Saturday Afternoon, 28th. March. 2015
The boys had only left ten minutes ago. I'd just made a cup of tea and sat down by myself when there was a knock at the door.
Feeling hesitant, I got to my feet and walked over to look through the peephole. On the other side stood a man in a suit, perhaps mid forties'. But he was tall, and exceptionally handsome, and if it wasn't for a few telling signs, I'd have easily mistaken him for late thirties.
Was he one of the boys' managers? I wasn't sure, so I called out and asked who it was. The man adjusted his tie, standing confidently as he pulled something from his pocket and flashed it at the peephole so I could see.
"I'm a detective with the Arsons investigation unit. I'm looking for Park Jia and I've been informed I'd be able to find her at this address." He spoke firmly, but I didn't feel threatened by him, funnily enough.
Upon inspecting his credentials, I opened up the door.
"Hi, I'm Park Jia. Sorry about that. I'm just still a bit shaken up from the fire." I held on to the doorframe as I stood before the detective. His expression and hazel eyes softened slightly as he saw me.
"That's more than understandable.. The damage was extensive. Speaking of, if it's alright with you, there are a few questions I wanted to ask." He pressed on, it wasn't forceful. I gave a small nod, wanting to hear him out. It wasn't every day that you spoke to a detective. Or even saw one.
"First, I just wanted to say I'm so sorry for your loss. This must be hard for you, and that's why I'm here. We believe the fire wasn't accidental." He took a slight pause, gaze flickering between mine as though reading my reaction.
I felt dumbfounded.
"You mean someone deliberately started the fire?" I asked. I knew that was exactly what he was saying. But the mere thought of that hadn't even crossed my mind.
"Why in the world would someone do that?" The questions slipped out automatically.
"That's what I'm trying to find out. As well as other details. Can I ask, is there anyone you can think of that has a grudge against you? Or that might want to hurt you at all? Or has anything strange or out of the ordinary happened recently?" He shifted the weight of the leg he stood on as he asked, attentively waiting as I contemplated.
"Not that I can think of. I mean.. I don't know a lot of people to begin with. I study at the nearby university. There was a restraining order filed by some girls I had problems with… I don't know if they had anything to do with it.. but, other than that, I work as a ghostwriter for Big Hit entertainment and Y.G too." I heaved a sigh. This was becoming more worrying by the second.
During my reply, the detective had pulled out a notepad and pen to take a few notes. He questioned me a little further about the dates of when the incident at school had happened and how long they had signed me with both entertainment companies. After that, he handed me a contact card and said if I thought of anything else, not to hesitate to call him straight away.
The faint smile he gave before he left was warm, as though he really empathised with my situation. And he promised he'd do his best to investigate it for the sake of bringing some justice for all I'd lost in the tragedy. I guess I still felt like it wasn't real but, after my encounter with him, it all seemed to hit home.
I sat back down at the table in silence and sipped at my lukewarm tea. I was here, by myself, in Bangtan dorms, lounging around in Jungkook's clothes as I sipped tea.
How the hell did I even get to this point? It all just seemed so surreal. Someone had tried to burn my apartment down. I'm overhearing conversations about how I belong with the boys.
I try to make sense of it, but I can't, so I just set it aside to not let it drive me crazy. Just as I took the last sip, the door suddenly opened and Namjoon stumbled in, carrying a box of what appeared to be girls' clothes and other items.
"Joon, what are you doing? Wait, let me help" I quickly got up to grab the other side of the box and guide it down on the floor.
"Ah, thanks. Sorry it took me so long. I salvaged a few things and get you some clothes while we sort this mess out." Joon's gaze connected tenderly with mine as he looked down at me, panting lightly from having carried this enormous box.
This box that he'd brought just for me…
"Joon.. what- how-" I shook my head in disbelief, looking down at the folded jumpers and jeans visible on the top of the pile.
"What's wrong?" He asked, worry creasing in his brow as he took a step closer.
"Where in the world did you get these? I'm so sorry to do this to you. I know you have the concert tonight. You shouldn't be worrying about me… you already have that to-" I became overwhelmingly flustered at the fact that he'd gone so far as to bring me clothes and whatever else was in there.
"No, no. It's fine. I'm just so fucking relieved you're alright. If anything had happened to you… I…" Joon's aura shifted in the split of a second. Painstakingly bothered by whatever was in his mind. It hurts me to see.
"Please, everything is fine. Don't worry…" The urge to reach out to him was so strong, but I held back. Joon let out his tension with a sigh, gathering himself.
"Alright. We should talk properly after the concert. I really have to get going," he said, pulling out his phone and glancing.
"That's fine, go. I'm going to be there later, anyway. I'll be cheering you on!" Joon broke into a small smile at my words, and with that, he went back out to where Sejin still had the engine of the car running, waiting for him.
Sejin called out that he'd be back for me in a few hours. They both waved me off as the car reversed out of the driveway and disappeared down the street.
I stepped back inside and looked through the clothes that Namjoon had left for me. I carefully pulled out a few jumpers, tops, and jeans to reveal what was underneath. There was a smaller box with makeup, my laptop, phone, notebooks, which, even though they were slightly blackened and smelt of smoke, were still somehow intact.
