House of Cards

Chapter 1

How many love stories start this way? And just how many of them become this messed up?

You were just another student in high school who had developed a crush on one of the seniors. And not just any senior. No, you fell for the most popular student in school – Kim Taehyung. He was one of the top students, actively participating in various sports, and his good looks didn't hurt his reputation any. Needless to say, he had dozens of fans and admirers constantly vying for his attention. Obviously he never gave you the time of day, considering he never even noticed you. How could he have known that you exist when you were the shy wallflower who ducked her head every time his gaze even strayed in your direction?

You admired him from afar, like the majority of the female population in school, lacking the courage to go up and talk to him, all the way to his graduation ceremony. He graduated too soon for your liking – you wished you were his age so you could have spent more time in school with him – but at least after he left all the fuss died down and you could concentrate more on your studies instead of planning how to watch him in between classes and after school. Thoughts of him visited you less frequently since, he was just a crush after all, but you never quite forgot him.

No one else caught your attention after that. Although you gained more confidence to mingle with your peers and became more active in school, you were studious and managed to make it into one of the top universities in the state, making your family proud. It was a little far from your parents', but you didn't mind it. Actually, you were quite relieved to have some space of your own away from your family – even if it meant having to board with the other students – especially when you were herded with the other new students into the main hall on your first day of orientation and you saw him.

Yes, it was Kim Taehyung, smiling in greeting towards the fresh batch of youngsters having their first glimpse of the university's large hall. He was one of the senior students who volunteered to facilitate with the orientation process. Naturally. After words of welcome from the students' representative, you were divided into smaller groups to get to know each other, and a senior student was assigned to each group to keep things organised and answer any questions that the fresh intake might have. Taehyung headed towards your group sitting in a circle, and your heart beat just a fraction faster when he approached and sat across from you.

It was stupid of you to hope that he recognised you, because why would he? Marshalling all your powers of concentration, you focused on the discussion and tried your best not to gawk at him. His attire was simple and casual – an oversized white sweater, washed-out blue jeans and sneakers – but he looked as handsome as ever, and you noticed that you weren't the only one sneaking glances at him. His boxy grin and resonating voice had garnered the attention of the other girls in your group as well. This is going to be high school all over again, you thought to yourself, swallowing a sigh before paying more attention to what the guy beside you was saying.

After he finished, it was your turn to introduce yourself. Midway through, you hesitated, then thought, why not? and informed the group of the name of the high school you graduated from. Satisfaction filled your chest at Taehyung's surprised reaction at this tidbit. Finally, after all these years, you had his regard, but you wanted to kick yourself when your cheeks started to flush as he gave you his undivided attention.

You lingered after the session ended, giving him a chance to approach you. You bit your lower lip to contain your excitement when he did just that. He was surprised and impressed that his junior managed to make it to the university; it was not easy to get in, and the conversation just flowed from there. He felt an obligation to look after you as his junior and you used that to your advantage, approaching him with questions, asking him to show you around, and his excitement at a chance to show you the ropes only made you bolder, daring you to strike conversations about other topics unrelated to your studies. He seemed to enjoy your company, too, an easy friendship developed between you and after a while, he asked you out.