#Diamond Luxury Bridal Car

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Jan Ramir + Quennie | Cebu Wedding

Jan Ramir + Quennie | Cebu Wedding On April 29, 2023, Jan and Quennie celebrated their long-awaited union in a breathtaking wedding. These stunning moments were beautifully captured by Portraits by Bukool, freezing the essence of their love forever. After 11 incredible years together, they finally tied the knot surrounded by their loved ones. Their special day was flawlessly coordinated by…

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Exploring the Allure of the 2-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond Ring: A Testament to Love and Craftsmanship

The 2-carat cushion cut diamond ring has captivated the hearts of many, holding a significant place in the realm of fine jewelry. Characterized by its soft, rounded edges and vintage charm, the cushion cut diamond presents a perfect blend of classic elegance and modern sophistication.

This article will delve into the many facets of the 2-carat cushion cut diamond ring, from its historical significance to the intricate details that make it a beloved choice for engagement rings.

A Glimpse into the History of the Cushion Cut

The cushion cut, also known as the pillow cut, dates back to the 19th century. Its design was inspired by the old mine cut, which had a square shape with rounded corners. Over time, the cushion cut evolved into the more refined style we see today, with its distinctive facets that allow for superior light reflection.

This cutting method enhances the diamond’s brilliance and fire, producing a stunning visual effect that mesmerizes those who gaze upon it. With its roots in history, the cushion cut evokes a sense of nostalgia and romance, making it a fitting choice for one of life’s most significant milestones—engagement.

The Characteristics of a 2-Carat Diamond

Size is a significant factor when considering a diamond, and a 2-carat stone strikes a perfect balance between eye-catching presence and practicality. While larger stones can often feel ostentatious, a 2-carat diamond retains elegance without overwhelming the wearer’s hand.

The weight, combined with the unique cut, creates an exquisite display of sparkle that highlights the craftsmanship behind the piece. When searching for the ideal ring, it’s essential to consider the cut quality, for the better the cut, the more refined and brilliant the diamond will appear.

The Symbolism of the Cushion Cut Diamond

Engagement rings symbolize love, devotion, and commitment. The cushion cut, with its soft curves, represents a gentle, loving bond brought to life through the joining of two individuals. Many couples are naturally drawn to the timeless appeal and historical roots of the cushion cut, as it encapsulates a story that transcends generations. Whether your love story is rich in tradition or modern in approach, a 2-carat cushion cut diamond ring serves as a unique representation of your journey together.

Customization: A Personal Touch

In the world of fine jewelry, customization has become increasingly popular, allowing couples to create a piece that truly reflects their style and personality. When it comes to the 2-carat cushion cut diamond ring, the opportunities for personalization are virtually limitless.

Design trends also play a role in customizing the engagement ring. Antique-style halos, modern geometric settings, and intricate filigree are just a few trending approaches that enhance the beauty and individuality of a 2-carat cushion cut diamond ring. Couples can choose design elements that resonate with their aesthetic preferences, ensuring that the ring is both stunning and meaningful.

Ethical Considerations: Choosing an Eco-Friendly Diamond

As consumers become more conscious of their purchasing decisions, the diamond industry reflects these changes through increased focus on ethical sourcing and sustainability. Those considering a 2-carat cushion cut diamond should look for vendors that prioritize conflict-free stones and environmentally friendly practices. The Kimberley Process Certification is one means for ensuring that the diamond was sourced ethically, promoting responsible mining practices.

The Market and Trends

The luxury and bridal markets for engagement rings have witnessed significant shifts in recent years, largely driven by social media and changing consumer attitudes. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest provide a space for sharing designs and trends, allowing couples to explore a wide range of styles before making their choice. The 2-carat cushion cut diamond ring frequently appears in trending posts, showcasing its continual appeal and versatility.

Current trends highlight a mélange of vintage aesthetics and contemporary elements. Couples are mixing traditional designs with bold, modern twists—think cushion cut diamonds paired with colourful side stones or vintage-inspired settings. Engaging with influencers and following trends can provide insight into what styles resonate most, empowering individuals to choose a ring that showcases their distinct flair.

Conclusion

The 2-carat cushion cut diamond ring is more than just an exquisite piece of jewelry; it embodies love, commitment, and personal style. Its historical roots, breathtaking brilliance, and customizable nature make it a sought-after option for those seeking to symbolize their love story. As the market evolves, with an emphasis on ethical sourcing and modern design trends, the cushion cut remains a timeless choice that resonates with couples across generations.

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Chapter 19: ILYSB

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[masterlist]

PLAY THIS FOR EXTRA FEELS

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You drive to the farm and see Kita’s truck already parked. Getting out of the car, you see Kita smile at you. Quickly, you run to him then give him a hug. The only light source you have is that one beanpole, the stars and the moon, but Kita is shining as always. “Alisa is going to kill me for meeting you here.”

“Atsumu warned me so many times not to see you, too,” Kita chuckles, embracing you tightly. “It felt so wrong not seeing you for a day.”

“Save that for later,” you warn him, putting a finger over his lips. Kita wants to tell you so many things but you’re right, he should save it for your wedding vows. “I know we’re already married but actually having the wedding feels like I’m getting married again.”

“I’ll marry you everyday if you want,” Kita tells you, planting a soft kiss on your forehead. “Can we practice our first dance? I’m nervous.”

You put your hands together and you lead the dance, guiding him all throughout. “It feels weird without the music,” you comment and Kita just hums.

“Mad cool in all my clothes, mad warm when you get close to me...” He starts so you stop dancing in surprise. He pulls your hand just like in the choreography you both have learned, and this time he’s the one who leads. You are too mesmerized by his voice that it’s all you can think about.

“Slow dance these summer nights. Our disco ball’s my kitchen light,” he continues to sing, and you just smile at him. Even his voice is perfect. What can he not do? You can’t believe that you are serenaded by the one and only Kita Shinsuke.

Seeing the smile on your face, Kita forgets the dance and cups your cheek, allowing your bodies to sway freely. “And you need to know, that nobody can take your place. And you need to know that I’m hella obsessed with your face... your face.” He kisses your nose so you giggle.

Kita places his forehead over yours, hands still on your cheeks, eyes closed with a contented smile on your lips. “Oh my heart hurts so good. I love you, babe, so bad, so bad.”

“I love you, too, so, so, so bad,” you reply, wrapping your arms around his waist. Kita’s eyelids flutter open and he stares you lovingly before pulling you in for a kiss.

“See you later, my bride.”

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Kita is finally wearing the 3-piece grey suit with the help of his groomsmen, aka the Inarizaki Volleyball Team. “I’m nervous,” he tells them with his usual face.

Kita has never felt nervous, but right now, he’s excitedly anxious for unknown reasons. You both love each other and he knows that nothing can go wrong at your wedding, because he made sure of that. He double checked everything even before today, so why is he nervous?

Aran groans, “at least show your nervousness! You still look like you don’t care!” Kita raises his trembling hands and his friends start laughing.

“Did you not practice enough?” Omimi asks.

“I have been practicing my vows since we got back together but I’m still nervous,” Kita admits and everyone else smiles because of his honesty.

Osamu, then, hands Kita a shot of alcohol, confusing the groom so much. “Take a shot for confidence.” Kita’s eyes waver in uncertainty, but takes the shot anyways. He won’t get drunk from one single shot, and he’s willing to do anything that will get rid of the new feeling he has never felt before.

“I think I’m nervous about the dance we’re going to do,” Kita explains.

“Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m nervous, too,” Aran speaks, staring blankly at the wall. “Whose idea is the surprise dance anyways?”

“It’s Atsumu’s of course,” Suna answers, rolling his eyes.

“It’s all over Youtube! (Y/N) would be so happy if we do it!” Atsumu says with confidence. Kita suddenly lets out a loud shout, silencing the room.

“I’m not angry. I’m just letting out my anxiety,” Kita explains, and the team just sighs in relief.

They hear scratches from the suite’s door so Gin opens opens to see what it is. Rice walks in the room, carrying a paper bag in his mouth. He is wearing a dog suit that is similiar with Kita’s, causing the boys in the room to awe and coo at him.

“Hi, boy! What’s that?” Kita asks the small dog, taking the small paper bag from his mouth. Rice sits in front of him and wags his tail, waiting for Kita to open the box. “Oh, it’s a gift from your mom.”

“Is this how he usually talks with Rice?” Suna asks Osamu, completely new to the scenario in front of him. He has only imagined Kita baby talking with his pet in high school, and this is way better than his imagination allowed.

“Yes. He treats him like his child,” Osamu answers while they stare at the father-son (dog) duo.

Kita pets Rice’s head before opening the bag. He takes out the box that is in it and slowly opens it, painfully making everyone else in the room wait in anticipation. It’s a luxurious watch. He hates it when you give him expensive gifts, but today he’ll let it pass since it’s your wedding. He reads the message on card and snort unknowingly.

When im eighty, I'll look back on three big things in my life: getting married, having kids and the first time I laid eyes on you.

Kita takes a small gift bag from his bag and let’s Rice bite on the string as well. “Give this to your mom.” He orders Rice and the dog leaves the room to go back to yours.

At the bridal suite, only you and your Nekoma friends are in there. Alisa is doing your makeup while the boys are just chilling and talking at the couch. They’re giving unnecessary comments here and there about your wedding ceremony and reception. Like how you will trip while walking down the aisle, or how you will cry so hard during the wedding vow that you Kita won’t be able to understand. Your friends are crazy, but they’re the ones who stuck with you through thick and thin.

“Rice is back,” Lev mentions as he opens the door for the dog. Your pet sits next to your chair, looking up to you to present the gift in his mouth. You pat his head and take the bag from him. He then jumps on your lap to nap.

You open the bag excitedly and see a necklace designed like a leaf branch made of diamonds and white diamond. You stop yourself from crying, not wanting Alisa to start your makeup all over agin. You put it on and check yourself at the mirror. Then, you realize that there is also a small card that came along with the necklace.

You are my favorite plant. I will water you everyday with my love. I will make sure that you have enough sunlight through making you happy. I will take care of you until we’re old and withered.

Kuroo’s wife enters the suite, causing Kuroo to keep quiet. You eye your friend teasingingly so he rolls his eyes at you. His wife is your wedding planner and organization so she has come in the room to check up on you. She doesn’t even spare a glance at Kuroo.

“It’s time to put on your wedding dress,” she tells you as she carries out your dress from the wardrobe. It’s a simple dress, something you never thought you’d wear in your wedding.

Ever since you were little, your idea of your wedding was for it to be glamorous and extravagant since it’s the only kind of wedding you have been attending since you were little. You had always imagined wearing a big ball gown dress with all the Swarovski crystals in can hold. It is the opposite of your wedding that is about to take place.

You only have around 75 guests, consisting of your closest friends and family. The wedding will take place in a small garden so you can be surrounded with plants that Kita loves so much. Your dress? It’s a an a-line dress with a square neckline and low back. It’s made charmeuse fabric and that alone. No lace, no crystals, no anything. It’s a plain simple dress that you know Kita will love.

Everyone else would say that a woman’s wedding is her wedding day, but that’s not Kuroo’s wife, your wedding planner, told you. She said, and you will never forget.

“A wedding is not a woman’s or a man’s happiest day, it’s supposed to be a day where married couples look back on and then remember why they said, ‘I do.’ It’s a special day they share as a couple and not as individuals.”

So you throw all your imaginations and fantasies out of the window and thought of Kita, and him alone, while designing your dress. It’s both yours and Kita’s day. But you’re willing to take an extra mile to make him happy, to make him say, “I do” with all his heart.

You are in the bathroom suite with Kuroo’s wife since Alisa is too anxious to dress you up. The guys obviously can’t help you. You take your robe off and Kuroo’s wife helps you slip on to the dress, but she stops midway when she sees your slightly protruding stomach. She looks at you in shock and you just put a finger over your lips.

“It’s a surprise,” you tell her and she nods.

“Congratulations,” she says to you, and you grin widely.

Yes, you’re pregnant. After trying for a very long time, you’re finally carrying another Kita. In fact, you have been pregnant for two months but just found out a week ago. You wanted to tell Kita immediately but you thought that it’d be best to tell him during your wedding vow for that extra tear jerking scene.

Certainly, Kita will never forget your wedding day.

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“We come now to the words Shinsuke and (Y/N) want to hear the most today. Before you say your vows to one another, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today,” your officiant starts so you and Kita face each other.

“Kita Shinsuke, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to (L/N) (F/N) in marriage?”

“I do.”

“(L/N) (F/N), do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Kita Shinsuke in marriage?

“I do.”

“Shinsuke and (Y/N), having heard that it is your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows.”

Kita takes your hand in his and looks you straight in your eyes and you can see all the emotions from his orbs that his face isn’t revealing. He looks so calm yet his eyes are screaming that he’s excited and nervous at the same time.

“I see these vows not as promises but as privileges. I get to make you smile, hear you laugh. I can take care of you and share my everything with you. I get to wake up next to you every morning and sleep next to you every night. I get to witness at your every milestone and the breakdowns before that. I won’t promise that I will cherish you or honor you, because even without those promises, I will do it. Because being married to you is not a responsibility or a task; it’s a gift, a present. You don’t know how lucky I am to be able to call you my wife,” Kita starts and the guests are already sobbing and crying.

Atsumu is leaning on his twin brother’s shoulder, while the other twin is patting his back. Aran is crying as well, his handkerchief already wet from too much tears. But you don’t hear anything or anything except for the man who’s standing in front of you right now.

Kita takes a deep breath in before he continues, “I love you with my whole heart with a passion that can't be expressed in words, only in soft kisses, tight hugs, late night trips, stolen glances, and years of being by your side. You always tell me that I’m the best man in existence, but believe me when I say this, I am a better man because of you.”

You’re already crying at this point, his word piercing right through your heart, but you don’t feel the pain. It’s a feeling of mixed happiness and contentment that Kita has been giving you since the day you met him. But now it’s your turn to say your vows so you have to stop yourself from crying.

“Shinsuke...” you start and then cry again. You hear your friends’ laughters and giggles, so you chuckle in embarrassment. Kita gives your hand a slight squeeze so you take a deep breath in before attempting to say your vows again.

“When I first saw you, I knew I had to have you. A lot of people said that we’re not going to work out or that you’ll never like me back, but here we are now,” you laugh cockily, causing the guests to laugh as well. “Before I say anything that will make you cry, I just want to clarify that when I said, ‘I do,’ I didn’t mean the dishes. I promise with all my heart that I will continue to make our friends jealous of our astonishing relationship.”

“We get it! We’ll be single forever!” Yaku shouts so it’s laughter once again.

Kita is smiling at you lovingly even if you’re joking during your wedding vows. You clear your throat before starting to speak again, “You have made me the happiest woman in the world today by agreeing to share your life with me. I promise to respect you and honor you. I pledge to be your honest, faithful, and loving wife for the rest of my days. Shinsuke, you are my every dream come true, and I can't wait for the reality we get to build together.”

You want to say it. You want to tell him that you’re pregnant. The words are already at the tip of your tongue but it doesn’t seem to want to slip out. The officiant starts to speak again but you don’t hear him. Your thoughts are clouded with regrets on why you didn’t tell your husband about your pregnancy.

“Your wedding ring are the outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible bond which already unites you two hearts in love,” the officiant says and Rice comes running to the two of you with the wedding rings placed in a small bag.

Rice is your best man. He’s been there since day 1 of your relationship and have been your mediator ever since. He’s a dog that represents your love and he deserves to have that special spot on your wedding day.

Kita slips in your wedding ring as he says, “I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, my love is also forever.”

You take his hand this time and repeat his words. “I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, my love is also forever.”

“It is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. You may seal this declaration with a kiss,” the officiant declares so Kita takes your veil off to clearly reveal your face.

Your lips meet his. The kiss speaks a lot for the two of you since your lips are both sealed by each other’s. You can feel his promises from his lips and he can taste your sincerity from yours. It’s a kiss you’ll never forget.

The reception after the ceremony was a simple and short one yet also fun and memorable. The former Inarizaki Volleyball Team surprised you with a dance, a sexy one at that, and you blush just thinking about how hot your husband looked while dancing.

At the part where you had to throw the bouquet to the crowd, Kuroo’s wife caught it, so you and your friends were a laughing mess when that happened. Kuroo was so red even if he wasn’t the one who caught the bouquet.

It was perfect. Your wedding day was perfect. Everything went as planned except for your plan of telling him that you’re pregnant.

After the wedding reception, you head to your suite to finally rest and spend alone time with each other. Kita’s hands have never left your body ever since he got to hold it. His mouth would whisper sweet nothings in your ear. His eyes gazed at you every chance he got.

“I really love that dress on you,” Kita tells you as you are about to take off your wedding dress in front of the full body mirror in the room. He wraps his arms around you, his chin on your shoulder, his lips dangerously close to your neck.

“And I love that your hair is pushed back,” you reply, letting your hands fall on his forearms.

“Should I wear my hair like this everyday?” Kita asks and you shake your head immediately. “Why not?”

“I would die from too much handsomeness and hotness,” you answer without hesitance so he chuckles. “For real. You look amazing today. My heart may or may not have skipped a beat or two when you danced.”

“I could show you again,” he whispers into your ear seductively causing chills to run down your spine. “A special show only for you.”

“Baby,” you call him, changing the topic. He humms in response, his lips already attached to the skin of your exposed shoulder. “I have to tell you something important.”

“What is it?” He turns you around, then hugs you again. Tears start to roll down your cheeks so he gets worried. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Not all,” you tell him reassuringly but he doesn’t believe your words since you’re crying like a baby in front of him.

“Then why are you crying?” He wipes the tears on your cheeks with his thumb, worry visible in your eyes. It should be a happy day, why are you crying?

“I’m just glad that we finally had our married and that we will have an addition to our family,” you say subtly, hugging him tightly. Kita is frozen in his spot, did he understand your words right? Do you mean what he thinks you mean?

“What did you say?” He makes you repeat. You cup his cheeks and grin at him. You can see his tears at the brim of his eyes, and just one confirmation for you, the two of you will be crying in thankfulness and happiness the whole night.

“I’m pregnant.”

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[amysteriousmessenger]

MC giving RFA+Minor trio a gift for Valentine's day please! :D

I’ve tweaked this a little bit so it’s also a returned gift!! I hope you like it!! This is my second Valentine’s day request <3

RFA + Minor Trio Valentine’s Gift Exchange Headcanons

Yoosung Kim Valentine’s Gifts

You didn’t have to think too hard to decide on what to get Yoosung for Valentine’s Day, he had been complaining that he needed a new headset for a few weeks but had already spent his student budget on new limited edition LOLOL skins. The poor boy had already been reduced to instant ramen to afford these luxuries. You didn’t know too much about which sort of headset he’d prefer, so you just got him a decently branded one that had good reviews and hoped it would work.

You also wanted to get him some extra things to go in his giftbag, so you got him a new t-shirt tand some cute strawberry heart shaped Pocky, which you definitely didn’t buy with the pure intention of playing the Pocky Game with him. Of course not.

Yoosung would have put quite a bit of effort into thinking about what to get you for Valentine’s Day, since he didn’t want to screw up and be a bad boyfriend. He even asked Zen for advice, but didn’t think the bold, extravagant declaration of love really suited him.

Yoosung decided to go for the traditional route and gift you a little charm bracelet, a small bouquet of red roses and cook a meal for you. Of course, it was his special omurice, packed with extra love because it was Valentine’s day. He’d picked out the charm bracelet online, it was a little silver one with a sparkly star charm on it.

Zen/Hyun Ryu Valentine’s Gifts 

If Zen knew anything, it was dramatic romance. He’ll pour Valentine’s clichés on you like it’s nobody’s business. Zen buys you a chunky bouquet of red roses, a big box of chocolate (he doesn’t usually eat chocolate because he doesn’t want the sugar to affect his skin, so he makes sure the box is extra big so he can cheekily pick at a few that he likes) and takes you out for an evening meal.

When you get home after the dinner, Zen will pick you up outside the door and carry you bridal style over the threshold, just because he wants you to feel like a princess in his arms.

You can also bet that Zen is going to sing for you for Valentine’s Day. He’d have spent a while picking out the song, and depending on what he thought was best, it would be 1) Your favourite song, 2) A dramatic love ballad from a musical he’d been in, or 3) a joking strip-tease song.

For your gifts, you’d have gotten Zen some new skincare products that he’d been looking at. You knew how much he loved his sheet masks so you’d brought him a fun selection to have a try of. Some of your favourite evenings with Zen were spent doing skincare on one another, so you wanted an excuse to do that more.

For his big gift, you got him a ticket for two to go for an all-exclusive spa day trip. He was flustered that you’d spent so much money on him, but you assured him it was for the both of you to spend time together and to enjoy!

Jaehee Kang Valentine’s Gifts

Valentine’s Day wasn’t a holiday that Jaehee had off from work if it was a weekday, so you were really lucky this year that it had fallen on a Sunday. She’d gotten all of her work done late on the Saturday night in order to have the day free to spend with you.

You got Jaehee a fancy new coffee maker that she had had her eye on for a while, but couldn’t justify to herself since her old one was still in fine, working condition. You’d imported some special coffee beans for her to try too. You also felt like it was important to give Jaehee some flowers too, since you knew sometimes she felt so dull and drab because of how Jumin made her dress for work, she deserved to feel pretty too.

Jaehee got you tickets to a musical show you’d been wanting to see, but had missed the tickets for. She’d seen that a pair of them had gone up for sale second hand and had quickly snatched the sale in order to get them for you. It wasn’t a show that she’d have usually seen, but she’s very excited to get to watch it with you.

Jumin Han Valentine’s Gifts 

To start, you’d have gently implied to Jumin about setting a budget for Valentine’s Day, because God knows he didn’t know the value of money sometimes and you felt bad knowing you couldn’t match whatever he was going to spend. You didn’t want Valentine’s to be about money, but about your feelings for one another.

You told the chef on Saturday night that he wasn’t needed for breakfast since you wanted to make breakfast for Jumin yourself. You made him a spread of sweet pancakes with syrup and fruit and hand dripped his coffee yourself, taking the time to decorate a little foam Elizabeth the 3rd on top of it. You’d also made him lunch to take to work, and put a little note in it saying that you and Elizabeth missed him whilst he was gone. 

Jumin had arranged for the two of you to go to an extremely overpriced restaurant for dinner, which is where you were exchanging gifts. You have Jumin a pair of cufflinks engraved with yours and his initials, which he immediately swapped the ones he was currently wearing for. 

Coincidentally, Jumin also gave you jewellery, it was a beautiful necklace with far too many diamonds in. He clipped it around your neck, agreeing to himself that his selection was correct as it looked beautiful on you. He also added that there was another gift waiting for you at home, since it would have been inappropriate to bring to the restaurant. 

He had gotten you a set of lingerie to wear for the night, obviously. 

Saeyoung Choi Valentine’s Gifts 

Seven was a hit at heart, and a car guy, so the choice was obvious: you were going to get him a giant Hot Wheels tracks with all the extra decorations. You spent far too much money on it, but knowing how happy it would make him made it entirely worth it. 

You thought he was going to cry when he unwrapped it, and he immediately set it up and spent hours making the track and remaking it, adding extra obstacles, making the car go over Saeran’s head, loop, jump through flames- everything. He was so happy with your gift that he almost forgot to give you your own gift. 

Which he then changed into- 

Seven was going to be your maid for the day, outfit and all. He explained his gift by telling you he knew how much effort it must be to look after him, so he was going to look after you for a change, and ‘look good while doing it’. 

He also got you a bunch of imported snacks that you had really been wanting to try, but couldn’t work out the proxy or shipping to be able to do it. You were swimming in snacks, you didn’t know where they were going to go.

V/Jihyun Kim Valentine’s Gifts

Always a romantic at heart, V would have put a lot of effort into your Valentine’s gifts and spent a lot of time considering it, he wouldn’t have wanted it to be a commercial gimmick but an actual symbol of his love for you. You felt the same, of course.

For V, you gifted him a new portable polaroid camera and cartridges. He had so many big expensive cameras, but a little polaroid captures fun moments and prints them instantly. They could capture moments without taking V out of it and distancing himself.

You also gave him a set of imported watercolours from Europe, since the reviews said that they were really good. He’d mentioned wanting to experiment more with watercolours, so this was the perfect time to gift him a set to practice with.

For your gifts, V would have first gifted you a weekend getaway for the two of you, knowing how stressed you had been recently. He wanted to give you a chance to relax and to just spend some time being utterly in love with one another.

Secondly, V gifted you a painting, of your hand touching a rose petal and being illuminated by the sun. He didn’t need to explain it, because he knew the painting reached your heart.

GE Saeran Choi Valentine’s Gifts 

Saeran was always getting you gifts, so he wanted to do something extra special for Valentine’s Day, but remaining in the spirit of the holiday. He was in love with love, and wanted to show it. 

You’d woken up to a room full of flowers, so many flowers. Saeran would have decorated the room silently before you had woken up since he wanted you to wake up to the beautiful sight. He’d tell you the meaning of each flower and how each one represents a different reason as to why he loves you entirely. You’d been awake about thirty seconds, this man is shameless with his affection.

Saeran would make you breakfast in bed and would cook for you for the entire day, making whatever you wanted to eat. He’d already made a bunch of baked goods in preparation whilst you were asleep.

