Tae took a deep breath as he stepped into the bustling shopping district, his heart racing with excitement and nerves. He had planned this day carefully, wanting to make it special for Ariana—especially after the emotional conversation they had shared in the kitchen. He wanted to show her that she deserved to be treated well, to have someone in her corner who cared about her needs and desires.

“Ariana,” he said, turning to her with a bright smile. “Are you ready for a shopping spree?”

Ariana glanced around, her eyes widening at the array of stores before them. “Tae, I really don’t need much,” she protested, biting her lip as she glanced at the designer clothes displayed in the window of a nearby boutique. “I just wanted to pick up a few supplies for the bakery.”

He shook his head, his expression softening. “Nonsense. Today is about you. You deserve more than just the essentials. Let’s treat ourselves.” He reached for her hand, and for a moment, she hesitated, the warmth of his grip both comforting and exhilarating.

“Okay, but I don’t want to break the bank,” she said, trying to sound firm, but her resolve wavered as Tae led her into the first store.

As they stepped inside, Ariana was immediately enveloped by the soft music and the smell of fresh cotton. She let out a small gasp as her eyes wandered the racks filled with colorful dresses, tops, and accessories. She had always loved fashion but had rarely indulged in it, especially after everything that had happened in her life.

“I’ll just look,” she murmured, moving toward a rack of dresses, but Tae was quick to follow her.

“You’ll do more than just look,” he replied, a teasing lilt in his voice. “If you see something you like, I want you to try it on. You need to have fun.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm as she picked out a flowy sundress, its vibrant colors catching her eye. “Alright, just this one,” she said, holding it up for him to see.

“Perfect choice,” he grinned, and she felt her heart flutter at his excitement. “Now go try it on.”

Ariana glanced around the store, feeling a rush of anxiety mixed with anticipation. She was not used to being pampered like this, and it felt oddly freeing. “Okay, fine,” she said, heading toward the changing room, a small part of her wondering if she should feel guilty about the attention Tae was showering on her.

As she slipped into the dress, she caught her reflection in the mirror. The fabric hugged her curves just right, and she twirled to see how it flowed around her. A smile crept onto her face—she felt beautiful.

When she stepped out to show Tae, she found him waiting eagerly outside the changing room, his eyes lighting up when he saw her. “Wow,” he breathed, looking her up and down. “You look amazing.”

Ariana felt her cheeks heat up under his gaze, a mix of embarrassment and pleasure flooding through her. “Really?” she asked, twisting the fabric nervously.

“Absolutely,” he said, stepping closer. “You have to get it. I’ll buy it for you.”

“Tae, I—” she started, but he cut her off.

“No protests. Just let me treat you. I want to do this for you,” he insisted, his eyes earnest.

“Okay,” she finally relented, feeling a flutter of joy at his insistence. She stepped back into the changing room, beaming as she changed back into her clothes.

After purchasing the dress, they moved on to other stores, each time Tae encouraging her to try on whatever caught her eye. A pair of shoes here, a chic handbag there, and every single item seemed to make her feel more and more like herself—something she had almost forgotten in the chaos of the past months.

“This is getting out of hand,” Ariana laughed, looking at the pile of bags in Tae’s hands.

“Not even close,” he replied, grinning at her. “You deserve every bit of this and more. You’re amazing, Ariana.”

Her heart swelled at his compliment, and she felt herself relax more around him. “You really don’t have to do all this,” she said, but she knew deep down she was grateful for his generosity. It was nice to be treated like this.

As they strolled through the last store of the day, Tae suddenly turned serious. “You know,” he began, glancing over at her. “I told Jungkook about Bella’s childhood. He needed to understand why she is the way she is.”

Ariana’s expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and gratitude filling her. “You did?” she asked softly.

“Yeah. I thought it was important for him to see the whole picture, especially since you’re both so close. I wanted him to realize that she’s not just a strong woman; she’s a survivor.”

Ariana nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. “Thank you, Tae. That means a lot. Bella has been through so much, and sometimes I worry that people see her as just a fierce leader without understanding the struggles she’s faced.”

Tae smiled softly at her. “I get that. And I think Jungkook does too now. He cares about her. He wants to support her just like I want to support you.”

She looked down at her feet, the weight of her past tugging at her heart. “I just wish I could protect her from everything that happened to us. I don’t want her to feel like she has to take on everything by herself.”

“You’re doing your part by being there for her,” Tae said, lifting her chin gently to meet his gaze. “And you’re stronger than you realize, Ariana. You’ve been through hell, and yet here you are, trying to help her. That’s incredibly brave.”

A warmth spread through her at his words, filling her with a sense of hope. “I want to be there for her. I want to make things better for her. She deserves happiness.”

“And so do you,” Tae replied earnestly. “You’re a part of this family now, and we’re all going to support each other. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Ariana felt a surge of gratitude for him, for the way he had stepped into her life and made her feel cherished. It was more than she had ever expected to find after everything that had happened.

“Okay, enough of this serious talk,” Tae said, breaking the moment with a playful grin. “Let’s go get some ice cream to celebrate your new wardrobe.”

Ariana laughed, feeling lighter at the thought. “That sounds perfect.”

As they left the store, bags in tow, Tae held the door open for her, a charming smile on his face. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the streets as they made their way to the nearby ice cream parlor.

“What flavors do you like?” he asked, glancing down at her with an eager expression.

“I love chocolate, but I also have a soft spot for strawberry,” she admitted, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Strawberry it is, then! I’ll get chocolate, and we can share.”

As they walked, their conversation flowed effortlessly, laughter spilling between them. Tae was determined to keep the mood light, and he filled the air with playful banter, teasing her about the items she had chosen to buy.

“I can’t believe you chose that ridiculous hat,” he said, shaking his head dramatically. “What were you thinking?”

Ariana giggled, shaking her head. “It’s stylish! You just don’t have the fashion sense to appreciate it.”

Tae gasped in mock offense. “Me? No fashion sense? That’s rich coming from someone who just bought a pink sundress.”

“It’s a statement piece!” she defended, laughter bubbling out of her.

As they approached the ice cream shop, Ariana felt a flutter of happiness in her chest. It was such a simple moment, but it felt monumental. She was learning to embrace the joys in her life, to open herself up to new experiences and relationships.

After ordering their ice creams, they stepped outside to enjoy their treats under the fading sun. Tae took a big scoop of chocolate, his eyes sparkling with delight. “This is the best day ever,” he declared, taking a moment to savor the flavor.

Ariana nodded, licking her strawberry ice cream. “I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”

Their eyes met, and in that moment, a spark of something unspoken lingered between them—a connection that was growing deeper with every passing day.

As they continued to share their ice creams and banter, Ariana couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope blooming within her. The darkness of her past was still there, but it didn’t have to define her future. She had people in her life who cared, who wanted to support her, and most importantly, she had a chance to rebuild.

And with Tae by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next.