The Way - Jinson

9.

I stared into the mirror and parted my hair nicely before exiting my car, trying to look presentable when I recalled Yugyeom telling me that he remembered seeing me a couple of times.

But I only remembered seeing them once... or twice?

I tried to keep an eye out now, not wanting to be seen with my messy after work hair.

I ran my hand through my hair as I boarded the empty elevator, my thoughts full of Jinyoung and how it became awkward after I paid for dinner that day.

Despite Jinyoung saying he didn't want the others to take advantage of me, it felt like he wanted to keep everything separate, not even wanting me to go and pick him up.

~

"We'll split the bill" Jinyoung murmured, tugged on my elbow as I leaned closer to him.

"It's fine Nyoung" I smiled, giving his thigh a squeeze.

"I..." Jinyoung tried again, taking his wallet and card out. I put my hand over his and quickly gave my card to the waiter.

"Eat more guys. Don't worry about it" I smiled, noticing their wide eyed gazes at me.

I turned to Jinyoung and got a comforting squeeze on my thigh, my eyes diverting down to his hands were he kept his credit card quietly.

The room was silent after that with JB staring pointedly at Jinyoung. I took that as a cue for me to leave so that they could talk and did so, not understanding what happened.

"I'll head to the washroom first" I smiled, giving Jinyoung's shoulder a squeeze as I headed out from the awkward room.

I signed the bill and took my card back from the waiter, his eyes scanning me as he handed it back to me with shaky hands.

I frowned and headed to the washroom, quickly dialling Mark.

"It's late. Why?" he grumbled when he answered the phone.

I explained the events to him quickly, his laugh deafening as he heard that I paid.

"Your card" he sputtered.

"Yes, what about it?" I asked, getting frustrated as I was still confused.

"It's a black card. You have more than 1. Do you know how many people in Korea have a black card? Especially at your age?"

"It's not a big deal... right?" I sighed, worried what the guys would think of me now. How did that not register when I saw Jinyoung's card?

"Just... don't flaunt it?" Mark tried.

"I'm not. At least I don't think I did. I just wanted to treat them. Shit... I got to get back. Sorry. Good night Mark. Thank you"

I ran my hand through my hair and stared in the mirror before turning away, feeling like a fool.

I took a deep breath and headed back to the table, pausing outside the door when I heard Jinyoug's voice.

"Enough, he's still him"

"He more than one black card. Did you not see that?"

"Yes but..."

"But? He was invited to have that card? He is filthy rich? He is working with our company? It's hard for us to wrap our heads around him, neighbour or not"

"He's more than that. It's just money"

"Yeah. Money and enough power to cover our boss"

"He's not like that..." Jinyoung replied, his voice slightly shaky.