The third and final day of shooting arrived.
Rhea reached the set early, as usual. She exchanged polite greetings with the director and assistant director before burying herself in work. Her calm presence blended in with the busy crew, unnoticed yet quietly steady.
Then, like clockwork, Kim Taehyung entered the set. The moment he walked in, the energy shifted, warmth and excitement buzzing in the air. His boxy smile seemed to light up the entire room, drawing everyone to him effortlessly.
But this time, his eyes searched for someone in particular.
For most of the day, he observed Rhea in the corners of his vision. She wasn't trying to get close to him, wasn't fluttering around like the others. She just… worked. Serious, quiet, almost invisible. And that, oddly enough, made her unforgettable.
Taehyung had a mission. He had accepted Jungkook's challenge. He needed her contact. Maybe even a picture to prove her existence. But how? He couldn't just sneak a photo; he wasn't that kind of man.
The hours slipped by, the shoot wrapped, and evening approached. He hadn't had a single chance. With pack-up beginning, he realized it was now or never.
He made an excuse to approach her.
"Hi, Rhea."
She turned at the sound of her name, eyes widening slightly. His boxy smile disarmed her, though she looked a little confused, even awkward.
"If you don't mind," he said gently, "could we have a little talk on the rooftop?"
Her heart skipped. What? Kim Taehyung… wants to talk to me? Alone? Panic pricked the edges of her thoughts. Why me? What does he want? God, don't let it be anything strange.
"Why…?" she asked cautiously.
He chuckled softly. "Nothing serious. Just a break. It's nice talking to you, and I can smoke in peace there."
His easy tone calmed her nerves. She smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, okay. Five minutes."
He nodded, heading up first.
Five minutes later, her steps echoed against the rooftop floor. Taehyung turned at the sound of her shoes, smiling warmly. She managed a polite smile in return.
"It's our last day working together," he began.
She hummed softly.
"It was nice meeting you. Working with you."
Her lips curved gently. "Thank you. Same to you."
He studied her face for a moment, then said, "Actually, you seem different to me. Genuine. Unlike others. I don't mean to judge; fans are precious to me, but it's been three days, and you never once asked for an autograph or a selfie. Not even once."
Rhea chuckled, shaking her head. "What should I do with a photo? I've seen you in pictures and videos for years already. Meeting you in person, working with you, that itself is an honor. That's more than enough."
He smiled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You know what? It's rare to find people like you. I'm genuinely happy I met you."
She laughed lightly. "Don't overpraise me. I'm just being normal."
But then, suddenly, he extended his hand. His eyes were clear, his gesture unhesitant.
"Friends?"
Rhea froze. Her world tilted. Kim Taehyung… wants to be friends with me? She stared at his hand as though it were a trick of the light.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" he teased softly.
She snapped out of her daze, stammering with an awkward smile. "Why? I mean, it's just three days. You'll probably forget me after a week. Why even bother?"
"I don't want to forget you," he said simply. His voice was calm, but his words landed like thunder in her chest.
Her breath caught. He doesn't want to forget me? But… why? What's so special about me?
She frowned slightly, whispering, "But why? I'm not that special to be friends with you."
He tilted his head, smiling gently. "You don't need to be special or a celebrity. I'm offering friendship as a normal person, not as Kim Taehyung the idol."
His sincerity pierced through her doubt. She looked at him, then quickly looked away, unable to hold his gaze.
"Rhea…" he said softly.
Her eyes fluttered closed at the sound of her name on his lips, a shiver running down her spine.
"Don't think too much," he added. "You already shared your seven-year secret love story with me. Now, why hesitate over something as simple as friendship?"
Before she could answer, he reached out, gently taking her hand in his. His grip was warm, steady.
"Well," he said with a smile, giving her hand a shake, "now we're friends. Forever."
Rhea stood frozen, her heart a mess, her thoughts tangled beyond words.
"And since we're friends," Taehyung continued smoothly, "we should share our contacts."
Her head snapped up. "What?"
He grinned, all charm. "Of course. How else will we stay in touch? After today?"
She blinked, searching his face for some trick. He only smiled wider.
"What's with that look?" he teased.
"You're asking for my number," she pointed out, "but you're not giving me yours."
He chuckled, amused by her suspicion. "Of course, once you give me yours, I'll call you. Then you'll have mine too."
Her eyes narrowed, unconvinced.
He sighed dramatically. "Fine. Let's do it this way. Until we trust each other, let's just exchange email addresses. It's safer."
Handing her his phone, he watched as she hesitated before finally typing in her email.
"Perfect." He flashed his signature smile, satisfaction glinting in his eyes. "Now we'll stay in touch."
She nodded faintly, still processing, as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.
Mission accomplished. He had her contact, and later that night, when she wasn't looking, he clicked a single photo of her on set, subtle, discreet. Proof for Jungkook. Proof of the woman who had silently loved his brother for seven years.