YN has only ever dreamed of a world where she gets to care for her animals and sit by the beach, doing nothing but the things she wants.
Jimin has never allowed himself to dream of anything. He is owned. He is someone else’s property. He can’t dream of freedom because to dream is to yearn and to yearn is to be disappointed.
Still, what happens when a woman full of dreams and a man terrified of his own come together?
Masterlist / i don’t have a tag list / find me on twitter / word count: 2.3k
(AU: While I enjoy writing realistic stories, this one has many ‘common sense’ holes that I would like you to ignore for the sake of the fantasy world creation. Future smut and gore. Jimin is a badass. He’s also deaf. This story will only be about 10-15 chapters long. Shorter than my other ones. I’ve already written up 6 so far. I’ll update once a month. Hope you like it!)
(yandere / angst / gore/ fluff / smut / violence)
Chapter 3: ‘Newness’
The man wakes up some time later and you walk him into the passenger seat of the car. The inside of the vehicle has some blood stains that twist your stomach. The man notices the blood, and he stares at the patches with an unreadable expression on his face. He only jolts when you put a hand on his shoulder and he allows you to hoist him into the car.
You got him into the passenger seat and try to drive as carefully as possible to get him back to your place. He winces and jolts a little but you can tell he’s trying to put on a brave face, clutching at his wounds tightly. His skin grows pale and sickly-looking during the short ride, and you know that he was going to have to spend some days recovering.
Your place isn’t small, thankfully. You had a house all to yourself; a bathroom and kitchen separate from the living room and bedroom. It wasn’t enough for a family, by any means, but it was more than ample enough for you and the space you wanted to make a life in for the next half a decade.
You get him into the house without being seen, for once grateful for the sleepiness of the town you live in, and when you finally have him in your space, laying on a towel on the bed, you ask, “What am I supposed to call you?”
He shrugs and makes a sweeping gesture.
You take it to mean, Anything is okay.
He didn’t have the energy to write any more. His eyes slide closed but you tap his uninjured foot with your knuckle, making him jerk.
You say, ignoring his vicious glare, “I’ll let you sleep. I’ll wake you up when you’re supposed to eat something.”
He nods, eyes sliding closed and he waves you off, a little more purposefully. I’m too sleepy for this. You read from his behavior.
You close the bedroom door and move into the living room. You were going to have to work half-shifts instead of full ones to keep an eye on the animals until you could hire someone to house-keep. You had been looking for an assistant since even before your old boss had hurt himself, because of his old and your growing responsibilities at the clinic.
It takes you about an hour to send off some e-mails, inquiring about any veterinary assistants in any nearby town or fresh graduates who were interested in studying under you, before you move to make dinner.
The stranger had been sleeping soundlessly for hours, even after you check on him randomly, part of you worried about him somehow getting into your panty drawer or pulling a knife and trying to kill you, even though you know, logically, that he wouldn’t even be able to hold up a pencil let alone a weapon.
You make him porridge, full of nutrients and blended into something smooth and easy for him to eat, and you cook up some bulgogi and quinoa for yourself.
When you walk into your bedroom, you notice the air in the room edging on the cusp of stale so you open one of the windows and let in a gust of fresh Fall breeze. It was going to rain soon, probably later that night actually, from the heavy scent of rain on the wind, so you are grateful to you of days past for having already gone grocery shopping for the rest of the month.
Living with another person was going to burn you through the food you had a lot faster than you had planned so while you set up the food, you make a list of things you’ll probably need for him.
“Hey, Mister,” you say, shaking his shoulder, gently. “It’s time for dinner.”
Groggily, he rouses from his sleep. “Mmmm?”
“Dinner,” you repeat once his eyes are opened and he seems aware of his surroundings. You help him into a more seated position, not ignorant to the pain he must be in from the clenching on his jaw. “It’s only porridge. I tried not to make it spicy or too salty, but you have to let me know if it isn’t to your taste.”
He sniffs the broth and he gets a dazed look on his face. The man’s stomach gurgles, loudly, and he looks away, embarrassed.
“Can you manage by yourself?”
The man exhales before he nods, taking the spoon in a shaky grip. His eyes are big, all lost and frightened, and he waits, patiently, for you to place the bowl in his lap, a thin towel beneath it to assuage some of the heat.
You grab your own bowl of food from the tray on the desk and cross your legs. He stares at you, waiting, glancing between your bowl and your face, before he raises his eyebrows, expectantly.
He was waiting for you to start eating so you could eat together. You give him a small smile, which he returns with his own, kind and innocent.
“Bon appetit.“
The two of you eat in relative silence but whenever you glance up from your own bowl, you see him demolishingthe plate. He finishes long before you even get through half of your meal and he seems to want more if the eager look on his face says anything.
You swallow a mouthful and ask, trying to hide your amusement, “Are you still hungry?”
He chews his bottom lip as he nods, sincerely.
With a satisfied smile, you take his bowl, uncurling your legs to get off the bed and disappear into the living room. You feel his eyes on you from the bedroom, which looks directly into the kitchen area from where he is laying down.
“There’s plenty more if you like,” you tell him as you hand it back. This bowl isn’t as hot, and he takes his time with this one, eating slower and savoring the taste of each bite. His nostrils flare as he eats, brows twitching in interest as he eats.
He’s shockingly beautiful, even like this, bandaged and bruised.
You grab a new notepad, one of the loose-leaf paper ones you stole from the clinic to help you with your late-night studies.
“I can give you this to write in until we figure out a better way for you to communicate with me,” you tell him after tapping his leg to get his attention.
The man nods and excitedly takes the pad from you, putting it next to him before he goes back to the food. Clearly his priorities lay firmly with getting his sustenance before anything else.
Some time later, after you had washed up the dishes and had carefully changed his bandages, you ask, “How do you feel?”
He didn’t put a shirt on on your recommendation, to let the injuries air out, and you have to force your eyes to stop wandering. His chest is so much more impressive now that he’s conscious and in motion. Perfect wash-board abs, his detailed, dark pectoral tattoos shifting as his muscles move when he scribbles his responses down. He was an absolute specimenof a man, something to be studied in a book somewhere.
Suddenly, he turns the notepad around, surprising you, with a tight look on his face. Like I got run over by a semi-truck.
You snort a little, gesturing to his arm. “I took a bullet out of your shoulder. You’re lucky that you’re conscious. I still think being in a hospital would be better for you.”
He doesn’t even answer. The look on his face alone is enough to remind you of his staunch lack of a desire to go the official route.
“I got it,” you comment, exhaling in minor frustration. “I’ve thought of a name for you.”
He quirks a brow in curiosity. What is it?
“Jay,” you respond. “You have a neck tattoo of the letter. It’s pretty big, so maybe your name begins with it, or someone you care about has their initial. And this is a mocking jay bird on your inner arm.”
He gingerly raises an arm to touch the side of his neck, fingers tracing the lightly raised skin. I don’t even know what I look like.
You move to grab a hand-held mirror from your vanity and hold it up for him, at eye-level.
“You’re pretty,” you compliment as he looks at his own reflection in momentary fascination.
I’m handsome.
You roll your eyes at the proud expression on his face. He keeps looking at himself, tilting his head from side to side.
“Being smug isn’t a good look,” you retort, glibly. You remove the mirror, putting it back where it belongs, and stand, putting your hands on your hips. “I’m getting ready to go to sleep. You can take the bed, I’ll sleep on the couch.”
He stares at you, not comprehendingly, almost as if he doesn’t want to be alone. He scrambles to write something quickly. Why? The bed’s big enough for both of us.
“No offense, but you stink,” you tell him with a twist to your lips. “Plus, I don’t feel comfortable sharing a bed with a patient.”
His frown deepens slightly as he takes a covert sniff of his body, but his face twists into a grimace as he realizes you aren’t lying. Jay writes more down. I’m not your patient. You aren’t a doctor.
“I’m the one who stitched you up. I’m the closest thing you have to a doctor, Jay,” you respond, putting a hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. He looks up at you through his lashes before you say, “Get some sleep.”
Jay sighs, heavily, before he acquiesces, shuffling down on the bed and you switch off the lights, bathing him in darkness. You try to be quiet, milling around in the bathroom as you shower and ready yourself for sleep. With still damp hair, you walk back into the living room and stare down at the couch. You would be lying if you said that you hadn’t spent your fair share of nights on the couch, having got too lost in a late night whirlpool and slept there with the tv still playing in the background. You always woke up with a crick in your neck and some kind of new bruise from how you turn in your sleep.
You toss out the blanket on the couch and curl into a warm ball. You fall asleep to the calming sounds of the beginning of Fall rain, body relaxing in slow increments until you’re gone, drifting in a sea of comforting darkness.
In the middle of the night, you are jolted out of your sleep by the sound of thunder, clapping mercilessly loud in the distance. You get out of bed, your bladder calling for you to go to the bathroom. Once you’re done with your business, you wash your hands and come out of the bathroom, but something catches your attention.
A groaning sound.
But the sound was so unbearably sad that it made your heart ache.
You walk into the bedroom, quietly poking your head into the shadowy room to see Jay, his face contorted in agony, biting so hard on his lower lip that he had long broke the skin and was dripping blood down his chin.
