form follows heart /jungri

iv. an series of unfortunate events

Yerim took a bite of her peach. The same one that Jungkook had shoved in her hand about two weeks ago. Unlike him, though, the fruit wasn't rotten.

She navigated to her destination.

Thomas Sawyer
Environmental Engineer at Star Services

The man on the profile was older than her by one or two years only. With his easy smile and even easier jokes, Thomas was a charmer, working his magic on her two years ago at a conference. Later that night, she had been delighted to find out that the company he worked at aligned with the theme of her portfolio. However, caught up with her personal issues and her workload, she had forgotten about him until now. Yerim didn't know if he still remembered her, but setting up a quick meeting wouldn't hurt. Besides, if she could get him to take an interest in her portfolio, then she could end this fake-dating mess with Jungkook.

She had just sent a quick message asking to connect with him when her phone started ringing.

"What?" Yerim snapped, throwing the core of the peach into the trash can with more force than necessary. It made a loud thunk.

Jungkook's voice was deep, almost gruff. "Are you free right now? We can do a basic overview of your portfolio."

"Have you never heard of something called texting?"

"I like calling better."

"Well," she grumbled. "I don't like talking to you."

A small pause. "I'm thinking you need to be more cooperative for this arrangement to work."

Snorting, Yerim grabbed her purse, walking to the entrance of her apartment. "I'm actually busy."

"Really?" His voice sounded skeptical.

"Don't worry," she deadpanned, putting on her shoes. "I'm not a liar."

Another pause. "When will you be free?"

"Probably the end of this week?"

"Sounds good. I'll see you on Friday after work?"

"Great," she said with zero enthusiasm. "Looking forward to it."

The asshole actually sounded genuine when he responded with a "Me, too."

However, Yerim had no time to think about that because the moment she hung up on Jungkook and got into her car, her phone started ringing again. Her mom's nurse showed up on her screen.

"Your mom is doing great," Joy said the moment she picked up.

Yerim perked up. "Really?"

"As great as she can be. She still thinks her dead sister is standing in the corner and watching her, but that's nothing new."

Hope was a double edged sword. It was always there, hiding in some part of Yerim's heart, but it did nothing except let her down. Joy's news should've bought her joy, but it did the exact opposite. Three years had already passed since her mom was diagnosed with stage four of Alzheimer's disease, yet every single day, some foolish part of her still hoped that therapy and medicine could cure her. At least, her mom's newest story wasn't that bizarre. There was one time Yerim's mom had swore that her grandma was trying to drag her to the gates of heaven.

"Thanks for taking care of her again." She buckled in her seatbelt, turned on the engine, and backed out of the driveway. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

"Of course. I'll see you soon."

This time, Yerim was genuine when she replied, "Can't wait."

...