Mafia Fanboy || Jeon Jungkook ✓

11: Camp

I held Ari's hand and slowly walked over to the camp. "Kookie, you know a lot about webtoons so you would like the people here." She said softly, taking care of me when she is the little girl, I should take care of.

"Am I looking good?" I asked, looking at the informal white t-shirt and ripped denim I am wearing. I mostly wear formal when I am outside so this is definitely something new.

"You always look good. What's new?" She mentioned while trying to look towards the entrance of the camp. I sighed and looked down when I felt her grip tighten around my hand.

"Jeon Jungkook, you are the hottest man alive. Don't let any man flirt with you." She whispered, standing on her tiptoes to reach my ear.

I smiled at her words, my insecurity washing away.

"Why only men? You don't worry about women?" I teased her with a smirk and she smiled at me. "I am too pretty to be cheated on and I am well aware that you are going to stay with the rude person that I am, so yeah."

"You are impossible," I let out in an exasperated growl and she says as a matter of factly, "You love me."

I gape at her playfully. "I have never said such a stupid thing to you, Miss Pomme," I said and her smile dropped. She glared at me.

Shit.
She is mad. She looks like she is about to slap me. "Why are we dating then?"

Fuck. I messed up. But I need to act calm. She doesn't mean these. I can see it in her eyes. She is just angry at me.

"Because I asked you out and you said 'yes'," I tell her with a burgeoning smile. "And you are madly in love with me."

"I never said such a stupid thing," she said and smacked my arm.

"Okay, baby. I love you so much." I whisper deeper in her ear, my arm spinning around her waist as I draw her to my chest. I don't think I've ever seen Ari so flushed before.

Then someone interrupted our moment by clearing his throat and both of us turned to look at Lim approaching us. He smiled at Ari but then his smile faltered when his eyes landed on me. Ari slightly pushed me and turned to face Lim.

"Pomme, I really don't mind your boyfriend at the camp but you are our artist and I really care about our artists. So to avoid any rumors or scandals, I would suggest you to-"

"He can use this card and act as a volunteer," the Editor interrupted him and came running to us with an ID card. I took it from him and side glanced at Lim who seems to be irritated by me somehow.

"Why would there be a scandal? I don't care about rumors-"
"Shh..." I stopped Ari and held her hand. I smiled at Lim and then at the Editor.

"I will gladly be a representative of my company and volunteer. This will just bring my company more attention. Thank you, Mr. Lim." I said and saw Ari rolling her eyes and walking away from us.

Editor Kwon pursed his lips and followed Ari. While I slid the strap of my card around my neck. I was about to walk past Lim when his words stopped me.

"I can assure you that I have pure intention for Pomme. She is the most important artist in my company and I care for her. I have heard a lot about her and have met her for the first time but I already find her attractive. Her personality is one of the two reasons why I wish to pursue her."

I knew it. He likes her.

"And what is the other one?" I ask, trying to control my fury.

"Aren't you dating her for the same reason?" He asks me with a scoff and I frown at him. "What do you mean?"

"She is the only heiress of the Jin family. Nobody knows that but I am very sure about the fact that you do. You know Ari well. Also, the fact that she belongs to a Mafia family. All the assets of her family will be passed on to her future husband."

"Lim," I say and continue, "If I wanted to date someone for their family assets, I'd have a girl on my arm every single day. It would never be just a single one."

I lean forward and add, "I promise you that my intentions towards her are purer than yours then. And I think it's sweet that you're looking out for Ari, but she's more than capable of taking care of herself, which is one of the many reasons why I want to pursue her."

"What's another reason?" He tests me and I smile. "I'll be able to discuss anything and everything in the world, and she'll have an answer. She is that amazing."

"What about your philosophy on wealthy girls? Aren't we all the same? We want to find some silk stocking girl and do nothing with our lives?" He asked and I scoffed at him, shaking my head at his comment.

Sick and mental parasite of society! He should never get married to anyone. I walked away from there and spotted Ari talking to a girl on a table who was drawing.

Ari is in this huge hall but joining her on this bizarre day was the last idea on my mind. Yet here I am, a helpless bystander, desperate to be a part of her life in any way I can.

Today, I was more than willing to wait in a huge crowd of rookie comic artists with Ari because I wanted her to see how much important she is in our lives. How much of an inspiration she is in our lives. How her works affect our lives and brings a smile to our faces after a bad day. I'm sure plenty of artists here look up to her as an idol.

She wouldn't come without me. So I joined, knowing that she'll definitely receive some positive affirmations and words over here from rookie artists who get inspired by her.

Everything I do today is for Ari's sweet smiles and soft laughs. She has the magnetism of the Bermuda Triangle, and I'm a lost plane desperate to land.

With the sun fading away, our day will slowly come to an end. The idea of going back to my office, killing gangsters, and checking stocks fill me with dread.

I slowly walked towards her and stood beside the table next to her. "Sketch and glaze with inks, transparent paints, and mediums," Ari said and the girl nodded with a smile.

"Okay, Pomme. Thank you so much. You are my inspiration." She said and Ari's eyes widen. "Inspiration? Me?"

The girl nodded her head. "Yes, you're my role model. I started drawing comics after reading your works. Thank you so much for helping me find my dream." She said and I smiled while looking at Ari who seemed to be hearing something like that for the first time.

"Umm...thank you so much. I hope that you do well here and your webtoon is selected as well." She said and I tried to control my laughter, looking at her nervous side.

I walked away from there until I spotted Chi-won and Mino distributing some snacks to the artists at every table.

I strolled to them and they looked at me before bowing at me. "Let me help you all. I'll distribute some as well." I suggested and they nodded.

I helped them while keeping an eye on Ari if she needed any help but she didn't even glance at me for once and kept her focus on helping the artists by giving them advice.

I slowly walked over to her and tapped her back and she turned to look at me and then smiled brightly, completely transforming into a warm teddy bear from an icy polar bear. I smiled and gestured her towards the waiting lounge.

"Shall we take a break and eat something? You haven't eaten anything since the morning."