The last grain of sand had finally dropped to the bottom of the hourglass. And along with that, the cruel fate had also decided to make my nightmare come true.

It was as if I was watching my own nightmare cruelly unfolding in front of me; I got kidnapped by my own father, were surrounded by burly guards, and was now being confined in the incredibly suffocating palace vehicle of President Kim.

But before I was being captured, I did make sure not to make the presidential guards' work easy because I was struggling and kicking hard to whoever tried to touch me when I managed to escape out from Chang Wook's Lamborghini.

Yet, unfortunately, it only lasted for a few seconds, until they grouped up and finally managed to pin me down and locked my hands behind my back. I tried to shake them off but to no avail. At that second, I saw how my father was shaking his head in disappointment before he entered the front limo, while I was being shoved into another limo.

It was a long torturing hour in the limo before I saw the familiar view of the beautiful blue tiles and the smooth gable roof, blending magnificently with Bugaksan Mountain in the backdrop. There it was, the Blue House, my old lockdown.

"I said let me go! I can walk by myself!" I shouted at the guards as they tried to force me out of the limo. For God's sake, it's not like I could escape now that I was already far away from Jeguk High and my brother's apartment.

I bit my lip out of frustration just at the mere thought of Chang Wook. I swore I was ready to leap angrily at him right now if he was to be here, but after the whole chaos, I just found myself looking at Chang Wook in disappointment as I did not truly appreciate the way he blindly obeyed my father's order as he drove away to the main office.

"Get off of me!" I continued shouting violently at the guards as they firmly dragged me into the private living room of the presidential residence, but they didn't even budge at my shouting at all. They stayed static and silent, which their ignorance towards me only caused my anger to grow to another hazardous level.

"Mr. President!" I called out loudly and furiously, hoping someone could just listen to me, most specifically to my father who was leading in the front.

Then, I saw his step halted abruptly, making the others behind him followed his action in surprise. There was a moment of eerie silence as my father refused to face me. And I guess it had to do with the new way I addressed him, instead of calling him the usual 'Father'. Slowly, I saw he turned around with his usual creepy badass smile bore on his lips.

"Yes, my dear daughter?" Father asked kindly as he always used those endearments in addressing me. It didn't cause any comfort to me, in fact, it only feared me because whenever Kim Jong Pil had that creepy smile of his, it meant something bad was about to happen.

"Tell them to let go of me at this instant! I don't want to be here!" I yelled fiercely, highly frustrated. At the same time, my hands and body were still struggling to peel the guards off from holding onto me.

"Kim Jinhee, I need you to lower your voice and don't make a scene here." He said serenely with a cold stance. His tone wasn't that kind anymore, and I noticed his subtle warning was coated in his voice.

I admitted that I once scared even at the slightest presence of the President. I was afraid of looking at him in the eye. I would hesitate in voicing out my own opinion. But then, I realized, all of that traits only existed in the old Kim Jinhee, while the pristine Kim Jinhee would always fight for what she wanted, and she would never back down, or bow down like a little puppet to her own father, not anymore.

"I want to be free from this family! I'm more than willing to do anything just to have my own life back and not be controlled by this family anymore, even if it takes me to emancipate myself from you!" I continued yelling adamantly as I watched how my father's expression slowly contoured in utter bewilderment upon witnessing the unfamiliar bold and strong side of me.

Well, you couldn't really blame him for having that kind of reaction, since it was my first time in raising my voice at him, my first time telling him clearly and eloquently about my demands, and my first time looking at him intensely in the eye. I guess the new Kim Jinhee would never stop in surprising him.

There was a moment of silence, and in that moment, I was exhaling out heavily as I tried to bring my breathing rate to normal. In the meantime, I saw the President's facial slowly changed from confusion to anger.

"How dare you speak to me like that? Have you no respect for me, the father who raised and took care of you all these years? Do you really want to leave us that bad that you decided to throw everything away? You're foolish, my daughter. I overestimated your intelligence." He growled as he was now looking at me with such a grim expression, his fake smile has long faded away and now was replaced with a hard and impassive line.

Finally, the President decided to step out and parade his true front to the audience instead of those pathetic masks that he would wear whenever he was outside of this premise. There was a strict rule in this residence, which was, you were not allowed to leak any slight event that happened in this very palace as everything remained confidential to every eye.

Because of what? Like what I have told you before... Because this house was a total mess. Because this family was too dark, broken, gloomy, and satanic.

"You were never a father to me!" I finally burst out, reaching my limit as my voice dripped with much fury and hatred towards the man who was standing darkly in front of me.

The spacious living room was now filled with deafening silence as they were all taken aback with my hurtful remark that no one said a word. All the guards, the helpers, the maids had their heads down, avoiding having any eye contacts towards the crossfire between me and my father.

"This family will not tolerate your stupidity anymore! Don't you even try to escape, Kim Jinhee, because otherwise, I will personally make sure that everything you touch will be destroyed!"

"I'm not scared of you, Mr. President. I don't–"

"And that would include Bangtan boys too."

That familiar name caused me to look up at him, and it was my turn now to overwhelm in surprise. When the President saw that I was taken aback, slowly, a triumphant expression formed on his face. It was as if all of sudden, he looked much calmer and in peace as the angry crease on his forehead flatted.

