. . .

As you adjust your grip on a stubborn weed and brace yourself, you yank with all your might. It slips out of the dirt a great deal easier than you had been expecting it to and you stumble backwards, right into Hobi's arms.

"You okay?" He's trying to hold back the chuckles, but a few escape and you immediately move out of his semi-hug and begin to whip his overalls with the gigantic weed that you had just pulled from the ground.

"Look at it! It's monstrous, how was I supposed to know it was such a wimpy weed?" You're giggling as you throw it into the massive pile of weeds that the two of you had created in only an hour.

Hobi puts on a sage look as he his chin, "Well young cricket, there is a method that you could test out. It's called doing a test pull to judge the approximate strength needed to remove the weed."

You roll your eyes. "Oh, shut up." But you can't stop the happy smile from growing on your lips.

It had already been two weeks since you had arrived, nothing had really changed since your arrival. You spent most of your time outside in the gardens with Hobi, who had become your one and only friend. The two of you got along swimmingly and the friendship eased the loneliness that you knew you would've felt without it.

However, as you remembered the cold glares that Taehyung would shoot you whenever you crossed paths dampened your mood significantly. You couldn't deny that perhaps your attitude wasn't the best, but at least you didn't frown, glare, and look away disdainfully like he did.

You didn't understand why he treated you in such a manner, it didn't really make sense. It wasn't as if you were clinging to him desperately or inconveniencing his life any more than his was to you. It was frustrating.

But maybe one other thing was more frustrating. He made it no secret that he was not interested in you in the slightest. While you were under constraint on who you could meet with, he was under no such restriction. He often had social gatherings and while you were hidden away in the corner, he was in the spotlight. The first time he had invited you, you weren't sure what you were expecting, but being tossed aside and totally ignored wasn't it.

You realized that it was likely out of pity. However, outright rejecting the invitation seemed wrong somehow and you continued your pained attendance. 

His gleaming smile and magnetic charm drew all eyes to him with nothing but a clear of the throat. You couldn't deny that he was what people aspired to be, rich, powerful, and beautiful. His beauty drew in women, young and old, like a moth to flame. His tall, lean frame paired with his soulful eyes burned brightly in the dimmed chandelier light.

His smile with a touch of recklessness made any woman in the surroundings weak in the knees, and as much as you hate to admit it, it affected you as well. But there was nothing there for you to pursue since he had made abundantly clear how much he doesn't want to associate with you.

But you never noticed how your quiet grace drew the attention of all the male attendees. But most of them were too intimidated to melt the frosty air that surrounded you. The few that had mustered the courage to speak with you was met with icy cordiality.

Perhaps Taehyung was lucky you never felt the need to doll yourself up for the parties, but on the other hand, he was misfortunate enough to be so attracted to someone who wasn't even trying. At least he hid it well he thought, although his unhappy grimace whenever someone commented on the beauty in the corner seemed to contradict this.

When the invitation arrived in your bedroom, you realized that you did not want to attend the party. And then a genius idea struck.

You could sneak out. Taehyung would be preoccupied by the party as well as the staff so no one would notice. It wasn't as if he ever bothered to look in your direction.

So, when you asked Hobi if he would be willing to help you escape for the night, he very hesitantly agreed.

Hobi had felt quite bad for you, clearly you were on some sort of freedom ban and while you were happy, you still seemed to yearn for something more. Even though he could very well lose his cushy job if Young Master found out about it. Although he hadn't known you for long, you had found a place in his heart.

It was nothing romantic as he initially thought it was. You were an easy girl to like and love; down-to-earth with a wit as sharp as a knife. But it became clear that you weren't looking for affection from him and he realized the same, he couldn't really envision the two of being anything more than friends.

The spark just wasn't there.

. . .

Taehyung had been watching you.

He couldn't help it, every single time he let his mind wander, his eyes would immediately scan the gardens for your figure. He tried to ignore the quick staccato in his chest whenever he caught sight of his 'betrothed'.

Usually, there would be a look of total concentration as you worked in the dirt in your mud-stained overalls. It was cute.

He shook his head, he couldn't let you get to him. It was the last thing he needed on top of everything he was working with. If he was to sniff out who exactly had been accepting money under the table, he would have to get more leads.

Luckily, his suspect's daughter enjoyed parties. So that's what he would hold; he had more than a few connections with the affluent, be they young or old. Although he personally did not care for parties that had no purpose but business, it was something that he had accustomed himself to.

But he noticed that it was something that intimidated you. Although he listened to the ongoing conversation, his eyes would inexplicably be drawn to you which something he tried hard to hide. Whenever he felt his gaze turn to you, he would have to remind himself not to.

As it would've been rude to exclude you from the gatherings, he would send you an invitation and notice a few days prior. He never said a word to you at these parties, but somehow having you close by eased his shot nerves whenever he was dealing with the stress of unearthing hidden words and meanings.

So it was obvious tonight when you didn't show.

After scanning the spacious room twice and not seeing hide or hair of you, he began to worry. You wouldn't have snuck out, right?

