A MURDER!?

"What the hell!?" Lisa exclaimed, running towards me.

"Who's been murdered!?" Taehyung joined, his face pale with shock.

"Let's all go to the hall. Only Jungkook can answer our questions," Jimin said urgently as Jen and Kiara joined us, and we all sprinted to the main hall.

"Who's been murdered?" Jimin inquired as soon as we arrived.

"We don't know... but we came here as fast as we could," Iseul stated, her voice trembling. We all started whispering to each other about this big issue. But among all of us, Jen seemed exceptionally quiet.

"Jennie? What's wrong?" Lisa asked, noticing her unease.

"I happened to hear a snippet of someone's conversation last night," Jennie said nervously.

"Spill it," Ishan demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"They were planning to break into Jungkook's office. They said they had his room keys, but they wandered off before I had a chance to see them."

"Break into his office!?" I gasped.

"We should look around for Jungkook. I hope he's okay... Nothing happened to him, right!?" Lisa added, her voice rising in panic.

"The announcement earlier was from Jungkook, so I believe he is safe," Kiara reassured us.

"I heard they wanted to bang into his office," Jack concluded.

"Do you think they turned off the cameras?" Taehyung questioned, his voice tense.

"Yes. And the murderer took advantage of the situation," Jimin replied, his expression grim.

"Gosh—wait, I smell something weird," I stated, sniffing the air.

We looked around and saw the corpse being taken away by the doctors and the police.

As the weight of the situation settled in, we exchanged worried glances, realizing that this was only the beginning of a very long and terrifying day.

"Good morning," Fred said, approaching us.

"What's so good about this morning? Someone's been murdered," Iseul retorted, her voice shaking with anger and fear.

"Oh well, I'll leave that aside for now. Here's a card for everyone," Fred said, handing out elegant envelopes to each of us. 

"The theme of the event is '90s vibe. Please dress accordingly. You all can assemble at the ballroom at 10."

With that, he walked away, leaving us all confused.

We looked at each other, trying to process the sudden shift in focus.

"A '90s vibe? After everything that's happened?" Lisa muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Are we having a murder mystery party now?" We all laughed at Taehyung's statement

"Does that mean Jungkook's playing a joke on us? Like this corpse and all are fake!?" Jimin stated,  though his face still showed signs of worry.

He might have a sick sense of humor, but damn, I totally have the hots for that man.

"Let's meet up in an hour and figure out our outfits," I suggested, trying to inject some positivity into the group.

We all dispersed to our rooms. But something felt wrong. 

As we dispersed to prepare, the lingering tension of the morning's events hung over us, but we knew we had to push through. The show, as they say, must go on.

Was everything just an elaborate ruse? Even the smell? As I moved down the hallway, I saw Jungkook engaged in a conversation with a policeman. They exchanged formal bows before the officer walked away.

Without thinking, I grabbed Jungkook by the collar and pulled him back.

"Was this all fake?" I demanded, my voice heavy with frustration as I tossed the card at him.

He sighed, bending down to retrieve it. My gaze, however, landed on the bandage wrapped around his ankle.

"Omo, what happened to your leg?" I asked, immediately taking the card from him and helping him to a nearby chair.

"Are you on your periods? You're all over the place with these mood swings," Jungkook remarked, an eyebrow raised.

"Don't try to change the topic," I snapped. "What happened to your leg? And what was that announcement about the murder? Was it all staged?"

He handed me a glass of water. "First, drink this."

I gulped down the water, trying to steady my nerves.

"No, the murder was real," Jungkook explained. "We staged the event to make it seem like the murder was fake to keep the contestants calm. The police investigation is still ongoing, and we're trying to keep it away from the media for now."

Just then, Fred walked in. "Mr. Jeon, you have a call."

Jungkook nodded and hurried off. I sighed and made my way to the dining area for breakfast.

10 mins to 10 AM...

Standing before the mirror, I felt the sleek black fabric embrace my torso like a second skin, its sleeveless design offering a glimpse of skin in just the right places.  Then came the skirt, flowing in rich coffee caramel hues. Its soft layers whispered against my legs as I moved, each swish a gentle reminder of the elegance it exuded. As I smoothed down the bodice, I admired how it accentuated my figure.

Assuring myself I did a final touch before leaving for the ballroom.