And it was all because he had that one card against me. That one card that never existed before in old Kim Jinhee's life, but now, in the new Kim Jinhee, that one special card represented her entire life...

"W-what?" I stuttered nervously upon processing his threat.

"You heard me, my daughter." He smiled warmly, evilly. "I need you to go back to this family, I will clean all your mess, and we can all proceed like nothing happened."

"No.." I muttered quietly, still couldn't contain this piece of information that I was already in his mercy, once again. I badly wanted to oppose him, but now, I was truly afraid because of his threat.

"I'm not going to say it again, Kim Jinhee. You will follow me from now on." He commanded with much authority.

Then, he faced Mr. Choi, his butler of many years. "Mr. Choi, send her back to her room and make sure she will never try anything stupid, or you won't have a job to feed your family. The same goes for the guards present inside and outside this residence. Am I clear?"

"Very clear, President Kim." Everyone obediently answered him in chorus.

And he left the living room with his royal grace, leaving me frightened, nervous, unable. I clenched my fist in anger as I was still devastated at the unexpected predicament that I was in right now. I guess I was totally wrong when I declared that Kim Jong Pil was not a nice person, because now...

He only evolved into becoming a heartless human being; a pure devil.

"Madame Jinhee, I'll escort you to your bedroom." Mr. Choi came up to me as he extended out his hand, showing me into the direction of my bedroom that I was familiar with, but I just stared at him, wearing an empty face.

"Why do you think I'll listen to you after I've defied the President for almost one year, Mr. Choi?" I asked him bitterly as I shook my head in disbelief.

But just as I was about to take a step away from my position, so did two burly men who were all energized by the President's threat to their livelihood.

"We all have our families to feed, Madame Jinhee. We can't let you go," He said firmly, yet, I noticed a little guilt was wrapped in his gravel voice.

"Mr. Choi, I'll handle from here."

I heard a not-too-familiar voice saying from afar, and surprisingly, the presidential guards immediately opened up, forming a path and finally let me breathe the air. I saw that Mr. Choi bowed down and stood to the side, finally passing the baton to the new arriving guest who sounded like the most powerful man amongst the guards here.

When I turned around to face the uninvited guest, I was once again astounded as I took a step back, finding myself repelling from him as his presence only caused the hatred in my heart boiled and hardened my every emotion.

"Why are you here, Kim Jongin?" I confronted him in mild confusion, and when I studied him once again, I only realized that he was well-suited and armed, just like the other guards.

And as always, when it came to the so-called mysterious Kim Jongin, it wasn't that easy to hear him spoke out a word as he just smiled casually at me.

"For once, can you just tell me who exactly are you? I'm not playing this game with you, Kim Jongin-ssi." I asked him seriously as I crossed my arms, couldn't bear his cryptic silence anymore.

He smiled even wider, but along with it, he placed his right hand on his left chest and bowed down courteously towards me. "The President just recently assigned me to be your personal bodyguard, Jinhee-ssi. I'm only here by the royal command to always stay by the President's daughter's side and be her personal shield at all cost."

For a moment, I just stood there open-mouthed as I was left speechless at Kai's revelation. For some reason, he looked genuinely serious when he muttered those words out that for a brief second, I was truly fazed by his sincerity.

But when he slowly brought up his gaze on me and smirked confidently, suddenly I had a change of mind as he looked like he was having fun with this kind of situation, as if he was trying to say he would annoy me even more with his fixed presence by my side.

"Of course, you work for the President. That's why you knew about my biggest secret. That's why you appeared in my school, just to deliver the President's stupid message to me," I said sarcastically as I rolled my eyes.

Then, I started walking up the double stairs. But instead of turning to the right wing of the palace, I decided to take the left wing.

"Jinhee-ssi, your room is on the right."

I furrowed my eyebrows when Kai effortlessly pulled my arm and stopped me from taking any step further. I looked at him in anger and tried to pull my hand back, but after so many attempts, I just found my breaths shortened as my efforts to break away from him remained fruitless.

"Go away! I don't need you, Kim Jongin!" I was once again flared, ready for the second shouting match with my second enemy. I tried to push him away, but he didn't even budge from holding onto me. He didn't make his counterattacks either. He remained fixed and silent, just like always.

Was it strange to fight against someone like Kai would only guilt trip me? Because he just openly accepted my violation, he just calmly received all my hits, he just willingly accepted anything coming from me, never intended to make a comeback. And now, the energy that I had inside me started to drain out because of the constant struggle. I exhaled out a steady breath and finally decided to stop all at once.

"I promise I'll go back to my room, Kai. I just need a word with my father.." I told him quietly as I silently plead him in the eye. I didn't mean to do this. I always hated to make myself look weak, but at that moment, I thought that a calmer route of diplomacy was better than running away rebelliously and violently.

There was a moment of consideration before Kai said in a solemn tone. "I will only allow the conversation, under a condition where my presence is also in the same room as you and the President."

He raised his brow, questioning me, while I slowly frowned at him. Why would he want to hear my conversation with the President? Or he was just worried that I would hurt the President? I was perplexed by his intention, but at that moment, I put the priority more towards the Mr. President as I really needed to talk with him.

