Surprisingly, Jungkook brought her to her room and not his. Lisa sat down on the sofa and Jungkook placed a cup of coffee in front of her.
“Have you calmed down?”
“Sorry. I was a mess.”
Lisa lowered her head and stared at the brown liquid containing milk and sugar. Although her eyes are still red from crying, the tears have stopped already and there’s even a disconcerted smile on her lips.
Jungkook sat down beside Lisa and peered at her worriedly.
“Can you tell me what happened?”
“It’s not a big deal…”
“Lisa”
Jungkook called her name sternly. His gaze was gentle with a trace of worry.
Lisa reluctantly sighed.
“It’s really not a big deal, and it may just be my imagination..”
Even so, is it really okay? Thinking so, Lisa then relayed what happened this morning.
“I see…”
Looking up at Jungkook who was in deep thought while holding his chin in his hands, Lisa heaved a sigh.
“The pile of trash could be a child’s prank and even being chased could possibly be just my imagination but..”
“There’s that possibility but… it’s still scary, wasn’t it?”
Hearing his words, tears welled up at Lisa’s eyes. While fighting the urge to cry again, a big hand stroked her head gently.
As if the heat from his big hands transferred to her, Lisa’s face burned hot. Wiping a fallen teardrop, Jungkook sighed softly.
“It’s okay to cry…”
“I won’t cry anymore!”
After saying “Is that so?”, Jungkook gently smiled. Seeing that faint smile, Lisa’s face burned again, but for a different reason than a while ago.
“But if it wasn’t just in your mind, it’s a cause for concern..”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s possible that you have a stalker..”
“N-No, no, no way! That’s impossible! I’m not popular, and aside from you, the last time I got confessed to was in university.”
As if shivering in fear, Lisa shook her head and denied that possibility. However, Jungkook deepened his voice in a warning tone.
“Even so, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a possibility at all, right? In any case, you should take some precautions.”
“What precautions?”
“If you find evidence that you indeed have a stalker, you’ll have to seek the help of the police. But it would also be great if you can take defensive measures yourself such as changing room keys, etc. It’d also be a good idea not to let yourself be alone as much as possible. It’s fine if you’re alone at work or at home, but if you’re commuting around or something, it’d be best to bring someone along.”
Lisa couldn’t help but agree to his reasonable suggestions. However, finding someone to commute with is hard. Telling someone “I might have a stalker so I want you to accompany me.” is quite awkward. And if she was mistaken, it gives others a reason to label her as a delusional woman.
“Let me accompany you during your commute. You have to endure going alone on days off though…”
Jungkook suggested matter-of-factly. Lisa blinked then shook her head.
“No, no, that’s not a good idea. You don’t have to bother, I can ask someone else living near my house. And I’ll be taking the same route home as much as I can!”
“If we’re talking about proximity to your house, aren’t I the closest? And even if you take the same route home, you could still be followed just like a while ago, right?”
“That’s true…”
Indeed, no matter how many times one walks around that dark road, it’s still the only way to her apartment. Recalling what happened today, going home with someone is certainly a sound idea. It’s even more reassuring since Jungkook is a man.
However, seeing that Lisa’s face looked troubled, Jungkook assumed that she disapproved of his proposal.
“What’s wrong? Are you displeased with me?”
Staring at her sharply, Jungkook asked. Lisa slowly raised her head fearfully. Then she shook her head from left to right.
“It’s not like that. I mean.. Aren’t the salespeople busy during this time? You have a lot of projects on hand, and as a sales support, I don’t want to be another burden to you…”
“How can you think about work right now? Besides, it’s me who want to help you so…”
“That’s also another reason!”
Jungkook leaned closer as her voice faded to a whisper. Lisa continued.
“No, I mean, I haven’t given my reply to your confession so I just thought I shouldn’t take advantage of you…”
Lisa felt both guilty and ashamed after saying it. She really didn’t want to take advantage of his kindness.
“Well then, how about this. Every time I accompany you, we’ll have dinner together. You’ll feel safe and assured when you go home and I can use it as an excuse to woo you. What do you think? It’s a win-win situation for both of us.”
“Eh? But that’s…”
“What is it? Anything else you’re displeased with?”
She wanted to ask if he possibly doesn’t enjoy eating with her but decided against it after catching his eyes.
“I don’t really mind eating with you, and there isn’t really a disadvantage for me… but are you really okay with that?”
“…”
“Jungkook?”
At Lisa’s inquiring tone, Jungkook continued to contemplate in silence. After a while, he mumbled a reply that was so low it may not have reached Lisa’s ears.
“I’m glad that my favorability has gone up.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. I was talking to myself. Of course I don’t mind. I’m happy as long as you feel that you’re not at a disadvantage. Well then, we’ll be in each other care for a while?”
“That’s right.”
As Lisa replied, Jungkook’s lips curled up in a smile.
“Then… it starts today, right?”
“Oh? But today I bought food… eh?”
On the way home, Lisa bought a bento at the convenience store. She remembered buying it but couldn’t recall where she placed it.
As she looked for it around her bag, Jungkook lifted the plastic bag that was beside Lisa.
“Are you going to eat such a messy meal? You also like this?”
“Ah…”
The bento had become rather messy inside the plastic. Was it due to impact from running? The lid became undone and some of the rice and side dish spilled out from the plastic.
After receiving the plastic bag, Lisa placed it down.
“…It’ll be a waste so I’ll just eat whatever I can.”
“Then, let me help you. In exchange, help me with my meal as well.”
Lisa nodded without thinking.
From then on, Lisa and Jungkook started coming to work together.
YOU ARE READING
Chased By Him
Historia CortaThe company's infamous "Iron Mask of the Sales Department", a perfectionist man known for his poker face, confessed to Lalisa Manoban. He said he liked her but his face somewhat carried a hint of dissatisfaction. When she asked him for the reason, h...
