My Guide // ON HOLD

Chapter 31

Somin's POV

I gritted my teeth, hanging up the call furiously. I put my phone in my pocket and momentarily took a deep breath to calm myself down. I waited for a few seconds feeling my phone vibrate a few times before I decided to turn it off. I was being annoying, alright. My manager, who was looking at me from the car, raised an eyebrow. I faked a smile and quickly got in the passenger side.

"What was that all about? Seems like you were shouting at the person you called," Mr Kim pointed out. I shrugged nonchalantly. "Just family matters," I lied, looking out from the window. Mr Kim didn't question more and changed the subject. "So, going home then?" He asked, already driving out of the carpark.

"Ah, wait. I'm going to Cafe Delights near Seoul National University," I quickly said before he drove to the lane to my house. "Oh, suddenly?" He asked and swiftly went to the other lane. "I'm going out for a meal with Minki sunbae," I told him. "You guys are close enough to do that already?" Mr Kim glanced at me with surprise.

"We knew each other from our acting school, which is Seoul National University," I explained carefully. It wasn't a must to tell my manager that Minki sunbae and I were ex-partners so I left out that detail. "Oh, I see," He replied while nodding. I brought up another topic to talk with Mr Kim, momentarily calming my nerves down from the small bicker with Jongkook oppa.

Narrator's POV

The journey to Cafe Delights took approximately 5 minutes. Mr Kim waved Somin goodbye as she insisted that he didn't need to wait for her and just head home with her car; her company's car, actually. Somin didn't notice Minki's car on the way to Cafe Delights so she assumed he got here earlier or later.

"Welcome!" The workers greeted cheerfully when Somin entered the coffee shop. She smiled at the workers brightly and quickly headed to the corner of the coffee shop as the table hid well from other customers. She ordered black coffee and tiramisu for herself since she didn't know what Minki wanted. She head back to the table to see him already sitting across from her.

He looked up as she approached. "Hey," He greeted with a small smile. She smiled back. "Not going to order anything?" She asked as she took a seat. He just shooked his head. He leaned back against his chair, the faint light enhancing his facial features. Once, she'd compliment his handsome looks. Now, she felt abit weird to be sitting across her ex-boyfriend.

He was looking elsewhere, fiddling with his hands while Somin played with the receipt of her order. She was glad the background noise filled the awkward silence. She then glanced at the monitor that showed customers' process order. A few seconds later, her number turned green, which meant that her order was ready to be served. She got up quicker than expected and she brushed the act off by adjusting her clothes.

She collected her order and felt herself salivate at the sight and smell. Minki, who was looking at her, let out a small laugh at her expression. She took a sip of the black coffee as soon as she sat down. The bitterness with a sweet aftertaste was what she loved about black coffee. "This is good," She commented with frowning eyebrows of truth. "I can't believe you still like black coffee even after 10 years," He said.

"Well, a person's taste doesn't usually change," She shrugged, taking another sip before placing the cup of coffee down. "How about your taste in men?" Minki asked so casually, someone else would think that he asked what was her favourite colour. She didn't show any reaction and took a bite of the tiramisu. "I'll pretend you didn't say that," She replied while pointedly giving him a glare.

"I was just playing around," He smiled cheekily. "So, what have you been up to?" He changed to another subject. She thanked him in her mind. "Well, you know, I just finished a drama and now, I'm doing another one, which I'm very grateful for," She spoke with a sincere smile. "With Running Man, I'm also working as hard since I'm a new member," She continued.

"Must be tiring for you, huh?" Minki asked. "If you're not tired while working hard, are you even working hard? But really, I'm just happy to be in these shows," Somin answered. "You've gotten wiser," He jokingly added, which she playfully kicked his shin under the table. "How about you?" She turned the question back to him. "Similar to you. I've done a few movies in the last 10 months. This is actually my first drama in a year so I'm pretty anxious about it," He replied.

"First drama in a year? That's a long hiatus. Why?" She curiously asked, fiddling with the cup handle. He shrugged. "Movies are somehow easier to shoot and also, less interviews. Not that I hate them but you know that I'm actually nervous infront of a crowd," He explained. She thinned her lips at the familiar words. She just nodded. "So, you didn't get any drama offers in the past year or what?" She teased. He scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"I did, alright? But I didn't know when was the right time," He leaned forward and propped his elbows on the table. Somin was positioned like that so she casually leaned back onto the chair to distance herself from him. "Then, was accepting this drama the right time for you?" She questioned, tilting her head.

He kept quiet for a few seconds, as if thinking about his answer. The corner of his lips lifted and he wet his lips before answering. "I think it is," He paused and looked at her. "Especially with you," He continued. She registered his words for a moment before realizing it's meaning. She let out a nervous laugh. "You're crazy, sunbae," She forced out her words, not knowing what to say.

She heard his deep sigh. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say that to be awkward," He apologised, looking at her with sympathetic eyes. She just smiled at him. His phone suddenly buzzed, saving the uncomfortable situation. She almost sighed out of relief. He answered the call as she busied herself with her coffee and tiramisu.

"Ah, I have a schedule to go to," Minki stood up and wore his coat. Somin stood up out of respect to bid him goodbye. He paused his actions and looked at her. "I'm sorry," He muttered those words before giving her a small nod and walked out of the cafe rushingly. The tone he used wasn't light. Was he apologising for the answer he gave her or something else? She shrugged it off and sat down.

Jongkook's POV

"Hello?" A confused voice called out. I gulped down my nervousness. It was just Somin's manager and I'm acting like a coward. How did I get his number? It's easy when you're close to the producer of Running Man. "Hello, it's Kim Jongkook here," I introduced with a tone I hoped sounded cheerful.

"Oh, Jongkook-ssi! This is surprising," He said with a small laugh. I joined him half-heartedly. "Sorry if I'm disturbing you. I just have something to ask," I chewed on my lip nervously. "No, I'm free at the moment so it's fine! What is it that you want to ask?" He asked.

I cleared my throat. "Do...you know where Somin is?" I questioned carefully. "Somin? She just finished her meeting for her new drama and is having a meal with her co-star. Is there something I'm missing out from her schedule?" I captured a tone of urgency from his voice. "No, no. There's nothing wrong," I stopped. "If you don't mind telling me, where is she having a meal at?" I asked again as my voice hardened. The knowledge of her having a meal with her ex-boyfriend or just any other man made me feel petty.

"No, I don't mind at all. She's at Cafe Delights near Seoul National University," He paused. "I'm sorry to ask but why aren't you calling her personally?" He asked with a polite tone. "Ah. She turned off her phone," I explained. "Really? That's not like Somin. Well, I hope I helped you," He added. "Thanks for answering. I'm sorry if I disturbed you," I said. "You weren't disturbing me at all. Don't worry," I hung up the call after he said his goodbye.

I momentarily closed my eyes and leaned against the couch. My thoughts only of Somin. I stood up from the couch with a determined heart and picked up my car keys on my dining table. I need to see her.

~

Author's Note:

Finally back! Had a good break. Holidays are coming up so early updates are to be expected :) And thank you for 6.8k+ readers <3