The scent of wine and spices, the taste of fresh Carbonara and the chit chatter of unbothered people filled her senses. The group were at an Italian restaurant enjoying their meal. If she was having a bad day she could always rely on food to be there for her. 

"Oh my god, this is so good I'm gonna cry!" A somewhat raunchy moan emitted from her throat. 

"Here try mines," J hope poked his ravioli, reaching his fork across the booth for her to taste. Getting up slightly she happily accepted it, moaning again when the burst of flavour hit her tongue.

 Her whole lit up. "Sooo good!"

"Right!"

"Do you want any wine, Ash?" Jin offered, holding the bottle above her empty glass.

"Uhh, no thanks I don't really drink alcohol,"

"How come?"

"I really don't like the taste of it, I'll have a mouth full but that's all I can take," She explained.

"Want to have your mouth full now?" Jimin asked, gliding his glass to her. Her eyes flickered to it, spellbound by the dark, swirling intoxicant. Gulping she delicately accepted it, holding her breath she drowned it in. The warm liquid coated her mouth and burned her throat on the way down.

With a soft grunt,  she slid the glass back to him.  "Thank you,"

"You're welcome,"  He said taking a large sip. A droplet of red wine hung on his plump lower lip. Propping his arm on the head of the booth, his eyes never leaving hers as his fingers played with the top loose button in his shirt until it popped open, showing a peep of his chest. 

Ash would be lying through her teeth if she didn't think Jimin was attractive. The thing is he is very attractive. Sinfully attractive. Heck, all of Bangtan are. However, she came to the conclusion that  Jimin was different in a way that he oozes charm. 

From his cheeky eyes and not so subtle body language, he is a natural flirt. Ash figured this out from just being a fan in general and this right now brought the truth to her hypothesis.

Tearing her eyes away, Ash continued with her meal. Blatantly ignoring him for the rest of the night. She had to be careful with him especially since she had to share a room with him. And a bed for that matter.

XXXX

Then it was time to go back to the hotel. Jungkook and RM had to carry Jimin's passed out drunken body to their room it appeared he had little too much to drink.

"Man how much wine did he drink?"

"A lot to get him in this state, he is usually good with alcohol," RM said plopping him on the bed.

RM patted Ashley on the shoulder and smiled reassuringly. "Take care of him."

"He's all yours." Jungkook flashed a bunny smiled closing the door behind him.

Rolling up her sleeves, Ash got to work, taking off his shoes and covering him with the blanket.

"He really is out of it," She found an ice bucket and placed it by his bedside table in case he needed to vomit in the middle of the night. Checking the time it was only half ten and jet lag was dawning on her. Too drained to change in the bathroom, she glanced back to Jimin's closed eyes and steady breathing then swiftly stripped off her jeans and top and into some shorts and a t-shirt.

In the middle of the night she woke up with a weight on her stomach she turned her head and to her surprise she found Jimin cuddling her. His arm snaked around her waist and his face affectionately nuzzled into the side of her neck.

"Jimin, let go~" She yawned out, he grunted, the smell of wine still on him. Ash loved to cuddle as much as the next guy but this was a little inappropriate. Even though she enjoyed the warmth and security Jimin was giving her. She had to get away.

The rule! Ash the rule!

Nudging him off gently he rolled over to his side finding a home there. Hopefully, he won't toss and turn too much.

XXXXX

A sting in her back and cold shivers jarred her to wake, odd how the world looked so different. Granted it looked different because she was watching it from the floor's perspective. 

Slowly peeling herself off the ground her noisy joints cracking as she stood.  Her brows knitted in a scowl at the scene. There he was- sleeping like a baby on her side of the bed.

Did he push me off?

Grumbling under her breath she slid the balcony door open, instantly welcomed by the crisp and dewy six am morning rain. Stretching her sore back and muscles a dull pain stroked her form.

