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

Chapter 40: Holding It Together ⚠️

She raises a brow, smirking like she knows exactly what's going through my head.

I gulp down my drink.

Somewhere between rounds of cocktails and poor life choices, Ha eun suggests a Truth or Shot game.

"Easy rules," she explains, grinning. "Answer the question honestly, or take a shot."

I immediately regret my existence.

Si Woo goes first. "Jae, what's the worst design mistake you've ever made?"

Jae groans, downing a shot instead of answering.

Trina smirks. "Si Woo, how many bugs have you 'accidentally' ignored?"

Si Woo shrugs. "None."

We all stare at him.

"...That I'll admit to," he adds, taking a shot.

I burst out laughing.

Then it's my turn.

Jae grins wickedly. "Y/N, if you had to kiss someone in this room that's not Suga, who would it be?"

My soul leaves my body.

The entire table erupts into chaos.

"JAE!" I screech.

Si Woo pounds the table. "ANSWER IT."

Ha eun gasps. "Oooooh!"

Yoongi leans back in his seat, smirking. "Well, babe?"

I glare at him. "Don't encourage this."

Dara, completely unbothered, sips her drink. "It's a fair question."

I groan, grabbing a shot and downing it immediately.

The table explodes in laughter.

Jae cackles. "COWARD."

I slam the glass down. "I AM IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP."

Dara smirks. "So if you weren't?"

I whip my head toward her.

She winks.

I choke on air.

Yoongi loses it, laughing so hard he has to lean into me for support.

I hate everything.

Later in the night, after I've sufficiently embarrassed myself in front of my entire team, Dara turns to me, swirling her drink lazily.

"You know," she muses, "I was really excited when my dad told me I'd be working with you."

I blink. "What?"

She tilts her head. "You're an incredible product manager, Y/N. Your work on LoveMap? The way you've handled all these launches? It's insanely impressive."

I short-circuit.

I expect sarcasm, some kind of teasing remark, but-

She's genuine.

I stare at her, confused and-annoyingly-flattered. "Oh."

She grins. "So yeah, I was excited to work with you. And now? Even more so."

I don't know what to say.

I hate that she's so cool. I hate that I like her.

I hate that I want to be her friend.

Yoongi, watching all of this unfold, grins.

"Oh my god," he murmurs, amused. "You like her."

I whip around to face him. "I do not."