Flashes of camera blinded Taehyung as soon as he stepped out of his car.

His manager, Namjoon, immediately protected him from the clamoring reporters who began throwing questions here and there.

They could barely walk towards the entrance of J&J scents, a brand owned by Jeon Enterprises.

"Mr. Kim Taehyung, is it true that everything that had happened between you and Mr. Jeon Jungkook is nothing but a part of this collaboration?"

A reporter from ENT News asked almost shoving the recording device in Taehyung's face.

"No interviews, please." Namjoon quickly blocked the hands that continued to pester them.

"Does that mean you and Mr. Jeon didn't really have any relationship?"

Another question was thrown his way, but Taehyung maintained his head low, eyes covered by sunglasses.

"What about the pictures that resurfaced? Are you claiming that they're all fabricated?"

He didn't comment as Namjoon and him finally made it through the crowd. They rushed inside the building where the reporters couldn't come inside.

"Are you all right?"

Taehyung nodded, smiling at his manager whose face was full of concern.

"Are you sure?" Namjoon assured.

"Yes, hyung. Not even a scratch." Taehyung replied with a thumbs up that had the other sighing in relief.

"I should ask Hoseok to provide us better security."

"No need, hyung. This much is fine." Taehyung said, tapping Namjoon's shoulder.

"But they're getting out of hand." Namjoon insisted.

"Let's just focus on our objective, hyung."

As he said those words with conviction, Namjoon finally let go of the topic.

They headed for the information desk where an attendant escorted them to the conference hall.

"What's our schedule after this, hyung?" Taehyung discreetly asked.

"Nothing. Oh wait, I remembered Jimin said we'll be eating out tonight." Namjoon informed.

"All right. Let's finish this fast, then."

As they entered the door to the conference room, they were greeted by the marketing team.

"Please have a seat."

Taehyung immediately sat next to Namjoon who had his eyes on the documents placed neatly on the table.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Kim Taehyung and Mr. Kim Namjoon." Lee Heeseung, the marketing team leader, said with a smile.

"Same here, Mr. Lee." Taehyung responded, offering a smile back.

It's already the third meeting with the marketing team since he signed the contract.

The collaboration teaser had already been released to the public which was the reason behind the ambush he had experienced with the reporters earlier.

"Shall we get started, then?" Heeseung asked which earned a nod from both Namjoon and Taehyung.

The room turned dark as the screen lit up with the video of the teaser being presented.

It was only 30 seconds, with mostly Taehyung's silhouette and the bottle of perfume which served as the collaboration teaser.

"After launching our teaser video from different platforms, the engagement had reached a peak of 86%, the highest we had recorded for a teaser alone." Heeseung said, presenting the data from the previous years to present.

This information had received a round of applause from the marketing team as they congratulated Taehyung who could only smile shyly.

"V x J&J scents was also a top trend in different social media platforms which indeed showed the impact of this collaboration." Heeseung continued.

The screen showed comments and feedbacks of accounts in social media which made Taehyung smile.

"But this is just the start."

The objective of the meeting is to focus on the next step. Since the teaser alone had a positive engagement from the public, they're next target was to make a grand launch.

"As for the concept of the whole line, we're sticking with this theme."

There were images of greek Gods on the screen which represented the inspiration for the collection.

"Eros: Love Lost"

Taehyung could only stare at the words flashed on the screen.

He had known about the theme when he was signing the contract. Though it was made that way in order to fit in the drama that occurred, Taehyung still couldn't brush off the implications of the theme.

As if it was truly meant for the love that Jungkook and him had lost.

He couldn't stop himself from wondering if Jungkook also thought of it that way.

Love lost..

"How appropriate."

Taehyung and everyone in the room turned their heads in the direction of the voice.

The marketing team immediately stood as they bowed to welcome the woman who entered.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Kim Yeri."

All eyes were on the beautiful woman with hair as dark as the night, framing her small face and those wide eyes that seemed to be fixated on Taehyung.

"How's the meeting going?" She asked, eyes still darted to Taehyung who couldn't look away.

Her face was familiar, no doubt. Though he had just seen her once, he's sure she's the woman from way back.

The one who was engaged to Jungkook when they were still in college.

"I heard the face of J&J's new collection would be here, and I didn't want to miss the chance." Yeri uttered, standing next to Taehyung who politely stood.

"I'm Kim Taehyung." He introduced, reaching for her hand.

"I'm well aware." She responded, smiling.

She took his hand for a long while, eyes piercing and almost digging in the depths of Taehyung's own.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Taehyung."

Her voice was soft, but something was telling Taehyung that this woman could only mean danger.

"The pleasure is mine, Ms. Yeri."

As she finally let go of his hand, her eyes continued to pierce on him.

"How long will the meeting take, Mr. Lee?" She asked, glancing to the other.

"About half an hour, Ms. Kim."

"Make it fifteen." She countered, looking back to Taehyung once again.

