"Tae, this place is beautiful!" Scarlet yells, pulling out her phone to take a picture of the ocean view. Even though she's loud and attracting all attention from the pool area, I can agree. Watching the orange sunset is truly a different experience when you're in nature. The glow over the water is gorgeous.

"Yeah, it's quite a sight." Jimin smiles, leaning into his girlfriend while Taehyung and I stand beside each other like to poles. We're both still traumatised from the front desk offering us protection. An assumption that almost had Taehyung leave the building with the three of us in tow. The only reason we stayed was because our rooms had instantly been upgraded to penthouses as an apology for assuming we were on a couples trip.

Ever since the situation, the man has been quiet. No sarcastic remarks, insults or teasing leaving his being. Only head nods and fake smiles that look like he needs to use the loo.

"You okay?" I ask, brushing his arm with my own, only for Taehyung to recoil with panic in his eyes. The action causes me to frown.

"Y-yeah," Cough, "I'm fine. Just a little tired." He lies because he didn't drive us all the way. If anything, Jimin should be the one catching a couple of naps. Tonight's Taehyung's birthday and there's no way we're going into it without a few glasses of champagne. He wouldn't want us to.

I decide not to probe too much. If he wants to speak, he'll speak. For as long as we've been friends, Taehyung has never been able to keep anything to himself. Whatever has got him in this state, will eventually come out. It always does.

Jimin and Scarlet start taking photos looking like a modern Romeo and Juliet. The only part I'm looking forward to is the death. Not that I want either of them to die. What I mean is the point at which she breaks his heart and he comes crying in my arms. It's alway how it plays out. Maybe this time, he'll see why we should be together instead.

I shake myself of my jealous thoughts. This trip is supposed to help us grow closer together. Close enough for Jimin to feel better about our relationship with his girlfriend. We'd reluctantly agreed.

"Elle, let's take a picture together." She smiles, pulling me in for a selfie.

The picture comes out beautifully. With the golden glow of the sun and our very different, but beautiful features, I can say that it's a good shot.

-

"Are you going to tell me what's plaguing your mind?" I slide in next to Taehyung. The booth we'd booked is empty because Jimin and Scarlet are currently dancing. This leaves us with enough privacy to talk.

Said male takes a huge gulp of his drink. Not alcohol, but rather a can of coke. It's unusual considering we're here to celebrate. Even I've had a glass of red wine.

"Nothing, I'm just not in the mood for celebrating." He shrugs, trying to play off his weird behavior. He forgets that I know him well enough to know that he's lying.

"Is this about the couples thing earlier?" I ask, not caring that he chokes on his drink in response.

"Elle, it's noth-"

"Taehyung, don't lie to me."

He glances at me, appalled at the use of his full name. It only ever comes out in arguments or disagreements. This is not one of those, but his weird behaviour is annoying me. We've never had awkward air around us, so why start now?

"Why are you upset?" He asks, turning to face his whole body toward me. The drink he's been nursing long forgotten and moved to the side. It's probably going flat as we speak.

"You're being one sided and quiet for no reason-"

"There is a reason." He interrupts, still holding eye contact.

I shrug, urging him to continue speaking.

"Earlier at the desk, why didn't you say anything when they thought were together? They offered us condoms, Elle." He reminds , still not leaving my gaze. The question throws me off guard because I didn't see it as such a big deal. In the moment, I didn't mind sharing a room.

"That's why you're being weird?"

"We don't share beds, Elle." He answers, "Yes, we kiss, we cuddle, but we never sleep together."

I roll my eyes at him. "It's not like I'm going to fall in love with you." I retort, knowing Taehyung has a slight fear of love and falling in love. It's the reason why he's not an active member of the dating society. He loves the chase, but not the romantic feelings that come with it. If anyone gets to close, he dumps them with immediate effect. No questions asked.

He scoffs, "Funny that you think I'm worried about you and not myself."

My ears perk up at his words. Mind immediately playing the words over again, while my eyes stare at the man with uncertainty.

"What are you saying?"

"You heard me." He replies, turning back toward the scene. Bodies colliding and swaying to the beat. All having a good time, whilst I'm trying to understand what Kim Taehyung means. Does he mean what I think he means? If so then we're in danger.

"Now you're quiet and being weird." He notices.

"Well, you just shocked me-"

"Yeah, don't think about it. I'm only halfway there." He smiles, standing to his feet, "I'll see you tomorrow. Hopefully you have enough alcohol to forget this conversation."

I nod, watching as he leaves me in utter shock. It's not that he's said he likes me, but the insinuation of it makes me nervous. While I'd been openly pining after Jimin, Taehyung has been secretly pining after me?

The thought alone boggles me and as much as I know he won't want to talk about it, I can't help but want to know how and why. So, doing the exact opposite, I follow after the tall male, needing answers to the questions he's just put in my head.

-

A/N

It's been a while, but I'm back. I hope you enjoy this Chapter. Vote and comment. Thank you. ❤️