#natural sugar substitutes

[gwmac]

The Sweet Life: Rating Healthy Sugar Alternatives That Won't Leave You Sour From 1-10

Prepare to be enlightened as you embark on a tantalizing journey through the universe of healthy sugar alternatives, eager to transform your diet and leave sugar and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the dust. These are in my opinion the top five alternatives that can help you savor the sweetness of life without the worry of health consequences. We’ve delved deep into scientific studies, expert…

[ramya7]

More Protein, Less Meat: Discovering Natural Sweeteners and Quality Services from Opasa Foods

As health trends continue to evolve, many people are shifting towards diets that emphasise higher protein intake while reducing meat consumption. This transition is not only beneficial for personal health but also supports a more sustainable lifestyle. In line with this trend, the search for natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes has gained momentum. Opasa Foods is at the forefront of providing high-quality, best sugar-free options that cater to these evolving dietary preferences.

The Rise of Protein-Rich, Meat-Free Diets

The growing awareness of the health benefits associated with higher protein and lower meat consumption is driving a significant change in dietary habits. Here’s why this shift is important:

Health Benefits: Incorporating more plant-based proteins into your diet can help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and support overall well-being. This approach aligns with modern dietary trends that prioritize balanced nutrition without excessive meat.

Sustainability: Reducing meat consumption is a key step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. Plant-based proteins have a lower environmental impact compared to animal products, contributing to a healthier planet.

The Role of Natural Sweeteners in a Health-Conscious Diet

As you embrace a diet with more protein and less meat, finding healthier alternatives to sugar is also crucial. Natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes offer a way to satisfy your sweet cravings without compromising your health goals. Here’s why opting for best sugar-free and best sugar alternative options is beneficial:

Healthier Choices: Natural sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia, and honey provide sweetness without the negative health effects associated with refined sugars. These alternatives can help manage blood sugar levels and reduce calorie intake.

Flavorful Options: Natural sweeteners come in various flavors and intensities, allowing you to choose the best sugar-free option that suits your taste preferences. Whether you prefer the subtle sweetness of stevia or the rich flavor of honey, there’s a natural substitute that can enhance your dishes.

Support for a Healthier Lifestyle: Incorporating natural sugar substitutes into your diet aligns with a health-conscious approach. These alternatives support your goals of reducing sugar consumption while still enjoying delicious, sweet treats.

Opasa Foods: Quality and Trusted Services

Opasa Foods offers an extensive range of natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes, ensuring that you can find the best sugar-free options for your dietary needs. Their commitment to quality and trusted services is evident in their product offerings and customer support.

For more information on exploring natural sweeteners and finding the perfect match for your taste, visit the Opasa Foods natural sweeteners guide.

Contact Opasa Foods:

Address: Level 1, Midtown Building, Rd No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500043, Telangana, India

Call: +91 80 62179889

Mail: contact@opasafoods.com

Why Choose Opasa Foods?

Quality Products: Opasa Foods ensures that their best sugar alternative options are made from high-quality, organic ingredients. This dedication to quality supports your health goals and provides peace of mind.

Trusted Services: From product selection to customer support, Opasa Foods is committed to delivering exceptional service. Their expertise in natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes helps you make informed choices for a healthier lifestyle.

Conclusion

As the trend towards more protein and less meat continues to grow, incorporating natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes into your diet is an important step. Opasa Foods provides a range of best sugar-free options that align with these dietary preferences, offering both quality products and trusted services. Explore their offerings to find the perfect sweetener for your needs and enjoy a healthier, more balanced diet.

[diabetes-health-corner]

Sugar Substitutes and Type 2 Diabetes

For individuals living with type 2 diabetes, managing sugar intake is crucial. Sugar substitutes, also known as artificial sweeteners or non-nutritive sweeteners, are often used as alternatives to sugar to sweeten foods and beverages without affecting blood sugar levels. There are several types of sugar substitutes available…

Read to know more: https://www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/blog/post/sugar-substitutes-and-type-2-diabetes-are-they-safe-alternatives/3813

[eisenvulcanstein]

It will kill your bird, too. Always check what sweetener is in something before giving it to your birb.

Food dyes are also poisonous, so don't use that red "hummingbird nectar" in your hummingbird feeder. Just mix cane sugar and water.

[miochimochi]

There's many things to substitute sugar without turning to chemicals such as stevia, monkfruit, and dates. But what about substituting salt in a way that doesn't affect cholesterol so badly? The only non-chemical salt substitute I can think of is fried blood and I'm not sure how that affects cholesterol levels.

[creativeera]

Stevia Market is estimated to Witness High Growth Owing to Rising Health Conscious Consumers

Stevia is a natural low-calorie sweetener extracted from the leaves of the plant species stevia rebaudiana. It is about 200-300 times sweeter than sugar but contains no calories or carbohydrates. The growing awareness about health issues like obesity and diabetes has increased the demand for low-calorie sweeteners such as stevia.

Global stevia market size is expected to reach US$ 1.79 Bn by 2031, from US$ 1.00 Bn in 2024, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1% during the forecast period (2024-2031).

Key Takeaways Key players operating in the Stevia are Merck, iCo Therapeutics, AEterna Zentaris, AEterna Zentaris AG, Eurofins Advinus, Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Dafra Pharma. Stevia provides various opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers to offer natural low-calorie options to health-conscious consumers. The increasing population of diabetes and obesity patients globally is expected to drive the demand for stevia. The rising awareness about healthier lifestyles has resulted in a growing preference for low-calorie sweeteners like stevia over sugars. Owing to its natural origin, zero-calorie sweetness, and myriad health benefits, Stevia Market Insights is finding wider acceptance globally in the food and beverage industry. Market Drivers The rising health conscious consumer base is the key driver boosting the growth of the stevia market. Stevia is getting widely accepted as a natural sweetener due to increasing number of health-conscious people opting for low-calorie sugar alternatives. According to a recent survey, over 50% of global consumers read nutrition labels carefully before purchasing food products. This rising trend of conscious consumerism is driving the demand for all-natural sweeteners like stevia instead of sugar. The market is expected to witness high growth with increasing consumer awareness about adverse effects of sugar consumption.

PEST Analysis Political: The stevia market is governed by various regulations regarding food additives, flavors, and sweeteners at regional as well as international levels. Government policies and strict regulations regarding the use of artificial sweeteners are expected to support the growth of the natural stevia sweetener market. Economic: Changing lifestyles and increasing health awareness among people have been driving the demand for low-calorie natural sweeteners. The rising prices of sugar and artificial sweeteners are encouraging manufacturers to explore cost-effective natural sweetening alternatives like stevia. Social: Rising health consciousness, increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases and growing preferences for natural food ingredients are fueling the demand for low-calorie sugar substitutes like stevia. Consumers are becoming more inclined towards ingredients that are natural, environment-friendly with no associated health risks. Technological: Plant breeding developments and advanced extraction techniques are helping overcome constraints in the large-scale production of purified steviol glycosides from the stevia leaf. Continuous efforts to develop new extraction methods to acquire high purity steviol glycosides at low costs are expanding commercial uses of stevia. Stevia Market Concentration by Geographical Regions The Asia Pacific region dominates the global stevia market, accounting for the highest share in terms of both production and consumption. Countries like China, India, Korea are among the leading producers of stevia leaf and extracts worldwide. Growing health awareness, increasing diabetic population and rising disposable income levels in developing Asian countries are augmenting product demand. Fastest Growing Region for Stevia Market North America region is identified as the fastest growing regional market for stevia backed by increasing product adoption in the food and beverage industry. Rising obesity rates, preference shifts towards low-calorie sugar alternatives and ongoing approval of newer stevia varieties by regulatory authorities in the U.S and Canada are fueling market expansion across the region.