Over dinner, you’d give him his gifts even though you were worried that they weren’t enough in comparison to what he had done. You gave him some seeds, a new pair of gardening gloves since he was continuously hurting his hands on rose thorns, a photo album of the happy memories the two of you had been making with the RFA and a little keychain that had a picture of the two of you in it to go on his housekeys. Needless to say, he cried.

Saeran had also got you another gift, a tiny gold necklace with a little heart in the middle of it. He said he chose it because he wanted you to carry his heart with you everywhere you go.

Vanderwood Valentine’s Gifts

Vanderwood absolutely forgot Valentine’s Day was a thing until the day before, when he wanted in on Seven trying on his maid outfit to make sure it still fit okay and had to immediately explain himself.

He was not someone to celebrate Valentine’s Day, since he didn’t want to get attached to anyone, but you had somehow wormed your way into his life and refused to leave. 

He’d have gotten you a new laptop, since he couldn’t bear to look at that horrific old thing you were using. He set it up with anti-tracking software and made it as safe as possible to people like him didn’t steal your information, he wouldn’t do anything romantic, but he might be a little less mean to you for that day. He wouldn’t even say ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ to you, he’d just hand you the laptop and show you how to use it.

For your gift to Vanderwood, you tried gifting him a vape pen so help him cut down on smoking so much, but he didn’t willingly accept this. He took it, and would maybe use it when he was at home and no one could see him vaping though, since you’re the one who gave it to him. 

Just to add an extra gift in, since you knew the vape pen wouldn’t go down well, you gave him a voucher for a coffee shop and an Elvish dictionary: you had insider information that Seven was about to change the intercom on the door’s language, after all.

[ve1vetyoongi]

better with you | 02

Chapters: index

Pairing: Seokjin x female reader

Genre: fake dating/arranged marriage!au, smut, angst, humour.

Word count: 18k

Summary: A part time job as a chef at Paradise Resort seems like the perfect way to spend your summer and save up some spare cash to open your own restaurant back home. That is until you cross paths with the CEO’s son who threatens to fire you if you don’t help him inherit his trust-fund-baby-fortune. How? By making you his fiancé. Well, his pretend fiancé at least.

Warnings: (mostly) fluffy smut, unprotected penetrative sex, handjobs, oral (f recieving), creampie, spanking, lots of pining hhhhhh.

A/N: HELLO omg it’s literally been so long since i updated this fic and let me tell you it was so fun to finally write for these characters again!!! thank u for everyone who has sent lovely asks about the first chapter and for waiting so long for the next one! ily and i hope ur all staying safe and well during these crazy times my honeybuns <3<3

"Seokjin," You gasp. "N-not here."

Fingers toy with the hem of the expensive sequin dress you found wrapped up in tissue paper on your bed that morning, edging agonizingly closer to the damp throb between your legs that under normal circumstances would require immediate attention from Seokjin -- if only you weren't in the back seat of one of the Kim's private cars.

"Why not?" Seokjin mumbles against your neck, the way his plump lips nibble the lobe of your ear making you shiver. "I know you're wet for me. Nobody has to know if I just..."

His palm cups your heat brazenly, and you have to bite back a moan, cheeks flushing when Seokjin chuckles low and gravelly against your ear. Your arrangement as you've taken to calling it has been going on for a few weeks now, Seokjin dragging you along to family outings and fancy dinners as his fiance and rewarding you with sensual rendezvous and get-to-know-me time in between.

"I know you want it, sweetheart." He drags a finger down your panties and you whimper. "Just say the magic word, and I'll give it to you."

Oh god. You are so weak for his touch, and he knows it. The things Seokjin's tousled hair and cocky smirk make you feel should be illegal. Anyone would think you have the sex drive of a teenage boy, constantly eager to jump his bones just looking at him. But not now, not here. The windows might be tinted, but you are sure you spot the chauffeur's eyes drifting to the backseat in the rear view mirror.

"Sir," The driver coughs, eyes trained politely to the steering wheel. The car has stopped at some point, not that either of you noticed. "We have arrived."

Seokjin flashes you a satisfied look as his hand reluctantly slips out from beneath your skirt so he can fish around in his back pocket for his leather wallet, throwing a couple fifty dollar bills on the front seat as a tip. "Thanks, Pierre."

You're still busy straightening your skirt when the car door opens and a black-gloved hand helps you out onto the sidewalk. You can't help but blush ferociously when you meet the driver's knowing gaze, a smirk playing on his lips. "No problem, sir'"

"I'll take it from here." Seokjin nods to the driver and slips his elbow through yours. Pierre lifts his black cap, before getting back into his shiny Mercedes and whizzing off into the city traffic.

Your legs shake in your stilettos, partly because you're not used to walking in anything other than your beat up converse but mostly because of the reassuring smile Seokjin sends your when when he see's you glancing around nervously.

You're in a upper class part of town, the street lined with shiny black cabs and designer boutiques with French names you can't even pronounce. You can't help but feel out of place, like the eyes of every passerby see right through your immaculate rich facade and see you for the ordinary kitchen girl that you really are.

"Don't worry," He leans down, pressing his lips to your ear so only you can hear as he pretends to adjust your diamond necklace. At least you think its diamond...what would you know? "You look beautiful. Just relax."

A small smile plays on your lips. Beautiful. It makes your heart flutter like a butterfly between cupped palms, even though you know it shouldn't. That's been happening a lot lately, and you don't like how easily he can make you melt. Snap out of it!  You tell yourself.

Still, his reassurance makes you feel more at ease than before, and you straighten your shoulders with a new found confidence as Seokjin takes your hand in his, even if it is just for show. You have to make the fiance thing believable, after all.

"You still haven't told me where we're going." It's true -- Seokjin is good at keeping secrets. Probably because he knew that you'd say no to most of the crazy situations he seemed persistent on putting you in.

"Don't hate me," Seokjin eyes you carefully. You narrow your eyes, with a nod that says go on. "Hyejin wants us to go dress shopping."

"You bought me this new dress this morning?" You smooth down the front of the floaty summer dress that hugs your figure.

He coughs, eyes averting yours. "Wedding dress shopping."

That's when you come to a stop on the sidewalk outside of an elegant white-brick bazaar, eyes widening at the glaringly white dresses styled on mannequins that stare at you from behind the floor to ceiling windows.

Seoul Bridal - For All Your Wedding Dress Needs.

Your blood runs cold. Oh no.

You grip his hand tighter. "I'm going to kill you."

Seokjin is already pushing open the door with a chuckle that mingles with the tiny tinkling bell that rings out and announces your arrival. Too late to kick off your stiletto's and run.

"After you, sweetheart."

"Welcome to Seoul Bridal," A pretty lady with curly hair in a striped pant suit welcomes you inside with a hand shake. Her name tag says Wheein, and you can't take your eyes off the red lipstick on her teeth. "It's nice to finally meet you, Seokjin."

"The pleasure is all mine," Seokjin responds, voice deep with a suave charm that makes the girls behind the reception desk giggle unashamedly. For some reason you have to resist sending a glare their way, not missing the way your chest burns when Seokjin flashes them a dazzling smile. "Hyejin said you had some ideas for Y/N's wedding dress?"

"Of course. We have everything ready. We just need to get some measurements first." She smiles at him courteously, then whips a tape measure out of her trouser pocket which she wastes no time in wrapping around your waist. "Arms up, please." She murmurs as she slides the glasses balanced on top of her head behind her ears so she can get a better measurement of your shoulder width. You send an eyeroll Seokjin's way when you hear him snort bemusedly at the sudden man handling.

While Wheein bites the cap off a pen with her teeth and scribbles down the size ratio of your waist to your hips for future reference, you finally get the chance to take in the boutique properly. The sweet scent from the bouquets of white roses all over the room fills the air and the walls are painted a blush pink to match the faux fur rugs. Streams of sunlight pour through the chiffon curtains making the racks of blindingly white wedding dresses of all sizes and designs glow invitingly.

"Which one am I trying on?" You ask absentmindedly, nodding towards the sea of satin and lace hanging delicately from pink hangers.

Wheein looks up confused, then her nose wrinkles with distaste."Oh, none of these darling. You deserve the very best." She starts walking quickly towards a back room, heels click clacking as she beckons you to follow her with a crook of her finger. "We received some luxury designs from two of our best designers in London and Milan just this morning -- oh! And it looks like the dress from Paris just arrived!"

She shuffles you and Seokjin into a private dressing room, seating you on an elegant couch upholstered with grey velvet. Seokjin picks up one of the gossip magazines on the coffee table and helps himself to the complimentary cupcakes, all while you wring your hands together nervously, Wheein emerging from the large closet with three white garment bags.

"Here they are! Oh, how exciting." She claps her hands together with a beaming grin in your direction. With a flick of her wrist she removes all three bags, revealing three of the most beautiful dresses you've ever seen. You must look dazzled, because Wheein crosses her arms triumphantly. "Hyejin knew you'd like them. Just wait until you see the veils..."

She disappears into another room, and you're left gawking at the garments set in front of you like a goldfish. Fingers trembling, you reach out and touch the first one. It has a giant poofy skirt, like something you imagine a princess would wear, and you imagine how it would float down the aisle like a real life cloud. The second is more slinky, with shiny beads littering the bodice that glint silver beneath the glow of the chandelier and the third is made from gorgeous lace that shows skin in all the right places.

"How much did these cost?" You hiss to Seokjin, ripping your hand away like your touch alone might burn a hole in the fabric.

"Hm?" He says through a mouthful of cake, eyes widening when he takes in the dresses for himself." Too much, probably. Hyejin went a little over board but honestly, these aren't as bad as I was expecting." Seokjin runs his hand over the lace one, and nods approvingly. "You should've seen the rejects. One had a trail longer than my monster coc-"

"I can't try on any of these!" You splutter, arms hugging your torso. They're too beautiful for someone like me, is what you want to say, but you don't. "I'll look dumb."

"Just do it." He leans back against the wall with a roll of his eyes. Like this is all nothing to him. "It's not like you actually have to get married in one of them."

Ouch. His words sting, even though you know they're true, and you're reminded of the real reason you came here in the first place. It makes your stomach turn, how he can go from the sort of sweet Seokjin you know when you're alone to the cold, arrogant rich guy in the drop of a hat.

You turn away so he doesn't see your frown, when you catch a glimpse of something white in the corner, poking out from beneath a dust sheet. Your curiosity gets the better of you, and before you can help it you're crossing the room and ripping the sheet away to reveal another dress; except this one makes something in your chest flutter.

It's simpler than the others. Tiny white roses are stitched into the sleeves, the neckline dipping into a V shape where the bouncy chiffon skirt meets the satin waistband. It's straight forward, uncomplicated. Just how you like it.

"Have you decided which one you want to try on first?" Wheein's shrill voice calls, but it's drowned out by the blood pumping through your ears.

"That one." You breathe, pointing at the dress that you can't help but reaching out to touch.

"That one? Are you sure, darling, I'm sure we can find something more fancy--"

"No!" It comes out too loud, and you cover it with a cough, turning to send her a pleading smile. "I mean, no, no thank you. This one, please. I want to try it on."

"You know, when Hyejin told me Seokjin was finally getting married I just knew you would have to be something special." Wheein says once you're safely alone in the dressing room, away from prying eyes and mischievous ears. "Suck in."

"Hm?" It's all you manage to get out as you're strapped into a boned under-corset that feels like its trying to squeeze every last breath out of you. You're so close you can smell her floral perfume.

"It's just that I've had so many wedding dresses made that never made it to the aisle. Honestly I was starting to think Seokjin would never settle down..." She trails off, lip tugged between her teeth as she helps you step into the floaty white dress, tying the belt into a bow at your waist before stepping back to admire her handy work. "But now I see what made him change his mind. You make a beautiful couple."

"Oh." You realise she's looking at you, a blush creeping up your neck. "Right."

If only she knew the truth.

You start to turn towards the mirror, but she plants a hand on your shoulder hurriedly. "Nuh uh. No peeking yet." You feel your face drop. "Don't look so worried. It looks perfect. He's going love it."

"I...I have to show him? Now?" You shift uncomfortably. The shoes are rubbing your soles and the sleeves sort of itch. "Isn't it bad luck for the groom to see the wedding dress before the big day?" You ask sheepishly.

"This is just the rought blueprint," Wheein reassures. "It doesn't count."

"I..." Your voice breaks. The thought of Seokjin sat out there with his roaming eyes seeing you in this dress makes your stomach churn. "I'm nervous."

"Don't be. Save that for the big day." She bites her lip, stepping back to look you up and down like there's something missing. Her eyes light up, and she digs around in a leather trunk in the corner to retrieve a sparkly tiara which she tucks neatly into your hair. "There. Perfect. Now lets not keep him waiting, hm?"

"Holy shit."

The words leave your mouth before you can think better of it.

Your reflection stares back at you, wide eyed and awe stricken, except it doesn't look like you at all.

The dress is beautiful. There's no denying it. It hugs your waist perfectly and the skirt waterfalls down to your ankles in just the right way. Wheein tugged your hair over your shoulders so the sweetheart neckline shows off just the right amount of collar bone, tiara sparkling beneath the soft light. A matching veil partially covers your face, and you've never felt more beautiful than you do now.

It's almost enough to make you want to believe that this is all real. That you're marrying Seokjin. That you get to walk down the aisle looking like...this.

"I don't see why I have to get all dressed up, Wheein, it's no big deal -- woah."

The door flies open, and your eyes snap up to meet Seokjin's in the mirror.

He has half of his seventh cupcake hanging out of his slackened mouth, his hair gelled back and tousled to reveal his forehead, and his piercing brown eyes that can't seem to decide where to look, glancing up over your exposed shoulders and down to your ass and back again, like he can't get enough.

He's lost his casual slacks from earlier, seemingly under Wheein's instruction, now clad in a black suit and matching shiny-toe'd shoes. His tie hangs slack around his neck, like he tugged it loose, and he fiddles awkwardly with his cuff links as he tries to get a grip over his roaming eyes.

"Y-Y/N you look--"

"Beautiful, right?" Wheein straightens his shirt, fastens his cuff links and knocks him beneath the chin to remind him to close his gawking mouth with a tut. He nods, speechless. "I'll leave you two to talk."

The door shuts behind her, and the room suddenly feels quieter than now you and Seokjin are alone, him on one side of the room, you on the other. You dare to meet his eyes and you find them staring straight at you, the glint that's usually there replaced with a wonder that's soft and gentle around the edges. You melt beneath his gaze.

He clears his throat, scratching a phantom itch at the back of his neck. It's the first time you've seen Seokjin seem sort of...awkward?

"C'mere." His voice is low, filled with something you can't quite put your finger on. "I want to see you."

You have to remember how to get your feet to work, hesitantly putting one in front of the other to cross the room. Seokjin stands with his palms clasped, a small smile playing on his lips as you close the space between you, and you swear you can hear the wedding bells already.

After what feels like ages, you stop a few paces away from him. He steps towards you carefully, flipping the veil out of your eyes like he's done it a million times before.

"Hey." You whisper. You don't know what else to say, but it makes Seokjin laugh and the sound makes your chest squeeze.

He looks dapper in his suit, like a real groom, and as he leans in closer, closer, until there's barely any distance between you, you can smell his cologne.

Your eyes fall shut instinctively. You almost swear when you open them there'll be a pastor and a pair of rings and Seokjin will be saying I do--

"You scrub up pretty well, huh?" His breath tickles your ear, and your eyes snap open to punch him in the chest playfully.

"I could say the same for you, mister."

A thumb grazes your jaw, tucks a piece of hair behind your ear. "Whoever gets to marry you is one lucky bastard."

The pounding in your chest is so loud you're sure the whole store can hear it. His lips are inches from yours, parted and plush. You've kissed them plenty of times before but only in the height of passion. Never like this. Not when his touch feels like a jolt of electricity running straight from his body and right into yours.

Just when you think he's going to give in and close the distance, he turns your face in his palm and plants a peck on your cheek. It's soft, careful. Like he's not really sure of it himself, his hand running through your hair before he takes a couple steps back with a shake of his head. Like he almost did something he shouldn't have.

"What time do you have to be at work?"

The question breaks you out of your trance. You realize he's staring at you expectantly, waiting for an answer. "Oh--not until this evening." You manage to choke out.

"Good. Then you're all mine for the afternoon." He grabs another cupcake from the stand and disappears behind one of the fitting room curtains. "Hurry and give the dress back to Wheein and I'll call Pierre to come pick us up."

"Where are we going?"

You hear him snort. "You'll see."

"This is where you wanted to take me?"

The late afternoon sun sparkles on the surface of the Paradise lake like diamonds. It's peaceful here at this time of day, the gardeners already disappearing into the lounge for a late lunch, rows of pastel canoes tied up to the dock bobbing in time with the chirping birds.

"Well?" Seokjin huffs impatiently. He's stood in the hull of a dark blue canoe that he stole from the boat shed — or borrowed, as he put it, since everything here belongs to him anyway — hand extended towards you. "Aren't you getting in?"

You narrow your eyes and nod towards the sign that says NO BOATS ON THE LAKE AFTER 4PM in curly gold letters. "Isn't that breaking the rules?"

Seokjin raises a brow, jangling a set of keys. "I own this place remember? Besides, I stole the boat worker's keys so we can stay for as long as we want."

The breeze ruffles your skirt, a shiver running down your spine when you peer over the edge of the dock and see your sheepish reflection staring up at you from the water, rippling and watery around the edges. You never did like deep water, and the thought of getting in that rocking capsule of death makes your stomach churn.

"It looks cold," You point out, grimacing at the clear blue water. "What if we fall in? Do you even know how to steer this thing?"

Seokjin shoots you a look, like you just said the dumbest thing he's ever heard. "Pfft. Of course. I've been taking rowing lessons since I could toddle."

Of course he has. You roll your eyes. Rich kids, huh?

"Oh come on, it's fine!" He jumps up and down as if to demonstrate just how safe, but the boat just rocks manically side to side and he has to grab the dock to steady himself before he plunges straight into the lake. He flashes you a sheepish smile. "See?"

You cross your arms, unconvinced. "Yeah, I think I'll pass."

Seokjin slumps into the canoe with an exaggerated sigh. "Well goddamn, I'm sorry for wanting to do something nice. We don't get much alone time so I thought—" He waves his hand at you in frustration, starting to unravel the rope keeping the boat secured to the dock. "You know what, fuck it, I'll just go by myself—"

"Wait!" Something about the disappointed frown on his face makes you change your mind. Fuck it. "I'm getting in."

He pauses, and then his lips curve up into a small smile. Not his usual too-big-too-polite smile; the kind of smile you reserve for special moments. The glint in his eye is back, and if your legs weren't already jelly, they are now.

"I knew you couldn't resist me." He stands up and puffs out his chest, offering you his hand again, which you take this time.

"Don't be an idiot." You flush. "The lake just looks inviting today."

"Whatever you say, sweetheart." He chuckles, before his arm wraps around your waist so he can throw you over his shoulder and tip you into the canoe.

"Seokjin!" Your knuckles whiten with how hard you grip the edge of the boat that tilts left to right sickeningly with the impact of your limp body being man handled into the hull. "Be careful!"

"Okay, okay. Just sit back. Relax. Enjoy the view..." You wobble over to the wooden seat opposite him, grateful for the way the boat balances out on the surface of the water. "Let me take care of everything."

You have to admit the view is beautiful. Dangling your hand over the edge of the boat, you let your fingers swirl through the cool water, and listen to the hum of a speedboat nearby. The sun has turned the water a yellowish hue, like liquid gold.

When you look back up at Seokjin, the sight of his lightly perspiring skin glowing beneath the stream of light as he unties the left oar practically takes your breath away. You almost want to reach out and see what it would feel like to touch his cheek, run your hand down his chest where his flesh peeks out from the top of his dress shirt...

"Ah, shit!"

There's a light splash and you're snapped out of your trance, a pair of sheepish eyes staring back at you.

Yeah. Never mind.

Seokjin peers over the edge of the boat, watching as one of the oars floats into the middle of the lake. The canoe has already floated just out of reach of the dock, so without it you are stranded.

You let out a panicked groan. "I thought you knew how to steer this thing?"

"I do!" He grunts, a flush creeping up his neck. "Besides, I said I knew how, not that I was good at it."

He fumbles with the latch beneath his seat which opens to reveal a secret compartment, inside of which are a pair of life jackets, and, much to your relief, a spare oar.

"Aha! We're saved." Seokjin pulls it out and waves it at you with a look of satisfaction.

You roll your eyes and settle back into your seat as Seokjin grasps both oars and starts to row. "Wow, my hero."

"Don't thank me too hard." He snorts.

You shoot him a look, and he breaks into laughter, the sound melodic enough to have you joining in and before you know it you're both chortling uncontrollably. It feels easy, nice.

Your laughter dies out into a hazy giggle, and you shut your eyes, letting the sun caress your face.

"You're nothing like how I expected you to be, y'know."

Seokjin splashes you gently with the oar. "What did you expect?"

"Hmm, I don't know. Stuck up, selfish rich dude with an ego complex?" You snort, but Seokjin's chuckles have disappeared now. His brows are furrowed when you open your eyes, and you feel sort of bad for ruining the ease that had settled between you. You shift awkwardly. "Can you blame me?"

"Huh," The boat floats beneath the shade of a weeping willow, the scent of white blossoms and freshly cut grass filling your senses, and Seokjin hauls the oars into the boat so he can rest for a while. "You know, it pisses me off that everyone sees me that way. I don't want to be that guy."

"Why?" You're surprised by his honesty. There's a sincerity in his voice that you've never heard before.

"I just...I just try and fit in. To make everyone happy, I guess."

He avoids your gaze, looking out over the lake with his chin in his palm and his shoulders slumped. Your heart twists.

"If it helps, I don't see you as that guy anymore." You shrug. "When we first met I thought you were just like everyone else at Paradise. But you're...different from everyone around here. Nice. Underneath all the designer of course." That earns a snort from him. "Why do you hide that side of yourself?"

"You're hardly one to talk about hiding, kitchen girl." He crosses his legs and points a finger at you. "One minute you're calling me a douche and shooting arrows like an Olympian and the next you're getting all insecure when I call you pretty or something."

You feel a blush rise in your cheeks. Insecure? Is that how he sees you?

"Do not." You mumble.

"You act like you're so much better than me for being good, and then have a fit when I say something nice."

"Well, I never asked you to call me pretty. That wasn't part of the deal." You pick at an invisible piece of lint on your skirt. "I figured you were humouring me."

Seokjin's eyes turn serious. He leans forward, like he's about to take your hand or something but changes his mind.

"I know...that what we have is weird. I know I ask you for a lot, and we're supposed to be strictly friends with benefits but—" He sighs, trying to find the right words."I like spending time with you. Like this. Just us."

You feel giddy, suddenly shy beneath his gaze. "I do too."

"And I always mean what I say, Y/N." A breeze ruffles his hair, and he shoots you a grin. "Like I said earlier, whoever gets to call you theirs is one lucky bastard."

I'll be yours, you want to say, but you know it would be futile; someone like Seokjin could never belong to you, and that's exactly why you don't belong here.

"Oh shit."

Before you can respond, Seokjin's expression is turning grave as you both watch with matching horror as the spare oar splashes into the lake.

"Please tell me there's another one underneath there." You nod towards the storage compartment with wide eyes.

"Nope." He scratches his neck awkwardly and shrugs."That was our only one."

"Then shouldn't we call for help or something?!"

"No, I have an idea. You lean over the edge and I'll hold your legs."

"Me?! Why can't you do it."

"Because I'm heavier, duh? I'll tip the boat." He links his fingers together pleadingly. "At least try, or else we'll be stuck out here all night!"

You cup your hand around your watch face to block the glaring sun. Your kitchen shift starts in forty five minutes and you can't afford to be late. Namjoon will certainly fire you on the spot.

"Fine!" You wobble to your feet and slide over to his side of the boat. "But you better not let go, or I'll kill you."

Seokjin salutes. "Scouts honour."

Before you can change your mind, Seokjin has both hands wrapped around your thighs and you're sent hurtling head first over the edge of the boat, face inches from the water's surface.

With a grunt you extend your arm, and your fingertips barely brush the oar, sending it further away.

"Fuck!" You call over your shoulder. Seokjin is red in the face with extortion, and you feel the boat rock as you lean further out. "I can't go any more or we'll tip!"

"Just a little more!" Seokjin yells back. "You've almost got it."

"Okay...almost..." You shift a little more and aha! The oar is just within your grasp! Until you hear a low buzzing coming from behind you, and you hear Seokjin yelp, his grip on your legs starting to slacken... "Jin? what are you doing?"

"Get off me!" He yells, letting go of you in favour of slapping something on his shoulder wildly, and before you can give him a piece of your mind the canoe loses its balance and tips upside down, sending the pair of you hurtling into the lake.

You manage to hold your breath before you go under. The water is an icy shock on such a warm summers day, your limbs flying into action and scrambling wildly until you break the surface and take a heaving breath.

Wiping the tendrils of dripping hair from your eyes, you glance around for Seokjin, but he's no where to be seen.

"Seokjin?" You call, panic evident in your voice. "Where are you?"

