20

I walk around the place. Everything is dark, except for the moonlight coming through the windows, that's making each of the frames of those be visible on the floor right in front of me with their shadows.

I hear nothing but my heartbeat and my fast breathing as my eyes move around, fast and desperately, as if I were looking for something. I find a white door in the distance, and for some reason I start walking to it. Although I don't know what's behind me, I'm more scared of what could happen if I stayed here.

My hand almost reaches the knob, but something covers my mouth as my body is easily lifted and pulled away from that door.

I'm not aware I'm kicking and shaking in bed, the same way I tried to do it in my dream, until Jungkook wakes me up. His eyebrows are slightly frowned while he looks at me with concern. I move my eyes around the room, just to confirm I'm still in his place, and it's only the two of us in here.

—You had a nightmare —he tries to drive my attention back to him—. It's alright.

I've been having this same nightmare for weeks now. And it's always the exact same part, the same house, the same sequence repeating all over again. The only difference is that today I was able to see more of that dream, before Jungkook woke me up.

My back falls back on the mattress when I make sure everything is just as it was before I fell asleep, and just now I'm aware of the way his fingers are moving on my scalp trying to calm me down as he pulls me closer to his body.

The sound of his heart beat is so soothing, it doesn't take long for me to relax and put that nightmare in second place.

—I'm sure you were a soccer player in your previous life —he jokes—. I won't be able to walk tomorrow.

—Sorry.

—You aren't sorry, aren't you?

—Not really —I giggle.

He sighs, acting as if he were offended, but when I lift my gaze to him, he's trying to hide a smile. His gaze takes me by surprise when he looks down, lifting one of his eyebrows.

—I know I'm handsome and what not, but you should try to sleep.

—Mr. Humble entered the room —I move my eyes away from him.

—Why are you looking at me like that then? —he pinches my shoulder playfully.

—Now I can't look at you?

—There's a reason why you look at things.

—Yeah, because they get your attention —he's looking at me as if I just admitted he's right—. And it gets my attention how annoying you are.

—Then why are you sleeping here if I'm so annoying? —he challenges me, giving me a mocking look.

—You're right.

I attempt to get out of the bed, but it's just that: a playful attempt, because his hands take me by my waist to put me back under the sheets and next to his body. We lie, facing each other, while we laugh at this silly and childish moment.

—I was waiting for you —he says out of nowhere.

I don't know what he's talking about, or why he came up with that all of sudden. But he doesn't take long to explain what he means.

—You asked me what I was doing when you texted me earlier tonight. I was waiting for you —he says again.

I process what he said, and I try to give it a meaning. Was he nervous because I was on that date? It'd make sense how he tried to persuade me to cancel it as soon as I first told him about it. I'm hopeful and happy just with that thought, and I'm not completely able to understand why. Why is it so hard for me to keep myself from smiling right now?

—I wanted to be there for you in case you needed help, which it's what happened.

—I handled it myself —I say again.

—If I hadn't picked you up, he would've taken you home and that dude would've ended up with a scratched car.

—For how long will you remind me of that? —I roll my eyes.

—Daisy will never be the same.

Daisy? Oh no fucking way he's the type to name his motorbike and car, and treat them as if they were human beings.

—You know what? Let's sleep —I try to cut off this stupid conversation.

At this point, it's obvious the late night talk and the lack of sleep is affecting both of us. a

He mutters a low "Fine" before he closes his eyes, and I close mine right after. But the situation is so unserious and pathetic, I'm unable to hold back my laughter just by thinking he's probably looking at me right now. And he seems to be feeling the same way when I start hearing his high pitched laugh.

—Cocktease —he calls me out and tries to sound serious—, some people need to wake up early to work tomorrow.

The way he tries to sound like an old man scolding his children just makes me laugh even harder. So I come up with the idea of rolling on the bed, so our backs are facing each other, and it seems like it finally works.

✸ ✸ ✸

I wake up to a weight on my right arm and my side, and it doesn't take me long to realize what it is. I try to move away from him and get out of the bed, but Jungkook's palm falls on my belly and presses tight on it, keeping me in place.

—Just stay like this for a little longer —he mutters on the pillow—. You need to make up for me not wanting to go to work this morning.

—Why is it my fault?

—As if you didn't know —his nose digs in my hair—. Who would want to leave you here, looking like this, huh?

—Call Mark, and tell him you can't go —he smiles when I come up with that idea.

—Don't tempt me. Because I'm way too close to do it.

But this comfy space doesn't last much. Reality hits us when his phone rings on the nightstand, and we are both forced to move and come back to real life. But it's not like he rushes me to leave after that call. Jungkook tells me I can stay here a little longer, and have something to eat before going back home. But when I tell him I'll leave with him, he offers to take me home.

—Don't worry —I assure him—. Not my first time.

—A quick stop doesn't bot... —he stops when my eyes fall on him— Alright, got it. Wanna hang out later?

—Do you have something in mind?

—Not really —he shrugs, walking to me—. But no plan is the best plan.