Get more insights on Stevia Market

About Author:

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)

[curekahealthcarestore]

Zindagi Stevia Natural Sweetener Tablet – 100 Tablets 

Zindagi Stevia Sweetener Tablet helps reduce sugar levels and maintain a low-calorie diet. It also manages obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Stevia, being a natural sugar substitute, is beneficial for people looking to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

https://www.cureka.com/shop/herbal-ayurveda/herbal-weight-loss/zindagi-stevia-natural-sweetener-tablet-100-tablets/

[diabetesreversalprograminindia]

Benefits of stevia for Diabetes

This article is originally published on Freedom from Diabetes website , available here.

Stevia is a alternator of sugar. Everyone can use it, but it is beneficial for diabetic world. Stevia is a natural sweetener that serves as a healthy replacement for refined sugar. We can use it, in tea and coffee being an inseparable part of our day. When asked to reduce or cut out sugar, we usualy use jaggery assuming that it may be better. But Unfortunately, jaggery having a high GI makes it rather unhealthy for diabetics. So FFD highly recommend stevia over any other artificial sweeteners making your daily beverages and other delicacies sweeter, while still maintaining your health. Just look at the stevia benefits are - Reversal of metabolic syndrome, Reversal of weight gain, Quick sweet craving satiety. You want to know how to use stevia, please read through this blog to know more about Stevia.

If you found this blog useful, please recommend it and share it with others!

Also please connect with me on my Website, Facebook page, and YouTube if you want to stay in touch or give me any feedback!

[aimarketresearch]

Natural Sugar Substitute Market Size, Share, Trends, Key Drivers, Growth, Challenges and Opportunity Forecast

Global Natural Sugar Substitute Market report puts light on analysis of prime manufacturers, trends, opportunities, marketing strategies analysis, market effect factor analysis and consumer needs by major regions, types, and applications globally.

Market research analysis and insights covered in the comprehensive Natural Sugar Substitute market report are very considerate for the businesses to make better decisions, to develop better strategies about production, marketing, sales and promotion of a particular product and thereby extending their reach towards the success. This market research report studies key opportunities in the market and influencing factors which is valuable for the businesses. It also becomes easy for businesses to accomplish unparalleled and comprehensive insights along with the best acquaintance of the emerging market opportunities with Natural Sugar Substitute market research report.

The natural sugar substitute market is expected to reach at USD 21.99 billion in 2028 growing with a CAGR of 4.30% in the forecast period of 2021 to 2028. Increasing demand for low calorie food and beverages along with growing awareness regarding health issues caused by sugar consumption are likely to serve as driving factors in the forecast period 2021-2028 for the natural sugar substitute market.

Natural sugars are found in various fruits as a fructose whereas in dairy products as a lactose. Added sugars have been associated with much serious illness such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer. Thus, consumers are more looking for natural sugar alternatives rather using refinery sugar. Natural sugar alternatives are bringing sustained benefits for human health.

Access Full 350 Pages PDF Report @

A high quality Natural Sugar Substitute market research report is a definitive solution for the success of business at local, regional as well as international level. All the market factors are described in the report as required to define the topic and provide maximum information for better decision making. Several other factors such as import, export, gross margin, price, cost, and consumption are also analyzed under the section of production, supply, sales and market status. An excellent Natural Sugar Substitute market report comprises of comprehensive and thorough insights which are based on business intelligence.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part 01: Executive Summary

Part 02: Scope of the Report

Part 03: Research Methodology

Part 04: Market Landscape

Part 05: Pipeline Analysis

Part 06: Market Sizing

Part 07: Five Forces Analysis

Part 08: Market Segmentation

Part 09: Customer Landscape

Part 10: Regional Landscape

Part 11: Decision Framework

Part 12: Drivers and Challenges

Part 13: Market Trends

Part 14: Vendor Landscape

Part 15: Vendor Analysis

Part 16: Appendix

Countries Studied:

North America (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, United States, Rest of Americas)

Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe)

Middle-East and Africa (Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Rest of MEA)

Asia-Pacific (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Core Objective of Natural Sugar Substitute Market:

Every firm in the Natural Sugar Substitute Market has objectives but this market research report focus on the crucial objectives, so you can analysis about competition, future market, new products, and informative data that can raise your sales volume exponentially.

Size of the Natural Sugar Substitute Market and growth rate factors.

Important changes in the future Natural Sugar Substitute Market.

Top worldwide competitors of the Market.

Scope and product outlook of Natural Sugar Substitute Market.

Developing regions with potential growth in the future.

Tough Challenges and risk faced in Market.

Global Natural Sugar Substitute top manufacturers profile and sales statistics.

The major players covered in the natural sugar substitute report are Tate & Lyle, Cargill, Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, The NutraSweet Company, E. I. DuPont De Nemours, Ingredion Incorporated, Roquette, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., JK Sucralose Inc. and PureCircle among other domestic and global players. Market share data is available for global, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America separately. DBMR analysts understand competitive strengths and provide competitive analysis for each competitor separately.

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[ayuvedaherbs]

Best Stevia Drops in India | AyuVeda Herbs

Switch to All-Natural Stevia, the best stevia drops in India, for a healthier lifestyle. These are recommended for daily use and contain no sucralose.

[theanj]

Steiva A Natural Sweetner Plant - A Sugar Substitute

Stevia plant leaves offer a natural, Zero-Calorie and Carbohydratessweetener alternative to sugar, making them a valuable choice for those seeking to reduce caloric intake and manage blood sugar levels. With their non-glycemic impact, they’re suitable for diabetics. Stevia leaves are known to possess antioxidant properties, potentially aiding in the fight against oxidative stress. Unlike…

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[ramya7]

More Protein, Less Meat: Discovering Natural Sweeteners and Quality Services from Opasa Foods

As health trends continue to evolve, many people are shifting towards diets that emphasize higher protein intake while reducing meat consumption. This transition is not only beneficial for personal health but also supports a more sustainable lifestyle. In line with this trend, the search for natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes has gained momentum. Opasa Foods is at the forefront of providing high-quality, best sugar-free options that cater to these evolving dietary preferences.

The Rise of Protein-Rich, Meat-Free Diets

The growing awareness of the health benefits associated with higher protein and lower meat consumption is driving a significant change in dietary habits. Here’s why this shift is important:

Health Benefits: Incorporating more plant-based proteins into your diet can help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and support overall well-being. This approach aligns with modern dietary trends that prioritize balanced nutrition without excessive meat.

