"Oh my goodness, you're terrible!" Hoseok yelled at Namjoon, who was caught cheating in the board game. They were playing their favourite game Cluedo to pass the night. Hoseok turned around to look for his wife, who had been absent for almost forty minutes. Why did she go to the toilet this long? He scratched his head and excused himself away from the coffee table, where Joeun, Jimin, Namjoon and Woojin were playing Cluedo. "Yah, just play. I'm going to look for Sena," 

"Okay, I'll take your turn when you're away," Woojin replied. Hoseok nodded his head as he walked out of the living hall, searching for his three-month-pregnant wife. Hoseok went to his room, but she was nowhere to be seen. Hoseok was walking back and forth in the hallway, thinking where is the most possible location to find her. "Where are you from?" Hoseok asked when the front door of the man squeaked open. Taehyung slightly flinches at the sudden greeting by Hoseok. 

"I'm from the pharmacy," 

"Why? Are you sick?" 

"No.. no.." Taehyung didn't want to have more conversations with Hoseok as he was in a rush. The nearest pharmacy was like 20km away from the mansion; hence, it took almost 30 minutes to return back to the mansion. Taehyung just walked past Hoseok and went to his room, where Mari and Sena were. "This is the antacid. Is this the right one? I bought three in case one is not enough," 

"Maria!? Are you okay? You don't look fine!" Hoseok, who followed Taehyung to his room, yelled in surprise, looking at the pale Mari, who was wincing in pain in Sena's embracement. "Honey, she's having heartburn right now," Sena replied as she lifted her head to look at her husband. "Can you take a glass of water for her?" Sena added. She opened the small bottle of antacid and passed it to Mari, instructing Mari to drink the antacid slowly.

"Did you eat something wrong just now? Is there anything that you're allergic to?" Sena asked as she gently patted Mari's back. 

"No, no.. there's nothing wrong with the food," Mari muttered. 

"I think it's because she skipped her meal today. The porridge was the only meal she had for the day," Taehyung crossed his arm as he squatted down in front of Mari, observing her face.

"Really? Mari-shi, what did you have for breakfast?" 

"..." Mari just shook her head as she squeezed her upper abdomen.  It was her mistake for not eating anything a home before they left. As for lunch, she was too shy to ask for food at this stranger's place, hence, the reason why she chose to sleep when she felt hungry last noon. Sena was already glaring at her as the doctor continuously patted her back. "You know... a pregnant woman should avoid skipping meals as pregnant women are prone to heartburn," 

"I'm sorry... I didn't know that," 

"Maria! Maria! Maria! This is your water," Hoseok came running to the room with a bottle of mineral water. Mari couldn't help but chuckle in the middle of the pain due to the silly act of her boss. "Thank you, boss," she replied before she gulped down half a bottle of water. The heartburn slowly went away as the antacid started to do its function. "The antacid is working, huh?" Sena asked as she observed Mari's complexion. 

Mari nodded as she put a smile on her pink lips and beautiful face. "Oh! Thank God! Or else we would have to drive you to the nearest emergency," Sena sighed in relief as she squeezed Mari into a tight hug. "Thank you so much for helping me," Mari replied as her face started gaining her natural blush again and losing the pale hue. She felt better now. 

"Maria, you made me scared for a moment just now," Hoseok plopped to the floor beside Taehyung, who remained silent. "Don't worry, Maria! You're doing well. My wife and I will always help you if you need us," Hoseok added, looking at his employee with a worried look. He knew from Jimin that Mari's pregnancy had been rough for a couple of months. Mari couldn't help but just let out a small peal of laughter. 

"Of course, you should help me. I'm the only person that can make your favourite tea," Mari jokes as she starts to feel a little better. Sena, 0n the other hand, alternately looked at Mari's and Taehyung's faces.  Mari had a beautiful Korean soft facial feature; her nose was small and pointy, complimenting her round shining eyes and tiny lips. Meanwhile, Taehyung got exotic, bold features on his face. 

