" GOOD MORNING , elizabeth . " the first greeting that he'd given was to his cat , as Jumin exited the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist , the upper torso still bare and lined with various water droplets . the maid—as per schedule—must've already left after preparing breakfast for him , so he didn't really have any qualms striding over to the kitchen before dressing himself to pick the cup of coffee before he headed to grab his clothes .
the same—trademark—attire , already hanging perfectly ironed in the walk in closet upon a hanger ; it never took Jumin much time to dress himself . after all he had grown so habitual to the same routine , it was all practiced .
it was when he were fixing his tie , his phone rang . Jumin frowned , his eyes turning to the watch around his wrist , it wasn't so late in the morning for assistant kang to start making calls . but it was when he picked the phone—he found that it was indeed , not assistant kang .
Ophelia: the dialler ID made an involuntary curve to rise at the corners of his mouth , and with hesitant fingers , he finally accepted the call , raising the phone to his ear .
" morning , han jumin. " the softest husk of a voice answered from the other side . the Russian ballerina that lived inside his stomach rent free these days made an appearance once again , greeting him with a 'hello' that sounded more smug than saeyoung's ( something he did not know was possible . )
" good morning , did you just wake up ? " his reply was followed with a question , as he placed the phone next to the coffee cup on the vanity , speakers on .
" yup , just did . " she replied hoarsely .
" you're quite late for office , " he commented—his eyes flitting to the time , not really wanting her to realise that she should be going just yet . " how come did you call me ? "
" I felt like it , " she replied simply , adding with a deep impersonation of his own voice , " I wanted to hear the sound of your voice . "
He could hear shuffling on the other side , which meant she'd finally decided to get off the bed . meanwhile jumin too—once having perfected his tie—exited the closet to head over to the kitchen .
He felt slightly disappointed , though , that their exchange would be cut short . however—much to jumin's delight—opehlia didn't hang up . the shuffling on the background was still audible for a while as he served himself breakfast , and then she questioned .
" beige or red ? " Jumin frowned , bringing the cup of tea up to his lips . " what for ? " he replied back , placing the cup down to proceed with the breakfast .
" oh sorry , I just meant to ask your opinion on which colour of shirt should I wear . " she replied a tad shyly , as if embarrassed for her little slip up . Jumin smiled to himself , the image of her wearing what he had suggested already appealing him .
" red—you can never go wrong with that , " he replied , hearing Ophelia hum in agreement and murmuring something along the lines 'yep , that's right' to herself ( it was endearing , truly . )
There was some more shuffling from the other side , and then the sound of water running , which made jumin realise she was probably in the shower now—with probably the brightest flush that has ever graced his features in the twenty seven years of his life.
Did she perhaps forget to hang up ? maybe—he came to the conclusion , only for his thoughts to be cut off by the sound of a raspy , but sweet voice singing the song 'somebody to love' by queens mixed with the sound of water running .
Jumin—albeit flustered—couldn't help but smile to himself , before putting the phone into speaker mode and continuing with the breakfast . time went on as he heard the water stop , following the buzz of hairdryer . but the singing didn't stop .
It was .. nice . it almost felt like he had spent his morning with her under the same roof , getting ready for the day like usual , but with this ever lingering presence to make sure : you are not alone . he mused , he wouldn't mind if this became an everyday thing .
" shit fucking shit wait— ! ! " it seems realization struck miss chan soon after , judging by the string of rather obscene curses ( he'd be lying if that didn't appear a bit familiar , although he couldn't just pinpoint how ) that startled jumin as she picked her phone once again .
" oh my god I'm so sorry Jumin ! I didn't realise the call was still on fucking hell thi—shit sorry I didn't mean to curse , " she apologized profusely , and Jumin couldn't help the quiet snigger that left him . he'd be lying if he didn't find her entertaining , at least .
At the sound of his quiet laughter , Ophelia went silent for a moment before hesitantly adding , " you're laughing at me , aren't you ? " and had she actually sounded offended , he wouldn't have laughed harder than before . but instead she simply joined him , breaking into a peal of giggles herself .
" I'm really sorry you had to hear that , " she apologized once again , inhaling deeply to catch her breath . Jumin's voice sounded oddly fond to even his own ears , " please , I quite enjoyed your performance of somebody to love . if anything , I should be thanking you . "
" quiet , donkeys have a better chance at a singing career than I do . " her statement made Jumin shrug his shoulders in reply , even though he was aware she couldn't see him , " I'm just saying I'd rather have you impale my hearing than donkeys . "
The monotone voice earned him another giggle , surprising Jumin who had regretted his words as soon as they left him . but it seems unlike most , Ophelia wasn't offended by his bluntness . a refreshing change , but then again , it wasn't something new ; she'd always been full of surprises .
" I cannot stop laughing whenever I call you , god .. " a sound of 'whew' accompanied her reply , making Jumin feel weirdly accomplished . perhaps this was why saeyoung insisted on being so . . . whatever he was . he wasn't aware being found amusing by others felt this nice .
" ah ,, I'm late for office . " she mused aloud , " I'm really sorry , but I gotta get moving . see you later , Yoon Jumin ! "
And before he could reply , she had hung up on him . his eyes turned to see the clock on the wall across from him , which read 09:45AM . clearly , he had gotten late for office as well , considering the half an hour drive to the C&R headquarters from his place .
" meow ~ " the sound of Elizabeth brought him back to present , who had sneakily climbed on the dining table and was staring at him with wide blue eyes . " lady , you ought to not climb here . " he quipped back , and as if she understood , she started nuzzling in the hand he'd reached out to put her back below .
" I hope she doesn't skip breakfast , " Jumin muttered to himself , and Elizabeth the third meowed back in response , looking at him meaningfully .
" you think so too—right , Elizabeth ? "