Chapter 9

The following day, Monday, you woke up late and you are now rushing as you have no time to spare and you don't want to be late for your meeting. You grabbed your purse and paper works that were sitting on the table and rushed towards the door. As you opened the door, you accidentally crashed into something that is blocking your doorway that almost made you tumble back. But a pair of strong arms held onto you tightly preventing you from falling.

"I-I'm sorry, (Y/N)." The voice said. That voice.That sweet and gentle voice only belongs to one person. You looked up and saw Jin's worried face looking at you. You immediately composed yourself and freed yourself from his grasp. You stared at him for a moment before asking.

"What are you doing here?" You said as you closed the door of your apartment. Jin stood there and looked at you as he cautiously assess the situation with you.

"I came over hoping that we can talk." He muttered almost silently.

"I'm sorry, but I'm kind of busy and now is not a good time." You said apathetically towards Jin and started walking away from him towards the elevator. Jin heaved a heavy sigh and tailed behind you.

"That's fine. Give me a date and time when you could be free. I will wait. Just please make time for us to talk." He pleaded the moment you both stopped at the elevator lobby. You pressed the down button and slowly turned to face him.

"What do you really want Jin?" You asked apathetically and crossed your arms in front of you. He didn't answer. You heard a ding signaling that your ride has arrived and the door of the elevator instantly opened. Both of you walked inside. You pressed the ground button and leaned on the elevator wall still with arms crossed opposite Jin and avoiding his gaze as he never peeled his on you.

"I'm not sure if you have heard from the others, but Soyeon and I have already broken up. Last week." Jin almost stuttered saying this. He closely watched your face, but was disheartened when you didn't express any emotion about the news.

"Yeah, Hoseok and Yoongi told me about it a week ago." You said indifferently. Jin once again was stumped. This is the first time that he sees you act coldly towards him and he doesn't know how to win you over and bring back the warm and loving personality he always loved in you. This you that is standing in front of him with a cold and indifferent demeanor scared him. It scared him because it's showing how the two of you would look like if things between you gets worst.

"So, you just went here at this hour to tell me that you and Soyeon broke up?" You asked with a slight cold tone. Jin looked down at his shoes.

"No. I also came here to tell you I miss you and I miss seeing you. Being with you," He said with a heavy heart.

"Really now?" You snickered as a smirk plastered your face, still avoiding looking at him. A stab of pain washed over Jin as he suddenly felt cold upon hearing your response.

"Yes, I do, (Y/N). And I want to fix things between us. I want to bring back the way it was before." He said sadly as the door of the elevators opened. You shook your head in disbelief on what you just heard and looked at him with a look of anger.

"Look, Kim Seokjin. Let me make things clear for you, ok? Don't waste your time on trying to fix something that can no longer be fixed. Just go home." You said coldly before trying to walk out of the elevator leaving Jin looking at you as you walk away, dumbfounded and crushed.

//

It was late afternoon that day and Jin just got home from studio. Yoongi and Namjoon asked him to go home early that day since he can't concentate much on work and was so distracted. The conversation with you earlier affected him so much. The thing that he is so afraid of is now becoming real and he is grasping for ways on how to win you back after everything that happened. He kicked his shoes off and is already tempted to crash on the couch, but his stomach is already complaining since his last meal was before lunch time. He forgot to grab something to eat as work is swamped in the studio. He went straight to the kitchen to fix himself something to eat when he stopped in his tracks as the door bell rang. He turned around and immediately answered the door and is surprised to see the person standing in front of him.

"YeongCheol?" A confused expression painted his face. The man standing infront of him mirrored the same expression as his eyes widened when he saw Jin on the door.

"Kim Seokjin? What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I should be asking that question to you, YeongCheol. I live here." He sneered at the person in front of him. Confused, Yeong Cheol pulled out a piece of paper in his coat pocket and checked the content.

"Hmm, maybe I am in the right address then." YeongCheol confidently said as he slid back the paper back into his pocket. Jin furrowed his eyebrows even further.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm looking for Jungkook. I'm his homeroom and math teacher." He smiled. Jin just stared at him from head to toe before answering.

"Ohhh. Sorry, YeongCheol, but Jungkook is not yet here. Why are you looking for him anyway? Is he in some kind of trouble?" Jin asked worriedly. Yeong Cheol just shook his head.

"Oh no, he is not. Actually, he is one of my best students." Yeong Cheol beamed.

"I'm here to drop off his schoolwork and ask him something." Jin was supposed to ask him another question when their conversation got interrupted.

"Mr. Yo?" A surprised voice mumbled in the hallway, making both elders look his way. Jungkook is slowly walking their way with his backpack slinged on his shoulder. The moment he is just a few steps away, he stopped and bowed towards his teacher.

"What are you doing here?" He confusedly asked as he eyed his teacher  in surprise. Yeong Cheol just scratched his nape and smiled awkwardly.

"Ah, Jeon Jungkook. I'm just here to drop off these additional books that you and (Y/N) can use during your tutoring session. I promised her that I will lend her these." He said as he handed Jungkook the books in his hand. Jin on the other hand stiffened a little as he got surprised when he heard YeongCheol mention your name. Does that mean that YeongCheol and you have seen each other beforehand? He asked himself.

