Hidden Past

"Taehyung-ah..." I whispered, blinking in confusion after he withdrew his lips away from mine. Slowly... He opened his eyes to gaze right into my eyes. What- What did he just... do? He shouldn't be doing this to me or himself. He knows that. So why?

"Sora, I'm burning for you," Taehyung confessed in a breathy tone as he towered over me.

"I'm sorry about the misunderstanding. My heart belongs to someone else," I replied, letting go of his forearms and turned around to grab the door handle. I don't feel the same way as Taehyung... not anymore. At this very moment, I am in love with Park Jimin.

"Jamkkanman (wait a minute)," Taehyung whispered while holding onto my hand. I turned to look at our hands and then averted my eyes to him. Wae?

"Did you feel anything at all?" Taehyung asked, desperately searching my eyes for answers. The answer you're looking for doesn't exist, Taehyung-ah...

"No. I felt nothing- All I felt was confusion. I was shocked. I'm sorry," I shook my head without hesitation. I might've thought there was something between us... but there wasn't. He stood staring at me in disappointment.

"Get some rest," I whispered, tugging my hand away from his and drew the door open. Jimin quickly jumped to his feet since he was leaning against the wall. Oh? He was waiting by the door?

"Gwaenchana? What did you do to her? You need to respect her boundaries! It isn't right to drag people around and then lock them in your room!" Jimin quickly examined me before turning to glare at Taehyung in frustration. I'm so exhausted.

"Hajima, he didn't do anything," I muttered, pulling Jimin back when he tried to walk towards Taehyung. Taehyung's eyes averted to mine in surprise when I said he did nothing. Wae? Did he expect me to tell Jimin about the kiss? Ani, I won't. I'm not going to ruin their friendship.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Jimin asked in a concerned tone.

"I don't think we're okay at this point," I sighed, pushing the mansion's door open, then strode out into the breezy night. Jimin fell silent as we walked through the garden. Jimin and I sat down on the bench by the water fountain in silence. Slowly, I rested my head on his lap... turning to stare at the glowing water in the marble fountain.

"That glass of wine. It was meant for you," I whispered in tears. All the memories came rushing back into my head. The way Jungkook twisted in immense pain... it's killing me... I don't want to remember it.

"Moh?" Jimin asked while rubbing my shoulder to comfort me.

"Jungkook drank from your glass. You were the target," I reached out to squeeze his hand. I'm scared. I don't want Jimin to get hurt. The thought of it really pains me.

"Let's not think about this," Jimin sighed while running his hands through my hair. I turned to lay on my back, so I was now looking up at the sky and Jimin instead.

"Imo's food would make us feel better, don't you think?" I smiled at Jimin. The sky was very clear because I could see so many stars sparking within the dark sky. I tried to look for the brightest star, but my eyes landed on Jimin instead. His soft chuckles made me feel a little better. I guess he's the star I'm looking for.

"She owes us a free set since we're dating," Jimin grins, looking down at me as he spreads his arm over the bench.

"Yah, let's pay her for the set. I feel bad if we eat for free," I smiled, extending my arm to place my hand on his right cheek. He's so warm... and soft.

"Wae? She said she'll give it to us for free," Jimin pouted, placing his hand on my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Andwae! We can't do that," I giggled, sat up beside him and I leaned against his shoulder. Jimin smiled as he rested his head over mine. After a while, Jimin and I went back inside the mansion to find... Seokjin, Namjoon, Taehyung, and Minah sitting in the living room in utter silence. They were all lost in their own thoughts.

"Look at you smiling. Got nothing to lose, I suppose?" Minah glared, causing the laughter between Jimin and I to die down. My smile quickly faded when I noticed Taehyung's bitter expression.

"Any news?" I asked, ignoring her before taking a seat on the empty couch facing the door. Jimin sat beside me... linking my fingers with his. Taehyung quickly averted his eyes from us with a deep sigh. Is he still upset?

"No, not yet," Namjoon shook his head repeatedly.

"What poison did they consume?" Jimin asked, turning to look at Taehyung for an answer, but Taehyung was dismissively staring out the window. Jimin's clueless...

"Cyanide," Namjoon said shortly. We quickly turned to look at him with a questioning look.

"How do you know?" Taehyung asked, staring at Namjoon suspiciously.

"It's an assumption. I'm not sure," Namjoon shrugged awkwardly.

"Is that so?" Taehyung dawdled with a doubtful expression.

"What? Do you really think I did it? I have no motive to hurt them," Namjoon snapped at Taehyung since he wouldn't stop staring at the alpha.

"I didn't say you did it. Why are you so nervous?" Taehyung smirked, causing Namjoon to roll his eyes.

