Brought together by Deal || Kang Taehyun ||

03📸 Nosy Rats

"Hello, who's number is this?"
"C'mon Y/n, it's me Soob."
"Oh wait, do I know you? Do you know me?"
"Y/nnnn...."
"What?! You call me after a decade and expect me to talk to you lovingly?"
"Nah bestie, you know I love you, miss you and think about you every day. You understand why I can't meet you?"
"There you go making my anger melt... "
"Umm... I wanted a favour from you."

📸📸📸📸📸🎬🎬

Y/n was flabbergasted at the sight of the ginormous building. She was absorbing the vast interiors. She liked the aura of the building. She had visited many huge buildings. But none of them had such an positive and happy aura. It was like a family where co workers would care for each other. Nothing like those snobbish, two faced employees in her father's company.

She entered the elevator and pressed the buttons. The doors were about to close but were pushed open by a guy. He was in a huge rush, face covered in a mask. Y/n couldn't help but admire the guy. With a keen eye for fashion, Y/n could totally say this guy had taste..... and obviously..... money. White, button-up shirt hugging his chiseled torso, the leather trousers bringing out his perfect legs and not to forget, the expensive cologne that filled up the elevator as soon as he entered....... this guy oozed perfection and grace.
"Love what you're seeing?" He asked cheekily. Caught red- handed, Y/n became a sputtering, blushing mess. She wanted the earth to swallow her whole, right now. Trying to gather her wits and form a sentence, more like defense, Y/n was left with her mouth open as the elevator stopped and the guy stepped out giving her a slight wave.

The embarrassment was totally getting to Y/n when the elevator doors opened to reveal a smiling, excited Soobin. Seeing him Y/n practically threw herself at him, Soobin catching her in bone-crushing hug.
"I missed you so much." Both said in unison and chuckled.
"Jinx!!" They exclaimed, kissing each other's thumb. It was a childhood thing for them. They were neighbours. Soobin was older than her by two years but that did not hinder their friendship.

Soobin escorted Y/n into an office. She recognized Soobin's band mates and the CEO Bang-PD. Y/n greeted everybody with a slight bow. Bang-PD gestured her to sit.
When she took a seat, Bang-PD started talking.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I won't waste your time by going around the subject. So, I hope you have read the article?"
By looking at Y/n's fluttering gaze and confused expression, Soobin sighed.
"Did you check your phone today?"
"No, I didn't get the time."
"This is going to be a long day......"

After 1 hour, Soobin looked at Y/n warily. Y/n sat there, jaw hanging. She couldn't believe it. She had never met Taehyun, let alone being acquainted. But here are these nosy rats!!!! Dispatch literally proclaimed that Taehyun and she were a COUPLE!!!!!!! Now the whole world knows. God, she is probably getting butchered by his crazy fangirls.

"Umm... so you're going to do something about it right?" She asked nervously, voice wavering....
Bang-PD gave her a somewhat sympathetic look.
"I know this is difficult for you. But there has been a problem recently. I don't know if you have heard or read about the Taehyun/Lia situation. "
Y/n turned to look at Taehyun. But she was surprised to find Taehyun already looking at her with some emotion.... and longing...? He was quick to break away his gaze. Bang-PD continued.
"Taehyun and Lia were getting bashed recently as the fans think they were dating. The groups are clashing for claiming that they would pull each other down due to competition. We expected similar results in your case but turns out fans are loving and supporting you both as a couple. So we were thinking it would be better if you could pretend to be couple. Don't worry, nothing over the top. Just some casual public appearances........."
Like that, Bang-PD continued rambling on as if asking Y/n to water his plants. But he didn't notice how the boys were slowly shrinking away from the girl. Deep rage, anger and probably a bit of blood thirst marred the beautiful features of her delicate face.
"...... so do you want to wrap up the deal?"
Soobin was doing a countdown.
1......2......3..... And the bomb blew up.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TRYING TO MANIPULATE ME? LISTEN HERE YOU CAN'T GIVE SUCH AN IRRATIONAL , ILLOGICAL, ABSOLUTELY STUPID IDEA, SPECIFICALLY TO PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS. I'M NOT YOUR PUPPET."
The boys were totally blown away by her rant but Bang-PD seemed unruffled by it.
"I understand your reasoning. Nevertheless, I would like to recommend you to think again. If you have any terms, they will be accommodated in the deal."

Before Y/n could start another rant on freedom, liberty etc.... Soobin was wise enough to whisk her out of the building.
Getting out, he looked at his bestie who was trying to take deep breaths to calm herself and quite failing. He couldn't help but smile at her. Y/n never lost her touch, even when life, more specifically her father, gave her lemons.
"I hate to say this Y/n but could you please think about this again? They actually have a solid blackmail against us. Those rats kept it as a weapon while publishing this nonsense. Right now, Taehyun's career and reputation, our reputation depends on you."
Y/n felt so bad. These idols are so lovely people yet they face hate for dumbest reasons. She felt bad for Soobin, for Taehyun. She understood how it feels when people try to manipulate you.

"Fine, I'll think about it...."

Y/n walked home. The sun rolled in the sky, painting orange over the blue. Her brain was haywire. But after a while, she knew her decision. She felt bad for the poor guy, but her own life was an awkward, desperate cry for help.
She couldn't handle a fake relationship while an arranged marriage was being shoved down her throat.

Swimming in the deep pool of thoughts, Y/n had reached her apartment and was opening the door. Out of nowhere, a pair of sturdy hands clamped her mouth shut while her hands were bound. She was wriggling and squirming but soon her mind went black and her body went limp.