Siren Song | KNJ ✅

Chp. 17: Yoongi Will You Marry Me?

Ari's POV 🌸

Today went so well, but for some reason, my anxiety is setting in again, and the area next to my right eye has been twitching, which scares me a little bit. I turn the water on in the shower, adjusting the knob until it is at the hottest setting my skin can handle. Sliding under the stream, tilting my head back, I let the water fall through my hair and settle over my body.

I try to take a deep, cleansing breath, but my heart feels like it is skipping beats in some moments, or conversely, beating three quick beats in succession. I pray that the hot water won't just help rinse away the daily grime but also take my stresses down the drain with it.

Since I met Namjoon, our relationship has transformed from enemies, to cordial peers at work, to a blooming friendship. I'm excited to get to know him outside of work. Also, Lily was so receptive to my ideas about the website that she even called Ha-Kun while we were stuck in traffic and put him on speaker phone for an impromptu meeting. By the time she dropped me off at my apartment, I was granted permission to redesign the entire Rogue Records website. The opportunity was all I could ever want!

So why am I feeling like this?

I take my time washing my hair and then run my hand over my heart a few times, trying to will it to slow down. Each stroke over my skin, I hope, is the one that calms my body down, but alas, my heart is still beating to a time signature I'm not familiar with. Picking up a bar of soap, I take a few deep breaths and inhale the scent as I build up a lather and then wash over my skin. By the time I've finished, I feel like I've been in the bathroom for an entire hour.

After running a wet brush through my hair, I lay down on my bed while wrapped in a snuggly, oatmeal-colored robe. I glance over at my cherry blossoms painting and imagine myself swaying in the breeze as well. My phone chimes, and I look down to check my notifications. It's a number I don't recognize.

Message: Hi Ari, it's Joon 🙂

My racing heart feels like it has come to a halt for a moment. Even though I know Joon had my number, I guess I never fully believed he would actually use it!

Ari: Hi Joon! How is it going? 🙂

Joon: Good, I was thinking. Maybe Saturday we could go on an outside adventure?

Ari: Anything that's not about the color gray sounds good to me 🤣

Joon: So, no adventures on the moon? 

I chuckle. His equally nerdy sense of humor is a huge turn-on. I don't think he even realizes it.

Ari: Hmm, maybe we stay in Korea this time. Perhaps a hike or take a walk somewhere?

Joon: Sounds good. Any place you have in mind?

Ari: I really don't. Surprise me!

Joon: I can do that! I will plan something.

Ari: Sounds perfect.

Joon: One thing I forgot to tell you. You would have to sign an NDA beforehand. I'm sorry! Is that ok? 😔

Ari: No big deal. I feel like I sign a new one every day! 

I laugh; at this point, I seriously feel like I'm signing my soul away daily. If it gets me some time to see if we are compatible alone. Well, I'd honestly sign anything at this point.

Joon: You are a peach.

Ari: No, you are!

Joon: Cute! I will start planning! I'll see you in the morning. Yes?