Taehyung's POV

Her eyes widened when she noticed me, her gaze roaming my form that sat on the fountain's ledge, reciprocating the look she gave.

Her arms crossed, and she frowned, "what are you doing here?" She asked bluntly.

"I could ask the same of you," I replied, my eyes narrowing. "Humans usually can't get in here, the barrier's for Gems only."

Juliana's eyebrows raised in surprise, as her eyes glanced back at the door. "I have no idea why that is," she pursed her lips. "Doesn't work on me, I guess." She shrugged playfully.

I rolled my eyes.

Juliana's eye twitched with irritation at my response before she spoke again. "Anyways," her face straightened. "you still haven't answered my question."

I sighed in defeat, giving in to her request. "I come here often," I said, before looking into the fountain's blue water.

Juliana didn't say anything, and watched me---almost waiting for something else. I smirked, taking my chance to tease her. "Why? Did you think I was stalking you or something?" I asked, glancing over my shoulder to look at her.

I held back my smile as I turned back to face the fountain, hearing her scoff behind me. Juliana didn't seem like the person to back down, making it far more interesting and exciting.

"I have no interest in your daily life," She stated firmly, rolling her eyes afterwards. "Tell your ego to fuck off."

My eyes narrowed. "But I saw you at church too, can't deny yourself now." I chuckled, my eyes meeting her angry ones.

It was quite funny, seeing her acting so confident when she knows very well who she's talking to. It was as if she was unaware of the class system. Though she irritated me because of it, I couldn't help but feel less outlandish-like I wasn't different.

"Correction, Ryujin and Lisa invited me to go with them. Nothing more." Her head tilted to the side impatiently. "Honestly, seems like you're the stalker, you seem to pay too much attention towards what I'm doing."

I sighed, and turned around and looked into the fountain again.

I heard her chuckle smugly, both of us knowing she won the argument---though I hated to admit it.

So, I continued to observe the water, which illuminated an aqua light on the world around me, including Juliana who wandered around looking at the pillars. She seemed fascinated with all of it, her eyes wide like she was seeing it for the first time-which I assumed was true.

"What're you doing?" Juliana asked with a confused expression as she glanced over at me.

"Staring into the fountain, isn't that obvious?" I replied with an eye roll.

"Why are you staring into a fountain? That sounds boring,"

"I don't know. It just looks cool, like the water's dancing." I said softly, as I dipped my finger into the water.

Her fingers graced the moss on one of the stone pillars with her lips pursed. "Fun." she replied sarcastically.

That's when it hit me. Dance.

I haven't asked anyone to the gala yet, which I'd come to realize was the next day. I groaned with irritation, assuming all of the other girls had dates already. That's when I saw Juliana-in all her arrogant glory.

She may have had a big mouth, was annoying as hell, and hard to tolerate but it was the only option I had.

"Hey, have you ever been to a gala?" I asked timidly. I had no idea what her reaction would be, and I was afraid to find out if it went badly.

Between both of us, Juliana would likely pound me in a heartbeat. Living on the streets where violence was casual, I wouldn't be surprised if she left me walking funny for a week.

She turned to face me with a frown. "No, why?"

I leaned forward my lips set in a thin line. I didn't want to do this, and I would likely regret it, but the Obsidian Gala was tomorrow, and she was my only shot. "Well, there is one happening tomorrow. If you wanted to go-" I coughed and gulped "-with m-me."

Her eyebrow raised with surprise and judgement. "Why me? One, I am human, two, you have plenty of girls at your feet." She responded, her bitter tone arising once more.

I sighed and threw my head back in irritation, the too common comment ringing through my ears like a repetitive siren. "I can't really take anyone else." I replied with an eye roll. "They have dates already."

Juliana scoffed. "That sounds like a personal problem."

I looked straight at her with a glare, "Jesus, you are so annoying."

"Feeling's mutual,"

I sighed and glared at her, yet she didn't return it. "There's no one else, and I have to go. You're the only girl who is available, and who doesn't want to get in my pants."

Juliana watched me with a raised eyebrow.

"Last time she got fired." I stuck my tongue to my cheek, waiting impatiently for her to reply.

"Maria?" She said quietly, and my eyes watched the ground intensely.

"Yeah," I mumbled, before licking my lips nervously. "All she wanted to do was to have a fling with me, and show me off like I was some trophy." I shook my head and sighed. "I was completely clueless. Now, Ms. Jung hates me, and everyone thinks I'm a playboy."

Juliana's eyebrows furrowed, as if she was just told something she hadn't expected. I couldn't help but imagine what was said about me, especially coming from Ms. Jung. It was probably not very good things I presume.

She looked away from me, and bit her lip in thought, before she sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll go."

I smiled in satisfaction, covering up the raging war igniting within my mind. Part of me was going to regret it, taking a human to a Gem's only gala, likely getting me into trouble I didn't want to think about. Meanwhile, the other part of my mind was relieved, that I didn't have to tolerate a horny gem for a couple hours, and could forget the prejudice from one mistake I made.

"Meet me in my room tomorrow at 6 PM, and make sure not to tell Ms. Jung." I whispered and she nodded. "Remember, you'll have to be in disguise though."

"Whatever." She replied sarcastically.

Now, it was set. I was taking a human to a gala.

The next day...

Juliana's POV

It was the day of the gala, and I was terrified as I stood in front of the mirror in the dorm, while Lisa did my makeup.

I had never been to a gala, nor had I ever heard of it. It felt like something beyond me-as if made for a bunch of rich people to gather. Even weirder, I can't believe Taehyung asked me, which made me suspicious.

