September 14, 2019

Olivia was staring at me with a judging look. It had been around two hours since we began the call and I had yet to pick an outfit. I had managed to narrow it down to three looks, but couldn't decide between them. She was probably mentally cursing at Taehyung for calling me so last minute. This morning he asked if I was free after my classes because he wanted to take me on a date. He apologized profusely knowing it was very last minute, but he had no choice since in a few days the band would be going to New Zealand to film the latest Bon Voyage season. Taehyung mentioned he didn't want to wait so long for our next date because the first one had been a few weeks ago already. Obviously I instantly agreed, my tests weren't for another week and I was on top of my work all for this exact reason.

In preparation for my date a FaceTime with Olivia was a must as she would be helping me choose and outfit like normal, it didn't matter she was miles and miles away. The biggest problem, and the reason Olivia is staring at me murderously, was that I didn't know where Taehyung was taking me. This would lead me to be either overdressed or underdressed both a problem of their own. Olivia tried for the first hour she really did, yet my indecisiveness and pickiness drove her over the edge, leaving me on my own and throwing me snarky comments sporadically.

"This one is it," I twirled in the mirror inspecting the outfit.

I'd settled for some dark blue jeans, a cropped black cami, and a cropped cardigan over it. Satisfied with how I looked I sat on the desk that was turned into a vanity for the moment.

"About time," Olivia groaned, "At this point you shouldn't care the guy already saw you puking your guts out and he didn't leave that's a good sign."

"Don't remind me I still very embarrassed," I mumbled, putting my make up on.

"I wish I had been there to see it," I didn't need to look at Olivia to see she had a smirk on her face.

"You would've taken pictures I'm glad you weren't," I scoffed, knowing what I was saying was true our years of friendship serving as proof.

"Don't be a hypocrite you've taken pictures of me when drunk," Olivia called me out, pointing a finger at me through the camera.

"I have never taken a picture of you drunk out of your mind and puking in your parents' master bedroom while they were away on vacation," I innocently spoke, applying some mascara in the process.

"Bitch," Olivia muttered, knowing I could hear her.

"I love you too!" I responded to her comment shooting her a big smile.

Finishing up my make up I turned towards my laptop, "How do I look?"

"Beautiful as always," Liv answered, palm supporting her chin.

"Thanks, I'm hanging up now. He's going to be here soon, love you bitch."

"Love you too! Bye and don't have too much fun," she grinned, looking at me suggestively.

"No promises," I giggled, winking at her.

While I waited for Taehyung to pick me up, I took care of little details like putting on some perfume, my shoes, and some accessories. I added a gold necklace, with some dangly earrings to match and a watch. I am obsessed with watches I wear one almost every day and it's usually not for the time. For me watches are timeless accessories you could use them for everyday wear or get a nicer one for special occasions or simply have them as a collection. They are my essential and go to accessory their familiar weight never missing on my wrist.

I spoke to Eun-Jae for a minute or two letting him know I would be out for the evening, instantly, he began teasing me because of what happened the other day. Eun-Jae had been waiting for me in the living room when I arrived, he was asleep but it's the thought that counts. Nice to know I had a roommate who cares. It was funny sometimes I'd catch him thinking really hard and it's almost always because he is trying to figure out where he's seen Taehyung. Poor boy I've considered telling him, but it's so much fun seeing him like that. To help him gauge his memory I've been throwing random hints about Taehyung but so far nothing he has no idea.

At 6 pm on the dot Taehyung sent me a text that he was waiting for me in his car. I didn't mind that he didn't come up and knock on my door. There was a risk of someone spotting him or taking a picture of him and I didn't want that to happen and cause trouble. So far everything had been running smoothly and it would be best if it stayed that way. What we had was new and undetermined, we didn't need people from the outside forcing us their unwanted opinions. Besides, I didn't mind being a secret if it meant that everything would be okay and no one's career would be put in danger. We weren't even officially a thing so there was no need for anyone to know.

"Hi," I softly greeted him as soon as I got into the car. Leaning over the center console I planted a kiss on his cheek which he accepted with a boyish smile.

"Hey, how was class?"

"Interesting, boring, long..." I responded, listing off with my fingers, "How was your day? I bet it was better than mine."

"Hectic we've been packing and going over our schedule for New Zealand," Taehyung sighed, putting the car in drive staring our drive.

"Ugh, see, cool!" I exclaimed, shaking my head.

"Packing gets tiring," Tae tried to play it down, but how can he its New Zealand.

"What a problem," Sarcastically I nodded in understanding to which he nudged my arm.

"I won't be able to see you for a few weeks, though," Stopping at a red light, he pouted and turned to glance at me.

"Now that's a real tragedy," I laughed not because it was funny, but because I did not know how to answer him. His words taking me by surprise, leaving to answer the best way I know how, humor and sarcasm.

"I'm serious, I'll miss you," he whined at my joke, elongating his words in the process.

