Till Death Do Us Part ||Taekook||

Chapter #51 A New Favor

The bright light slipping through the curtains was more than enough information to infer it was late afternoon. My whole body ached from the uncomfortable position. Dried blood covered my feet, the sheets painted a light pink. I sat up, the weight of yesterday catching up to me. All this labor and yet Taehyung still knew my dirty secret. Humiliating is the best way I could explain it. I gazed emotionlessly at the small gadget only a foot away. The start of it all.

I plucked it off the sheets. Despite the trouble it caused, curiosity was killing me. I opened Namjoon's message.

You work at the bar, don't you? Shall we grab a drink sometime?

For the hell a simple text message put me through, it may as well be a love confession. In any other predicament, the message would be comforting. Now it felt more like a burden than anything. Feelings aside, I responded.

Sure.

The response was dry, but the best I could seem to come up with. I refocused my attention to the atrocity that smeared my feet. I flattened my weight, the pain underwhelming to what I was expecting. With an uncomfortable waddle, I made it to my bathroom where I cleaned, and dressed the wounds. The cuts were small and shallow, but resonated a constant sting nonetheless. I limped my way toward Taehyung's bedroom. It felt wrong returning so early, but he was my responsibility whether I liked it or not.

I gently pushed the door open. My eyes darted from the floor to the dresser. It was spotless. I looked up to see a room full of unfamiliar faces. They all pierced holes through me. Taehyung was standing, dressed in a casual blouse, in the middle of them all.

"Perfect. Here he is now. Darling? Come here, won't you?"

With slight hesitation, I attempted to hide the limp as I revealed my disheveled look in a room of strangers. The bottom of my sweatpants were still stained with blood, my shirt stained with wine. I looked like the culprit in murder case. Surprisingly, Taehyung's guests seemed to care very little about my appearance.

"These gentlemen are my event planners. They accompany me to many of my social gatherings. They came to me with a demanding dilemma. My public reputation is taking a blow due to my absence. They wished to request a possible solution. One that involves your participation."

"Mr. Kim." The man bowed to me.

"We'd be beyond grateful if you'd stand in place of your husband. You'd have to do nothing more than represent the Kim name proudly."

I darted my eyes to Taehyung. I couldn't help but notice his eyes were still slightly dilated. He gave me a firm nod. I bit my tongue and looked back towards the man.

"Your name?" I spoke with a strained tone. He was slightly startled by my demeanor.

"My name-oh, I'm Mr. Beom, my associates-" He gestured to the other two men closest to our small circle.

"-Mr. Mung, and Mr. Geom."

I couldn't help but grin at the silly labels. I knew this was coming, I just wished the task would have come to me at a much more convenient time.

"Very well, if my presence is required, I suppose that is what's needed."

The three men smiled widely. One of the men clasped my hands in his before he bowed lowly.

"What a relief! It's a true honor to work with you."

Taehyung sent a glare to the man, one I couldn't read. Instantly, the man straightened his posture and released my hands.

"The first event is tomorrow evening. After tomorrow, we can discuss further on future appearances." Mr. Beom chimed in. I nodded.

"Perfect, that's been settled. Clear the room." Taehyung spoke firmly. The men scurried like rats, rounding up the other strangers like sheep. They funneled out of the room in less than a minute. Unfortunately, that meant returning to the repetitive routine of playing dress up. What will I be today? A nurse? A secretary?

"Are your feet alright?" Taehyung asked as he turned toward the windows. I looked at the back of his head with a gaze of fury.

"Didn't you overreact a bit?"

"Are we speaking of last night?" Taehyung pondered calmly.

"What else could I possibly be referring to?"

Taehyung nodded and swiveled on his heels to face me.

"I'm sorry." He looked into my eyes with sincerity. I didn't buy it, but it was undeniably convincing.

"I made reckless decisions out of desperation, therefore I wasn't myself last night. I wouldn't want you to follow any rules made under arbitrary intentions. Especially circumstances including a form of inebriation. I take full responsibility for what happened."

It was frustrating. It took an outrageous amount of painkillers for Taehyung to be honest with me. He meant everything he said last night. For once he was showing his true persona, one of insanity and bloodshed, not of faked poise and elegance.

"Since I find it hard to believe I'll find a better time to set things straight-"

"Namjoon is my friend. Only a friend. Am I clear?"

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, amused by my bluntness.

"Understood." He nodded sincerely. I wasn't even sure he remembered what happened last night, but judging from his compliance, he surely recalled the basics. I was done being regretful of everything I had done in his presence. Sure, what happened the day I broke his ribs was undoubtedly one of the most debilitating things that has ever happened to me, but it was out of my control. If he doesn't mention anything of it, neither will I. I brushed past him, assuming my position back on my designated couch.

"I've assigned a few maids to take your place. Preparation for the social gatherings will need your full attention, therefore I will not be needing your presence."

I shot up in excitement.

"I get to leave?!" I asked directly.

Taehyung scoffed.

"Try not to be so somber about the decision. It's out of my control." He played along. Taehyung gestured his head toward the door. I wasted no time waddling to the door like an idiot.

"And Jungkook,"

I looked back innocently, a grin fighting its way to my lips.

"If you need any instructions to aid in your public appearances, I suggest any open inquiries. I'll send a doctor to tend to your feet. Make yourself decent."

I nodded. I hurriedly out the door, the grin winning the battle to my lips. I was free, well, not really, but I no longer had to see that bastard's face every minute of every day. Besides, how hard can a few hours at some fancy dinner or social gathering be?

A sudden idea flickered across my thoughts. I skipped to my phone.

What do you say I take up your offer on that drink?

Maybe I could even enjoy the event if a certain someone tagged along. A smirk painted across my face when my eyes hovered over his response.

What do you have in mind?

Excitement bubbled inside my stomach. Finally, something to look forward to. 

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