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Tear the petals off of you (you)

Tear the petals off of you

Make you tell the truth...

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The next morning, Namjoon awoke with dread. The night before, despite being exhausted, he had trouble falling asleep again. He was quite happy when he was with Frosty all the time, but this unplanned engagement to Shancai is the sword hanging over his head. God is aware of his adoration and love for his mother and longs for her to have the most happiness possible by witnessing him get married.

His heart is still a mess, despite his understanding of her sentiments. His heart is unstable right now. However, there is someone who loves him unconditionally and wants him to choose her-his cute blonde-blue-eyed Italian princess, Vincenzia Kwon.

But he still needs to handle his unresolved feelings for Celine.

After a cup of espresso and while wearing his semi-formal suit, he looked out over the towering, raised skyscrapers that towered monstrously in contrast to the scarlet and blue tones of the sunrise.

On the counter where it was charging, he suddenly heard his cellphone's ringtone. Even for the Bangtan Elites, each member of his closest circle of friends and family had selected a unique ringtone.

Mi-young.

He questioned her call this morning at such an early hour. He was extremely relieved when they received the contract from their newest clients yesterday because his mother had grown very impatient with him over the previous two weeks for acting suspiciously. He had a gnawing feeling that his mother was aware of his indiscretions. She had eyes everywhere.

Particularly when he goes on dates with Frosty, he never travels with his four bodyguards. However, he had always been aware that they had probably been following him for the previous few days since his encounter with Shancai.

Namjoon snatched his phone and clicked the answer button while he let out a heavy sigh.

"Good morning, Mi. Why did you call so early this morning?" He softly questioned. Her voice had a small giggle, which he could detect.

"Good morning, Mr. Kim. Well, your Eomma couldn't get you in and requested me to tell her "galavanting son"-those are her words, not mine-about it. To please bring the source of his most recent "distraction" to the office. In other words, she wants to meet your 'bottle blonde' friend".

"She wants to meet Frosty," said Namjoons in a voice that betrayed his astonishment, "Why? "

With a heavy sigh, Miyoung said, "Joon, your Eomma seems a little concerned about your associations with a 'girl' not up to your standard,' about the fact that you are hanging out in Seoul with a girl who is not your future fiancée."

"What the heck!", Namjoon muttered angrily," Mi. Are my moves being watched by her?" He spoke with a tone of irritation. When his Eomma does that, he despises it. Celine received none of her support.

When Celine chose to leave his country rather than stay so they could have a future together, he ended the relationship, much to his Eommas' elation. His Eomma opposed him getting married to a foreigner, and she won't be happy if he dates a foreigner again, even if she is part Korean. Because Shancai is Taiwanese yet the daughter of her best friend, he sometimes finds her double standards disgusting. Now, she is accepting of Shancai.

Since they were preteens, Shancai is the only female his mother has ever liked. He had a nagging sense that he and Shancai had been betrothed ever since they were babies. He doesn't love Shancai, but maybe they do respect one another right now.

Poor Frosty was already beaten before the race for his heart had even begun. Although she is young and idealistic, her love for him is genuine. Even though he feels some affection for her, his heart is not yet prepared to fall in love once more.

He's a grown man, what the hell.

"I'm afraid you're right, Joon. She is not impressed that you spend your days with Vincenzia rather than Shancai, your alleged fiancé." Namjoon could hear a hint of resentment in her normally sweet voice. She doesn't back away from her true feelings about Shancai.

"You can just call her Frosty. Mi. I'll check to see if she's accessible shortly. Eomma will roast her alive."

He already had an anxious look on his expression because he was aware that Frosty had a strong opinion and that his mother had a heart of granite.

"Her name is beautiful. I'll use her real name, Vincenza. She is quite the character, and I have to admit that I would love to see her interact with your Eomma.," When Namjoon groaned loudly, she laughed.

"Ok, Mi. Let me just inform Frosty." He greeted and hung up by saying, "I'll see you later."

Namjoon sighs deeply as he runs his hands through his hair.

He instantly contacted Frosty, hoping she would be prepared soon.

Namjoon: Good morning Frosty. I hope you got a good night's rest. At 8:30 a.m. I'll be giving you a tour of Kim Publishing, so get ready. Consider it to be item number 20 on the list: Change your routine.

Frosty is online.

Frosty: Good morning, my handsome Joonie. Wow, this early! I slept comfortably and had pleasant dreams about you. That will be fantastic but is it acceptable?

Namjoon: Since I am the company's CEO, I am permitted to do so. So I'll take you to breakfast after the tour. How does that go? And we can check off more intriguing items from our lists. What are your thoughts?

