Fate

Chapter 170

Namjoon's P.O.V.
Would she be happy or upset? I mean.. I had a few days before our concerts in Japan. Why not? I called from the plane leaving Beijing. "Hey, Foxy."

It took 7 weeks, but I got to see more than her face. "Hey, handsome! On your way to Tokyo?"

Not quite. No members in sight. "Yeah! You look like you're ready to go on a walk with Mushu."

"You'd be right about that! I'm not running. I promise, but we did do a nice hike on the little mountain you took me to last year." She had the energy to do these now, and it showed.
"Also, I have good news!"

"Really? Share with me." Was it that her business was rolling even better than it had been before? That her first book was still in the top 50 books in Korea and Quebec at the moment?

Nope, even more exciting! Min lifted her baggy shirt and slightly pulled her leggings down to slightly below her waist to show it. "See? Doesn't look too bad, does it?"

The surgeon did great. A perfect diagonal. Still long and pink, but it was scarred. "Wow, it healed well!"

Hopefully, the rest healed nicely too.. "Right? I was very careful. I promised I wouldn't make you worry too much."

Oh, but Kitten.. You're driving me insane. I'd see you soon. Very soon. "Indeed you did! I might get a package delivered that requires your signature so if the delivery man knocks, would you mind answering?"

It wasn't the first time. "Sure! You ordered something under my name again?"

"I've had to change my email address again because I get unwanted messages. I figured using your legal name would solve things."

Here, it did solve things. "No problem with that! I'll be waiting then."

"Enjoy your walk, Min."

"Have a safe flight, Joonie."
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Was I really knocking on my own door? I could hear her on the other side. "Mumu! Calm down! Why are you so excited? It's just mail."

Yeah, right. The lock clicked and the door opened. "Hey, Foxy-"

"You're here?!" I closed the door and she jumped in my arms. I embraced her so tight, as tight as her thighs held my waist. As upset as I have been, I was still so happy to see her. "You're here! Oh my goodness. Why? How? I thought you were in Tokyo!"

Yup. The surprise was worth it. I didn't let go. "It's an hour-long plane ride to go back. How could I not?"

Was she comfortable? Did that hurt? Could I finally get a kiss? "That's THE BEST surprise ever! You're so gonna get chewed up for this."

"Better make it worth my while then, huh?" I got my kiss. I forgot how soft and delicate they were and could be. I carefully let her feet touch the ground. I wanted to hold her face in my hands. "Already worth it."

Min rolled her eyes and kissed me again. "Still a flirt."

It made me laugh. "Always will be." With her head pressing against my nape, I realized her hair hadn't brushed against my hand once. "Did you put your hair in a bun or something?" I wanted to put my hand in it to make the kisses even better.

She lifted her head up. "Not quite, actually."
Mina pulled at the elastic band holding her hair together.
"I did a thing.."
Taking it off, her hair fell into layers that stopped at her shoulders. "Only right answers are none at all or wow that's so pretty."

"I love it!" I gently ran my fingers through it. It suited her so well. Her face also felt smooth under my touch. No blemishes or acne scars in sight. Her cheeks tinted pink after I brushed my thumbs over them to cup her cheeks.
"I didn't know you could get prettier."

Her eyes met mine, stunned, then mirrored my smile. "Really?"

"Really." She looked so good. She seemed well. I was freaking out for nothing. She wore the same perfume- Was that my shirt?

Following my glance, she stepped back. "I took good care of those I wore, I swear! I even used the fabric softener you like instead of mine."

"I don't give a damn about that!"
I brought her back into my arms.
"Who said that you were allowed to exit my hug? I'm not done."

You're getting lost in my shirt, Beautiful. It's to die for. A plus of her new haircut was how airy and tangleless it was. It was great! So great.. Taking a deep breath, I noticed something. "Were you cooking?"

Her chuckle in my ear warmed my heart. "Baking, cookies to be exact."

Smelled like spices.. ginger, definitely cinnamon. No warmth in the apartment. "They smell that nice raw? The scent will fill the whole unit!"

"Don't act like you're complaining. You're grinning like a fool!"

Because I was a fool, in many ways. But, being foolishly in love with her was not something I regretted.

Mina's P.O.V.
"You got back the time you lost, huh?"

"I thought you didn't have time to look at social media."

He smiled. "Not for others. For yours? Always. Easiest way to get updates without annoying the hell out of you."

It wasn't annoying- Well.. it could be. "I've been social these past two weeks, sue me! Only people whom I've given my handle to have seen these. It's not a crime."

We finally got to eat out and go to a noraebang like we were supposed to. I went to see Onewe's comeback on Music Bank. I've had a few meet-ups with Moonbyul, Hwasa, Sanha. After being kindly offered to watch a few practices, I went to see TXT's and Le Sserafim's. That cost me many cookies and jewellery. So worth it! "I never said that, Min! I meant that I'm glad you're well."

Right. "Honestly, I am too."
One thing bothered me. "When are you going back? You ARE going back. Right?"

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, nonchalantly scrolling through shows to watch. "If I wasn't, I would've brought my suitcases. Figured you wouldn't be too upset if I came to see you with a short flight instead of a 7h one."

Good point. "Smart. You're right. Can't be mad. I'm too happy to see you."
But I was nervous.

"I'm leaving tomorrow." What?
"I do have stage planning to go over with the guys and a few practices."

As disappointed as I was, it gave me time to think and ask questions.
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"Mina! You didn't tell him? Girl. You should've."

"Eonni, technically the tour is not over. He could've changed his mind and stayed."

Moonbyul glared at me, then sighed. "Fine, but take my advice."
She seemed uncomfortable.
"I'll be direct and I'm sorry because we don't talk about these things EVER, but here we are."
I didn't call that direct.
"Tell the man before you're intimate with him. He'll find out for sure. "Scared and bare isn't a good look."

What- "Obviously! Who do you think I am?"
She was still supporting her forehead with her hand.
"Should I deduce that it's from personal experience?"

"You don't want to know, trust me."

Oh, but I DO. "Please?"

"Sip on your iced coffee and shush it!"
I guess I won't know, huh?
"I got a tattoo on my hip and Hoseok panicked when he saw it because it's a big thing. You should tell me about those things! It's just a butterfly. Chill."

"No way! He freaked out at the butterfly?"

"Doesn't take much for him to make a scene anyway, but YOU are deep in it." Don't remind me.

"Oh, look! A bookstore. Can we go in?"

A sigh. "You didn't listen to me, did you?"

I did! I just chose not to acknowledge it. "Let's check it out!"

"You.. didn't.