about the boys’ intense connection in that moment, but they quickly contained their composure.

“Did you notice that too?” Chaiya asked Giana and Seriya, leaning over to them.

“Is Sunoo okay?” They heard a girl behind me ask, sounding like she was about to break down and cry.

“What’s going on with them?” Seriya questioned, staring at her favorite boy band in concern.

Sunoo followed Heeseung’s gaze on stage and found himself in a trance. With their eyes fixated on her during their dance routine, Giana started to hyperventilate, and the mark on her forearm tingled.

“No…no, no, no,” Giana whispered as the crowd behind her screamed.

The sound is muffled as the music pounds back in, like she’s underwater. She feels her chest tighten and her breath shorten.

“Giana? What’s wrong?” Chaiya asked, staring at her best friend worriedly.

Giana stumbles back. The lights, the noise, the pressure—it’s too much. She turns on instinct, pushing past people, nearly tripping over herself.

“Giana! Where are you go–?” She got cut off by her best friend's urgent steps out of the aisle.

She bursts through the emergency door into the cool night Tokyo air. The sudden silence is deafening. Giana staggers forward, hands shaking, breathing shallow and fast.

“I can't…I can't breathe.“ She gasped, beginning to pace back and forth, shaking her hands.

Suddenly, Giana falls to her knees despite wearing a denim skirt behind the building, clutching her chest, tears falling before she can stop them—her whole body trembles.

“It’s happening again.“

“It’s just like before.”

“I didn’t ask for this.”

“Why me?”

Memories crash in—her mother’s cold voice, her father’s empty chair, the moment her mother looked at her mark and said:

"You’re cursed, Giana. That's what that mark means. It will ruin you. Just like it ruined me."

Giana’s voice cracks. She curls into herself tightly. The stars dim under her sleeve but still burn faintly, pulsing with quiet light. She screams—not loudly, but broken. And then finally, she cries—raw, ugly, and alone.

Giana crouched against the brick wall, wrapping her arms tightly around her knees. Her sleeve bunched up, barely hiding the faint glow of the seven-star mark. Her breathing was uneven, and tears dried in streaks down her cheeks. Footsteps echoed in the alley—fast, frantic.

“Giana?!” Chaiya gasped, her voice sharp with worry. Giana flinches, keeping her head low.

“We’re here. We’ve got you.” Seriya cooed in a softer tone.

The girls reach her, out of breath. Chaiya immediately kneels beside her, placing a trembling hand on her back.

“You're okay, you're okay. Just breathe with me, okay? In and out. Slow.” Chaiya cooed, rubbing Gianna’s back comfortingly.

The broken young woman lets out a sob instead, shoulders shaking again. Seriya crouches on the other side, pulling a scrunchie off her wrist and gently tying Giana’s hair back to keep it out of her face.

“I—I couldn’t stay inside there. It felt like the walls were closing in, and then my arm—Heeseung and Sunoo looked at me—and I couldn’t breathe—“ Giana stuttered through her tears. “I’m sorry I ruined your birthday present.”

“Shhh. You don’t have to explain. Not right now.” Seriya consoled, rubbing her back soothingly. “You didn't ruin anything.”

Chaiya slowly pulls her into a hug. At first, Giana resists—but she collapses against her, sobbing into her shoulder. Seriya wraps her arms around both of them.

“You’re not alone, G. We’re not leaving you,” Chaiya assured her sobbing friend, kissing her forehead.

“Yeah, not now. Not ever.” Seriya nodded, agreeing with their other friend.

They sit there like that—just the three—in the quiet outside the Dome while the concert rages inside, followed by screaming fans. The world feels far away, but Giana breathes a little deeper. After Giana let out her pain for the day, she deeply sighed and smiled.

“What would I do without you girls?” Giana asked, laughing at how they appeared.

“Go completely crazy,” Chaiya replied, making the group laugh.

“Let’s go back to the hotel and order a bunch of ramen,” Seriya suggested, looking at Giana and Chaiya with a grin.

“Sounds good to me,” Giana responded, standing to her feet with the help of her friends.

The three girls went to the front of the venue and got into a taxi, heading back to their hotel. With the girls dressed in their pajamas, Seriya ordered room service for them, and they ate, laughed, and basked in each other’s presence.

Screaming ENGENE’s faded in the background as Heeseung and his members walked off stage, breathless, sweat-slicked adrenaline still pulsing through them. A staff member handed them a cold water bottle and a towel. Some of them laughed, clapping each other's backs. They all felt a pull during the show, knowing their soulmate was in the crowd. Heeseung and Sunoo were the closest to physically seeing her.

“That was intense. The Tokyo Dome never disappoints.” Jay groaned, throwing himself on the sofa. “Did anyone else feel their mark tingle?”

“I did. I felt it. Did you see that fan in the front row crying during ‘ Polaroid Love’? I almost broke my character.” Sunoo beamed, jumping up and down.

“You did break your character.” Niki chuckled, sitting beside Jay on the sofa.

The others noticed how quiet Heeseung had been since they left the stage. His towel hung around his neck, and he stared at the floor, zoned out. Jungwon noticed it and spoke.

“Hyung? Are you okay?” Jungwon asked with a worried expression.

Heeseung didn’t answer right away. His mind replayed that moment—those beautiful brown eyes in the crowd that had so much pain, and the glow of his mark in the exact spot Giana had hers, the pull.

“I saw her today.” Heeseung finally said, looking up at his members.

Upon hearing that statement, the room fell silent. Sunghoon, who was in the middle of drinking some water, slowly lowered his bottle.

“You mean like — her, her?” Jake asked, widening his eyes in shock. “Our soulmate?”

“You saw her? Where?” Jay responded, now his attention focused on Heeseung.

“Is that why we all felt a pull while performing on stage?” Sunghoon questioned, sitting up straight in his chair.

“What does she look like?” Niki responded, needing to know their soulmate’s physical appearance.

“Gorgeous brown skin, beautiful dark curly hair, and a smile that could light up any dark sky.” The eldest member answered, letting a giddy smile appear on his lips.

“I saw her too,” Sunoo added, making the other members turn to him. “She’s beautiful, but the look in her eyes made my stomach clench.”

“What?” Jay inquired curiously, looking at him.

“She had a look of complete terror in her eyes as she stared at Sunoo and me,” Heeseung said, feeling a sense of guilt in his gut.

“It was like we killed her dog or family member,” Sunoo commented, leaning his head on Heeseung’s shoulder.

“She suddenly ran from her seat and left the venue.” He concluded, running his hand through his wet hair.

“Maybe she was terrified,” Sunoo softly said, as a sense of sadness crept into his chest.

“Do you think there’s a reason behind it?” Jay curiously asked, eyeing his members warily.

“I don’t know yet,” Heeseung answered, shrugging his shoulders. “But I have to find out. WE need to find out.”

“We have to find her,” Their leader, Jungwon, said in a stern, authoritative tone.

As the show concluded, the guys changed their outfits and headed to their van, which would take them to their hotel. Once Heeseung entered his room, he immediately jumped into the shower. Standing under the hot water as it cascaded down his body felt amazing. He stepped out, dressed for bed, and decided to go live on Weverse for an hour. Some fans noticed how he appeared exhausted.

