from the start | jake sim

5

Yuljin's POV

"Did you see? Hey, I couldn't believe my eyes!"

"No way!"

"Is that Jay? Is it really him?"

I walked towards where the commotion was, and I looked down to see Jay in his underpants. His eyes widened when he saw me.

"Play the music!" He motioned to someone, "Ayo, I'm Jay Park, not Jinyoung Park or Jaebeom but Jongseong." he eyed me.

"I'm born in the US, and I like to dance. When there's hip hop, there's always Jay Park." Everyone cheered.

I let out a chuckle, and his smile widened. "Okay, that's it! I'm going into a shock!" He rushed into the shelter and everyone cheered.

"Encore! Encore!" Everyone cheered, "Hey! There's no encore!" Jay shouted from the shelter, causing everyone to laugh.

I was walking through the cafeteria when I saw Jay, he rushed over to me. "How was that? was that enough?" I hesitated for a bit to tease him.

"Hey, I was shivering and trembling under the cold winter sky. There was not an ounce of sunlight! Not even a little!" I burst into laughter, causing him to laugh along.

I nodded with a smile, "Alright, what do you want to know about me?"

"Firstly, it is an honour to have the chance to get to know you." I laughed, "And secondly, I want to know if you're single?"

My face started heating up, "I've always thought you're pretty, but I didn't dare to come up to you since I heard that you always reject people."

"So are you single?" He asked, anticipating my reply.

I shot him a smile, "I really appreciate it but-"

He nodded, "I get it. It's fine, I'll just slowly get to know you and chase you from there." I shrugged, "But there's no guarantee success." He nodded.

"Did you know I managed to pass the boss level in Mario?" I chuckled, "Well congratulations."

"It's to show that I'm determine and even the boss level can't defeat me." He smiled proudly as he placed both hands on his lips.

I chuckled, "Whatever floats your boat, Jay Park."

I begin walking, and he walked alongside me. "So are you free? Anytime?" I shook my head, "I have a recital coming up, and a competition so I don't really have any time."

"What about the Business Gaia ball next month? Will you be there?" I nodded, "What about your family? Will they be there?" I shrugged.

"Probably." He smiled as he nodded, "I'll try to make an impression, hopefully if by then I haven't chased you, " He eyed me, "which is unlikely."

"I can get them to help." I scoffed, "That's very bold of you to say." He smiled, as he placed his hand on his cheek.

"How can you resist this handsome face?" I burst into laughter, and his smile fell. "Hey, what's with that laugh? Am I not handsome?" I shrugged as I continued walking.

Jake's POV

"I saw Jay talking to you, is he chasing you?" I looked over to see Seoyun and her minions talking really loudly.

Seoyun nodded, "He's really good looking though, are you not touched?" She shook her head, "I don't think face can help sustain a relationship."

I scoffed, as I went back to revising my work.

I've never been a fan of Seoyun, and have never been able to see the hype. Everyone were swooning over her, even Jay, the son of one of the greatest company in Korea.

Honestly, she's just overrated.

There's so many other pretty faces, she's merely just one of them.

It's probably because she's wealthy.

I scoffed, "It's not even her wealth." I murmured.

Class continued as usual, and when the last bell rang I started packing up my stuff. "Hey Seoyun." I looked over to see Jay giving her a bouquet of roses.

Girls were swooning over Jay, as they squealed. I scoffed, all these rich kids using their parents money for something like this.

"Can I have the honour to walk you to the carpark?" She nodded, and I ignored them as I continued packing up.

I was about to walk out of the door when Jay blocked my way, "Oh, my bad." He said, and I scoffed before pushing passed him.

I walked towards the bus stop, and took the bus where I alight right outside of the cafe that I'm working at. "You're early today." I nodded as I put my things down.

While putting on my apron, I saw a rose behind the counter. "Who's rose is this?" Aera turned over and a small smile crept up on her face.

"You know the customer that always come by?" I thought for a bit, "The one that looks like a deer?" She chuckled while nodding.

My jaw dropped as I covered my mouth with my palm, "Yeap, he gave that to me." She said, as she tried to hide her smile.

"Do girls really like roses though? It's just a flower that will wilt in a few days." Aera nodded, "I guess it's pretty and it's the thought that counts."

"Why not food? Food doesn't wilt." Aera chuckled, "Let me guess, you have not dated before?" My eyes widened as I shook my head.

"Hey, I have a ton of girls queueing up to date me." She smirked, "So how many have you dated?" I pursed my lips.

Aera ruffled my hair, "You'd get it when you're dating or chasing someone. You'd give the world to them if you can."

I thought for a bit, "But I can't give them the world, the most I can do is buy a star and name it after them but I'm broke."

She nudged me, "Talk to me again after you find a girl that you like." I shrugged, before serving the customer that just entered.

Just then, the door swung opened and a smirk grew on my face as I rested my arm on the counter. She walked over to me, "1 Machiatto and cheesecake."

"Where's the rose bouquet that Jay Park got you?" I pretended to look around, "I didn't accept it." She replied without looking up.

"Why? I thought girls like roses." She shrugged, "I just didn't feel like it."

She eyed me, "So can I pay for my stuff now?"

I keyed in her order, "18,000 won." She handed me the money, and I went to prepare her order.

"I thought you would accept it." She shook her head, "I gave it back to him when he's walking me to the carpark. It's kinda embarrassing if I were to reject him then."

I eyed her, "But don't girls like rich guys?"

She shrugged, "I can literally get the roses myself if I want to, I don't need anyone to buy it for me." I scoffed, "Okay Ariel."

"Here's your food, to go." I handed it to her and she thanked me before walking off.

Aera nudged me when she left, "Who's that? she's really pretty."

"She's okay."

7 December 2023