Bubbles appear on the surface of the water, and before you can let out a sigh of relief, a hand grabs your ankle and yanks you back under the water.

When you surface, choking and spluttering, you're beneath the cover of the upturned canoe. Seokjin grins at you, whole and in one piece and perfectly alive, and you can't help but feel pranked.

"Hey, sweetheart." He drawls, running his fingers through his soaking hair. The shadow of the rippling water reflects on the underside of the canoe, turning his skin a pale blue. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Seokjin!" You yell and he jumps when you start splashing him wildly. "What the fuck was that?"

He shields his face with his hands."It was a bee! I'm allergic."

"So? I was hanging out of a fucking canoe!"

"Oops." He's chortling now, and it echoes beneath the canoe. "Did I let go?"

You splash him again, and he grabs your hands with his to stop you from sending another tsunami his way. His palms are warm compared to your clammy ones and his eyes are watching you fondly, but that just pisses you off even more. "Okay! Okay! I get it, I'm sorry okay?"

"You idiot! Now I'm all wet and I'm totally going to smell like trout at work and—"

"Just shut up for a second would you?" A hand brushes the tangles of wet hair from your cheek, and before you know it a pair of plump lips are crashing against your own.

"Mmf!"

You're surprised at first, but there's something so tender in the way his hand cups your chin to pull you closer, how his arm curls around your waist, and before you know it you're grabbing him by the collar and kissing him back wildly like the world is ending and you're the last two people on earth.

"You're kinda cute when you're mad." Is what Seokjin whispers against your lips when he pulls back, out of breath.

"Oh." You breathe, a smile beginning to play on your lips. "Okay."

It's like you're in your own little bubble. Just Seokjin and you. You and Seokjin.

Until it bursts.

"Holy shit! Are you guys okay?" The sun is glaringly bright when the canoe is ripped away from your heads, and you have to squint through your fingers to see the figure swimming towards you.

"M-mr Kim?"

Seokjin jumps back from your body at the sound of his title, his hand letting go of your wrist. It falls into the water limply.

"That's me." He coughs, straightening his tie, like he isn't soaking wet and it's somehow going to make him look more professional.

"I didn't know you were rowing today..." Your eyes focus, and you instantly recognise Taehyung, the Paradise lifeguard. You have met a couple times at staff meetings.

Shit. You turn your face to the side, and hope he won't look to closely.

"I wasn't." Seokjin deadpans, gesturing to his soaking appearance. "Y/N and I thought we would go for a swim."

"I— oh." You muffle a chuckle at Seokjin's sarcasm and the wide eyes of the life guard who seems utterly stunned.

It doesn't seem so funny when he turns to you suddenly, eyes scrutinising, and offers you his elbow.

"Here take my arm, we have to get you two dry."

You glance at Seokjin carefully, but he just nods for you to go ahead, so you take Taehyung's arm and let him pull you back to the dock, Seokjin leisurely kicking on his back behind you like he doesn't have a care in the world.

Once you're safely on dry land, Taehyung disappears into the boat shed before returning with a pair of towels which he drapes around your shoulders with a concerned look.

"Take these. You aren't hurt, miss?"

"No." Seokjin answers for you with a roll of his eyes. There's a bite in his tone. Is he...jealous?

"Good, this is why we say no boats after 4..." Taehyung sends Seokjin a stern look, and you feel the tension rise when he just clicks his tongue in response. "I should really report this to my supervisor."

"We won't do it again," Seokjin's eyes bulge when you grab Taehyung's forearm. The lifeguard seems surprised himself, looking you in the eyes for the first time. You turn on a sickly sweet tone and bat your lashes. "We can keep this between us, hm?"

"I...I suppose so." Taehyung coughs, but then his eyes narrow. "Hold on a second. Do I know you from somewhere?"

Your mouth turns dry. "I..."

"No!" Seokjin jumps in between you, wrapping a protective arm around your shoulder. "She's not from around here."

His face has turned a deep shade of red, and you can feel his heart beating rapidly against your back. Anyone would think he was embarrassed. Then again, what did you expect? You are just a kitchen girl after all.

You nod slowly. He sighs with relief. "No. We've never met."

Taehyung scratches his chin, stepping back to get a better look at you. "It's just you look super familiar..."

"We have to be going now!" Seokjin stands up suddenly and grabs you by the hand. He squeezes extra tight, swinging your interlocked fingers where Taehyung can clearly see them. "Thanks, uh...Taehyung?"

"My pleasure, Mr. Kim." The lifeguard looks startled by Seokjin's sudden departure, but steps back to let you pass. "Be careful next time okay?"

"Yup, we will kid."

"Thanks!" You call over your shoulder, as Seokjin is already dragging you away from the lake and up the steps to the grand veranda that lines the resort.

"Thanks?" He rolls his eyes. "Y/N, the lake is like a foot deep, it's not like we were gonna drown."

"He was nice..." You bump his shoulder playfully. "Why? You jealous?"

His cheeks flush pink. "No! Of course not, I just...didn't like the way he looked at you."

You reach the top of the steps, and Seokjin slows down to a leisurely walk once he's in the clear. From here you can see the whole of the resort, sprawling greenery and luxury living in all its glory.

"Speaking of, that was a close one." You laugh. "He totally almost recognised me."

"Yeah." Seokjin laughs too, but then his face drops. "You're right. That was close."

"Seokjin?"

He stops, and turns towards you. His hand drops to your waist, lifting you up so you're sat on the balcony's edge, and then his mouth is capturing yours once again.

This time something feels different. It's desperate, but timid. Passionate but broken. It leaves you breathless.

He pulls away first.

"Jin, what just happened—"

"I..." He swallows thickly and looks away. "I shouldn't have done that. I've gotta go. I'm sorry."

It's then, as he turns and hurries down the back staircase towards the plaza and leaves you all alone on the veranda, that you realise you had never let go of his hand, not even for a second.

"I had fun tonight." Seokjin says as he drops you off at the Paradise gates after an evening spent perusing high fashion wedding venue magazines with Hyejin over tea and finger sandwiches. "Hyejin looked like she was on the verge of a stroke when I suggested walking down the aisle to The Thong Song."

Seokjin boasts a simple T-shirt and tailored pants tonight, the turtle neck draped over his shoulder unnecessary on such a warm and sticky summer night blessed by the lingering caress of the day's blazing sun. The drive slopes downwards, Seokjin's angular shadow a contrast against the twinkling lights that blur Paradise into a picturesque backdrop of pristine white brick, and a warmth spreads through your chest as he beams at you.

"I thought it was a fine choice," You muse, suppressing a giggle when you think back to the way Hyejin dropped her teacup at Seokjin's suggestion, eye twitching in disgust. "We're not even engaged yet and she already has our entire wedding planned out."

Oops. Seokjin stiffens. Your laughter comes to an abrupt stop, face reddening with embarrassment at your slip up. Of course you aren't engaged. You never will be. At least not to each other.

He's been weird like that, lately. Ever since that day at the lake when he left abruptly, seemingly shaken up, you've been walking on egg shells around him. One wrong word could send him flying away with that same scared look in his eye. And honestly, you still don't understand why.

All you know is that things have been different since you almost got caught at the lake. Sure, you've continued to hook up like normal, but Seokjin seems to be making a conscious effort to be more distant around you. You haven't talked about what happened that afternoon on the veranda, but it's clear something did; Seokjin hasn't kissed you since.

If Seokjin notices your poor word choice, he doesn't mention it. "Pretty sure she has my entire life planned out too." He murmurs almost bitterly, despite his face boasting a smile that doesn't quite meet his eyes. You figure it's better not to press him further.

He walks beside you to the end of the drive in a relative silence that feels all too loud — not awkward per se but filled with a definite unspoken tension that has you hiding behind your hair, eyes trained to the ground because you don't know how you are supposed to look at Seokjin when it was just you and him.

Moments like this, not heightened by passion or under the watchful eyes of his family are rarities. You take a deep breath and try to savour the taste of geraniums which lingers in the air from the gardens and the closest thing to normal you have ever experienced around Seokjin.

Despite the the emotional distance Seokjin seems intent on keeping in place, every physical step seems to edge you closer to him, eyes trained to the way his shoes sidestep until you are practically shoulder to shoulder. Seokjin doesn't so much as look at you as he does so and you are content to think he is too deep in his own thoughts to notice the way your bodies cling to each other like magnets, until the tips of his fingers brush against your palm in a delicate touch that may have been perceived as intimate had he not ripped it away with a pained expression, like he touched an electric fence or something.

You have admit that you felt it too. The spark as they describe it in romance movies. It was more of a tingle really, warm and fuzzy as it fizzed all the way from your hand to a spot in your chest suspiciously close to your heart that was beating a little faster now as you imagine how it would feel if he took your hand in his.

Except he doesn't. And when you glance up at him he is no longer engaged with his own thoughts but rather staring at you with a questioning look, brows slightly furrowed, and embarrassment replaces the fuzz in your veins when you consider for a moment that perhaps he was reading your mind and the completely inappropriate thoughts for a fake bride to have for her fake husband along with it.

The flush that caresses your cheeks is nearly as vibrant as the rose bushes which line the drive, perfectly pruned and as beautiful beneath lantern light as they are in the day and a perfect reminder of your embarrassment as you create a relative distance between your body and his. That way you were sure you could keep your hands - and your thoughts - strictly to yourself.

Far too quickly you find yourself turning the corner onto the street where you always part ways, the stoney gravel evening out into the same boring old scuffed concrete that winds through the entire city, a clear indication that you were leaving behind the Paradise grounds and entering the not so pristine visual of reality.

Usually you were glad to be on your way, sick of talking about neck lines and lace types and the way your shoulders ached from nodding politely at people who got wine drunk on weekdays but tonight you feel like you could keep walking with Seokjin forever in this strange bubble of unspoken words.

But you know as soon as he stops dead beside you that the bubble has already burst, floating away just out of your grasp like the false reality you live at Paradise.

"I'll be going then." It's quiet out here, not a trace of the music from Jazz night at the bar or the laughter of couples crossing the plaza to their suites after a few too many Chardonnays. Seokjin opens his mouth and then closes it again while you fidget awkwardly. "Thanks for a good night."

The way you say it sounds like he took you on a real date, one that you were supposed to thank him for. It's too late by the time you realize that a boundary has been overstepped when Seokjin doesn't return the genuine smile you shoot him as you turn to leave.

"Wait!" The click of your shoes against the sidewalk halts at the serious husk in his tone, jarringly loud against the silence. "I need to ask you something."

His face is partially lit by the street lamp you find yourself beneath, casting half of his face in a golden glow that emphasizes the shadow of his lashes against his cheeks when he closes his eyes, as if to briefly collect his words.

Despite your better judgement, probably blinded by the normality you had fallen into, you press him further. "What is it?"

"Listen Y/N..." Seokjin scratches the back of his neck and you shift awkwardly in front of him, chest suddenly tightening with a niggling dread. "You haven't told anyone about us have you?"

"Us?" Your eyes widen. Since when did Seokjin start referring to you as a pair? You tilt your head quizzically. "I mean, your sister and your parents know —

"No, I mean the things that we...do in private." The summer evening suddenly turns chilly. Seokjin must notice when your face drops, the way you hug your arms to try and keep hold of the warmth that had practically singed each of your nerve endings just a moment ago.

"Things?" You splutter. "Is that all they are to you?"

You can't help it. The way Seokjin talks when you are intimate, the way he kissed you so desperately that day on the veranda -- it made it feel like those moments meant more to him. He was damn convincing - when he told you that he wanted you, you believed him - and you can't help but feel cheated.

Seokjin's brow simply furrows, flummoxed by your sudden outburst. "Yeah, I mean we had an agreement — isn't that all they are to you?"

An agreement.

The way he says it sounds like your relationship is strictly business. As if he's paying you for a service - which, in his own way, you suppose he is. Sure, you knew he wasn't really going to fall in love with you in the way he told his family he loved you but you thought he at least felt something — no, you were sure he had at the lake. Maybe you were just confusing pleasure with intimacy.

Still, the way his finger points at you accusingly makes a hot rage rise in your chest but you simply take a shaky breath and plaster the closest thing to a grin on your features as you can muster.

"Of course they are." The sweetness in your voice is a little too forced, but it goes unnoticed on Seokjin who lets out a sigh of relief. "None of this means anything. I know that."

"Good. Then we're on the same page..." He still looks slightly unconvinced - you can just make out the way he narrows his eyes doubtfully in the dim light - but he doesn't have time to press further before a black car rolls into the drive and he clasps your wrist to pull you across the paving and into the shadows. "Watch out!"

Seokjin suddenly yanks you closer to him, your chest nearly pressed up to his. You almost mumble a thanks, idiotic enough to think that his only motive is to prevent you getting flattened by a Mercedes Benz nearly invisible in the night if not for the crunch of tyres against gravel.

But then you feel his breath hitch when he catches a glimpse of your white kitchen uniform reflected in one of the tinted car windows, sending a salute towards the security guard in the drivers seat with fingers crossed behind his back, and you silently condemn yourself for thinking he cared about anything other than his reputation even for a second. You go numb.

You look between your bodies where your hand dangles limply in his grasp. Just a moment ago you were envisioning how it would feel for him to hold your hand in his, the way his skin brushed yours enough to give you shivers. Now it just made the hollow ache in your chest throb with a cold emptiness.

Seokjin strains his neck, only releasing you from his hold when the glow of headlights disappears around a corner and you are smothered by darkness again.

Seokjin's sigh of relief stings. The words never leave his lips but you can tell what he was thinking. Phew, now I don't have to explain why I, almighty Kim Seokjin, was conversing with a staff member after hours. Lucky escape!

A smile appears on his face, as if you were supposed to share his relief. "So, same time tomorrow?"

You feel yourself stagger away from him in shock. Seokjin is many things but you didn't think he was heartless. It's enough to send you over the edge.

"Clearly we are not on the same page." You spit. "Actually, you know what? No. I'm busy tomorrow."

Seokjin scoffs, running a hand through his hair. "Doing what?"

"I have things to do." Your emphasis on the word makes his eyes widen,

"Oh great!" He barely raised his voice before glances behind him warily, making sure there was no one around to see him getting heated. When he turns back his voice is nothing but a harsh whisper. "And what do you expect me to tell my family, huh?"

"Tell them that your fiancé to be had to go do the job they actually pay her to do." The way he laughs breathily makes your fists clench at your sides as you turn on your heels and stalk down the street before he can see the way your face reddens with a combination of hurt and anger, though not before you are calling over your shoulder despite knowing it would only fuel the fire. "Unless you're too embarrassed to tell them who I really am."

"You don't seem to mind when you're cashing in your favours." He calls after you, hands on hips with a bitterness lacing his voice that makes your heart twist painfully.

You hear the way your pulse quickens, the lump in your throat growing bigger and bigger as you stop dead. "What?"

"Y/N, I didn't mean that I —"

"So that's what this is? You are embarrassed of me?" Your voice raises incredulously.  "Is that why you've been so weird with me since Taehyung almost recognised me at the lake? You're scared someone will snitch on you to your rich friends?"

"No, I--"

"No what, Jin?" You let out a hollow laugh. "I thought I meant more to you than that."

Seokjin pinches the bridge of his nose. "It's just you and I...we could never be anything more, you know that right? I don't want you to get the wrong idea. We don't come from the same background and it would be..." He pauses. "Inappropriate."

"It's too late, anyway. Forget I said anything." Tears streak your cheeks hotly and you hide behind your hair, determined to hide your weakness from him. "This was a mistake."

You start to walk away, but then you're running, as fast as you can away from Paradise and all the hurt. The sound of Seokjin's tennis shoes hitting the concrete picks up as he follows you down the path, calling your name, and for a moment you think he's going to comfort you. Tell you that he was sorry and that none of this was meaningless to him after all.

But he doesn't.

"I'll text you!" Is the last thing he calls before you disappear around the corner out of sight. You want to sneak a look over your shoulder, see him standing there at the end of the street beneath the street light.

Instead you resist, letting the bitterness pooling in your stomach rise up and burn your throat like bile. "Don't bother!"

Either he listened or he didn't mean it when he said he would text you.

The anger that ran hot through your bloodstream after your fight with Seokjin has faded to nothing but an indescribable emptiness and regret.

You haven't heard from him in three days. That is a long time where Seokjin is concerned and completely out of character.

Even on normal days, when you had a day off from pretending to be his fiancé, Seokjin would find a way to make you laugh by sending you a low angle selfie from the dinner table at one of his father's business conferences or a cheeky message to let you know he'd just seen you walk past the golf court wearing the red sundress that he liked.

You couldn't remember when Seokjin became a normal part of your day. Just like brushing your teeth or washing your hair, you had become almost expectant of a vibration against your thigh at work or the ping! of your ringtone before you went to sleep or even a heated make out behind the restaurant when you just couldn't wait any longer.

So when it all suddenly came to a stop, you were sure you were going crazy. All you were left with was a feeling of emptiness, as if something vital was missing.

It wasn't even as if he owed you anything, not really - it was true that the romance wasn't real and even the sex was just sex to him; but at some point you had to admit you had crossed some kind of invisible barrier. In between lying to his family, public "dates" flavoured by champagne and hanging off his forearm at celebratory cocktail parties, you and Seokjin had become friends.

(Sort of. If you ignored the parts where his lips made you lose your breath or the night's that ended with his head between your legs.)

So god forbid you expected something from him after your fight the other night. A sign that he cared, if even a little bit. An apology for the way he'd deliberately tried to hurt you.

That's how you find yourself checking your phone anxiously on your kitchen shift breaks, refreshing your inbox obsessively and trying to ignore the heaviness weighing down your chest with each passing hour without even so much as one of the cheesy emojis he used way too frequently to be ironic lighting up your screen.

He even stopped dropping by the restaurant under the guise of a casual lunch like he usually did. You found yourself on edge, breath fogging up the glass of the window with your disappointment every time you heard the door zip open and you rushed to greet him, only to be met with someone utterly not Kim Seokjin.

You thought you saw his broad figure dipping into one of the other restaurants across the plaza instead one afternoon as you left work and you couldn't help but wonder if he shamelessly flirted with the kitchen staff there, too.

It hurts knowing that it was so easy for him to cut you out of his life completely when he had become such a constant part of yours. It hurts knowing that he probably wasn't even thinking of you when he was the only thing on your mind.

And to make matters worse, it seems that the tight smiles and vacant nods you shoot Jimin as he divulges the latest and greatest Paradise gossip he overheard while serving at some fancy dinner party last night didn't do a good job at hiding the melancholy gloom which hangs over your head.

He's still talking as you swipe your cards to check out of work, charmingly holding the door ajar for you to slip outside the restaurant where you told Jungkook you'd wait for him to join you.

The air is cooler than expected against your face, the first time that summer where the sky is covered by splotches of grey cloud that refuse to let any blue peek through like an ugly patchwork quilt that mirrors your ugly mood.

"Y/N, didn't your hear me? Mr Kim's wife literally grabbed him by the balls and threw him out of the building when she caught him cheating with the waitress — wait, are you okay?"

Jimin is already half way down the limestone stairs, too caught up in his own dramatic storytelling to notice the way you stand rigid at the top. The phone in your palm is lit up with the same three words that have haunted you all day — NO NEW MESSAGES — but Jimin's question breaks your trance for a moment.

"Huh? No, I'm fine." You assure, slipping the device into your back pocket, swallowing thickly and mustering up a watery smile you hope will appease him before he can ask any more questions.

It doesn't work.

"You've been acting weird all day." Your legs feel wobbly as you close the distance between you, like the very foundations of your body are beginning to give in to the weight that has set up camp in your chest no matter how hard you try to ignore it.

"I have?" Jimin is peering at you with narrowed eyes, not malicious necessarily but inquisitive. They narrow further when you sigh shakily, averting your gaze to the shirtless gardener who mows the green lawns that spread out as far as the eye can see into perfect lines, counting the distant rose bushes as a distraction from the impending tears that have begun to well. "I don't want to talk about it."

Jimin throws an arm around your shoulder a little too roughly to be comforting, following your stagnant gaze. "Damn he's kinda cute." The lack of witty remark from you when he lands a jokey punch to your shoulder seems to finally perk Jimin's attention. "Tell me, are you and Mr Kim Seokjin having trouble in Paradise?"

Jimin lets out a snort at his own pun before he spots the sullen look on your face, covering his impending chuckle with a cough and releasing you from his grasp to sling his hands in his pockets awkwardly. "Oh shit, really?"

You simply sniff in response, allowing that to be confirmation enough, slumping down onto the grand staircase and letting your face fall into your hands.

Jimin plonks down beside you, sidling up until your knees touch, the simple act of comfort making the tears that had been threatening to emerge all day prick hotly at the corners of your eyes.

"I messed up, Jimin." Your voice is muffled by your palms but that doesn't mask the way it wavers slightly, Jimin's hand immediately rubbing soothing circles into your back. "I think he's mad at me."

"Why?"

"Because I basically told him that I kind of have feelings for him—"

"You did what?" Jimin grabs you by the elbow, alerting the atention of a guy in a velour tuxedo leaving the restaurant who gives the hot tears staining your cheeks a funny look. "Hold up, go back. You have feelings for Seokjin?"

Even with vision blurred by tears you can see the wide eyed expression on Jimin's face. You cross your arms in a pout. "Well you don't need to say it like that."

"Like what?"

"Like the idea is completely crazy or something."

Jimin runs an exasperated hand through his hair. "So you mean the truth?"

It isn't the way he says it so much as the realisation that he is right that stings. You bow your head, a few silent tears rolling down your cheeks until you can taste their saltiness. "I know, I know. I'm not good enough for a person like him, I was stupid—"

Jimin shakes his head gently, placing his palms firmly on both of your shoulders and forcing you to face him head on. "Listen up because I'm about to serve you a cup of piping hot real shit, okay?"

You wipe your nose noisily on your sleeve, giving him a curt nod. "Okay."

"The reason you and Seokjin will never work out has nothing to do with you so I won't accept any of that mopey shit." Jimin shakes you vigorously as if he is knocking some sense into you, and you offer him a tearful giggle. "Truth is, Seokjin can't see a good thing when he has it because there is no room in his rich ass heart for anything other than money and his reputation."

"But—"

"No buts!" Jimin shucks up his sleeves until they cover his hands like paws, using the fabric to dab away your tears, unphased by the growing damp spots on both of his cuffs. "The sooner you realise that Seokjin's issues are not your issues the better."

Your tears are dry now. You're pretty sure Jimin's pep talk ended your momentary wobble but your voice still sounds slightly hoarse when you speak. "It just felt like more when we...you know..." You wave your hands around wildly hoping Jimin will fill in the blank, which he does with a click of his tongue.

"Then you need to stop sleeping with him immediately."

"What?"

"You know what I think?" Jimin links his arm with yours, pulling you alongside him. "I think that you're confusing intimacy with actual feelings."

Maybe he's right. It's natural for emotions to be heightened when Seokjin is making you literally fall apart beneath him, probably for him too which would explain the intimate things he had said. Perhaps all this time you were just confusing loving the way he made you feel for loving...him. After all, you had always thought the regular Seokjin was kind of an asshat at times. Of course you didn't have feelings for him!

"You know what? I think you're right." Jimin raises his eyebrows in surprise, as if he was expecting you to be harder to win around. You slap a palm to your forehead. "I can't believe I actually thought I caught feelings for him for a second."

"Happens to the best of us." Jimin grins. "If I was getting dicked down by that beautiful god of a man then I'd want to have his babies too. Imagine how cute they'd be..."

"Jimin!" You smack him playfully before leaning across to rest your head on his shoulder, his chuckles vibrating against your cheek. "You just basically told me he's an asshole."

"And I stand by that!" He defends, letting his own cheek rest against your hair. "But you can't deny that he is fucking inhumanely gorgeous..."

"Are we talking about Kim Seokjin again?" A dry voice appears somewhere behind, making you jump and pause your laughter. A glance over your shoulder reveals none other than Jungkook, arms crossed and a sullen vibe emanating from the way his thick brows furrow so deeply they almost connect. Come to think of it, he always seems to be moody where Seokjin is involved. Huh.

"Why? Are you gonna try and tell me that he's not that buff again?" Jimin scoffed, stiffening ever so slightly beside you and refusing to even glance in Jungkook's direction.

"No, I just don't see why we have to always talk about him." Jungkook puffs, blowing his bangs out of his eyes bitterly. "Besides, I just saw him outside the kitchen and his body isn't that good. I'd hardly say 'sculpted'."

Huh? Seokjin? Outside the kitchen...

Neither of the boys seem to share your bewilderment, launching into a spat heavy with a tension that had been building long before. "And what would you know, anyway?"

"I go to the gym!" Jungkook flexes his arm, earning a scoff from Jimin to which he frowns. "Look!"

"You saw Seokjin where?"  You breathe, butting into the squabble and drawing two startled looks when you jolt to your feet, wiping off the back of your leggings.

"O-outside the kitchen...why? I assumed he was waiting for you..." Jungkook is wide eyed, blinking with a lack of understanding considering his previous absence. Jimin has already wrapped his hand around your wrist to pin you in place.

"He is?" You nibble your lip.

You imagine him leaning up against the wall outside the kitchen, probably looking at his watch impatiently as he waits for your shift to finish. He never could wait for long so perhaps he'd even already left, storming off to go let his anger out in a game of extremely competitive table tennis with a retired CEO in the lounge.