"I wonder what's the motive behind this, and why?" Seokjin sighed, leaning against the couch in exhaustion.

"The supreme alphas," I whispered when I realized it. The room fell silent again.

"What makes you say that?" Seokjin furrowed his eyebrows at me.

"All three of the targets are someone important to each of us," I whispered while staring at Seokjin and Taehyung.

"But Jungkookie isn't important to you- OH MY GOD- DO YOU LIKE HIM-

"Yah. Shut it. The target was Jimin. Not Jungkook," I snapped at Minah, who was overreacting at me, and it's fucking annoying.

"Yah! Jungkook got hurt- How is Jimin the target when he's sitting-"

"Neh, I said the target. Not the victim, idiot," I snapped at her in irritation, so she fired me an irritated glare in return.

"Elaborate on your theory," Seokjin pressed with a keen expression.

"The poison was meant for me, but Jungkook drank from my glass when I wasn't at the table. If he didn't drink from it, the person in the emergency room right now would be me," Jimin glanced at the alphas.

"Did you set this up?! My poor Jungkookie!" Minah yelped in horror. Why is she like this? Is she a child?

"Shut up before I stitch your lips shut. I'm serious," I turned to look at her dead in the eyes. She scoffed at me and folded her arms in discontent.

"Why though? Why not just kill us?" Seokjin questioned with his eyebrows furrowed... lost in thoughts.

"To weaken the supreme alphas. If someone significant to the supreme alphas got hurt, then you guys will probably suffer emotionally. Easier to manipulate, I guess. The person wants to create distrust between the top alphas," Namjoon whispered with his hands pressed under his chin. That makes a lot of sense.

"I wonder if this is linked to the prior murders? Is it the same individual? I think the same culprit is plotting the scheme," Jimin placed his right arm around my shoulder. Who is it? Why are they doing this? Wae? It's one of the alphas... but we can't figure it out. Who's the imposter amongst us?

"We can assume the murderer isn't in this room then. Our friends got hurt," Seokjin sighed, leaning back against the couch.

"How can you be so sure?" Taehyung asked in a low voice. We can't trust anyone, but I'm quite sure it's not Jimin or Taehyung because they wouldn't hurt Jungkook or Haerim. Which leaves... Namjoon, Seokjin, Minah, and the other alphas may be the culprits.

"Are you saying you tried to kill Haerim? Or Jimin-shi?" Seokjin snapped at Taehyung in annoyance.

"I didn't say that," Taehyung rolled his eyes at Seokjin, so he fired Taehyung a sharp glare. Just then, the doctor and Mr. Jeon came striding through the hallway, looking exhausted. Fear loomed over me again. I really hope they're alright. My heart started pounding anxiously. Jungkook-ah, please, please be alright.

"How are they?" Namjoon instantly got onto his feet.

"We performed gastric suction as soon as they arrived here, but they're still in critical condition," The doctor sighed in a discouraged tone.

"Gastric Suction?" Minah asked in confusion.

"Stomach pumping, he emptied their stomach," Namjoon said quickly. Wow, how did he know that? Aish... he always makes us feel dumb.

"That's right. Don't worry. They might be in a critical condition, but they'll survive. With proper treatments- They should gain their consciousness in a few days," The doctor weakly smiled at us. It felt as if a ton of brick was lifted off my chest. What a relief... Hoseok and Haerim's parents agreed to entrust us with the treatment under my name. So the alphas stayed at our mansion for a few days. I visited Jungkook the next day, and he was still unconscious. Taehyung didn't talk much. Namjoon and Seokjin visited Hoseok every day to ensure their friend's well-being.

"I hope Taehyung didn't give you that bruise," Imo muttered while brushing the dust on the coffee table. I quickly glanced down at my wrist, where the bruises were. I don't remember how I got it, but it's probably him.

"It's his thing," I chuckled as I watched imo clean my room.

"He changed. After that day," Imo muttered while dusting the couch.

"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

"He seems... blank, you know? Usually, it's the dark and mysterious vibes... now he's just blank. Nothing at all. Like a body without a soul. I don't even know if it's a good or bad thing," Imo exhaled, turning to look at me.

"Oh," I whispered. I haven't paid much attention to him. Suddenly, Jimin came striding into my room dressed in tight jeans and a black jacket.

"Oh. Imo," Jimin greeted her in surprise when he found her in my room.

"Young master. I'll get going now," Imo smiled at Jimin before walking out of the room.

"Where have you been?" I smiled at Jimin as he took off his jacket. How can he go outside dressed like that? He's too dashing. Black tight jeans? Tucked in T-shirt? Aish... it's illegal. Too hot. Sora, stop being weird! He's your boyfriend!