Instantly you are by his side, reaching for his clenched fist by his side.
“Shh,” you murmur, patting his head in tender motions. You know he can’t hear you, but you keep muttering soft sounds, running your hands up and down his scalp, rubbing small circles on the back of his hands with your thumb. You used to get nightmares a lot as a kid, easily frightened by the smallest thing, so your mom often had to cuddle you back into sleep’s embrace this exactly way. You whisper, softly, “It’s okay. You’re safe.”
It doesn’t stop the nightmare from playing behind his eyes, but you notice a degree of tension leaving his body the longer you comfort him. His moaning and grumbling taper off, gradually, as you rub the crook of your finger up and down the side of his face, back and forth along the side of his jaw.
You keep petting him, shifting onto your side so you could wrap yourself around his trembling body. It felt more intimate than it actually was, knowing that you were only providing physical support to someone in need, but the optics were saying something different. You look into the mirror directly opposite to the bed, observing yourself. Hair messy, sleep still in your eye and lines from the cushion that you had been using as a pillow pressed into the skin of your neck and face.
It appeared too intimate for you to stomach, so you look away, embarrassed.
You move to get away once he had stopped gnawing through his lip, thinking your job done, but he whimpers like a struck animal and grabs your hand tighter.
He mouths words, but no sound comes out. Jay’s thick brows twitch in displeasure as he grabs your hand tighter, almost pulling you back into the pocket of warmth at his side and he settles quickly after.
“You’re going to be such a handful,” you grumble, shuffling a little to get comfortable in his iron-grip.
sum ᝰ park jimin looked at you like you held all the answers to the universe, playing it off as an endearing act of his, you don’t think much of it. until his sweet smiles and loving personality makes your stomach flutter and your heart skip a beat. but you’re his boss — the person who helped him escape his past and horrid boss, there was no way you could ever admit your feelings for him, even if he does say it first.
pairing ᝰ assistant!jimin x ceo!yn (slightly plus size but not much detail)
genre ᝰ fluff, angst, romance, smut, s2f2l.
word count ᝰ13.1k
warnings ᝰ curse words, strong mentions of physical abuse, yn is kinda mean, anxiety, depression, mentions of a stutter, mentions of a lost loved one, therapy, smut, blowjob, yn is so dumb, mentions of weight. i do say a size but it’s just for the story, imagine it as you’d like.
an ᝰ can we please ignore how bad i am at making banners AND choosing fic titles. but i was listening to say it first by sam smith and it just stuck but yay, i loved this idea and it’s not the most heart wrenching or deepest fic, but i thought it was sweet! thank you for reading! reblog, comment and do all that jazz if you liked it! wishing you all the best! :) <3
The first time you had ever met Park Jimin, he was trudging behind Baekhyun, a business partner of yours. His hair was slightly frazzled, to which Baekhyun sent him a harsh glare for. It was no secret the partner of yours was harsh, it’s how he got to be so successful, it still didn’t seem right to instill fear in your workers. But alas, you ignored it as Jimin pat his hair down, placing a few Manila folders across from you, his boss, and the other two individuals in the room.
The meeting went smoothly. Baekhyun presented his own numbers for your business’ integration for a section in your magazine and website. The other two were board members in charge of seeing it through, the ones to pick up messes and nitpick before the company blew up. Jimin rushed about the room at Baekhyun’s every command. It didn’t go unnoticed by any of you just how terrified Jimin was, eyes narrowing as his hands shook when handing the man a paper, which he yanked from his hold every time.
The meeting concluded and you bid the two goodbye, not having much time to look into the assistant and his boss.
The next meeting didn’t go as smoothly. Baekhyun’s proposals weren’t lining up, neither the numbers, story, or projector. It was a complete mess and the boss blamed his meek assistant who wore big round glasses. He cursed at the guy in the hallway, holding onto Jimin rather harshly.
Now, you weren’t a meek person. You couldn’t be meek when running a multi-million company, it simply wouldn’t work. It’s why you questioned every word that came from Baekhyun’s mouth, it’s why his angry look didn’t deter you from your clear path to success, it’s why you walked out of the conference room, ushering Baekhyun to continue with the meeting or you were officially through with him.
You ended the meeting, taking notice of how tense and tired your workers were. It frustrated Baekhyun who wanted to get the deal over with. “Don’t rush me.” Is all you had said as you walked out of the room, carrying your own folders.
The next meeting, Jimin wasn’t there. You had asked Baekhyun and he dismissed you by saying he had a cold. It didn’t sit right with you. The meeting went a lot smoother, and despite the protest from your board members, you continued going slow with the collaboration. Something just hadn’t sat right with you, even more with the past meeting and how badly he was messing up. You needed nothing but perfection and you didn’t seem to be getting it.
There were only two more meetings to go and the next, Jimin was back. It was only a week later and the black eye told you he wasn’t gone because of a cold. Whatever fucked up crap Baekhyun dealt with, he released his frustrations against his shy assistant.
You had asked him if he was alright, he responded with a shy smile, unable to look you in the eyes, assuring you he was fine. You couldn’t sit still for the rest of the meeting, watching as Jimin winced every time a single muscle in his face moved. Beckoning the intern watching from the end of the room, you send her off to fetch a bag of ice for the man.
“He really doesn’t need it.” Baekhyun tries as the intern hands the assistant the ice pack.
“Did I ask you?” You shut him down, the man now quiet as you send him one of your harsh looks.
The meeting went fine. The numbers he had messed up before were perfect. Too perfect for someone who was sweating while presenting. But you decide to ignore it for now, shaking his hand as it concludes, telling him of the plans to close the deal at the meeting that’s to come.
You spent the rest of your day in your office, only walking out when you needed to call someone to speak to. It was quite a hassle not having someone to do menial tasks for you but you made it work. Every assistant you had ever had was incompetent and only added much more stress onto your already stressful days.
Your last assistant, who you were very close to, was the last you felt you needed. He was young, but he was smart, graduating from Harvard in journalism and he wanted to rise through the ranks. You took him under your wing, you were harsh but you felt it was needed to get him to succeed and he appreciated it. You were the first person he went to when he found out his girlfriend was pregnant, and you congratulated him, to which he cried. It was a bit awkward but you gave him a small hug, telling him he’d be a good father.
His girlfriend, who you had met over dinner a few times, had asked you to be the godmother to their baby. You were taken aback of course, but she had confided in you that the only motherly figure Jungkook had was you and he spoke highly of you more than anyone he had ever met. You accepted, meeting Yoongi, the godfather, at the baptism recitals. Jungkook was over the moon to have two people he adored to help with his baby girl if anything were to happen. He had taken a three week break when his son was born, only to come back to find his desk empty.
He was terrified he had been fired but you got your intern to show him to his new desk, away from your office and into the space where the other hard hitting journalists sat. The goofy and emotional guy he was, he sprinted up to you, engulfing you in a big hug. A loud yelp came from your mouth as he picked you up off the floor, spinning you. You had reprimanded him after, warning him about boundaries but sent him a comforting pat to his shoulder as you walked off, wishing him the best.
That was almost two years ago. Assistants came and went, some left crying, others left cursing. But you didn’t care, who better to rely on than yourself?
It was when you were leaving your building that the security handed you a package that had been left for you. You thanked him as you walked over to your black, sleek car, ripping the top to grab the papers from inside. Your eyes skimmed across the numbers, the paragraphs detailing the deal you were set to close in a few days. The information led you to rushing back into your office, calling up your legal team and spending a long night conversing and going through the stacks of papers collected.
You burned that bridge with Baekhyun when he showed up to the meeting, cocky and fully ready to sign the deal, Jimin by his side. Your legal team spoke for you as you watched Baekhyun’s face contort from confusion, to anger, then to distress. He begged and pleaded with you to take a chance on him, his company was dying and he had no idea how to save himself.
“I’m not a bank.” You shrugged him off, only enraging him further. He topples over the table, ready to grab you, getting pulled by the security you had called up. You hadn’t even flinched as he was dragged out of the room, cursing and calling you every derogatory term he could scrounge up.
Jimin sat to the side, eyes wide at the scene. You watched him carefully, not catching a single second of doubt though. Just shocked that his previous boss would stoop so low as to hurt you, the most powerful person in the city.
You don’t get up from your seat as your legal team leaves, along with the intern you had been dragging to meetings with you. Instead, you turn in your seat, cocking your head to the side as you watch Jimin wiggle under your stare. “Was it the ice pack?” You ask, making him flinch slightly.
“I-I’m sorry?” He mumbles.
“Raise your voice when speaking to me.” He does as told, looking up at you and straightening his posture. “Did the ice pack fool you into believing I needed help?”
He shakes his head frantically, eyes wide. “N-no! I just… I don’t think I could live with myself if he brought you down with him.”
“So it was all for you? To clear your conscience?” You question. He stays silent, a shaky breath coming from his plump lips as he looks down at the floor in shame. “You can be honest.”
“… Yes.” He answers after a few seconds of silence.
