✨

Lisa was determined. She has done nothing but talk with the company lawyers since seven in the morning—to which she demanded every single one of them show up in the conference room at that time or else be fired and blacklisted, on how they can win a legal fight against Jang Won-il.

It's ten in the morning now and Secretary Jeon had just walked inside the room carrying take-out cups of coffee.

One by one he gave out the coffees to the thankful lawyers, some even looking at him like he's some sort of savior. As he walked to wards her, she warded him off.

"I don't like coffee—"

"It's camomile tea," he said showing the tea bag's rope showing just by the rim of the cup. Then he leaned in a bit. "To help calm your nerves."

She just gave him a skeptic look before taking the cup. He straightened up and then sat on the empty chair beside her.

"So, do we have it? Can we legally claim the songs now?" She said folding her arms over her chest and leaning on the backrest of her chair. "Can I expect this to go smoothly from here on?"

"It will be difficult, Miss Manoban but not impossible. We lost the case before because we did not have enough evidence but with the audio clip, we have high chances of gaining rights to the song plus the royalties he took from it."

"Good," she replied. "And I want this to go public as soon as the decision's been made. Also, I want him to pay for the damages and issue a public apology."

Do Kyungsoo, the legal head was shocked. "Are you sure about this, Miss Manoban? Everyone will know about what happened to your brother—"

"Then so be it," she answered nonchalantly. "I want everyone to know that he stole everything from a dead person. I want his career to die. I want him to lose everything. I want him to suffer. I'm gonna take everything away from that bastard."

Mr. Do did not say anything more and just obeyed. He gave out instructions to his people before he stood up and gather his things.

"We'll draw the draft out and have it in your office this afternoon. We'll also contact the PR team for the statement release—"

The doors suddenly flung open and Jennie walked in as she removed her big-ass sunglasses. She did not look so good even with the newest Chanel SS 2019 outfit she's wearing. Her eyes were surrounded by dark bags and she did not even had make-up on. And oh, she's carrying her own bag. Where's Secretary Kim?

"Manoban!" she blurted put surprising everyone in the room. She glared at the legal team who scurried off the moment she paused just a few inches from the conference table.

"This better be good, Kim," Lisa said in a bored tone as she checked her nails.

"I kissed someone in the club last night," the girl said straightforwardly that made her stop looking at her nails. With Secretary Jeon equally shocked. Then her forehead creased.

"Is that... is that a hickey?" She questioned pointing at the purple-ish mark on her neck. "Looks to me like it wasn't just a simple snog."

"It's a mosquito bite!" Jennie's hand immediately went to her neck—hiding the 'bite'. This made her raise an eyebrow. The girl let out a sigh. "Okay fine. We didn't just kiss. We made out. Now I need your help."

But she didn't budge. Their gazes locked and she looked guilty as hell.

"I was drunk, okay? And heartbroken thanks to your brother so don't judge me."

"I'm not judging you," she denied. "I'm simply implying that you're still not telling me what exactly happened."

Jennie—who was clearly on the verge of a full on tantrum, screamed.

"Fine! We didn't just kiss. We didn't just made out. We had... we... we..."

"You slept together," Lisa finished for her smirking. "Now, was that too hard to say?"

"Ugh!" Jennie rolled her eyes and plopped down on the vacant swivel chair next to her.

"Uhm, I think I'm gonna go—" Secretary Jeon—who clearly looked uncomfortable, excused himself.

"You're not going anywhere!" Both girls commanded shocking the poor secretary. Then Jennie turned to Lisa.

"Help me," she said. "Please, please help me. I don't know what to do after... after—"

Seriously? This girl is asking her advice after a one night stand? Doesn't she have any friends?

"Miss Kim," she said cutting her off. "There's a reason why it's called a one night stand. It's a one night thing only and you don't talk about it after."

"That would be applicable if I didn't know the guy. But... But... I..."

"Coherent words please, Jennie."

"Isleptwithsecretarykimandidon'tknowhowtofacehimafterthat!"

Secretary Jeon—who seemed to be deinking his coffee suddenly spat it out. Good thing he faced the other direction.

"The guy you had a one night stand was... Secretary Kim? As in your Secretary Kim?" she asked surprised.

"That's why I'm asking you for advice!" Jennie's tone a bit higher—panicking. "You're dating your secretary, right? So... so... I mean... how can you..."

"Secretary Kim does look hot. I'd tap that," Lisa mentioned—ignoring what Jennie had just said to her. "Is he interested in modeling, though? I've been wondering why he hasn't been scouted. With his built and face, he's perfect for—"

Secretary Jeon—all of a sudden, cleared his throat. Jennie was pouting as well.

