Y/N

Taehyung's penthouse was in one of the most luxurious buildings in Seoul. It had a great view of the Han River, and I have been here a couple of times for work. Also that time with Jungkook and the kids.

Taehyung went to his room to put on a shirt and I walked to the floor to ceiling windows to get a view of the river below. It would be a romantic view if I had a glass of wine in my hand.

"These are the papers that were given to us by Secretary Moon last week." Taehyung returns with a fresh shirt on and with files in his hand. "Jungkook thought that there was something wrong with the numbers so we asked the finance department to give us another copy."

"And the new ones?" I took the file and Taehyung sat next to me on the plush leather couch. He grabs some other papers from the coffee table and hands them to me.

For the next couple of minutes I poured over the numbers with the calculator that Taehyung had procured for me. I highlighted the accounts that were changed and calculated the differences on the side.

"I feel useless." Taehyung spoke up and I glanced up from the papers in my lap. Taehyung was just sitting there perfectly straight, ready for anything I gave him. He looked like a puppy who was waiting for orders from his master, or an employee on their first day of work.

"Go give me some wine or coffee then." I chuckled and turned back to the papers. "Also find me the previous month's accounts as well."

"Drinking in front of your boss while working, Y/N?" Taehyung gets up to grab a bottle of wine from the kitchen and returns with the bottle and two glasses of wine.

"Number one. I technically don't work for you anymore. I work with you." I grabbed a pen from the coffee table and used it to twist my hair into a bun to work seriously. "Number two. Weren't you the one who said that you weren't my boss after work hours months ago?" I reminded him of the time I went to the club with Avery and ran into him and Jungkook. "And lastly, can you really look at all these numbers and not get depressed? Alcohol is the only remedy."

"Touche." Taehyung poured a glass of wine for each of us and we clinked glasses.

Since Taehyung had felt useless, I had given him the job of calculating the differences between the different versions of company accounts that I highlighted.

The two of us had spent an hour or two looking over the accounts, trying to figure out how everything went wrong.

"The accounts given to you and Jungkook are smaller than the numbers given by the finance department." I leaned back against the leather couch and tapped my lips with my pen. "Did you guys change suppliers or did the prices go up?"

"We've been using the same suppliers for years and if there was a change in price then I would've been notified by it."

"Then you know what I think?" I glanced at Taehyung and circled the large sum of 5 million dollars written on the side of the paper. "Someone's been embezzling your money and they have for the past two years."

"And how have they been doing it?" Taehyung's jaw clenches and he scrutinizes the papers I had given him.

"The costs for fabrics and other materials are largely inflated. At first they started small, but whoever's been embezzling your money has gotten bold." I pointed to the differences between the accounts from two years ago and the accounts from just a few months ago. "Then the shocking thing is that the accounts return back to normal when the previous financial leader retired."

"So you're saying that Mr. Yang was the one embezzling money?"

"I'm not saying he's the only one, but he was the main source." I poured myself some more wine. This was going to be a long chat. "He was obviously working with someone else. My first job was being an accountant at a firm. I handled accounts for companies so it's not the first time I've seen embezzlement. It always ends with some corrupt head of department or partner who steals the money." I waved a hand at him and took another sip of wine. "There was so much drama that I quit and started working at Shining."

"Then someone ordered him to do it and he just had a plain motive to say yes."

We are currently on the right track, but there was something that wasn't right.

"I heard that he was in a car accident."

Back when we first returned to Korea, I was still looking for a job. Avery was the one who had told me about the financial officer position at Silver Enterprise. She also added that the old head of the department retired because he had gotten into a car crash.

I took a large sip of wine before commenting on my own words. "Trying to kill someone with a 'car accident' is a great way of shutting someone up when they want out."

Taehyung's eyes snapped to me at what I was insinuating. Someone had wanted to kill Mr. Yang, which meant that whoever he worked for must've been someone high up. There weren't many people in the company who had a higher position than Yang.