The eldest member didn’t want to tell ENGENE’s about finding their soulmate until she was ready. After ending his Weverse broadcast, he climbed into the comfort of the hotel bed and allowed sleep to consume him.

Heeseung finds himself in a small, quiet kitchen — unfamiliar, dimly lit, full of old pictures and wilted flowers. He hears soft crying down the hallway. Following the sound, he discovers a girl sitting on the floor, hugging her knees.

“I don’t want to be chosen. I'm not worthy of it. Of a soulmate.“

He kneels beside her but couldn’t touch her hand, passing through her like a hologram.

“You are worthy of having a soulmate of love. We will protect you no matter what.”

The dream shimmers, and Giana finally lifts her head. Their eyes meet momentarily, and she vanishes like smoke into thin air.

Sunoo stands in a field under a soft, golden sky. Wind moves through tall grass. Ahead of him, a girl stands barefoot with her back to him. Her white dress moves like water. She’s humming, but the sound is sad.

“What’s your name?” Sunoo softly asked, reaching out to touch her shoulder.

Giana turned around slowly. Her chestnut-brown eyes sparkled with the tears she was holding back.

“If you saw all the broken pieces of me… would you still want to know me?” She sniffled as the tears counted to fall.

With a gentle step, Sunoo approached Giana as his heart pounded. He smiled softly, saying, “Every piece. Even the shattered ones.”

As Giana reached out to hold his hand, a gust of wind blew her away, leaving no trace of her behind.

Jay walked through an empty subway tunnel – dim, endless, echoing. On the walls are posters of Giana — childhood pictures, quiet moments, things she’s never shown anyone. He hears footsteps. She’s running past him.

“Hey, wait!” Jay yelled, chasing after her.

Once he caught up with her, Giana stopped, her back pressed against the wall, her eyes wide with fear. Jay reached out and held her waist.

“You don’t want this. You don’t want me. I’m not worthy.” Giana warned, fighting against the hold Jay had around her waist.

“You don’t get to decide that for me.” He softly replied, making the young woman freeze her movements.

They stood in silence as he held her. Slowly, she lowers her gaze — but the tunnel begins to crack around them and shake like an earthquake had hit.

Jungwon walked into the building, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. People were crying, and that’s when he realized he was at a funeral. He glanced down and saw a little girl with dark curly hair clutching a picture of a muddled, aged man, assuming to be her dad.

Niki looked around the room and saw a little Giana, around eight years old, staring at her forearm as it glowed faintly. He reached out to touch her or try to console her, but his hand moved through her as if she were a ghost or a hologram. That made his heart ache.

Jake watched as a young Giana cried into her pillow. Her mother's dark, cold voice echoed through the hallway outside her door. He wanted to tell her everything would be okay, but noticed the glowing marks on her right forearm.

Sunghoon saw Giana standing on a balcony, soaking in the nighttime sky. The stars shone over her, illuminating her golden skin with brightness. He could feel his heart racing the longer he stared at her.

The members of Enhypen jumped up from their slumber, startled, gasping for air, sweating, and stunned. Heeseung grabbed his phone and typed a message into the group chat with his members.

🦌- Meeting in my room tomorrow.

On the eighth floor, Giana lay curled up in a ball in her comfortable hotel room, sweating, tossing, and turning.

Giana is standing in a vast, empty Tokyo Dome.

Not a seat is filled, but the stage glows with soft white light. Seven silhouettes stood on it, facing Giana. She can’t move. Her forearm burns faintly where the seven stars are marked.

The first figure steps forward, tall with gentle eyes, reaching a hand out to her. Then another. And another. Until all seven are there, extending their hands.

Heeseung’s voice: “You don’t have to be alone anymore.”

Jake’s voice: “We’ve been looking for you.”

Jungwon’s voice: “Let us stay.”

Sunoo’s voice: “We’ll never hurt you.”

Jay’s voice: “We will protect you.”

Sunghoon’s voice: “Don’t give up on us, and we won’t give up on you.”

Niki’s voice: “I’ve waited my whole life to find you.”

Their words should feel warm to her, but Giana’s chest tightens. Her breathing grows shallow. The light began blinding her, and behind the voices, another one rose.

Her mother’s voice.

Cold. Sharp.

“Soulmates are a lie. Don’t you dare trust them. They’ll leave you just like your father did.”

Giana stumbles back, clutching her forearm. The stars are glowing so brightly they hurt to look at.

Her voice, shaking: “No… no, I can’t… I can’t—”

Even when her cousin, Brandy, dragged her to a random Halloween party the looks never stopped.

However, it was when Riley was approached by some random female with her ex close behind that changed everything.

It was the words the girl spoke that caused Riley to snap. Words that she hated hearing.

Now here she stood, cleaning her hand of blood that didn't belong to her.

"I'm fine Brandy, I promise," Riley says out loud, placing her phone on the sink countertop once she answered. Turning off the faucet, she grabbed a few paper towels wiping her hands clean then her face as she pulled herself together.

"Are you sure? I can take you back home if you want. Matter of fact, where are you?" Riley could barely make out Brandy's words over the loud music in the background, even with her being on speakerphone.

"I'm in one of the bathrooms upstairs. Don't worry about me. I'll be back down in a few minutes,"

The party was being held in a house big as hell. In her attempt to separate herself from everyone, she made so many different turns until she found a bathroom to hide in and she knew getting back would be a challenge.

"Are you positive you're ok Riley? Don't be fucking lying either,"

A soft smile formed across Riley's face at her cousin's concern. "Yes. I'm positive. I'll see you in a minute,"

"Text me when you make it back. I can barely hear you," Brandy advises before she hung up, leaving Riley to her thoughts.

Letting out a deep breath, Riley turned her attention towards the mirror to look herself over. She was surprised her white and gold goddess costume remained intact and blood free as she examined the material carefully.

Although physically she looked fine, mentally she needed a break.

As soon as Riley stepped out into the hallway, she felt it. A chill went up her spine causing her to shiver as a sense of uneasiness filled her veins. Her dark eyes darted around her surroundings, searching for any indication of danger but she quickly realized that she was alone....and everything was eerily silent.

"Yeah aight," Riley mumbles to herself, assuming that she was probably overthinking things. Considering the massive size of the house, she thought the silence was because she was probably on the other side of the house away from the party itself. She couldn't even feel the thump of the bass much less hear people talking.

It was just her and for some reason, it made Riley nervous. So much so that even the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

Each step she took, it felt as though the hallway seemed to never end, or at least in her mind it didn't.

And that was when she heard it.

A slight ding of what sounded like a bell. Similar to the ones Riley heard around Christmas time.

Her feet picked up speed without her even realizing it and she soon found herself powerwalking and turning a random corner, no longer caring if she knew where the fuck she was going.

However, when the sound of the bell met Riley's ears again, only much closer this time, she knew she was no longer alone. Someone was following her and she could sense it.

Her fight and flight senses were kicking in and while she was scared, she was mad as hell too cause who the hell was playing games with her?

"Whoever you are, you need to stop before I-"

"Before you what?"

In an instant, Riley stopped dead in her tracks as fear consumed her. That voice...it was the type of voice that was silken yet so malevolent that it made her knees weak.

Riley barely turned her head when out of the corner of her eye she saw a shadow whisk by. She wanted to believe that it was just her imagination fuckin with her but she knew better,

In her scared state, she barely felt the warm hand grab her shoulder causing her to turn around only to see nothing. Her eyes darted around every inch of the empty hallway in fear all while Riley was doing her best to keep herself from screaming like an idiot.