"Fine," she said rolling her eyes. "You want advice? Here's an advice. Don't look too much into it. You two fooled around. So what? You're single and he's single as well. It's not like it's illegal to date your secretary or anything."

"But... But what if things go bad? Like if we two date and break up after. I'm bound to fire him and he'd have no work. I don't want that—"

"Jennie. As I've said, don't overthink things. Just go with it and see what happens," she said. "You might be surprised how things would go from there."

Jennie looked as if she was still weighing things inside her head. After a short while, she let out a sigh then smiled.

"I guess you're right," she said. "Maybe I'm just thinking too much. I'll just go with the flow and see where this goes."

Miss Kim stood up and surprised her by giving her a big hug. She was taken aback but quite frankly, she kinda liked it. But what she did after made her take it all back.

Jennie Kim walked towards Secretary Jeon and kissed him on the cheek.

"That's for calling my Secretary 'hot'," the girl said before leaving.

Lisa's eyes narrowed with her arms folded as she turned her attention back at her beet-red secretary. Her tongue clicked as it poked her cheek in utter irritation.

Secretary Jeon blinked. Her eyes grew narrower.

"You enjoyed that, didn't you?"

But instead of the usual submissive answers, Secretary Jeon straightened his tie before standing up.

"I guess you shouldn't have insinuated that you're attracted to Secretary Kim now, right?"

And with that, he left her dumbfounded and mouth agape.

✨

"On the scale of one to ten, you're a solid eleven for being f—king annoying, Seokjin," Jisoo hissed under her breath as the idol just grinned sitting innocently in front of her. "You have a freakin' show tonight and you decide to cut your own bangs on a live?! And it's not even half decent! You're really testing my patience!"

"But the majesties said they want to see my forehead again," he defended. "You know I can't say 'no' to them."

"For f—k's sake, Kim Seokjin! Just push your hair back to show your freaking forehead! Not cut it into those hideous baby bangs!"

"But it's cute!" he argued. "And I still look handsome. How dare you accuse my art to be hideous!"

"What? What f—king art?!"

"My face. My hair. My everything is art!"

"Wha—" Jisoo rolled her eyes. She's so done with this stubborn kid—yup he's a kid even if she's younger by a couple of year since maturity hasn't seem to develop on him. "Suit yourself. Perform looking like some dumbass on stage. I don't care anymore. Where's Namjoon?"

"Ya! Stop looking for other guys when you're in the presence of the me—worldwide handsome!"

Jisoo let out a frustrated sigh before leaving Jin inside the dressing room.

He let out a frustrated sigh as Jisoo completely exited the room. He turned towards the gigantic mirror to his side and brushed his hair with his fingers.

"Western guys are really attractive, Rosé. I mean, those clean haircuts? They look really manly! Imagine in seeing a guy with no bangs here in Seoul. It would really be refreshing..."

He scoffed.

"Couldn't even wait 'til I styled it."

✨

Lisa was impatiently tapping on her desk waiting for Secretary Jeon. After the thing with Jennie back at the conference room, he's been MIA. And so far she's not liking it.

She pursed her lip as she scrolled through the tablet. Seems like Saerin's really making it big—receiving a lot of buzz for being the only other solo artist JHS has debuted. But it wasn't all due to the media. It was also because she's extremely talented with a good variety personality. Her latest variety show guesting even went viral.

All the comebacks made by JHS Ent. artists had been, so far, successful under her leadership. So all that's left for her to do is debut RO5E—damn that name 'coz she has to force the newest scouted trainees to work double time to fill in the slot Saerin vacated instead of just making the four debut. Either she change the name or find a new member.

Im Ahyong... Koo Miyeon... Nam Dahee... Bianca Wang...

She scanned their profiles once again and reviewed their skills. They're missing a strong main dancer since Saerin was pulled out from the group. They have a rapper in Ahyong, vocals in Miyeon and Dahee, and a visual in Bianca. Dahee is a bit weak on the dancing side and Bianca was also considered to be lead dancer. Maybe if she switch their roles—putting Dahee as the visual instead of Bianca, maybe they can complete the roster...

No. Bianca's visual more prominent. She's striking and very unique. There's got to be a balance.

She reviewed some clip of their evaluations—minus Saerin's. Dahee's vocals were not a joke. All of them are but Dahee had this thick voice that could easily belt out high notes. Miyeon on the other hand has this unique color to her voice and is soft. Both can belt out high notes but Miyeon can go higher. She really needs to put a fifth member to balance this all—

A leader! Dahee can be the leader. She holds herself up pretty well and by the way she performs, one can see how she checks the team from time to time. She was also the one to first congratulate Saerin when she made her a soloist. She remembered one time when Dahee visited her eonnie's practice along with the other girls.

