chapter 1

The Seoul skyline was a blur of steel and glass as you approached the imposing BigHit Entertainment building, your heart beating faster with every step. You had dreamt of this moment for years—getting an internship with the company that had created the K-pop group you idolized. The towering structure stood tall, a bastion of creativity and hard work. The glass doors parted with a gentle whoosh, revealing a sleek and modern lobby that mirrored the polished image of the band that had taken the world by storm.

Your nerves fluttered like the pages of a well-read book as you stepped into the cool embrace of the building. The floor gleamed underfoot, reflecting the excitement in your eyes. The air had anticipation and the faint echoes of the latest BTS hits could be heard from somewhere deep within. You took a moment to gather yourself, your palms damp with the excitement that threatened to overwhelm you.

Minseo, the HR manager, spotted you and waved from across the lobby. Dressed in a sharp black suit, she was a picture of professionalism with a smile that was as warm as it was genuine. "You must be Y/N," she said, approaching with an outstretched hand. "Welcome to BigHit. I'm so happy to have you here with us."

Your cheeks flushed pink as you took Minseo's hand in a firm grip. "Thank you," you replied, your voice barely a whisper. "This is all so surreal." Minseo chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I remember feeling the same way when I first started. But don't worry, you'll get the hang of things quickly. Now, let's get you settled in. We have a lot to cover on your first day."

As you strolled down the corridors, the walls adorned with gold records and framed magazine covers, you couldn't help but feel a growing sense of excitement. The air was charged with the electricity of creativity and ambition, a scent you had only ever dreamed of inhaling. You passed by a room where the door was ajar, and a muffled giggle slipped through the crack. Your curiosity piqued, your gaze stole a peek inside.

Your eyes widened in shock. There, in the dimly lit room, was Jeon Jungkook, the youngest member of BTS, wrapped in an embrace with a girl you didn't recognize. His hand was tangled in her hair, and their lips were pressed together in a passionate kiss. Your heart skipped a beat, a mix of surprise and something else—something you didn't dare put a name to. You quickly averted your gaze, your hand flying to your mouth to stifle a gasp.

But you weren't fast enough. The sound of the door creaking as you tried to close it caught Jungkook's attention. He pulled away from the girl, his eyes locking onto yours. The surprise in his gaze was unmistakable, his handsome features frozen in a moment of pure, unfiltered shock. The girl turned to look at you too, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features before she playfully swatted Jungkook's arm.

"Who are you?" Jungkook's voice was low and gruff, his eyes narrowing in an angry glare. You stumbled over your own feet, your mind racing. "I'm sorry," you squeaked out, your cheeks burning. "I just got lost." You gestured to the corridor behind you, hoping it was a believable enough excuse. Jungkook's eyes searched yours, as if looking for a hint of a lie.

"Lost? This is a restricted area!" Jungkook's voice grew louder, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. The girl slipped out of the room, a smirk playing on her lips.

"I'm the new intern, Y/N. I just arrived and Minseo was showing me around. I swear I didn't mean to... I didn't know you were in here!" you rushed to explain.

Jungkook's expression softened slightly. "Ah, the new intern. But you can't just barge into rooms like that!" He tried to laugh it off, but his eyes searched yours for any hint of judgment or gossip.

You nodded fervently. "I know, I'm really sorry. It was an accident!"

"Let's just keep this between us, okay?" Jungkook finally said, his voice softer now. "I don't need any more drama in my life."

You nodded quickly, your eyes darting to the floor. "Of course. I'm so sorry for intruding."

As you turned to leave, Jungkook called out, his voice a gentle caress in the tense air. "Welcome to the Big Hit family, Y/N Just remember to knock next time."

Your face was still hot with embarrassment, you practically sprinted away, your thoughts a whirlwind. You needed to find Minseo, to get away from the scene you'd just stumbled upon. As you rounded the next corner, you collided with someone, the air leaving your lungs in a rush. Before you could even react, your top was smothered in a layer of sticky pink frosting and chunks of strawberry cake.

