Amanda

May 5, 2021

"Use this ointment only on the black spots and wash it off with plain water after exactly fifteen minutes. Follow it up with a small dollop of this moisturizer and use a clean cotton pad to spread it evenly. I'll see you again in a week, okay?" I smiled at the young bride-to-be.

Thanking me, she collected her prescription and left my room. Just when she exited, the familiar figure of Min Yoongi, my senior from school and university, entered my room with a small knock at the door.

"Yoongi! Wow, what a surprise!!" My eyes widened and my lips formed into a wide and broad smile as I got up from my seat and walked up to him.

"Yeah. Been so long, Mandy!" He engulfed me in a big bear hug and then pulled away patting my head.

"How have you been?" I gestured for him to take a seat while I sauntered over to my seat, dragging my swivel chair closer to the table.

"I've been good. You look amazing. Taehyung seems to be taking great care of you," he smiled, leaning back in his seat.

"Without a doubt, yes." I beamed proudly. "How's Hoseok? Did you speak with him?" I asked as I handed him a bottle of water.

"Yeah, I spoke to him a few days ago. He works for the National Forensics department now," Yoongi informed me in a slightly excited tone.

"Wow! Really? Forensics sounds so much fun. Hoseok was always into such stuff..." I nodded in agreement.

"You were into venereology, too. I thought you'd become a sex specialist or something" he giggled, and I almost launched the paper weight into his skull.

"Kidding, kidding," he ducked down and covered his head with his arms crossed in front of his face.

"So how long will you be in Seoul?" I quizzed him.

"Just until the weekend. Let's catch up for drinks tonight?" He proposed a plan out of nowhere.

"Let's catch up, but not for drinks, just dinner. Taehyung has a surgery scheduled for tomorrow morning, and we don't do drinks on weekdays," I informed him with a smile.

"Then let's drop him... how about just us?" He wiggled his eyebrows, laughing.

"How about you talk it out with Dr. Kim?" I wiggled my eyebrows right back at him.

Defeated, Yoongi flailed his arms in the air.
"Alright. I give up. But since when have you stopped drinking during the week? I'm pretty sure you can down a whole bottle and wake up without a hangover," he stated the facts.

I let out an embarrassed laugh.
"But the last time I did that, you know what happened."

"I bet you don't regret it one bit," he laughed, and at that moment his phone rang, and he glanced at his phone.

"Alright, Mandy, I just dropped by on my way for another appointment. My driver is here now. I'll call you later and, for Heaven's sake, please unmute your ringer," he said and got up from his seat.

I chuckled and nodded before Yoongi placed a tender kiss on my forehead and left with a small wave of his hand.

I flopped down in my chair and the series of events that led to the one major life incident about which I had absolutely no memories came flooding through my mind.

༺───※ ·❆· ※───༻

The resort chosen was a simple one, close to the beach, and we were assigned to our rooms once we got there. The entire place was reserved for two days for the student orientation. Sooya and I shared a room, Jimin and Taehyung shared one, and Jungkook stayed in the same room as them since he didn't feel comfortable with anyone else.

We gorged on some amazing food as soon as we got there and then retreated to our rooms so that we could rest for a while before we did some fun activities in the evening.

Later that evening, Jimin ushered us to a secluded corner, away from the boring group games that were going on in another part of the resort. He had a big bag in one hand, and I had no clue what it was.

"Guys... who's in for drinking?" He asked with a mischievous smirk.

"You mean alcohol? It's illegal for us to drink, right? I mean, at least I haven't turned twenty yet. Not until next year," Sooya protested.

"Yeah, yeah... most of us are not legal drinkers yet. But eating forbidden fruit is fun, right?" He wiggled his eyebrows, raising the bag in the space between us.

Jungkook gasped, his bambi eyes flying wide open. Sooya's eyes widened, too, as did mine. Taehyung only chuckled and let his head drop as he weaved his fingers through his chestnut hair.

"You brought alcohol?" Jungkook asked the obvious, and Jimin bobbed his head.

Alright, I have to admit that I've illegally had a taste of alcohol once, with Yoongi. Sooya knew, yet she was never up for it. And I hadn't had a drop ever since, but the sight and sound of the clinking bottles tempted me.

"I'm in," I declared, earning gasps from Jungkook and Sooya.

