TIME SKIP: THREE MONTHS
February 14, 2020
Three months had passed since Bella had gone to Taiwan. She and Jake had fallen into their routines quite easily. They usually started their mornings with 'Good Morning' and 'Have a great day' messages to let each other know that they were starting their days. Or sometimes, in Jake's case, he was just crawling into bed from overnight shoots.
At night, they would make it a point to at least have a video call. On occasions when Jake had obligations, like award shows, performances and shoots, he would let Bella know so she could go to bed early and not wait for him anymore. He always sent her pictures and videos of himself and the group, making Bella feel like she was included.
On the weekends when they were all free, their squad would play Mobile Legends. Bella had taken up the support role to supplement the squad's need. Jake was normally the Marksman, Taehyung was the tank and Jimin was the fighter. But all three were all-rounders. They really could take up any role. Otherwise, if the idols were unable to play, Bella opted to log on to Azefalgar.
Today, she walked into the office and went about her daily routine of breakfast first, then the morning huddle and then the doors would be opened to serve clients until the doors closed and it was time to go home. But today was not an ordinary day. It was a day when expectation hung heavy in the air. Today was Valentine's Day and admit it or not, the ladies in the office would definitely love to receive roses. Bella was one of those ladies but she knew better than to expect anything.
One by one, Bella's officemates indeed received their bouquets. She watched them receive their roses and she felt very happy for them. They all took turns taking pictures to commemorate the occasion. By 430 pm, the branch was about to close its doors when a tall man with an acoustic guitar walked in. He had a hat and face mask on. He walked close to Bella's table. He started strumming a song. Within seconds, a tall man in ripped jeans and a black shirt appeared by his side and started to sing. He had a bucket hat on and he too, was wearing a face mask. In his hands, he held a bouquet of two dozen red roses and a purple gift box tied with a lavender ribbon. One of the branch security guards approached them about removing their hats but Bella signaled that it was okay.
Her officemates started to whip out their phones and take videos but Bella asked them not to. The two remaining clients had stopped what they were doing and started to scream out of excitement.
The man with the guitar started blending his voice with the man in the bucket hat. She stood up as they approached her and bucket hat hit a high note. She took the bouquet and gift box and lay them on her table.
When the song ended, the man in the bucket hat extended his arms and Bella stepped into them. She buried her face in his chest as tears began to escape her eyes. He smelled of Balenciaga. Jake hugged her tight and rested his chin on her head. "I missed you so much, Princess."
Taehyung went to sit down on the chair opposite Bella's.
"You told me you had a performance today." Bella accused him, between sobs.
Jake continued to hug her. "I do have a performance today. I had to sing to this beautiful Princess I'm courting."
She punched his arm and turned to look at Taehyung, narrowing her eyes. She dared not speak their names in order to keep their identities intact.
"I told you I'd be back in the Philippines." Taehyung said, matter-of-factly. He lay the guitar on the ground, against Bella's table.
Bella gave Taehyung an accusatory look. "Accomplice."
Jake took her face into his hands and kissed her forehead. "Are you happy, Princess?"
She nodded. "Shocked but happy. I never thought you would do something like this. How did you even know where I worked?"
"It's not hard to look things up, Princess. Found you on someone else's tagged picture." Jake informed her.
"You stalked me." She narrowed her eyes at him.
He pulled her into a hug again. "A man's got to do what a man's got to do."
Bella pointed to Taehyung. "Dragging him along?"
"Hey, he volunteered to be my wingman." Jake protested.
"C'mon, let me introduce you to everyone. Keep your hats and face masks on." Bella took his hand and Taehyung's elbow.
By this time, the branch was devoid of clients and the only people left were the employees. Bella led them to the center of the room. "Guys, this is Jake" She introduced, lifting his hand "and uh, this is Yeontan." She continued. Waves of Hi and Hello echoed. "This is everyone." Bella motioned. The two of them waved and said Hi, amidst hellos from the team. The trio then walked back to Bella's desk.
"What time do you get off work, Bella?" Taehyung asked.
"530pm, oppa."
Taehyung nodded. "Someone's in the car waiting for you."
Bella blinked in surprise.
Jake whispered in her ear. "The real Yeontan."
Bella squealed and quickly covered her mouth. "Seriously? Tannie's here? You left him alone in the car?"
"Jimin-hyung's with him, too." Jake whispered in response.
Bella smiled. "I get to meet him too?!"
Taehyung snickered. "Trust me, they're more excited to meet you! Literally everyone wanted to come."
Bella laughed at the idea of seven idols in hats and face masks entering the branch. How hard would it be to conceal that? "How long are you here for?", she asked.
"We leave tomorrow, Princess. We'll just drop you off at work and then we're flying back." Jake replied.
"You're dropping me off at work? But it's a Saturday tomorrow." Bella protested.
"Then we'll drop you off at home. But tonight, you're staying at the hotel with us. I booked four rooms at Dusit Thani Mactan." Jake laughed. "Speaking of which, you still haven't opened your present." He continued, pointing to the gift box.
Bella took the gift box and removed the ribbon. When she opened the box, she saw Kookie Jammies and a black dress.
"For tonight and tomorrow. And they're already washed." Jake explained.
She threw her arms around his neck. Granted, she had to jump first but she got it done. "Thank you, Jake." Jake hugged her back.
"And in Hangul?" Taehyung asked.
"Kamsamnida, JK." Bella said.
"Good girl." Taehyung praised.
"You're welcome, Princess." Jake replied to her.
Bella nodded. "Okay, let me finish up here and I'll meet you outside. It shouldn't take too long. I just need to wait for 530pm."
They both nodded.
"The rental's a black sedan, Princess. Just wait outside and we'll come to get you, okay?" Jake told her.
She nodded that she understood and dropped them off at the branch doors. Bella asked Jake to take the bouquet and the gift box with him to the car first. She made sure to finish up her reports and respond to her emails. She then gathered her toiletries and placed them in her bag. She always had a spare pouch of toiletries including disposable underwear at the office. Once, she had come to work with the sun shining one minute and then raining cats and dogs the next. By the time she had arrived at the office ,she was soaked to her teeth. Ever since then, she kept spares as well as an extra non-wrinkling dress. Just in case.
Finally, it was 530pm and it was time to leave. Bella sprinted for the door, saying a quick goodbye to her officemates. She waited outside the door and within a minute, a black sedan approached her. The passenger side window rolled down and Bella could see Jake was in the driver's seat. Taehyung and Jimin were both at the back.
She hopped into the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt. Jake turned the GPS on and sped away.
Yeontan jumped out of Taehyung's lap and took up residence on Bella's lap instead. She petted his head and tickled behind his ears.
Over the past three months, Yeontan would join Jake occasionally when he called Bella during a break in work. The other pets like Gureom and Min Holly would be in the call too. But this was the first time she met Yeontan, Taehyung and Jimin in person.
"Hi Bella! Nice to finally meet you in the flesh." Jimin spoke.
Bella turned to look in the backseat behind her. "Hey Jimin-oppa! Right back at you. And can I say, you really do look like an angel."
Jimin covered his face. Yeontan barked.
Bella petted his head again. "You're still the cutest, Tannie." She told him.
Jake turned to look at Bella. "Great! I not only have to share you with my six hyungs, but with Tannie too?" He said in mock exasperation.
Bella placed her hand on top of his and they both smiled at each other. An unspoken acceptance of what Jake just said resonated between them.
