"You're not going anywhere near that man, Tae."

Jimin firmly said, eyes showing irritation, knowing Jungkook called and demanded to meet him.

"He's right, Tae. Meeting him will only worsen the situation." Jin agreed, his eyes showing concern for the younger.

"Right now, paparazzis are out there in the open. They'll surely trail behind wherever you go." Jin added, trying to weigh the situation.

The brunet sighed, slumping back on the couch, gripping his phone in hand.

"I-- What should I do?" Taehyung asked in a low voice.

This is all his fault. If he hadn't been so dumb, these things wouldn't have happened.

"If he really wants to talk about the issue, it's best if Namjoon is with you." Jimin uttered which Jin easily agreed on.

"Let Namjoon take care of everything, Tae. For now, let's get ready for our photo shoot." Jin uttered, caressing Taehyung's back.

The brunet mindlessly nodded his head, trying his best to get rid of the thoughts that will hinder his performance.

The three main models began their scheduled photo shoot. During the whole time, Taehyung focused on being beautiful and attractive in front of the camera.

His friends tried to cheer him up from time to time, lifting up the mood every break they get. They didn't say anything that will remind him of the situation until they were able to wrap things up.

"Damn. I'm so tired." Jimin groaned, letting his tired body fall on the couch inside Taehyung's dressing room.

The brunet smiled, facing his reflection in the mirror as he removes his makeup. He just silently listened to his friend's whining about how the photographer kept on asking him to repeat the shots multiple times.

"I'm so fucking tired I want Yoongi to fuck me so bad." Jimin blurted out, making Taehyung roll his eyes.

"TMI, bitch." Taehyung said in a faked disgust.

He stood and went to grab his clothes in his cabinet with Jimin still lazily lying on the couch. He went inside the comfort room to get dressed since his friend seems to not leave any moment soon.

He was lifting his shirt off when he heard Jimin's voice from the outside.

"By the way, Jin said Namjoon's flying to New York tomorrow so he might have to hold the meeting with the jerk until he gets back."

Taehyung sighed, quickly dressing up to his comfy clothes before going out. The pent up frustration suddenly coming back to him as he sat opposite to where Jimin is lying.

Jimin raised his brows as he stared at him, observing his reaction.

"Isn't that great. You won't be needing to see that jerk again." He uttered, taking note of how defeated he looks.

Taehyung didn't comment. He just shrugged his shoulders, thrashing his body on the couch, eyes fixated on the ceiling.

It's for the better if Namjoon will be handling the issue with Jungkook without him being involved. He wouldn't have to deal with him on his own and probably get hurt again by his words.

It's for the better.

However, he's unaware that his face shows disappointment and longing which Jimin clearly saw.

"Bitch. Don't you even dare contact him."

Taehyung snapped his head towards Jimin's direction.

"What?" He asked, blinking his eyes at his friend's remarks.

"It's as clear as the day that you're disappointed for not seeing that jerk. Bitch, don't even think about it." Jimin warned, making him blush.

"I am not disappointed." Taehyung denied, averting his gaze.

"Yeah? Well your acting is not very convincing." Jimin pointed out, making him groan in frustration.

"Shut up." Taehyung dismissed, turning his back on his friend who just kept on teasing him.

-------

"Taehyung, guess who's here and brought you flowers." Jimin beamed, his brows wiggling in excitement.

Taehyung furrows his brows, not understanding what he's saying.

"Who?"

Jimin turned his head towards the door of his dressing room where a man is standing with his smile plastered on his face.

"Hi."

The brunet forced a smile, seeing the man enter.

"Hello, Bogum hyung." Taehyung greeted, politely taking the flowers the man offered him.

"I hope that cheers you up." Bogum said, his eyes admiring the beauty in front of him.

Taehyung just simply smiled. He placed the flowers on the table, discreetly looking at Jimin, sending him the kind of look that says "H-E-L-P".

Jimin took on the message as he made his way near their unexpected guest.

"Hyung, have you seen the reporters outside?" He asked.

"Yeah. They're insane." Bogum shakes his head in disbelief.

"I didn't know the whole situation is this bad." He added, making Jimin roll his eyes.

"You bet." Jimin agreed.

Taehyung excused himself as he went back to finish the photo shoot. He didn't want to mingle with Bogum too much because he finds it uncomfortable.

Everybody knows that Park Bogum likes him. He's been shouting it all over the media everytime someone asks him for his inspiration or special someone.

