Tuesday
Hoseok heads off early in the morning, he'd woken me up to let me know he was leaving but afterwards I couldn't get back to sleep. It had been a while since I went for a run I missed it. I missed all the little things that I used to do before all of that crazy shit happened... Just when I'd thought it couldn't get any worse, Yoongi had been hurt. It scared me, did I dare ask if it could get any worse just in case the universe decided to answer?
Right now, I felt stuck. Uncertain of what to do next. I still had to figure out a way to pay for my fees next year otherwise I could forget about finishing my degree. But, what was even more worrying was that I had to watch my back everywhere I went… not knowing when I could be put in danger again kept me on edge. Always looking over my shoulder. The surest place for me was here, with the boys. Which I was thankful for but… Where exactly do I go from here?
I was troubled. Things won't be the same… I won't be the same. That's what I believe. I had to try and find a way. Maybe clear my head for now.
So, I went for a run. The sound of birds chirping as they sat atop powerlines. It filled the space behind the chatter of people out strolling around in the morning. I was on my way home when I was passing by a small grocery store. The vibrant colours of several fruits lined the shop front display. The orange of the tangerines caught my eye. I suppose citrus was the flavour of today so I grabbed a bunch and took them home with me.
When I got back I showered and got prepared to head to class. I sat in the kitchen, ready to leave. The tangerines atop the table. A thought crossed my mind. Some Vitamin C would maybe do Yoongi some good and I wanted his shoulder to heal soon more than anything.
With that in mind sent him a message.
Jia: Yoongi, I'm going to leave something in the studio for you. Make sure you go and pick it up later when you have time
I clicked my phone shut and left for the studio. No one was there when I ducked in to drop off the fruit. It was straight off to class afterwards. I scribbled down notes as the lecture went on, the vibration from my pocket sent a small rush of excitement. Hoping to see a text from Yoongi I swiped the message open without checking the screen.
Unk number: Jia, It's Cc. I heard what happened and I'm praying to god you are ok. When you quit we were told not to contact you but me and the girls miss you a lot. Things have gone to shit over here, I can't say much more but I think you already know. I'm so sorry, I probably won't be able to contact you again, it was risky enough for me to send you this message but, it's just fucked up. Don't reply, I already had to ditch this phone. Just know we love you 💗
I stared at the message for a few minutes. It hadn't hit until now, how much I missed them too… I'd been so caught up in the chaos that I hadn't had time to feel the loss. Even though her message made me sad I appreciated she'd reached out. I'm sorry too, Cece. I do hope we can meet again one day whenever fate allows. But for now, I'll just have to treasure all the memories we have and say goodbye. Thank you for being my friend.
I would've had lunch outside but the weather had decided it was spring showers today. Instead, I settled for a seat by a window in the cafeteria. The sky lightly cries, yet, the way the sun shines could mean it was a happy cry. Perhaps the sky was still grateful amidst the sadness.
I was pulled from my weird philosophical trance as my phone vibrated again. This time it was Yoongi.
Yoongi: Just got your little present. You trying to butter me up or something? 😏
Jia: Just wanted to make sure you're getting enough Vitamin C ☺️
Yoongi: I knew it. You just want me to kiss you again, don't you 😉
Jia: 😘🍊Enjoy your tangerines!
Yoongi: Thanks, I might be around the club if you're working tonight. If so I'll see you then
Jia: I haven't heard from Joon yet but I have a feeling I might x
Yoongi: 🍊😘
I sat there in my giddiness for a bit. Yoongi was hardly this cute with me so it just felt so surreal. He just sent me a tangerine kissy emoji. Too cute.
After classes finished up I headed back home. Joon had indeed messaged and asked me to work the VIP bar tonight. The rain had let up just long enough for me to get back without getting caught in it. But as soon as I got upstairs and into my room I could hear the litter patter of the water hitting the roof and window.
I wore something similar to my shift yesterday. The tight comfortable fit made it easy to move around the bar. I'd realised that being agile on your feet was an advantage, it meant you could pull out different liquors and mixers and make drinks quicker.
As I finished preparing the bar for opening Joon, Hoseok and Jin came up accompanied by a small group of men in clean-cut suits that I didn't recognise. I caught Jin glance over and send a cheeky wink my way. That was so like him. They settled down on the couches, I couldn't hear what they were saying over the music but it looked like it might've been some kind of business discussion. The boys were looking more suave than usual and the gangsta way they spoke to the men from across the table just gave me that impression.
I slipped a notepad and pen in my back pocket just in case they had a big order then went over to attend to their table.
I lingered beside the couch closest to Jin, overhearing the end of their conversation as I waited.
"We're talking a fortnight from now. You'll have plenty of time to get set up on your end." Joon finished off before glancing in my direction.
"Drinks?" He questioned the man across from him who looked like he was the boss or something. "Whisky on the rocks and some beers for the boys" he replied, he had a dangerous charm about him. It stood out, he was young, handsome, and was much more intimidating now that he was staring at me with a kind of heavy intensity.
"Jia, four whiskeys on the rocks and a couple of beers" Hoseok gave me a small wink. Joon and that guy started talking again so I gave a short bow and went back over to the bar.
After I'd prepared everything I put it on a tray and waltzed back over to serve. They'd been so deep in discussion they barely noticed me put down the glasses, except for Jin who glanced my way occasionally. I got the feeling he just wanted to burst out in laughter and joke around like he usually did, it was kind of funny seeing him keep so composed.
I continued to take drinks to them as the night went on. It must've been around 10 pm when they finally left. Hoseok and Jin escorted the gents out and Joon came over to sit at the bar, as he plopped into the stool he let out a sigh.