You nod with a soft sigh, rising from your seat. He takes that as his cue to leave as well, rushing to the door. “Do you want to work for me?” Your sudden offer makes him stop in his steps, hand stilling on the handle of the room. “I like that you did it for you. You finally stood up for yourself.”
“I-I can’t work for you.” He shakes his head, refusing to look over at you.
“Why not?” You scoff. “I’ve seen how hard you work. You’re smart, diligent, and resourceful. What else could I want?”
“I think I’m done being an assistant.” He shrugs.
You nod, grabbing a business card from your wallet. Walking over to the guy, your hand touches his as you reach for the handle, opening the door. Pushing your card out to him, you continue to make your way out of the room. “Call me when you decide to work for me.”
He showed up a week later clad in an oversized vest, button up underneath it. He stuttered as he explained how he’d been dwelling over the offer and decided it was best for him.
That was two years ago, and you and Jimin were in the swing of things. He knew your schedule like the back of his hand, he knew your likes and dislikes, your allergies, your diets, your mother, and all that involved your life intertwining with his job. He was a bit slow at first, not used to doing actual tasks like organizing and actively learning to keep up with the business. His entire four years with Baekhyun were spent doing nothing but coffee runs and cleaning up after him. But he seemed to enjoy it.
Sometimes you had to reel back your harsh tone and looks, noticing how often he flinched over you. It wasn’t only you either, it would be anyone who held any authority over him and that made your heartache. You were intense when it came to work but not once had you ever threatened or hurt anyone who works or has worked under you. Baekhyun had done a real number on him and you made sure to go about it carefully.
It wasn’t until the first year into working with you that you admitted you went to therapy. He was shocked at your revelation, not seeing a therapist or any appointments in your shared google calendar. You told him you hadn’t wanted anyone to know, despite how normal your feelings were, you were still a woman running a business amongst men. No one could know you were even slightly “unstable” as a past partner had told you back when. You told him how it helped you come to terms with your fathers death and all the bad choices you made after. You hadn’t gone into much detail but you made sure to tell him that it was possibly the best move you could make and pointed out the free mental healthcare your company provided. Three months later he had admitted he took your advice and began seeing someone — there was a sparkle in his eye as he told you how much better he had been feeling.
Now, you were sauntering into your building, phone in hand with Jungkook trailing after you.
“I’m not lying!” He holds onto the strap of his bag, chasing after your lengthy strides.
“I’m not saying you’re lying. I’m just saying it doesn’t seem possible.” You reiterate.
“Are you saying my daughter isn’t smart?” He scoffs.
“No, I’m saying she’s three and there’s no way she solved world hunger with her babbles.”
“She can, though!”
“I’m sure she can, and when she does, I’ll gladly invest in it, but she barely knows how to say my name.”
Jungkook pouts from beside you, “you don’t believe in my little Hyuna.”
You scoff in turn, “tell that to her college fund.”
“You’re still with that? I’m not letting you pay for her college.”
“Why not? I have more than enough and I adore her. Plus, she’s gonna be a woman in STEM and I want to support her.”
“What if she wants to go into the arts?”
“Then she’ll go into STEAM.” You shrug.
“You’re by far the dumbest CEO I know.”
“Thanks.” You wave him off as you walk into your office, Jimin quickly getting up from his desk and following after you.
“Good morning, ____. Here’s your coffee.”
You wave your hand, clicking your computer on. “No coffee today.”
“Another diet?”
You turn up at him with a small smile, “yeah. My sister’s wedding is coming up and I’m a bridesmaid, I need to fit into that dress.”
“I think you look perfect.” He smiles brightly, eyes turning into crescents.
“As much as I love receiving compliments from you, I need those stats from the beauty department, bring them.”
“Sure thing.” His smile is still prominent as he rushes from the room, a small chuckle coming from your mouth at his sunny disposition.
He seemed to be doing much better when it came to his confidence and meek personality. He spoke louder now, rarely getting stuck on a word with nerves. He stood tall and proud, even slightly changed his work clothes to give off a stronger aura. But his sweet smile and shiny eyes contrasted him from the others clad in suits. It was nice though, everyone in the office confided in him and he had a ton of friends, even taking a liking to Jungkook immediately. You hadn’t known what his life was like before he started at your company, but it seemed better and you felt a sense of pride as you watched him go about his good days.
A few hours passed of work, both you and Jimin working alongside one another to better grasp it and hurry in time for lunch.
“Want me to bring your lunch in here?” Jimin asks from his spot across from you, stacks of folders surrounding him.
You don’t need to look away from your computer as you answer, “I’m not hungry. You go and have lunch.”
“It’s fine.” He shakes his head, “I had a big breakfast.”
You glance at him from the side of your computer as his stomach growls. Jimin looks mortified, cheeks tinting red at his obvious lie and loud body noises. “Jungkook’s going to be lonely without having anyone to eat with. Go, Jimin.”
“I-I don’t want to leave you.”
“You won’t be gone for long,” you can’t help but laugh at his cute words. “It’s just an hour, tops. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay… but I’ll bring you something.”
“Just some rice please.”
“Okay!” Your agreement to eating something sets him off, waving at you as he leaves your office.
You feel you can finally breathe when he’s gone. In no way did he make you uncomfortable, but lately, his bright smile and words of encouragement made your stomach flutter. It was a bit scary at first, how odd you felt around him all of a sudden, but you seemed to get used to it, choosing to ignore it.
The loud sound of your phone ringing brings you out of your nervous trance. You pick up the call quickly, putting it on speaker. “I told you not to call me during work hours.
“You’re so lame.” Your sister’s voice is heard from the other line.
“Is mom with you?”
“Uhm… no?”
You sigh, stapling a few sheets of paper together. “Hello, mother.”
“Don’t sound so formal.” Your mother’s familiar voice is heard. “We just called to check up on you.”
“No, you just called to see if I have a date.”
“Well, do you?” The older woman urges.
“It was the same this morning, it’s the same now.”
“Honey, you should put yourself out there some more! You’re stunning and any man would be lucky to have you.”
“Mom, she doesn’t need a date.” You hear your sister but your mom shushes her up.
“She’s right, I don’t need a date.”
“When did you become so rude? Listen to your mom!” She scolds, earning her an eye roll. You’re quite lucky she can’t see you, she would have definitely smacked you for the disrespect. “I can set you up on a blind date!”
“No way,” you shake your head fervently, scared at the idea. “Mom, those are the worst!”
“You dated Hoseok for a while, so they can’t be too bad.”
“Mom.” You deadpan, “we never dated.”
“Yes you did.”
“He’s gay mom.”
The line goes silent.
“Okay, my gaydar may be a little off but he was sweet, right? I can get you another sweet guy!”
“No.”
“Yes.” She ignores you. “A friend of mine, she’s got this CEO of a son too! His name is Namjoon, he likes art, long walks on the beach and he’s a hard worker. That’s right up your alley.”
“You don’t know what’s right up my alley.” You protest.
“He’s got these really cute dimples. He has a sweet smile. He’s kind too! He spends his time at an animal shelter and he has so many cute pictures posted with them!”
You can hear your sister cackle in the back, “mom, are you sure you don’t want to date him?”
“I might!” You can’t help but laugh at her admittance. “He should be snatched up!”
“You’re ridiculous.” You continue laughing along with your sister. Your mother was chastising your sister for teasing her, but it was all in good manners, you and your sister having a nice and lively time.
The conversation flowed back onto Namjoon and he seemed pleasant. His company wasn’t huge, but it was slowly getting there. He owned a record company, signing artists and getting them the recognition they deserved. After agreeing to stalk his socials, you were on your phone, family still talking and you skimmed through his photos. He was cute, dimples prominent in every picture. Some were of his dogs, which he had countless of them, others were at the shelter your mother referred to, and the others were of him with his trainees. He captioned all the pictures with sweet words, enticing enough to make you awe and smile.
“Do you want me to set it up?” Your mother asks one last time before having to go.
“Uhm…” you pause and think for a second. It had been a long while since you had a proper relationship. Taehyung had been your last, in the beginning of college but you broke up amicably by the end of it. Neither of you spoke but you followed one another on social media — he had a perfect partner and a kid on the way. It made you feel jealous. Not for him, you were long over him, but you wanted what he has. What Jungkook has. What your sister has with Jin. You wanted it. But then Jimin walked in. The same soft smile plastered on his face, carrying a few trays of food, coaxing it to you as he lifted it up. “I’ll get back to you.”
“Honey, someone’s going to steal him from you!”
“I’m hanging up.” You hum out, hanging up on the woman.
“Who’s stealing who from who?” Jimin asks, taking a seat on his previous chair across from you.
“Nothing.” You shrug, hoping he lets it go. And he does. “I didn’t get much done,” you admit, a sheepish look on your face. “My sister called.”
“That’s fine,” there goes the fluttering as he smiles. “That’s why I’m here.”
—
“Jungkook, enough!” You huff out with annoyance as he tugs your dress up from the sides. “It doesn’t fit!”
“Yes it does! You just need to suck it in a little more!”
“I can’t just suck it in!”
A knock on the door brings the two of you out of your fit. You were breathless, struggling with the dress that Jungkook tried to shove you into. “Are you two okay in there?” Jimin’s soft voice is heard.