"Fine." I simply conceded and continued walking towards the President's private study room.

Without knocking, I barged into the room provocatively, and I saw the President was busying himself reading onto a stack of papers. He slowly looked up at me, then his gaze shifted to Kai. But his expression was far from surprised, as if he expected this to come. He just shook his head again, disapproving of the way I made dramatic my entrance.

"Father. I need a few words with you." I said adamantly as I stood in front of his study desk.

"I think 'Mr. President' sounds better... Too bad, I was just about to adapt myself into hearing that name." He silently mocked as he didn't bother to glance at me. It was always like that. He would always look past me, look around me, but never really looked at me seriously in the eye.

"Father..." I called out meaningfully, and his smile slowly stretched upwards at this when he noticed a hint of defeat in my voice.

"I'm listening, my daughter." He replied in slight amusement.

"If Chang Wook has been reporting every single thing about me to you ever since my runaway, then I believed that you also knew about my amnesia," I told him, and I saw that he tensed up a little in his seat, still refused to look at me.

"I saw you in my good memories. You treated me like I was your princess, you looked at me like I was your everything... But now, it seems that the loving and caring father that I once had no longer existed... What happened, father?" I inquired as I looked at him sadly, begging for an explanation.

After a moment of hesitation, he finally lifted up his head and looked back at me. But the whole time his eyes were on me, it only made his expression turned darker and gloomier than ever. Then, he slowly dropped his gaze and closed his eyes in remorse.

"Everything has changed, Jinhee. You just have to move on and accept these changes optimistically, with a more mature outlook. You can't continue being the rebellious daughter anymore, not when fifty million South Koreans will soon look at you as the President's daughter." He emphasized coldly and firmly, while my eyes got widened at this news.

"What in the world are you saying, father..? You've been confining me in this lockdown all these times, you've been hiding me from the wide spectators of South Korea for years, but why all of sudden you decided it was okay to announce my existence publicly to the whole world now?" I furrowed my brows in confusion and crossed my arms, showing him that I was dead serious about this matter. "I know you must have a reason behind this, and I'm not gonna back down until you tell me about it."

"There is nothing for you to know. I just need you to attend the press conference tonight as Kim Jinhee, the President's daughter. Tonight is a very significant event that would mark the expansion of our family, and it's all thanks to your return, my dear daughter." He smiled meaningfully towards me as he held onto a nonchalant expression. But his pretense wasn't going to work on me because I knew it was only one of his tactics to run away from the topic.

"I'm not the naïve Jinhee anymore, father. You've changed, and I have too. So, I refuse to attend any event as I don't have time for your political meetings or socialization." I voiced out rather stubbornly as I scoffed at his answer. I knew there was something the President was hiding from me, from this family, from everyone.

"You will, or Big Hit entertainment will shut down."

Upon hearing that, I snapped up to eye him in surprise. He looked at me again, now with his familiar evil smile. I narrowed my eyes at him with much hatred, but he did not even flinch as he pretended to busy himself with the papers again.

"Bangtan boys is never a part of this mess, so don't even think of touching them!" I exclaimed loudly as the anger slowly enveloping my system.

"Oh I know, my daughter. But I'm sure you will do anything just so your dear Bangtan boys wouldn't get involved in this mess." He looked at me and slightly inclined his brows with his significant smile.

I was once again muted by his threat. I clenched my fists in frustration as I gave him a sharp disdaining stare. I just wanted to shout at him because I was so mad right now, but then, I couldn't find any word to oppose him. He had the ultimate card to use it against me, and I found myself helpless in this kind of situation.

"Go get yourself dressed, Jinhee. We've so many important guests to entertain tonight." He ordered calmly before he gave a signal to Kai to escort me out.

Knowing that it was useless to fight against my father now, I decided to stomp away in anger. Kai bowed down respectfully to the President before he swiftly followed me from behind.

For the whole day, I was locked in my old room, a bedroom even a royal princess would envy. Ideas and thoughts running wild in my mind. I wondered and wondered just what I could do to get out of this Blue House press conference. What was the President planning? Was he introducing me to some representative's son and marry me off? Was he announcing me as his protégé in front of the world?

I looked up when I heard the click of my bedroom door. I saw a helper greeted me before she went inside my huge dressing room, brought out different dresses and laid it on my bed.

"Madame Jinhee, I was asked to help you with the dress." She said as she clasped her hands nervously, as if afraid that I was going to act all rebellion again. She must be one of those spectators that have witnessed the shouting match between me and the President in the private living room.

"It's okay, let me help her with that." A sudden familiar voice approached from behind as he asked the helper to leave my bedroom.

Suddenly I felt energized in my spot as I truly recognized that one gentle voice and the warm presence of his. I would usually feel happy just to feel his presence emanated around me, but at that moment, I only found myself boiled in much anger as I had been dying waiting to pour out all the frustration, along with the strong sense of betrayal.

"I can't believe you're actually doing this to me, oppa! I've trusted you!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as I quickly marched at Chang Wook, continuously hitting him everywhere.