But there's a chance he is still there and that he was waiting for you and even though every fibre of your being screams that it is a bad idea, you just want to see if it was true. If he really was thinking about you. If you'd misjudged him after all and a part of him did care.

"Y/N this is a bad idea." You're already bounding down the steps when Jimin tugs you back to offer a slice of reality. "Remember what we just talked about? Not catching feelings." He draws the last word out and wiggles his eyebrows which only makes Jungkook even more confused.

"It'll be fine Jimin," You brush him off though it sounds a little like you are pleading with him. Carefully dislodging your wrist from his grip, you plaster a reassuring smile to you face that doesn't seem to appease his anxious foot tapping. "I won't let him get inside my head. I'm not confused anymore, see?"

"Fine. Knock yourself out." Jimin steps back, gesturing for you to go forth which you do far too quickly for his liking, flashing him a thumbs up before turning your back and disappearing down the steps before he can protest any further. "But promise to call me immediately if you get horny feelings again!"

The way your heart thumps in your chest as you speed walk around the building has to be unhealthy.

You slow down as you get closer to the corner that obscures the back of the restaurant from view, taking cover behind a bush pruned into a perfect ball.

There he is.

Your breath hitches. It's almost as if your brain tricked you into believing he was a figment of your imagination these past few days without him. Like you made the whole thing up. But no, here he is and he's breathing and he has blood pumping through him just like you and he's so real that it hits you like a freight train.

For the first time this evening, the sun pokes it's head out from behind the clouds, a small crack opening up in the sky that sends a stream of soft golden light cascading across him. And almost as if in unison, it feels like the light shines right through the Seokjin shaped cracks in your heart as you watch his eyes flutter shut at the kiss of warmth and his arms reach above his head to lean into the light in a leisurely stretch.

It almost feels like you are seeing him for the first time all over again.

If Seokjin didn't let out a sigh of impatience in exactly the way you imagined he would, shaking his head and throwing his hands into the pockets of his gym shorts in defeat, you would have been content to just watch from the sidelines like you promised Jimin you would.

Perhaps you wouldn't have rushed out from behind your camouflage of foliage, sending a garden gnome flying in a crash of broken china in your haste. And even more importantly, perhaps you wouldn't have found yourself calling out for him to stop.

"Seokjin!" Your voice sounds small but the word flies out before you can slap your hand over your mouth to keep it in. It's familiar on your tongue, like coming back home after a long trip, and you savour the taste.

"Y/N?"

Seokjin stills at the crunch of your shoes approaching him tentatively, shoulders squared as if weighing up his options - fight or flight? - and just as you think you are mistaken and he didn't want to see you after all, he's taking flight - straight towards you and drawing you into his arms in an uncomfortably tight bear hug.

His chest hits yours with a force that makes you literally lose your breath, hairs on your arms rising as you feel his warmth encapsulate you completely like a comforting blanket.

The sudden embrace stuns you to a shocked silence, arms pressed to your sides stiffly as he buries his nose in your hair and takes a deep inhale. Is Kim Seokjin smelling your hair?

You have to admit the scent of his cologne makes you giddy, a little woodier around the edges than you remember it to be which you put down to the still slightly sticky and sweaty gym clothes hugging his torso. Under normal circumstances you would've been grossed out but the heightened thump of your heart in your ears acts as an ample distraction.

For a moment you forget about Paradise and the argument and the door to the kitchen beside you that could open at any moment. It's just you and him again, and you're melting.

You could stay like this forever, if his grip didn't tighten considerably, as if he was trying to squeeze the breath straight out of you and hold that too, and you are pushing his chest away from your body with a cough. "Jin — can't breathe!"

Seokjin lets you go — reluctantly, settling for holding you at arms length instead — and you are sure you spot his neck flush at the nickname you used accidentally.

"Sorry." His gaze dips to your feet and then drags all the way back to your puzzled eyes as if he is taking all of you in, like you had changed since he last saw you or something as if that wasn't just three days before. A lazy smile appears on his face. "Missed you, that's all."

His words are slightly breathless and punctuated by a shake of his head as if he can't quite believe he's saying them either and the honesty is so unlike him it makes your chest ache.

"Then why didn't you call?" There's a snipe in your words that seems to jolt him out of his sunny disposition, mouth downturning into a frown, arms dropping from your shoulders and going limp at his sides instead as if he is coming to his senses. "You're the one that's been avoiding me."

His shoulders droop awkwardly. "I'm sorry."

"It just didn't make sense why you would stop talking to me—."

"No, not for avoiding you — well I am sorry for that," He explains. "I mean for the things I said. The other night."

You furrow your brows, stunned. "Why?"

"It was mean and...truthfully I couldn't face you because of it." He drags a hand down his face and presses his back to the wall in defeat, giving you a perfect view of the regret that makes his jaw tighten.

With a sigh you sidle up next to him, careful to leave enough space between you so that your arms don't touch. Deja vu masks the ordeal and you realise it's all too similar to the first time you met in this very spot, watching the very same plaza except today it's still bustling with life beneath the orange glow of the setting sun and you have to squint to see it clearly.

You clear your throat. "I thought it was because of the things I said. About us."

"No!" His exclamation is a little too quick, too loud, and he looks embarrassed, following it up with a gruff "Don't be stupid."

"Well don't worry. While you've been avoiding me I've had plenty of time to think it over and you were right after all."

His nose scrunches, a habit of his you've noticed before that gives him an air of innocence. "I was?"

"Yeah, I think I must have had a few too many glasses of champagne at dinner that night." Your laugh is hoarse with the effort it takes to force it past your lips. "I'm happy with our agreement how it is. You don't need to worry about me going all crazy on you again."

"That's...good." His adam's apple bobs. He seems unconvinced by his own words. "Good. I'm glad."

Then he smiles and your heart throbs so hard it could explode so you just smile back and join in with his nervous laughter.

"So we're okay?"

"We're okay."

There's nothing left to say; now it's clear where you both stand. So why is Seokjin opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish?

"Is that all you came here to talk about?"

His laughter stops, and then he coughs and puffs out his chest, returning somewhat to the cocky Seokjin you are used to.

"Actually I was thinking...it's getting kind of late. It would be bad mannered of me to let you walk home alone."

"Why? I always walk home alone?" Seokjin never seemed to possess the worry you can see in eyes before when he dropped you off outside the club and watched you disappear into the night multiple times a week.

"For protection. Just in case." He rolls his eyes, as if it should have been obvious.

"It's okay, I've got pepper spray in my bag plus it's like 5 PM—"

"No. Protection for me." He suddenly pleads. "My mind will start to wander if I go back to my apartment alone again."

Seokjin seems so serious you know you can't reject him now without your conscience taking a beating, so you choose to say nothing at all. You want to be there for him, but at the same time you know you're only going to get hurt. The toe of your shoe draws circles in the dirt. "I don't know what to say."

"How about you don't say anything and just come to my place instead?" Your neck snaps up. He's never invited you to his place before. It always seemed like an inappropriate boundary to cross considering you are hardly even friends let alone lovers. "That way we both win."

You smile and he seems relieved. "I guess, just for a little bit."

"Great! Think of this as you doing a favour for me."

"Again?" You roll your eyes teasingly.

"I repay you don't I?" He sees your face fall. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that—"

"I know." You butt in. "It's fine. Really."

A silence falls in the same way it did the night you fought and it seems neither of you know what to say next. Truthfully you're just glad he doesn't seem mad at you, his quiet company a familiarity that tells you nothing has changed between you.

That is until he leans in a little too close and his fingers brush your wrist. You swallow thickly and wait for him to push you away again, when you feel him hesitate.

This is supposed to be the part where he pushes you away again, looking at his hand in disgust or wiping it on the back of his pants like he touched something dirty.

Instead, he reaches between you to link his fingers carefully with yours. It's like you are suddenly filled with helium, at risk of floating away if the feeling of Seokjin's warmth beside you wasn't there holding you to the ground.

"Is this okay?" You ask with wide eyes, nodding down at where his slightly clammy palm smothers your own.

He nods. You melt.

"You were right, the other day." Seokjin squeezes your hand comfortingly. "I need to stop hiding how I really feel."

You've never been to the residents part of the resort before. You never dared. But truthfully, by the time you realise you are walking not floating, you are already half way across the plaza.

Seokjin guides you around the circular fountain spitting water from the mouth of a cherub, carried by the breeze as a fine mist that feels cold and refreshing against your hot cheeks and marches you up a marble staircase to the resident lodge which rises up out of the ground like a beautiful half moon of white brick, stylish balconies decked with jacuzzis, chiffon curtains and a sea of people who fit Seokjin's class perfectly.

A tired looking doorman stands posted to the entrance and despite feeling Seokjin stiffen beside you, he never lets go of your hand. Not even when the doorman gives you a once over, an eyebrow raising at your casual attire.

You wait for Seokjin to force the doorman to sign an oath of secrecy when his eyes widen at your interlinked fingers, except the moment never comes. He simply rubs his thumb across your knuckles soothingly, striding straight past the doorman and holding the gilded door open for you to slip through himself.

You mumble a thanks, letting out a breath you didn't know you were holding and hope Seokjin can't feel the way your heart thumps against your rib cage uncontrollably. For what reason you can't quite decide — is it because you're conditioned to fear getting caught with Seokjin or because he doesn't seem to care? 

Seokjin doesn't let go of you until he has to press the elevator button, and it feels ten degrees colder when he does. Your curious eyes take in the perfumed lobby, grand staircase winding upwards as far as the eye can see, lined with a carpet that's intricately embroidered with gold thread. Paintings line the walls which makes the place feel like some sort of museum and you half expect someone to ask you for an entry fee.

Then the elevator's ornate doors open with a ping you thought only existed in movies and Seokjin's hand is back and shuffling you into the elevator at the small of your back, refusing to leave even once you are inside.

The elevator is lined with polished mirrors and you do a double take when you make eye contact with your reflection, nearly reaching out and tapping the glass to check they are real and not the kind you find at a carnival that make everything look distorted. The way Seokjin pulls you closer to his side makes you look like any one of the other normal couples who frequent the resort, if you ignore the way your baggy cardigan contrasts his head to toe designer outfit.

Seokjin's too busy humming along to the classical music which crackles through the speakers overhead to notice the way your gaze travels to him. You know he wants to make you think that none of this affects him like it does you and his unbothered attitude would have worked had you not noticed the way his cheeks have a pinkish tinge, even in the dim yellow glow of the elevator.

The elevator opens, and you follow him down the hall only to find out Seokjin lives in one of the penthouses. You shouldn't be surprised but when he swipes a shiny key card and the lock beeps with a little green light that tells you the door is unlocked, you can't help the way your mouth gapes. Almost as if you were expecting it to flash red instead, denying you entrance and reminding you that you didn't belong in a place like this.

"Aren't you coming inside?" Seokjin has already crossed the threshold, wiping his polished shoes on the gaudy WELCOME mat inside while you stand awkwardly in the hallway, peeping through the crack of open door. You suddenly feel self conscious in your cardigan and leggings, as if you should've dressed up or something.

Seokjin seems to sense your hesitation, fingers finding your wrist with a smile. "You'll catch a cold out there."

He tugs and you don't resist, letting your feet follow him inside. "It's summer. And we're inside, Jin."

"Well how would I live with myself if I took the risk?" The click of the door locking echos from the high ceiling and you swallow thickly knowing there's no going back.

Inside, the suite looks like a luxury hotel room, like every last penny from the royal Mint had lived and died there.

It's open plan, the grand chandelier glimmering in the evening sun casting miniature rainbows across a living room consisting of pristinely white sofas sporting an array of throw cushions that look as though they have never been moved, collecting dust in the same way as the open magazine on the marble coffee table and the empty coffee mug beside it that look like they were placed there to create the illusion of the space being lived in.

Everything feels a little too pristine, a little too perfect like it materialised straight out of a furniture magazine.

The far wall is entirely glass, floor to ceiling windows looking out over a view of the entire resort; with a squint you can just make out the soft lights of the restaurant you know well, reflection shimmering like gold dust on the surface of the undisturbed public pool. An array of caddy boys on the golf courts collect stray balls and haul clubs back into the lodge and beyond that the vibrant gardens, a blur of pink roses and green hedges from where you stand but still a pleasant sight against the evenings pale blue sky.

Seokjin hums to himself as he flicks on all the lights, disappearing around a corner until you can't hear the click clack of his shoes against the tile anymore. You don't know if you are supposed to stay with knees knocking in the living room or if he was expecting you to follow him; but you presume the latter is true when his voice rings out into the room, jolting you from your shameless study of his living space.

"Have you eaten?" You shake your head in a silent no even though he can't see it, somehow managing to get your legs to carry you beneath a decorative arch and into the kitchen where Seokjin stands with his head ducked into a fancy looking fridge - even the most basic of appliances seem high tech, a touch pad visible on the front for what purpose you don't want to even ask. "I don't know about you but I'm famished."

"I was on my way to find something to eat when we — when you saw me, actually." The correction is quick but it makes your stomach feel funny. Since when did it start to feel normal to refer to you and Seokjin as a "we", as if you are anything but his accessory?

"Perfect." He emerges from the fridge with an armful of tupperware boxes balanced beneath his chin, foot kicking the door shut before he dumps the entire load onto the marble kitchen island that separates you from him.

"How about you stay for dinner?" He flashes you a small smile, corner of his mouth blowing the bangs out of his eyes, and your heart practically skips a beat.

It's just a formality surely, the polite thing to do. The Seokjin you knew was usually eager to get you out of his hair.

He is looking at you expectantly, your throat suddenly dry as you try to muster a response, an excuse. The word that immediately crosses your mind is no. This is dangerous and you know it. But then the bite in your stomach is back and despite knowing an I shouldn't be here in the first place would have been more appropriate, your lips betray you with a simple, "Yes." And the way that Seokjin's face lights up in surprise has every regret falling away as you relish in the knowledge that he is actually happy to have you.

"I thought I would have to bargain with you. You're usually stubborn with me." Shiny bar stools sit tucked beneath the little kitchen bar set up beside him, a few expensive looking champagne bottles littered across the surface. He pats one of the plush cushions in a gesture for you to sit which you graciously do, even as you scoff at his words and silently wonder why someone who lives alone needs so many seats.

"Because you're usually trying to get me to do something ridiculous." You chide. "And besides, I'm hungry."

"So you're just using me for my cooking skills, huh? I didn't think you were that kind of girl." Seokjin eyes you cheekily, hands fiddling with the dials on the stove with a pout. "How do you turn this thing on?"

You let out a sigh of mock despair, joining him at the counter and turning the knob until you hear a familiar click as the gas ignites, basking the kitchen in a blue glow. "If your 'skills' end with me getting food poisoning I'll never forgive you Kim Seokjin".

"I think I can handle a simple pasta dish," He retorts, but not before sending a pot from the utensil rack crashing to the ground with a clatter. "Maybe I spoke too soon." He picks up the appliance, holding it out to you sheepishly, a flush caressing his cheeks now.

You click your tongue but in no way maliciously, instinctively filling the pot with water and pulling open a few drawers in search of some other equipment. "Where do you keep the spoons?"

"Top drawer." You hear him call, settling himself into the askew stool you previously occupied, kicking his feet up onto the opposite stool and making you internally wince when the soles of his shoes settle on the white leather cushion. "Can I ask you something?"

Something in his voice changes, a seriousness that you aren't used to with him. In fact the only time you'd ever heard it was last week on the lake, when he admitted he felt like an outsider at Paradise.

You dump the pasta and lean against the counter to face him. "Sure."

"Do you think I'm an asshole?" He asks quietly.

You pause. "Sometimes." Eyes narrowed, you let out a sigh. "Why?"

"I'm sorry." Seokjin sounds small, and he wrings his hands together awkwardly. "For making you do all this for me, and then acting like a douche."

You push his feet off the stool and take a seat opposite him. Your mouth is dry, so you say nothing. He looks at you expectantly. Like he's hoping his apology will make up for the stinging hurt that still lingers in your chest every time you remember the look of shame in his eyes when he almost got caught talking to you at the gates. You flash him a sad smile, and he sighs when he realises it's not enough.

"God, I'm so fucking lame. What normal guy has to get a girl to pretend to be his fucking fiance?"

"What normal girl agrees to pretend? If you're lame then I'm just as bad." You chuckle, somewhat bitterly. "If you're so embarrassed by me, why don't you just tell your family? Then you won't have to worry someone will find out who I really am."

There's a sharpness to your words that makes Seokjin wince.

"It's not that I'm embarrassed of you! I'm...embarrassed of me."  Seokjin rushes. "I just can't tell them. It would break them if they knew we've been lying."

Oh. So all this time he wasn't afraid someone would find out your real identity...he was just worried about disappointing his family?

"I always knew I was going to marry some nice girl from upstate and take over Paradise one day," He continues. "But now it's actually happening and I'm realizing I'm not cut out for this."

His head falls into his palms, forehead creased. You can tell this has been weighing on his mind for a while, and part of you feels thrilled that he trusts you enough to confide in you.

"I want to be the man they want me to be but I don't know how much longer I can pretend."

You slide your hand over the counter and cover his. He looks up, surprised, when you give it a comforting squeeze.

"I think you're just scared." You whisper. "I know you Seokjin, and you'll be an incredible CEO."

He puffs out his chest. "Pfft, I'm not scared."

"You're scared you won't be as good of an owner as your dad." You say. "And you're scared that you won't love the girl who you marry like you're supposed to."

Seokjin falls quiet, like what you said hit a nerve. He frowns. "I know what it's like to love someone. And those other girls -- the ones my parent's tried to set me up with -- they were nice and all but... I didn't feel it with any of them."

"You can't force love." You offer him a sympathetic smile. "Sometimes it just pops up in the strangest of places. It just happens."

"You're right." He smiles back, and shakes his shoulders like a weight has been lifted. His eyes soften fondly. "Hey. How do you always seem to know exactly what to say?"

"One of my many talents,"You laugh as you instinctively start to dish up your meal. That's what working in a kitchen does to you. "Including making incredible pasta."

The smell of carbonara wafts through the kitchen, and he rubs his stomach gratefully.

"God I love you." Seokjin says breathily, threading his hands through his hair and looking at you in wonder.

"What?" You go slack, the metal spoon between your fingers hitting the ground with a tinny crash.

Seokjin blinks twice before rushing to cover up his mistake. "You know what I mean."

You do know. But a part of you wishes that you didn't know, that you could pretend that the words that spilled from Seokjin's lips were real and true and meant something.

Not that it matters anyway. You aren't in love. You are just pretending to be. So why does it feel like a ton of bricks smushed your heart when you realise this was probably the only time you would ever hear him say those words, even if he didn't mean them how you wished he would?

You pull your bottom lip between your teeth before it can start to wobble and bend to your knees to retrieve the spoon. Seokjin is already ahead of you, leaping out of his chair to grasp the metal at the exact same time.

A gasp passes your lips when his hand covers yours tightly, the contact accidental but enough to send tingles up your spine like it always does. Except this time, it seems he feels it too, because when you dare to look up he is staring at your almost interlocked hands in wonder.

"Is now a bad time to repay one of your favours?" His voice is hoarse.

"What—"

Seokjin's fingers hook beneath your chin, tilting your head towards him so that he can press his lips against yours in a tentative kiss, swallowing your words in transit.

The kiss is slow and languid, the way he slots his plump bottom lip between yours making you melt instantly. His cheeks are warm and soft in your hands as you cup them, the action feeling just as natural as the warmth blossoming in your chest when Seokjin moves his mouth in time with your own with an impossible tenderness.

He sighs into your mouth like he'd been waiting forever to do this, and you feel a similar satisfaction, finally able to curb the craving for him that has been aching inside you since your last encounter when he left you standing alone on the veranda.

Seokjin's fingers trace up your arms tentatively, hairs raising wherever they touch, before tangling them in the hair at the base of your neck and pulling you ever deeper into the kiss, not just with pure desire like you were used to but with a yearning to hold you closer. For the first time you let yourself succumb to your senses, protective guard over your heart shattering as you get lost in the scent of his woody cologne and the roughness of his simultaneously pillowy lips.

By the time he pulls back you are already breathless and he is too, lips parted slightly, breath tickling your nose.

"Sorry." The curve of his lips tells you he didn't mean it. He wanted to kiss you. You melt. "'S cause I missed you, that's all"

"C'mere." With a breathy laugh you pull him closer to you again by the collar, mouths crashing together in a tangle of teeth and tongue this time that makes you burn with a hunger to commit every caress of his lips to memory, blood running hot as he tugs your bottom lip between his teeth like he wants to devour you right then and there. "I want you."

His hands search your body making you shudder, swell of your chest pressed to his as he slips his burning hot palms beneath your thighs to hoist you onto the kitchen island, uncaring when the spice rack rattles precariously. His lips never leave yours, tongue sweeping into your mouth in a way that has you panting for more, suddenly desperate to feel his warmth against you without the damn barrier of your leggings between you.

"Wanna take you right here so bad." Seokjin breaks away, eyes glazed over and slipping from your swollen lips momentarily to take in your quivering body, slotting himself between your welcoming legs. "God, you drive me crazy."

His hair tickles your cheek when he lets his face fall into the crook of your neck as if accepting defeat, his self control hanging by a thread in the same way as yours.

"Then take me." It's hushed whisper but it makes Seokjin groan, his hands rubbing flat circles into the tops of your thighs but never getting quite close enough to the ache that pulses between your legs, as though he can't trust himself.

"Don't want you to do something you'll regret." Seokjin sounds pained as he nips at your neck, lips sucking marks into the flesh obscenely while his tongue soothes the burn, your eyes squeezing shut at the sensation.

"I could never regret you." You stammer between quiet whimpers when his teeth attack the sensitive spot behind your ear and in that moment you believe every word. "I promise."

Seokjin leaves one last wet kiss to your jaw. "Open your eyes. Look at me." His hands tremble when they take your face between them and hold your already damp forehead against his. You obey, biting your lip when his own lustful eyes stare into yours with a gentleness. "Promise. You want this — me?"

Your heart throbs. "I promise."

"Then how could I refuse?" With a peck to your lips Seokjin hoists  you over his shoulder like you are weightless, blood rushing to your head as you come face to face with his butt.

"Let me down!" You laughed as he carries you through the apartment, pounding your fists against his back playfully. He only tightens his grip, landing a sharp smack to your ass that has you quieting down quickly. "Ow!"

"Don't pretend you didn't like it." His voice is muffled as he lets you down but you can still hear his smirk before he even comes into view. Your back lands on top of a plush mattress, silken sheets a welcome cold against your skin which still burns from Seokjin's touch. You manage to glance around the room briefly, taking in the elegant matching silk drapes and the luxe gold trimmed furniture which makes it feel like a hotel room you probably could not afford.

But then Seokjin is hovering over you again and the way his eyes darken as they rake across your body captures all your attention.

"I wouldn't mind if you did it again." You hum coyly, enjoying the way his pupils dilate as he swallows a groan. Seokjin grips your ankles and lands another slap to the flesh of your ass that has you panting and choking on your own smirk.

"Such a slut, hm?" Your knees fall apart instinctively as he leans over your body, leaving a few lingering kisses across the expanse of your chest that peeks out of the top of your tank top, all while your fingers find the hem of his gym t-shirt. "God I love your ass."

"I'll fuck it myself if you don't hurry up." The way your hips buck up give away your impatience, never quite meeting the painfully visible tent in his crotch and gaining the friction you so desperately search for. Your panties are soaked through and clinging uncomfortably to your dripping folds by now, the heat between your legs pulsing unbearably.

Seokjin chokes at your threat, eyes rolling back as he pictures the image you painted. "F-fuck, I'd love to but maybe another time." Your lithe fingers manage to get his shirt over his shoulders, throwing the garment somewhere behind him and sucking in a gasp when you take in Seokjin's naked torso beneath the warm glow of his bedside lamp, toned and slightly damp with anticipation. "Gotta take care of this cunt first, hm?"

His palm cups your mound obscenely through your leggings and you whine at the first contact you'd received all night, eager to have him touch you without the barrier of your clothing. "P-please." The way you twist your hips needily, trying to grind your throbbing clit against the heel of his palm makes him laugh lightly.

"Sit back, get comfy." He helps you slide up the bed, arranging a selection of tasseled throw cushions behind your head until he's satisfied you are adequately supported, kneeling between your legs to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear and press a prolonged peck to your parted lips. "Want this to be good for you."

"It's always good for me." You assure, fingers trailing fleetingly down his chest and feeling him tense above you at the ticklish contact. Seokjin makes quick work of your top, leaving you quickly in just your bra which you graciously save him the trouble of undoing by snapping the clasp open yourself.

The way he gazes in awe at your bare chest makes you self conscious, hands coming to cover the flush that caresses your face until he rolls one of your hardened nipples and lets out a sigh in unison with your own when your hands fall away, unable to focus on anything other than the tingle of Seokjin's touch and your own shallow pants.

"You're so pretty." His words make your chest blossom with warmth and you arch into his touch, air cold against your hard buds until Seokjin takes one of them into the heat of his mouth and reduces you to a gasping mess beneath him.