This was some scary movie type of shit and she was not feeling it one bit.

"Stop messin with me!" She demanded, still too afraid to move. Whoever was taunting her was doing a good ass job. She understood that it was Halloween but this was too much.

They were trying to scare her and it was working.

Closing her eyes for a second, Riley took a deep breath in an attempt to calm her raging nerves. Thinking that maybe she was tripping and letting her mind get the best of her.

Unfourtnely, the thought seemed to evaporate as soon as she opened her eyes and turned around.

"Boo!"

On instinct, Riley swung only to have her already sore fist caught with ease by the man standing in front of her. A whimper fell past her lips as they gave it a slight squeeze much to her discomfort.

Their eyes were penetrating and dark, so black that Riley could see her reflection in them. "Don't move," The man advised, holding her wrist tightly.

"Excuse me?" Riley replied with disbelief. It was like the air around them grew cold. The only warmth she felt was from his gloved hand.

The man watched with emotionless eyes as she finally took all of him in.

He stood tall in a black and white costume with his face painted mimicking an evil jester to match. But what Riley noticed the most were the bells that dangled from his headpiece.

As if he could read her mind, the man moved his head slightly, causing one of the bells to ring. Riley instantly took a step back, only to feel something hard behind her.

"You want to run with nowhere to hide...that's cute," Spoke a smooth, husky voice right behind her. Riley involuntarily shivered, feeling a pair of lips brush against her earlobe.

Snapping her head towards the voice, Riley was met with another pair of dark eyes except for one being covered by a whitened contact lens. Just like the man in front of her, he too wore a jester costume but in black and red.

"What is this? Some kind of a joke?" Riley croaks out, looking at the man who still had a death grip on her wrist.

She watched as his head turned a bit at her question. "Not at all princess. In fact, we want you terrified," He smirks, looking evil as hell. "You're almost there,"

His response made Riley's head hurt. The fuck were these people on?

"Let go of me," She fussed, attempting to pull free from him but the man barely seemed to budge. Not at all fazed by her trying to break free.

"Never," Said the one behind her, placing soft kisses along her exposed shoulder. Riley moved away from him, ignoring his low chuckles.

"Besides, we're here to celebrate with you," The man in front of her tells her, catching her attention. "Today is a special day is it not?" He questions, briefly making eye contact with the man behind her.

It didn't take Riley long to know what he meant. "You're sick,"

"What did they call your dad again?" He questions mockingly, snapping his fingers as if he was trying to think of the name. The very name everyone labeled her father as. The very name she loathed.

"The Se-"

"Stop!" Riley blurts out, feeling her tears prickle in the corners of her eyes. "Let go of me!" She demanded once more. This wasn't funny and she was getting angry the longer she stood there trapped between these men she didn't even know.

"Don't worry princess, that will change sooner than you think,"

"Real soon," The black and red Jester confirms, twirling a piece of Riley's hair with his fingers. "You can thank your beloved father for that,"

Riley snapped her gaze towards him, confused by their words. "What are you talking about?"

The man behind her simply smiled causing a shiver to run down her spine. How could something so beautiful look so deadly? It confused her. And the way he looked at her...

"You'll see," He reassures her, softly caressing her cheek. He found himself mesmerized by her beauty just as he was when he first laid eyes on her after so many years.

They all were so fascinated by her.

Riley could only stare at him, feeling conflicted by her situation. "But fair warning though princess," The black and white jester speaks up, grabbing her attention once more. "You have approximately six minutes to get out of this house before it's burned to the ground,"

She watched him lean down until their nose practically were touching. She begins to wonder if either one of them knew the meaning of personal space. "You won't remember us but we'll leave you with this,"

Before Riley could ask what he meant, he leaned closer brushing his lips against hers just as she felt another pair on her neck. She barely had time to react when he kissed her. All the confusion, fear and anger she felt were wiped away by a wave of bliss and pure temptation.

But just as soon as it started, it was over and there Riley stood alone once more.

The cold air that once surrounded her was now hot and muggy with the smell of smoke instantly filling her nose. Riley found herself coughing more roughly the closer she seemed to get to where the party was being held.

'I Put a Spell On You' blasted through the speakers along with screams of agony and fear as she watched people running for any exit they could find, trampling over each other and pushing anyone in their way. With very few helping those in need. Flames seemed to have engulfed almost everything in every direction Riley looked. The heat and smoke became unbearable.

Her eyes burned as she squinted, trying to see if she could spot Brandy in the chaos, all while avoiding stepping on the bodies that were scattered around her.

This was sickening. And the smell. It made her stomach turn.

Spotting the opened front doors, Riley ran towards it with a few people following behind her. But just as she made it through, the doors slammed shut leaving the others trapped inside. With no hesitation, Riley reached for the handle to open the door, only to immediately snatch her hand back from pain as the doorknobs glowed a bright red.

Holding her burned hand close to her chest, Riley moved down the steps and further away from the house as she watched in disbelief the scene before her.

It was something out of a horror film.

Darkness surrounded her in the midst of turmoil.

For three years they played this cruel game. The trust they once had for one another almost cease to exist. Yet, the love they shared seemed unscathed.

Even when they attempted to date other people, somehow, someway, they always ended up back together. The word "sorry" no longer existed in their vocabulary. There were only so many times it could be said until its purpose became tainted.

In a way, she was positive they liked hurting one another. A sick way to show they still cared.

Two months have passed since she last saw him and she was doing so well without him. Or so she forced herself to believe. Her weakest moments always seemed to attack her thoughts late at night as she lay in bed alone.

She shouldn't miss him.

Life was much better without his presence.

But every time her eyes closed, her mind was filled with thoughts of him no matter how hard she tried to forget him.

She was addicted to everything that was him and he knew it.

He thrived off the fact that no matter how many times she yelled out "fuck you", she'd always come back to him where she belonged.

In his twisted mind, no one would ever love her in the way he does.

Touch her as he does.

Kiss her as he does.

Hold her as he does.

And more importantly, make love to her as he does.

Just the thought of him shook her mentally.

God, she hated him so much.

Licking her lips, Nia stood quietly outside of his apartment door, silently telling herself to just turn on her heel and go back home where she needed to be.

But she'd be lying to herself if she didn't say that she missed him because she did.

However, it wasn't as if she needed him like the oxygen she breathed.

And just as she was about to walk away, the sounds of locks coming undone caught her attention, pulling her from her intense thoughts.

"Shit," She whispered to herself as the door swung open to reveal him in all of his toxicity. Nia noted how his hair had grown longer with his bangs hanging just below his eyebrows. He stood in front of her with an unbuttoned satin shirt showcasing his chest and a pair of matching pants. A mean mug immediately spread across her face as she ignored her rapidly beating heart.

He knew exactly what the hell he was doing.

"Why did you call me here I.M?" It was a question that she already knew the answer to but the need to break the silence between them was necessary.

The way he looked at her...it was as if he saw right through her.

A small smile formed on his face as he eyed her slowly from head to toe and back up again before his dark eyes settled on her own. "The same reason why you decided to come...because I wanted to. Now come in," He answered, stepping aside to let her in.