I was too blinded by rage that I couldn't think of anything other than blaming everything on him. Because he was the sole reason that father finally found me. He was the main reason that I got kidnapped again. He was the only reason that I was finally back to this hell hole. Then why the hell did he bother to help with my escape in the first place?

"I'm sorry, Jinhee... I'm only doing this for your own good." Chang Wook apologized over and over again as he held onto my shoulders to calm me down.

"You know I was hurt and broken enough by the recent event with the boys! I told you I'm not ready to face this mess! I didn't even have the time to pick up my broken pieces yet! But why do you have to hurt me again, oppa?" I spoke out all my raw emotions with as much pain that I felt at that moment.

I continued venting out my anger at him, but Chang Wook, just like Taehyung.. and just like Kai.. They all accepted my anger willingly, and I hated that they didn't even make the effort to stop me. It was as if they blatantly admitted that they were wrong to hurt me emotionally, so they thought they pretty much deserved the hits equally from me.

"Jinhee..."

"Do you know how much I dreaded this moment ever since father threatened me that he will lock me once he's caught me from my runaway? I have nightmares about him almost every single day! You don't know how suffocating it was to be on alert of your surroundings for every second! You don't know how I was so afraid to close my eyes every night because I don't want to find myself waking up in this fancy bedroom the next day! And now, you just make all of this happened!"

I cried out, and now I began to feel the hot tears streaming down my cheeks. I sobbed and cried hard in his chest, becoming a train wreck again.

"I didn't even have the chance to say goodbye to my best friends and the boys..." I whispered painfully as I grabbed his shirt to suppress the unbearable pain in my chest.

"Jinhee-ah, I'm really sorry... I really didn't mean to hurt you. I swear I have been thinking about it for millions of times, but I'm doing all this because I really love you, and I believed that father meant all the same. He's always been loving you, Jinhee... He'd never hurt his beautiful little daisy, and I'd never want to hurt my dear little sister too.." Chang Wook softly spoke out, consoling me as he rubbed his hands against my back.

Little Daisy... Hearing that endearment, I slowly felt myself calm down, behaving as I let a moment passed to regain my breathing rate. I closed my eyes and stayed in his embrace quietly as my mind flashed back to the happy corners of my memories. The image of my father smiling happily swam in my mind, and I felt the most contented feeling wrapping my senses.

"After I saw our father in my good memories, I wanted to believe that the kind and gentle father still existed in my life, but after meeting him today.. it feels like I'm hoping for something impossible. He threatened me that he will hurt the boys if I don't listen to him. He gave me an ultimatum, and I have no choice but to be his old puppet again..." I told Chang Wook sadly as I bit my lip to prevent the sobs from continuing.

Chang Wook pulled me closer and caressed my hair gently before he genuinely said, "Jinhee-ah... believe in oppa this one time."

I slowly pulled back to see his expression, and his sincere eyes were looking back at me with much determination. I slightly furrowed my eyebrows, couldn't really fathom the meaningful look he was giving me.

"For now... just listen to our father, and I promise you that I will give your happiness. The happiness that you truly deserved ever since the day you were born to this world."

✿   ✿   ✿

"Now, let us welcome the arrival of the President, the First lady, and finally... the President's youngest daughter, Kim Jinhee."

I heard the faint announcement inside, and within a few seconds, the two mahogany doors of the ballroom were slowly pulled open, waiting for the appearance of the royal family, but most of all, the little ruckus inside of the ballroom showed that they were all eagerly anticipating for the unknown face of the youngest daughter.

"Listen to me, Kim Jinhee. You will not embarrass me and your father in front of our guest tonight. Now, smile." The very elegant and refined First Lady, which was also my stepmother warned silently beside me as she flashed her fake smile that I was truly familiar of.

I was not surprised to see that everything has changed except for her. She remained the same, still holding onto the evil role. I held the urge to roll my eyes and replied her with the same smile.

"I have missed you too, mother." I said meaningfully as I pressed my lips, smiling even wider when I saw the First lady was a little taken aback by my response.

Upon entering the very elegantly staged ballroom located on the grounds of the Blue House, I was welcomed by hundreds of elegantly dressed guests. Politicians, scholars, and media reports were all scattered around the spacious room.

I felt myself as the real Kim Jinhee again. Elegant, beautiful, wealthy, and lonely, with this beautiful gold silk dress hugged around my body, with the continuous wave of small whispers, with the blinding camera flashlights, with the visible astonishment look from the spectators welcoming me. Suddenly, everything just felt so surreal.

Walking down the aisle, I smiled ethereally to the passing guests as I masked the most nonchalant look that I have ever had. But as I slowly took in my surroundings, my nonchalance instantly faded away as I was surprised by the presence of many familiar people in another walk of life.

Every single heir and heiress of multi companies were here, and they were, of course, the elite students from Jeguk High. This is just a palace political press conference.. not some kind of societal party. Why are the rich and elite invited?

I intertwined my fingers nervously as I could feel the blood started to drain away from my face. I tried to tear my gaze away from the crowd, but just as I was about to, suddenly I caught the familiar handsome faces of the six boys, all looking at me with rounded eyes as their expressions were in utter bewilderment.

I felt my heart plummeted into my stomach in panic and guilt as I couldn't take my eyes off them that I almost tripped on the aisle. The First lady subtly sent me a solemn look, and I quickly looked away from the boys, with my heart pounding so rapidly against my chest.

