The college day is winding down, and most students have headed home. The physics lab is quiet except for the hum of a few leftover experiments. Isabel, still anxious from her first day, is meticulously packing up her things in a class. Her hands tremble slightly as she tries to steady herself.
Her phone buzzes with a new message. It's from an unknown number: "Meet me in the lab. right now —Taehyung."
Another reminder that she couldn't just walk away this time, she was already told about the exact location but again he messaged her reminding, her who owned her in real, who had control over her, the question was who gave him her number but question can't be put up when it is about Kim Taehyung and his friends, there were a lot of incidents where they checked out her phone, why the hell she is still feeling nervous maybe because the wounds they created marked her deeply, Isabel's heart skips a beat. Her anxiety spikes as she realizes she will be alone in the lab with Taehyung and his friends due to the late hour. She hesitates but feels she has no choice but to go. Swallowing her fear, she takes a deep breath and heads towards the lab.
Walking down the empty corridor, she glances back towards the lab, her mind racing with thoughts of what might come next. She knows the path ahead will be challenging, but she's determined to face it head-on, refusing to let Taehyung and his friends control her life.
As she approaches the lab door, she hears muffled voices and the unmistakable laughter of Taehyung and his friends. With a shaky hand, she pushes the door open.
The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from a single, flickering bulb above the edge of a rough wooden table. The shadows it cast danced erratically across the walls, creating an atmosphere that was both mesmerizing and ominous. The scent of old leather and iron hung heavy in the air, mingling with the faint hint of smoke.
Taehyung: *grinning as he sees her enter* "Glad you could make it."
Isabel's eyes widen in fear as she takes in Taehyung and his friends, who are lounging around the lab, looking anything but welcoming. They turn to face her with smirks on their faces.
Isabel: *nervously* "What do you want?"
Taehyung: *casually* "Just thought we'd chat briefly. *tilt his head aside* You know, see how you're settling in."
His tone is laced with mockery, making Isabel's stomach churn. She tried to keep her voice steady, she ignored the voice behind him, whatever his friends were cursing or spitting to offend her.
Isabel: "I'm fine. I need to get going."
One of Taehyung's friends, a tall guy with a sneer, Kim freaking Namjoon steps forward, blocking her path.
Namjoon: "Oh, come on. It's not like you have anything better to do. he just wants to get to know you better, you know he got kicked out of the school because of the hoe and he couldn't give you the attention you wanted."
he spitted venom again, she wanted his attention but after they made her life hell they were nothing more than goblins to her, Isabel's mind raced. She's trapped and can't escape without confrontation. Taehyung watches her closely, his grin never fading.
Seokjin: "Relax, Isa. We're not here to make your life miserable. We just want to make sure we're all on the same page."
Isabel feels a surge of fear and relief at the same time of jin calling her by the nickname given by him when he met her in the first place, She takes a deep breath, trying to muster her courage.
Isabel: *stammered* "If you want to talk, then stop making threats and let me leave."
Taehyung's expression shifts slightly, a flicker of seriousness crossing his face. He glances at Namjoon, who slowly steps back. Taehyung's gaze was cold he turned his head towards her again, almost clinical. He picked up a slender, black tie from the table, letting it trail between his fingers with a deliberate, rhythmic motion.
Jungkook: You know, it's fascinating how quickly they can fall apart. *laugh*
Taehyung is deceptively calm, He just watching other members interact with Isabel, his demeanor languid gracefully, each step measured, each movement deliberate, Everyone was scattered around the room, looking at the lab equipment as if they had never seen anything before, like a kid in a toy store checking out things. but Kim isn't like others he is always so different, so calm so intimidating naturally without even lifting his finger.
Taehyung: I won't let you sneak out this time *muttered*
Isabel's breaths came in short, ragged gasps, she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out....he is 2-3 meters away from her, sitting calmly with his hip on the edge of the counter the smell of his cologne is lingering on her nose, she flinched slightly and slight blush crept on her cheeks, she looks down to hide how flustered she is, an old love encounter after a long time...it is nostalgic, hearing his voice, smelling his cologne..
Namjoon: *tilted his head slightly, a thin smile curling at the corners of his lips* cat caught your little tongue.
he said in the most calm voice, that isn't a help because, he seemed like a storm before the calm because Namjoon isn't someone who respects girls.
Taehyung is sitting calmly on one of the counters near by the almirah that contains a pale books.
Isabel: *shake head* i..i won't sneak out.
With that, Taehyung beckoned her to walk closer, the sound of her breathing echoing through the room like a prelude to a storm. The anticipation was almost palpable, thickening the air between them.
