"The wicked envy and hate; it is their way of admiring." — Victor Hugo

**

"I MISSED all that during the weekends? Oh my gosh," Rosé said, standing shocked as she stared at Lisa and Bona sitting on the steps in front of her. They are by the bleachers near the field, the classes are yet to start today; unlike usual they went to the university early.

Bona laughed awkwardly, "Girl, be glad that you are not there. The tension is so high especially when we see Taehyung at the back. He was listening!" she said, remembering the scenario that day.

"I think he heard the whole conversation or like, half of it," she continued.

Rosé's eyes widened as she slowly sat one step below them, "And? What did he say? Is he mad?" she inquired and faced her friends, "Did he know that you guys are talking to Jisoo in avoiding him?'

"His face is always emotionless, ya know..." Bona paused, "He probably got the gist of it, I'm certain of that."

"He should," Lisa finally spoke. Their eyes went directly to her. A moment of silence passed by them.

"Are you still angry at Jisoo?" Rosé bravely asked. It's an obvious question as she inwardly thought but she still feels the need to ask that.

"I'm not angry at her," Lisa answered monotonously. But her forehead creased when she noticed that the two were giving her the 'I-don't-believe-you' stares.

She sighed in defeat, clarifying herself, "Okay, I might look like I'm mad at her but no. I'm just so frustrated because she's not listening," she groaned.

Bona and Rosé looked at each other and shrugged. Until Lisa added in a soft whisper, "I'm worried about her."

The two prevented themselves from smiling as they glanced at one another. Lisa has always been putting the passive, strong front but deep inside, she's just a soft goofball. After all, no matter how she tries to act, she is still the youngest of their group.

"Maybe... You just need to stop being overprotective of her?" Bona laughed a little. Lisa glanced at her with unreadable eyes making Bona's laugh die down and gulp.

Okay, she's intimidating when she's serious.

"Just a little," Bona said to excuse herself.

Lisa looked away and sighed, "I can't."

"You know why I get so protective of her," she glanced at Bona sideways with double meaning. Rosé was lost on what that meant but she didn't say anything.

She tested the air as she observed her friend before she asked again, "So until when will you put up with this no-talking drama?"

"I don't know. Maybe until my irritation subsides," Lisa honestly replied.

"Do you honestly think she would stop hanging around him?" Bona questioned intuitively.

Lisa paused for a moment and thought of the day when they had a little confrontation about it. Jisoo's eyes flashed into her memory.

"Because I've seen him in ways you didn't."

Her voice loudly resonated to her. Thinking about it now, she knows Jisoo is hiding something about Taehyung.

Is she covering up for him? She wondered but decided to put it down. If it's something she could tell, Jisoo already would have.

Lisa faced Bona and heaved a deep breath, "No."

"No?" Rosé repeated, confused.

"No. Jisoo won't. I know her," Lisa looked far away, lost in her thoughts, "She cannot afford to leave him."

Bona and Rosé exchanged looks onto one another. They are also worried for Jisoo but there is nothing they can do if she is determined. Jisoo is a person who, when she decides on something, is hard to stop. They just don't want their friends to remain on bad terms over the issue. That's all the two mutually are concerned about.

Minutes later, Rosé noticed Jisoo's figure walking towards them. She waved at her and Jisoo waved back, slightly running towards them. Lisa noticed it too, her forehead creased and she stood up, fumbling on her things, wanting to leave before Jisoo could arrive.

Bona caught the hang of things and grabbed her by the arms.

"Let go," Lisa said in a warning tone.

Bona shook her head as she struggled to keep Lisa in place who is now going down the steps of the bleachers.

Before she can really leave, Jisoo reaches them, catching her breath. She held her knees and raised her hand as if asking for a minute.

Lisa stared at her for a second then she forcefully got out of Bona's hold, she was about to walk past Jisoo when the latter opened her arms to block her way.

Irritated, she had no choice but to meet her eyes.

Her friend gave her a lopsided smile with her puppy eyes.

Lisa grumbled, "Ugh. Stop it," she rolled her eyes heavenwards, trying to keep her annoyed stance but Jisoo was very persistent.

"I'm sorry," she said sincerely.

"I know I'm annoying but... I have a peace offering?" she said as she showed the lunch bag she was holding, "I cooked you your favorite pork backbone stew," Jisoo grinned, "And it's spicy flavor."

Lisa squinted her eyes at her, "Are you bribing me?" she asked while trying to stop herself from smiling.

Oh God, this is why I don't wanna talk to her.

"No," Jisoo earnestly shook her head. Then, she walked closer to Lisa and hugged her by the waist, like a child clinging onto her mother.

Jisoo looked up to her softly, "Lisa can you just trust me? Promise I will not lie anymore. I'll tell you guys everything I can tell from now on."