But as soon as I looked away, I almost felt my knees turned anemic when I saw the presence of my two gorgeous best friends on the right side. Their expressions mirrored mine as we looked into each other's eyes for a long moment, totally flabbergasted by this unexpected meeting.

I stopped walking because I desperately wanted to approach them and explain everything but my small action only roared the media reporters as they kept taking pictures of me. I bet their minds were already thinking of an interesting to write about my dramatic expression.

I held back my intention and put on a smile again, with my stepmother now hooking her arm around mine. I continued walking, hoping this whole thing will end quickly so I could find the boys and the girls to explain, and perhaps... end everything. Did the cruel fate plan all this so that I could finally say my last goodbye to them?

Just when I was ushered to our designated table, sure enough, the heartbreaking moment continued as now standing in front of me was the last man that I expected to see in this supposed political gathering.

I felt yet another intense rush of emotions as we locked gazes in the stunned silence. His usual sharp gaze held onto a hint of disbelief as they penetrated into mine, demanding an explanation.

"Jinhee-ah, meet the honorable Minister Kim Mingoo, his lovely wife, and I believed that you know his good-looking son, Kim Taehyung." The President introduced me to the family that I once had a heartfelt dinner with. I noticed the President's last remark and almost rolled my eyes at this.

Of course, I know him. He's one of the victims that you threatened to hurt if I don't attend to this gathering, remember?

The President and Minister Kim exchanged a friendly hug, but silently, just like Taehyung, Mr. and Mrs. Kim were also giving me a long look of disbelief, while I slightly dropped my head and smiled apologetically at the both elders.

"I'm sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I'm Kim Jinhee, the president's daughter." I greeted them politely while giving them a brief warm hug.

When I pulled away, I noticed they were also giving me the apologetic looks. I let out a weak smile as I knew what those looks meant for, probably Taehyung already told them about the huge fight between me and the boys last week.

"Taehyung, I was a little upset when I heard my offer was rejected, but I was once in your age and I understand how exuberance a youthful love can be. So, tell me, who's the lucky young woman who managed to capture your heart?" The President laughed a little as he patted Taehyung's back in a teasing manner.

But Taehyung only kept quiet as he stared at me with his intense gaze, but it didn't hold long until he looked away in despair. When Minister Kim noticed the sadness in his son's eyes, he quickly covered up for him, "I'm sorry to disappoint you President Kim, but it seems that my son's date won't be able to attend tonight."

The President simply nodded in understanding, while it was my turn to be puzzled by the strange conversation between my father and Taehyung. What did my father offer him? Why he suddenly brought up the topic of his girlfriend?

I was about to confront the President about this matter, but a new guest appeared on our table and I saw how the President let out an unusual full-blown smile.

"General Kim, as always, it's a great pleasant that you can make it to this gathering." The President greeted happily to the man who was proudly suited in a military uniform that was decorated with many golden and honorable badges along with his name, Kim Soojin.

"President Kim, it's an honor." The proud man said with a wide smile as they shook hands. Then, he slowly landed his gaze on me and let out a fatherly smile, "Your daughter look breathtaking tonight. I hope my son will take good care of her."

"Of course I will, dad. I won't disappoint you." A familiar voice said confidently, and I felt another presence of a man beside me.

"Kai..." I called out in slight surprise as I didn't expect him to be the son of General Kim. No wonder the other guards listened to his commands because he was indeed the eligible son of the powerful military family.

"Good evening, my lady." Kai smiled at me as he courteously pulled out the chair for me to sit. His strong presence, his confidence, his royal movements, suddenly all became apparent to me as his demeanor reflected the traits of a noble family.

After a moment, the excitement in the atmosphere settled down a little as everyone was seated at their respective tables. The servers began serving the meals, and the elders happily started. But at that particular moment, I remained fixed as I couldn't help but wonder on General Kim's words. He hoped his son would take care of me? He meant by being my personal bodyguard... right?

"I think you have many explanations to do, Kim Jongin-ssi." I whispered towards Kai as I beamed him a sweet smile, aware that many eyes were on us. Kai looked back at me, knowing my smile was just a sarcastic one, yet he smiled his genuine smile while saying nothing.

In other people's eyes, they might think that we were some hotly in love teenagers with all the meaningful looks we were exchanging. While on the other hand, a specific someone who was sitting in front of us was observing us with hawk eyes, and yes, it was Kim Taehyung.

"Look at how close they have become. That's good to see kids. Because tonight, we will finalize the plans for your engagement."

I almost let the utensils free fall to my plate when I heard the President declared those words clearly and loudly for everyone around the table to hear.

"What?!" I exclaimed, finally lost all my fake gracefulness. I looked at the President and the First lady in confusion, did not even attempt to hide my surprise from the Korean press who were seated a few tables from us.

"It is set in stone, my beautiful daughter. By law, and more importantly, by the respectable family traditions, where we need your fiancé's family to safeguard the Kim's legacy. And I believed that Kai would be the impeccable husband in protecting you as he's been in love with you since your childhood times together, right?" The President asked casually as he looked at me and Kai with a meaningful smile.

