Stigma Love's Algorithm [ A BTS x Reader Poly ]

Chapter 3: Cracks in the Armor

"Oh, come on. Don't play dumb with me. It's obvious. You've been practically glowing every time Suga walks by, and if I'm not mistaken, you've developed this weird habit of biting your lip whenever you have to talk to him."

I almost dropped my cup. "What?!" I squeaked, immediately regretting how high-pitched my voice had gone.

"I don't bite my lips...And I definitely do not glow. It's sweat, I'm filipino I have pores, it's normal. I wasn't gifted with flawless, poreless skin like you ms. koreana" I muttered at her nervously in my native accent trying to change the subject.

Yeona's laugh was low and knowing. "You really think you can fool anyone with that? I've seen you glance and swoon over him in secret all these years."

"It's just now you somehow decided to be more upfront about it. Honestly, there is nothing to be ashamed about. The man is a legend around here. You're not the only one who has... well, feelings about him."

My cheeks burned. I could feel the heat rising as I mentally scrambled for something to say, but Yeona was already leaning in, clearly enjoying this.

"Don't think I haven't heard the whispers, Y/N. Half the girls in this building practically melt when he walks by. And let me tell you, it's not just about his brain, his work capabilities. It's that once in a lifetime mysterious smirk he does. That ridiculously perfect, 'I'm-too-cool-for-you' smirk that gets everyone-and I mean everyone-to swoon. He's got this whole 'I'll-look-you-in-the-eyes-and-make-you-feel-like-you're-the-only-person-in-the-room' thing going on. It's practically a superpower."

Yeona raises an eyebrow again as she sees me bite my lip nervously, her grin widening. "Something changed. You guys have always had this push and pull energy. What's going on with you two?"

My face went redder than I'd like to admit. "There's nothing going on. We're just working together, okay?"

Yeona raised both eyebrows now, her grin turning into a full-blown smirk.

"Uh-huh. Sure, sure. I've seen the way you look at him. You've got the same look in your eyes that you had when you were ten and had your first crush on that guy from summer camp."

I groaned, leaning my head against the counter. "You are so embarrassing. You know that, right?"

Yeona laughed and nudged my shoulder with hers, her laughter light and carefree. "Hey, I'm just saying, if you're going to have a crush, you could do worse than Suga. I mean, the guy's got the whole dark, and mysterious' thing going on. He could probably charm the pants off a stone statue."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "You are so dramatic."

"Oh, I know. But really, Y/N, you're not fooling anyone. The whole office has been talking about you two for days. You're practically glowing whenever he talks to you." Yeona waggled her eyebrows.

"And like I said I'm not the only one noticing. Half the office is obsessed with him. It's like some weird cult of Suga. People adore him. I mean, who wouldn't? He's got the looks, the brains, the charm... it's a package deal."

"Stop it," I said, laughing despite myself.

"Seriously, though. It's... complicated. And you know how I feel about that..whole feelings thing. It's not like I can just... go along with it. I've got too many questions."

Yeona's expression softened a bit, her teasing giving way to something more understanding. "I get it. Trust me, I do. But look at Ryota and me."

She pulled out her phone and swiped through some pictures of her and her soulmate, Ryota, who had this soft, nurturing energy that made everyone around him feel at ease.