Map of the Soul 7 Saga Book 3 - Home

Home Chapter 10

A couple days later, at my house, I slowly opened my eyes, the soft light of early morning peeking through the curtains. The first thing I noticed was the warmth surrounding me—JK's strong arms encircling my waist, his chest pressed against my back. His steady breath tickled my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. Glancing at the clock, I saw it was only 4 AM. My heart fluttered as I turned slightly in his embrace, taking in his peaceful sleeping face. He looked so vulnerable, so different from his public persona.

"Babe," I whispered, gently touching his cheek. "Don't you have work?"

As he stirred, his arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. For a moment, I wished we could stay like this forever, wrapped in our own little world. But reality was calling, and I knew we had to face the day. Still, I savored these precious seconds, feeling safe and loved in JK's arms.

"Babe," I whispered again.

He looked at me, tired. "One more minute," he moaned.

I turned around to urge him to get up. "Babe, you need to get up. You have work."

He pulled me in tighter. "No," he groaned.

I giggled. "Come on, you big baby, get up."

He moaned again, "I don't want to."

He began to drift off to sleep once more, but I knew exactly how to rouse him. I carefully released myself from his death grip, got dressed, and headed down to the kitchen to prepare his favorite dishes. The enticing aromas of his favorite foods filled the air as they cooked, wafting all the way upstairs to the loft where he lay.

I heard the sound of JK moaning and then his footsteps as he moved around upstairs. The creaking of the stairs signaled his descent, and soon, he appeared while putting on his shirt. He came over to me, wrapped his arms around me from behind, and rested his tired face on my shoulder. "Smells good," he murmured.

"I know," I said. "It's time to eat and get you off to work."

He let out a deep groan and reluctantly agreed, "Okay, fine," before wearily taking a seat at the table. His exhaustion was evident as he slumped in his chair. Wanting to offer some comfort, I brought him a steaming cup of coffee, and a faint smile formed on his fatigued face as he looked up at me. "Thanks," he said with a groggy voice.

Then I heard little footsteps running into the kitchen. Holden, looking tired, asked, "Mom, why are you guys up so early?"

By now, Holden was accustomed to the sleepovers with JK. He sat on JK's lap. JK leaned against Holden, trying to go back to sleep. Holden lifted his head and exclaimed, "Hey, you're heavy." JK groaned, complaining that he couldn't use Holden as a pillow with a pouty face.

"Come on, JK, it's time to get up," Holden said. JK nodded his head. Holden got up off JK's lap and sat at the table. "Mom, can I go back to bed?"

"Sure, sweetie," I said. "You don't have to be up until 7."

JK looked at Holden and whined, "Not fair."

Holden giggled, "I'm a kid; I don't have to work." He went back to his room, still tired, and went back to sleep.

I handed JK a steaming plate of delicious, home-cooked food. As he took the first few bites, he seemed tired and slow, but as the flavors hit him, his expression changed. A smile spread across his face, and he perked up. Midway through his second helping, he suddenly got up and walked over to where I was preparing a meal for Holden and myself. With his mouth still full, he gave me a warm hug and planted a kiss on my cheek. "Bye, babe," he mumbled with a mouthful of food before quickly grabbing his helmet, putting on his jacket, and heading out the door.

With a warm smile, I bid him goodbye. After he left, I made sure to lock the door, complete cooking, and store breakfast in the fridge. It was 5:30 AM, and I found myself with an hour to spare. I headed to my room and allowed myself to drift back to sleep for a little while.

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As the week was coming to an end, I found myself engrossed in a sweet text from JK while sitting at the bus stop heading to work. His words, "Have a good week at work. I'll be swamped this week with tour plans and making music, so I won't be able to see you much. But I'll come whenever I can," brought a smile to my face.

Just as I was daydreaming, a shadow fell over me. I jumped. It was Won Sang, the neighbor girl I sometimes went with to the park with Holden.

"Who are you talking to?" she asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity. I quickly hid my phone.

"Oh, sorry," she giggled, but her laugh didn't reach her eyes. "I can be nosy."

I smiled nervously. "Hi Won Sang. What brings you here?"

"Catching the bus too. Where are you going? Work?" Her questions came rapid-fire.

I nodded, trying not to say too much.

"Where do you work again?" she pressed, leaning in closer.

"A company called BH," I said, using our code name for BigHit.

Won Sang's eyes narrowed. "Never heard of it. Is it new?"

I thought about BTS and BigHit's long history. "It's been around a while," I said carefully.

"Maybe we work close by," she said, her voice suddenly sweet. "We could ride together. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Before I could answer, I spotted my friend Mi Hi running towards us. "Hey, Mi Hi!" I called out, relieved.

Mi Hi hugged me, completely ignoring Won Sang. "How are you, sweet girl?"

As we chatted, Won Sang interrupted, her voice sharp. "Do you have a boyfriend, Ria?"

Mi Hi jumped, finally noticing Won Sang at the bus stop. "Oh! Hi there!" she exclaimed, her voice bright but laced with nervousness.

Won Sang glanced at her, barely nodding. "Yeah, hi," she replied dismissively, her attention quickly shifting back to Ria. "May I sit with you on the bus, Ria?" Won Sang asked, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "I want to hear all about this boyfriend."

"Um, I'm actually sitting with Mi Hi, but you can sit near us."  I offer awkwardly.

Won Sang glares at Mi Hi but then quickly shifts to a big smile at me. "Fine," she says. 

Both Mi Hi and I look at each other, noticing the tension, but then the bus comes, saving us from the moment.

On the bus, Won Sang leaned over her seat, pelting me with questions about my man. Her interest felt intense, almost obsessive.

"Oh, he sounds like a movie star," she gushed, her eyes gleaming.

My heart raced, worried I'd said too much. Mi Hi saved me, but Won Sang kept ignoring her, focused solely on me.

"Is he rich?" Won Sang asked eagerly.

"I guess," I said hesitantly.

Won Sang clapped, her excitement unsettling. "Oh, I have to meet him. Come to dinner at my house!"

When I hesitated, her voice took on a whiny, almost threatening tone. "Promise me, Ria."

As we got off the bus, Won Sang followed. Her smile was wide, but her eyes were cold. "Are you trying to get rid of me?" she asked, her voice sending chills down my spine.

After she left, Mi Hi warned me, "Be careful, Ria. Something's not right about her."

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All week, Won Sang rode the bus with us. She kept ignoring Mi Hi and focusing on me, her attention both flattering and frightening. I couldn't shake the feeling that beneath her friendly facade, something darker was lurking. Her obsession with my boyfriend and her cold treatment of Mi Hi left me on edge, wondering what Won Sang really wanted.

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