Sustainability: Reducing meat consumption is a key step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. Plant-based proteins have a lower environmental impact compared to animal products, contributing to a healthier planet.

The Role of Natural Sweeteners in a Health-Conscious Diet

As you embrace a diet with more protein and less meat, finding healthier alternatives to sugar is also crucial. Natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes offer a way to satisfy your sweet cravings without compromising your health goals. Here’s why opting for best sugar-free and best sugar alternative options is beneficial:

Healthier Choices: Natural sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia, and honey provide sweetness without the negative health effects associated with refined sugars. These alternatives can help manage blood sugar levels and reduce calorie intake.

Flavorful Options: Natural sweeteners come in various flavors and intensities, allowing you to choose the best sugar-free option that suits your taste preferences. Whether you prefer the subtle sweetness of stevia or the rich flavor of honey, there’s a natural substitute that can enhance your dishes.

Support for a Healthier Lifestyle: Incorporating natural sugar substitutes into your diet aligns with a health-conscious approach. These alternatives support your goals of reducing sugar consumption while still enjoying delicious, sweet treats.

Opasa Foods: Quality and Trusted Services

Opasa Foods offers an extensive range of natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes, ensuring that you can find the best sugar-free options for your dietary needs. Their commitment to quality and trusted services is evident in their product offerings and customer support.

For more information on exploring natural sweeteners and finding the perfect match for your taste, visit the Opasa Foods natural sweeteners guide.

Contact Opasa Foods:

Address: Level 1, Midtown Building, Rd No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500043, Telangana, India

Call: +91 80 62179889

Mail: contact@opasafoods.com

Why Choose Opasa Foods?

Quality Products: Opasa Foods ensures that their best sugar alternative options are made from high-quality, organic ingredients. This dedication to quality supports your health goals and provides peace of mind.

Trusted Services: From product selection to customer support, Opasa Foods is committed to delivering exceptional service. Their expertise in natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes helps you make informed choices for a healthier lifestyle.

Conclusion

As the trend towards more protein and less meat continues to grow, incorporating natural sweeteners and natural sugar substitutes into your diet is an important step. Opasa Foods provides a range of best sugar-free options that align with these dietary preferences, offering both quality products and trusted services. Explore their offerings to find the perfect sweetener for your needs and enjoy a healthier, more balanced diet.

[healthylifeenjoy]

Gluco Shield Pro Supplements Health Product

used Gluco Shield Pro supplements for two months and found them to be a beneficial addition to my overall health regimen. This product is designed to support healthy blood sugar levels and promote overall well-being. In this review, I will share my personal experiences and insights into Gluco Shield Pro, including its benefits, ingredients, and usage.

Benefits of Gluco Shield Pro Gluco Shield Pro offers several potential benefits for individuals seeking to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Firstly, the product contains a unique blend of natural ingredients that have been traditionally used to support metabolic health. These ingredients work synergistically to help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent spikes and crashes.

Secondly, Gluco Shield Pro may also contribute to improved energy levels and reduced fatigue. When blood sugar levels are balanced, the body can efficiently utilize glucose for energy production, leading to sustained mental and physical performance.

Ingredients Gluco Shield Pro is formulated with a carefully selected combination of natural ingredients, including:

Gymnema sylvestre: This herb has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to manage blood sugar levels. Gymnema sylvestre contains compounds that may help reduce sugar cravings and improve glucose absorption.

Bitter melon: Bitter melon is a tropical fruit with hypoglycemic properties. It contains substances that can help stimulate insulin production and increase glucose uptake by cells.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a spice with potential blood sugar-balancing effects. Studies have shown that cinnamon may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce fasting blood sugar levels.

Chromium: Chromium is a trace mineral that plays a role in glucose metabolism. It helps regulate blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin's effectiveness.

Usage Gluco Shield Pro comes in convenient capsule form. As per the manufacturer's recommendations, I took two capsules daily with meals. The capsules were easy to swallow and did not cause any digestive discomfort.

My Experience I have been using Gluco Shield Pro for the past two months and have noticed a positive impact on my overall health. My energy levels have increased significantly, and I no longer experience the same afternoon slumps as before. I also feel more mentally focused and alert.

While I cannot claim that Gluco Shield Pro has cured any underlying health conditions, I have observed a noticeable improvement in my blood sugar control. My occasional blood sugar readings have been within the normal range, and I have experienced fewer fluctuations.

Conclusion Overall, I am satisfied with my experience using Gluco Shield Pro. The product has provided me with several benefits, including improved energy levels, enhanced mental clarity, and potential support for healthy blood sugar management. If you are looking for a natural supplement to support your overall well-being, I would recommend giving Gluco Shield Pro a try.

Disclaimer It is important to note that individual results may vary. Gluco Shield Pro is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. If you have any concerns about your health or blood sugar levels, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional.

[ito-itonomen]

I recently read that blood can hypothetically be used in Baking as a substitute for eggs and this obviously reminded me of toh bc it's been over a year and that show still lives in my frontal lobe lmao

Like, when I first heard Lilith talking about making all those blood based recipes w Gwendolyn I thought "yeah that checks out it's the boiling isles where people eat spiders and eyeballs why wouldn't they cook with blood too"

But now I'm actually thinking it could be deeper than that?

Griffin eggs are expensive, they're not cheap to keep in the house and they're an awkward size too, once you crack one open, you can't exactly use part of it and then store the rest for later, at least not easily, and even so it would spoil quickly. (This I know from experience due to some expiriments in curing egg yolks lol)

Spiders have been mentioned to give milk, and it's likely that spider eggs are also sold, probably pretty damn cheap in bulk too, but spider eggs are more similar to fish roe, and wouldn't be any good for baking.

So, what do you do if you're from a poor or lower income household and want to make a batch of cookies or maybe a cake for your kid's birthday?

You use blood. A cheap, easy to come by staple in any market, available in all varieties from fruit blood to livestock, can be kept in a frozen until you need it, and full of nutrients and similar enough in the makeup of it's proteins to be used as a substitute for eggs.

And magic has been able to keep food frozen for hundreds of generations. Only wealthier individuals might know a good baking recipe involving eggs, but every common witch and their mother has some old box or notebook tucked away in the kitchen containing some faded recipe in great great grandma Meabh's handwriting for a nice blood velvet cake or blood sugar cookie.

In summery I think that in the owl house universe baking with blood is actually a charming practice rooted in multigenerational witch culture and a staple of hard times.

The only reason we wouldn't see Eda cooking with blood, naturally, would be due to Luz's dietary restrictions forcing her to go the much more expensive route but I bet king has all sorts of cute childhood memories of Eda baking those old family recipes from her own childhood and the smell of bloody sausages for breakfast and fango-blood bread on a rainy day

[hwanchaesong]

"Hardcore"

SugarDaddy!Jongho X F!Reader 

Synopsis: Bodies under the sheets, buddies over the streets

genre & warnings: fluff, angst, smut, cursing, drinking, kind of like forbidden love, university setting, cheating (i do not condone this), friendly banters, oral (m&f rec), unprotected sex, dirty talking, mentions of other sexual activities and hints of public sex, petnames, TXT Beomgyu's special appearance, etc etc mdni!

word count: 7.5k

/ATEEZ Sugar Daddy Oneshots Masterlist/

---------------------------------------------------

"I just saw an insect fly inside your mouth."