“I need another hand!” Jungkook calls out but you quickly smack his hand away from the lock of the dressing room.
“Don’t you dare!” You seethe, face red with embarrassment. “We’re fine, Jimin. Can you call June for me?”
“Uhm… okay.” He sounds different, voice showing his timid self.
You turn back to Jungkook with a glare. “You can’t just offer him to head in here!”
“And why not?”
“He’s my assistant and my boobs are falling out?!”
“No they’re not,” he scoffs. “I would have left a long time ago out of respect for June if they were.”
“I was summoned.” June’s graceful voice is heard as she knocks on the door.
“My angel,” Jungkook happily sighs, opening the door and dragging her into the room. Your face flushed more, nervous that someone has to see you struggle with a dress. “____ needs help. She won’t suck it in.” He pokes your stomach.
“You shithead,” you threaten. “Don’t touch your boss like that!”
“Boss, shmoss. We’re way past that line,” he looks over at his girlfriend with a dopey smile. “Can you help us, baby?”
June brightens up at the thought of being able to dress you. “Of course! You’re going to be the prettiest girl at that wedding!” She giggles as she rushes to you, taking a glance at the size of the dress. “What size are you?” She questions.
“Eleven.”
“Jungkook, you idiot!” June glares at her boyfriend. “You’re suffocating the poor girl in a size nine!”
“It was an accident!”
“So I didn’t magically gain weight in just two days?” You sigh in relief, shoulders sagging down.
“How could you mess that up? You know what, never mind! Go to your daughter, I left her with Jimin.” She scolds the guy, ushering him out as he squeaks out a few apologies. “He’s an idiot.” She huffs out.
You can’t help but laugh at her words, “sorta.”
“It probably felt scary,” she sends you a sad look. “I know weight is tricky to handle… sorry he made you freak.”
“It’s fine.” You shake your head, sending her a kind smile as she reaches outside to grab your correct sizing. “I just didn’t exactly want to ruin my sister’s wedding. This dress doesn’t go higher than twelve.”
She lets out a puff of air. “Stupid brands. I don’t know why they can’t accommodate to bigger bodies. And I’m sure your sister would have understood.”
“She definitely would have,” you agree. “But the wedding is already putting her a little behind, getting new dresses would cost.”
“And I’m assuming she declined your offer to pay?”
You chuckle at her correct deduction. “Yeah. Something about not needing the ‘handout’ or whatever. I’m just always happy to help.”
“Yeah… uhm… I heard about the college fund thing.” She brings it up, a nervous smile on her face.
“Don’t stress it.” You try to calm her down. It was no lie she was intimidated by you, although it was a little weird at first, but Jungkook awkwardly admitted that you two were just polar opposites. She was the type of person who yearned to be a housewife, a mother, the type of woman who spoke softly and kindly. You weren’t any of those, and she often felt inferior compared to how far in life you had gotten to. “It was a half joke. I know you guys are saving up, I’m just offering to pay anything that isn’t met once she’s eighteen.”
“Of course, I just… I wouldn’t know how to accept that.”
“Well… it’s not really for you.” You admit, trying to be kind when speaking with her. “I love that little girl and it would ease all our minds if she got the education she deserves.”
“It would…” she nods, a small smile on her face. “We’ll pay you back.”
“You can pay me back when she’s got a stable career.” There’s a reassuring tone to your voice that she received loud and clear. “I promise I’m in no rush to get a few bills back. Knowing how hardworking you and Jungkook are, you’ll make the mark by then, so again, don’t stress it, okay?”
“You’re too kind.”
“Says no one ever.” You joke.
“Really!” She nods, helping you slip into your dress. “Everyone at your office always speaks highly of you!”
You feel weird as she compliments you, but you take in her words. “I’m just decent. It’s basic human decency.”
“Not just any person with basic human decency would help Nayeon pay for her daughter’s private school. Or give Soojin those paid days off to care for her mother. Most of your money goes to your employees than it does you — no business man or woman does that.”
You feel shy as she lists off your recent endeavors. You liked to keep them hidden, never speaking of them yourself but the people you helped loved to shower you with thanks, despite telling them it wasn’t necessary. You were just lucky to have the platform and wealth you have and you knew you wanted to use it well when you first started. It’s why your magazine, website, channel, and your shows were highly acclaimed. You and your workers told the truth and nothing but, mixed with fun tips, for all individuals alike. Honesty and kindness was very much needed and you are more than happy to give it away.
“By the way…” she trails off as she helps you zip the dress up. “Are you and Jimin dating?”
You still at her question. “Huh?”
“It just… he looks like a dorky little boyfriend following after you.”
You laugh nervously at her words, that annoying fluttering your stomach back as you speak of the guy. “He’s just a dork in general. And he’s my assistant, he has to follow me everywhere.”
She hums before patting the dress down for you, the both of you looking into the body length mirror. “You know that look Jungkook gets when I walk into a room?” You nod for response. It was grossly cute. The both of them would shoot up excitedly, eyes sparkling with unadulterated love. “That’s how he was acting when we met up.”
You deny her words by shaking your head, eyes wide. “No… he’s just a happy person.”
“Whatever you say.” She shrugs as she fixes up your hair. “Ready to show off your gorgeous self?”
“You flatter me too much.” You giggle, walking out of the dressing room with the woman. You feel nervous as you’re walking down the hallway and into the room you had rented out with your sister. Sadly, she couldn’t make it, having a few more cake tests with her fiancé, but you quickly rushed the lovely couple and your assistant who had been working all morning.
“Everyone, everyone, please, keep it in your pants.” June jokes as you fully walk into the room, shoes clacking against the marbled floor.
“How do I look?” You ask the two men, as the little girl squeals at the sight of you.
“Pretty auntie!” The little girl jumps up and down beside her father, clapping with excitement.
You send her a bright and loving smile. “Thank you, lovely.” You blow her a soft kiss, turning to look at her father. “Do I look like seaweed?” You ask, referring to the dark green color of the dress. He had teased about it before and promised to edit a picture of the dress next to a piece of seaweed.
“Slightly pretty seaweed.” He admits, making the two of you laugh. It’s then that you turn to Jimin, wanting to hear his opinion, but the awestruck look on his face makes your face feel hot.
“Is it nice?” You hadn’t ever felt so unsure of yourself, looking down at the pretty dress. It was a dark green mermaid dress with a slit at its side, showcasing your smooth leg. The upper half was built as a corset but it didn’t tighten like one usually did. Your shoulders are out on display with the off the shoulder top. It was pretty, despite the risky color, sure the hues would look just fine at the venue.
“You-you… uhm…” he coughs, turning away from you with a quick motion. “You l-look beautiful.” This time, it’s not just your stomach that flutters, heart skipping a beat at his kind compliment.
—
It would be a huge risk to ever get into a relationship with anyone you worked with. Your position stood higher than anyone else’s and it was a clear abuse of power. What if you asked someone out and they only agree because they’re afraid to lose their job? It wasn’t safe for your company.
But the more time that passed, the more you felt your mind ridden with thoughts of Jimin. Of his sweet smile, the way your hands would meet when you accidentally go for the same paper, the way his eyes shine bright when he spots something he likes, or the way he bites his plump lip when in deep concentration. You were completely enraptured with the thought of him and it wasn’t okay.
“I’ll go on the date.” You tell your mother as she sits in your office, clad in her typical two piece she often wore.
“Eeek!” She squeals, jumping up from her seat. “You’ve made me the happiest mother!” She takes your figure and wraps her tiny arms around you.
“Okay, okay, simmer down.” You groan, pulling from her hold. “It’s only one date. We probably won’t even click.”
“Don’t be so negative! You two are meant to be, I just know it!”
“Yeah, yeah,” you shrug her off. “Give him my number.”
“Already did.”
You turn to her with a look of bewilderment. “Mother, you can’t give out my number without my consent.”
“But he’s your soulmate.”
“And you’re insane.”
“I’ll ignore that because I’m too happy.” The knock on your door makes your mother turn, smiling as Jimin walks in. “Jiminie!” She greets him kindly as he bows respectfully to her.
“It’s lovely to see you again, ma’am.” His beautiful smile is on display, making you turn away before you get too wrapped up in him. “Just here to drop off some reports.” He displays the Manila folders, placing them onto your desk.
“Thank you.” You send him a stiff smile, turning immediately, missing the way his face falls.
“Jimin, I’m going to need you to make reservations at the best restaurant in the city.”
“Definitely, ma’am, could I ask who I should put it under?”
“The future wife and son-in-law!” She squeals like a schoolgirl.
“Mom,” you scold the older woman, sending Jimin an apologetic smile. “Stop being obnoxious.”
“Oh, would it be for your sister and her fiancé?” He questions, turning to you for confirmation.
“No, just my name.” You confirm.
“I finally got her to agree to a blind date and I’m getting a little ahead of myself,” your mother giggles. “Sorry!”
It’s eerily quiet for a second, Jimin’s mind catching up with the words thrown at him. Hesitantly, you look up at him, a shocked look on his face. “Don’t look too shocked, some people do find me pleasant.” It’s a joke (partly) but Jimin doesn’t seem to catch on.
