I’ll do a double update but I see many of you skip the first update and jump to the second one, some by mistake. So I’ll update the next chapter in a few minutes <33

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Past

45| “Leering eyes.”

The talons of anxiety impaled Nina’s spine as she straightened herself, feeling it digging, tearing through her flesh, and settling deeper. Nina’s hands were clammy, it would be so good if she could shift them and wipe the thick layer of sweat gathering around her palms over her dress. But that would come off awkward right? And Nina didn’t want to look awkward in front of a prim man like Hyeon, not even slightly stiff … though she was very uncomfortable.

All these years, Nina had collected the inkling of what kind of man Kim Hyeon was. Strict and disciplined, wanting everything on his own accord. Ambitious, but not in a good way. It was the way that tells you he expected things to be given to him, that he deserved the fame and conquest because he was who he was and that should be a good enough reason for everyone to fall at his feet — Hyeon was leading the biggest fashion company of the country and whatever Nina had find out about his personality was through the articles and she could feel they weren’t thoroughly wrong.

Her throat was dry and her lips were arid as her eyes focused on her slippers, especially at the cute red bow over the black furr to ease whatever stress she was feeling. Nina didn’t know if standing in the middle of his gigantic office was the reason she was nervous or the way Hyeon was gaping at her with an open jewelry box on his wooden desk.

"I do appreciate your kindness but I— I can't take this. It’s too much." Her polite tone grated the silence prowling in the space. Nina glanced at the diamond necklace and then at the man.

It didn't feel right. Mr Kim was always there to help her and Lea, more of his generosity would exacerbate the burden on her shoulders, and taking things from him would look like she was taking advantage of his kindness.

She stilled when an emotion crossed his feature, something akin to amusement and nuisance as it instantly made her bite her inner cheek. Getting worried that she was probably acting like an ungrateful brat, nonetheless, it was deemed positively inappropriate to accept such an expensive gift for no reason, especially from him.

“You have grown into a…” A brittle frown etched between Nina’s brows as she watched Hyeon leaning back on his desk, arms crossed across his chest. A raw power that she could feel weighing her down. “... such a mature lady. It was the right choice, wasn’t it? I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me.” The frown worsened when it became hard for her to figure out the hidden meaning burning in his undertone, the mumbling words— the weird stare that she couldn’t dodge.

“Have you ever thought about dyeing your hair, Nina?” Nina snapped her head at him almost instantly.

For a beat, Nina saw a flicker of the resemblance of Taehyung in Hyeon, not entirely but it was there. With the angular jaw and tall, imposing height that could cower anyone. When Taehyung aged, he would look like his father — and she didn’t know that it was Taehyung’s worst nightmare —  Nina hoped that Taehyung didn’t lose the remnant of the softness of his eyes, unlike Hyeon whose eyes were downright cold and somehow ruthless.

“No, I don't need to. I like my hair as it is.” Nina touched the loose strand that was pouring over her shoulders, recalling every damn moment when Taehyung called her ‘red’— because she was his red. The missing color of his world. A desire who has no boundaries and only knows madness.

And every time Taehyung called her that, butterflies magically exploded inside her ribs. And the urge to pluck the stars for him got stronger. Like many other things, she wouldn’t admit this. Although It made her feel special to the core no matter how many times she tried to assure herself that ‘calm down, it shouldn’t be a big deal, it's just a nickname’ —but it wasn’t a mere nickname, it was special.

“Black would suit you better or burnett, it would enhance your looks. Also, a new wardrobe will do.'' Nina's smile slowly slipped down and died there. More like a blunt suggestion, it sounded like a command that demanded to be followed.

And why did he care what would be good for her looks? Why did he care about her looks anyway? Why did he have to advise something so strange out of nowhere? Hyeon wasn’t in a position, not even close so that particular comment infiltrated a jumble of uneasiness in her nerves.

“Maybe.” She humbled, knowing pretty well that she wouldn’t dye her hair just because an influential man couldn’t seem to handle the color. Hyeon’s distaste was piercing and crystal clear and she couldn’t help but let a new bubbling of insecurity sink in her guts.

“I don’t know.” Nina simply rubbed her thumb over her knuckle, avoiding whatever anxiety she was sensing under his leering eyes that were goading her skin like rusty needles.