You yelped and pursed your lips, turning around in your seat to glare at the boy who spoke behind you, a teasing grin on his face as he proceeded to sit beside you.

"Hello to you too, Beomgyu." you rolled your eyes and continued eating your lunch while your friend laughed at your lack of usual defensiveness whenever he points out your dumb countenance.

He went and picked one of the fries on your plate, your protests falling on deaf ears, "You should give me your food and eat his bulky ass instead." he says, subtly pointing at the man that you were previously gawking at.

Another comment from him that made your blood pressure spike.

"Don't you ever shut up?" you slapped his hand away from your tray, "And no, I will not do that, you dipshit."

Beomgyu raised his hands in defeat, feigned concern gracing his annoyingly charming face, "I was tryna help you."

"What do you want?" you groaned, looking at him and inquiring what his deal is, and like a lightbulb turned on in his head, he finally blurted out a news that you'll surely dread.

"I wanna inform you that we have swimming lessons for PE today." he suggestively wiggled his eyebrows at you, hinting at something which you immediately understood.

This is seriously not happening right now.

Your eyes naturally trailed over to the guy that you're currently interested in, chatting away with the science teacher (Lee Chan) on their table, which conveniently is your physical education teacher.

The previous one was a girl, but she had to take a leave from teaching for a while due to her pregnancy. Then your school just had to hire a hot dude for a substitute.

Choi fucking Jongho.

You weren't interested at first, but he sure as hell caught your attention when one day, he walked in on the gym wearing the tightest short that you had seen a man wear.

His thigh muscles are bulging, threatening to rip the flimsy fabric and you have to mentally kick yourself for staring.

That was the first one.

Strike two happened when a boring discussion about hand grip turned into him breaking an apple in half, a thought running in your mind that made you realize that you're doomed.

"I wish I was that apple."

You want to be that piece of juicy, red fruit just to be what? To be broken in half by his large hands?

Well damn, you're nuts for that one.

It should have been fine, you thinking of that way of your teacher. It's a small fantasy that you could live in for a while and get over it when the time comes.

It should be fine.. but your stupid self just had to say that out loud. Good thing that the whole class was roaring at your teacher's inhumane strength. Too bad, your seatmate slash best friend heard you clearly, and now, he has an item for blackmail against you.

"Whatever," you mumbled, munching on your sandwich, "it's not like we'll be standing close to each other during the whole period."

Beomgyu smiled once more, seeing right through your nonchalant attitude, "You'll never know what will happen."

Yes, you don't know what will happen unless fate or some fucking fairy guided you into some shit. But this-

This! So damn horrendous.

You see, whenever you wish for luck to come to you, it never does, and that's fine! But.. why the fuck do you have to be so unfortunate?

Like, truly miserable as your puppy eyes went down the drain when your sucker of a bestfriend gave you a thumbs up and mouthed the most inappropriate sentence you had ever encountered (you're just dramatic.)

'Go get the apple of your dreams!'

Oh, he's so dead later for putting you into this position. Later because right now, you're currently rummaging through your brain on how to survive the next (possibly the best) events of your life.

"I'm sorry for dragging you here, Ms. L/N." Jongho's voice brought you out of your inner dilemma, making you realize that you're still here, rooted on earth and standing in front of your whole class for the damned swimming classes.

You ain't a good swimmer, but to hell with Beomgyu because the guy pushed you as the offering for the person who wants to try and act as the lead model for the swimming classes.

"No problem, sir." you gave him a tight lipped smile, inhaling through your nose and trying to keep your crazy heart rate steady.

"Thank you." he smiled back, putting his attention back to the class and resuming his discussion about the proper way to dive.

"So here, put your arms in position-"

The instructor began discussing, but you couldn't focus for gods sake.

He's touching your shoulders. His hands are on your back and oh! His fingers guiding your head to tuck your chin. This is absolute heaven and hell at the same time.

Your muscles are all tense from his magnetizing touch, enjoying all of the sensations you're feeling and you are so close to fluttering your eyelids and just let your body drown in sins when suddenly, and annoyingly, you were brought back once more into reality by Jongho.

"Please do the dive for us, Ms. L/N." he gently pushed you, giving you an encouraging smile to which you could only subtly grimace at.

Here goes nothing.

You closed your eyes, held your breath and prayed, wishing for you to look like a mermaid when you enter the water. (Spoiler alert, you looked like a dying fish according to Beomgyu.)

You did your best, as you liked to think, and you really did feel like on top of the earth when Jongho himself went over to you after classes and draped a towel all over you, giving your shoulders a warm squeeze as he complimented you for your performance today.

"Great job out there, make sure to dry yourself completely so you won't get sick, yeah?" then he smiled, walking away from you before he saw your blushing face while stammering out a proper response.

He touched you. Again. Heck, he even commended you.

And he smiled at you. Again. That's like, three times now? Yeah? Right.

Oh man, looks like you're gonna go home with some delulu thoughts.. and with a wet something down there.

---------------------------------------------------

"You like that baby?" his deep voice resonated in your ears, his chest vibrating against your back as he pounded into your behind like you are nothing but his fuck toy.

You moaned at the feeling of his girth inside you, not satisfied with your lack of response, he went and pulled your hair, earning himself a delightful yelp from you.

"I asked you a question, doll."

"Y-yes, sir." you uttered a response, scalp stinging from his hair pulling but the sensation still managed to add to the pleasure.

"That's my good doll." he smirked, his thrusts getting erratic each second. "Since you're so good, I'll let you take all my cum inside, yeah?"

"Oh god-" you moaned out loud, loving the way he talks dirty to you, "Yes, please.. I-I want it all." you begged, tears already pooling at the corner of your eyes.

"Fuck-! I'm coming!"

"Jong-"

Three knocks and a yelling Beomgyu was all it took for your dream to be taken away. Right at the fucking climax.

"C'mon Y/N! Open up, stop sleeping all the time!"

"Ugh!" you groaned, jolting up with anger and shouting right back at the boy in front of your bedroom door.

"Why the fuck are you here?!"

Beomgyu snickers and invites himself into your sanctuary as soon as you opened your door, sitting on your spotless pink carpet and bringing some snacks and a suspicious piece of paper.

You raised an eyebrow, still slightly irritated that your wet dream was disrupted but curious at what storm your friend is brewing.

"Look." he says, showing you a poster along with tickets, "A guy named Yeonjun gave me this!"

"What the fuck is that and who the hell is Yeonjun?"

"A nice senior that I met in the frat!" he happily answered your questions despite the rude tone that you used. "Let's go and check this bar, I heard that they serve a lot of good shit."

"No thanks." you sassily replied, walking over your bed and sitting down on the soft sheets.

He rolled his eyes at your snappy attitude, plopping down on your bed as well, "Don't be such a killjoy!" he whined, "Besides, don't you want to find a hot guy and get laid? I know you haven't gotten a good fuck for like... I don't know? Months?"