"Oh," was all Jungkook was able to answer as he took the books from his teacher.

"You could have just given this to me at school, rather than you going all the way here." He said.

Yeong Cheol just smiled.

"I thought you might need it as soon as possible since you have tutoring sessions with her 3x a week, right? Plus, it might help you with the extra credit homework that I have given you." He said.

"Uhm, yeah, I guess. I'll just give this to her tomorrow then." Jungkook assured him as he tucked the books in his bag.

"Anyways, I better get going." He smiled at the two boys. As he was about to take a step forward, he stopped himself and turned back to Jungkook.

"By the way, Jungkook. (Y/N) doesn't happen to be here, right?" YeongCheol asked curiously. Jungkook and Jin gave him a confused expression. Jungkook shook his head.

"Nope. Noona doesn't live here. I live here together with my hyungs. Noona on the other hand lives in Hannam-dong." He answered innocently making Jin stare at him with a horror expression. How can Jungkook just freely give away where she lives to YeongCheol? His blood started to boil from jealousy. He then looked at YeongCheol who is just nodding his head.

"Oh, I see. Very well, then, please give that to her. I shall be going then. See you at school." He said to Jungkook. He turned to Jin and bowed.

Jin and Jungkook just watched YeongCheol disappear from their sight before both of them went inside the dorm. Jungkook walked past Jin and proceeded directly towards his shared room with Namjoon and closed the door. Jin on the other hand went to the kitchen and was about to grab something to eat when YeongCheol mentioning your name and asking about you flashed in his head. He now becomes curious on why Yeong Cheol was asking about you. He let the thought of him eating slip away and decided to ask Jungkook. He walked towards Jungkook's room and softly knocks on the door.

"Come in," he heard Jungkook and slowly opened the door of the room. He slowly walked into the room and saw Jungkook standing infront of the closet changing out of his school uniform. The maknae just gave him a short glance and returned into changing his clothes and didn't say anything.

"Jungkook-ah, uhm, I know you're close with (Y/N)..." He stammered and is grasping for words to complete his sentence.

"Yes hyung, why?" His voice seemed uninterested, but didn't spare any glance towards the elders. Jin knows that the maknae is still upset with him because of what he did to you, but he will deal with that issue later. He heaved a heavy sigh before continuing.

"I know this would sound weird or something but, uhm, do you know if she's dating or seeing anyone right now?" He awkwardly inquired Jungkook. The boy finished changing and threw his uniform in the hamper near the door and faced Jin who is just standing a few steps away from the door.

"Not to disrespect you or anything, hyung, but why do you want to know that?" He grimaced. He doesn't want to be rude to his hyung, but he still can't forgive him about what happened and now that he is acting interested again on your welfare worries him. He knows what hell you had been through. Jin looked at him and shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, nothing, I just wanted to know." He lied. He knows with his status with the maknae, it will be difficult for him to get answers. Jungkook walked towards his study table and turned on the light and pulled out the chair.

"I'm sorry, hyung. But after what you did to her, I'm not really sure if you should even concern yourself with what's happening on her life." Jungkook said flatly before he took a seat and started pulling out his school books and notebooks. Jin was speechless on the straightforward and bold answer of the maknae. He would have argued with him for using that kind of tone towards him, but right now, it didn't matter. He understood that the boy was only protecting someone who is like a noona to him.

"I-I understand. Thank you." He said as he slowly walked towards the door. Jungkook just nodded and proceeded in doing his homework.

//

Jin hardly slept a wink that night. He tossed and turned in bed trying to get the image of you and Yeong Cheol together in his mind. Could he be interested in her? He frantically asked himself over and over again, making him even more frustrated.

He decided to pay you a visit in your new office the following day. He told Yoongi and Namjoon that he will be taking an extended lunch to run some errands. The two agreed and Jin drove off to your office. He dropped off first to your favorite pastry shop and bought your favorite Vanilla Cake with Matcha (Green Tea) Butter Cream. He had the bagger neatly wrap the pastry for you.

He walked happily out the shop and strolled towards your office building admiring the box in his hand. He knows that you may not have forgiven him yet, but he hopes that this little present can at least make you smile and lessen your anger towards him. His happiness was cut short when he stopped in his tracks as he saw a familiar face waiting in front of the building lobby. Yo YeongCheol. Slowly pacing back and forth on the lobby obviously waiting for someone. Doesn't he have a class today? He angrily mumbled to himself and watched silently as he is rooted in his place. He then saw YeongCheol stop pacing and his face lit up. He walked a few steps towards a group of girls walking out the building. And one of them is you. A sharp pang of jealousy washed over him as he saw the two of you talk for a moment. He saw your friends giggle and tease you and then waved goodbye leaving you awkwardly standing in front of YeongCheol. He wanted to run towards you, but he can't move. He saw you nod on something he said and both of you walked away.

Now raging in jealousy, Jin followed the two of you in a small restaurant nearby. Luckily, he was able to grab a vacant booth close to where you and YeongCheol are seated and is able to still see and hear a bit on what the two of you will be talking about. After the two of you placed your orders, you thanked the server as you handed her your menu back and looked at YeongCheol.