Jimin giggled.

"You're sure you can handle it?" Taehyung asked worriedly, or should I say sarcastically?

"Better than you can handle it," I nodded confidently and raised my chin proudly.

"Let's find out then," he said, stepping closer to me with a proud smirk and with his hands stuffed inside the pockets of his jeans.

"Wow, this is going to be fun. Let's have a drinking battle then. I'll give you only two bottles though. We three need some, too," Jimin pouted and cleared the table, setting down two bottles of tequila and lots of disposable shot glasses stacked inside one another.

Taehyung and I exchanged a friendly handshake and sat down for the fierce alcohol combat.

The drinking battle began and Jimin cheered for Taehyung while Sooya and Jungkook cheered for me. I gulped down shot after shot wanting to see how far I could take it. Taehyung on the other hand was struggling to keep his head straight after a few shots.

It was after the 11th shot that Taehyung gave up, and I swallowed one last shot more than him and proclaimed my victory. The three of them hooted and clapped, enveloping me in a tight group hug—Jimin and Sooya tightly hugging me from either side, and Jungkook from the back.

I couldn't gather myself to utter even a single word as the strong alcohol coursing through my veins was already making me see stars and random non-existent dancing patterns in the air. I weakly pushed aside everyone and stumbled over to Taehyung who had slumped face down on the table in front of him with the empty shot glasses sitting around his head like a glorious halo.

I rapped my hand on the table while still struggling to stand straight. My head reeled, my limbs felt like jelly, and my throat burned, yet, I was clear enough to claim my prize. The guys around us fizzled out to do their own thing just when Taehyung very slowly lifted his head and looked up at me through his half-open hooded eyes.

"Get up!" I mumbled and gestured using my index finger, my body leaning heavily on the table for support.

He pushed his chair back and stumbled to his feet.

"I won," I hiccuped and put my hand on the fabric of the shirt covering his chest and fisted it in my hand, pulling him closer to me.

He nodded and swayed his head, half raising his arms in defeat; his lips parted slightly.

I swung my arm around his shoulder, and he did the same as we both staggered out of the spot.

༺───※ ·❆· ※───༻

I walked out of my consulting room and decided to meet Taehyung and head out for lunch, and, today being Wednesday, we would even go home earlier than usual. Stepping into the elevator, I spotted the chairman's daughter and senior gynecologist, Dr. Hana, already standing inside.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Hana. It's good to see you," I greeted her with a small bow and entered the elevator.

"Can't say the same." She scoffed rudely as the elevator doors closed shut.

"Pardon?" I turned around to face her to get an explanation for what she just said.

"I'm not in a great mood, and it'll be good if you already stop talking," she huffed and rolled her eyes.

I furrowed my eyebrows, unable to comprehend the reason behind her rudeness. Yet, I shook my head and exited the elevator, following her when we reached the ground floor.

Walking straight up to Taehyung's room, I knocked it five times in quick succession and opened the door slightly to poke my head inside.

"Dr. Amanda," my husband smiled big and gestured for me to enter using his index and middle fingers.

I entered, shutting the door behind me.
"How about lunch, Dr. Kim?"

"How about we go home after lunch? I'm free for the rest of the day," Taehyung informed, walking up to me.

"Mhm… I'm free, too. Just a couple more appointments after lunch, and then we can leave," I giggled as he stepped closer and pulled me to his chest.

"I can wait," he placed a soft kiss on my lips.

"I'm hungry, and before you dirty talk, let me make it clear that I want to eat some actual food." I spoke hastily, and he let out a deep laugh, throwing his head back.

"Alright, alright. Let's go now," he ushered me outside, placing his hand at the small of my back.

Once the door opened, my whole body jolted back, and I almost screamed seeing the sudden and unexpected presence of Dr. Hana standing there right outside the door.

"Phew!" I placed a hand on my forehead and then on my chest to regain my normal breathing.

"Whoa, Dr. Hana. You could've knocked the door," Taehyung spoke to her in a firm tone and held my hand in his, smoothly lacing his fingers through mine.

"Well, Dr. Kim, I came to inform you about the new pediatric O.R. planning meeting," she spoke as her gaze slowly drifted to our intertwined fingers and then back up to Taehyung's face with an almost undetectable frown. "It's in twenty minutes from now."