You paused, contemplating the offer because yes.

It has been a while since you went out and had some fun. Maybe, you can blame it on that fact, that it was the reason why you're so frustrated.

Why you think and dream about him a lot.

Maybe, you do deserve a little treat after all the hard work that you're exerting for college.

"You actually made sense," you stood up and pat Beomgyu's fluffy hair, "that's nice."

He pouts and swats your hand away, "So, you in?" he excitedly asked.

"Yeah." you let out a little laugh at his childish antics when you finally agreed, pumping his fist in the air with a 'whoosh' coming out of his mouth, "It's a good way to let out some steam."

That is how you found yourself in your skimpiest outfit and hottest hair and make-up you could manage, dancing in some club named Hybe.

The place is classy to be honest. Glaring lights of different spectrum that shines through the mosaic tiles, blaring music from the most popular djs out there, and the fucking fancy drinks that they serve.

Yeah, you could let out some steam, like Beomgyu said.

But how do you do that exactly?

You sighed and excused yourself from the man that you're grinding with on the dance floor, giving some lame excuse of running out of social battery, to which he returned with a genuine smile and telling you to rest.

'What a good boy.' you think, returning to your booth and sitting down with a sigh before gulping down a glass of cocktail, eyes scanning the area with dismay.

Maybe this is a mistake, you couldn't get him out of your head and no matter how many handsome men come your way, they do not turn you on like how he does.

You groaned, burying your face on your hand when an eerily familiar voice resonated from behind you.

"Now, why is a gorgeous lady like you is alone?"

You turned around, eyes blinking slowly like a sleepy cat because surely, this is a dream. Right? Because how come that the Choi Jongho himself, is standing in front of you in all of his sexy glory.

"Oh." you both said at the same time, an awkward silence ensued that he broke himself.

"I.. uh, okay I'm sorry I didn't know."

A hobbling reason on his part but it is true.

In his defense, Jongho doesn't have any idea that it was you, he couldn't see your face directly because of the dim lighting, but he sure as hell can see your sexy as fuck figure that has been dancing away in the club for a few hours now.

He was so, so enamored that he thought, 'Hey, maybe I should go talk to her and get some good fuck tonight.' when he saw you walk back to your table.

He did not expect a familiar face to pop up, nonetheless, his student.

A student that he had been crushing on ever since he saw the way your boobs jiggle during a volleyball class. Or the way your ass looks great when doing the squats. Or your hot skin on his palms during the swimming lessons.

Still, he knows it's wrong for him to make a move on you, his moral compass going strong and the rational part of him kicks him in the shin when he sees your surprised face at his attempt at flirting.

He was about to go back after apologizing, really, but you just had to cripple his remaining sanity.

"Wait!" you unconsciously called out for him when he was about to leave, clutching the cuff of his suit and you paused, closing your eyes and praying to the gods out there to split open the floor right now and swallow you whole.

What the fuck are you doing? Damn, what will he think of you now?

Some kind of desperate slut?

"Yes?" he turned back around, an inquiring look on his face that made you think that maybe, just maybe, you could bag him, even just for tonight.

Yeah, you are a desperate slut. Only for him, though.

"You could.. stay?" you mumbled, wincing at how timid you sounded.

"What? Didn't quite catch that." he leaned down to better hear you, allowing you to inhale his manly, musky scent.

"I, uh.. uhm. I said, you could stay." you repeated, voice louder than before but for some reason, he still couldn't hear it.

"C'mon princess, speak up. Can't hear what you're tryna say."

What a menace. He did hear you perfectly and clearly, he just wants you to say it again. With more clarity, with more confidence. He kind of wants you to beg.

"Stay." you finally blurted out, finding some conviction when he called you princess, because who on earth would do that? It kind of gave you the impression that he is testing the waters with you, like an interim check whether he could spend the remaining time of his night with you.

"Please." you added, releasing his cuff with a sigh that you didn't know you were holding.

He smirked, breaking the nonchalant countenance and taking a seat beside you, his arm automatically flying on your shoulders, pulling you close to him.

"That wasn't so hard now, is it?" he whispered against your ear, his hot breath in contrast with the cold atmosphere in the club tickled you just enough to leave goosebumps on your skin. Before you could retort, he removed his arm, placing it on the table and waving a waiter to serve more alcohol.

You tried to hide your disappointment at the loss of contact, humming of approval when he asked you if you wanted to drink more.

Soon, you find yourself in a buzzing state, hazy mind, lips numb and swollen from the constant biting of the man you're with.

"God, you don't know how long I've been wanting to do this." he panted against your mouth, his rough hand squeezing your breasts through your thin dress.

"Jongho." you whined, lifting your back from the mattress, "Tell me then, how long?" you taunted, brushing your nose with his.

"Ever since I saw you." he admitted, peppering your face with butterfly kisses, trailing down your neck and attacking your sweet spot once he heard you moan from the surprise contact.

Your hands flew to his hair, "Tell me more."

Jongho groaned, loving how submissive yet demanding you are.

"I wanted to kiss you." he punctuated it with a peck, "Then I wanted to touch you." he continued, deft fingers trailing down your body until he reached your bottom, cupping your heat in his large hand, "Then I wanted to take you as mine. Claim you," his hand went inside your dress, pinching your inner thigh that made you squeak, "fuck you until you're crying."

If there is one thing that you're wishing for right now is that for time to stop. You don't want this night to end.

The man that you're pining since the start of the semester is basically confessing his desire for you, and you sure as hell is eating all that up. You didn't have to know whether his words were true or not, because you'll stupidly believe him. It shows how much you like him.

No need to worry though, everything that he's saying is the realest, deepest feelings and thoughts of you.

Jongho had already noticed you from the start. The way you talk politely, the hidden sass that only shows when you're bickering with your friends, your effort and dedication in your chosen course (which he really admires). And of course, the way you look at him like you wanted him to break you.

He saw it all, he felt it all.

And he loved it.

He loved the attention from you.

Who wouldn't? Anyone would be lucky to have you. The popular, intelligent, kind and pretty girl of the university.

But you didn't have to know such details on why he's so charmed by you. What's important is that you are on his bed, and that he's about to rock your world.

"Do it." you said with finality, gripping his hair to stare right into his eyes, "Do whatever you want to me."

That was all it took for him to go feral, ripping your dress (no bra, to his delight) and delving right into your soft chest. Your protests fell on deaf ears, because you really liked that dress, but then you couldn't complain anymore when he reassured you that he'll just buy you a new, better one.

You moan when he bites between the valley of your breast, groping your right mound while he busied his mouth with sucking on your nipple.

You are hyper aware of his electrifying touch. You feel everything. From his tongue flicking on your bud, the tugging of his fingers on your nipple, and the slithering hand down your navel that reached your panties.

"What's this?" he mumbles against your boobs, circling his fingers on the wet patch of the flimsy fabric, "Didn't take you for a lace girl." he snickers, making you slap his shoulders.

"Shut up." you whine, then you realize that he's still completely clothed. "Shut up and remove this." you ordered,  pulling the silk tie of his expensive looking suit.