"You know what.. both of you will definitely produce a gorgeous baby..." 

The words that escaped from Sena's mouth caused Mari and Hoseok, who were joking with one another, to stop talking and look at her with a confused faces. Taehyung just rolled his eyes in annoyance. He was sure that the baby was not his, and of course, it pissed him off if anyone kept nudging him about this relationship with Mari's pregnancy. Hoseok just squinted his eyes to look at Taehyung and Mari. 

"Honey,.. just look at them... Mari had that beautiful lovely face, while Taehyung had sharp, bold features. It makes me excited to see their baby!" Sena added.

Hoseok laughed and pinched his wife's leg. Signalling her that she should stop talking about Mari and Taehyung as he could sense some eerie vibe from Taehyung. Meanwhile, Mari just shook her head and replied. "This silly baby will look exactly like me because he's my son." 

"Of course, it'll look like you~!" Sena elbowed Mari cheerfully. "I think you should rest and go to sleep. You had it rough today," Sena added as she helped Mari stand up from the couch and walked to the king-sized bed. 

It was half an hour past midnight when their game ended. Jimin helped Joeun stand up on her feet as she was slightly drunk from the cups of beer that she had drunk earlier.  Jimin put Joeun on their bed and tucked her in. "I'll never leave you, Jimin," She muttered while her eyes were closed. Jimin couldn't help but smile while listening to her words. He'll tell her the truth about his relationship with Mari once the time comes, and they'll be back to their normal love life just like before. Jimin, who was nowhere near sleepy, walked out of his room and took a breather in the garden. 

"Taehyung? Why are you here?" Jimin asked when he saw Taehyung sitting on the bench in the flower garden of the mansion. Jimin approached his friend and sat beside him in silence. 

"How do you handle it?" 

"What?" Jimin was lost in the sudden question. 

"How do you handle a pregnant lady for months? I took care of her for just one day... damn, it's tiring," Taehyung shook his head as a smirk appeared on his face. His decision to never marry anyone was probably the right choice for someone like him. 

"Are you talking about Mari?" Jimin asked, still in confusion. 

"Yeah... she had some heartburn just now... and I got to go to the nearest pharmacy-" Before Taehyung was able to finish his sentences, Jimin stood up. The realisation hit him; he didn't check on Mari at all after dinner just now. Taehyung caught Jimin's hand and signalled him to sit back.

"She's fine now. The last time I checked on her, she was reading some notes on her phone before she fell asleep," Taehyung replied with a sigh. Jimin sat back beside Taehyung. 

"She had a rough pregnancy. She had extreme morning sickness, and her blood pressure was low. That's the reason why I kept calling her every three hours," Jimin stated as he leaned on the chair. Both of them remained silent for a few minutes. 

"Jimin, can you be honest with me?" 

"About what?" Jimin muttered as his mind was everywhere. Finding the right way to address the issue between him, Mari and Joeun. He still wanted to take care of Mari, but at the same time, he didn't want Joeun to feel jealous or distant from him. Hence, the reason why he didn't interact much with Mari in front of Joeun.

"About Mari's baby," 

"What about the baby?" Jimin raised his brow as he looked at Taehyung. 

"Is it truly mine?" Taehyung asked in his low voice.

"I... don't know. Wait, do you care to explain the real situation to me now? What relationship do you have with Mari? One night stand?" Jimin crossed his arm, creating some distance between him and Taehyung. He finds Taehyung a little odd tonight. Was it because of Mari? Is this the after-effect of caring for a pregnant lady? Maybe? Jimin scratched his head. 

"Well... actually, it was not a one-night stand. It happens at night when we're celebrating your proposal to Joeun. I mean... she was gorgeous that night, so I took her home. The next day I met her again, and we ed again, and this continued for almost two weeks. But, I stopped seeing her when she started to get a little serious about the relationship," Taehyung finally told Jimin the truth about the relay he had with Mari. "But... I wear protection every time, bruh ~!" 

