There's a brief moment when you first wake up where you had no memories—a blissful blank slate—a happy kind of emptiness.

But it didn't last long, and you remembered exactly where you were and what you were trying to forget—a totally painful, gut-wrenching truth.

As the early morning sunlight poured through the curtains, I slowly sat up from the bed and let out a groan when a sharp pain throbbed in my head. It took me for a while to regain myself.

Figment of memories slowly resurfaced into my mind, and I shut my eyes in regret when I recalled how drunk and messy I was last night. Not to mention, Taehyung just had to appear at the right time. And with that, it instantly answered my question of being in this unfamiliar bedroom. It was probably Taehyung's.

Gathering all my strength fighting the inevitable hangover, I forced myself out of the bed and quickly went to the bathroom to fix myself. As I stared into the vanity mirror, suddenly I remembered Ray's voice. It kept haunting my mind like a bad nightmare, and I felt my body begin to wither in guilt.

"You are her doppelganger. You were also the reason why she was murdered."

And just like that, I felt my body crippled onto the cold tiles as tears poured out messily again. "Oh God. Mom... Dad... Jasper oppa..."

How do I face my family of four years after knowing that I'd killed their beloved daughter? How? How do I do this?

At that moment, I just knew I couldn't face anyone. I didn't know where Taehyung was, but I truly hoped he wasn't waiting for me with freshly-cooked breakfast. If he really was, I was adamant to find every possible way just not to bump into him.

After I was done, I grabbed all my things and went out of the room. I held my breath while silently checking the living room. When there was only peaceful stillness greeting me, my shoulder slowly dropped in relief at this. Still being careful, I tip-toed my way to the door.

But just as I was about to make my escape, I caught a glimpse of someone sleeping on the couch in the living room. Someone—whose semblance was too ethereal—my heart almost burst just at seeing the beautiful sight of him.

As the minutes passed, I found myself reluctantly taking small steps towards Taehyung. I noticed he didn't get changed because he was wearing a white dress shirt; two top buttons undone. His soft brown locks stuck in all directions, while his face looked tired with a little cute knot in his forehead.

I levelled down beside him and quietly stared at his angelic face for as long as I could. Maybe for the last time. Before I knew, hot tears started brimming my eyes and I cupped my mouth as the unbearable sadness hit me again.

"I'm sorry, Taehyung..." I whispered and slowly leaned in to kiss him goodbye.

But before I could, suddenly my hands were being seized down and the next thing I knew, Taehyung was on top of me, staring me down with his deep-set eyes that flamed with a dangerous glint.

"Don't fucking give me a goodbye kiss, Jinhee." His morning deep voice sounded angry, that I was surprised to hear such power in his voice.

I was completely stiffened up under his frame. My heart pounded so hard, I could have sworn my chest was going to explode as I was getting caught from running away. I couldn't say anything, even to breathe an ounce of air because I knew the confrontation from him would come next.

"What was that sorry for? Are you going to leave me again?" His expression looked hurt and frustrated, all at the same time.

I was still tongue-tied by the situation I was in, so I could just look at him with parted lips.

"After all these years, do I really mean nothing to you?" A flash of pain crossed his handsome face, and to witness such vulnerability in him, I could literally hear my heart shattered into thousand pieces.

"T-Taehyung, I..." I shook my head, flustered. I wanted to say something, but somehow I couldn't locate my vocal box.

"Why is it so fucking easy for you to leave, Jinhee?"

"It's not easy for me!" I shouted almost frustratedly that my shoulders shook, and the storm of tears was torrentially pouring out of me. It was hard, but I tried to look straight at him in the eye, meaning every word that I said, "It's really not easy for me, Tae..."

For a couple of seconds, Taehyung seemed a little taken aback by my outburst, but I noticed how his gaze slowly softened as he looked into me.

"Taehyung, please... I don't deserve any of you..." I finally covered my face and cried helplessly again, pleading him to let me go.

I didn't know what else to say. I felt greatly miserable, so I just cried and felt ashamed more than ever. Because I was the reason why Kwon Mia was murdered. Then, little by little, I unconsciously took away what actually belonged to her. Her boyfriend, her family, and even her name. I bet the real Kwon Mia had been cursing me non-stop in the everlasting world, and we all knew that she had every right to do that.

"Hey, Jinhee. Shh, listen here..." Taehyung warmly tucked me in his chest, shushing me. "Four years ago, you'd sacrificed yourself to protect everyone that you loved. Do you know how much willpower that you'd painstakingly took to make that one big decision? If there's one person who deserves everything in this world, that's you, Jinhee."

At that moment, I thought nothing could beat this merciless, painful feeling in my heart. But to hear such genuine words from Taehyung, it felt like he was casting a magical spell on my wound. From feeling strangled from all the painful cries, strangely, I felt calmer in his warm embrace.

"Anyone stating otherwise will have to fight me, I don't care."

