𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞 |Taelisa|✓

12 |Forbidden Territory|

LISA POV

I observed Taehyung, my stepbrother, walking away, and my stepmother momentarily left. My father, noticing my gaze, asked, "Lisa, are you fine, my dear?" I nodded, but Jennie looked at me with a hint of disdain. Despite knowing that Taehyung had picked all the dresses for me, a mix of sadness and anger welled up.

I couldn't choose what I liked, but his selections resembled Cinderella's dress and glass slippers-undeniably beautiful, yet making me feel powerless. He made me wear a beautiful dress now, and my dad remarked, "You brought a beautiful dress, Lisa." I smiled, but Jennie interjected, "Lisa, aren't you going to show us what you brought?"

I looked at her and replied, "Sister, I will." She continued, "Well, there is no need; I know my sister gets the good dress." I discerned the underlying hostility in Jennie's words, understanding that her animosity toward me was apparent even in front of our father. The tension in the room grew palpable as the dynamics of our family relationships played out in the context of fashion and appearance.

After a while, my stepmother returned, declaring, "Taehyung is busy; we should have dinner. Tomorrow, we'll select the wedding ball, and more shopping awaits for the wedding. Taehyung will handle the arrangements." Jennie chimed in, "Yes, Mother, it will be amazing." We went to the dining table, where the maid served us dinner.

As dinner progressed, I couldn't shake the hurt and frustration lingering from Taehyung's absence. He hadn't joined us for the family conversation, leaving me to grapple with the unsettling emotions stirred by his choices. I managed to engage in the discussions about wedding preparations, but a part of me longed for his presence, despite the conflicting feelings he had stirred within me earlier.

Jennie, seemingly oblivious to my inner turmoil, continued to speak animatedly about the upcoming events. After the dinner, everyone retreated to their rooms. As they bid me goodnight, my father advised, "Lisa, it's been a long day. Take some rest; tomorrow is another busy day with wedding preparations."

I nodded, acknowledging his words, but the unresolved tension with Taehyung lingered in my thoughts, making the prospect of a peaceful night's rest seem distant. As the door closed, I contemplated how to address the emotions swirling within me before succumbing to the quiet solitude of my own room.

After telling myself not to worry about him for what felt like the millionth time, I couldn't resist checking. Exiting my room and finding an empty house, I headed to the kitchen, preparing a dinner tray. My steps led me to Taehyung's room, and I stood at his bedroom door, tray in hand. Knocking before entering, I closed the door, only to find his impeccably designed, albeit dimly lit, room.

Scanning the room for any sign of him, I assumed he might be in the bath. Placing the tray on the nightstand, I turned around, startled, as the bathroom door swung open. Taehyung emerged, his upper body exposed, a towel wrapped around his waist. His physique, reminiscent of that of a Greek god, was on full display, water cascading from his dark hair.

I averted my eyes, flustered. He walked toward his walk-in closet, seemingly oblivious to my presence. As he disappeared inside, I contemplated making a quiet exit. Just as I was about to tiptoe away, I heard a voice, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Doll, don't you dare move," he commanded, freezing me in a place like an obedient pet. As Taehyung emerged from the wardrobe in black sweatpants and nothing else, he strode toward me, his hands seizing my waist. His eyes flickered at the food on the nightstand, and a smirk played on his lips.

"Worried about me?" he teased, to which I retorted, "You wish." My response earned a chuckle, but the atmosphere shifted when he tossed me onto the bed. Hovering above, he pinned my wrists, his penetrating black gaze making me feel exposed.