"So when was the last time you spoke to Rajesh?" Natasha asked me during a video call while I tried to open up a package that had been delivered to Tae Min's home a few minutes ago.

"Honestly, I haven't spoken to him at all." I told my baby sister, whose cute face filled the screen of my laptop. Her hair was cut short to a stylish bob and pink crept in the midst of the black strands on her bangs. Black acrylic nails shimmered as she moved her hands with every word for the sake of an unnecessary demonstration of emotions.

The red, maroon and yellow of autumn remained on the field and valleys of South Korea but trees had shed their leafy clothing for the sake of winter who whispered her arrival in chilly winds.

It had been more than a week since I received a voice message from Rajesh Singh. It had also been more than a week since Kim Tae Min and I had our first kiss. We had many more kisses after that day and an arranged marriage to Rajesh was the last thing on my mind. In truth, it was non-existent in my thoughts until Natasha brought it up.

"I know you really like this Tae Min guy. He's all you spoke about when I called you a week ago. I understand that your feelings are important but Rajesh's feelings are too. If you keep ignoring him, his parents will just keep pressuring him. It's not like he wants to marry you. He just wants to get the whole thing off his..."

"Hold on a second Natasha! What do you mean, 'it's not like he wants to marry you'?" I asked with a joyful heart and melodious soul.

"It's exactly what it means sis. Rajesh is interested in someone else but he's a coward. I guess he's waiting for you to reject him and then with his parents' approval, he'll move on." Natasha said.

"Who? What? Who is he interested..."

"That sly girl Melissa Rai!" Jess interrupted with a bowl of ice cream in her hands while she sat beside Natasha.

"Melissa?!"

"It's just like Jess said sis. Melissa Rai has stolen Rajesh's heart like she always intended. The minute you left Boston, she had 'coincidental meetings' with Raj at every mall, party and even in his campus. Well Raj fell hard for her and now they're in love but it's something only the youths speak of in secret. The elders don't know because of your proposed marriage to Rajesh." Natasha explained.

"That's so sweet!" I shrieked.

"Yeah, you're only saying that because of that Tea guy." Jess said with twisted lips and a smirk.

"How many times have I told you Jess? It's Tae Min. Kim Tae Min!" I said proudly.

"He's all she talks about." Natasha rolled her eyes. I blushed.

"Look guys, if Melissa wants to marry Rajesh, she has my blessings. They both have my blessings. In fact I'll call Papa and tell him I'm not interested."

"Sis? You said what?!"

"Whoa! Pree!"

"You do know what Papa's like don't you?" Natasha asked.

"Yeah I do but I don't care." I said with a wide smile. All I heard was bells. Love bells.

"Wow! That Tea guy must be a freaking good kisser!" Jess said.

"What? You kissed him?! Why am I the last to know sis?!"

"Well I forgot to tell you."

"Forgot?! You forgot to tell me about a kiss you had with Kim Tae Min?! It's like kissing a BTS member and not telling. How's that possible?!"

"The worst part is she didn't give any details besides the fact that they kissed under the rain." Jess added with a spoon of ice cream in her mouth.

"Under the rain?! More details please!" Natasha begged with the bright eyes of any teenage girl who loved a love story.

"There's nothing to tell. We kissed and that's it." My lips said but the smile on my face said more.

"Was it a French kiss?"

"Natasha!"

"What? It's a question."

"Jess what have you been teaching my sister? Why are you at the same place right now?" I asked as a responsible older sister but there was no one else I'd rather let Natasha be with.

"Well Papa was giving more lectures about my new haircut, so I got pissed and walked out. I do have enough cash to rent an apartment but I figured it'd be best to stay with Jess and cut down expenses you know?"

"Jesse Parker, you live in an apartment now?"

"Come on Pree! We both know dormitory life wasn't for me. I only endured it for your sake. The month after you left I got an apartment close to school. Don't worry about your baby sister. She's in good hands." Jess said. Her hands tightened around Natasha's shoulders.

"I know she's in good hands Jess. I just worry about how much she copies you. I hope she won't copy your dating lifestyle." I said while I took a box out of the sealed package I held.

"What do you mean Priya Kapoor? I have a perfectly stable dating life." Jess said with her chin up and chest out but her eyes knew better.

"Really? Bradley Jones, Matt Knowles, James Dick, Jonah Field, Donald Pepper..."

"Fine! Fine! Congratulations Pree, you've got a good memory. Don't worry Pree. My dating life has changed...starting tomorrow."

