𝐌𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫|(𝐌𝐘𝐆)

2.Brought Back Memories of My Warm Days

Min Yoongi's POV

I caught her staring at my cat while waddling her legs and firmly grasping onto her shirt. I picked Hazel up from the floor after realizing how uneasy she looked. I expected to have a good bedtime, relishing the cool breeze from the open windows and listening to the rustling sounds of the trees, but it did not happen.

"Yoongi!" hearing Hoseok's voice, I snapped out of my thoughts as he introduced us to one another.

"She is my cousin, Jung Soo Ah, she works as a Financial Analyst. He is my friend Min Yoongi, an Attorney and Partner of our firm."

"I mistook you for Hoseok and did not mean to hug you," she said, bowing towards us multiple times.

"I thought you had some ill intentions towards me."

"I touched your face because I was intrigued by your skin," she uttered, darting her eyes around but not at me.

"Hopefully, you two are no longer misunderstood." Hoseok walked forward to embrace Soo Ah and said, "You wanted to hug me, right?"

"I did not flirt with your friend," Soo Ah said, and she pummeled Hoseok's hand.

In return, Hoseok grinned and pinched her cheek, saying, "Don't be mad at me, my little girl."

"Then you both get a good sleep. Yoongi, I'll tidy up the guest room, you can sleep there," she said, closing the door behind her, running away.

The following day, I woke up and saw a text from Hoseok stating that he had gone out and would be back later in the evening. Why did he leave me alone? I put the phone back in the cabinet and decided to take a shower.

I descended downstairs to find Soo Ah cooking. The house was decorated, enlivening every corner of the room. Red and golden-hued candles were put on the tables, giving warm and auspicious vibes. Paper cuttings of red were pasted on the walls.

"Yoongi, Where is your cat?" she asked as she kept the bowl on the countertop while fidgeting with her fingers and glanced behind me.

"Hazel is sleeping in my room. I locked the door, so she won't come down."

"Thank you," she replied, and her face lit up in happiness.

"I was worried about Hazel, what if you scare her away with your actions?" I said, drawing a scowl from her.

"I was not sure what you would like to eat, so I cooked some Chinese breakfast that I learned from my grandma and prepared a simple meal as it's only the two of us," she said, setting up the table for us.

"Let me help you as well," I said, placing the bowl and chopsticks on the mocha brown wooden table filled with dumplings, purple sweet potato macroon, soybean milk, dough-fried sticks, and wheat noodles.

When I took a bite of the dumplings, it reminded me of the warm days I spent with my family. It would be a happy time interwoven with our redolence of meals together. We would converse with each other heartily, speaking out about the day's occurrences, which would begin with a smile and sometimes end in childish chaos. I was delighted that I got to taste a homemade meal, as it's been years since I felt that happiness.

"Does the food taste good?" she asked, biting the fried dough stick.

"What do you call the one you are eating?"

"It's called You Tiao in Chinese."

"You Tiao, it's greasy."

"Don't you know to appreciate rather than to point out my blunders in my cooking?" she said while stuffing the meat dumpling into her mouth without leaving anything for me.

"I said the truth."

"It got stuck in my throat. I hope it doesn't kill me." She yelled and began to cough. She looked at me with an icy stare while drinking the water, and after a minute, she became calm.

After our brief conversation, which ended with my response, the sounds of chopsticks clinking the bowl and slurping the congee were only audible. After that, we didn't say anything. I tend to say what's on my mind, which makes others think ill of me. I was troubled to see her looking worried when she kept on stirring her noodle bowl without eating. Did I make her upset? After having my breakfast, I went back to my room to read some documents for a lawsuit, not knowing how to speak further.

When I heard a continuous knock, I rushed to open the door to find Soo Ah gasping for air as her lips trembled.

"What happened, Soo Ah?" I raised a question.

"Yoongi...Yoongi..."

"What's wrong?" I asked her, sensing nervousness in her talk.

"Yoongi...Yoongi there's..."

"If you are just going to say my name in loop mode, I would like to get back to my room."

"There's something in the pantry, and I heard some strange noises," she said worriedly. She took hold of my hand and tugged me toward her. She began to pull me downstairs, and I followed her steps, not knowing what was going on. We both took steady steps on the stairs and slowly reached the pantry.

"What if it's a thief?" she cried out, clutching my hand.

"Soo Ah, Please don't squeeze my hand anymore. It hurts, and please don't pull my shirt, it will tear."

"If it gets torn, I'll pay for your shirt. I instinctively gripped your hand out of fear."

"It's a limited edition shirt you can't afford to pay for that."

"Give up bragging about how rich you are. How can we get to know what's inside the pantry?" She yelled and took my left hand in hers, drawing it nearer to her body. I could not take my hand away from her when I saw how spooked and frantic she appeared. Even though I did not like the way we were closer, I pulled her towards me so she could feel secure. Her chestnut brown hair locks brushed my hand, which was wrapped around her waist when she turned her head to look at me.

What if she played a trick on me because I made her upset with my talking? I let out a groan and asked myself why I had agreed to spend the holidays with Hoseok.

I stood in front of the pantry and opened the door to be startled as the glass jar toppled, making a chiming sound. The tiny flour particles wafted in the air. It was visible through the sunshine, which was streaming in through the windows.

I backed away.

Our eyes widened as we gazed at one another.

I hope this chapter wasn't boring. What's inside the pantry, in your opinion?

Love you all.

- Shin Haari