Fate

Chapter 169

Mina's P.O.V.
"Why are you frowning this much? It's not that hard to believe, noona."

I pointed towards myself. "Warm. Me?"
I took a bite of the, oh so delicious, food he brought. "I think you're feverish. You always say that I'm colder than Antarctica."

"It's called a joke. You've heard of those, haven't you?"
Don't laugh at me like that! "I wasn't being serious.. or literal."

So it wasn't about being warm under my sweater either? Because, regarding that, I was warm. Not the point. I've been called stoic, meticulous, organized, thickheaded, and many other... probably more positive things, but nothing like that. "I don't see it."
Wait a second. "Is that why you purs- I don't want to say pursued, but it's the best word I have."
He was still looking at me, a smile on his face. No bother in the world about my choice of vocabulary.
"Is that why you pursued a friendship with me? Because you have to be deceived at this point."

A frown. "I wouldn't be here, wouldn't I?"

Guess not. "I would consider you a warm person. I don't know, you radiate golden retriever energy. Know what I mean?"

I.. think I broke him. He couldn't stop laughing. "Ah! It's so accurate it hurts! I can see what you mean, but you're a bit like that too."

I tilted my head. "I suppose, when I'm not at work -"

"Nuh-uh. At work too. You're focused on getting the work done, but you have a smile on your face and you're bright and expressive. I'd say it fits the bill."

Fine! "Maybe I am, okay? You didn't answer the question."

Jake shrugged. "I liked your stage presence and I heard nice things from the sunbaes. I got the feeling it'd work out. I wish I had been invited to your 25th birthday. It sounded like a blast!"

It was! It really was. "And full of drama."

"Drama? Tell me about it!"
.
.
.
"I need to tell you something."

"Sure! What is it?" Would it sound odd?

"Thank you for visiting me on my birthday, and not staying far away."

"Of course! You looked like you needed a little something to cheer you up." It wasn't a big deal?
"I saw you in the morning, then you didn't show up for practice the next day. I ran into TXT downstairs, and Jungkook told them about the message Moonbyul sent.. You get the point. I showed up because I wanted to see how you were doing. Considering you had invited us to eat out and go to a noraebang on the 24th for your birthday because of our schedule, your situation seemed gloomy as is. Couldn't have that! I'm glad it made your day better."

It really did. "It wasn't a big party or anything."

"But you still thought to invite me."
Why wouldn't I? Sure, we had seen each other almost everyday from mid May till late June, but that wouldn't make me not want to see him. Did I say that right?

"Because I wanted to."

"See? Then think of me visiting as the same thing! You're a tough character to figure out, but once we do we enjoy your company. At least, that's how I feel." That was kind of him..
"Next time, just make sure you warn us about your medical emergencies."

What? "But I can't warn-" He held back a laugh. Oh.. I get it.
"It's a joke, isn't it? Very funny."
If he understands my character a bit, maybe he can help me with this.
"I have a hypothetical. Do you mind?"

"Try me! What is it?"

Here it goes then. "Let's say that I had something important to do and I had two options, do it on the same day as another important thing or much later. But, when I gave the reasons why later would be better, I was told it didn't fit the schedule. So, for the company to allow that important thing to happen, which they agreed would be good, it had to  be on the same day as the other event. Also, even if I didn't sign anything, I was told not to mention to others at the company, some being friends, that these events were on the same day. Would you have told them before or after or not at all? If so, when?"

A crease formed between his brows. "That's a very specific hypothetical."

"Oh- and I told a friend outside of the company about it all and she thinks I should've said it anyway."

"So Moonbyul sunbaenim knows." How did he figure that out so quickly? He glanced at my face and smiled.
"You said she. Couldn't be Leedo sunbaenim, could it?"
Very fair point.

"What do you think I should have done?"

"I knew it wasn't hypothetical! Okay.. let me think.. so.. the company would be angry with you speaking of it because it could affect others, I think. From their point of view, I understand, but it's not a fair thing to ask."
Another look at my face, then my hoodie and joggers. "The A/C is running, but you're fully dressed."
Please don't be that smart. I don't want to deal with that.
"If the events are that important and that it wasn't in your best interest to have them on the same day, you could've said no, but you did say the company liked the idea of that event.. Did they force you?"

Damn.. "I'd say heavily suggested." And reminded me they had the power to not renew my Visa next year.. It might've given me another time to do it, but I doubt it.

"Then, you did what you had to do, in my opinion. Hopefully your friends won't be too upset, but if you tell them about the company thing-"
Jake, it's Hybe, be serious.
"Let me guess.. you're not supposed to say you weren't allowed to tell."

"Bingo."

"They really just covered their asses. Take that thing off, noona sunbaenim. You look uncomfortable." I technically didn't tell. He figured it out.

It's not like he had to fly from a tour or anything. They finally had a month to vlog around Korea. We could call that a break. He wouldn't tell a soul. "Let me change, I'll be right back."

"Take your time!"

I'd need it. I didn't exactly go into my wardrobe.. "Does he have shorts long enough that have a string at the waist? I know I've seen him wear some. I don't want to disorganise his things.."
I found a big T-shirt just fine. Namjoon bought them oversized for himself. The sleeves reached my elbows without any issues.
"Come on.. There! I think I can do with that."
Boy were my legs sore.. Everything was. Looking into the mirror, seeing the butterfly closures, a bit like little bandages, placed periodically over the healing tissue, I didn't know how I could keep that from anyone if I stepped outside. It was hot and humid. I couldn't dress like it was winter in that weather. "I can't keep this to myself and eonni. It's not right.."

"Are you okay?" Jake said after knocking on the closed door.
"If your bandages got caught while changing, I'm not squeamish, if you are."

I wasn't for others, but for myself.. He was right. I was squeamish. "It's not that. I'm fine."
I fixed the shirt over the shorts. "Don't judge."

"I might just make a dumb joke." Fair. Fair. I opened the door. "Why would I judge? They're clearly not YOUR clothes, but you must be more comfortable."

I was, definitely. "You're a stylish guy, I don't know! You could judge. I wear his shirts when I miss him."

A grin, arms crossed. "Noona, that's pretty adorable of you."

Don't you dare. "Call me adorable another time and I'll make you regret it."

"Cute."

"Jaeyun, don't repeat that to anyone!"

"Woah~ You really are a softie at heart."

"Jake!"