Just like a blank wrinkled paper,
You are nothing to me, nothing...
Y/N's P.O.V-
'Yah Momo, tell me about the main thing now. Any new info about that Duk Soo found yet?'
'The sources did come back with some interesting facts. He actually had a comparatively big drug supply in his control, which has barely any mentions in the criminal record. He was so cunning to keep it all hidden. He also had a blackmailing business. He preserved proofs, personal photos, videos etcetera for blackmailing people in order to earn more money.'
'So he was a major drug dealer and a blackmailer? Hmm…Looks like he's an interesting character.' I laughed and let my mind do a little bit of its visualization, 'BTS with drugs? From the much I got to see them till now, none of them actually seemed like addicts. Nor any symptoms as such caught my eyes. But I can go with the other one. Maybe he had proof regarding BTS being a gang then blackmailed them?'
'You're right. Even I am suspecting as such motives. By the way, did you get any chance to hear them saying something that can give a hint?'
'I was standing too distant that time but…I did hear a few words.' I tried to remember. 'They said something like a give and take deal…but what does that mean? What did they exchange?'
'It could be the thing he blackmailed them on or any drug stuff. Or, something completely different that we don't know yet. We still gotta continue our search. We made a collection of people he met within the past few days going through his phone calls and detained his associates.'
'Keep up the work. I will be carrying my part on this side. Whatever they are up to, we have to stop them this time.'
'Right. By the way, you should go to sleep early. You have your work next day, remember?'
'Oh yeah.' I sighed, wondering how quick time passed away, the weekdays knocking on the door. Some more days for rest were what I could die for that moment.
The call ringtone from my phone drew my attention. 'I will cut off now, Momo. Bye, take care. And keep in touch.' I lowered the screen of my laptop then picked up the call. 'Hello?'
'Are you sleeping?' Jimin's gravy voice came from the other side. He calling me at this hour was kind of odd. I replied, 'No but I'm about to. Why are you calling me now?'
'Can I...talk to you for a minute?'
'Sure but,' I was a little confused, 'what do you need to talk about?'
'Come outside. I am standing in front of your house right now.'
'Huh?? Why? Don't roam around at the night. Go to your dorm and take rest. You have your schedule tomorrow.'
'Just one minute.'
'Jimin, I am too tired so let's just call it a day-'
'Please...' I was going to deny him again, but his pleading voice made me stop. The way he spoke was doleful, a desperate nature, or a sense of vulnerability involved... something I couldn't perceive. A moment of silence passed from both sides.
'What happened, Jimin?'
'Nothing. I just needed a company.' He replied in a low pitch. He wouldn't tell me anything. I took my seconds and as I couldn't reply soft and kind in nature, I growled.
'Fine. Just this last time.' I hauled myself downstairs while he shared a small breathy smile from the other side.
'What is it?' I said after opening the door. I was expecting him to be upset and all from the way he sounded on the phone, but he appeared all fine on the appearance.
'Hi.' His short and only reply.
'And?'
'I have a small job. Let's go out. Come with me.'
'Do you see what time it is?' I protested, 'I ain't going out at this hour, at least not with you at all.' He shot me with his puppy eyes, 'Please..?'
'What has gotten into you?' I sighed. His reply came dipped in tiredness, 'It's just...'
'I need some time off. And I get bored alone so, I decided to pick you up. You are our manager, right? Isn't it your duty to take care of us?'
'And is it right to blackmail your manager like that? My duty also includes stopping you from acting out of line, which you are doing right now.'
'Let's go.' He pulled my wrist and started walking. 'Yah!' I tried to release my hand but surprisingly, his grip appeared stronger than I had imagined. 'Jimin!'
'At least let me put some fine clothes on. I can't go out in my PJs.' I yelled. His grip loosened and he turned back, 'Okay.' Pivoting me back, he pushed me towards the door.
'Don't worry for late hours.' He whispered into my ear, as if not in assurance rather give some mocks. 'I will be with you.'
'Done? Let's go.' he held my wrist again, flying out. 'Where are we going? How long will it take?' I spoke reluctantly, surprised at myself how easily I agreed on going with him. 'Not much. Just a drive of twenty minutes from here.'
Seems like not too far. Oh, wait...
He said drive.
That means...
Shit! Not again!
'I am not going.'
'Huh?' He looked back whilst I tried to run back to my door. A secret sigh escaped from the male's mouth. The next moment I found myself in Jimin's hold, he was carrying me towards the car. I was struck, not being able to even yell or leave a comment in protest.