Shaking her head, Nia did as he said while he locked the door behind her. She stood quietly in the middle of his dark hallway that had the kitchen on one side and his living room on the other, his scent filling her nose no matter which way her head turned.

"Keep walking," Changkyun softly ordered, his warm breath fanned against her ear causing a shiver to go down her spine.

Biting her tongue, she removed her slippers and walked further down the hall towards his dimly lit bedroom where the door was left slightly open. Nia felt Changkyun's arm brush past hers to push the door completely open to reveal his cozy room.

"What have I told you about coming out in public dressed like this?" He questioned lowly, tugging at the bottom of the white romper onesie that fitted snuggly against her skin. It was obvious she wore nothing underneath.

"I wasn't about to change just to come see you, besides..."

"Besides what?"

Nia felt so small under his gaze as he stood in front of her with his arm crossed. "I won't be here for long," She informs him, turning her attention towards the hard rain hitting against the glass above them.

Changkyun smirked at her words knowing full well they were a lie. "Why won't you just be with me Nia? Every time you run you always come back to me in the end,"

"You know exactly why," Nia instantly replies. It was a question that was asked by him often and the answer never changed. "What do you even want from me? You have so many options,"

"I want you to be my wife Nia. No one else compares to you and you know this," He counters back with swiftness. "No more games. No more lies,"

Nia stared back at him, looking for any indication of dishonesty. "I don't know I.M...I need time to think,"

As much as she wanted to believe his words, it was hard. She was so fuck'd up mentally because of him.

"Why do you do this to me?" She questions just above a whisper, hating how weak she was when it came to him. All it took was one look and he had her right where he wanted. She was his and no one else.

"Take it off," He commands, ignoring her question on purpose. "Please..."

Maybe it was because of how tempting Changkyun looked at the moment. Pure sex on legs. Or the way he spoke to her, demanding yet sweet. It took little to nothing to get her to do whatever he asked of her.

She was so pathetic.

However, Nia didn't care. Especially when he slid inside of her, hitting every spot, including the ones she didn't even know she had.

Only he could make her body shake with need. Giving her the type of dick that made her call out to the heavens above in bliss. Even to the point tears would run down her face in disbelief.

He fucked her as if it would be their last, leaving nothing untouched.

Nia found herself bent over with her ass in the air just how Changkyun liked it. Her hands gripping the sheets as he delivered toe-curling strokes after another, driving her insane. "You feel so good," She whined, feeling him places kisses along her back.

Changkyun said nothing at first, only responding by practically fucking Nia like his life depended on it. Rolling his hips every time in a way that had Nia wither with need. Her pussy welcomed him each time he filled her with such need.

"Say it,"

"It's yours," Nia barely croaked out, knowing what he wanted. "It's all yours," She said again, reaching back to push him away. The pressure in her gut became too much.

San was feeling impatient and patient all at once. He was willing to just pull her panties down and bury himself deep within her right against his front door, yet he wanted to take his time and explore every inch of her. To cherish her like she deserves to be.

Regardless of what he wanted, this night wasn't about him. Whatever she needed he would provide. Whether she wanted it rough and nasty or slow and sensual, or all four all in one night, he was hers to use as her heart desired.

Interlocking her hands with his, he kissed her deeply, as if the two have always been lovers. And that shook Talayeh so much but she refused to pull away. It all felt too...right. Too real.

Running his hands down her back, he grabbed her ass, squeezing the soft flesh, pulling her closer to him. His action catching her by surprise as she gasped, allowing his tongue to taste her own, making her go weak in the knees.

"San...wait..." She panted, forcing herself away from him. Their harsh breathing mingled together when he placed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes to settle down a bit.

"We don't have to do this." He reassured her, moving her hair from her face to see it better.

Talayeh bit her bottom lip, letting her head fall back, trying to get herself together. Her false eyelashes brushed against the tops of her cheeks until she looked back at San, who stood watching her curiously.

Taking her hand, she palmed his face, not believing that he was real and that this whole situation was one she made up in her mind. His skin was as soft as she imagined it to be, almost making her believe that he just had to be sculpted by the Lord himself.

He seemed almost unreal, even though he was standing right in front of her.

Just looking at him made her want to be devoured by him. She wanted his lips to kiss her in places no other man has bothered to kiss. To taste her essence like it was the sweetest and juiciest fruit he'd ever eat. To take his hands and caress her skin, hold her close as he fucked her like she was the woman of his desires.

She felt like it was too much, however, San was never one to back down from a challenge of any sort.

"Take me to your room." She softly tells him, squeezing his hands to lead the way. As much as it thrilled her to be ravished right where she stood, she wanted to be comfortable, plus the heels she was wearing were beginning to hurt.

San walked her up a flight of stairs where a set of double doors were waiting as soon as they made it to the top. His bedroom was revealed looking clean, although seeming so unlived in, like the rest of his place that she has seen so far.

She assumed he had some type of wealth based off the car he drove alone but once she saw his modern chic styled home, her assumptions were confirmed. That shit definitely wasn't cheap, especially in California.

"I don't sleep much." He told her as she ran her fingers across his neatly done bed.

"I don't either." She smiled, looking at him over her shoulder. "Come here." She beckoned with her long nails.

In three long strides, he was standing in front of her. His eyes never leaving hers as he used one of his hands to unzip the back of her dress. He watched as she tugged it past her hips and pool at her heeled feet.

Though he had been in situations like this plenty of times before, he knew without a doubt that this was much more different than the rest. And so was the woman standing in front of him.

It wasn't as if this was her first time being exposed in front of a man before but it was definitely the first one who had looked at her in the manner San was right now. It was more than a gaze filled with lust.

He looked upon her like the exquisite masterpiece that she was.

Talayeh bit into her bottom lip when his thumb brushed past her nipple, making her body shiver by his simple touch.

Since the dress she wore needed no bra, she decided to go out without it tonight. She almost wanted to pat herself on the back for making such a good call.

Standing in her designer five-inch heels and a pair of grey strappy panties, she looked edible and he planned to taste her more than once before they parted ways.

He was hoping that she didn't expect this to be over in a matter of minutes because he wanted rounds until she tells him enough is enough.

"Tell me what you want." He says, his husky tone brushing past her lips as he leaned down placing a kiss on them.

She moaned lowly once he started to kiss her neck, pulling her closer to him. She smelt and felt so good in his arms as if it was where she was meant to be.

"Treat me as if you love me." She tells him, not caring how ridiculously she may have sounded.

If she was going to be in the presence of a man such as him, she was going to take advantage.

San moved back to look her in the eyes. "You're asking me for something dangerous. I hope you realize that." It wasn't that he didn't want to do what she wanted, more as he knew that she wasn't aware of the door that she was opening.

This night wasn't going to end as a one night stand with them going their separate ways after if he crossed that line.

"I don't care, please. I need this." She begged, ripping his shirt open, ignoring the buttons that flew in different directions. Her hands moved over his abs and up his exposed chest, admiring his hard work.

Damn.

Smirking at her neediness, he grabbed ahold of her wrist, stopping her movements. The bulge in his slacks becoming harder to ignore the longer she touched him.

"Lay back." He instructed, letting her go so she could do what he asked.

Moving until she was in the middle, Talayeh laid back against his bed, almost molding into the softness of his mattress.

