Author's Note: Just a short author's note. I did something different with this chapter. I hope you enjoy it despite the twisted mind of TDS. I hope you love to hate her as much as I do. :)
TDS double checks the digital clock on her phone. She gave the man-boy an outrageous time to meet this morning. Part of her was hoping that he would back out when she listed the ridiculous hour. Apparently the kidult was so eager that even the fact that it wasn't even dawn had phased him. A hand touches her back while she is unaware and, due to the training she has had in self defense, nearly has her wrapping her hand around his wrist automatically and sending him flying over her shoulder onto the pavement in front of her. Luckily she recognizes the scent of his expensive cologne before she fully completes the action.
He grasps her hand in his, as if that was what she had intended by her actions in the first place. "I've missed you." He looks down at her with affection filled eyes.
Mentally she groans, but in case she needs more information from him in the future that isn't the outward appearance she gives him. No, outside she is smiling up at him as if her affection for him is a complete reflection of the feelings he seems to have for her. Poor kid is completely clueless.
"I know. I have just been busy, Seunghyeon. You understand how it is." She hopes he isn't insistent on another blow job, or some other sexual activity. Even the idea of him offering to go down on her turns her stomach. Not that the kid is unattractive, but his immaturity makes him exceptionally unappealing.
"I got the serum injection the other day. My father was insistent I wait until I at least turned twenty-two, but I decided to go behind his back and do it anyway. He'll probably get mad when he sees the billing statement though." He pauses for a moment.
TDS realizes that the poor lovestruck fool is hoping that she went and did the same after meeting him. Yeah right, as if that would happen. At least I have the lack of income excuse to fall back on. I'm not actually poor or hurting in any way financially, but he doesn't need to know that. The questions she decides to ask him she hopes come out if she is actually curious about what happened after his injection. "Did you channel somnium venereum? Did you receive your soulmate mark?"
He frowns for a moment, making TDS wonder if she had unintentionally shown her true disinterest rather than the curiosity she was hoping to convey regarding the situation. He shakes his head. "No, I wanted to talk to you first. I wanted to check to see if you got the serum injection too. If you had then I was going to channel it." He pauses for a second a hopeful look passing over his face before he admits the reason he is waiting. "I just know we are soulmates! We have to be! I've never felt like this about anyone before."
It's called lust, over eager pup. She is really tempted to roll her eyes at him but does her best to keep up the charade. "I haven't gotten my injection yet. I'm saving up a few paychecks before I decide to proceed forward with the injection, and that's only if I don't have something important fall in my lap. Being rich I am sure you don't understand how life doesn't always go as planned." TDS pauses for a second realizing her excuse is rather parallel to the one the Daisy bitch used regarding her injection. She can't take it back now, but she definitely isn't happy to even pretend to have something in common with the gold digging foreigner.
He outright frowns at that. "I'm not exactly rich. Sure, my father has a cushiony job, and he does very well for himself. But, that doesn't make us millionaires or anything like that." He pauses for a second. "I thought you didn't care about things like that. A person's monetary worth I mean."
On the contrary, I care quite a big deal actually. Just not about *your* monetary value. She somewhat verbally mimics the thought she just had to herself aloud. "I don't care about your monetary value, Seunghyeon. That has no bearing regarding our relationship." She sighs. "Speaking of our relationship. I hope you understand why I haven't been able to keep in touch like I would have liked to over the past few weeks."
"No. I completely understand you have been busy. The quantity of time doesn't matter though. It's about the quality."
She attempts a warm smile at him before checking her phone again, curious about the time. "Speaking of quantity of time though. I did stress that I wouldn't have much time this morning. I have to meet up with my colleague in an hour to go over some plans regarding our job. The location is about thirty minutes from here depending on traffic. So, I should probably head out now."
The overeager pup frowns at her again. But rather than get upset he instead leans over and kisses her on the cheek, just beside her ear. His breath tickling the sensitive flesh there making her feel uncomfortable. She wills herself to not clench her jaw in reaction. It would be too obvious how much she detested that kiss if she did so. "I hope it isn't too long before I can see you again." He admits.
"I'll try to make some time." She lies through her teeth. "See you soon, Seunghyeon."
She gets in her car with the full intention of going back to her single bedroom apartment, diving back into bed, and getting some more sleep before she does actually need to go back to work three hours from now. Once she pulls into the building's parking garage and there is a very familiar car across from her designated parking space she knows that isn't what is going to happen.
"You really shouldn't be here, Oppa. If someone sees us together outside of work it could really mess with my plans."
