Contract| KTH | ?

As the days slipped by, only a week remained until the wedding, an air of excitement buzzed around the group. Tae, Rs, and JM had gathered at a stylish hotel to plan a surprise for JK, whose birthday was just around the corner.

The waiter glided over with a gleaming tray, setting down a feast brimming with delectable dishes before departing with a polite nod. Laughter and lively chatter filled the air as they dug into the food, brainstorming dazzling ideas for JK's celebration. Amid the fun, an unfortunate mishap occurred—JM accidentally spilled something on his crisp suit. With a sigh, he excused himself and headed to the washroom for a quick clean-up.

Meanwhile, Tae and Rs sat at the table, exchanging playful banter that erupted in fits of giggles. As Tae shifted in his seat, he suddenly noticed his shoelace had come undone. He knelt down to tie it, focusing intently on the task at hand. Just then, he spotted Rs' earring, which had slipped from her ear and fallen beside his foot. With a warm smile, he picked it up and handed it to her while still crouched down.

To an outsider, it might have looked like a proposal; the moment hung delicately in the air. Rs stared at him, her hands flying to her mouth in surprise, eyes wide with mischief and delight. She accepted the earring with a radiant smile, still caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. Tae chuckled, straightened up, and returned to his seat, the earlier tension dissipated in the warmth of shared laughter.

Just then, JM reappeared, looking sharp and ready to continue the preparations. With everyone back in their groove, they dove into the final details for JK's birthday, excitement swirling around them as they envisioned the perfect surprise.

Tae was seated at his desk, the hum of the air conditioning barely breaking the silence of his office, when the door swung open without a moment's warning. JM stormed in, his expression a tempest of anger, clutching a manila envelope tightly in his hand.

“Mr. Kim Taehyung, what on earth—is this?” JM exclaimed, his voice raised as he slammed the envelope onto the polished surface of the table, papers rattling inside.

Tae blinked in confusion, instinctively reaching for the envelope. As he opened it, his heart sank. Inside lay a collection of papers and a photo that made his stomach twist. The headline blared back at him like a siren: “THE FAMOUS BUSINESSMAN KIM TAEHYUNG, WHO IS GOING TO MARRY HONG YN, HAS A GIRLFRIEND? IS HE CHEATING ON HER?”

“Jiminah, I can—”

“Don’t you dare call me that!” JM interrupted, his tone clipped and sharp.

“Listen, it’s not what you think—”

“How could you do this to me? We were best friends!” JM’s voice cracked, the hurt evident as he struggled to mask his mixed emotions of betrayal and disbelief.

“Please, just hear me out—” Tae began, desperation creeping into his tone.

Before he could finish, a feminine voice cut through the tension like a knife. They both turned their heads toward the door as it swung open again.

“What is this, Mr. Rude?” A woman entered, her brow furrowing in confusion as her eyes darted between the two of them. “Oh, hyung, you’re here too?” she said, recognizing JM. The air hung heavy with unspoken questions and a palpable tension that felt almost suffocating.

He nodded.

Tae was already standing and explaining when she suddenly grabbed his collar and shot him a death glare, asking, "What is going on? When did this happen, huh?"

"Listen to me, fi—"

"What is there to listen to? You’re a cheater, that’s what!" she said, releasing him and sitting down on the couch.