He waited until her eyes found his when he begins to undress, removing his ruined shirt, along with his suit jacket. Tossing the discarded items on the floor, he slipped out of his shoes and started to unbuckle his belt. He watched the way she clenched her thighs together as he pants dropped, with his briefs following close behind.

Talayeh's eyes widened a bit at his size, not expecting him to be so...thick.

Her pussy seemed to throb as she looked him over from head to toe. She couldn't find a flaw even if she wanted to.

It was unfair how one man was this damn perfect.

"Open your legs for me." He tells her, skimming his fingertips across her soft thighs until she spread them wide enough for him to place himself between them.

His lips found hers in a heated kiss that made her head swim. It was so much more intense than the one before which spoke volumes because even that one took her by surprise. His lips were soft and so demanding as they moved fiercely against hers.

She clung onto him, pulling him until their chest met. His dick was hard and warm as it brushed against her abdomen. She was almost scared to have him inside of her, especially since it's been a few months since her last encounter.

Forcing himself from her mouth, he moved down to her neck, kissing and sucking wherever he could, earning soft moans while he left his mark on her skin.

He left a trail of kisses across her collarbone until he reached the top of her breasts. Cupping one in his hand, he immediately attached his mouth, using the tip of his tongue to move around her areola.

San came close to her nipple only to move away, teasing her with anticipation every time. It was driving her crazy, and he knew it. He continued his sweet torture, enjoying the powerful effect he had on her. When he felt her patience wearing thin, he allowed his tongue to move over her hardened bud, taking it between his teeth and tugged, sending a shock through Talayeh.

"Ohhh," She sighed breathily. The mixture of pain and pleasure doing something to her mentally.

She had never wanted a man so badly before.

Her fingers ran through his silky locks, pulling him closer to her chest after he lifted his head to give her other breast the same attention.

Once San felt satisfied, he moved down to her stomach, stopping right above the place she needed him to attend to the most.

So to say that she was disappointed when his ass skipped right over it and straight to her thighs would be an understatement.

"Stop playing with me, San."

He laughed a bit, placing kisses down her legs, even a few on her feet once he removed her heels. His fingers massaged into her flesh, caressing parts of her body that his hands could reach. It was as if he had read her mind, doing the things she desired.

Slipping his fingers beneath the fabric of her panties, he slipped them down her legs, tossing them somewhere on the floor behind him. Her lips were swollen, with a glint of liquid trickling between her folds. He felt a sense of pride knowing that he was the cause of it.

In a way Talayeh felt a bit embarrassed by how insanely wet she was and being so exposed in front of him while San's eyes took her in, taking mental photos of how beautiful she looked in this moment.

Her shapely frame, the softness of her skin, the nice thickness of flesh he would enjoy gripping as the night went on.

But it was her face he appreciated the most.

As she laid in front of him with her hair sprawled around her, her eyes on him, lips slightly parted, she looked so damn gorgeous and nothing short of what he imagined a goddess would be.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" He asked, giving her a chance to back out before he got down to business. Even after the sun rises, he was going to cherish her as if she was the love of his life, taking her to places he knew she had never reached before.

She smiled, brushing his hair back from his eyes to see them more clearly. "Yes."

The words barely left her mouth when she felt his tongue push past her folds, sweeping across the warm flesh, tasting her essence with one long lick.

Placing his tongue on her clit, he began to flick away at her sensitive bud. Talayeh quivered, her body jolting as she released a breathy moan.

San licked and tasted and sucked, making it grow with his ministrations. She could feel herself slowly starting to lose it when he decided to thrust his tongue inside of her. She withered underneath him, gripping his head as he fucked her with his tongue. Her fevered moans turned him on, fueling him while he devoured her.

Her words seemed to come out in jumbles when he stiffened his tongue, moving in and out of her heat. Shuddering when he rolled it over her clit once more, leaving Talayeh almost dumbfounded. She had never experienced this type of pleasure from a man's tongue alone. It was almost unruly how skilled he was.

"Goddamn San," She voiced, rolling her hips against his mouth.

She felt so helpless underneath him as the sounds of him lapping her juices filled her ears, sending a wave of lust through her. He tasted her like a dying man in need.

His movements slowed down, allowing the tip of his tongue to trace around her erect clit as he stared up at her with those smoldering eyes of his. She was close and he knew it but he wouldn't allow her the type of satisfaction that she was so desperate to reach.

"Please, keep going." She wined, trying to push his head closer for more friction but he refused to budge. The mumble of his chuckle causing her to gasp.

"Please what?" He pulled back to ask before flicking his tongue wildly against her, then slowing down, driving Talayeh crazy. He toyed with her, giving her long licks, only to switch up the speed once again. Pushing her thighs back further, making his tongue go deeper into her. Her hips would buck at his movements as she let out cries filled with both frustrations and need.

"Shit, make me cum, please baby." Her eyes were pleading with him, filled with so much passion that he had no choice but to oblige.

San forcefully tongued her, showing no signs of stopping. The sensation was so thoroughly gratifying and intense, that Talayeh felt as though she wouldn't be able to take it. She moaned loudly, withering in pure bliss. "Oh my fu-, yes, yes, just like that." She chanted in broking cries.

All it took was him sucking her clit harshly, giving her that right mixture to push her over the edge to her climax. Her thighs tightened around his head as she shook, her back lifting off his mattress. Even with his face covered in her juices, he still didn't stop, making sure to lap up her nectar. Only stopping when she pushed him away because of how sensitive he making her.

Pulling back, he wiped his shiny face clean using his hand. "I can't taste you just once tonight Talayeh." He told her, knowing his tongue was going taste her until she was raw.

"Good because I need to experience that again." She praised him, especially after that climax he blessed her with.

Reaching for his bedside table, he pulled out a few condoms, tossing them on the bed because he planned to use plenty. She eyed him nervously as he tore one open, sliding the latex over his dick. He had the perfect length, however, it was his girth that had her worried.

"Relax, I'll go slow." He reassured her after taking in her facial expression. Women always ran from him during sex because of what he was working with. He knew exactly how to use it and that made San even more dangerous than he already was.

Talayeh smiled at him wearily, relaxing against the bed. Her hands gripped at his biceps when he hovered over her.

San could tell that she was still nervous, though she tried to hide it. Placing a kiss on her lips, he moved to her neck, licking the vein, distracting her enough to guide himself into her. He was thankful that she was still soaked, making it easier as she slid deeper. The tightness of her pussy made it difficult for him to not just thrust as he wanted.

"Shit Layeh," He groaned against her lips, stopping until he couldn't go any further.

She gasped as he pulled out slowly before sinking into her again, repeating the movement until she adjusted to his size.

Slipping his tongue between her lips, he kissed her deeply, allowing her to taste what was remained of her on him. Her breathes quicken while he drew her in with passion, stalling his hips momentarily. Their tongues moved against each other, dancing to a song that they only knew.

There were so many things San planned to do to her body tonight, so much he wanted to try too. All the positions he was going to put her in, not to mention that his bed wasn't going to be the only place he would have her. He was going to work and taste every part of her, to show her just how beautiful and desirable she truly was.

She was going to know what its like to be treasured.

Wrapping her arms securely around his back, she held onto him as he buried himself balls deep into her, starting them out at a steady pace that had her toes curling. He watched her face change each time he entered her, her low moans becoming louder each time.

