I feel giddy as I move down the long hallway toward the prep room and pass Kookie's office. Should I even hope? I cannot help hoping for something with Kookie.

I've analyzed our call over and over. Kookie called me. We had a real conversation; that took time.

I have been in a Kookie coma all day. I have thought of little else. I had to double check my clothing because I barely recall getting dressed.

As I enter the prep room, I take a seat on the red, plush couch. The show has started and is showing on the mounted big screen TV above. I quickly rise unable to sit still and stand watching, waiting.

Kookie looks amazing, as always. I notice there is something different about him after watching for several minutes. "What is it?"

It's his face. He maintains a soft smile throughout but he seems a bit out of sorts. As if he is unsettled.

I see it in his eyes and demeanor. He is usually more animated. I notice that his arms are crossed over his chest. He appears uncomfortable and closed off.

Well, everyone is allowed a bad day, even Kookie. I feel a rush of sadness move over me thinking how hard that must be for him having to be upbeat and smiling when he doesn't feel it. It's not as if he's an actor.

I just hope he is happy in his life. He deserve to be. Oh my goodness, my favorite segment is coming up.

What is Kookie roasting today? I lick my lips in anticipation as he moves to the oven. Yes, roasted chicken with apples and cranberries!

It's been hours since I ate, and looking at his roasted chicken makes my mouth water and my stomach rumble. Kookie is looking exceptionally good in his tight pants as he places his delicious masterpiece on the granite island top. I close my eyes as I stand there and think of his country cottage on Christmas Day as Kookie bends over and removes our holiday turkey from the oven, in those tight-tight-ass pants.

I shake my head, and moan. I open my eyes returning my gaze to the TV. I continue to stand as his guest is announced and comes out.

Fuck! Tommie Chen! The ex-boyfriend. That can't be easy.

Kookie said it was mutual, nevertheless, after dating someone for nearly a year there must be some feelings, however small. The smile on Kookie's face is unchangeable. It doesn't grow or cease in response to Tommie.

Tommie Chen embraces him. The hug appears to have lasted longer than that friendly guest hug that really is no more than a friendly pat on the back. The audience also notices it and cheers with a few ohhs and ahhs.

I must admit, I do feel the pinch of jealousy. Kookie looks somewhat awkward as he looks away after being the first to break the hug. I'm not sure but Tommie Chen may be having a bit of difficulty with the breakup.

Of course, he would. He was dating Kookie. Who would want to break up with Kookie?

Although I've seen a few of his movies, I don't find Tommie a convincing actor. I'm certainly a fan of the superhero and adventure genre, I'm just not a fan of his. There's something about him that is not real.

Every time I've seen Kookie with him in the press there seems to be a missing closeness. But, what the hell do I know? It's just a photo or a short clip of them walking the red carpet.

After Tommie mentions his movie like 50 times I chuckle because Kookie skillfully moves to the final segment, his amazing gift-wrapping ideas. Kookie shows several creative examples of spectacular, wrapped presents and then he and Tommie wrap a gift together. Tommie seems a bit touchy while Kookie's smile is again unchanged.

The only hint that the intrusion into his personal space is unwanted is that Kookie appears stiff. I think he's uncomfortable with this dude, but Kookie's a professional. I frown as I watch the last segment of the show.

:

Only 5 more minutes with this asshole. My jaw starts to hurt as I fight to maintain my smile. It's a bit easier because I think of Taehyung, our conversation last night and his sexy chuckles. I am full of anticipation.

Tommie is pushing the limits as I move around the table more than usual to avoid his disgusting hands as he gives me slight touches to my waist, arms and back to give the viewers the appearance of closeness. I should have known he'd pull something like this to get what he wanted. I knew it was going to be the longest 20-minute segment ever, after his unwanted, obnoxious embrace, where he whispered, "Just play along."

I had to literally push him off me without making it appear as unwanted as it felt. Although I smiled I wanted to slap the shit out of him. However, I'm experienced enough to always be aware of my audience. Things done on camera are on permanent record. I can't react indelicately as much as I want too.

