"Oh, Kyungmin-ssi! Good morning. Mr. Kim says you can drop by his office for your matters anytime this morning," a workmate of mine said the moment I enter our department. When she saw me, as in close up, face to face, she looked surprised for a moment.

Just like how Somi reacted when I opened the door for her this morning. Blame it on Taehyung's offer that I missed a good night sleep.

Nevertheless, I smiled at my workmate with a small nod and headed for my cubicle.

But come on, early in the morning and that's immediately what I hear, huh? Was this a sign telling me I should really push through with Taehyung's offer?

"So, are you two finally getting married now?"

"WHAT?" I reacted a little too loudly, and everyone's attention were on me.

When I realized that Nari—who basically just appeared beside me out of nowhere—was just being her usual self, I exhaled deeply, shaking my head.

"Sorry," I apologetically glanced at my workmates and they gave me a small smile before going back to their businesses. Thankfully, I had been blessed with kind and considerate workmates.

Nari chuckled, amused at my outburst. But before she could speak again, someone called her out.

"Nari, stop pestering Kyungmin and finish your work here! Why do you even have manga on your table..." Minji murmured the last sentence to herself.

I teased Nari for getting scolded by Minji by making a face and took the opportunity to excuse myself.

When I had gotten to my post, I booted up my computer, ready to work. I didn't want to barge in Taehyung's office first thing in the morning. At least let a few hours pass by first. Why did I even have a morning shift today?

But then, within the next ten minutes, it dawned on me that I couldn't concentrate. I had been going over the same account, being so unproductive.

With a defeated sigh, I pushed my head back.

Fine, okay. Gathering my thoughts, I headed for Taehyung's office. His assistant told me I could come in, and that was what I did.

What would it mean anyway if I went to meet him right now?

Well, to Taehyung it meant something.

"So eager to see me huh?"

That, and a silly grin on his face had greeted me immediately as Taehyung had seen me enter his office.

I rolled my eyes and closed the door behind me, ignoring his remark.

But it was funny. Last time I'd been here, the old boss had some sort of complaints over a printing error and kept pointing out that it was going to ruin his reputation. Now, here I was, throwing shade over the new boss. Well, not that I didn't before. Just that maybe I had to keep it subtle last time.

It was crystal clear why everyone loved this new boss in the form of Mr. Kim Taehyung.

"What happened to you?" he questioned, and I couldn't tell if he were mocking me because his voice held no undertones, but his face said otherwise.

Oh come on, not him too.

"I finished... well, work." Half lie, half truth. I mean, I busied myself with work when I couldn't sleep anymore.

"Really now?" He probed, unconvinced.

"Oh whatever." I situated myself on a seat even if he hadn't offered me to do so.

"I'm here because I'm considering your offer," I informed him, not wanting to prolong the unnecessary moment.

"But...?" Taehyung tilted his head, ready to hear my hesitations.

"Marriage isn't some kind of a matter we can take so lightly," I told him. "I mean, it's not like we're really committing, but aren't you jeopardizing yourself too much on this? You don't even have to concern your self with this. With me."

He leaned forward, placing his chin on the back of his palms.

"You know, when I saw you for the first time again, I thought you were going to give me a cold shoulder or worse, kill me, but look at you now, being considerate of me. I'm touched." Taehyung chuckled heartily at what he thought was a funny joke and slumped back on his swivel chair.

"I never said I didn't think about doing that," I whispered monotonously, and he caught it. An amused grin could be seen on his face.

"But you didn't. Should I be thankful?"

"Very," I deadpanned. "I don't think a murderer would be granted with a custody of a child. So maybe thank Aeri."

Taehyung laughed again.

"Ugh, enough of this." I frowned. "What I'm trying to say is that you'll be stuck with me until I actually marry someone. The orphanage checks their adopters once in a while for the first years to make sure the children are okay. Especially babies."

And it wasn't like I'd be having a husband anytime soon. So, how long would he be stuck with me if we continued with this? How long would I be stuck with him?

When I snapped my head to Taehyung again, he seemed very chill about it. Really, like he was fine with anything I'd throw him with.

"Say, Taehyung." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you running away from an arranged marriage and using me for your plan to excuse yourself from it?"

He mimicked my gesture and neared his face to mine, leaving a few inches between us. His gaze was so firm that I had to think if I had hit a nerve.

Oh. Maybe I'm right about—

A fist smacked into my head shortly, and I retracted my head away.

