The Truth About Monsters

Chapter 6: Species decipit

Rosie was no stranger to the dull ache that ghosted her body when she found herself counting the hours in the day.

Or, in this particular instance, the days in the week. Two weeks, specifically.

She'd done the math. She had the time to. Jennie wasn't dumping outrageous workloads on her anymore, and thankfully no one else had been shot in the wake of Jisoo's absence. It made for quiet times back at the office.

Time that Rosie wasted counting the seconds until Jisoo's supposed return. She'd actually written it out on the legal pad she'd taken to scribbling it on whenever no one was around and she just needed to capture the essence of Jisoo on paper.

Rosie muttered to herself in a faux sing-song whisper. "Twenty-thousand, one hundred-sixty." Well, that was since the previous evening, since Jisoo had departed this morning.

She hadn't even seen her leave. Her office was vacant before Rosie had arrived. She must not have come in.

Mino's voice shook her as she glanced up, his broad shouldered body suddenly blocking the florescent light from her view. "That's how long it's been since you've had a drink? No... a hot date?" Mino guessed, leaning against the edge of her desk. "You're blushing, so it has to be something embarrassing."

Rosie got out of her seat in a hurried, almost stumbling motion, trying desperately to hide her blushing, rosy cheeks. "Mino!" Her voice involuntarily rose a few octaves.

"Dr. Park." Mino dipped his head, like Rosie had seen him do to Jisoo. "I never formally thanked you."

"Thanked me?" Rosie echoed unsurely.

Mino scoffed. "Well I know you're a busy lady, but surely saving my life cracked your top five memorable moments of... I don't know... this week?" He teased gently.

Rosie laughed nervously. "Mino, that doesn't require thanks. I'm just glad you're alright. And frankly, a little pissed that you're threatening my handiwork by being up right now!" She added, coming around the desk. She began to lift the hem of his shirt.

"Rosie, buy me dinner first." Mino grinned when Rosie slapped his arm gently, so as to get the message across without hurting him.

She couldn't help the thrill that spread through her, when she thought of how she and Jisoo would be getting dinner. Just thirteen days. Maybe less. Jisoo had never actually specified when or where, come to think of it. Was she on business? Or pleasure? Surely she-

"Hei, Rosi." Mino's soft rumble shook her once more. Had she been zoning out again?

"Huh?" Rosie was certainly blushing hard if she hadn't been before. "Sorry!"

"Ai nou get chon daunde bilaik, ba yu gada foto." I don't know who it is, but you've got it bad. Mino spoke with an amused tone, back towards Rosie while she examined him.

"No!" Rosie protested, blushing furiously now. "It's not like that. I'm just... tired."

"People don't grin like idiots when they're tired, Doctor." Mino shrugged doubtfully, his voice full of teasing provocation. "Ba.... Nou get yu daun." But.... Don't worry. He added the last part with a wry smile, turning to gaze at her. "Jisoo won't mind you seeing someone as long you keep your relationship out of work affairs. She's professional that way."

Rosie nearly choked on her own spit. He really had no idea, did he?

"Hey, I was thinking... Do you wanna show me a few moves?" Rosie asked after a moment. "You seem like you know how to handle yourself." Rosie tried not to eye his back muscles as she pulled his shirt down, confirming that his stitching was intact.