Ariana sat on the patio of the mansion, watching the sun slowly descend beyond the horizon. The soft hues of orange and pink stretched across the sky, creating a peaceful backdrop to the quiet evening. She sipped her tea, enjoying the cool breeze that swept through the garden, rustling the leaves and offering a moment of calm amidst the chaos that had surrounded her life lately.

Her gaze drifted towards the large glass windows of the mansion, where she could see Isabella and Jungkook inside, laughing together. The two of them had grown closer than ever, their connection deepening with each passing day. Ariana couldn’t help but smile at the sight of them—Isabella, who had once been so guarded, now openly affectionate, and Jungkook, whose tough exterior had softened in the presence of her sister. They were sickeningly lovey-dovey, and while it made Ariana roll her eyes sometimes, she was genuinely happy for them.

Still, a part of her couldn’t help but feel a little left out. She wasn’t envious—far from it. After everything she’d been through, romance was the last thing on her mind. But seeing Isabella and Jungkook together, so content and in love, made Ariana wonder if she would ever find that kind of connection again.

She let out a soft sigh and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment. The peace of the evening was comforting, but the quiet gave her too much time to think. Too much time to remember the horrors she had endured during her time with the Italians. The physical wounds had healed, thanks to Isabella’s care, but the emotional scars still lingered.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She opened her eyes and turned her head to see Taehyung making his way toward her. He had a casual, easygoing gait, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, and a slight smile on his lips. Tae had always been a little enigmatic—quiet, yet observant, always with a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“Hey,” he greeted her, his deep voice smooth as he sat down in the chair next to hers.

Ariana smiled politely, though she felt a little caught off guard. She hadn’t really spoken to Tae much since they had returned from rescuing her. He had always been there, of course—part of the group, part of the rescue—but they hadn’t had a proper conversation. Now, as he sat beside her, it was clear that he had something on his mind.

“Hey,” she replied softly, setting her tea down on the small table in front of her. “What’s up?”

Tae shrugged, leaning back in his chair as he glanced out at the horizon. “Not much. Just thought I’d come out here and see how you’re doing.”

Ariana raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by his sudden interest. “I’m okay,” she said after a pause. “Just… you know, trying to adjust to everything.”

“I get it,” Tae nodded, his tone understanding. He didn’t push, which Ariana appreciated. Instead, he let the silence stretch between them for a moment, the sound of the wind filling the gap.

After a while, Tae cleared his throat and spoke again, this time more casually. “You know, Isabella and Jungkook are really something, huh? I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of them so… soft.”

Ariana laughed, unable to help herself. “Yeah, it’s kind of gross how cute they are together.”

Tae chuckled, a deep, warm sound. “I thought I was the only one who thought that. They’re so in love, it’s like they’re living in their own little bubble.”

“Right?” Ariana shook her head, still smiling. “I’ve never seen Isabella like this. She’s always been the strong, independent type, but now she’s all… cuddly.”

“Cuddly?” Tae echoed, raising an eyebrow in amusement. “That’s a word I never thought I’d hear used to describe Isabella.”

“Me neither,” Ariana admitted. “But I guess love does that to people.”

Tae glanced at her, his eyes flickering with something unreadable for a moment before he looked away again. “Yeah… it does.”

Ariana sensed a shift in the conversation, and for a brief second, she wondered if Tae had come out here for more than just small talk. She could feel the weight of his presence, the way his attention lingered on her a little longer than usual, and it made her a little nervous. Not in a bad way—just uncertain.

“So,” Tae began again, his voice casual but with a hint of curiosity, “how are you holding up? I mean, really.”

Ariana hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly around the edge of her tea cup. “I’m… okay,” she said slowly, not entirely sure how much she wanted to share. “It’s been a lot to process, but I’m getting there.”

Tae nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “I can’t even imagine what you went through,” he said quietly. “But if you ever want to talk about it… I’m here.”

Ariana glanced at him, her heart softening at the sincerity in his voice. Tae wasn’t the type to pry or push people to open up, but he was always there, offering support in his own quiet way. She appreciated that about him—his patience, his understanding.

“Thanks,” she said, her voice a little softer. “I might take you up on that sometime.”

Tae smiled, a gentle curve of his lips that made her feel a little more at ease. “Anytime.”

They sat in silence for a while after that, the evening growing darker as the sun disappeared behind the horizon. The soft glow of the patio lights illuminated their surroundings, casting a warm light over the garden and the mansion beyond.

As Ariana sat there, she found herself stealing glances at Tae, something she hadn’t done before. There was something calming about him, something steady that made her feel safe, even in the midst of everything she had been through. He had been the one to find her, to carry her out of that hellish place, and though she hadn’t said it out loud, she was grateful to him.

“What about you?” she asked suddenly, turning the conversation back to him. “How are you holding up?”

Tae raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting the question. “Me? I’m fine.”

“Really?” Ariana challenged, her tone light but curious. “Because I’ve noticed you’ve been a little quieter than usual lately.”

Tae chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I guess I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?” she pressed, genuinely curious.

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking towards her before he answered. “Just… life. The usual stuff. You know how it is.”

Ariana narrowed her eyes playfully. “That’s vague.”

Tae laughed, shaking his head. “Okay, fine. You got me. I guess I’ve been thinking about… the future. What’s next for me.”

Ariana tilted her head, intrigued. “And? Do you have any plans?”

Tae’s eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, and Ariana felt her heartbeat quicken slightly. There was something in the way he looked at her, something unspoken but undeniable.

“I’m not sure yet,” he said finally, his voice soft. “But I think I’m starting to figure it out.”

Ariana smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest that she hadn’t expected. “Well, whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

Tae returned her smile, a soft, almost imperceptible shift in his demeanor. “Thanks, Ariana.”

As they sat there together, the quiet evening surrounding them, Ariana couldn’t shake the feeling that something was beginning to change between them. It was subtle, almost unnoticeable, but it was there—a connection, a spark.

And maybe, just maybe, it was the beginning of something new.