'Let me go! What was that? You are a terrible driver. I don't want to get myself killed!' I gushed out my shock as he finally put me down inside. 'Fasten your seatbelts.' was what he said after moving into the driver's seat locking the door beside him. Since when has he turned out to be so possessive?
'What can it do? I am gonna die one way or another anyway.' I bit my lip. 'I am such an unfortunate who never got the respect from the idols working as one of their managers for once...'
'Aish, you are such a drama queen. Who's older though?' I raised my shoulders. 'What difference does that even make??'
'Well-
It makes a hella lot difference.'
> > > > > Time skip < < < < <
'Jimin?' getting startled with the loud music and several lights illuminating the place, I moved a step backward, stumbling against the hard chest of the male standing behind me.
'You didn't tell me that you were coming to a club.' My eyes strolled on the people of both genders, dancing, enjoying their time clinking their glasses of unknown liquor, with expensive outfits on. A low flood of nervousness engulfed my inner inferior self.
'Let's go in.' he pulled my wrist but I wouldn't move an inch forward. 'What happened?…' he looked back. 'Well I am not a club girl, I never was. I don't like these kinds of places so...a big no.'
'Oh, c'mon. It's not the end of the world.' I dubiously moved as he pushed me to go in. It was not a normal club, rather it was an expensive one. Hella expensive to be specific. Where only the people with glistening personas are allowed to go in. Narcissism, vainglory- seemed like traits as if made for only those who own and rock these lightings. One step after another I put, my eyes kept hovering around the surroundings in perturbation. Insecurities, a comeback of memories from my old cells, and the infinite crowd was the only thing to gain my attention. As I compared my barefaced appearance in a comfy casual outfit with others present in there, especially the girls, my inferiority complex just augmented to a tornadic dispute.
'Sit here.' I sat on a stool before the counter, with him sitting by my side. 'Jimin, you said you came here for a work.' I spoke lowering my voice as if I would even embarrass myself if I spoke louder than that. 'Yes. I have to meet the owner.'
'He is, can be called, my distant uncle. He wanted me to give him a short visit on some matter.' He added. 'Anyways, why aren't you taking anything?'
I frowned. 'Nah, thanks.' He chuckled, 'Well, you wouldn't say no for a beverage.' He ordered a soda for me while something for himself.
Time passed in silence for a while.
'Uh...You should stop now Jimin. I think you're drinking too much.' I said, observing the male as he continued his shots ordering for more sipping down one after another. He clearly, had something perturbing going on in his head. Why the hell wouldn't he disclose anything? And if so, then did he just bring me here to watch him drinking or something??
'I don't drink often, just sometimes.' His sunken deep eyes glistened as he smiled. His lips curled up at one side. 'By the way, when I get drunk, I do act a lot cute and aegyotic (If that's even a word!). Don't you wanna see my cute side?'
'Thanks, I am full.' I took a sip of my drink. He laughed. No sooner, a uniform worn boy came by, telling him something through unhearable whispers.
'Okay.' he bid the boy then looked at me, 'Y/N, I'll just go and come back. Stay here for a minute.' He went up from his seat and was about to leave, I clutched his sleeve making him stop, 'You are leaving?'
'I said I will come back in a while.'
'But-' I stopped in the midst. Jimin stared at my eyes for a while. Wondering what he had thought, he held my hand that clutched his arm speaking undeniably in a soft way, 'I won't take much time, I promise.'
I sat staring at his departing figure. As he disappeared, I focused on gulping down my drink slowly to pass some time. It was getting boring. And as now alone, I was getting more self-conscious about myself. As time passed, I just kept my eyes fixed on the glass in front of me, trying to not look or concentrate anywhere else around. After a while, the phone rang in my pocket to withhold my focus.
'Hello, Momo. What is it?' I said picking up the call, 'Did something happen that you needed to call me again?'
'Y/N,' Momo sounded excited, even the loud sound from my side failed to distract her. 'I have got news. That camera you fixed in that spot, we just finished going through the footages and guess what we found-' As she continued to speak, my eyes lit up with the beam of satisfaction.
'Great! Finally, I'll be able to remove some suspicions.' 'Oh oh, another thing that I didn't tell you earlier. I did research on Jimin as you told me to. I did find something I don't know if it'll come to any work to you but-' Her voice traveled through the other side to my ear, making me take a pause in sipping this time.
'That sounds interesting. Thanks, Momo. Now can you please do some research on other members too? If you can find anything similar to his...'