Taehyung: "I've heard stories about you"
he continued, his tone almost conversational.
Taehyung: *smirking* how can I let you revel in my suffering uh? And look where that's got you. Do you really think complaining is going to change anything? You're still here, aren't you? It's intriguing, really. The way power corrupts. But since that day, you're the one who's powerless.
Isabel: *gulped* I didn't want you to get expelled. *fidgeting*
she neither gives excuses nor opposes anyone and in these two years, she just bore their taunt and pressure, never clarifying that she never intended to kick him out...
How could she ignore the tie in his hand, how threatening it looked from every perspective, his veins from the knuckle popped out so finely, she had seen his hand last time when he slid it through Soya's skirt, how many humiliations, how many times she got hurt by him...but still, they are here since the 4th grade of school till now, lot of things got changed he got change...maybe, she got to change and after all these changes, they both are here, face to face.
Taehyung: I want everyone to be out, except her.
a few days before
The room is opulently furnished, with high-end decor and large windows showing a city skyline. Taehyung lounges on a plush sofa, scrolling through his phone. His face is a picture of simmering frustration. A knock at the door interrupts his brooding. His father, MR. KIM enters with a pile of paperwork in hand.
MR. KIM: Taehyung, I need you to take a look at these forms. They're for the charity event next week.
Taehyung barely glances up, his fingers lazily tapping on his phone.
TAEHYUNG: *nonchalantly* Dad, I'm not really in the mood for this right now.
MR. KIM: *sternly* What's the matter? You've been off lately.
Taehyung's eyes flash with slight irritation.
TAEHYUNG: You wouldn't understand.
He tossed his phone onto the couch and stood up, pacing.
MR. KIM: I'm trying to understand. What's going on?
Taehyung's face rimmed as irritation washed over him. He finally turns to face his father, but his voice is still calm.
TAEHYUNG: It's Isabel, She's here. At the college.
Mr. Kim's expression shifts to confusion.
MR. KIM: Isabel? Do you mean the girl from your old school?
TAEHYUNG: Yes, that's the one! she complained about me and got me expelled. And now she's here, at our college...your college.
MR. KIM: *trying to stay calm* Taehyung, that was a while ago. Maybe it's time to let it go.
TAEHYUNG: Let it go? She ruined my life!
MR. KIM: *sighing* We've talked about this. we need to move forward and focus on our path.
TAEHYUNG: My path? I've been stuck in this place because of her. I should do something about it. I had to leave everything behind just because of her and--
Mr. Kim looks at Taehyung with a mixture of disappointment and concern, he cuts him abruptly.
MR. KIM: You're better than this. Revenge won't fix anything. It'll only make things worse. after all, this is your life and you wouldn't like to waste another important second on these things....i hope.
TAEHYUNG: Maybe you don't get it, but I do. I want to make her pay for what she did, I have to leave school in mid-session and if you didn't used your approch I must fall for another year to get admission, you think I should leave... *desperate*
Mr. Kim shakes his head and walks out, leaving Taehyung alone. Taehyung's eyes narrow as he sits back down, his expression dark and determined. He grabs his phone and starts typing furiously, his frustration palpable.
Taehyung: *sighed* Leaving school was not a big deal, but didn't she hurt my respect, it is not a bad thing to remind her place and teach her that it is dangerous to mess with everyone in the world, it is foolish to put your hands in all the holes, what if a snake comes out from any of them.
group chat-
Kim- any update about her?
jungguk- who her?
suga- *angry emoji* take your bam from my house he pooped on my precious shoes.
junggok- this isn't his pooping time. the fuck you made him eat you pussy cat.
suga- you failed to teach him discipline but whom i am messing who doesn't know how to talk though.
kim- quit this for now and tell me what i have asked for?
jimin- whom exactly?
jin- isa
jin- isabel!
kim- Hmm.
jungguk- we don't fuck about her since jin lectured us, btw she is not dead yet.
jin- is this the best you could say about someone?
jin- i want no one to mess with her anymore, she has had her enough or more than enough *glare through chat*
kim- why?
jin- no one means no one.
jimin- i think she likes you?
Namjoon- who?
Jhope- who?
Jungguk- since when you both are here?
kim- is this your concern now?
jin- the fuck--
suga- they were eavesdropping!
Jhope- this is open chat! *shrugged*
jin- LET HIM FINISH YOU DICKHEADS!
....
kim- yeah!!
jin- NO ONE I SAID WOULD DISTURB LIKE THIS ANYMORE!
jungguk- who said?
jin-...
jimin- fine fine! i think she likes Taehyung!
suga- no way!
jhope- who?
Namjoon- why?
jin- why do you think so?
