Mine

Chapter 38

..o0O0o..

Taehyung leaned against the glass pane of the tall window, the quiet city below like a kingdom he already owned. One hand held his phone to his ear, the other toying with the photo, which held a grainy printout of a figure in black from CCTV footage.

Raven.

If glares could set things to fire, the photocard in his hand would be crisp by now.

The call connected, her voice came, kissed by sleep. "Taehyung? You are dialing me at this hour, It's literally four in the morning. Everything alright?"

"Can't a man call the girl he's in love with, any time of the day or night?"

She laughed softly, and the sound made his smile twitch slightly. For a moment, he couldn't decide if it was from the affection he sculptured for her or from the satisfaction of how perfectly this piece was moving across the board. But right now it didn't matter, right?

"You're deflecting" she said playfully. "What's up?"

"I want you to be somewhere tonight" he said, straightening from the window. "Don't ask too many questions. Just... be there."

Cherry's voice dropped a little. "Why? What is it?"

"A surprise" he answered smoothly. "One I've been planning for a while. Something special. Something that will bring a beautiful smile on those lips of yours I love to kiss"

"Cliche"

A loud ding echoed through Cherry's end of the line.

"Right on time." Taehyung grinned. "Go on, open the door, it's not nice to keep good things waiting, hm~"

She moved to answer it, still holding the phone. "Is it you at the door? My parents are not home, you're lucky you know"

"It's not me but You'll see" he murmured.

Cherry stepped out wrapping the silk night gown tight around her body, there was no one outside. "I don't see anyone..." She halted as her gaze fell onto the black box wrapped with a red ribbon sitting on her doorstep. "A present?"

"Open it."

She came back with a heavy box in her hands. Her hurried steps running up the stairs brought a smirk, kissing his lips. The ribbon slipped off smoothly, and the lid came apart. A gasp left her mouth and confirmed she had found what he sent her.

"I saw it and thought, if desire were stitched into silk and framed in fire... it would look like this on you."

Her breath caught at the sight forth.

Nestled inside the box was a crimson dress, its fabric smooth as water and rich as blood. Ruby stones were intricately hand-sewn across the bodice and waistline, glimmering like embers.

It was stunning, decadent, dangerously beautiful.

"I-I don't know what to say..." she whispered, running her fingers across the fabric. "It's... so beautiful"

Taehyung closed his eyes for a second, already imagining her in it. "Say you'll wear it and be there for me."

Her voice was quiet now, touched. "I will."

He chuckled softly. "Good girl. And don't be late, Cherry"

And with that, he ended the call.

Cherry stood in the center of her room, the box cradled in her arms, her lips curved into a breathless smile. She pressed the dress to her chest, her heart fluttering.