"Aren't you a feisty one?" he raised an eyebrow, lifting himself from you when he felt like he's left enough marks on your chest area.

"I like that attitude," he says, removing the tie from his neck, "but I don't tolerate it, especially if my doll knows that she's not the one in charge here, yes?"

You gasped when he clutched your tiny wrists using only one hand, binding your hands together using the tie and connecting it to the bed post, rendering you immovable.

"Wha-!" you tried protesting, but he shushed you once more by pushing your panties inside your mouth.

Since when did he remove your underwear?

"Chin up, princess. Watch the show." he speaks in a deep, dark voice. Basically imploring you to glue your eyes on him as he started stripping himself.

He unbuttons his crisp, dress shirt sensually, sliding the clothing to his shoulders and my god, were you blown away.

You do know that he's sculpted, given that his muscles are almost always bulging from his outfits back at school, but to see him in this natural state of bareness registered something in you... he is ripped as fuck.

"Hngg." you twisted around the bed, trying to free yourself from the restraints to no avail. You wanted to touch him, make contact with his skin because watching is not enough. You need to feel him on your palm.

"What," he chuckles, tossing his shirt somewhere in the room and continues his mini strip show, "wanna have a taste of this?" he jeered, reaching for his belt and unfastening it too slowly for your liking.

You nodded your head fervently, batting your eyelashes at him in an attempt to make him give in and let you do as you please. He shook his head, removing his pants and undergarments in one go before proceeding to grab your jaw, not giving you a second to fully admire his naked body.. or his ginormous length.

"I did remember telling you to be patient, princess." he snickers at your fallen expression when you realize that you wouldn't be able to touch him as soon as possible, "Let's make a deal, yeah?"

Your eyes lightened up with hope, and in his point of view, you're so damn adorable despite the humiliating position that you're in.

"If you don't cum within five minutes of me eating you out," he finally utters, slotting himself in between your legs and dipping his fingers into your core, taking a swift sniff of how good you smell, "then you'll be free."

You gulped, not having enough conviction that you won't cum in five minutes because it's been too long. It's been a while since a man touched you, and you're afraid that one swipe of his tongue will immediately edge you. But for fucks sake, you have to try in order to get what you want.

You nodded again, making eye contact with him with determination, a proud smile on his face before going down town on you without much of a warning. Giving your sopping core a long lick, easily finding your bundle of nerves and sucking on it.

You took a deep breath, willing yourself not to cum. You tell yourself not to give in, even if his tongue traces all the shapes in your clit, even if his wet appendage goes deep into your cunt, even if the slurping noises are making you crazy.

"Ah fuck this." he cursed, inserting two of his fingers inside and curling them mercilessly, hitting all the right spots.

"Go ahead and cum, princess. Lemme taste you." he mumbles against your clit, sending nice vibrations that add to the pleasure, "Don't worry, I'll remove the tie later." he convinces you, not wanting to do the deal anymore because you're too irresistible. Giving oral like a madman is not sufficient, he needed to feel your insides as well, to give him an idea on how tight you are.

"Cum on my tongue, baby."

You writhed around the mattress, gushing around his tongue and fingers. Complaining when he didn't stop swiping his tongue on your pussy, the overstimulation getting to you.

"Sorry, sorry. Here let me." he laughs, showing his gummy smile that doesn't match the situation but still, the lights outside the house that shines through the window were adequate to let you see his amazing visuals.

He untied your wrists and got rid of the gag, giving you an apologetic smile as he rubs your red skin, probably from the harsh pulling that you did. "Got carried away." he explains, making you giggle at his sudden cute attitude, leaning up and giving him a quick peck.

"It's okay." you say, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him down on you, "Besides, we have better things to do." pushing the innuendo behind your sentence by lifting your hips, grinding against his hardness.

He hissed at the sensation, "You really do know how to rile me up." he smirks, finally positioning himself, sliding his cock in between your folds to gather some slick, "Hope you don't regret this in the morning."

You rolled your eyes, "Oh, I won- Ah!" you wailed when he went inside you in one go, immediately thrusting in an animalistic pace without letting you adjust first.

He hits the right spot when he shifts his hips a bit, the tip of his cock brushing on your g-spot so perfectly, "Oh god! Right there! Jong-" he cuts you off again, sliding his hand on your neck and choking you, shaking his head in disappointment.

"That's not how you should call me, Ms. L/N." he whispers in your ear in a condescending tone, and in a state of lust with the pressure of his hand on your neck, everything that is happening around you seems to arouse you more.

"S-sir," you panted, your nails scratching his back when he slowed down his pace, waiting for you to finish your sentence, "please don't slow down. Fuck me harder."

Jongho took a deep breath, how could he even resist you and say no when you're this pretty under him?

"That's my good girl." he grunts, pistoning inside you and holding your hips in a bruising grip, your angelic moans motivates him to do more.

The embarrassing loud squelches and skin slapping from where the both of you are connected echoed through your ears, stupefying you even more from the lewdness that surrounds the four corners of the room. Each thrust of his hits the perfect spot inside you, and your sensitivity makes you feel even the prominent vein on his thick length.

You chanted his name, Sir Jongho, as he liked to be called, signalling him that you're close, as if you, clenching around his cock still isn't enough to give him the sign.

"Close?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows in concentration, sweat falling from his forehead down to your cheeks, further pounding into you with much force if that's even possible when you gave him the green light, not having the proper ability to speak.

"Go ahead, baby. Cum." he egged you on, leaning down to suck on your neck while his hand went to your clit and rubbed it harshly, pushing his cock back and forth with vigor, making it his mission to turn you into a mess.

"God, Jongho!" you howled, cupping his face and kissing him deeply, and that's what made you cum, the intimacy of the contact. Your lips on his in a chaotic, open mouthed kiss where your teeth clashed and tongued meshed around with each other.

He groaned against your mouth, releasing his seeds in your gummy walls when he felt your insides wrap around him tightly. As much as he wanted to prolong the intercourse, the pleasure was too much to handle.

That's how good you felt, he guesses.

A few minutes of silence, with only your heavy breathings can be heard passed, coming down from your highs. You felt his weight on you, but you were too spent to care. His warmth lulls you into dreamland, then everything is black.

---------------------------------------------------

You stirred around the bed, feeling icky and sore, and when you went to hug what you assumed was a pillow, you were mortified.

Since when did your pillow, an inanimate object, have the capacity to hug you back?

You slowly open your eyes, seeing a different ceiling, and surely this is not the scent that you are accustomed to.

Again, since when did your room smelled like wood and spices? You recalled it, crystal clear, that cherry blossoms and vanilla are your go to scents.

Then you hear someone's breathing, the mortifying reality draws near when you decided to turn your head from the figure beside you.

Shit.

You bit your lip, panicking but you ultimately opted to be rational for once in your life, trying to calm yourself and rethink what the heck happened last night.

You remember begging him to stay with you at the booth, drinking shot after shot until you were wasted out of your mind.

"Alright, I think we need to get you home." Jongho chuckles, stopping you from downing the cocktail. Sensing that you had enough alcohol for the night.