Entering the hall I noticed people bickering around

"Oh, my Janet! I'm glad you came even though it was a last-minute plan and you had to travel overseas but I'm glad you gave your time for your dear cousin" I stood there confused as that man hugged me 

"Oh I have other guests to attend, talk to you later." He went away

A drama?

I searched for the card in my purse and started reading it

- Janet, a cousin of the groom who joined the event at the last minute -

Oh damn now I've to go with this drama.

"A PRIEST!? I'm some dull-ass priest? Of course, I'm salty about it." I heard Jimin yell from far 

"Please do not use any order slang words, Reverend," Jungkook said

"Oh golly gee damn! My priesthood upsets me! " Jimin sulked

I laughed hearing their conversation

"Still not the way one acceptable priest in the 1960s would talk"

"Blessed be, my child" Jimin dramatically added "It is I, a lowly servant of God questioning my line of work. Any better now" He rolled his eyes

"Much better" Jungkook laughed

So this event will include a lot of silly playacting... And of course, solving a murder mystery. Let's solve this.

"Here comes the bride!!" Jen shouted, excitement in her voice.

"Hi! Cynthia, right?" I greeted, extending my hand for a shake.

"Is that what my name tag says?" she replied with a hint of confusion.

"Lol, it's upside down," I pointed out with a smile. She laughed awkwardly and adjusted the tag.

"So... are you excited about getting married?" I asked.

"Delighted," she said with a bright smile.

"How did you and Charles meet?"

"Charles?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Your groom?"

"Oh, that guy! Our parents arranged the marriage. He agreed, and so did I. I'm hopelessly in love with him."

"Ah, my dear! This marriage is indeed a very fortuitous occasion," Kiara interjected, entering and playing her role as the mother of the bride.

I excused myself and nearly collided with Jungkook.

"I have something to say!" we both exclaimed simultaneously.

"You go first!" we said in unison again.

"Alright, I'll go first," Jungkook said, a serious tone in his voice. "I just spoke with the police, and according to their investigation, the culprit never left this building..."

"Does that mean the culprit is one among us?" He nodded as we slowly looked around the hall.

Problem arises. Masquerade masks have already been distributed among all the people present there. From the shooting team to the contestants. 

"Fuck" he whispered under his breath.

"Sir, ma'am, kindly wear this" Fred gave us the masks. 

"Y/n, have this earpiece, and contact me if you find anything suspicious." I nodded as we parted ways

Half an hour later...

I walked around the hall as I was observing each and every moment of the people around me. Some acted along the script given and somewhere laughing about their own stuff with each other. But a question ran in my mind

where's the so-called groom and bride?

I looked around in the hallway but my eyes caught a slightly open room. I peeked in and instantly regretted

Holy Jesus, THREESOME!?

Those two men and women are having sex like it's going out of style.

But I see one familiar face among them. 

Vernoica? The obsessed fan of Jimin?

"You asked me to fulfill your desires, now you fulfill my wish, I want you to get Jimin in any way you can, got it?"

Thankfully I recorded the conversation and ran before they caught me.

So maybe Veronica was behind all the drama? But the mystery doesn't end here. The suspicious couple are still missing. I went up to Jimin, requesting him to call the groom and the bride on the stage.

"I would like to grab the attention of the guests by calling out the bride and the groom on the stage for their wedding ceremony-" Before he could complete, loud gunshots were heard.

The wedding reception hall transformed into a scene of chaos as the sound of gunshots shattered the air. Screams of panic and confusion replaced laughter and music. Guests dove for cover behind tables, their expressions of happiness replaced by wide-eyed terror. 

I ran to the spot where the gunshot was first heard. The pristine white gown of the bride was now covered with red as she lay there lifeless.

"Jungkook!? Jungkook!!??" I yelled through the earpiece but got no response.

"J-Jimin" I heard a weak voice from the other side as my eyes darted towards Jimin who was crouching down behind the stage in an attempt to hide. My ears caught the sound of the trigger getting ready and my guts said it was aiming at Jimin. I ran as fast as I could and I pushed him as the flower vase behind him shattered due to the bullet. 

"Let's runnn!" He grabbed my arm as we ran through the hallway but my steps halted as I heard the other line speak.

"Darling, run and you will see him die in front of your eyes by choking on his own blood."

"What's wrong!?" Jimin screeched, his eyes wide with concern as I locked eyes with him.

"I have to go... Sorry..." I blurted out, dashing back down the hallway, which was awash in red decorations.