"At this point, little sister, I am pretty sure you can't fully claim the plans as completely your own. I'm now just as much invested in this as you are. After all, I am not only risking my job for this at this point. If this doesn't end up working out in the end we could all end up behind bars." Her older brother reiterates a point that she has not only heard from him countless times before, but also the rest of her circle of stans at this point. "You are so lucky that my father has one of the most common surnames in Korea. If we had both been born Lee I'm sure they could start putting two and two together. At least if they looked at us close enough anyway."
"Yeah that fact is completely inaccurate since I am practically the spitting image of our mother. You mostly look like your father." TDS doesn't bother to mention that if she hadn't had the rhinoplasty to change her nose that they would actually share at least one physical characteristic. Her former 'boyfriend' had no problem paying for that since the result left her face more feminine. Granted he wasn't terribly happy after his wife had discovered the affair. TDS was pretty proud of herself when she leaked the evidence to his wife. A lot easier to romantically con a man out of money when he has a wife, who isn't his soulmate, at home.
Soulmates don't cheat. They have no reason to because they are everything the other person needs both as a long time friendly companion and as a romantic partner. That's exactly why she had to get that Daisy bitch away from them. More specifically she had to get Daisy away from *him* because she was exceptionally positive that she was meant to be his soulmate, not her.
"Fuck, have you heard anything else I said?" Her older brother asks her.
"Does it have anything to do with our plans?"
"I'm not sure if it does or not. I just know that the members seem to be planning something." He admits.
"Well, if you do discover exactly what it is then you let me know. Until then I am just going to pretend that it doesn't matter. I can't get stressed out over things I have no knowledge of after all."
The explorative sharing of her body had the two 95s addicted to her presence. They couldn't tear themselves away, and while both still lusted after her body it wasn't the only type of moments they craved with her. She had convinced the two of them to help her with supper, and while neither were gung ho about the idea they still shadowed her around the kitchen. Tae cut anything she asked him to, and Jimin babysat whatever she placed on the stove in front of him.
Both 95s were so intoxicated by her presence that they honestly didn't even know what they had helped her make, and even when they sat down to eat they didn't really focus on the food. They both couldn't keep their eyes from straying over to her. Each small movement, breath she took, and smile that crossed her lips, everything about her captivated them both.
After supper they all played games together as a group. But when that was over and Daisy mentioned having to study her Korean they both quickly changed into their pajamas and made it back to her room. Tae seemed unsurprised with how far she had come with the language, but, aside from the way she greeted their families on Sunday, Jimin had no idea she had come as far as she had. He didn't restrain himself from the appropriate exclamations he made that assured her of how well she was really doing.
Now, she is attempting to pull out of the cocooned embrace they both have her in this morning. Tae spooning her from behind, while Jimin is wrapped tightly to her front. (Actually, Tae's arms are also wrapped somewhat around his frame too, but Jimin is beyond used to it.)
"Jimin. Tae." She tiredly says. Then sighs when their arms tighten around her body. "I realize you two have a penchant for staying in bed until the last available minute, but I want to get up and make you all breakfast. Not to mention my bladder is screaming at me."
That has the two of them releasing synchronized groans and pulling away from her out of courtesy. The two 95s both want to simply cuddle more, but the minute she works her way out of bed they know she won't be coming back.
"I guess that is our cue to get up too." Tae does his best not to whine, but he really isn't looking forward to going back to work today. His head is likely to be stuck on replaying the salacious moments they shared together in his head, repetitively distracting him throughout the day.
Jimin touches his wrist, grounding him to reality and pulling him from his momentary reverie. "No one can take this moment away from us. But we can't live in a moment that has already happened. We have to keep living in the now. That being said, who's to say there won't be a moment in the future that will top this one? If we don't live in the now we could be doing an exceptional disservice to the future moments we will have with her, or even together."
Daisy peeks her head out the door. "You two are both awake. Good, I think that deserves a reward." She grins slyly at them and removes her pajama top. Her nudity has both of them springing into action and joining her in the shower.
Other than sweet shared kisses and caressing touches, the shower moment this time is legitimately just to get clean before heading down to work on breakfast. But, the two 95s knew that her reason for doing it was to help coerce them out of bed, and in that aspect her action was completely on point.
Since Daisy isn't up yet both Yoongi and Jin decide to start working on breakfast themselves. "Do you think that Jiminie and Taehyungie might be trying to coerce her into staying in bed longer?" Jin asks curiously. After supper it was obvious that the two 95s weren't about to leave Daisy's side for the remainder of the day. But the eldest didn't let his thoughts linger about the reason they were so addicted to her right now. After all, in each of their own rights, weren't they all addicted to her presence? It didn't much matter what activities they had shared together to make them feel that way.
Yoongi is unable to wipe the grin from his face. The most stoic member has honestly been doing that a lot more lately. Grinning to himself without being prompted into the action. Not that he didn't smile or laugh on his own before. But it definitely was now happening more often naturally since she came into their lives. "I think it's more likely that she is trying to coerce them out of bed."
