Abyss - Kim Seokjin AU Fanfiction

Chapter 11

Brunch at Lacey's was always a fun affair. This was the usual place that they went to as boys and now as adults. During the drive, Jin explained that it was rare for the boys to be together all at once. Ela nodded taking it all in. She had crossed paths with each of them at one point in university. She had always known about Jin's friends from what she heard he in his parents would talk about over the dinners. Finally, there were faces to match the names from all the short stories she heard about them. 

"Thank you for agreeing to do this in such short notice." Jin said, keeping his eyes on the road as he make a turn. "I promise not to bother you anymore in the following days." 

Ela nodded quietly at him. She kept her eyes steady to the view out her window, while her hands fiddled with the new pillbox she got. Ela made sure not to shake it so much so it wouldnt make a sound. It was densely packed this time. Twenty-three tablets were crammed inside, enough to last her ten days. This would never do, since she drank two - sometimes three - a day to ease her recurring anxiety. She had not taken her fill for today, however. 

As if to read her mind, he asked about her medication. "Have you had your tablets today?" 

Ela did not know what to say to this. It was already obvious to Jin that she was playing with her pillbox in the pocket of her trousers. If there was a more delicate way to address this, he would. But they were alone, and he thought it would be okay. 

"No." She said. "Not yet." 

Jin made a turn to a corner lot with a massive structure that looked like an Art Nouveau greenhouse. There was an archway the with a sculptural vine motif, on the top it said Lacey's. Ela and Jin had dinner here once, with their parents. She recalled the candle light dinner with a string quartet playing in the background. 

"It's best if you take them after the meal." Jin said softly. He gathered his things from the side of the door and placed them in his lap. He looked at her again, apologetically. The corners of his lips curved up. "I didn't want to ask you but-" 

Before he could finish, Ela opened the zipper to her bag and presented it to him. "Don't worry. I don't mind." And that was the truth. She truly did not mind at all. If she was to go through with this plan of hers, and play it out, then she should at least put in the same amount of effort that he was doing. If there was anyone who could hide discomfort well, it was Jin. Ela thought she could do that too. And soon, when the planning starts, she might have the confidence to strike a deal with him on this marriage. Who knew, they might even become good friends? 

Jin placed his wallet and phone gently in her bag once more. "Let me open the door for you." He said as he got out of his side of the car and dashed across. As he opened her door, he held out a hand to assist her in getting out. Ela reluctantly took it and landed lightly on the pebbled floor on her think mid heeled shoes. 

They made their way inside, and found the Hoseok, Jimin and Jungkook seated at a private area separated by etageres in the same vine pattern as the archway they passed. They took the two vacant seats and settled in. 

As everybody began to order, Jin drew closer to Ela and whispered, "Are you alright?" 

"Yes," she said, reassuring him with a smile. "Don't worry about me." 

Jin nodded and proceeded to order. Ela waited for her turn and lifted up the menu to scan her meal choice. As she did this, her hands came into full view and Jin took notice of the detail that everyone had. It was no wonder Jimin eyed her hands as he took his things from them in his office. He had that look of uncertainty in him that rarely appeared. He knew that he was doing the same thing now. As soon as he finished ordering, the waiter moved to Ela, who was pointing at a few pasta choices. Jimin's eyes landed on Jins and widened at him. He flicked them slightly to her fingers and then blinked at Jin. 

I know, he said with his glare. Quit staring. She will notice and think were crazy.

As Ela closed the menu book, both men snapped out of their staring conversation and proceeded as usual. Hoseok, continuously checked his phone, scrolling and scrolling. He looked towards the entrance and then to the sparse seating arrangement. 

"So, when's the wedding date?" Jungkook blurted out. "Yoongi hyung mentioned it once, but never specified on the date." 

"We haven't set it yet." Jin said flatly. "We haven't even started with the planning process." 

Hoseok chimed in to change the mood. He gave a glare to Jungkook who only shrugged. A little while later, a drink arrived for him and he averted his attention to that. "We've wanted to meet you as soon as we heard.  Jin always said that -" He stopped himself suddenly realizing where the sentence was going. "I mean, I've been curious about you since we heard that you two finally got engaged." 

Finally? That word was underlined and italicized in Ela's mind. She thought, she would say it out loud, "Finally? What do you mean?" 

Jin quickly answered. "I've been telling them that I was going to introduce you to them. Eomma told them that I got engaged to you in the group chat she has with us and they all got eager." 

"Oh." Ela said, accepting the answer without a thought more. And then she added, "It's good to see the faces to the names that I have heard about." 

Jimin laughed. "Jin talks about us?" Everyone - even Jungkook who was busy with his vanilla milk shake - stared at Jin. Ela joined in too as she nodded at Jimin. Slowly, Jin's neck and ears turned red. 

"Look, he is doing it again!" Hoseok teased. "Look!" 

"Please, stop it." But they all looked at him, waiting for an answer. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and he could not believe his friends were doing this in front of Ela. But she looked entertained, and curious at the same time. Furrowed brows and pursed lips, the same expression she had when he first saw her, was on him now. "Yah! You always do this to me. I told you to stop staring at me because it makes me turn red!" 

The three boys and Ela burst out laughing and he covered his face with both his hands. Hoseok was slightly pleased at the ease Jin had now. Just a little bit more walls to tear down. 

Ela looked at each of them, and then settled on Jin, who had joined in. This was the first time she had heard him laugh. The sound made her laugh even more at how endearing and amusing it was. His eyes landed on her which were reduced to thin lines, his smile wide and clear. So this is what he was like when he was with his friends. Ela thought that this was a side of him she would like to see. It turns out that there was a whole lot more to Kim Seokjin, and she wondered if perhaps it was wise to know all of him, because she wouldn't be able to turn back if she did. 

* * * * * * * 

As soon as Jin parked the car at the front of her office, Ela immediately opened her bag and took his things out, placing them gently on the cupholder. 

"You don't want to forget that again." She said.

Jin nodded in thanks. He opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't say the words he wanted. 

Ela clicked the door open and made her way out of the car. Before she was out completely, Jin finally spoke: "It would be better to plan things in a few weeks. I wouldn't want our parents pressing us again in the next dinner." 

"Yes." She agreed. It would be awful to hear her mother nag her. "I agree. Let's set up a schedule. We can make an outline from there." 

"Yes. I'll give you a text." 

"That sounds good. Thank you for brunch today Jin. I enjoyed it." Ela smiled at him, she was standing by the doorway of his car now. "Give the boys my best." 

He nodded obligingly. When she closed the car, her hands came into full view once again, reminding him of another task he had to complete. Since the plan to court her was thrown out, this would be the next best thing. Ela waved goodbye as he drove out of the driveway. When she turned to enter her office building, she found her entire team standing by the window with their mouths wide open. Brandon, who was in the center, stood satisfied with his hands crossed over his chest and a mischievous grin on his face. 

This was going to be a long day.