No Strings Attached || ON HOLD

Chapter 8

(Reader's POV)

"You are one of the best curators in our agency, Y/n.  You should be expecting a promotional transfer of your choice soon!"  

The cheerful Mr. Paul exclaimed over the phone, congratulating me on the final deal I had sealed in Italy. I was relieved to hear that I will get to choose my next place of transfer. finally a piece of positive news in my sadistic life. 

"I'll hang up then, Ms. Y/n."

"Wait, sir...I have a favor to ask" I cut him -"can I get a long leave this month, I have to be somewhere this month. it's important."

"In the last 3 years that you are working with us, this is the first time you have requested a leave! I'm glad you are asking for a leave, you are too young to overwork!"  

I smiled since I was secretly very fond of his scoldings.

Mr. Paul was the chief of my agency, an old man, he had a soft spot for me. sometimes, he would refer to me as his granddaughter and I didn't mind. 

"I'll give you a long leave. take two weeks off. Rest well."

That was more than enough for me, and I thanked him for the generosity. 

The tickets on the table caught my eyes. BTS concert tickets.

My attention shifted to Anna, my best friend since middle school-who was currently binge-watching BTS music videos. 

"Anna, if you don't want to go you don't have to..."I said for the billionth time.

Anna is not an ARMY, and she is not very familiar with K-pop, despite us being best friends. she is more into metallic and I gave up the idea of dragging her into K-pop fandom long ago. besides, she rarely has time- she works as a Dentist in London. 

But she is the only person I have opened up to about the whole friends with benefits thing, and I couldn't think of anyone else to take along to Paris, Taehyung had given me tickets for a friend as well. she jumped to the opportunity of getting free tickets and having a trip to Paris with me since it's been long since we have spent time together. 

But I don't want to force her into anything so I ask her again out of concern.

"Anna, if you want-we can skip the concert"

She looks up from her laptop, her eyes fixated on mine.

"Are you crazy, Y/n! why would I miss a chance to watch seven men dance and sing sexy? you can skip if you want, I'm getting on that plane tomorrow"

Well, seems like Anna is an ARMY now. 

I picked my phone, checking my texts. I had got a text from Taehyung, who has religiously been checking up on me since the day he left. why he has been treating me like a little baby? I can very well take care of myself! 

Tae: did you have dinner?

 Y/N: Not yet. will have. 

Tae: I'll come to the airport to pick u tmrw.  in disguise though. 

Y/n: I can come to the hotel by myself. u don't have to

Tae: I want to. I miss u

Y/n: okay. I miss u too.

I'll be lying if I deny missing him. I miss him like crazy. there are still times when I imagine snippets of our intimate times and miss his touch. the suffering ends tomorrow. I can't wait to reach Paris. 

And I can't wait for my first BTS concert!

I fish for some good outfits in my wardrobe to wear tomorrow on the journey. if Taehyung is coming to pick me up, I want to look my best. in my mind, I can already imagine what it would feel like to hug him, the smell of his cologne, the feel of his strong embrace, his gentle hands. 

"Anna, what should I wear? I want to look good when Tae sees me. help me out"

I hear her footsteps as he approaches me and goes through my wardrobe.

"Y/n, I have never seen you dress up for a guy since Mark huh? You want to wear black or-" 

I try to fight it but I zone out, hearing that name. his name.

Mark.

 It has been two years, but the memory is still fresh. the hurt is still fresh. the pain... A wave of shivers run down my back, and I try my best to focus on the clothes instead of reminiscing the past.

Anna notices me and quickly apologizes, changing the topic. I wish she had been more careful. That is not a name I ever want to hear, it's better buried deep in history. But giving up the past isn't easy. I feel like I am still a prisoner of its chains. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Hey Dear Readers! 

How have you guys been? I'm sorry for the late update but since college has started and a lot of family trouble has been going on, I don't get much time! But I will try to stay consistent with the updates so don't worry :) I'm doing well otherwise:)

BTW: the song I have attached up-youtube link- please go ahead and listen, In the story, the emotions of the reader can be expressed through it so it's like a sneak peek in the reader's past, related to 'Mark'. I'll leave it here for now! 

Have a great day!