Lisa clicked her tongue. She glanced at Jisoo who was looking at her with her sparkling eyes. She hated her doing this because every time, she cannot resist and she always ends up thinking that she is the bad guy herself.

She rolled her eyes in defeat, "Okay, fine."

Bona and Rosé giggled at their friends on the side. Well, it wouldn't take long now. They're glad it got fixed already.

"I'll trust you," Lisa added, "But not him."

Jisoo nodded and decided to put the matter at rest for now. Surely, it will not be easy to convince Lisa about Taehyung. She knows they both need time but she definitely is determined to make them friends no matter what.

Just in time, Nayeon arrived at the scene. She looked like she was also running to get there. They all shifted their attention to her. When Nayeon is like this, they know she is about to inform them about something big... or sometimes just trivial gossip.

"Bad news!" Nayeon exclaimed.

Rosé laughed. Just as they expected, "What, Ms. Reporter? You ruined the drama."

"You should try being a journalist instead of a teacher, ya know. You have a thing in finding gossip," Bona jokingly said, too.

"Don't judge me?" Nayeon laughed and fanned herself because of the heat, "I just happened to hear it from my mom, it's not a secret that the faculty knows a lot and... I have lots of friends— wait, what's happening here?" she babbled.

"Long story, we'll tell you at lunch later," Lisa said, her mood lighter now, "Anyway, what is it?"

"Wait, are you girls okay already?" Nayeon looked at Jisoo who was still hugging Lisa on the side.

"Yup!" Jisoo finally removed her arms around Lisa and stood up. She gave Nayeon a thumbs up. The latter nodded in relief.

"Nayeon, come on and spill," Bona insisted again.

She looked at each of them until her eyes settled on Jisoo, "She's back."

"Back? Who?" Rosé's forehead creased. Nayeon looked at her seriously.

"Irene Bae."

—

THE SOUND of the landing could be heard as the aircraft descended slowly on the runway. Staff lined up to the landed private plane. Moments later, the door opened. Then stepped out bright red stilettos, a slim figure of an intimidating woman who was welcomed by the bowing servants followed next.

She exuded beauty, elegance and daunting presence. Her dark red lipstick highlighted her aura more. Clad with her maroon buttoned down reefer coat that hugged her curves perfectly and went until below her knees, she removed her aviator shades, revealing her sharp gazes.

"Welcome back, young mistress," the head lady greeted her. She didn't spare her a glance but instead handed her shades dismissively.

"The car?" she said with a stern voice while adjusting her cherry-colored baguette.

The lady bowed again before gesturing to her the way, "Waiting for you madame."

She didn't respond as she strutted along the airport runway. The staff followed her as they carried her belongings until the large van. She, on the other hand, was guided by a man in a suit as he opened the door of a Bugatti to her. A separate exclusive car for her.

She didn't speak a word as she went and sat inside. The car didn't wait for her bags to get settled in the other van and started driving away from the airport.

Her phone rang. She instantly answered the call emotionlessly, "Hello, Dad?" her stern and cold tone did not change even with the other speaker on the line. She couldn't care less, anyway.

"Irene," yet another very intimidating voice spoke.

"I just arrived in the country," she said uninterested as she looked out the window of the moving car.

"I sent our driver there," the voice said, she rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry I cannot fetch you, I have an appointment today. Your mom, I think she attended a function—"

"Yeah," she sarcastically retorted while examining her newly manicured nails, "Nothing new. You don't have to give excuses," she directly said.

"Irene, it's not—"

"Dad, I'm exhausted. I'll hang up." Irene cut him off and ended the call right away.

She licked her lips and dialed a number. Joy, her friend.

"Hey, biatch. I'm in the country now," she greeted, her voice slightly with more energy now.

"Irene? You didn't tell me," Joy sounded shocked on the other line.

"Hm, it was a sudden decision," she stated while twirling her black, silky, long hair.

Her friend laughed, sounding excited, "Will you return to the university already?"

"Probably," she answered with a shrug.

"Great!" she heard a squeal, "You missed so many things!"

It piqued her interest as she squinted her eyes after hearing it. She knows it is about something... Actually, someone, "What is it?"

"Oh, she was happy you were gone for a month. I swear, she was getting brave knowing you are not around. I couldn't stress how annoying she is," Joy said, sounding as if she is reporting to her.

"Huh," Irene laughed mockingly and scoffed, "Let's see how much courage she had built up while I was away."

"Definitely," her friend jested.

"Alright. I'll deal with her when I see her," she said and hung up.

She slid her screen open. She scrolled through her phone searching for a certain message but there was none. It infuriated her so she threw her phone to the seat beside her. Irene combed her hair, irritated. She smirked to herself and bit her lips, her eyes getting darker as she stared in front.

