8. Farmer's Market

I ended up quickly calling my dad and showing him the place. He liked it, too.

So I bought it.

That morning, I wake up early. I stretch my arms, look up, and see Jimin sleeping peacefully on the chair in front of my bed; something on his wrist starts beeping repeatedly when I do so.

His eyes fling open and he looks around frantically, calming down when he sees I'm fine.

"What's that?" I ask.

He looks at the device on his arm. "It's designed especially to help me keep you safe. Basically, if I fall asleep it alerts me when you move enough."

His eyes are red. "How long has it been since you've slept?"

"A few days." He admits.

"Take care of yourself!" He looks shocked at my sudden screaming. "First you don't eat and then you don't sleep? Focus on yourself before you try helping me."

I speed walk to the bathroom without looking back.

+++

I add a bit of pepper to the pan. "Take a seat behind the counter." I say without looking at him. I don't hear his footsteps, so I turn around and stare at him.

"Don't worry, you're wearing casual clothes today, so you don't have to worry about getting them dirty." He look down at his white shirt and knee length baby blue shorts that accentuate the muscles in his legs, and he makes a face before sitting down. I smile, remembering the suits he wore before, and close the stove.

"Here." I pour half the pan's contents into the plate in front of him. "I was born in America so that's my cooking specialty. But if you don't like scrambled eggs, there's kimchi in the fridge."

I put some in a plate and sit next to him.

I take the fork and scoop a bite into my mouth. Warmness fills my mouth as the savory breakfast covers my tongue.

I gulp it down. "Eat." He looks at me and I nod my head to his food, telling him to consume it.

He obediently picks his fork up and starts eating. "Thank you. It's delicious."

"Water?" I ask, getting up. He nods his head and I smile.

I give him a glass full of it when a voice says, "what? No food for your father?"

I look and see Dad standing there. Jimin scrambles up and gives him a 90 degree bow and doesn't stand upright again until my father tells him to do so. I bite my lip, not surprised at Jimin's respect but loving it nevertheless.

"Please, sit and continue your meal." He says to Jimin, who gives him one last quick bow before doing so.

"Sorry, Appa, I thought you were at work. Let me quickly prepare something for you."

"No, I have to go soon, so I'll just take some tea."

"Then I'll make it for you."

Dad sits at the dining table and Jimin quickly takes his food and sits next to him. "I don't want you to be alone, sir."

My dad smiles at him. "Thank you, Jimin."

Jimin doesn't eat until I give my father his drink. After that, I take my plate and sit in front of Jimin.

"Be on your guard. Yesterday was the deadline for when you have to give them the money. They'll likely come after you in revenge. I trust you, Jimin." My dad says.

"Of course, I will protect her no matter what." That statement put butterflies in my stomach and I uncontrollably smile.

"What are you grinning about?" My dad gives me a pointed look and when Jimin looks at me I feel my face heating up.

"Nothing." I look down and am quiet for the rest of the meal.

+++

"Jimin, we're going shopping today, okay?"

"Where, and who else is coming?" He asks curiously.

"To a farmer's market, and it's just us. My friends don't want to go, and I want to get a few things."

"Oh, okay. I'll let you change then." He leaves and closes the door behind him. I like how I didn't have to ask.

When we're there, hundreds of tables and stores face us. It's a bit overwhelming, but we decide to start from the beginning.

"Show me the list." I hand him the piece of paper and he points to something on the table. "We'll take a small bag of gochujang*." He says to the woman.

She puts it in the bag and hands it to him.

+++

After we get the stuff on my list (and some junk) we decide to get ice cream.

"No!" I tell him. "You already payed for over half my groceries, so let me pay for this!"

"I'm being a gentleman, and besides, you're beautiful."

Huh?! "Say that again?" I declare half-annoyed, half-flattered.

"What, that I'm a gentleman and you made me food?" He gives me a confused look.

Did I imagine it then?

While I'm thinking, Jimin quickly gives the man a few bills and hands me my cone.

+++

We eat at a bench in the middle of the tents and tables.

"Tell me about yourself." I say.

"My name is Park Jimin and I'm your bodyguard. That's all you need to know." He says flatly.

"Oh come on, don't be like that!"

He looks at me. "I won't tell you unnecessary things. You can ask me three questions, but I may not answer truthfully if at all."

"Okay, not fair!"

He shrugs. "If that's not good enough for you then-"

"How old are you?" I burst out and he smirks.

"I'm 21 years old." He says.

"Do you hate your job?"

"Why would I hate it? I get to protect the weak and stop bad people."

"Are you calling me weak?" My hands form into fists.

"That was your last question, and no, I don't think you are weak."

"What, that doesn't count! My question is when is your birthday?"

"Bringing that up again, are we?" He raises a brow. "But it's October 13, 1995."

I snort. "Then I'm your noona. And here I was, wondering if I should respect you."

He looks at me in shock. "Older by how much?" Three days.

"Does it really matter?" I try and fail to hide my smile.

I finish my ice cream as we decide to go home. We walked here, which means we'll have to walk back.

"Ugh, Jimin, I don't want to walk! Can you carry me?"

"I'm your bodyguard not your boyfriend. But a shortcut-"

"Follow me." I say quickly.

After some walking, we turn into a secluded, shaded area. "We're almost there." I say.

I slow my pace and Jimin ends up passing me. Let's see if he knows his way from here.

Suddenly, I feel someone punch the back of my neck, hard, and I fall to the ground.

---

a/n: *gochujang is red pepper paste