I whipped my head around to look at Kai in much surprise. "You were my childhood friend?"

I could see Kai tensed up a little in his seat as he avoided looking at me or the President. After a few minutes of hesitation, he finally nodded as he rubbed his neck awkwardly. The President and the other elders let out an amused laugh at how Kai was suddenly acting all shy.

"Both of you really have a lot of things to catch up with." The First lady said with a teasing smile, and the next thing I knew, the elders started to reminisce about our childhood moments, as if our engagement issue was automatically agreed on as no one seemed to against upon it.

"It's not that I don't want to tell you. I know you're having a hard time to accept things about what your father did to you today. So, I can't seem to find the perfect timing to tell." Kai whispered in my ear. When he pulled back, for the first time ever, he gave me an apologetic smile.

For a long moment, I just zoned out in my seat as my mind filled with everything. About my returns to my old home. The argument with my father. The threats from my father. About my biggest secret was finally revealed to the boys and my girls. About the sudden engagement. About Kai was one of my childhood friends. And now... would it be about Taehyung who was now looking at me with such a defiant face?

"I think we have to listen to what Jinhee has to say."

Upon hearing Taehyung suddenly spoke out and interrupting the conversation of everyone in the table, I quickly zoned into the real world in panic. Taehyung looked at me with his dark gaze, as if he wanted me to say something about the engagement. But, I just found myself staring at him nervously as I silently shook my head.

"Of course we will. Thank you for being such a gentleman, Taehyung. My dear daughter, did you have anything to say?" The President surprisingly heeded onto Taehyung's favor as he now looked at me with a questioning yet challenging gaze.

"Oh, by the way, I just called CEO Bang asking how he's doing with his company. He couldn't be any happier when he received a call from me." The President nonchalantly said as he eyed me in a meaningful manner. And then he laughed, as if what he said was just a matter of fact.

"Just thought you ought to know, my daughter." He looked at me with that smile that I hated with passion. He was surely doing this to remind me about his threat to hurt the boys.

I really wanted to say that his threat didn't affect me at all, but no. Whatever he did or said was really killing me inside as now fear started to wrap of my face, and even all the way across the table, I was sure he could see my scared expression.

"So going back to the engagement, did you have any objections or qualms?" The President asked.

I looked at the President for one last time before I slowly dropped my gaze in disappointment. "N-no..." I said quietly, once again defeated.

And I had no choice but to keep quiet all night. Like a scared hostage, I didn't even have a choice but to heed quietly to my evil captor.

𝓚𝓲𝓶 𝓣𝓪𝓮𝓱𝔂𝓾𝓷𝓰

"Dad, why you didn't tell me that the President's daughter is Jinhee? I can't believe I just rejected the offer of being engaged to my own girlfriend." I frowned at my dad, but he only let out a helpless sigh as he slowly approached me on the balcony of the ballroom.

"I'm sorry, son. I know the President's daughter is Kim Jinhee, but I never knew how she looks like, since the President has been hiding his daughter from the public for some personal reason. No wonder her name sounded so familiar that day..." My father placed his hand on my shoulder as his warm eyes shone with full of remorse.

I wrapped my face in frustration and heaved out a deep sigh. I couldn't possibly be mad at my father for this because it wasn't really his fault to begin with. There were a lot of questions messing with my head, and I knew there was only one person that could give me all the answers. Jinhee.

"But son, I thought you would know about Jinhee being the President's daughter? Since you guys were also childhood friends." My father suddenly voiced out, and I stopped my whole intention of looking for Jinhee, instead, I snapped up to look at my dad, awestricken by his statement.

"Dad, what're you saying?" I asked my father as I pulled my brows in confusion, "I don't recall Jinhee being my childhood friend. Mia and Jimin were my only childhood friends, and also Kiji."

My father looked at me for a long moment, as if to make sure I wasn't joking with him. He frowned, but after a moment, he slowly shook his head with a disbelief smile drawn upon his face.

"Taehyung, don't be ridiculous... You would always come to the Blue House and play with Jinhee once a while. After we had moved overseas, you kept crying out like a little brat because you said you wanted to see her so badly. You don't remember?" He asked again as he raised his brows at me. His eyes observing me worriedly because I looked so lost right now.

"You also told us that Mia's eyes color kept changing from blue to brown, and brown to blue..." My father added. After a moment, he suddenly looked at me in surprise when he finally solved the puzzles together.

"Did you possibly mix Mia and Jinhee together in your childhood, son?" My father asked and let out a disbelief chuckle.

"Even I had to admit that sometimes I was confused with the both of them. Because... they were after all, each other's doppelganger..."

𝓚𝓲𝓶 𝓙𝓲𝓷𝓱𝓮𝓮

"Jinhee, I don't get it. Why are you suddenly the President's daughter?" Suzy asked me as she looked at me with confusion written all over her face.

I could feel cold sweats started forming on my forehead as this was the moment that I truly feared the most. The confrontation from my both scorned best friends. And now, all I could do was trying to calm my nervous self down and find the right word for the explanation that they demanded. It's time to suck up on your pretense, Kim Jinhee.

