"Did your talk with Nabi yesterday go well? I'll be actually upset if it didn't because we had to do so much just so you girls can clear the air" Taehyung nudged Joohyun by his shoulder who zoned out for a second.

"Huh? oh yeah,we talked it out and it went well. she agreed to be civil,also brought up how I don't like how she talks about you and she said she would apologise to you so yeah hear her out if she comes to you" She explained what happened. Taehyung let out a sigh.

"Sure,I would be shocked if that happens but ofcourse I would not close the door on her if she comes. Forget about her,let's talk about us" Taehyung faced her,putting his hands on her waist and making her face him.

She raised her eyebrow in curiosity. "Us?"

"Yes,us. I am not quite sure where we stand because we exchanged a few kisses but that's it,it's like we are friends and nothing more,do you want us to be just that?" He questioned her,judging her facial expression to see if there's a hint of rejection.

"No, I want us to be more but to take it slow. I like you and I want to explore our connection,if it takes us to a romantic or friendly route then so be it" Joohyun tried to explain and Taehyung knew what she was getting at.

"So if someone walks through that door who is 10/10 and totally your type your head could be turned?"

"Obviously, wouldn't yours turn too? it's not like we are in a relationship yet, Though I won't lie I am pretty fixated on you at the moment so making my head turn won't be easy at all. It would take a bombshell to walk through that door to make me dump what we have to pursue something new" What she says is perfect for Taehyung.

It's what he wanted. He likes Joohyun but not romantically yet, they have sexual tension and that's it. If She also isn't head over heels for him that is even better. He won't have to worry about playing with someone's feelings. He isn't mean though, once Joohyun starts showing signs of falling, he would tell her what he's here for.

He doesn't want to hurt anyone as that's not his intention but he has to use someone to win this game so someone being on board with his propaganda is all he wants.

"Fair enough, I will fight for you and prove to you that liking me won't be a waste of your time, no matter who walks through that door you will come back to me" He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"Quite confident, Aren't ya'? I like it. Keep this up and I will fall in no time" He knows exactly what to not do. Giving her a smile in response and looking aside when he heard yelling.

Scanning the swimming pool area just for his eyes to land on Jeongguk who had his eyebrows arched together in an unbelievable look,Scoffing at whatever Nabi was saying to him. He said something back to her,it was hard to interpret what he was saying from this far away.

Nabi walked away after whatever he said,stomping her foot loudly on the ground like a child throwing a tantrum. Jeongguk rubbed his forehead,sighing when his eyes suddenly met Taehyung's. He eyed him for a second and then signaled him to come inside.

"I think they are fighting,I would go check up on Jeongguk" Taehyung quickly walked out of the open kitchen,following Jeongguk who walked into the Villa. Leaving Joohyun alone there.

Tiptoeing into the bedrooms to see Jeongguk standing in the corner,With his head down. He sneaked up to him and tapped on his shoulder,making Jeongguk flinch.

"You scared the shit out of me, How did you come inside so quietly?" Jeongguk asked Taehyung, who smiled and then shrugged. "Doesn't matter,I am here for you, are you okay?"

"I am fine,why would I not be?" He tried to play dumb.

"We all saw you arguing with Nabi, come on tell me what is it?" He grabbed Jeongguk's hand and started to rub circles on his palm.

"It's nothing,we just had a little fight-"

"-Jeongguk don't lie to me"

"I am not lying, It's a small fight. We will handle it…." He looked at Jeongguk with a "Be reasonable" look so the latter just sighed.

"Just…can I hug you? please" He pleaded to him. Taehyung didn't answer him and threw his arms around Jeongguk's shoulder pulling the latter in a hug.

Engulfed into his arms,The raven head put his arms around Taehyung's small waist and pulled their bodies together. Burying his head into Taehyung's neck. The other could feel his warm breath on his neck and the silence was too loud  he could feel his heartbeat.

It was a bit suspicious and his suspicion just rose when Jeongguk reached closer to his ear and kissed it. "Meet me in the storage room in about 5 minutes" He whispered so it wouldn't be catched into their mics or the camera.

He separated them from the hug with a rather confused expression. "Thank you hyung, I really needed that. Don't worry about me,I am alright" He patted the other man's shoulder and walked out of the room,leaving a still very confused Taehyung standing.

Figured he was going to sit here for a few minutes. Doesn't want to look suspicious,he can't believe he is technically sneaking out with Jeongguk as If they are teenagers with a crush on eachother but can't be open in front of their parents.

"I am too old to be doing this" He muttered under his breath,looking at his watch to see that quite some time had passed.

Getting up from the bed he walked out of the room. The hallway was clear so he quickly made a turn to the storage room hallway. Grabbing the door handle once he reached it and turning it to open it.

Greeted by a rather dark room that had Jeongguk in the corner with a cigarette in his hands. He took another puff when he heard the door open, turning around to see Taehyung walk in. His facial expression changed when Taehyung walked in.