"Are you trying to say that I'm the one embezzling money?" Taehyung accused me and I slapped my head.

"Not you." I clarified. "Someone who is up there. Whoever is doing it is clearly still in Silver." I threw another file onto the coffee table that was this month's account. "It started again this month. That's why Jungkook was able to catch onto it easily."

There was a large expenditure listed in the company budget for the upcoming company trip and for materials, but it didn't add up to what was actually being spent on the trip. Whoever did this was sloppy at their work and didn't think it through.

"Looks like I need to have a conversation with Hansol." The paper in Taehyung's hand crumpled under his tight grip.

"I don't think Hansol would do it though." I defended my friend. "Why would Hansol ever embezzle money?"

"Doesn't he have a new baby? He'll need a lot of money to take care of a baby."

I understood that taking care of a newborn baby would be expensive. I had to raise two with the money that Mrs. Park had offered me when I left, and the money that my mother had sent, but it still wasn't enough so I had to get a part time job too.

Hansol and Ina were a stable couple when it came to money. Hansol works in finance, of course he knows how to budget and he was just too nice to even think about embezzlement. He would rather ask his friends for money than steal.

"But he's not the type to steal money. How could you even accuse him of being behind this?" I argued. "You know him. He's Ina's husband and he's done a great job taking care of Hyun and Ae whenever they're over to play with Eunbi."

"I know he is." Taehyung sighs and pours wine into his empty glass. "But he let something like this happen under his management. Even if he's being it or not, I still need to speak with him. He may be a friend of yours, but this is a serious company matter. I gotta do what's best for the company."

I didn't respond and angrily stood up. I walked over to the windows and stared out at the view. This was why I wanted wine. Because I knew the conversation would eventually start pointing fingers to Hansol and turn into drama.

"Jungkook and I will have a chat with Hansol, you can be there as well." Taehyung came up behind me. "You can stop us if you think we're going overboard, how about that? This is the best we can do. If it was anyone else then we would've done an investigation and fired him just for letting this happen. Guilty or not."

"Thank you." I knew that I was probably acting like a spoiled brat right now, but I protect my friends, especially if they're wrongfully accused.

"But you did a good job." He held his glass out and we tapped glasses. "This has been going on for two years and we haven't been able to figure it out."

"I probably would've seen it sooner if they continued doing it while I was working as secretary, but it just annoys me about how much we don't know." I leaned against the windows. "Why did they cut Yang off? Why stop their operations for a couple of months and start back up again? Who is behind all this?"

I was mainly speaking to myself at this point as I tried to piece the puzzle all together. It was funny how everything was so simple a few months back, but now it was so complicated. All I had to do was read through contracts, respond to emails, and take care of the kids. Now I have scandals, a runway, embezzlement, and relationship problems to take care of.

"You don't have to worry. I'm sure you'll eventually figure it out." Taehyung smiles and stands beside me looking out at the windows. "You're a smart woman, Y/N."

"Yes, and that's why I think it's time to end whatever this is." I looked at Taehyung and he looked back at me.

The kind and soft look that Taehyng was giving me was killing me inside. It made my heart sink to my stomach. What do I even say to him in a situation like this?

"What do you mean?" There was a stiff smile on Taehyung's face.

"Taehyung, I think you're smart enough to know what I mean." I sadly smiled back at him. "There will never be anything between us."

Taehyung looked away and licked his lips. "How will you know if you don't give it a chance? In the future-"

"He told me that he was jealous whenever he saw me with you." I fully turned to Taehyung. "It made me realize something and I don't even think I should be here."

"Jungkook doesn't get to control your actions. You have every right to be here." Taehyung argues. "Do what makes you happy and what you think is right, Y/N."

"And that's exactly what I'm doing." I have said this to myself dozens of times before. "I don't think you understand Taehyung. I realized that being with you makes me happy, but it's not the same happiness that I felt with Jimin and Jungkook. That's why I'm trying to do the right thing."