In the midst of the chaos stood Jungkook, visibly injured.

"Oh, look who's come to rescue her friend," a voice sneered behind me. I felt the cold press of a gun against my back as the man stepped into view.

"Psychotic behavior, I see," I said, a smirk playing on my lips.

"Confidence! I love it," he chuckled. "Try to guess who I am."

"Joseph Thompson..."

"Oh my! I never thought my little rival would remember me from high school" He laughed as he threw that mask off his face. 

Our eyes met, his eyes gleaming with a disturbing mix of obsession and malice.

With a chilling smirk twisting his lips, he leaned in close, his breath hot against my skin as he whispered the twisted reasoning behind his relentless attack. 

"You see, my dear," he hissed, his voice dripping with deranged fervor, 

"It's not just about you. It's about the thrill of seeing you squirm. You're everything I want and hate, a puzzle I can't ignore. I'll keep breaking you until you're nothing but a puppet under my control." With a haunting laugh, he retreated.

"Guess whose suffering because of you?" He went behind the large doors and dragged someone out

"JENNIE!" 

She was bruised badly and now thinking of it, Joseph was madly in love with her since high school.

"You always seem to poke one stuff I like, and I started to like your bold behavior" I was horrified after knowing the truth of his twisted obsession.

"Why did you kill Cynthia?" I questioned

"You see she was one of my puppets who was madly in love with me, and I just took her help to reach here" He shrugged

"Oh wait, lemme call my partner in crime" He whistled 

Another man entered. I was abruptly pushed from my back but still managed not to fall. 

Smirking, Joseph stood in front of me, while the other guy fixed his glove as he slowly approached me. Standing still, I looked at Jungkook's eyes

'Free me and let's fight together'

I slightly nodded not making it noticeable.

Adrenaline surged through my veins as I sprinted down towards the man with a piece of metal rod in my hand. I smashed it against the man's head as he crouched down in pain. I looked into Joseph's eyes as I smashed it once again, against the wall. He ran towards me in an attempt to grab me, but I slid down the sharp metal towards Jungkook as he was fast enough to use it to get rid of the ropes around his hands. He wasted no time, grabbing a nearby plank of wood and using it as a shield.

In no time we had Joseph injured on the ground. We got a grip of the guns from them as now we had them as the hostage. 

Sirens blew off as groups of policemen entered the hall and other contestants and staff stood behind them. 

But my eyes watched her,

"Veronica!" I yelled as she ran away and Isuel too ran after her. We all ran through the hallway, we saw Veronica all tackled up on the ground with Iseul on top of her.

"Thank you for saving me" Jungkook whispered

"Oh you're going to treat me in a fancy restaurant, that's what you owe me" He laughed

When the execution planning was so poor, solving the mystery wasn't difficult...

"Ma'am, do you have anything to say about the attacker?" The policeman inquired

"The killer's obsessions and dark fantasies fueled his psychotic behavior, leading him to commit heinous acts. His twisted desires consumed him, blurring the line between fiction and reality, and ultimately pushing him to carry out his murderous intentions." I explained as I handed over the small recorder where Veronica's intentions were recorded.

In light of this massive incident, I had to accompany the police and the media for the entire day.

I was constantly bombarded with questions and accusations. After providing the necessary information, the investigation was concluded when it revealed that the killer had been involved in many other unsolved cases. I was relieved to be done with it all.

Everyone dispersed on their way as I was accompanied by Jimin, Jungkook, Jennie, and Ishan to the Medical room.

"You can gooo" Jennie said pushing Ishan out of the room

"Oh no, you're injured and I'm staying here only!" He whined

"Same here-" 

"Jimin! I ain't as injured as Jennie, I can go by myself!" I glared

"Oh come on-" I shushed Jimin, finally convincing him to go

Soon after getting treated, I decided to have a walk around with Jungkook. As we strolled through the garden, I couldn't help but feel a sense of renewed energy. The fresh air and natural beauty around us served as a reminder of the healing power of nature, and I found solace in the simple act of walking alongside a friend.

We talked about different things as he explained his usual schedules which are extremely hectic! I realized that although life can be chaotic, there are still moments of peace and tranquility when we can take in the sights and sounds of nature. I cherished these moments and found them to be very therapeutic.

"You should get some rest. We have an event tomorrow morning," he advised.

