My Temptation - KTH FF (under rewrite)

9.

A/N:
CW: implications of physical abuse
WC: 6,053

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Lorelei had waited on Taehyung for five whole days. Claiming that he needed a few days in advance to make sure he had a plausible explanation for his short disappearance to anyone who might be expecting him. She wasn't stupid, 'anyone who might be expecting him' translated to—  his 'brothers'.

They very same ones who currently had it out for her. This only cemented her worry that maybe this wasn't so smart a plan after all. Realistically, if it was to the point that Taehyung had to lie to even be around her... then it could really, really backfire. The clinginess of them made her roll her eyes and wish she could make a comment on it, but it was always tampered down relatively quickly in fear of an argument or quitting the entire thing.

Quitting wasn't an option no matter how skeptical she was. Lorelei was risking too much to backout now.

The downside to waiting for him is that Lorelei had been working double shifts. Between adjusting to closing beside Misty every night, staying up to catch up on class work, and posting some paintings in hopes someone would buy them— safe to say that she was absolutely beat. But a little extra cash never hurt anyone. And now finally, when she had a moment to rest was when he wanted to go over everything.

Why was she surprised? That was how the world worked for everyone. Always catching you off guard the second you relaxed too much.

Did she understand why Taehyung had insisted they talk in person? No. But was she going to waste her time trying to question or talk him out of it? Also no. From everything Lorelei had learned about Taehyung so far, he was impossibly stubborn.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of walking on her tired and aching feet, she reached it. The food truck she always ate at— Omar's Taqueria. They had been parking there less and less frequently and for much shorter times now that another food truck had been stealing their business. It had gotten to the point that Lorelei was starting to worry that at this rate, she was going to lose a regular rotation for the few meals she actually bothered eating.

Ah, now that she was thinking about it— Between juggling working forty hours a week, school full time and still trying to push out the last of her art pieces... When was the last time she consumed an actual meal? An actual meal and not power drinks and protein bars... Perhaps that was why she couldn't fight her eyes shutting no matter how hard she was trying.

"Lorelei? Lorelei, what the fuck?!" She heard, startling her awake as she looked around to find the voice.

"What— what's happening?!" She asked, her panic surging her to wake up fully and all at once. Looking up, Taehyung was standing next to her with an unreadable expression. "Oh, it's just you. What happened?"

"Just me..." Taehyung said bitterly as he sat down on the other side of the table. "I can't believe you're asking me that, I should be asking you what's happening!" Taehyung said, frustration evident in his voice. "You really fell asleep here, outside... Your purse could've been stolen or— God! Do you even know how dangerous that is?!"

"No! I have no idea! I just do this for the thrill," Lorelei shot back feeling defensive and embarrassed. "I mean really— it's not like I planned it." After a few seconds, she sighed, "You were just taking awhile and I've— I've just been busy is all."

Taehyung leaned forward, studying her way, way too close for her liking. "I'd say that's an understatement. Your dark circles look like they reach all the way down to your cheeks, Damn, are you even sleeping at all?"