“N-no! I-I… I know people find you pleasant! Not that I don’t. I do. I find you pleasant. More than pleasant actually. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you aren’t pleasant. Because you are. Like I’ve stated. Many… many… times.” He clears his throat as your mother watches the exchange with a raised eyebrow. “I-I’ll, uhm… I’ll make the reservations now.”
“Jimin.” You call out to the guy before he makes his way out of your office. He turns around rather quickly, making your mother jump in her spot, the room full of awkward tension. “I haven’t told you for when.”
He nods, refusing to look up at you. And just like that, timid Jimin is back.
—
“Do you want to look at me?” You question as you stand across from a kneeling Jimin whose hands shook as he picked up the spilled sheets.
“I-I’m busy.”
“I’m your boss, I’ll make sure you un-busy yourself.”
“That… that shouldn’t be happening.”
That was just the first occurrence. When you asked him to bring you lunch, he placed it quickly on your desk and left the room. Next, he assured you he could do his work from his desk outside. He wouldn’t come knocking at your door like he usually did, with a cup of water or snacks. He didn’t come skipping into your office to tell you of the latest gossip in the office, despite you not liking it, but it was nice to be kept in the loop.
It had gone on for a few more days until the day of your date. You had gone into work dressed a bit more prettier than you have before, sure you wouldn’t be able to go back home and change. Your pants were long and a black velvet touch. They flowed nicely down your legs but were tight around your waist, accentuating your curves. Your top was just a buttoned up Chanel tweed jacket, a black and white pattern drawn on it. You matched it with black Saint Laurent Opyum heels, and the prettiest jewelry dangling from your wrists, neck, and ears. You received countless compliments from your hard workers while heading into your office.
Sitting at your desk, you hopped right into your work, dismissing Jimin, sure he wasn’t up for talking like he had the past few days. It didn’t sit right with you to leave things so tense with him, but you also didn’t want to push him into telling you what the problem was. It would only push him further from you and it could be quite scary and triggering considering his past. You let him be. Despite how badly you wanted him to walk back into your cold office with his warm smile.
Clicking the intercom on your phone, you call the man up right after lunch. He doesn’t rush into your room like he usually does. “When I tell you to come quickly, I mean it.” You scold him. Despite what he was holding against you, he couldn’t fall behind in his work.
“I-I’m sorry.”
“I’m not asking for an apology. Just don’t do it from here on out.”
He nods, writing down all you needed him to do for the remaining hours of work. You felt a twinge of guilt at his shaky hands, but you couldn’t baby him at this time — despite how either of you were feeling, you needed to keep going or you’d end up risking a fallout with your channel. But you speak before he could leave, “I don’t mean to be mean. You’re due for a promotion and having you slack off only means you won’t receive it and I don’t want that for you.”
He nods, eyes still on the floor as he leaves the room. You let out a saddened sigh, rubbing at your temples in exasperation. The small ding from your phone makes you feel a bit of relief. ‘Can’t wait to see you! :)’ reads a text from Namjoon. Despite how kind he’s being, you ignore his message, putting your phone on silent, ignoring the world.
“Woah,” Jungkook pretends to grimace, covering his eyes with his hand at the sight of you.
“What?” You question frantically. “Do I look bad?”
“Your beauty just blinded me!” That earns a scoff from you, trying to hide your shy smile. He removes his hand with a laugh, poking at the dangling hoop from your ear. “Why are you so dolled up?”
“I’ve got that date, remember?”
“Oh yeah, with that Joon guy.” He nods, taking his cup of coffee in the cupboard of the office lunch room. “You excited?”
You shrug, glancing around the room. The space was small, a simple couch in the corner, a table in the middle and your typical kitchen appliances. It wasn’t used often, only for some in-between snacks and coffee, the cafeteria in your building being used more often.
“Aw, come on, it’s your first in like two years. Liven up.” He hums as he takes a sip of his warm coffee.
“I’m just a little nervous.” You admit. “It’s been too long. What if it goes deadly quiet. I’m bad at keeping conversation going.”
He looks at you as if you’ve grown two heads. “Aren’t you the person who single handedly took down Park Jinyoung?”
“I didn’t take him down.” You scoff, tapping your acrylic nails against the white table.
“I’m pretty sure you destroying his company and dragging him for filth in your ‘Women’s Architect’ section of every platform of yours, is considered destroying him.”
“The women he hurt destroyed him. I simply wrote.”
“Wrote a dissertation and built up an entire case of all his crimes. You stood across a courtroom of people and didn’t stutter once. I’m sure you can figure out how to talk to a guy.” He shakes his head, trying to dismiss your bad feelings.
“Okay… but even then, I know how to destroy men, not speak sweetly to them.”
He lets out a chuckle at your admittance. “Men are weak. Just talk to him like you speak to a child, slow and careful. I’m sure he’ll like that.”
“I’m not treating my date like a child, that’s condescending.”
“Most men are.” He shrugs.
“You bear a lot of hatred towards your kind.”
“What can I say? Men are trash.” You laugh at his ridiculous smile.
It goes quiet for a second as Jungkook happily sips on his coffee. Your mind is running before deciding to ask what’s on your mind, “do you know what’s wrong with Jimin?” Jungkook turns to you with a raised eyebrow. “He won’t speak much to me and he seems terrified again.”
“He’s not so much terrified as he is upset.”
You feel your heart drop at his words. “Did I do something to upset him?”
“Not purposefully.”
“Do you want to tell me what I did?”
“No can do,” he clicks his tongue repeatedly. “I’d be breaking bro code.”
“Just now you hated all men, now you’re protecting one?” It’s a joke, but you’re sure he can see how badly you wanted to know how Jimin was.
“He’s my best friend,” he laughs at the worried look on your face. “I can’t do him like that.”
You scoff, “I was your friend first.”
“I’ll give you a clue since you’re too stupid to notice —
“That’s not nice.”
“This all started when you made him make you reservations for a date.”
“Does he not like his job?”
Jungkook sighs, putting his cup down in the sink. “You’re a lost cause.”
—
By the time night time rolls around, all of your employees are gone, as well Jimin. You hadn’t even been able to bid him a goodbye, sprinting out of the office once the clock hit five. It irked you a bit, but you figured he had a bad day — you had scolded him a few times too many. It was better he shake the day off instead of staying and perhaps messing up more with his muddled mind. And it happened at times, so you wouldn’t hold it against him.
But you couldn’t stop thinking of Jungkook’s so-called hint. The day he had walked into your office, not much had happened. Your mother behaved when you told her to, so it couldn’t be her mouthy self that made him upset. You hadn’t done anything either, other than make him rush to your drying cleaners and pick up your dress for a gala you need next week. But that was as far as you had gotten — it was an uneventful day.
You sigh, shaking your thoughts away, not wanting to be tense when you meet up with Namjoon, which was just a half an hour away. Putting your long jacket over your figure, you make way to grab your bag, only to jump when the door to your office is pushed open. You let out a small yell but calm down when you catch sight of Jimin, in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt too big for his small figure. His hair is messy, chest rising up and down as if he had sprinted up to the highest floor.
“Jimin? What’s wrong? Did you leave something behind?” You ask, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “I’m just heading out, do you think you can lock up if you’ll be here long?”
“Don’t go.” The look of confusion doesn’t go missed by him. “Don’t go on the date.”
“What?” You watched him carefully, “why not?”
“B-because…” he stutters, refusing to look at you. You put your bag down onto your desk, worried. “I-I, I… uhm…”
“Jimin,” you call out soflty. “Are you okay? If this is about today, I’m sorry for being harsh. You know I only do it to help—”
“I love you!” The room goes quiet at his sudden loud words. You take a step back at his loud voice, face falling. You can feel your heart beating hard against your chest, worried for him. “I-I don’t want to be sappy… but I can’t help it. I… I think I’ve loved you from the first day I met you. You were kind and you spoke so confidently — it was weird. I-in a good way!”
“Jimin…”
“I liked that you didn’t take any crap from Baekhyun, I like that you didn’t let him deter you from your business, I like that you took pity upon his lowly assistant and fetched some ice for me. You were the first person to show me kindness in so long. Even to this day — everything you do, you do for your workers, your company, you do it for me. Even when you’re yelling at me, I-I can’t help but love you more because you’re doing it to help me rise in your company. You’re that good.”
“Jimin, please…”
“I like that you like to mess around with your mother and sister, despite pretending you hate it when they’re around. I like that you bring Hyuna into your office when Jungkook has to care for her for the day. I like that you give everyone opportunities that they deserve. God, you’re such an amazing person and how everyone in the office hasn’t fallen madly in love with you is shocking but I did. I fell madly in love with you and I don’t… I can’t handle the idea of you going on a date with some random guy.”
“Jimin.” You breathe out shakily, mind muddled with his long and strong confession. Your stomach, the butterflies that you often felt for him dropped, sitting in your stomach, leaving an unsettling feeling. But your heart was completely different. It beat hard, a slight wave of excitement and happiness being covered by the bad emotions. “I’m your boss.”
“I-I don’t care. I’ll quit if I have to.” He rushes towards you, taking a hold of your hands.
