Park Jimin: Romeo and Juliet

ғᴜʟʟ-ᴛʜʀᴏᴛᴛʟᴇ

CHAPTER NINE
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Park Jimin leans over the hood of my Mustang. My heart is pounding, "I know what it is, bella."

I stare at Jimin in shock. How could he possibly know that it was Dante who killed his father, all those years ago?

"You... How?"

Jimin bends closer to me, speaking in a conspiratorial tone, "Isn't it obvious? You like me."

I look at him— and then burst out laughing. And keep laughing. Jimin starts looking offended.

"Okay, you don't need to laugh that loudly."

"I'm sorry, I was just... you just caught me off guard, that's all. And I'm flattered you think I like you, truly. But that said, you just kidnapped me. And to top it off, we're mortal enemies."

"Wrong. Our families are mortal enemies. We are... if not friends, then acquaintances, yes?"

"Oh, pray tell. What does being an acquaintance entail?"

"For one, how about a car ride?"

I nod at my Mustang, "I'm late to teach my coding class."

"And you can't risk being later. What if your car breaks down again? Let me drive you, Sam."

I'm still hesitant. Jimin notices and hurries to add—

"I promise your Mustang will be safe and sound here."

After another long moment, I nod. Jimin grins.

"I'll tell you one thing. You're not going to regret this."

Several minutes later, we're driving through abandoned Vegas roads. Of course he drives a Cadillac Escalade. Of course.

"Why am I not surprised this is the kind of car you drive?"

Jimin looks at me sidelong from the driver's seat. I'm settled into the passenger's, "What's wrong with my car?"

"C'mon, Park. Every Mafia guy drives this car."

"You suffer under the illusion that all members of the Mafia are the same."

"Name one Mafia guy that doesn't drive this car."

Jimin is conspicuously silent. I laugh.

"Exactly."

Shaking his head, Jimin puts the car into drive. I watch as he diligently checks his mirrors. He even has his hands on the two and five positions.

"You drive like a grandpa. No— slower. And my grandpa is ninety."

Jimin laughs. I smile, feeling the familiar swooping sensation in my stomach.

"I can go fast. If you want."

I glance at him under my eyelashes. Danger glitters in his eyes.

"What I want to be is the one going fast," Color rises to my cheeks.

Jimin's eyebrows go up at hearing that. Way up.

"You want to drive?"

"You don't think I can?"

"It's a manual car, Sam. And don't take this the wrong way but I've never seen a girl drive one of these."

"Probably because you never have one a chance."

Jimin studies my expression for a moment, his eyes sparkling with some unseen emotion. Suddenly, he pulls over to the side of the road, tires squealing. He turns to me with a smirk, "I hope you have some bite behind that bark, bella."

For a second I'm confused. And then it hits me—

He's offering me the wheel! Oh, he has no idea what he's inviting.

"Alright, Park. Give it to me. Full-throttle."

"As you wish."

His voice is smoking and almost deep and sends a shiver down my spine. A second later, he vacates the driver's seat. I slide into it as he settles in the passenger's. I caress the wheel, smiling.

"Ready, Park?"

"For you, bella? Anytime."

I put my foot to the gas pedal. I watch as the speedometer rises and rises and rises...
I roll down the window and release a loud howl of delight. He laughs.

He looks like a complete different person when he laughs. Young and full of life... and dangerous. Very dangerous.

I control the Escalade with ease, weaving in and out of traffic like a pro. Suddenly, I reach a stoplight. I slow down and turn to Jimin. His jaw's dropped and his cheeks are flushed.

"You are... truly something else, Sam."

I meet his eyes, trying to contain the butterflies in my stomach. Clearly emboldened, he reaches across the compartment and takes my hand. My stomach flips.

I want... I want to hold his hand. I want to trust him like he's my family... or I'm his.

He picks up my hand as if it is something delicate and priceless. A lump rises in my throat as he strokes his thumb ever so gently over the bones of my wrist.

"Jimin..."

Before I can say anything, he brings my hand to his mouth. His lips brush over the back of my hand, feather-light. His eyes lift to meet mine.

"Do you believe me yet, bella? When I say I will never hurt you?"

My heart is beating so hard it almost hurts.

"Yes..." My voice is barely louder than a whisper, "Yes, Jimin. I believe you."

He closes his eyes, as if a sign of gratitude, and places a single kiss on the inside of my wrist.

"Thank you, bella. Your trust is not taken lightly. I promise you."

The light changes. I return my attention to the road, my heart pounding like I've just run a marathon.

I arrive at the community center.

"Alright, bella. I guess that's it."

"I guess so."

"I'll have the Mustang brought over by the time your class is over. I'll double check the carburetor as well."

My cheeks turn pink, "Jimin... thank you."

"It's my pleasure."

My cheeks flush even darker. As I search for something to say...

... the bell rings. It's almost time for my class to begin.

"Don't you have anything better to do?"

"I have plenty of things to do. Whether they're better..." He grins and shrugs. I turn quickly and go inside before he can see my cheeks redden.

I greet my students as I walk into class, hoping they don't notice anything amiss. Of course, my favorite student, an adorable little smartass named Jonie, immediately notices.

"Miss Cordano, why are your cheeks so red?"

"Well, honey it's... it's hot outside."

"Then why wear a black dress?"

"I had a funeral to go to. Now, that's enough questions. Let's get to work. Who finished their homework from last week?"

I get through class without any further distractions. When I'm done, I walk outside to find...

My Mustang across the parking lot, gleaming with newly waxed shine. Jimin stands next to it.