"I had some work at the university. Stopped by a store to grab something for my parents before coming here. Have you eaten?" Jimin asked while he ran his fingers through his hair. My heart skipped a beat. How can he be so damn handsome? I'll never get used to him. Jang Sora, you're really crazy...

"I have, have you?" I smiled, watching him walk into the bathroom to wash his face. He didn't respond, so I waited for him.

"I was craving food, so I grabbed a box of kimbap on my way here. I guess I'm full," Jimin smiles while dabbing the towel against his face.

"If you're hungry- I'll make you something. I don't think you should just eat kimbap," I smiled as I watched Jimin dry his soaked hair from the bed.

"You don't look well lately. I wish you'd tell me your problems, so I can help you. But it's okay if you prefer to keep it to yourself," Jimin sighed, looking up at me sadly. Guilt punctured right through my chest. He noticed it? Aish... I didn't want to worry him.

"Jimin..." I whispered in an apologetic tone as I eyed him.

"Aniyah... don't be sorry. I'm sure you'll talk to me about it when you're ready. I just want you to know I'm here for you," Jimin shook his head before sitting down beside me on the bed. He reached out to squeeze my hands with a soft smile on his face. Oh god. Why does he have to be so considerate? I can't stop falling in love with him. Now I feel horrible. Maybe I shouldn't hide it from him. But if I told him about it- he'll probably get mad at me... but he's your boyfriend, Sora. I'm sure he'll understand.

"You remember... the day... Taehyung locked me in his room?" I whispered with my eyes on our hands. I'll tell him the truth.

"He hurt you, didn't he?" Jimin questioned while rubbing the bruise around my wrist. I gripped his hands tightly. What if he hates Taehyung? I don't want to be the reason to ruin their friendship.

"Ani... he didn't...," I gulped quietly.

"Sora... if you're not ready-"

"He kissed me," I said nervously. I quickly bit my lips. My heart started racing in panic. I shouldn't have said it! Oh god! What have I done?! What if Jimin gets upset?! Soraaa! Jimin grew silent. He sat staring at me blankly. Is he mad? Is he in shock? My palm began to sweat, so I bit my lips and stared at him in silence.

"Jimin-"

"I know," Jimin interrupted me, causing my heart to race even faster.

"What-"

"I know he likes you," Jimin sighed, looking at me sadly. He knew? Sora... Taehyung is his best friend after all... of course, he knew.

"So the reason you're sad, is it because you like him too? But you're stuck with me?" Jimin asked in a small voice. He sounds... so broken. Pain shot right through my chest the moment I heard his words.

"Aniyah! I don't like him that way! I'm sad because I didn't want to ruin your friendship..." I snapped, smacking his arm in annoyance. How can he think like that??

"Jinja?" Jimin brightly smiled at me.

"Jinja. I promise you," I pouted, leaning forward to kiss him.

"You're mine then!" Jimin laughed, suddenly pinning me onto the bed. Isn't he mad? He's going to let it go?! What-

"Yah- Park Jimin!" I whined when he started kissing me aggressively, causing goosebumps to spread across my body. I know I'm always lost and confused in this society, but when it comes to Jimin, I'm absolutely sure it's him. He owns my heart.

Fast Forward

"I'm at the university to finish some work," I muttered, tapping my finger softly against the table.

"Do you want me to come over?" Jimin asked through the line. I slowly looked at the person sitting across from me.

"Aniyah, I'm fine. I'll be home. You'll only distract me," I shook my head slowly... keeping my eyes on the person.

"Araso, call me when you leave the university," Jimin chuckled.

"I will, take care," I replied, finally hanging up on him before placing my phone on the table.

"Do you want champagne?" Yoongi asked while staring at me from the opposite side of the table.

"I'll have a cocktail," I smiled at him.

"Do you think he'll believe you? He might show up at the university," Yoongi chuckled, waving his hands at the waiter.

"Ani. He won't. I know him," I smiled while staring right at Yoongi without blinking.

"You haven't changed at all, Jang Sora," Yoongi smiles... leaning against the table with an eager smile.

"Nothing has changed," I smirked, running my fingers over the polished glass. All the things I've been through only made me stronger, and I plan on expanding my power. I've learned that transparency will get me killed in this society. So... I'll have to go down the small, narrow, muddy path to protect the ones I love and to avoid getting caught.

"I wonder how they'll react knowing the truth," Yoongi chuckles lowly, slowly placing his long pale fingers onto mine. I sat staring at our hands in silence.

Shhh...