Jimin- she got quiet fidgety and attentive when anyone talk about him.
jungguk- when did you notice!?
jimin- when i went to her house few months back.
Namjoon- her house?
suga- why?
jimin- she was alone going home and i started to make sure she is safe like this.
jin- and you chase her to her house.
jimin- i was just making sure.
suga- you are creepy.
Namjoon- and? you chased her then!
kim- someone is excited!
Namjoon- no way, i want to enlighten myself.
jimin- when she realized that that was me then she invite me in her house and asked me lot question.
Namjoon- and you spit everything?
kim- @Namjoon... shut up for a min.
jin muted Namjoon, jungguk and 2 others
jin- continue!
jimin- she was hurt, sad and bro she is so stoic my god! when i told her that he is not asking about her...
kim- who asking?
jin- you! you idiot!
jimin- she was so teary man, i don't want to disturb anymore, i think i will apologize one day..for the sins i have done to her.
CURRENT DAY, AT LUNCH
The college campus is bustling with students. Isabel walks through the courtyard, a mix of excitement and nervousness on her face, her eyes scanning the surroundings, she talked to some people today but she had been unable to make any friends till now even though her bench mate asked her if she wanted to eat together but she refused, the old habit doesn't go that easily, she stopped eating food in her school and now she like this to being like this.
Suddenly, she hears a voice behind her. It's JIMIN, one of Taehyung's old friends and a known as troublemaker.
Jimin: Hey, Isabel! Long time no see.
Isabel turns, forcing a polite smile.
Isabel: Oh, hi. How's it going?
his smile is thin and mocking.
Jimin: same as before, i hope you aren't the same as before.
Isabel's face flushes with embarrassment, he refers her complaint.
Isabel: I'm just here to start fresh. I hope we can all move on.
Jimin's grin widens.
Jimin: Yeah, well, not everyone's in the mood for moving on.
He walks away with a smirk, leaving Isabel looking worried. She glances around, feeling increasingly uneasy. she huffs softly and walks away.
CURRENTLY
location- physics lab
The girl's head is bent down, she is probably looking at his shoes, where else can you think she would be looking into his eyes nah! they are too intoxicating, he clears his throat
KIM: *cold* I'm here to make sure you remember exactly why I'm not happy to see you.
Isabel's closes her eyes in surprise, even after all this she doesn't him to gate her, she has already have gone through a lot, she doesn't love him or even like him after the way his friend treated her out of revenge.
ISABEL: i didn't expect you to show up here.
KIM: You think so? Maybe I just wanted to give you a little reminder of the mess you made of my life.
Isabel's face tightens with a mix of defensiveness and guilt.
ISABEL: I didn't mean to ruin your life, Kim....
she never call him, but calling him by his first name is only what she does to him, it reminds him when her flushed and squishy cheeks jiggle calling his name for the first time, in 4th grade, when she mistakenly took his marksheet instead of her own.
KIM: *scoffing* The thing you did is just to tell how bitchy you can be!
ISABEL: *hurt* I was trying to follow the rules. I didn't mean to EXPELLED you out of the school.
Kim's anger is palpable, but there's a flicker of confusion behind his eyes.
KIM: *bitterly* you caused me suffering..
Isabel looks at him, her voice softer but firm.
ISABEL: *biting lip* I'm sorry, Kim. I didn't realize how much it would affect you. I made a mistake
Kim takes a step closer, his expression conflicted.
KIM: Do you even know how hard it was? I had to start over from scratch. It's like you didn't even care.
Isabel's eyes slightly widen. She takes a deep breath, trying to find the right words.
ISABEL *gently* I..i never wanted to make things harder for you. i just didn't see something like that be...before l..li..like that!
Kim's anger begins to waver, replaced by a mix of the amusement and signature smirk played on his lip. He looks away.
KIM: *furrowed eyebrows* like that?
ISABEL: *shy* you and her--
Kim smirk widen at how it seems even impossible to make one filthy word out of her mouth. he wanted to tease her so bad right now, the way her lip make pout before biting her own lip to swallow that word that she thinks isn't very good.
KIM: who? *tease*
ISABEL: her name is.....*rub temple* Soya, i think.
KIM: what we were doing? *mock frown*
Isabel tried to open her mouth to say that you were touching her just then, Soya in her early 20s, enters in the lab. She's bright-eyed and cheerful, her demeanor in stark contrast to the intensity of their conversation. She got quiet seeing them, Taehyung who looks up with a mixture of surprise and discomfort, faked a small smile stretching his hand to draw her closer, she excitedly approach him and snake her arm around her neck, smashing her lip over him, kim giggled pulling her closer by her nape.