Frosty: Wow, Joonie. Then let's get started. Are you certain you won't have a busy day at work?

Namjoon: It's not the only reason, though. My beautiful Eomma is also interested in meeting you. More to discover who utilizes all my not-so-free time, so much more than the Bangtan Elites.

Frosty: Oh my goodness Joonie! Your mother seems scary. Let's visit your company at a later stage. If I had to meet her now, I'd get instant diarrhea. So I'll pass.

Namjoon: Come on, Frosty. Let's get it over with. She is not that fearsome. She wants to meet my cute little friend.

Frosty: Can't we meet her after breakfast?

Namjoon: The earlier, the better. I had to be free by 2 p.m.

Frosty: Why? Only three hours together? Do you have any other appointments?

Namjoon: Er... yes. I'm meeting Celine for a drink to catch up.

Frosty: Oh-ok.

Namjoon: You're not upset, hey.

Frosty: Of course not. She seems lovely, and you haven't seen her for some time. So enjoy your time with her, okay? We can... maybe do two items on our list and call it a day.

Namjoon: That will be great. I want to take you to a very special place and please don't ask. So get yourself ready; I'm going to pick you up soon.

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You weren't sure what to think or how to relax after receiving Joonie's surprising text messages. It wasn't in your early morning plans to meet the matriarch of the successful publishing company.

You quickly apply delicate silver-pink eyeshadow to draw attention to your troubled blue-gray eyes and a dab of coral pink lip gloss before blow-drying your blonde hair in soft waves and applying some natural makeup to your face. You're wearing a very cute floor-length maxi dress in white and silver, with silver accents on the chest area, and small silver sandals on your tiny feet. A tiny bit of confidence returned.

Before she left for work, you informed your grandmother that Mr. Kim would be taking you on a little tour of his publishing company. She was shocked beyond belief that you continued to see the young CEO. She hoped that your crush was only a youthful crush and that it would naturally end when you left in three months.

Namjoon was pleased by your ladylike outfit. When he just looked at your stunning appearance, his eyes widened.

"Greetings, Frosty! Wow, you're stunning, exactly like a lady. Where have my adorable plaits gone today?" He made a light-hearted joke as he opened the passenger door for you to enter.

"I awoke late. I don't want to appear childish or immature. I looked to be a bit of a young adult because I didn't think your Eomma would be impressed by my looks".

When you got in the car, you only chuckled a bit hesitant. You could just marvel at the masculinity of Joonie, who looked fantastic in his black striped business suit. He'd make a wonderful husband for any girl, no doubt about it. All you want is for it to be you.

You gazed at Namjoon with a small bit of dread in your eyes as you and him approached the enormous tall structure.

You were on the verge of passing out when Namjoon revealed that his formidable mother wanted to meet you. Why is it important for you to meet his mother? You don't even have a dating relationship with each other.

"Sweetheart, don't think so much," He beams into your worried blue eyes and says, "You'll be fine", He drove into the exclusive underground parking close by and parked his vehicle.

You both exchanged penetrating stares while maintaining a guarded smile and an appearance of anxiety. He lightly caressed your cheek with one of his hands while grinning.

Taking a deep breath, you said, "OK, let's get this over with."

"We will ride in our exclusive elevators, which go straight to the executive floor at the top. As a result, the other staff won't be scrutinizing you. You were briefly consoled only by his beaming face. It's frightening to see his mother and even his supposedly best friend, who has been in love with him for a long time.

He stepped out and unlocked the passenger door for you, and you carefully exited the vehicle, holding his hand out to you. You practically gasped for air at how dashing and competent he appeared. like a true, ruthless billionaire CEO.

You both anxiously proceed hand in hand to the glass doors that lead to the private elevators, bowing amiably to the security guards there. They are delighted to see their young CEO strolling alongside a stunning woman.

Inside the elevator, Namjoon and you were both a little silent, each lost in your thoughts. You exhale loudly as you ascend to the 17th level.

"Are you calm now," smirks Namjoon. It will soon be over, so don't worry. Be yourself, please.

He can see the gleam in your blue eyes, but you just pout your lips and whisper, "You know well enough that being myself is more embarrassing. How would you feel if she demanded that you stop your friendship with me?" You appear a little frightened. If she makes Joonie give in to her, you don't know what you would do.

"She won't," Namjoon chuckled as he raised his gaze, "Stop searching for ghosts that don't exist, Frosty. You are a thoughtful, charming, and self-assured young lady. Despite her terrifying appearance, My Eomma is very understanding."

But Namjoon is aware of his mother deep down. She's not going to treat the relationship with Frosty lightly.

Her attempts to marry him off to the daughter of her best friend will be thwarted by Frosty.