"You know I'll miss you too," I told him in a serious tone, "I've gotten used to having around more often."

Nodding in agreement and content at my answer he turned his eyes back on the road just in time for the light to change back to green. I didn't recognize the buildings we drove by granted I've only been in Seoul for a month and I barely go out. What I did notice was the fancy restaurants, stores and buildings I could only hope he was not taking me into none of these places because I was severely underdressed.

Taehyung decreased the velocity when we neared an unmarked and new looking building, "We're here!"

"Where?" I asked as I looked up at the tall building. I had no idea where I was.

"This is my new apartment," he responded, parking in the underground garage.

Walking into Taehyung's new home, I was astounded. The apartment was beautiful the polished tiled floor shone under the lights making it look dazzling and expensive. He gave me a tour of the space it's decoration fitting perfectly with Taehyung's style, giving me no doubt he took part of the process of putting it together. There were sparkling chandeliers hanging from the roof and a vintage camera set in one corner of the living room. The only place left to show was the kitchen and let me tell you I fell in love with it. Most of the cabinets and appliances were a shiny black with the counter tops being a darker beige it was spacious and modern, a dream. If I had a kitchen like this at home, I wouldn't ever leave it.

"Tae, this place is beautiful. I didn't know you had an apartment," I raved, eyes roaming around taking it all in.

"Its recent I bought it in the summer thought it would be nice to have my own space," he explained, hands in his pocket and eyes on me, "I haven't spent much time here which was why I decided this would be our destination today."

"I have no problem with that anything in particular you want to do?"

"My plan was to introduce you to someone," Taehyung rose his eyebrows at my confused look before disappearing and coming back a minute later wearing a chef hat and an apron.

"Nari, meet chef Taehyung, Pizza extraordinaire," he said, bowing in greeting.

I was laughing in disbelief. I couldn't believe he remembered that joke, that moment, so many months ago.

"Nice to meet you chef Taehyung," I giggled bowing, "I hope you have a recipe in hand because I have no idea how to make pizza."

"Let's hope for the best," he answered with a cheeky smile.

Before we got to attempting to make a pizza Taehyung handed me an apron and a chef's hat which I gladly put on. He already had the recipe printed out on the counter and as I looked it over, he took the ingredients out.

With music playing in the background, we started making the crust of the pizza, checking the yeast, mixing the ingredients and kneading the dough. I left that part for Taehyung his hands being a great advantage due to their size I ogled at him and his hands as they gripped the dough and knead it the force of it making the veins in his arm pop. I could spend hours watching him doing that and fantasizing other things they could do; the damage twitter has done to my mind. I had to reel in my thoughts as he finished his job and covered the bowl of dough with plastic wrap now, we had to wait an hour and a half for it to rise.

The kitchen counter was messy, and it was calling for me to clean it. I placed some of the condiments back in their proper spots as Taehyung served us some drinks speaking about his schedule and events coming up. I left the bag of flour on the counter remembering we will need to use it again soon from the corner of my eye I saw there was a bowl with some left over and hid it behind my back before Tae noticed it. He put the cups on the counter talking about it would be cold and that they would be renting an RV and as he turned to look at me, I whipped out the bowl from behind my back and blew on it making the flower go all over him.

I glanced at his flour covered form, he slowly blinked and stared at his now white shirt before trailing his eyes over to me. I shot him a sheepish smile and held back a laugh, biting my bottom lip in the process. What I did not expect was for him to grab the bowl from my hands and dump whatever flour was left on it. The white powder fell all over my hair and face, some falling on my eyelashes as I shook my head I must have looked like a ghost. Taehyung's laughed boomed in my ears, his shoulders shaking and his eyes closed, he looked incredibly handsome, flour and all. I wish I could make him laugh all the time, but for now I'd have to settle in remembering this moment and replaying it in my head. His laughter died down to chuckles, opening his eyes, he looked into mine, my smile was reflecting his. We both looked like children making a mess in the kitchen except there would be no one to come in and scold us.

Taehyung brought his palms up to my cheeks swiping away some of the accumulated flour and they did not leave after failing in their mission. Instead, they trailed over the features of my face, eyebrows, temple, cheekbones, jaw, and lips.

"You made a mess Nari," Taehyung whispered, getting closer to me like what he was telling me was a secret.

"I saw an opportunity and I took it," I responded softly, his gaze and touch distracting me, "I was already going to clean the other mess a little more wouldn't do much damage."

"I didn't mean the kitchen," he confessed thumb grazing over my bottom lip, "You made a mess of me."

I was left speechless with my heart pounding and the butterflies in my stomach going crazy. Nothing had to be said not at this moment as he leaned closer, lips barely brushing against mine, I tilted my head up giving him more access to my lips and he took it as permission to finally kiss me. We've kissed many times over the past few weeks but each time I discover new things, new sensations, new feelings. As out lips molded together, I breathless yet at the same time I felt as if I could finally breathe freely. I felt the spark in our skin turn into a raging fire. I felt him, Taehyung making a mess of me too. Each and every day I learned new things about the man in front of me like his little habits and quirks, how he never tends to finish his sentences or how he would rather demonstrate with actions what he's trying to say or his constant use of emojis. The more I learned, the more I felt for him and the more I wanted to study him, which is why his next words made me the happiest girl in the planet.

