CHAPTER - 45

"FROM THE BASE OF HIS NECK, 

TO THE ARCH OF HIS EYELIDS.

HIS BEAUTY MADE A SLAVE OF ME."

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You remember rolling around in your bed, squealing into the pillow before slipping off into dreamless sleep.

Your stylists smiled as they noticed the happiness clearly reflecting on your face early next morning. "I haven't seen her this happy since she was told she's gonna be coming to Korea.", Yuna smiled as she poked another stylist and whispered in her ear. 

The morning went extremely smoothly since you being happy naturally put everyone in a good, bright mood. You giggled and smiled at the smallest things, blushing a furious shade of red when Jack started teasing you and wiggling his eyebrows whenever he had the chance to make eye-contact.

This was a big moment and he was so happy for you. As surprising as it may sound, even with so many well-wishers and fans, you had never had a boyfriend before. You'd never found anyone who was in love with you and was actually genuine about it and not just because of your social image, status or looks. He continued poking you (literally and figuratively) as he prayed to god for it to workout between you and Taehyung. However cocky the guy might have seemed in the beginning, he had easily charmed everyone around him, students and teachers alike. 

Happiness wasn't the only thing you were feeling at the moment though. You had to admit, you were a little nervous to talk to Taehyung about your relationship status. You didn't wanna push anything even though you guy had practically been flirting for months now. All you wanted to do that morning was to run to school and into his arms. Talk about everything and sort it out once and for all. But it was a Sunday and you had to pick out a marvelous gift for the upcoming big wedding.

As you got ready to go to the mall, you decided to pack a change of clothes and your disguise and handed it to one of your escorts, texting Taehyung to meet you up in the mall in the evening to "hangout". You wanted to look the best you could manage because even though you didn't say it, it was a date and you both knew it.

You spent most of your morning and afternoon looking in different showrooms, disappointed when you couldn't find anything that was special enough and caught your eye. The day was only half finished yet you were already exhausted by the amount of time you had spent walking around to no avail.

However tired you were, the thought of finally going on a date with the boy you've unknowingly had a crush on for so long always sent a bolt of energy up your spine. With only less than an hour for your date, you quickly ran over to the washroom and got ready with the half of your assistant after making sure the washroom was empty and the door was locked.

Finally satisfied with your look after fussing with it for so long, you asked your companions to leave you at the mall and go back home. Fiddling with your glasses, you rushed to the main entrance of the mall when you realized that you were about 20 minutes late and had received a couple texts from the boy you were so looking forward to meet that day.

You ran over to the guy when you spotted him. He looked absolutely stunning in a very simply black tight shirt and jeans. 

Smiling as you stood in front of him, panting from your little jog, your smile dropped when you noticed the cold expression on the man's face.

"What's wrong Tae?", you asked, suddenly feeling a little sick to your stomach as you clutched his shirt in your fist, eyes widening when he pushed your hand away and took a step back.

"It was a mistake Elena. I was drunk last night and I'm sorry for saying all that and kissing you.", Taehyung said as you took a step back, shocked at the change in his demeaner.  

"So... you don't like me?", you whispered, voice breaking off at the end as tears formed in your light eyes.

"Nothing more than a friend."

You gasped as you tried to find any hint of a joke in his eyes. You couldn't find it. You quickly tried to regain your composure as you tried to console your own self. 'Obviously he doesn't love you, how could you expect him to do so. Look at him and look at you. At least he did the right thing by clearly revealing his feelings.'

"Oh that's okay Taehyung.", you said, smiling, as you marvelously gained composure, catching Taehyung off guard. "I'm really glad you told me the truth and didn't give me any more false hope. Thank-you."

"You're welcome..?", the boy said, not really sure how to reply in such a situation.

You flashed a last smile before nodding at him, turning at your heel and walking away. 'Just walk away Ella, you're okay. You just need to get home, one step at a time.', you thought as tears filled up your eyes, your smile never faltering. 

You were counting your steps in your mind, anything to distract you from the pain that was growing in your chest. 

"18, 19, 20, 21, 22-"

"ELENA" 

You stopped dead in your tracks, trying to figure out if your conscious was playing games on your mind or you had actually heard Taehyung call out to you. A second shout confirmed your suspicions making you turn around slowly, facing the boy you loved so dearly with tear stained cheeks. 

Your eyes widened as you noticed the flowers in his hand, your entire friend group standing near him holding huge balloons with wide grins on their faces. 

You let out a choked laugh as you saw him and the gang smiling and running towards you, he stopped right in front of you, grabbing your hand. You didn't know what was happening, if you were hallucinating or not, but it felt so real. He felt so real. Intense eye contact, you couldn't look away, transfixed by his beautiful eyes.

"I love you", he whispered before bringing his lips to yours.

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