One tree map and thirty minutes later, Grey was still hunched over her notebook pondering the first branch.
She'd stolen the pen from one of the kitchen drawers and dug into her purse to find the book. Writing and scratching through empty pages soothed the edge of anxiety over her circumstances, and when she glanced at her handiwork from a distance as a reader would glimpse a new written work, she felt as though she was larger than the situation for the first time since her arrival.
Even with that control, the first branch of her map led to a dead end. It was entitled "AMULET" and a thin line pointed to her notes on the topic, which consisted of:
-not found
-might be cute?
-I die
In summary, there was no way to acquire the necklace and hope for a good result. So, she focused on the second branch entitled "SWORD," where more notes were jotted in the lines beneath.
-needs a book?
-somewhere out there, idk
-I don't die
This plan seemed so much more achievable from the mere fact that she stayed alive. Of course, there were obstacles such as finding the instruction manual and then the actual weapon, but she was at least 70%--more like 60%--sure she could survive while searching. On top of that, she had Nico. His bond with his brother may not have been invincible, but that didn't mean it meant nothing. Siblings had connections. They knew each other without having to really know each other. At least, that's what Grey had read somewhere while doing some freelance writing.
Luca might not have answers, but she'd have intuition. That was better than wasting time on the death necklace.
The third branch of her tree map made her sigh aloud. It read, "CURSE."
Her notes were rather brief, listing their names on separate lines with blank spaces next to them. Near the bottom of the page were two words.
- Pick one?
She scoffed, slamming her notebook shut and running hands through her hair. Committing an act of love. Confessing her feelings--unrequited feelings to add a cherry on top.
To make things worse, she still had them. Perhaps not as apparent as before, but they persisted. It was so much harder to hate them than to like them. In fact, she couldn't hate them at all. And that was what her rage transformed into; anger at her own weakness.
Grey groaned to the ceiling, falling back onto her bed with her eyes closed in frustration. "I'm not breaking the stupid curse! I'm not, I'm not, I'm not!"
"We would never force you to do anything you don't want to do."
Grey reeled, pushing up from her sheets and whirling on the man leaning on her closet double doors. Jimin wore a black turtle neck, black leather jacket, black jeans, and black combat boots. Sunglasses were pushed up into his platinum hair, revealing the blue, earnest stare smothering her from halfway across the room. He was strikingly serious, his playful smirk stashed away for a completely straight face.
Grey stomped her foot down. "Damnit, Park Jimin! Do you knock?"
"I did. You didn't hear me."
Had she been that absorbed in her notes? She rubbed her temples, catching her breath. "I expect that from Jungkook, not you."
"He peeks at you without knocking."
"He does?" Grey self-consciously wrapped her arms around her chest, a gesture that indirectly drew Jimin's attention.
He chuckled, his perfect smile brightening the room. "No, I would never let him do that. There's only one pervert you need to worry about and it isn't Kookie." His amusement dissolved as her bewilderment grew, his intensity returning. "But the curse is completely your decision. If anything we do makes you uncomfortable, you can tell us. Especially me."
"I will." Grey swallowed, setting her arms back at her sides. "I'm sorry you had to hear that."
Jimin shrugged. "Don't apologize for expressing the way you feel. Since we're saying sorry, I apologize for not telling you the truth when I had the chance."
"Thank you. I forgive you."
He nodded, pinning his gaze on the floor for a few seconds. Before the room could get too quiet, he perked suddenly. "I just want to know something."
"Sure," she said.
Internal conflict battled on his gorgeous face, his thoughts seeming to visibly twist and shape his following expressions. She shoved her hands in her back pockets, waiting for him to spit out whatever was making him clam up. After a small eternity, he shook his head. "Forget it, it's nothing."
She raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Are you sure?"
"It doesn't matter now," his smile returned, halfhearted and not meeting his ears as he said, "I came to ask if you were still willing to come to my photoshoot. It's for Celia's Forbidden collection."