Jimin closed his eyes tight. Remembering how badly Mari cried in the bride's waiting room during his wedding day. She cried real bad when Taehyung left her to be Jimin's fill-in bride.  Jimin exhaled sharply before he got up on the bench.  If Taehyung had not been his friend, a harsh punch might have landed on his pretty face. "I think you should just ignore Mari like how you used to and ... don't come close to her or her baby," Jimin spat his words in a calm yet stern manner before he walked away from Taehyung. 

Jimin walked to Taehyung's room, where Mari was sleeping deeply. He needs to check on Mari's well-being. He felt bad as he was distracted by Joeun today. He walked deeper into the dimly lit room, sitting at the side of the bed. The slight pressure on the bed surface causes Mari to open her eyes. 

"Jimin-shi?" Mari whispered as if not fully awake from her sleep. 

"Are you okay?" Jimin asked as he unconsciously touched Mari's bulging tummy. He caresses it gently, feeling the bump beneath her clothes and blanket. 

"Hmm... I miss you," She replied with a short smile before drifting back to sleep. 

Jimin sighed as he nodded his head. The last meal she had before coming here was the night before; she is slightly lethargic. And shoving food down after more than a day of empty stomach, she would have gastric reflux. 

It was almost two in the morning, and Taehyung decided to go to his allocated room and sleep. Taehyung's eyes fell on the sight of Jimin sleeping on the floor next to the bed where Mari was sleeping.  Taehyung ruffled his hair, reminiscing the words Jimin told him earlier: Don't come close to her or her baby. He never admitted that Mari's child was his, but why did Jimin and Mari warn him not to come close to her baby? It is not like he ever wanted a kid of his own. Even his current partner agreed not to have any kids in their relationship. 

Mari opened her eyes when she felt a hand touching her baby bump. Her pale pink lips widened when she saw Jimin smiling down at her while whispering to her tummy.  "Good morning, silly baby~" He whispered as if waking the sleeping baby in her tummy. Mari rubbed her eyes as the light penetrating her eyes was too bright.

"What time is it?" Mari asked as she looked around. It is bright, but it seems the morning is still early.

"It's eight in the morning," He replied as his eyes remained on Mari's sleepy face. Her half-hooded eyes cause him to smile, as sleepiness still burdens her eyelid. After living with her for the past few months, she rarely woke up early since her morning sickness subsided. 

"Why are you here?" Mari sat up from the bed as if slapped by reality. She now remembered that she was currently in Namjoon's summer mansion. She looked around to the sight of Taehyung, and to her relief, the man was not in the room with her. 

"To wake you up for breakfast..." He replied as a smile never left his lips. He was glad that Mari seemed like she just had the best sleep in her life.  

"Breakfast?" 

"I made some healthy breakfast for you. I know you're uncomfortable eating with my friends, Taehyung and Joeun. So, today, you'll be having earlier breakfast as all of them are still sleeping," Jimin stated, placing both hands on her arms and helping the girl get out of bed. 

"Jimin-shi, I can walk on my own," Mari said as she realised Jimin's arm never let go of her torso as they walked out of the room. 

"Okay, silly girl~" He replied as he pinched the tips of her nose before he let go of her waist. 

 "Aren't you supposed to be with Joeun this morning?" 

"She's wasted last night. I knew that she'd get up late," Jimin replied as he tailed Mari to the kitchen. He had already prepared some rice, fried eggs, kimchi and simple chicken soup for Mari, knowing she was a er for Korean breakfast. Mari's eyes lit up as she turned back to look at Jimin. She clapped her hand in awe as she looked at the delicious food on the table, served beautifully. 

  "Jimin-shi, aren't you like the best husband ever in this world?" Mari asked as she cheered in excitement. Mari took a few steps and hugged Jimin, who was totally unprepared for the sudden hug. Jimin chuckled lowly as he patted her back, appreciating that she loved his cooking. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for the food~!" She muttered. 

