Did Kookie just ask me to stay? Did he really ask me to join him in the studio kitchen and cook? I thought I was only here for a 15-minute segment. I'm elated and try not to fanboy too much. I hoped I wasn't boring him. He asked me to stay so it must be going ok. I'm just being myself. That's the best I can do.

Kookie gives me an official Kooking with Kookie apron and the job of chopping pecans as he tells the audience all the ingredients while mixing the pie filling in a bowl. I cannot believe this is actually happening. He is so close and this experience is beyond amazing.

"Taehyung, I can tell you are definitely familiar with being in a kitchen," Kookie says as he stops and observes me.

"Oh, I have all your recipes and cook a big meal twice a week," I glance over at him and then back to my task as I feel a slight warmth to my cheeks.

"Why only twice a week?"

I smile sheepishly.

"Oh I'm single and I couldn't eat all of that food," I tell him honestly. When I say this, he appears to freeze a bit.

"You're single? No one special, Taehyung?" He asks in a soft tone and raises an eyebrow.

I actually blush and can't believe he asked me that. Yeah, I have a special fantasy man that is him. But, I'd never say that.

"No, there's no special man in my life. Maybe one day, if I find the right one," I say diverting my eyes to the pecans.

"Keep this going. Everyone on social media wants to know," Jin says.

"Well, Taehyung, our audience members and many of our viewers on social media want to know why you aren't taken," I step in a bit closer to him while eagerly awaiting his response.

He appears shy and for a moment I believe I have gone too far. He then surprises me with a slow smile that builds. I find it difficult to maintain eye contact and I look down at my hands.

"Actually, I'm not sure. I don't really have the opportunity to meet many men in my small town and everyone knows everyone. I'm not actually looking but if he came along I'd certainly be open."

I loosen the grip on the mixing bowl I'm holding and nearly drop it as I focus on Taehyung.

"Are you too busy?" I want to know these answers for myself.

"No, I'd always make time for someone I cared for. Job and career don't come ahead of love. Job and career are better with a loving mate. Don't you think, ?" He looks up at me as I quickly diverts my eyes. "I'm sorry Kookie that was inappropriate," he says, lowering his head as I notice a soft blush on his cheeks.

"No, it was ok. I agree but it is not always possible to have what we want," I replied wistfully almost forgetting the studio audience.

"Yes it is. If we want it enough." He says looking me in the eyes. "You don't have to worry about that Kookie, you are dating lots of handsome men. I've seen you at some special award shows with your boyfriend on your arm. Always looking so handsome and uh, uh, happy."

The audience claps to acknowledge me. I'm stunned for a few moments by Taehyung's honesty. I sit and look at him, not responding to the audience. He is amazing. Taehyung nods to agree with the audience. "Yep, I saw you and your boyfriend that actor, um... Tommie Chen." As Taehyung speaks my smile drops. I hate that bastard Tommie Chen yet I maintain a forced smile that sickens me. I could never be worthy of a man like Taehyung. Honest and decent. A regular guy.

"As for me, Kookie. I think work is a distraction. This experience with Mrs. Choo and her son reminded me of that."

Just like that, Taehyung has me drawn to him. I forget that lying asshole Tommie Chen and even my audience. "How so Taehyung?" I say cupping my chin with one hand as I lean on the kitchen island as if it is only me and him in the room.

"Well, it reminded me that life is unpredictable and anything can happen. So I have to go after what I want."

I sigh with a bit of pause. How nice it would be to go after what I really wanted, I think looking up at Taehyung.

"Kookie, move to the next segment," Jin says. "You're a bit slow today."

"Okay Taehyung, it's time for our final segment and I need your help." I say as I slide the pecan pie into the oven. "Taehyung, when looking for a gift for mom, grandma or a special older woman, what should you consider? Any ideas?"

Taehyung looks thoughtful for a moment before he speaks. "Kookie, I'd think something that's beautiful, useful and can be cherished all year around."

"Wow, Taehyung, you're pretty good at this. You're correct."