The shoot she promised to attend when he dragged her to that lavish nightclub. The shoot he was nervous to land, and still got anyway. She nodded, wondering about what he wanted to ask a few seconds ago. There was nothing worse than being abandoned in the middle of suspense. Nevertheless, she grabbed her coat from the back of her chair and left the room. "I promised, so I can't back out even if I wanted to."
He followed closely, his concerns loud enough to carry through the rest of the halls. "Do you want to back out? I really don't want to pressure you--,"
She peered over her shoulder and smirked. "If I didn't want to, I would have stayed in my room."
He cocked his head to the side. "If you wanted us to stay in your room then you should have been more vocal."
She pretended to not be flustered by the switch. That transition from serious to flirtatious like snapping a finger or phasing from night to day. By now, she was used to it and his charm signified that he was back to normal. They were back to normal.
The pair called the elevator and descended to the parking garage in friendly silence. Jimin's car was already parked before the chrome doors as soon as they slid open. He opened the back door for her to get in. Grey settled, dropping her stuff in the space between her and the next seat. In the rearview mirror, Yoongi stared from the behind the wheel. Jimin hopped in the passenger's side.
"Thanks for taking us, Suga."
"Suga?" Grey furrowed her brows.
Jimin slid his sunglasses onto his nose as Yoongi drove off. Next, he looked at his friend with adoration. "He's as sweet as sugar, don't you think?"
Grey looked to Yoongi. "Can I answer that?"
He glared through the rearview mirror. "No."
Jimin's smile beamed at Grey through the side mirrors outside of the car. "He's gotten into photography recently, so I asked him to come."
Grey grinned at Jimin, her run-in with Yoongi fresh from yesterday. "Suga and I can catch up while you do your thing."
:::
Yoongi parked the car at a reserved spot before a spacious, white building. As Jimin climbed out, a single attendant in a tight, white dress bowed politely and tucked a clipboard under her arm. She smelled of light perfume and her necklace hit her full chest as she stood upright. Grey pretended not to notice.
"Mr. Park, thank you for arriving early. We are finishing setting up if you and your party will follow me. Would any of you like refreshments?"
She smiled warmly at Grey, who shook her head and glanced at Yoongi sidelong for standing so close to her side. Yoongi offered gracious decline and gratitude to the woman before she turned and strode into the building with Jimin on her heels. Grey took her first step to trail behind them when Yoongi's whisper made her trip over her own feet.
"I dare you to call me Suga again."
Grey blinked, checking her balance while calmly facing him. "Are you threatening me, Suga?"
He smiled wide enough that his gums showed. It was so contagious Grey bit the inside of her cheek to not return the notion. Ominously, as though he swore this a thousand times over, he said, "One day."
The foreshadowing in his voice made her shiver, but she couldn't let him see her sweat. Sure, one day he'd kick her ass. Luckily, it wasn't today.
"I think it's cute." She shrugged. "You are sweeter than sugar."
He squirmed in place like it was painful for him to stand still. "Shut up."
"You know," she teased. "You don't have to fight a smile."
"Why are you like this?"
Grey smiled smugly. "You like me. Admit it already."
He smacked his lips, passing her up and opening the door for her to enter. "Me? Like you? You'd have to pay me. Come on," he nudged his head for her to get a move on. She obeyed, waiting for him to walk by her side. Despite his claim that she was the bane of his existence, he did.
The inside of the building resembled a loft. At the far end of the room, an iron staircase led to a second floor that seemed to hover over the first. Vanity mirrors with lights illuminated that entire panel, men and women in black shuffling back and forth between makeup and hair stations. Underneath those, a lengthy sitting area of velvet couches and industrial windows were available for lounging to the left while a white backdrop with reflectors and studio lights were on the right.
An "F," elaborately written in cursive stamped every product in the room. Celia's F. The logo for Forbidden.
