Map of the Soul 7 Saga Book 3 - Home

Home Chapter 4

After dropping off Holden and arriving at my new job the following day, I settled into my new office. The space was bright and modern, with large windows offering a view of the bustling city below. I eagerly began reviewing the Calvin Klein contract that required signatures from both Big Hit and Jungkook. The anticipation of working on such an important deal filled me with excitement for the new challenges ahead.

As I was looking through the documents, I heard a familiar voice say, "Hey beautiful, what are you doing?" My heart almost stopped, but I played it cool and looked up at Jungkook, who was leaning against my wall with that flirty smile of his.

Play it cool, I reminded myself internally. I rolled my eyes and looked at him. "I need you to sign these, please. Also, I have a question. I thought you were a lot shyer and not such a flirt like Jimin?"

He glanced at the papers, his voice dropping to a playful tone. "Oh, I love to be needed." Then he winked at me, and I swore my heart skipped a beat. "The military helped me come out of my shy side," he added, his voice softer now, almost intimate. There was a vulnerability in his tone that caught me off guard. I quickly averted my gaze, feeling my cheeks flush as I tried to regain my composure. Despite the embarrassment, I continued to search online for creative marketing ideas for JK's new photo cards, set to be released with BTS's upcoming album.

Suddenly, JK leaned over me, peering at the screen. I could sense his breath and catch a whiff of his intoxicating scent. Our eyes met, and he was standing so close that the possibility of him leaning in to kiss me lingered in the air. In a familiar stance from yesterday, my eyes widened in anticipation, and a smile graced his lips as he looked down at me.

"Well, this is cozy," he said, then stood up and burst into laughter.

I sank onto my desk, forcing myself to ask, "Is there anything you need, Sir? This is the second day you have come to bother me."

His laugh turned into a frown. "That's my dad's name, not mine."

I chuckled softly. "Oh, sorry," I said, still laughing.

"I just wanted to check in on you again and make sure you're doing your job," he teased, his tone playful.

"Oh, thanks," I responded with a sarcastic smile, rolling my eyes.

His face lit up again. "Would you like to go for coffee sometime with me? I really would like to see Holden again."

As I raised the cup of coffee to my lips, preparing to take a sip, JK's unexpected question startled me. I coughed and accidentally spewed the coffee out of my mouth, causing me to choke briefly. All I could manage to utter in response was a bewildered, "What?!"

JK's brow furrowed with concern as he quickly searched for a napkin or tissue. "Are you okay?" he asked, gently patting my face with the napkin. Despite my embarrassment, I pulled away, still coughing and trying to avert my gaze. I raised my hand to signal him to leave the office, indicating that I needed some space.

He got up and walked to the end of my cubicle, looking back at me with a sad expression. I held up my index finger to let him know I needed a minute. He nodded and walked off, a smile still lingering on his lips.

After five minutes, I took a deep breath to calm myself. I straightened up, tidied my hair, and then leaned on my desk with my elbows, resting my hands on my head. "Did he actually just ask me out on a date?" I uttered to myself, still feeling bewildered by the situation.

I heard someone clearing their throat. Turning around, I saw JK looking at me, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to scare you like that," he said, his gaze sincere, those cute doe eyes making my heart flutter.

"Do you ask all your staff out for fun, or is this a new thing?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

He looked at me, feigning offense. "I have never asked any of my staff for coffee except you!"

I responded in a mumbled voice, "So it's a new thing." Then I added, "Look, JK, if this is some kind of a joke, it's funny, but you should at least let me finish my drink next time you decide to prank me like that."

"Prank you?" JK questioned, confusion evident in his tone.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I finally gathered the courage to confront him. "Look, JK," I started, my voice shaky but determined. "I'm ARMY, you know that. And you've been flirting with me since we met." I paused, searching his face for a reaction. His eyes widened slightly, but he remained silent. "You always say you want to be friends with ARMY," I continued, my words tumbling out faster now. "But then you flirt with us. I get it when it's on stage or in videos, but in person? It's... it's too much." I turned away, unable to meet his gaze any longer. My chest felt tight, a mix of hurt and frustration swirling inside me.

JK approached me, his usual playful demeanor replaced by an intensity that made my breath catch. He gently turned my chair to face him, then knelt down, his eyes level with mine. The sincerity in his gaze was overwhelming.

"Ria," he said softly, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "I'm not playing a prank on you. I genuinely think you're cool, and I'd like to take you out for coffee as friends. Is that so hard to believe?" I felt my defenses crumbling as he continued, his words tinged with vulnerability. "I'm sorry I made you feel like a joke. I didn't mean it like that at all. I don't know how to be friends with ARMY in real life, to be honest. I only know how to talk to them as a whole and how I was trained to talk to them."

His expression reminded me of a sad puppy, and I felt a sudden urge to comfort him. "Wait," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Are you serious, JK?"

He nodded, then stood up and leaned in close. My heart raced as I felt the warmth of his breath on my skin. "Ria, can we be friends?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. "I want to get to know you and take you out. Please say yes."

Time seemed to stand still as we gazed at each other. I was frozen in place, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. My mind was spinning, trying to process what was happening. JK, the global superstar I'd admired for so long, wanted to be friends with me? Wanted to take me out?