SECRETS & LIES | VKOOK ✓ [EDITING]

ten.

"Yah! You should be grateful I worked it out with him!" Lisa's voice cut through the crisp night air as she and Taehyung stepped out of the sleek black car they had parked in a private lot. Her tone was a mix of exasperation and pride, and she crossed her arms defensively. "If it wasn't for me, we'd still be stuck there for hours."

"Could you be quiet, Lisa?" Taehyung groaned, slamming the car door shut with a force that belied his exhaustion. His sharp eyes were half-lidded, a telltale sign of his fatigue, and he leaned against the car for a moment to steady himself. "It's three in the morning, and what did we get out of it? A lousy $30,000," he grumbled, his voice dripping with disdain. "I could've gotten drunk at home and saved us both the trouble."

Lisa rolled her eyes, trying to stay upbeat despite the late hour. "Let's just say we were early manifesting your birthday, Taehyung-ah," she replied with a playful smile, though she couldn't hide the shiver that ran through her as a cold wind whipped around them. She pulled her coat tighter around her, falling into step behind him as they made their way toward the building. She stayed close, ready to catch him if he stumbled—Taehyung wasn't the steadiest on his feet after a night of drinking and stress.

Taehyung huffed in response, barely acknowledging Lisa's attempt at humor. His mind was clouded with exhaustion, and the thought of his upcoming birthday only deepened his frustration. "Manifesting my birthday by wasting time and energy... brilliant," he muttered sarcastically, his breath visible in the cold air.

They were just a few steps away from the entrance when a man suddenly appeared in front of them, blocking their path. The figure was wrapped in a heavy scarf, his face partially obscured, but his eyes were fixated on Taehyung with an intensity that made Lisa pause.

"Excuse me..." the man said, his voice muffled by the scarf. He seemed hesitant, as if unsure whether to proceed. His gaze lingered on Taehyung, who, despite his fatigue, immediately stiffened, recognizing the potential danger in the situation. Without fully turning around, Taehyung adjusted his hat, pulling it lower to shield his face from view.

The last thing he needed right now was to be recognized. Especially after everything.

Lisa noticed Taehyung's subtle shift and quickly stepped forward, her demeanor changing in an instant. "May I help you, sir?" she asked, her tone sharp and authoritative. "My boyfriend and I are in a hurry."

Taehyung raised an eyebrow at the word "boyfriend," but he didn't correct her. Instead, he remained silent, his mind racing through potential scenarios, each one more dangerous than the last.

The man seemed taken aback by Lisa's assertiveness. "O-oh, I'm sorry... I thought your, umm, boyfriend was someone else," he stammered, looking slightly embarrassed as he took a step back. He bowed twice, awkwardly, before retreating to his car—a classic model that seemed out of place in the modern, upscale neighborhood.

As the man drove away, Lisa let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "Boyfriend, huh?" Taehyung chuckled, his tone lightening slightly as they resumed their walk to the entrance. "I'm everything but your boyfriend, Lisa."