JIN POV:

Lunch is interesting...to say the least. I am more than glad that I decided to arrive when I had, poor (Y/N) looked moments away from being dragged home by the two rather than being given the time to eat lunch before she rushed off for her shift. And I will not allow her to waste away, since I've met her, I've noticed she doesn't keep the best track of herself, and she'd become weakened around the bonding process. I would not allow her to miss meals just because two of our soulmates couldn't control themselves around her.

The whole entirety of lunch was a noticeably stifling affair, for me at the very least. The strong clouds of emotions coming off from Tae and Jimin were enough to send me reeling and I knew (Y/N) wasn't faring well. They kept shooting her and each other furtive glances, glances that set off a warning bell inside my head that they were upto no good. I could sense the mischief and anticipation building up inside them, and their feelings of desire and want were still bubbling over and flooding me with them. It made my mind go hazy but I forced myself to push away the effect, if I allowed myself to get carried away with them, (Y/N) would not fare well at all.

I eyed the way she was pushing her food around nervously, fork pushing around the pasta and eyes nervously darting to different areas on the table, seeming enraptured by the tablecloth, the glasses, the bread basket. Clearly, they weren't being as subtle as they thought and (Y/N) was extremely adept at reading people's faces and getting a good read on them.

I cleared my throat, disturbing the two who were slyly smirking at each other and silently communicating in the way only they managed. They turned to look at me and I widened my eyes, gesturing to (Y/N) with my head and shooting them a warning shot. There was no need to bombard her with their poorly veiled desire when it was so clearly making her uncomfortable to the point she wasn't eating.

They shared an apologetic and guilty look before Jiminie was scooting over, face wiped of his previous expression and sincerity and warmth now colouring it.

"(Y/N)-ah, try some of my pasta. I think you're really going to like it." He said, bringing up a forkful to her raised face, which I noted sagged with sheer relief, bringing the proffered morsel to her lips. There was something incredibly intimate in the way their eyes caught onto each other, the tenderness behind the gesture, something so incredibly soft and caring in his eyes. Gone were the desire-driven eyes, here was the heart of a soulmate bond- being immersed in each other's lives, gravitating around each other. This was what I was seeing. And it reminded me that (Y/N) had become even closer to us, she was closing the gap that existed between us and slowly our hearts were melding, fusing together.

I could sense from the two that they were mainly teasing but they too had understood not to push too far, too quick. It wasn't fair on her, we had the time to settle our dynamics and how we fit around each other- she was thrown into it, we couldn't expect to wake up one day and have her perfectly content and adjusted to us. It would take time, and we had forever.

After lunch (Y/N) was about to set off towards Serendipity but both Jiminie and Tae grabbed either hand, squeezing it gently in apology. She seemed shocked but it melted to give way to a soft look of understanding.

"We're sorry." They chorused before brushing their lips across her knuckles, her hands raised to their mouths- they were so chivalrous in their gesture, I saw how much they meant it. It didn't stop from making her flustered though, eyes sliding away to meet my own.

"I'll see you boys back at home, (Y/N)-ah I'll walk you to work." I said, coming over to stand beside her as the two left, hands waving energetically before they turned around the corner and went out of sight.

"Shall we my lady?" I offered out my arm, holding it towards her. She laughed, a beautiful tinkling sound, before she slid her hand through to rest on my forearm.

"Please do...my lord." And this time it was my ears that flushed a deep red.

NAMJOON POV:

I stood outside Serendipity, waiting for (Y/N) to step out so I could surprise her. She was about to get off work any minute now, I fiddled with my fingers, eyes nervously staring at the door. She stepped out, face turning to smile at whoever she had been talking to.

She turned around, wavy locks cascading over one shoulder, smile still on her lips before she frowned, cute pout coming to her face. It was raining, and she didn't have a coat nor umbrella. Luckily, I had both. Her coat was slung over one arm and I was standing under a large umbrella that I had clutched in my other hand.

I stride over, avoiding the large puddles that are beginning to form and reach her, holding the umbrella over the two of us. She looks up and smiles at me.

I hold out the arm with her coat.

"Here you go, can't have you getting a cold?" I say warmly, waiting for her to slide it on before gently grasping her hand and sliding it into my pocket with my own, so our hands are still wrapped around each other.

"Thank you Joonie oppa. I was worried I'd have to make a dash home." She confessed, with a wry smile as she looked up at me.

I stopped mid-walk to turn to face her, watching her face look at me so earnestly, so openly.

I quickly lean down to brush my lips against hers in a soft chaste kiss, smiling against them when I feel her instantly melt into it and tilt her head upwards. I look at her, the way her hair curls around her face slightly and brush it off, fingers lingering against her cheeks.

"Home." I say, surprised by the gruffness in my voice.

"Home." She replies, squeezing the hand that is still intertwined with hers.

My soul feels light and airy as we walk, the sky is grey and it is not yet evening. But with her, the weather does nothing to dampen my mood. I've always found kisses in the rain romantic, always lingered over the words in a book. But to experience it myself, even for a moment, it's enough. It's a moment that burns into my mind.

And what tugs my lips out into a wide grin, that I don't even try and hide as we walk home together. With her I'm happy, with her we're complete.

YUNA POV:

Seeing (Y/N) with the boys that should've been mind, sends hate bubbling through my veins, coursing through them with a poisonous intent.

Everything I've ever wanted, I never get.

Everything she wants, she gets. Doesn't even have to try. Pathetic. Worthless. Undeserving.