The urge to cry came over me as I sat on the floor, splitting open the charred book in hand to reveal the bookmark Joon had made me.
I'd lost so much. My memories. They'd been cruelly snatched away from me. How, I still didn't even know. And now whatever livelihood I'd rebuilt had been turned to ashes by those merciless flames.
But, as I stare at the beautiful, untainted flowers sealed in the bookmark, delicate and pure, they'd somehow survived. And so would I.
I close the book and wipe my eyes. Time was getting on and I needed to get ready for the concert. As hurt as I was, I also was grateful that Joon had done such a kind thing for me. I did not know where he'd gotten the clothes but as I changed into the cute mid length baby blue dress I'd picked, it hugged my body perfectly.
I took my time with hair and makeup. This left me with just enough time to slip on a cardigan and some low heels before Sejin arrived to pick me up.
As we stepped out to get into the black Sudan together, I noticed it was getting dark. On the drive to the venue, he told me the concert had already begun but only just and that I wouldn't miss too much of it. I let him know I didn't mind and that I appreciated him going out of the way to bring me to the show.
We pulled up in an underground car park and he led me through the back corridors of the venue. Staff and other personnel were busy walking around, but I focused on keeping up with Sejin as he led me up a flight of stairs.
As we got closer, the muffled sound became louder and louder. The vast stage and purple sea of lights shone in the dark. The boys were giving some small talk and joking on stage. They looked like they were having fun.
Sejin leaned closer to me and told me to follow, so I did. We both took a seat on the VIP balcony that we'd entered. There weren't many people and by the was Sejin greeted others around, I assumed they were mostly other managers or staff. I took a seat beside him and watched on eagerly.
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( Link to concert vid here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05oPAqOoT7M )
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Sejin had to take me back to the dorms a bit earlier than the show finished, but that was okay. My ears still rang from the noise of the show and my heart buzzed in my chest as I played the concert back in my head. It all felt so vivid and I couldn't stop smiling.
I felt like I was floating on cloud nine as I went back into the dorms and started taking off my makeup for the night. By the time I'd showered and changed back into Jungkook's comfy clothes the feeling had settled, leaving me standing in the main room by myself wondering what to do. I heard my phone ping from my purse that I'd placed on the coffee table so I took it out to check. It was a text from Jimin.
Jimine:
I noticed you sitting up on the balcony kk
Did you enjoy it?
Were we cool and handsome? Kkkk
Can't wait to get back home to you 😚
I felt my heart melt as his messages came through. After watching them on the stage, it reminded me they were, in fact, idols. Crazy talented, and it had all become much too real on that stage tonight. I felt dizzy as I typed back.
Jia:
I had so much fun!
Yesss, you all were so coool 🥺
I'll be here when you get home ~
I set my phone down on the table, and my stomach grumbled. I wasn't sure how long until they'd be back. I didn't want to ask in case it came across as me hurrying them to return. It was a special night for them, so I didn't want to impose.
So, I heated some leftover kimchi soup for dinner. Time passed by and it was getting near midnight. A tired spell hit me and I yawned. Since I wasn't sure when they would return, I got up and decided to peek in their bedroom.
The light from the main room was enough that I didn't need to turn the light on in the room. Inside were two bunk beds in the right wall, with a single mattress crammed into the right corner closest to the door. And one last single mattress tucked into the left corner in front of me.
I left the door open, so it wasn't pitch dark, and crawled into the bed in front of me. The pillow and blanket were calling for me to snuggle up in them, so I did. As I lay there, my light breathing filled with an orange blossom scent that resembled Jimin. It only further pushed me into a drowsy state.
I roused slightly at the sound of rustling in the main room followed by a door closing. But, I was too tired to make out anything properly. They must have come home. I snuggled back into my pillow. The sound of hushed talking sounded in the distance.
"Shh. Keep it down. She might be asleep."
"Yeah, it's pretty late."
"Jimine, she's in your bed"
"Aw really, lemme see"
"That's so cute."
"Let me bunk with you two tonight"
"What? No way! She's all mine"
"Aw c'mon. Anyway, I can't fit with anyone else except Jungkookie, but he always gets naked when he's sleeping"
"Not always"
"He's right, Jia's small. He'll need to squeeze in with you two"
"Fine"
I drifted in and out of sleep until I felt the mattress dip from behind me. I peered up just in time to catch Jimin crawling under the sheets in the space between me and the wall.
"Sorry, go back to sleep baby" he whispered, wrapping his arm around my midsection as he shifted to hug me and get comfortable.
"Mmm. You're back," I mumbled, closing my eyes again. The mattress dipped again. I blinked to catch sight of Tae slipping in too, lying in front of me. I scooted back closer, pressing right into Jimin's warmth.
"It's okay baby, I have enough space," Tae whispered. I could feel the depth of his voice as he let out one of those sighs you give when you finally get to bed after a long day. It tickles my nose.
I reached up and slipped my hand under the fabric of his shirt and around the soft, yet toned skin of his waist. In return, he pried my knees apart with his, holding his leg with mine and entangled them.
Once we were all settled, the heat radiating from both of their bodies lulled me further into the sweetest of dreams.