32 Risk it?

Seo-yeon waited the ten minutes after Yoongi and Taehyung before she headed back towards the party. She stood in front of the entrance door, took a deep breath, then entered the room. The party still in full swing. All the members of BTS were busy mingling with different people. Their charm and wit brought smiles to everyone that engaged with them.

Eun-ha spotted Seo lingering at the entrance and waved to grab her attention. Seo waved back, but gestured to the bar to indicate that she'd grab a drink first. She headed to the bar, and ordered a non-alcoholic drink. She took her drink and turned to head over to her waiting friend when Ae-cha approached her. Seo internally laughed at Ae-cha and her friend, who looked as if they were headed to battle. She had to admit that that was their intention.

"I wasn't sure if everyone is mistaken, so I thought I'd come and have your clear up what has spread throughout the room," Ae-cha scoffed, "I'm I to seriously believe that you're BTS' 'sister' or close friend?"

Seo-yeon blinked rapidly, surprised that word had spread while she had stepped out. She glanced around to see if others were watching her, but no one was paying much attention to the shaken Seo. She glimpsed Jungkook, Jimin and Taehyung playfully dancing to music in the far distance. She sighed knowing those three wouldn't hesitate to tell anyone how fond they were of her. 'What's done in done. Seo, don't be scared. There's no law saying you can't be a part of their lives.'

"I have no control over what other people say," Seo-yeon lifted her chin slightly, determined to show Ae-cha, and anyone else that dared to confront her, that she was not cowering away.

"Well, 'other people' don't matter to me, but it does matter when Jungkook and V are apparently the source," this from the friend.

"Excuse me, but I don't even know you. I don't owe either of you an explanation."

Both women scowled at her reply. They cheeks flared bright pink from obvious frustration. Ae-cha had expected pleas of denial, or at least apologies for over stepping again. She did not expect, nor appreciate Seo's silence.

"You owe EVERYONE an explanation!" Ae-cha demanded. A few people glanced towards them at the sound of Ae-cha's slightly raised voice. The last thing Ae-cha wanted was to embarrass herself in front of her peers, and high class guests, but she especially wanted to save face in front of BTS.

Clearing her voice, Ae-cha lowered her voice, "Unless you were actually a relative to them, you have no business acting friendly. We finished our job. You only have the privilege of getting to be acknowledged by them now that you have business connections. Even at that, it should not extend past a simple smile and greeting."

"You have no right to cling to them. I'm sure you're making them uncomfortable putting them in this situation. It's not uncommon for them to be openly friendly, so I'm sure they don't want to embarrass you in front of others so made that whole bit about family," the snooty friend said.

"They're not property. I know you love them, as everyone does, but that doesn't give you some sort of right to attack me. I'm sorry if it offends you that I'm their friend," Seo-yeon quietly said. She could not believe how ridiculous their argument was. She would have been understanding had their concern been for the members' well-being, but it had nothing to do with that. It was plain and simple; they were jealous, and possessive over men that they had no relationship with.

"Offend? Me?" Ae-cha and her friend rolled their eyes, and laughed.

"Hello, ladies. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but could I please speak with Miss Park?" All three women bowed in respect towards Manager Sejin, who aimed a pleasant smile at each of them.

"Of course." Ae-cha and her friend said in union.

He escorted Seo-yeon to a "VIP" area designated for BTS to rest when they needed to get away from the guests. Manager Sejin politely offered her a seat on one of the couches. She was wary when she took notice that they were the only people in the room. Not one to beat around the bush, he jumped right to the point.

"You can relax, Miss Park. I just wanted to speak with you concerning your relationship with the boys."

"Ok." She knew it would eventually become a matter to alarm their managers.

"I've spoke with Jin and Yoongi," he watched her face checking for a reaction. Her brows furrowed in concern, which he took note of, "When I heard the maknae's having a little chat about 'Yun-Yun' this, and 'Yun-Yun' that, I paid it no attention. They obviously adore you as a sister. However, they did question whether Hyung Jin or Yoongi were interested in you. They have their reasons for taking sides, and 'shipping' you with their hyung of choice."

She didn't say anything. She held his stare. He smiled, respecting her composure, and control of her emotions.

"They did mention meeting a girl on their vacation when they returned at the end of their hiatus. It was a brief mention, as they share when they meet new people. You can imagine my surprise when I find out that same girl is working at K-Magazine."

"I can assure you that was a coincidence," Seo-yeon weakly stated.

"That was what Jin and Yoongi said. They're not the type to lie, and I trust them."

"So, why am I here, exactly?" She was curious as to why she was here if he knew all this already.

"Jin came home late last night," her heart felt as if it was stuck in her throat, "He messaged me requesting to talk in the morning," her palms grew increasingly sweaty, "I met with him this morning. He wanted to meet with us all. The other members, myself, and the other managers that are close to them. Unfortunately the only members available this morning were Namjoon and Yoongi, but we still met."

She knew it was going to be a bombshell. She knew Jin did the unthinkable.

"He doesn't like sneaking around, and doesn't want to place you or him in a position where you have to choose between your careers or each other. He asked for our assistance. 'Please, I don't want to have any regrets in the future.' I've never seen him look so desperate."

"I don't know what to say," she bit her bottom lip, and clasped her hands on her lap, "I don't want to cause any problems for any of them."

"Would you cut off all contact if I requested you to?" He challenged.

Seo-yeon held her breath. She didn't want to sacrifice her friendship, and loose Jin again. But if her leaving reduced harm to their careers, and reputations, she would disappear from them.

"If my friendship with them is causing harm, I will stop all interaction. I'm not selfish, and will not let my desire to be closer to Jin, or any of them ruin what they built." Seo-yeon stood and bowed with every intention to officially cut off ties with them. She walked past Manager Sejin who had stood with her.

"Miss Park." She stopped and faced him. He had a warm smile which confused her. All she wanted to do was leave this party before the dam of tears finally broke free.

"Yes?"

"This isn't a drama. I'm not here to hand you an envelope of money, or threaten you to stay away," he laughingly said.

"I'm not sure what you want, Manager Sejin."

The door opened, and Jin, Yoongi and Namjoon walked into the room. Jin froze mid-step while the other two knowingly smiled at Seo-yeon. Seo could see that Jin was not expecting to see her having a discussion with Manager Sejin.

"What's going on here?" he asked no one in particular.

"Jin. Miss Park is ready to leave. Why don't you and Yoongi drive her and her friend home?"

"What?" Jin and Seo said at the same time.

"I'll send her this way. You guys can leave through the back so that none of guests see you."

"Manager Sejin?" Jin wasn't sure he heard correctly.

"You asked for us to help, Jin. We'll help you as best as we can, and create some sort of statement for the day everyone finds out. You're at the age where you should be allowed to date whoever you want and not feel guilty for liking someone. Now, we should keep it from your fans as long as possible, as we know how some will take the news of you being in a relationship." Sejin brotherly patted Jin's shoulder.

"Hyung, we will find ways for you two to be able to spend time together. You're our brother, and we want to see you happy," Namjoon said.

"Jin, I told you at the beach house that I would support you no matter what, and I meant it," Yoongi said. He face Seo-yeon, who had tears in her eyes, "Seo, I'm truly happy we're friends, and that Jin is the person you like. I hope you don't mind having an older brother like me." He shyly smiled at her.

Jin and Seo-yeon stood side by side, speechless. She feared she burst into tears if she spoke. They accepted her relationship with Jin. They would gladly find ways to keep them together, and even planned to see it through if the public caught wind of it. It was a risk. A risk that terrified her.