As soon as he comes up for air you manage to wriggle your hands between your flush bodies, latching on to the waistband of his gym shorts and sliding them down his thighs along with his boxers as soon as you catch his nod of confirmation.

His cock springs free, hard and already leaking against his stomach. Seokjin hisses at the cold air against his length. You wrap your hand around his girth, lidded gaze watching the way his face twists with a pleasurable agony with each flick of your wrist. He's hot and heavy in your palm, impossibly hard and your entrance clenches when his cock pulses against your palm, forcing him to swallow a moan and stop his hips from thrusting into your hand. You are suddenly hyper aware of how empty you are, another bout of lust pooling in your stomach as you anticipate how good he would fill you up, length enough to stretch you out perfectly.

When your palm twists around the angry reddened tip he just about looses his mind, falling forward to grip your shoulder with a bruising grip, uncaring when a few choked groans spill into your ear. You take pride in the way he falls apart so easily until his large palm covers yours and halts your ministrations all together.

"Stop, fuck—" He squeezes his eyes shut, letting out a hiss as he tries to regain his control, length twitching and drooling against your bare stomach. "Nearly came, shit." Seokjin's chest heaves with laboured breaths, cheeks flushed as he grips the base of his length firmly.

"I'm that good huh?" The teasing tone makes his eyes snap up, the scarlet tint to his cheeks deepening.

"No — I mean yes — but mostly I've been imagining this for a while." He seems slightly sheepish and you find it cute, feeling a little pang in your heart when his nose scrunches with shyness at his confession. "Got too worked up too fast."

"Guess you don't want me to suck you off for a bit, then?" You ask almost hopefully, your heat growing ever wetter at the thought of his girth fucking your throat mercilessly.

"There's plenty of time for that, princess." The glint in his eye is the same as the one he had that day in the locker rooms, except this time you trust his words knowing that nothing could stop you coming back for more.

"Guess I'll have to save my skills for another day, then." Seokjin chuckles at the pout that graces your lips, swatting your hand away before it could stroke his length again. "Unless..."

"Brat." The shake of his head is affectionate.

"Don't pretend you don't like it." You echoe his earlier words and he rolls his eyes to your amusement.

"Touché."

He holds your gaze for a little too long, the way his eyes soften at the edges and his lips part cutely too intimate for you to deal with in the moment so you focus on the neglected ache between your legs instead.

You interrupt the moment before you let a piece of your heart flutter straight into his hands. "Hurry up and get inside me, idiot!"

"Okay, okay jeez!" Seokjin raises his hands defensively before he shuffles down the bed, eye level with your crotch.

You can't help the way you arch off the bed as he peels away your leggings, whining shamelessly when your swollen folds finally hit the air.

Soon enough you feel Seokjin's hot breath hovering over your slit, making your clit pulse even more desperately if that were possible. Before he could devour your heat like you wanted him to, you are reminded of his own self control. "'S not fair, is it?" You slur, head spinning with lust as he spreads your lips with his fingers, taking you in completely.

"Not going to eat you out this time, don't worry," The sight of him looking up at you with pleading eyes from between your legs, lips inches away from your clit, is enough to have the coil in your stomach tightening, sure you could cum just from the visual alone. "Just a taste?"

You nod, too breathless to speak, and he runs a flat stripe up your dripping slit, the contact enough to make your legs shake and your head fall back against the cushions. He places a single kiss to your clit which makes you quiver before he climbs back up so you are eye level. "Can't get enough of your pussy," Your breath mingles, his lips glistening with your arousal just inches from yours. "Could taste you forever."

"You can." You whisper.

His tongue traces your bottom lip languidly. You can taste yourself just barely on his lips. "I don't deserve you."

Seokjin supports himself on his forearms, hovering over your body and taking his cock in his palm to line it up with your entrance.

"Ready?" He scans your face for any concerns, any suggestion that you are having second thoughts. Even your small smile and the shameless twists of your hips as you tried to impale yourself on his cock wasn't enough to appease him, apparently. "Promise?"

The tenderness in his voice makes you lose your breath in a mixture of shock and warmth. This has to be a dream. "Promise."

Seokjin's lidded eyes light up and he finds your hand where it tugs on the sheets beside your bodies and carefully interlinks your fingers. The callouses on his fingers, the grooves of his palm and how it slots perfectly into yours is starting to feel familiar. You don't have time to dwell on whether the action was supposed to feel as romantic as it did before he's pushing the tip of his cock against your entrance which clenches with every inch until he bottoms out with a guttural groan of his own.

The slide is slow and languorous, allowing you to feel every ridge of his cock drag against your walls, the stretch burning a little as you tried to accommodate his girth.

"So fucking wet for me, huh?" It's true; you can feel your arousal dripping down your ass, his hips meeting yours with an audible squelch that was testament of his affect on you. You feel his cock twitch inside you, his nose scrunching as he resists slamming into you straight away to allow you to adjust. Instead he focuses on rubbing soothing circles with his thumbs into your hips, taking in your bare form with a fascination. "So fucking pretty underneath me like this."

"All for you." You manage to stutter between hard pants as he snaps his hips back until just the head of his cock remains at your entrance and you whine with the impossible emptiness. "I'm all yours."

"Promise me." It comes out as a command but it's tainted with a softness that makes your cheeks burn with more than just lust.

"I promise. I'm all yours."

That's all it takes to have him slamming back into you, hips meeting yours repeatedly with a loud slap which is almost drowned out by the soft moans that spill from his lips into the crook of your neck. He's more vocal than you were expecting and it drives you crazy.

"Fuck, I'm close." His breath hitches at your words, tongue snaking out to wet his lips as he shudders closer to his high. With a pained expression he pauses mid thrust, head barely inside you as he searches your face for answers with desperate eyes. "Where can I—"

"Inside me." You buck your hips, whimpering when he slides back into you to the hilt as if he can't help it. "Wanna feel you fill me up."

"Shit, okay." He stutters as your fingers move the bangs stuck to his sweaty forehead, his neck and shoulders glistening slightly in the deep glow of the room. "God, you're so tight."

By now you are clenching around him wildly, the heat between your legs getting hotter with every drag of his cock against your velvety walls. With his next thrust he hits your sweet spot deliciously, the mewl that leaves you alerting him of the fact and he watches with a dark amusement as your eyes roll back and you lose yourself to the feeling.

"Mmf — g-gonna cum." Seokjin's thumb rubs circles into your throbbing clit in time with his thrusts and the pressure is enough to have you falling over the edge, vision fading to black as Seokjin fucks you through your high.

"That's it, cum for me baby," He coaxes, thrusts turning sloppy as you feel him release inside you, the feeling of him coating your now sensitive walls almost too much. "S-shit."

You don't realise your eyes are squeezed shut until Seokjin's palm cups your chin, his face a picture of pure bliss when your lashes finally flutter open. There's barely any distance between your noses, his breath lightly tickling your parted lips and you're sure he can hear your heart thumping against your rib cage, loud in your ears as he closes the distance between you in a lazy kiss that feels indescribably intimate with him softening inside you.

"I don't deserve you." He says again, voice croaky this time. "You could do better than me."

"Shut up," His cheek presses to your chest, warm against your clammy skin. "Don't be silly."

"There's something I need to tell you..." He begins, cut off when you sit upright abruptly, eyes wide. "It's nothing bad. Well, it might be depends on how you respond. It's just that day on the lake, when I saw how Taehyung looked at you, and when I thought I lost you, it made me realise that I'm—"

"No, not that." You begin feeling around for your underwear. "I think the pasta boiled over!"

"Oh shit!" He joins your search for clothes, rolling onto his back beside you, though you don't miss the frown that appeared on his face. "Guess I can wait a little longer."

[atsunflower]

Hospital for souls — Intro

Rated: SFW

Author note: hey yall! This is the first chapter for my "Throne: the series". Remember, it's a yakuza!au, so there will be lots of mentions of dark themes. This chapter, thought, is safe and kind of plain, but totally important to the start. Please, enjoy your reading!

Warnings: cursing and slight mentions of anxiety and OCD.

I — Intro

Previous || Next

You walked down the aisle sandwiched between two bodies clad in Armani suits. Even though they knew you woudn’t dare to, they held you like you were about to run away from this whole circus.

There was no bridal march, neither a suntuous decoration. The Elie Saab gown you wore was heavy on your body, making you feel like you didn't belong; the harsh glares thrown at you didn't help either.

You felt helpless.

In the end of the red carpet, a man stood tall and stoic. His hair wasn't combed so the wavy locks were free to frame his face; the harsh glare he gave you three did nothing to diminish his beauty — at least, you tought, he's not a creepy old man. But this fact don't made you feel any relief.

Your head then hung low, as if you were trying to vanish away from this ceremony. The blond man by your left tightened the hold in your arm —not for support, but as warning— while the gray haired one only clicked his tongue; their implicit threat made your skin craw.

Two months ago, you'd never imagine your life would change completely, considering you weren't given any options.

Two months ago, a tall brown haired man would escort you out of the hospital you worked and then, take you to your doom: from a fatherless daughter to a bastard of Inarizaki and then, a bride for a man you never saw before. A whole arrangement that lasted 60 days and took you away from everything you had, from everything you knew.

Lost in thoughts, you didn't feel when your steps halted nor when the two figures who held you let go of your arms to take their seats. The man waiting for you don't bothered to acknowledge your presence by his side, but you saw his features hardening once you reached for him.

In shades of orange and black, the venue pretty much looked like a courtroom, its aesthetic doing nothing to ease your nerves. In the pulpit, an old man stood proud, sporting a wise aura only the time could give him.

The elder cleared his throat and everyone in the room stood on their feet.

"Good evening ladies, gentlemen and the distinguished people from the families" his voice sounded loud and mighty, even if he wasn't using a mic. "Tonight, we are reunited to celebrate an unprecendented moment in the history of our kind: the union of Inarizaki and Itachiyama households"

A minute of silence was made; everyone in the place held a solemn face, waiting for the man to proceed.

"I, Ukai Ikkei, the elder of Karasuno, feel honoured to lead such important event" He said placing his right hand on his chest "Assuring you all that, Karasuno, the household responsible for all the bureaucracy and diplomacy related to our activities, is still commited to keep a neutral eye over families matters only to officialize, document and inspect the agreements between the families. That being said, the ceremony shall begin."

His raspy voice dragged the boring speech until a men with bleached hair walked to where you and the groom stood, with a huge book in his hands. He carefully placed it on the desk in front of you, grabing the leathern material of its cover and opening it.

"Tonight, a new chapter is added to the Book of Deals. With clauses that concern only the involved parts, we witness the signing of this agreement by the main heads of Inarizaki and Itachiyama, as well the bride's signature. But first, shall we hear the marriage votes and the exchange of rings"

A man from Itachiyama's side stood and came to you both, holding a black velvety box. He opened it, offering its contents at you first; you took the larger golden band and started:

"I, [L/N; Name], daughter of Inarizaki, give you, Sakusa Kiyoomi, this ring as a symbol of my commitment to you and Itachiyama, manifesting my will to this alliance between our families" surprisingly, your voice sounded steady while reciting the speech you knew by heart, paying no mind to the snickering behind you.

Sakusa looked at you with distaste, his body going stiff the moment you held his hand and slipped the golden band to his ring finger. He then took the remaining jewel and turned to you:

"I thee wed" and you felt even more humiliated, the jiggles only adding more weight to the diamond ring in your finger.

To your relief, Ukai cleared his throat again, proceeding with the formalities

"Now may the newly weds to sign the Book. I also summon Inarizaki oyabuns to officialize the deal." Atsumu and Osamu were by your side, eager to finish this. Sakusa went first, smoothly running the pen over the page. Then, Ukai handed him a glistening object.

God, you hated it here.

Using the lancet, the tall ravenette punctured his thumb, smearing the blood between his fingers and then pressing the red fingerprint onto the blank paper.

Before handing you the fountain pen, he fished a tube of hand sanitizer from his pocket, rubing the alchool as if his life depended on it.

Did the man suffer of OCD? You almost pitied him. Almost.

Then, it was your turn. Scribbling down your name next to his, you sealed your fate.

Sakusa [Name].

You flinched when you felt your thumb getting punctured, Atsumu doing you the favor and smirking at your reaction; why the man hated you so much?

The blood stained the beautiful dress you wore, before printing your mark on the paper.

Almost a metaphor, as if you were now tainted too.

When the twins were done, the old Ukai was more than ready to wrap the event.

"With both consents and the power vested in me by the families, I now pronouce you married. May peace prevail among Inarizaki and Itachiyama"

"Aren't the newly-weds supposed to kiss now?" You heard Atsumu whispering to Osamu. The latter merely scoffed at his brother's stupid antics.

Everyone got out of the room, since Karasuno would host a reception in honor of the wedding.

During your time in Inarizaki, you learned that the place worked as a hotel for the Yakuza.

The Crow, as it is called, was supposed to be a neutral space where the most important matters to the families were held. With a glamourous western architecture, it looked like one of those luxury mansions from the movies.

In the ballroom, soft piano melodies were being played and waiters offered booze to the guests.

The champagne tasted stale in your mouth.

You were now sitting alone in a table on the corner, observing the other people mind their own business, too absorbed in their bubble of power and crime.

You would never get the way they acted so nonchalant, when everything they had was made of blood. This coldness was scaring.

"Why are you so sad in your big day?" The snarky question almost had you spitting the champagne. The brunette sat by your side, his mouth doing a soft curve as an apologetic smile.

"You tell me, you little shit" your reply came in a joking tone, trying to ease the bad sensation on your guts, but he got what you meant.

"You know, it could've been worse." he let out a breath, looking around the saloon "You know how Atsumu is. Also, Osamu shares that weird twin bond of theirs, so it's hard to tell what he's thinking. But it definetely could have been worse"

"I figured it out by myself, Suna-kun. It's just hard to accept the fact I was dragged to this against my own will." a tear rolled in your left cheek and the man by your side wiped it with his thumb.

"Yeah, but the former lady wanted you dead back then" always blunt, he never held back when stating the facts "Things work this way between the families. You were lucky you haven't to face a bigger mess" he held your hand over the table, while propping his chin on the other palm.

It was Suna who brought you into this life. Though, you never resented him because you knew he was just following strict orders. Besides, he was the only one who was nice towards you; never knowing when it happened, you both agreed on this weird friendship a couple of weeks ago. Now he was the only person you cared about.

"But it's not that bad. You are going to live in that huge ass mansion of your husband" the playful tone and the way he wiggled his eyebrows was comical. "You also can see the weird faces he makes first hand. Man, the way he looked constipated during the ceremony was fucking priceless." You accompanied him on a snort, almost forgetting the circumstances.

"I'm going to miss your antics so bad" and you would have said more, if it wasn't for the shadow looming over you.

Sakusa was standing behind your chair, with a face mask covering his features.

If stares could kill, you'd be dead on spot.

"Time to go" was all he said, waiting for you. You bid goodbye to Suna and followed your husband out of the hotel, a sleek sports car waiting for you two while you made your way towards it.

He stopped dead on his tracks, taking a hold of you arm.

"Listen. Itachiyama is famous for respecting our women." You frowned "But know your place and don't even try to make a fool of me or of my household, got it?" His voice was slighty muffled by the mask, but you still understood every single word he said.

"What do you mean?" You asked, ignoring the way he tightened the grip on your arm, resuming his steps.

"Simple. Stay out of my way or you'll deeply regret it, you fox runt."

❥ tagging: @kenmamazing, @keekee-732, @chiibichann, @shinguchi, @captain-shittykawa, @fortheloveofbakugo, @daisyjaebae, @jihoonspout, @floodinginstars, @fl4mepillar, @trash4sportsanime, @translucentthoughts, @kemochie;

[morethanaprincess-a]

@despairfiles​ said:  ❝ you look… as lovely as ever, your majesty. ❞ (Emiya, he wouldn't dare being more forward)

Ballroom Dialogue Prompts

Sonia shut the laptop screen gently. She hadn't even heard Emiya slip into the room, though that was the mark of a good personal protection officer. Being able to come and go without being noticed, only becoming unable to ignore when she had a need for them. The problem was, Emiya was unable to ignore for a multitude of reasons, one of which being his mouth, which wavered from good-natured taunts to advice she didn't always ask for.

She'd been dressed thirty minutes ago, when the last swipe of lipstick and the final few pins to secure her tiara had been affixed. Then the Queen had sent away the maids and, among the various bottles and tools arranged on her vanity, set up her computer right in her personal chambers and was greeted by several tiny screens. Most of the former Remnants had agreed to chat at that time, partly to update one another on their lives but mostly to give Sonia advice and moral support. Mainly in how to deal with Byakuya Togami, whose name had been added to the list of initial suitors. They almost unanimously agreed that his participation had to be some sort of joke, though plenty were quick to shoot down Akane Owari's idea of punching him so hard he regretted ever considering the prospect in the first place.

Though seeing her, for the first time in a long time, appear as the royal she always was did make some things return to normal. Mainly, Gundham's avoidance to even meet with them to discuss the subject and Kazuichi Souda's array of compliments that bordered on a desire to be the one to rescue her from it all. At least both Hajime and Fuyuhiko were present to keep him in check from voicing anything too terrible.

"You look...as lovely as ever, Your Majesty."

The voice was familiar. But his hesitation in offering such kind words, that was a new one.

Sonia swept to her feet, taking care not to catch her gown on any of the various drawers and legs of her vanity chair. The nature of her gown and years of etiquette lessons forced her to stand straight and tall as she faced Shirou Emiya for the first time in full regalia.

Her attire had been a point of deliberation, though the Queen herself had only two stipulations: One, they'd seek something from the collection the Castle already possessed. It would be in bad form if the Queen had something new commissioned or bought from even a newly restored luxury fashion house. And two, she'd vetoed any gown that looked remotely white, ivory, cream, or any other color that clearly screamed 'bridal' the moment she entered a room. Everyone was well aware what tonight's festivities were for so there was no need to broadcast it every time she twirled.

And so she'd ended up in a voluminous, off-the-shoulder ballgown in silk shot taffeta. With a skirt fluffed out by plenty of undergarments, the color was either pale blue or sage green depending on the light with the intention to compliment her eyes. Diagonally across her torso in both front and back, a navy sash had been affixed to the gown where all the appropriate medals and brooches worn by the monarch for formal appearances were displayed, and that didn't even include the array of diamonds and pearls that sparkled at her neck, her earlobes, and most brilliantly of all, pinned to the top of her head. The Future Foundation, partnered with the rebels working against the Despairs, had managed to secure nearly all of the crown jewels away from the clutches of the mad queen, and it was for situations like this one that Sonia was grateful for it.

"Thank you, Emiya," She smiled at him encouragingly, lifting the hem of the front of her skirts just enough so she could cross her bedroom to greet him without tripping. It wouldn't add anything to the evening if she remarked how strange it was for him to provide a sincere compliment in her direction, especially regarding her appearance. The night, though Sonia wished it wasn't so and held out on the smallest bit of hope it could be redeemed, would be difficult enough without their banter. He knew how she hesitated to go on with it, to give some of the world's most disgraced and destitute members of the upper class a chance to reinstate some of the comforts of their former lives: sons second or third in line to the throne, businessmen who lost everything, various dukes and earls. And then Togami, who was the true outlier and no one, especially the media, knew what to make of him. "I was advised earlier that a balcony address before the ball would not be possible tonight. Apparently there is a colorful group of both well-wishers and protesters at the gates, making it quite a problem for the cars to arrive."

[ingek73]

Here Are 20 Headlines Comparing Meghan Markle To Kate Middleton That Might Show Why She And Prince Harry Are Cutting Off Royal Reporters

Over the years, Meghan has been shamed for the same things for which her sister-in-law, Kate, has been praised.

Ellie Hall

BuzzFeed News Reporter

Last updated on January 13, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. ET

Posted on January 13, 2020, at 10:40 a.m. ET

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (aka Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) didn't just shockingly "step back" as senior members of the royal family this week — they gave the UK media a big "fuck-you" for years of what they said was biased and unfair coverage.

The couple's new website on breaking up with years of royal protocol laid out — among a lot of other things — their media strategy, stating that they will no longer participate in the traditional royal press system that grants exclusive access to a select group of UK outlets.

Britain’s royal correspondents, they said, are seen as reliable sources of information. "This misconception propels coverage that is often carried by other outlets around the world, amplifying frequent misreporting," they wrote. Removing themselves from "royal rota" coverage has sparked an outcry among UK media and drew a protest from the National Union of Journalists.

This isn't a new complaint from the royal couple — they just took an unprecedented step to do something about it. Harry and Meghan have said publicly that they believe they have been treated unfairly by the UK press since the moment news broke of their relationship — that they are bullied, that there are racist undertones to coverage of them, and that they have been held to a different standard than Harry's brother and sister-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka Prince William and Kate Middleton).

The UK media outlets that currently make up the royal rota are the Daily Express, the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, the Evening Standard, the Telegraph, the Times, and the Sun.

Here is a look at 20 stories from these outlets that appear to show a double standard between press coverage of Meghan and Kate. BuzzFeed News has reached out to all of the outlets featured below for comment.

Kate: "Bumping along nicely! The Duchess was seen placing a protective hand on her tummy as she exited the event." Daily Mail: March 22, 2018

Meghan: "Personally, I find the cradling a bit like those signs in the back of cars: Baby on Board. Virtue signaling, as though the rest of us barren harridans deserve to burn alive in our cars." Daily Mail: Jan. 26, 2019

Kate and William: "Prince William was given one of the green fruit – wrapped up in a bow – by a little boy who's mother is suffering during her pregnancy too... 'He said he'd take it to [Kate] and see what happens – and said good luck for [the boy's] mummy.'" Express: Sept. 14, 2017

Meghan: "The pregnant Duchess of Sussex and so-called 'avocado on toast whisperer' is wolfing down a fruit linked to water shortages, illegal deforestation and all round general environmental devastation." Express: Jan. 23, 2019

Kate: "Royal sources said yesterday that the Queen understood and endorsed William and Kate’s decision not to spend Christmas Day with her. One said: ‘Her Majesty understands that it is a dilemma that many young couples face and acknowledges how close Catherine’s relationship is with her family." Daily Mail: Dec. 16, 2016

Meghan: "The fact is the Queen expects to have the family around her for the festive season... to the Queen, for whom the tradition of the family gathering is a key date in her calendar, Harry and Meghan’s absence will be a matter of great sadness. It will also be a source of frustration." Daily Mail: Nov. 13, 2019

Kate and William: "Creating their own companies will allow William and Kate to bring out, should they ever chose to, myriad items of officially-endorsed merchandise from tea towels to coffee cups... Kensington Palace officials said they were doing the ‘sensible thing’ in protecting the couple’s rights." Daily Mail: Jan. 17, 2014

Meghan and Harry: "The Sussexes want to stamp their name on dozens of products including T-shirts, hoodies, journals and gloves for their newly-created foundation Sussex Royal... Experts said Harry and Meghan were actively preparing to quit the Royal Family months ago by filing trade mark applications to commercially protect their brand." Daily Mail: Jan. 9, 2020

Kate and William: "Prince William yesterday backed brother Harry’s brave admission of his mental anguish — and blasted the monarchy’s 'stiff upper lip' tradition... William said: 'There may be a time and a place for the ‘stiff upper lip’ but not at the expense of your health... '

"'Catherine and I are clear we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings. Over the past year we have visited a number of schools together where we have been amazed listening to children talk about some quite difficult subjects in a clear and emotionally articulate way, something most adults would struggle with. Seeing this has really given me hope things are changing and there is a generation coming up who find it normal to talk openly about emotions.'” Sun: April 19, 2017

Meghan and Harry: "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have bucked royal tradition once again with their latest TV interview — in which they claimed they were 'existing, not living.' The couple ditched the stiff upper lip of previous Royal Family generations and flew the flag for 'Generation Therapy' as they revealed their emotions to the world - but were they right to do so?

"What you make of 'fragile' Prince Harry and Meghan's comments may depend on your generation. Sun parents and kids reveal what they think of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex airing their emotions in public - and whether they have the right to moan in such positions of privilege..." Sun: Oct. 23, 2019

Kate: "It was reported that new Duchess of Cambridge requested her favorite scented candles and toiletries from luxury fragrance brand Jo Malone be delivered to scent the Abbey. A selection of candles, handwashes and lotions was requested, specifically in citrus spring scents including Orange Blossom, Grapefruit and the ever-popular Lime, Basil & Mandarin." Daily Mail: May 4, 2011

Meghan: "'Meghan wanted staff to go around with these atomizers, like spritzer guns, and spray the chapel with scent before anyone arrived. Royal Household staff stepped in and told her office politely, but firmly, that this was the queen's chapel and it simply wasn't appropriate. I don't believe they said no because they thought it could affect the chapel in any way. It was simply the principle of the thing. This is a place that has held royal weddings, funerals and even contains the royal vault. I don't believe a request of that nature had been made before.'" Daily Mail: Nov. 30, 2018

Kate: "As far as bridal bouquets go there was nothing particularly regal about Kate Middleton’s modest arrangement of simple, seasonal flowers. Like the bride herself the bouquet was effortlessly elegant and understated.

"Yet behind that modest posy lay a secret story. Kate, the commoner-turned-duchess, had painstakingly selected blooms with real meaning. She is evidently well-versed in the language of flowers, a little-known romantic relic from the 19th century.