"That's enough thank you from you," He laughed as he guided Mari to the dining chair and pulled out the chair for her. Mari sat on the dining chair without much hassle and ate her hearty breakfast. Jimin took the chance to sit beside the lady, shred some chicken flesh from the chicken soup and put it in her bowl of rice. Jimin could not help but smile, and his delight was evident in how his eyes crinkled at the corners as Mari beamed at him happily whenever she took a bite of her food, enjoying her food to the heart's content. 

"Jimin-shi, as you know, I'm slightly awkward with your friends. Can I go back to sleep after breakfast?" 

Jimin squinted his eyes as he looked into her eyes. She knew he would never let her sleep again after breakfast. "Aren't you taking advantage of the situation right now?" 

"Well, it is not easy to hang out with them," Mari pouted as she knew Jimin would not let her lie down after a meal. Jimin always reminds her not to lie down right away after a meal as it may trigger her heartburn. 

"I'll bring you out for a walk after this. Walking around the pine forest surrounding this house is good for your lungs," He stated as his hand placed chicken flesh in her bowl as she gnawed her food. 

Taehyung walked into the room to see an empty bed and floor, indicating that Mari and Jimin were already awake and had left the room. Taehyung slept in the empty study room on a sleeping couch. He did take Jimin's words seriously last night. It was a rare sight to see Jimin be this stern toward him. Hence, he knew that he should not prolong the issue and just comply with Jimin's words. 

"Did you see Jimin?" Joeun's voice appeared from his back, disturbing him from his thoughts. 

"No. He's not here," Taehyung replied. 

"Is he with that woman? Kwon Mari?" She crossed her arms in anger as she looked at Jimin's watch on the bedside cupboard. Knowing well that Jimin slept here last night. 

"Probably, both of them are not here," 

"Can you please take that woman away from my fiance? Hmm, Taehyung?" Joeun gritted her teeth, constraining her anger. The thoughts of Jimin spending their precious time with other women make her blood boil. It is not like she is here all the time; she expected Jimin to be a little appreciative of her time. She could see something in Jimin was changing, and she didn't like it. Where is the devoted Park Jimin that would only look at her despite thousands of women flocking his way. Where is the Park Jimin, usually the coldest man to other women? 

"Hahah... it's you who left Jimin. Not me. Don't blame me if he suddenly has a change of heart," Taehyung spat some facts before he went into the toilet, leaving Joeun alone in the space. The words cause Joeun to burst into tears. She never imagined a life without Jimin. She didn't want their relationship to end this way. 

After walking around the nearest pine forest for thirty minutes, Jimin and Mari reached Namjoon's mansion again. He accompanied Mari back to Taehyung's room, but his heels stopped moving when he saw Joeun crying. As if the earth was about to collapse, Jimin ran to Joeun in the blink of an eye and hugged her. A hug tight enough not to let her move an inch. 

"Choi Joeun, what's wrong? My dear?" Jimin cupped Joeun's face to look at her face. 

Joeun's sobs turned louder as Jimin wrapped her in his arm. She could never imagine a life without being embraced by this man. She clenches his shirt, not letting him go any moment now. "Don't leave me, Jimin. I'm so sorry," She wailed as she shook her head, refusing to let go of him. 

"No, no... I'm sorry. I should've stayed by your side when you wake up," Jimin apologizes as he tightens his arm around her. 

Mari stood at the door frame as she watched the scene between the lovers. As if someone squeezed her heart to bleed, she felt uneasy. Inhaled slowly, Mari turned her heels slowly, moving away from the room as silently as possible. She should know her place as she threw the freshly plucked wildflower Jimin plucked for her when they walked. She looked down at her phone; the newly taken selfie of her and Jimin in her gallery was displayed. Without second thoughts, she deleted the picture in a blink.