"Noo!" you whined, reaching for the glass in his hand, "And I don't wanna go home yet!" you cried out, clinging into his arm.

Who knew you were this childish when you're drunk, he ain't complaining though, Jongho thinks that you're like a lovely, sweet piece of candy in this state.

"Come on, princess." dropping a wad of cash on the table (payment and tip) and helping you get up.

It was bearable for the most part, you were like a feather in his arms, light and airy, but the hardest part of the short journey to his car was your incessant mewling and your very obvious actions of seducing him.

"Oh wow!" you exclaimed, drunkenly looking around his luxurious vehicle, "You're fucking rich." you tittered at the newfound information, touching the leather covering of the seat, "You're hot, handsome, sexy, and rich? What a catch."

Jongho's posture stiffened, avoiding your sultry gaze by taking a deep breath to calm his libido down, inserting his keys and getting ready to drive.

"Thanks." he says without much emotion, "Now tell me your address so you can rest."

"Ugh." you rolled your eyes, leaning over to his side and you didn't miss the way he ogled at your exposed legs and cleavage, "I told you I don't wanna go home yet."

"Then what do you want to do?" he sighs, running a hand through his hair (which you find really attractive), exasperated at the situation. Seriously, you're making this difficult for him.

You gripped his face and forced him to look at you, his eyes widening at your daring initiative to make a move on him. His adam apple moved when he took a gulp, and that made you fancy him more.

"I want to kiss you," you admitted, hands moving down to his chest, his eyes wandering on your lips, "then I want you to fuck me like you mean it."

There goes his sanity, crashing his mouth on top of yours in a heated lip lock, lifting you up easily and placing you on his lap. Despite the cramped space, you two managed to fit, and it only made the scene hotter.

"Let's continue this at my place, yeah?" he asked, moving away from you and returning to his previous position in the driver's seat.

You were in Choi Jongho's car. You made out with him. He took you to his place. You fucked each other... and now you wanted to slap yourself because of your stupidity. How could you even let yourself make a mistake, goodness, you really need to control your horny ass.

Then you made up your mind, yep. You'll escape then act like nothing happened. Yeah, that's a great idea! Genius.

You moved like a turtle, attempting to wiggle away but you were stopped by his strong arms, pulling you flush on his chest.

"Finally you're awake." his gruff voice in the morning stirred something inside you and for the second time, you had to remind yourself to not let your hormones dictate your actions.

"I'm sorry!" you don't know what you're apologizing for, but you do know that whatever you did and said last night was inappropriate, given that he was the one who talked to you first, it was you who persuaded him to have sex with you.

"I'll leave for now then I will pay for the drinks last n-" he puts a finger on your lips, shushing you as he puts a strand of your stray hair behind your ear.

"Don't worry, I'll pay for your drinks at the bar from now on. I'll even let you do your fantasies on me. Just do me a favor angel," you stared into his orbs, sleepy yet warm, "keep this between us."

And that is how you find yourself every weekend on the bar (that he, surprisingly, owns), wearing the dresses he bought you, drinking free alcoholic beverages and at the end of it all, your limbs are entangled with his. Passionate 'lovemaking' as he liked to call it.

You love the thrill of this forbidden romance.

Sneaking kisses behind closed doors, hugging each other goodbye whenever he insists to drives you home, sucking him under the table while he did his best to talk to a student that needs his help, then fucking you on the said table, right on top of the papers he's checking.

He made you happy, and you know you make him happy as well, you can see it in his eyes. But it was more evident on you, as Beomgyu pointed out how 'bright' you are that the shift kind of scares him.

You only brushed it off with a smile, telling him that you're only taking care of yourself. Even if you badly want to tell him the whole story, you suppressed it, keeping your promise with Jongho intact as to not ruin both of your reputations. Besides, only a few months left before your original PE teacher returns, then you can let loose. Announce the blossoming relationship with Jongho without any care in the world.

---------------------------------------------------

"No."

One word. It only took him one word to stain your proposal and plant a seed of doubt in your brain.

"What?" you scoffed, crossing your arms in disbelief, "What do you mean no? Are you ashamed of me?" you accused, hurt at his blatant rejection at the idea of becoming official after his contract in your university.

"No, of course not baby, listen to me," he cupped your face gently, "I'm sorry, we'll talk about this tomorrow, alright? I'm kind of stressed right now because of all the work." he smiles, giving the crown of your head a peck.

You sighed and held his hands that are still on your face, rubbing your thumb on his skin, "Okay." you resigned, trusting him with all your heart.

Come next day and everything shattered. Your trust, your heart, your world.. cluttered on his palms.

You were casually humming a tune you've heard on spotify, a pep in your steps as you walked leisurely to Jongho's office, ready to continue the conversation with him from yesterday.

Then you were frozen in your position as you heard the topic from the principal's office by accident. You weren't a nosy person, but hearing his name sparked a troubling curiosity within you.

"Mr. Choi, we really appreciate you. I was even thinking of making you a regular here." your principal speaks, but his next words brought a ringing sound in your ears, messing with you, mentally and emotionally.

"Too bad, you're about to be married soon, and abroad too!"

You heard Jongho chuckle, but that's not all, a honeyed voice laughed as well. A woman's voice.

You couldn't help but take a peek inside, and there he was, the man that you have feelings for, with a girl beside him.

A prettier, sexier, older girl. Someone who looks like she got her shit together.

Someone who is better than you in all aspects.

"Actually, me and my fiancé thought of getting married here," the lady placed her hand on Jongho's chest, leaning her head on his left shoulder, "but he insisted on getting married in Paris! Isn't he a romantic one?"

She giggled like a goddamned witch (that's all in your head because right now, you're full of hatred), and then, at that moment, the puzzle pieces fell into place.

Why he wanted to keep your relationship a secret.

Why wasn't he keen on taking the title as your boyfriend.

Because you are not the main, not the original, you are the other girl.

The other girl that everyone despised. The one that you read on tiktok and stories, the home wrecker.

On this occasion, you kind of also loathed yourself. Only there to make him satisfied, to keep him company. You're convenient, but right now, you're thrown out of the picture because his one and only is here.

You've had enough of this bullshit.

You were about to turn around, ready to drown yourself in sadness and self-pity, but then you made eye contact with him. His eyes widened, dread obvious in his features. Despite the tears making your eyes glassy, you willed yourself to stand up against his betrayal, giving him a hard glare as if telling him, 'I hope you're happy, you traitor, don't show yourself in front of me ever again.'

Then you walked away, your back straightened and with your chin up. Certainly, you are not about to ruin yourself, not like this.

On the other hand, Jongho was quick to excuse himself from the meeting, giving some lame excuse and running after you, seeing you walking down an empty hallway.

'Perfect.' he thought, speeding towards your direction, catching you by your wrist and turning you around so suddenly that it gave you a whiplash. Upon meeting his worried face, you immediately pushed him away, the anger in your face that once held love for him squeezed at his heart.

"Y/N, let me explain. I-"

"Shut the fuck up." you rudely cut him off, balling your fist on your sides to prevent yourself from doing something that you'll regret.