'Okay, sure I will.' 'Love ya.' I cut off and went back to my drink, thinking over what Momo just informed me about. My mission is either going to detangle through this or take a new turn.
Let's just wait and see.
The time would have passed even slower if a guy didn't take over Jimin's seat beside me, deciding to accompany.
'Hello.'
'Uh…hi?' I replied, still confused if his greeting was directed to me or not. His sleek black hair above that perfect strong face shape was lustrous under the psychedelic lights. The jet-black leather jacket along with ripped jeans covered his slender tall body. Pretty much to say, he looked like those rich boys in gold and silver. The Cupid's bow lip line curved an arrow as he spoke.
'What are you doing sitting alone in here?' he gazed, scrutinizing my face. 'May I know what your name is?'
'It's Y/N.' I said hesitantly. 'Cute. I am Baekhyun by the way. Nice to meet you.' He introduced himself, moving his hand forward for a handshake. 'I never saw you here before. Are you new?'
'Yes.' I nodded returning his handshake. 'I see. That's why I wondered, why I haven't seen your face before..' he smiled in enough politeness. 'Are you here alone?'
'No I am actually here...with a friend.'
'Oh but I see you sitting all secluded.' he went up from his seat, bringing one hand before mine. 'Care to join for a dance?' I declined politely, 'I'm sorry but I don't dance well.' Another reason, the person was obviously a complete stranger.
'That's a lame excuse. Everybody dances in here whether they know or not.' 'But still...' I stared at the people, deciding to sit back in my perfect seat of tranquility, 'I'm fine sitting here by myself.'
'C'mon now.' his hand still waited for mine, while his eyes stared eagerly for a response. He didn't look like someone to spare easy.
I hesitantly stood up while he dragged me to the center of the dance floor. 'Baekhyun ssi-'
'Don't be this shy. See, everybody is being so easy with themselves, so shouldn't you be too?' I let my eyes move around again, only to receive some more strokes of nervousness in return. I didn't belong here- from all directions, one sentence that persisted in my brain that moment, which my mind knew and believed.
'Take my hand.' he said moving his hand before me. After doing immense struggles inside my head, I was about to put mine onto his. The moment, an arm wrapped around my waist pulling me backward.
'Sorry, bro.' Jimin rested his head on my shoulder. 'She's taken.' Baekhyun was surprised by the male's sudden appearance, so was I.
Taken? By who?
'Oh, I thought you said you came here with a friend.'
'Yes, a special friend. That is, me.' his hands now bounded my wrist which was on its way to reach Baekhyun's palm. 'I'm sorry.' Baekhyun said, disappointment was purely stricken in his voice. 'I'll leave you two then. Take care.' His tall figure dissolved in the crowd.
'Jimin, what took you so long? You said you would take a minute. And who's taken, huh?' I punched lightly on his shoulder.
'I was trying to save you there and this is what you give me in return? Ouch, it hurt!' He brought before his fake hurt look, 'Why do you require me anyway? You were enjoying your time all good, I see.'
'Bleh bleh bleh! Now that you're all done, let's leave.' he pulled my wrist bringing me back as I was about to turn towards the exit.
'Why in so hurry? Let's dance.' I let out a mocking titter, 'So now you wanna dance? On that, with me? Don't joke, Jimin ah. I am your manager, not a friend or an eligible dancing partner. Let's go.'
'Don't lie saying that you cannot dance.' he held my waist with his right hand. 'Our business is only when I am working as an idol. Right now, I am not one. You were happily agreeing to dance with the other guy then what's wrong with me?'
'Jimin, I really-' 'I'll teach you.' he held up my hand, bringing the other on his shoulder, leading me for a slow dance as low beat music started playing through the once-wild speaker.
'Please,' I was crawling up to the highest level of awkwardness. 'I suck. Everyone's watching.' 'No one's watching. Look at me.' he held my chin up, locking his eyes with mine.
'Don't underestimate yourself. You own the same aura of beauty that everyone in here does. You are no lower in status than them. Thinking about what others will think and judge you won't change who you truly are. So, just don't give a shit okay?'
I was unable to find a word to shoot in response. Jimin filled up my silence, speaking out himself, 'I know, this is what had been troubling you from the beginning in here. Just trust yourself. I am with you.'
For some unknown reason, my brain craved to follow his words, with entire loyalty and uttermost obedience. His vocal seemed like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, causing a hypnotizing effect through the rhythm of illusion it held.
My body soon relaxed, started moving to his lead. I didn't know why but I felt comfortable and easy with him, more than I ever was.
