Eight Shots of Espresso | Na Jaemin

Chapter 22

Less than a week before the finals, you were hunched in one of the old tables of the library near an open window, scribbling furiously on your notebook, flipping page after page. You're mentally drained but you had no luxury of time to stop. The last few days, you were so engrossed about the dramas revolving around your life and you were suddenly dragged back to the reality that you're still a student——college for that matter——who needed to prioritize her academics over anything.

While you were digesting every word in the book, Jaemin was sitting across you, skimming the pages of the unread ones leisurely. You were blasting a loud music in your earphones to distract yourself from his presence yet your eyes would automatically move to look at him.

He was true to his word when he said one time that he would not leave you alone until you forgive him.

"Okay, fine! I forgive you! Now leave me alone," you said irritably as you were taking big strides back to your dorm. You were in a hurry to go home because you had to do your laundry, then make a reviewer.

"I will only leave you alone if you sincerely forgive me," Jaemin said as he effortlessly matched your strides. You were annoyed, but not annoyed enough to punch him. Somehow, having him around kept you sane.

"How can I forgive you when you're only giving me more reasons to hate you!"

"Hate is a strong word."

"Yet the most fitting word to describe how I feel about you."

"Hate would be an understatement then. I suggest you use the word ‘loathe’."

"Jaemin!" you exclaimed and stopped walking. You suddenly regret yelling at him because you earned weird looks from strangers passing by. You cleared your throat and looked at Jaemin who was enjoying your outburst. "I am asking you nicely to please leave me alone for a while because I am a busy person and I don't have the luxury of time to be bothered by you. I suggest you spend your time on something of importance."

"This is important," he retorted and you let out an exasperated sigh. It was just a simple sentence, probably had no deeper meaning to it, but enough to send butterflies into your stomach. It's crazy and disappointing at the same time because such simple words from him had a big impact on you.

"If you can waste your time like this, I can't. I'm too busy to be dealing with your stubborn ass so do me a favor and disappear from my sight."

"If I stop bothering you for now, can I continue after the finals?"

You rolled your eyes at him. "Do whatever you please."

He listened to you but he still let his presence known.

He would ask Giselle for updates about you and your best friend would gladly do so every time. He learned from her that you always skip breakfast so one morning when you're running to the lobby, BoA, your landlady, called you.

"Yes?" you asked, slightly breathless.

"A young man left this for you," she said and handed you a paper bag. You took it and felt that it was slightly warm. "He dropped by rather early and still in his pajamas. He told me to give it to you because you always skip breakfast."

You didn't have to guess who it was because his initials were written on the paper bag.

"Your boyfriend is quite cute, huh? I see you have a certain type. Don't worry, I won't tell your parents," BoA said and winked at you.

"He's not my boyfriend," you replied.

"Yet. But don't let that man out of your grasp. He's such a rare gem. Now off you go!"