Jin can't help but echo Yoongi's grin. "Okay, yeah that is probably more accurate."
Namjoon comes down stairs next and nods at the breakfast the two eldest are putting together. "I've worked out our schedule for next week. Once everyone comes down and is seated for breakfast I'll go over it."
Jk runs upstairs from the basement level, drenched in sweat. He grins at the food being plated. "I'll just hop in the shower really quick. Rinse this sweat from my body." The others give him a reprimanding look. He holds his hands up in a physical way to plead his case. "I promise I will be right back down."
He passes Hobi in the hallway. "Jungkookie, you just came from downstairs. Are Jimine, Taehyungie, and Daisy down there?"
Jk pauses for a second to mentally pour over the faces he saw gathered together. "No. Perhaps they aren't up yet."
Hobi sighs and heads to Daisy's door. He raises his fist to knock but as he is about to physically make contact with the wood the door opens. All three of them have damp hair and Hobi's eyes widen in intrigued curiosity. "Well, what exactly did I miss out on?"
The dusting of pink across each of their cheeks is quite telling, but none of them offer up any actual explanation. Hobi decides to take the high road, for now. He fully intends to sequester Jimin in the near future though. Him and his former roommate have never had problems sharing secrets with one another, and he hopes that hasn't completely changed since Daisy came into their lives.
He gives Jimin a direct look, and while Jimin tries to evade his eyes there is something twisting his expression that is already giving Hoseok an idea of what might have occurred yesterday between the three of them.
When everyone has a plate in front of them and about half of the food has already been digested is when Namjoon brings out the schedule he had been working on. "So regarding the schedule next week. Monday will be Jk's day off. Tuesday will be Yoongi's. Wednesday will be Hobi's. Jin will get Thursday since he didn't get to spend much time with Daisy this week due to other errands he had to run." Namjoon turns to Taehyung. "Originally I did consider giving you a day, but you technically got two this week so I thought it was only fair that you wait again until next week." He pouts for a moment but nods in agreement.
They all finish their breakfast before dispersing to finish getting ready. Daisy takes that opportunity to let out Tannie and start rinsing the dishes. Hobi is the first to come back down and once she lets Tannie back in he corners her in the kitchen. "I hope you won't be too lonesome today on your own."
She shakes her head. "I won't be. Jiwoo and I will be going out for part of the day."
He arches an eyebrow. "You'll be spending part of the day with my sister?"
She nods. "Yes, but since she hasn't told you about what we are doing then please don't try needling me for answers. You will have to ask her directly about it."
"Are you taking anyone from the security team with you?" He asks curiously.
"Hye Rin had something she was doing today, but Korain still agreed to go with us. I feel a bit bad about that though. Part of the day will be spent shopping. I think Hye Rin would have enjoyed that venture more." Daisy explains to him.
Hobi shakes his head. "She would have been stuck working. It wouldn't have been the same."
Daisy nods. "Perhaps you are right."
Just then the rest of them all are heading downstairs and lining up to say goodbye to Daisy. They let her indulge in her morning ritual of telling them all to have a good day and asking them to be safe.
When Namjoon first arrives at the company building he is alerted to the fact that the CEOs have arranged an early morning meeting with him. He is a bit confused since this arrangement wasn't set on the schedule as of yesterday when he left the building.
Manager Sejin meets him at the end of the corridor leading to the meeting room. "Any clue what this all might be about?"
"I believe they want to announce to you personally some of the things that will be changing within the company. You already know about the new CEO and rearrangement of upper management. But there is more going on than that. Things that are sure to be rumored in the news before the finalization actually occurs."
"Things like what?" He can't help but ask.
Bang Si-Hyuk is suddenly there beside him. "Why don't we go inside and I will tell you all about it?"
Namjoon learns quickly that at the end of the month is when Yoon-ssi will be relocating to the United States. That the news of the reallocation of the top tiers in the business will be sure to hit the news by the end of the day. He also learns that Park Jiwon is now officially the HQ CEO.
"That's not the only news however. You knew of both the possibility and the rumors regarding Pledis, Entertainment. Well it is even more a possibility than it was before. We are looking to potentially gain controlling shares in the company. After that happens we will decide from there what we will do."
Namjoon is indeed shocked to learn all this information. Sure it was a possibility before, but now it was nearly a reality which made the whole situation take on a new light.
The meeting doesn't last much longer, and when he bows to each of them before turning to his own schedule for the day his eyes linger over Park Jiwon. He knows it will take him some time to trust the new Headquarters CEO, but the fact that his son was the one that suggested their club outing would probably always set poorly with him. Yeah, it would definitely take some time for him to fully trust him.