"Oh, I see. I'll be there," he informed her with a polite nod.

"I'll see you around. And public displays of affection are off the grounds at our hospital," she said, pointing to our hands with the pen in her hand, peering at us over the top of her gold rimmed glasses.

"This isn't unacceptable pda, Dr. Hana. I'll see you at the meeting then," Taehyung smiled and slightly squeezed my hand.

We both then bowed to her and walked away from the spot.

The time constraints made us settle for pre-made sandwiches once again, and, while we were at the cafeteria, I asked Taehyung,
"What's with Dr. Hana? She's being a meanie," I took a big bite out of my sandwich.

"Mhm... when has she ever been nice?" He spoke with his mouth full, extending his hand to wipe the corner of my mouth with a tissue.

"Such a weirdo. Will the meeting take long?" I was curious because we loved spending time together while getting my haircare done on Wednesday evenings.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it goes on for a couple of hours. But let's see. You don't wait for me. And check your phone before you leave, or else leave me a message," he almost gave that out as an order.

"Aye aye, Captain Kim!" I saluted dramatically.

After our rather short lunch break, Taehyung walked me back to my consulting room and then headed to the meeting which was planned to happen in the meeting room on the same floor.

It took me less than forty minutes to get done with my two patients, and I diligently picked up my phone to text Taehyung. There were two texts from him.

Bear:
Meeting agenda is until 7pm. 😡

Bear:
Don't wait for me.

Me:
Awww... I'll head home then.

Me:
But a shower can always wait.

Bear:
I'll try to leave as early as possible.

Bear:
Japchae for dinner please

Me:
Will do that sweetie😘

Bear:
😘

Shutting my phone, I called a taxi and headed home. I put aside my shoes and bag and headed straight to the bedroom to take a nap, since I had a muffled lower back ache, and walking around in heels only amplified it. Throwing my jacket in a corner, I threw myself on the bed and drifted off to sleep.

  
Taehyung

The warm and serenading aroma of freshly made japchae wafted through the air and welcomed me home. I dropped all my stuff on the couch and headed straight to the kitchen where Mandy was setting the dishes down. She was still in her workwear, and I was an hour late.

Walking up to her with brisk and long strides, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a back hug.

"Sorry, ramen. I'm really late," I pecked her shoulder once.

"That's okay, handsome. Let's eat now?" She ruffled my hair, and I nodded in acceptance.

My wife informed me of Yoongi's visit and the failed drinks plan, too. I filled her in on the details about the meeting which actually didn't need my presence. It was top management and planning committee related, yet, I knew why Dr. Hana pulled such a cheap stunt. However, much to her annoyance, I excused myself before the meeting ended, not giving a damn about anything or anyone else.

After dinner, we showered together and wrapped warm, dry towels around our bodies and got ready for Mandy's curly girl routine. Sitting on the footstool, she flipped her wet curls forward and combed through them with her fingers.

"Leave-in," she asked me, and I squeezed out a big dollop of the leave-in conditioner onto her outstretched palm. She spread it between both her palms and smoothed it over her hair, slightly scrunching it in the process.

"Gel," she extended her hand again.

"I'll do the gel," I said, squeezing out the right amount of gel and rubbing it between my huge palms. I then coated her hair strands with the styling gel, and, using the sterilized Denman brush, I raked through her hair and made sure the products were spread out evenly.

Inspecting my work once again, I nodded to myself in approval. "All good."

She then scrunched up her curls, flipped her hair back and together we finger-coiled the ringlets before heading out of the bathroom. I helped her get dressed in an oversized shirt and underwear since she insisted on wearing clothes, and I wore a pair of shorts, too. We then got into bed after slipping on a silk bonnet onto Mandy's semi wet curls. I snuggled close to her, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her vanilla scented body-wash.

"We could really skip these clothes. I don't know why you're keen on adding more laundry," I whined and began tugging at the waistband of her panty. She launched her knee onto my thigh and giggled.

"Please... At least the shirt." I pleaded with her, and she finally gave in.

I swiftly discarded her shirt in a corner after briefly uttering a 'better luck next time' to the garment that ended up sleeping on the floor.

I do not support underage drinking by any means.

What do you think happened after the drinking battle?

Also, the alcohol, the haircare products — do you see the hint of gluttony?

Published on : 09/28/2021