Soulmates in Disguise

Sweet Distraction

As the tension between them began to subside, Ria took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. Taehyung's possessiveness still lingered in the air, but he had softened, his usual warmth starting to return.

"We should get ready," Ria suggested, her voice a bit shaky, but she managed a small smile. "We don't want to keep our families waiting."

Taehyung nodded, his expression relaxing into the charming smile that usually lit up the room. "You're right," he said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I want everything to be perfect today."

As they got dressed, Ria couldn’t shake off the thoughts swirling in her mind. Taehyung’s intensity had left her unsettled, and her thoughts kept drifting back to Jungkook. There was something unspoken between them that she couldn’t quite understand, but it gnawed at her.

On their way to meet their families, Taehyung gradually shifted back to his usual playful self. He teased her about the dress she had chosen. "You look stunning, but I think you only picked that color because it’s my favorite," he quipped with a grin.

Ria laughed lightly, trying to match his mood. "Maybe I just wanted to make sure you wouldn’t be able to take your eyes off me."

"Mission accomplished," he replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But then again, when can I ever take my eyes off you?"

Their banter continued as they drove, with Taehyung making light jokes to ease any lingering tension. Despite the playful atmosphere, Ria couldn't fully shake the unease she felt.

When they arrived at the meeting, both sets of parents greeted them warmly. Taehyung’s parents, sophisticated and composed, exchanged pleasantries with Ria’s mother, a formidable woman in her own right. The families were clearly well-acquainted, their business partnership forming a strong bond.

"We're so delighted about your engagement," Taehyung's mother said, her smile warm and genuine. "It’s wonderful to see our families coming together in this way."

Ria’s mother nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It’s a union that will only strengthen our ties."

As the conversation turned to business matters, Ria found herself drifting again. She tried to focus on the present, but her thoughts kept wandering back to the earlier events. The memory of Jungkook’s strange behavior and Taehyung’s intense possessiveness was still fresh in her mind, causing her to feel an underlying sense of unease.

Sensing this, Taehyung leaned closer to Ria and whispered, "Let's step out for a moment. I need to talk to you."

Ria looked at him, her heart skipping a beat. There was something in his eyes, a mix of determination and something darker that made her nervous. She nodded, and they quietly excused themselves from the table, slipping out of the room and into the quieter, dimly lit lobby.

Once they were alone, Taehyung wasted no time. He guided her towards a secluded corner, and before Ria could fully register what was happening, he had her gently pressed against the wall, his hands resting on either side of her, caging her in.

"Ria," he began, his voice low and intense, "why are you so distracted today? What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?"

His gaze was piercing, searching her face for answers. Ria felt her heart pound in her chest, the proximity of his body and the intensity of his stare making it hard to breathe. She tried to look away, but Taehyung gently but firmly cupped her chin, guiding her eyes back to his.

"I... I’m sorry, Tae," she stammered, feeling cornered by both his physical presence and his questioning. "It’s just... earlier, you were so different. You scared me."