"Why you didn't tell us that you're actually the Paris Hilton of South Korea? Is it because we're holding onto different social status and we don't have the right to know about you?" Soojung confronted me as she crossed her arms, her angry eyes looking straight at me.

"No, it's not about that, Soojung. Those social statuses that our parents held onto didn't mean anything to me at all." I argued as I looked at them seriously. "Look, girls... I'm really sorry for keeping this from you guys, but I have my own reason."

They merely exchanged a look before they asked me to proceed.

"I hated my life here. I hate both the President and the First lady. I hated having my life under controlled. I was tired of living like a robotic princess. So, I ran away from my family. And when I finally got the chance to live the life that I ever wanted, I decided not to tell anyone about my real identity. I wish I could just erase it. I wish I would never come back here. I wish I could just stay with you girls.. I swear, you guys are my best kind of happiness. So please, don't be mad at me.." I slowly explained the whole truth as I looked into their eyes genuinely.

"But that didn't change the fact that you lied to us, Jinhee. For the whole eight months we have known each other, didn't it ever cross your mind to be honest with us?" Suzy retorted as she shook her head and huffed out a sigh. Then, she looked up at me again, and I noticed how her eyes wavered in disappointment.

"We're your best friends, Jinhee. We won't judge you even if you tell us the whole truth. We wouldn't even care if you're the President's daughter. But it hurts to know that you've been hiding your true self from us.. When I saw you entered the ballroom a moment ago, it's weird that suddenly, you just looked like a complete stranger to me.." Suzy said quietly as her face grimaced into a painful one. She closed her eyes, and I noticed a tear slipped down her rosy cheeks before she turned away from me.

"I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to hurt you guys.." I apologized again as I gently held onto their hands, like the old times. It felt like it was only yesterday we were laughing and teasing each other, but why now it suddenly felt like the world was going to fall apart?

"I wanted to believe the best in you, Jinhee.. But the bottom line is, you're always hiding behind your lies. Your lies about being friends with the boys at first, your lies about taking your medication, and now.. your lies about your whole life. Don't you realize, Jinhee? Those lies will eventually hurt the people around you.. And yes, you just hurt us, so damn much." It was Soojung's turn to shed her tears and I shook my head, feeling the extreme guilt washing my whole being for hurting my best friends like this.

"Girls, please.. I promise I won't lie again.. I really love you guys.." I begged, and subconsciously, I felt myself tearing up upon witnessing the two girls that I loved the most would slowly drift away from me. At that moment, I tightened my hold onto them as I didn't care even if I looked so desperate. I just needed them to stay my side... was that too much to ask for?

"We're sorry, Jinhee. But we need to excuse ourselves now.." Soojung said weakly with her sad gaze before she and Suzy took the steps to walking away from me. Or maybe, from my entire life...

"Soojung-ah, Suzy-ah.. No.. I'm sorry.." I kept pleading and shouting their names until the last second, but they never bothered to even look at me. Why would they do that anyway? I was labeled as a betrayal in their eyes now, and everyone despised a betrayal.

I held onto the wall for support as I felt my knees began to give up on me when Suzy and Soojung finally disappeared from my sight. I clutched onto my painful chest as I desperately gasped for every ounce of air that I could catch. Suddenly, every second of breathing became suffocating. Suddenly, the excruciating pain in my chest became too much and unbearable. Why? Was it because the lies and the truths were slowly eating me up?

"Hey, Jinhee.. Are you okay?" A gentle voice slowly approached me from behind as I felt someone embraced my shoulders. I turned around and I saw his warm and kind eyes were welcoming me, reassuring me.

"Taehyung.." I called him out softly, and it was weird that with his presence here, the tears threatened to come out even more. Yet, at the same time, his presence also cast a pleasant comfort in my heart, and I felt a slight relief that he was here when I needed someone. It was always him, wasn't it?

"Why are you crying, silly.." He smiled a little as he looked at me so dearly, so carefully, as if I was a fragile matter. Then, he slowly cupped my face and rubbed my tears away.

"How can someone look so beautiful even in tears.. Gosh, I'm truly speechless." He teased as his soothing voice sounded so calm in my ears.

Though I was still in tears, I couldn't help but let out a shy smile upon hearing his compliment, and his dreamy brown eyes gleamed meaningfully when he finally saw me smiling.

"You're not helping at all, pabo Tae.." I said in between my soft sobs and wrapped my arms around his warm and muscular body, trying to hide my burning face inside the hug.

Taehyung was momentarily taken aback, but he just let out a chuckle, knowing what I was trying to do. For a moment, we just stayed in each other embrace as we let a comfortable silence passed between us.

"I'm sorry, Jinhee.. I only found out that you're actually my childhood friend.. How much worst I can be for not knowing anything about you.. I'm sorry for confusing you with Mia.." He said as there was a tone of bitterness and sadness in his voice.

"It's not your fault, Taehyung.. You were so little back then.." I said softly as my voice muffled against his clothes, "And I'm sorry too, because I also knew about us only a few weeks ago.."

Taehyung slowly pulled away from the hug as he gave me a strange look. "A few weeks ago?"

I nodded and exhaled out a sigh. "It's a long story.. but I saw you and Mia in my good memories.. The first time we met in the back garden, you called me Mia.. And the girl that you had been practicing Taekwondo with, it was me.."

