Present

25| "Was always mine."

Many things annoyed Taehyung, like Ji-hoon's preppy-ass existence. No jokes in it, he was furious. Like a ticking bomb, waiting for the right moment to detonate and destroy everything around him. Destroy a particular man breathing in front of him— yes, the hatred he held on to for Ji-hoon was huge. 

Taehyung was caged by the dark fog engulfing him which sneakily slipped in the crack of his thoughts. The Green-eyed monster had awakened, growling ruthlessly and clawing his throat to be on the verge of coming out. Though Taehyung's uninterested face was veiling his hidden bitterness as he silently enraged beside the red-haired beauty whose entire existence rumbled to illuminate supreme contentment upon meeting her old-time friend.

Ugh, Taehyung despised the happiness that Nina was pervaded with. It physically irked him, it itched his vision. Taehyung loathed the reaction that didn't belong to him, it inflicted unconditional animosity toward Ji-hoon. 

"Ji-hoon, oh my god! It's you, I can't believe this." Taehyung couldn't believe the way Nina's face filled with sparkle. Nah for real, how was that possible. A few minutes ago she was close to scratching his face. But now, her smile was wide, reaching to twinkle her eyes as if fireflies were quarrelling beneath her lush mass of lashes. 

Taehyung craved to be Nina's thief, he desired to steal those twinkly fireflies from her eyes and hide them in a black box for himself, it should have been owned by him. As Taehyung yearned to yank that full-blown smile chiselling Ji-hoon's lips, it was sickening to actually scrutinize.

Taehyung's lungs churned with the intense conflict, thousands of knives penetrated every inch of his chest when Nina straightforwardly removed his hands from her waist and hugged Ji-hoon as the man hugged her frame with every ounce of his being. They were in each other's embrace right in front of Taehyung's eyes, not caring that Taehyung was maintaining the wrath under the rifts of his chest. They were so near, breathing and melding into each other, shuffling the earth under Taehyung's feet.

"I missed you, Nina. Where were you?" Ji-hoon puffed out his words, sounding contented as if a burden had been removed from his chest. "You never left my mind in these years and now you are here, I don't know how to explain my happiness." The sweetness in his undertone mixed in Taehyung's blood like poison. 

The scene was enough for the green-eyed animal within Taehyung to go into the feral mode, swatting his bones to burst out his limbs to rip Ji-hoon's body into tiny, bloody lumps. He would not show him mercy. It just took minutes for Taehyung to sense myriad emotions striking out of his being, hungry and covetous emotions.

"The sight of this bastard makes me sick. I'll slice his throat open and bath myself with his blood. No one, no one is allowed to hold her if it's not me." The wicked words echoed in the back of his head, the voice was as dark as his heart. It was Taehyung's inner voice, nudging him to do something sinister that Nina would not appreciate later. 

"She is yours then why is she intertwined with this loser?" The voice again hissed.

Taehyung's jaw tightened when Ji-hoon's arms curled around Nina's waist. His golden-sapphire eyes ticked dangerously when Ji-hoon closed his eyes in gratification, nuzzling his nose against her hair. Her red, red hair was made to tangle around his fingers. 

Taehyung's fingers itched to wrap around Ji-hoon's throat to choke him at the point where his body turned into a lifeless heap of muscles and bones. Or, he could just slam the man's face on the table in constant repetition until blood seeped out the cracked flesh of his wounds. Or, he could gouge his eyes out from his sockets for looking at Nina with improper intentions. It would be a soul-satisfying sight to witness Ji-hoon crying like a pathetic bitch while struggling to take every single breath. 

Taehyung's composure was falling apart. His thoughts were getting worse and worse.

"Such a cute sight. You look so happy, darling." Taehyung gritted out, a snake-like grin coiling his lips. This wasn't the time to lose control, not when Nina was at ease to lower her guards down, so close to falling in his arms. He couldn't take the risk of disappointing her, and couldn't lose the chance to taste her red world. 

"How could an outsider's presence make you so delighted? I'm amazed as well as a little envious." Taehyung's jaw set rigid, slanting down when he gained the two friends' attention. By his straightforward remark, Nina was immediately able to break the tight hug as she awkwardly stood between them,  feeling an unnerving tension slithering inside her veins. 