Trying to soothe away the pain in her shoulder she smiled lovingly at the birds on a tree branch dusting their feathers in the drizzle. She was so mesmerised by the softness that nature holds, she didn't notice Jimin had woken up.

"Morning," Jimin called behind her. 

"Hey did you sleep well?" A hint of sass in her voice.

"Yeah I really did," His messy bed hair swept from all over and his usually soft voice was raspy and dripping with sleep.

 Her eyes narrowed. "Yeah, I bet,"

"What?"

"Nothing!"

"Do you know what we have planned today?"

"All Ren told me was that someone from Bithit is coming to see about the schedule,"

"Ahh that's right, we better get ready," He said gripping his shirt and snatching it off his body.

Ash frantically waved her hands as a shade of pink lighten her cheeks. "Wow, wow there cowboy! Go take off your clothes in the bathroom, not in front of me!" 

"Why? Are you shy?" Complacency clouded his face.

Her pupils flared, skimming over his defined abs and ending her travel at his razor-sharp v line only to dart back to his face.

"No, it's just that...uh.. fine! Do whatever you want!"

Thankfully the cheerful tone sounding from her phone saved her from further embarrassment. Scurrying past him for the door to the safe hallway she answered. 

"Morning Ren!"

"Hey Babe, how is everything so far?"

"Things are fine but my back is killing me from sleeping on the ground cause Jimin pushed me off," She ranted under her breath so that the sleeping neighbours would not wake.

"..."

"Hello? You still there?"

"Ash, by any chance are you sharing a bed with Jimin?"

Crap. She forgot to mention it to Ren or if to keep that detail a secret from him.

"Y-yeah there was only one room left with one bed so we had no choice,"

"Okay I understand," Dedicating the sudden soberness in his voice she pressed.

"What's wrong?"

"Listen to me carefully Ash. Do not let the official find out you are sleeping in the same bed or room with Jimin."

"Do I want to know why?"

"He will not take it lightly and will contact the boss immediately and probably have you fired and sent back home,"

"Geez! All the jazz for just for sharing a room?!"

"I know it's frustrating Ash but please try to keep it a secret and tell Jimin and the rest of the members to keep quiet about it. They will help you i know they are good guys."

"Alright, I got it."

With more stress on her plate, that morning deemed to be agony, as with every step or twist of her body, her back inflamed with pain. She wasn't sure why the pain had escalated, it could have been from sleeping on the floor all night or the impact she made when she fell.

Ash hobbled down the hall to meet the others in Namjoon's room. Staying close to the walls for subtle support. Jimin walked beside her observing her pale face and strange behaviour. 

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm just a little tired,"

"Didn't you sleep okay?"

"Uhh," Her hands twiddled on the doorknob, ignoring his question hurrying to shuffle in the room. 

"Ah you guys are here now we only have to wait for Tae and Jungkook," Jin said while popping grapes in his mouth. She waved at Yoongi and Hoseok who were having a conversation in the corner but came to a standstill when the simple hand gesture stabbed her shoulder.

RM exited the bathroom with damp hair and a towel on his shoulder. "Hey morning," he palmed the small of her back, faintly spiking the soreness in her lower back.  Icy shivers and cold sweats prickled her skin, closing her eyes she caught a breath.

"Morning," She breathed out trying her hardest not to sound like she was dying. 

"Hi, Ashley!" An excited V and Jungkook called from the door.

Taehyung reached in for a hug which Ash was not ready for. The tight embrace added great discomfort to her back and muscles. It was as if the ache in her lower back and shoulders met, got drunk, hooked up and had a baby, which was the agonizing pain shooting throughout her body. 

A brittle mewl escaped her lips before she could even think about holding it back. Tae released her from sheer panic.

"Wae wae wae!?" His eyes blazed with dismay as he tried to hold up her stumbling form.

Gathering her strength she replied through gritted teeth. "Sorry, it's just my back is killing me from sleeping on the floor last night,"

"Why were you sleeping on the floor?" Hoseok asked.