"What's up? Looks kinda serious" I eyed him, brow raised. "It's better if you don't know" he ran his hand through his hair before looking me over. I decided to let it go. "Another drink?" I picked up the bottle of whisky they'd nearly finished and gave it a shake.
"Yes please," Joon gave a small pursed-lip smile. "Whenever I see you these days you always look so stressed…" I began to say as I dropped a few ice cubes into a glass. "If there's anything I can do… let me know… okay?" I finished pouring the last of the brown liquid into the glass and set it down in front of him with a tiny smile. He gave a small nod and held the glass up to gesture cheers before taking a sip.
"By the way, where do you keep the spare liquor? I need to restock the whiskey" I set aside the empty bottle. "Oh. It's behind the stage, there's a storeroom near my office. I can show you if you want?" Joon sat up straight in his seat. "No it's alright, you stay here and enjoy your drink. I can find it don't worry" I waved off his offer.
I didn't want to bother him anymore, he looked like he was already dealing with enough. Off down the spiral staircase, I went, weaving through people on the dance floor towards the back of the stage. Just as Joon had said there was a storeroom, the shelves were filled with rows of bottles.
I peered around for the whisky, seeing as all the stock was shelved in order it was easy to find. I pulled it off the shelf and was about to walk out when I felt something strange under my feet. As I looked down I noticed a square board of wood on the floor, it was strange. The rest of the floor was concrete. On closer inspection, I notice a handle.
What in the world? I bent down and pulled it, the wooden board flipped up to reveal a staircase leading down into darkness.
Is this something out of a creepy movie?
There's no way… This just seemed so cliché, but, as usual, my curiosity got the better of me.
I carefully made my way down the wooden planks of the stairs. My feet hit concrete as I reached the bottom. I blinked a few times so my sight could adjust to the dark. As my surroundings became more visible I could see that I was standing in a corridor. Step by step I slowly made my way further down the walkway and turned right, in the distance shined dim light. It flickered as though from a candle. The closer I got the more movement I could hear.
A grunting, someone out of breath. I carefully lined up against the cold of the concrete wall and peeked around the corner.
Jungkook?
He was sweaty and brandishing two knives. It was astounding, the way his body moved so swiftly. My soul left my body.
Is this guy practising knife fighting?
Just when I thought I'd about seen it all… a small panic ran through me. I slowly backed away and left for the storeroom. The last thing I needed was to get caught spying on Jungkook so I returned to the bar as though nothing had happened, even though I still couldn't get the image of Kook out of my head.
Who was he going to stab exactly?
When had the innocent Jungkook I knew changed so much?
Maybe he'd been like this the entire time…
Then again, it's not like I'd expected Jin to brandish and use a gun on someone either. Most of the time I only saw the soft and sweet sides of the boys, it felt unreal like it was merely a figment of my imagination when I saw them fighting or playing with knives.
Joon and the others left for the night, I'd closed the bar early seeing as there wouldn't be anyone else up in this section tonight. I was just about to head upstairs when I saw Tae walk into the lounge. He beamed at the sight of me as he strode over.
"Glad I caught you before you knocked off" Tae gently grabbed my wrist, still smiling, I let him pull me off with him.
"Really? How come? Is it your turn to watch me for tonight?" I laughed.
"Yeah. It was supposed to be Jimin's but I convinced him to let me take it instead. Anyways, come on, I have an idea I wanted to try out with you" Tae gave a cheeky wiggle of his eyebrows before pulling me further up the stairs with him.
I let Tae lead me up, he told me to change into something more comfortable so I did that too. By this point, my curiosity was peaking. What exactly was going through his head?
As I came back out I saw that Tae had opened up my laptop on the coffee table. He glanced over to me and beckoned me over to him.
"Okay so, I know things have been a bit stressful for you lately so after giving it some thought I came up with something that might help you relax" Tae pat my head like a child and gave me a small smile before going back to scrolling through a music playlist.
"Oh… Tae, you don't have to-" I was taken back by how sweet even the thought was but he cut me off. "No, I do have to. C'mon, stand up" he clicked my laptop pad and a slow song with deep suave vibes swung through the air.
"Tae… What's this about?" I took the hand he'd held out and let him pull me to my feet. "Just relax and hold me. I want you to dance with me" Tae gently guided my other hand around his mid, all of a sudden a shiver ran through me.
What was this feeling?
Taes hand seemed so much bigger as he held onto mine. He gently guided me along with him, his other hand resting on my waist. Tae hummed along as we gently moved together, almost resembling poetry in motion. It was fun, fleeting, enough to get lost in. I didn't know how much time had passed when we finally decided to call it a night and were all danced out.
Tae settled into bed with me, pulling me by the middle into him. His head nestled into my hair as he lets out a yawn.
"That was sweet of you" I mumbled, shifting so that I was pressed up against his warmth perfectly.
"I just want you to be happy. I regret… not being able to protect you. I'm so sorry." His words hung heavy in the air.
"You make me so happy, sometimes I wonder what I did in my past life to deserve so much of your love. So… please don't feel that way" I felt a tickle slide down my cheeks.
I felt Tae tilt my head to face him. His eyes were wide as they connected with mine. They spoke to me. I kiss him, gentle hot breaths reach my lips as he works his tongue deeper. I surrender to him, just like I had when he'd swept me off my feet as we danced.
Tae had to pull away, I felt myself lightly shaking at the intensity of it. "We should get some sleep, I don't want you tired for class tomorrow" Tae pecked my cheek one after the other. I gave a small nod and laid my head back down on my pillow.
Thank you Tae, Thank you for loving me…