Jimin had been swarmed by three attendants, but when he saw Grey, he rushed to her side. A man not too far from Grey whirled and strutted towards them. He wore round glasses and a cashmere scarf around his neck. His pants were tight, and so was the freshly starched white button-up dress shirt he'd worn with rolled sleeves. His brown skin was rich in the light, his darker brown eyes gleaming with pride. "At last!" He threw his arms up like he was praising the man above. "My muse! My gift from Aphrodite! Adonis, I'll call you."
Grey knew he wasn't lying, but she envied his drama. The man ran a hand through his coiffed hair and flashed a winning smile. "Sarang Lakhani, photographer and director of this shoot at your service."
Grey let him shake her hand, so did Yoongi. When he touched Jimin, he held it. Sarang beamed, "Why don't we start with your individual shots now? When our female model shows up then we'll begin the main spread. She's stuck in traffic, but should arrive at any minute."
"Of course, I'd be honored." Jimin glanced at Grey for one last encouraging nod before following the hair and makeup artists up the stairs.
After watching him leave, Grey asked Sarang, "What's the theme of this shoot? Celia never said."
"It's for the launch of Forbidden's nightwear collection set to release this Winter. She's naming it Love and Lust."
Nightwear. Harmless. Grey nodded like she was Jimin's agent. Sarang shuffled away as Yoongi plopped down on a velvet couch. He laid his head back on the cushions as though being here exhausted him.
Grey nudged his knee with hers when she sat next to him. "Didn't sleep last night?"
Yoongi neither confirmed nor denied. "Tell me what you know."
"That's not how alliances work." Grey tossed a handful of her curls over her shoulder.
"Asking for an alliance suggests that you need help in a group of individuals you can't trust. It separates groups into us versus them. You're asking me to turn against my brothers and serve you. For even mentioning it, you're either brainless or reckless."
That was exactly what she was suggesting, just not so harshly. The amulet was out of question. The curse and the sword were so far out of reach she didn't even want to consider them. There was an immediate option. One delivered to her by the dreams lingering unforgettably in her own mind.
Her voice lowered involuntarily. "Call me whatever, but what I would ask of you could divide us anyway."
He did not respond, but bounced his leg up and down. He leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of his lap.
She tried again. "Nico didn't teach me any of it. There are parts he doesn't have."
Unconvinced, he played with his thumbs. "I don't believe you. He knows everything."
"There's a war coming. She always tells me there's a war coming and there's an endgame."
His head snapped in her direction. "Who told you?"
"I'm not allowed to say. If she didn't let me tell Luca, then she won't let me tell you."
He frowned. "Don't believe that, there isn't going to be any war."
"I've picked up the clues, Yoongi. There are ways that you can still win your war and ways that can take me home." Grey searched his face. "She can do it."
Yoongi grimaced. "For the sake of your safety, tell me who this person is. No one should be able to reach you. There's eyes on you every second of the day."
"I can't say, but she won't hurt me. She needs my help and I need you to work with me."
"Work with you how?"
"Answer my questions."
A whistle, more like a catcall, erupted from Sarang at his chair near the cameras. Grey turned to the commotion--and her mouth went dry.
Jimin descended the steps, a wet and sleeveless tee shirt clinging to his muscled frame. It dripped where he walked and by the time he stood before the backdrop, the fabric was transparent. He stepped over a pile of pillows to move closer to the wall and stare into the camera's lens.
He ran one hand through his silver hair. "Is this good?"
Yes. It's glorious.
Sarang shouted a few corrections, none of them registering in Grey's mind as the angel moved accordingly. His eyes captivated the camera as the flashes began, but for the life of her she could not stop staring at all of him. How long did it take to create such perfection in Heaven? How did he give everyone such a hard time with one glance? Why had her heart beat quickened? Why was it getting so damn hot in here?
Grey tore her gaze from the shoot as Yoongi put a freezing hand on her shoulder. "You're getting distracted."