We all laughed. I know talking to Natasha and Jesse from miles away on a screen, was something to be grateful for, but I did miss them. Talking to them at that moment brought my heart warmth even Tae Min's hugs could not offer.

"Don't get worried sis. I'm not Jess and I'm not searching right now. So back to business! How did it feel to be kissed by a Kpop idol?! Was it magical, exciting..."

"Like Natasha asked earlier Pree, was it French or did he kiss you like Korean actors do in dramas?" Jess asked with a raised brow.

My heart skipped a beat every time they brought up my first kiss with Tae Min. I wanted them to stop and I wanted them to continue the tease as well.

"What do you mean Jess?"

"You know? When the actors have just the surfaces of their lips stuck to each other for years...like kissing an ice statue but with no tongue?"

"Jesse Parker!!"

"Just answer the question sis!"

"It was a perfect kiss and Korean actors don't kiss like that anymore Jess." I said with the pride of one kissed by a star.

"Says who?"

"Says I, Jess. The last Korean drama you watched was 'Boys Over Flower'. Things have changed in the Korean film industry since then."

"And I shall watch no other. Lee Min Ho was the only reason I watched that series and you know it. He's the only reason I'll watch any Kdrama." Jess said with arms across her chest like a maiden declaring her love.

"'Lee Min Ho' you pronounce correctly but Tae Min remains the 'Tea guy'." I rolled my eyes.

"He's your 'Tea guy' not mine."

"You're right, he's mine." I said with a smile of satisfaction. I felt like the lyrics to Taylor Swift's song 'Fifteen'.

Jesse and Natasha shrieked loudly, my ears rang. Goosebumps grew on my skin and my heart skipped more beats at a faster rate.

I finally took out the contents of the package I struggled to open earlier. A red leather jumpsuit, red boot heels and a few props were in the box. The fancy props and costume were the ensemble of a cosplay. I smiled.

"What's that for?" Natasha asked.

"It's for a Halloween party tonight." I told the girls.

"That's true! We're going to a party tonight as well. We've got to go shopping today." Jess said.

"Let me guess. You and Kim Tae Min are going as a couple." Natasha said.

"Yes. We are." I said. Jess and Natasha both screamed and chanted the names of heroes in comic books.

There was a knock on the door and a familiar voice called.

"Miss Priya? We're here for your makeover!!" The voice echoed.

"I'm off now ladies. That's Jin Sol and the rest of the village. I've got to look good for tonight." I said after a playful strut and a turn.

"Have fun tonight Pree! And remember, we need details! Go get some!" Jess laughed.

"Jesse!"

"Have fun sis and I love the new hair-do." Natasha said.

I flipped my hair stained with purple extensions. "It's all part of the cosplay. I'll send pictures."

After that sentence and a few more teasing remarks, my video call with my best friend and my baby sister, came to an end.

At Boston, the day looked bright and I was sure Natasha and Jess called as soon as they woke up. It was the start of a new day on the other side of the world.

For I, Priya Kapoor, it was the start of a night I'll never forget.

Kim Tae Min and I arrived at one of the popular clubs in Gangnam on the night of Halloween. Lights beams of all colours pierced through the air above and glimmered on the tarred streets below.

The Club Octagon was a party house often spoken of by residents of Seoul who had made merriment a dedicated lifestyle.

Tae Min and I had received a special invitation from the host of the party. We both felt uncomfortable knowing the host was Tae Min's step-brother but we had each other and that was enough reason to enjoy the night without worries.

Different automobiles were parked around the club. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Tesla, Mercedes, Rolls Royce and other fancy car brands decorated the streets and parking lots around the club. It was a display of the A-list lifestyle at its best.

A few couples in matching costumes had their pictures taken by paparazzi and singles who were more than ready to mingle kept their eyes fixed on fancy cars and its' owners.

Actors, dancers, singers, models, designers, stylists, creative directors, agents, managers, executive officers and idol trainees had the most detailed makeovers to show-off their expensive cosplays. From the traditional hanbok to fictional characters from anime, games, movies and comic books, humans of all gender blazed at their best.

"If we get to meet my brother, promise me you won't get worried. I'll take care of him." Tae Min said after we got out of his Ferrari Roma. His look was the perfect portrayal of the character 'Star Lord' from the Marvel movie 'Guardians of the Galaxy.' It was the last movie Tae Min, Eun Ji and I saw together.