A chuckle escaped my lips at hearing the protective note in his words, and as I locked gazes with him at that moment, deep inside, I felt utterly appreciative of him. Dear Lord, I love this man with my whole heart.

"Everyone will have your back, the boys, the Big Hit family, your friends, your family, and even the Kwon family..."

Upon hearing the mention of Kwon family, I glanced up at him with tear-stained face, and I saw how his lips slowly eased into a soft smile.

"Trust me, everything will be okay," he assured, nodding his head gently at me.

A peaceful silence wrapped in between us as I looked into his shining brown orbs, and it told me that the gorgeous man before me was trustworthy. I let out a smile at him and sighed a little as I wiped away my tears.

"I'm such a mess right now..." I chuckled, feeling pathetic than ever. My eyes were puffy, which I believed I'd poured out liters of tears ever since yesterday.

"A beautiful mess, still." He fondly touched my face and kissed my forehead. "I love you, Jinhee. The thought of you getting hurt is not an option that I'm willing to entertain."

"If you are going to run away, then take me with you."

● ● ●

After what happened, Taehyung didn't let me out of his sight even for a second. He even asked me to join him in the shower, to which I politely declined the offer.

"It'll just be a quickie," Taehyung had said casually in English.

My eyes widened and I recoiled away from him. When Taehyung didn't seem to understand my reaction, I found the need to question him.

"Who taught you that?"

He raised a brow. "Who else? Namjoon hyung." A knot slowly formed on his forehead as he tried to remember some details. "Though, he said only to say it to you."

With cheeks flushed, I pressed my lips and closed my eyes. Damn, Namjoon.

"I mean, I won't be long in the shower." He pointed to the bathroom with innocent eyes. I nodded at him while trying my best to hide a smile.

"I'll wait here," I said as I stood just outside the bathroom.

"No, you can wait inside with me. I can't leave you all alone."

"Tae, I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

We argued a little, but it ended up with him showering with the door left open while I stood outside singing as requested—just to prove my presence there.

Then, fast forward, I found myself secretly admiring Taehyung as he drove his black Hyundai with ease. One hand on top of the wheel, while the other he gently clasped with mine. His eyes scanned the road attentively and alertly, and occasionally, he'd cast me a glance and smirk.

"Where are you bringing me?"

"We are running away, baby."

I rolled my eyes, and he chuckled. That was his third reply, and surely, it didn't answer me. I'd seen he packed a suitcase, and we'd shopped for my clothes. I was sure we were going somewhere for a few days.

"I've been dying to ask you this," Taehyung lowered the volume in the car and looked at me briefly, "how'd you know what happened to Mia?"

I felt a dead weight in my stomach again. When I stayed quiet, he looked at me again, a spark of curiosity in those dark eyes.

"It's Ray, he was waiting for me at our company's building."

Taehyung snapped his head towards me in surprise. "What the hell? That bastard, I'm not letting him get away from this. How'd he even know where you work? Is he stalking you?"

As time passed, I saw how his jaw clenched in repressed anger. His grip tightened around the wheel until his veins became visible.

"Well, I shopped all day at the mall yesterday with the unnies. So, I'm not surprised if he paid a private investigator to locate me. Rich people always have their ways," I said while making slow circles on the back of his hand, hoping that it'd calm him down.

"I swear I'll fucking kill that guy."

I gulped down a nervous lump to witness such a murderous gaze on Taehyung. The car accelerated forward as he pressed the gas hard, and I began to grow worried in my seat.

"Taehyung, he's–"

"No, even you can't stop me now, Jinhee. I'll fucking–"

"Make love to me."

Upon declaring that, Taehyung almost swerved the car, but he quickly took control and pulled the car over on the side road.

"W-what?" Ever so slowly, he turned to look at me in disbelief. "Jinhee, don't surprise me like this. I'm driving the car with someone's precious daughter, for fuck's sake." He breathed heavily, trying to regain his composure from the sudden lurch of the vehicle.

"You're the one who said I can't stop you," I said calmly. But I had to admit my heart skipped a beat when Taehyung had subconsciously put an arm over me to protect me from the impact.

"You're fucking unbelievable," he said, wrapping his face and ran his fingers through his thick locks.

"So, will you?"

"What?" His sharp gaze burned into mine, but I just smiled at him.

For a moment, he stared at me in wonder, and when I sent him a meaningful look, he let out a deep chuckle and shook his head.

"Fuck, you're really driving me crazy, Jinhee."

A U T H O R ' S N O T E

hey love, im so sorry for the late update.
but i hope you enjoy reading this chapter.
tap the star and leave feedback.

i have a surprise for next chapter,
but it will filled with fun moments with emotional encounter. stay tuned!

thank you for reading, lovelies
🌹

Much love,
ℓynie

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T E A S E R

"Taehyung, why do you have Red Bull with you?"

"Because tonight... will be the night..."