𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐑 | 𝖫𝖧𝖲

𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧: 감정들 (feelings)

after breakfast, i immediately ordered food for kyungjun... well, mister woo.

while he was in his meeting, jake went grocery shopping for me. 'it's on me', he said when i wanted to give him the money. a true sweetheart if you asked me.

now i was sitting in my office alone, a cup of newly brewed coffee right on my desk and my glasses fixed on my nose. sometimes it was tiring, but every kind of work is exhausting. there's just no escape.

kyungjun's office phone went off and i wanted to ignore it, but the caller just kept violating the device. "this can't be real.", i groaned and went to the accept the call.

"woo enterprises, you're speaking to woo kyungjun's secretary, miss woo! how may i help you?" i tried to sound as formal as possible, but deep down i felt pure anger towards the person who wanted to reach out to my brother.

"jieun.", the person on the other line barely breathed out.

"i'm sorry, but who's this?" i was feeling unwell. where did they even know my name?

at this moment, jake entered my office with two huge bags, placing them on the couch and joining me. "if you don't answer my question, i won't be able to help you. may i get your contact information so that mister woo can get back to you?"

instead of an answer, the other one hung up on me. "what the..."

"everything okay?", jake patted my back. "yeah, it's just... a weird caller. anyway, thanks for getting the groceries! could you perhaps send me home tonight as well? jun has an event to attend and plus ones aren't allowed."

"you're ridiculous for thinking i'm leaving you alone after some person just called and you look terrified as hell. let's have dinner at my place, you're staying overnight."

"you don't need to go that far, i-"

"sounds good!"
kyungjun entered the room and fixed his tie: "jake takes great care of you, ji. i trust him, so it's settled. i'm going to drive you home, help you pack your things and then we'll get to jake's."

"i'm old enough to be on my own.", i defended.

"not when you're a woman and live alone. not happening."

"you all are overreacting.", i sighed, "but fine. if that makes my boss happy."

"don't forget i can easily fire you." kyungjun gave me that fake smile before exiting the room as fast as he entered.

jake turned my head towards him and gave me an assuring smile: "please understand we just want the best for you, jieun. you know that. but if you really don't want to stay with me for one night, it's on you."

guilt trip, his favourite way to convince me.

i rolled my eyes: "fine. i'll see you tonight. now let me finish my work, please. i hate working overtime."

——— 𝑇𝐼𝑀𝐸 𝑆𝐾𝐼𝑃

"don't be a burden to jakey, jieunnie.", kyungjun baby-talked and patted my head, "make sure you eat well and help your friend a bit, okay?" i cannot believe i let the two of them treat me like a little child who needs a babysitter. in that case, jake was mine. more or less.

"bye.", i said and shut the door.

"that was hella mean.", jake commented from the couch where he was sitting on.

"try to get on a twenty minutes ride with him while he is trying so hard to give you a lesson about work and private life! gosh, i'm so sick of it."

the other one just chuckled and led me to the kitchen: "i'm not a good cook, so i just made pasta casserole with spinach and cream." he pointed at the food. "i also served it in the dining room already, but if you prefer to eat alone-"

"jake, please stop thinking i want to get away from you. you make it sound like i'm about to create a border between us."

we broke out in laughter after it went silent for a moment.

jake was a talker, even while eating. so, he kept me entertained by talking about work, news and everything he could possibly think of. i enjoyed listening to him. maybe it was because his eyes were shining like stars when he got excited or because his voice was so soothing. either way, he comforted me in his own way and i really liked that about him.

"okay, seems like we have finished the food! i'll go clean up a bit."

"don't you dare do that on your own. i'll help you.", i sternly protested and took the plates to the kitchen. "just don't push yourself too far, ji. you've had a stressful day at work already, i don't want you to collapse or anything like that."

"you're weak for thinking that i'm weak."

"considering all the caffeine you're consuming, i rather think you're living unhealthily."

i stuck my tongue out at him and finished cleaning up. "young lady, you're supposed to behave.", jake scoffed playfully.

"please, when have i ever behaved around you?"

"bold." he wiggled his eyebrows and suppressed his smile by biting his bottom lip.

i was about to walk towards my room for the night before i tripped on the carpet in the hallway. a squeak left me as i squinted my eyes to prepare myself for the fall, but the thump never came.

instead, jake already snuck his arm around my waist and chuckled: "jieun, you were supposed to fall for me." god, i could already feel the butterflies in my stomach.

my back was still facing him, good for me actually since i was blushing like a fool.

jake spun me around and inched even closer to my face. "are you perhaps feeling uncomfortable now? we can stop if you want.", he whispered. "you're dumb for thinking we're going to end anything here.", i replied.

my hands grabbed his collar and pulled him even closer to me before i laid my lips on his.

——
𝗀𝖺𝗌𝗉