I groaned and rolled my eyes at my stupidity and impulsiveness, well aware that he had bad reputation. I didn't want to get caught up in all of his drama, no matter how believable his explanation seemed last night.

"I can't believe he asked you!" Lisa chuckled as she touched up my makeup.

"Me neither," I scoffed, as she applied red blush to my cheeks. "I can't believe I said yes. What the fuck was I thinking?!" I exclaimed.

Lisa grabbed my shoulders, and forced me to face the mirror. "It'll be fine. Worse case scenario, we'll just dance in here with Ryujin, while Taehyung will drown in self pity." She squealed with excitement.

I sighed as my eyes met my own in the mirror.

There was no turning back.

Before I knew it, my hands were clammy and red with sweat as I exited the room. My gut was telling me this was a terrible idea, assuming Taehyung was manipulating me into falling for one of his traps.

Or worse, getting me fired for his intense hatred of me. The burn I still had explained that perfectly.

I bit my lip constantly as I maneuvered through the hallways, my feet moving quickly, but my mind wanting to retreat and scold itself for acting without thinking last night. Once his door entered my sight, I let out a shaky exhale, preparing myself for any curve ball this asshole would throw.

I quietly knocked on the door, my gaze flickering both left and right. It was silent until the door swung open, and Taehyung grabbed me harshly, pulling me into his room.

Taehyung's eyes widened as he raised his finger to his lips, and slowly closed the door behind me.

We sat there for a few moments, listening for any sign of a Gem moving through the hall. The silence made my ears pound, and I couldn't take it anymore. "I swear to God, if last night was all an act to embarrass me-"

Taehyung placed his hand over my mouth and glared into my eyes.

"It wasn't." He interrupted, his eyes gazing through his fringed red hair to meet mine. I didn't even realize his appearance until now, with his completely black suit, hair tamed, black shiny shoes on both of his feet, and the ring I knocked a little over a week ago on his gloved finger.

He stepped back, and looked at me with a serious look in his eyes. "I don't want to do this either, trust me, but this is the only choice I have."

I nodded reluctantly.

"First here's your dress," he threw a red dress to me and I caught the slippery fabric. "Be careful, that's my mom's."

My eyes widened with fear and admiration. "You took your mom's dress?!" I questioned with a squeak of surprise. "Damn if she finds out, she'll murder you." I chuckled lightly, but Taehyung didn't.

His large hands instead tightened into fists, while his body stiffened like stone. I watched with worry as Taehyung gulped loudly, and his face grew sickly pale.

My eyebrows furrowed, stepping toward him to grab his attention, yet his eyes were in a daze. "You good?"

Taehyung blinked, his eyes falling on me again, instead with a more uncomfortable look. "This is a wig I bought. It's red so people will think you're under the Garnet sect." He handed it to me, completely disregarding what had just occurred.

I wanted to ask, but from seeing his face contort in sadness, as if he was holding in a wave of emotions I decided to restrain myself. I sighed before awkwardly walking into the bathroom to change, leaving Taehyung in the bedroom.

As I shut the door in the bathroom, I changed into the dress. I touched the fabric tenderly-I couldn't help but feel naked in it. It displayed my shoulders nicely, with a slit that ran up my left leg.

It would've been more comfortable had it not been baggy in some places, or if I had more curves to my ruler like figure, the dress would've looked as it was supposed to.

I pulled the wig over my head, watching as the red hair cascaded down my back much like the other rich Gems. I gazed at myself in the mirror; full face of makeup, the dress and the hair. I didn't look like the 18-year-old Annie I was viewed as by others, I almost didn't recognize myself underneath it all. I sighed, reminding myself this was only for a few hours.

I stepped out of the bathroom, adjusting the itchy wig on my head. Taehyung stood from the edge of the bed, and turned to face me. His eyes widened when his gaze met my form, clearly having no clue what to say. Instead he gulped and looked down, while I rolled my eyes.

"What?" I asked with a smirk.

His expression saddened, "you look like somebody I know." Taehyung said quietly. My smirk softened, in exchange for a confused frown.

Taehyung shook his head before speaking again. "We should go, the gala is starting soon."

***

Sitting in the car with Taehyung driving was something I would've never expected. I initially presumed he'd have a driver of some sort, since he was a replacement of the Order, but I suppose not. Every once in a while, Taehyung continued stealing glances of me, but I didn't tease him like I would have.

Because they were almost sad glances, filled with regret. I couldn't help but feel guilty beneath those eyes, but I fought to ignore it, keeping my eyes on the road.

Taehyung eventually stopped the car in front of a massive glass building, the lights inside making it look like a diamond compared to the darkening blue sky. He shifted to look straight into my eyes, his gaze hard and narrow.

"Before you go in there," Taehyung said, his voice deeper than I ever heard it, "don't speak unless necessary, since most of it is going to be just for business, so just keep quiet."

I gave a quick nod in response knowing that it needed to be followed whether I liked it or not. Rules and I typically didn't mix well, especially when it involved speaking. But now, I knew that I needed to disguise that idea for the night---for blending in was key, otherwise I was in deep shit not just with Ms. Jung.

Taehyung opened the door on his side, stepping out of the car. I did the same, walking toward the large concrete steps. Both of us paused hesitantly, glancing at each other before we stepped up slowly toward the doors.

This was it.

[A/N]

Hate to be the pessimist, but from here, shit is gonna start going down and real fast lmao😬

I suppose that's a good thing, because I feel like this story is moving so slow...like nothing exciting has happened. Besides Juliana stealing an orange and the occasional argument with Taehyung💀

Idk lmk if it's boring you cuz I think about that a lot these days.

Byeee!🤗