Is he real? I pinch myself to make sure this is not a dream.

One of our assistant helpers brings the gift onstage as the audience responds with a loud oohs followed by clapping . It's a gorgeous planter tastefully decorated with greenery and bright red winter berries.

I explain the gift as it is brought out, "An arrangement of bright red winter berries that she can display for weeks and then use as a centerpiece for Christmas dinner. When the berries and greens are past their prime, she can enjoy the footed container for years to come." The audience roars with clapping and cheers.

We have 10 minutes left and all I can think about is the possibility of not being able to see this beautiful man again. Again, Jin is in my ear, "Kookie, asked him what his Christmas wish is."

"So Taehyung, our viewers want to know what your Christmas Wish is. Everyone wants to know what our hero would like for Christmas." Again, my personal curiosity gets the better of me. I want to know, too.

"No, I don't need anything. I'm grateful for the day. I absolutely love Christmas. It's such a magical time of the year," he says with a bright smile and glistening eyes.

"Come on Taehyung! Millions are watching. " The audience begins to cheer. Jin is again in my ear. "Kookie, get the audience into it."

"Come on Audience, let's encourage Taehyung!"

The clapping and cheers continue and get louder. I turn to Taehyung equally curious, "Taehyung, they are not going to stop until you tell us what your Christmas Wish is." The audience roars on. I see Taehyung is about to speak so I raise my hand to quiet the audience. The sound immediately comes down as we all focus on Taehyung.

"Okay, but this is pretty outrageous. I grew up in a loving home where we had the best Christmases, ever. My parents are both gone and it's just me and my brother now. Growing up we observed all the traditions. Cooking as a family, decorating the tree, sharing gifts, listening to Christmas music, fun activities in the snow and so much more." He pauses and takes a deep breath with a smile that conveys total bliss.

"I wish for an old fashioned White Christmas in a beautiful setting. Like your country cottage nestled in the snowy mountains. I'd love a wonderful Christmas dinner with homemade pumpkin pie. Every holiday season when I think about your country cottage with a turkey baking in the oven, it reminds me of the Christmases I had growing up as a boy."

There's a bit of sadness in his voice. Taehyung reminds me of a time when I enjoyed Christmas. A time without all the complication my life now has. That time when I was just a regular guy and happy.

"It's a bit of a fantasy, but that would be the best Christmas I've had in a long time."

I try to lighten the mood while agreeing with him. The cameras panned to the audience who all are nodding in agreement.

"Kookie, invite him to your country cottage!" Jin says.

What!? Jin cannot be serious. He knows-

"Kookie, invite him to your country cottage for Christmas." Jin says again. I'm shocked with what I hear coming through my earpiece. I look at the camera. And, for several seconds I'm not sure how to respond. I bite down on my lip as one of my hands clenches into a fist all the while conscious that I'm on camera.

"Uh, okay we are going to take a short break. Uh, can I get some helpers out here to serve up pecan pie for our audience? Taehyung, I'll be right back," I say as I feel my jaw tightening.

I quickly jog to the control room and storm in. Jin is sitting with Namjoon and I am ready to murder someone.

"Kookie! You just can't call a commercial! It gets everyone scrambling around here!' Namjoon yells, tossing up his arms.

"The fuck I can't! This is Kooking with Kookie! Not Namjoon, and not Jin! What the hell, Jin?"

"Kookie, he is Ratings Gold. Please, trust me."

"Everyone Out!" I shout. "You two, stay! Quickly!" I shout as staff bustle quickly out the door.

Someone shouts. "We have two minutes."

"You fucking better make it three!" I shout baring my teeth. The frightened Control Manager shuffles and presses a few buttons to load in another commercial. "You have, uh, three and half minutes," He then runs out of the room.

I narrow my eyes and turn to Jin. "You just can't change the schedule for the holiday season!"

"You mean those boring celebrities you complained about," Namjoon says deploying sarcasm.

"The ratings are through the roof, Kookie!" Jin says.