I hear Jin in my earpiece, "Hang in there Kookie, you're doing great. Just five more minutes."

Tommie reaches for my hand as a loving gesture to assist with wrapping. I know the audience wants to see more but I'm not going there. Not with this son of a bitch. As soon as I move my hands away, I look up at him. He is smiling but his eyes are cold and slightly narrowed.

"Okay, Kookie two minutes left. Start your closing," Jin says.

"Everyone, that is our show for today. I hope you were inspired with the table setting, tree decorating and gift-wrapping ideas shown today. Remember, there is still plenty of time left so don't panic. We have lots more for you this season."

I turn to Tommie who is smiling very big, because this dick knows I'm going to mention his crappy movie again. With the time counting down I feel an excitement because I will see Tae soon.

"Let's thank our very special guest, Tommie Chen, who stopped by to see us today. Make sure you go see his movie, Collison, opening at a theater near you on Christmas Day. Please go see it."

Tommie comes around and slides his arm around my waist and then presses a kiss into my cheek. I freeze, but manage to maintain my smile.

"I just love this man and will be giving him a very special gift this holiday," he says with a devilish smirk. I swallow hard as my jaw clenches. I feel nauseated as he continues to talk.

"All I can say is that his gift will be in a very tiny box," he says gripping my waist tighter. So tight, I feel his fingers dig into my side. It hurts as he ensures I don't move away.

I then hear Jin in my ear, "What the fuck!"

My smile relaxes as one of my hands tighten to a clenched fist. I can't believe he is doing this. He knows this is out of bounds and something you never do on a live show. God, I want to turn and kick him in his balls, but I have a better idea.

The audience claps and cheers. This is my cue. "Thank you, Tommie. You are too kind. Before we go, I wanted to tell all of you wonderful viewers that we are putting together all the details for the country cottage holiday with our hero, Kim Taehyung.

The applauses increase as the audience starts cheering 3 times louder than they did for Tommie. I glance over at Tommie and he has gone pale. I deliver a final kick to this arrogant piece of shit.

"Kim Taehyung will be creating his own Christmas menu."

Several audience members shout.

"I love Taehyung!"

"Taehyung, is my superhero!"

"Taehyung is amazing!"

As the audience continues, I smile big and hear my count out.

"3, 2, 1 and you are, out." I then hear Jin laughing in my ear.

"Greet your audience and I'll see you after. Kookie, don't be alone with Tommie."

I turn and see Tommie quickly exiting the set.

I feel as if I have regained control. Take that bitch. How fucking dare he come on my show and change the rules.

I spend about 20 minutes taking selfies and talking to audience members. Most of the questions are about Taehyung. My smile returns and it is natural and easy.

As I leave the set, I can't wait to see Tae. I feel my insides vibrating. I need to change and grab my phone. I stick my head into my office to make sure it's empty.

I lock the door behind me and do a quick change into more comfortable clothes. I unlock the door to leave and then realize I forgot my phone. It's on the charger. I place it in my pocket.

I startle as I hear the door close behind me. I turn and see Tommie standing in my office. His eyes are dark and empty. I back away as I feel a shakiness in my limbs.

"You fuckin think this is a game? You snobby, little, uptight bitch! To think I was willing to fuck you!"

I swallow hard. Although my internal reaction is fear, my brain says fight. He's a fucking bully. My tongue feels thick as my voice rises.

"Tommie, you need to leave now!" I shout and reach for the desk phone to call security.

He quickly knocks it to the floor and walks towards me as I back against the wall. I can feel my body shake as I turn away from his gaze. He is inches away.

"That shit you did out there was not right! You think you can fuck with my career and get away with it?" He then then takes his hand and slams it against the wall so close to my head I hear the vibration ripple through my eardrum. I'm frozen and need to move but I cannot, as I feel his other hand slide down my arm. Somehow, I shift to move and he quickly pins me in position.

My mouth is dry. My voice starts out quiet and shaky and then rises. "Stop it Tommie. Let me go!" I shout.

"I know your type. You want me and you're just trying to get my attention. I'll give you what you want and then you're going to fix this," he says in a voice just above a whisper as he places his mouth so close to my ear I feel the heat of his breath.

