Taehyung swanned through the crowded room, and made a beeline for their bay. He was grateful to see that both of their previous beverages had already been replenished.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN1Qng3jUK
Picking up his glass, he swilled the amber liquid whilst pondering his future. It wasn’t just finding a wife that was on his mind, it was more what his mother had said. He also knew that Jimin was tense, his giveaway being the way he chugged down his red wine and kept nibbling his bottom lip.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcdPoFktbX
He always managed to keep his sense of humor, though.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCsDqB2chI
‘So,’ Jimin hit the table with an open hand, ‘we have two years to find a woman, marry her, and get her knocked up.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOxfMIRWpr
Taehyung rested his hand over Jimin’s, joining him in making light of their situation. ‘Not just pregnant. She must produce a son.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvZ2s0tAIq
His friend propped his elbows on the table, his chin resting in his palm. ‘Do you really think it’s possible to find our own wives, or are we being delusional?’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoDNe3PXOz
He thought about his question, his lips curling down as he looked for the right words. ‘It’s possible.’ Taehyung held his glass up, ‘But remember, nothing easy is worth having.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZc7IAVFpy
Taehyung’s attention shifted when he noticed a familiar face meandering around the room. When their eyes met, he summoned him over with a shallow dip of his head that encouraged him in their direction.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUGpHcUNtc
‘Would you like to browse the latest, Mr Kim?’ he asked in a professional manner.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwPBP916wt
It had been some time since he had perused the catalogue containing the latest selection of lambs, so with a flick of his wrist, he invited the agent to present the file.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNMvAXRXSj
Jimin’s eyes darted between Taehyung and the stocky folder as he placed it on the table. ‘You usually find your own sacrifices. You hate paying these guys for lambs that are already half dead?
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ307qm62vCd
Taehyung was already scanning the faces of the first page. ‘I’d prefer a little free time to focus on finding a wife. Wouldn’t you?’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6jZvhL28d
Jimin’s eyes wandered as he digested his proposal. ‘Sure, I guess that makes sense.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXaWEyjJoF
Even though the woman would ultimately be discarded, Taehyung preferred one that he was attracted to.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWoEKrfC0V
After all, he did have to fuck her before killing her.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GskyRq4so
‘What about that one?’ Jimin pointed to a twenty-something brunette number who had potential. It was the tear-soaked eyes, and the trail of slime beneath her nose that Taehyung found quite disgusting.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjWNirRNjJ
‘No.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRec3BZGGcd
No wonder some of these women weren’t selected. They were dropping in standard. The portfolio was a thick binder filled with plastic wallets. In each was a headshot of the woman, her identity number, and where she was found. They would usually put their latest catches at the front, leaving the “unchosen” lost towards the back.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kQ1kIpe4j
Taehyung continued browsing the sea of distraught faces, sneering at each pathetic countenance staring back at him until he gave pause.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfeHDPtSna
Shoulder-length locks with a golden-orange hue, loose curls falling out of her back to front baseball cap. The amber glow of her eyes matched her hair, and her skin; it wasn’t the usual light complexion. It had a radiant, sun-kissed glow.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ710414AKyj
Studying each feature thoroughly, Taehyung found himself uncharacteristically enthralled. The slim, angular nose with freckles, the full lips that were too plump for her delicate face, a mouth that truly intrigued him, for it held a beautiful smile.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zX2Yy4zad
There was not an ounce of fear to be seen.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3ofNTtuAA
‘Um, earth to Taehyung,’ Jimin said, leaning over the table and sliding his head between Taehyung and the image that had him entranced.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHK7Lr38NH
Taehyung snapped the file shut.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbOEJ9wkEW
‘Let’s go,’ he said, shuffling out of the booth, tucking the file beneath his arm.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbRPrcE8Wk
‘What are you doing, Tae?’ Jimin asked with a puzzled frown. ‘If you want one, let's just shout Mr Bak over.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbw95awHPF
‘I’ll bring it back,’ he said after necking his second drink, ‘you coming or what?’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t7E0gmS7U
*
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTvY2eMT3a
Throwing his blazer over the chaise longue, Taehyung slid his belt out of his waistband, unbuttoned the top half of his shirt, and then threw himself onto the bed. The folder was beside him, and he bit his bottom lip in anticipation of seeing the photo that sent a rush of excitement through his veins.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSILuhUVMfA
He flipped to the third page, his eyes jumping straight to the headshot of the woman who’d earlier caught his attention.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExyGbz8iyt
Why he decided to leave with it, he had no idea. It had been a long time since something had piqued his interest.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T7KWPexe7
Taehyung pressed his lips together as he traced his finger over the number below the photo; he couldn’t imagine her being a screamer.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DYvqfEPpv
He was still studying her face, when a thought crossed his mind. A thought that didn’t sit well with him.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqyDg2Jvm7
What if she was already off the market?
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u6cd1ZKeO
Reaching to the nightstand, Taehyung grabbed his phone, scrolled through his contacts until he found the man in charge of the operation, and placed the phone to his ear.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Duf8BI0TZ
His call was promptly answered. ‘HB Security. Do you have a reference number?’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs3I3acpox
‘One, zero, nine, two, one, zero.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfznDUz46eq
‘Thank you, and your name?’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKTcenbdby
‘Mr Kim Taehyung.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetYV12Z2vy
The gruff voice instantly softened and became courteous upon realising who he was speaking to. ‘Thank you, Mr Kim. Would you like to make a purchase today? She’s still available.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx0QwoSjPf
‘I’m enquiring for more information and an additional photo.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNfPSjVI0o
‘No problem, sir. I can take her off the market for seven days until you confirm. Is two pm tomorrow a good time?’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sopLIYqhZ
Taehyung simpered. ‘It is.’
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0rbDH7LDq
The portfolio had been around since he could remember, and every week, new faces were added to the collection from all parts of the globe. The kingpin in charge of the trafficking was an ace at selecting easy targets. Most of them would not be missed.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCPCBuA3N8
They came in handy for last minute sacrifices mainly, and had used the service here and there in the past.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijs5mQ0DWN
With his father’s words running through his mind, it made Taehyung all the more determined not to have his wife selected for him. Afterall, his parents had found each other in a conventional way. They fell in love and lived a happy life.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BLO3weRMA
He had asked his father many times over the years what made him certain he could trust her, and every time his reply was the same.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5LrHzJDn5
Our connection was instant. She was the one.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEvTCi9DXj
From the moment he saw that photo, Taehyung needed to know more.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ey5qMoFcX
Whether she survived would be an entirely different matter.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Hp1mMxGD