She drank in the man next to her, and found herself faced with the same pressure building in her chest. Yoongi's features were doll-like, but a rugged edge, a sort of raw and cold undertone sharpened that prettiness. Sharpened him into a viciously attractive weapon, and seeing him so relaxed yet open to listen to her... she couldn't describe how it felt, but when her eyes involuntarily widened, it was most likely evident on her face.
"Earth to Grey," Yoongi called, waving a hand before her nose. "Stop staring at me."
"Sorry," she blurted. "Sorry. Where were we?"
If Yoongi had an idea of why her systems logged off temporarily, he didn't comment on it. "Your questions," he grumbled.
Oh, right. Those.
"First," she started, alternating her focus from Jimin to Yoongi, "What can you tell me about Nico?"
Near the backdrop, Sarang advised Jimin to take off the wet shirt. Grey dug her fingernails into her palms. It was the best she could do to not stare at him like he was the last glass of water in a barren desert.
Yoongi pursed his lips and shrugged. "I don't get why he picked a female cat body to get stuck in, but to each their own. He only comes out in his more human form if he needs to and out of all of us, he's always been the most optimistic. And the most powerful. Hard to land a hit on."
"What can you tell me about his older brother?"
"Dark," Yoongi replied, "No coming back from the level he sunk to. After he fell, it was lights out. No sign of him, no trace of him really. This is all his fault."
Grey raised an eyebrow. "He just vanished? You never saw him again?"
"Next question," Yoongi growled.
"Okay, I'll move on, but is he that terrible?"
"Next time I see the First King, it'll end in blood."
Yeah, definitely time to move on. "His sister?"
Yoongi explained, "She was my friend before falling. Her greatest impulse was to protect her family, but I think that when she touched the ground here, the darkening process turned that against her. I don't recognize Vanity anymore."
He called her Vanity, and that put him in the same boat as Nico. Had he known the truth about Variel and Aelith, he'd have known that Vanity was not actually herself. Grey appreciated Variel more for giving her this advantage. However, there were a few more mysteries to solve.
Grey watched Sarang and Jimin huddle together behind one of the computers that showed the photos. They spoke in hushed voices, occasionally shaking their head or exchanging curt nods. Sarang hurriedly fished his phone from his pocket and stepped away to take a call.
She turned to Yoongi and asked, "I've never seen Taehyung or Namjoon use their powers. How strong are they?"
Yoongi chuckled, a sound full of knowing and mischief. "Namjoon killed 3 irkans with chopsticks and a tablecloth."
"A tablecloth?"
"They found him when he was eating."
Grey sat in stunned silence. Apparently, being quick on one's feet meant different to Joon than it did to her.
"Taehyung," Yoongi shook his head, "he's an animal."
That was vague, but it was better than nothing. Finally, she used her last question. "And Jimin?"
"We call him The Ripper."
"Why?"
Sarang shouted into the phone, "I don't care who you are! Your lack of professionalism has cost you this shoot! Female models don't fall off of trees."
Grey and Yoongi both shifted to watch the photographer rant. A red tint lit up his tanned cheeks, and when he turned back around, a vein bulged from his forehead. "She isn't coming. My leading lady isn't coming!"
Jimin ran a hand through his hair, still searing whatever he touched with his seductive glower. Whether he knew it or not, he was stuck in his zone the way an actor was stuck in a role. Grey observed him, how dangerous he looked even by simply standing there. If looks could kill she had been dead for a long, long time.
"You!"
Grey jumped, Sarang pointing an accusatory finger in her face from his spot. "Do you model?"
She opened her mouth to be honest, but upon locking eyes with Jimin, she faltered. His sexy glare had softened into something sweeter, a considerate yet silent plead.
"Do you?" Yoongi inquired.
"Yes," she squeaked. Jimin's smile was so encouraging that it hurt.
"Attendants! Get her ready! I want sass and fire. We have no time to waste, the women's collection is projected to be a bestseller!" Sarang clapped and makeup artists were swarming Grey on the couch. Hands came around Grey's arms, in her hair, onto her chin yanking her this way and that.