The way he moves his eyebrows, up and down, with that funny smile on his face makes me cackle immediately.

—I'll pick you up by seven? —he informs me as soon as I nod.

I take this as my chance to leave, without making it seem forced. But Jungkook doesn't seem to like the way I'm leaving, since he holds me by my wrist and makes me turn on my heels so I'm facing him again.

—I'll send you a text when I get home? —I try to guess, but he only smiles.

A soft peck is placed on my forehead, and his fingers let go of my skin. Now, it's time to go.

I can't believe I spend most of the day waiting for him to pick me up, while I walk around the house doing different things. It's just been a few hours since I saw him, but I'm excited to see him again. And I don't really mind how weird it is, I don't try to find an explanation that would complicate things more. Or how I'm smiling like a dumb ass every time I remember what happened last night, and I mean everything that happened last night.

But it's great how happiness doesn't last forever.

He sends a text around six, telling me he couldn't make it and it'd be better to leave it for another day. Even if I should be upset, I understand it also tends to happen in his studio. Sometimes they have no clients scheduled, and someone randomly pops up with an idea and they just make it.

And that's why I ended up meeting with Soo and Melanie in my workplace, so Tammy is able to partially join us, shortly after. I felt in the mood for hanging out after Jungkook gave me that social boost this morning, so it doesn't take me that much to engage in a conversation with them -not like it was difficult before, but it was a bit hard.

—Are you sure you wanted to hang out with us? —Melanie jokes.

I live zoning out constantly, and even I was aware of Soo constantly checking her phone and acting oblivious to us.

—Is everything okay? —I ask, when she leaves the phone on the table.

Just like Jungkook, Soo puckers her lips to get ready for her rant. She mutters something in Korean and tilts her head, making her short hair move along over her shoulder, before she starts speaking.

—Leslie is back —she puffs.

Although the name rings a bell, I don't know who they're talking about and I can't mimic Tammy's and Melanie's reactions to that name. They both ask if she's serious, and seem surprised and concerned about it. And with the little information they're giving out, I guess they must be talking about an old friend.

—I thought she moved to California —Melanie frowns her thin eyebrows—. What is she doing here?

—What do you think she's doing here? —Soo asks back, with an ironic tone— I don't get it. I thought he was seeing someone new.

—Who? —I finally ask, tired of not understanding what they're talking about.

—Jungkook —Soo looks at me understanding when Melanie answers me, they three understand I only ask because I want to make some sense out of this conversation—. Soo thought he was seeing someone.

—He started doing that bunny smile whenever he got a text —Soo continues—, and he'd randomly talk about her. But for some reason I don't fucking understand, he agreed to meet up with his ex.

—With whom he had a bad break up —Tammy finishes.

The same one that cheated on him?

I try my best to keep a neutral look on my face when I'm able to process all the information, and everything starts making sense. Of course it was that Leslie. They still had her designs exposed in the studio, but I wasn't able to guess why her name sounded so familiar. But honestly, realizing he canceled me to be with her only makes my stomach twist while I make the big effort of not crying.

Why the hell do I even want to cry right now? It was never that serious.

—Have you talked to him? —Tammy places her hand on Soo's shoulder.

—No. I might head to his place after we're done here —Soo sighs—. And he better be there. Alone.

My rational side would be telling her how he should be the one taking his own decisions, and what a bad idea it is of her to head to his place just to lecture him. But since it's about Jungkook, I'm only hoping she does smack some sense into him.

And only then I realize how selfish and dumb it's from my side to even think and hope for that. It's his problem, not mine.

Tammy and Melanie decide to move on from that topic that's only pissing off Soo. And it's so weird for me to see her this way, when the more "annoyed" I've seen her, was when Namjoon spilled her drink back in the cabin weeks back. And I'm saying "annoyed", because she only pouted, hit his arm and laughed right after telling him to get a new drink for her.

Soo engages with them, and those small smiles and chuckles show off that she's slowly moving on from that issue with Jungkook. And I try to as well, but it's undeniable that what she said has affected me more than it should've had.

Not long after, both Melanie and Soo leave. Again, she's feeling bad to be the one leaving first, but we understand her. She wasn't in the mood, yet still came to spend some time with us.

Tammy offers to pour me a new drink when she sees me sipping on the dry ice that's remaining in the bottom of my glass. But I shake my head and stand up myself. She's doing more at this table than I am anyway, so I don't mind standing up and refilling my drink myself.

—You could get in trouble for doing that —a male voice gets my attention as I pick the gin bottle from the shelf behind me.

—Are you going to blow the whistle on me? —I scoff, still focused on my drink.

—Not if you give me your number.

I'm surprised by how smooth he is, and I'm too stunned to speak when I lift my gaze from my Gin-tonic to look at the man standing behind the counter. His raised eyebrow disappears behind his auburn bangs, and his almond shaped brown eyes are staring at me with curiosity.

—Sorry, I don't give my number to strangers —I tease him.

I'm genuinely surprised by how good I'm carrying it by myself.