"You came"

"I didn't have much choice so…what's up?" He stood in front of Jeongguk who maintained eye contact with him.

"I despise Nabi" Jeongguk said to him and honestly Taehyung was a bit taken back by the sudden confession.

"Woah,what's up with you and hating all the girls you have been coupled up with?"

"I somehow manage to attract the most annoying ones. It's not my fault" He came to his own defense. Taehyung sighed,tired of Nabi shenanigans too.

"What did she do?"

"She's just so rude. She was complaining that I didn't give her attention when we literally almost went to second base last night like what more does she want from me? '' I didn't even want to do anything but she insisted" He confessed and that shocked the latter.

"Second base? like…touching? Are you for real? I didn't know you liked her that much"

"I don't!! I am going to tell you something that you can't tell anyone" Jeongguk put both of his hands on Taehyung's shoulder, Looking at him with stern eyes. He was serious. He just nodded in response.

"I don't like Nabi, I didn't even want to choose her at the recoupling,the producers called me and they said I have to choose Nabi because
They knew no one else would choose her but she brings drama and they need that for views,so I had to choose her so she can stay" He gave out the confidential information.

"Are you serious?? That's literally cheating. They can't just force you to choose someone you don't like"

"I agreed with them. I didn't want to be with Bora anymore so it had to be her. I thought maybe I should give her a chance but the more time we spend together I feel like I'm faking my feelings for her and forcing myself to do the things she wants. So we argued today and I told her off this morning like I am doing the most, I can't be doing too much,I am a human after all" He ranted to Taehyung who can't help but feel bad.

"I understand, it's a really shitty situation you are in,Jeongguk. Just hold out till recoupling I guess because producers fucked you over but it's their show and we are just puppets here to entertain them. I also haven't been really honest here…" Taehyung decided if Jeongguk told him this,he could trust him with his secret too.

"What do you mean?"

"It's not a similar situation to you. I do genuinely like my relationship with Joohyun,she's gorgeous and so fun to be around but my main aim in coming here was never love but money instead" He confessed to him. The silence was making him overwhelmed.

"Do you have financial problems because then I understand-"

"I make quite good money but I think something like that. It's actually related to my father,he has a really contagious rare disease and since it's highly rare in Korea there's no good doctors for him. I have to fly him to another country like in America so he can get treated and traveling, staying in America with him, the cost of the treatment, everything requires so much money that even if I empty my savings account I would still need more." Explaining the situation made it alot better because now Jeongguk wasn't judging him.

"That's totally understandable, Taehyung. I don't blame you at all. If we are all being honest Money is definitely the main reason many of us are here too. Like $100k is a life changing amount. It does worry me a bit though like…does that mean you have been faking your relationships?" Jeongguk asked him and Taehyung avoided eye contact.

"Bora? yes, I was tolerating her and Joohyun…no I think I am genuinely interested into getting to know her but I need to win this game and if it comes to it I would prioritize my chances of winning over my chances of getting a girlfriend anyday…I'm sorry if it makes you see me as some gold digger."

"No,I am just surprised. I am fortunate enough to not have any problems like that so I won't know what you are going through. Though I do think if you find someone here,you should give them a chance,a genuine chance because even if you don't win the money…you will have someone to be by your side outside who will help you out through these hard times." Jeongguk caressed his face with a soft smile.

"Thank you, Jeongguk. That doesn't sound too bad either. I will obviously put energy into someone if I think I have a chance with them, I would not just let it go to waste for my greed for money,so don't worry about that. I am just glad you understand because you can literally go out and tell everyone this and next thing I know I'm going home" He joked around with him,making Jeongguk chuckle.

He ruffled his hair. "I would never do that,you going home is the last thing I want because you are the only person I like around here" He put his hands on Taehyung's waist,pulling him a bit closer.

"you are just saying that to hype me up but okay"

"I am not, I'm serious"

"Jeongguk,There's no way you don't like seeing any of those attractive girls outside more than me."

"I don't, there's not anyone in that Villa that is my type except maybe you" Jeongguk saying that made his stomach flutter. "Too bad we can't date the same gender here because I would choose you and you again." Jeongguk said while giving him this suggestive look.

"Don't look at me like that"

"Or what?"

"I might do something I would regret"

Instead of a response, he saw Jeongguk's lips being curled into a rather teasing smile. He looked at him as if he was challenging Taehyung to do what he might 'regret'. And Taehyung always loves a challenge and he really doesn't like backing down either.

So he grabbed Jeongguk's wrist, pulling him towards himself and when their lips were just inches apart, He leaned in and pressed their lips together into a passionate kiss. This was a long time coming for both of them.

The second their lips attached together, Jeongguk put his hands on Taehyung's waist,it fit so perfectly like it belonged there. He didn't even hesitate for a second to kiss him back. He was actually waiting for this and Jeongguk can't believe it is Taehyung making the first move in this relationship they have.