But the jittery anxiety didn't leave so he quickly called a few maids and asked them to look for you. Half an hour later, the search yielded nothing except the fact that Hobi was also missing.  A jolt of anger shot through Taehyung as his temper flared.

He knew the two of you were close, judging by the large amount of time the two of you spent together and the way your beautiful smile would show itself often when you were outside with him. Sometimes he wished he could see you smile like that up close.

But this was unacceptable, running off with the gardener when you thought he was distracted. Ending the gathering early, he immediately set out to look for you.

He never once stopped to think about why exactly he was so upset about you leaving if he had never wanted you here in the first place.

. . .

When Hobi's phone began to buzz incessantly, you felt your sixth sense tingling. And judging by the worried frown and almost fearful expression on his face, it was bad.

His hands were shaking when he put the phone down onto the café table. "Young Master is coming to pick you up." His cheeks were devoid of colour as he avoided your eyes.

"What did he say?" You ask, worried about your friend. "It must have been bad."

"You could say that," he brings a hand up to rub his temples as he finally looks at you. "Are you sure you aren't his girlfriend?"

"No," you affirm while shaking your head.

He scoffs, "He's awfully possessive for a non-boyfriend." He sighs tiredly, the earlier cheerful and happy mood had been totally ruined as the two of you sat there in silence for a while. You weren't sure what to say.

You reach across the table to tug at his arm, "C'mon Hobi. It'll be alright." You smile encouragingly, "I'm sure this isn't that big of a deal. I'll talk to the stooge if I have to."

This pulls a hint of a smile from the somber boy. "Thanks."

Your response was interrupted by the aggressive jingling of the bell as Taehyung strode into the quaint shop. He exuded deathly anger.

You swallowed. This wasn't good, you've never actually dealt with someone who looked as angry as Taehyung right now. He was still dressed impeccably and all the women in the vicinity were currently looking at him with hearts in their eyes.

As soon as your eyes met his dark ones, your heart sped up. His hair was slightly mussed, you noticed with undue fascination, as he crossed the shop with no difficulty since everyone dove out of his way. Perhaps you should be thinking of ways to get yourself out of this pit.

"Uh, Taehyung?" You aren't able to get anything out besides that because he had clamped a hand onto your wrist and had begun dragging you out of your seat. You stand before driving a foot onto his foot.

"Ow!" Maybe that wasn't the best idea judging from the heightened glare he was now giving you.

But you refused to be manhandled in such a manner and crossed your arms over your chest lest he try to pull that stunt again. "If you have anything to say, say it."

Taehyung glowered at you, but you weren't about to be cowed. "You're coming with me."

"No." You didn't care that you were making a scene. He wasn't about to order you around.

A dangerous smile that sent shivers down your spine appeared on his lips before he stated a very short, "Fine," before reaching down, picking you up, and throwing you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

The blood is rushing furiously to your face was likely due to two things, your embarrassment and the fact your upper body was dangling upside down. You slam your fists as hard as you can onto Taehyung's back, but he doesn't even flinch. Clearly you had to work on your arm strength.

"Put me down!" You demand as you continue to pound on his back, "Put me down you brute!"

"Save the yelling for when we get home." He doesn't pay any attention to the gaping faces of the workers and customers in the café as he carries you away. As he strides out the door, a few men in suits walk in with multiple contracts as well as quite a bit of money.

This incident wouldn't end up on the news it seems. Taehyung had made arrangements.

. . .

You refused to speak to him. After ignoring you for weeks, he feels he's somehow entitled to control your being. You could understand his frustration that you had left without telling him, but that doesn't give any reason for his reaction tonight.

It crossed the line.

After trying to get you to talk and failing, Taehyung himself stewed angrily as he drove the two of you home. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel with increasing strength; he wasn't sure if it was because of the mounting guilt or the anger at the mounting guilt. Perhaps he had been over hasty with his actions, but the thought of you running away with Hobi filled him with so much fear and anger that he hadn't thought twice.

Halfway through the ride you hear a quiet mumble from the male beside you. Out of instinct you ask, "Yes?"

"I apologize. I was being a cad." He was lucky it was late at night, his blush was very well hidden by the darkness.

"Good that you know." For some reason, you found it quite difficult to stay angry with a very earnest Taehyung. It could be a problem later on.

"It was just," he paused awkwardly, not sure how to voice his thoughts, "I thought you were leaving for good."

You couldn't help but to laugh incredulously at what he was saying, "And you care?"

"Yes, I realized today that I do."

His answer stops you short, and now you were the one with a surprised blush on your face. But you refused to let it show, "Well, this is new."

A self-deprecating laugh accompanied Taehyung's next words, "Yeah, it's new for me too." He takes a fortifying breath before he speaks, "Even though I told you that I essentially wanted to do with you, I actually find you quite interesting. You aren't like any heiress I've ever met, not to mention the only one who'd be willing to do gardening in the sweltering heat."

You blink in shock.

"I suppose what I'm trying to say is," he stares straight at the road as he says it. "Maybe we could start over?"

You can't help the cheeky grin that appears at his words. "Maybe."