"And I can use Saerin's closeness to these girls as an advantage. A free promo..."she said as she started scribble on the blank piece of paper in front of her.

She wrote down their names in English. Thinking she might be able to get something from it to form a new name. And yes, she decided on just changing the group name since four members would be enough.

Koo... Wang... Im... Nam...

"KWINs!" she blurted out. "They are Queens! Their concept would be royalty! Right Jung—"

Her celebration was short lived as she realized Secretary Jeon wasn't there. That he wasn't there beside her. She sighed.

"I have got to get myself a friend," she muttered to herself before paging any other employees to call the team to meet her. "At least Jennie's having fun."

✨

Jennie entered her office beaming. It's a few minutes after noon and she's sure that Secretary Kim would already be walking in her office in a short while. She took a bold red lipstick inside her drawer—where she keeps a couple of lipstick in different shades just in case she didn't feel the one she's wearing or there's a sudden change in her mood, and applied it. She had a small mirror on her desk where she checked whether or not she looked okay or not.

A few minutes became an hour. And an hour slowly progressed to two. It seems like Secretary Kim had no intention of coming to work today. Great.

Does he think that one night of fooling around gives him the authority not to come to work? Especially when he's her secretary.

Just as she was trying to find her phone, Secretary Kim suddenly entered her office. She beamed—but immediately calmed herself and feigned anger. She folded her arms and crossed her legs.

"You're late, Secretary Kim," she said pouting. But Kim Taehyung did not seem fazed at all. He walked straight towards her then when he reached her desk, placed a white envelope on top of it. Secretary Kim took a step back and bowed.

Resignation

Jennie was beyond confused. She did not even have the strength to take the thing off her desk and just looked at it like it's some sort of foreign object. Then she slowly lifted her gaze to see her secretary's face.

"W-Why?" she stuttered. There were tons pf questions inside her head right now and all she could manage to blurt out was that one stupid word.

"Personal reasons," he simply answered. His face pokerfaced but somewhat a bit more serious than the usual. "I apologize for the abrupt decision but I have informed the HR about my resignation. They've already called in a few applicants which I can help sort to befit your needs. I will oversee the application process for the days to come. As for today, Ms. Nam would pose as your temporary secretary. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

He gave her a curt bow before turning around towards the exit. She didn't know what to do but bolted upright.

"S-Secretary Kim!" she called. "A... About last night—"

Sec—Mr. Kim did not even spare her a glance but did stop on his tracks.

"Nothing happened, am I correct?" He cut her off. "Don't worry, Ms. Kim. My contract did have a non-disclosure clause so I won't divulge any information to the press. If you'll excuse me, I'll be heading out."

Taehyung did not give her a chance to say anything else as the doors to her office closed. Defeated she let herself fall on to the chair and leaned back in despair.

What just happened? Why... why did he just do that? Was he... was he embarrassed? Or...

Was she not good?!

She felt her cheeks burn. Yes she was inexperienced. She never did that with anyone and she was drunk. How'd she know how to... to... maybe she was sloppy and all over the place. Or maybe she made weird faces that scared him or something. Maybe he didn't like her bare face—but he already saw her bare face countless times. Or maybe he didn't... didn't...

"Aish!" She buried her face into her hands. How embarrassing! But it was her first time! And... and...

"Was that Taehyung? Anyways, I was calling you since this morning but you weren't answering—" A voice suddenly said making her lift her head up. Yoongi's forehead creased. "Jen... are you crying?"

"Oppa!" She immediately stood up and ran towards her cousin, burying her face on his chest. "Oppa, how... how do I learn? Do I take classes? Is there any book I can use? I don't want to disappoint him."

"Are you still upset about Hoseok? I told you before, Jen, he's just not interested—"

"No!" she immediately corrected. "Not Hoseok oppa. I know he likes someone else. I'm talking about Taehyung!"

"Taehyung? Who—Secretary Kim?"

Jennie lifted her head again—now pouting as her eyes glisten with tears. Yoongi's chest tightened at the sight of his younger cousin who's been like a sister to him.

"Yes!" she blurted out. "What do I do? I don't want to be good at it so he won't be disappointed! Tell me what to do!"

"Good? Good in what?" his forehead creased.

"Good in bed!"

"What?!"