"I don't give a shit!" I say quickly raising and lowering my arms.

"You're exploding on social media," Namjoon adds with a wide grin.

"Still, I don't fucking care!" I blast.

"Kookie," Jin says. "Look at your audience." I look at the monitor. Their faces are full of excitement. Taehyung has walked out toward the audience and he's talking to them and passing out pie. I feel a lump in my throat as I watch.

"Look at that. They love him and can't get enough of this kind man," Namjoon says coming over to check out the monitor.

"Do it for your audience," Jin says calmly.

And there, Jin had me. I love my fans and he knows that. I always want to do my best for them.

"Okay, but we have one problem!"

"What is that?" Jin says with raised eyebrows,

"We Don't Have a Country Cottage! Nor do I have a dog! We fabricated the whole thing! The country cottage is just a set that we built with fucking fake snow and computer graphics! Uno is a variety of trained television terrier dogs! That selfie we showed was Photoshopped! The decoration ideas are not mine! It's all scripted! I haven't cooked in years! I'm just an actor and we're phonies!" I rampage and then slump into a chair.

"Oh yeah!" Jin says crossing his arms over his chest. "Joonie told me a few years ago about that and how you were an actor and the two of you came up with this brand."

"I didn't think it would take off like this," I say looking off into the empty space above and slowly shaking my head.

"We were just selling a small show on a tiny station to pay the bills. That's all," Namjoon says. "Then, we struck gold."

"It's still unethical," Jin says with a sneer.

"Really? You found out two year ago! If it's so damn unethical why are you still here?" I say to Jin raising my eyebrow.

"W-Well. I-I love you both and this show is really good and I love this job. Look, we can make this work, Kookie."

"It's a lie! If we get exposed I lose my show and I'd be ruined. And guess who's out of a job?" I say shaking my head and looking down at the floor.

"Fuck, I forgot about that," Namjoon says as he rubs the back of his neck and falls back into his chair sighing loudly.

"Look Kookie, we'll figure it out. Trust me," Jin says reaching out and placing his hand on my arm.

"You'd better, because we're all in this together," I said, looking at them both directly with a flat expression.

"Kookie, you and Taehyung have great on camera chemistry. I felt it. You were so natural and played along. It was terribly cute and endearing. I think there's something there. I just need a little time to work this out," Jin says as a soft smile moves across his face.

There is a knock on the door. "30 seconds!"

"I don't know Jin," I think, what a mess. But, there is something about him. Okay, we'll figure it out and spending more time with this gorgeous Kim Taehyung would be nice. Why, I don't know. "Okay, it's a go."

I run back to the stage in 15 seconds. Taehyung takes his chair as make-up adds a little powder to my face. As I settle into my chair I hear control in my earpiece.

"We are back in 3-2-1."

"Okay, I apologize for that long break but I had to talk with my producers to ask a crazy question and with a bit of coaxing from me, they agreed. How about we give Taehyung his Christmas wish!"

"What!?" Taehyung says. "What do you mean?" Taehyung is rapidly blinking as if he's trying to process what he just heard.

"Taehyung, for your selflessness, care and concern for others, we would like to give you an old fashioned Country Christmas. How would you like to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day at my country cottage?"

Taehyung's body movements momentarily freeze. The audience erupts into cheers and claps. I hear Jin again in my ear. "Kookie, social media is going crazy."

"Oh my God!" Taehyung says bringing his hand to his mouth and touches his lips. "Christmas Eve and Christmas day with you at your snowy mountain country cottage? A real Country Christmas. I am beyond grateful. Yes, I'd love that!"

As his smile expands I experience the sensations of joy and excitement. I'm unable to contain my own smile. I want to make him happy. I want this for him... and for me.

"Wow Kookie, you'll be cooking," He says placing his hands on the side of his face and shaking his head as if he cannot believe it.

"I can't wait to meet Uno!" He shouts as the audience stands and starts going into a mad frenzy of shouts, claps, with some jumping up and down while others wipe their eyes.

Oh shit!

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