A Darker Shade Of Red

1.

Hazel

"Hey, you heard about the latest gossip?" Ava asked as she held her phone in one hand and coffee in another while we were walking our way back home after a tiring day at university. 

Being twenty is not easy. You have to participate in internships as you manage your university studies simultaneously and not fail in class. Sometimes I wish I could have 30 hours a day instead of 24 or maybe time could move backwards since I work better at night than morning but am too tired until the night arrives.

"Ava keep your phone down and look forward as you walk. We can talk about this stuff once we reach our apartment" I and Ava are university roommates for about two years now and it's got better ever since. Our friendship bloomed into you know those friendships where your parents favour your friend more than you? Yes, in one of those friendships and honestly if it wasn't for Ava, I don't know if I would've survived the domain here.

"God Hazel I know these gossips excite you as well but never mind we are almost there," she said and exhaled in relief as we've been walking for the past twenty minutes now. Yeah, we are low on energy to even walk twenty minutes without wanting to book a cab just ten minutes away from our place.

We finally reached our apartment as Ava unlocked the door and stepped inside. The comforting smell of our Vanilla candles hit us instantly, soothing us down.

"Let's freshen up and I'll cook dinner," Ava said and I simply nodded. This was our daily routine because I can't cook for my life.

I went ahead and took my scarf and the heavy puffer jacket off as it's the month of November and Korea gets super chilled during the season and turned on our heater for the warmth we desperately need.

Ava freshened up before me and started cooking as I went into my bathroom and did my daily night skincare routine before joining her in the kitchen.

"Yes babe, I'm cooking right now but I'll call you later, hm? Okay, I love you" Ava hung up the call with her boyfriend and resumed cooking as soon as I stepped into the kitchen,

"How's Alex doing Avs?"

"Oh, he's doing great! I miss him though. He's busy with his Journaling stuff and I'm busy with mine. We don't even get time for quick dates anymore" Ava frowned as she stirred the content in the pan.

"Don't worry Avs I'm sure once you both are done with your exams you'll get enough time for not just quick dates but also for the later evening" I teased her and a pink haze appeared on her olive-coloured cheeks.

If anything, Ava is gorgeous. With her beautiful olive skin and the perfect athletic body with those immaculate curves, she could have anyone she want if she wasn't in a content relationship already.

"Hm hopefully so. Anyway, here this is ready just can you get the drinks from the refrigerator please"

I nodded, "sure"

We sat down for dinner and the over-excited Ava couldn't wait any longer to tell me about the recent gossip she came across,

"Oh my God listen, you know Jeon Jungkook right?"

I discreetly shook my head, "I guess? He's the known ruthless CEO of the Jeon enterprise and the youngest one of all times, right?"

Ava immediately nodded as a wide smile took over her face, "God he's so handsome hazel"

I rolled my eyes and swallowed before speaking, "aren't you in a relationship already? Stop thirsting over men you know you probably ain't even going to come across anytime soon"

Ava wasn't the only one to say that. Jeon jungkook was a big deal not only in South Korea but also all over the world. He is the man you would find handsome with those tattoo-covered arms, eyebrows and lip piercing and stoic personality but he isn't the one you would want to acquaintance with.

There have been several rumours about him that would scream you to maintain distance from him and it isn't like people don't already. Other than the paparazzi following him around no one dares to speak to him or his also well-known friends.

She tsked, "so what? The reason I'm thirsting over him is that I know I can't have him. It's only fair"

I slapped my hand over my mouth to stop spitting out any food as I chuckle at her obvious statement. Such an Ava thing to say.

"Anyway, so he has been caught eating at a restaurant and not just any restaurant but the one that's way too low than his richass standards"

"So?"

"So?! So it's making the news that how come a millionaire like him is eating at a restaurant that doesn't even match his standards"

"I don't think it's that big of a deal," I sipped on my apple juice before continuing, "He's a human after all. He can eat wherever he wants. Maybe he knows the owner of the restaurant very well?"

Ava looked down at her phone and scrolled for a second, "apparently the owner is some old lady"

I shrugged, "Maybe he knows her and shouldn't this be something personal?"

"Yeah but you know the paps they follow these rich especially young businessmen everywhere" she shrugged before putting her phone down and finally started eating from her untouched plate.

"There was also a rumour about him spending his time at a children's park after midnight but no paparazzi has yet captured anything about the same"

"Yes, I've heard about that. Not gonna lie that's quite a news but still there's no confirmation" I shrugged,

"Mhm, plus the day he was said to be hanging out in that playground it was raining" Ava continued,

"It was raining?"

"Yes and it's said that Jungkook despises rain"

"Why?" I took my plate and started rinsing it,

"Nobody knows the reason yet"

I nodded once again before leaving the plate to dry, "alright, I'm going to go and rest now"

Ava nodded, "sure, don't overwork yourself and get some adequate amount of sleep, okay? You've been working hard on that project and now that it's finally done get some rest"

I smiled at her and nodded before pulling my hair in a messy bun, "It's not over yet I still need to review it but yes I promise I'll get some sleep tonight"

Ava returned the smile before going back on her phone and I walked into my bedroom calling it a night.

.............