"Hence the use of lilac in her bouquet, which signifies the first emotions of love, the lily of the valley meaning a return of happiness, hyacinth standing for constancy, myrtle meaning love and the ivy, which represents fidelity. Then of course there was the suitably named Sweet William, which is shorthand for gallantry." Express: Aug. 29, 2011

Meghan: "[Meghan Markle] was holding a wedding bouquet which flowers were replicated in Princess Charlotte and the other bridesmaids’ flower crowns. Express.co.uk can now reveal the children’ crowns were made of flowers that can be deadly, especially for children. Meghan’s bouquet was made of forget-me-nots as well as sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia...

"Lily of the valley is a highly poisonous woodland flowering plant and ingestion could be deadly... As Meghan’s bridesmaids were so young, having this flower on their heads could be considered a dangerous decision. Other brides have also used this flowers including Kate Middleton, Princess Eugenie and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall." Express: Oct. 13, 2019

Kate and William: "The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh missed the small family affair. The decision is understood not to have been taken on health grounds, and to have been mutually agreed by the Queen and the Cambridges some time ago. The Queen, 92, has a busy week ahead, with high-profile celebrations in central London marking the centenary of the RAF on Tuesday, and a visit by US President Donald Trump in Windsor on Friday." Daily Mail: July 9, 2018

Meghan and Harry: "The situation has surprised some senior staff at Buckingham Palace, who feel that the duke and duchess should have planned the day better. ‘There is huge support for the couple in not wanting to conform to tradition. They are young, they are striking out on a different path from other members of the Royal Family and there is enormous goodwill for them. But they shouldn’t do that without regard for tradition,’ said one. ‘Her Majesty was already scheduled to be in Scotland for her annual Holyrood Week and had a prior engagement at the weekend. There is a feeling amongst some that they should have been more accommodating about the date.’" Daily Mail: July 4, 2019

Kate: "It is a fashion conundrum not many of us will ever face, but what exactly does one wear for tea with the Queen? The Duchess of Cambridge met this challenge head on yesterday by co-ordinating her outfit with the Queen’s powder blue ensemble... The Queen, on her first ­official event to mark her Diamond Jubilee, was dressed in a pastel hat and two-piece coat dress with military-style rows of gold buttons designed by Angela Kelly. Looking relaxed and elegant, her outfit was perfect for what looked like a fun official engagement with the girls." Mirror: Feb. 14, 2013

Meghan: "The Queen's aides had told [Meghan] she would be wearing a green hat as a mark of respect to those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire. The Queen is said to have been 'baffled' when Meghan turned up without a hat as she didn't realize she was supposed to wear one too. A senior aide said: 'I don't think the Duchess fully understood. This was not a request. Those are for others to make, not the Queen.' The Queen's staff are said to have noted the Duchess's mistake or 'lack of deference'" Mirror: Oct. 29, 2018

Kate: "We see a woman in her prime: stylish, confident and positively radiant, nailing outfit after outfit in the style stakes — and it’s a joy to witness... That old uniform of girlish dresses, tan tights and nude heels has been replaced by dazzling super-chic outfits to satisfy even the most exacting fashionista." Daily Mail: June 16, 2019

Meghan: "Proper royalty is about tradition and duty, self-effacing service and loyalty — year after year after year, season after season... That is not to say that a monarchy cannot or must not move with the times — simply that it has to resist the temptation to be buffeted by passing cultural trends. Fashion is the exact opposite. And as fashion’s most famous bible, Vogue exemplifies the transient nature of the beast." Daily Mail: July 29, 2019

[alishbakhanus]

Watch for the bride: every minute must be beautiful.

A wedding is a special day for which they prepare in advance and with great responsibility. The best suit for the groom, the most beautiful dress for the bride, flowers to match the shirt, the car to match the eye color - every detail is taken into account and carefully selected so that everything is perfect and unforgettable. That is why it is also worthwhile to carefully consider the choice of wedding watches for the bride and groom, so that they not only do not spoil the created and thought out image to the smallest detail, but also give it a romantic completeness.

Watch for the bride: every minute must be beautiful

Since childhood, every girl dreams of feeling like a queen at least for one day: when all looks are only for her, and the external image is perfection itself. The perfect dress, fashionable shoes, sparkling necklaces, earrings, bracelets ... And of course watches. Although this accessory is not as popular in the image of a bride as jewelry, it is no less interesting. With its help, you can emphasize the luxury of a sparkling outfit or harmoniously complement the restraint of an unusual but trendy wardrobe. In both cases, you need to choose completely different models.

A bouncy shade for a sports watch

Elysee 30010 DKNY NY8818 TechnoMarine 111053 Perrelet A2040 / A If a girl's dress is decorated with stones, be it Swarovski crystals or diamonds, the model of the wedding watch should have exactly the same jewelry, or be completely without stones. In the first case, the accessory will emphasize the richness of the outfit, and in the second, it will soften the "sparkle" of the bride. For example, the creation of the masters Elysee 30010 with a rectangular case, crystals on the bezel and ceramic on the strap, or the DKNY NY8818 model with a round dial and the same decor will look very good.

In the case of diamonds, the perfect option is a designer wedding watch set with 136 diamonds, TechnoMarine 111053, or an elite shockproof mechanical Perrelet A2040 / A model with a double rotor in the shape of a lotus flower. Paris Hilton 138.5084.60 DKNY NY8550 Roamer 686836.41.29.60 Alfex 5740/905 Swatch LK336 If the bride's dress does not have a decoration with stones, or with the help of a watch she wants to give the image a less shiny look, you should pay attention to Paris Hilton 138.5084.60 or DKNY NY8550 - a snow-white watch for a bride with a delicate design. Of particular interest are watches with graceful straps, which in our case can perform two functions at once - to show the time and be an elegant accessory instead of a classic bracelet. For example, a very beautiful offer from Roamer - 686836.41.29.60 with zircon and cubic zirconia, or a similar sample without stones from Alfex - 5740/905 . Such a bridal watch is also well accentuated by an outfit with embroidery with pearls. The model also looks very gentle and romantic due to the pearl braceletSwatch LK336 .

Temporis T026LS.02 Frederique Constant FC-310LHB2PD4 Armani AR7354 Le Chic CM 2711D G Guess W0140L2 If the bride's dress is not in white, but with a hint of champagne, you should take a closer look at the Temporis T026LS.02 sparkling Swarovski crystals , or the Frederique Constant FC-310LHB2PD4 diamond watch , or the minimalistic Armani AR7354 model . Gold models with designer bracelets Le Chic CM 2711D G and a model from Guess - W0140L2 will also look very delicate and gentle.

Watch for the groom: graceful rigor

Vulcain 510519.111LD Adriatica 1246.1213Q Grovana 1215.1539 Choosing a watch for a groom is, first of all, looking for a classic model to match the color of the suit. The main thing here is not to overdo it - the accessory should not be the main thing in the image, but only complement it.

If a man is planning a traditional black suit and white shirt, the most successful would be to buy a watch with a light screen and a black leather strap, or a completely black model. For example, a luxurious mechanical option for a wealthy groom - Vulcain 510519.111LD with a gold case and diamonds on the dial.

Among the more affordable offers are the Adriatica 1246.1213Q with a gold case and the Grovana 1215.1539 in a silver design with a Roman dial. Armani AR1467 Rodania 25061.40 33 Element 331412C Police 13077MPGG / 01 Armani AR1667 For a groom in a white or beige suit, you need to choose a watch with the appropriate color schemes. For example, white models such as Armani AR1467 , Rodania 25061.40 or 33 Element 331412C will look very elegant . In beige tones, you should pay attention to the spectacular creation from Police - 13077MPGG / 01 , or the restrained classic from Armani AR1667 . Breguet 5140BB / 12 / 9W6 Roamer 101551.41.45.01 Atlantic 62341.41.51 The modern watch market is also distinguished by an excellent range of color models for men. If the hero of the occasion wishes to purchase a suit in the blue color fashionable this season, he will have a choice of watches in different price categories: from an elite gold mechanical model with a hand-guilloche pattern Breguet 5140BB / 12 / 9W6 , to the more affordable mechanical watch with sapphire crystal Roamer 101551.41 .45.01 and to Atlantic's budget proposal 62341.41.51 with glowing arrows.

Bright wedding - original watches

In recent years, it has become very fashionable to organize so-called themed or colored weddings. For the celebration, outfits are selected in accordance with the dress code, which is strictly observed by everyone, starting with the bride and groom. In this case, the choice of watches directly depends on the image of the newlyweds. Black, red, blue, green or even yellow - whatever colors would not dominate at the holiday - you can always pick up original and beautiful watches for them. And here it is no longer necessary to look for only the classics - I demand bold decisions for extraordinary images! Here are just a few examples of colorful watch pairs for flamboyant brides and grooms. A red couple for passionate newlyweds - a Morgan M1072R women's watch with Swarovski crystals and a Timex T2P493 men's watch with an Indiglo electroluminescent backlight. Life- affirming yellow designs for the bright and in love with life: the mechanical Longines L4.921.2.11.8 for him and the intriguing Versace 86Q721MD497 S585 for her. And, finally, unusual green colors for extravagant couples: the groom can be offered Jacques Lemans 1-1695E with a tachymeter scale, and the bride - a colorful model from Pierre Lannier 043G678 with a delicate pattern on the dial. The main rule for choosing wedding watches of any colors and shades is that they should not distract attention from the general external image of a girl or a guy. It is also a delicate accessory that does not require multifunctionality or special claims to the "stuffing". The main thing is that they correctly count the happy moments of the celebration and tick off without fail in the rhythm of loving hearts.

Courtesy: best wedding planner in Lahore

[bigyack-com]

From pre-wedding functions to D-Day, Beverly Hills is the one-stop destination for all you need - travel

While weddings are actually a one-day affair, there’s a lot that goes in and around that one special day which comes once in a lifetime!More than the D-Day, it’s about getting the pre-wedding right. So, to take away your jitters surrounding the big day, here’s a near-perfect Beverly Hills sample itinerary with the perfect wedding spots starting from the pre-wedding parties to the honeymoon.Beverly Hills, California is known as the mecca of luxury and extraordinary service. This palm tree-lined oasis offers everything a wedding couple may need, including high-end spa amenities, gorgeous venues and world-class hotels with romantic suites. Bachelorette and Bachelor Party* Check into your hotel: With a rich history of luxury and elegance, Beverly Hills has one of the largest concentrations of Forbes Star rated and AAA Diamond awarded properties in the United States.The destination offers some of the most notable hotels including The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, Montage Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Beverly Hills and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. The city also boasts unique boutique properties, including Avalon Beverly Hills, The Crescent Hotel and Luxe Rodeo Drive.* Find your “Something new” with unparalleled shopping: From world-renowned fashion houses to one-of-a-kind local boutiques, Beverly Hills is a shopping paradise located within a compact, easily walkable area known as the Golden Triangle.Shop vintage-inspired wedding and bridesmaids’ dresses, accessories and decor at BHLDN on South Beverly Drive or try on the latest bridal designs by Vera Wang at the boutique located on Rodeo Drive.For the perfect groom ensemble, head to Berluti, Indochino, or Anto Beverly Hills for ready-to-wear and bespoke garments tailored to fit any style or theme.For a truly unique shopping experience, Lalaluxe offers insider access to some of the city’s most sought-after VIP shopping rooms and a range of luxury lifestyle styling services, such as wedding styling, personal shopping, event planning and more.* Get your last-minute wedding body: Experience the new Upgrade Labs at The Beverly Hilton for a last-minute pre-wedding workout. The biohacking labs offer new fitness technologies and wellness amenities like cryotherapy and infrared saunas.* Take part in an elegant tea party: Indulge in tea, champagne and a tray filled with pastries and finger sandwiches in The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ cosy Living Room. Adorned with luxurious sofas and an inviting fireplace, your guests can take part in the hotel’s traditional high tea sitting.* Get the star treatment: The Forbes Five-Star La Prairie Spa at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills offers extraordinary services that incorporate opulent ingredients, such as caviar, diamonds and gold into their facials and massages.Additionally, The Spa at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel (also awarded the Forbes Five-Star rating) combines results-driven products and state-of-the-art technology to offer an array of signature treatments catered to men and women.* Enjoy a champagne toast at The Rooftop by JG: Cheers to the last evening of being single with breath-taking views of the Hollywood Hills and downtown Los Angeles atop the famed Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.Rehearsal Dinner* End the day with a lovely dinner at Crustacean Beverly Hills: Spend time with your closest friends as the mother of fusion, Chef Helene, creates celebrity favourite dishes like the “smoking” tuna cigars and AN’s famous Garlic Noodles.Take in the beautiful pale pink decor and sip cocktails as you “walk across the water” with the restaurant’s popular water feature walkway.* For a more formal gathering, many nearby restaurants offer elegant private dining rooms perfect for a rehearsal dinner including Spago Beverly Hills and CUT by Wolfgang Puck at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, The Belvedere at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, La Dolce Vita, Jean-Georges Beverly Hills at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and many more.Where to tie the knot* The Beverly Hills Hotel: With timeless glamour, this beautiful setting has played host to some of Hollywood’s most legendary weddings.Ceremonies are held in an intimate garden on the side of the hotel, while guests are treated to large and stunning event rooms like the Crystal Ballroom, Sunset Ballroom and Rodeo Ballroom.We also recommend extending the newlywed’s stay after the nuptials (even Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton stayed here during their honeymoon) in one of the properties luxurious bungalows that pay homage to Marilyn Monroe, Howard Hughes, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor herself.* The Beverly Hilton: Home to over 150 red carpet events each year, The Beverly Hilton team is well versed when it comes to lavish events and offers a variety of event spaces from the Stardust Penthouse to Oasis Courtyard.* Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel: The Rodeo Terrace, nestled within Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, is the perfect setting for a wedding or special event. Equipped for a reception and ceremony, breath-taking views of Rodeo Drive will pose as the perfect photo backdrop.* Greystone Mansion & Garden: The Doheny Estate: The historic property offers six different locations for the nuptials and reception including a lush green lawn lined with white roses, a terrace overlooking the Los Angeles cityscape and the elegant interior of the mansion showcasing its iconic marble floors.* Montage Beverly Hills: Overlooking the artfully sculpted greens of Beverly Canon Gardens, the hotel’s Montage Terrace offers a stunning outdoor Los Angeles wedding location.Graced with Mediterranean-inspired architectural details, dramatic inlaid tile and lush gardens of its own, this 5,000-square-foot terrace accommodates intimate weddings, receptions and special events with elegance and sophisticated city style.* The Peninsula Beverly Hills: For couples seeking pure elegance, The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers a glamorous air of romance that promises perfection in every detail.The exclusive residential feel of the hotel lends an intimate ambience whether the wedding takes place in a luxurious suite, the spectacular ballroom, or under the stars on the rooftop with the city skyline providing a glittering backdrop.* Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills: The newest addition to the Beverly Hills wedding scene, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills provides sophisticated service for a seamless event.Say “I do” under crystal chandeliers and continue the celebration in the hotel’s Astor Ballroom, named after the Astor family (the original owners of the first Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City).* Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills: From spa bridal showers to sunset martini nights for bachelor parties - and of course the wedding ceremony and reception, the team at Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills offer comprehensive wedding services and exceptional wedding planners and vendors who specialize creating uniquely perfect events.Honeymoon Hideaway* Celebrate with a Romantic Getaway: Couples can sit back, relax and soak in every blissful second of celebration with their sweetheart with themed hotel packages designed to keep couples starry-eyed all year long.The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ Romantic Moments package features amenities, such as dinner for two in a private rooftop cabana, plush monogrammed robes and a 60-minute couple’s massage in-room or at The Spa’s Harmony Suite.The Romance at The Beverly Hills Hotel package allows couples to discover the timeless romance of the iconic hotel with daily breakfast credit, a welcome bottle of champagne, luxury accommodation for two and more.* Rent an Exotic Car: Peruse the streets of Beverly Hills in an elegant Rolls Royce, sporty Ferrari or show-stopping Lamborghini by arranging a rental at Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car, Midway Car Rental or Black and White Car Rental.* Indulge in a Couples Massage: From custom side-by-side massages to access to Montage Beverly Hills’ rooftop mineral pool, a day at the award-winning Spa Montage will leave couples feeling connected, rejuvenated and relaxed.For those who enjoy a holistic approach to luxurious pampering, Tomoko Spa combines Swedish techniques with Japanese to provide tailored treatments in private suites.Dinner Date Night: Il Cielo Beverly Hills has long been known as one of the most romantic restaurants in Los Angeles, compliments of its candlelit tables and dreamy dining space under the stars.The restaurant offers two romantic dinner packages, which can be added on to any dining reservation, and intimate private dining rooms, which can be customized to fit any occasion. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Source link Read the full article

[btsfanficss]

Stay Professional! Part 6

Work AU! Fluff, Angst and Suggestive smut: Jungkook x Reader

Part 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Summary: Your boss Jungkook asks if you’d like to accompany him to his cousin’s wedding in Greece, Santorini. Tonight was the supposedly the rehearsal dinner but it felt more like a business meeting. This was the largest rehearsal dinner you’d ever been to and quite possibly the longest, too. But the real question is why did he ask you? What’s up with the 180 degree change in personality? 

A/N: My computer’s been broken so I haven’t been updating at all- and these days I’m running really low on inspiration, please forgive me. Also some frickady frickle doodly doo might occur (take note of suggestive smut)!

The sunrise dawned over the sky in beautiful gradients of pinks and purples. “Are you ready? I’m outside your apartment right now.” Jungkook’s voice sounded slightly husky from being up so early. He unbuckled the seatbelt that hugged his toned muscles with a simple ‘click’ and swiftly closed his car door with a silent ‘thud’. 

He looked up to see you waving down at him from your apartment, a bright and cheerful smile that made him almost lose his composure. You were beyond grateful that he’d ask you to accompany him to his cousin’s wedding- but even more grateful that he had personally come to pick you up for the special occasion. 

You’d noticed that Jungkook had changed drastically over the time you’d gotten to know him- first getting the impression that he was a typical cocky rich kid that then later developed to be a complete gentleman, you couldn’t resist no matter what. At first, Jungkook had no plans of getting attached- he found you interesting since the first interaction and didn’t plan on associating his feelings whatsoever but as it turned out- he couldn’t resist either. His original plan of just toying with you was burned to crisp after spending time with you and developing a sense of satisfaction from being next to you. You made him feel companionship, love and warmth that he’d never experienced before as you gave it your all as his personal assistant. 

“Thank you so much for this, sir.” He instinctively cringed at the formalities, being reminded of the gap in social status between you and him- A beam painted over his gentle features as he attempted to take the suitcase that was tight under your grip. 

“No please. At least let me carry my own luggage.” You brushed off his hand gently and showed him a smile that overflowed with charms. You had pulled on his once stern heartstrings and at that time, he struggled to hide his indefinite attraction towards you as he continued to stare into your eyes for what seemed like an uncomfortably long amount of time. 

“Are you okay?” You waved a hand over his face to check of his presence. He snapped out of the trance you had put him in previously and let out a quick puff of air from his cheeks. “Yes I’m great, let’s get going then.” He swiftly turned around, leaving you confused at his weird behaviour. He took quick and long strides in-front of you, completely forgetting that you were carrying heavy luggage. His mind was in no state to think about about chivalry after your smile had rudely “attacked” him. 

“I hope you don’t mind first class, Y/N. It appears that mother had taken the family jet before I could.” He let out a smug chuckle. He knew that you’d be astounded from having the chance to fly first class and that fuelled his ego to continue his taunts and teases. 

Before you could open your mouth to reply to his bewildering question, he continued to further blow your mind with his humour that you didn’t want to put to the test.

“I can buy a jet right now if you don’t want to fly first class. Would that be better, Y/N?” He laughed, his loveable eyes crinkled due to his wide smile. 

“Are you crazy? I’d have been fine with budget tickets. You didn’t have to get first class tickets, sir.” You stared at him with your jaw slack, almost hitting the floor.

“I couldn’t possibly do that. I’m thankful enough that you’re coming all the way to Santorini with me so I have to make sure you’re comfortable for the entire trip.” The two of you checked in within a flash due to Jungkook’s superior status. You noticed that when the two of you walked past, people had politely bowed their heads to show their respect towards Jungkook despite his young age. He politely returned the bows with a small smile. 

The two of you arrived on the plane, the luxurious atmosphere was hard to take in as you weren’t used to it at all. You were lost for words at the way everything was set out, each ‘seat’ was more of a room with personal TVs and fluffy beds. Jungkook analysed your shocked expression and a smile naturally spread across his face. He loved watching the way your eyes twinkled in amazement and the way your mouth stayed opened due to shock. 

“This way please, Sir and Madam.” The gorgeous stewardess lead you to your seats which were directly next to each other. You smiled at him, grateful and unable to express your thanks. 

Jungkook glanced over in your direction half way through the flight and found you sleeping soundly, snug comfortably on the seat that stretched out to be a bed. He found it impossible to look away from your sleeping face and he chuckled to himself, completely aware that he certainly developed a soft spot for you. He closely examined the way your chest would rise and fall with each inhale and exhale of your breath. Oh, if only you knew how much he fantasised about your warm breath against his raw neck and you whispering profanities into his ear. The fire in the pit of his stomach was hard to tame but as always, Jungkook managed to stay professional. He got a grip of himself and slept off his burning desire to plant kisses all over your body.

Infatuation was something Jungkook had never experienced before... and all these foreign feelings had his stomach flamed with butterflies and head spinning with countless fantasies. 

The moment you opened your hotel room to reveal the final look hit Jungkook like a truck. You remembered his face, mouth slightly open in fascination as he held out his hand for you to take. It was a similar reaction for you, to see him decked out in another one of his terribly good-looking suits (fit for a good-looking man such as himself). He had his hair neatly combed and parted to the side and wore a dashing smile on his face- The fascination the two of you found in each other was mutual and contagious. 

For the first time in his life, he could confidently say that he was mesmerised. The off-shoulder sleeves showcased your highlighted collarbones that would reflect light off at each different angle and a diamond necklace sat in between, framing the overall look with complete bliss. For a good 5 minutes, all Jungkook could do was stare. He took your hand and gulped noticeably before recomposing himself. 

“Spin for me, Princess.” He spoke instinctively, unable to filter out the new nickname that had you weak to your knees under his charm. 

You spun rather slowly, having to be extra careful in your 6-inch monstrosities that were your heels. Jungkook’s eyes trailed down your back and took in the view that had him hungry for what was beneath that stunning dress. You smiled at him innocently, holding onto his hand with a gentle grip as though it was completely natural. He suddenly felt the need to sweep you up off your feet and carry you bridal style into the bed-room to do lord knows what sinful activities. 

His lips felt dry and he was speechless at the view of you all dolled up just for him. 

“Do you like it?” Your voice was soft, a little flirtatious and had brought Jungkook’s mind back to planet Earth. 

“I love it.” He smiled widely all the way up to his ears and rubbed small circles on the back of your hand to reassure you of his words. 

Jungkook sat next to you inside the limousine, smiling at you once again, reassuring you of the toxic worries that clouded over your self-confidence. He reminded you just how beautiful you looked, dressed in a ball-gown fit for a princess that he had purchased for you. It was a purchase he had no regret for and made sure that you knew of it. Endless compliments rolled off his tongue and all the flattery from him was all smooth butter to hear but- that didn’t stop the boiling sensation of worry. His comforting voice wasn’t processed properly inside your head.

You looked blankly at the reflection on the glass window from across you with clouded thoughts of mass confusion. You could hardly recognise yourself due to the drastic alterations made to your appearance. Professionally done makeup and hair that took Jungkook’s breath right out of his lungs. You were wearing a black dress that hugged your curves in all the right places and Jungkook made sure to pick out a dress that would have a long skirt that draped gracefully down the floor and past your feet to further emphasise your natural elegance.

The limousine car opened with no warning and you had no other choice but to step out with a dazzling smile. 

“You’ll do just fine, there’s no need to be nervous. We’re just meeting a few relatives and mainly business partners. It’s meant to be a rehearsal dinner but I doubt that we’d want to eat after eating so many appetisers and talking to people.” Jungkook hopped off first and reached out his hand for you to take. You took his hand and decided to just wing it. (Do you see the pun there)

Your eyes sparkled at the sight, the beautiful hotel was the venue to one of the weddings of the century. It was located near the coast so you could hear the distant waves crashing in the background of murmurs and giggles of the guests, all dressed in equally extravagant dresses. Your grip on Jungkook’s arm was unnaturally tight and he found it irresistibly cute at the way you clung onto him for the beginning of the night- the introductions and first impressions. 

“It’s good to see you here, Jungkook.” An unknown voice approached from behind. Jungkook shook the man’s hand firmly and smiled at him, lowering his head in politeness. You imitated his actions and also smiled at him, genuine and charming. 

“It’s good to see you too, Sir. Please continue to guide us with your expertise.”

You took note of the way Jungkook spoke with caution, signifying the importance of the man that stood before you both. 

“It’s my job to make sure your company runs smoothly, no need to thank me. Also..” The man adverted his gaze to you, analysing the small beam spread across your tinted lips. 

“May I ask who this lovely lady is?” He spoke in a sultry voice, his eyes roamed up and down your body without a single blink of interruption and stared quite obviously at your curves. Jungkook seemed to notice, and he didn’t like it a single bit. 