"I made a promise that I will bring you to merry-go-round, was that to you too..?" He asked in slight surprise.

I slowly let out a smile at him and nodded, "You remembered."

Upon hearing my answer, he turned speechless for a moment. When everything had finally fallen into places, he ruffled his blond hair mindlessly and chuckled. "No wonder Mia looked so confused that day when I brought her to the merry-go-round.. No wonder she was never good at defending herself whenever she was attacked by the mean girls at school.. Because it wasn't her from the beginning.."

For a long moment, his brown eyes looking into mine so deeply, as if trying to find some answers in it. Then, he closed his eyes and placed our foreheads together, whispering, "It was you all along.. It was you, Kim Jinhee."

"I can't let you marry that bastard, you know.." Taehyung suddenly said, and I opened my eyes to look at him in surprise. His expression was serious and the determination in his eyes was telling me that he wouldn't let me go that easily.

"No, Taehyung.. I have to do this.." I shook my head and took a step back from him as the evil threat from my father suddenly flashed into my mind.

"Why?" He asked, confused with my answer.

Because I don't want to take the risk of hurting you, or hurting the other boys...

"Taehyung, if the President wants this to happen, then I have to make it happen for him.." I told him as I wiped away my tears and decided to brave myself looking into him, proving how important this matter was to me.

"Jinhee, you can't possibly want me to watch you marrying another guy when I have the whole chance of taking you away from here." He disputed strongly as he held onto my hands. His passionate eyes were pleading me to agree with him, but I avoided his strong gaze and dropped my head helplessly.

"I can't do this, Taehyung.." I said meekly, and I felt myself slowly crying again. Maybe silently, secretly, hidden in my heart was a hope that Taehyung and I can still be together, but why do that hope seemed so far-fetched and unachievable?

"My sixth promise to you," He suddenly reminded me, and I felt his gentle hands bringing my face up to look at him in the eye.

"I will definitely hold onto my promise, to stay by your side and never let you go, Jinhee. I'm willing to do anything, even if I die trying." He said so determinedly as his confident smile spread across his lips with his gaze never tearing away from mine.

I was astounded by the strong passion coated in his voice as he muttered those meaningful words out, and when I saw him staring at me so sincerely, so truthfully, so lovingly, once again, I found myself breaking down in tears. Taehyung smiled and caressed my cheeks gently while I just cried openly in front of him.

"Tell me, baby girl.. Do you really want to stay here?" He asked gently as his enchanting brown eyes shimmered meaningfully, as if he knew what I truly wanted.

"Take me away from here, Taehyung.." I found myself saying helplessly, silently begging him. And with that, I saw his rose-pink lips slowly tugged upwards.

"Your wish is my command, princess." He replied in a royal tone, and he leaned in to kiss me on the forehead.

"Guys, I know you're there. Come out, because we have a princess to kidnap now." Taehyung suddenly spoke out loudly, as if calling for someone from far away. I looked at him, totally perplexed as there were only both of us behind the dim building.

"Dang. Sharp as always huh, Kim Taehyung."

A sudden voice talked, and I was surprised to see a few figures appeared from the corner. They slowly approached us, and when the only lamp behind the building shone on them, I literally dropped my jaw because.. it was the Bangtan boys, all smirking proudly at me.

"Ladies.. you should come out too." Taehyung called out again as he let out a soft sigh.

And very timely, two familiar figures appeared and now were walking towards me.

"Soojung.. Suzy.." I called out as I cupped my mouth in disbelief.

"Just treat me to Baskin Robin, and you're forgiven.." Soojung said as a teasing smile slowly drawn upon her face.

"Just give me a hug, Jinhee. It's hard to stay mad at you, because we love you so much.." Suzy muttered lovingly as she pulled me into a hug. Soojung circled her arms around me, and the next second, the tears gushed out as I was once again crying, this time like a little child.

"I'm sorry.. I'm really sorry.." I said those words incoherently as I buried my face into their embrace. I heard the boys chuckled upon witnessing my outbreak.

"Now, now.. let's leave it at that. We have a mission to accomplish and we can't waste any more time." Namjoon suddenly interrupted our hugging moment. So we pulled away and gave each other a shy smile.

"What do you guys plan to do?" I asked, looking at each of them, still confused by the situation.

They all exchanged a look before they turned to look at me, their eyes glinted meaningfully.

"Jinhee-ah, you've helped us a lot from the very beginning," Yoongi spoke out as he let out a grateful smile at me.

"You've led us into this path where everything seems to work out perfectly," Jimin added as he held onto my hand and smiled softly.

"And noona even reached out to us in our darkest times.." Jungkook said, and tilted his head, showing his bunny smile.

"So now..." Hoseok continued, and they all took a step closer together towards me, saying the next sentence in perfect unison...

"We're going to save you."

»»————　A/N　————««

Okay, I swear this's the longest chapter by far... Gosh. I always feel bad if I write too much, I dont even know you guys like it short or long, but here you go :)

Thank you for reading
🌹

In 3..

Much love,
ℓynie

»»———— ♡ ————««

T E A S E R

❝You should protect me from my father, because he's starting to control me like a puppet again!❞