Softest lips Jeongguk has ever tasted, that's for sure. He kept on leaning more in and in,Taking him in as much as he could. They were hungry for a taste,so Jeongguk took them to the next step and slightly bit Taehyung's lips and parched them so he could insert his tongue inside. Taking the older boy a bit back who was in a daze.

He had lost control of his whole body. His hands were around Jeongguk's shoulders and it kept on pulling them together. He almost lost his balance when his back hit the wall and suddenly he was pinned against the wall,being kissed like it was his last time.

When he started to suck on his tongue,that's where Taehyung felt chills run down his spine. This fiery feeling inside of his chest was burning him. How could one kiss make him this turned on?

That was also the moment he realized he needed to snap out of it. This has gone too far than he expected it to be. He is kissing Jeon Jeongguk and he wants more. He can't  have that,not as long as he is in this game. He has a partner that can carry him to the finals, but he can't have Jeongguk by his side with all that.

Taehyung can't play with Jeongguk's feelings like this if he has no plans of being with him. The younger is much more genuine than him so he can't promise him things he can't give and lead him on when there's no end to them. He also only has sexual attraction to Jeongguk- or so he thinks -so it's just unfair.

Immediately pulling away from the kiss to state at Jeongguk with wide eyes as the reality dawned upon him. Jeongguk, whose lips were almost swollen from the intense making out, stared at Taehyung in confusion.

"Wha-" Getting cut off by Taehyung who didn't even let him finish.

"Let's never do this again, I can't give you what you want, Jeongguk. We shouldn't have done this, I'm sorry" He slammed it upon him and turned away so he could dash out of this room. Opening the door and getting out,leaving a very confused Jeongguk standing there and thinking where they went wrong.

To avoid thinking about what he just did, he heard shouting and yelling coming from the terrace. Someone other than him having problems will always give him peace because now he can be distracted easily.

He definitely isn't going to interrupt anyone but he leaned against the terrace door so he can eavesdrop. It shouldn't matter to anyone because their argument is going to be shown to millions of people on TV,it isn't a big deal if he is listening to it too…but live.

The voices were a bit muffled but it got clearer the louder they were. Definitely a couple but it's hard to recognise which one. He definitely hears Sangwoo's voice and maybe Yeri? It can't be her,who is coupled up with Sangwoo?....Jiyeon!! Yes, it's her.

"You are so ridiculous!" Jiyeon yelled loudly.

"How am I ridiculous? I just asked you a question,you don't have to raise your voice" Sangwoo responded back to her,leaning back against the sofa that was on this terrace.

"You are mad,Sangwoo. You are mad because I'm talking to other guys. Do you even hear yourself right now?"

"And what's so wrong about it? We are in a couple Jiyeon, I deserve some sort of loyalty from you"

"Loyalty?? Sangwoo, We got coupled up two days ago and I have been here only for 5 days I think. I don't owe you anything because we are not exclusive and we aren't dating either. I can get to know other guys If I want to,I only owe you something when I decide I want something with other guys and not you,otherwise it's my choice Sangwoo not yours." She put him in his place and even Taehyung agreed with her.

"Am I not enough? Why are you going around talking to other guys?"

"That's not the point, the point is if I was outside you wouldn't have even known I'm talking to other guys and if there was something between us that I felt could last longer I would have put all of my energy into you!! We barely know each other yet Sangwoo."

"But what about me? should I sit here and wait for you to make a decision like your servant that whenever you command we can move forward. I can always gather up other girls by just snapping but I am not because of you" He responded to her and Jiyeon felt taken back.

"Why are you being so mean all of a sudden? Does your masculine ego can't take the fact that you are not my first priority? Maybe I did the right thing by getting to know other boys because you are being an asshole right now" She stood up from the sofa pointing her fingers at him.

"I have no desire to be disrespected by someone who I lowered my standards for. So goodbye Sangwoo, we are done" Jiyeon yelled at him one last time before her footsteps got closer to the door and that's when Taehyung immediately ran towards the nearest room and went inside.

Staying in there for awhile when he heard her heels click clack from the hallway and it got further and further away. He sighed knowing he was in a safe zone.

He is definitely with Jiyeon on this one. Sangwoo shouldn't be this possessive so early into whatever they have because you can't even call it a relationship they have not reached that level yet. It's a red flag honestly and Jiyeon just escaped him.

Another thing is that,this will help the attention being swayed to them and not the awkward tension he and Jeongguk would be having from now on because after making out with the boy in the storage room…he doesn't think they can go back to what they were before. Things have changed and so have feelings.

He feels things,whether it is mostly sexual- and maybe even romantic but Taehyung refuses to acknowledge that-  He can't act upon his feelings and therefore whatever they have needs to be stopped.

His heart needs to stop beating for someone who he can't even claim to be his.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
for those who are wondering if this is cheating or not,it's not. You can kiss other contestants and get to know them while you are coupled up with someone else. It would be cheating if you and your couple decided to be official boyfriends/girlfriends and be fully exclusive.

Hope yall liked it
love yall
-K