✨

"We're leaving tomorrow so Sana here will be taking over for a while," Tzuyu said as she sat across Jungkook. CEO Jung—err, Hoseok hyung was seated right next to her. He's still not quite used to the idea of his sister dating his former boss. Not to mention his new boss' brother.

"As long as my complementary drinks are still available, I don't mind," he answers. "And don't worry. I'll keep an eye on this place from time to time."

"The place or my new regular customer?" Tzuyu teased making Hoseok chuckle. "Seriously, Kook. Can you be any more obvious?"

"Obvious? About what?" He feigned innocence. The heat not helping his sudden sweating.

His sister rolled her eyes before turning to her boyfriend.

"I know you like my sister, Jungkook," Hoseok said smiling. "It's fine. Why'd you think I told you our past? And please. I've told you countless times, stop being nervous around her. My sister can smell fear a mile away. She'd eat you alive."

He felt his cheeks burn so he grabbed a beer and drank. It's still weird and inappropriate for him 'coz she's his boss. He had a few slip ups but he couldn't help it. Hearing her say Taehyung was hot and whatever hit a nerve. A big one.

"I'm gonna get us some refills," he muttered before leaving the table. He approached the new manager, Sana. She had blonde hair and a very cheerful tone. "Hey Sana. How's your first day on the job?"

"Oh hey, Jungkook," she answered in her usual sing-song tone. "Refill?"

He nodded and placed the glasses on the counter.

"You're not Korean, are you?"

"I'm actually Japanese," she answered while filling the glasses with beer. "But I grew up here after my dad landed a stable job here."

"Oh, that's nice—"

"And I'm half-Thai," a familiar voice suddenly said cutting him off. "Grew up here to but moved abroad to study. Nice to meet you, Sana."

Miss Manoban—in a black form fitting dress, said with her arms folded and eyes narrowed at them. Particularly at him. He blinked. Then she turned towards Sana and smiled.

"If you'll excuse us, I have some things to discuss with Jungkook..." Her head turns towards him again—minus the smile. "...privately."

"Uh... sure! I'll just bring these drinks to the table—"

"Lisa. That's my name so don't wear it out," she said with a wink directed at Sana. Then when her gaze fell on to him, she looked like she's gonna claw his face off. "Let's go, Secretary Jeon."

Miss Manoban marched towards an empty table as he followed her. They passed by a group of college kids celebrating and a couple with a candle lit cake. And when they passed by his sister and Hoseok, both of them mouthed 'be brave' towards him. He gulped.

"Where were you the whole afternoon?!" Miss Manoban yelled as soon as they sat on the far end on the pub. "I had to do the new girl group concept alone. I even had to photocopy my own documents and get my own snack!"

"T-There was a problem with Miss Ji Eun's comeback preparations—"

Miss Manoban's eyes grew wide—not in shock but clearly out of irritation. She even gritted her teeth as she looked away.

"Woah, daebak," she muttered sarcastically as she flipped her hair off her shoulder and crossed her leg. "You ditched me—your boss who actually employs you, to go assist the artist—whom has her own team and manager to do her sh*t for her, the whole afternoon? Wow, Secretary Jeon. Just wow. Do you want me to name you Manager Jeon now? You'd like that very much, would you?"

He felt a bit intimidated. Yes, Miss Manoban is ten times scarier when she's angry. And right now—even if she looked really really good with her long hair loosely curled, she looked like she could rip his head off any time.

Be brave. She can detect fear a mile away.

He straightened up and gathered up all his courage. Gryffindors would be proud.

"Miss Manoban, Miss Ji Eun's matters were urgent and needed approval from your office," he started to explain. "Seeing as you're currently preoccupied with the plagiarism case, I didn't want to bother you with it and attended the matters on my own as I've been granted the power to make some executive decisions on matters like Miss Ji Eun's case. I apologize for my absence this afternoon."

His boss scoffed. "Oh really? Urgent? So you personally attended the matter because of that and not because IU is involved? Do you think I'm stupid—"

He clearly saw how Miss Manoban's eyes grew in shock—fear prominent in her brown orbs.

"Fire! Fire!"

The girl—who was seated a few seats before them, screamed as she pointed at what seemed to be a cake's box. The guy panicked and tried to stop it with a napkin but it caught on fire too.

Of course, his sister was able to contain the chaos by using the fire extinguisher. But it wasn't the fire that caught everyone's attention. It was Miss Manoban.

She was screaming with pure horror as she stepped back trying to find something to hold on to. Her eyes were glued on to the fire like she was remembering something traumatic.

"Lisa saw the car exploded, Jungkook. With her brother still inside..." PD Min narrated. "She saw the car in flames killing her brother alive."