Your eyes snapped up to meet the gaze of the person you had collided with, and your heart skipped a beat when you saw it was none other than Kim Taehyung. His handsome face was etched with a look of shock, his eyes widening as they took in the mess that now adorned your shirt. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to echo through your entire being. "Are you okay?"

Taehyung's concern was palpable, but the words you desperately wanted to form remained lodged in your throat, a jumbled mess of syllables and breaths. You could only nod mutely, your eyes darting down to the cake that clung to you in an unwelcome embrace. The sweet smell of strawberries and sugar invaded your nostrils, a stark contrast to the bitter taste of embarrassment that coated your tongue.

"Here," Taehyung offered, reaching out with a napkin. His touch was gentle, a stark contrast to the fiery passion he had seen him exude on stage. His fingers brushed against your skin, sending a shiver down your spine. "Let me help you clean up." He wiped at the frosting with careful strokes, his eyes never leaving yours.

Finally, you found your voice, a soft whisper that barely seemed to break the silence. "It's okay," you managed to say. "It was an accident." You took the napkin from him and continued to clean yourself up, your hands shaking slightly.

Taehyung studied you, a curious expression crossing his features. "I've never seen you around here before. Are you new?" he asked, his voice a velvety purr that sent your pulse racing. You nodded, your eyes not quite meeting his.

"Yes," you murmured, your voice small and shaky. "I just started today. I'm the new intern."

Taehyung's eyes searched yours for a moment before his gaze flickered down to the corner of your mouth, where a smudge of cream had found its way from your shirt. Without a word, he reached out with the napkin again, his thumb brushing against your lower lip as he gently wiped away the stray bit of cake. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through your body, and you felt your cheeks flush even deeper.

"Thank you," you mumbled, taking the napkin and scrubbing at the spot he had just touched.

Just then, Minseo's voice called out from down the hallway. "Y/N!" she exclaimed, rushing over. "What on earth are you doing here? And Taehyung-ssi, are you okay?"

Taehyung took a step back, his smile faltering slightly. "It's fine, Minseo. I just had a bit of a... mishap with the cake."

Minseo looked from your sticky shirt to Taehyung's slightly panicked face, then back to you. "Oh no! Your clothes!" she clucked her tongue, shaking her head. "You can't go around the company like that. You're going to get fired on your first day!"

Your eyes widened in horror. "What do I do?" you squeaked.

"Don't worry," Taehyung assured you, his voice was a comforting balm. "Minseo will help you."

Minseo nodded in agreement, a flicker of understanding passing between her and Taehyung. "Come with me," she said, taking your arm firmly. She steered you back down the hallway and into a nearby room marked 'Changing Room'.

"Make yourself comfortable," Minseo said with a smile. "I'll grab you a new shirt from wardrobe."

You nodded, your cheeks still flaming from the encounter with Taehyung. You stepped into the changing room, your thoughts racing. As you waited, the door swung open again, and you assumed it was Minseo returning with a clean shirt. But when you looked up, you realized your mistake.

Park Jimin, another member of BTS, stepped into the room, his hair damp with sweat from dance practice. He was in the middle of unbuttoning his shirt, revealing a set of abs that could make even the most stoic of fans swoon. He hadn't noticed you yet. "Minseo, can you grab me a towel?" he called out, his voice a sweet blend of exhaustion and playfulness.

You stifled a gasp, your eyes wide. You were frozen, unsure if you should announce your presence or just wait for Minseo to arrive. Jimin's shirt hit the floor, and he started to unbuckle his pants. The room grew hotter, or was it just you? Your heart hammered in your chest like a drum during a concert finale.

Just as you were about to speak, you caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Jimin's eyes widened as he took in your cake-covered shirt and the horror etched on your face. "Who are you?" he asked, spinning around. His question hung in the air, filled with curiosity rather than malice.

"I-I'm the new intern," you stuttered, your voice trembling. "Y/N."

Jimin's eyes swept over you, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Ah, the new intern," he repeated, his voice dripping with amusement. "I'm Park Jimin, but you can call me Jimin."