Frosty took a big breath as they stepped out onto the opulent luxury floors. Yeji, his PA, was pleasantly stunned to find her President with Chiji's blonde cousin Frosty, who is one of her dearest friends. When Frosty and Namjoon approached the reception desk, she perked up.

Namjoon grinned warmly at his vivacious PA, who was dressed flawlessly in a blue and white Celine suit. Her flawless makeup complemented her golden brown hair, which was styled in an attractive bun atop her head. Due to Yeji's beautiful porcelain skin, Frosty could picture the costs of her cosmetic treatments, because her skin was glowing.

A dark door opens from the left and the Matriarch and Mi Young exit, in deep conversation until she notices her son looking a touch gloomy. This is just before Namjoon and Frosty acknowledge Yejis'kind greetings. Frosty observed with bated breath as Namjoons' mother's brows furrowed deeply and then rose high. Her coal-black eyes met those of the anxious girl next to Namjoon, and an unidentified emotion flashed through them.

Compared to her tall and handsome son, the girl is two heads smaller.

Frosty and Namjoon almost simultaneously bow, with Namjoon grinning at his mother's strict demeanor and saying, "Good morning, Eomma. You look exquisite right now. What is the occasion?" He asked cordially, walking up to her and giving her a peck on the cheek.

Ms Kim scoffed a little, ' Morning Joon, and don't butter me up. It seems I'm running the show here---' there was a slight sneer in her melodious voice that Namjoon could easily detect. His mom is not amused.

Namjoon laughed, " Oh, Eomma. You are still young and beautiful. Oh, morning Mi ''he greeted his best friend who stood with a stoic and calculating expression watching a nervous Frosty whose hands were entwined in each other.

Mi-Young bowed slightly with a slight smirk at the corners of her ruby-red lips. She looked elegant in a pastel pink suit dress. Her feet are cladded in silver sandals encrusted with a diamond bow at the back. Her rusty red hair was slick over her face. She is truly a gorgeous girl.

She bowed with a little smile, but something was flashing in her eyes. Yeji sat and watched amused by the invisible undercurrents of emotions that were playing off in front of her.

"Aren't you going to introduce us to your... little friend?"' his mom's eyes flickered to Frosty.

Namjoon grinned, "Oh yes. Eomma, this is my young friend, Kwon Vincenza or just call her Frosty. Her grandmother is the famous florist from Kwon Petals who did those exquisite bridal flowers for Seokjin -hyung's brother. Frosty is only visiting her grandmother for the summer---" he looked with clear affection to his platinum blonde friend who smiled softly up to him.

Namjoon's mother looked amused at her rambling son, her well-defined eyebrows raised a little, " Hmm, please to meet you... er... Ms Kwon---, " she kept her formality as she and Frosty both acknowledged the greeting. Frosty bit her lip nervously under the scrutiny of the publishing matriarch.

She turned to Namjoon, with renewed professionalism, " Our elusive author came in today and she is waiting in your office with her agent. Kindly attend to her and don't worry about Ms. Kwon. She will be safe with me. " Her gaze once more on the nervous girl.

Namjoon looked surprised, "Really! I thought she was still vacationing in the Philippines?," he smiled with mirth and looked back at Frosty as he turned around and stood near her. Taking one of her hands and rubbing it. That little gesture made the onlookers widen their eyes. Ms. Kim's eyes zoomed into the intimate way her son looked at this foreign girl.

"Frosty, I'll see you later. Just talk to my Eomma and then we can leave afterwards. Are you ok with that? "he could sense the nerves in Frosty's demeanor. He can sense that Frosty doesn't want to converse with his cold mother. He feels sorry for his little friend, but his mother is adamant about meeting Frosty on a personal level.

Frosty nodded wide eyes and whispered, "OK"

He smiled and tenderly caressed her cheek, turned around, and followed an emotionally detached Mi-Young, whose heart ached at his subtle display of affection in front of them. She sighed deeply and just followed him to his CEO's office where his clients were waiting in anticipation.

Yeji looked a little concerned as she watched a fearful Frosty who was gesturing to follow a stoic Chairlady to her office.

Gosh, the atmosphere was so thick you could cut it into slices with a sharp knife...

A/n. Frosty is meeting the matriarch.

Thank you so much for giving this story some love. It makes me all warm inside. 😊.

Shout out to all the new readers, first-time commentators/voters, and those who added the book to their reader's list.

1. Do you think Joonie's mom is against his friendship with Frosty?

2. Will Frosty truly leave Joonie if asked to do so?

3. Do you think Miyoung would rather have Frosty in Joon's life than Shancai?