"Mmmm," She cooed, slightly digging her nails into his back.

His room began to fill with their heavy breathing, as he started to pick up speed. The sound of his hips smacking against the back of her thighs created the infamous sound of sexual lust that was being created.

Each time his dick pushed past her tight walls, he groaned, finding it difficult to keep quiet because he wanted to hear her instead.

Talayeh choked out a sob when he pulled all the way out, only to deliver a slow, yet powerful thrust, repeating the same move continuously. Each time he sank into her, his hips bucked harder making her breasts bounce wildly. She took each stroke, whimpering with undeniable pleasure.

Their gazes locked in a heated stare. He had been paying attention every time her beautiful face contorted, knowing how and when to move to get a certain reaction.

Placing her legs over his shoulder, allowed him to go even deeper, making Talayeh's eyes widen at the wave of pleasure she just experienced. "Oh fuck!" She wailed, trying her best not to just push him away.

When he began to move faster, building a steady rhythm, her walls clenched around him as her nails dug into his shoulders.

"You feel so good like this," He spoke sexily in her ear, leaving her pulsating.

Moving away, he leaned down, taking a breast into his mouth, his pace never faltering. He worked his dick inside of her like he owned it and right now, he did. He switched up his movements, going slow and hitting her spot with his deep strokes, then suddenly picking up speed, absolutely killing her pussy in such a delicious manner.

She had surrendered herself to him long ago, letting him take over and do as he pleased. Talayeh was left high in the clouds, her mind in shambles at what he was doing to her.

The level of passion between them was off the charts. San knew that there was no way he was going to let her slip past him, not after this, not after the way she was making him feel.

As he felt her body tighten around him, her moans grew louder. She was close, he could sense it. He worked his hips with practiced measure, making sure to hit her spot constantly. His chest glistened with sweat as he leaned back to sit on the heel of his feet, delivering Talayeh with powerful thrusts, holding her legs up in place.

Talayeh hissed, gripping at his bedsheets. "Baby, I'm gonna cum." She cried, closing her eyes tightly. She felt as he titled his hips in an upward position, prolonging her orgasm to last much longer. His movements didn't let up, leaving her body trembling as she coated the condom with her cream, that no one has made her produce before.

Pushing her legs apart, he leaned over, slowing his hips but not pausing completely. He placed soft kisses all over her face, before making it to her lips. "You good?" He chuckled softly.

Weakly nodding her head, she rubbed the side of his face once he pulled back. "But you didn't cum though." She hummed when he rolled his hips, surprised that he didn't release after the work he just put in.

"My father used to work for him back in the day as a dealer in the streets and he made a lot of money from it which is how he met my mother. His illegal activities provided them with a lavish lifestyle and it became addicting to the point that they went into debt with Rodrigo..." Imani explains, turning her glass filled with water in her hands.

"And when people are in debt with someone like him, it usually means death because he knew no matter how much people pleaded, they'd never be able to repay him what is owed...and that's where I come into all of this."

Licking her lips, Imani let out a deep breath as she shook her head. "Rodrigo told them that he'd let them live under one condition...that they would promise me to be his son's future wife. I was only three when they agreed to it. I've never had a say so in anything I've done Leo. I was raised to be the perfect spouse because of my parent's foolish ways and now I'm stuck,"

"So you've tried to run before?" He guessed out loud, glancing at Imani over his shoulder.

"Of course. I did when I was twenty-one when I had found out the truth about what they had done. I was so close but Jayden had found me hiding out at my aunts and Rodrigo decided to use them as an example...I still remember the look on my mothers face when she saw her sisters limbs hung throughout the tree in our front yard along with her husband and their children,"

Squeezing her eyes shut, Imai tried to push the unwanted memory away but no matter how much she tried, the image would always be at the back of her mind. "Rodrigo had promised if I ran again, he'd do worse to not only my parents but my siblings and their families too - but I shouldn't care. My own flesh and blood gave me up as a pawn and my brother and sister left me out to dry...and I'm the one who has to suffer just so they'll be safe..."

Just thinking about it made her angry. "It's the guilt that's making you stay isn't it?" It was easy for Leo to see what was holding her back because he understood. "They don't deserve your compassion Imani...no matter which way you look at it,"

"Maybe they don't but I have a three old niece now and knowing what Rodrigo is capable of scares me," Plus running would also have her life on the line. Seattle wasn't the only city the Torres controlled.

Turning around to face her, Leo looked her over, taking in her stressed state. The slight bags under her eyes, her bruised cheek, her damp hair hanging over her shoulders, and mix-matched attire showed him just how tired she must feel. It was a problem he wanted to fix.

"Is that why you were hoping your heart would give out before your wedding day?" Leo questions, immediately catching Imai's attention. "You haven't been taking your medicine as you should, hoping that it would speed up the process...am I right?"

Imani's eyes snapped towards Leo in surprise, a bit taking back at his words. "It's sad isn't it? To choose the easy way out but...I just want peace and I can never have that if I stay here," She confesses, sounding defeated.

"Is that what you want, a way out?"

"There isn't any so it doesn't matter," If she ran, her loved ones would surely die and the guilt from that alone would bring her to an early grave before her heart could, and if she stayed, she'd be miserable being married to someone as toxic as Jayden knowing she wouldn't last long. Either way, she looked at it, it was a lose, lose situation.

However, that couldn't be the furthest from the truth and Leo knew this.

"I can help but only if you allow me to," Leo softly offers, silently wishing she'd say yes. The moment she showed up on his doorstep was the moment Imani unknowingly became his top priority.

Whatever she needed...whatever she asked he would oblige.

Traveling around the world because of his old profession, Leo has seen his fair share of women. All shapes, sizes and ethnicities. The type of women that men would kill over just to call them their own. However, that night at the gala when his eyes landed on Imani made him believe that maybe there was a God because only he had the ability to create the type of beauty in front of him.

He was hers and she didn't even know it.

"No Leo. Me coming here is already bad enough. I can't put you in harm's way because of my reckless decisions. You even letting me come here is enough. I really appreciate it," Imani thanks him, grabbing ahold of his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. She watched as he looked at their hands before meeting her gaze, sending a shiver up her spine.

The way this man looks at her sets her body on fire. A sense of warmness flows from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. It was a feeling she's never experienced before.

Until him.

"No harm will ever come to you while you're with me...trust me," While Imani wasn't aware of who Leo is or what he was capable of, she had no clue how true his words were.

Imani softly smiled as she shook her head. "You don't understand Leo..." Imani mumbles, letting her words trail off while unknowingly squeezing his hand tighter. "When he finds me, I-..."

Leo carefully watched Imani visibly shake as thoughts of what Jayden would do once he found her ran rapt through her mind. Especially if he were to find her alone with another man. "I shouldn't have come here. It was stupid. Fuck was I thinking?!" She said to herself standing up, knowing she had to leave before her psychotic ass fiance came searching for her.

Leo was quick to pull her to a stop, gripping her hand to get her attention. "Don't be foolish Imani. You going back to him tonight will only make do much worse. You know this. Stay here tonight and you can leave in the morning,"

"Bu-"

"You'll be safe with me, I promise," Leo reassures her. Still seeing hesitancy in her eyes, he pulled her closer making sure to leave no room between them. Dropping her hand, he cupped her face, forcing her to look at him.

