You make me Strong |VMin|

Accidental Meetings

"Kim Taehyung?"
Taehyung turned around to see an unfamiliar women standing in front of him, her face is covered with mask and shades.
"Yes, that's me."
"I want to talk about one of your art pieces. Can we talk in private." Taehyung looked around, the gallery is almost empty except for few staff.
"It's private here ma'am. You can trust the staff."
"Trust me, it's better if it's just us." The woman's voice was pleading.
"Ok ma'am." He motioned the woman to follow him. Once they entered Taehyung's personal painting room, the woman locked the door.
"I hope you don't try anything funny." Tae smirked.
"I won't Taehyung." The woman removed her mask with a small smile.
"Ann!! what are you doing here?" Taehyung peeked from the window.
"Don't worry I am alone."
"What do you want Ann?"
"Sit down, I am here to discuss about our future."
"Listen I don't think we have anything to discuss about."
"Calm down Taehyung our fathers didn't send me, I am here to help."
"Help? No offense Ann, I don't need any help."
"Our engagement is in two weeks Taehyung."
"I know."
"And you are planning not to show up." Ann said calmly, it was not even a question. Taehyung made sure his emotions are morphed well behind the blank face.
"What are you upto Ann?"
"I don't feel anything about you Taehyung. I know you feel the same way too."
"We can't blame each other." Tae scoffed and motioned her to sit down.
"But unlike you I don't have any problems with this marriage, Taehyung."
"This is our third meeting Ann, I don't know a thing about you how can two stranger's spend their lifetime together."
"But you didn't seem to have any problems before." She tilted her head.
"Silence doesn't means acceptance Ann. I never promised you anything. I don't think you will be happy either. It's better not to jump into something not worth it rather than regret an eternity. You are born once, isn't it?"
"Not worth it? That's because we are expecting two different outcomes from this alliance." She leaned back and stared Tae's works.
"And you chose the easier outcome." Tae replied.
"I have been trained to do so. I don't have a single person in my life whom I care about Taehyung. Even my parents, I treat them like mere instructors. If you ask me I would rather want them away from my life."
"What is stopping you?"
"This business Taehyung, 29 years of my life was invested into this stupid business. I didn't even properly recognise my parent's face until I was in middle school because they were never home. I knew them by their voices. Their calls were like a reminder for things I was supposed to do."
"My mom loved me, I was her number one priority." Tae sighed.
"I have heard about her. I am sorry you had to loose her, I am sure things would have been different if she was alive."
"I know." Tae wiped his tears.
"My parents would threaten anyone who came close to me, no friends, no affairs, no love. You are first date Taehyung."
"That was not even a date." Tae sneered.
"At least I showed up."
"What are you implying Ann?"
"I have heard rumours about your relationship." Her stare was determined.
"There is a reason it's called rumour, isn't it."
"You know about them more than me Taehyung. But I seriously think this is a stupid idea."
"Ann you don't have any idea what you are saying."
"Yeah, but I know my parents. Our business is not as big as your father's Taehyung but this alliance, this merger will eliminate all the the competition for both of them, their combined market share would be close 71 percent. Do you think these people will let it go for your love. These people who raised us like a puppet for their success... their own blood Taehyung?"
"So you are going accept this as fate? How long are we going to live like this. Don't we deserve happiness?"
"It depends on how you define happiness."
"I already know where my happiness is."
"This is dangerous Taehyung, you are dragging them into this mess."
"I won't betray him."
"You are risking his life." Tae stared at her, he wanted to throw her out but part of him knows she is not wrong.
"Things will change Taehyung, but it depends upon us. At the end of the day we will take helms of this empire. We can change."
"Only if this empire doesn't change us." Tae stood up and walked towards the window. He kisses his engagement ring. He is willing to risk everything if it means he could live peacefully with Jimin.
"Is it him?" Ann asked pointing to Jimin's portrait.
"Yeah." Tae exhaled.
"He is so gorgeous Taehyung, you are lucky he chose you."
"I will take that as a compliment."
Ann stared at the paintings her eyes stopped on the one portraying a caged angel with bleeding wings. She traced the blood seeping from the wings with her finger.
"I really would have killed them a long ago, if I didn't dream of a peaceful future." She said without a remorse.
"What are you implying?"
"Marry me."
"IF THIS IS A JOKE..."
"Ah let me complete Taehyung, you can be with him, but in public eye, we will be married."
"I don't know what part of being in love you don't understand Ann." He controlled his anger, the veins in his forehead popped due to anger.
"I won't understand because I never experienced any form of love before. But I do know he is not prepared for anything that our family would do to him. I am just telling to act till you take over the business and then we go separate ways."
"What's you deal Ann?"
"Freedom, revenge and closure. My sister has been missing for years, I know my family knows something about it. I want truth Taehyung."
"Your sister.... I never heard about them?"
"That's the influence of our family Taehyung, they are drowning in power. Only we can stop them. Just think about it."
"I need time Ann."
"I understand Taehyung."
"I am grateful they chose you." Tae said staring at dark clouds looming over the sky, waiting to burst on the life forms below.
"Guess you are lucky, I mean look at him."
"Thank you."
"I liked dancing a lot." Ann said looking around.
"It's never late to begin."
"I will when the time is right."
Ann covered her face again.
"Taehyung, all the best. Just know that I will support you. And one more thing, don't trust anyone."
"What about you?" Ann stared at him and walked away.