✓ 𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑷𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑬 | JJK

prologue

"You have a visitor." Despite the familiar voice calling out to her, Areum's focus remains channelled on the filthy floor below, body frozen in time.

The murmurs of mutual exchange echo throughout Areum's cell like a curse, dark and secretive.

She hadn't a clue who was on the other side of those metal bars.

She simply didn't care.

This is the first visitor she's had during the years she's been here, yet her mind remains unbothered.

The clanging sound of the cell's bars perk up her senses, and she almost rips her eyes away from the dirt on the ground to the person who'd just stepped inside.

She listens carefully as the stranger takes calculated steps towards her, the heels of their boots clicking against the ground below.

"Ah, Miss Choi. You don't know how long I've waited for this moment."

His voice was soothing like the essence of vanilla.

Areum tried her hardest not to look up, but there was something so warm about his presence, so inviting.

She could feel his eyes burning soft holes into her chiselled cheek as he crouched down beside her, gazing intently.

He had a sweet aroma, yet intoxicating at the very same time.

It was as if it may knock all the air out of her lungs, only to fill them up with fresh poison.

"Do you know who I am, sweetheart?"

Sweetheart.

Areum feels her stomach churn.

There was only one person who'd ever called her that and the thought of there being someone else made her feel sick.

Areum's muscles tense as adrenaline pumps through her veins.

She balls her hands into fists, nails digging into her palms to create crescent moon shapes.

"Don't call me that." Areum speaks through gritted teeth, feeling the air grow heavy with tension.

"Oh? So the little brat does speak." A smirk tugs at the man's full lips as he watches the girl beneath him in amusement.

He reaches into the pocket of his slacks before pulling out a small business card, his striking features dripped in a smug expression.

My name's Park Jimin and I'd like to work with you, Miss Choi." Areum's lips fall apart while a lump forms at the base of her throat.

Her mind was focussed on replaying that sentence over and over, as if to make sure she'd actually heard him correctly.

Jimin presents the card before Areum's eyes, completely blocking her fixated stare on the ground.

Her eyelashes flutter as she adjusts to the information ahead.

"So, what do you think?" Jimin runs a hand through his dreamy locks, silky and full to the touch.

He wets his lips with determination while awaiting Areum's answer, mentally praying the words 'I'm in' will fall from her pretty lips.

Meanwhile, Areum looks from the card, up to the source for the very first time.

Honey eyes, hair and skin . . . gazing back at her.

She feels her heart thump against her chest at the sight she'd been blessed with.

How was she going to say 'no'?