Taehyung wouldn't meet my eyes when I tried to get his attention.

"Taehyung. That's why I think we can't be more than friends." Taehyung winced at my words and I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I think I knew we wouldn't work for months, but I unconsciously tried to string you along. We should stop before we make things worse."

"Do you really have no romantic feelings for me?" Taehyung finally looks at me, but just barely.

I silently nod my head.

"Then let's test it out." Taehyung takes my chin and tips my head up.

I didn't back away because I wasn't scared. I feared for what would happen between Taehyung and I if he kissed me. However, I stood still because he needed this. He needed to see.

Taehyung leaned forward so our lips were slightly touching, but not really. Our breaths mingled with each other. I could smell Taehyung's lavender shampoo from his recent shower and practically taste the wine we just had on the tip of my tongue.

His eyes searched mine as he waited. Waited to see if I would give up to whatever feeling I may have for him, but I don't.

The longer we stood like that, the more he hesitated, but I knew that Taehyung was patient. He has been patient for this long while seeing me in some sort of relationship with both his best friends.

Taehyung leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. Just a soft touch to experiment with, but I don't respond.

His lips were soft and they seemed to fit mine perfectly just like Jimin and Jungkook's did.

Seemed to fit.

Taehyung leaned back to see my reaction then tried to kiss me harder. His lips turned aggressive to try and pull a response from me.

I broke away from Taehyung. There was a hurt look on his face, but also a new resolve.

"You really don't feel anything for me?" He whispers.

"Not more than a friend."

Taehyung's eyes fluttered shut and there was a small furrow of his eyebrows.

Taehyung's state hurt my heart. Looking back, there were always these subtle hints. I always thought they were due to Taehyung's playfulness and just him being a good friend.

It was just like my conversation with Jimin when I tried to persuade him to move on. After tonight, everything will change and hopefully for the better. Except this time, I knew we would walk away without tears.

It hurts me more to say, "I think I should go."

Taehyung nodded his head without opening his eyes, then I went to put the wine glass onto the coffee table and gathered my things.

"I'll always be there for you. That doesn't change you know." I was halfway down the hallway to the door when Taehyung spoke. I turned around and there was a calm expression on Taehyung's face. "As a friend."

"I know." I smiled. "Because that's just how you are."

A meeting was called in the next few days by Jungkook. Taehyung, Hansol, and I were expected to meet Jungkook in his office just as Taehyung said. Jaesuk wasn't at his desk when I arrived so I just headed straight in.

I was the last one to arrive and found Jungkook sitting behind his desk, Taehyung leaning against the windows behind him and Hansol in one of the seats in front of the desk.

Seeing my arrival, Jungkook finally starts the meeting, but I would like to call it an interrogation.

"There is a reason why I wanted to meet with the three of you." Jungkook started off and I took a seat in the chair beside Hansol. "Last night we found evidence of embezzlement based on the financial department reports."

"What?" Hansol looked genuinely surprised and Jungkook observed his reaction.

"Someone from the finance department has been stealing our company's resources and Taehyung and I suspect it is you, but Y/N disagrees." Jungkook explained and Hansol gave me a grateful look. I smiled back in return, giving him reassurance and letting him know that I got his back. "You know how things in this company works, but today you'll be given a chance to explain yourself."

"I had no idea somebody was stealing from the company." Hansol starts off. "Since Mr. Yang retired, the finance department had a lot of changes in staff. We're still in the process of hiring some new employees and it's been hard to train them."

"So what you're saying is that you lacked responsibility and have been slacking?" Jungkook narrows his eyes at Hansol.

"Not necessarily, but I have been giving more trust to the senior workers due to the work overload." Hansol frowns. "Since most of them have worked on managing budget and purchases, I let them directly handle the projects."

"Tell us, who managed the upcoming company trip, and supplies." Taehyung spoke up.

Hansol thought for a moment. "Ha Doyoung and Kang Boa. Senior officers, they've worked here for about six years. They've rarely ever made mistakes so I didn't require them to give me updates on their progress and just hand me the final report."