Hobi collapses on the wooden floor of the studio. His clothing and hair are both completely saturated with sweat. He tries to calm his racing heart and catch his breath.
Ever since his date with Daisy he has felt her presence with him every time he practices new choreography. Not as if she is there with him or as if thinking about her distracts him. No, it is more like his drive to do his best has increased greatly.
But his choreographer has been hounding on him. Saying that he should cut back a bit. That perhaps he is pushing himself too hard. Despite the fact that he is a humanized puddle on the floorboards right now it doesn't feel like he is pushing himself at all. Every precise pose, measured action, and rapid movement feels right to him. He tries to explain it to his choreographer, but the guy just doesn't get it, and Hobi doesn't know how to explain it any better than that.
Then he realizes there is actually the perfect way to ask. "Have you ever danced with your soulmate? Not a slow dance, but I mean have you ever instructed her into the choreo and danced alongside her?"
"Oh, so that's what has you both more focused and has your mind a million miles away. Okay, yes that explains it. Yes, I have danced with her like that, and, while I am sure it is different with your soulmate, it did give me an extra spurt of both energy and focus for a few weeks afterward. I will still crack down on you if you exhaust yourself too much, but I will at least give you a little more slack now understanding the drive behind it."
Yoongi sits in his onsite studio. Ten separate folders scattered all over his coffee table, the floor, and desk. Although this is typical, to be working on ten different songs at once, it feels overwhelming in the moment. Perhaps that has something to do with the final folder that is lying on his lap.
He considers this song his pet project. He hasn't shown it to anyone outside of the group yet. He hasn't let them know of its existence. It was something that he has been working on ever since he heard Daisy sing for the first time.
It's not only inspired by her voice though. No, the song is inspired by everything about her. In ways the song is a dedication to her and what all of them have with her. Granted he can't completely attest to each member's feelings, but that is actually another thing he plans to do. Somehow incorporate something about each of them in the song. Perhaps each having their own verse or phrase dedicated from each member to her. That's also why he hasn't shown this to anyone outside of the members yet. He is pretty sure someone would revert his attention to his other projects. He is pretty sure they would strike down this idea completely, and he isn't sure he has it in himself to do so. It's almost like this song in particular needs to be written.
He dedicates his time on the first three folders in front of them. They are almost done and just like many of his other works somehow practically produce themselves. Only after a couple hours and finishing those three does he go back to focusing on his pet project. He knows once he is finished with the composition of the song he will have to share it with the others. He hopes he can get them on board with what he is thinking to do with it.
Jk smiles at the camera and tries his best to explain why they haven't been around. He tries not to dedicate his sole reasoning on being with Daisy, but when some Army ask he also can't bring himself to deny them some news either.
He doesn't share anything that will get him in trouble. He doesn't share anything that will put Daisy in a bad light. No he just mentions how happy they all are together. He also wishes happiness on each of the viewers also. "Each and every one of you deserves to find the same level of happiness. I hope and pray for that for each of you." He says before apologizing on the short Vlive and signing off.
He takes a few minutes to reflect on the time on camera in front of them. He chose to do a Vlive because he was worried that he might be unintentionally ignoring Army and that didn't sit well with him. The minute the first few comments started pouring in he began to feel better and was able to smile freely, wave at them, and send them finger hearts through the screen. He didn't notice any negative comments, but he knows that doesn't mean they just simply didn't scroll by and escape his notice. In a matter of minutes he had already accumulated over five thousand viewers. There was no way he would have been able to see every line of chat with that many people potentially typing.
Jin won't leave anywhere without it tucked into his pocket. But its presence there is constantly burning into his awareness. I wish I could just give it to her now. I wish we could do this all tonight. But, we promised to wait until after all the family meetings. I agreed. I agreed because it made sense, but now physically having it. Yeah, now I can't help but wish the weeks would go by faster.
He heads to their private lounge. Everyone else was already there waiting around the table. Their lunch is still warm and sealed under the closed lids. Even Jk, who was a complete glutton at times, refrained from eating yet.
"Well...?" Jimin pauses for dramatic effect. "We want to see it already!"
Taehyung is practically vibrating in anticipation beside Jimin.
Namjoon nods at Jin trying to encourage him without words.
Jin sighs and pulls it out of his pocket. He lifts the latched lid and shows them it nestled within the silken interior.
"Oh wow!" Jimin exclaims.
"Holy crap! Jin-hyung! This is perfect!" Hobi exclaims, soundly thudding him on the back.
"Do we really have to wait until after she meets the rest of our families?" Tae pouts, echoing Jin's earlier thoughts.
"As much as I think all of us want to give this to her tonight, I do think it would be smarter to wait." Namjoon states, but the frown on his face definitely tells them all that he doesn't want to wait either.