He rushed to her side immediately and wrapping his arms around her protectively. He shielded her from the sight while trying to calm her down.

"It's okay... it's okay. It's all over now..."

Miss Manoban's breathing was heavy as she clutched on to his suit with her face buried in his chest. He gently brushed her hair in an attempt to further calm her down.

"Bring her upstairs, Kook," Tzuyu said pertaining to her apartment located on the roof of the pub. "I'll take care of everything here."

He nodded and scooped Miss Manoban's trembling body from the floor.

"Jaewon..." she cried as he carried her out bridal-style. "Jaewon."

Her grip on his suit tightened. Her eyes were closed but tears streamed down her cheeks like there's no tomorrow.

"Jaewon—I should have died!" She screamed as soon as he laid her on the couch inside Tzuyu's rooftop house. "I killed him! I killed my own brother!"

"You didn't," he countered. Both his hands on her shoulders. "Listen to me. You didn't kill him. It was an accident. You're not responsible for what had happened—"

"I was the one who's supposed to die!" she insisted hysterically. "Jaewon... he said to take me instead. To... to... to get me out of there first. But the police wanted to get him out first since it was easier. I killed him, Jungkook. I killed my own brother—"

Jungkook had no other choice. She was in panic and he needed her to relax. To calm down and to stop blaming herself of something that wasn't her fault.

He pressed his lips on hers which immediately cut her off. He felt her tense in shock so he gently placed his one arm around her and the other hand on her face.

Slowly, Miss Manoban started to relax and close her eyes—a single drop of tear cascading down her soft skin.

✨

"Oppa! No! Please! He didn't force me—"

Jennie tried her best to restrain Yoongi who had murder in his eyes. He basically dragged her down towards the parking lot after she told him what happened between her and Secretary Kim.

"Forced or not, he didn't have the right!" He roared making her flinch and bite her lip. "He touched you so he should take responsibility!"

"But oppa, it was just... just..."

"Just what, Jennie? Just what?!" She wasn't able to answer. Yoongi scoffed and brushed her arm off his and continued to walk towards the apartment building where Secretary Kim was staying.

"Oppa!" She yelled as she ran after him. With all her might, she tried to pull him back. But to no avail, Min Yoongi was far stronger than she was. And judging by how furious he is, she knew very well that he was an unstoppable force. "Ya! Min Yoongi! Stop it!"

Yoongi banged his clenched fists on what seemed to be Secretary Kim's door.

"Kim Taehyung!" He called out. "Kim Taehyung, open this door right now!"

"Oppa please—"

Her eyes grew in size as the door opened revealing Secretary Kim on the other side. His hair was a bit messy and he wasn't in his usual suit but in a casual Seoul University hoodie and some sweats. He looked mighty fine. She suddenly remembered his toned arms that matched his perfectly chiseled torso...

"Kim Taehyung," Yoongi's voice cut her fantasizing and brought her back to reality. "What did you do to her."

"Oppa please—"

"Nothing," Taehyung said. "Nothing happened. It was a mistake and I already resigned."

The coldness of his voice was too painful for her own liking. She felt her cheeks burn. Was she really that not likable? That even... even that night they shared... he considered a 'mistake'?

Her eyes stung. She knew what would come next and he didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry—err, cry because of him.

"You—"

"L-Let's just go, oppa," she said—her voice shakey. Her grip on Yoongi's arm became tighter making him look at her with concern. Her eyes pleaded. Pleaded to at least give her a shred of dignity. "Oppa..."

Yoongi let out a sigh. "Fine."

She felt a sudden surge of emotions inside her. Pain, sadness, appreciation... She caught Taehyung's lingering gaze which she immediately averted. She removed her hand from Yoongi to turn around but his stubborn cousin suddenly punched Taehyung square on the jaw.

"Yoongi!"

"That's for hurting my cousin, you a**h*le."

"Wait. Cousin?" Taehyung questioned from the floor as he cupped his jaw.

Yoongi sneered before turning towards her—ignoring Taehyung's question.

"Opp—"

"Let's go," he said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the confused secretary.

"Wait!" Taehyung called out as he stood.

But Jennie was already being pulled away by Yoongi towards the car. She tried to look behind her but her cousin wasn't having it. Once in the car, he revved up the engine and did not give Taehyung any chance to catch up to them.

As he was driving, he pulled his phone out.

"Yoongi—"

Her cousin gave her a warning look before she could continue.

"Yes. This is PD Min. I want Kim Taehyung banned from the building starting tomorrow."

"Yoongi!"

✨