“Oh yes how could I forget to introduce my very own date.” His voice stiffened slightly, making sure to emphasis on the fact that you were his. And his only.

“This is Y/N. Y/N, this is senior Namjoon. He's an experienced consultant that our company trusts. We’ve been working together since.. I don’t even remember”. You shook his hand briefly and bowed your head before shooting him another smile. 

“It’s nice to meet you, Sir.” Your voice was surprisingly gentle, despite the fire that were raging within your stomach due to nerves. 

“The pleasure is mine. Do enjoy yourselves tonight. Excuse me, I must go greet the others.” Namjoon said in a deep-tone before casually grabbing a glass of champagne and excusing himself from the two of you. 

“That wasn’t too bad. Did I do okay?” You softened the grip around Jungkook’s left arm and looked up at him with a childish smile. 

“More than okay. Keep it up.” He smiled back at you before swiftly taking 2 glasses of champagne from the well-dressed waitors that roamed the venue. He offered you a glass and you took it with no hesitation. After-all, a little alcohol can bring out a little boldness, right? 

The champagne tasted divine on your tastebuds. The flavours danced on your tongue and it was certainly the best that you’d ever tasted. Before you knew it, there were more people approaching your direction and the two of you repeated the process of greetings and introductions. You couldn’t remember the exact number of people that you’d been introduced to that day but it was rather quite a large number. 

As the night grew a little darker, you grew more confident with each new interaction and more glasses of champagne. Jungkook was impressed at the qualities you possessed as a desirable partner to the event that was supposedly a wedding, but seemed more of a formal business gathering at that point. Either way, he found that you were a perfect fit for both. All of the confidence disappeared when one particular lady made her way through the crowd. 

“Jungkook, my darling!” She spoke ecstatic at the sight of him, opening her arms out for a loving hug. He unlinked your arm for a moment to return the affectionate action. It had you confused at to who this lady was, for him to be so loving. 

“It’s so good to see you all dressed up like this.” She kissed both his cheeks with an audible ‘mwah’ and rubbed the side of his arm lovingly. 

“It’s good to see you again, mother. Forgive me, it’s been very busy for the both of us these days.” He held her hand and smiled at her with a gentle glow he usually did not possess.

“My my, you’re awfully polite today. I’ve noticed you’re a lot more affectionate these days- which I appreciate very much.”  She laughed, staring into her son’s eyes that shifted from her to behind him and towards you. 

“And you must be the reason!” Jungkook’s mother let go of his hand and walked over to you in a quick huff. To your surprise, she gave you equal love and kissed both of your cheeks before embracing you in a tight hug. 

“What lovely hair, my dear. And this dress.” She gasped. “You look stunning! Are you the one that’s changed my cold-hearted Jungkook into a total softie?” She giggled, whispering the last sentence into your ear. 

“O-oh.. I-I’m not sure about that. It’s very nice to meet you, Madam. I’m Y/N... I’m currently working as Jungkook’s personal assistant.” You bowed your head politely and much lower than before. You didn’t think that you’d meet the CEO of the company you were working at like this. 

“But for tonight, she’s my date.” Jungkook interrupted, returning to his previous position to link arms with you. A crimson blush crept up your cheeks and you found it hard to look at anywhere else that wasn’t the floor. 

“Ah I see! That’s lovely to hear dears.. and I’m sure Jungkook is more than thrilled to have such a gorgeous lady by his side. But I’m sorry to break the mood, Jungkook darling, you’re going to have to go and introduce yourself to my current business partners. It’ll be a great opportunity for you to meet your future partners too.” She spoke rather quickly, scanning the room in a hurry to look for the person she wanted her son to be introduced to. 

“Yes mother, I’m already greeting some of them with Y/N.” He explained.

“I understand but I’d like it if you came with me for a bit, for professional sake. It’ll be better for me to introduce you rather than yourself.” Her voice turned a little more serious. She was always like this, very professional and business-orientated when she knew she had to be. 

“I’m sorry Y/N darling, I hope you understand. I’ll make sure to finish things up with Jungkook rather quickly and give him back to you as soon as I can.”  Her voice changed again, back to the high-pitched and loving tone that she had used previously. 

“I understand, ma’am. Business is business.” You beamed at her, trying to figure out in your head how exactly you were meant to survive alone for a couple of hours. 

“That’s right love, it won’t be long.” She made sure to sugar-coat her words even though you already knew the truth. 

“I guess I have no choice then.” Jungkook sighed, unlinking his arm from yours. He looked at you reassuringly and whispered in your ear softly before walking off with his mother. “You’ll do just fine.” 

You paced nervously around the venue for the past hour. You had no idea what to do to occupy yourself besides drink and snack on expensive appetisers. So much for quick. Jungkook was right, despite the event being a rehearsal dinner, you found that not many people sat down properly to eat. Everyone one was talking about each other’s companies and business progresses that it’d driven you to a brink of insanity. You had decided to go on an adventure alone, to see all of the venue that was beautifully decorated with luxurious bouquets of roses and gold-accented candles that were lit at every corner. It was merely just an excuse to go see what Jungkook was up to. You often walked into people whom you’d had recently met with Jungkook previously and had small-talk with them. In between all the small-talk was the now uncountable glasses of champagne you consumed in an attempt to keep yourself occupied. 

If the venue is decorated like this for the rehearsal dinner, what’s the wedding going to look like..?

More time passed as you roamed around the venue and finally, you were really feeling the alcohol hit at that point. Maybe drinking whenever you were nervous wasn’t such a good idea, knowing that you would be nervous pretty much for the entire event. And worse especially since you were an emotional drunk- you couldn’t control your actions and spoke with no filter- certainly things you shouldn’t do at such an event like this. But you hadn’t reached that stage yet, you tip toed around the grand halls in your heels that felt like hell on your feet. 

In the corner of your eye, you had spotted Jungkook with his mother, linked arms and a gentle smile that seemed to charm the young lady he was talking to. You knew it was wrong to eavesdrop but you couldn’t help yourself. You tip-toed over to the champagne area and poured yourself another glass- mainly to get closer to their conversation. 

“If they were to marry, it would be beneficial to both of our companies, wouldn’t you agree?” The man that stood beside the beautiful girl spoke with confidence, beaming towards the CEO and her son, Jungkook whom had taken the girl’s hand and gave a swift kiss on the back of it. 

You couldn’t believe you eyes and ears. Here you were, thinking that there was some kind of connection between you and Jungkook and there he was- kissing up some rich girl’s hand for business?! You tried to think straight and not assume the worse of the situation but you found it incredible hard to do so as Jungkook kept smiling at her and complimenting the way she looked, sucking up to her completely, similar to the things he had said to you before. 

There was a battle of logic fuelled inside your brain, one side debating that he was doing it just for his mother’s sake whilst the other side laughed at yourself for ever thinking that he would be ever interested slightly in you. It wasn’t long before your glass was overflowing and a random man next to you startled you by informing you of it. 

Embarrassed, and infuriated at the sound of Jungkook’s smooth voice that continued to further charm the girl, you shoved the overflowing glass in the random man’s hand before picking up your dress and storming off, heels clacking noticeably loud. 

Jungkook’s sharp eyes noticed the small scene and a pit of paranoia ignited in his stomach. But he could do nothing about it. He continued to smooth talk the girl, just as his mother had planned him to do- for nothing more than business reasons. He was afraid that you’d misunderstood but he knew that, that would be the case. 

More time past and after successfully charming multiple people, Jungkook felt drained and a need to get out and find you. As each second passed since he saw you leave in fury, his thoughts worsened. He played out multiple scenarios of what could happen next and his mother could tell that something was bothering him. 

“I’m sorry this is taking longer than expected. I’m sure Y/N will be fine, she looks like an independent woman.” Jungkook’s mother pat his shoulder and that had left him in a slightly better condition. 

After he was finally done and free to go, he wasted on time on finding you, asking around if people had seen a “gorgeous girl with a long black dress” but that was bound to be a difficult task considering the amount of people with similar attires. 

You sat yourself down at the beach, closing your eyes to take in the scent of the salty sea as you listened to the sound of waves crashing- music to your ears. The constant chatter and murmuring of people was driving you insane and it was nice to finally get some peace and quiet- to escape from what felt like hell. The alcohol in your system was working it’s magic as you felt your body heat rise in temperature and your reflexes slow down by the second. At that point, your mind was too full of angry thoughts to worry about your dress that was collecting sand in-between the creases. 

You walked around the beach, holding your pair of heels in one hand and untameable hair in the other from the winds that blew at the coast. You lost count of how many times you had walked up and down the beach despite it being very long. It was long enough to have Jungkook on edge- completely panicking. He had no idea where you’d gone and it was driving. him. nuts. 

He had rushed in and out of the great halls multiple of times, his hunt for you becoming more important by the second. He asked around but no one knew of his descriptions and he was once again reminded of the different social classes the two of you were in-- you had no status and name that was significant enough in a gathering that was considered a normal occasion for him. Jungkook tried to stay calm and convince himself that he would definitely find you before the night grew any older. 

“She has to be in here somewhere.” He mumbled, angled eyebrows painted a frustrated look over his face. 

You had completely forgotten about how he flirted with the girls and you had caught him as the fresh air you were breathing in managed to erase all the toxic thoughts. You’d gotten tired of walking up and down the coast so you had decided to seat yourself amongst the soft sand once again staring into the vast ocean that sung songs of crashing waves as the stars twinkled majestically up above the sky. Your time of peace was interrupted by the sound of rushed footsteps and uneven breathing. 

“There.. you are.” You looked behind to find Jungkook almost crouched over completely, his lungs blazing with the need for oxygen. It wasn’t long before he caught his breath back and took you by surprise with his attitude. 

“Why are you here? Do you know how much time I spent looking for you?” His tone was cold and harsh- it reminded you of how your original encounter with him. 

You paid him little attention and resumed watching the night sky with a heavy heart and intoxicated body. 

“Y/N, why are you acting like a child? We don’t have time to be like this. Let’s go back in and-”

“And watch you flirt with other girls?” The words had slipped right off of your tongue, unintentionally. 

“What? You..” He adverted his gaze to the sand below him. 

You got up from your seat and looked at him with a distasteful smile, ever wondering why you would ever think anything else of him besides a playboy. 

“I was wrong about you, Sir.” You walked closer to him, the alcohol was clearly not holding you back about your words. 

He replied with nothing, so you continued. “Of course you wouldn’t flirt with them.. at least not in front of me.” A dark chuckle that didn’t sound anything alike your normal giggle escaped your painted lips. 

“You’re misunderstanding, Y/N. It’s all for business. Everything I say and do is to make my company more commendable.” 

“You’re right, I suppose I’m only here for business reasons too.” You stared into his eyes that froze at your ridiculously blunt words.

“I.. well.” 

“I’m a massive idiot for ever thinking that you were something more than just.. a playboy boss. Can you tell me why you chose me then, Sir? Was it because I happen to be your personal assistant and it was of pure convenience? Because you think I’m easy..?” You sighed. 

He stayed silent, praying that he’d soon come up with something reasonable to say. Jungkook didn’t want to mess up but- not saying anything was definitely going to lead him to that path. 

“I want to know why you were so keen on me attending. You seem to have multiple other options such as your ‘business partners’ for you to come with.” 

You words were hurting him. He didn’t know what to say back but he didn’t want to add fuel to the fire... he wanted you to stop talking. He wanted to say that it wasn’t as you thought but his throat was tight and he couldn’t bring himself to do it. 

“I have no status to be angry at you, Sir. I apologise for my behaviour but I hope you understand that you shouldn’t toy with people’s feelings like this.” And deep down he knew that- he had been told that previously multiple times but none of the words hit him until they came out of you- The one he got emotionally attached to. He couldn’t take it anymore, so he did the only thing that seemed to be his favourite replayed fantasy. 

His cold lips crashed onto yours and his arms trapped you into a passionate kiss, a tight grip on your waist. A similar sensation reminded you of your first encounter with him- a similar situation of a heated kiss and a similar taste of alcohol on your tongue. Jungkook couldn’t think straight- not because he was feeling a little tipsy from the champagne but because he was so intoxicated with the scent and taste of you that he had dreamed of relentlessly since the beginning, never understanding why. Despite you being unwilling at first, you couldn’t pull yourself off of him- the taste of him was addicting as always and made you hungry for more. 

Jungkook trailed his hand up your cheek to caress it lovingly, an action you wouldn’t dare to have dreamed of. He broke the kiss with a small exhale of his breath and stared at his piece of art- your lipstick smudged and lips looked a little swollen. You mouth was slightly open from shock as you examined the way your lipstick transferred onto his lips. He couldn’t help but continue to kiss you, a burning desire in his stomach to explore every nook and cranny of your body grew as he continued to kiss you passionately. 

This was definitely one of Jungkook’s many talents- passionate kisses. You were lucky enough to experience it before but you didn’t think that it’d happen again so suddenly. His lips were soft and you felt his hands ghost up your back before settling them at your waist again, pulling you even closer to his body. You ran your hands up and rested them on his broad shoulders, one hand rubbing at his back whilst the other was tangled in-between his dark locks. 

It felt like time had momentarily stopped. It had always felt like that when you kissed him- and it was bloody addicting. No matter what kind of bad thing Jungkook had done, you knew you couldn’t push him away as soon as he started kissing you and you hated yourself for not pushing him away. 

He broke the kiss again to inhale the cold air that seemed to burn the heat inside of him. “I’m sorry.” An inaudible whisper caught you off guard, as you kept your arms on his broad shoulders. You acted as though you didn’t hear it and just continued to look into his dark eyes.

“I’m sorry, Y/N.” He repeated, this time very stern and firm. 

“Will you forgive me?” He asked, taking your hand from off his shoulder to press his lips onto it. 

Was that really all it took to have you weak at your knees again? Obviously it was the alcohol, you repeated to yourself countless times, but you knew that you were too attached to Jungkook to stay mad at him for long. 

Without thinking, you crash your lips onto his, teeth almost clashing at the sudden movement. He kissed you back, gentle and passionate as though you would crumble at any given time. You were surprised at the way Jungkook swiftly swept you off your sore feet, carrying you in his strong arms- bridal style. He continued to kiss you, and he could feel a small smile spread across your lips that he loved so much. 

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” He asked, a playful tone that suited him much more. 

“You’re going to need to do much more than that.” You whispered seductively into his ear. The sensations of your sultry voice and hot breath drove him to the verge of insanity. 

“Let’s continue this in the hotel.” He stated, stern and almost commanding as he walked, you in his arms towards the limousine you’d previously taken. You clung onto him tighter at the sound of his words, the fire in your body burning intensely at the core. 

There you were, hair sprawled elegantly across the bed as Jungkook continued to plant small kisses up and down your neck. He loved the taste of your skin- and you, loved the feeling of his lips on your raw neck. You opened your legs slightly to give him more access to your body and he fit right in between. You felt something hard rub on your inner thigh as he continued to smother you with the scent of his cologne that you found irresistible. You laid on the fluffy bed, in complete ecstasy under Jungkook’s masculine body, small whimpers of pleasure escaping from your lips. 

He moved down your neck and onto your collarbone- kissing the supple skin roughly to leave trails of purple and blue galaxies that reminded you that you belonged to him. He took a moment to stop and look at his work he was so proud of before cupping your face and looking into your eyes. 

“You’re so beautiful.” His voice was soft, sweet and sounded like dripping honey. He admired the way you smiled at him as you caressed his cheek with the back of you hand he had previously kissed. 

“I want you Jungkook.” You stated bluntly. You felt hot and stuffy inside the tight dress that hugged your curves and it was evident through the crimson blush on your cheeks, whether it be from countless glasses of champagne or Jungkook’s actions. You knew that you had wanted him- even if it wasn’t without the influence of alcohol. 

Part 7!

[tabbycasto]

Looking Back in 2016 & Moving Forward into 2017...

Hello Friends! 

It’s that time again ... Happy New Year!

While 2016 was controversial, dividing the country and throwing some shockers along the way, for me, it was a year of clarity. As well as some big personal changes including moving to Tottenham ...

And getting engaged to @carlosbournphotography  :-P

2016 was all about settling into a new state of mind. Having experienced 9 years of doing makeup,  4 years of doing nails and 7 years of working and living in London, I felt 2016 was the year I finally accepted London as home. 

[Above - Volt Magazine Sunday Best - Photography Helen Kirkbright]

For the longest time, I had a true love/hate relationship with the city. While I craved the cultural diversity, opportunities for work and most importantly the open mindedness it offered,  I didn’t realise that to really feel fully content in London, I needed to reach a point where I’d defined a style for myself which gave way to a growing confidence in my ability. No longer feeling the need to prove myself to anyone, I felt pretty liberated and 2016 was in turn an exciting year! It took time to develop this contentment and required a certain realisation that it is what you make of it. Hard work does pay off and with a positive head space you can achieve what you set out to do!  

[Above - The Edit SS16 shot by Kate Forster ]

Last year,  I continued to work with some fantastic regular clients. Focusing mainly on commercial work, pop up bars and showcase events, I collaborated with regular clients including: Lazy Oaf, Push PR, Paper Mache Tiger & Wolf + Moon 

[Above - Lazy Oaf SS16 shot by Michael Mills]

[Below -  M Project AW16 shot by Joanna W ]

Through recommendations from mutual friends and some good old fashioned networking I had and made the opportunity to start working with some new brands too including : Oliver Bonas, Tatty Devine, Jump From Paper, Longflint Cocktails, River Cottage Productions, Rock N Roll Bride & Clean Beauty Co. 

[Above : Tatty Devine AW16]

[Above : Oliver Bonas Face Painting Event]

[Above - Wolf & Moon SS16]

As well as working on look book campaigns and events,  I also got to be key makeup artist for a charity  music video  :

Work on a small feature film (The Lift, which is coming out this year) : 

And work on some FUN editorials with some of my favorite creatives (including photographers  @matsitek , Sophie Ellen and Fabiana Delcanton as well as florist Harriet Parry.) I also met some amazing new creatives!  Thanks to all the lovely teams I got the chance to shoot with! I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for us :) 

[Above - work with Mateusz Sitek for Institute Magazine]

[Above - work with Sophie Ellen for Kit Magazine]

[Above - work with Mateusz Sitek for Institute Magazine]

[Above - work with Mateusz Sitek for Bridal Musings]

[Below - work with Anna Fearon for Austere Magazine]

Nails Nails Nails

Oh yes... and last year was the year I truly found my new groove... in nails ... 

There was a huge increase in my Pop Up Nail Bars as well as regular clients. With nail art only getting more and more popular,  it was a great year for manicurists.  It was fantastic collaborating with so many fun brands including :

Oliver Bonas

Push PR

Art Car Boot Fair

EC One Jewellery

Paper Mache Tiger

MoYou London

Nails Inc

Here are just a few of the  pop up nail bar menus and nails I created in 2016 with marbling techniques, decals, stamping and all kinds of fun nail art materials : 

LFW

I also had the pleasure of working as key manicurist for the LFW presentation of Mason Makaram at The Ritz with PR Twenty-Nine London ! This was pretty exciting as it was my first time at the venue which was definitely a place to remember. Myself and my trusted assistant Antonia Catalano worked alongside amazing hair stylist Errol Douglas and makeup artist Phoebe Taylor to create a clean nail look for the designer. 

[Below - Image curtsy of Phoebe Taylor]

Going forward ...

So, with all this behind me I’m feeling excited about the new year. Here are a few updates and some news of things I’ll be rolling out in the next few months! 

February Price Increases

“Nooooooo” I hear you say! Yes it’s true, I’m so sorry but my prices will be increasing from February 1st this year. This over due annual price increase is necessary to keep up with inflation and the increase in overheads year on year. I’d been putting this off for awhile but after having an experience last year where I booked myself in for a birthday manicure, paying well over the prices of what I personally charge and receiving a seriously below par service, I realised that I needed to implement an increase to reflect the value of service I deliver. Of course, I greatly appreciate your business and hope you understand my need to implement this policy. I pride myself in my level of professionalism, care and quality experience I give consisnstanly. I hope this extra cost will not put you off booking with me, but reassure you that when you book an appointment with me you will be getting a fantastic service. 

❤  New 2017 PRICE LIST - Taking Effect in February  ❤

This new price list will take effect from Feb 1st.. hopefully it won't come as a shock! I use a variety of brands including Gelish, CND, Models Own, Mavala, Barry M, Ciate, Kure Bazaar, Topshop, OPI, Cuccio, Cheeky, Essie & MoYou London. Add nail art of your choice for an extra £1 per nail on top of any service.

Manicure £20

​Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + A Polish of Your Choice ​ Express Manicure £20

Shape, Polish & Go!

Vegan Manicure £25

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + A Polish of Your Choice Unlike a regular manicure, Tabby has tailored the products used in this service to be vegan friendly & all products used in it are also cruelty free.

CND™ Shellac™ Brand 14 + Day Nail Colour Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Shellac Polish [14+ days of longwear high shine polish]

Rockstar Shellac Manicure £35

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Shellac Polish + Your Choice Of Glitter [Glitter is for life, not just for Christmas]

Shellac/Gelish Removal £5

Available When Booking Any Other Manicure Service

Gelish™  Soak Off Gel Manicure £35

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Gelish Gel Polish  [21+ days of longwear high shine gel polish]

Rockstar Gelish™ Soak Off Gel Manicure £40

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Gelish Gel Polish + Your Choice Of Glitter [21+ days of longwear high shine gel polish]

Lemon & Lime Luxury Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Lemon & Lime Citrus Milk Bath Soak + Gentle Citrus Moisture Skin Polish + Green Tea & Citrus Massage + Your Choice of Polish

Lavender Therapy Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Lavender + Honey + Dead Sea Salt Hand Soak + Lavender + Honey Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Lavender Massage + Your Choice of Polish

Pepperminty Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Revitalising Dead Sea Salt + Peppermint Hand Soak + Peppermint Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Citrus & Green Tea Massage + Polish of Your Choice

Rose Water Revive Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Rose Water & Rose Geranium Hand Soak + Rose Water Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Rose Massage + Polish of Your Choice

Honey & Milk Hand Bath £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Honey & Milk Hand Soak + Roswe Water Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Honey & Grapeseed Oil Massage + Polish of Your Choice

Coconut Crush Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Coconut Milk & Pineapple Hand Soak + Coconut & Pineapple Sugar Scrub + Coconut Hand Massage + Polish of Your Choice

Pom Pom Party Mani £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Vanilla & Orange Milk Pom Pom Soak + Vanilla Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Honey & Grapeseed Oil Massage + Polish Of Your Choice

Flower Power Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Citrus & Rose Water Flower Hand Soak + Rose Water & Rose Geranium Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Rose Massage + Polish of Your Choice

The Detox Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Light Buff + Shape + Citrus Hand Soak + Baking Soda & Lemon Nail Scrub + Treatment Polish of Your Choice

Don’t despair! It’s not all doom and gloom! I’m also going to be adding some really fun new things to the menu! 

Coming Soon

Gelish Matte Top Coat 

For those of you who fancy something a little less shiny ! 

Shattered Glass Effect Nails 

For those of you who fancy something a little more shiny! The “crushed ice” look is a trend that’s here to stay. Get ready for even more diamond inspired, amethyst looking nails this year. 

Marbalized Nails 

While this trend has been in the nail industry for awhile, the effect is usually hand drawn and doesn’t ever quite mimic the “unruly” natural texture of real marble (unless created with water which doesn’t work with gel!) After much playing around, I think I’ve cracked it (excuse the pun) and found  new way to create this look with shellac/gelish while maintaining an authentic marbleised finish! I can’t wait to unleash this in 2017 as I know these nails are as popular as ever. No longer just a trend, the marble nail is as classic as a red nail. Get ready for some fun nail art coming your way! 

3+ More Bookings = Mobile Nails For You & Your Friends

2017 will also see me implement smaller group bookings. If you have at least 3 people interested in a nail service I will come to you. Previously I have been working from home or through large corporate/fashion events. As more and more companies work towards outsourcing freelancers with flashy offers and discounts, I realise I need to step it up! Myself and my shiny new kit bag will be at your service :) Plan a fun evening with your favourite girl gang and get your nails done at the same time! What’s to loose! 

Group Makeup Lessons 

Last year I also noticed a real interest in my one on one makeup lessons. Many of you asked me to show you how I do my signature flicked liquid eyeliner, how to contour cheeks naturally and more importantly how to get your makeup looking fresh when you have limited time. While I spent much of last year focusing on pop up nail boutiques this year I will be emphasising my makeup artistry once again. If your looking for a bit of down time with your girl gang and fancy learning some tips and tricks along the way why not get in touch to arrange a session. I can come to you with all my tips and tricks and an armful of tools to show you the tricks of the trade! 

New Editorials Coming in SS17

Keep an eye out for some new work coming out early this year!  A full on glitter cover shoot for Aether magazine featuring k-pop band Kero Kero Bonito (available in Selfridges), a red inspired editorial for NR Magazine ( available in Selfridges) shot by Sophie Ellen and a super colourful spread in the March issue of Rock N Roll Bride (available in most large Sainsburies and local newsagents.) 

Year in Review. Done! Bring on 2017! 

