Before you disappear

Chapter 51

After they arrived at the hotel, Sehun had told Jungkook to go in without her. "I'll make sure she gets to her room unseen and then come see you. You go in now."

Jungkook had felt something pulling at his heart strings as he looked at her, before leaving to go to his room. He didn't want to leave her behind, but he knew for now this had to do.

He trusted Sehun with everything he had. The man had been their bodyguard for three years now, but in that time he'd become very close to Jungkook – even offering to tutor him in English. Since he had spent most of his childhood traveling between his mother, who lived in the States, and his father in South Korea, Sehun's English was immaculate.

Still, leaving her behind wasn't something that felt right in his heart. Having her with him felt good. It was weird to realize how good it actually felt. He didn't even know her, yet it felt like he did.

What a difference 10 days could make...

Jungkook checked his watch. It had been at least 30 minutes since he left her with Sehun. Why did it take so long for Sehun to get here? Did something go wrong? Did they get caught?

He shook his head, dismissing the rising concern.

Sehun was more than capable of handling this. He needn't worry, but still... Why was he feeling this way?

Jungkook placed his hand on his chest, almost feeling his heart beating loudly against his ribs.

Was it because of her?

He closed his eyes, remembering the moment he first locked eyes with her during the concert. The feeling he had back then seemed the same as right now. But where it was mostly an attraction based on curiosity back then, now it was based on anticipation. On wanting to see her again. Wanting to talk to her and get to know her. And perhaps wanting to relive that one romantic moment they shared in the bathroom.

He pouted his lips. Though the setting was anything but romantic. Sharing a first kiss in a public bathroom. It seemed like a high school scene straight out of one of those American movies.

No. No matter how wonderful that kiss was and how much his heart anticipated reliving that moment, he couldn't count that as a first kiss. Besides, it was a way to get their souls back into the right bodies.

He had to treat her, not as someone whom he had a first kiss with, but someone who he was interested in to get to know. He had to see her as if he didn't live her life and experienced her emotions for ten days.

A quick knock on the door startled him.

Jungkook rose from his chair to open the door. Sehun winked at him, before coming in and closing the door behind him.

"She's in room 417, two doors down," he said. "It all went fine."

Jungkook exhaled. "Good."

"But we do need to talk about this." Sehun tapped on the chair, signaling Jungkook to sit down, and sat across from him. "This is very unlike you. I've never seen you close to a woman, let alone have someone stay at the same hotel. Is she a love interest? Because I don't think I need to tell you about the rules of the management concerning dating..."

Jungkook held up his hands. "I know and it's not like that. She's just someone I feel I need to keep close for now. Don't ask me why. I can't explain it without maybe sounding completely insane. Just trust me on this. I have to do this. I have to keep her close for now."

Sehun eyed Jungkook closely. "I can tell you're serious and I would never think you're insane. But we have to be realistic here. We can't keep her hidden for long. Someone will find out. It's just a matter of time. She can't stay locked up in her room, at least not for days on end. You have to consider giving her a certain role within the team to justify her presence."

"A role? You mean, hire her?"

Sehun shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. All I know is that we need an explanation as to why she's staying in a room on the BTS-only, secluded, sealed off floor. So, tell me what you have in mind on how to proceed here?"

"I'd have to talk to her about this."

"Then do that. Today. And let me know what you come up with by the end of today, so I can handle this accordingly." He stood up from his seat. "Now, I'll have to go get some supplies because apparently it's because of you that she didn't bring as much stuff as she needed. So, this dude-" He tapped his chest. "-now has to do some women shopping."

Jungkook chuckled at his expression.

"You owe me a big one for this, JK."

The maknae held up his hands in defense. "I do and I will repay you. Thank you for this. Truly."

Sehun waved his hand dismissively. "Well, I guess deep down I'm kind of a softie and seeing you with a woman is actually very endearing. It's like one of those Kdramas. You go from 'aawww' to 'what the heck is happening here?'."

That made Jungkook laugh.

Before Sehun opened the door to leave, he turned to face him one last time. "Listen, if you need to go see her, do so around dinner time. The hallway will be empty by then, so you can get freely to her room. Knock three times, so 1,2, pause, 3. That's what I told her you'd do."

Jungkook nodded, glancing at his watch. "Can you make sure she gets dinner-"

"And you have a meal in her room, pretending to be alone in your room?" Sehun interrupted him, making Jungkook feel slightly embarrassed. "Sure, I'll arrange that." He tapped against Jungkook's chest. "Tonight. Let me know how you want to proceed after you talk to her, okay?"

Jungkook nodded. "Thank you again. I really appreciate this."

"You'd better."

Sehun walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. 

***