"Please, give me a chance to explain." he pleads, but the more you hear his voice, the more it makes you feel worse.

Honestly, you just want to go home and cry. Pathetic, definitely, but you couldn't care less, you had to get these negative feelings out of your system.

"Didn't you hear me?" your voice shakes, but you continue regardless, you are about to give him a piece of your mind.

"I said shut up. It's not worth it, you're not worth it."

A look of hurt flashed on his visage and it somehow sparked something in your pride because that's good, you want your words to pierce through him like a knife. You want to give him pain as well.

"Don't say that, Y/N, I-" he starts bargaining again, to which you blocked again with a sarcastic laugh.

"Oh, I'll say what I want to say. Don't tell me what to do, Sir Jongho." you specifically emphasized the petname that you would usually use inside the bedroom to give him  a sense of what he had done.

"Will you please just let me say something?!" he whisper yelled, frustrated at your attitude.

You raised an eyebrow, the audacity of this man to act like a hotshot when he's the one in the wrong here.

"The floor's all yours then. Talk." you challenged him, only for him to turn silent, gaping like a fish in front of you because really, he went here without any prior thoughts.

"What are you waiting for?!" you yelled, raising your hands in defeat, worn out from this dumb confrontation.

What is he even gonna say though?

That he's sorry you caught him? He's sorry for hurting you and all that shit.

He knew what he was doing, he's not a kid, but he went through it all for the sake of adventure. You are a territory he trespassed, and he's about to pay the consequences.

"I really did like you. This," he pointed between you and him, "it's real."

He hung his head low, not having it in him to face you.

Real your ass.

"You like me?" you asked, hating the way he earnestly nodded his head, "If you really did like me, then you wouldn't make me do this." you stepped towards his figure, the eerily calm tone you're using doesn't sit well with him.

"If you like me, then you would've been honest with me." you jarringly shoved him.

"If you like me, then you should have not given me any hope that I have a chance with you."

Another shove.

"If you like me, then why the fuck do you have to put me in this position?!" you sobbed, giving him a last miserable shove. He accepted all of it, unmoving on his spot on the floor, watching you break down.

"You like me... but you love her. Right?"

"I do."

Well, that was a slap on your face. Of course he loves her, enough to break your heart. Enough to not choose you.

"Y/N, I'm truly sorry."

"No, you're not." you looked at him one last time, "Being guilty doesn't mean that you're sorry."

Then you're gone, leaving him in the hallway while he's having an internal battle with himself.

---------------------------------------------------

"Dude , what the fuck?" Beomgyu scrunches his nose, watching you mope around for the past few weeks. He picked up a used shirt from your floor, grimacing when something sticky adhered on his fingers.

"Go away." your muffled voice sounded from under your sheets, making him sigh in defeat and sitting down on your bed. He sets his hand on your foot that was sticking out of your blanket, giving it a tender massage.

"You know, you need to help yourself in order to move on." his soothing tone smoothens the scowl on your features, lifting your blanket from your body and facing your bestfriend.

"I know that." you mumbled sadly, "I know that.. but it's easier said than done."

After your 'break-up' with Jongho, you two went your separate ways.

You did all that you can to avoid him, the PE classes were hell and most of the time, you pretended to be sick so you won't have to attend the lessons and see his face. His presence alone made you want to throw up.

When he's gone for good, there was a moment of desperation within you, wishing that he'll call you. Hoping that maybe, he'll realize that you're the one for him. Praying that he'll choose you instead, that he'll come back to you, begging for one more chance.

All of those went down the drain when you stalked his social media, photos and videos of his extravagant wedding all over the feed, and you couldn't help but cry.

That girl in the gorgeous, white dress could've been you. It should've been you, the one he's saying his vows to, promising to protect with all his might. It would've been you, the one he will love until he's grey and old.

Although you know, right from the start, it was never you.

The denial stage was better than the acceptance stage, this shit is by far the worst you have ever gone through.

Like they all say, facts do really hurt.

You're trying your best to heal, but the insecurities are gnawing at you. Unanswered questions kept you up all night, the dark bags under your eyes are the tell tale sign of it.

You blinked when Beomgyu sighs again, bringing you out of your stupor.

"Come on up." he says, pulling you up suddenly, throwing a hoodie on your face, "Let's go somewhere."

You groaned, "No." you muttered under your breath, proceeding to lie back on the comfort of your bed to no avail, since Beomgyu, being the stronger one, dragged you down with him until you were out of the house.

"My god!" you protested, pulling away from him with a half-hearted angry glare, "You can't just drag me like that!"

"I can and I will!" he yelled back, glaring at you with the same amount of heat that you're radiating.

"And why is that?" you raised your eyebrows, putting your arms on your hips like a mom demanding an explanation.

“Because I care.” he whispers, and you completely hear it. You did think that your ears are playing some kind of game, but then Beomgyu repeated the sentence with more conviction. 

“Beomgyu.. I, what do you mean by that?” 

“You don’t need to think too much about it.” he started to voice out his thoughts, which was a bombshell since your friend, in spite of his stubbornness and motor mouth, rarely displays what he really feels, “I’m just tired of seeing you like this, you know?” he looks into your eyes, waiting if you’ll retort or something, but when he sees that you’re waiting for him to finish, he goes ahead and takes the opportunity to speak.

“It’s not like you to mope around because of some guy who can’t treat you right. I know, it’s difficult but I can’t stand seeing you so hopeless.. I, this is not the Y/N that I know and love.” 

Your breathing hitched, ‘Is he?’ 

Beomgyu took your hand in his, the familiar coziness of his skin against yours somehow gave you a sense of solace, a feeling that he always brought with him whenever he’s with you.

“You’re not alone, alright? So let’s go get some ice cream, my treat.” he smiled at you, and you couldn’t help but beam back, pouncing at him so suddenly that he almost stumbled back. Thankfully, his balance and core are great, so no one was hurt at the collision.

“Thank you.” you mumbled, giving some space and intertwining your fingers with his, “I appreciate this so much.”

His eyes softened, the bright yet soft orange hue of the sunset cascades on his side profile, further highlighting his charms (how on earth are you only noticing this now is another mystery for you to solve.) 

“I appreciate you too,” his eyes crinkled, a mischievous glint on his brown orbs as he disconnected your hands and ran away from you, “only after you shower though.” he shouts, laughing like a maniac.

You were left dumbfounded, of course he’ll find a way to ruin such a sweet moment. 

Still, it wouldn’t be as fun as he didn’t. So you chased after him, ready to punch him in the gut for the playful remark he threw at you. 

“Beomgyu you dick! Come back here!”

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taglist:

@hyuckilstan @gwenchwana @minkiflwr @bloomingsann @btsreader12 @hwadump @songmingisthighs @isaluvvs @minkysmilk @jngwyz @fairygirl18 @jcngh0-hq @justyoonsworld @v-lvs-yungi

a/n: last one down! tysm for all the people who read and supported this set of fics (even if i slowed down in the middle) i really, really appreciate you all!! thank you for all the feedbacks and comments!! 💜💜

NEXT UP! ATEEZ MINISODE SERIES!