His brown eyes wandered over her face, admiring features he considerate nothing short of perfect. "I got you...alright?"

Imani could only nod as her arms found comfort around his toned waist. This moment reminded her so much of their encounter at the restaurant. The way he held her as she cried. How good it felt when he held her close making her feel safe even for a few seconds.

This man had the ability to easily soothe her soul that has been aching for so long that she knew this feeling was going to become addicting.

Needing to feel more of him, Imani's hands ran up his back and pulled him closer as she laid her head against his chest, breathing in his scent. She felt him place a kiss against her forehead before he held her tightly like he knew she needed, what she deserved.

Imani knew that tomorrow was going to be hell once she came face to face with Jayden. Before she had arrived at Leo's she had disabled her location on her phone but she just couldn't shake the feeling that he'd still find her. He always did.

But for now, she didn't want to think about it. All she wanted was to enjoy being held by a man she knew nothing about but who made her feel so much.

"Come on," Leo says after a few minutes, stepping back and grabbing ahold of her hand to lead Imani upstairs. Turning off the lights behind them, Leo walked up the steps with Imani following close behind. She was quiet and he knew her mind was probably thinking of every type of scenario possible but he was serious when he said that she'd be safe with him.

"I have two guest rooms," He states once they reach the top. "Choose whichever one you'd like,"

Imani eyed the two doors before shifting her gaze towards his opened bedroom door. She knew exactly where she wanted to lay her head tonight. "Your room," She answers hoping he wouldn't question her decision and thankfully he didn't.

As soon as Leo closed his bedroom door, Imani pulled off her sweats and slid underneath his cool sheets with Leo sliding in right behind her. Wrapping his arm around her waist, Leo pulled Imani close instantly feeling her relax against him as he placed a small kiss on her ear before whispering words that would come save her in her most desperate times.

With the shrug of her shoulders, Jessie twirled in her chair at the memory. "He was 20 when that happened and till this day I don't regret it," She shrugs, winking at Subria's bored expression. "But all jokes aside, how are you and Hyunjin doing? I'm surprised that you two have even been talking this long,"

Sitting back in her chair, Subria laid her head on her closed fist as a slight smile pulled at her lips. "You and me both but in all honesty, we're good, for now at least,"

"What do you mean?" Jessie questions, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"You more than anyone knows my situation when it comes to love or just relationships in general," Subria begins as Jessie quickly realized where this conversation was going. "Things between him and I are changing, and have been for a while now if I'm being honest. So just to be safe, I decided to take things slow...I mean extra slow in an attempt to protect us both but the shit is harder than I thought,"

"So you mean to tell me that Ms. I'm not looking for anything serious, has developed feelings? And for someone you swore up and down was too young for you-"

"He still is," Subria swiftly cuts in, making it clear that the statement she made before she and Hyunjin were even introduced, was still very much relevant.

"Barely. Regardless of how you may feel about that, you can't let past failures reflect on what you have going on now. You're smarter than that," Jessie voices, taking on a sudden tone of seriousness. "Might as well keep going and see where and how things will end up,"

Biting into her bottom lip, Subria eyed her phone as it dinged with a new text message. "I know that you're right but Hyunjin...it's just-"

"Just what? There's a five year age gap between you two, Bria, not fifteen. You really need to let that go already," Jessie urges with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "With all that set aside, have you two...you know?" She proceeds to question with the wiggle of her eyebrows.

"What? Hell no. I want to ease him into that. I'll break him if we just jumped right into it," In order for this to work, Subria knew that she would have to teach Hyunjin a few things, let them explore each other first.

"For what though? I thought you said that Hyunjin wasn't a virgin?"

"He isn't but let's not pretend as if I'm not a whole different breed from what he's used to," Subria states, using her hand to wave over her body. It wasn't that she was being cocky but it was clear between her and Hyunjin who was the most experienced.

"So what all have you two done so far?" Jessie probes, wanting her best friend to get to the juicy details of her relationship.

"We've kissed but that's about it," Subria replies, avoiding making eye contact with Jessie because she could already feel her judgemental black orbs staring back at her.

"Huh? This isn't the third grade, Bria. You haven't even let him get a taste yet?"

"No, Jessie."

"Play with your pussy?"

"Definitely not,"

Crossing her arms, Jessie shook her head in disapproval. "Well damn. Did you at least let him feel on your titties?" She questions curiously, watching as Subria shook her head. "I'm surprised. Since you insist on treating him like he's a baby, you might as well let him suck on your nipple like one too,"

"Shut the fuck up, Jess. Besides, you know how respectful Hyunjin is. A few nights ago he gathered up enough courage to feel on my booty. Shocked the hell out of me when he did it," Subria reveals, causing Jessie's eyes to grow wide.

"Really?! With all that ass you got, I know babyboy was living the dream at that moment," Jessie laughs as the image of a nervous Hyunjin gripping a handful of Subria's backside played out in her mind. "You were probably leaking like a faucet, weren't you?"

Subria rubbed the back of her neck, refusing to answer the question. In reality, all Hyunji had to do was look at her, and her body would always seem to react to it. "Look, it's just better that we take things slow, you know, to really get to know one another,"

"I hear you, I really do. However, you need to accept the fact that something serious is blossoming between you two. It's ok to cross that line, Bria. You can put on a front with him all you want but I can see that you want him, just as much as he wants you. Just let go and go with the flow. You're too damn serious sometimes," Jessie advises before she downed the rest of her drink, slamming the glass onto the countertop.

"Anyway, I need to head home. My bathtub is calling my name, Plus it's my turn to open up this place tomorrow," She adds, standing up on her feet, stretching out her long limbs. "I'll see you in the morning,"

Pulling Jessie into a warm hug, Subria watched as she gathered her things and headed out, locking the door behind her. For a minute, Subria sat inside of the quiet restaurant she ran with her best friend, in her own thoughts. Jessie's words replayed over and over in her mind just as the sound of an incoming call filled the silence around her.

Glancing at the name on the screen, Subria couldn't help but smile at who was calling her. "Yes?"

"Come get me," Was Hyunjin's reply on the other end in a hushed tone. "I want to see you before my schedule gets hetic...please, noona,"

Glancing towards the clock on the wall, she saw that it was almost midnight. And though she wanted to argue with him that it was late, she decided to accept Jessie's advice. "Where are you?"

______

"So you guys still keep in contact with Woojin? I know you guys must miss him," Subria questions before she takes a lick at her ice cream cone.

"Of course but we all knew that him deciding to leave was something he's been thinking about for a while. We just hated when the day finally came," Hyunjin answers, forcing his eyes to look anywhere but at her.

Nodding her head, Subria lowly hummed, briefly glancing at him. For a second, she looked over his side profile and wondered if he ever got tired of looking so perfect all the time? 

"Papi..." She says lowly, knowing how much he liked when she called him by that pet name specifically.

His eyes were quick to find hers just as she took another lick of the cold treat in her hand. "Hmmm," Was his only response back while he laid his head back against the headrest, letting his bangs slightly get in his view.

"Have you been good though? Eating well? Sleeping well? I know how you can get sometimes," She recalled the number of times he would tell her how many hours of sleep that he and the boys would sometimes get or what their diets would be like. Giving him his props for dealing with it was a necessity because there was no way she could do it.

