Can I help you?

Chapter 53

Sarah is doing her work as usual. She is in meetings with the other staff. And then she has meetings with Emma to distribute tasks. They are getting closer to Italy. It won't be a bon voyage concept but more like a photobooklet and travel guide. So she is heavily relying on Emma. During their meetings, she is texting Ji Hoon and giggles when she is walking around the house. She goes out often, looking glamorous every time. One day, Emma asks Sarah. "Did you already sleep with him?" Sarah, who just took a sip, spits it out, and is coughing. Emma looks at Sarah. Sarah stammers. "N-no..." Emma jumps up. "WHAT?" She is in disbelief. She runs inside and calls for Doenja and Mary. "Sarah hasn't slept with him yet." Doenja falls of her bed in shock. Emma runs to the studio, bursts in and tells Mary in disbelief. Even Mary jumps up. "WHAT? HOW?" She excuses herself with RM and Suga and runs out to where Sarah is. Just as Doenja. They enter the terrace and are questioning Sarah. "What do you mean, you haven't slept with him?" "What happened to you?" "Where is our Sarah?" "What is wrong?" Sarah laughs. "Nothing is wrong. Does something need to be wrong for me not sleeping with a guy?" They all nod in unison. "We just... take it slow... I think it is nice like this, no?" She looks away from them and turns the pen in her hand. She has a soft smile. "Does he not like you physically?" Emma questions. "No, not at all, he often touches me, and wants to take it further." "Then why? How?" Doenja asks, knowing very well this is unlike Sarah. Sarah is silent with a smile on her face.

Suga and RM are in the studio, discussing about it. "So she has a boyfriend, eh? Good for her. I just hope she can still keep her focus on her job." RM voices his concern to Suga. Suga hums in agreement. "But that's not the thing that is worrying me." RM looks not understanding at Suga's remark. "How do you mean?" "She looks out of character." Suga remarks. RM still doesn't seem to understand. "Let's say she has a pattern she follows normally, and now suddenly she is diverting from it. Almost like trying to avoid something. I am worried she might be having a Fake Love..." RM's eyes grow wide. Fake Love? That's not good. Fake love can kill someone, mentally. He looks at the door, worried.

The happier Sarah is walking around the house, the more depressed and sad Jin and Jhope become. Jhope's soul is gone out of his dancing. Jin makes mistakes in his cooking. Jimin and Jk and her friends want to meet this 'Ji Hoon'. "But I can't invite him here. I mean, BTS lives here." "But you can tell him you want us to meet him outside maybe. Although it might be harder for Jimin and JK." Sarah nods. "I'll ask." That evening Sarah steps into his car. She kisses him. "Sweetie? My friends would love to meet you but I can't invite you in my place. Any solution?" He smiles. "I could give a party at my house. If you like. I have a condo not far from here." Sarah smiles. "They would be delighted." "It's almost my birthday, so I'll just invite them." Sarah is shocked. "It's... almost your birthday?" He nods. Sarah is panic strucken. What do you buy for a guy who has it all? "Any present you want?" Ji Hoon's eyes seem to shimmer. "You." "You smooth talker." She hits him playfully but inside is worrying. She leaves him that night with an invitation. She walks into the apartment and gives it to her friends. They are all raving and want to go shopping for appropriate attire since it says cocktaildress on the invitation. So they go shopping.

That evening, they are getting ready. Mary is wearing a moss green dress, has a small split and covered shoulders. It shows off her hourglass figure really well. V is snapping pictures of her. She used lots of gell and has been styling her hair the whole afternoon. She has her hair in a elegant bun with a sparkling comb in it. Emma is wearing a purple bustier short dress with a choker. She has her hair up in a half updo. RM has star eyes seeing her like that. Wearing the BTS color like that. Doenja wears a black dress, and is constantly fiddling with it, since it is short and tight. She is wearing black panties and has 1 shoulder covered. A gem around her waist to keep 2 pieces of fabric together. She wears Yoongi's bracelet and has sparkling jewels on. Suga is not used seeing her like that, but can imagine her wearing that when they walk the red carpet together. Her red hair is curled at the bottom. Sarah is nervous for tonight. I'm going to meet his parents, family, friends... And to give him that gift... I'm not sure if I can do it. She did make arrangements. She lifts her dress and double checks it. Jin sees her looking at her stockings in red, her red suspenders and black underwear with laces. Even wore a garter for making it perfect. She has some rubies in her ears that match her necklace. A gift from him on their 4th date. Her skin is paler in contrast to her red long dress, pushing her cleavage up. Her hair is in thick curls, half up. Her make up as usual but this time also wearing foundation. She has a double split on the sides, and the dress accentuates her curves. He pulls her back into the room and closes the door. "Are you serious about this?" He locks her in his arms against the wall. He is towering above her, completely blocking her sight, she can only see his chest and shoulders and handsome face. "Why not? He is my boyfriend after all..." She sneers at Jin. Jin takes the hit in his heart, but doesn't show it on his face. "I can be your boyfriend too if you want to." "No. It can't be you." "Is this still because of the jealousy thing?" Sarah's eyes look defiant at him. "Can't it be?" He has no answer to that, not having thought that far ahead. "IF you excuse me, I am late to a party of my boyfriend." She ducks under his arms and pushes him away from the door to open it. She walks down the stairs. The others are waiting for her. They all drop their jaw at this Jessica Rabbit impersonator. Not quite the same but similar vibe. "You look amazing!" Sarah smiles, her teeth whiter than her skin contrasting with her red lips. "He has the limo in front for us. Let's go!" The girls say goodbye and make their way to the door. "Where is Hobi?" Suga asks while he looks around the house.

Jhope is waiting at the front gate, out of sight. When Sarah passes, he grabs her. "Are you really doing this? You know what you mean to me!" His voice sounds urgent and she can hear the pain. She bites her lip. "He is perfect for me. Let me go. Please. I told you I can't do this anymore." She pulls herself out of Jhope's arms and walks on, afraid that when she looks back she will give into the feelings she is feeling deep down.