“You shouldn’t have to quit your job for anyone.” You shake your head, refusing to let your feelings get the better of you. “I thought we talked about this? You can’t let others get in the way of your future.”
“I want you as my future.” He sounds as if he’s pleading with you. He lets out a small laugh as he begins once more, “I remember I used to be made fun of for telling my teacher’s that all I wanted in life is to be a good husband. No boy ever said that, they all wanted to be an astronaut or another cool job. But me… I always wanted someone I could be good to, someone I could love and care for until the end of time. I want that with you.”
“You don’t.”
“You can’t tell me what I’m feeling,” his beautiful eyes, the ones that hide when he smiles so bright were wide open, tears brimming them. “And I know you feel the same.”
You shake your head, pulling away from him. “I don’t.” He calls out for you, but you’ve grabbed your purse. “I expect to see you here tomorrow at 9 AM sharp.”
“Wait, no—”
“I can’t accept your feelings, Jimin.” It takes everything within you to turn him down. To take in his sweet words and not hold him, certain that those little things you felt around him meant the same. “I’m your boss. Nothing more, nothing less. Nine, tomorrow.”
“I-I…” he rushes after you, the sound of your heels clicking is the only thing heard as you make your way out of your office. You feel your hands shaking but you bring them up, hoping it goes undetected. “___, stop.”
“I’m running late.”
You make way into the elevator, pressing the button for the garage. You pray and hope the beloved guy doesn’t rush into the enclosed space with you… and he doesn’t. Rather, he stands ahead of the elevator, looking into the space and at you with such a pained look. You have to turn your head away, your own eyes brimming with tears at the sight of his hurt face.
“I… I quit…”
You nod your head, despite how frantic you feel at his resignation. “Okay. Send HR the official letter.” Is all you say before the doors close, giving you the space you had been begging for. Your back lays against the smooth wall, heart aching as a small sob racks your body.
—
“Do you know what fractions are?” You’re not yelling, but your tone is serious as you stare down at your office of employees. “Half of you are Ivy League graduates and you don’t know simple fractions?” The office is silent as you stare down at them.
You slam the folder down onto the nearest desk, making the intern jump up. “Who’s the dumbass who handed this in?”
Quiet once more. “That’s fine.” You scoff. “I hire my workers for their honesty, if you need help, you have a ton of resources and people around you. Don’t just sit on your desk like a moron, waiting on me to coddle you!” Now you were yelling. The smartest people you knew were staring back at you with wide and scared eyes, and it only irked you further.
“Jeon Jungkook.” Your glare is turned to the man who shot up from his seat. “Get your ass in my office. Now.” He shares a pitiful look with his coworkers who all push him into the lion’s den. But you ignore it all as you saunter back into your office.
It was a mess. There were papers strewn about the place and you felt as if you were going crazy. Nothing was organized, nothing was highlighted the way you liked it, and you had barely eaten without the constant nagging of the guy whose glasses you detested.
“Y-yes, ma’am?”
“Why the hell are you calling me ma’am?” You scoff, sitting at your desk. “Pick this up for me.”
He lets out a chuckle, “yeeaaah, no.” He shakes his head which only earns him a glare as he plops down onto the chair across your desk.
“I wasn’t asking.”
“I don’t really care.” He shrugs, kicking his feet up on your desk. “You should call him.”
“I’m not begging for him back.”
“I’m not saying to beg. But apologize.”
“Apologize for not liking him back? I have nothing to apologize for.”
“Could have let the man down better.” There goes that heinous shrugging.
“I don’t need to coddle a man when I reject them.”
“Why are you acting as if you don’t like him back?” There’s confusion evident on his face.
“I’m his superior.”
“You’re my superior and you let me run about this place.”
“I’m not dating you.”
“But you are the godmother to my daughter.”
“I’m still not dating you.”
“And you’re the boss. You make the rules.”
“Exactly. I need to set an example.”
He scoffs, “what example?”
“Of not abusing my power!”
“How is it abusing your power? He confessed to you. You never held anything against him… like ever. I just don’t understand how you’re looking at all this.”
You sigh dramatically, dropping your body further into your chair. “How is he?”
“Sad.”
“He shouldn’t be.”
“You can’t tell him how he should feel.”
“I’m not even all that. Tell him to move on. He’s young and pretty — he’ll get better.”
“Hmm.” The guy hums out, nodding as he looks about the room. “I know you’re like deathly afraid you’re going to become Baekhyun—”
“Who said that?”
“But this isn’t a Baekhyun situation.” He ignores your scoff. “Baekhyun treated him like he was scum. Beat him when he didn’t match the pace he wanted him to. You haven’t given any indication that you would hurt another person in such a malicious way.”
“But he abused his power.” You repeat, hoping your point comes across. Because he was right. Baekhyun was the type of man you detested, the type of man that you worked for before you managed to make it big by crawling to the top. You knew what it felt like to only say yes because your career was on the line and Jimin did too. How could you ever look your peers in the face after pulling such a cruel act? “I’d be abusing my power. I’d be another Baekhyun and that guy can not… he can’t go back to being a wimpy kid who fell to his knees for everyone.”
“First of all, harsh.” You roll your eyes.
“You know I mean to harm, but you saw how often others would throw their work at him because he couldn’t say no.”
“Yeah… but he’s so much better. I don’t remember the last time he ever agreed to something he didn’t want. Working here, under you specifically, has changed him for the better. I’m not gonna say some sappy shit like ‘you changed him’ because you and I both know that’s not true — you’re sort of a bitch.”
“I can literally fire you for that.”
“He changed for himself and he did it because you helped him out of a situation that beat him down. That’s all you did. The rest? He did it himself. He worked to get to a comfortable place in his life because his circumstances changed and that… that’s beautiful. He saw the beauty and hope in that because he’s cheesy as hell, and you can’t blame him for falling for the amazing woman who yelled at him a little too much.”
You sit in silence, taking his words in. And he was damn right. Jimin was a strong person, he had been through more than half of your friends and family had ever gone through in life. Yet, he stood tall, always kind and always bright. It was almost unbelievable to you how strong an individual could be in such a situation — you weren’t even sure if you were strong enough for it. But he is. Park Jimin is the epitome of complete hard work and passion that you struggled with and he was the only person who could ever make you stumble.
“How was the date with Namjoon?”
“We’re both hung up on other people.” You sigh, grabbing a pen and placing it between your fingers, moving it anxiously.
“So you admit it.” The smile on his face makes you roll. “Do what you will with what I said, but I think you two could work nicely together.”
“Jungkook?”
“Yes, Wonder Woman?”
“Call me a bitch again and I’ll fire you with absolutely no severance.”
“You love me too much for that.”
“You’re fired.”
—
Despite your date with Namjoon going in a completely different direction, you still kept in contact. He sent you countless threads of messages cooing at how the head of his legal team was utterly adorable. In return, you kept him updated on your own situation. He listened to your rant a few nights ago, where he not once interrupted you. He was a great friend, and you were glad you went to that tasty restaurant that night.
Now, he was sitting besides you as you and all the other bridesmaids spoke to your sister.
Your sister immediately took a liking to him, and you felt like a third wheel as they clicked. Your sister teased you with the fact that he really was perfect and mom would snatch him up. You shrugged it off though, letting the makeup artist fix you up. Your silence didn’t go undetected by her, giving Namjoon a look which he oddly understood within the two hours of knowing her. He ushered the other bridesmaids out of the room, promising to give out the number of his most promised artist, leaving you and your favorite person in the messy room.
“Want to tell me what’s wrong.”
“Not really.”
“It wasn’t actually a question,”
You scoff, “you’re a horrible sister.”
“Cry about it.”
You sigh, turning in your seat to face her. She sat in her comfortable chair looking beautiful. Her face was painted with the most expensive makeup she could get her hands on, for the picture of course. She wore a simple white slip which would be worn under her white dress for the most romantic day of her life. She was the epitome of absolute beauty and grace. You couldn’t lie and say you didn’t envy her growing up, but as you grew older, you realized she was just as human as you, strengthening your bond.
“You never told me how you and Jin met.” You watch as her eyes brighten at the mention of her beloved fiancé. You almost scoff at the loving look.
“God… it feels like you so long ago.” She hums, reminiscing on their love story. “I hated him.”
Your eyes widen at her admittance. “What?”
She nods, popping her mouth. “He was the worst. So cocky, entitled, his ego was through the roof.”
“Ew.” A grimace falls on your face, slightly shuddering. “How the hell did you fall for him? How the hell is he not any of those things? He’s the nicest person I know.”
“It took a lot of work.” She laughs at the shock on your face. “You know how I was in Alpha Phi?” You nod. “He was in Delta Chi. We didn’t interact much at first, not until the president of our sorority started dating the president of his frat. We were all pushed to one another from there, all our fundraisers and community service began to mesh up simply because Hera and Daniel wanted to spend time together.”
“This is like out of a romcom.” You moved around your seat, finding comfort in your sister’s story and love filled words and trance.
“One of my sorority sisters was hung up on him. The douche he was, he slept with her and completely ghosted her.”
You gasp, “what an ass!”
