Behind the Veil: A Captive's Tale

34

The excitement in the air was almost tangible as the boys led Hana out of the mansion for their first official date together. It was a beautiful evening, the sky painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set. The city’s lights were starting to flicker on, creating a soft glow that added to the romantic atmosphere. Hana was dressed in a simple yet elegant dress that Jin had picked out for her, and she felt her nerves tingling as she walked alongside the boys, each of them making sure she felt comfortable and safe.

They arrived at an upscale restaurant, one known for its intimate ambiance and gourmet cuisine. It was the perfect spot for their first date, and as they walked inside, Hana couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed. The décor was luxurious, with soft lighting and plush seating, and she could tell that the boys had gone out of their way to make this evening special.

Jin, ever the gentleman, pulled out Hana’s chair for her as they all sat down at a large round table in a private corner of the restaurant. The boys took their seats around her, creating a protective circle that made her feel cherished and secure.

As they settled in, Namjoon began to share stories about how they had all met. Hana listened intently, fascinated by the history and deep bond that had formed between them over the years.

“It all started with me and Jin,” Namjoon began, his deep voice smooth and calming. “We met in school. Jin was always the popular one, the guy everyone wanted to be friends with. I was more of a bookworm, you know? But somehow, we clicked.”

Jin smiled, nodding as he added, “Namjoon was the smartest guy in our class. I couldn’t help but be drawn to his intelligence. We became inseparable pretty quickly.”

“Yoongi came into the picture not long after,” Namjoon continued, glancing at Yoongi, who gave a small nod. “He was the quiet one, but there was something about him that intrigued both of us. We just knew we had to get to know him better.”

Yoongi smirked slightly. “They wouldn’t leave me alone,” he said, his tone teasing. “But I’m glad they didn’t.”

The stories continued, each of the boys taking turns to share how they had met and how they had become a family. Hobi’s energy had brought light into their lives, Jungkook’s youthful enthusiasm had been infectious, Tae’s quiet strength had grounded them, and Jimin’s warmth had completed their circle. Hana listened with rapt attention, her heart swelling with affection for each of them as they spoke.

As the conversation flowed, the waiter arrived to take their orders. Hana noticed the man’s demeanor shift as he looked at her, his expression turning slightly sour as if he didn’t approve of her presence among such a powerful group of men. She felt a pang of insecurity but tried to brush it off.

However, it didn’t go unnoticed by the boys. When the waiter returned with their drinks, he placed Hana’s glass down a little too harshly, causing some of the liquid to spill onto the table.

“Careful,” Hobi said, his tone polite but with an edge that made it clear he was not pleased.

The waiter sneered slightly, mumbling something under his breath as he turned to leave. But before he could take another step, Jin’s voice cut through the air, sharp and authoritative.

“Excuse me,” Jin said, his tone icy. “Is there a problem here?”

The waiter paused, clearly not expecting to be called out. “No, sir,” he said, though his voice lacked sincerity.

Tae, who had been watching the interaction closely, leaned forward, his gaze intense. “If you have an issue with our guest, you need to resolve it now,” he said, his voice calm but laced with danger.

The waiter looked like he was about to argue, but the combined presence of the boys was too much. He muttered a half-hearted apology to Hana before scurrying off, clearly intimidated by the protectiveness radiating from her companions.

Hana, feeling a bit embarrassed by the attention, looked down at her lap, but Hobi reached out to gently lift her chin, making her meet his eyes.

“Don’t let people like that get to you,” he said softly, his voice full of warmth. “You deserve to be treated with respect.”

She nodded, feeling comforted by his words. But the incident wasn’t over yet. Jin signaled for the manager, who arrived promptly, his expression one of concern.

“Is there something wrong, sir?” the manager asked, looking between Jin and the rest of the group.

“There is,” Jin replied, his voice firm. “Your waiter was incredibly disrespectful to our guest. We won’t tolerate that kind of behavior.”

The manager’s eyes widened, and he quickly apologized, promising to handle the situation immediately. Within moments, the offending waiter was brought back out, his face pale as he realized the gravity of the situation.

“I’m so sorry,” the waiter stammered, looking genuinely fearful now. “I didn’t mean—”

“Save it,” Tae said coolly, cutting him off. “We’re not interested in your excuses. We expect you to treat everyone here with the same respect, regardless of who they are.”

The waiter was dismissed, and the manager assured them that he would be dealt with appropriately. The boys’ anger was palpable, but they made an effort to calm down for Hana’s sake. They didn’t want their date to be ruined by some rude waiter.

As the evening continued, they all made a conscious effort to lighten the mood, sharing more stories and teasing each other in a way that made Hana feel even more at ease. Jin, ever the caring one, made sure she had everything she needed, and Hobi’s infectious laughter soon had her smiling again. Tae’s quiet support and the others’ gentle attentiveness helped to wash away the unpleasantness of the earlier encounter.

By the time dessert arrived, Hana was laughing along with them, the earlier tension completely forgotten. They had managed to turn what could have been a negative experience into something positive, and Hana couldn’t help but feel grateful to have them by her side.

As they left the restaurant, the boys walked close to Hana, making sure she felt safe and protected. The night air was cool and refreshing, and she felt a sense of contentment settle over her. The evening hadn’t gone perfectly, but it had been perfect in its own way. They had stood up for her, protected her, and shown her just how much she meant to them.

On the ride back home, Hana found herself leaning against Jin’s shoulder, feeling the warmth of his presence next to her. The boys continued to talk softly around her, their voices a comforting hum in the background. She knew now, without a doubt, that she was exactly where she was meant to be—with the people who cared for her deeply and who would do anything to keep her safe.

As they pulled up to the mansion, Hobi leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Next time, we’ll go somewhere even better. And I promise, no one will dare mess with you.”

Hana smiled, feeling her heart swell with affection for these incredible men. She was falling more in love with them every day, and she knew they felt the same way about her.

And as they all walked inside together, she couldn’t help but think that no matter what challenges they might face, as long as they were together, they could handle anything.