They never talked more than a few words which consisted of Mr Kim asking about her day and studies. She hoped that Hyeon didn't notice how every time Nina forced herself to have a convo with him which left her with a straight spine and an edgy smile. Or maybe, it was her introverted side striking under his intense scrutiny and powerful persona. She didn’t want to leave a bad impression. after all, he was the reason she was studying in the most prestigious school in the country— he helped Nina and Lea and she should always be grateful to him and keep her uncomfortable emotions in check.

“Now about this gift. Why can’t you take it? I bought this for you and I would hate it if it goes to waste.” Hyeon’s eyes subtly zeroed over her figure. Nina was clad in a white maxi dress that fitted around her breasts to her waist and then flared down to the ankles.

Simple, not how Hyeon would like to see her, but at least she wasn’t wearing those red hoodies and skirts with ripped stockings. Hyeon had never appreciated her weird taste of dressing, it made her look graceless, too unfitting for his taste but he knew he would mould her into something that he wished for. Nina was finally 18, all untouched and ripened for his taking, for him to taste and claim.

All these years Hyeon waited and waited for till this day and that’s why he decided to keep her under the same roof as his.  Closer to him and in his sight. He could have owned her at the moment when Lea first time bought the 15-year-old Nina in the Kim mansion, he still remembered the day so vividly.

He remembered how Taehyung called him a bastard father and how he kept slapping the 15-years-old Taehyung until the kid’s mouth was bleeding as he had to put a stop to his abuse when Lea knocked on his office door with Nina standing on her side.

What Hyeon didn’t notice was that behind him, Taehyung’s attention was also fixed on the red-haired girl who was still standing in the doorway.  Long lashes flickering and a nervous curl on her lips. Taehyung had also decided to stake his claim. He had set his eyes on her and that very moment, Nina Wang had belonged to Kim Taehyung—not anyone else—not even Hyeon.

But Lea wasn’t fully ready for this whole sick idea, still concerned about Nina being too young for… Hyeon? Yeah. A man the same age as her father. However, Lea thought it wouldn’t be a problem if Nina was an adult. Hyeon was bitter at her plea. Way too bitter but he wasn’t an idiot. He knew if he forced any kind of pressure on Lea, she might not think twice before disappearing with the girl and Hyeon refused to let Nina slip through his fingers.

So he lured them, set the trap perfectly, and made a deal with Lea until Nina turned 18. He burdened Nina with his fraudulent generosity and sent her to the same school as his spoiled son. Nina was left in the hope that one day she would be free from all the misery, not knowing that with every year she was inching closer to the cage, a hideous cage prepared by Hyeon.

"Come on, it's your belated birthday gift. Keep it.” Hyeon’s smile enlarged like a devil.

“I don't think so—” Nina had to prevent herself from taking her step back and not sprinting away, escaping his imposing presence and overbearing stare. It was truly kind of Hyeon to think so much but Nina had no interest in the gift. Heck, she had no interest in her birthdays. 

“You have helped me and my aunt, I consider that a huge gift.” Nina made an effort to stop Hyeon who was walking closer to her. Suffocation gripped the back of her throat as her eyes slid the necklace hanging between his fingers. 

“Come on, are you going to hurt me like this?” A sigh of disappointment unfurled in his gruff tone and she stiffened, swallowing a clot of tension. She shouldn’t disappoint the man who never ceased to pour out his kindness whenever she needed it. Suppressing her hesitating smile, knowing he wasn’t going to back off, she slowly lifted her hands to take the necklace.

“No… no,  of course not.” She let out, but the words weren't confident. Instead, they were quiet and meek and panicked, even to her own ears.

“I knew you wouldn’t hurt me, you are a sweet girl, Nina.” Hyeon said evenly and stood behind her. Nina’s shoulders were heavy with pressure and suddenly she felt tiny, intimidated, and a breathing jumble of anxiety.

Hot sweat permeated her skin. it was an unwanted closeness. When his fingertips brushed her red hair, she sucked a deep breath, her chest lifted and didn’t dare to fall back, she didn’t dare to breathe — Nina mentally begged him to lock the damn necklace quickly so she could get out of this bizarre situation. 