How dare he ignore me?

—

"OUR GROUP will be chaos," Bona frustratedly ranted, "I'm with Jisoo and Nayeon but our professor added the transferees to our group."

"Who?" Rosé curiously asked while munching on her chips.

"Namjoon and Jimin," Bona said.

"I heard Namjoon is smart, like real smart. What are you ranting about?" Lisa said.

"Did I mention that Jinyoung transferred to our class earlier? He is also now part of our group," Bona responded and gave them a knowing look. The two were shocked. Lisa even raised a brow.

"Now that is something," Rosé mumbled.

"It gets worse," Bona brushed her hands on her face, "We're originally four in the group before Namjoon, Jimin and Jinyoung were added."

"Who's the other one?" Lisa added with a slight idea of who it could be. She is hoping her intuition is wrong.

"Taehyung," she replied.

"Oh no," Rosé shook her head as she stared at Bona. She understands what is her concern now.

Lisa didn't say a word as they stopped in front of a department, "You know what, let's just get over it. Bona, save us a seat in the cafeteria. We'll just wait for our club papers here in a minute. Nayeon and Jisoo are probably heading there too."

Bona agreed and instantly left while Rosé messaged their club president as they waited in the corridors. They were laughing loud about a clip Rosé showed Lisa when suddenly, someone bumped into them. Lisa stumbled on her stance.

"Sorr—"

"This is a freaking hallway," the girl with cat eyes removed her earphones harshly and looked at them, "Don't get into people's way."

Lisa's brows furrowed and her mood turned sour. If earlier she wants to apologize, now, she wants to snap.

"What the heck is your problem?" she exclaimed.

The girl's brow raised and she stood imperiously, "Uh, people who block the corridors?" she looked at Lisa from head to toe and grimaced.

Lisa's mouth opened in disbelief but she felt Rosé's hand on her shoulder, "You know what... Hyeri said we could get the papers inside the room—"

"What? No! Let me settle this with this bitc—" Lisa stopped when she noticed the leaving back of the girl who left rudely like that.

"Did you see her attitude?" she exclaimed as she pointed at the stranger.

"Yeah," Rosé sighed as she scratched her temple, "Just let it go. It'll pass after some lunch," she told her and tapped her back.

Lisa has no choice but to grumble under her breath and abide.

—

WALKING in the night street boredly, Taehyung put out a pocket lighter and a cigar out of habit. He was about to light up the stick when he remembered the girl skipping her steps giddily in front of him. He ended up putting it back in his pockets.

But he can feel his mouth salivating and himself being bothered by the emptiness in his mouth. He cannot stay put. He bit his lower lip before calling her.

"Hey, do you have gum?" he asked.

Jisoo faced him and walked backward slowly. Her eyes squinted at him for a second but she ended up beaming at him. She knew that he cannot use his cigar now that she is around. She was actually glad he was trying to quit it somehow.

"Hm, yup," she stopped walking and handed him one, "I am always prepared! Here," Taehyung accepted it and opened it instantly.

He was chewing the gum as Jisoo ran to a food truck selling candied strawberries. He just watched her intently. His feet unconsciously follow her around ever since they left the store. He actually stopped questioning it, he cannot seem to find an answer anyway.

Before he can go to her, he sees a nearby dumpster. He grabbed the box of cigars in his pocket and halted.

"Taehyungie!" Jisoo called him and waved, pointing to the food she was buying. He nodded at her as Jisoo happily ordered from a distance.

He looked at the box of cigars in his hand. Cigars have become a kind of addiction for him. Whenever he is restless or just wants to distract himself. It was part of a routine, a habit— a small piece of him.

Yet surprisingly, he found himself in front of the dumpster. He opened it and threw the box inside, without second thoughts.

"Taehyungie!" Jisoo called him again. He instantly walked to her, hand inside his now empty pockets.

He found her holding three sticks of food. She shoved one to him and he grabbed to examine it, "Strawberry candies? Seriously? Too sweet."

"Because I am sweet," Jisoo replied cutely and grabbed her face with both of her hands, grinning at him.

Taehyung scoffed and rolled his eyes. He heard her laugh at his reaction.

He acted pissed. Yet again, under the light of the lamp post by the street, his gaze always sneakily goes back to her, as she takes another bite.

**

Author's Note:

Took the spotlight off from the two, a little bit— just to take a break from the feels (imo haha) this is shorter too, I hope it's not boring. New characters introduced! I'm getting more excited as the other will be shown more from here. Things will get more handful :))

See y'all hopefully sooner, I'll try weekly updates but I never really fulfill my promises T__T Luvlots~