0 9

The air in the car feels stiff, almost too heavy for my lungs to keep it in. I don't dare to look for a button that could possibly open the windows, nor do I dare to turn the radio on, in hope that it would kill the loud silence.

Hands around the steering wheel, Taehyung keeps looking at the rearview mirror, constantly searching for a sudden surprise – another car following behind that would blow up his cover. But thankfully, nothing seems to be behind, just the moon casting its leading light.

At first, it didn't seem that Taehyung, the city's richest man, would be such a private person, though the incident with the media tonight proved just the opposite.

My eyes follow the road, expecting for Taehyung to take the left turn, to drive me back home, but his hands remain steady, the steering wheel not moving.

''Uhm excuse me, Mister Gucci. You just missed a turning.'' With the heartbeat picking up its pace, my voice trembles a bit.

But he doesn't say anything.

''Hello? I'd appreciate if you could take me back home.''

''I can't.'' He says, throwing yet another quick glance at the rearview mirror. ''Not yet.''

Now I start to worry.

''Why?'' I become agitated, wiggling in my seat as if the seat belt was trying to suffocate me. ''Where are you taking me?''

''If I take you home, that would just lead them to you. They'd swarm your apartment building and before you know it, you'd be on the cover of magazines, having lies and controversy following your each and every step. I'm sure you wouldn't want that darling, now would you?''

''Of course not!'' I admit.

''Then trust me.''

And for some reason, I do.

Minutes later, we enter a bumpy road surrounded with nothing but tall trees leading us to the middle of nowhere. Before I could open my mouth to ask another question, he lets out a small sigh and even though it was pitch black, I could somehow see him smile.

''We're here.'' He says.

And I ask, ''Where is here?''

Though he doesn't answer right away as the road came to a stop. We were met with what seemed like a castle to me, guarded by a wall and black gates that opened as soon as Taehyung pressed a single button among many others in his car, and my brain immediately knew where I was.

This is his home.

Separated from humanity, Taehyung's house looks like a mansion, completely dressed in plain yet sophisticated white colour with two small trees standing in front of the entrance door.

Surprisingly enough, I was still in shock, thinking that he wouldn't live in such place due to the fact he liked to keep things private, and as soon as that thought kicked in I was almost convinced that nobody else had seen his home.

Not until now.

The car doors opened and I realize that I have been staring at the house for too long to even notice Taehyung getting out of the car. The well-mannered man opened the doors for me and I step out, feet hitting the fine sand.

We walk forward and I carefully follow Taehyung's steps as he unlocks the front doors and turns on the lights.

That's when my breath stops.

Immersed in the colors I see in front of me, the beauty doesn't end there. I glance at the ceiling, a chandelier hovering above me and within my reach is a massive staircase leading up to what I thought might've been heaven, its railing wrapped in gold.

My jaw hits the floor when I see multiple paintings hanging on the walls closing me in. A couple of plants placed on the marble floor that was, in all honesty, brighter than my whole future seemed to be.

The surprises never seem to disappear when a sudden loud noise echoes in the main corridor, followed by small paws hitting the floor relentlessly.

''Daddy's home!'' Taehyung yells cheerfully, his voice entangled with the barking of a small black and tan pomeranian dog wiggling its tail.

''Did you miss me? Daddy missed you too, Yeontan.'' He cooed to his pet, picking it up and placing the furry creature against his chest and my heart melts at the warm sight in front of me.

Why do I suddenly have a soft spot for him?

Feet etched to the ground, I remain standing still. Afraid to even come near any of the objects the man owned inside this house out of fear of ruining it and having to pay with my life for it. From what my own eyes could see, one of his plant pots probably costed more than the apartment I was currently living in.

So I don't dare to move a single muscle.

Though Taehyung seems puzzled, letting go of his pet before his eyes meet with mine. ''Are you going to stand there the whole night?''

''The more I think about it, the more I'm actually fond of the idea.'' I say frankly, squeezing my purse and exhaling all the embarrassment.

''Don't be stupid darling, I don't bite.'' He snickers. ''Unless you want me to.''

A weird warmth spreads across my cheeks as he turns around, almost leaving me behind. Frustrated and not wanting to show this man that he's getting to me, I follow him behind, heels clicking against the marble as if each step was another proof of my plan falling apart.

