Crystal & Pearl [On Hiatus]

Chapter 1 - Stalker

"Good morning, Jimin!" Taehyung called, running alongside him.

Jimin looked up to see Taehyung beaming at him. The tall, black-haired guy with a boxy smile was desperately trying to keep pace. Jimin smiled lightly and greeted him with a small sigh. "Morning, Gucci beauty!" he replied, quickening his stride.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," Taehyung remarked, struggling to catch up.

"I missed my bus and I'm running late for my shift. Unlike others, I don't have a scooter to set my own schedule. I'll catch up with you at lunch, Tae," Jimin replied, breaking into a run toward the mall.

He dashed toward the Dior store on the top floor, taking the employee staircase two at a time. Taehyung paused for a moment to watch his friend sprint away, shaking his head slightly. A not-so-tall guy with coffee-brown hair and an angelic face was running like a madman, and it was hard to take him seriously. "I wish I could help him more. But with that uptight kid, even God is powerless," Taehyung muttered as he began walking toward the GUCCI store.

Both Jimin and Taehyung worked as salespeople in their respective stores, leveraging their striking looks. They met in college and shared a dream of owning a café together. For now, though, they were focused on saving enough money to make that dream a reality. Compared to Jimin, Taehyung was faring better financially; he had a secondhand scooter and rented a decent studio apartment all for himself. In contrast, Jimin still lived with his family and relied on public transportation for his daily commute.

Jimin's family had been comfortable until his father passed away, which turned everything upside down. Now, Jimin worked full-time as a salesperson in the Dior store, held a steady part-time job three days a week, and danced as a contractor for an event management company. Even his own family barely saw him, as he was constantly hustling for money.

~ At Lunch

Taehyung and Jimin sat together, enjoying their lunch while catching up on each other's lives.

"How was your morning, Jimin?" Taehyung asked, munching on his sandwich.

"Same as always, except a pretty woman came on to me pretty strongly," Jimin replied, gulping down his soda.

"Just another day in Jimin's diary, right?" Taehyung teased, winking at his friend.

"Jiminah, you'd better seduce a rich sugar mommy to take a break from your hectic life," Taehyung joked sheepishly.

"Dude, stop teasing me like that. As if you don't get hit on while working!" Jimin retorted.

"Nah, nah, nah! My Kookie is always a step ahead," Taehyung said proudly, displaying a ring on his finger. It was an ordinary replica of a branded diamond ring that could be purchased online.

"Wow! Is that an engagement ring? Has he proposed already? When? Where? Why didn't you tell me?" Jimin exclaimed in surprise.

"Chill, dude. He didn't propose. It's a promise ring. We both decided to get one since we're always getting hit on. If there's ever a proposal, I should be the one doing it, not him," Taehyung winked.

"Someone's trying to prove their dominance... Aah! Stop pinching me!" Jimin cried.

"You little devil. Are you free tonight? I want your opinion on Kookie's birthday present. Can we go shopping?" Taehyung asked.

Jimin swallowed hard. "Sorry, Tae. I have a Luminescence schedule tonight."

Taehyung looked at him with pity in his eyes. When his dark orbs met Jimin's silver ones, concern was all that could be found. "Jimin, I wish I could help you in any way to make you quit that job. Can you consider it?" Taehyung's voice trembled slightly as he spoke. He knew this topic could be sensitive for Jimin, and he would never let anyone ruin his dignity.

Jimin smiled and sighed softly. "I don't think I can. I earn a lot of money for just a few hours of work. It's not like you're filthy rich enough to support me like that. I can't be the reason you go bankrupt."

Taehyung tapped his shoulder gently. "I'm always here to help you. When you're ready, you can reach out."

Jimin smiled at him with gratitude and cupped his hand over Taehyung's shoulder.

A camera clicked, capturing this beautiful moment for entirely the wrong purpose.