Ji-hoon and Taehyung's eyes crashed with a dangerous clash as they appeared like two swordsmen ready to attack, ready to bleed each other to take Nina as their possession. Now, thankfully Nina's excitement had elevated and a faint pressure tickled her knees. An uncomfortable sort of dark aura radiated through the men, Nina didn't relish it a bit. Her eyes darted to volleying between them, only to regret her decision. 

Nina knew Taehyung wasn't fond of her friend, more likely the way Ji-hoon always drools all over her since they were in high school. The way Ji-hoon roams around Nina like a needy puppy for her attention never fascinated the man. It was like a bunch of spikes piercing Taehyung's retina to witness Nina showering Ji-hoon with the utmost affection.

Taehyung still didn't get why she was so fond of him— yeah, he was her only friend in high school when everyone was neglecting her. Ji-hoon had a face that was dipped in kindness, and the wealth he owned never got in his head but that didn't mean she had to adore him to the point where Taehyung's chest started scorching as if burning steel had settled there. 

"Taehyung, he isn't an outsider. He is my friend and your guest, kindly keep your comments to yourself and don't be so mean." Nina softly placed her palm on Taehyung's arm, silently begging him not to create a scene. " Can't I express my happiness? we haven't met each other for like seven years." Ji-hoon frowned at the way both were engrossed in each other's eyes, especially when Taehyung took her hand and kissed her knuckles, oh so lovingly.

Nina didn't pull away, nor did she deny the closeness between them. Ji-hoon's throat suddenly went dry.

"Of course, princess. You don't have to explain, I know what position he has in your life. A friend who you lost contact with over the years, that's it. I was just teasing you." That gentlemanly chuckle covered his murderous intents. "I don't like seeing you stressed, it dimms your beauty." Taehyung's fingers lifted to touch the side of her head where Ji-hoon had nuzzled his nose, he stroked the place as if removing dirt from her hair.

"You stressed me out." Nina was going to let out but controlled her tongue when Taehyung placed a kiss on the side of her temple. All she could do was nod, going relieved that Taehyung wouldn't try to pull any dickish stunt or attempt to humiliate Ji-hoon as she slightly leaned into his touch. 

Sometimes, old habits don't die so easily. Taehyung's tender touches still dizzy her, slugging her insides. Meanwhile, Taehyung's eyes tauntingly wafted at Ji-hoon whose smile turned into a grim line, he was peering at the couple through the hooded lids. Taehyung suppressed an urge to laugh like a satan, he felt contentment spurting in his veins.  

After so many years Ji-hoon was still friend zone by the Red-haired princess. Taehyung's princess, specifically. Before showing up in Nina's life like a hurricane, Taehyung made sure to know every detail about her and the people who were part of her life. What amused him was the fact that after all of these years Nina wasn't in contact with Ji-hoon, she had cut him off completely. God knows what was the reason— whatever, Taehyung was appeased at the knowledge. Hah! If Ji-hoon thought he could steal his girl then he was dead wrong because Taehyung had always beat him, even if it was the pianist competition or basketball game.

"Yes, and you disappeared and never bothered to reach your best friend. We were in the same city and yet you never thought of visiting me. I'm disheartened, Nina. Didn't you miss me?" Nina snapped out of her trance, she flickered at Ji-hoon whose face was dried with sadness, he tilted his head at her and shoved his trembling fist in his pockets.

"Ji-hoon, listen I don't know where to start." Nina's lips parted and before she could take a step toward her friend who was eagerly waiting for her to continue. Nina's spine hitched, and her stomach dipped when a lowly hiss lashed in malice jangled beside her. The next thing she knew, Taehyung's arms were hooked around her waist, and she was back pressed against his chest.

"Talk to your friend as much as you want, but stay in my arms so people get the idea who you belong." Taehyung's smile didn't waver, not the anger pulsating beneath that charming facade. Nina scowled at the persistent man, the wave of anger calmed down upon catching a crazy type of desperation in his witchery eyes. A potent desire, an insecure gleam, a possessive flame, everything was in his eyes.