"Yah!" I glared at him accusingly as I held the top of my head at the same time Taehyung said, "Pabo!"

"Can't I be nice to an old friend of mine?"

"You're being overly nice to a friend you neglected for years. Who knows what you're up to," I sneered and raised my hand in the air dramatically.

"Aish, I can't tell if you're mad at me or not, Kyungmin-ah," he complained.

"I'm mad at you. I hope that answers your question." I averted my attention away from him and pushed aside everything on my mind.

Go back to the topic, Kyungmin. This was about Aeri, not reminiscing about long lost relationships.

Taehyung heaved a sigh and did something on his computer. His eyes held seriousness and I couldn't help but get curious as to why he had such demeanor. But instead of concerning myself with it, I dropped my gaze on the empty chair in front of me.

Should I leave now? Maybe this idea was surreal and Taehyung had realized that by now.

I was about to excuse myself when he spoke up again.

"I've thought about this enough to understand what I'm putting myself into." I lifted my head and Taehyung was still busy with his computer. "I just want to help, and this is the best way I could. It's still your choice anyway. The offer's on the table, but if you have other means to which I can help, then just tell me."

There wasn't anything suspicious about his tone, and as much as I hated to admit it, he sounded so... genuine. Like really caring and concern.

Just like the old Taehyung I know.

I also hated it how this made me feel comfortable with accepting his offer. I shouldn't be so fine with it.

But I am.

Just why even?

"Alright," I breathed out hesitantly, and Taehyung snapped his head to me in anticipation. "I'll take it."

"I knew you would," he proudly responded, and I stopped myself from bursting his bubble.

"Then... what do we do now?"

Taehyung told me about his talk with his friend who was a lawyer. If I remembered clearly, his name was Kim Namjoon. He told Taehyung that the papers could be arranged soon, and after that, there was a high probability—if not a hundred percent—that the court would give me Aeri's custody.

Through this, I figured that Taehyung was really serious about the matter. Like, how did he even had time to know about even the most minute details like how in some cases, they needed that the parents were married for five years so they could adopt. Mine was a special case because I had a connection with the real family of Aeri.

"What about your parents?" he suddenly asked, and my shoulders felt heavy at the question.

"My parents wouldn't mind. They'd even be happy I ended up with you. Remember when they kept on telling me that I can't marry unless it's you?" I babbled and chuckled at the memory a little nervously—yet not obviously.

But when I turned to Taehyung, he did not find it funny.

Not at all.

In fact, he was staring at me intensely, with suspicion. My chuckle subsided and I shot him an inquisitive look.

"Why are your eyes watery? Are you crying?"

"Huh? No. Must be the dust," I replied nonchalantly.

"Really?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Yeah."

"Sure." He shrugged, letting it go and stood up from his chair. "Let's go?"

"Uhm, where to?" I watched him stretch his arms up in the air.

"To get married?" he casually replied.

"Right now?" My voice went up a pitch higher, and I mentally slapped myself.

"What? Do you still need time to prepare for the honeymoon?" he smugly asked.

I felt my cheeks warm up, like flaming fire kind of warm.

Oh wait, that's not 'warm' at all.

Still flustered, I grabbed the nearest thing on the table and threw it at him.

"Yah! Don't be so violent now, I don't want an abusive wife."

"Get lost! I don't want Aeri near you." I pushed past him, walking towards the door.

"Ah! Little Aeri! How about we visit her first?"

"Who said I'm letting you see her?" I threw him a look over my shoulders.

"But she'll be calling me her daddy soon."

I huffed in disbelief at Taehyung's mischief, shooting him a disapproving expression. But Taehyung looked innocent.

Oh, me and my stupid thoughts.

I blame Nari for her unneeded input. She should totally stop reading those weird fictions and narrating it. It was rubbing off on me.

"What?" He leaned in closer behind me. Too close I could feel his breath on my ears. "Did you have other thoughts? I mean, you can—"

That, then, earned him a punch on the gut. To which, unfortunately, only made him clutch on his stomach and laugh heartily.

"I'm so done with you."

His laughter continued.

"I hope you die of laughter so I can be excused for laughing my heart out on your funeral."

— ✿ —
a/n; hello! I'm so thankful for the votes and comments on the previous chapters. I'm so happy with how this book is turning out, and your comments all really made me smile aaaah omg thank you so so much, y'all! ♡ have a great day, ily