You nodded, feeling your face heat up even more. "I-I'm sorry, I'll just wait outside."

"No need to be shy," Jimin said, his smirk growing. "Minseo is busy, and I need a towel. You can help me find one, right?"

Your eyes remained glued to the floor, unable to meet his gaze. Your mind raced with embarrassment and the awkwardness of the situation. You nodded, keeping your voice low, "O-of course."

Jimin chuckled, noticing your shyness. "You know, you can stare at me," he said, his voice playful. "I'm not going to eat you." He winked, and you felt a blush creep up your neck, your heart hammering in your chest. You had seen this kind of flirtatious banter between Jimin and fans, but you never thought you would be on the receiving end of it.

"Here," you said, your voice barely above a whisper as you held out the towel you had found on the shelf. Jimin took it with a smile, his eyes never leaving yours. "Thanks,Y/N ," he said, his tone dripping with charm. He began to wipe the sweat from his face and chest, his movements casual yet deliberate.

"But seriously," he added, his smile fading a bit, "what happened to your shirt?" His gaze drifted down to the mess of pink frosting and cake that still clung to your clothes.

You felt your cheeks burn even hotter, if that was possible. "It was an accident," you mumbled, your eyes darting around the room. "I-I bumped into someone with a cake."

Jimin's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oops," he said, his voice light. "Someone should have been more careful."

Your heart felt like it was about to pound out of your chest. "I-I didn't mean to," you stuttered, your eyes darting around the room for an escape.

Minseo's voice called out from the hallway, breaking the tension. "Y/N, I've got your shirt!"

"Thank goodness," Jimin said, his smirk back in place. He leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. "Well, don't let me keep you."

You practically bolted out of the room, snatching the clean shirt from Minseo's outstretched hand. You didn't dare look back at Jimin, afraid you would stumble over your own feet again. You quickly slipped into the new shirt, the fabric cool and clean against your skin.

"Let's go," Minseo said, a hint of a smile in her eyes. "We have a schedule to keep."

You nodded, your thoughts racing as you followed the HR manager through the maze of corridors. The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and introductions.

When you finally returned home, the encounter with Taehyung played on repeat in your mind. The way his thumb had brushed against your lip, the concern in his eyes, the warmth of his touch—it was all too much. You collapsed onto your bed, your thoughts a tumultuous storm of emotions. Your cheeks flushed with the same heat they had felt under his gaze.

For hours, you lay there, replaying the scene over and over, the smell of strawberry frosting lingering in your nose. The thought of his cake being destroyed by your clumsiness filled you with a strange mix of guilt and longing. You knew you had to make it up to him somehow. And so, the idea formed in your mind—you would make him a new cake.

The next morning, you woke up early, your mind buzzing with excitement. You had barely slept, but the anticipation of seeing Taehyung again fueled you. You carefully selected ingredients from your kitchen, your hands moving with purpose as you mixed and baked a new strawberry cake, identical to the one you had ruined. The sweet aroma filled your small apartment, a comforting embrace that whispered promises of redemption.

Once the cake was out of the oven, you meticulously decorated it with fresh strawberries and a perfect layer of frosting. It was a masterpiece, a silent apology in the form of sugar and butter. With trembling hands, you placed it in a Tupperware container and closed the lid with a soft click.

Leaving your apartment, you stepped into the cool morning air, the scent of the city waking up around you. A cab pulled up, and you slid into the back seat, clutching the cake tightly. As the car wove through the crowded streets of Seoul, you couldn't shake the image of Taehyung's surprised face from your mind. Would he accept your peace offering? Would he even remember you?

As the BigHit building loomed into view, you took a deep breath and stepped out of the taxi, your heart racing. The cake felt heavier than ever in your hands as you approached the gleaming glass doors. You had practiced what you would say to him in your mind a hundred times, but now, the words felt like a jumble of syllables.

Just as you were about to step into the lobby, your heel caught on something. A drain pipe, hidden in the shadow of the building. Panic set in as you realized you were stuck, your shoe sucked in tight. You wiggled your foot, trying to free yourself, but it was no use. The cake wobbled in your hands, and you could almost feel the delicate strawberries slipping from their perch.