"Jimin and I had to share a bed and he accidentally pushed me off,"

"Share a bed? Didn't the room have two beds?" Jin said.

"No only one. And I think I hurt my back from the fall," Ash tried to stand taller, soothing out the stiffness in her shoulders.

"You should rest today don't push yourself too much,"

"Namjoon is right after the meeting you need to take the day off," Jin told her.

"Ashley I'm so sorry I didn't mean to push you off," Jimin's soft-spoken voice wobbled. Ash felt bad, she could see he cared and was genuinely sorry.

"I know it's okay," 

Suddenly the door opened prompting her to let go of Tae and find leverage on a nearby chair.

A man walked in who seemed to be in the late forties. Black hair with a few greys sticking out, glasses and black suit and an oddly long and wide blue tie.

"Good morning everybody I assume you all had a good night sleep," He flatly said with no emotion in his words.

"Daejung hyung good to see you again. Yes but Ash hurt her back so we should make this briefing quick," 

Ash was entirely grateful for Namjoon and his concern to sped things along. Yet it probably ignited the fire. She noted Daejung's vexed eyes cutting behind his rimless glasses. She could already tell he was an austere man and does not take kindly to commands from people who are under him.

The official's expression hardened. "Ash? Ah yes. Ashley Park, I have been informed about you and your position here," He paused, shamelessly running his eyes through and around her body. "And I'm sure you have as well."

She faked a smile. "Of course,"

Is every old man in Bighit a misogynist cause it sure seems like it?

He was indeed informed about her alright, about the 'unpleasantries' about her. Such as her young age and relationship status. And the motives young women had when it comes to handsome superstar idols. Although he could already carry that mindset on his own.

Daejung and Mr. Boss man did not question her intelligence, in that is was the only thing keeping her here. Ren was sure to endorse her to the highest of his abilities so she can breath lighter knowing the official won't be on her case when she has to work.

However, he would have to watch her when she is off-camera when it is just her and the boys. For it is part of his job and a pain in the ass for Ashley.

The meeting was done and over within an hour and with Daejung gone she collapsed on the nearest bed. Her body sinking in with the softness of the mattress. Everyone gathered around her as if there were at a funeral. Except for teary sad faces they had worried expressions.

"Does it hurt a lot?" Hoseok asked.

"I think... I see a white light," She said weakly, stretching her arm to the ceiling light.

RM rolled his eyes flicking her on her forehead. "Well if you have time to make jokes then I guess you're fine!"

"Why didn't you tell me I push you off?" Jimin sat on the bed overlooking her.

"I don't know, didn't want to be a burden,"

"You not telling me is a burden,"

Yoongi handed her a tablet and a bottle of water. "Take this it will help with the pain,"

"Thank you," Taking light sips of water she gathered her thoughts.

"Listen guys I can't have anyone from your company find out I'm sharing a room with Jimin,"

"What why?" Said Jimin.

"Because if they find out I will be fired and sent home,"

"What!? No!" Tae's brows knitted. 

"So please keep this between us,"

"Of course we will!" Namjoon smiled patting her head softly.

"But why though? Why is sharing a room a big deal?" Jungkook asked. 

"Your boss thinks all girls will want to sleep with you for money and fame and he thinks I'm just like the rest and that I will try to ruin your reputations,"

"You will never do that!" Taehyung protested.

Ash smiled gratefully at him. 

"So this is why the manager keeps us away from younger girls. I see how he gets when fans get a little too close to us," Yoongi explained.

Namjoon paced back and forth a few times. "It is going to be tricky cause Daejung is also staying in this hotel,"

Ash paled. "Shit."

"Don't worry his room is on the other side of the hotel so it should be fine, just don't let him see you and Jimin go into a room together."

"Alright!" Jhope clapped gaining everybody's attention.  "Hands in!" He ordered hovering his hand over Ash's body while the rest of them followed along.

Why does this feel like I'm being sacrificed?

"Operation: 'Keep Jimin and Ash hidden' begins!"