"Will it be all right to have a dinner with you, Taehyung? We have a lot to talk about, don't you agree?" She asked, the smile across her face didn't fade even for a second.

Taehyung couldn't respond instantly. He glanced over his shoulder to look at Namjoon who seemed to be conflicted as well.

Even without the words, they both know who the woman was. They're not dumb not to guess who she was.

"Sure, Ms. Yeri." Taehyung said.

Sooner or later, this confrontation would've happened. Better end it now as soon as he could.

"Then make it fifteen minutes, Mr. Lee. Taehyung and I still have an appointment." Yeri uttered as she gave another look to Taehyung before leaving the room.

The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy as soon as she left. Taehyung could feel the awkward gazes towards him, but he just brushed it off.

"Shall we continue?" He asked, offering a smile.

He could sense Namjoon's concerned gaze at him, but he chose to shrug it off.

After all, it's just going to be a dinner.

Nothing wrong could possibly happen.

———

The view from outside of the restaurant didn't appeal to Taehyung who couldn't feel at ease the moment he sat across Yeri.

She was smiling throughout the ride going there, even opening a conversation from time to time, and yet, Taehyung didn't feel at ease even once.

"Do you drink, Taehyung?" She asked, scanning the wine from the menu.

"I'll pass. I still have to work tomorrow." He answered, politely declining the offer.

"Too bad."

Yeri called for the waiter who took their orders. All the while, Taehyung could only study her face.

She's the typical heroine from a book whose face could be described as beyond beautiful. Her movements were refined, prim and proper for an elite.

Anyone could tell she's born with a silver spoon from her table manners and even in the littlest details.

"How's it going with the collaboration with J&J scents?" She asked, eyes fixated on Taehyung's own.

"It's good. The staff are really great when it comes to their craft." Taehyung answered with a smile.

"I also like the scents from the samples they sent me the other day." He added.

"What's your favorite one?"

Taehyung thought hard, not really sure whether his answer would be viewed differently or not.

"Uh.. I like Eros the most." He said.

It was maybe just in his imagination, but he saw a glint of anger in her eyes for a moment.

"Love Lost.. of course." She whispered the last words, but Taehyung was sure he heard her right.

The waiter suddenly came in and interrupted as the food were placed on the table.

Not only after the waiter was gone did Yeri talk once more.

"Aren't you going to ask which one's my favorite?"

The question took Taehyung off guard, but he indulged.

"What's yours?"

He saw her smile, one that seemed to hide a lot of things that made him uncomfortable.

"Ares... you know, Vengeful Love." She replied, eyes making a hole in Taehyung's face.

"I like its theme, and the scent alone makes me feel powerful."

Her voice was soft, though the words coming out of her lips weren't.

"Powerful enough to trample on a love that's already lost, so it won't dream of ever coming back."

She's sending a warning.

It was clear to Taehyung that she's sending him a warning.

However, he didn't budge.

After all, he didn't even dream of ever rekindling the love he already lost.

Because he's not naive to realize that Jungkook wouldn't want him back.

Not now, not ever.

"I think it suits you, Ms. Yeri." He said after a long while.

"Using power to get what you want because you know he won't ever love you, that truly suits you, no doubt." He added, giving her a smile.

Taehyung could see the sudden rage on her face, and he almost laughed. He felt supreme to have let her eat her own words.

Even before she could say anything, Taehyung gestured the food on the table.

"Shouldn't we start eating? The food is getting cold." He said, smiling so sweet it could kill.

"I've already lost my appetite. If you'll excuse me." Yeri stood, heading for the rest room.

All the while, Taehyung could only hold his laughter. He was sure he saw the rage in her eyes before she left, and it almost cracked him up.

"Don't ever start a fight you couldn't finish." He murmured to himself as he enjoyed the food.

He was happily eating his food when he saw a figure stood next to him and as he turned to look, his body froze.

"What are you doing here?"

The anger in the ravenette's voice made Taehyung flinch. He was confused as well, not understanding why Jungkook was there, standing next to him.

His brows were almost in one line as he glared at him.

"I should be the one asking you that." Taehyung responded in agony.

He could feel the intensity in those dark eyes that seemed to burn his skin.

"You're finally here."

Both of them turned their heads towards Yeri who's smiling, her perfected fake one.

"I thought you wouldn't come." She continued as she circled her hands around Jungkook's arm.

"I've invited Taehyung to have a meal with us."

Her words didn't seem to sink in Taehyung's mind. All he could focus on was Jungkook's glares towards him and the distaste he felt from seeing Yeri be all over Jungkook.

It left an unwanted taste in his mouth, almost as if his food became tasteless.

"Shall we enjoy the night?" Yeri said, smiling.

Taehyung wanted to wipe the smile across her face as he was left in an internal battle of running away from there or staying to have an upset stomach afterwards.

He suddenly felt sick as Yeri dragged Jungkook next to her, sitting across Taehyung who could only force a smile as he wished for the night to end with his sanity still intact.

———

Love you 💜