"I promise and I'm not worried." I said but my shivering limbs knew my lips had told a lie. From the moment I received the invitation to the Halloween party worry was all I knew. Lee Jun Ho was bad news and I was sure his son was no different.

Tae Min and I walked into the Club Octagon. The exterior was one thing but the interior décor was another tale. An astonishing story that had to be told.

While caught in a marvel of rainbow colours separated in polygons and squares of varied sizes on the ceiling, I held unto Tae Min, scared to get lost in those bright lights. On the main dance floor adults by legitimate age and fake identities danced to the feet-drifting beats that bounced off perfect sound systems.

Lights strolled on the surface of bare skin and costumes in colours bright and bold. Glow sticks and bracelets shone on wrists and palms. Hired dancers in skimpy costumes twirled and swam around in a large pool. The shimmering blue of the pool was reflected on the comfortable cushions in the sit-down lounge area.

While amazed at the club life of Seoul, a young man in a suit walked towards Kim Tae Min and I.

"Mr Kim, welcome. Your brother's waiting for you in one of the private rooms. Please follow me." The young man said.

I stared at Tae Min's face. He looked displeased.

"Lead the way." He said. He was angry, that I knew. I squeezed his hand in mine. He took a quick glance at me and smiled. The moment we got into the VIP elevator and arrived at the third floor of the club, Tae Min's smile disappeared.

The smell of cannabis almost choked me. Fumes of smoke from e-cigars and Hookahs crawled out of slightly parted red curtains at the entry of private rooms. I knew the Korean government would frown at such a sight but I guess humans always have a way around the law. A better future for earth can only be assured if humans understood the fact that laws are meant to guide not torture.

"Please go in. He's waiting for you." The young man said after he stopped in front of blue silk curtains with gold embroidery.

Kim Tae Min parted the curtains and we took bold steps into a rather large private room. On couches, a few ladies dressed as slutty nurses and cops sat on the laps of drunken men. Other men lay on the floor, completely wasted and a few glared at Tae Min while silent puffs of smoke crawled out of their nostrils.

A man in a purple suit sat on a red recliner in the middle of the room. His hair was dyed green and his face was powdered white. His lips shone blood red. The lines of red were drawn across his cheeks. His ears were punctured by multiple studs and mini hoops. He was the perfect representation of the fictional character, the Joker.

"Tae Min! You're here and I see you brought your babe as well. How cute!" He said with a sinister smile while he placed a cigar butt on an ash tray.

The Joker took a few steps towards us until he was a few inches away from me. He reeked of alcohol and his eyes frightened me for some reason. His identity though distorted by the effects of makeup and green dyed hair, seemed familiar.

He took one of my hands in his and planted an uncomfortably long kiss on it.

"I won't ask right now but I do hope you remember the fact that you owe me a dance Miss Priya." He said in an American accent. I suspected the fact that he grew up there.

At that moment I recalled where I had seen him before. He was the creepy stranger who sat at the same table with Lee Jun Ho. He was the annoying freak who asked me for a dance on the night of the masked ball. I gasped loudly.

"I see I jogged your memory. I'm Lee Jae Hyun. It's a pleasure to meet you Priya Kapoor." He said after a bow.

"Wow! I must say, Tae Min you have good eyes. Even as Gamora, she's beautiful." Lee Jae Hyun said while his hands approached my cheeks. His American accent was gone. He spoke in Korean and there was an ominous feel to his voice.

Kim Tae Min caught Jae Hyun's hands and I saw his fist tighten around his brother's arm. Veins popped and their eyes met. A frightful chill filled the air. The aura in the room felt like the start of a bloodbath, until a voice interrupted.

"That's enough you two. She's not that pretty for you to fight over. She's just green." A smallish lady in boot heels too high to walk in said after she made an unpleasant strut around me. Her blonde pigtails were dyed pink and blue at tips. Her costume and the light bat she fondled told anyone who walked into the room that she was Harlequin.

"If she isn't that pretty, why do you sound jealous Hayan?" Jae Hyun asked.

Of course, I recognized her. She was Bom Hayan, a popular Kpop star with the stage name 'Halley. B'.

Hayan was also from the Yoonji agency. She was well known for her adorable character, pretty smile, petite figure and incredible voice. At least that was what the internet and music videos showed. The Hayan before me at that moment was a completely different person. The Halley. B I saw that night was clingy and obnoxious.

