YOU, ME, & SHE • |KTH AU| •

thirty-six

"I think I can make it work..." Jennie finally says, staring out the car window as she thinks over the details of Greyson's plan. "She'll probably lash out and try to drag me down along with her, but I don't care anymore. I just want her out of the house soon and forever."

"Good," Greyson says, nodding with satisfaction. "Whatever you want to do, have it done by the end of this week. I want Narae back under my control ASAP."

She won't know what hit her. By the time he's done with her, no other man will ever cross her mind again.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

The Next Day

The few times I come out of my room today, I never come across Taehyung. He took off early this morning to work or somewhere and I only, finally see him when I enter the dining room for dinner, already seated at the table.

As I take my usual seat, I attempt to catch his eye and gauge his mood. But his gaze remains firmly down at his plate. Iseul also still refuses to even look at me. An uncomfortable silence hangs over us as Hyejin and Jennie chatter away happily.

I push my food around, occasionally glancing at Jennie, wondering what's up with her. She's definitely up to something. How else can she be in such high spirits after what happened yesterday..?

Several minutes later, we're all finishing up when Jennie abruptly gets up and runs to the kitchen. She reemerges a few seconds later holding a large tray.

"Dessert is served!" She announces with a cheerful grin.

I watch with a raised eyebrow as she places a bowl of chocolate mousse in front of each of us. "I made it myself! I hope you like it."

Hyejin is the first to eagerly scoop up a spoonful. "Delicious!" She exclaims with a chef's kiss.

Iseul and Taehyung dig in as well, and I pick up my spoon and follow suit. It's good, I guess.

I watch Jennie suspiciously throughout the chocolatey dessert, waiting for her to make her move or do something, but she never does.

Before I leave the table after I'm done, I look to Taehyung one last time, but he storms away without meeting my eyes.

A small sigh escapes my lips as I head upstairs to my room.

I'm only a few paces from my bedroom door when a wave of dizziness suddenly washes over me. I place a hand on the wall, the corridors tilting unsteadily.

What's happening to me? As I take another faltering step, my legs seem to turn to jelly. And then an arm wraps firmly around my waist, preventing me from crumpling to the floor.

Through blurred vision, I peer up to see Jennie's face smiling down at me sweetly.

"Let me help you to your room. Lean on me," She coos in a soothing tone. She guides me down the hall, her firm grip the only thing keeping me upright as my legs wobble unsteadily. As we enter my bedroom, the world spins in a dizzying blur. Jennie leads me over to the couch and eases me down.

I let out a giddy laugh as I sink into the cushions. "Nini, how come you've never told me that Taehyung kisses like a dream?? Being in his arms had me feeling ecstatic, over the moon with bliss. Damn, I bet he's a monster in the sheets too..."

Jennie lets out a high-pitched, shrill laugh. "Oh, trust me, he is."

A smile stretches across my face as I regard her through hazy eyes. "We should have sleepovers like we used to in the old days and stay up chatting forever." I giggle, leaning heavily against her shoulder.

She grins and pats my knee. "Let's have a sleepover tonight itself and stay up talking till dawn!"

"Yippee skippee!" I squeal happily. "Oh, tralalalalaaaaa!!"

Tonight, I just want to laugh and gossip with my friend Jennie by my side...

_______________________________________

Whaaa...?

My eyes flutter open to the sight of Ara hovering over me, concern etched on her features. "Iseul wants to see you downstairs right away," She urges, shaking my shoulder gently.

I rub the remnants of sleep from my eyes, feeling disoriented and off-kilter.

"Ugh, what time is it?" I croak, my throat dry. I shake my head in an attempt to clear the mental fog.

Throwing back the blankets, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. Maybe a splash of cold water will make me feel less strange.

But Ara's hand shoots out, grasping my wrist to stop me. "You need to come now," She insists, an edgy note in her voice I've never heard before.

Alarmed, I study Ara more carefully now, taking in her furrowed brow and tense form.

"What's wrong??" I demand, anxiety rising in my chest.

But Ara averts her face, tugging me towards the door. "Iseul is waiting. Let's go." Her clipped tone leaves no room for arguments so I quietly follow her downstairs.

When I reach the living room, I freeze when I see everyone gathered, seemingly waiting for me. Dread sinks like a stone in my stomach.

Jennie stands preening with smug satisfaction. But it's the fury swirling in Iseul's eyes that makes my blood run cold. Hyejin's also glaring daggers at me.

And Taehyung... His brow is furrowed with what looks like disbelief mixed with... disappointment as he stares at me.

Iseul slowly prowls towards me, fists balled tightly at her sides. Before I can comprehend what's happening, her hand connects with my cheek, the force of the slap sending me reeling.

I stand there, stunned, my hand instinctively rising to touch the stinging sensation on my face.

"How could you?!" Iseul's voice pierces through the haze, her shriek echoing in my ears.

And then the realization hits me like a ton of bricks — she's found out.

They've all found out about my scheming and how I entered their lives...

I've been exposed.

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