“Right? I tell him that to this day!” The two of you share a giggle. “But she pushed me to ask him if he had a girlfriend, because despite how loved he was on campus, no one actually knew a thing about him. And so I asked. The little shit thought I was interested in him!”
You scoff. “Little shit.” You reiterate her words.
“God, he was so annoying. He hung around me like a lost puppy. He was cocky, swore I’d fall for him, swore he’d make me see how much I was supposedly missing.”
“Men and their egos.” You roll your eyes.
“I can’t lie… he was stunning… so I sorta liked the chase but I knew I wouldn’t give him any time of day. But he still stuck around, even when my sorority sisters would glare him down, the ball of weirdness stayed by my side. I don’t know how it happened… but after a few arguments in the beginning, we just sorta became friends.” She shrugs, fidgeting with the bottom of her slip. “He gave up on chasing me and I was more than happy. We fell into a nice friendship. Remember Uriel?”
“Ugh, that douche you dated your junior year?”
“Yeah… Jin didn’t like him. At all. They couldn’t even be in the same room. And… well, you know how that went down.” And you did. The sorry excuse of a man cheated on her and in turn blamed her for being friends with other men (for being friends with Jin really.). It was around the same time you began to realize your sister was just like you. Lost and reeling from the pain of losing the one man who was supposed to stick by your side forever. “I wallowed in pity with him. He helped me out of my slump and I won’t exactly go into details, but we argued. Big time. Worse than ever before and split. No texts. No glances. We acted like we didn’t know one another.”
Your eyes widen as you remember what happened next. You were a senior in high school, sitting around the kitchen island when Seokjin showed up to your home, drenched and carrying some messed up flowers. Your sister scolded him that night, “there’s a hurricane warning!” she yelled as she dragged him in. Now, you were too entranced in your own messed up love life with Taehyung (who you had barely begun the talking phase with) that you hadn’t realized what was really happening.
She had dragged him into the house where you ran up to your room, giddy to speak to Tae. Your mother though, she watched as her eldest continuously scolded the man who looked at her like she hung the stars. She excitedly told you of how your sisters promised she’d hate him until the end of time if he ever pulled such a dangerous stunt until he asked to kiss her, despite her anger. She had said no and he respected it. The two sat in silence after that until your sister had enough and kissed him first.
You and your mother squealed together that next morning and teased the two of them when she made breakfast for you all. Despite not having the biggest age gap, Seokjin treated you like a sister. But the one you would tease and punch the number amount of times on their birthday. You spent countless nights at the apartment later on, broken after you were fired by the boss who took you for granted. You spent countless nights in their living room when you were so broke you couldn’t afford to buy yourself basic necessities such as toothpaste.
And throughout it all, you saw how much they loved one another. It wasn’t the type of relationships you saw throughout college — toxic. Always fighting, jealousy, forbidding things from one another. It was the healthiest relationship you had seen, besides your parents of course. But you had such perfect examples of love your entire life, you felt embarrassed for being such a wimp.
“Why do you ask?” Her interest is piqued as she watches you shut your eyes right with a loud groan.
“I think I’m in love.”
“With Jimin.” It’s not a question, rather, a statement.
You perk up, looking at her carefully. “How do you know?”
“Mom called me the day you agreed to the blind date. We had our suspicions in the past but she confirmed it with the way he reacted.”
“And you guys didn’t tell me anything?” You hiss out, smacking her arm.
“What were we supposed to do?” She laughs at your distress. “You’re the most emotionally constipated person we know. We sorta figured you would go to him on your own terms.”
“What if I had wafted towards Namjoon?”
“You would have never fallen for that dork.” She scoffs.
You smile gently, thinking of your bigger dork. The guy whose main wardrobe piece was those hideous vests he loved. The guy who’s glasses fogged up when he was nervous around you. The guy who made sure you took care of yourself throughout the day, refilling your bottle with water or bringing you light meals because you were on another crazy diet. The guy who managed to fight against every scary thought of his to confess, only for his nightmares to come true. You rejected him without a second thought. Tossed him to the side as if he meant nothing to you.
A loud knock on the door makes you both jump. “It’s just me!” Jin’s familiar voice is heard. “Can I come in? There’s some annoying guy in my room trying to get me to join his company!”
You and your sister snicker at the thought of Namjoon chasing after the beautiful man. “Okay, but close your eyes.” Your sister rushes to open the door for him.
“Are you in your dress already? I’m going to cry if you say you are.” He questions as he stumbles into the room, hand placed over his eyes.
“I’m not, love.” Your sister laughs at her fiancé. “But my makeup is too pretty to spoil.”
He lets out a loving sigh, holding onto her hand with his free one. “You look so pretty.”
“You can’t even see me.” She laughs.
“I don’t need to! I can feel it around me. Like this pretty aura.”
“You guys are so gross.” You groan in your seat, yearning to be as sickly sweet as the two.
“Hey, bug.” Seokjin greets you, “ready to party?”
“I’m ready to gouge my eyes out. Seriously, you guys are gross.”
“Don’t be mean to my beautiful fiance on her wedding day!”
“Jinnie, guess what?” Your sister squeals excitedly. “___’s in love!”
“With Jimin?”
“Yes!”
“Why does everyone know this?”
“Whatever your mom tells your sister, she tells me. It’s, like, rule number one to dating. Always tell your significant other.”
“Whatever.” You scoff, a smile on your face as you watch the two giggle to one another.
—
“Jeon Jungkook, I’m going to kill you!”
“There’s a child in the car! I can’t drive faster!”
Hyuna giggles in her seat as her mom coos at her. The two were dragged out of the after party to the beautiful ceremony your sister had. Their vows made everyone in the church cry, you ended up awkwardly comforting one of the aunts whose perfume made you want to sneeze. You felt a bit bad rushing out from your sister’s party after the toasts, but she urged you to go after Jimin.
Now, you were in Jungkook’s hideous dad car, a van painted a hideous shade of green. There were toys sprawled about the vehicle, and a few splatters of food from the toddlers previous lunches. From when? You were too scared to ask. You never wanted children.
“No, idiot, you passed his house!”
“Oh.” He shrugs, turning back around. “Sorry… it’s weird not having a screen for the GPS.”
“Hey, what happened to your old car? It was prettier than this contraption.” You look around the inside of the car. The seats were all a suede material, an ugly tinge of grey.
Summary: Everyone warned you that your high school sweetheart, Jae, was trouble, but you ignored them. You became trouble itself, but it was for love - that’s what you told yourself, anyway. Jae became corrupt and practically ran you into the arms of another man. You’d fallen in love with rival gang member Park Jimin, and Jae had plans to get revenge.
Hoseok was weary on how to suggest his newfound plan to you and Jimin. “I know how to get you and Y/N off of Namjoon’s radar.” Jimin immediately turned his head to face Hoseok. He was all ears for anything at this point.
“What is it?”
“You do what I did, make Namjoon think you’re dead!” Hoseok felt like a genius, he couldn’t believe that he was the first person to think of this plan.
Jimin’s first instinct was to decline and think of a different plan. In Hoseok’s case, he lost everything. Contact to family, contact to friends, and his own identity. It didn’t sound like a good idea to him, but he’d consider anything if he could be with you. “How is that going to work? You barely pulled it off.”
Hoseok pondered this for a minute. Jimin did have a good point and it was more unlikely to succeed due to the fact there would be two people’s deaths to fake.
“Romeo and Juliet.”
“What?”
“Romeo and Juliet! You know, Juliet “dies” and Romeo can’t live without her because he loves her so much? Too bad she wasn’t really dead…”
“So how do you presume we kill off Y/N in the first place? Only Namjoon is after her. How else would she be killed if it isn’t by his own hands?”
A thought occurred to you as you saw Jungkook kicking the ground and looking at the ceiling.
“Jungkook, would you be willing to go back to Namjoon and lie to him?”
“What do you mean, Y/N?”
“I mean, so you’re not in trouble AND it helps us. Tell Namjoon you killed me! That will explain why you left and will instill more trust in you with him.”
“I don’t know about this, you guys…” Jungkook sighed, and avoided eye contact with all parties. “This doesn’t sound like the safest thing.”
It wasn’t a safe plan in the slightest, but it was all they’d come up with so far. They couldn’t run from Namjoon forever. “Jungkook, we will make sure that nothing happens to you.” Hoseok said, placing his hand on the younger’s shoulder.
Jungkook took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
Over the course of the rest of the night, the four of you brainstormed how exactly this was going to go down. You decided that Jungkook was going to tell Namjoon that he shot you in the head, and that Jimin couldn’t stand to live without you and shortly killed himself thereafter.
Jungkook left the house early the next morning so he would get to the headquarters at a decent time. He recited the story to himself on the way there so that he’d have no problem telling it to Namjoon.
He pulled up outside the warehouse and took a deep breath before opening his car door. The walk up to the door seemed long, mainly because his nerves were out of control. What if Namjoon didn’t believe him?
Namjoon opened the door before Jungkook had the chance to knock. “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been calling you for days. Get in here.” He shut the door behind Jungkook. “Why do you look so antsy?”
“I have good news, sir. Very good news.” Jungkook held his hands together in front of him in an attempt to contain the nerves.