"Be gentle with her," Yoongi snapped. The tugging ended instantly.
They whisked Grey up the steps. She got lost in the colors they shouted, the products they sprayed and brushed throughout her curls, how many times they told her to sit still. A woman near a rack of pajamas pulled a hanger and shoved it towards her as someone else coated her lips with gloss.
"Undress," she commanded. "Your cover-up is in the changing room."
Grey stumbled into a changing room and took a glance at what she was assigned to wear. She wiggled out of her jeans and tee shirt, unable to stop shaking her head.
This is it. The last of your dignity.
It took courage to step from that dressing room. When she surfaced, the murmurs of approval from the staff helped her stop shaking only a little. After all, they saw the first layer of silk that hid the real show underneath. A white, short-sleeved button-up pajama top emblazoned with Celia's logo and matching shorts.
As she came down the stairs, Jimin waited for her at the bottom. "This is a change of events," he muttered.
"Never tell me I am not loose again." She took the arm he extended and walked with him to the backdrop.
"Suga and I handled it. Nothing will go wrong, we promise."
Right. Trust the handsome devil that dragged her here and the other handsome devil that hadn't taken his eyes off her since she changed.
Sarang measured her with a raised eyebrow, then nodded. "Your future wife is magnificent, Jimin."
Yoongi scowled. "His what?"
Grey laughed uneasily. "His nothing."
"I spoke with your friend, Yoongi," Sarang said to her, "to make you more comfortable, I'll allow him to take the photos as long as they have the right look."
She turned to Yoongi. He pointed to the camera that now hung around his neck. "If you don't mind," he told her.
She shook her head, trying to recall the way Jimin owned the set. She hopped over the pillows and stood with her hands clasped behind her back, waiting for instruction.
Sarang cleared his throat. "You are my female muse for Love. Whatever that means to you, portray it with your features." The director sauntered towards his chair behind the laptop. Yoongi positioned himself and the camera in front of her, Jimin gave her a thumbs up at his side.
Jimin drew her attention. "What does love mean to you?"
She repeated what she knew in her heart. "Everything, but I don't know how to show it."
"You are love. Show us who you are and we'll naturally see it."
She blinked at Yoongi, a slow smile creeping onto her face. The camera's click echoed over the backdrop. Jimin passively glanced at Yoongi, then concentrated on Grey. She giggled, "You really think that?"
"Play with the pillows. Try different poses," Jimin ordered.
She picked one up, gasping as feathers exploded from the casing. The camera's shutter clicked again. Before she commented, Yoongi said, "Think of the most beautiful moment in life."
There were so many. Rain, her hair blowing back in the wind, great food, every laugh she shared with Amelia, late night car rides, her favorite smells, her parents. The camera was on fire, each shot rippling after another as she tried different poses. Sarang added in his feedback every few minutes, but really, her confidence stemmed from the man behind the camera.
Yoongi would glance up from his shot every now and then, a small smile from him warming her up inside. It became a game; catching his gaze and laughing when she was successful and he looked away. She won at least three times, but on the fourth, he did not flinch. He beheld her in all of her entirety and she blushed furiously.
"Brava! That's enough!" Sarang stood from his chair with a grand smile. "The lens captured raw desire. Overwhelming emotion for whatever was on her mind. Jimin, we'll start the couple shoot now. Grey, if you could remove your first layer so that we can advance to the Lust segment."
"Uhh, right now?" Grey raised a finger, earning an eye roll from Sarang. Shamelessly blushing at Yoongi again, she cleared her throat and found Jimin watching the director confusedly.
"Yes, while you are young and beautiful. In these frames I want to feel desire. Sex. Praise your lover for all that he or she is. Promise things with your body that cannot be said aloud."
No. That was not part of the deal.
Jimin interrupted, "Sarang, we should wait--,"
"I'll do it."