"This is quite a surprise. I never expected to see you in this area." You said and smiled awkwardly towards the person sitting in front of you. YeongCheol just laughed.

"I'm sorry if I surprised you today. I don't have any class for the next few hours, so I decided to call you" He flashed his handsome smile and cute dimples. You just gave him a small smile.

"So, are we discussing Jungkook's school performance?" You asked as you took a sip of the beverage that was just placed on your table. YeongCheol once again laughed.

"You're so cute, you know that?" He bluntly said still smiling at you, and you just eyed him curiously. He leaned forward on the table so he can take a closer look at you.

"No. Jungkook's grades and school performance is off the table today. I want to know more about you." His words made you blush a little. You never really had prior experience having this kind of attention from the opposite sex, so it's kind of new to you. Jin on the other hand snapped his head and looked furiously towards your table the moment he heard what YeongCheol said. This confirms his theory that he IS interested in you.

"Oh," was all you could say out of shock as you tried to avoid YeongCheol's gaze out of embarrassment and just looked down on your hands that is resting on the table. That was a bit unexpected.

"We've been classmates since highschool, but I barely know anything about you besides, well, being a studious student and and my rival in the top ranking." He teased making you blush a little.

"So look at you. You're now a successful marketing supervisor in a marketing firm." He said to you with pride.

"I always thought you would be a teacher like me, since you like kids." He eyed you as he observed your reaction. Once again, a smile plastered your face.

"Not really. The calling of the corporate world is more appealing to me." You said as you played with the tissue in your hands.

"And besides, I'm still fulfilling the path by tutoring Jungkook 4 times a week." You joked, making YeongCheol smile a little. After the laugh died down, he bit his lip and asked a surprising question.

"So, what's the deal between you and Kim Seokjin?" He curiously asked as he took a sip of his own drink. You eyed him with a puzzled expression and waited for him to explain why he is asking this question.

"I'm sorry. It's just that ever since I knew you, you always hang out with Jin." He exlplained. You smiled a little and nodded your head.

"Jin is my best friend, that's why we're always together." You said. Jin noted that you still said 'is', meaning you still consider him part of your life which made him breath a little.

"Ah, that's why he's so protective of you. But you're just best friends?" He asked and you gave him a slow nod. Jin, who is listening to everything that you have been talking about is now looking furiously towards YeongCheol and is now tightly gripping his spoon. Luckily, there was no knife in front of him or he could have stabbed YeongCheol to death in broad daylight.

"Why are you suddenly so interested in my relationship with Jin?" You curiously asked as you took another sip from your glass. He leaned forward once again and a smirk traced his handsome face.

"I have been wanting to be close to you ever since high school, but Jin always prevents me to do so. But since you told me you are just best friends, then maybe I can have this chance in getting to know you." You gave him another puzzled look before he continued.

"I like you, (Y/N). I liked you ever since we became lab partners in Science class." The revelation shocked you. You almost chocked on the beverage you are drinking. Lab partners? But he was so cold towards you that time. He always scolds you when you get a wrong answer on your lab sheets. He barely spoke to you about anything except if it is about school work. You recalled and it baffles you. You coughed as you tried to remove the liquid you inhaled from your lungs and YeongCheol worriedly stood up to comfort you. Jin upon seeing this almost stood up from his seat, but when he saw you politely wave him off, he calmed himself and sat back. YeongCheol returned to his seat as well.

"Are you ok?" He worriedly asked. You nodded and smiled at him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be that blunt to you, but the moment I saw you that day at school, I knew it was fate. I have waited years to find you. I don't know anyone you're close to except Jin and that girl who moved to Busan to get your contact number. I know this is my only opportunity to get to know you. I hope you would give me the chance." He confessed. You just stared at him, speechless. You have known YeongCheol, but never have you given a thought that this would ever happen. He's not bad looking. In fact, he's one of the most handsome person you know besides Jin and the boys. And you admire him because he is smart, but you're not ready for something like this. Your trail of thought was interrupted when you heard the ajumma serving food shouting something just a table away from you with a nicely wrapped box on her hand. Both you and YeongCheol looked at her direction. You immediately recognized that box.

"Excuse me." You shyly called the ajumma holding the box. She then walked towards you.

"I'm sorry, what happened?" You politely asked her. The ajumma shook her head.

"The guy sitting in that table left in a hurry leaving this nice cake behind. I'm sure he heard me yell, but he never looked back. He even paid extra on his bill when all he ordered was hot tea." The ajumma narrated as she showed you and YeongCheol the box she was holding. You were surprised to see the cake inside the clear top cover. It was your favorite cake.

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Hello~ Sorry for not updating for 2 months(?)T_T School really got in the way and everytime I try to update in the weekends, I have church stuff going on or I have an upcoming quiz and I end up studying the whole day. *sigh* Student problems😭

This would probably go on for the whole school year, huhu. Pray for me and my eyebags😭😂Anyways, that's all and I hope you enjoyed the story and hopefully I can publish the next chapter this week...