"N-No! Tommie. I-I just want you to leave," I stammer.

I now feel his hot breath on my neck as I push back as hard as I can, but it is of no use. "No! Stop! I don't want this! Get off me!"

I close my eyes as if not seeing his assault, means it won't happen. He uses his forearm and upper body weight to hold me in place as his other hand moves down to my waist. My ribs feel tight and my body is fatigued. Yet, I squirm under his strength.

"Be still, damn it! You're going to enjoy this," There's a painful lump in my throat as my arms feel too heavy to lift. They hang at my side as I feel defeated. His hand starts to slowly slide further down and I want to fight more but I cannot. He is too strong. I don't want his touch, but he will not listen. He will not stop. It is useless.

Suddenly, the pressure pinning me down lifts as Tommie is pulled back by a strong and fast jerk. I open my eyes and see Taehyung with his hand around Tommie's collar. He tosses him back against the wall as if Tommie is weightless. Tommie hits the wall with a loud thud.

"He fucking said 'No,' Asshole!" Tae says breathing heavily in anger.

Tommie rises slowly. "You're going to fuckin pay for that, douche bag!"

Tae stands tall with a stone face. Tommie moves forward while Tae holds his ground. Tae's eyes are hard and focused. I see his chest rising and falling as his nostrils flare.

"I suggest you leave, or I will seriously hurt you. I will not warn you again," Tae says in a low and measured voice.

His eyes are on fire and his lips are narrowed out. I had not realized how muscular Tae actually is. His chest is broad and in his stance I can see his biceps press into the fabric of his shirt.

Namjoon and Jin burst into the room, as the door flies open. I hear Jin gasp as Namjoon shouts, "What the fuck is going on!?" I'm unable to answer as Taehyung maintains his position keeping an eye on Tommie's next move.

"This son of a bitch attacked me and now he's going to suffer," Tommie spits. Tommie lunges forward as Tae swiftly steps aside while Tommie falls against my desk and knocks several of my framed photos and water bottles to the floor in a loud commotion.

"Fucking stand down, Tommie!" Namjoon shouts while Jin stands frozen with a hand covering his mouth and the other clutching his clip board into his chest.

Tae relaxes a bit but continues to watch Tommie. Tommie is even angrier as he turns and quickly swings at Taehyung who easily blocks him with his left arm and delivers a hard punch to Tommie's abdomen. Immediately, Tommie keels over and starts to cough.

"You were warned," Taehyung says through gritted teeth. I then hear a slight chuckle come from Namjoon who appears to be enjoying Tommie's humiliation. The room is quiet as Tommie slowly rises again.

"Enough, Tommie!" Namjoon shouts. Yet Tommie makes a third attempt and Tae slaps him hard with the back of his hand across his cheek. A slap from another Alpha male is highly demeaning. Tommie's body sails to the couch and bounces onto the floor.

"Next time, I will use my knuckles on your pretty face, you piece of shit. Touch him again and you will attend your premier with a black eye and broken nose." Tae then adds a deep insult, "Got that Mr. Superhero?" With that he cut even deeper into Tommie's pride. Fucking little bitch deserves it. Namjoon chuckles and Jin punches him in the arm, getting his attention.

"Ouch, what do want me to do? He was warned," Namjoon says with a smirk.

Tae then looks over at me as I continue to hover in the corner. "Are you okay, Kookie?" He says in a soft voice. I nod and softly smile.

He then turns and quickly leaves the room. As he opens the door there is a crowd of employees hoovering around. Tommie sits on the couch with his head held down and his hair covering his eyes.

He does not look up. Namjoon sees the crowd and quickly closes the door. Tommie, without looking up speaks. His voice is raspy and controlled.

"Are you going to let him get away with assaulting me like that?"

"Again Tommie, he did warn you and I certainly did not witness an assault," Namjoon says. "I also asked you to stop several times. Pull yourself together and let's talk about what happened here and how we're going to do damage control."

I find my voice finally, "Tommie, you assaulted me and Taehyung walked in on it!" I shout.