As we hesitantly pulled away and took a breath, he leaned his forehead against mine, not opening his eyes, "I like you Nari, so damn much, much more than any friend could."

"Tae look at me," I told him barely above my breath there was no need to be loud it was only the two of us.

"I'm happy to hear that because I like you too, a lot," I revealed with a smile, urging him to smash his lips against mine again.

Not much was said afterwards, he helped me clean the mess we'd made and after the dough had risen sufficiently, we prepared the pizza in itself, adding lots of veggies in one half and pepperoni in the other. For it being our first-time making pizza, we did a good job. With fingers crossed I slid the pan in the oven hoping it turned out good or at the very least edible.

"We did it," I cheered, giving Tae a high five.

"Now we wait," he mumbled, standing in the middle of the kitchen with his hands on his hips, "Let's go to the living room we can watch some TV."

Taehyung picked a random movie knowing we probably wouldn't pay much attention to it as we usually ended up talking over it. Except this time, we were talking, but about the movie. Every time something awkward or particular happened either of us would make fun of the situation. Until the protagonist was going to have her first kiss, which was very gross need I say, where I started a conversation about firsts kisses.

"First kisses are the worst," I groaned, hanging my head from the back of the couch.

"Tell me about it," he said, exhaling from his nose.

"That bad?"

"It was with Hoseok," He blurted out that being enough to understand.

"Wait, that was legit?" Picking my head up I looked at him wide eyed.

"Yeah, I'm still scarred to this day-yah- don't laugh," He exclaimed offended.

"Sorry, sorry," I giggled, bringing up my hand to cover my smile.
"What was yours like?" He then asked, raising one of his eyebrows.

"Like most kids in America it was a game of truth or dare Olivia had planned it so that the kid I had a crush on would do it, but it backfired and instead I got his geeky best friend," I told him, thinking back to that day in eight grade.

Taehyung laughed at my bad luck much like I did to him.

"Looking back at it, I don't regret it, it was just a little kiss and it wasn't horrible, the worst thing came afterwards, when he thought I had a crush on him, which I didn't!" I quickly added, "Jokes on me because he turned out to be my first and only boyfriend."

"What happened to not having a crush?" Taehyung wondered, confusion in his eyes.

"That was in middle school!" I explained, "But then high school and puberty came along and did a number on him although he remained the same geeky kid."

"What happened to him?"

"Nothing," I shrugged, "We dated all throughout our senior year and the first half of our first year at college, we weren't meant to be I cared about him just not in a romantic way," I said.

"Enough about me," I told him, putting a hand on my chest, "What about you? Any girlfriends?"

"None worth mentioning. I've never dated more than a few months," he said shyly, not looking at me, "Either they were in it for the wrong reasons or I didn't like them enough."

"That's rough," I nodded and then shrugged, "That's life."

Taehyung glanced at me happy that I didn't go too much into it.

A ping resonated from the kitchen indicating the pizza was done. I stood up quickly excited at the outcome and that I got to eat, hunger has been making itself known to me for the past half hour with its grumbling. Taking the kitchen towels from their hanging place I took the pizza out of the oven the heat of it hit my face. It smelt delicious Taehyung and I did a great job.

Taehyung stood by my side, ready to take a taste of the delicious food in front of us. I grabbed the pizza cutter and started sliding it through the cheesy surface, but I made a mistake when I accidentally touched the still hot pan. I yelped dropping the pizza cutter and cursing under my breath. Taehyung sprang into action, grabbing my other hand and pulling me with him to the sink where he took my burnt fingers and put them under the running water.

"Does it hurt a lot?" he asked, searching for any indication of pain on my face.

"It stings a little bit," I admitted with a grimace.

"Let's take a look," he turned off the water and raised my hand to his eye level, "It's a little red and it might blister, but you should survive."

"Singer, dancer, visual, chef, and now doctor I don't know what I did to find a guy like you," I told him in a flirty way.

"Stop it," Taehyung blushed before going to find a first aid kit.

Coming back into the kitchen, he wrapped my burnt finger individually before giving them a gentle kiss, "All better."

"You know I think I got another burn," I spoke with a pout.

His eyebrows knitted together in question, "Where?"

With an innocent look I tapped my pointer finger on my lips, "You think you can kiss it better too?"

"I can give it a shot," he responded, licking his lips and kissing any pain I felt away.

A/N:

So much mush and fluff!

They made pizza because he remembered that other time. Where can I find a guy like that?

I know I say this a lot but I'm proud of this chapter!

Feelings are coming out and being revealed!

More to come soon!

As always, please, remember to vote, comment, and share with a friend.

-Nikki Marie 💜