"Any hints about what it is?" I asked, curious.

"A romantic candlelight dinner with your match," he whispered with a teasing grin.

"Oh, that sounds perfect! After all this drama, only a good meal can satisfy me!" I exclaimed.

"You only care about your food," he teased with a chuckle.

We both laughed as we went our separate ways.

Next Morning

The smell of delicious food filled the air as I was hungrily waiting for Jimin to join me at the dining hall. My mouth watered at the thought of indulging in the mouthwatering dishes that awaited me.

"My guy is always the late one" Taehyung giggled

"SORRY! I'm late!" Jimin panted after his long run across the hallways

"Long time no see" I mocked

"Those 8 hours without you were pure torture" he flirted, that's when Fred came into my view

"You're too late sir. The contestants have already taken all the tables. And incidentally, we have also run out of food. Please accept my deepest apologies" He apologized

"Is this a joke!? You knew how many contestants were there!" I was furious

"I'm truly sorry Ms. Lee, our cook messed up the order."

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK

"PARK JIMIN! I'M FUCKING HUNGRY AND IF I DON'T GET FOOD I'LL SURELY EAT YOU UP ALIVE" I screamed at him

"Ma'am calm down! We left this problem to Mr. Jeon and fortunately, he has prepared something else for you... If you may follow me." I nodded as we followed him...

He took us.....

.......to back kitchen?

"You know when I heard we were going to have a romantic candlelight dinner, I didn't expect us to be sitting in the kitchen window seats and eating popcorn" I giggled

"Well, they did offer us onion rings." We laughed

"We can do something adventurous" He suggested

"Like what?"

"I got keys to Jungkook's office" he threw the keys to me

"You didn't!"

"You bet I did. Snatched them up right in front of his nose and he never even noticed" 

"But Jungkook's office is off-limits when he's not there."

"I'm not interested in his office. There's a key that unlocks his private, heated pool. No cameras, no people. And I heard there's even a mini-bar with premium champagne." He mischievously explained

"I want to go for a swim... don't you?" 

Thinking about the offer, I can't lose this once-in-a-lifetime chance!

I nodded as we cautiously went inside his office and took the keys to the private pool.

"WOWW" I murmured looking at how beautiful was the pool. "This looks amazing! I can't believe Jungkook has been keeping this place to himself!"

"I know right!?" He laughed

"Sad for those who are out now performing their lovely moment in front of the cameras. " He added

"Well, how about we pop that champagne and slide into the pool?" 

"I don't know. I rather watch the city from here and the birds chirping. Swimming early in the morning ain't my cup of tea." He chuckled "Come on" I whined

"Lemme bring the drinks!" 

As we sat there talking about how life is hard sometimes, we couldn't help but compare it to the ups and downs of a matchmaker show, where contestants face various challenges and heartbreaks in their pursuit of love.

A few hours later...

As the morning sun streamed down the city, we all had personal time. 

As a way to refresh our minds after yesterday's tragedy, Jungkook announced that we could do whatever we liked today. With a collective agreement, we dived into the virtual world playing and goofing around. Laughter echoed through the digital realm as inside jokes flourished and our bonds strengthened. 

As the day progressed and our digital adventures continued to unfold, we also made time for a nostalgic throwback to simpler times: board games. Amidst the flurry of mouse clicks and keyboard taps, we paused to gather around a table strewn with colorful boards and intricate pieces. With each roll of the dice and strategic move, we engaged in friendly competition, reveling in the tactile pleasure of shuffling cards and moving tokens.

As the day unfolded, our digital escapades seamlessly intertwined with our analog adventures, creating a tapestry of memories that would linger long after the final dice had been rolled and the last tile placed. In the blending of old-fashioned board games with modern online gaming, we discovered the timeless magic of togetherness and the enduring bonds through laughter, competition, and the simple joy of play.

As I entered my room, ready to unwind after a day filled with laughter and camaraderie, I was greeted by an unexpected sight—a beautiful bouquet of flowers resting on my desk. With a smile tugging at the corners of my lips, I read the accompanying note, 

"Dear Y/n, 

I tried to find something more beautiful than you, but it was impossible. Nevertheless, I had to find something, so I hope you like them, they are called stargazer lilies. I chose them since I used to look at the stars every night, which I can no longer do... because now, my eyes are always drawn to you, captivated by your beauty."

Who could have written me this? It's not signed!