Jin gasps loudly, "Oh no!" Jin shrieks as I move from the corner with unsteady legs.

All I can think about is Taehyung. I don't want him to feel responsible. I run out the room and through the crowd of employees. I turn and see him pacing in front of the elevator at the end of the long hall.

"Taehyung, wait please!" I run as fast as I can calling to him. "Taehyung! Wait!" I'm almost there as the doors open and he steps in. "Taehyung, please wait!" I yell.

He is deep in thought and does not hear me. Just as the doors close, he looks up and then places his hand between the doors, triggering the sensor allowing them to re-open. I lunge in and grab on to him.

I'm being driven by adrenaline and so many feelings. My body shakes as I wrap my arms around him and just breathe into his chest as the elevator descends. My voice trembles as I whisper, "Thank you, thank you." He stands there frozen and then slowly I feel a soft embrace that I just want to fold into.

"Are you okay, Kookie?" His voice is deep and steady as I slowly release him and move back.

I smile awkwardly. "Uh, you forgot your basket again."

He then smiles softly, and chuckles briefly.

"Kookie, I'm sorry for causing such a ruckus but, I won't stand for that disrespect. I don't care who he is. Jin asked me to give him 15 minutes before our meeting so I came to see you and, uh get my basket of course," he says as he shyly looks away. "I knocked on your door and then I heard you shouting stop'." He shakes his head as his jaw clenches tight. "Well, you know the rest."

"Kookie did he hurt you? It sounded like he was," Tae pauses a bit clearing his throat, "forcing himself on you."

"He was m-making an unwanted advance Tae," I say as my voice shakes and I'm unable to look him in the eyes for a few moments.

He reaches out and rubs my arm as to console me. I startle to his unexpected, yet warm, consoling touch. He quickly withdraws his hand as if he is surprised by his own response.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I should not have touched you. I-I was just... I just should not have," he says stumbling a bit over his words.

He is so strong and confident yet in this moment he seems incredibly shy and vulnerable. It's so beautiful. I keep forgetting that he sees me as a celebrity.

This is one of those times where my celebrity status gets in the way. However, Taehyung is one of the few people I don't feel the weight of my celebrity with him and it is wonderfully freeing. I feel like a normal guy when I'm with him and I love that.

"No, Tae, please don't apologize. That was nice. I'm just still a bit shaken." I say feeling embarrassed that he handled himself so well and I did not. He protected me and I was a weakling. Not strong enough, not good enough. I love his Alpha energy, as if I need another reason to be attracted to this man.

"Where are you going?" I ask as we arrive on the lower level. I don't want to part from him. I want to be close.

"I'm not sure, Kookie. I'm not sure about anything right now," he says not looking at me. God, this man is so honest. The event must have been unsettling to him too. I'm sure he is questioning what it means.

"Tae, I'm hungry. How about you?"

"Uh sure, I-I could eat something...But don't you have to deal with that mess I made upstairs?"

I smile at his concern as I feel a rush of excitement that sends tingles throughout my body. I hope to go out with him. "No. Jin and Namjoon will deal with Tommie."

"Fuck, I forgot my phone. I don't want to go up to get it. I just can't deal with seeing Tommie's ass again. I'm sure he is spinning a fuck load of lies, right now. But Jin knows we had a minor situation earlier."

"How about you grab us a cab and I'll go get it." He says. He is unbelievable. I'd think the last thing he'd want to do is go back up there. He's brave and I'm a coward. It just doesn't phase him. He is fearless.

"No, I don't need it. It would just be tons of calls from Jin and Namjoon wanting to talk about the situation. I have plenty of time for that," I say with a smile.

"Well then, Kookie, this is your city. Where shall we go?"

My heart does somersaults and I'm unable to contain my smile and giggle. His tone is upbeat and he's excited to be with me. He shows no apprehension or recoil.

"Oh, I know a perfect, little Italian restaurant that you'll love. I hope you have an appetite, Tae." I smile and see the excitement in his eyes.

He laughs that amazing laugh and gifts me with his big, beautiful, boxy smile.

"Kookie, I always have an appetite for good food."

"Taxi!"