—Well, I can make something about that —he curves his full lips up—. I'm Seokjin. But my friends call me Jin.

—Nice to meet you, Seokjin —I use his full name on purpose with a grin—. But I gotta go. Bye, Seokjin —I repeat his full name, just to get a pissed smile from him.

I try to keep myself calm as I move away from the stranger, but deep inside I'm freaking out and giving several taps on my shoulder by how I managed the situation.

Yup, I'm so proud of myself.

—It's the first time I've seen that hottie around —Tammy comments when I join her again—. You're not going to make any moves on him?

—No —I shrug—. I came here to spend time with you.

—Bullshit. We both know if someone like him tried to shoot his shot with me, I'd dump your ass.

I know, she's done it before. And my excuse wasn't exactly the truth either. He's hot, and his interest in me only made him a 100% hotter. But for some reason, I'm just not into the whole thing. Not today.

When she asks me about the date, she somehow relates what's just happened now to it, and concludes I just don't want to know anything about men for a few days. And she laughs and jokes on how she's the total opposite.

It's not that. But I'm gladly letting her believe it is.

We both move from the table to the counter again. Whereas I'm sitting on the stool, Tammy is standing behind the wooden surface. The sound of the till closing claps in my head, and next thing I hear is Tammy huffing.

—I know I'm a bitch for asking you this —she hasn't told me what it is, and I can already assume what she's going to ask—. Do you mind looking after the bar for a few minutes?

Bingo.

—Why?

—I need to get some change. I won't take long, I promise.

—It's alright. Go —I assure her.

She gives me a loud peck on the cheek before leaving, walking fast to the door and disappearing when she walks past the windows. Once alone, I decide to check my phone, just to find out I have several text messages from Jungkook.

Asshole: are u home?

Asshole: if ur mad for today... i promise ill make it up.

That was one hour ago. But a few minutes ago he also sent a text asking me if I was hanging out with the girls. I'm ready to start typing, but a sigh on my right, and the feeling that someone is watching me interrupts me from responding.

—I think I was too straightforward before.

—Just a bit —I smile at him—. But it's alright.

—I'd invite you to a drink, but it'd be weird to see you getting up and serving yourself your own drink —he jokes.

I chuckle when he says that, because it's probably what it'd happen if he ever decided to say that, considering Tammy isn't here to do it -and I probably would end up doing it myself either way.

—Just wanted to say that Seokjin sounded awful from you —he lays one arm on the counter.

—Jin would've been better? —I raise my eyebrow.

—Definitely —he playfully claps his hand on the surface—. See? Don't you feel the familiarity now?

—Hmm... Hardly —I joke—. You won't stop till you get my number, right?

—Well, I saw you here by yourself, and thought of keeping you company. That's it —he shrugs—. But if you want to give me your phone number...

—Alr... —my voice gets interrupted by a new one.

—I could give you mine, too —Jungkook is looking at Jin in a challenging way, while standing behind me—. Note it down: six, seven, three... What? Not interested?

—I'm sorry —Jin apologizes, clearly uncomfortable—. I didn't know she had a boyfriend.

—I don't —I rush to answer—. What the fuck are you doing? —I turn to Jungkook.

But he doesn't move his gaze away from Jin, who says goodbye to me softly before he walks away.

—What's your problem?

—He was drooling over you —that comment makes my eyes roll.

—I thought that was the fucking point —I stand in front of Jungkook, just so I can face him—. I don't think I went where you were, threw a tantrum and scared your e... —I stop myself before I can finish the sentence.

But it's way too late. That neutral and unbothered expression is soon replaced by a pair of frown eyebrows, and a confused gaze.

—Jungkook?

When I look over his shoulder, I see Tammy looking just as confused as him. She walks to us, moves her eyes from me to him a few times.

—Soo wanted to see you.

—I know —he nods—. I thought she was still here.

—No, I think she went to your place —Tammy lets her head fall to her side as she thinks—. That's what she said, right? —she asks me, looking for confirmation.

—Yeah —I sigh—. And since you're back, I'll get going now.

—Thanks for staying —she hugs me tight.

I try to walk past Jungkook looking unbothered, but just his presence snaps at me like a punch at my throat. I shouldn't be feeling this way.

—I'll drive you home —he suggests, before I can take one step further.

—No need to.

But I know he will insist. It's what he always does.

—Don't act pig headed —Tammy intervenes—. I'll feel better if you leave with him.

Jungkook takes the lead, saying goodbye to our friend and walking to me as if he hadn't pulled the most childish of the scenes just a few minutes ago. But my attitude isn't the best either when I see the motorbike parked not far away from the bar. At some point, I think he'll pull the same tactic he did the last time I held myself on the metallic bars on the sides of my seat, but he doesn't. Instead, he drives carefully, at a slower pace that he usually does.

He stops the engine when he gets to my place, and I know exactly what that means.

—I think we should talk.

—Is this because you don't want to confront Soo?

I want to slap myself for being unable to keep the annoyed tone for myself, but I just couldn't help it.

—Just... Let's talk.