All three men turned to Grey. "You only need a few."
Sarang affirmed, "Exactly. Let's get shooting. Yoongi, I'll take over for this. You did a fabulous job."
Jimin wandered onto the backdrop, keeping his voice low. "Don't do this if you don't want to."
"They're just pictures. They don't mean anything." She swallowed, unbuttoning her pajama top to reveal the black lace bralette underneath. Jimin reassured her by keeping his eyes solely on hers. She stepped out of her shorts to reveal matching lace underwear.
"It means nothing," he said.
She took a deep breath. "Yeah," she stammered.
It felt like everything.
"Can I touch you?"
He still asked even though it was his job. She nodded breathlessly, the room beginning to spin.
"Yes."
His cold hands wrapped around her waist. She shuddered, coiling her arms around his neck.
"Stop!" Sarang clicked his tongue and cooed, "This is touching, but far too innocent for the brand. Jimin, I need you to possess her. Set her on fire."
The angel nodded and rubbed her lower back with his thumb. "Trust me. It's just you and I. We're the only ones in the room."
Hypnotized, her breath caught in her throat. "I trust you."
He gently spun her around so that her back melted into his front. His strong arms snaked around her torso, pulling her in like vines that had grown around her skin. His lips pressed against the nape of her neck, planting gentle kisses down her spine. She closed her eyes, trying to hold in the gasp that threatened to reveal everything.
"Jimin," she blinked herself out of the euphoria.
He grinned. "Grey."
"You're coming out of it!" Sarang leaned away from the camera. "I need more! Another pose! Sell it to me!"
She ignored him, turning to face Jimin. "You never asked me that question earlier."
He chuckled, lessening the space between them. One hand stroked her thigh, the other caressed her cheek. She leaned into it, unaware of what she'd done until his eyes widened, became clouded with doubt.
"It doesn't matter."
Her head tilted back as his lips grazed her collarbone. She couldn't help it. She sighed heavily as he moved closer to her chest. When she arched upwards for him, he pulled away.
"It matters to me," she said.
He searched her eyes, the vulnerability in them somehow breaking her heart. Before her, he was not a model or a philanthropist or a heartthrob. He was Jimin. The angel that ever so rarely wore his heart on his sleeve, but dawned it with hesitation when it showed. She wished he wouldn't be so afraid. Though he followed orders, he was holding back. That fear was plain in his touch, his hold. The way he embraced her like she was a flower he didn't want to crush.
The emotions swirling in her chest were spiraling out of control. She was lost in him. Lost in them being together.
He asked, "Before you knew about the curse, before everything, was I ever someone you could have picked? Did I have a chance?"
His hands ran through her hair, the camera shutters echoing the rapid beating of her heart.
"Yes." She nodded slowly, her voice breaking. "Yes."
He neither smiled nor frowned, but instead, let his lips find hers.
And she melted into him, set ablaze by his taste and touch.
When they pulled away, she naturally turned to face the camera. Sarang applauded from his post. But, she noticed something else.
Yoongi was gone.
:::
(A/N) Funny reader,
YEAAAH MY BOY JIMINIE and aww, Yoongs. Sorry bud.
Long story short, this photoshoot has so much that I couldn't fit in because of word count. Maybe one day I'll be able to write out the entire scene as a bonus feature somewhere else, but that's only if some people actually want to take a peek at it.
I wrote this chapter with House of Cards playing on replay and let me tell ya, it really helped. Had to remind myself I don't write smut, lol. WHEW *fans myself*
(EDIT 6/17/20 - I thought this vanilla scene was steamy and then released a smut book two years later. Look at the growth. Stream His Wedding Planner! HAHAHA)
Also, it's late 'cause I volunteered to help the family make dinner. My apologies to you. I hope you enjoyed this little filler.
Next release: 8/4 (August 4th)
Thanks for tuning in! Have a beautiful rest of the day/night.
With love,
M