“Tell me.”
“They’re both dead.”
Namjoon knew who he wanted Jungkook to be referring to, but he had to be safe. “Specify. Who is ‘they’?”
Jungkook’s throat was dry and it felt like he had a lump in his throat. He could bribe old men to give him guns for a discount for days, but the second he tried to lie, it was game over. “You know, they…” Jungkook started, trying his hardest to keep his eyes locked on Namjoon. “Jimin and the girl.”
Namjoon was weary. He couldn’t tell if he was being serious. “How’d they die, give me the joy of telling me in detail how they died. Did you kill them? You might be up for a raise if that’s the case.”
“Yes, sir.” Jungkook was definitely sweating. His hands were moist and he couldn’t help but stutter as he spoke. “I killed Y/N, the girl, first. I shot her.”
“No way. She was your first kill, yes?” Namjoon led Jungkook into the kitchen and sat him down. He took a seat in front of him. Crossing his leg over the other and intertwining his fingers with each other. “Go on.”
“I showed up where they were staying, it was really easy to find actually. Some shithole in the city. I told them I wanted to help them and they believed me.” This whole lying thing wasn’t so hard anymore, Jungkook said to himself. “I shot her when Jimin was asleep. I told him that you broke in and that I tried to stop you. He believed me.”
Namjoon chuckled. “You told him that? You really are a good liar. Continue.” He raised an eyebrow as he listened intently to the rest of Jungkook’s story.
Jungkook paused, realizing that he’s changed parts of the story. He may have ruined everything. May have. “He.. he said he couldn’t live without her. Jimin killed himself. He took a bunch of pills. I… I didn’t want him to do that, I wanted you to be the one to kill him. Wouldn’t that have been great?”
“Yeah, great. Listen, here’s what’s going to happen, okay? Listen closely, Jungkook.” Namjoon uncrossed his legs and pulled a pistol from his belt, loading and cocking the hammer. “You’re going to tell me the truth. Tell me why you’re here, and then you’re going to admit that they aren’t really dead. We both know that, right? As much as I’d just love for them to be dead, that isn’t what happened, is it?” Namjoon shook his head, answering his own question before Jungkook had the chance. “So now, you’re going to tell me where they really are, and we’re gonna head over there. Sound good?”
Jungkook was paralyzed with fear. He was shocked, to say the least, that Namjoon had seen right through his lie.
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about. I told you…they’re dead.”
Namjoon chuckled, pointing the gun at Jungkook. “You’re a good kid, you know that? I had high hopes for you. But that’s not going to happen if you’re not cooperating.”
Jungkook shuddered, but managed to keep his cool. Jimin was his best friend, and he didn’t want anything to happen to him. He was always there to help Jungkook out through his bad thoughts. Jimin was like a big brother to him, and he wouldn’t sell him out for the world. Taking a deep breath and with tears welling up in his eyes, Jungkook smiled at Namjoon.
Tags:Angst, hurt/comfort, low-self esteem, themes of abandonment, betrayal, anger, anxiety, panic-attacks, brief implied suicidal thoughts (Tae) but it’s heavily implied, not the slowest of burns but it’s as slow as im willing to make it.
W/c:7.0k
A/n: It’s a little early but I hope you like it! alot of angst but the ending is worth it I promise! you guys finally meet the m/c! the next few chapters will show how yoongi and the m/c met and all that shit. PLEASE READ THE PROLOGUE BEFORE YOU READ THIS PART.
When he’d left to visit his familial pack (the pack he’d been born into) It was a sudden trip. One-day; Yoongi had given himself one extra day at home, the last day he’d get to love them before he’d left. It was all his anxiety would allow.
To his packmates it had felt a little like Yoongi was just distracted. Often they’d turn to ask him and found him anxiously looking down on his phone. In the morning he’d had to get on the first train and no one had thought anything of it- of course they were okay with him going. Of course Yoongi had to go for his family.
He’d left a heavily scented shirt for Jungkook to hold onto to make sure his seizures didn’t get too bad while he was gone. But the omega had his whole closet too and he wasn’t even going to be gone that long, right? his hovering and worrying was a little too much, right?
The best lies are one part lie and two parts truth. Yes, Yoongi’s grandfather was dying and telling them that didn’t feel like a lie. But on the other hand saying “I’ll be back in 2 weeks, maybe 3 at the most” tasted like acid on his tongue.
It’s not a lie when Yoongi looks at Jin and pouts, because even if he wants to cry as he drinks in his omega getting ready for work thinking it could be the last time he sees it, he can’t. Tears aren’t expected of him and It would give it all away.
“I’m gonna miss you.” Jin kisses the frown off of his lips.
Tags: Consumption of alcohol, drunk kisses, Jimin but gets handsy with the m/c, sexual touching, flirting, drunk sexual content, posessive behavior, yandere! Jimin, Don’t like don’t read, Jimin also has like- one sip of alchohol while he is the designated driver, but they are at the bar for 3+ hours
W/c:9.4k
A/n: Although i don’t think that what happens in the chapter is in any way un consensual- it definitely toes a line in what is considered modern consent theory. I don’t subscribe to the notion that one sip of alcohol takes away a persons agency- and the m/c is still very much verbally consenting to Jimin even though she has had a drink-and he hasn’t and Jimin is scent high so! She’s tipsy at best through the entirety of the chapter.
The Poem that is spoken before Tae’s poem is a snippet from Jasmine man’s poem ‘black girl, call home’ you should all follow her on twitter here! thank you to whatever anon recommended me her work!
The sun sets on your drive over, turning the rearview mirror every shade of yellow and red. The lights of the city twinkle in the distance and turn the sky a burning orange on the horizon. Jimin uses his horn liberally as he struggles to park but in the meantime, you transfer your few cards to the new wallet and put the wallet inside the bunny bag. Giving it a happy squeeze when everything is finally all in it’s place.
A group of people smokes outside the bar and If the smell draws Jimin at all he doesn’t show it, holding the door open for you and Tae. the interior of the bar is already crowded by the time you get in. You think you’re doomed to the standing room by the bar but then you see it: right by the door, a booth with one side to the windows
I’m leaving my thoughts on both chapter 32 and 33 here
(How terribly naive of your pack, to think that fate would spare you all its tricks). GHAD IM SCARED
Ooooooh that little hobi/mc crumb with his reaction to the dress made me go soft for them little crumbs like this already make my heart soaar. m/c and hobi’s development is prolly one of my fave parts of the story and little moments like that just makes the slow burn just burn a little warmer
WHEN MC TRIED THE DRESS ON IN FRONT OF THEM AND THEM JUST ADORING HER MADE ME SO SOFT
“Maybe she only knows how best to pull off the ruse because it fits her soul so poorly, every inch of it intentional.” THIS LINE IS JUST SO CLEVER TO ME I JUST SKNALSNFLEJD YOU WORDED IT SO WELL IT HURTS
THE FLIRTING AND THE TEASING PLLLSSS IT JUST MADE ME WANT TO TRY IT OUT ON SOMEONE AND MAKE THEM FLUSTERED AS HELL OR MAKE THEM WANT TO SPANK ME DAMNIT
TAE’S POEM! THE KISS! JUST AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH NO WORDS CAN EXPRESS HOW FOKEN BEAUTIFUL THAT MOMENT WAS PLEASE IM CRYING
AND THAT CLIFF HANGER! I felt something coming up AND NOW THAT ITS HERE IM LIKE “WAIT GO BAACK! TAKE ME BACK TO THE PACK FLUFF AGAIN I AIN’T READY ” HYEJIN I THOUGHT U WAS A REAL ONE DEMNIT and the fact that Jimin ain’t aware who tf he’s glaring daggers into MEANWHILE MOONBYUL KNOWS EXACTLY WHO HE IS HOMYLAWD
And Jinnie hooooolaaaaaaawwd i feeaaaaaar the next update
There’s so much more i want to say and sheet but the beest way i could express it would just be screaming and crying but really this chapter was *chef’s kiss* ✨
@geekynicki ahhhhhh i’m so sorry it took me so long to respond! i think in all of the excitement of the comeback this got lost in the shuffle.
ahhhhh i love the hobi parts too~ i can’t wait to give their part of the story some attention in future chapters too, it feels like it’s been a second since we touched on it but!!! soon i promise!!!
Ahhhhhh i know- it’s felt so horrible to write Tae presenting as a man because like thats not her~ thats not the happy tae tae mommy that we know!!! honestly it was one of the hardest parts of this chapter to write!
you me m/c - wanting to make jiminie flustered enough that he takes her over his lap and punishes her I SWEAR i cannot wait to write chapter 35 just cuz, jinnie spanking, just the jinnie spanking. i swear its all i can think about ughhhhhhhhhh, im an impatient bean~
as for the future well,,,, i’m in the middle of writing the next update and honestly, it feels like one of those videos where everything just /almost/ goes wrong- but don’t worry, the actual falling apart doesn’t happen until the very end! we’ve got alot more fluff to get through!
thank you so much for your lovely review of the story <3 i love reading everyones takes on it and i go back even like- months after and read it sometimes too~ it always helps me get motivation to write more!
