Mrs. Right

Deep Regret

It took all my strength to keep from crying all the way home. When I finally managed to unlock my apartment door and step inside, I slammed it, threw my purse on the floor, and screamed. I let it all out.

How could I be so stupid?! How could I have been so weak? I was an idiot! I opened myself up to him, yet he never really trusted me. I was too old for him. I was a fool to have fallen for a younger man. But it was Jimin! I couldn't help myself.

I climbed into bed fully clothed and cried myself to sleep. My stomach woke me around 2 a.m., reminding me I hadn't eaten since lunch. My feet dragging, I walked to the refrigerator to find something to eat. There in the dark, I sat eating leftovers and started to beat myself up again about my blatant stupidity. Too upset to sleep, I turned on the lights and poured myself into my work.

When the sun rose, I became filled with dread. It was time to get ready. I was going to have to face Jimin again. I was going to have to work with him again and again and again knowing what he truly thought of me--that he could even consider me to be a manipulative whore. Yet, I couldn't let it get in the way of my work. I had a job to do. Even more, I needed my job. My husband refused to fund Aidan's education when he moved to Seoul to study. Aidan didn't know because I hid it from him. I was his sole source of financial support.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday . . . each day rolled by. Each day, I pretended like everything was as it was before I let Jimin's essence--and body--overtake me. I avoided coming across as too cold to Jimin as I didn't want the others to sense anything was off between the two of us, yet I also avoided getting too close to him. I didn't want to be within his reach. I didn't want to accidentally brush up against any part of him, even just a finger. Doing so would just be too much for me to handle.

When Friday came, I realized I had never told Jimin that I was no longer willing to tutor him. It was probably assumed, but I wanted to make sure we were clear on that matter. When I told him at the start of our lesson he replied with two simple words: "I understand."

In the middle of the lesson, I heard a knock on the door to our room and looked up to find a friendly face. It was Mr. Yun.

"Sorry to interrupt."

"Mr. Yun! How great to see you! How have you been?"

"Good, good. I wanted to check in on my favorite director to see how she was doing. I see you are keeping these gentlemen busy."

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry. How rude of me."

I took a moment to introduce them to Mr. Yun and then asked them to give me a couple of minutes while I talked to him.

"So, Addy. I've missed having you in our department. You've been doing a good job of supporting the team with the major professional development projects, though. I was wondering, would you be available to discuss some future projects the staff pitched to me? I'd like to get your thoughts on them."

"Yeah sure. When would be a good time for you?"

"How about tonight? I'll pick you up here at your office. We can go to dinner together."

"Sounds good!"

"I'll see you later then."

"See you!"

Now THAT was the type of man I should be dating. Older--more mature. He was still younger than me, but at least he was closer in age to me. Dating your boss, however, was something I knew should be avoided. Actually, despite him being quite handsome, there was no spark for me. Plus, I was just one of his trusty worker bees. Regardless, I had gotten myself into enough trouble getting involved with Jimin. From now on, it was strictly business with male co-workers.

Jimin POV

I didn't sleep a wink Monday night. I had really fucked up. The only way I could get my mind off of her was to scroll through my cell phone and read posts from ARMY. I needed strength from them.

When we met up with Addy on Tuesday she was clearly putting on an act. The other guys probably didn't notice, but I did. I could see the truth in her eyes. The hurt I had caused her ran deep. I was such a dick!

Wednesday came around, then Thursday and Friday. I figured my Friday tutoring sessions were over after what I had said to her on Monday, and she confirmed it.

My heart broke a little more. I wanted to see her again. I wanted to atone for my wrongdoing. I was desperate for her forgiveness. If I could just hold her and make her pain go away, I would. The thought of never touching her, never kissing her, never making love to her again, was pure torture for me and I deserved every bit of it.

In the middle of the lesson, we were interrupted by a knock on the door. I looked up to see it was a tall handsome man in a suit. He was looking right at Addy with a smile on his face. He knew her. I quickly looked at Addy and her face lit up. That brought a bit of joy to me as well, as she deserved some happiness after what I had put her through.

She introduced him and I gathered from their conversation that he was her boss from before her transfer. As I watched, though, I started to get an uneasy feeling about him. Addy looked at him like he was her boss. He looked at her like she was dessert. She didn't notice.

Then I overheard him ask her out to dinner to discuss work. I could tell she thought that he really did just want to discuss business, but the look on his face told me he had other plans. My hands clenched into fists and I felt my face getting hot. He was a wolf stalking his prey and she was none the wiser. I didn't like this one bit. My mind became cluttered with thoughts. I was torn between jealousy and my urge to protect her from him.

But, who was I to tell her who she could and could not see? Look at how well that ended up for me last time. So what if he looked at her like she was dessert? Hadn't I. Hadn't Soo? Hell, she was a desirable woman. And who was I? I was the asshole who fell for her and then treated her like shit.

When the lesson ended, I got up, took one last look at her, and walked away knowing I would forever regret fucking things up with her.