'See? Someone said she can't dance.' he moved faster with the rhythm, not giving any furthermore instruction. I didn't hesitate, instead swiftly went along. Taking my while, my eyes gently strolled over the visual of his face. I never noticed, his jawline was so sharp, while his cheeks appeared soft and chubbily cute under the equally melancholic and exciting shades of light. Hence, he was extrapolated with both sharpness and softness, like steel before a fire, hard yet soft due to initiation of melting.
Like the way, most of the minds of people are too. However, in case of criminals like him, they hold a mind like a mere box of lead. It's hard on the outside but inside, it's all empty and absolute. Seeing him and his fellows more, I am still unsure to give the 'lead box' title to them. It was their paradoxical side that was hindering me to do so with confidence.
I shook my head slightly. My job was not to think about how they are, what they are. All I needed to know is that they are a criminal in the eye of the law, and I was bound to get them what they deserved, handcuffs and life imprisonment or death. Who was I to determine their true self? Who was I to get genuinely friendly with them?
No one. Not ever will be.
'Y/N...' I was jerked out of my thoughts to look up. Jimin's hands rested on my waist firmly, his face was inches away from mine, throwing gazes of intensity.
'Jimin, what are you doing?' I whispered. My heart beat rose as he stayed still, looking calmly into my eyes. My brain was supposed to imagine them as the cold glares of a criminal, but what it imagined were two pairs of brown stars shining with admiration, along with uncertainty, fear, sadness- all emotions- the covert side of a young naive boy. I was surely deceiving enough for myself.
'Y/N...' he mumbled again, talking as if his soul was not there in its conscious state, rather lost in an endless desert, 'You know...seeing you every time, something different occurs to me. The fast I grew close to you, I doubt if I ever did to anyone till now. You are just....'
I stared at him in confusion, 'I don't understand what you are trying to say.' He lowered his eyes, as though he didn't know himself.
'Neither can I,' He continued, 'Seeing you all the time I feel like I have seen you before...so close...somewhere...sometime. I don't know why that acts upon me...I just....'
'It's your illusion.' My voice came out surprisingly more neutral than ever, 'You never saw me before. Also, you are an idol. And I am just a manager.'
'Just a manager?' His grip tightened on my waist, pulling me closer. My hands went up shielding against his chest, as his face came down nearer to mine. His warm breaths were brushing right against my face, letting me feel the heat directly. I stuttered undertone, 'J-Jimin...?'
There was no motion, even time seemed like it was still by then. Beneath those eyes, there was something else. The brown layer was a curtain to the immobile unknown persona, the life he held. The sharp gaze he shot had thousands of knives piercing through me, it felt like he knew, he could guess out everything about me. He could read me. While I couldn't, he was blocking me from knowing the person inside, the Jimin he hid from everyone else.
He was an enigma.
'Sorry,' He moved away, taking along his warmth, leaving me startled, 'But you are right. you are just a dumb inexperienced manager of ours, nothing more than that.' He proceeded slowly toward the exit.
Also, your deadliest enemy.
'...Let's go.' I silently followed him.
The rest twenty minutes drive back to my home remained completely silent. I kept staring out the window, him staring front. Not that he kept staring still, as I caught him stealing glances in the middle while he immediately looked away the moment I caught him. I sat the farthest I could on my seat, away from him, awkwardly.
The car stopped before my house, I stepped out. 'Thanks.' I said in a low voice and proceeded towards the front door.
'Wait.' I looked back finding Jimin was already out of the car and standing behind me. 'I...wanted to give you something.' he hesitantly spoke, 'I don't think I should keep it with me any longer. I don't even know why I kept it.'
'Give me your hand.' he himself took my wrist in his grip while his other slipped something in. Before I could perceive what it was, he uttered 'bye', rushed into his car then went away in a fast mode.
I watched him leave until he went out of sight. After he did, I brought my hand up to see. Immediately my eyes widened in its oblivious state.
It was the same bracelet I lost in the boys' fansign a long time ago. Jimin...had it this whole time?? Why didn't he give me back earlier?
I turned the bracelet around to take a view on its whole surface. It shone better than before, looking newer. As if someone got it polished. My eyes stuck on a certain part of it. My eyebrows rose up before I even realized.
My name engraved on the infinity sign of the bracelet, shining to its utmost.
Well, that's not the thing that left me struck.
Five more alphabets in English engraved right next to mine, shining equally. Alphabets that were not there before.
J.I.M.I.N.
"Tell me about her, Y/N L/N. Our manager. What was she before she became our manager?"