⤷MASQUERADE || Jeon Jk FF ♡

Part ; ¹¹

The next morning carried with it a different kind of energy—a more electrified, tense atmosphere that seemed to buzz around Y/N as she focused on her daily exercise routine. The state-of-the-art private gym was quiet save for the rhythmic hum of the treadmill as she maintained a steady pace, lost in the familiar burn of muscles and the steady pounding of her heart.

Sweat glistened on her forehead as she continued her run, lost in her thoughts. Everything about the party last night felt like a hazy blur—except for the distinct tension-filled moments with Taehyung and Jungkook that lingered like a stubborn perfume. What a circus it had been, she thought, shaking her head slightly.

Just as she was settling back into the rhythm, her phone buzzed insistently on the side table. Without breaking her stride, she glanced over at the screen, noticing Jisoo’s name flashing. With a sigh, she pressed the call button on her earpods.

“Did you see the media board post on social media?” Jisoo’s voice came through, sharp and brimming with urgency.

Y/N remained unfazed, maintaining her pace as she shifted her gaze back to the large mirror in front of her. Her reflection looked composed, focused—a stark contrast to the anxiety she could hear in Jisoo’s tone. “No, I haven’t. I’m busy, Jisoo,” she replied evenly, keeping her breathing steady. “What’s it about now?”

“It’s the picture of y'all with the Godfather—it’s everywhere! All over the media, every news outlet is talking about it!” Jisoo practically shouted, her frustration palpable even through the phone.

Y/N rolled her eyes, adjusting her speed a notch higher on the treadmill. “That’s expected. We knew it would be covered extensively. It’s not a big deal.”

“Not that!” Jisoo exclaimed, the sound of her heels clicking rapidly against the floor indicating she was likely pacing. “It’s not the family photo that’s blowing up. It’s… it’s the one of you and Taehyung on the balcony. It’s spread all over social media. Everyone’s making wild assumptions.”

Y/N’s stride faltered slightly, the subtle misstep going unnoticed as she slowed the treadmill to a halt. A frown creased her brow as she grabbed her phone, stepping off the machine. “What are you talking about?” she muttered, her tone now edged with curiosity as she wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel and navigated through her phone.

Jisoo’s voice dropped, her tone fierce and laced with concern. “Someone took a photo of you and Taehyung last night while you were alone on the balcony. It looks… intimate. People are going crazy over it, claiming there’s something going on between you two.”

Y/N’s fingers paused over the screen as she pulled up the post Jisoo had mentioned. It was right there—a high-definition shot, clearly taken with a long-range lens, capturing the moment when Taehyung had leaned closer, his gaze fixed on her while she stood facing him, her expression unreadable. The city lights in the background, the way the shadows framed them, made it look like a scene straight out of a movie. The caption beneath the image was bold and sensational:

“Love in the Air? Power Couple Alert! Kim Taehyung and Shin Y/N Spotted in an Intimate Moment Last Night!”

A slew of comments followed:

“Are they dating? The chemistry between them is unreal!”

“They look so good together! Is this the new power couple of the business world?”

“Finally, someone worthy of Taehyung! "

Y/N narrowed her eyes, the realization hitting her like a cold splash of water. The angle, the timing—it was too perfect to be coincidental. Someone had orchestrated this, and there was only one person who had both the motive and means to pull it off so effortlessly.