What the hell was happening? Nina was growing weak against him, against his touches, against the fierce emotions prowling in his eyes. Even her bones feel brittle and on the verge of splintering out. It was absurd on so many levels, unacceptable in every possible way. 

Nina shouldn't like the way his long fingers clasping her waist in utter dominance, it was so appealing and sexy to feel, intimate to braced against his taut body. She felt safe and comfortable. Nina shouldn't like the way he was sincerely declaring his insanity for her to let Ji-hoon know that she was Taehyung's.

Nina wished to dissolve and absorb every inch of this gorgeous man like rain absorbs the earth. He was the earth where only she ruled— Taehyung only allowed her, no matter how much she refused to accept this. Gosh, Taehyung was making her crazy and for the first time, she wasn't minding it. 

"Nina, what are you doing with him?" Ji-hoon's voice was thick with apprehension, it brought Nina to her senses. A sheepish blush enriched her neck to her face upon realising that she was ogling Taehyung like a love-sick puppy with lustful eyes. Taehyung winked at her, deepening the seductive shade of her face, along with heightening her shame.  

"I'm his guest—" Nina chuckled, sounding helplessly pathetic. 

The yearning to snap her own neck and die on the spot was so pleasing, why did she have to be stuck between these two knuckleheads? Of course, she couldn't tell Ji-hoon that she was kidnapped from her own house, did a pepper chilly competition against her will and proudly lost the game with the assurance that after this night Taehyung would probably leave him alone.

"She is my date, not just for tonight but for the rest of my life." Nina's jaw hung open, she looked at Taehyung in downright disbelief. The what the fuck moment had slammed all over her face in the most fashionable way possible, a scream leeching her throat. 

"As you can see. Nina is with me, in my arms, delighted and jovial. Let's break the happy news to your BFF, princess." 

"Happy news?" Nina blinked at him, a toxic sneer on her lips, she was ready to squash his skull on the floor. Forget about the warmth he was offering her body, her pulse was spiking up with anger. Taehyung was nothing but a tenacious ass at the moment.

"She is my fiance, my soon-to-be wife." Taehyung puffed out jutting his chin out like some regal king, he was so pretentious and delusional for it. Nina moved her hand behind his waist, and pinched his waist, only to earn a hiss from him yet the smug grin didn't falter from his wanting mouth.

"I'm not your fiance. Stop your nonsense. Otherwise, my four inches heels would pierce through your heart, rich kid." Nina leaned to Taehyung's and snarled dangerously against his ear. 

"Pierce it. Cut it open or stomp it under your heels all you desire, but I would prefer you take care of it after the damage. Deal?" Nina swallowed greedily, his eyes glinted with wanton mischief as his tongue darted out to lick the corner of his lips. Such a freaking tease. Why couldn't he just shut his flirtatious remarks for once? he made everything so fucking complicated for the poor girl.

"Are you out of your mind? Do you think it's funny? Well, guess what? It's not." Nina's eyebrows shot to her forehead, profound wonderment tinged with annoyance cramming her chest.

"Fiance? Nina is your fiance?" Ji-hoon finally gained his vocal ability. The glow of his eyes went dull as his gaze bounced at Taehyung then at Nina and something in his undertone sent billows of uncomfortable shudder in Nina's veins. 

"Are you kidding me? Why did you do that Nina, why with me?" The look of betrayal on his face was visible, bewildering Taehyung and Nina. The couple shared a funny look, then they stared at the fuming Ji-hoon who appeared as if he would explode like a volcano.

"What's he saying?" Taehyung mumbled.

"I don't know." Nina mumbled back. Both again looked at each other. 

Ji-hoon grabbed her wrist, ripping Nina away from Taehyung's hold, hauling her toward the open balcony like a lion dragging its prey to his den. Nina glanced at Taehyung whose body was frozen as she seethed at Ji-hoon who couldn't seem to hear her berating. 

"Did he just. . . Did that fucker just snatch my red away from me?" Taehyung mumbled to himself, the golden hues of his eyes turning tar black. "You fucked up big time, Ji-hoon." 

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