"Don't move, okay?" A voice from behind you made you jump. You turned to find Jimin, his eyes dancing with amusement as he took in your predicament. He crouched down, his hand reaching for your ankle. "Let me help you."

You nodded, your face burning with embarrassment. You had hoped to avoid another awkward encounter with him, but fate seemed to have other plans. Jimin's grip was firm and gentle as he pulled your heel out of the drain pipe with surprising ease. "Thank you," you murmured, your eyes lingering on his hand for a moment longer than necessary.

"No problem," he said with a wink. "But maybe you should watch where you're going next time." He took the Tupperware from your shaky hands, his eyes landing on the cake inside. "Is this for me?"

You felt your face turn a deeper shade of red. "N-no," you stuttered, trying to compose yourself. "It's for Taehyung. I had an accident yesterday, and I wanted to apologize."

Jimin raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking from the cake to your flushed cheeks. "Oh?" he said, his voice dripping with curiosity. "What kind of accident?"

You took a deep breath, recounting the incident with the cake and your awkward encounter with Taehyung. Jimin's eyes grew wide, and he couldn't help but burst out laughing. "That's hilarious!" he exclaimed.

"It's not funny!" you protested, your cheeks burning with embarrassment.

But Jimin couldn't help himself. He chuckled as he took the Tupperware from you. "Okay, okay," he said, holding up his hands in a mock surrender. "But this cake does look pretty tasty."

You felt a glimmer of a smile tug at the corners of your mouth. "Thank you," you murmured, taking back the container. "I hope Taehyung likes it."

"If you don't mind, I'll take this cake to Taehyung for you," Jimin offered, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "He's in dance practice right now."

You blinked, surprised by his sudden helpfulness. "Really?" you asked, hope sparking in your eyes.

Jimin's smile grew wider. "Yes, really," he said, placing a gentle finger on your quivering lip. "But," he added, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief, "next time, I'll expect a sweet treat from you."

Your eyes widened, but you couldn't help the warmth that flooded your cheeks. You nodded, your voice barely a whisper. "Okay."

With a wink, Jimin took the Tupperware and turned to leave, his footsteps echoing down the corridor as he disappeared from view. You watched him go, your heart racing. What had just happened? Was he flirting with you? You had always heard about Jimin's playful nature with fans, but this felt different—more personal, more intimate.

The practice room's door swung open with a gentle nudge from Jimin's shoulder, revealing Taehyung in the throes of a dance routine. The room was a whirlwind of sweat and passion, the mirrors reflecting his powerful moves and intense gaze. Jimin's eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched his bandmate glide across the floor.

Breaking the rhythm of the music, Jimin cleared his throat. "Taehyung-ah," he called out, the Tupperware in hand. Taehyung spun around, his eyes lighting up when he saw Jimin. But that joy was quickly replaced with confusion as he took in the cake. "What's this?" he asked, breathing heavily.

"It's an apology," Jimin grinned, his voice filled with the same mischief that danced in his eyes. "From the girl you had the... cake accident with yesterday."

Taehyung's expression grew dark. "Who?" he barked, his dance moves coming to an abrupt halt.

Jimin shrugged, his smile not fading. "The new intern, Y/N You know, the one who got her shirt all sticky because of your clumsiness?"

"Just throw it in the dustbin," Taehyung's voice was gruff, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

Jimin's smile didn't falter. He pried open the Tupperware, revealing the pristine strawberry cake. "But it's your favorite," he teased, his teeth sinking into the soft sponge.

Taehyung's eyes narrowed, watching as Jimin savored the cake with exaggerated pleasure. "They're all the same, Jimin," he said, his voice low and bitter. "Gold diggers."

Jimin looked at him, a mischievous spark in his eyes. He licked the frosting from his lips, his gaze never leaving Taehyung's. "Is that so?" He took another bite, the sweetness of the strawberries mingling with the tartness of the cream. "Well, if you don't want her, can I have her?"

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