"Yes I have, I promise. If anything, our manager gets upset when we don't eat or sleep enough. Things are better now," He tells her truthfully, watching her tongue lap up her favorite flavor of ice cream. In a way he found it to be almost funny at how his body was reacting to her eating something but there was no doubt in his mind that she was partially teasing him simply because she enjoyed too.

"Better be because you know I'll whoop somebodies ass over all of you if I have to," She reminds him as she gave him a serious look. "Just ask your old makeup artist,"

At hearing her bring that up caused Hyunjin to instantly bust out laughing. He still remembered the day the woman showed up with a badly bruised face and limp walk after Jeong-in had informed Subria about some harsh comments the woman had made while she was doing his make up. It's safe to say that she hadn't dared speak to him or any other member in that way again.

"I'm almost positive that's the day he fell in love with you," He lightly jokes, once his laughing fit had died down earning a playful eye-roll from Subria.

"He had contacted me earlier about already having my birthday present ready," She softly chuckles before eating more ice cream. Just mentioning her birthday was bittersweet. She thought about what Jessie had up her sleeve for her big day almost to the point where she was dreading it. That woman could not be trusted.

"He wouldn't leave us alone until we took him to get it while we were in the Philippians. I think you'll like it, noona," He nods, knowing how excited Jeong-in is to give it to her. "And I think you'll like mine as well," He adds, shooting her a look that left her curious.

For a few seconds, she eyed him as his words replayed over in her mind before she went back to licking her ice cream again. "Well, that's good because I have something for you too,"

"Like?"

"You'll like it, papi. Don't worry," She winks, watching him shift a bit in his seat.

A comfortable silence fell between them with Subria finishing her snack and Hyunjin deep in thought about something he's been waiting to tell her all day. Every time his gaze settled on her, he found it to be difficult to say what's been on his mind for a few days now.

He was nervous, and Subria was starting to sense it.

"Noona..." Hyunjin finally speaks up, reaching his warm hand out to link his fingers with her cold ones.

Leaning back against the driver's side door, Subria softly squeezed his hand once her eyes settled on him. "Wassup? I can tell something has been on your mind,"

Licking his lips, Hyunjin broke their stare, choosing to look glow of the radio that played a familiar song through the speakers. "I've been talking to someone else for a while now...but it's only because our label suggested it. I guess they decided that I'm old enough now to be involved with other idols more freely," He reveals, biting his lip nervously. "The girl, Eunbin, she's nice and I..." He slowly trails off once his eyes met Subria's.

Staring at her, he tried to read the look on her face but the light illuminating from the radio only did so much. Reaching up, he clicked on one of the lights above them to give him a better view but still, he struggled to see what she was thinking.

"You what?" She questions softly with her eyebrows slightly raised, making him almost hesitant to continue but he had already started so he pushed himself to tell her the rest.

"I mean it's nice to have someone to talk to that understands certain things that only we know about and go through you know? Plus we're around each other a lot because our schedules are similar but I don't know what to make of her or the situation yet," He expresses, rubbing his thumb across her skin.

"Yes you do and it's ok, I get it," Subria reassures him with a small smile. "You have someone you can better connect on a level that you and I never could,"

Hyunjin quickly shook his head. "No, that's not what I meant. She's nice to have as a friend but that's it," He rushes out, instantly regretting telling her anything. "I want you and only you,"

"You know how much easier it'll be if you date another idol instead? A relationship with me will never be approved for obvious reasons and you know this," Pulling her hand away, Subria shook her head as she chastised herself for letting things get this far when she knew better.

However, Hyunjin wasn't having any of it.

"Come here," He instructs, reaching for her hands again, rolling his eyes when she refused. "Please, noona..." He lowly urges, using a tone that caught her attention immediately.

"Come where? We're in my car,"

Smirking at her childish response, he gently pulled her closer. "You know where. Let's not do this. Now come here,"

"I'll squish you," She declines with the shake of her head. Saying anything she could to get out of doing what he wanted. There would only be one outcome if she obliged to his request and he knew it.

"I'm stronger than you think. Don't underestimate me," He warns lightly, although the double meaning behind his words was heard clear as day.

Sighing, Subria carefully crawled over to him with his assistance and soon found herself straddling his waist. Reaching down, Hyunjin adjusted his seat to make their position more comfortable as Subria settled into his lap.

"Why do you say things like that when you know you don't want me to go anywhere?" He asks as he places his hands on her thighs, causing Subria to become stiff. "Was it because you were jealous?" Hyunjin teases, grinning at the look that spread across her face.

"Jealous? Of what and who? Don't try to play me like that," Subria retorted back, feeling offended. "I was only doing what was best for you,"

"Best for me? I'm not a child. I can think for myself and what's best for me is you," He finishes by moving his hands further up her thighs. "Are you saying you don't want me?" He cutely pouts, giving Subria his best puppy dog look.

"I wasn't saying that at all," She mumbles, pushing his hair away from his eyes. "You make this so hard for me,"

If she didn't care about being caught or what the consequences that would come, she'd throw all caution to the wind and fuck him right now but....she just couldn't cross that line...not yet. "Touch me," She encouraged as her eyes roamed over his features before placing kisses along his cheeks and nose.

"I am touching you," He whispers back, unsure of what she meant.

"No, papi, I mean touch me like this," Moving back slightly, Subria took his hands and demonstrated what she meant by placing them underneath her sweater and onto her bra covered chest.

Hyunjin's throat instantly got dry at her request. "Noona..." He croaks, forcing his gaze to meet hers. "I don't know..." He trails off, feeling nervous, simply because he didn't trust himself.

Smacking her lips, Subria pulled up her sweater high enough to reveal a bra that left little to the imagination. "It's ok, I-" She begins, pausing mid-sentence as Hyunjin placed a kiss to her lips, shutting her up completely.

He barely gave her time to adjust, quickly finding his tongue moving against hers. With her hands gripping his shoulders, Subria relaxed in his, allowing Hyunjin to take the lead for once. Only growing stiff for a second when his lips found their way to her neck, where he licked and sucked on her heated skin in a manner she loved a way too much.

Subria found her hips moving at their own accord to create some type of friction to sooth the familiar ache between her thighs.

Biting her neck, Hyunjin managed to pull a sensual moan from Subria that was pure music to his ears. It was a sound he needed to hear again as he pulled her closer, letting his hands tug down the material of her bra to release her breasts. His fingers were quick to tease at her nipples while he continued to work his tongue across her neck, making Subria shiver against his ministrations.

"Wait-" She begins to protest with a shaky voice but Hyunjin didn't care to hear her excuses. She started this and he was determined to end it how he wanted.

"Shut up," He instantly shot back, moving his mouth towards her exposed chest. Even though this wasn't his first time experiencing something like this, Hyunjin wouldn't pretend as if Subria's titties weren't the prettiest ones he's seen because by far they were. Which is why he wasted no time by allowing his tongue to move slowly over her left areola.

All that could be heard besides the music playing in the background, were Subria's low whimpers of need while he worked his muscle in a way that left her a mess in his lap. Her hands soon found their way to his hair, pulling him closer to her chest, needing to feel more.

And once she felt him lift his hips to match her movements she knew....that maybe, just maybe her sweet Hyunjin wasn't as inexperienced as she originally thought.

Because he was too skilled at this. That innocent face of his had deceived her and now she was stuck.