"Seems like we need to have a meeting with them next." Taehyung says to Jungkook.

"Can I just say something?" Hansol interjects the small discussion that Taehyung and Jungkook had going on. "Usually the newer employees are tasked with creating the estimate of the company budget or creating the statement."

"Then are you suggesting that it might've been one of the newer employees?" Jungkook rubs his temples.

I could understand his frustrations. What Hansol is saying is that it could be anyone in the finance department, and since there have been so many new employees it would be hard to narrow it down to who it is.

"Just set out a bait." I suggested. "We're all in the middle of getting ready for the winter collection. Just give a bigger budget that will cover more than enough for the supplies. Whoever is embezzling the money will definitely show themselves."

"And if they don't?" Jungkook challenges.

"Whoever the culprit is, they're doing a sloppy job at hiding the evidence. That means they're new. They won't miss the opportunity to try and steal a lot of money."

"I think that we should go with Y/N's idea." Taehyung smiles at me.

His smile was the same relaxed smile that he would give me any day. I was glad that our relationship wasn't too affected with what happened the other night.

Taehyung and I made things up the day after. He explicitly stated that he wasn't going to apologize for the kiss though which made me laugh.

Jungkook narrows his eyes between Taehyung and I. "If this goes wrong then we are potentially losing thousands of dollars here."

"It won't because whoever is the mastermind seems desperate for money right now." I assured him.

Jungkook stares at me for a moment, making his decision then nods his head. "But we still need to handle Hansol." Hansol sat straighter in his chair and prepared for being fired. "While we caught on to this relatively fast under your supervision. It did happen due to your lack of responsibility."

"So... We're going to demote you." Taehyung said slowly. "You'll take back your previous position and we'll either hire or promote another finance leader."

Hansol's shoulders may have slumped down in relief, but I wasn't satisfied.

"But wait." I stood up. "I get that everything happened under his supervision, but this has been going on way before he even stepped up to this position. I don't think that it is fair that you demote him."

"Then what do you suggest Y/N?" Jungkook sits back in his chair. "The other alternative was firing him."

"I think that he should keep his current position." I scoffed. "We know Hansol. He is someone that we can trust. We need someone like him so we know that there won't be any more corruption in the future. What if you hire someone like Yang. Then the cycle just continues."

"Taehyung and I will need to discuss this after we talk with Doyoung and Boa." Jungkook gave his final answer. "Right now we only know Hansol's story. We need to continue this investigation. For now Hansol can keep his position, but if we find out that he is guilty then the best we can do is demote him."

"Thank you." Hansol says to Jungkook who then nods to let us know that we were done.

Taehyung stayed back to talk with Jungkook, but Hansol and I left the office.

"Y/N, thank you for standing up for me." Hansol grins at me. "If it weren't for you then I would've been fired."

"You didn't do anything wrong." I shook my head. "I don't think that you should be the one punished for it."

"I'm glad that Ina has a friend like you."

"Oh I know." I said smugly.

"I have to go. Like I said, there are a lot of new employees so I'm very busy."

"Don't worry! I'll take great care of your wife and baby when you're not there." I winked at him and he laughed as he walked away.

My phone started ringing and Ji Ae's name appeared on the caller ID.

"Hello?" I answered the phone.

"Mommy! Can we move to Paris?" My daughter said excitedly.

"Ok, why do you want to move to Paris?" I started walking towards the elevators.

"I've already watched all the latest Miraculous Ladybug episodes and it's taking forever for the new ones to come out in English." She whines. "I want to move to Paris so I can learn french."

"Baby, you don't need to move to Paris to learn french." I told her then something in the air smelled funny and got me to sneeze.

"Bless you mommy." Ji Ae said.

"Thank you." I sniffed the air and there was the smell of a perfume or flower in the air.

"Anyways, if you want to learn French then I can get you a tutor. We don't have to move to Paris, but we can