Just like Taehyung, Bogum also works as a model. They did some projects together which started it all.

He likes Bogum, but not in a romantic way. He's kind and thoughtful and good looking too. However, he just couldn't like him more than a friend.

Taehyung got back to work, making sure to take his time and prolong his shots.

He sighed in relief when he saw Bogum leave after an hour with Jimin escorting him out.

He knows it's rude of him to make his guest wait, but right now, he's not really in the mood to face anyone.

A few more shots and Taehyung was able to finish his solo shots. He went back to his dressing room, Jimin finally back.

"You're such a bitch, you know?" Jimin commented as soon as he entered.

Taehyung sighed. "I know."

"The guy visited you but you deliberately made him wait for nothing." Jimin uttered, making him wince.

"Well first of all, I didn't tell him to wait." Taehyung said in defense.

Jimin rolled his eyes. "Genius." He said in sarcastic tone.

"You didn't even talk to him for a moment. You literally just said a single word hi and that's it." Jimin chided.

"Correction. I said hello, Bogum hyung. Three words. Get your facts right, babe." Taehyung retorted, laughing.

"You're seriously the worst." Jimin shakes his head, laughing at his friend's wit.

It didn't occur to them that Bogum's visit would add fuel to the fire.

Things start to get worse as the days passed by. A lot of reporters camp out of their building, waiting for Taehyung to arrive and get off from work, trying to get his statement about the growing issue between him and Jungkook and now with the addition of Bogum and the faceless fiancée of Jungkook.

Everyday feels like hell, escaping from the media and their nonstop questioning that stressed the hell out of Taehyung.

The public had been pretty much involved with the issue as series of articles and private pictures emerge. Other made up stories were posted on different sites, claiming that Jungkook and him are cheating on their respective partners.

"Damn those fucking reporters. They just wouldn't stop, huh?" Jimin angrily threw his jacket on the couch, sighing in frustration as he combed his hand on his blonde locks.

"I can't even pass through them without getting harassed!" He continued, fuming in anger early in the morning.

Taehyung smiled apologetically, handing him a coffee. "Sorry, Chim. Avoid the main entrance for a while."

The latter took the cup, sipping his coffee that instantly made him feel relaxed.

"Namjoon's coming back tomorrow. Let's just tolerate them for now." Jin said, taking a seat in front of the two.

It's been four days since their manager Namjoon had been away for a business trip. He was constantly asking for updates about his models, and most of the time he's been feeling bad for not being on their side.

Taehyung didn't mind though. If truth be told, he's the one being utterly ashamed for causing too much trouble for everyone in their work.

Jungkook hadn't contacted him after the last call he got four days ago. He didn't meet him as per advice of his friends.

"Fine, but seriously. If they still won't leave us alone, I'll run them over with my car." Jimin warned, making the two giggle.

"That's not a bad idea." Taehyung chuckled, his mood getting better thanks to Jimin's pissed off face.

They all laughed in unison, uplifting the heavy mood inside the dressing room as they all get ready for their next project.

The concept for their new line is dark and wild. Black and red are the dominant colors of their wardrobes as they pose in front of the camera for next month's issue.

Everything seems to be working just fine for Taehyung that day. He was able to finish his part in an instant, while Jimin and Jin prepare for their own shots.

"As expected from Mr. Number One." Jimin teased as Taehyung simply grinned.

"Stop, Chim." He uttered, carefully putting his things inside his bag.

"Are you heading home early?" He asked, checking himself in the mirror.

Taehyung looked at his watch with a satisfied smile. It's only 15 minutes past 3, making him excited to go home  and watch his favorite series in Netflix.

"Yeah. I'll be going ahead." He answered, tapping Jimin by the shoulder.

"See you tomorrow."

Taehyung waved his hand, walking his way to the other exit where the reporters are not allowed to camp out.

He greeted the guard on duty before heading to where his car was parked. He was busy looking through his phone when a black car stopped in front of him, making him flinch.

"W-what the.." His breath hitched when the car window at the backseat rolled down.

His eyes widened in shock, seeing the man staring seriously at him with those charcoal eyes that seem to see his soul.

"Get in."

-----

Fucking internet sucks. I can't even update without having to redo a chapter because it's not saving. 😭

Sorry if it's taking me forever to update. Please bear with me until the installation of our new line comes.

Love you as always 💜