As Mari remained seated in the living room, she heard Taehyung yell in shock. "Yah~! Why are you both ing in my room!??" His scream was loud enough to reach Mari. Jimin was never hers, to begin with; this feeling of jealousy creeping into her is not something that she welcomes. 

"Morning, Maria~!" Hoseok appeared in the living room with messy hair and greeted the young girl with a smile. 

"Morning, boss," She replied shortly. 

"Can you make a cup of tea for me?" He stated as he plopped on the couch beside her. Mari nodded as she stood up from the couch and went to the kitchen. Making a cup of tea for her boss. This is possibly the most awkward trip she has ever been on. Her boss, her best friend's brother, her ex-one-night stand and her fill-in husband are in the same house. She sighed as she continued brewing the hot tea into a teapot. 

"Boss, your tea is ready," She returned to the living room to see Hoseok and Taehyunng in the living room together. 

'Thank you~! Maria~!" Hoseok smiled cheekily as he took a sip of his tea made by Mari. 

"You're welcome," She smiled briefly as she sat on the empty couch opposite Taehyung. Unconsciously, her eyes remained on Taehyung's structured face. How she wished her child not to resemble him. She wanted her child to inherit her features from head to toe, including her behaviour. She didn't want to see Taehyung's face whenever she looked at her kid. 

Taehyung lifted his head from looking at his phone when he felt as if someone was looking at him. His intuition was right; Mari was now staring at him without expression. Her eyes were empty, unlike the time she used to greet him good morning whenever he dropped by Hoseok's coffee shop.  Taehyung swallowed his saliva when her stare was getting too long. 

"Minchae, send her regards to everyone," Taehyung stated out of the blue to Hoseok, who was silently enjoying his cup of tea.

"Huh? Song Minchae? That top model that you're dating now?" Hoseok asked as he raised his brow to look at Taehyung.  

"Yeah, the one I'm dating now," He emphasized the words dating as if a silent message he relayed to Mari, who kept on staring at him. 

"Mari-shi~! Good morning, how are you feeling today?" Sena appeared, disturbing the conversation between Hoseok and Taehyung. Mari turned her head to look at Sena, who just walked into the living room with a bright smile. "My body is so tired, so I overslept," She added as she sat beside Mari. 

"I'm feeling great today. Can't wait to go home,"

"Go home? Isn't it fun to be here?" Sena prompted. 

"It's tiring to be here. I just wanted to rest on my weekend," 

"You can just rest here, with us," 

"I'm so sorry. I'm just uncomfortable and awkward here," She stated as her eyes directed back to Taehyung, who listened attentively to her conversation with Sena. Hoseok and Sena exchanged a short stare with each other before Hoseok stood up abruptly. 

"Okay, let's get you home, Maria~!" Hoseok let out an awkward chuckle as he looked at Taehyung and Sena alternately. "I'm going to change, and let's go home. I'll send you home," He continued, and Sena nodded in agreement with her husband's words. In less than five minutes, Mari was already in Hoseok's car heading back to Seoul, leaving the rest of the group at the mansion, enjoying their remaining time. 

"Why is it so silent? I heard J-Hope's voice just now," Namjoon asked as he walked to the silent living room, where only Taehyung was sitting in the space. 

"Hoseok, Sena and Mari left about half an hour ago," 

"What??" Namjoon asked in disbelief. Hoseok just promised to go hiking together with him. Unaware of the situation, Joeun and Jimin walked out of the room where they just had their session together, as both were in dishevelled appearance when they walked back to the living room, without waiting for them to ask anything. He muttered, "Hoseok, Sena and Mari already left,". 

"What? Why didn't they wait for me?" Jimin asked as he slowly set back to reality. 

"Mari is uncomfortable being in the same space with me, so... Hoseok took the initiative to send her home," 

"If I am Mari, I, too, would be uncomfortable meeting a man that impregnates me," Namjoon said nonchalantly as he shook his head before he took a sip of the cold tea on the coffee table.