If Nina wasn’t overthinking, she heard a deep exhale near her exposed neck as if a predator was gauging its prey. Nina curled her fingers into a fist, pushing back the creepy sensation trickling into her veins. This was downright eerie, Nina could perceive the danger numbing her ears. Girls have the superpower to sense touches, they comprehend the difference between a nice touch and a bad touch… undoubtedly, Hyeon’s touch proved fucking worse.

“You should be cherished and adored, Nina. This necklace is nothing, you deserve so much more.” That husky voice scratched her ear and burned her neck as he slid the necklace around her neck and locked it. As soon as he was done, Nina pulled away with wobbly nerves.

The necklace was heavy on her neck, the terrifying sensation in her nerves was loud and she had no desire to act ungrateful but something was off in Hyeon’s eyes that made her flinch in terror. 

"See, it's made for you. You look stunning." Nina didn't raise her head, otherwise, she could see Hyeon's eyes clouding with serpentine lusts.

"Thank you." Not wanting to engage in another conversation, she took her steps back. “I should go, I’ve to finish my homework." Nina bowed and rushed to leave, thinking if she had seen a glimmer of smirk on Mr Kim's face.

Nina shut the office door and found Lea pacing in the hallway. A worried expression etched her face. Upon seeing her niece, her face brightened with a smile and Nina couldn’t help but mirror the expression.

“What are you doing here, Aunt Lea?” Nina placed her hand on Lea’s shoulder.

“I was just waiting for you… what did he say?” Lea smiles, hoping that Nina wouldn’t catch the unease coating her voice.

“He gave me this.” Nina pointed her index finger on her neck. “He said, it’s my belated birthday gift…I don't know why he put so much thought into it but it’s kind of him.” Nina rubbed her finger over the area where the necklace was glued. She wasn’t used to wearing such heavy pieces so the irritation was inevitable.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Lea’s brows frowned and her throat flexed for a gulp. “Honey, I want to talk to you about something.” Her eyes widened and she grabbed Nina’s hand.

“Not now.” Nina patted Lea’s hand. “Later okay, We’ll talk later.” Nina kissed her cheek and jogged in the direction of her room, leaving a hesitant Lea behind.

Nina bites her lower lip when she recalls  Taehyung was still in her room. However,  just as the thought hit, so did waves of tingles vibrating her bones, wilting her heart in little thumps. He might be waiting for her as the desperation kicked in with that urge to go back to his arms.

When Nina returned to her room she expected to see a lazy Taehyung splayed on her bed like a regal with his usual as-hell charming smirk that she was awfully accustomed to, that she began to dote on even more.

But no…

All she got was a pointed glare and a rigid silence as she walked in, it rose with her every step like a cold whip of wind. A frown crafted between her brows seeing Taehyung towering over her, eyes shrewd with dark energy as they toured down at the necklace.

That one looked reeled to her core and not in the best way. The look reminded her of a stormy night, torn skin, and unrestrained control. His eyes began to sear: to probe,  to hunt whatever he could find and destroy. He was mad, very very mad and Nina had no idea why.

He was all mushy and soft at the moment she left him, right?

“What are you looking at me like this?” Nina arched her brows and walked toward the mirror. It was an emerald necklace, studded with white zircon stones, glued around her neck like a noose. It had a sleek, modern setting and shone so brightly, that Nina couldn’t seem to stare at it long. She glanced at her accessories lying on her vanity. The necklace would look so odd among them like she was an odd part of her school, an outcast. By the thought, a bitter taste rolled in her mouth as she was about to take it off, Taehyung’s voice stilled her hand.

“Like what? Explain the words clearly, will you?” He broke the silence and Nina felt relief creeping in when he talked. At least he talked and didn’t continue the silent treatment.

“You are looking at me as if you wanna kill me with your bare hands, do you wanna kill me, taehyung?.” Nina’s fingertips grazed the sliver of her skin that was itching in discomfort.

“Your thinking is so lowly about me. I’ll cut my arms off before this thought could even come to my mind, princess.” Nina’s heart ballooned in her chest, the beats were snappy in her ears. She blinked, sensing his body moving with noiseless steps.

"Take it off." Taehyung grabbed her arm and jerked her to face him. His fingers harshly hooked the necklace, and the lock poked the back of her neck, hurting the skin as he dragged her closer until his nose touched hers.

"I can’t bear to see you in this! Now! Take this off!"