(Y/N) thinks she deserves the world; hides behind the pitiful mask she pulls on in attempt to garner sympathy. What would they do when they realise, she is the reason her parents are dead? That she too should've died a long time back but somehow made it? Somehow eluded fate's attempt to take her away from this world.

It's not fair. The thoughts causes me to hiss, my feet to stamp the ground and my fists to clench until I can feel my nails digging into my skin, the pricks of pain adding to the fuel of hate and disgust I have.

It's not going to be long. They will be mine. They have to be. They can't belong to anyone else. They just can't.

I pick up my phone to speed dial a number, a number I know like the back of my hand. A number that could change it all.

"Tomorrow...get her." I hiss into the phone, barely hearing the grunt of confirmation before I'm fisting it in my hand.

Tomorrow it all changes. Tomorrow (Y/N) and I will have a nice, long chat. My ability is roaring at me to get out, to be unleashed, but I let it simmer under the surface. Let it gather in intensity. Tomorrow...I tell myself. Tomorrow I'll let it come out to play.

(Y/N) POV:

The next day I wake up in a hurry, today I have no time to waste. Today is the day I need to finalise the last few details for the companies that are looking to invest in 'Cursed Fate'. Publishers and editors who want to lay claim to it. It's going to be a long day for sure. But it's also a day that means a lot.

I shower and dress, each item of clothing that I put on is a piece of armour, the perfume that I spritz on my neck, on my wrists, dab behind my ears is bait- to lure in others. The mascara, eyeliner, and rosy lipstick- my battle makeup. Today has to go well. If all does go well...the investors could bring my webtoon into further spotlight, have it translated to be sold around the world. The profits that rake in could sponsor the programme I've always wanted to set up but haven't yet been able to. Sponsorships and fundraising for children who haven't had a fair start in life. For those disadvantaged by it but just need a small nudge- to reach their full potential. It could be the start of a new journey for countless others who have lost the path and need help finding it.

And I know that this is what my parents would've been proud to see. Would've smiled and drawn me into a tight hug for. And whispered the words 'I'm so proud' over and over in my ears. This is for them.

I rush downstairs, quickly brushing kisses onto each of my soulmates' cheeks before rushing to pull on my heels. I yell out a quick 'bye' before I'm rushing out, totally forgetting until a hand grasps mine, that Kookie was coming with me.

"Calm down (Y/N)-ah. You'll be fine. You'll ace this." He states before pressing a drink into my free hand.

"Now slowly drink. And when you're done...let's get it!" fist in the air in display of confidence as he cheers me on.

I slow down and smile. With Kookie by my side today, I have a feeling that it'll all work out in the end.

----

When the final meeting is done, I slump back in the leather chair as they all file out, folders piled on my right side. There's a quick knock at the door but I don't raise my head to see who it is, I'm too busy eye-balling the folders.

Two strong arms pull me out of my chair and slumped down state and spin me around in quick dizzying circles. The sound of pealing innocent laughter rings in my ears and coaxes out giggles from my own throat, until the two sounds are mingling together.

I clutch tightly at Kookie, hands looped around his neck, giddy with exhilaration. It's done. It's happened. I can finally make that dream come true.

Kookie sets me down gently, eyes shining with fondness as he looks down at me. I reach out to draw my hands through the silky dark brown strands of his hair, sifting through them with an ease and languid pace now that the worst is over. He tilts his head, pressing a kiss onto the inside of my wrist, lips lingering and sending a rush of tingles up my arm.

"Thank you, Koo, for believing in me." I whisper to him. His arms squeeze gently at my sides, where they've come to rest.

"Always." He whispers back, the word for me and me alone to hear and be comforted by, even though the room has long since emptied.

"Let's get back. I can't wait to share it with the others." I say, still grinning as we leave side by side.

Our happiness is limited. And looking back I'll realise that I should've spotted the shift in atmosphere immediately, the sudden iciness that seemed to descend onto the street even though it was a sunny day. But nothing could've prepared me for the icy drawling voice which called out to us.

"Stop." The word is saturated with command, it slips through my weak, flimsy mental barriers and worms its way into my mind, planting a seed of control.

Stop it said. And that's what we do. Minds turned against us as both Kookie's and my feet come to a stilted stand. The look of fear in Kookie's face is enough to send panic flooding through me. My body won't cooperate, I can't get my limbs to move.

I recognise what has happened. And it sends me lurching down memories that I've long since kept locked up. Memories which come coursing back with a vengeance. Mind manipulation. And I am yet again victim to it. And this time Kookie is too.

(THERE YOU GO! DON'T KILL ME, I'M GONNA HIDE! THE FLUFF HAD TO COME TO AN END AT SOME POINT, I'M JUST REALLY SORRY THAT THIS WAS THE WAY IT HAD TO HAPPEN! FORGIVE ME? WELL, WELL...WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE? A HORRID SITUATION SURE, BUT WHO'S BEHIND IT I WONDER? HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES? LET'S SEE WHERE THE STORY TAKES US, READERS GATHER YOUR WEAPONS- IT IS TIME TO ATTACK, TODAY WE FIGHT. PHEW! WHAT A NIGHTMARE IT WAS TO WRITE TODAY'S CHAPTER, I WASN'T FEELING MY BEST SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAME THROUGH IN MY WRITING, I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT! THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL 161K READS! YOU GUYS ARE MY INSPIRATION TO WRITE BETTER AND MORE! SO IT'S ALL DOWN TO YOU LOVELIES! AND GUYS! I GOT A JOB- WHOO HOO! FINALLY. ANYWAYS...LEMME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! STAY SAFE!)

Life is something we can never truly prepare ourselves for. It'll throw us obstacles that we can only hope to avoid and overcome.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3