I was supposed to make this man hate me, to push him away from me, yet I somehow keep making this whole thing way too entertaining. For him, of course, not for myself.

If anything, I was trying to be a normal college student, attend way too many parties, join weird sororities, get drunk, fail an exam and all I'm doing is digging a hole, as if ready to jump in and become imprisoned with things unknown for the rest of my life.

When I enter the kitchen, I struggle to keep my admiration at bay. The whole room was darker than the hallway, yet a dim light hanging above the stove. The counters are a shiny black, no traces of fingertips or any kind of smudges that would indicate a person living in here.

There was no food left on the stove and no dishes sitting in the sink. It all seemed to be clean – almost too clean. Either he doesn't eat in here, or he had hired a maid to clean for him.

The second thought soon makes even more sense when I glance over to my right, seeing tall wooden walls that were a home to over more than hundred bottles of wine, each placed carefully on top of shelves decorated with both glass and gold.

Like a child, Taehyung scrutinizes the shelves of his wine cellar, searching for the most appropriate drink for the evening. His fingers trace the bottles, and after two or three seconds, his hand soon wraps around a bright yellow bottle that had colorful flower decorations and Perrier-Jouet written on.

He turns around to me, his lips wearing a boxy smile. ''Is my precious guest up for a celebration drink?''

''A celebration?'' Furrowing my eyebrows, I don't try to hide my confusion. ''What are we celebrating?''

''Isn't it obvious chéri? We're celebrating the start of a new friendship.''

''I'm not in the most celebratory mood Mister Gucci.'' I admit, but a small part of me regrets the words coming out of my mouth. ''And I already told you I don't drink wine.''

''It's champagne.'' He corrects. ''Besides, we didn't get a chance to finish our drinks at the restaurant, might as well finish what we started, don't you think?''

His hand doesn't give me a chance to talk when it grabs my wrist, pulling me back to the kitchen. ''Oh c'mon now, a single drink won't hurt.''

This time, I obey his wishes as I lean against the kitchen island, placing my purse on top of it as I follow Taehyung's every move. Swiftly, he opens a cupboard and takes out two wine glasses that clank against each other as he places them down, opening the champagne afterward.

''What's the matter chéri?'' A soft sigh from my lips seems to be enough for him to understand. ''This is a promise: I'll take you home after the situation has calmed down a bit. I need to make sure the paparazzi won't hunt the both of us down. Sounds good?''

I approve of his decision by a nod of my head as my hand was soon holding a glass half-filled with a fizzy liquid that smelled almost citrusy, bubbles swarming on top.

While we're waiting, I almost make myself feel at home as I take a tour around the rooms, the fear of me possibly breaking every thing inside this house slowly subsides when I'm surrounded with the beauty of the artwork around me.

In any other situation, the framed masterpieces would seem greedy, ostentatious, and yet here, I can feel the care taken in displaying them, the pride and love that the owner has for the items on display.

The room I was currently standing in had a far different feel than any of the rooms I've been in. It was brighter in light but somehow felt more sinister. Even colder, making the hairs down my back stand straight up as I was looking at the world's most beautiful room.

Ash blue walls surround me, each of them covered with paintings, all seemingly from the same artist – Van Gogh.

A single chair placed in the middle of a lacquered wooden floor. Was it meant to be for sitting or just for the sake of art? I didn't know.

And as I drag my feet along the flow of the walls, distinguishing a counterfeit from the real one, I can feel a pair of eyes watching me.

When I turn around, I almost choke on my breath. ''Jesus, can you not do that?''

''I can't help myself. A man's need to admire something so beautiful is sometimes much stronger.''

Just like at the exhibition, his eyes don't avert from me as he sips down his champagne, making me feel even more uncomfortable now than he did back then.

''You thought I was talking about you? Tsk, tsk, ma chéri. You are indeed beautiful, but don't get big headed. It doesn't suit you.'' 

A/N

this chapter was originally 3600 words so i needed to divide it in two parts :') hope you enjoyed regardless. chéri; french meaning for darling or dear. please leave a vote and comment, tell me what you think of this so far! make sure to drink enough liquids and eat well. 

thank you for all the support, i love you. ♡