𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 ~ Kim Taehyung

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 6

Eunji stared at her reflection in the mirror, hardly recognizing the girl staring back at her. Gone were her usual oversized sweaters and baggy jeans, replaced instead by a sleek, form-fitting dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her hair, usually pulled back in a messy bun, was now styled in loose, flowing waves that cascaded down her back.

"Wow," she breathed, her voice soft with wonder. "I look...I look..."

"Like a total smokeshow," Eul finished, grinning at her friend's transformation. "Taehyung won't know what hit him."

Eunji flushed, a nervous flutter erupting in her stomach at the thought of seeing Taehyung again. "Hey, excuse me?? I don't care what he thinks and am not at all inclined to impress him..."

"I was just joking...Now, Come on," Eul said, looping her arm through Eunji's and steering her towards the door. "We don't want to keep Prince Charming waiting."

Eunji allowed herself to be led, her steps faltering only slightly as they approached the door. She could feel his eyes on her as soon as she stepped outside. She tugged self-consciously at the hem, suddenly wishing she'd stuck with her usual sweater and jeans.

"Well don't you clean up nice," Taehyung drawled, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Almost didn't recognize you without your usual nerd getup."

Eunji bristled, her hackles rising at his teasing tone. "Excuse me?" she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. Eunji felt her cheeks heat at his words, her heart fluttering traitorously in her chest. Damn him and his stupidly handsome face. Damn him and his stupidly charming smile.

"So....what made you doll up like that?", he asked.

"RIGHT ISN'T IT? I told Noeul this was too much for a simple dinner!! ", Eunji protested.

"N-no.... it's okay....you look nice."

Taehyung's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat as he realized what he'd just said. Shit. He hadn't meant to compliment her, hadn't meant to give her the satisfaction of knowing that she looked good enough to make his mouth go dry...but the words had just slipped out, unbidden and unwanted.

And of course, Eunji had to go and make a big deal out of it. Her eyes sparkled with mirth, her lips curling into a smirk that made his stomach twist with a strange sort of longing. "Did you just compliment me?" she teased, her voice dripping with false innocence. "Gosh, then I really must look pretty..."

Taehyung felt his cheeks heat, his throat suddenly dry as a bone. "No!" he blurted out, his voice strangled and desperate. "I just said it because I felt sorry for your ugly face!"

Eunji's eyes narrowed, her expression turning dangerous. "Ugly face?" she hissed, her voice low and threatening. "Oh, you're going to regret that one, Taehyung-ah. Just you wait."

They arrived at a hotel. A very fancy and big one. It was like a castle. Taehyung pulled up to the valet stand, the tires of his sleek black car crunching against the gravel. He handed the keys to the attendant, his jaw clenching slightly as he watched the man drive away with his prized possession.

"Well, well, well," Eunji drawled from beside him, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the towering facade of the hotel. "Looks like someone's parents have deep pockets."

Taehyung shrugged, his expression unimpressed. "What can I say?" he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "When you're the golden boy of the family, you get all the perks."

"Don't run your mouth too much. Let me do the talking."

Eunji made a face at him.

"This way.", Taehyung said as he led the way. The two headed inside.