[motherofthebridedresses]

Lots of the modern brides to be and bridesmaid wear the accessory during church off the shoulder lace mermaid wedding dress%$##

a lot of people purchase a brilliant bridal gloves that is both made of stunning lace which fits the wedding dress up backless mermaid wedding dresses. On the other hand, it would be made of imitation fur. The majorities on this bridal gloves are designed at length with three-quarter or prolonged sleeves with beautiful adornment to make these people stand out amazingly. They are really lightweight, incredibly soft to touch, luxurious, and stylish to enhance the marriage gown. Lots of the modern brides to be and bridesmaid wear the accessory during church off the shoulder lace mermaid wedding dress, out of while taking photos, or taking walks from the car or truck to the lounge. Currently, couples and bridesmaid are choosing to embellish this old classic style marriage wrap for its unique design that is delightful and elegant for everybody seasons. Making a distinct style statement has always been a priority for men and women of substance and Los Angeles boutique is just geared to fuel stylistic imagination further with an array of diverse designer apparel choices. Whether to groom oneself in a perfect oldie style, giving an elegant air to the onlookers or preferring to have a funky, trendy look, giving a colorful and bright countenance, the perfection of style, synchrony and contrast make all these possible. Making Ihairfashionlalamiracom_liwan one’s appearance felt with some delicate and unknown charm is not difficult if the fashion accessories are chosen well and this can give a fresh makeover to the person wearing it blush mermaid wedding dress. A designer boutique dress that complements your skin and body in the perfect way can just transform their looks. The dresses are meant to be chosen by you; nonetheless, you should consider few things while making the decisions. All the girls do not have the same figures and skin tone, right? Therefore, if a flowery pink dress suits affair girl, it might not suit someone who has a dark complexion. There are few tips that you may follow while choosing the bridesmaid dresses to make your wedding a grand ceremony: Similar to jewelry, it’s best to place your Swarovski in a comfy jewelry carry or a rings box. Swarovski markets particularly created pockets which you can use. You should also keep it away coming from scorching locations or exactly where it can be immediately hit simply by sunlight. Don’t combine the Swarovski to jewelries, specifically diamonds that could scratch the top of this amazingly. As far as feasible keep all of your jewelries in individual containers. Relate Articles: &%^The tireless force of the Colorado River chiseled the Grand Canyon from the limestone in the Kaibab Plateau prom dresses A property short sale is normally purely and merely gowns for girls870--0 @！they are often composed of materials that happen to be comfortable to find babies white dresses for girls

[duser22]

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[jesusvasser]

A Proper Thrashing: 2003 Ranger Rover

DORNOCH, Scotland — Scotland may be cold in January, but at least it’s a wet cold. You can’t do proper off-roading without that extra bit of pouring rain turning the rivers to raging beasts and the forest ruts to bottomless hobbit holes. Scotland must be seven-tenths water. It fills the firths to overflowing, comes cascading out of craggy outcroppings in torrents, runs straight down every road surface on this northernmost tip of the United Kingdom, and has you whipping your windshield wipers into a frenzy.   Just bloody beautiful. Pass the Glenmorangie—eighteen-year, preferably. It goes well with the haggis from Dingwall.   The national coat of Scotland is the waxed Barbour. The vehicle of choice is the 2003 Range Rover. At least, that’s what it is today, because Scotland is where we are, and we are guests of Land Rover. In these gruesome conditions, we’d have it no other way. Gruesome is really the wrong word, based on our fierce love of gritty, off-road adventure. We like to plunge into raging rivers, pushing a bow wave as high as the car’s hood onto the far shore. We live for the terror of sliding straight down muddy embankments and into pools of water of unknown depth in the dark. We thrill to the challenge of climbing—wheel by articulated wheel—through ditches and fissures and crevasses and ravines.   We especially like to do so in Range Rovers, because there is very little chance that we’ll actually get any of those elements on us. Range Rovers always have been unstoppable beasts of upper-crust burden since the first was introduced by Land Rover in 1970. (This would be not counting the failure of the first-generation air suspension, that is.) Since then, there’s been only one redesign, and it was in the spirit of the first—a fresh turn on the original theme of fusty country elegance. The queen in a babushka. When Bob Dover left Aston Martin to run Land Rover, his extremely chic wife, Tracey, was overheard muttering into her champagne: “Goodbye, Manolos; hello, wellies.”   As it turns out, the skyscraper Italian stilettos got to stay, and the green rubber boots remained in the closet. This third Range Rover throws off its babushka, thanks to the brief interlude Land Rover spent under the BMW umbrella, where a key champion was Wolfgang Reitzle, then BMW’s head of product development. Reitzle finished the job when he left BMW and joined Ford in 1999 and led Ford’s purchase of Land Rover the following year.   There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Range Rover, with that clamshell hood, split tailgate, and upright, grille-heavy front end. But the overall shape is sleeker (not to mention wider, longer, and taller), and the xenon headlamp clusters are positively New Age, as are the functional front-fender vents. Land Rover chief designer Geoff Upex led the British team, beating out two BMW studios to win the redesign job.

Happy as a pig in the mud: Range Rovers are virtually unstoppable off-road. We proved it on the vast, privately owned Novar Estate, where it had snowed ten days before, engorging the rives and turning the hillsides to a beautiful slop. One hilltop on the estate revealed the dark majesty of the Scottish Highlands beyond.

Looking around the smart, new, extra-roomy cabin (2.6 inches wider inside), it’s hard to recall what made the last Range Rover luxurious, other than its price. Now, this—this is something else again. First comes the dash, a bold door-to-door sweep swaddled in thick parchment-colored leather, bisected by two striking pillars of cherry wood with a finish reminiscent of paste wax. The wood uprights frame the controls and display for the GPS navigation system above a pair of air vents, and pushbuttons, an analog clock (which magically synchronizes with the digital clock as it is set), and rotary climate-control dials are neatly clustered below. Wood veneer adorns lower door-mounted bins, and a huge cube of it surrounds side air vents on the outer dash edges.   “We wanted the look of a small Bentley,” explains chairman Dover. Land Rover never had an interior design signature. Now we’ve made it cool and chic and Norwegian. Or you can make it Teutonic by replacing the wood with metal.” The most prominent souvenirs of its Munich masters are the beautiful gauges and finely articulated switches logically grouped around (and on) the telescoping, tilting steering wheel.   A soft wash of light from two slots in the ceiling continuously bathes the aluminum-accented shifter and its two attendant paddles (one engages Hill Descent Control, the other engages low range) for easy location during night driving. A pale glow illuminates the door handles and storage bins. Two days of Highlands driving–one spent entirely on boggy forest roads and rocky hillsides, the other in a 200-mile pavement dash from east to west–made us want to pack up the Range Rover’s plush navy leather armchairs piped in parchment leather and ship them home for the family Suburban. Or maybe the family living room.

Hall of fame: The 2003 Range Rover’s passenger compartment couldn’t differ more radically from that of its predecessor, with fine leather, exquisite wood trim, and BMW-esque gauges and controls.

  It was like being in a fabulous Riva boat. Or maybe I was just thinking Riva boat because, at the moment I was thinking Riva, the road plunged down an embankment and gave way to a fairly rapid river, and I had to gun the Range Rover’s 4.4-liter BMW-sourced V-8 to carry some speed as I hit the water. We had been in Scotland about two hours, the first spent in a technical briefing held in a lovely, halogen-lit room with a beautiful wood floor, smack in the middle of a Royal Air Force aeronautical search-and-rescue base northeast of Inverness. Actually, the room turned out to have been built by Land Rover smack in the middle of an airplane hangar on the base. The sleek room’s far wall slid open, and there was our test fleet parked in the dark, damp other half of the hangar. It was the first of many reminders of Land Rover’s new battle cry: tough luxury.   Back to tough. Covering a goodly part of the sodden, private, 25,000-acre Novar Estate in a day was not a problem for a number of reasons. There was, as mentioned, the mighty strong 282-horsepower engine (borrowed from BMW’s own X5), subdued slightly by the extra weight of this much stouter vehicle but still more than tough enough for our low-speed needs. (Despite an aluminum hood, front fenders, and doors, the new Range Rover weighs 414 pounds more than the outgoing model and 550 pounds more than an X5 4.4i.) The ZF five-speed ControlShift manu-matic transmission has a dual-range transfer case that now can be shifted with the flick of a finger while on the fly, provided you’re not flying too high. The added security of Hill Descent Control is another welcome finger flick of a paddle away. At times, we were creeping down steep grades so slowly in super-low that I added gas.   Bigger news is Range Rover’s switch to a monococque structure—a huge break from the body-on-frame construction of yore. Bending stiffness is radically improved, as are body-panel fits. Three subframes cradle the transfer case and front and rear suspension systems, now both independent. The air-spring system also has been redesigned to pillow off-road jolts and jounces more effectively. It still has “kneel” feature that lowers the vehicle rolls to a complete stop.

This new Range Rover is 1.8 inches taller and 9.3 inches longer than the old one, with a 5.3 inches more wheelbase. Maximum ground clearance is greater than before (11.0 inches), it will tow more (7700 pounds), and it can snatch-recover a 12,000-pound load.   By late afternoon, the wind was howling badly enough across the barren hillsides that we switched heaters for seats and steering wheel and began the downhill battle. At the shore of Loch Glass, Land Rover had neatly parked a toilet trailer (with art on the walls and running water in the sinks) a large temporary glass house with wooden floor, cushy furniture, halogen lights, classical music, and an attendant who served tea and cookies.   “It wouldn’t be nearly as useful without the hidden bank of generators,” quipped Dover as he sipped his tea. Out of the woods at the property’s edge, we were hailed by three guys with Land Rover Defenders and power washers who hosed down our Range Rover, checked its tires for gashes, and sent us on our way to town. Tough luxury, indeed.   And then tough was all finished. We arrived at our quarters, imposing Skibo Castle, built at the turn of the twentieth century by the world’s richest man, Andrew Carnegie. Many stories surround this fabulous 7500-acre estate (down from 250,000 acres). But let me just say that you need to know a member (Dover) to stay there; a butler named James met us in the circular drive with a tray of single malts; a bagpiper played us awake each morning; black pudding (made of blood) was on my breakfast plate; there was a Burberry store in the dungeon, and they take American Express; and I got Madonna’s bridal suite. There were no lost diamond studs under the bed; I checked. The last thrashing we would give the Range Rover was the most obvious one, the test that has tripped it up for the past thirty years. We would drive it fast and hard, mostly on a single-track paved path through the wild Beinn Eighe national nature preserve along the 12.5-mile shore of Loch Maree, to quaint Gairloch and Poolewe on the western shore.   We set the navigation system (nice, but not as nice as the systems from Acura and Lexus) so photographer Tim Andrew wouldn’t have to guide me. I was really looking forward to this day and not just for the six hours of mouth-gaping scenery.   Dover’s boys had broken his golden rule: “Be modest. Under-promise and over-deliver.” Not only did they claim the obvious high-dollar SUVs from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus for competition, but they got carried away and insisted that a Range Rover would kick Mercedes S-class booty as well. A beautiful, controlled ride at highway speeds on pavement has never been the Range Rover’s forte, so this would be some feat.   A feat that was not to be, actually. Let’s just chalk that S-class talk up to a bit of overenthusiasm for the incredible level of refinement this off-road wonder has achieved. The steering is still a bit numb, although it is certainly better. You can crash the slick new air springs on bumps with the sort of rapid steering inputs you’d use in an emergency avoidance maneuver at 40 or 50 mph. During ordinary cornering sweeps, however, body roll is nicely controlled. Emergency Brake Assistance and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution lend great composure under heavy braking.

You could call it home: After a drive to the rugged west coast of Scotland and back to Dornoch in the east, Skibo Castle was a welcome beacon in the night.

The heavens emptied, and I drove hard, finding the Range Rover faster overall but still a bit sluggish. The dual-range throttle is mapped for on- and off-road use. On the low road, pedal travel is long, mushy, and somewhat vague; on the high road, you have to push through a lethargic initial pedal to get to the engine growl. And that growl is tamer than the X5’s. Says Dover, “There was no conscious decision to detune the engine sound. We spent a lot of time on engine and gearbox mounting, on the door seals (there are two), and on sound deadening. People think quiet cars are quality cars. This is the quietest 4×4 we can find.” Will Ford be replacing that BMW engine with one of its own any time soon? “Don’t hold your breath,” says Dover. “It costs so much, with crash testing and so on, to do an engine. And we’re very happy with the BMW engine.”   As were we. We were happy with all of it, actually, S-class whipper or not. We came here looking not for a luxury sedan but for an extreme off-roader with better on-road manners than its predecessor. We found all of that, wrapped in exquisite raiment. It’s modern, it’s roomier, it’s quiet, it’s beautiful, and it works like crazy. The Range Rover will cost like it, too, but you were expecting that, weren’t you? This should not be a problem, says Land Rover’s marketing director, Matthew Taylor: “One thing all Range Rover buyers have in common is money. They have money.”     They will need it. The Range Rover will hit our shores in June with a base price close to $70,000, topping out at about $80,000. (The first ones all will have the extra-cost bi-xenon headlamps, and a third of them will have the optional “contour” front seats.) Land Rover hopes Americans will want 11,000 of them by 2003. We’d call it a leadpipe cinch.

2003 Land Rover Range Rover Specifications

PRICE $70,000/$80,000 (base/as-tested)(est.) ENGINE 4.4L DOHC 32-valve V-8/282 hp @ 5,400 rpm, 324 lb-ft @ 3,600 TRANSMISSION 5-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, 4WD SUV EPA MILEAGE 12/17 mpg (city/hwy) (est.) L x W x H 194.9 x 77.0 x 73.3 in WHEELBASE 113.4 in WEIGHT 5,374 lb 0-60 MPH 9.0 sec TOP SPEED 130 mph

Originally published online April 1, 2002 from the April 2002 issue of Automobile.

The post A Proper Thrashing: 2003 Ranger Rover appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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AUTOMOBiLE Flashback: A Proper Thrashing: 2003 Ranger Rover

DORNOCH, Scotland — Scotland may be cold in January, but at least it’s a wet cold. You can’t do proper off-roading without that extra bit of pouring rain turning the rivers to raging beasts and the forest ruts to bottomless hobbit holes. Scotland must be seven-tenths water. It fills the firths to overflowing, comes cascading out of craggy outcroppings in torrents, runs straight down every road surface on this northernmost tip of the United Kingdom, and has you whipping your windshield wipers into a frenzy.   Just bloody beautiful. Pass the Glenmorangie—eighteen-year, preferably. It goes well with the haggis from Dingwall.   The national coat of Scotland is the waxed Barbour. The vehicle of choice is the 2003 Range Rover. At least, that’s what it is today, because Scotland is where we are, and we are guests of Land Rover. In these gruesome conditions, we’d have it no other way. Gruesome is really the wrong word, based on our fierce love of gritty, off-road adventure. We like to plunge into raging rivers, pushing a bow wave as high as the car’s hood onto the far shore. We live for the terror of sliding straight down muddy embankments and into pools of water of unknown depth in the dark. We thrill to the challenge of climbing—wheel by articulated wheel—through ditches and fissures and crevasses and ravines.   We especially like to do so in Range Rovers, because there is very little chance that we’ll actually get any of those elements on us. Range Rovers always have been unstoppable beasts of upper-crust burden since the first was introduced by Land Rover in 1970. (This would be not counting the failure of the first-generation air suspension, that is.) Since then, there’s been only one redesign, and it was in the spirit of the first—a fresh turn on the original theme of fusty country elegance. The queen in a babushka. When Bob Dover left Aston Martin to run Land Rover, his extremely chic wife, Tracey, was overheard muttering into her champagne: “Goodbye, Manolos; hello, wellies.”   As it turns out, the skyscraper Italian stilettos got to stay, and the green rubber boots remained in the closet. This third Range Rover throws off its babushka, thanks to the brief interlude Land Rover spent under the BMW umbrella, where a key champion was Wolfgang Reitzle, then BMW’s head of product development. Reitzle finished the job when he left BMW and joined Ford in 1999 and led Ford’s purchase of Land Rover the following year.   There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Range Rover, with that clamshell hood, split tailgate, and upright, grille-heavy front end. But the overall shape is sleeker (not to mention wider, longer, and taller), and the xenon headlamp clusters are positively New Age, as are the functional front-fender vents. Land Rover chief designer Geoff Upex led the British team, beating out two BMW studios to win the redesign job.

Happy as a pig in the mud: Range Rovers are virtually unstoppable off-road. We proved it on the vast, privately owned Novar Estate, where it had snowed ten days before, engorging the rives and turning the hillsides to a beautiful slop. One hilltop on the estate revealed the dark majesty of the Scottish Highlands beyond.

Looking around the smart, new, extra-roomy cabin (2.6 inches wider inside), it’s hard to recall what made the last Range Rover luxurious, other than its price. Now, this—this is something else again. First comes the dash, a bold door-to-door sweep swaddled in thick parchment-colored leather, bisected by two striking pillars of cherry wood with a finish reminiscent of paste wax. The wood uprights frame the controls and display for the GPS navigation system above a pair of air vents, and pushbuttons, an analog clock (which magically synchronizes with the digital clock as it is set), and rotary climate-control dials are neatly clustered below. Wood veneer adorns lower door-mounted bins, and a huge cube of it surrounds side air vents on the outer dash edges.   “We wanted the look of a small Bentley,” explains chairman Dover. Land Rover never had an interior design signature. Now we’ve made it cool and chic and Norwegian. Or you can make it Teutonic by replacing the wood with metal.” The most prominent souvenirs of its Munich masters are the beautiful gauges and finely articulated switches logically grouped around (and on) the telescoping, tilting steering wheel.   A soft wash of light from two slots in the ceiling continuously bathes the aluminum-accented shifter and its two attendant paddles (one engages Hill Descent Control, the other engages low range) for easy location during night driving. A pale glow illuminates the door handles and storage bins. Two days of Highlands driving–one spent entirely on boggy forest roads and rocky hillsides, the other in a 200-mile pavement dash from east to west–made us want to pack up the Range Rover’s plush navy leather armchairs piped in parchment leather and ship them home for the family Suburban. Or maybe the family living room.

Hall of fame: The 2003 Range Rover’s passenger compartment couldn’t differ more radically from that of its predecessor, with fine leather, exquisite wood trim, and BMW-esque gauges and controls.

  It was like being in a fabulous Riva boat. Or maybe I was just thinking Riva boat because, at the moment I was thinking Riva, the road plunged down an embankment and gave way to a fairly rapid river, and I had to gun the Range Rover’s 4.4-liter BMW-sourced V-8 to carry some speed as I hit the water. We had been in Scotland about two hours, the first spent in a technical briefing held in a lovely, halogen-lit room with a beautiful wood floor, smack in the middle of a Royal Air Force aeronautical search-and-rescue base northeast of Inverness. Actually, the room turned out to have been built by Land Rover smack in the middle of an airplane hangar on the base. The sleek room’s far wall slid open, and there was our test fleet parked in the dark, damp other half of the hangar. It was the first of many reminders of Land Rover’s new battle cry: tough luxury.   Back to tough. Covering a goodly part of the sodden, private, 25,000-acre Novar Estate in a day was not a problem for a number of reasons. There was, as mentioned, the mighty strong 282-horsepower engine (borrowed from BMW’s own X5), subdued slightly by the extra weight of this much stouter vehicle but still more than tough enough for our low-speed needs. (Despite an aluminum hood, front fenders, and doors, the new Range Rover weighs 414 pounds more than the outgoing model and 550 pounds more than an X5 4.4i.) The ZF five-speed ControlShift manu-matic transmission has a dual-range transfer case that now can be shifted with the flick of a finger while on the fly, provided you’re not flying too high. The added security of Hill Descent Control is another welcome finger flick of a paddle away. At times, we were creeping down steep grades so slowly in super-low that I added gas.   Bigger news is Range Rover’s switch to a monococque structure—a huge break from the body-on-frame construction of yore. Bending stiffness is radically improved, as are body-panel fits. Three subframes cradle the transfer case and front and rear suspension systems, now both independent. The air-spring system also has been redesigned to pillow off-road jolts and jounces more effectively. It still has “kneel” feature that lowers the vehicle rolls to a complete stop.

This new Range Rover is 1.8 inches taller and 9.3 inches longer than the old one, with a 5.3 inches more wheelbase. Maximum ground clearance is greater than before (11.0 inches), it will tow more (7700 pounds), and it can snatch-recover a 12,000-pound load.   By late afternoon, the wind was howling badly enough across the barren hillsides that we switched heaters for seats and steering wheel and began the downhill battle. At the shore of Loch Glass, Land Rover had neatly parked a toilet trailer (with art on the walls and running water in the sinks) a large temporary glass house with wooden floor, cushy furniture, halogen lights, classical music, and an attendant who served tea and cookies.   “It wouldn’t be nearly as useful without the hidden bank of generators,” quipped Dover as he sipped his tea. Out of the woods at the property’s edge, we were hailed by three guys with Land Rover Defenders and power washers who hosed down our Range Rover, checked its tires for gashes, and sent us on our way to town. Tough luxury, indeed.   And then tough was all finished. We arrived at our quarters, imposing Skibo Castle, built at the turn of the twentieth century by the world’s richest man, Andrew Carnegie. Many stories surround this fabulous 7500-acre estate (down from 250,000 acres). But let me just say that you need to know a member (Dover) to stay there; a butler named James met us in the circular drive with a tray of single malts; a bagpiper played us awake each morning; black pudding (made of blood) was on my breakfast plate; there was a Burberry store in the dungeon, and they take American Express; and I got Madonna’s bridal suite. There were no lost diamond studs under the bed; I checked. The last thrashing we would give the Range Rover was the most obvious one, the test that has tripped it up for the past thirty years. We would drive it fast and hard, mostly on a single-track paved path through the wild Beinn Eighe national nature preserve along the 12.5-mile shore of Loch Maree, to quaint Gairloch and Poolewe on the western shore.   We set the navigation system (nice, but not as nice as the systems from Acura and Lexus) so photographer Tim Andrew wouldn’t have to guide me. I was really looking forward to this day and not just for the six hours of mouth-gaping scenery.   Dover’s boys had broken his golden rule: “Be modest. Under-promise and over-deliver.” Not only did they claim the obvious high-dollar SUVs from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus for competition, but they got carried away and insisted that a Range Rover would kick Mercedes S-class booty as well. A beautiful, controlled ride at highway speeds on pavement has never been the Range Rover’s forte, so this would be some feat.   A feat that was not to be, actually. Let’s just chalk that S-class talk up to a bit of overenthusiasm for the incredible level of refinement this off-road wonder has achieved. The steering is still a bit numb, although it is certainly better. You can crash the slick new air springs on bumps with the sort of rapid steering inputs you’d use in an emergency avoidance maneuver at 40 or 50 mph. During ordinary cornering sweeps, however, body roll is nicely controlled. Emergency Brake Assistance and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution lend great composure under heavy braking.

You could call it home: After a drive to the rugged west coast of Scotland and back to Dornoch in the east, Skibo Castle was a welcome beacon in the night.

The heavens emptied, and I drove hard, finding the Range Rover faster overall but still a bit sluggish. The dual-range throttle is mapped for on- and off-road use. On the low road, pedal travel is long, mushy, and somewhat vague; on the high road, you have to push through a lethargic initial pedal to get to the engine growl. And that growl is tamer than the X5’s. Says Dover, “There was no conscious decision to detune the engine sound. We spent a lot of time on engine and gearbox mounting, on the door seals (there are two), and on sound deadening. People think quiet cars are quality cars. This is the quietest 4×4 we can find.” Will Ford be replacing that BMW engine with one of its own any time soon? “Don’t hold your breath,” says Dover. “It costs so much, with crash testing and so on, to do an engine. And we’re very happy with the BMW engine.”   As were we. We were happy with all of it, actually, S-class whipper or not. We came here looking not for a luxury sedan but for an extreme off-roader with better on-road manners than its predecessor. We found all of that, wrapped in exquisite raiment. It’s modern, it’s roomier, it’s quiet, it’s beautiful, and it works like crazy. The Range Rover will cost like it, too, but you were expecting that, weren’t you? This should not be a problem, says Land Rover’s marketing director, Matthew Taylor: “One thing all Range Rover buyers have in common is money. They have money.”     They will need it. The Range Rover will hit our shores in June with a base price close to $70,000, topping out at about $80,000. (The first ones all will have the extra-cost bi-xenon headlamps, and a third of them will have the optional “contour” front seats.) Land Rover hopes Americans will want 11,000 of them by 2003. We’d call it a leadpipe cinch.

2003 Land Rover Range Rover Specifications

PRICE $70,000/$80,000 (base/as-tested)(est.) ENGINE 4.4L DOHC 32-valve V-8/282 hp @ 5,400 rpm, 324 lb-ft @ 3,600 TRANSMISSION 5-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, 4WD SUV EPA MILEAGE 12/17 mpg (city/hwy) (est.) L x W x H 194.9 x 77.0 x 73.3 in WHEELBASE 113.4 in WEIGHT 5,374 lb 0-60 MPH 9.0 sec TOP SPEED 130 mph

Originally published online April 1, 2002 from the April 2002 issue of Automobile.

The post AUTOMOBiLE Flashback: A Proper Thrashing: 2003 Ranger Rover appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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