"Oppa!" Hayan called while she walked towards Tae Min. She held his arm so tightly, her flat chest brushed up against him. I played cool but my fingers twitched at that minute.

"Get off me!" Tae Min pushed her away. I stayed calm and poised but I was tempted to dance when I saw the look on Hayan's face. Chin up, I stood proud.

"Why?! Why her?! She's not even that pretty! So why?! Why are you so cold to every girl in the industry but different with her! She's not even Korean!! You're just a weird couple!!" Hayan threw a fit like a child.

"Hey! Hayan! Did you forget that you're my girlfriend?! Sit your ass down and stop being so fucking annoying." Jae Hyun yelled and like an obedient puppy, Hayan took a sit completely flustered.

"Why did you want to see me Jae Hyun? It's getting late. Priya and I will have to leave soon." Tae Min said.

"Late? The party's just begun. It's two o'clock in the morning Tae Min. When did you become such a wuss?! Is it because of her? Damn, you fell hard brother. Someone like you shouldn't think about love or whatever it is you two got going on."

"Stop being a jerk and get to the point!"

"Fine! Father wants you to handover the ledger and the other files you've hidden. Mr Park probably stole it, but Father knows you're with the original copy of your mom's will too. You know? The one that proclaims you heir to her company. Hand over the files brother." Jae Hyun said.

"What files?"

"Don't play smart Tae Min. Father knows they're with you. He knows Mr Park helped you dig up dirt on him. He also knows you've got connections with a few lawyers who plan to take him down with those files. Hand it over."

"I don't know what you're talking about brother." Tae Min said after he took a few steps towards his tall brother. Their eyes were a few centimetres apart.

"Shit! You've really grown wings haven't you? All you had to do was stay silent and dance on stage like the puppet you are while Father and I run the company!"

"That company was my mother's and there are documents that make it rightfully mine! So keep barking but I won't flinch. You don't scare me. All you ever did was get your friends to beat me up while you threw the last punch. Guess what? I'm not a kid anymore. So why don't you go back to your father like the faithful dog you are and tell him let me be!!"

Jae Hyun laughed and placed his hands on Tae Min's shoulders.

"Don't you see how quickly Mr Park's life ended? It's a tragedy that shouldn't repeat itself. Don't you think?" Jae Hyun glared at me at that moment. A smirk glided across his face.

"Touch her and you're dead!" Tae Min grabbed Jae Hyun's shirt.

"It's a joke brother! Don't get so worked up."

"We're leaving Pree." Tae Min grabbed my arm and pulled. It hurt but I followed.

We were out of the room but I could hear Jae Hyun's voice call after us. "Pree! That's a cute name for her Tae Min! For now!!"

His words made me shiver. My limbs shook and sweat escaped pores surrounded by goose bumps. I was scared.

Tae Min's phone rang and I almost jumped. He answered it briefly and turned to me.

"I have to take this in the bathroom. It's one of the lawyers Mr Park worked with. I'll be back. Just stay still okay? Don't move. Just..."

"That call's really important and I don't think you should waste any more time with me. I'll be fine." I smiled. I lied. My heart wanted him to stay for some reason. Something felt off. I had a rather unsettling hunch just like I did on the night of the masked ball.

I waited for Tae Min for more than thirty minutes and decided to get a drink.

My fingers strolled around glasses with drinks that seemed too pretty to swallow. They were fancy and appealing.

I gulped down a glass of blue cocktail and then another. After the third glass I felt tipsy. It was strange. Sure, a few glasses of alcohol would make anyone dazed but this was different. My limbs were weak and my tongue felt dry. My throat closed up and I fell.

A young man helped me up. My vision began to blur but I could make out his silhouette, he was the man who took Kim Tae Min and I to Lee Jae Hyun's room.

"Please follow me ma'am." He said. I tried to resist but my limbs failed me. I found myself walking into a dark corridor.

I began to lose consciousness slowly. I heard screams and Tae Min's voice.

"Pree! Pree!!!" Tae Min called and after a few seconds his voice was lost in the sound waves of the annoyingly loud speakers.

"What will happen to me? What if I get killed like Mr Park? What if this was Jae Hyun's plan?" My thoughts echoed loudly within the tissued walls of my brain.

My breath began to fail me. I was having a panic attack. After a few short breaths and the sound of a familiar voice, darkness was all I could see. I fainted.

Word Count: 3664

-Club Octagon (interior).

-Club Octagon (main dance floor).

-Club Octagon (Pool).

-Club Octagon (sit-down lounge).